75 FR 17147 - International Conference on Harmonisation; Guidance on Q4B Evaluation and Recommendation of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-05

...] International Conference on Harmonisation; Guidance on Q4B Evaluation and Recommendation of Pharmacopoeial Texts... Recommendation of Pharmacopoeial Texts for Use in the ICH Regions; Annex 9: Tablet Friability General Chapter... results of the ICH Q4B evaluation of the Tablet Friability General Chapter harmonized text from each of...

HIGH-SHEAR GRANULATION PROCESS: INFLUENCE OF PROCESSING PARAMETERS ON CRITICAL QUALITY ATTRIBUTES OF ACETAMINOPHEN GRANULES AND TABLETS USING DESIGN OF EXPERIMENT APPROACH.

PubMed

Fayed, Mohamed H; Abdel-Rahman, Sayed I; Alanazi, Fars K; Ahmed, Mahrous O; Tawfeek, Hesham M; Al-Shedfat, Ramadan I

2017-01-01

Application of quality by design (QbD) in high shear granulation process is critical and need to recognize the correlation between the granulation process parameters and the properties of intermediate (granules) and corresponding final product (tablets). The present work examined the influence of water amount (X,) and wet massing time (X2) as independent process variables on the critical quality attributes of granules and corresponding tablets using design of experiment (DoE) technique. A two factor, three level (32) full factorial design was performed; each of these variables was investigated at three levels to characterize their strength and interaction. The dried granules have been analyzed for their size distribution, density and flow pattern. Additionally, the produced tablets have been investigated for weight uniformity, crushing strength, friability and percent capping, disintegration time and drug dissolution. Statistically significant impact (p < 0.05) of water amount was identified for granule growth, percent fines and distribution width and flow behavior. Granule density and compressibility were found to be significantly influenced (p < 0.05) by the two operating conditions. Also, water amount has significant effect (p < 0.05) on tablet weight unifornity, friability and percent capping. Moreover, tablet disintegration time and drug dissolution appears to be significantly influenced (p < 0.05) by the two process variables. On the other hand, the relationship of process parameters with critical quality attributes of granule and final product tablet was identified and correlated. Ultimately, a judicious selection of process parameters in high shear granulation process will allow providing product of desirable quality.

Formulation and Evaluation of Mouth Disintegrating Tablets of Atenolol and Atorvastatin

PubMed Central

Sarfraz, R. M.; Khan, H. U.; Mahmood, A.; Ahmad, M.; Maheen, S.; Sher, M.

2015-01-01

In this study, mouth-disintegrating tablets of atenolol and atorvastatin combination were formulated using superdisintegrants to impart fast disintegration. Fifteen formulations were prepared based on different concentrations of two superdisintegrants, croscarmellose sodium and Kyron-T134. Three different techniques such as direct compression, effervescent and sublimation were used to study the effect of manufacturing processes, nature and concentration of superdisintegrants on various features of these tablets. Five formulations were made using each method. Precompression studies like bulk density, tapped density, angle of repose, Carr's compressibility index, Hausner's ratio and compatibility studies such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry were performed. Various features such as hardness, thickness, diameter, weight variation, friability, disintegration time, dissolution studies, wetting time, wetting volume, water absorption ratio, modified disintegration, uniformity of contents and stability were evaluated. Finally results were statistically analyzed by the application of one way ANOVA test. Formulation F13 containing Kyron-T134 (6%) and croscarmellose sodium (2%) was found to be the best among all fifteen formulations prepared in all aspects evaluated. Sublimation method is found to be the best among three methods of preparation used. PMID:25767322

Optimization of formulation and processing of Moringa oleifera and spirulina complex tablets.

PubMed

Zheng, Yi; Zhu, Fan; Lin, Dan; Wu, Jun; Zhou, Yichao; Mark, Bohn

2017-01-01

Objective: To prepare a more comprehensive nutrition, more balanced proportion of natural nutritional supplement tablets with Moringa oleifera leaves and spirulina the two nutrients which have complementary natural food ingredients. Method: On the basis of research M. oleifera leaves with spirulina nutrient composition was determined on M. oleifera leaves and spirulina ratio of raw materials, and the choice of microcrystalline cellulose, sodium salt of caboxy methyl cellulose(CMC),magnesium stearate excipient, through single factor and orthogonal experiment, selecting the best formula tablets prepared by powder direct compression technology, for preparation of M. oleifera and spirulina complex tablets. Results: The best ratio of raw material for the M. oleifera leaves powder: spirulina powder was 7:3, the best raw materials for the tablet formulation was 88.5%, 8.0% microcrystalline cellulose, CMC 2.0%, stearin magnesium 1.5%, the optimum parameters for the raw material crushing 200-300 mesh particle size, moisture content of 7%, tableting pressure 40 kN. Conclusion: Through formulation and process optimization, we can prepare more comprehensive and balanced nutrition M. oleifera and spirulina complex tablets, its sheet-shaped appearance, piece weight variation, hardness, friability, disintegration and other indicators have reached the appropriate quality requirements.

Male enhancement Nutraceuticals in the Middle East market: Claim, pharmaceutical quality and safety assessments.

PubMed

ElAgouri, Ghada; ElAmrawy, Fatema; ElYazbi, Ahmed; Eshra, Ahmed; Nounou, Mohamed I

2015-08-15

The global market is invaded by male enhancement nutraceuticals claimed to be of natural origin sold with a major therapeutic claim. Most of these products have been reported by international systems like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We hypothesize that these products could represent a major threat to the health of the consumers. In this paper, pharmaceutical evaluation of some of these nutraceutical products sold in Egypt under the therapeutic claim of treating erectile dysfunction, are discussed along with pharmacological evaluation to investigate their safety and efficacy parameters. Samples were analyzed utterly using conventional methods, i.e.: HPLC, HPTLC, NIR, content uniformity and weight variation and friability. The SeDeM system was used for quality assessment. On the basis of the results of this research, the sampled products are adulterated and totally heterogeneous in their adulterant drug content and pharmaceutical quality. These products represent a major safety threat for the consumers in Egypt and the Middle East, especially; the target audience is mostly affected with heart and blood pressure problems seeking natural and safe alternatives to the well-established Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors (PDE-5Is). Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The Use of D-Optimal Mixture Design in Optimizing Development of Okara Tablet Formulation as a Dietary Supplement.

PubMed

Zen, Nur Izzati Mohamad; Abd Gani, Siti Salwa; Shamsudin, Rosnah; Masoumi, Hamid Reza Fard

2015-01-01

The usage of soy is increasing year by year. It increases the problem of financial crisis due to the limited sources of soybeans. Therefore, production of oral tablets containing the nutritious leftover of soymilk production, called okara, as the main ingredient was investigated. The okara tablets were produced using the direct compression method. The percentage of okara, guar gum, microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel PH-101), and maltodextrin influenced tablets' hardness and friability which are analyzed using a D-optimal mixture design. Composition of Avicel PH-101 had positive effects for both hardness and friability tests of the tablets. Maltodextrin and okara composition had a significant positive effect on tablets' hardness, but not on percentage of friability of tablets. However, guar gum had a negative effect on both physical tests. The optimum tablet formulation was obtained: 47.0% of okara, 2.0% of guar gum, 35.0% of Avicel PH-101, and 14.0% of maltodextrin.

The Use of D-Optimal Mixture Design in Optimizing Development of Okara Tablet Formulation as a Dietary Supplement

PubMed Central

Mohamad Zen, Nur Izzati; Shamsudin, Rosnah

2015-01-01

The usage of soy is increasing year by year. It increases the problem of financial crisis due to the limited sources of soybeans. Therefore, production of oral tablets containing the nutritious leftover of soymilk production, called okara, as the main ingredient was investigated. The okara tablets were produced using the direct compression method. The percentage of okara, guar gum, microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel PH-101), and maltodextrin influenced tablets' hardness and friability which are analyzed using a D-optimal mixture design. Composition of Avicel PH-101 had positive effects for both hardness and friability tests of the tablets. Maltodextrin and okara composition had a significant positive effect on tablets' hardness, but not on percentage of friability of tablets. However, guar gum had a negative effect on both physical tests. The optimum tablet formulation was obtained: 47.0% of okara, 2.0% of guar gum, 35.0% of Avicel PH-101, and 14.0% of maltodextrin. PMID:26171418

Formulation, Characterization and Physicochemical Evaluation of Ranitidine Effervescent Tablets

PubMed Central

Aslani, Abolfazl; Jahangiri, Hajar

2013-01-01

Purpose: The aim of this study was to design, formulate and physicochemically evaluate effervescent ranitidine hydrochloride (HCl) tablets since they are easily administered while the elderly and children sometimes have difficulties in swallowing oral dosage forms. Methods: Effervescent ranitidine HCl tablets were prepared in a dosage of 300 mg by fusion and direct compression methods. The powder blend and granule mixture were evaluated for various pre-compression characteristics, such as angle of repose, compressibility index, mean particle size and Hausner's ratio. The tablets were evaluated for post-compression features including weight variation, hardness, friability, drug content, dissolution time, carbon dioxide content, effervescence time, pH, content uniformity and water content. Effervescent systems with appropriate pre and post-compression qualities dissolved rapidly in water were selected as the best formulations. Results: The results showed that the flowability of fusion method is more than that of direct compression and the F5 and F6 formulations of 300 mg tablets were selected as the best formulations because of their physicochemical characteristics. Conclusion: In this study, citric acid, sodium bicarbonate and sweeteners (including mannitol, sucrose and aspartame) were selected. Aspartame, mint and orange flavors were more effective for masking the bitter taste of ranitidine. The fusion method is the best alternative in terms of physicochemical and physical properties. PMID:24312854

Formulation of bi-layer matrix tablets of tramadol hydrochloride: Comparison of rate retarding ability of the incorporated hydrophilic polymers.

PubMed

Arif, Hasanul; Al-Masum, Abdullah; Sharmin, Florida; Reza, Selim; Sm Islam, Sm Ashraful

2015-05-01

Bi-layer tablets of tramadol hydrochloride were prepared by direct compression technique. Each tablet contains an instant release layer with a sustained release layer. The instant release layer was found to release the initial dose immediately within minutes. The instant release layer was combined with sustained release matrix made of varying quantity of Methocel K4M, Methocel K15MCR and Carbomer 974P. Bi-layer tablets were evaluated for various physical tests including weight variation, thickness and diameter, hardness and percent friability. Drug release from bi-layer tablet was studied in acidic medium and buffer medium for two and six hours respectively. Sustained release of tramadol hydrochloride was observed with a controlled fashion that was characteristic to the type and extent of polymer used. % Drug release from eight-hour dissolution study was fitted with several kinetic models. Mean dissolution time (MDT) and fractional dissolution values (T25%, T50% and T80%) were also calculated as well, to compare the retarding ability of the polymers. Methocel K15MCR was found to be the most effective in rate retardation of freely water-soluble tramadol hydrochloride compared to Methocel K4M and Capbomer 974P, when incorporated at equal ratio in the formulation.

Formulation Development and Evaluation of Fast Disintegrating Tablets of Salbutamol Sulphate for Respiratory Disorders

PubMed Central

Sharma, Deepak

2013-01-01

Recent developments in fast disintegrating tablets have brought convenience in dosing to pediatric and elderly patients who have trouble in swallowing tablets. The objective of the present study was to prepare the fast disintegrating tablet of salbutamol sulphate for respiratory disorders for pediatrics. As precision of dosing and patient's compliance become important prerequisites for a long-term treatment, there is a need to develop a formulation for this drug which overcomes problems such as difficulty in swallowing, inconvenience in administration while travelling, and patient's acceptability. Hence, the present investigation were undertaken with a view to develop a fast disintegrating tablet of salbutamol sulphate which offers a new range of products having desired characteristics and intended benefits. Superdisintegrants such as sodium starch glycolate was optimized. Different binders were optimized along with optimized superdisintegrant concentration. The tablets were prepared by direct compression technique. The tablets were evaluated for hardness, friability, weight variation, wetting time, disintegration time, and uniformity of content. Optimized formulation was evaluated by in vitro dissolution test, drug-excipient compatibility, and accelerated stability study. It was concluded that fast disintegrating tablets of salbutamol sulphate were formulated successfully with desired characteristics which disintegrated rapidly; provided rapid onset of action; and enhanced the patient convenience and compliance. PMID:23956881

Desktop 3D printing of controlled release pharmaceutical bilayer tablets.

PubMed

Khaled, Shaban A; Burley, Jonathan C; Alexander, Morgan R; Roberts, Clive J

2014-01-30

Three dimensional (3D) printing was used as a novel medicine formulation technique for production of viable tablets capable of satisfying regulatory tests and matching the release of standard commercial tablets. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC 2208) (Methocel™ K100M Premium) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) (Carbopol(®) 974P NF) were used as a hydrophilic matrix for a sustained release (SR) layer. Hypromellose(®) (HPMC 2910) was used as a binder while microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) (Pharmacel(®) 102) and sodium starch glycolate (SSG) (Primojel(®)) were used as disintegrants for an immediate release (IR) layer. Commercial guaifenesin bi-layer tablets (GBT) were used as a model drug (Mucinex(®)) for this study. There was a favourable comparison of release of the active guaifenesin from the printed hydrophilic matrix compared with the commercially available GBT. The printed formulations were also evaluated for physical and mechanical properties such as weight variation, friability, hardness and thickness as a comparison to the commercial tablet and were within acceptable range as defined by the international standards stated in the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP). All formulations (standard tablets and 3D printed tablets) showed Korsmeyer-Peppas n values between 0.27 and 0.44 which indicates Fickian diffusion drug release through a hydrated HPMC gel layer. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

[The use of semi-synthetic polymers in the formulation of sucking and chewable tablets containing sage extract and zinc gluconate].

PubMed

Linka, Wojciech Andrzej; Golenia, Ewa; Zgoda, Marian Mikołaj; Kołodziejczyk, Michał Krzysztof

2014-01-01

Halitosis and gingivitis are most common pathologies (15-60% of population) which, if left untreated, lead to periodontal diseases and tooth loss. The aim of this study was to develop, based on polymers of dry sage extract and zinc gluconate, tablets intended for sucking and chewing that can be applied in the treatment of halitosis and gingivitis. Dried aqueous sage extract, zinc gluconate, Pharmagum M, Prosolv SMCC90 and SMCCHD90, Vivapur 102, sorbitol, mannitol, ludipress. Direct tableting. Testing pharmacopeial parameters and pharmaceutical availability (using basket and rotating disk methods) of tablets intended for sucking and chewing. Approximation of the obtained results. Grey and green color tablets were obtained with smooth and uniform surface, without stains, spalls or mechanical damage. The determined average mass (weight) of a tablet complied with the standard. The friability and crushing strength test revealed that tablets containing Prosolv SMCCHD90, Vivapur 102 and mannitol demonstrated the highest mechanical strength. Tablets containing these substances and intended for sucking had prolonged disintegration and release time. Tablets intended for chewing had a hardness at the level of 124 N.They demonstrated compressibility, low friability and prolonged release. The release profiles of tablets intended for sucking (v2) and those for chewing, obtained by basket and rotating disk methods, were similar. The addition of Prosolv SMCCHD90, Vivapur 102 and mannitol increased significantly the mechanical strength (higher hardness, lower friability), prolonged the disintegration time and slowed the release from the obtained tablets intended for sucking and chewing. The application of Prosolv SMCCHD90 in the formulation of tablets for chewing carries the risk for sorption of active components to the polymer structure. This process takes place in the early stage of the release. Rotating disk method used in pharmaceutical availability testing gives better results while analyzing the phenomenon than the standard basket method. The suggested and tested formulations of tablets intended for sucking and chewing may be used as an alternative to formulations containing dried titrated extracts from plants of antimicrobial activity (sage - Salvia officinalis) in combination with substances binding volatile sulfur compounds (zinc gluconate).

Formulation and evaluation of dried yeast tablets using different techniques.

PubMed

Al-Mohizea, Abdullah M; Ahmed, Mahrous O; Al-jenoobi, Fahad I; Mahrous, Gamal M; Abdel-Rahman, Aly A

2007-08-01

The aim of this study was to prepare and evaluate dried yeast tablets using both direct compression and dry granulation techniques in comparison with the conventional wet granulation as well as commercial product. Wet granulation technique is not favorable for producing the yeast tablets due to the problems of color darkening and the reduction of the fermentation power of the yeast as a result of the early start of the fermentation process due to the presence of moisture. Twenty six formulae of dried yeast tablets were prepared and evaluated. Certain directly compressible vehicles were employed for preparing these tablets. The quality control tests (weight uniformity, friability, disintegration time and hardness) of the prepared dried yeast tablets were performed according to B.P. 1998 limits. All batches of the prepared tablets complied with the B.P. limits of weight uniformity. Moreover, small values of friability % (1% or less) were obtained for all batches of dried yeast tablets with acceptable hardness values, indicating good mechanical properties which can withstand handling. On the other hand, not all batches complied with the limit of disintegration test which may be attributed to various formulation component variables. Therefore, four disintegrating agents were investigated for their disintegrating effect. It was found that the method of preparation, whether it is direct compression, dry granulation or wet granulation, has an effect on disintegration time of these dried yeast tablets and short disintegration times were obtained for some of the formulae. The shortest disintegration time was obtained with those tablets prepared by direct compression among the other techniques. Therefore, the direct compression is considered the best technique for preparation of dried yeast tablets and the best formula (which showed shorter disintegration time and better organoleptic properties than the available commercial yeast tablets) was chosen. Drug content for dried yeast granular powder, and the chosen best prepared formula, was determined by gas chromatography (GC). It was found that this formula gave the same alcohol content produced by an equal amount of the dried yeast granular powder. This result in conjunction with weight uniformity indicated drug content uniformity of the prepared dried yeast tablets.

Instability of misoprostol tablets stored outside the blister: a potential serious concern for clinical outcome in medical abortion.

PubMed

Berard, Veronique; Fiala, Christian; Cameron, Sharon; Bombas, Teresa; Parachini, Mirella; Gemzell-Danielsson, Kristina

2014-01-01

Misoprostol (Cytotec) is recognised to be effective for many gynaecological indications including termination of pregnancy, management of miscarriage and postpartum haemorrhage. Although not licensed for such indications, it has been used for these purposes by millions of women throughout the world. Misoprostol tablets are most often packaged as multiple tablets within an aluminium strip, each within an individual alveolus. When an alveolus is opened, tablets will be exposed to atmospheric conditions. To compare the pharmaco technical characteristics (weight, friability), water content, misoprostol content and decomposition product content (type A misoprostol, type B misoprostol and 8-epi misoprostol) of misoprostol tablets Cytotec (Pfizer) exposed to air for periods of 1 hour to 720 hours (30 days), to those of identical non exposed tablets. Four hundred and twenty (420) tablets of Cytotec (Pfizer) were removed from their alveoli blister and stored at 25°C/60% relative humidity. Water content, and misoprostol degradation products were assayed in tablets exposed from 1 to 720 hours (30 days). Comparison was made with control tablets (N=60) from the same batch stored in non-damaged blisters. Statistical analyses were carried out using Fisher's exact test for small sample sizes. By 48 hours, exposed tablets demonstrated increased weight (+4.5%), friability (+1 300%), and water content (+80%) compared to controls. Exposed tablets also exhibited a decrease in Cytotec active ingredient dosage (-5.1% after 48 hours) and an increase in the inactive degradation products (+25% for type B, +50% for type A and +11% for 8-epi misoprostol after 48 hours) compared to controls. Exposure of Cytotec tablets to 'typical' European levels of air and humidity results in significant time-dependent changes in physical and biological composition that could impact adversely upon clinical efficacy. Health professionals should be made aware of the degradation of misoprostol with inappropriate storage of misoprostol tablets.

Instability of Misoprostol Tablets Stored Outside the Blister: A Potential Serious Concern for Clinical Outcome in Medical Abortion

PubMed Central

Berard, Veronique; Fiala, Christian; Cameron, Sharon; Bombas, Teresa; Parachini, Mirella; Gemzell-Danielsson, Kristina

2014-01-01

Introduction Misoprostol (Cytotec) is recognised to be effective for many gynaecological indications including termination of pregnancy, management of miscarriage and postpartum haemorrhage. Although not licensed for such indications, it has been used for these purposes by millions of women throughout the world. Misoprostol tablets are most often packaged as multiple tablets within an aluminium strip, each within an individual alveolus. When an alveolus is opened, tablets will be exposed to atmospheric conditions. Objective To compare the pharmaco technical characteristics (weight, friability), water content, misoprostol content and decomposition product content (type A misoprostol, type B misoprostol and 8-epi misoprostol) of misoprostol tablets Cytotec (Pfizer) exposed to air for periods of 1 hour to 720 hours (30 days), to those of identical non exposed tablets. Methods Four hundred and twenty (420) tablets of Cytotec (Pfizer) were removed from their alveoli blister and stored at 25°C/60% relative humidity. Water content, and misoprostol degradation products were assayed in tablets exposed from 1 to 720 hours (30 days). Comparison was made with control tablets (N = 60) from the same batch stored in non-damaged blisters. Statistical analyses were carried out using Fisher’s exact test for small sample sizes. Results By 48 hours, exposed tablets demonstrated increased weight (+4.5%), friability (+1 300%), and water content (+80%) compared to controls. Exposed tablets also exhibited a decrease in Cytotec active ingredient dosage (−5.1% after 48 hours) and an increase in the inactive degradation products (+25% for type B, +50% for type A and +11% for 8-epi misoprostol after 48 hours) compared to controls. Conclusion Exposure of Cytotec tablets to ‘typical’ European levels of air and humidity results in significant time-dependent changes in physical and biological composition that could impact adversely upon clinical efficacy. Health professionals should be made aware of the degradation of misoprostol with inappropriate storage of misoprostol tablets. PMID:25502819

Development and evaluation of fixed dose bi therapy sublingual tablets for treatment stress hypertension and anxiety

PubMed Central

El-Nabarawi, Mohamed A.; Tayel, Saadia A.; Soliman, Nadia A.; Abo Enin, Hadel A.

2013-01-01

Objective: A stress induced rise in the blood pressure. Some believe that patients with hypertension are characterized by a generalized state of increased anxiety. Aim: The purpose of this study is to prepare a fixed dose bi therapy using bisoprolol hemifumarate (BH) as antihypertensive drug and buspirone hydrochloride (BuHCl) as anxiolytic drug, which can be used to treat both diseases concomitantly. Using sublingual tablets is hopeful to improve the BuHCl poor oral bioavailability and to facilitate administration to patients experiencing problems with swallowing. Materials and Methods: A total of 5mg BH and 10mg BuHCl were selected based on compatibility study. A 3×22 full factorial design was adopted for the optimization of the tablets prepared by direct compression method. The effects of the filler type, the binder molecular weight, and the binder type were studied. The prepared formulae were evaluated according to their physical characters as hardness, friability, disintegration time (new modified method and in vivo disintegration time) and wetting properties. In vitro drugs dissolute, permeation through the buccal mucosa and the effect of storage were analyzed by a new valid high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Bioavailability study of the selected formula study was carried out and followed by the clinical. Results: The optimized tablet formulation showed accepted average weight, hardness, wetting time, friability, content uniformity, disintegration time (less than 3 min). Maximum drug release could be achieved with in 10 min. In addition enhancing drug permeation through the buccal mucosa and, the maximum concentration of the drug that reached the blood was in the first 10 min which means a rapid onset of action and improved the extent of both drug's absorption. Conclusion: The results revealed that sublingual (F6) tablets containing both drugs would maintain rapid onset of action, and increase bioavailability. BuHCl with BH can be attributed to the marked decline in DBP and SBP. That led to a reduction in the MAP. PMID:24082695

Water hyacinth: a possible alternative rate retarding natural polymer used in sustained release tablet design

PubMed Central

Khatun, Sabera; Sutradhar, Kumar B.

2014-01-01

In recent years natural polymers have been widely used because of their effectiveness and availability over synthetic polymers. In this present investigation matrix tablets of Metformin hydrochloride were formulated using Water hyacinth powder and its rate retardant activity was studied. Tablets were prepared using wet granulation method with 8% starch as granulating agent and 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30% of Water hyacinth powder to the drug. In preformulation study, angle of repose, Carr's Index and Hausner ratio were calculated. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) studies were performed and no interactions were found between drug and excipients. Weight variation, friability, hardness, thickness, diameter, and in vitro release study were performed with the prepared matrix tablets. Dissolution studies were conducted using USP type II apparatus at a speed of 100 rpm at 37°C ± 0.5 temperature for 8 h. Though all the formulations comply with both BP and USP requirements, formulation F-1 (5% of Water hyacinth) was the best fitted formula. The drug release patterns were explained in different kinetic models such as Zero order, First order, Higuchi, Hixson Crowell, and Korsmeyer-Peppas equations. The current investigation implies that Water hyacinth has the potential to be used as a rate-retarding agent in sustained release drug formulations. PMID:24966835

Standardization of the finished product: Habbe Irqun Nisa - A Unani anti-inflammatory formulation.

PubMed

Husain, S Farhan; Ahmad, Irshad; Shamsi, Shariq

2012-07-01

Habb (Pill) is one of the important dosage forms of Unani system of medicine. A number of effective formulations are manufactured in form of Habb because of its various advantages. Out of these, Habbe Irqun Nisa (HI) is a popular anti-inflammatory formulation used in the treatment of Warame Mafasil (arthritis) and Irqun Nisa (sciatica). Nowadays, with increased incidence of these diseases many non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are being used in their treatment. Owing to the adverse effects of these drugs, the use of herbal medicines is seen as a better alternative. The basic requirement for the development of Unani system of Medicine is the standardization of single and compound drugs. HI is mentioned in National Formulary of Unani Medicne and selected for the present study. HI was prepared manually with the powder of crude drugs, passed through sieve no. 100 and mixed with 1% w/w of gum acacia in mucilage form. It was then dried at 60°C for 90 min and then tested for its standardization on different physicochemical parameters, e.g. organoleptic properties, pH values, moisture content, ash values, friability, hardness, weight variation, disintegration time, and thin layer chromatography (TLC). The data evolved from this study will make it a validated product and will help in the quality control of other finished products in future research.

Design and Optimization of Floating Drug Delivery System of Acyclovir

PubMed Central

Kharia, A. A.; Hiremath, S. N.; Singhai, A. K.; Omray, L. K.; Jain, S. K.

2010-01-01

The purpose of the present work was to design and optimize floating drug delivery systems of acyclovir using psyllium husk and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose K4M as the polymers and sodium bicarbonate as a gas generating agent. The tablets were prepared by wet granulation method. A 32 full factorial design was used for optimization of drug release profile. The amount of psyllium husk (X1) and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose K4M (X2) were selected as independent variables. The times required for 50% (t50%) and 70% (t70%) drug dissolution were selected as dependent variables. All the designed nine batches of formulations were evaluated for hardness, friability, weight variation, drug content uniformity, swelling index, in vitro buoyancy, and in vitro drug release profile. All formulations had floating lag time below 3 min and constantly floated on dissolution medium for more than 24 h. Validity of the developed polynomial equation was verified by designing two check point formulations (C1 and C2). The closeness of predicted and observed values for t50% and t70% indicates validity of derived equations for the dependent variables. These studies indicated that the proper balance between psyllium husk and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose K4M can produce a drug dissolution profile similar to the predicted dissolution profile. The optimized formulations followed Higuchi's kinetics while the drug release mechanism was found to be anomalous type, controlled by diffusion through the swollen matrix. PMID:21694992

Rapidly-disintegrating sublingual tablets of epinephrine: role of non-medicinal ingredients in formulation development.

PubMed

Rachid, Ousama; Rawas-Qalaji, Mutasem; Simons, F Estelle R; Simons, Keith J

2012-11-01

Epinephrine is the drug of choice in the management of anaphylaxis. For first-aid treatment in the community, epinephrine autoinjectors (E-autos) are commonly prescribed, but are underutilized. In our laboratory, we developed a series of first-generation rapidly-disintegrating sublingual tablets (RDSTs) containing 40mg of epinephrine. One RDST had similar bioavailability to epinephrine 0.3mg from an auto-injector, as confirmed in a validated rabbit model, while other formulations containing different non-medicinal ingredients (NMIs) and with similar in vitro characteristics demonstrated much lower bioavailability. Subsequently, we evaluated the effect of changing the grade and proportion of NMIs, specifically mannitol and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), on the in vitro characteristics of second- and third-generation RDSTs. Weight variation, content uniformity, breaking force, and friability were tested using official USP methods. Novel validated methods that simulate ambient conditions of the sublingual cavity were developed to test disintegration time, wetting time, and dissolution. Using these methods, it was possible to measure the effects of making small changes in NMIs on the in vitro characteristics of the formulations. The RDST formulation that resulted in the best in vitro characteristics contained the optimum proportion of mannitol and a specific ratio of coarse and fine particle grades of MCC. Appropriate comparative testing resulted in the selection of the RDST with the optimum in vitro characteristics. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Design and optimization of floating drug delivery system of acyclovir.

PubMed

Kharia, A A; Hiremath, S N; Singhai, A K; Omray, L K; Jain, S K

2010-09-01

The purpose of the present work was to design and optimize floating drug delivery systems of acyclovir using psyllium husk and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose K4M as the polymers and sodium bicarbonate as a gas generating agent. The tablets were prepared by wet granulation method. A 3(2) full factorial design was used for optimization of drug release profile. The amount of psyllium husk (X1) and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose K4M (X2) were selected as independent variables. The times required for 50% (t(50%)) and 70% (t(70%)) drug dissolution were selected as dependent variables. All the designed nine batches of formulations were evaluated for hardness, friability, weight variation, drug content uniformity, swelling index, in vitro buoyancy, and in vitro drug release profile. All formulations had floating lag time below 3 min and constantly floated on dissolution medium for more than 24 h. Validity of the developed polynomial equation was verified by designing two check point formulations (C1 and C2). The closeness of predicted and observed values for t(50%) and t(70%) indicates validity of derived equations for the dependent variables. These studies indicated that the proper balance between psyllium husk and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose K4M can produce a drug dissolution profile similar to the predicted dissolution profile. The optimized formulations followed Higuchi's kinetics while the drug release mechanism was found to be anomalous type, controlled by diffusion through the swollen matrix.

Development of modified-release tablets of zolpidem tartrate by biphasic quick/slow delivery system.

PubMed

Mahapatra, Anjan Kumar; Sameeraja, N H; Murthy, P N

2015-06-01

Zolpidem tartrate is a non-benzodiazepine analogue of imidazopyridine of sedative and hypnotic category. It has a short half-life with usual dosage regimen being 5 mg, two times a day, or 10 mg, once daily. The duration of action is considered too short in certain circumstances. Thus, it is desirable to lengthen the duration of action. The formulation design was implemented by preparing extended-release tablets of zolpidem tartrate using the biphasic delivery system technology, where sodium starch glycolate acts as a superdisintegrant in immediate-release part and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose as a release retarding agent in extended-release core. Tablets were prepared by direct compression. Both the core and the coat contained the drug. The pre-compression blends were evaluated for angle of repose, bulk density, and compressibility index. The tablets were evaluated for thickness, hardness, weight variation test, friability, and in vitro release studies. No interaction was observed between zolpidem tartrate and excipients from the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry analysis. The results of all the formulations prepared were compared with reference product Stilnoct®. Optimized formulations showed release patterns that match the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) guidelines for zolpidem tartrate extended-release tablets. The mechanism of drug release was studied using different mathematical models, and the optimized formulation has shown Fickian diffusion. Accelerated stability studies were performed on the optimized formulation.

Formulation and optimisation of raft-forming chewable tablets containing H2 antagonist

PubMed Central

Prajapati, Shailesh T; Mehta, Anant P; Modhia, Ishan P; Patel, Chhagan N

2012-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this research work was to formulate raft-forming chewable tablets of H2 antagonist (Famotidine) using a raft-forming agent along with an antacid- and gas-generating agent. Materials and Methods: Tablets were prepared by wet granulation and evaluated for raft strength, acid neutralisation capacity, weight variation, % drug content, thickness, hardness, friability and in vitro drug release. Various raft-forming agents were used in preliminary screening. A 23 full-factorial design was used in the present study for optimisation. The amount of sodium alginate, amount of calcium carbonate and amount sodium bicarbonate were selected as independent variables. Raft strength, acid neutralisation capacity and drug release at 30 min were selected as responses. Results: Tablets containing sodium alginate were having maximum raft strength as compared with other raft-forming agents. Acid neutralisation capacity and in vitro drug release of all factorial batches were found to be satisfactory. The F5 batch was optimised based on maximum raft strength and good acid neutralisation capacity. Drug–excipient compatibility study showed no interaction between the drug and excipients. Stability study of the optimised formulation showed that the tablets were stable at accelerated environmental conditions. Conclusion: It was concluded that raft-forming chewable tablets prepared using an optimum amount of sodium alginate, calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate could be an efficient dosage form in the treatment of gastro oesophageal reflux disease. PMID:23580933

Enhancement of the Oral Bioavailability of Fexofenadine Hydrochloride via Cremophor® El-Based Liquisolid Tablets

PubMed Central

Yehia, Soad Ali; El-Ridi, Mohamed Shafik; Tadros, Mina Ibrahim; El-Sherif, Nolwa Gamal

2015-01-01

Purpose: The current work aimed to develop promising Fexofenadine hydrochloride (FXD) liquisolid tablets able to increase its oral bioavailability and shorten time to reach maximum plasma concentrations (Tmax). Methods: Eighteen liquisolid powders were developed based on 3 variables; (i) vehicle type [Propylene glycol (PG) or Cremophor® EL (CR)], (ii) carrier [Avicel® PH102] to coat [Aerosil® 200] ratio (15, 20, 25) and (iii) FXD concentration in vehicle (30, 35, 40 %, w/w). Pre-compression studies involved identification of physicochemical interactions and FXD crystallinity (FT-IR, DSC, XRD), topographic visualization (SEM) and estimation of flow properties (angle of repose, Carr’s index, Hausner’s ratio). CR-based liquisolid powders were compressed as liquisolid tablets (LST 9 – 18) and evaluated for weight-variation, drug-content, friability-percentage, disintegration-time and drug-release. The pharmacokinetics of LST-18 was evaluated in healthy volunteers relative to Allegra® tablets. Results: Pre-compression studies confirmed FXD dispersion in vehicles, conversion to amorphous form and formation of liquisolid powders. CR-based liquisolid powders showed acceptable-to-good flow properties suitable for compaction. CR-based LSTs had appropriate physicochemical properties and short disintegration times. Release profile of LST-18 showed a complete drug release within 5 min. Conclusion: LST-18 succeeded in increasing oral FXD bioavailability by 62% and reducing Tmax to 2.16 h. PMID:26819931

Formulation and optimisation of raft-forming chewable tablets containing H2 antagonist.

PubMed

Prajapati, Shailesh T; Mehta, Anant P; Modhia, Ishan P; Patel, Chhagan N

2012-10-01

The purpose of this research work was to formulate raft-forming chewable tablets of H2 antagonist (Famotidine) using a raft-forming agent along with an antacid- and gas-generating agent. Tablets were prepared by wet granulation and evaluated for raft strength, acid neutralisation capacity, weight variation, % drug content, thickness, hardness, friability and in vitro drug release. Various raft-forming agents were used in preliminary screening. A 2(3) full-factorial design was used in the present study for optimisation. The amount of sodium alginate, amount of calcium carbonate and amount sodium bicarbonate were selected as independent variables. Raft strength, acid neutralisation capacity and drug release at 30 min were selected as responses. Tablets containing sodium alginate were having maximum raft strength as compared with other raft-forming agents. Acid neutralisation capacity and in vitro drug release of all factorial batches were found to be satisfactory. The F5 batch was optimised based on maximum raft strength and good acid neutralisation capacity. Drug-excipient compatibility study showed no interaction between the drug and excipients. Stability study of the optimised formulation showed that the tablets were stable at accelerated environmental conditions. It was concluded that raft-forming chewable tablets prepared using an optimum amount of sodium alginate, calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate could be an efficient dosage form in the treatment of gastro oesophageal reflux disease.

Formulation and characterization of poly(ethylene glycol)-based, 5-aminolevulinic acid-loaded solid-dosage forms intended for photodynamic and photodiagnostic methodologies in the colorectal region.

PubMed

McCarron, Paul A; Andrews, Gavin P; Morrow, Desmond I J; Woolfson, A David; Donnelly, Ryan F

2007-01-01

Aminolevulinic acid-loaded, poly(ethylene glycol) disks prepared using three molecular weights (1000, 6000, and 10,000) were shown to be of potential for rectal administration as part of photodynamic and photodiagnostic colorectal procedures. The disk-shaped delivery system was mechanically robust, as judged by friability measurements. Calorimetric analysis confirmed that low concentrations of ALA (1% w/w) were dispersed completely throughout the PEG matrix, but higher concentrations (5% w/w and 10% w/w) formed crystalline suspensions. The molecular weight of the PEG determined the melting temperature, with PEG 1000 being suitable for melting around body temperature. The drug release kinetics were shown to be a function of both molecular weight and drug loading. Although the higher molecular weight PEG disks were resistant to surface erosion arising from an aqueous receptor phase, this effect was counterbalanced by more rapid and complete release when the ALA loading was increased. The lowest loading used (1% w/w) produced incomplete release, often not exceeding 30% of the total amount of drug. Results suggest that this simple formulation containing ALA can be administered directly to the colorectal area and is a feasible alternative to peroral dosing of ALA.

Friability Testing as a New Stress-Stability Assay for Biopharmaceuticals.

PubMed

Torisu, Tetsuo; Maruno, Takahiro; Yoneda, Saki; Hamaji, Yoshinori; Honda, Shinya; Ohkubo, Tadayasu; Uchiyama, Susumu

2017-10-01

A cycle of dropping and shaking a vial containing antibody solution was reported to induce aggregation. In this study, antibody solutions in glass prefillable syringes with or without silicone oil lubrication were subjected to the combined stresses of dropping and shaking, using a friability testing apparatus. Larger numbers of subvisible particles were generated, regardless of silicone oil lubrication, upon combination stress exposure than that with shaking stress alone. Nucleation of antibody molecules upon perturbation by an impact of dropping and adsorption of antibody molecules to the syringe surface followed by film formation and antibody film desorption were considered key steps in the particle formation promoted by combination stress. A larger number of silicone oil droplets was released when silicone oil-lubricated glass syringes containing phosphate buffer saline were exposed to combination stress than that observed with shaking stress alone. Polysorbate 20, a non-ionic surfactant, effectively reduced the number of protein particles, but failed to prevent silicone oil release upon combination stress exposure. This study indicates that stress-stability assays using the friability testing apparatus are effective for assessing the stability of biopharmaceuticals under the combined stresses of dropping and shaking, which have not been tested in conventional stress-stability assays. Copyright © 2017 American Pharmacists Association®. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Formulation and Evaluation of a Novel Matrix-Type Orally Disintegrating Ibuprofen Tablet

PubMed Central

Tayebi, Hoda; Mortazavi, Seyed Alireza

2011-01-01

Orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) are capable of turning quickly into a liquid dosage form in contact with the saliva, thus possessing the advantages of both the solid dosage forms particularly stability and liquid dosage forms specially ease of swallowing and pre-gastric absorption of drug. The aim of this study was to prepare a novel matrix-type buccal fast disintegrating ibuprofen tablet formulation using special polymers, water soluble excipients, super-disintegrants and quickly soluble granules. For this purpose different tablet formulations of ibuprofen were prepared. The amount of ibuprofen in each formulation was 100 mg. Eight groups of formulation were prepared (A-H series), accounting for a total number of 45 formulations. Formulations prepared were examined in terms of different physicochemical tests including powder/granule flowability, appearance, thickness, uniformity of weight, hardness, friability and disintegration time. Results of formulation F22a (in series F), was found to be acceptable, making it the chosen formulation for further studies. Then, by adding various flavorants and sweeteners to this formulation, complementary series of formulations, named G and H, were prepared. Following the comparison of their taste with each other through asking 10 volunteers, the most suitable formulation regarding the taste, being formulation F22s, was chosen as the ultimate formulation. This formulation had PVP, ibuprofen and croscarmellose as the intra-granular components and xylitol and saccharin as the extra-granular ingredients. Formulation F22s was found to be acceptable in terms of physicochemical tests conducted, showing quick disintegration within the buccal cavity, appropriate hardness and rather low friability. Hence formulation F22s was selected as the final formulation. PMID:24250378

Influence of Carbopol 71G-NF on the release of dextromethorphan hydrobromide from extended-release matrix tablets.

PubMed

Fayed, Mohamed H; Mahrous, Gamal M; Ibrahim, Mohamed A; Sakr, Adel

2013-01-01

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of Carbopol(®) 71G-NF on the release of dextromethorphan hydrobromide (DM) from matrix tablets in comparison with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC(®) K15M) and Eudragit(®) L100-55 polymers. Controlled release DM matrix tablets were prepared using Carbopol 71G-NF, HPMC K15M, and Eudragit L100-55 at different drug to polymer ratios by direct compression technique. The mechanical properties of the tablets as tested by crushing strength and friability tests were improved as the concentration of Carbopol, HPMC, and Eudragit increased. However, Carbopol-based tablets showed a significantly (P<0.05) higher crushing strength and a lower friability than HPMC and Eudragit tablets. No significant differences in weight uniformity and thickness values were observed between the different formulations. It was also found that Carbopol significantly (P<0.05) delayed the release of DM in comparison with HPMC K15M and Eudragit L100-55. A combination of HPMC K15M and Eudragit L100-55 in a 1:1 ratio at 20 and 30% significantly (P<0.05) delayed the release of DM than Eudragit L100-55 alone. Moreover, blends of Carbopol and HPMC at a 1:1 ratio at the 10, 20, and 30% total polymer concentration were investigated. The blend of Carbopol and HPMC at 10% level significantly (P<0.05) slowed the release of DM than Carbopol or HPMC alone, whereas blends at 20 and 30% level significantly (P<0.05) delayed the release of DM compared with HPMC or Carbopol alone. The results with these polymer blends showed that it was possible to reduce the total amount of polymers when used as a combination in formulation.

PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ORALLY DISINTEGRATING LORATADINE TABLETS MANUFACTURED WITH CO-PROCESSED MIXTURES.

PubMed

Amelian, Aleksandra; Szekalska, Marta; Wilczewska, Agnieszka Zofia; Basa, Anna; Winnicka, Katarzyna

2016-01-01

The aim of this study was to develop orally disintegrated tablets (ODT) with loratadine using Parteck ODT and Ludiflash--new commercially available tableting excipients based on co-processed mannitol. ODT containing loratadine were prepared with 3% addition of various superdisintegrants (AcDiSol, Kollidon CL-F and Kollidon CL-SF) by direct compression method. Obtained tablets were characterized for friability, pore structure, and wetting and disintegration time measured by four independents methods. In order to identify possible interactions between loratadine and the excipients, differential scanning calorimetry was used. The results showed that all formulated ODT were characterized by appropriate mechanical properties (friability < 1%), the uniform content of the drug substance and pleasant mouth feeling. Disintegration time below 30 s was observed in formulations with crospovidones as disintegrant.

How EPA's Asbestos Regulations Apply to Transite Siding

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Letters that provide guidance on asbestos National Emissions Standard of Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) applicability to transite sliding in demolitions, specifically regarding friability, and removal requirements prior to, and after, demolition.

Formulation and evaluation of microsphere based oro dispersible tablets of itopride hcl

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background The purpose of the present work is to mask the intensely bitter taste of Itopride HCl and to formulate an Oro dispersible tablet (ODT) of the taste-masked drug by incorporation of microspheres in the tablets for use in specific populations viz. pediatrics, geriatrics and patients experiencing difficulty in swallowing. Methods With this objective in mind, microspheres loaded with Itopride HCl were prepared by solvent evaporation method using acetone as solvent for pH-sensitive polymer, Eudragit EPO and light liquid paraffin as the encapsulating medium. The prepared microspheres were characterized with regard to yield, drug content, flow properties, particle size and size distribution, surface features, in vitro drug release and taste. The ODTs so prepared from these microspheres were evaluated for hardness, thickness, weight variation, friability, disintegration time, drug content, wetting time, water absorption ratio, moisture uptake, in vitro dispersion, in vitro disintegration, in vitro drug release and stability. Results The average size of microspheres was found to be satisfactory in terms of the size and size distribution. Microspheres prepared were of a regular spherical shape. Comparison of the dissolution profiles of microspheres in different pH media showed that microspheres having drug: polymer ratio of 1:2 produced a retarding effect in simulated salivary fluid (pH 6.8) and were further used for formulation into ODTs after addition of suitable amounts of excipients such as superdisintegrant, diluent, sweetener and flavor of directly compressible grade. Conclusions Effective taste-masking was achieved for Itopride HCl by way of preparation of microspheres and ODTs of acceptable characteristics. PMID:23351176

Formulation and evaluation of microsphere based oro dispersible tablets of itopride hcl.

PubMed

Shah, Sanjay; Madan, Sarika; Agrawal, Ss

2012-09-03

The purpose of the present work is to mask the intensely bitter taste of Itopride HCl and to formulate an Oro dispersible tablet (ODT) of the taste-masked drug by incorporation of microspheres in the tablets for use in specific populations viz. pediatrics, geriatrics and patients experiencing difficulty in swallowing. With this objective in mind, microspheres loaded with Itopride HCl were prepared by solvent evaporation method using acetone as solvent for pH-sensitive polymer, Eudragit EPO and light liquid paraffin as the encapsulating medium. The prepared microspheres were characterized with regard to yield, drug content, flow properties, particle size and size distribution, surface features, in vitro drug release and taste. The ODTs so prepared from these microspheres were evaluated for hardness, thickness, weight variation, friability, disintegration time, drug content, wetting time, water absorption ratio, moisture uptake, in vitro dispersion, in vitro disintegration, in vitro drug release and stability. The average size of microspheres was found to be satisfactory in terms of the size and size distribution. Microspheres prepared were of a regular spherical shape. Comparison of the dissolution profiles of microspheres in different pH media showed that microspheres having drug: polymer ratio of 1:2 produced a retarding effect in simulated salivary fluid (pH 6.8) and were further used for formulation into ODTs after addition of suitable amounts of excipients such as superdisintegrant, diluent, sweetener and flavor of directly compressible grade. Effective taste-masking was achieved for Itopride HCl by way of preparation of microspheres and ODTs of acceptable characteristics.

Formulation and characterization of modified release tablets containing isoniazid using swellable polymers.

PubMed

Akhtar, M F; Rabbani, M; Sharif, A; Akhtar, B; Saleem, A; Murtaza, G

2011-01-01

The aim of this work was to develop swellable modified release (MR) isoniazid tablets using different combinations of polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) and sodium-carboxymethylcellulose (Na-CMC). Granules were prepared by moist granulation technique and then compressed into tablets. In vitro release studies for 12 hr were carried out in dissolution media of varying pH i.e. pH 1.2, 4.5, 7.0 and 7.5. Tablets of all formulations were found to be of good physical quality with respect to appearance (width and thickness), content uniformity, hardness, weight variation and friability. In vitro release data showed that increasing total polymer content resulted in more retarding effect. Formulation with 35% polymer content exhibited zero order release profile and it released 35% of the drug in first hr, later on, controlled drug release was observed upto the 12(th) hour. Formulations with PVAc to Na-CMC ratio 20:80 exhibited zero order release pattern at levels of studied concentrations, which suggested that this combination can be used to formulate zero order release tablets of water soluble drugs like isoniazid. Korsmeyer-Peppas modeling of drug release showed that non-Fickian transport is the primary mechanism of isoniazid release from PVAc and Na-CMC based tablets. The value of mean dissolution time decreased with the increase in the release rate of drug clearly showing the retarding behavior of the swellable polymers. The application of a mixture of PVAc to Na-CMC in a specific ratio may be feasible to formulate zero order release tablets of water soluble drugs like isoniazid.

3D extrusion printing of high drug loading immediate release paracetamol tablets.

PubMed

Khaled, Shaban A; Alexander, Morgan R; Wildman, Ricky D; Wallace, Martin J; Sharpe, Sonja; Yoo, Jae; Roberts, Clive J

2018-03-01

The manufacture of immediate release high drug loading paracetamol oral tablets was achieved using an extrusion based 3D printer from a premixed water based paste formulation. The 3D printed tablets demonstrate that a very high drug (paracetamol) loading formulation (80% w/w) can be printed as an acceptable tablet using a method suitable for personalisation and distributed manufacture. Paracetamol is an example of a drug whose physical form can present challenges to traditional powder compression tableting. Printing avoids these issues and facilitates the relatively high drug loading. The 3D printed tablets were evaluated for physical and mechanical properties including weight variation, friability, breaking force, disintegration time, and dimensions and were within acceptable range as defined by the international standards stated in the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP). X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD) was used to identify the physical form of the active. Additionally, XRPD, Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to assess possible drug-excipient interactions. The 3D printed tablets were evaluated for drug release using a USP dissolution testing type I apparatus. The tablets showed a profile characteristic of the immediate release profile as intended based upon the active/excipient ratio used with disintegration in less than 60 s and release of most of the drug within 5 min. The results demonstrate the capability of 3D extrusion based printing to produce acceptable high-drug loading tablets from approved materials that comply with current USP standards. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Formulation and evaluation of sublingual tablets containing Sumatriptan succinate

PubMed Central

Prajapati, Shailesh T; Patel, Parth B; Patel, Chhagan N

2012-01-01

Objective: Sumatriptan succinate is a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine-1 receptor agonist effective in the acute treatment of migraine headaches, having low bioavailability of about 15% orally due to first-pass metabolism. The purpose of this research was to mask the intensely bitter taste of Sumatriptan succinate and to formulate fast-acting, taste-masked sublingual tablet formulation. Materials and Methods: Taste masking was performed by solid dispersion method with mannitol and ion exchange with Kyron T 114 because it releases the drug in salivary pH. The resultant batches were evaluated for in-vivo taste masking as well compatability study (Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)). For a better feel in the mouth, menthol and sweetener Na saccharine were added to the tablet formulation. The tablets were prepared by direct compression and evaluated for weight variation, thickness, friability, drug content, hardness, disintegration time, wetting time, in vitro drug release, and in vitro permeation study. Results and Discussion: Optimized batches disintegrated in vitro within 28-34 s. Maximum drug release could be achieved with in 10 min for the solid dispersion batches and 14-15 min for the ion-exchange batches with Kyron T 114. The optimized tablet formulation showed better taste and the formulated sublingual tablets may act as a potential alternate for the Sumatriptan succinate oral tablet. Conclusion: Sumatriptan succinate can be successfully taste-masked by both the solid dispersion method using mannitol by the melting method and Ion exchange resin with Kyron T114. It was also concluded that prepared formulation improve bioavailability by prevention of first pass metabolism. PMID:23373008

Friable but treatable: coronary artery dissections in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

PubMed

Zago, Alexandre C; Matte, Bruno S

2013-01-01

Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a rare connective tissue disorder associated with arterial dissection or rupture. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is often critical in patients with this syndrome because their coronary arteries are prone to dissection, enhancing the risk of stent borders dissection when conventional stent deployment pressures are used. Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) treatment for these patients may also raise concerns because the left internal mammary artery is probably friable. Therefore, coronary artery revascularization in vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome either using PCI or CABG is challenging due to the arteries friability. A small number of cases have been published describing the friability of the vessels and associated complications; nevertheless, the optimum treatment remains unclear. We report the case of a 54-year-old woman treated successfully with PCI and CABG in two different acute coronary syndrome episodes, in which specific technical issues related to both procedures were decisive. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

HIGH SHEAR GRANULATION PROCESS: ASSESSING IMPACT OF FORMULATION VARIABLES ON GRANULES AND TABLETS CHARACTERISTICS OF HIGH DRUG LOADING FORMULATION USING DESIGN OF EXPERIMENT METHODOLOGY.

PubMed

Fayed, Mohamed H; Abdel-Rahman, Sayed I; Alanazi, Fars K; Ahmed, Mahrous O; Tawfeek, Hesham M; Ali, Bahaa E

2017-03-01

High shear wet granulation is a significant component procedure in the pharmaceutical industry. The objective of the study was to investigate the influence of two independent formulation variables; polyvinypyrrolidone (PVP) as a binder (X,) and croscarmellose sodium (CCS) as a disintegrant (X2) on the crit- ical quality attributes of acetaminophen granules and their corresponding tablets using design of experiment (DoE) approach. A two factor, three level (32) full factorial design has been applied; each variable was investi- gated at three levels to characterize their strength and interaction. The dried granules have been analyzed for their density, granule size and flowability. Additionally, the produced tablets have been investigated for: break- ing force, friability, disintegration time and t. of drug dissolution. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the two variables had a significant impact (p < 0.05) on granules and tablets characteristics, while only the binder concentration influenced the tablets friability. Furthermore, significant interactions (p < 0.05) between the two variables, for granules and tablets attributes, were also found. However, variables interaction showed minimal effect for granules flowability as well as tablets friability. Desirability function was carried out to opti- mize the variables under study to obtain product within the USP limit. It was found that the higher desirability (0.985) could be obtained at the medium level of PVP and low level of CCS. Ultimately, this study supplies the formulator with beneficial tools in selecting the proper level of binder and disintegrant to attain product with desired characteristics.

Pharmaceutical counselling about different types of tablet-splitting methods based on the results of weighing tests and mechanical development of splitting devices.

PubMed

Somogyi, O; Meskó, A; Csorba, L; Szabó, P; Zelkó, R

2017-08-30

The division of tablets and adequate methods of splitting them are a complex problem in all sectors of health care. Although tablet-splitting is often required, this procedure can be difficult for patients. Four tablets were investigated with different external features (shape, score-line, film-coat and size). The influencing effect of these features and the splitting methods was investigated according to the precision and "weight loss" of splitting techniques. All four types of tablets were halved by four methods: by hand, with a kitchen knife, with an original manufactured splitting device and with a modified tablet splitter based on a self-developed mechanical model. The mechanical parameters (harness and friability) of the products were measured during the study. The "weight loss" and precision of splitting methods were determined and compared by statistical analysis. On the basis of the results, the external features (geometry), the mechanical parameters of tablets and the mechanical structure of splitting devices can influence the "weight loss" and precision of tablet-splitting. Accordingly, a new decision-making scheme was developed for the selection of splitting methods. In addition, the skills of patients and the specialties of therapy should be considered so that pharmaceutical counselling can be more effective regarding tablet-splitting. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Development of a controlled release formulation by continuous twin screw granulation: Influence of process and formulation parameters.

PubMed

Vanhoorne, V; Vanbillemont, B; Vercruysse, J; De Leersnyder, F; Gomes, P; Beer, T De; Remon, J P; Vervaet, C

2016-05-30

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of twin screw granulation for the continuous production of controlled release formulations with hydroxypropylmethylcellulose as hydrophilic matrix former. Metoprolol tartrate was included in the formulation as very water soluble model drug. A premix of metoprolol tartrate, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and filler (ratio 20/20/60, w/w) was granulated with demineralized water via twin screw granulation. After oven drying and milling, tablets were produced on a rotary Modul™ P tablet press. A D-optimal design (29 experiments) was used to assess the influence of process (screw speed, throughput, barrel temperature and screw design) and formulation parameters (starch content of the filler) on the process (torque), granule (size distribution, shape, friability, density) and tablet (hardness, friability and dissolution) critical quality attributes. The torque was dominated by the number of kneading elements and throughput, whereas screw speed and filling degree only showed a minor influence on torque. Addition of screw mixing elements after a block of kneading elements improved the yield of the process before milling as it resulted in less oversized granules and also after milling as less fines were present. Temperature was also an important parameter to optimize as a higher temperature yielded less fines and positively influenced the aspect ratio. The shape of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose granules was comparable to that of immediate release formulations. Tensile strength and friability of tablets were not dependent on the process parameters. The use of starch as filler was not beneficial with regard to granule and tablet properties. Complete drug release was obtained after 16-20h and was independent of the design's parameters. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Continuous melt granulation: Influence of process and formulation parameters upon granule and tablet properties.

PubMed

Monteyne, Tinne; Vancoillie, Jochem; Remon, Jean-Paul; Vervaet, Chris; De Beer, Thomas

2016-10-01

The pharmaceutical industry has a growing interest in alternative manufacturing models allowing automation and continuous production in order to improve process efficiency and reduce costs. Implementing a switch from batch to continuous processing requires fundamental process understanding and the implementation of quality-by-design (QbD) principles. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between formulation-parameters (type binder, binder concentration, drug-binder miscibility), process-parameters (screw speed, powder feed rate and granulation temperature), granule properties (size, size distribution, shape, friability, true density, flowability) and tablet properties (tensile strength, friability, dissolution rate) of four different drug-binder formulations using Design of experiments (DOE). Two binders (polyethylene glycol (PEG) and Soluplus®) with a different solid state, semi-crystalline vs amorphous respectively, were combined with two model-drugs, metoprolol tartrate (MPT) and caffeine anhydrous (CAF), both having a contrasting miscibility with the binders. This research revealed that the granule properties of miscible drug-binder systems depended on the powder feed rate and barrel filling degree of the granulator whereas the granule properties of immiscible systems were mainly influenced by binder concentration. Using an amorphous binder, the tablet tensile strength depended on the granule size. In contrast, granule friability was more important for tablet quality using a brittle binder. However, this was not the case for caffeine-containing blends, since these phenomena were dominated by the enhanced compression properties of caffeine Form I, which was formed during granulation. Hence, it is important to gain knowledge about formulation behavior during processing since this influences the effect of process parameters onto the granule and tablet properties. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Development and evaluation of 6-mercaptopurine and metoclopramide polypill formulation for oral administration: In-vitro and ex vivo studies

PubMed Central

Chowdhary, Rajani; Pai, Roopa S; Singh, Gurinder

2013-01-01

Introduction: The present investigation was to develop a polypill of 6-mercaptopurine and metoclopramide. A polypill with delayed release granules of an anticancer and immediate release mucoadhesive tablet of antiemetic may result in the reduction of emesis caused by oral chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: 6-Mercaptopurine granules were prepared by wet granulation process. Chitosan, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and ethylcellulose were used as individually as delayed release polymers. Seven granule formulations (F1-F7) were prepared and evaluated for flow properties and drug content. Immediate release mucoadhesive tablets of metoclopramide were prepared by direct compression technique using pectin and PVPK-40 as mucoadhesive polymers. Three formulations of pectin (L1-L3) and three formulations of PVPK40 (M1-M3) were prepared using lactose, magnesium stearate, and mannitol and talc as diluent and glidant, respectively. Tablets were evaluated for weight variation, hardness, friability, drug content, ex vivo mucoadhesion time, and in vitro dissolution studies. Results: Formulation F2, F4, F5, and F7 showed maximum drug content. Formulation F7 exhibited the drug release up to 2 h and was selected as the best delayed release formulation. All formulations of metoclopramide showed good drug content ranging from 97.6 % to 100.6%. Formulation M2 among tablets prepared with PVP exhibited desired mucoadhesion time of 15.33 min which prolongs the duration of drug release in gastric pouch of the male Wistar rats. Both the selected formulations F7 and M2 were filled into body of capsule size 0 and capsule was evaluated for technological properties. Conclusion: It may be concluded that polypill released the metoclopramide immediately prior to 6-mercaptopurine. PMID:24350042

Comparative evaluation of single and bilayered lamotrigine floating tablets

PubMed Central

Lakshmi, PK; Sridhar, M; Shruthi, B

2013-01-01

Aim: The purpose of this study was to prepare lamotrigine (LM) bilayered and single layered floating tablets and to compare their release profiles. Materials and Methods: LM floating tablets were prepared by direct compression method. Drug, hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose K4M, lactose monohydrate and polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 constitute controlled release layer components and floating layer components includes polymers and sodium bicarbonate. The prepared tablets were evaluated for physicochemical parameters such as hardness, friability, weight variation, thickness, floating lag time (FLT), floating time, in vitro buoyancy study, in vitro release studies. The drug-polymer interaction was studied by fourier transform infrared and differential scanning calorimetry. Results and Discussion: The FLT of all the formulations were within the prescribed limits (<3 min). When ethyl cellulose was used as floating layer component, tablets showed good buoyancy effect but eroded within 6-8 h. Hence it was replaced with hydroxypropyl cellulose -M hydrophilic polymer, which showed good FLT and floating duration for 16 h. Formulation LFC4 was found to be optimized with dissolution profile of zero order kinetics showing fickian diffusion. A comparative study of bilayered and single layered tablets of LM showed a highest similarity factor of 83.03, difference factor of 2.74 and t-test (P < 0.05) indicates that there is no significant difference between them. Conclusion: Though bilayered tablet possess many advantages, single layered tablet would be economical, cost-effective and reproducible for large scale production in the industry. However, the results of present study demonstrated that the in vitro development of bilayered gastro retentive floating tablets with controlled drug release profile for LM is feasible. PMID:24167788

Formulation studies for mirtazapine orally disintegrating tablets.

PubMed

Yıldız, Simay; Aytekin, Eren; Yavuz, Burçin; Bozdağ Pehlivan, Sibel; Ünlü, Nurşen

2016-01-01

Orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) recently have gained much attention to fulfill the needs for pediatric, geriatric, and psychiatric patients with dysphagia. Aim of this study was to develop new ODT formulations containing mirtazapine, an antidepressant drug molecule having bitter taste, by using simple and inexpensive preparation methods such as coacervation, direct compression and to compare their characteristics with those of reference product (Remereon SolTab). Coacervation method was chosen for taste masking of mirtazapine. In vitro characterization studies such as diameter and thickness, weight variation, tablet hardness, tablet friability and disintegration time were performed on tablet formulations. Wetting time and in vitro dissolution tests of developed ODTs also studied using 900 mL 0.1 N HCl medium, 900 mL pH 6.8 phosphate buffer or 900 mL pH 4.5 acetate buffer at 37 ± 0.2 °C as dissolution medium. Ratio of Eudragit® E-100 was chosen as 6% (w/w) since the dissolution profile of A1 (6% Eudragit® E-100) was found closer to the reference product than A2 (4% Eudragit® E-100) and A3 (8% Eudragit® E-100). Group D, E and F formulations were presented better results in terms of disintegration time. Dissolution results indicated that Group E and F formulations showed optimum properties in all three dissolution media. Formulations D1, D4, D5, E3, E4, F1 and F5 found suitable as ODT formulations due to their favorable disintegration times and dissolution profiles. Developed mirtazapine ODTs were found promising in terms of showing the similar characteristics to the original formulation.

[Application of β-cyclodextrin in the formulation of ODT tablets containing ibuprofen].

PubMed

Zimmer, Łukasz; Kasperek, Regina; Poleszak, Ewa

2014-01-01

Oral disintegrating tablet (ODT) dissolves or disintegrates in saliva and then it is swallowed. Diluent in direct compression formulation has a dual role: it increases bulk of the dosage form and it promotes binding of the constituent particles of the formulation. Hence, selection of diluent is important in tablets produced by direct compression method. The aim of this work was to exame feasibility of preparing and optimizing oral disintegrating tablet formulation using β-cyclodextrin as a diluent. 400 mg round tablets were prepared by direct compression method on single punch tablet press using flat plain-face. 60% β-CD and MCC (microcrystalline cellulose - MCC-Vivapur 102) were used at different proportions for all the formulations. 5% of Kollidon CL was added as superdisintegrant. The eight formulations prepared were assessed for weight variation, thickness, disintegration time, hardness and dissolution rate according to FP IX. A dissolution test was performed at 37ºC using the paddle method at 50 rpm with 900 mL phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) as a dissolution medium. The content of ibuprofen sodium was found inside the ± 5% of the theoretical value. Hardness values of presented tablets were in the range 0.11-0.15 kG/mm2. Friability of the tablets lower than 1% indicates that the developed formulations can be processed and handled without excessive care. Disintegration time was in the range of 86 to 161 s. The results confirm the good mechanical properties of tablets containing β-CD. A composition with 20% β-CD and 40% MCC fulfilled a maximum requisite of an optimum formulation. These properties were similar to Ludiflash, the formulation used for comparison purposes. In the present study, higher concentration of β cyclodextrin was found to improve the hardness of tablets without increasing the disintegration time.

Chronomodulated drug delivery system of urapidil for the treatment of hypertension

PubMed Central

Chaudhary, Sona S.; Patel, Hetal K.; Parejiya, Punit B.; Shelat, Pragna K.

2015-01-01

Introduction: Hypertension is a disease which shows circadian rhythm in the pattern of two peaks, one in the evening at about 7pm and other in the early morning between 4 am to 8 am. Conventional therapies are incapable to target those time points when actually the symptoms get worsened. To achieve drug release at two time points, chronomodulated delivery system may offer greater benefits. Materials and methods: The chronomodulated system comprised of dual approach; immediate release granules (IRG) and pulsatile release mini-tablets (PRM) filled in the hard gelatin capsule. The mini-tablets were coated using Eudragit S-100 which provided the lag time. To achieve the desired release, various parameters like coating duration and coat thickness were studied. The immediate release granules were evaluated for micromeritical properties and drug release, while mini-tablets were evaluated for various parameters such as hardness, thickness, friability, weight variation, drug content, and disintegration time and in-vitro drug release. Compatibility of drug-excipient was checked by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Differential scanning calorimetry studies and pellets morphology was done by Scanning electron microscopy studies. Results: The in-vitro release profile suggested that immediate release granules gives drug release within 20 min at the time of evening attack while the programmed pulsatile release was achieved from coated mini-tablets after a lag time of 9hrs, which was consistent with the demand of drug during early morning hour attack. Pellets found to be spherical in shape with smooth surface. Moreover compatibility studies illustrated no deleterious reaction between drug and polymers used in the study. Conclusions: The dual approach of developed chronomodulated formulation found to be satisfactory in the treatment of hypertension. PMID:25838996

Development of Multiple-Unit Floating Drug Delivery System of Clarithromycin: Formulation, in vitro Dissolution by Modified Dissolution Apparatus, in vivo Radiographic Studies in Human Volunteers.

PubMed

Reddy, Arun B; Reddy, Narendar D

2017-07-01

Clarithromycin (CM), a broad spectrum macrolide antibiotic used to eradicate H. pylori in peptic ulcer. Clarithromycin (CM) is well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, but has a bioavailability of 50% due to rapid biodegradation. The aim of this investigation was to increase the gastric residence time, and to control the drug release of clarithromycin by formulating into multiple unit floating mini-tablets. Floating tablets were prepared by using direct compression method with HPMC K 4 M and Polyox WSR 1105 as release retarded polymers and sodium bicarbonate as gas generating agent. The prepared mini-tablets were evaluated for thickness, weight variation, friability, hardness, drug content, in vitro buoyancy, swelling studies, in vitro dissolution studies by using modified Rossett-Rice test and in vivo radiographic studies in healthy human volunteers in fasting conditions. DSC analysis revealed that no interaction between drug and excipients. All the physical parameters of the tablets were within the acceptable limits. The optimized formulation (F6) had showed controlled drug release of 99.16±3.22% in 12 h, by zero-order release kinetics, along with floating lag time of 9.5±1.28 s and total floating time of 12±0.14 h. X-ray imaging studies revealed that in vivo gastric residence time of clarithromycin floating mini-tablet in the stomach was about 3.5 h. The results demonstrated that the developed floating mini-tablets of clarithromycin caused significant enhancement in gastric retention time along with sustained effect and increased oral bioavailability. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Design and evaluation of mucoadhesive vaginal tablets of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for pre-exposure prophylaxis of HIV.

PubMed

Khan, Arshad Bashir; Thakur, Ram Sharnagat

2018-03-01

To design and evaluate novel, feasible, safe, mucoadhesive intravaginal tablets of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). It may provide pre-exposure prophylaxis for women against HIV. TDF intravaginal tablets were formulated employing poylvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as the matrix forming polymer and various mucoadhesive polymers such as carbopol 934, 940, chitosan, and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (SCMC). Wet granulation was used. The evaluation involved testing drug-excipient compatibility, precompression parameters such as percentage yield, bulk density and tapped density of the granules, Carr's index, Hausner ratio, angle of repose, post compression parameters such as color, shape, physical dimensions, weight variation, hardness, friability, swelling index, assay, in vitro dissolution study and ex vivo mucoadhesion studies. Based on in vitro evaluation, C1 was selected as the best formulation and evaluated further for release kinetics, curve fitting analysis, absorption studies using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) technique and histopathological assessment in female Sprague-Dawley rats. C1 followed Higuchi model kinetics. Accelerated stability study was as per ICH guidelines by keeping C1 at 40 ± 2 °C and 75 ± 5% RH for six months. C1 was selected as the best formulation due to better swelling index (65.93% at 24 h), prolonged release of 100.62% cumulative drug release (CDR) at 24 h, superior mucoadhesion force (35.93 × 10 2 dynes/cm 2 ) and retention time (16 h). The study revealed that C1 remained stable for six months. C1 showed nil systemic absorption which is desirable and according to histopathological study, C1, exhibited minimal damage on the rat vaginal epithelium indicating safety.

PHARMACEUTICAL EVALUATION AND TOXICOLOGICAL QUANTIFICATION OF HEAVY METALS AND ADULTERATED ALLOPATHIC CONTENTS IN RAW AND FINISHED DOSAGE FORM OF ANTIHYPERTENSIVE HERBAL PRODUCTS

PubMed Central

Khan, Muhammad Asif; Badshah, Amir; Shahid, Muhammad

2016-01-01

Background: Herbal products of questionable quality create major concern for human population since their production is often not controlled and regulated. Material and Methods: Antihypertensive herbal products were subjected to pharmaceutical quality control parameters specified in Pharmacopoeias, toxic quantification of heavy metals by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer and adulterated allopathic contents were quantified using advanced HPLC techniques. Results: A lot of variations in pharmaceutical parameters like moisture contents and LOD% values were observed. Also deviations to a greater extent in weight variation, (P1, P2, P6, P12, P16, P17, P19, and P20), and hardness of the tablets of products (P1, P3, P8 and P11) were found. Friability of tablets of the Products (P3, P9 and P11) was found failed. Heavy metals i-e Fe (1597.20ppm, 1648ppm) in P5, P9, Pb (61.32ppm, 16.59 ppm) in P5, Cr (96.91ppm,108.48 ppm) in P4, P14, Cd (39.53ppm, 32.31 ppm) in P11, P12, Cu (28.22ppm, 21.04 ppm) in P15, P17, Zn (80.31ppm,76.27 ppm) in P15, P16, Ni (45.46ppm,22.18ppm) in P9, P13 in toxic concentrations were detected. Adulterated allopathic contents of Amlpdopine in higher quantities, administered according to manufacturer dose were found in P12 (20.30 mg/day), Verapamil in P2 (93.50 mg/day), Nifedipine (38.65 mg/day) in P6. Products P4, P5 and P7 were found to have a combination of Amlodipine and Hydrochlorothiazide and higher concentrations were found in P5 (10.72 mg/day, 24.75 mg/day). Conclusion: The antihypertensive herbal products contained different kind of adulterants. Our findings suggest that effective regulatory measures should be put in place to address this problem. This will help to decrease the toxic effects of these remedies and increase the commercialization, internationalization and harmonization of antihypertensive herbal products. PMID:28480360

Drug-beta-cyclodextrin containing pellets prepared with a high-shear mixer.

PubMed

Gainotti, Alessandro; Bettini, Ruggero; Gazzaniga, Andrea; Colombo, Paolo; Giordano, Ferdinando

2004-01-01

This work was aimed at investigating the preparation of beta-cyclodextrin-microcrystalline cellulose pellets by means of a high-shear mixer, both in the absence or in the presence of ibuprofen as model drug. Drug loading of pellets was accomplished by means of two alternative techniques: 1) solution layering or 2) powder layering. The prepared pellets were characterised in terms of size distribution, shape factor, friability and dissolution rate. The interaction between ibuprofen and beta-cyclodextrin was monitored by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Micro Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (MicroFTIR) was applied to determine the distribution of components within each pellet on a micro scale. Pellets with narrow size distribution and containing up to about 90% of BCD were prepared using water as binder. The process yield resulted around 84 and 63% for drug-free and medicate pellets respectively. Drug loaded pellets with favourable technological and biopharmaceutical characteristics can be obtained both by powder or solution layering techniques. The latter proved to be more suitable for producing pellets with high drug contents, reduced friability and high drug dissolution rates.

Optimization of poorly compactable drug tablets manufactured by direct compression using the mixture experimental design.

PubMed

Martinello, Tiago; Kaneko, Telma Mary; Velasco, Maria Valéria Robles; Taqueda, Maria Elena Santos; Consiglieri, Vladi O

2006-09-28

The poor flowability and bad compressibility characteristics of paracetamol are well known. As a result, the production of paracetamol tablets is almost exclusively by wet granulation, a disadvantageous method when compared to direct compression. The development of a new tablet formulation is still based on a large number of experiments and often relies merely on the experience of the analyst. The purpose of this study was to apply experimental design methodology (DOE) to the development and optimization of tablet formulations containing high amounts of paracetamol (more than 70%) and manufactured by direct compression. Nineteen formulations, screened by DOE methodology, were produced with different proportions of Microcel 102, Kollydon VA 64, Flowlac, Kollydon CL 30, PEG 4000, Aerosil, and magnesium stearate. Tablet properties, except friability, were in accordance with the USP 28th ed. requirements. These results were used to generate plots for optimization, mainly for friability. The physical-chemical data found from the optimized formulation were very close to those from the regression analysis, demonstrating that the mixture project is a great tool for the research and development of new formulations.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of a sublingual fentanyl wafer formulation

PubMed Central

Lim, Stephen CB; Paech, Michael J; Sunderland, Bruce; Liu, Yandi

2013-01-01

Background The objective of this study was to prepare a novel fentanyl wafer formulation by a freeze-drying method, and to evaluate its in vitro and in vivo release characteristics, including its bioavailability via the sublingual route. Methods The wafer formulation was prepared by freeze-drying an aqueous dispersion of fentanyl containing sodium carboxymethylcellulose and amylogum as matrix formers. Uniformity of weight, friability, and dissolution testing of the fentanyl wafer was achieved using standard methods, and the residual moisture content was measured. The fentanyl wafer was also examined using scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction. The absolute bioavailability of the fentanyl wafer was evaluated in 11 opioid-naïve adult female patients using a randomized crossover design. Results In vitro release showed that almost 90% of the fentanyl dissolved in one minute. In vivo, the first detectable plasma fentanyl concentration was observed after 3.5 minutes and the peak plasma concentration between 61.5 and 67 minutes. The median absolute bioavailability was 53.0%. Conclusion These results indicate that this wafer has potential as an alternative sublingual fentanyl formulation. PMID:23596347

A new method for the continuous production of single dosed controlled release matrix systems based on hot-melt extruded starch: analysis of relevant process parameters and implementation of an in-process control.

PubMed

Kipping, Thomas; Rein, Hubert

2013-05-01

In the present study, we evaluated a novel processing technique for the continuous production of hot-melt extruded controlled release matrix systems. A cutting technique derived from plastics industry, where it is widely used for cutting of cables and wires was adapted into the production line. Extruded strands were shaped by a rotary fly cutter. Special focus is laid on the development of a process analytical technology by evaluating signals obtained from the servo control of the rotary fly cutter. The intention is to provide a better insight into the production process and to offer the ability to detect small variations in process-variables. A co-rotating twin-screw extruder ZSE 27 HP-PH from Leistritz (Nürnberg, Germany) was used to plasticize the starch; critical extrusion parameters were recorded. Still elastic strands were shaped by a rotary fly-cutter type Dynamat 20 from Metzner (Neu-Ulm, Germany). Properties of the final products were analyzed via digital image analysis to point out critical parameters influencing the quality. Important aspects were uniformity of diameter, height, roundness, weight, and variations in the cutting angle. Stability of the products was measured by friability tests and by determining the crushing strength of the final products. Drug loading studies up to 70% were performed to evaluate the capacity of the matrix and to prove the technological feasibility. Changes in viscosities during API addition were analyzed by a Haake Minilab capillary rheometer. X-ray studies were performed to investigate molecular structures of the matrices. External shapes of the products were highly affected by die-swelling of the melt. Reliable reproducibility concerning uniformity of mass could be achieved even for high production rates (>2500cuts/min). Both mechanical strength and die-swelling of the products could be linked to the ratio of amylose to amylopectin. Formulations containing up to 70% of API could still be processed. Viscosity measurements revealed the plasticizing effect caused by API addition. Dissolution data proved the suitability of extruded starch matrices as a sustained release dosage form. Monitoring of consumed energies during the cutting process could be linked to changes in viscosity. The established PAT system enables the detection of small variations in material properties and can be an important tool to further improve process stability. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Appendix A: Specimen 72275 documentation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marvin, U. B.

1974-01-01

The friability of the matrix of specimen 72275 caused numerous fragments and an abundance of fines to break away from the main mass during transport from the moon and handling in the lunar receiving laboratory. Samples 72275,1 to 72275,14 were labeled during PET examination. Samples 72275,1, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9 were placed in storage, and the remainder were distributed.

Formulation, characterization and physicochemical evaluation of potassium citrate effervescent tablets.

PubMed

Aslani, Abolfazl; Fattahi, Fatemeh

2013-01-01

The aim of this study was to design and formulation of potassium citrate effervescent tablet for reduction of calcium oxalate and urate kidney stones in patients suffering from kidney stones. In this study, 13 formulations were prepared from potassium citrate and effervescent base in different concentration. The flowability of powders and granules was studied. Then effervescent tablets were prepared by direct compression, fusion and wet granulation methods. The prepared tablets were evaluated for hardness, friability, effervescent time, pH, content uniformity. To amend taste of formulations, different flavoring agents were used and then panel test was done by using Latin Square method by 30 volunteers. Formulations obtained from direct compression and fusion methods had good flow but low hardness. Wet granulation improves flowability and other physicochemical properties such as acceptable hardness, effervescence time ≤3 minutes, pH<6, friability < 1%, water percentage < 0.5% and accurate content uniformity. In panel test, both of combination flavors; (orange - lemon) and (strawberry - raspberry) had good acceptability. The prepared tablets by wet granulation method using PVP solution had more tablet hardness. It is a reproducible process and suitable to produce granules that are compressed into effervescent tablets due to larger agglomerates.

Formulation, Characterization and Physicochemical Evaluation of Potassium Citrate Effervescent Tablets

PubMed Central

Aslani, Abolfazl; Fattahi, Fatemeh

2013-01-01

Purpose: The aim of this study was to design and formulation of potassium citrate effervescent tablet for reduction of calcium oxalate and urate kidney stones in patients suffering from kidney stones. Methods: In this study, 13 formulations were prepared from potassium citrate and effervescent base in different concentration. The flowability of powders and granules was studied. Then effervescent tablets were prepared by direct compression, fusion and wet granulation methods. The prepared tablets were evaluated for hardness, friability, effervescent time, pH, content uniformity. To amend taste of formulations, different flavoring agents were used and then panel test was done by using Latin Square method by 30 volunteers. Results: Formulations obtained from direct compression and fusion methods had good flow but low hardness. Wet granulation improves flowability and other physicochemical properties such as acceptable hardness, effervescence time ≤3 minutes, pH<6, friability < 1%, water percentage < 0.5% and accurate content uniformity. In panel test, both of combination flavors; (orange - lemon) and (strawberry - raspberry) had good acceptability. Conclusion: The prepared tablets by wet granulation method using PVP solution had more tablet hardness. It is a reproducible process and suitable to produce granules that are compressed into effervescent tablets due to larger agglomerates. PMID:24312839

Formulation design and optimization of mouth dissolve tablets of nimesulide using vacuum drying technique.

PubMed

Gohel, Mukesh; Patel, Madhabhai; Amin, Avani; Agrawal, Ruchi; Dave, Rikita; Bariya, Nehal

2004-04-26

The purpose of this research was to develop mouth dissolve tablets of nimesulide. Granules containing nimesulide, camphor, crospovidone, and lactose were prepared by wet granulation technique. Camphor was sublimed from the dried granules by exposure to vacuum. The porous granules were then compressed. Alternatively, tablets were first prepared and later exposed to vacuum. The tablets were evaluated for percentage friability, wetting time, and disintegration time. In the investigation, a 32 full factorial design was used to investigate the joint influence of 2 formulation variables: amount of camphor and crospovidone. The results of multiple linear regression analysis revealed that for obtaining a rapidly disintegrating dosage form, tablets should be prepared using an optimum concentration of camphor and a higher percentage of crospovidone. A contour plot is also presented to graphically represent the effect of the independent variables on the disintegration time and percentage friability. A checkpoint batch was also prepared to prove the validity of the evolved mathematical model. Sublimation of camphor from tablets resulted in superior tablets as compared with the tablets prepared from granules that were exposed to vacuum. The systematic formulation approach helped in understanding the effect of formulation processing variables.

Effect of repeated compaction of tablets on tablet properties and work of compaction using an instrumented laboratory tablet press.

PubMed

Gamlen, Michael John Desmond; Martini, Luigi G; Al Obaidy, Kais G

2015-01-01

The repeated compaction of Avicel PH101, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCP) powder, 50:50 DCP/Avicel PH101 and Starch 1500 was studied using an instrumented laboratory tablet press which measures upper punch force, punch displacement and ejection force and operates using a V-shaped compression profile. The measurement of work compaction was demonstrated, and the test materials were ranked in order of compaction behaviour Avicel PH101 > DCP/Avicel PH101 > Starch > DCP. The behaviour of the DCP/Avicel PH101 mixture was distinctly non-linear compared with the pure components. Repeated compaction and precompression had no effect on the tensile fracture strength of Avicel PH101 tablets, although small effects on friability and disintegration time were seen. Repeated compaction and precompression reduced the tensile strength and the increased disintegration time of the DCP tablets, but improved the strength and friability of Starch 1500 tablets. Based on the data reported, routine laboratory measurement of tablet work of compaction may have potential as a critical quality attribute of a powder blend for compression. The instrumented press was suitable for student use with minimal supervisor input.

Characterization of fine abrasive particles for optical fabrication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Funkenbusch, Paul D.; Zhou, Y. Y.; Takahashi, Toshio; Quesnel, David J.; Lambropoulos, John C.

1995-08-01

Material removal during fine grinding operations is accomplished primarily by the action of individual abrasive particles on the glass surface. The mechanical properties of the abrasive are therefore important. Unfortunately it is difficult to directly measure the mechanical response of abrasives once they reach the scale of approximately 10 microns. As a result mechanical properties of fine abrasives are sometimes characterized in terms of an empirical `friability', based on the response of the abrasive to crushing by a metal ball in a vial. In this paper we report on modeling/experiments designed to more precisely quantify the mechanical properties of fine abrasives and ultimately to relate them to the conditions experienced by bound particles during grinding. Experiments have been performed on various types and sizes of diamond abrasives. The response of the particles is a strong function of the loading conditions and can be tracked by changing the testing parameters. Diamond size is also found to play a critical role, with finer diamonds less susceptible to fracture. A micromechanical model from the literature is employed estimate the forces likely to be seen during testing. We are also developing dynamic models to better predict the forces experienced during `friability' testing as a function of the testing parameters.

Evaluation of disintegrants functionality for orodispersible mini tablets.

PubMed

Soulairol, Ian; Chaheen, Mohammad; Tarlier, Nicolas; Aubert, Adrien; Bataille, Bernard; Sharkawi, Tahmer

2017-11-01

This work evaluates the functionalities of different superdisintegrants (SD) for manufacturing orodispersible mini tablets (ODMT) by direct compression. Twenty-three formulations varying in SD type, concentration, and lubricant were used to manufacture ODMT. The ODMT were then characterized for the following properties: friability, porosity, tensile strength, in vivo and in vitro disintegration time (DT). The results show that the presence, type, and concentration of SD did not influence friability, porosity, or tablet tensile strength. With regards to in vivo DT, only cross-linked poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) improved DT in all the tested formulations. Results also showed that when using microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) above 20% in the formulation, DT is longer. Cross-linked carboxymethyl cellulose accelerates DT when the MCC content is less than 20%. As for cross-linked carboxymethyl starch and calcium alginate showed no improvement on DT. Results for in vitro DT were all shorter than in vivo results and there was no correlation with the in vivo evaluation. This study shows that there is a need to develop better in vitro testing that precisely simulates in vivo conditions and that are adapted to ODMT. This standardization of the test methods for ODMTs must be accompanied by an improvement in the comprehension of SD mechanisms.

Development and evaluation of Ketoprofen sustained release matrix tablet using Hibiscus rosa-sinensis leaves mucilage.

PubMed

Kaleemullah, M; Jiyauddin, K; Thiban, E; Rasha, S; Al-Dhalli, S; Budiasih, S; Gamal, O E; Fadli, A; Eddy, Y

2017-07-01

Currently, the use of natural gums and mucilage is of increasing importance in pharmaceutical formulations as valuable drug excipient. Natural plant-based materials are economic, free of side effects, biocompatible and biodegradable. Therefore, Ketoprofen matrix tablets were formulated by employing Hibiscus rosa-sinensis leaves mucilage as natural polymer and HPMC (K100M) as a synthetic polymer to sustain the drug release from matrix system. Direct compression method was used to develop sustained released matrix tablets. The formulated matrix tablets were evaluated in terms of physical appearance, weight variation, thickness, diameter, hardness, friability and in vitro drug release. The difference between the natural and synthetic polymers was investigated concurrently. Matrix tablets developed from each formulation passed all standard physical evaluation tests. The dissolution studies of formulated tablets revealed sustained drug release up to 24 h compared to the reference drug Apo Keto® SR tablets. The dissolution data later were fitted into kinetic models such as zero order equation, first order equation, Higuchi equation, Hixson Crowell equation and Korsmeyer-Peppas equation to study the release of drugs from each formulation. The best formulations were selected based on the similarity factor ( f 2 ) value of 50% and more. Through the research, it is found that by increasing the polymers concentration, the rate of drug release decreased for both natural and synthetic polymers. The best formulation was found to be F3 which contained 40% Hibiscus rosa-sinensis mucilage polymer and showed comparable dissolution profile to the reference drug with f 2 value of 78.03%. The release kinetics of this formulation has shown to follow non-Fickian type which involved both diffusion and erosion mechanism. Additionally, the statistical results indicated that there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the F3 and reference drug in terms of MDT and T50% with p-values of 1.00 and 0.995 respectively.

NEW METHODOLOGY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF ORODISPERSIBLE TABLETS USING HIGH-SHEAR GRANULATION PROCESS.

PubMed

Ali, Bahaa E; Al-Shedfat, Ramadan I; Fayed, Mohamed H; Alanazi, Fars K

2017-05-01

Development of orodispersible delivery system of high mechanical properties and low disintegration time is a big challenge. The aim of the current work was to assess and optimize the high shear granulation process as a new methodology for development of orodispersible tablets of high quality attributes using design of experiment approach. A two factor, three levels (32), full factorial design was carried out to investigate the main and interaction effects of independent variables, water amount (XI) and granulation time (X2) on the characteristics of granules and final product, tablet. The produced granules were analyzed for their granule size, density and flowability. Furthermore, the produced tablets were tested for: weight variation, breaking force/ crushing strength, friability, disintegration time and drug dissolution. Regression analysis results of multiple linear models showed a high correlation between the adjusted R-squared and predicted R-squared for all granules and tablets characteristics, the difference is less than 0.2. All dependent responses of granules and tablets were found to be impacted significantly (p < 0.05) by the two independent variables. However, water amount demonstrated the most dominant effect for all granules and tablet characteristics as shown by higher its coefficient estimate for all selected responses. Numerical optimization using desirability function was performed to optimize the variables under study to provide orodispersible system within the USP limit with respect of mechanical properties and disintegration time. It was found that the higher desirability (0.915) could be attained at the low level pf water (180 g) and short granulation time (1.65 min). Eventually, this study provides the formulator with helpful information in selecting the proper level of water and granulation time to provide an orodispersible system of high crushing strength and very low disintegration time, when high shear granulation methodology was used as a method of manufacture.

Formulation of an aloe-based product according to Iranian traditional medicine and development of its analysis method.

PubMed

Moein, Elham; Hajimehdipoor, Homa; Toliyat, Tayebeh; Choopani, Rasool; Hamzeloo-Moghadam, Maryam

2017-08-29

Currently, people are more interested to traditional medicine. The traditional formulations should be converted to modern drug delivery systems to be more acceptable for the patients. In the present investigation, a poly herbal medicine "Ayarij-e-Faiqra" (AF) based on Iranian traditional medicine (ITM) has been formulated and its quality control parameters have been developed. The main ingredients of AF including barks of Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume and Cinnamomum cassia J. Presl, the rhizomes of Nardostachys jatamansi DC., the fruits of Piper cubeba L.f., the flowers of Rosa damascena Herrm., the oleo gum resin of Pistacia terebinthus L. and Aloe spp. dried juice were powdered and used for preparing seven tablet formulations of the herbal mixture. Flowability of the different formulated powders was examined and the best formulations were selected (F6&F7). The tablets were prepared from the selected formulations compared according to the physical characteristics and finally, F7 was selected and coated. Physicochemical characters of core and coated AF tablets were determined and the HPLC method for quantitation of aloin as a marker of tablets was selected and verified according to selectivity, linearity, precision, recovery, LOD and LOQ. The results showed that core and coated AF tablets were in agreement with USP requirements for herbal drugs. They had acceptable appearance, disintegration time, friability, hardness, dissolution behavior, weight variation and content uniformity. The amount of aloin in tablets was found 123.1 mg/tab. The HPLC method for aloin determination in AF tablets was verified according to selectivity, linearity (5-500 μg/ml, r 2 :0.9999), precision (RSD: 1.62%), recovery (108.0%), LOD & LOQ (0.0053 & 0.0161 μg/ml). The formulated tablets could be a good substitute for powder and capsules of AF in ITM clinics with a feasible and precise method for its quality control. Ayarij-e-Faiqra formulation.

Formulation and evaluation of floating matrix tablet of stavudine

PubMed Central

Prajapati, Pankaj H; Nakum, Vijay V; Patel, Chhagan N

2012-01-01

Background/Aim: The purpose of the study was to prolong the gastric residence time of stavudine by designing its floating tablets and to study the influence of different polymers on its release rate. Materials and Methods: The floating mix matrix tablets of stavudine were prepared by melt granulation method. Beeswax was used as hydrophobic meltable material. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), sodium bicarbonate, and ethyl cellulose were used as matrixing agent, gas generating agent, and floating enhancer, respectively. The prepared tablets were evaluated for physicochemical parameters such as hardness, weight variation, friability, floating properties (floating lag time, total floating time), drug content, stability study, and in vitro drug release. The drug- polymer interaction was studied by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) thermal analysis and Fourier transform infared (FT-IR). Results: The floating lag time of all the formulations was within the prescribed limit (<3 min). All the formulations showed good matrix integrity and retarded the release of drug for 12 h except the formulation F5.The concentration of beeswax (X1), HPMC K4M (X2), and ethyl cellulose (X3) were selected as independent variables and drug release values at 1 (Q1), at 6 (Q6) and at 12 h (Q12) as dependent variables. Formulation F7 was selected as an optimum formulation as it showed more similarity in dissolution profile with theoretical profile (similarity factor, f2 = 70.91). The dissolution of batch F7 can be described by zero-order kinetics (R2 =0.9936) with anomalous (non-Fickian) diffusion as the release mechanism (n=0.545). There was no difference observed in release profile after temperature sensitivity study at 40°C/75% relative humidity (RH) for 1 month. Conclusion: It can be concluded from this study that the combined mix matrix system containing hydrophobic and hydrophilic polymer minimized the burst release of drug from the tablet and achieved a drug release by zero-order kinetics, which is practically difficult with only hydrophilic matrix. PMID:23119237

Strength Enhancement and Application Development of Carbon Foam for Thermal Protection Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-09-01

to implementation was the inherent weakness and friability of the carbon foams. Under a MDA funded SBIR program, Ceramic Composites Inc . has...there are two approaches under consideration for utilizing carbon foams. Allcomp Inc.iii, Materials and Electrochemical Researchiv, Touchstonev...Ceramic Composites Inc . (CCI) elected to take an alternative approach to enhancing the strength of carbon foam. For our evaluation, two polymeric pre

Variations and controlling factors of the coccolith weight in the Western Pacific Warm Pool over the last 200 ka

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, Dan; Liu, Chuanlian

2016-06-01

Using a coccolith weight analytic software (Particle Analyser), we analyze most abundant coccolith species in a sediment core from the central Western Pacific Warm Pool (WPWP) and calculate coccolith size and weight variations over the last 200 ka. These variations are compared with the trends of sea surface temperature (SST), primary productivity (PP), sea surface salinity (SSS), and insolation. Our results demonstrate that the size and weight of the coccoliths varied in response to variations of these factors, and their average total weight is primarily related to the relative abundance of the dominant species GEO ( Gephyrocapsa oceanica). The variation in weight of EMI ( Emiliania huxleyi) and GEE ( Gephyrocapsa ericsonii) are mainly influenced by nutrients, and the variation of GEM ( G. muellerae conformis) and GEO ( G. oceanica) weight are mainly influenced by SST. For all of the taxa weight, PP and SST present apparent precession or semi-precession cycles, we consider that the mono-coccolith weight of the Equatorial Western Pacific is primarily affected by precession drived thermocline and nutricline variation.

Isolation, characterization and investigation of Cordia dichotoma fruit polysaccharide as a herbal excipient.

PubMed

Pawar, Harshal Ashok; Jadhav, Pravin

2015-01-01

The objective of the present research work was to isolate, purify and characterize Cordia dichotoma gum and investigate its disintegration property in oral tablets. The isolated gum was tested for physicochemical characteristics such as solubility, pH (1% w/w in water), swelling index, loss on drying, ash value, bulk and tapped density, Carr's index, Hausner's ratio and angle of repose. The Orodispersible tablets of valsartan were prepared by direct compression method and evaluated for average weight (mg), drug content (%), thickness (mm), hardness (kg/cm(2)), friability (%), wetting time (sec), water absorption ratio (%) and disintegration time (sec). FTIR studies revealed that there was no interaction between drug, gum and other excipients used in the study. The F4 batch with disintegration time 26.34 ± 0.78 s and in vitro release 99.64 ± 0.43% was selected as optimized formulation. This formulation was compared with conventional marketed formulation and was found superior. Batch F4 was subjected to stability studies for three months and was tested for its disintegration time, drug contents and dissolution behaviour. Batch F4 was found stable for three months at accelerated temperature. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Strength Enhancement and Application Development of Carbon Foam for Thermal Management Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-01-01

STRENGTH ENHANCEMENT AND APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT OF CARBON FOAM FOR THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS Mr. Christopher Duston Ceramic Composites, Inc ...inherent weakness and friability of the carbon foams. Ceramic Composites Inc . has demonstrated the ability to increase the compressive strength by 2½ times...250%.iv In Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) there are two approaches under consideration for utilizing carbon foams. Allcomp Inc.v, Materials and

Enalapril maleate orally disintegrating tablets: tableting and in vivo evaluation in hypertensive rats.

PubMed

Tawfeek, Hesham M; Faisal, Waleed; Soliman, Ghareb M

2018-06-01

The aim of this study was to develop orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) for enalapril maleate (EnM) to facilitate its administration to the elderly or other patients having dysphagia. Compatibility between EnM and various excipients was studied using differential scanning calorimetry. ODTs of EnM were prepared by direct compression of EnM mixtures with various superdisintegrants. The tablets were evaluated for physical properties including drug content, hardness, friability, disintegration time, wetting time, and drug release. The antihypertensive effect of the optimum EnM ODTs was evaluated in vivo in hypertensive rats and compared with commercial EnM formulation. EnM ODTs had satisfactory results in terms of drug content and friability. Tablet wetting and disintegration were fast and dependent on the used superdisintegrant where croscarmellose showed the fastest wetting and disintegration time of ∼7 s. EnM release from the tablets was rapid where complete release was obtained in 10-15 min. Selected EnM ODTs rapidly and efficiently reduced the rat's blood pressure to its normal value within 1 h, compared with 4 h for EnM commercial formulation. These results confirm that EnM ODTs could find application in the management of hypertension in the elderly or other patients having dysphagia.

A new tablet brittleness index.

PubMed

Gong, Xingchu; Sun, Changquan Calvin

2015-06-01

Brittleness is one of the important material properties that influences the success or failure of powder compaction. We have discovered that the reciprocal of diametrical elastic strain at fracture is the most suitable tablet brittleness indices (TBIs) for quantifying brittleness of pharmaceutical tablets. The new strain based TBI is supported by both theoretical considerations and a systematic statistical analysis of friability data. It is sufficiently sensitive to changes in both tablet compositions and compaction parameters. For all tested materials, it correctly shows that tablet brittleness increases with increasing tablet porosity for the same powder. In addition, TBI increases with increasing content of a brittle excipient, lactose monohydrate, in the mixtures with a plastic excipient, microcrystalline cellulose. A probability map for achieving less than 1% tablet friability at various combinations of tablet tensile strength and TBI was constructed. Data from marketed tablets validate this probability map and a TBI value of 150 is recommended as the upper limit for pharmaceutical tablets. This TBI can be calculated from the data routinely obtained during tablet diametrical breaking test, which is commonly performed for assessing tablet mechanical strength. Therefore, it is ready for adoption for quantifying tablet brittleness to guide tablet formulation development since it does not require additional experimental work. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Quantitative analysis of visible surface defect risk in tablets during film coating using terahertz pulsed imaging.

PubMed

Niwa, Masahiro; Hiraishi, Yasuhiro

2014-01-30

Tablets are the most common form of solid oral dosage produced by pharmaceutical industries. There are several challenges to successful and consistent tablet manufacturing. One well-known quality issue is visible surface defects, which generally occur due to insufficient physical strength, causing breakage or abrasion during processing, packaging, or shipping. Techniques that allow quantitative evaluation of surface strength and the risk of surface defect would greatly aid in quality control. Here terahertz pulsed imaging (TPI) was employed to evaluate the surface properties of core tablets with visible surface defects of varying severity after film coating. Other analytical methods, such as tensile strength measurements, friability testing, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), were used to validate TPI results. Tensile strength and friability provided no information on visible surface defect risk, whereas the TPI-derived unique parameter terahertz electric field peak strength (TEFPS) provided spatial distribution of surface density/roughness information on core tablets, which helped in estimating tablet abrasion risk prior to film coating and predicting the location of the defects. TPI also revealed the relationship between surface strength and blending condition and is a nondestructive, quantitative approach to aid formulation development and quality control that can reduce visible surface defect risk in tablets. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Characterization, optimisation and process robustness of a co-processed mannitol for the development of orally disintegrating tablets.

PubMed

Soh, Josephine Lay Peng; Grachet, Maud; Whitlock, Mark; Lukas, Timothy

2013-02-01

This is a study to fully assess a commercially available co-processed mannitol for its usefulness as an off-the-shelf excipient for developing orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) by direct compression on a pilot scale (up to 4 kg). This work encompassed material characterization, formulation optimisation and process robustness. Overall, this co-processed mannitol possessed favourable physical attributes including low hygroscopicity and compactibility. Two design-of-experiments (DoEs) were used to screen and optimise the placebo formulation. Xylitol and crospovidone concentrations were found to have the most significant impact on disintegration time (p < 0.05). Higher xylitol concentrations retarded disintegration. Avicel PH102 promoted faster disintegration than PH101, at higher levels of xylitol. Without xylitol, higher crospovidone concentrations yielded faster disintegration and reduced tablet friability. Lubrication sensitivity studies were later conducted at two fill loads, three levels for lubricant concentration and number of blend rotations. Even at 75% fill load, the design space plot showed that 1.5% lubricant and 300 blend revolutions were sufficient to manufacture ODTs with ≤ 0.1% friability and disintegrated within 15 s. This study also describes results using a modified disintegration method based on the texture analyzer as an alternative to the USP method.

Variations of archived static-weight data and WIM

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Elliott, C.J.; Gillmann, R.; Kent, P.M.

1998-12-01

Using seven-card archived, static-weight and weigh-in-motion (WIM), truck data received by FHWA for 1966--1992, the authors examine the fluctuations of four fiducial weight measures reported at weight sites in the 50 states. The reduced 172 MB Class 9 (332000) database was prepared and ordered from 2 CD-ROMS with duplicate records removed. Front-axle weight and gross-vehicle weight (GVW) are combined conceptually by determining the front axle weight in four-quartile GVW categories. The four categories of front axle weight from the four GVW categories are combined in four ways. Three linear combinations are with fixed-coefficient fiducials and one is that optimal linearmore » combination producing the smallest standard deviation to mean value ratio. The best combination gives coefficients of variation of 2--3% for samples of 100 trucks, below the expected accuracy of single-event WIM measurements. Time tracking of data shows some high-variation sites have seasonal variations, or linear variations over the time-ordered samples. Modeling of these effects is very site specific but provides a way to reduce high variations. Some automatic calibration schemes would erroneously remove such seasonal or linear variations were they static effects.« less

Dissolution Rate, Weathering Mechanics, and Friability of TNT, Comp B, Tritonal, and Octol

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-02-01

second conceptual model also simulates dissolution of a particle that experiences constant soil moisture such as one mixed in with the soil...or are mediated by moisture on the particle surface is not yet known. The identities of these red products are also unknown as are their health...it using the outdoor data. The model assumes that raindrops intercepted by HE particles were fully saturated in HE as they dripped off. Particle

The use of Hibiscus esculentus (Okra) gum in sustaining the release of propranolol hydrochloride in a solid oral dosage form.

PubMed

Zaharuddin, Nurul Dhania; Noordin, Mohamed Ibrahim; Kadivar, Ali

2014-01-01

The effectiveness of Okra gum in sustaining the release of propranolol hydrochloride in a tablet was studied. Okra gum was extracted from the pods of Hibiscus esculentus using acetone as a drying agent. Dried Okra gum was made into powder form and its physical and chemical characteristics such as solubility, pH, moisture content, viscosity, morphology study using SEM, infrared study using FTIR, crystallinity study using XRD, and thermal study using DSC and TGA were carried out. The powder was used in the preparation of tablet using granulation and compression methods. Propranolol hydrochloride was used as a model drug and the activity of Okra gum as a binder was compared by preparing tablets using a synthetic and a semisynthetic binder which are hydroxylmethylpropyl cellulose (HPMC) and sodium alginate, respectively. Evaluation of drug release kinetics that was attained from dissolution studies showed that Okra gum retarded the release up to 24 hours and exhibited the longest release as compared to HPMC and sodium alginate. The tensile and crushing strength of tablets was also evaluated by conducting hardness and friability tests. Okra gum was observed to produce tablets with the highest hardness value and lowest friability. Hence, Okra gum was testified as an effective adjuvant to produce favourable sustained release tablets with strong tensile and crushing strength.

Crystal coating via spray drying to improve powder tabletability.

PubMed

Vanhoorne, V; Peeters, E; Van Snick, B; Remon, J P; Vervaet, C

2014-11-01

A continuous crystal coating method was developed to improve both flowability and tabletability of powders. The method includes the introduction of solid, dry particles into an atomized spray during spray drying in order to coat and agglomerate individual particles. Paracetamol was used as a model drug as it exhibits poor flowability and high capping tendency upon compaction. The particle size enlargement and flowability were evaluated by the mean median particle size and flow index of the resulting powders. The crystal coating coprocessing method was successful for the production of powders containing 75% paracetamol with excellent tableting properties. However, the extent of agglomeration achieved during coprocessing was limited. Tablets compressed on a rotary tablet press in manual mode showed excellent compression properties without capping tendency. A formulation with 75% paracetamol, 5% PVP and 20% amorphous lactose yielded a tensile strength of 1.9 MPa at a compression pressure of 288 MPa. The friability of tablets compressed at 188 MPa was only 0.6%. The excellent tabletability of this formulation was attributed to the coating of paracetamol crystals with amorphous lactose and PVP through coprocessing and the presence of brittle and plastic components in the formulation. The coprocessing method was also successfully applied for the production of directly compressible lactose showing improved tensile strength and friability in comparison to a spray dried direct compression lactose grade.

Multiple-layer compression-coated tablets: formulation and humidity studies of novel chewable amoxicillin/clavulanate tablet formulations.

PubMed

Wardrop, J; Jaber, A B; Ayres, J W

1998-08-01

The purpose of this study was to produce novel multiple-layer, compression-coated, chewable tablet formulations containing amoxicillin trihydrate, and clavulanic acid as potassium clavulanate, and to test in vitro dissolution characteristics and the effect of humidity stability compared to Augmentin chewable tablets as a reference. Double- and triple-layer tablets were manufactured on a laboratory scale by multiple-layer dry compression, and dissolution profiles of both active ingredients were determined. Tablets were subjected to stability evaluation in laboratory-scale humidity tanks maintained at constant humidity. Assay of content was determined by HPLC or UV spectroscopy. Physical characteristics of the powder mixture, such as angle of repose, and of tablets for hardness and friability, were also determined. Chewable tablets showed similar dissolution profiles in vitro for both active ingredients, compared to the marketed reference, Augmentin. The stability of clavulanic acid, but not amoxicillin, was increased in the novel triple or bilayer formulation. The tablets showed suitable friability, hardness, and angle of repose for starting materials to suggest that industrial scale-up is feasible. This approach to formulation of drugs containing multiple or moisture-sensitive ingredients has been shown to increase the stability of the central core drug without changing the dissolution pattern of the active ingredients. This formulation is expected to be bioequivalent in vivo based on these in vitro results.

The Use of Hibiscus esculentus (Okra) Gum in Sustaining the Release of Propranolol Hydrochloride in a Solid Oral Dosage Form

PubMed Central

Noordin, Mohamed Ibrahim; Kadivar, Ali

2014-01-01

The effectiveness of Okra gum in sustaining the release of propranolol hydrochloride in a tablet was studied. Okra gum was extracted from the pods of Hibiscus esculentus using acetone as a drying agent. Dried Okra gum was made into powder form and its physical and chemical characteristics such as solubility, pH, moisture content, viscosity, morphology study using SEM, infrared study using FTIR, crystallinity study using XRD, and thermal study using DSC and TGA were carried out. The powder was used in the preparation of tablet using granulation and compression methods. Propranolol hydrochloride was used as a model drug and the activity of Okra gum as a binder was compared by preparing tablets using a synthetic and a semisynthetic binder which are hydroxylmethylpropyl cellulose (HPMC) and sodium alginate, respectively. Evaluation of drug release kinetics that was attained from dissolution studies showed that Okra gum retarded the release up to 24 hours and exhibited the longest release as compared to HPMC and sodium alginate. The tensile and crushing strength of tablets was also evaluated by conducting hardness and friability tests. Okra gum was observed to produce tablets with the highest hardness value and lowest friability. Hence, Okra gum was testified as an effective adjuvant to produce favourable sustained release tablets with strong tensile and crushing strength. PMID:24678512

Lornoxicam gastro retentive floating matrix tablets: Design and in vitro evaluation.

PubMed

Sathiyaraj, S; Devi, Ramya D; Hari, Vedha B N

2011-07-01

The objective of this present investigation is to prolong the gastric residence time of Lornoxicam by fabricating it into a floating sustained release matrix tablets. Lornoxicam, a potent oxicam group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, suffers from relatively short half life of 2 to 3 hrs showing maximal absorption in proximal gastro intestinal tract region necessitating its need to be formulated as a floating sustained release matrix tablets. In this current investigation, hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose K15M, a high viscous grade polymer with apparent viscosity of 15,000 cps, was kept as a variable (10-50%) and calcium carbonate (13%) was used as a gas generator. The prepared blends were subjected for its pre-formulation characterization. The directly compressed tablets were evaluated for physical parameters such as weight uniformity, hardness, friability, drug content, in-vitro buoyancy with axial and radial enlargement measurement, swelling index. From the investigation it was observed that the buoyancy lasted for up to 24 hrs. Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy peaks assured the compatibility of the drug with excipients and confirmed the presence of pure drug in the formulation. It was supported by in-vitro dissolution studies; and the dissolution data was subjected to various release kinetic models to understand the mechanism of drug release.

Use of a continuous twin screw granulation and drying system during formulation development and process optimization.

PubMed

Vercruysse, J; Peeters, E; Fonteyne, M; Cappuyns, P; Delaet, U; Van Assche, I; De Beer, T; Remon, J P; Vervaet, C

2015-01-01

Since small scale is key for successful introduction of continuous techniques in the pharmaceutical industry to allow its use during formulation development and process optimization, it is essential to determine whether the product quality is similar when small quantities of materials are processed compared to the continuous processing of larger quantities. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether material processed in a single cell of the six-segmented fluid bed dryer of the ConsiGma™-25 system (a continuous twin screw granulation and drying system introduced by GEA Pharma Systems, Collette™, Wommelgem, Belgium) is predictive of granule and tablet quality during full-scale manufacturing when all drying cells are filled. Furthermore, the performance of the ConsiGma™-1 system (a mobile laboratory unit) was evaluated and compared to the ConsiGma™-25 system. A premix of two active ingredients, powdered cellulose, maize starch, pregelatinized starch and sodium starch glycolate was granulated with distilled water. After drying and milling (1000 μm, 800 rpm), granules were blended with magnesium stearate and compressed using a Modul™ P tablet press (tablet weight: 430 mg, main compression force: 12 kN). Single cell experiments using the ConsiGma™-25 system and ConsiGma™-1 system were performed in triplicate. Additionally, a 1h continuous run using the ConsiGma™-25 system was executed. Process outcomes (torque, barrel wall temperature, product temperature during drying) and granule (residual moisture content, particle size distribution, bulk and tapped density, hausner ratio, friability) as well as tablet (hardness, friability, disintegration time and dissolution) quality attributes were evaluated. By performing a 1h continuous run, it was detected that a stabilization period was needed for torque and barrel wall temperature due to initial layering of the screws and the screw chamber walls with material. Consequently, slightly deviating granule and tablet quality attributes were obtained during the start-up phase of the 1h run. For the single cell runs, granule and tablet properties were comparable with results obtained during the second part of the 1h run (after start-up). Although deviating granule quality (particle size distribution and Hausner ratio) was observed due to the divergent design of the ConsiGma™-1 unit and the ConsiGma™-25 system (horizontal set-up) used in this study, tablet quality produced from granules processed with the ConsiGma™-1 system was predictive for tablet quality obtained during continuous production using the ConsiGma™-25 system. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Formulation design of ranitidine hydrochloride to reduce its moisture absorption characteristics.

PubMed

Khan, Shagufta; Giradkar, Praful; Yeole, Pramod

2009-01-01

This investigation examined the effect of a ranitidine hydrocholoride (RHCl)-ion exchange resin complexation on the drug's moisture uptake behavior. Drug resin complexes (DRCs) were prepared using the batch method with (i) two weak cation exchange resins, Polacrilex with exchangeable H+ and Polacrillin potassium; and (ii) a strong cation exchange resin;Sodium polystyrene sulfonate. RHCl, simple resins, and DRCs were subjected to storage stability under 40 +/- 2 degrees C and 75 +/- 5% relative humidity (RH) for 16 h, and the resulting percent increase in weight was calculated. DRCs gained less moisture than the simple drug and free resins. Out of the three complexes tested, DRC containing Polacrilex resin showed the most promising effect in protecting RHCl against moisture uptake with an increase in weight of 10.22 +/- 17% (free RHCl gained 28.11%) and was thereby selected for tablet formulation. Tablets were prepared using simple RHCl with Starch 1500 (F1); low moisture-grade Starch 1500 LM (F2); RHCl as DRC with Starch 1500 (F3); and, Starch 1500 LM (F4). Tablets were tested for equilibrium moisture content (EMC) under different humidity conditions and hygroscopicity in the presence and absence of light. In addition, stability studies were run over the duration of 6 months in conditions under 40 +/- 2 degrees C and 75 +/- 5% RH. The EMC of tablets at 80% RH decreased in the following order: F1 > F2 > marketed coated tablet > F3 > F4. The results of hygroscopicity testing revealed that both rate and extent of moisture gain in the presence or absence of light by F3 and F4 were significantly less than F1, F2, and marketed coated tablet (P < 0.05). Stability studies showed insignificant changes in weight, breaking force, friability, and disintegration time for tablets containing resin, while significant changes in these properties were found in tablets without resin. Thus, Polacrilex resin with exchangeable H+ was found to be the best for protecting RHCl against moisture uptake.

Variation of growth in height and weight of children. II. After infancy.

PubMed

Sorva, R; Lankinen, S; Tolppanen, E M; Perheentupa, J

1990-05-01

To provide for early detection of abnormal changes in growth, we propose the monitoring of all children for changes in relative height and relative weight as indirect indicators of growth velocity. To this end we analyzed the growth of 2,156 children, as recorded by the child health surveillance services at ages 2 to 19 years. From their data we constructed growth standards on charts of a novel type, which allow direct reading of relative height (SD score, SDS) and relative weight (percentage deviation of weight from median weight for height and sex, %DW). Variation in height explained most (mean 60%) of the variation in weight, and age did not contribute significantly. Hence, our weight charts are height-based. Next, we defined the variations of changes in (delta) SDS and %DW during the different periods of growth. The group means of changes in each period were zero. Variation in delta SDS is widest at the earliest ages, then decreases until year 9-10 (girls) and 10-11 (boys), and again increases. For delta %DW the picture is similar. We present these variations as diagrams for use in growth screening.

Formulation and In Vitro, In Vivo Evaluation of Effervescent Floating Sustained-Release Imatinib Mesylate Tablet

PubMed Central

Kadivar, Ali; Kamalidehghan, Behnam; Javar, Hamid Akbari; Davoudi, Ehsan Taghizadeh; Zaharuddin, Nurul Dhania; Sabeti, Bahareh; Chung, Lip Yong; Noordin, Mohamed Ibrahim

2015-01-01

Introduction Imatinib mesylate is an antineoplastic agent which has high absorption in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Conventional imatinib mesylate (Gleevec) tablets produce rapid and relatively high peak blood levels and requires frequent administration to keep the plasma drug level at an effective range. This might cause side effects, reduced effectiveness and poor therapeutic management. Therefore, floating sustained-release Imatinib tablets were developed to allow the tablets to be released in the upper part of the GIT and overcome the inadequacy of conventional tablets. Methodology Floating sustained-release Imatinib mesylate tablets were prepared using the wet granulation method. Tablets were formulated using Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC K4M), with Sodium alginate (SA) and Carbomer 934P (CP) as release-retarding polymers, sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) as the effervescent agent and lactose as a filler. Floating behavior, in vitro drug release, and swelling index studies were conducted. Initial and total drug release duration was compared with a commercial tablet (Gleevec) in 0.1 N HCl (pH 1.2) at 37 ± 0.5°C for 24 hours. Tablets were then evaluated for various physical parameters, including weight variation, thickness, hardness, friability, and drug content. Consequently, 6 months of physical stability studies and in vitro gastro-retentive studies were conducted. Results and Discussion Statistical data analysis revealed that tablets containing a composition of 14.67% w/w HPMC K4M, 10.67%, w/w Na alginate, 1.33%, w/w Carbomer 934P and 9.33%, w/w NaHCO3 produced the most favorable formulation to develop 24-hour sustained-release tablets with optimum floating behavior and satisfactory physicochemical characteristics. Furthermore, in vitro release study revealed that the formulated SR tablet had significantly lower Cmax and higher Tmax compared to the conventional tablet (Gleevec). Thus, formulated SR tablets preserved persistent concentration of plasma up to 24 hours. Conclusion In conclusion, in order to suggest a better drug delivery system with constant favorable release, resulting in optimized absorption and less side effects, formulated CP-HPMC-SA based imatinib mesylate floating sustained-release tablets can be a promising candidate for cancer chemotherapy. PMID:26035710

Effect of Crusher Type and Crusher Discharge Setting On Washability Characteristics of Coal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahila, P.; Battacharya, S.

2018-02-01

Natural resources have been serving the life of many civilizations, among these coals are of prime importance. Coal is the most important and abundant fossil fuel in India. It accounts for 55% of the country’s energy need. Coal will continue as the mainstay fuel for power generation. Previous researches has been made about the coal feed size and coal type had great influence on the crushing performance of the same jaw crusher and amount of fines generated from a particular coal depends not only upon coal friability but also on crusher type. Therefore, it necessitates crushing and grinding the coal for downstream process. In this paper the effect of crusher type and crusher discharge setting on washability characteristics of same crushed non-coking coal has been studied. Thus four different crushers were investigated at variable parameters like discharge settings, different capacities and feed openings. The experimental work conducted for all crushers with same feed size and HGI (Hardgrove Grindability Index). Based on the investigation the results indicate that the four crushers which has been involved for the experimental work shows that the variation in not only the product size distribution and also reduction ratio. Maximum breakage has been occurred at coarsest size fraction of irrespective of crusher type and discharge setting.

Isotope-abundance variations of selected elements (IUPAC technical report)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Coplen, T.B.; Böhlke, J.K.; De Bievre, P.; Ding, T.; Holden, N.E.; Hopple, J.A.; Krouse, H.R.; Lamberty, A.; Peiser, H.S.; Revesz, K.; Rieder, S.E.; Rosman, K.J.R.; Roth, E.; Taylor, P.D.P.; Vocke, R.D.; Xiao, Y.K.

2002-01-01

Documented variations in the isotopic compositions of some chemical elements are responsible for expanded uncertainties in the standard atomic weights published by the Commission on Atomic Weights and Isotopic Abundances of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. This report summarizes reported variations in the isotopic compositions of 20 elements that are due to physical and chemical fractionation processes (not due to radioactive decay) and their effects on the standard atomic-weight uncertainties. For 11 of those elements (hydrogen, lithium, boron, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, silicon, sulfur, chlorine, copper, and selenium), standard atomic-weight uncertainties have been assigned values that are substantially larger than analytical uncertainties because of common isotope-abundance variations in materials of natural terrestrial origin. For 2 elements (chromium and thallium), recently reported isotope-abundance variations potentially are large enough to result in future expansion of their atomic-weight uncertainties. For 7 elements (magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, molybdenum, palladium, and tellurium), documented isotope variations in materials of natural terrestrial origin are too small to have a significant effect on their standard atomic-weight uncertainties. This compilation indicates the extent to which the atomic weight of an element in a given material may differ from the standard atomic weight of the element. For most elements given above, data are graphically illustrated by a diagram in which the materials are specified in the ordinate and the compositional ranges are plotted along the abscissa in scales of (1) atomic weight, (2) mole fraction of a selected isotope, and (3) delta value of a selected isotope ratio.

Identification of the Properties of Gum Arabic Used as a Binder in 7.62-mm Ammunition Primers

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-06-01

Solution - LCC Testing (ATK Task 700) 51 Cartridge - Ballistic Testing (ATK Task 800) 51 ATK Elemental Analysis 52 Moisture Loss and Friability...Hummel sample 7 3 SDT summary for Quadra sample 8 4 Particle size analysis summary for gum arabic samples 9 5 SEM images of Colony gum arabic at 230x...strengths 21 16 Color analysis : Colony after 5.0 hrs 23 17 Color analysis : Hummel after 5.0 hrs 23 18 Color analysis : Brenntag after 5.0 hrs 23 19 Gel

Weight and volume variation in truckloads of logs hauled in the central Appalachians

Treesearch

Floyd G. Timson

1974-01-01

Variation in volume and weight was found among loaded log trucks even when such factors as truck type, logging job, and driver influence were eliminated. A load range of 10,000 pounds or 1,000 board feet was commonplace for the same truck, driver, and cutting site. Differences in log size, shape, weight, and species caused a major share of this variation. Yet,...

Seasonal carcass composition and energy balance of female black ducks in Maine

Treesearch

Kenneth J. Reinecke; Timothy L. Stone; Ray B., Jr. Owen

1982-01-01

Female Black Ducks (Anas rubripes) collected in Maine during the summer, fall, and winter of 1974-1976 showed significant seasonal variation in body weight, nonfat dry weight, gizzard and pectoral muscle weight, and fat, moisture, and protein content. Variation of body weight within and among seasons was correlated more strongly with carcass protein...

48 CFR 245.7309-8 - Variations in quantity or weight.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... Inventory 245.7309-8 Variations in quantity or weight. When property is sold on a “unit price” basis, the Contractor reserves the right to vary by up to 15 percent the quantity or weight listed in the Invitation and... price shall be adjusted in accordance with the unit price and on the basis of the quantity or weight...

Within-litter variation in birth weight: impact of nutritional status in the sow.

PubMed

Yuan, Tao-lin; Zhu, Yu-hua; Shi, Meng; Li, Tian-tian; Li, Na; Wu, Guo-yao; Bazer, Fuller W; Zang, Jian-jun; Wang, Feng-lai; Wang, Jun-jun

2015-06-01

Accompanying the beneficial improvement in litter size from genetic selection for high-prolificacy sows, within-litter variation in birth weight has increased with detrimental effects on post-natal growth and survival due to an increase in the proportion of piglets with low birth-weight. Causes of within-litter variation in birth weight include breed characteristics that affect uterine space, ovulation rate, degree of maturation of oocytes, duration of time required for ovulation, interval between ovulation and fertilization, uterine capacity for implantation and placentation, size and efficiency of placental transport of nutrients, communication between conceptus/fetus and maternal systems, as well as nutritional status and environmental influences during gestation. Because these factors contribute to within-litter variation in birth weight, nutritional status of the sow to improve fetal-placental development must focus on the following three important stages in the reproductive cycle: pre-mating or weaning to estrus, early gestation and late gestation. The goal is to increase the homogeneity of development of oocytes and conceptuses, decrease variations in conceptus development during implantation and placentation, and improve birth weights of newborn piglets. Though some progress has been made in nutritional regulation of within-litter variation in the birth weight of piglets, additional studies, with a focus on and insights into molecular mechanisms of reproductive physiology from the aspects of maternal growth and offspring development, as well as their regulation by nutrients provided to the sow, are urgently needed.

Influence of pressurized carbon dioxide on ketoprofen-incorporated hot-melt extruded low molecular weight hydroxypropylcellulose.

PubMed

A Ashour, Eman; Kulkarni, Vijay; Almutairy, Bjad; Park, Jun-Bom; Shah, Sejal P; Majumdar, Soumyajit; Lian, Zhuoyang; Pinto, Elanor; Bi, Vivian; Durig, Thomas; Martin, Scott T; Repka, Michael A

2016-01-01

The aim of the current research project was to investigate the effect of pressurized carbon dioxide (P-CO 2 ) on the physico-mechanical properties of ketoprofen (KTP)-incorporated hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) (Klucel™ ELF, EF, and LF) produced using hot-melt extrusion (HME) techniques and to assess the plasticization effect of P-CO 2 on the various polymers tested. The physico-mechanical properties of extrudates with and without injection of P-CO 2 were examined and compared with extrudates with the addition of 5% liquid plasticizer of propylene glycol (PG). The extrudates were milled and compressed into tablets. Tablet characteristics of the extrudates with and without injection of P-CO 2 were evaluated. P-CO 2 acted as a plasticizer for tested polymers, which allowed for the reduction in extrusion processing temperature. The microscopic morphology of the extrudates was changed to a foam-like structure due to the expansion of the CO 2 at the extrusion die. The foamy extrudates demonstrated enhanced KTP release compared with the extrudates processed without P-CO 2 due to the increase of porosity and surface area of those extrudates. Furthermore, the hardness of the tablets prepared by foamy extrudates was increased and the percent friability was decreased. Thus, the good binding properties and compressibility of the extrudates were positively influenced by utilizing P-CO 2 processing.

Influence of Pressurized Carbon Dioxide on Ketoprofen-Incorporated Hot-Melt Extruded Low Molecular Weight Hydroxypropylcellulose

PubMed Central

Ashour, Eman A.; Kulkarni, Vijay; Almutairy, Bjad; Park, Jun-Bom; Shah, Sejal; Majumdar, Soumyajit; Lian, Zhuoyang; Pinto, Elanor; Bi, Yunxia; Durig, Thomas; Martin, Scott T.; Repka, Michael A.

2017-01-01

Objectives The aim of the current research project was to investigate the effect of pressurized carbon dioxide (P-CO2) on the physico-mechanical properties of Ketoprofen (KTP)-incorporated hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) (Klucel™ ELF, EF and LF) produced using hot melt extrusion (HME) techniques and to assess the plasticization effect of P-CO2 on the various polymers tested. Methods The physico-mechanical properties of extrudates with and without injection of P-CO2 were examined and compared to extrudates with the addition of 5% liquid plasticizer of propylene glycol (PG). The extrudates were milled and compressed into tablets. Tablet characteristics of the extrudates with and without injection of P-CO2 were evaluated. Results & conclusion P-CO2 acted as a plasticizer for tested polymers, which allowed for the reduction in extrusion processing temperature. The microscopic morphology of the extrudates were changed to a foam-like structure due to expansion of the CO2 at the extrusion die. The foamy extrudates demonstrated enhanced KTP release compared to the extrudates processed without P-CO2 due to the increase of porosity and surface area of those extrudates. Furthermore, the hardness of the tablets prepared by foamy extrudates was increased and the percent friability was decreased. Thus, the good binding properties and compressibility of the extrudates were positively influenced by utilizing P-CO2 processing. PMID:25997363

Key Technical Aspects Influencing the Accuracy of Tablet Subdivision.

PubMed

Teixeira, Maíra T; Sá-Barreto, Lívia C L; Gratieri, Taís; Gelfuso, Guilherme M; Silva, Izabel C R; Cunha-Filho, Marcílio S S

2017-05-01

Tablet subdivision is a common practice used mainly for dose adjustment. The aim of this study was to investigate how the technical aspects of production as well as the method of tablets subdivision (employing a tablet splitter or a kitchen knife) influence the accuracy of this practice. Five drugs commonly used as subdivided tablets were selected. For each drug, the innovator drug product, a scored-generic and a non-scored generic were investigated totalizing fifteen drug products. Mechanical and physical tests, including image analysis, were performed. Additionally, comparisons were made between tablet subdivision method, score, shape, diluent composition and coating. Image analysis based on surface area was a useful tool as an alternative assay to evaluate the accuracy of tablet subdivision. The tablet splitter demonstrates an advantage relative to a knife as it showed better results in weight loss and friability tests. Oblong, coated and scored tablets had better results after subdivision than round, uncoated and non-scored tablets. The presence of elastic diluents such as starch and dibasic phosphate dehydrate conferred a more appropriate behaviour for the subdivision process than plastic materials such as microcrystalline cellulose and lactose. Finally, differences were observed between generics and their innovator products in all selected drugs with regard the quality control assays in divided tablet, which highlights the necessity of health regulations to consider subdivision performance at least in marketing authorization of generic products.

A common haplotype of the glucokinase gene alters fasting glucose and birth weight: association in six studies and population-genetics analyses.

PubMed

Weedon, Michael N; Clark, Vanessa J; Qian, Yudong; Ben-Shlomo, Yoav; Timpson, Nicholas; Ebrahim, Shah; Lawlor, Debbie A; Pembrey, Marcus E; Ring, Susan; Wilkin, Terry J; Voss, Linda D; Jeffery, Alison N; Metcalf, Brad; Ferrucci, Luigi; Corsi, Anna Maria; Murray, Anna; Melzer, David; Knight, Bridget; Shields, Bev; Smith, George Davey; Hattersley, Andrew T; Di Rienzo, Anna; Frayling, Tim M

2006-12-01

Fasting glucose is associated with future risk of type 2 diabetes and ischemic heart disease and is tightly regulated despite considerable variation in quantity, type, and timing of food intake. In pregnancy, maternal fasting glucose concentration is an important determinant of offspring birth weight. The key determinant of fasting glucose is the enzyme glucokinase (GCK). Rare mutations of GCK cause fasting hyperglycemia and alter birth weight. The extent to which common variation of GCK explains normal variation of fasting glucose and birth weight is not known. We aimed to comprehensively define the role of variation of GCK in determination of fasting glucose and birth weight, using a tagging SNP (tSNP) approach and studying 19,806 subjects from six population-based studies. Using 22 tSNPs, we showed that the variant rs1799884 is associated with fasting glucose at all ages in the normal population and exceeded genomewide levels of significance (P=10-9). rs3757840 was also highly significantly associated with fasting glucose (P=8x10-7), but haplotype analysis revealed that this is explained by linkage disequilibrium (r2=0.2) with rs1799884. A maternal A allele at rs1799884 was associated with a 32-g (95% confidence interval 11-53 g) increase in offspring birth weight (P=.002). Genetic variation influencing birth weight may have conferred a selective advantage in human populations. We performed extensive population-genetics analyses to look for evidence of recent positive natural selection on patterns of GCK variation. However, we found no strong signature of positive selection. In conclusion, a comprehensive analysis of common variation of the glucokinase gene shows that this is the first gene to be reproducibly associated with fasting glucose and fetal growth.

An Evaluation of the Binding Strength of Okra Gum and the Drug Release Characteristics of Tablets Prepared from It.

PubMed

Hussain, Amjad; Qureshi, Farah; Abbas, Nasir; Arshad, Muhammad Sohail; Ali, Ejaz

2017-06-02

The aim of this study is to evaluate the adhesion ability of okra gum, which is gaining popularity as a tablet binder. For this purpose, gum was extracted from okra pods, and the binding strength of different concentrations (1%, 3%, and 5%) was determined quantitatively. Additionally, naproxen sodium tablets were prepared by using okra gum as a binder and were evaluated for their properties including hardness, friability, disintegration time, and dissolution rate. The binding strength values were compared with that of pre-gelatinized starch, a commonly used tablet binder. The results from universal testing machine indicate that the binding strengths of all dispersions of okra increase as the concentration increases from 1% to 5% and ranges from 2.5 to 4.5 N, which are almost twice a high as those of pre-gelatinized starch. The tablets prepared with okra gum have shown good mechanical strength with hardness values of 7-8.5 kg/cm² and a friability <1%, comparable to tablets prepared with starch. The disintegration time was longer (7.50 min with okra gum and 5.05 min with starch paste), and the drug release from these tablets was slower than the formulations with starch. The higher binding ability of okra gum probably linked with its chemical composition as it mainly contains galactose, rhamnose, and galacturonic acid. This study concludes that okra gum is a better binder than pre-gelatinized starch, it might be explored in future for introduction as a cost-effective binder in the pharmaceutical industry.

Development of standard operating procedures of Habbe Shifa: A polyherbal Unani formulation.

PubMed

Tarannum, Asira; Shamsi, Shariq; Zaman, Roohi

2013-07-01

Unani medicines are being used since antiquity. However, in spite of their efficacy, they have been widely criticized due to lack of standardization and poor quality presentation. For this reason, application of good manufacturing practices and development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) in the manufacture of herbal medicines became an essential tool to assure their quality. Therefore, the objective of the study was to develop the SOP of Habbe Shifa (HS) regarding the particle size (PS), binder, temperature of drying, and duration of drying. In this study, 24 batches of HS were prepared according to the instructions given in formulary to develop SOP. Three particle sizes (i.e., 80, 100, and 120 No. Mesh sieve), were taken for preparation of pills. Water and Samaghe Arabi (Gum Acacia mucilage [GAM]) were used as binder for preparing the lubdi (mass) in different batches. Different temperature and duration of drying were used to dry the pills in hot air oven to get satisfactory results. All the batches were assessed three times for hardness, friability, and disintegration time and mean regarded as standard parameter value. The batch with 150 μm PS (100 mesh sieve), 5% w/w GAM used as a binder, dried at 90°C for 120 min showed hardness 3.50 ± 0.00 kg/cm, friability 0.02 ± 0.003%, and disintegration time 25.00 ± 0.57 min, which showed most appropriate result among all batches and considered as final batch. Its SOP may be used for future reference which can help in setting up regulatory limit to assure the quality of Unani medicines.

Development of a multi-layered vaginal tablet containing dapivirine, levonorgestrel and acyclovir for use as a multipurpose prevention technology.

PubMed

McConville, Christopher; Major, Ian; Devlin, Brid; Brimer, Andrew

2016-07-01

Multipurpose prevention technologies (MPTs) are preferably single dosage forms designed to simultaneously address multiple sexual and reproductive health needs, such as unintended pregnancy, HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This manuscript describes the development of a range of multi-layered vaginal tablets, with both immediate and sustained release layers capable of delivering the antiretroviral drug dapivirine, the contraceptive hormone levonorgestrel, and the anti-herpes simplex virus drug acyclovir at independent release rates from a single dosage form. Depending on the design of the tablet in relation to the type (immediate or sustained release) or number of layers, the dose of each drug could be individually controlled. For example one tablet design was able to provide immediate release of all three drugs, while another tablet design was able to provide immediate release of both acyclovir and levonorgestrel, while providing sustained release of Dapivirine for up to 8h. A third tablet design was able to provide immediate release of both acyclovir and levonorgestrel, a large initial burst of Dapivirine, followed by sustained release of Dapivirine for up to 8h. All of the tablets passed the test for friability with a percent friability of less than 1%. The hardness of all tablet designs was between 115 and 153N, while their drug content met the European Pharmacopeia 2.9.40 Uniformity of Dosage units acceptance value at levels 1 and 2. Finally, the accelerated stability of all three actives was significantly enhanced in comparison with a mixed drug control. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Seasonal variation of copper and zinc concentrations in the oyster Saccostrea cuccullata from the Dampier Archipelago, Western Australia: implications for pollution monitoring.

PubMed

Talbot, V

1986-12-01

The intertidal rock oyster Saccostrea cuccullata, sampled at eight sites on eight occasions over a 1-year period, contained mean Cu and Zn concentrations ranging between 34 and 267 and 206 and 4078 mg kg-1 dry weight, respectively. In the study area, Cu and Zn emanate from sewage and boat slips (antifouling paints), while Zn probably also originates from coolant water from an electricity power generating station and iron ore exporting facilities. Highest oyster wet weight, Cu and Zn concentrations and loads occurred in January (spawning period), indicating that metal variation was not reciprocating wet weight. Lowest metal concentrations and loads occurred in October (period of onset of gametogenesis), while lowest wet weight occurred in April (post-spawning period). No significant (P less than 0.001) variation in the wet to dry weight ratio was noted temporally. However, significant, though slight, variation was noted between polluted and unpolluted oysters. Results of this study indicate that pollution control monitoring programs should consider: seasonal variation of metal concentrations; portion of the year during which standards are exceeded; oyster size and availability for human consumption; suitability of standards where shellfish are not consumed as a staple diet; appropriate size indicies which can be used for selecting specimens for intersite comparisons; wet to dry weight calculations: techniques, spatial and temporal variations; and the physical dynamics of sites used.

Development of multiple-unit pellet system tablets by employing the SeDeM expert diagram system I: pellets with different sizes.

PubMed

Hamman, Hannlie; Hamman, Josias; Wessels, Anita; Scholtz, Jacques; Steenekamp, Jan Harm

2017-07-03

Multiple-unit pellet systems (MUPS) provide several pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic advantages over single-unit dosage forms, however, compression of pellets into MUPS tablets present certain challenges. Although the SeDeM Expert Diagram System (SeDeM EDS) was originally developed to provide information about the most appropriate excipient and the minimum amount thereof that is required for producing direct compressible tablets, this study investigated the possibility to apply the SeDeM EDS in the production of MUPS tablets. In addition, the effect of pellet size (i.e. 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 mm) on SeDeM EDS predictions regarding the MUPS tablet formulations was investigated. The compressibility incidence factor values were below the acceptable value (i.e. 5.00) for all the pellet sizes. Kollidon ® VA 64 was identified as the most appropriate excipient to improve compressibility. The compression indices, namely, the parameter index (IP), parametric profile index (IPP), and good compression index (GCI) indicated that acceptable MUPS tablets could be produced from the final pellet-excipient blends based on predictions from the SeDeM EDS. These MUPS tablets complied with specifications for friability, hardness, and mass variation. The SeDeM EDS system is therefore applicable to assist in the formulation of acceptable MUPS tablets.

The prevalence and impact of Fusarium head blight pathogens and mycotoxins on malting barley quality in UK

PubMed Central

Nielsen, L.K.; Cook, D.J.; Edwards, S.G.; Ray, R.V.

2014-01-01

Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by Fusarium and Microdochium species can significantly affect the yield of barley grain as well as the quality and safety of malt and beer. The present study provides new knowledge on the impacts of the FHB pathogen complex on the malting and brewing quality parameters of naturally infected barley. Quantitative real-time PCR and liquid chromatography double mass spectrometry were used to quantify the predominant FHB pathogens and Fusarium mycotoxins, respectively, in commercially grown UK malting barley samples collected between 2007 and 2011. The predominant Fusarium species identified across the years were F. poae, F. tricinctum and F. avenaceum. Microdochium majus was the predominant Microdochium species in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011 whilst Microdochium nivale predominated in 2009. Deoxynivalenol and zearalenone quantified in samples collected between 2007 and 2009 were associated with F. graminearum and F. culmorum, whilst HT-2 and T-2, and nivalenol in samples collected between 2010 and 2011 correlated positively with F. langsethiae and F. poae, respectively. Analysis of the regional distribution and yearly variation in samples from 2010 to 2011 showed significant differences in the composition of the FHB species complex. In most regions (Scotland, the South and North of England) the harvest in 2010 had higher concentrations of Fusarium spp. than in 2011, although no significant difference was observed in the Midlands between the two years. Microdochium DNA was significantly higher in 2011 and in the North of England and Scotland compared to the South or Midlands regions. Pathogens of the FHB complex impacted negatively on grain yield and quality parameters. Thousand grain weight of malting barley was affected significantly by M. nivale and M. majus whilst specific weight correlated negatively with F. avenaceum and F. graminearum. To determine the impact of sub-acute infections of the identified Fusarium and Microdochium species on malting and brewing quality of naturally infected samples, selected malting barley cultivars (Optic, Quench and Tipple) were micromalted and subjected to malt and wort analysis of key quality parameters. F. poae and M. nivale decreased germinative energy and increased water sensitivity of barley. The fungal biomass of F. poae and F. langsethiae correlated with increased wort free amino nitrogen and with decreased extract of malt. DNA of M. nivale correlated with increased malt friability as well as decreased wort filtration volume. The findings of this study indicate that the impact of species such as the newly emerging F. langsethiae, as well as F. poae and the two non-toxigenic Microdochium species should be considered when evaluating the quality of malting barley. PMID:24727381

Incubator weaning in preterm infants and associated practice variation.

PubMed

Schneiderman, R; Kirkby, S; Turenne, W; Greenspan, J

2009-08-01

To evaluate the relationship of weight of preterm infants when first placed into an open crib with days to full oral feedings, growth velocity and length of stay (LOS), and to identify unwarranted variation in incubator weaning after adjusting for severity indices. A retrospective study using the ParadigmHealth neonatal database from 2003 to 2006 reviewed incubator weaning to an open crib in appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) infants from 22 to weeks gestation. Primary outcome measurements included days to full oral (PO) feeding, weight gain from open crib to discharge and length of stay. Models were severity adjusted. To understand hospital practice variation, we also used a regression model to estimate the weight at open crib for the top 10 volume hospitals. In all 2908 infants met the inclusion criteria for the study. Their mean weight at open crib was 1850 g. On average every additional 100 g an infant weighed at the open crib was associated with increased time to full PO feeding by 0.8 days, decreased weight gained per day by 1 gram and increased LOS by 0.9 days. For the top 10 volume hospitals, severity variables alone accounted for 9% of the variation in weight at open crib, whereas the hospital in which the baby was treated accounted for an additional 19% of the variation. Even after controlling for severity, significant practice variation exists in weaning to an open crib, leading to potential delays in achieving full-volume oral feeds, decreased growth velocity and prolonged LOS.

The Tracking Study: Description of a randomized controlled trial of variations on weight tracking frequency in a behavioral weight loss program

PubMed Central

Linde, Jennifer A.; Jeffery, Robert W.; Crow, Scott J.; Brelje, Kerrin L.; Pacanowski, Carly R.; Gavin, Kara L.; Smolenski, Derek J.

2014-01-01

Observational evidence from behavioral weight control trials and community studies suggests that greater frequency of weighing oneself, or tracking weight, is associated with better weight outcomes. Conversely, it has also been suggested that frequent weight tracking may have a negative impact on mental health and outcomes during weight loss, but there are minimal experimental data that address this concern in the context of an active weight loss program. To achieve the long-term goal of strengthening behavioral weight loss programs, the purpose of this randomized controlled trial (the Tracking Study) is to test variations on frequency of self-weighing during a behavioral weight loss program, and to examine psychosocial and mental health correlates of weight tracking and weight loss outcomes. Three hundred thirty-nine overweight and obese adults were recruited and randomized to one of three variations on weight tracking frequency during a 12-month weight loss program with a 12-month follow-up: daily weight tracking, weekly weight tracking, or no weight tracking. The primary outcome is weight in kilograms at 24 months. The weight loss program integrates each weight tracking instruction with standard behavioral weight loss techniques (goal setting, self-monitoring, stimulus control, dietary and physical activity enhancements, lifestyle modifications); participants in weight tracking conditions were provided with wireless Internet technology (Wi-Fi-enabled digital scales and touchscreen personal devices) to facilitate weight tracking during the study. This paper describes the study design, intervention features, recruitment, and baseline characteristics of participants enrolled in the Tracking Study. PMID:25533727

Genetic parameters for uniformity of harvest weight and body size traits in the GIFT strain of Nile tilapia.

PubMed

Marjanovic, Jovana; Mulder, Han A; Khaw, Hooi L; Bijma, Piter

2016-06-10

Animal breeding programs have been very successful in improving the mean levels of traits through selection. However, in recent decades, reducing the variability of trait levels between individuals has become a highly desirable objective. Reaching this objective through genetic selection requires that there is genetic variation in the variability of trait levels, a phenomenon known as genetic heterogeneity of environmental (residual) variance. The aim of our study was to investigate the potential for genetic improvement of uniformity of harvest weight and body size traits (length, depth, and width) in the genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT) strain. In order to quantify the genetic variation in uniformity of traits and estimate the genetic correlations between level and variance of the traits, double hierarchical generalized linear models were applied to individual trait values. Our results showed substantial genetic variation in uniformity of all analyzed traits, with genetic coefficients of variation for residual variance ranging from 39 to 58 %. Genetic correlation between trait level and variance was strongly positive for harvest weight (0.60 ± 0.09), moderate and positive for body depth (0.37 ± 0.13), but not significantly different from 0 for body length and width. Our results on the genetic variation in uniformity of harvest weight and body size traits show good prospects for the genetic improvement of uniformity in the GIFT strain. A high and positive genetic correlation was estimated between level and variance of harvest weight, which suggests that selection for heavier fish will also result in more variation in harvest weight. Simultaneous improvement of harvest weight and its uniformity will thus require index selection.

Comparative sequencing in the genus Lycopersicon. Implications for the evolution of fruit size in the domestication of cultivated tomatoes.

PubMed Central

Nesbitt, T Clint; Tanksley, Steven D

2002-01-01

Sequence variation was sampled in cultivated and related wild forms of tomato at fw2.2--a fruit weight QTL key to the evolution of domesticated tomatoes. Variation at fw2.2 was contrasted with variation at four other loci not involved in fruit weight determination. Several conclusions could be reached: (1) Fruit weight variation attributable to fw2.2 is not caused by variation in the FW2.2 protein sequence; more likely, it is due to transcriptional variation associated with one or more of eight nucleotide changes unique to the promoter of large-fruit alleles; (2) fw2.2 and loci not involved in fruit weight have not evolved at distinguishably different rates in cultivated and wild tomatoes, despite the fact that fw2.2 was likely a target of selection during domestication; (3) molecular-clock-based estimates suggest that the large-fruit allele of fw2.2, now fixed in most cultivated tomatoes, arose in tomato germplasm long before domestication; (4) extant accessions of L. esculentum var. cerasiforme, the subspecies thought to be the most likely wild ancestor of domesticated tomatoes, appear to be an admixture of wild and cultivated tomatoes rather than a transitional step from wild to domesticated tomatoes; and (5) despite the fact that cerasiforme accessions are polymorphic for large- and small-fruit alleles at fw2.2, no significant association was detected between fruit size and fw2.2 genotypes in the subspecies--as tested by association genetic studies in the relatively small sample studied--suggesting the role of other fruit weight QTL in fruit weight variation in cerasiforme. PMID:12242247

Minnesota retrofit insulation in situ test program

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1978-06-01

The use of cellulose, glass fiber, rock/slag fiber and urea formaldehyde installed as retrofit insulation materials in residential walls and ceilings was studied. Homes were selected for testing according to the type of retrofit insulation, age of retrofit insulation and whether the retrofit was in the wall or ceiling. The total project was comprised of 22 wall and 48 ceiling samples. Samples of retrofit insulation were taken from an area of three to four square feet in the ceiling or wall of the home. The sample volume was measured, the sample removed and double-sealed in polyethylene bags. The samples weremore » shipped to the laboratory for testing. Laboratory measurements were made of density, moisture content, thermal resistance, and relative flammability of each sample. Additionally, the friability and compressive strength of each urea-formaldehyde foam sample was measured. The following results were obtained. Cellulosic loose fill insulation tests indicated that settling and moisture build-up are not serious problems. Flammability is a concern. Age did not affect the properties of the cellulosic loose fill, but fungal growth was evident. Shrinkage, ranging from 2.5 to 9 percent, averaging 4.5 percent, was exhibited. Degradation of the foam samples with time did not occur. Density was the most critical property affecting the other properties. The higher the density, the higher the thermal resistence per inch, the lower the friability and the higher the compressive strength. The accurate prediction of the fiber diameter, amount of unfiberized mineral, and extent of modular clumping thermal resistance of loose fill mineral fiber insulations is related to and is not solely a factor of density. The materials in this sample did not noticeably affect the structure or wiring of the retrofitted homes. (LCL)« less

Design, Development and Rationalization of Sarpagandha Ghanvati

PubMed Central

Pundarikakshudu, K.; Bhatt, C. J.

2015-01-01

Sarpagandha ghanvati is a classical Ayurvedic formulation widely prescribed for anxiety and insomnia. It contains Sarpagandha (roots of Rauwolfia serpentina L. (Benth.) Ex Kurz; Family: Apocyanaceae), Khurasani ajowan (Hyocyamus niger L.; Family: Solanaceae) seeds, Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi DC. Family: Valerianaceae) roots and Pipplamul (root of Piper longum L.; Family: Piperaceae). The objective of this study was to make a comparative evaluation of Ghanvatis and tablets of this formulation. Two tablet formulations were prepared; one incorporating only powders of all ingredients; the other with ethanol extracts of the first three ingredients and powder of Piper longum root. Similarly, two types of Sarpagandha ghanvati pills were prepared; one as per Ayurvedic Formulary of India; the other with ethanol extracts of the first three ingredients and powder of Piper longum root. Alcohol extracted 0.22% w/w of total alkaloids as against 0.061% w/w extracted by water. Tablets prepared with powders of all the ingredients had friability more than 3.0% where as those prepared with ethanol extract had very low friability. Ghanvatis, prepared as per the Ayurvedic formulary, did not show reserpine although other alkaloids were present. They showed less content uniformity and lower drug release. Ethanol extracted reserpine along with other alkaloids. Ghanvatis made with the alcoholic extracts exhibited better content uniformity and drug release than the traditional formulation. Tablets prepared with powders or extracts of the ingredients exhibited good content uniformity but the release of alkaloids from the tablets of powders was only 80%. Tablets of the extracts had good content uniformity with 90% release of the total alkaloids. Tablets prepared with alcoholic extracts using 1% polyvinylpyrrolidone as binder and 5% dried starch powder as disintegrating agent confirmed to all the requirements. Thus, the study shows tablets made with the extracts are superior to Ghanvatis and powder tablets. PMID:26798180

Application of a novel automatic disintegration apparatus for the development and evaluation of a direct compression rapidly disintegrating tablet.

PubMed

Jung, Huijeong Ashley; Augsburger, Larry L

2012-07-01

An automatic disintegration tester was developed and used to explore disintegration mechanism and times of rapidly disintegrating tablets. DT50, the time required for a tablet to decrease in its thickness by half, allowed an unbiased determination of disintegration time. Calcium silicate concentration, Explotab® concentration, DiPac®/Xylitab® ratio as fillers, and compression pressure were evaluated using a central composite model design analysis for their DT50, tensile strength, and friability. Tablets that could reasonably be handled (friability <10%) could be produced. The expansion coefficient (n) and the exponential rate constant (k) for disintegrating tablets, originally measured by Caramella et al. using force kinetics, could be determined from axial displacement data measured directly without the need to assume that disintegration force generation was indicative of changes in tablet volume. The n values of tablets containing calcium silicate, Ditab® and/or Xylitab®, magnesium stearate, and Explotab® suggested that the amount of Explotab® was not a significant factor in determining the disintegration mechanism; however, the type of disintegrant used did alter the n value. Primojel® and Explotab®, which are in the same class of disintegrants, exhibited similar DT50, n, and k. Polyplasdone® XL exhibited a much higher n, while yielding faster DT50, suggesting that its performance is more dependent on facilitating the interfacial separation of particles. AcDiSol® showed no apparent moisture sensitivity in regards to disintegration efficiency. The use of the novel apparatus proved to be useful in measuring disintegration efficiency of rapidly disintegrating tablets and in providing valuable information on the disintegration phenomena.

Effect of Kollidon VA®64 particle size and morphology as directly compressible excipient on tablet compression properties.

PubMed

Chaudhary, R S; Patel, C; Sevak, V; Chan, M

2018-01-01

The study evaluates use of Kollidon VA ® 64 and a combination of Kollidon VA ® 64 with Kollidon VA ® 64 Fine as excipient in direct compression process of tablets. The combination of the two grades of material is evaluated for capping, lamination and excessive friability. Inter particulate void space is higher for such excipient due to the hollow structure of the Kollidon VA ® 64 particles. During tablet compression air remains trapped in the blend exhibiting poor compression with compromised physical properties of the tablets. Composition of Kollidon VA ® 64 and Kollidon VA ® 64 Fine is evaluated by design of experiment (DoE). A scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of two grades of Kollidon VA ® 64 exhibits morphological differences between coarse and fine grade. The tablet compression process is evaluated with a mix consisting of entirely Kollidon VA ® 64 and two mixes containing Kollidon VA ® 64 and Kollidon VA ® 64 Fine in ratio of 77:23 and 65:35. A statistical modeling on the results from the DoE trials resulted in the optimum composition for direct tablet compression as combination of Kollidon VA ® 64 and Kollidon VA ® 64 Fine in ratio of 77:23. This combination compressed with the predicted parameters based on the statistical modeling and applying main compression force between 5 and 15 kN, pre-compression force between 2 and 3 kN, feeder speed fixed at 25 rpm and compression range of 45-49 rpm produced tablets with hardness ranging between 19 and 21 kp, with no friability, capping, or lamination issue.

Melt-in-Mouth Multi-particulate System for the Treatment of ADHD: A Convenient Platform for Pediatric Use.

PubMed

Patadia, Jalashri; Tripathi, Rahul; Joshi, Amita

2016-08-01

Generally, pellets obtained from extrusion/spheronization, containing microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), do not disintegrate. An attempt has been made to develop melt-in-mouth pellets of taste-masked atomoxetine hydrochloride, using extrusion-spheronization, for pediatric patients. Melt-in-mouth pellets were prepared using extrusion-spheronization method and optimized using 3(3) FFD. MCC (X1, %), mannitol (X2, %) and Indion 414: Pharmaburst 500 ratio (X3, ratio) were the factors (independent variables) studied, whereas responses studied (dependent variables) were friability (Y1, %), yield (Y2, %) shape (Y3, roundness) in vitro disintegration time (Y4, seconds). The optimized formulation obtained from FFD was characterized for friability, shape and morphology, in vitro disintegration time, porosity, moisture uptake, in vitro release study and in vivo taste and disintegration time in healthy human volunteers. Randomized, two-treatment, two-sequence, two-period, single dose, crossover sensory evaluation study of taste-masked melt-in-mouth pellet was carried out in 10 healthy human subjects. A statistically significant polynomial mathematical relationship was generated between the factors and responses to obtain an optimized formulation. The optimized formulation was characterized (in vitro and in vivo) and exhibited a rapid drug release in vitro attributed to fast disintegration of pellets and high solubility of drug in 0.1 N HCl and buffer (pH 6.8). In vivo, 40% of volunteers ranked taste-masked optimized formulation as slightly bitter while 60% ranked it as no taste. The optimized pellets were conveniently administered in volunteers and exhibited rapid in-vivo disintegration in the oral cavity. Melt-in-mouth pellets can be a used as a platform technology for administering drugs to paediatric patients accurately and conveniently resulting in patient compliance.

Application of bioelectrical impedance analysis in prediction of light kid carcass and muscle chemical composition.

PubMed

Silva, S R; Afonso, J; Monteiro, A; Morais, R; Cabo, A; Batista, A C; Guedes, C M; Teixeira, A

2018-06-01

Carcass data were collected from 24 kids (average live weight of 12.5±5.5 kg; range 4.5 to 22.4 kg) of Jarmelista Portuguese native breed, to evaluate bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) as a technique for prediction of light kid carcass and muscle chemical composition. Resistance (Rs, Ω) and reactance (Xc, Ω), were measured in the cold carcasses with a single frequency bioelectrical impedance analyzer and, together with impedance (Z, Ω), two electrical volume measurements (VolA and VolB, cm2/Ω), carcass cold weight (CCW), carcass compactness and several carcass linear measurements were fitted as independent variables to predict carcass composition by stepwise regression analysis. The amount of variation explained by VolA and VolB only reached a significant level (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively) for muscle weight, moisture, protein and fat-free soft tissue content, even so with low accuracy, with VolA providing the best results (0.326⩽R 2⩽0.366). Quite differently, individual BIA parameters (Rs, Xc and Z) explained a very large amount of variation in dissectible carcass fat weight (0.814⩽R 2⩽0.862; P<0.01). These individual BIA parameters also explained a large amount of variation in subcutaneous and intermuscular fat weights (respectively 0.749⩽R 2⩽0.793 and 0.718⩽R 2⩽0.760; P<0.01), and in muscle chemical fat weight (0.663⩽R 2⩽0.684; P<0.01). Still significant but much lower was the variation in muscle, moisture, protein and fat-free soft tissue weights (0.344⩽R 2⩽0.393; P<0.01) explained by BIA parameters. Still, the best models for estimation of muscle, moisture, protein and fat-free soft tissue weights included Rs in addition to CCW, and accounted for 97.1% to 99.8% (P<0.01) of the variation observed, with CCW by itself accounting for 97.0% to 99.6% (P<0.01) of that variation. Resistance was the only independent variable selected for the best model predicting subcutaneous fat weight. It was also selected for the best models predicting carcass fat weight (combined with carcass length, CL; R 2=0.943; P<0.01) and intermuscular fat weight (combined with CCW; R 2=0.945; P<0.01). The best model predicting muscle chemical fat weight combined CCW and Z, explaining 85.6% (P<0.01) of the variation observed. These results indicate BIA as a useful tool for prediction of light kids' carcass composition.

Heritability of seed weight in Maritime pine, a relevant trait in the transmission of environmental maternal effects

PubMed Central

Zas, R; Sampedro, L

2015-01-01

Quantitative seed provisioning is an important life-history trait with strong effects on offspring phenotype and fitness. As for any other trait, heritability estimates are vital for understanding its evolutionary dynamics. However, being a trait in between two generations, estimating additive genetic variation of seed provisioning requires complex quantitative genetic approaches for distinguishing between true genetic and environmental maternal effects. Here, using Maritime pine as a long-lived plant model, we quantified additive genetic variation of cone and seed weight (SW) mean and SW within-individual variation. We used a powerful approach combining both half-sib analysis and parent–offspring regression using several common garden tests established in contrasting environments to separate G, E and G × E effects. Both cone weight and SW mean showed significant genetic variation but were also influenced by the maternal environment. Most of the large variation in SW mean was attributable to additive genetic effects (h2=0.55–0.74). SW showed no apparent G × E interaction, particularly when accounting for cone weight covariation, suggesting that the maternal genotypes actively control the SW mean irrespective of the amount of resources allocated to cones. Within-individual variation in SW was low (12%) relative to between-individual variation (88%), and showed no genetic variation but was largely affected by the maternal environment, with greater variation in the less favourable sites for pine growth. In summary, results were very consistent between the parental and the offspring common garden tests, and clearly indicated heritable genetic variation for SW mean but not for within-individual variation in SW. PMID:25160045

Understanding Heterogeneity in the Effects of Birth Weight on Adult Cognition and Wages

PubMed Central

Cook, C. Justin; Fletcher, Jason M.

2015-01-01

A large economics literature has shown long term impacts of birth weight on adult outcomes, including IQ and earnings that are often robust to sibling or twin fixed effects. We examine potential mechanisms underlying these effects by incorporating findings from the genetics and neuroscience literatures. We use a sample of siblings combined with an “orchids and dandelions hypothesis”, where the IQ of genetic dandelions is not affected by in utero nutrition variation but genetic orchids thrive under advantageous conditions and wilt in poor conditions. Indeed, using variation in three candidate genes related to neuroplasticity (APOE, BDNF, and COMT), we find substantial heterogeneity in the associations between birth weight and adult outcomes, where part of the population (i.e., “dandelions”) is not affected by birth weight variation. Our results help uncover why birth weight affects adult outcomes. PMID:25770970

Understanding heterogeneity in the effects of birth weight on adult cognition and wages.

PubMed

Justin Cook, C; Fletcher, Jason M

2015-05-01

A large economics literature has shown long term impacts of birth weight on adult outcomes, including IQ and earnings that are often robust to sibling or twin fixed effects. We examine potential mechanisms underlying these effects by incorporating findings from the genetics and neuroscience literatures. We use a sample of siblings combined with an "orchids and dandelions hypothesis", where the IQ of genetic dandelions is not affected by in utero nutrition variation but genetic orchids thrive under advantageous conditions and wilt in poor conditions. Indeed, using variation in three candidate genes related to neuroplasticity (APOE, BDNF, and COMT), we find substantial heterogeneity in the associations between birth weight and adult outcomes, where part of the population (i.e., "dandelions") is not affected by birth weight variation. Our results help uncover why birth weight affects adult outcomes. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Continuous direct tablet compression: effects of impeller rotation rate, total feed rate and drug content on the tablet properties and drug release.

PubMed

Järvinen, Maiju A; Paaso, Janne; Paavola, Marko; Leiviskä, Kauko; Juuti, Mikko; Muzzio, Fernando; Järvinen, Kristiina

2013-11-01

Continuous processing is becoming popular in the pharmaceutical industry for its cost and quality advantages. This study evaluated the mechanical properties, uniformity of dosage units and drug release from the tablets prepared by continuous direct compression process. The tablet formulations consisted of acetaminophen (3-30% (w/w)) pre-blended with 0.25% (w/w) colloidal silicon dioxide, microcrystalline cellulose (69-96% (w/w)) and magnesium stearate (1% (w/w)). The continuous tableting line consisted of three loss-in-weight feeders and a convective continuous mixer and a rotary tablet press. The process continued for 8 min and steady state was reached within 5 min. The effects of acetaminophen content, impeller rotation rate (39-254 rpm) and total feed rate (15 and 20 kg/h) on tablet properties were examined. All the tablets complied with the friability requirements of European Pharmacopoeia and rapidly released acetaminophen. However, the relative standard deviation of acetaminophen content (10% (w/w)) increased with an increase in impeller rotation rate at a constant total feed rate (20 kg/h). A compression force of 12 kN tended to result in greater tablet hardness and subsequently a slower initial acetaminophen release from tablets when compared with those made with the compression force of about 8 kN. In conclusion, tablets could be successfully prepared by a continuous direct compression process and process conditions affected to some extent tablet properties.

Dissolution Studies of Papaverine Hydrochloride from Tablets in Three Pharmacopoeia Apparatuses.

PubMed

Polski, Andrzej; Kasperek, Regina; Rogowska, Magdalena; Iwaniak, Karol; Sobòtka-Polska, Karolina; Poleszak, Ewa

2015-01-01

In tablet production, the most important aspects are the physical properties of the tablets and their dissolution studies, which can be performed in four pharmacopoeial apparatuses. There are differences between them in construction and action, so differences in the results obtained are possible. The aim of the study was to compare the release of a model drug substance (papaverine hydrochloride) from tablets in three pharmacopoeial dissolution apparatus: a basket, a paddle (closed system) and flow-through cell (open system). The one series of tablets were produced by direct compression in a tablet press. The physical properties of the tablets (weight and size uniformity test, friability and hardness tests, disintegration time test), drug content and the release study of papaverine hydrochloride from tablets were studied in three dissolution apparatuses. The content of the active substance was studied spectrophotometrically. All tablets met the pharmacopoeic requirements. Over 80% of the model substance released from the tablets after 14 min in flow through the cell apparatus, while in the basket and paddle apparatuses after about 7 min 30 sec. After 20 min, the amount of the substance released in all apparatuses was over 90%. The release profiles of the drug substance in paddle and basket apparatuses were similar, while in the flow-through cell apparatus it was slightly slower. When the study conditions and composition of the tablets are the same, the release profile of the drug can be affected by the type of dissolution apparatus.

Formulation and in vitro characterization of xanthan gum-based sustained release matrix tables of isosorbide-5- mononitrate.

PubMed

Kar, Rajat; Mohapatra, Snehamayee; Bhanja, Satyabrata; Das, Debjyoti; Barik, Bhaktibhusan

2010-01-01

In the present investigation an attempt has been made to increase therapeutic efficacy, to reduce frequency of administration and to improve patient compliance by developing a sustained release matrix tablets of isosorbide-5-mononitrate. Sustained release matrix tablets of isosorbide-5-mononitrate were developed by using different drug: polymer ratios, such in F1 (1:0.75), F2 (1:1), F3 (1:1.5), F4 (1:1.75) and F6 (1:2). Xanthan gum was used as matrix former and microcrystalline cellulose as diluent. All the lubricated formulations were compressed, using 8mm flat faced punches. Compressed tablets were evaluated for uniformity of weight, content of active ingredient, friability, hardness, thickness, in vitro dissolution study using basket method and swelling index. Each formulation showed compliance with pharmacopoeial standards. Among all formulations, F5 showed a greater sustained release pattern of drug over a 12 h period with 92.12% of drug being released. The kinetic studies showed that drug release follows the Higuchi model (r(2) =0.9851). Korsemeyer and Peppas equation gave an n-value of 0.4566, which was close to 0.5, indicating that drug release follows the Fickian diffusion. Thus, xanthan gum can be used as an effective matrix former to extend the release of isosorbide-5-mononitrate. No significant difference was observed in the dissolution profile of optimized formulation, using basket and paddle apparatus.

[The Use of Synthetic Polymers (Superdisintegrants) in Technology Tablets Containing Ethanol Dry Extract from Asparagus officinalis].

PubMed

Linka, Wojciech Andrzej; Wojtaszek, Ilona; Zgoda, Marian Mikołaj; Kołodziejczyk, Michał Krzysztof

2015-01-01

Dry extracts are now frequently used in medicine as an alternative to synthetic drugs. In the case of tablet technology with dry plant extracts, the proper selection of disintegrants (superdisintegrants) is particularly important. Objectives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the polymers constituting superdisintegrants (Vivasol®, Vivastar®, Polyplasdone XL) in uncoated tablet formulation of alcoholic extracted from Asparagus officinalis. Dry the ethanol extract of Asparagus officinalis, Vivasol®, Vivastar®, Vivapur®, Kollidon VA64, Polyplasdone XL, magnesium stearate. Direct compression. Paddle method was carried out to study pharmacopoeial parameters and pharmaceutical availability. The calculation of equivalency factors: similarity [f2] and the difference [f1]. Approximation results. Tablets brownish-green, with a smooth and uniform surface, without stains, chipping and damage. The determined average weight of the tablets compiled with the standards. The test friability and crushing strength revealed that the most mechanically strong tablets contained Vivasol, Vivastar, Polyplasdone XL. These tablets also have a longer disintegration and dissolution time compared with tablets containing only Vivasol. These differences are also confirmed by the calculated f2 and f1. The addition of a mixture of Polyplasdone XL and Vivastar to Vivasol significantly increases the mechanical strength of the tablets (crushing strength, resistance to crushing). The addition of a mixture of Polyplasdone XL and Vivastar to Vivasol paradoxically increases the disintegration time of tablets (11.1 min). Single superdisintegrant breaks up the tablet more effectively than a mixture of superdisintegrants.

The relationship between nephron number, kidney size and body weight in two inbred mouse strains.

PubMed

Murawski, Inga J; Maina, Rita W; Gupta, Indra R

2010-01-01

While some reports in humans have shown that nephron number is positively correlated with height, body weight or kidney weight, other studies have not reproduced these findings. To understand the impact of genetic and environmental variation on these relationships, we examined whether nephron number correlates with body weight, kidney planar surface area, or kidney weight in two inbred mouse strains with contrasting kidney sizes but no overt renal pathology: C3H/HeJ and C57BL/6J. C3H/HeJ mice had smaller kidneys at birth and larger kidneys by adulthood, however there was no significant difference in nephron number between the two strains. We did observe a correlation between kidney size and body weight at birth and at adulthood for both strains. However, there was no relationship between nephron number and body weight or between nephron number and kidney size. From other studies, it appears that a greater than two-fold variation is required in each of these parameters in order to demonstrate these relationships, suggesting they are highly dependent on scale. Our results are therefore not surprising since there was a less than two-fold variation in each of the parameters examined. In summary, the relationship between nephron number and body or kidney size is most likely to be demonstrated when there is greater phenotypic variation either from genetic and/or environmental factors.

Seed weight variation of Wyoming sagebrush in northern Nevada.

PubMed

Busso, Carlos A; Perryman, Barry L

2005-12-01

Seed size is a crucial plant trait that may potentially affect not only immediate seedling success but also the subsequent generation. We examined variation in seed weight of Wyoming sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis Beetle and Young), an excellent candidate species for rangeland restoration. The working hypothesis was that a major fraction of spatial and temporal variability in seed size (weight) of Wyoming sagebrush could be explained by variations in mean monthly temperatures and precipitation. Seed collection was conducted at Battle Mountain and Eden Valley sites in northern Nevada, USA, during November of 2002 and 2003. Frequency distributions of seed weight varied from leptokurtic to platykurtic, and from symmetry to skewness to the right for both sites and years. Mean seed weight varied by a factor of 1.4 between locations and years. Mean seed weight was greater (P < 0.05) in 2003 than in 2002 at both sites. This can partially be attributed to 55% greater precipitation in 2003 than 2002, since mean monthly temperatures were similar (P > 0.05) in all study situations. Simple linear regression showed that monthly precipitation (March to November) explained 85% of the total variation in mean seed weight (P = 0.079). Since the relationship between mean monthly temperature (June-November) and mean seed weight was not significant (r2 = 0.00, P = 0.431), this emphasizes the importance of precipitation as an important determinant of mean seed weight. Our results suggest that the precipitation regime to which the mother plant is exposed can have a significant effect on sizes of seeds produced. Hence, seasonal changes in water availability would tend to alter size distributions of produced offspring.

A Weighted Difference of Anisotropic and Isotropic Total Variation Model for Image Processing

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-01

A WEIGHTED DIFFERENCE OF ANISOTROPIC AND ISOTROPIC TOTAL VARIATION MODEL FOR IMAGE PROCESSING YIFEI LOU∗, TIEYONG ZENG† , STANLEY OSHER‡ , AND JACK...grants DMS-0928427 and DMS-1222507. † Department of Mathematics, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong , Hong Kong. Email: zeng@hkbu.edu.hk. TZ is

Variation in the terrestrial isotopic composition and atomic weight of argon

USGS Publications Warehouse

Böhlke, John Karl

2014-01-01

The isotopic composition and atomic weight of argon (Ar) are variable in terrestrial materials. Those variations are a source of uncertainty in the assignment of standard properties for Ar, but they provide useful information in many areas of science. Variations in the stable isotopic composition and atomic weight of Ar are caused by several different processes, including (1) isotope production from other elements by radioactive decay (radiogenic isotopes) or other nuclear transformations (e.g., nucleogenic isotopes), and (2) isotopic fractionation by physical-chemical processes such as diffusion or phase equilibria. Physical-chemical processes cause correlated mass-dependent variations in the Ar isotope-amount ratios (40Ar/36Ar, 38Ar/36Ar), whereas nuclear transformation processes cause non-mass-dependent variations. While atmospheric Ar can serve as an abundant and homogeneous isotopic reference, deviations from the atmospheric isotopic ratios in other Ar occurrences limit the precision with which a standard atomic weight can be given for Ar. Published data indicate variation of Ar atomic weights in normal terrestrial materials between about 39.7931 and 39.9624. The upper bound of this interval is given by the atomic mass of 40Ar, as some samples contain almost pure radiogenic 40Ar. The lower bound is derived from analyses of pitchblende (uranium mineral) containing large amounts of nucleogenic 36Ar and 38Ar. Within this interval, measurements of different isotope ratios (40Ar/36Ar or 38Ar/36Ar) at various levels of precision are widely used for studies in geochronology, water–rock interaction, atmospheric evolution, and other fields.

Genome-wide interactions with dairy intake for body mass index in adults of European descent

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Body weight responds variably to the intake of dairy foods. Genetic variation may contribute to inter-individual variability in associations between body weight and dairy consumption. We conducted a genome-wide interaction study to discover genetic variants that account for variation in BMI in the c...

A weighted-means ordination of riparian birds in southeastern Wyoming

Treesearch

Deborah M. Finch

1985-01-01

Variation among habitat associations of 31 riparian bird species in southeastern Wyoming was analyzed using a weighted-means ordination. Three principal components explained 86.7% of the variation among habitat associations of bird species. The components showed high positive loadings for variables associated with canopy, shrub size, and vegetation height.

External fuel vaporization study, phase 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Szetela, E. J.; Chiappetta, L.

1981-01-01

An analytical study was conducted to evaluate the effect of variations in fuel properties on the design of an external fuel vaporizaton system. The fuel properties that were considered included thermal stability, critical temperature, enthalpy a critical conditions, volatility, and viscosity. The design parameters that were evaluated included vaporizer weight and the impact on engine requirement such as maintenance, transient response, performance, and altitude relight. The baseline fuel properties were those of Jet A. The variation in thermal stability was taken as the thermal stability variation for Experimental Referee Broad Specification (ERBS) fuel. The results of the analysis indicate that a change in thermal stability equivalent to that of ERBS would increase the vaporization system weight by 20 percent, decrease oprating time between cleaning by 40 percent and make altitude relight more difficult. An increase in fuel critical temperature of 39 K would require a 40 percent increase in vaporization system weight. The assumed increase in enthalpy and volatility would also increase vaporizer weight by 40 percent and make altitude relight extremely difficult. The variation in fuel viscosity would have a negligible effect on the design parameters.

Critical weight mediates sex-specific body size plasticity and sexual dimorphism in the yellow dung fly Scathophaga stercoraria (Diptera: Scathophagidae).

PubMed

Rohner, Patrick T; Blanckenhorn, Wolf U; Schäfer, Martin A

2017-05-01

Ultimate factors driving insect body size are rather well understood, while-apart from a few model species-the underlying physiological and developmental mechanisms received less attention. We investigate the physiological basis of adaptive size variation in the yellow dung fly Scathophaga stercoraria, which shows pronounced male-biased sexual size dimorphism and strong body size plasticity. We estimate variation of a major physiological threshold, the critical weight, which is the mass at which a larva initiates pupariation. Critical weight was associated with sexual size dimorphism and sex-specific plasticity, and is thus a likely target of selection on adult size. Detailed larval growth trajectories derived from individuals raised at two food and temperature treatments further reveal that sex-specific size plasticity is mediated by faster initial growth of males that later becomes reduced by higher male weight loss during the wandering stage. We further demonstrate that integral growth rates, which are typically calculated as simple ratios of egg-to-adult development time and adult weight, do not necessarily well reflect variation in instantaneous growth rates. We illustrate the importance of detailed assessments of ontogenetic growth trajectories for the understanding of adaptive size variation and discuss the mechanistic basis of size determination in shaping sex-specific phenotypic plasticity. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Localization of a variational particle smoother

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morzfeld, M.; Hodyss, D.; Poterjoy, J.

2017-12-01

Given the success of 4D-variational methods (4D-Var) in numerical weather prediction,and recent efforts to merge ensemble Kalman filters with 4D-Var,we consider a method to merge particle methods and 4D-Var.This leads us to revisit variational particle smoothers (varPS).We study the collapse of varPS in high-dimensional problemsand show how it can be prevented by weight-localization.We test varPS on the Lorenz'96 model of dimensionsn=40, n=400, and n=2000.In our numerical experiments, weight localization prevents the collapse of the varPS,and we note that the varPS yields results comparable to ensemble formulations of 4D-variational methods,while it outperforms EnKF with tuned localization and inflation,and the localized standard particle filter.Additional numerical experiments suggest that using localized weights in varPS may not yield significant advantages over unweighted or linearizedsolutions in near-Gaussian problems.

Identification of a Novel Allele of TaCKX6a02 Associated with Grain Size, Filling Rate and Weight of Common Wheat

PubMed Central

Zhang, Hai-Ping; Wang, Sheng-Xing; Sun, Genlou; Xiao, Shi-He; Ma, Chuan-Xi

2015-01-01

Cytokinin oxidase (CKX) plays a crucial role in plant growth and development by reversibly inactivating cytokinin (CTK). Twenty-four primer pairs, designed from ESTs of the TaCKX genes family of common wheat, were used to identify their allelic variations associated with grain size, weight, and filling rate in 169 recombinant inbred lines (RIL) derived from Jing 411 × Hongmangchun 21. TaCKX6a02, a member of TaCKX gene family, amplified by primer pair T31–32, showed a close association with grain traits in this RIL population. Statistical analysis indicated that allelic variation of TaCKX6a02 had significant correlation with grain size, weight, and filling rate (GFR; P < 0.001) under varied environments. The TaCKX6a02-D1a allele from Jing411 significantly increased grain size, weight and grain filling rate, compared with TaCKX6a02-D1b from Hongmangchun 21. TaCKX6a02 was located on chromosome 3DS in the interval of Xbarc1119 and Xbarc1162, with a genetic distance of 1.4 cM. The location was further confirmed using Chinese Spring nulli–tetrasomic lines. A major QTL (quantitative trait locus) tightly linked to TaCKX6a02 was detected in the RIL population, explaining 17.1~38.2% of phenotype variations for grain size, weight, GFRmax and GFRmean in different environments. In addition, significant effects of variations of TaCKX6a02 on grain weight and GFR were further validated by association analysis among 102 wheat varieties in two cropping seasons. 12.8~35.1% of phenotypic variations were estimated for these genotypes. A novel 29-bp InDel behind the stop codon was detected by DNA sequence analysis between the two alleles of TaCKX6a02-D1. The gene-specific marker, TKX3D, was designed according to the novel variation, and can be used in marker-assisted selection (MAS) for grain size, weight, and GFR in common wheat. PMID:26657796

Development and evaluation of novel lozenges containing marshmallow root extract.

PubMed

Benbassat, Niko; Kostova, Bistra; Nikolova, Irina; Rachev, Dimitar

2013-11-01

Lozenges (tablets intended to be dissolved slowly in the mouth) were evaluated as delivery system for polysaccharides extract from Althaea officinalis L. (marshmallow) root. The aim of investigation was to improve of the efficacy of convenient preparations for the treatment of irritated oropharyngeal mucosa and associated dry irritable cough. The formulations studied were prepared with water extract of roots of Althaea officinalis L. The polysaccharides extract was obtained by ultrasonification. Acute oral toxicity (LD 50 p.o.) of the obtained extract was estimated in mice. Four models of lozenges based on different excipients were formulated. The characteristics of the preparations: resistance to crushing, friability testing, disintegration time and drug release properties were evaluated.

Use of factor scores for predicting body weight from linear body measurements in three South African indigenous chicken breeds.

PubMed

Malomane, Dorcus Kholofelo; Norris, David; Banga, Cuthbert B; Ngambi, Jones W

2014-02-01

Body weight and weight of body parts are of economic importance. It is difficult to directly predict body weight from highly correlated morphological traits through multiple regression. Factor analysis was carried out to examine the relationship between body weight and five linear body measurements (body length, body girth, wing length, shank thickness, and shank length) in South African Venda (VN), Naked neck (NN), and Potchefstroom koekoek (PK) indigenous chicken breeds, with a view to identify those factors that define body conformation. Multiple regression was subsequently performed to predict body weight, using orthogonal traits derived from the factor analysis. Measurements were obtained from 210 chickens, 22 weeks of age, 70 chickens per breed. High correlations were obtained between body weight and all body measurements except for wing length in PK. Two factors extracted after varimax rotation explained 91, 95, and 83% of total variation in VN, NN, and PK, respectively. Factor 1 explained 73, 90, and 64% in VN, NN, and PK, respectively, and was loaded on all body measurements except for wing length in VN and PK. In a multiple regression, these two factors accounted for 72% variation in body weight in VN, while only factor 1 accounted for 83 and 74% variation in body weight in NN and PK, respectively. The two factors could be used to define body size and conformation of these breeds. Factor 1 could predict body weight in all three breeds. Body measurements can be better selected jointly to improve body weight in these breeds.

Subjective Social Status, Mental and Psychosocial Health, and Birth Weight Differences in Mexican-American and Mexican Immigrant Women.

PubMed

Fleuriet, K Jill; Sunil, T S

2015-12-01

Recent Mexican immigrant women on average have an unexpectedly low incidence of low birth weight (LBW). Birth weights decline and LBW incidence increases in post-immigrant generations. This pilot project tested the hypothesis that subjective social status (SSS) of pregnant women predicts variation in birth weight between Mexican immigrant and Mexican-American women. 300 low-income pregnant Mexican immigrant and Mexican-American women in South Texas were surveyed for SSS, depression, pregnancy-related anxiety, perceived social stress and self-esteem and subsequent birth weight. No significant difference in SSS levels between pregnant Mexican immigrant and Mexican-American women were found. However, SSS better predicted variation in birth weight across both groups than mental and psychosocial health variables. Results suggest distinct relationships among SSS, mental and psychosocial health that could impact birth weight. They underscore the relevance of a multilevel, biopsychosocial analytical framework to studying LBW.

A method for reducing misclassification in the extended Glasgow Outcome Score.

PubMed

Lu, Juan; Marmarou, Anthony; Lapane, Kate; Turf, Elizabeth; Wilson, Lindsay

2010-05-01

The eight-point extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOSE) is commonly used as the primary outcome measure in traumatic brain injury (TBI) clinical trials. The outcome is conventionally collected through a structured interview with the patient alone or together with a caretaker. Despite the fact that using the structured interview questionnaires helps reach agreement in GOSE assessment between raters, significant variation remains among different raters. We introduce an alternate GOSE rating system as an aid in determining GOSE scores, with the objective of reducing inter-rater variation in the primary outcome assessment in TBI trials. Forty-five trauma centers were randomly assigned to three groups to assess GOSE scores on sample cases, using the alternative GOSE rating system coupled with central quality control (Group 1), the alternative system alone (Group 2), or conventional structured interviews (Group 3). The inter-rater variation between an expert and untrained raters was assessed for each group and reported through raw agreement and with weighted kappa (kappa) statistics. Groups 2 and 3 without central review yielded inter-rater agreements of 83% (weighted kappa = 0.81; 95% CI 0.69, 0.92) and 83% (weighted kappa = 0.76, 95% CI 0.63, 0.89), respectively, in GOS scores. In GOSE, the groups had an agreement of 76% (weighted kappa = 0.79; 95% CI 0.69, 0.89), and 63% (weighted kappa = 0.70; 95% CI 0.60, 0.81), respectively. The group using the alternative rating system coupled with central monitoring yielded the highest inter-rater agreement among the three groups in rating GOS (97%; weighted kappa = 0.95; 95% CI 0.89, 1.00), and GOSE (97%; weighted kappa = 0.97; 95% CI 0.91, 1.00). The alternate system is an improved GOSE rating method that reduces inter-rater variations and provides for the first time, source documentation and structured narratives that allow a thorough central review of information. The data suggest that a collective effort can be made to minimize inter-rater variation.

Determinants of postpartum weight variation in a cohort of adult women; a hierarchical approach.

PubMed

Monteiro da Silva, Maria da Conceição; Marlúcia Oliveira, Ana; Pereira Magalhães de Oliveira, Lucivalda; Silva dos Santos Fonseca, Dra Nedja; Portela de Santana, Mônica Leila; de Araújo Góes Neto, Edgar; Rodrigues Porto da Cruz, Thomaz

2013-01-01

Retention of the weight gained during pregnancy or the weight gain postpartum has been associated with increased prevalence of obesity in women of childbearing age. To identify determinants of weight variation at 24 months postpartum in women from 2 towns in Bahia, Brazil. Dynamic cohort data of 325 adult women were collected for 24 months postpartum. Weight variation at 24 months postpartum was considered a response variable. Socioeconomic, demographic, reproductive, related with childbirth variables and lifestyle conditions were considered exposure variables. A linear mixed-effects regression model with a hierarchical approach was used for data analysis. Suitable sanitary conditions in the household (2.175 kg; p = 0.001) and participation social programs for income transfer (1.300 kg; p = 0.018) contributed to weight gain in distal level of determinants, while at intermediate level, pre gestational overweight and surgical delivery had effects on postpartum weight, causing an average increase of 3.380 kg (p < 0.001) and loss of 2.451 kg (p < 0.001), respectively. At proximal level, a score point increase for breastfeeding yielded an average postpartum loss of 70 g (p = 0.002). Our results indicate the need to promote weight control during and after pregnancy, encourage extended breastfeeding, and improve living conditions through intersectoral interventions. Copyright © AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2013. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.

The relationship between growth of the aerial part and alkaloid content variation in cultivated Aconitum carmichaeli Debeaux.

PubMed

Kawasaki, Ryoichi; Motoya, Wakako; Atsumi, Toshiyuki; Mouri, Chika; Kakiuchi, Nobuko; Mikage, Masayuki

2011-01-01

Processed root of aconite, Aconitum carmichaeli Debeaux--known as bushi in Japan--is indispensable for treating diseases among elderly persons in Japanese and Chinese traditional medicine. Its active component is bushi diester alkaloid (BDA), which consists of aconitine (ACO), mesaconitine (MES), hypaconitine (HYP), and jesaconitine (JES). Since an overdose of BDA results in severe side effects, the BDA content should be within safe limits. However, the BDA content of raw aconite root, even that produced by standard cultivation procedures, varies greatly. In this study, to clarify the cause of BDA variation, we examined the weight and BDA content of each part of cultivated A. carmichaeli: the aerial part, the mother tuberous root (MT), the daughter tuberous root (DT), and the rootlet (RL). We found the following positive relationships: between aerial part weight and DT weight, aerial part weight and BDA content in stem of apex, and BDA content in stem of apex and total BDA of DT attached to the plant. Furthermore, DT belonging to a higher weight group showed less BDA content variation. In addition, BDA of DT and those of MT and RL differ in both content and composition. In conclusion, it was suggested that the weight or the size of the aerial part was a good marker for monitoring BDA content and its variation in the tuberous root, and it was found to be desirable to prevent mixing MT and RL at harvest.

Variations in body weight, food intake and body composition after long-term high-fat diet feeding in C57BL/6J Mice

PubMed Central

Yang, Yongbin; Smith, Daniel L.; Keating, Karen D.; Allison, David B.; Nagy, Tim R.

2014-01-01

Objective To investigate the variations in body weight, food intake and body composition of both male and female C57BL/6J mice during a diet-induced obesity (DIO) model with high-fat diet (HFD) feeding. Design and Methods Mice were individually housed and fed ad libitum either a low-fat diet (LFD, 10% calories from fat; n=15 male, n=15 female) or high-fat diet (HFD, 45% calories from fat; n=277 male, n=278 female) from 8 to 43 weeks of age. Body weight, food intake and body composition were routinely measured. Results Body weight was significantly increased with HFD (vs. LFD) in males from week 14 (p=0.0221) and in females from week 27 (P=0.0076). Fat mass and fat-free mass of all groups were significantly increased over time (all p<0.0001), with a large variation observed in fat mass. Baseline fat mass, fat-free mass and daily energy intake were significant predictors of future body weight for both sexes (p<0.0001). Baseline fat mass was a significant predictor of future body fat (p<0.0001). Conclusions Both males and females have large variations in fat mass, and this variability increases over time, while that of fat-free mass remains relatively stable. Sex differences exist in HFD responses and multivariate predicting models of body weight. PMID:24942674

The concentration of plasma metabolites varies throughout reproduction and affects offspring number in wild brown trout (Salmo trutta).

PubMed

Gauthey, Zoé; Freychet, Marine; Manicki, Aurélie; Herman, Alexandre; Lepais, Olivier; Panserat, Stéphane; Elosegi, Arturo; Tentelier, Cédric; Labonne, Jacques

2015-06-01

In wild populations, measuring energy invested in the reproduction and disentangling investment in gametes versus investment in reproductive behavior (such as intrasexual competition or intersexual preference) remain challenging. In this study, we investigated the energy expenditure in brown trout reproductive behavior by using two proxies: variation in weight and variation of plasma metabolites involved in energy production, over the course of reproductive season in a semi natural experimental river. We estimated overall reproductive success using genetic assignment at the end of the reproductive season. Results show that triglycerides and free fatty acid concentrations vary negatively during reproduction, while amino-acids and glucose concentrations remain stable. Decrease in triglyceride and free fatty acid concentrations during reproduction is not related to initial concentration levels or to weight variation. Both metabolite concentration variations and weight variations are correlated to the number of offspring produced, which could indicate that gametic and behavioral reproductive investments substantially contribute to reproductive success in wild brown trout. This study opens a path to further investigate variations in reproductive investment in wild populations. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Method for the evaluation of the stability and usability after opening packages of orally disintegrating tablets: case of amlodipine besilate products].

PubMed

Hori, Katsuhito; Yoshida, Naoko; Okumura, Tomonori; Okamura, Yasufumi; Kawakami, Junichi

2010-08-01

Orally disintegrating (OD) tablets are widely used in clinical practice. However, drug information on the choice and dispensing based on their stability after opening packages and usability in patients and dispensaries is not sufficient. The aim of this study was to investigate possible evaluation methods of the stability and usability of amlodipine OD tablets. Additives of the brand were changed in April 2009, and therefore the previous and current forms and two generics, current and newly marketed (in November 2009) products of different firms, were used. OD tablets were stored at 25 degrees C and 75% relative humidity for 3 months after opening the packages, and their physicochemical properties were evaluated. Their weight, diameter, thickness, and color difference increased slightly from the initial state. The extent of the change in their hardness, disintegration time, and friability was different among products. These physicochemical changes were acceptable in dispensary practice. Storage after opening the packages did not affect their dissolution rate. The dissolution rate at the initial state of the current brand was slower than that of the previous one. All products used were able to be dispensed by an automatic tablet-packing machine and applied to the so-called simple suspension method for intubational administration. Sensory evaluation tests revealed no major difference in the oral disintegration time, taste, impression, and preference among products. In conclusion, the stability and usability of amlodipine OD tablets used in this study were examined using several methods, and they can be used equivalently from the stability and usability viewpoints.

Formulation and In-vitro Characterization of Sustained Release Matrix Type Ocular Timolol Maleate Mini-Tablet

PubMed Central

Mortazavi, Seyed Alireza; Jafariazar, Zahra; Ghadjahani, Yasaman; Mahmoodi, Hoda; Mehtarpour, Farzaneh

2014-01-01

The purpose of this study was preparation and evaluation of sustained release matrix type ocular mini-tablets of timolol maleate, as a potential formulation for the treatment of glaucoma. Following the initial studies on timolol maleate powder, it was formulated into ocular mini-tablets. The polymers investigated in this study included cellulose derivatives (HEC, CMC, EC) and Carbopol 971P. Mannitol was used as the solubilizing agent and magnesium stearate as the lubricant. Mini-tablets were prepared by through mixing of the ingredients, followed by direct compression. All the prepared formulations were evaluated in terms of physicochemical tests, including uniformity of weight, thickness, crushing strength, friability and in-vitro drug release. Four groups of formulations were prepared. The presence of different amounts of cellulose derivatives or Carbopol 971P, alone, was studied in group A formulations. In group B formulations, the effect of adding Carbopol 971P alongside different cellulose derivatives was investigated. Group C formulations were made by including mannitol as the solubilizing agent, alongside Carbopol 971P and a cellulose derivative. In group D formulations, mini-tablets were made using Carbopol 971P, alongside two different cellulose derivative. The selected formulation (C1) contained ethyl cellulose, Carbopol 971P, mannitol and magnesium stearate, which showed almost 100% drug release over 5 h. Based on kinetic studies, this formulation was found to best fit the zero-order model of drug release. However, the Higuchi and Hixson -Crowell models also showed a good fit. Hence, overall, formulation C1 was chosen as the best formulation. PMID:24734053

A novel approach to support formulation design on twin screw wet granulation technology: Understanding the impact of overarching excipient properties on drug product quality attributes.

PubMed

Willecke, N; Szepes, A; Wunderlich, M; Remon, J P; Vervaet, C; De Beer, T

2018-04-21

The overall objective of this work is to understand how excipient characteristics influence the drug product quality attributes and process performance of a continuous twin screw wet granulation process. The knowledge gained in this study is intended to be used for Quality by Design (QbD)-based formulation design and formulation optimization. Three principal components which represent the overarching properties of 8 selected pharmaceutical fillers were used as factors, whereas factors 4 and 5 represented binder type and binder concentration in a design of experiments (DoE). The majority of process parameters were kept constant to minimize their influence on the granule and drug product quality. 27 DoE batches consisting of binary filler/binder mixtures were processed via continuous twin screw wet granulation followed by tablet compression. Multiple linear regression models were built providing understanding of the impact of filler and binder properties on granule and tablet quality attributes (i.e. 16 DoE responses). The impact of fillers on the granule and tablet responses was more dominant compared to the impact of binder type and concentration. The filler properties had a relevant effect on granule characteristics, such as particle size, friability and specific surface area. Binder type and concentration revealed a relevant influence on granule flowability and friability as well as on the compactability (required compression force during tableting to obtain target hardness). In order to evaluate the DoE models' validity, a verification of the DoE models was performed with new formulations (i.e. a new combination of filler, binder type and binder concentration) which were initially not included in the dataset used to build the DoE models. The combined PCA (principle component analysis)/DoE approach allowed to link the excipient properties with the drug product quality attributes. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of vertebral number variations on carcass traits and genotyping of Vertnin candidate gene in Kazakh sheep.

PubMed

Zhang, Zhifeng; Sun, Yawei; Du, Wei; He, Sangang; Liu, Mingjun; Tian, Changyan

2017-09-01

The vertebral number is associated with body length and carcass traits, which represents an economically important trait in farm animals. The variation of vertebral number has been observed in a few mammalian species. However, the variation of vertebral number and quantitative trait loci in sheep breeds have not been well addressed. In our investigation, the information including gender, age, carcass weight, carcass length and the number of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae from 624 China Kazakh sheep was collected. The effect of vertebral number variation on carcass weight and carcass length was estimated by general linear model. Further, the polymorphic sites of Vertnin ( VRTN ) gene were identified by sequencing, and the association of the genotype and vertebral number variation was analyzed by the one-way analysis of variance model. The variation of thoracolumbar vertebrae number in Kazakh sheep (18 to 20) was smaller than that in Texel sheep (17 to 21). The individuals with 19 thoracolumbar vertebrae (T13L6) were dominant in Kazakh sheep (79.2%). The association study showed that the numbers of thoracolumbar vertebrae were positively correlated with the carcass length and carcass weight, statistically significant with carcass length. To investigate the association of thoracolumbar vertebrae number with VRTN gene, we genotyped the VRTN gene. A total of 9 polymorphic sites were detected and only a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (rs426367238) was suggested to associate with thoracic vertebral number statistically. The variation of thoracolumbar vertebrae number positively associated with the carcass length and carcass weight, especially with the carcass length. VRTN gene polymorphism of the SNP (rs426367238) with significant effect on thoracic vertebral number could be as a candidate marker to further evaluate its role in influence of thoracolumbar vertebral number.

Effect of Temperature Variations on Molecular Weight Distributions - Batch, Chain Addition Polymerizations

DTIC Science & Technology

those that might be formed by temperature variations in real reactors. Under most conditions, temperature variations appear to have a much greater effect on MWD than residence time distributions and micromixing .

Seasonal carcass composition and energy balance of female black ducks in Maine

USGS Publications Warehouse

Reinecke, K.J.; Stone, T.L.; Owen, R.B.

1982-01-01

Female Black Ducks (Anas rubripes) collected in Maine during the summer, fall, and winter of 1974-1976 showed significant seasonal variation in body weight, nonfat dry weight, gizzard and pectoral muscle weight, and fat, moisture, and protein content. Variation of body weight within and among seasons was correlated more strongly with carcass protein content, and with fat content during seasons of heavy lipid deposition, than with three structural size variables (culmen, tarsus, and sternum). Regression equations including fat and protein as independent variables accounted for 80-90% of the annual and seasonal variation in body weight; structural size variables alone accounted for less than 30%. Immature females averaged 54 and 99 g lighter, and carried 54 and 59 g less fat than adults during the fall and winter. Ducks of both age classes lost weight in December and January. Adult and immature females metabolized 59 and 64 g of fat and 17 and 25 g of protein in winter compared with 46 g of fat during the nesting season. Nutrient reserves are thus equally as important for the winter survival of these birds as for successfurl eproduction. Seasonal changes in carcass composition suggest that (1) fat deposited in late fall provides an energy reserve during winter, (2) a reduction in lean weight during winter may lower daily energy requirements and increase the effective amount of energy reserves, and (3) declining body weights during late winter may be an endogenous rhythm that reflects a shift in the expected benefits of an energy reserve compared to the costs of carrying additional weight,

Cross-national comparability of burden of disease estimates: the European Disability Weights Project.

PubMed Central

Essink-Bot, Marie-Louise; Pereira, Joaquin; Packer, Claire; Schwarzinger, Michael; Burstrom, Kristina

2002-01-01

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the sources of cross-national variation in disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in the European Disability Weights Project. METHODS: Disability weights for 15 disease stages were derived empirically in five countries by means of a standardized procedure and the cross-national differences in visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were analysed. For each country the burden of dementia in women, used as an illustrative example, was estimated in DALYs. An analysis was performed of the relative effects of cross-national variations in demography, epidemiology and disability weights on DALY estimates. FINDINGS: Cross-national comparison of VAS scores showed almost identical ranking orders. After standardization for population size and age structure of the populations, the DALY rates per 100000 women ranged from 1050 in France to 1404 in the Netherlands. Because of uncertainties in the epidemiological data, the extent to which these differences reflected true variation between countries was difficult to estimate. The use of European rather than country-specific disability weights did not lead to a significant change in the burden of disease estimates for dementia. CONCLUSIONS: Sound epidemiological data are the first requirement for burden of disease estimation and relevant between-countries comparisons. DALY estimates for dementia were relatively insensitive to differences in disability weights between European countries. PMID:12219156

Common determinants of body size and eye size in chickens from an advanced intercross line.

PubMed

Prashar, Ankush; Hocking, Paul M; Erichsen, Jonathan T; Fan, Qiao; Saw, Seang Mei; Guggenheim, Jeremy A

2009-06-15

Myopia development is characterised by an increased axial eye length. Therefore, identifying factors that influence eye size may provide new insights into the aetiology of myopia. In humans, axial length is positively correlated to height and weight, and in mice, eye weight is positively correlated with body weight. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between eye size and body size in chickens from a genetic cross in which alleles with major effects on eye and body size were segregating. Chickens from a cross between a layer line (small body size and eye size) and a broiler line (large body and eye size) were interbred for 10 generations so that alleles for eye and body size would have the chance to segregate independently. At 3 weeks of age, 510 chicks were assessed using in vivo high resolution A-scan ultrasonography and keratometry. Equatorial eye diameter and eye weight were measured after enucleation. The variations in eye size parameters that could be explained by body weight (BW), body length (BL), head width (HW) and sex were examined using multiple linear regression. It was found that BW, BL and HW and sex together predicted 51-56% of the variation in eye weight, axial length, corneal radius, and equatorial eye diameter. By contrast, the same variables predicted only 22% of the variation in lens thickness. After adjusting for sex, the three body size parameters predicted 45-49% of the variation in eye weight, axial length, corneal radius, and eye diameter, but only 0.4% of the variation in lens thickness. In conclusion, about half of the variation in eye size in the chickens of this broiler-layer advanced intercross line is likely to be determined by pleiotropic genes that also influence body size. Thus, mapping the quantitative trait loci (QTL) that determine body size may be useful in understanding the genetic determination of eye size (a logical inference of this result is that the 20 or more genetic variants that have recently been shown to influence human height may also be found to influence axial eye length). Furthermore, adjusting for body size will be essential in mapping pure eye size QTL in this chicken population, and may also have value in mapping eye size QTL in humans.

Maternal and paternal genomes differentially affect myofibre characteristics and muscle weights of bovine fetuses at midgestation.

PubMed

Xiang, Ruidong; Ghanipoor-Samami, Mani; Johns, William H; Eindorf, Tanja; Rutley, David L; Kruk, Zbigniew A; Fitzsimmons, Carolyn J; Thomsen, Dana A; Roberts, Claire T; Burns, Brian M; Anderson, Gail I; Greenwood, Paul L; Hiendleder, Stefan

2013-01-01

Postnatal myofibre characteristics and muscle mass are largely determined during fetal development and may be significantly affected by epigenetic parent-of-origin effects. However, data on such effects in prenatal muscle development that could help understand unexplained variation in postnatal muscle traits are lacking. In a bovine model we studied effects of distinct maternal and paternal genomes, fetal sex, and non-genetic maternal effects on fetal myofibre characteristics and muscle mass. Data from 73 fetuses (Day153, 54% term) of four genetic groups with purebred and reciprocal cross Angus and Brahman genetics were analyzed using general linear models. Parental genomes explained the greatest proportion of variation in myofibre size of Musculus semitendinosus (80-96%) and in absolute and relative weights of M. supraspinatus, M. longissimus dorsi, M. quadriceps femoris and M. semimembranosus (82-89% and 56-93%, respectively). Paternal genome in interaction with maternal genome (P<0.05) explained most genetic variation in cross sectional area (CSA) of fast myotubes (68%), while maternal genome alone explained most genetic variation in CSA of fast myofibres (93%, P<0.01). Furthermore, maternal genome independently (M. semimembranosus, 88%, P<0.0001) or in combination (M. supraspinatus, 82%; M. longissimus dorsi, 93%; M. quadriceps femoris, 86%) with nested maternal weight effect (5-6%, P<0.05), was the predominant source of variation for absolute muscle weights. Effects of paternal genome on muscle mass decreased from thoracic to pelvic limb and accounted for all (M. supraspinatus, 97%, P<0.0001) or most (M. longissimus dorsi, 69%, P<0.0001; M. quadriceps femoris, 54%, P<0.001) genetic variation in relative weights. An interaction between maternal and paternal genomes (P<0.01) and effects of maternal weight (P<0.05) on expression of H19, a master regulator of an imprinted gene network, and negative correlations between H19 expression and fetal muscle mass (P<0.001), suggested imprinted genes and miRNA interference as mechanisms for differential effects of maternal and paternal genomes on fetal muscle.

Maternal and Paternal Genomes Differentially Affect Myofibre Characteristics and Muscle Weights of Bovine Fetuses at Midgestation

PubMed Central

Xiang, Ruidong; Ghanipoor-Samami, Mani; Johns, William H.; Eindorf, Tanja; Rutley, David L.; Kruk, Zbigniew A.; Fitzsimmons, Carolyn J.; Thomsen, Dana A.; Roberts, Claire T.; Burns, Brian M.; Anderson, Gail I.; Greenwood, Paul L.; Hiendleder, Stefan

2013-01-01

Postnatal myofibre characteristics and muscle mass are largely determined during fetal development and may be significantly affected by epigenetic parent-of-origin effects. However, data on such effects in prenatal muscle development that could help understand unexplained variation in postnatal muscle traits are lacking. In a bovine model we studied effects of distinct maternal and paternal genomes, fetal sex, and non-genetic maternal effects on fetal myofibre characteristics and muscle mass. Data from 73 fetuses (Day153, 54% term) of four genetic groups with purebred and reciprocal cross Angus and Brahman genetics were analyzed using general linear models. Parental genomes explained the greatest proportion of variation in myofibre size of Musculus semitendinosus (80–96%) and in absolute and relative weights of M. supraspinatus, M. longissimus dorsi, M. quadriceps femoris and M. semimembranosus (82–89% and 56–93%, respectively). Paternal genome in interaction with maternal genome (P<0.05) explained most genetic variation in cross sectional area (CSA) of fast myotubes (68%), while maternal genome alone explained most genetic variation in CSA of fast myofibres (93%, P<0.01). Furthermore, maternal genome independently (M. semimembranosus, 88%, P<0.0001) or in combination (M. supraspinatus, 82%; M. longissimus dorsi, 93%; M. quadriceps femoris, 86%) with nested maternal weight effect (5–6%, P<0.05), was the predominant source of variation for absolute muscle weights. Effects of paternal genome on muscle mass decreased from thoracic to pelvic limb and accounted for all (M. supraspinatus, 97%, P<0.0001) or most (M. longissimus dorsi, 69%, P<0.0001; M. quadriceps femoris, 54%, P<0.001) genetic variation in relative weights. An interaction between maternal and paternal genomes (P<0.01) and effects of maternal weight (P<0.05) on expression of H19, a master regulator of an imprinted gene network, and negative correlations between H19 expression and fetal muscle mass (P<0.001), suggested imprinted genes and miRNA interference as mechanisms for differential effects of maternal and paternal genomes on fetal muscle. PMID:23341941

Bilayer Tablet Formulation of Metformin HCl and Acarbose: A Novel Approach To Control Diabetes.

PubMed

Tiwari, Ruchi; Gupta, Ankita; Joshi, Meenakshi; Tiwari, Gaurav

2014-01-01

The present investigation studied a novel bilayer tablet having an extended release system of metformin HCl with Eudragit RS 100 and RL 100 and an immediate release system of acarbose with polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 (PVP K30) and polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000) in different ratios using solvent evaporation and cogrinding techniques. Solid dispersions (SDs) were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder x-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), as well as by content uniformity, in vitro dissolution studies, and release kinetics. The selected SD system was subjected to bilayer tablet preparation by direct compression. Compressed tablets were evaluated for drug content, weight variation, friability, hardness, and thickness, and they underwent in vitro dissolution studies. The progressive disappearance of IR, x-ray, and thermotropic drug signals in SDs and physical mixtures were related to increasing amount of polymer. SEM studies suggested the homogenous dispersion of drug in polymers. FT-IR studies confirmed the formation of hydrogen bonding between drug and polymer. All tablet formulations showed compliance with pharmacopoeial standards. The formulations gave an initial burst effect to provide the loading dose of the drug followed by extended release for 12 h (Higuchi model via a non-Fickian diffusion controlled release mechanism). Stability studies conducted for the optimized formulation did not show any change in physical properties, drug content, or in vitro drug release. The goal of diabetes therapy today is to achieve and maintain as near normal glycemia as possible to prevent the long-term microvascular and macrovascular complications of elevated blood glucose levels. Oral therapeutic options for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, until recently, have been severely limited. Metformin, a biguanide, targets additional mechanisms of hyperglycemia by inhibiting hepatic glucose production and enhancing peripheral glucose uptake and thereby reducing insulin resistance; acarbose reversibly bind to pancreatic alpha-amylase and membrane-bound intestinal alpha-glucoside hydrolases. These enzymes inhibit hydrolysis of complex starches to oligosaccharides in the lumen of the small intestine and hydrolysis of oligosaccharides, trisaccharides, and disaccharides to glucose and other monosaccharides in the brush border of the small intestine. The two agents were found to have a remarkable effect on glycemic control. In the present investigation a bilayer tablet was prepared in which one layer gives instant action against diabetes and another layer maintain concentration of drug in plasma for longer periods.

A correlative study of Papanicolaou smear, fluorescent antibody, and culture for the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis.

PubMed

Spence, M R; Barbacci, M; Kappus, E; Quinn, T

1986-11-01

A prospective study of 300 patients undergoing therapeutic termination of pregnancy was conducted. A Papanicolaou smear was obtained and a clinical evaluation of the cervix was made. Specimens from the cervix were examined by both direct fluorescent antibody and culture techniques for the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis. The presence of inflammation on Papanicolaou smear could be correlated with C trachomatis isolation. Papanicolaou smear findings consistent with C trachomatis lacked both sensitivity and specificity when compared with direct fluorescent antibody and/or culture techniques. A correlation was found between the clinical diagnosis of cervicitis and C trachomatis. This interrelationship was absent when the component findings of cervicitis (ectopy, friability, and purulent mucus) were examined independently.

Optical and magnetic properties of porous anodic alumina/Ni nanocomposite films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Jing-Jing; Li, Zi-Yue; Zhang, Zhi-Jun; Wu, Tian-Shan; Sun, Hui-Yuan

2013-06-01

A simple method to tune the optical properties of porous anodic alumina (PAA) films embedded with Ni is reported. The films display highly saturated colors after being synthesized by an ac electrodeposition method. The optical properties of the samples can be effectively tuned by varying the oxidation time of aluminum. The ultrashort Ni nanowires (100 nm long and 50 nm in diameter) present only fcc phase and show no apparent averaged effective magnetic anisotropy. The coercivity mechanism of the Ni nanowires in our case is consistent with fanning mechanism based on a chain-of-spheres model. PAA/Ni films with structural color and magnetic properties have friability-resistant feature and can be used in many areas, including decoration, display, and multifunctional anti-counterfeiting technology.

Report on JANNAF panel on shotgun/relative quickness testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gould, R. A.

1980-01-01

As the need for more energetic solid propellants continues, a number of problems arises. One of these is the tendency of high energy propellants to transition from burning (deflagration) to detonation in regions where the propellant is present in small particle sizes; e.g., in case bonding areas of a motor after a rapid depressurization causes a shear zone at the bond interface as the stressed propellant and motor case relax at different rates. In an effort to determine the susceptibility of propellants to high strain rate break up (friability), and subsequent DDT, the propulsion community uses the shotgun/relative quickness test as one of a number of screening tests for new propellant formulations. Efforts to standardize test techniques and equipment are described.

Determining beef carcass retail product and fat yields within 1 hour postmortem.

PubMed

Apple, J K; Dikeman, M E; Cundiff, L V; Wise, J W

1991-12-01

Hot carcasses from 220 steers (progeny of Hereford or Angus dams mated to Angus, Charolais, Galloway, Gelbvieh, Hereford, Longhorn, Nellore, Piedmontese, Pinzgauer, Salers, or Shorthorn sires) were used to develop equations to estimate weights and percentages of retail product (RP) and trimmable fat (TF) yields. Independent variables examined were 1) 12-13th rib fat probe (12RFD), 2) 10-11th rib fat probe (10RFD), 3) external fat score (EFS), 4) percentage of internal fat estimated hot (H%KPH), 5) hindquarter muscling score (HQMS), and 6) hot carcass weight (HCW). Right sides of the carcasses were fabricated into boneless retail cuts, trimmed to .76 cm of subcutaneous and visible intermuscular fat, and weighed. Cuts were trimmed to 0 cm of subcutaneous and visible intermuscular fat and reweighed. Multiple linear regression equations containing 12RFD, EFS, H%KPH, and HCW accounted for 95 and 89% of the variation in weight of total RP at .76 and 0 cm of fat trim, respectively. When weights of RP from the four primal cuts (.76 and 0 cm of fat trim) were the dependent variables, equations consisting of 12RFD, EFS, H%KPH, and HCW accounted for 93 to 84% of the variation. Hot carcass equations accounted for 83% of the variation in weight of total TF at both .76 and 0 cm of fat trim. Furthermore, equations from hot carcass data accounted for 54 and 51% of the variation in percentage of total RP and 57 and 50% of the variation in percentage of RP from the four primal cuts at .76 and 0 cm of fat trim, respectively. Hot carcass prediction equations accounted for 72% of the variation in percentage of total TF at both fat trim levels. Hot carcass equations were equivalent or superior to equations formulated from chilled carcass traits.

A Method for Reducing Misclassification in the Extended Glasgow Outcome Score

PubMed Central

Marmarou, Anthony; Lapane, Kate; Turf, Elizabeth; Wilson, Lindsay

2010-01-01

Abstract The eight-point extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOSE) is commonly used as the primary outcome measure in traumatic brain injury (TBI) clinical trials. The outcome is conventionally collected through a structured interview with the patient alone or together with a caretaker. Despite the fact that using the structured interview questionnaires helps reach agreement in GOSE assessment between raters, significant variation remains among different raters. We introduce an alternate GOSE rating system as an aid in determining GOSE scores, with the objective of reducing inter-rater variation in the primary outcome assessment in TBI trials. Forty-five trauma centers were randomly assigned to three groups to assess GOSE scores on sample cases, using the alternative GOSE rating system coupled with central quality control (Group 1), the alternative system alone (Group 2), or conventional structured interviews (Group 3). The inter-rater variation between an expert and untrained raters was assessed for each group and reported through raw agreement and with weighted kappa (κ) statistics. Groups 2 and 3 without central review yielded inter-rater agreements of 83% (weighted κ = 0.81; 95% CI 0.69, 0.92) and 83% (weighted κ = 0.76, 95% CI 0.63, 0.89), respectively, in GOS scores. In GOSE, the groups had an agreement of 76% (weighted κ = 0.79; 95% CI 0.69, 0.89), and 63% (weighted κ = 0.70; 95% CI 0.60, 0.81), respectively. The group using the alternative rating system coupled with central monitoring yielded the highest inter-rater agreement among the three groups in rating GOS (97%; weighted κ = 0.95; 95% CI 0.89, 1.00), and GOSE (97%; weighted κ = 0.97; 95% CI 0.91, 1.00). The alternate system is an improved GOSE rating method that reduces inter-rater variations and provides for the first time, source documentation and structured narratives that allow a thorough central review of information. The data suggest that a collective effort can be made to minimize inter-rater variation. PMID:20334503

One novel SNP of growth hormone gene and its associations with growth and carcass traits in ducks.

PubMed

Wu, Y; Pan, A L; Pi, J S; Pu, Y J; Du, J P; Liang, Z H; Shen, J

2012-08-01

In this study, the growth hormone (GH) gene was studied as a candidate gene for growth and carcass traits of three duck populations (Cherry Valley duck, Muscovy duck and Jingjiang duck). Three pairs of primers were designed to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms of introns 2, 3 and 4 of the GH gene by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing methods. Only the products amplified from intron 2 displayed polymorphism. The results showed one novel polymorphism: a variation in intron 2 of GH gene (C172T, JN408701 and JN408702). It was associated with some growth and carcass traits in three duck populations including birth weight, 8-week weight, carcass weight, breast muscle weight, leg muscle weight, eviscerated weight, lean meat rate, dressing percentage, etc. And the TT and CT genotypes were associated with superior growth and carcass traits in carcass weight, dressing percentage and percentage of eviscerated weight. Therefore, the variation in intron 2 of GH may be a molecular marker for superior growth and carcass traits in above duck populations.

Meta-analysis of the performance variation in broilers experimentally challenged by Eimeria spp.

PubMed

Kipper, Marcos; Andretta, Ines; Lehnen, Cheila Roberta; Lovatto, Paulo Alberto; Monteiro, Silvia Gonzalez

2013-09-01

A meta-analysis was carried out to (1) study the relation of the variation in feed intake and weight gain in broilers infected with Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria maxima, Eimeria tenella, or a Pool of Eimeria species, and (2) to identify and to quantify the effects involved in the infection. A database of articles addressing the experimental infection with Coccidia in broilers was developed. These publications must present results of animal performance (weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio). The database was composed by 69 publications, totalling around 44 thousand animals. Meta-analysis followed three sequential analyses: graphical, correlation, and variance-covariance. The feed intake of the groups challenged by E. acervulina and E. tenella did not differ (P>0.05) to the control group. However, the feed intake in groups challenged by E. maxima and Pool showed an increase of 8% and 5% (P<0.05) in relation to the control group. Challenged groups presented a decrease (P<0.05) in weight gain compared with control groups. All challenged groups showed a reduction in weight gain, even when there was no reduction (P<0.05) in feed intake (adjustment through variance-covariance analysis). The feed intake variation in broilers infected with E. acervulina, E. maxima, E. tenella, or Pool showed a quadratic (P<0.05) influence over the variation in weight gain. In relation to the isolated effects, the challenges have an impact of less than 1% over the variance in feed intake and weight gain. However, the magnitude of the effects varied with Eimeria species, animal age, sex, and genetic line. In general the age effect is superior to the challenge effect, showing that age at the challenge is important to determine the impact of Eimeria infection. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Genetic variability of environmental sensitivity revealed by phenotypic variation in body weight and (its) correlations to physiological and behavioral traits

PubMed Central

Quillet, Edwige; Bégout, Marie-Laure; Aupérin, Benoit; Khaw, Hooi Ling; Millot, Sandie; Valotaire, Claudiane; Kernéis, Thierry; Labbé, Laurent; Prunet, Patrick; Dupont-Nivet, Mathilde

2017-01-01

Adaptive phenotypic plasticity is a key component of the ability of organisms to cope with changing environmental conditions. Fish have been shown to exhibit a substantial level of phenotypic plasticity in response to abiotic and biotic factors. In the present study, we investigate the link between environmental sensitivity assessed globally (revealed by phenotypic variation in body weight) and more targeted physiological and behavioral indicators that are generally used to assess the sensitivity of a fish to environmental stressors. We took advantage of original biological material, the rainbow trout isogenic lines, which allowed the disentangling of the genetic and environmental parts of the phenotypic variance. Ten lines were characterized for the changes of body weight variability (weight measurements taken every month during 18 months), the plasma cortisol response to confinement stress (3 challenges) and a set of selected behavioral indicators. This study unambiguously demonstrated the existence of genetic determinism of environmental sensitivity, with some lines being particularly sensitive to environmental fluctuations and others rather insensitive. Correlations between coefficient of variation (CV) for body weight and behavioral and physiological traits were observed. This confirmed that CV for body weight could be used as an indicator of environmental sensitivity. As the relationship between indicators (CV weight, risk-taking, exploration and cortisol) was shown to be likely depending on the nature and intensity of the stressor, the joint use of several indicators should help to investigate the biological complexity of environmental sensitivity. PMID:29253015

Topographical Variation of Human Femoral Articular Cartilage Thickness, T1rho and T2 Relaxation Times Is Related to Local Loading during Walking.

PubMed

Van Rossom, Sam; Wesseling, Mariska; Van Assche, Dieter; Jonkers, Ilse

2018-01-01

Objective Early detection of degenerative changes in the cartilage matrix composition is essential for evaluating early interventions that slow down osteoarthritis (OA) initiation. T1rho and T2 relaxation times were found to be effective for detecting early changes in proteoglycan and collagen content. To use these magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods, it is important to document the topographical variation in cartilage thickness, T1rho and T2 relaxation times in a healthy population. As OA is partially mechanically driven, the relation between these MRI-based parameters and localized mechanical loading during walking was investigated. Design MR images were acquired in 14 healthy adults and cartilage thickness and T1rho and T2 relaxation times were determined. Experimental gait data was collected and processed using musculoskeletal modeling to identify weight-bearing zones and estimate the contact force impulse during gait. Variation of the cartilage properties (i.e., thickness, T1rho, and T2) over the femoral cartilage was analyzed and compared between the weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing zone of the medial and lateral condyle as well as the trochlea. Results Medial condyle cartilage thickness was correlated to the contact force impulse ( r = 0.78). Lower T1rho, indicating increased proteoglycan content, was found in the medial weight-bearing zone. T2 was higher in all weight-bearing zones compared with the non-weight-bearing zones, indicating lower relative collagen content. Conclusions The current results suggest that medial condyle cartilage is adapted as a long-term protective response to localized loading during a frequently performed task and that the weight-bearing zone of the medial condyle has superior weight bearing capacities compared with the non-weight-bearing zones.

An evaluation of study design for estimating a time-of-day noise weighting

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fields, J. M.

1986-01-01

The relative importance of daytime and nighttime noise of the same noise level is represented by a time-of-day weight in noise annoyance models. The high correlations between daytime and nighttime noise were regarded as a major reason that previous social surveys of noise annoyance could not accurately estimate the value of the time-of-day weight. Study designs which would reduce the correlation between daytime and nighttime noise are described. It is concluded that designs based on short term variations in nighttime noise levels would not be able to provide valid measures of response to nighttime noise. The accuracy of the estimate of the time-of-day weight is predicted for designs which are based on long term variations in nighttime noise levels. For these designs it is predicted that it is not possible to form satisfactorily precise estimates of the time-of-day weighting.

Isotope-abundance variations and atomic weights of selected elements: 2016 (IUPAC Technical Report)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Coplen, Tyler B.; Shrestha, Yesha

2016-01-01

There are 63 chemical elements that have two or more isotopes that are used to determine their standard atomic weights. The isotopic abundances and atomic weights of these elements can vary in normal materials due to physical and chemical fractionation processes (not due to radioactive decay). These variations are well known for 12 elements (hydrogen, lithium, boron, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, magnesium, silicon, sulfur, chlorine, bromine, and thallium), and the standard atomic weight of each of these elements is given by IUPAC as an interval with lower and upper bounds. Graphical plots of selected materials and compounds of each of these elements have been published previously. Herein and at the URL http://dx.doi.org/10.5066/F7GF0RN2, we provide isotopic abundances, isotope-delta values, and atomic weights for each of the upper and lower bounds of these materials and compounds.

Comparison of Traditional Design Nonlinear Programming Optimization and Stochastic Methods for Structural Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Patnaik, Surya N.; Pai, Shantaram S.; Coroneos, Rula M.

2010-01-01

Structural design generated by traditional method, optimization method and the stochastic design concept are compared. In the traditional method, the constraints are manipulated to obtain the design and weight is back calculated. In design optimization, the weight of a structure becomes the merit function with constraints imposed on failure modes and an optimization algorithm is used to generate the solution. Stochastic design concept accounts for uncertainties in loads, material properties, and other parameters and solution is obtained by solving a design optimization problem for a specified reliability. Acceptable solutions were produced by all the three methods. The variation in the weight calculated by the methods was modest. Some variation was noticed in designs calculated by the methods. The variation may be attributed to structural indeterminacy. It is prudent to develop design by all three methods prior to its fabrication. The traditional design method can be improved when the simplified sensitivities of the behavior constraint is used. Such sensitivity can reduce design calculations and may have a potential to unify the traditional and optimization methods. Weight versus reliabilitytraced out an inverted-S-shaped graph. The center of the graph corresponded to mean valued design. A heavy design with weight approaching infinity could be produced for a near-zero rate of failure. Weight can be reduced to a small value for a most failure-prone design. Probabilistic modeling of load and material properties remained a challenge.

Mathematical modeling of ethanol production in solid-state fermentation based on solid medium' dry weight variation.

PubMed

Mazaheri, Davood; Shojaosadati, Seyed Abbas; Zamir, Seyed Morteza; Mousavi, Seyyed Mohammad

2018-04-21

In this work, mathematical modeling of ethanol production in solid-state fermentation (SSF) has been done based on the variation in the dry weight of solid medium. This method was previously used for mathematical modeling of enzyme production; however, the model should be modified to predict the production of a volatile compound like ethanol. The experimental results of bioethanol production from the mixture of carob pods and wheat bran by Zymomonas mobilis in SSF were used for the model validation. Exponential and logistic kinetic models were used for modeling the growth of microorganism. In both cases, the model predictions matched well with the experimental results during the exponential growth phase, indicating the good ability of solid medium weight variation method for modeling a volatile product formation in solid-state fermentation. In addition, using logistic model, better predictions were obtained.

Seasonal variability in weight change during elementary school

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Seasonal variation in weight gain across elementary school (kindergarten-5th grade) was examined among children who were healthy weight, overweight, or obese and from different racial and ethnic groups. The sample included 7,599 ethnically diverse students ages 5-7 years at baseline (Caucasian: 21.1...

New gentle-wing high-shear granulator: impact of processing variables on granules and tablets characteristics of high-drug loading formulation using design of experiment approach.

PubMed

Fayed, Mohamed H; Abdel-Rahman, Sayed I; Alanazi, Fars K; Ahmed, Mahrous O; Tawfeek, Hesham M; Al-Shdefat, Ramadan I

2017-10-01

The aim of this work was to study the application of design of experiment (DoE) approach in defining design space for granulation and tableting processes using a novel gentle-wing high-shear granulator. According to quality-by-design (QbD) prospective, critical attributes of granules, and tablets should be ensured by manufacturing process design. A face-centered central composite design has been employed in order to investigate the effect of water amount (X 1 ), impeller speed (X 2 ), wet massing time (X 3 ), and water addition rate (X 4 ) as independent process variables on granules and tablets characteristics. Acetaminophen was used as a model drug and granulation experiments were carried out using dry addition of povidone k30. The dried granules have been analyzed for their size distribution, density, and flow pattern. Additionally, the produced tablets have been investigated for; weight uniformity, breaking force, friability and percent capping, disintegration time, and drug dissolution. Results of regression analysis showed that water amount, impeller speed and wet massing time have significant (p < .05) effect on granules and tablets characteristics. However, the water amount had the most pronounced effect as indicated by its higher parameter estimate. On the other hand, water addition rate showed a minimal impact on granules and tablets properties. In conclusion, water amount, impeller speed, and wet massing time could be considered as critical process variables. Thus, understanding the relationship between these variables and quality attributes of granules and corresponding tablets provides the basis for adjusting granulation variables in order to optimize product performance.

Role of cellulose ether polymers on ibuprofen release from matrix tablets.

PubMed

Vueba, M L; Batista de Carvalho, L A E; Veiga, F; Sousa, J J; Pina, Maria Eugénia

2005-08-01

Cellulose derivatives are the most frequently used polymers in formulations of pharmaceutical products for controlled drug delivery. The main aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of different cellulose substitutions on the release rate of ibuprofen (IBP) from hydrophilic matrix tablets. Thus, the release mechanism of IBP with methylcellulose (MC25), hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC), and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC K15M or K100M) was studied. In addition, the influence of the diluents lactose monohydrate (LAC) and beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) was evaluated. Distinct test formulations were prepared containing: 57.14% of IBP, 20.00% of polymer, 20.29% of diluent, 1.71% of talc lubricants, and 0.86% of magnesium stearate as lubricants. Although non-negligible drug-excipient interactions were detected from DSC studies, these were found not to constitute an incompatibility effect. Tablets were examined for their drug content, weight uniformity, hardness, thickness, tensile strength, friability, porosity, swelling, and dissolution performance. Polymers MC25 and HPC were found to be unsuitable for the preparation of this kind of solid dosage form, while HPMC K15M and K100M showed to be advantageous. Dissolution parameters such as the area under the dissolution curve (AUC), the dissolution efficiency (DE(20 h)), dissolution time (t 50%), and mean dissolution time (MDT) were calculated for all the formulations, and the highest MDT values were obtained with HPMC indicating that a higher value of MDT signifies a higher drug retarding ability of the polymer and vice-versa. The analysis of the drug release data was performed in the light of distinct kinetic mathematical models-Kosmeyer-Peppas, Higuchi, zero-, and first-order. The release process was also found to be slightly influenced by the kind of diluent used.

Novel tablet formulation of amorphous candesartan cilexetil solid dispersions involving P-gp inhibition for optimal drug delivery: in vitro and in vivo evaluation.

PubMed

Surampalli, Gurunath; Nanjwade, Basavaraj K; Patil, P A; Chilla, Rakesh

2016-09-01

The aim of this study was to develop a novel tablet formulation of amorphous candesartan cilexetil (CAN) solid dispersion involving effective P-gp inhibition for optimal drug delivery by direct compression (DC) method. To accomplish DC, formulation blends were evaluated for micromeritic properties. The Carr index, Hausner ratio, flow rate and cotangent of the angle α were determined. The tablets with and without naringin prepared by DC technique were evaluated for average weight, hardness, disintegration time and friability assessments. The drug release profiles were determined to study the dissolution kinetics. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies were conducted in rabbits. Accelerated stability studies were performed for tablets at 40 ± 2 °C/75% RH ± 5% for 6 months. FTIR studies confirmed no discoloration, liquefaction and physical interaction between naringin and drug. The results indicated that tablets prepared from naringin presented a dramatic release (82%) in 30 min with a similarity factor (76.18), which is most likely due to the amorphous nature of drug and the higher micromeritic properties of blends. Our findings noticed 1.7-fold increase in oral bioavailability of tablet prepared from naringin with mean C max and AUC 0-12 h values as 35.81 ± 0.13 μg/mL and 0.14 ± 0.09 μg h/mL, respectively. The tablets with and without naringin prepared by DC technique were physically and chemically stable under accelerated stability conditions upon storage for 6 months. These results are attractive for further development of an oral tablet formulation of CAN through P-gp inhibition using naringin, a natural flavonoid as a pharmaceutical excipient.

Variation in Anthropometric Status and Growth Failure in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

PubMed

Mejía-Guevara, Iván; Corsi, Daniel J; Perkins, Jessica M; Kim, Rockli; Subramanian, S V

2018-02-22

Addressing anthropometric failure in low- and middle-income countries can have 2 targets of inference: addressing differences between individuals within populations (W pop ) or differences between populations (B pop ). We present a multilevel framework to apply both targets of inference simultaneously and quantify the extent to which variation in anthropometric status and growth failure is reflective of undernourished children or undernourished populations. Cross-sectional data originated from the Demographic and Health Surveys program, covering children under age 5 from 57 countries surveyed between 2001 and 2015. A majority of variation in child anthropometric status and growth failure was attributable to W pop -associated differences, accounting for 89%, 83%, and 85% of the variability in z scores for height for age, weight for age, and weight for height. B pop -associated differences (communities, regions, and countries combined) were associated with 11%, 17%, and 15% of the variation in height-for-age z score, weight-for-age z score, and weight-for-height z score. Prevalence of anthropometric failure was closely correlated with mean levels of height and weight. Approximately 1% of W pop variability, compared with 30% to 50% of the B pop variability, was explained by mean values of maternal correlates of anthropometric status and failure. Although there is greater explanatory power B pop , this varied because of modifiability of what constitutes population. Our results suggest that universal strategies to prevent future anthropometric failure in populations combined with targeted strategies to address both the impending and existing burden among children are needed. Copyright © 2018 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Reliability of performance of elite Olympic weightlifters.

PubMed

McGuigan, Michael R; Kane, Melissa K

2004-08-01

There are no published data on the reliability of competitive strength performance, even though it has a pronounced effect on athletes' medal prospects and the ability of coaches and athletes to identify factors that affect competitive performance. The purpose of this investigation was to analyze the reliability of elite olympic weightlifters over a series of international weightlifting meets. We obtained official results of international competitions over an 18-month period from 1999 until the 2000 Olympic Games at the International Weightlifting Federation website. The measure of reliability was the typical within-athlete variation, derived as the coefficient of variation (CV) by 2-way analysis of variance of log-transformed weights lifted for the snatch, clean and jerk, and total. The results of this analysis were (a) within-athlete variations were as follows: snatch, 2.7% (95% likely range, 2.4-3.2%); clean and jerk, 2.3% (1.7-3.6%); total weight lifted, 2.5% (2.2-2.9%); (b) men and women: the variation was higher for the women compared with the men in both snatch (ratio of CV, 1.4) and clean and jerk (ratio of CV, 1.5), and for the total weight lifted (ratio of CV, 1.3); and (c) the top 5 athletes were almost always more reliable than the bottom-half athletes. Recent work has shown that the smallest worthwhile performance is about half the within-athlete variation, so coaches and sport scientists should focus on enhancements of as little as 1.2% in total weight lifted for elite olympic weightlifters.

Spruce Budworm Fecundity and Foliar Chemistry: Influence of Site

Treesearch

M.D.C. Schmitt; M.M. Czapowskyj; D.C.  Allen; E.H.  White

1983-01-01

Two Maine spruce-fir stands having different soils were sampled to determine the relationship between spruce budworm weight (fecundity) and foliage quality. Although much of the variation in budworm weight was attributable to other factors, significant correlations between budworm weight and multiple foliar nutrient concentration variables suggest that foliage quality...

Identification of Pit-1 Gen Using PCR-RFLP of Padjadjaran Sheep and Evaluate of Growth Rate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prajoga, S. B. K.; Andriani, L.; Subhandiana, H.

2018-02-01

The objectives of this research were to evaluate variation of Pit-1 gen of Padjadjaran Sheep and evaluate of their growth rate. The data comprised of 15 lambs female and 15 lambs male records of 0 - 12 mouths old lambs. Variation of Padjadjaran Sheep PIT-1 gen was analyzed using PCR-RFLP and used primer by 5’-GAGGGATAATTACAAATGGTCC-3’ and 5’-TGTTAACAGCTGTGGGACACAC-3’, length fragment analyse using HinfI restriction enzyme. Presence or absence of deference bands in a PCR fragment of the result can be distinguished by differences in the electrophoretic migration of the fragment. The result showed that the variation Pit1 gene showed that there was in the position 345 bp, 137 bp and 115 bp. In this experiment the difference migration did occur in all samples (monomorphic), that was amplificated with reverse and forward primer. The average male birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WN) and Yearling Weight (YW) was 2.29 ±0.42kg 8.96 ±1,89 kg and 30.12 ±5,65 kg. The average female birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WN) and Yearling Weight (YW) was 2.33 ±0.49 kg; 8.23 ±1.99 kg and 26.11 ±5.50 kg. Correlation value between age and body weight was 0,99 for female and 0,97 for male. The highest body weight gain per month was 2.85 kg for female at the age of six months and 3.4 kg for male at the age of one year. The best equition of growth rate was Ŷ = 1,862 + 0,127X1 0,076X2

The influence of life history trade-offs and the size of the incubation gravels on egg size variation in sockeye salmon Onchorhynchus nerka

USGS Publications Warehouse

Quinn, Thomas P.; Hendry , Andrew P.; Wetzel, Lisa A.

1995-01-01

Egg size is a critical life history trait, reflecting female investment and affecting off- spring fitness. We investigated several factors which may influence variation in egg weight for sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka). Comparisons were based on col- lections from 18 Alaskan populations, among which adult migration distance and ju- venile rearing habitat were similar but the size composition of incubation gravels was different. Among populations, most of the variation in egg weight could be explained by a positive correlation with different measures of the size composition of incubation gravels (Pearson's r = 0.45-0.91). In contrast, egg weight was poorly correlated with female body length and with female snout length, a morphological feature used during intra-sexual competition. Within each of the Alaskan populations, however, egg weight and snout length were positively correlated with female body length and hence with each other. A positive association between snout length and egg weight was still evident even after the effects of covariance with body size were removed using resid- uals analysis: for all of the fish pooled and within 6 of the 16 populations. A signifi- cant relationship was not detected in the other populations but the trend was neverthe- less positive in 8 of the other 10. Examination of reproductive traits (gonad weight, egg weight, egg number, snout length and hump size) within another population iden- tified a trade-off between egg weight and egg number for females of a given body length. In contrast, positive correlations between reproductive traits were more com- mon, suggesting that energy-rich individuals produce large eggs and large secondary sexual characteristics rather than sacrificing one for the other.

In situ adaptive response to climate and habitat quality variation: spatial and temporal variation in European badger (Meles meles) body weight.

PubMed

Byrne, Andrew W; Fogarty, Ursula; O'Keeffe, James; Newman, Chris

2015-09-01

Variation in climatic and habitat conditions can affect populations through a variety of mechanisms, and these relationships can act at different temporal and spatial scales. Using post-mortem badger body weight records from 15 878 individuals captured across the Republic of Ireland (7224 setts across ca. 15 000 km(2) ; 2009-2012), we employed a hierarchical multilevel mixed model to evaluate the effects of climate (rainfall and temperature) and habitat quality (landscape suitability), while controlling for local abundance (unique badgers caught/sett/year). Body weight was affected strongly by temperature across a number of temporal scales (preceding month or season), with badgers being heavier if preceding temperatures (particularly during winter/spring) were warmer than the long-term seasonal mean. There was less support for rainfall across different temporal scales, although badgers did exhibit heavier weights when greater rainfall occurred one or 2 months prior to capture. Badgers were also heavier in areas with higher landscape habitat quality, modulated by the number of individuals captured per sett, consistent with density-dependent effects reducing weights. Overall, the mean badger body weight of culled individuals rose during the study period (2009-2012), more so for males than for females. With predicted increases in temperature, and rainfall, augmented by ongoing agricultural land conversion in this region, we project heavier individual badger body weights in the future. Increased body weight has been associated with higher fecundity, recruitment and survival rates in badgers, due to improved food availability and energetic budgets. We thus predict that climate change could increase the badger population across the Republic of Ireland. Nevertheless, we emphasize that, locally, populations could still be vulnerable to extreme weather variability coupled with detrimental agricultural practice, including population management. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Copy Number Variation of Cytokinin Oxidase Gene Tackx4 Associated with Grain Weight and Chlorophyll Content of Flag Leaf in Common Wheat

PubMed Central

Chang, Cheng; Lu, Jie; Zhang, Hai-Ping; Ma, Chuan-Xi; Sun, Genlou

2015-01-01

As the main pigment in photosynthesis, chlorophyll significantly affects grain filling and grain weight of crop. Cytokinin (CTK) can effectively increase chlorophyll content and chloroplast stability, but it is irreversibly inactivated by cytokinin oxidase (CKX). In this study, therefore, twenty-four pairs of primers were designed to identify variations of wheat CKX (Tackx) genes associated with flag leaf chlorophyll content after anthesis, as well as grain weight in 169 recombinant inbred lines (RIL) derived from Triticum aestivum Jing 411 × Hongmangchun 21. Results indicated variation of Tackx4, identified by primer pair T19-20, was proven to significantly associate with chlorophyll content and grain weight in the RIL population. Here, two Tackx4 patterns were identified: one with two co-segregated fragments (Tackx4-1/Tackx4-2) containing 618 bp and 620 bp in size (as in Jing 411), and another with no PCR product. The two genotypes were designated as genotype-A and genotype-B, respectively. Grain weight and leaf chlorophyll content at 5~15 days after anthesis (DAA) were significantly higher in genotype-A lines than those in genotype-B lines. Mapping analysis indicated Tackx4 was closely linked to Xwmc169 on chromosome 3AL, as well as co-segregated with a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) for both grain weight and chlorophyll content of flag leaf at 5~15 DAA. This QTL explained 8.9~22.3% phenotypic variations of the two traits across four cropping seasons. Among 102 wheat varieties, a third genotype of Tackx4 was found and designated as genotype-C, also having two co-segregated fragments, Tackx4-2 and Tackx4-3 (615bp). The sequences of three fragments, Tackx4-1, Tackx4-2, and Tackx4-3, showed high identity (>98%). Therefore, these fragments could be considered as different copies at Tackx4 locus on chromosome 3AL. The effect of copy number variation (CNV) of Tackx4 was further validated. In general, genotype-A contains both significantly higher grain weight and flag leaf chlorophyll content at 5~15 DAA than those in genotype-B and genotype-C, among 102 varieties under various environments. PMID:26714276

Copy Number Variation of Cytokinin Oxidase Gene Tackx4 Associated with Grain Weight and Chlorophyll Content of Flag Leaf in Common Wheat.

PubMed

Chang, Cheng; Lu, Jie; Zhang, Hai-Ping; Ma, Chuan-Xi; Sun, Genlou

2015-01-01

As the main pigment in photosynthesis, chlorophyll significantly affects grain filling and grain weight of crop. Cytokinin (CTK) can effectively increase chlorophyll content and chloroplast stability, but it is irreversibly inactivated by cytokinin oxidase (CKX). In this study, therefore, twenty-four pairs of primers were designed to identify variations of wheat CKX (Tackx) genes associated with flag leaf chlorophyll content after anthesis, as well as grain weight in 169 recombinant inbred lines (RIL) derived from Triticum aestivum Jing 411 × Hongmangchun 21. Results indicated variation of Tackx4, identified by primer pair T19-20, was proven to significantly associate with chlorophyll content and grain weight in the RIL population. Here, two Tackx4 patterns were identified: one with two co-segregated fragments (Tackx4-1/Tackx4-2) containing 618 bp and 620 bp in size (as in Jing 411), and another with no PCR product. The two genotypes were designated as genotype-A and genotype-B, respectively. Grain weight and leaf chlorophyll content at 5~15 days after anthesis (DAA) were significantly higher in genotype-A lines than those in genotype-B lines. Mapping analysis indicated Tackx4 was closely linked to Xwmc169 on chromosome 3AL, as well as co-segregated with a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) for both grain weight and chlorophyll content of flag leaf at 5~15 DAA. This QTL explained 8.9~22.3% phenotypic variations of the two traits across four cropping seasons. Among 102 wheat varieties, a third genotype of Tackx4 was found and designated as genotype-C, also having two co-segregated fragments, Tackx4-2 and Tackx4-3 (615bp). The sequences of three fragments, Tackx4-1, Tackx4-2, and Tackx4-3, showed high identity (>98%). Therefore, these fragments could be considered as different copies at Tackx4 locus on chromosome 3AL. The effect of copy number variation (CNV) of Tackx4 was further validated. In general, genotype-A contains both significantly higher grain weight and flag leaf chlorophyll content at 5~15 DAA than those in genotype-B and genotype-C, among 102 varieties under various environments.

Relationship between health services, socioeconomic variables and inadequate weight gain among Brazilian children.

PubMed Central

de Souza, A. C.; Peterson, K. E.; Cufino, E.; Gardner, J.; Craveiro, M. V.; Ascherio, A.

1999-01-01

This ecological analysis assessed the relative contribution of behavioural, health services and socioeconomic variables to inadequate weight gain in infants (0-11 months) and children (12-23 months) in 140 municipalities in the State of Ceara, north-east Brazil. To assess the total effect of selected variables, we fitted three unique sets of multivariate linear regression models to the prevalence of inadequate weight gain in infants and in children. The final predictive models included variables from the three sets. Findings showed that participation in growth monitoring and urbanization were inversely and significantly associated with the prevalence of inadequate weight gain in infants, accounting for 38.3% of the variation. Female illiteracy rate, participation in growth monitoring and degree of urbanization were all positively associated with prevalence of inadequate weight gain in children. Together, these factors explained 25.6% of the variation. Our results suggest that efforts to reduce the average municipality-specific female illiteracy rate, in combination with participation in growth monitoring, may be effective in reducing municipality-level prevalence of inadequate weight gain in infants and children in Ceara. PMID:10612885

Relationship between health services, socioeconomic variables and inadequate weight gain among Brazilian children.

PubMed

de Souza, A C; Peterson, K E; Cufino, E; Gardner, J; Craveiro, M V; Ascherio, A

1999-01-01

This ecological analysis assessed the relative contribution of behavioural, health services and socioeconomic variables to inadequate weight gain in infants (0-11 months) and children (12-23 months) in 140 municipalities in the State of Ceara, north-east Brazil. To assess the total effect of selected variables, we fitted three unique sets of multivariate linear regression models to the prevalence of inadequate weight gain in infants and in children. The final predictive models included variables from the three sets. Findings showed that participation in growth monitoring and urbanization were inversely and significantly associated with the prevalence of inadequate weight gain in infants, accounting for 38.3% of the variation. Female illiteracy rate, participation in growth monitoring and degree of urbanization were all positively associated with prevalence of inadequate weight gain in children. Together, these factors explained 25.6% of the variation. Our results suggest that efforts to reduce the average municipality-specific female illiteracy rate, in combination with participation in growth monitoring, may be effective in reducing municipality-level prevalence of inadequate weight gain in infants and children in Ceara.

A weighted variational gradient-based fusion method for high-fidelity thin cloud removal of Landsat images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Wei; Chen, Xiu; Wang, Yueyun

2018-03-01

Landsat data are widely used in various earth observations, but the clouds interfere with the applications of the images. This paper proposes a weighted variational gradient-based fusion method (WVGBF) for high-fidelity thin cloud removal of Landsat images, which is an improvement of the variational gradient-based fusion (VGBF) method. The VGBF method integrates the gradient information from the reference band into visible bands of cloudy image to enable spatial details and remove thin clouds. The VGBF method utilizes the same gradient constraints to the entire image, which causes the color distortion in cloudless areas. In our method, a weight coefficient is introduced into the gradient approximation term to ensure the fidelity of image. The distribution of weight coefficient is related to the cloud thickness map. The map is built on Independence Component Analysis (ICA) by using multi-temporal Landsat images. Quantitatively, we use R value to evaluate the fidelity in the cloudless regions and metric Q to evaluate the clarity in the cloud areas. The experimental results indicate that the proposed method has the better ability to remove thin cloud and achieve high fidelity.

Factors affecting birth weight in sheep: maternal environment

PubMed Central

Gardner, D S; Buttery, P J; Daniel, Z; Symonds, M E

2007-01-01

Knowledge of factors affecting variation in birth weight is especially important given the relationship of birth weight to neonatal and adult health. The present study utilises two large contemporary datasets in sheep of differing breeds to explore factors that influence weight at term. For dataset one (Study 1; n = 154 Blue-faced Leicester×Swaledale (Mule) and 87 Welsh Mountain ewes, 315 separate cases of birth weight), lamb birth weight as the outcome measure was related to maternal characteristics and individual energy intake of the ewe during specified periods of gestation, i.e. early (1-30 days; term ∼147 days gestation), mid (31-80 days) or late (110-147 days) pregnancy. For dataset two (Study 2; n = 856 Mule ewes and 5821 cases of birth weight), we investigated using multilevel modelling the influence of ewe weight, parity, barrenness, lamb sex, litter size, lamb mortality and year of birth on lamb birth weight. For a subset of these ewes (n = 283), the effect of the ewes’ own birth weight was also examined. Interactions between combinations of variables were selectively investigated. Litter size, as expected, had the single greatest influence on birth weight with other significant effects being year of birth, maternal birth weight, maternal nutrition, sex of the lamb, ewe barrenness and maternal body composition at mating. The results of the present study have practical implications not only for sheep husbandry but also for the increased knowledge of factors that significantly influence variation in birth weight; as birth weight itself has become a significant predictor of later health outcomes. PMID:17244755

Improving the accuracy of hyaluronic acid molecular weight estimation by conventional size exclusion chromatography.

PubMed

Shanmuga Doss, Sreeja; Bhatt, Nirav Pravinbhai; Jayaraman, Guhan

2017-08-15

There is an unreasonably high variation in the literature reports on molecular weight of hyaluronic acid (HA) estimated using conventional size exclusion chromatography (SEC). This variation is most likely due to errors in estimation. Working with commercially available HA molecular weight standards, this work examines the extent of error in molecular weight estimation due to two factors: use of non-HA based calibration and concentration of sample injected into the SEC column. We develop a multivariate regression correlation to correct for concentration effect. Our analysis showed that, SEC calibration based on non-HA standards like polyethylene oxide and pullulan led to approximately 2 and 10 times overestimation, respectively, when compared to HA-based calibration. Further, we found that injected sample concentration has an effect on molecular weight estimation. Even at 1g/l injected sample concentration, HA molecular weight standards of 0.7 and 1.64MDa showed appreciable underestimation of 11-24%. The multivariate correlation developed was found to reduce error in estimations at 1g/l to <4%. The correlation was also successfully applied to accurately estimate the molecular weight of HA produced by a recombinant Lactococcus lactis fermentation. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Dynamic re-weighted total variation technique and statistic Iterative reconstruction method for x-ray CT metal artifact reduction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, Chengtao; Qiu, Bensheng; Zhang, Cheng; Ma, Changyu; Yuan, Gang; Li, Ming

2017-07-01

Over the years, the X-ray computed tomography (CT) has been successfully used in clinical diagnosis. However, when the body of the patient to be examined contains metal objects, the image reconstructed would be polluted by severe metal artifacts, which affect the doctor's diagnosis of disease. In this work, we proposed a dynamic re-weighted total variation (DRWTV) technique combined with the statistic iterative reconstruction (SIR) method to reduce the artifacts. The DRWTV method is based on the total variation (TV) and re-weighted total variation (RWTV) techniques, but it provides a sparser representation than TV and protects the tissue details better than RWTV. Besides, the DRWTV can suppress the artifacts and noise, and the SIR convergence speed is also accelerated. The performance of the algorithm is tested on both simulated phantom dataset and clinical dataset, which are the teeth phantom with two metal implants and the skull with three metal implants, respectively. The proposed algorithm (SIR-DRWTV) is compared with two traditional iterative algorithms, which are SIR and SIR constrained by RWTV regulation (SIR-RWTV). The results show that the proposed algorithm has the best performance in reducing metal artifacts and protecting tissue details.

Genetic variation of fasting glucose and changes in glycemia in response to 2-year weight-loss diet intervention: the POUNDS Lost trial

PubMed Central

Wang, Tiange; Huang, Tao; Zheng, Yan; Rood, Jennifer; Bray, George A.; Sacks, Frank M.; Qi, Lu

2016-01-01

Objective Weight loss intervention through diet modification has been widely used to improve obesity-related hyperglycemia; however, little is known about whether genetic variation modifies the intervention effect. We examined the interaction between weight-loss diets and genetic variation of fasting glucose on changes in glycemic traits in a dietary intervention trial. Research Design and Methods The Preventing Overweight Using Novel Dietary Strategies (POUNDS LOST) trial is a randomized, controlled 2-year weight-loss trial. We assessed overall genetic variation of fasting glucose by calculating a genetic risk score (GRS) based on 14 fasting glucose-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms, and examined the progression in fasting glucose and insulin levels, and insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity in 733 adults from this trial. Results The GRS was associated with 6-month changes in fasting glucose (P<0.001), fasting insulin (P=0.042), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR, P=0.009) and insulin sensitivity (HOMA-S, P=0.043). We observed significant interaction between the GRS and dietary fat on 6-month changes in fasting glucose, HOMA-IR and HOMA-S after multivariable adjustment (P-interaction=0.007, 0.045, and 0.028, respectively). After further adjustment for weight loss, the interaction remained significant on change in fasting glucose (P=0.015). In the high-fat diet group, participants in the highest GRS tertile showed increased fasting glucose, whereas participants in the lowest tertile showed decreased fasting glucose (P-trend<0.001); in contrast, the genetic association was not significant in the low-fat diet group (P-trend=0.087). Conclusions Our data suggest that participants with a higher genetic risk may benefit more by eating a low-fat diet to improve glucose metabolism. PMID:27113490

Genetic variation of fasting glucose and changes in glycemia in response to 2-year weight-loss diet intervention: the POUNDS LOST trial.

PubMed

Wang, T; Huang, T; Zheng, Y; Rood, J; Bray, G A; Sacks, F M; Qi, L

2016-07-01

Weight-loss intervention through diet modification has been widely used to improve obesity-related hyperglycemia; however, little is known about whether genetic variation modifies the intervention effect. We examined the interaction between weight-loss diets and genetic variation of fasting glucose on changes in glycemic traits in a dietary intervention trial. The Preventing Overweight Using Novel Dietary Strategies (POUNDS LOST) trial is a randomized, controlled 2-year weight-loss trial. We assessed overall genetic variation of fasting glucose by calculating a genetic risk score (GRS) based on 14 fasting glucose-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms, and examined the progression in fasting glucose and insulin levels, and insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity in 733 adults from this trial. The GRS was associated with 6-month changes in fasting glucose (P<0.001), fasting insulin (P=0.042), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR, P=0.009) and insulin sensitivity (HOMA-S, P=0.043). We observed significant interaction between the GRS and dietary fat on 6-month changes in fasting glucose, HOMA-IR and HOMA-S after multivariable adjustment (P-interaction=0.007, 0.045 and 0.028, respectively). After further adjustment for weight loss, the interaction remained significant on change in fasting glucose (P=0.015). In the high-fat diet group, participants in the highest GRS tertile showed increased fasting glucose, whereas participants in the lowest tertile showed decreased fasting glucose (P-trend <0.001); in contrast, the genetic association was not significant in the low-fat diet group (P-trend=0.087). Our data suggest that participants with a higher genetic risk may benefit more by eating a low-fat diet to improve glucose metabolism.

Improved tabletability after a polymorphic transition of delta-mannitol during twin screw granulation.

PubMed

Vanhoorne, V; Bekaert, B; Peeters, E; De Beer, T; Remon, J-P; Vervaet, C

2016-06-15

In most formulations processed via continuous twin screw granulation microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and/or lactose are used as excipients, but mannitol is also a preferred excipient for wet granulation and tableting due to its non-hygroscopicity and inertness. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate the influence of process parameters on critical quality attributes of granules (moisture content, solid state, morphology, size distribution, specific surface area, friability, flowability and hygroscopicity) and tablets (tensile strength and friability) after twin screw granulation of δ-mannitol. The δ-polymorph was selected since a moisture-induced transformation to β-mannitol was observed during batch wet granulation, which exhibited a unique morphology with a large surface area and improved tabletability. A full factorial experimental design was performed, varying screw speed (400-900rpm), granulation temperature (25-40°C), number of kneading elements (6 or 12) and liquid-to-solid (L/S) ratio, on the granulation unit of a ConsiGma™-25 line (a continuous powder-to-tablet manufacturing system). After tray drying the granules were milled and tableted. The results showed that the polymorphic transition from δ- to β-mannitol also occurred during twin screw granulation, although the residence time and L/S ratios were much lower in continuous twin screw granulation compared to batch processing. However, the polymorphic transition was not complete in all experiments and depended on the L/S ratio, screw speed and number of kneading elements. Nevertheless all granules exhibited the unique morphology linked to the polymorphic transition and had a superior tabletability compared to granules produced with β-mannitol as starting material. This was attributed to enhanced plastic deformation of the granules manufactured using δ-mannitol as starting material. In addition, it was concluded that mannitol was granulated via a different mechanism than other, less-soluble, excipients (e.g. lactose, microcrystalline cellulose) due to its high solubility and dissolution rate as the influence of process parameters on the mannitol granule characteristics was different. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Variation to cause host injury between Russian wheat aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) clones virulent to Dn4 wheat.

PubMed

Shufran, K A; Mornhinweg, D W; Baker, C A; Porter, D R

2007-10-01

Biotypes are infraspecific classifications based on biological rather than morphological characteristics. Cereal aphids are managed primarily by host plant resistance, and they often develop biotypes that injure or kill previously resistant plants. Although molecular genetic variation within aphid biotypes has been well documented, little is known about phenotypic variation, especially virulence or the biotype's ability to cause injury to cultivars with specific resistance genes. Five clones (single maternal lineages) of Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov) (Homoptera: Aphididae), determined to be injurious to wheat, Triticum aestivum L., with the Dn4 gene, were evaluated on resistant and susceptible wheat and barley, Hordeum vulgare L., for their ability to cause chlorosis, reduction in plant height, and reduction in shoot dry weight. Variation to cause injury on resistant 'Halt' wheat, susceptible 'Jagger' wheat, and resistant 'STARS-9301B' barley was found among the Dn4 virulent clones. One clone caused up to 30.0 and 59.5% more reduction in plant height and shoot dry weight, respectively, on resistant Halt than other clones. It also caused up to 29.9 and 55.5% more reduction in plant height and shoot dry weight, respectively, on susceptible Jagger wheat. Although STARS-9301B barley exhibited an equal resistant response to feeding by all five clones based on chlorosis, two clones caused approximately 20% more reduction in plant height and shoot dry weight than three other clones. The most injurious clones on wheat were not the most injurious clones on barley. This is the first report of variation to cause varying degrees of plant damage within an aphid biotype virulent to a single host resistance gene. A single aphid clone may not accurately represent the true virulent nature of a biotype population in the field.

Mercury in the Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans) from the Southern Gulf of California: Tissue Distribution and Inter-Annual Variation (2005-2012).

PubMed

Vega-Sánchez, B; Ortega-García, S; Ruelas-Inzunza, J; Frías-Espericueta, M; Escobar-Sánchez, O; Guzmán-Rendón, J

2017-02-01

With the aim of knowing annual variations of Hg concentrations in muscle and liver of blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) from the southern Gulf of California, fish were collected between 2005 and 2012 in three areas. In general, Hg levels were more elevated in liver than in muscle. Variations of Hg concentrations in muscle and liver among the studied years were not significant. Hg levels in muscle and liver increased significantly with length and weight of fish. In comparison to other studies, Hg levels in muscle and liver were lower. With respect to maximum permissible limits (1.0 µg g -1 wet weight) of Hg in Mexico, the average concentration (1.91 µg g -1 wet weight) in the edible portion (muscle) of blue marlin was over the legal limit; this issue is worth research efforts in relation to the rate of ingestion of this species and the co-occurrence of selenium in the edible portion.

Variation in the relationship between gestational diabetes diagnosis and total gestational weight gain by race/ethnicity.

PubMed

Chakkalakal, Rosette J; Gebretsadik, Tebeb; Jagasia, Shubhada; Shintani, Ayumi; Elasy, Tom A

2015-04-01

Prior research suggests that women diagnosed and treated for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) gain less total gestational weight than normoglycemic women. Our study finds that race/ethnicity modifies this association. Relative to normoglycemic women, non-Hispanic white women with GDM gain less weight but non-Hispanic black and Hispanic women gain more weight. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Variations in costs for the care of low-birth-weight infants among academic hospitals.

PubMed

Herrod, Henry G; Chang, Cyril F; Steinberg, Stephanie S

2010-05-01

To determine the relative role that academic hospitals (AHs) play in providing neonatal care for low-birth-weight infants within a single state and to determine if there are variations in inpatient costs for neonatal services among AHs. Retrospective analysis of hospital costs for low-birth-weight infants. Cases were identified using 2003-2005 data from the Tennessee Hospital Discharge Data System. A specific focus was discharge data from the 5 AHs that support obstetrical residencies and have a neonatal intensive care unit. Cases included all discharged infants with a birth weight of <2500 grams. The 5 AHs discharged 18% of the total normal-birth-weight infants and 30% of the low-birth-weight infants for the entire state. AHs had higher costs associated with these infants than did other hospitals, with a single exception The difference in costs at this hospital was consistent with the finding of lower utilization rates of hospital services, a shorter average length of stay, and lower costs for infants insured by the state Medicaid program. Academic obstetrical hospitals discharged a disproportionately high percentage of low-birth-weight infants compared with other Tennessee hospitals. The lower costs observed in the Shelby County hospital indicates that other hospitals could potentially lower their costs for the care of low-birth-weight infants.

Variational formulation for Black-Scholes equations in stochastic volatility models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gyulov, Tihomir B.; Valkov, Radoslav L.

2012-11-01

In this note we prove existence and uniqueness of weak solutions to a boundary value problem arising from stochastic volatility models in financial mathematics. Our settings are variational in weighted Sobolev spaces. Nevertheless, as it will become apparent our variational formulation agrees well with the stochastic part of the problem.

Variability of uterine blood flow in lactating cows during the second half of gestation.

PubMed

Herzog, Kathrin; Koerte, Juliane; Flachowsky, Gerhard; Bollwein, Heinrich

2011-06-01

The main goal of the present study was to measure uterine blood flow volume (BFV) in the second half of gestation in lactating German Holstein cows. Furthermore, it was investigated, if there are individual variations in uterine blood flow and correlations between uterine blood flow and maternal weight and the birth weight of the calf. Forty-four cows were examined via color Doppler sonography in gestation weeks (GW) 21, 25, 29, 33, 37 and 39. The cows were allocated in groups based on the following variables: body weight (light ≤ 575 kg, heavy > 575 kg) and birth weight of the calf (light ≤ 42 kg, heavy > 42 kg). The BFV was measured via transrectal Doppler sonography of both uterine arteries. There was a linear increase in uterine BFV throughout the study period from 3053 ± 1143 ml/min to 16912 ± 5793 ml/min. Variation coefficients for inter-individual variations ranged from 34 to 37%. There was a moderate correlation between uterine BFV and birth weight of the calf in weeks 21 to 37 (0.30 ≤ r < 0.49; P < 0.05) and a good correlation in week 39 (r = 0.60; P < 0.0001). Uterine BFV in week 21 was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in heavy cows (3394 ± 1119 ml/min) than in light cows (2658 ± 1064 ml/min). Compared with light cows, the increase in uterine BFV was 32% higher in heavy cows during the study period. In week 21, there was no difference (P > 0.05) in uterine BFV between cows carrying a heavy calf (3351 ± 1130 ml/min) and those carrying a light calf (2796 ± 1115 ml/min). Thereafter, the increase of BFV was 43% higher in cows with a heavy calf than in those carrying a light calf. Cows with different body weights, but same birth weight of calf showed no differences (P > 0.05) in the increase of BFV, while in cows with the same body weight the rise in BFV was higher (P < 0.05) in those cows producing a heavy calf compared to cows carrying calves with light birth weights. In conclusion, there was a linear increase in uterine BFV in lactating Holstein cows during the second half of pregnancy with marked individual variations. Differences in the rise of BFV were more caused by the fetus than by body weight of cows. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Compilation of minimum and maximum isotope ratios of selected elements in naturally occurring terrestrial materials and reagents

USGS Publications Warehouse

Coplen, T.B.; Hopple, J.A.; Böhlke, J.K.; Peiser, H.S.; Rieder, S.E.; Krouse, H.R.; Rosman, K.J.R.; Ding, T.; Vocke, R.D.; Revesz, K.M.; Lamberty, A.; Taylor, P.; De Bievre, P.

2002-01-01

Documented variations in the isotopic compositions of some chemical elements are responsible for expanded uncertainties in the standard atomic weights published by the Commission on Atomic Weights and Isotopic Abundances of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. This report summarizes reported variations in the isotopic compositions of 20 elements that are due to physical and chemical fractionation processes (not due to radioactive decay) and their effects on the standard atomic weight uncertainties. For 11 of those elements (hydrogen, lithium, boron, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, silicon, sulfur, chlorine, copper, and selenium), standard atomic weight uncertainties have been assigned values that are substantially larger than analytical uncertainties because of common isotope abundance variations in materials of natural terrestrial origin. For 2 elements (chromium and thallium), recently reported isotope abundance variations potentially are large enough to result in future expansion of their atomic weight uncertainties. For 7 elements (magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, molybdenum, palladium, and tellurium), documented isotope-abundance variations in materials of natural terrestrial origin are too small to have a significant effect on their standard atomic weight uncertainties. This compilation indicates the extent to which the atomic weight of an element in a given material may differ from the standard atomic weight of the element. For most elements given above, data are graphically illustrated by a diagram in which the materials are specified in the ordinate and the compositional ranges are plotted along the abscissa in scales of (1) atomic weight, (2) mole fraction of a selected isotope, and (3) delta value of a selected isotope ratio. There are no internationally distributed isotopic reference materials for the elements zinc, selenium, molybdenum, palladium, and tellurium. Preparation of such materials will help to make isotope ratio measurements among laboratories comparable. The minimum and maximum concentrations of a selected isotope in naturally occurring terrestrial materials for selected chemical elements reviewed in this report are given below: Isotope Minimum mole fraction Maximum mole fraction -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2H 0 .000 0255 0 .000 1838 7Li 0 .9227 0 .9278 11B 0 .7961 0 .8107 13C 0 .009 629 0 .011 466 15N 0 .003 462 0 .004 210 18O 0 .001 875 0 .002 218 26Mg 0 .1099 0 .1103 30Si 0 .030 816 0 .031 023 34S 0 .0398 0 .0473 37Cl 0 .240 77 0 .243 56 44Ca 0 .020 82 0 .020 92 53Cr 0 .095 01 0 .095 53 56Fe 0 .917 42 0 .917 60 65Cu 0 .3066 0 .3102 205Tl 0 .704 72 0 .705 06 The numerical values above have uncertainties that depend upon the uncertainties of the determinations of the absolute isotope-abundance variations of reference materials of the elements. Because reference materials used for absolute isotope-abundance measurements have not been included in relative isotope abundance investigations of zinc, selenium, molybdenum, palladium, and tellurium, ranges in isotopic composition are not listed for these elements, although such ranges may be measurable with state-of-the-art mass spectrometry. This report is available at the url: http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/wri014222.

Post-partum weight change patterns in the WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study.

PubMed

Onyango, Adelheid W; Nommsen-Rivers, Laurie; Siyam, Amani; Borghi, Elaine; de Onis, Mercedes; Garza, Cutberto; Lartey, Anna; Baerug, Anne; Bhandari, Nita; Dewey, Kathryn G; Araújo, Cora Luiza; Mohamed, Ali Jaffer; Van den Broeck, Jan

2011-07-01

The interplay of factors that affect post-partum loss or retention of weight gained during pregnancy is not fully understood. The objective of this paper is to describe patterns of weight change in the six sites of the World Health Organization (WHO) Multicentre Growth Reference Study (MGRS) and explore variables that explain variation in weight change within and between sites. Mothers of 1743 breastfed children enrolled in the MGRS had weights measured at days 7, 14, 28 and 42 post-partum, monthly from 2 to 12 months and bimonthly thereafter until 24 months post-partum. Height, maternal age, parity and employment status were recorded and breastfeeding was monitored throughout the follow-up. Weight change patterns varied significantly among sites. Ghanaian and Omani mothers lost little or gained weight post-partum. In Brazil, India, Norway and USA, mothers on average lost weight during the first year followed by stabilization in the second year. Lactation intensity and duration explained little of the variation in weight change patterns. In most sites, obese mothers tended to lose less weight than normal-weight mothers. In Brazil and Oman, primiparous mothers lost about 1 kg more than multiparous mothers in the first 6 months. In India and Ghana, multiparous mothers lost about 0.6 kg more than primiparas in the second 6 months. Culturally defined mother-care practices probably play a role in weight change patterns among lactating women. This hypothesis should stimulate investigation into gestational weight gain and post-partum losses in different ethnocultural contexts. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

The French version of the Nottingham Health Profile. A comparison of items weights with those of the source version.

PubMed

Bucquet, D; Condon, S; Ritchie, K

1990-01-01

The efficient and reliable assessment of general community health requires the development of comprehensive and parsimonious measures of proven validity. The Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) has been demonstrated to be a reliable indicator of common expressions of discomfort and stress in the general population. The present paper describes its linguistic adaptation into French, the derivation of item weights by Thurstone's method of paired comparisons and the comparison of item weights across various sociodemographic groups. There is more similarity than variation on the valuation of the state of health explored by the NHP between the French and the British population as little inter-cultural or inter-linguistic variations were found. The differences in judgement of severity elicited across sociodemographic groups in the French sample cast some doubts on the relevance of general weights for use in population surveys.

Weighted stacking of seismic AVO data using hybrid AB semblance and local similarity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deng, Pan; Chen, Yangkang; Zhang, Yu; Zhou, Hua-Wei

2016-04-01

The common-midpoint (CMP) stacking technique plays an important role in enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in seismic data processing and imaging. Weighted stacking is often used to improve the performance of conventional equal-weight stacking in further attenuating random noise and handling the amplitude variations in real seismic data. In this study, we propose to use a hybrid framework of combining AB semblance and a local-similarity-weighted stacking scheme. The objective is to achieve an optimal stacking of the CMP gathers with class II amplitude-variation-with-offset (AVO) polarity-reversal anomaly. The selection of high-quality near-offset reference trace is another innovation of this work because of its better preservation of useful energy. Applications to synthetic and field seismic data demonstrate a great improvement using our method to capture the true locations of weak reflections, distinguish thin-bed tuning artifacts, and effectively attenuate random noise.

Behavioural Susceptibility Theory: Professor Jane Wardle and the Role of Appetite in Genetic Risk of Obesity.

PubMed

Llewellyn, Clare H; Fildes, Alison

2017-03-01

There is considerable variability in human body weight, despite the ubiquity of the 'obesogenic' environment. Human body weight has a strong genetic basis and it has been hypothesised that genetic susceptibility to the environment explains variation in human body weight, with differences in appetite being implicated as the mediating mechanism; so-called 'behavioural susceptibility theory' (BST), first described by Professor Jane Wardle. This review summarises the evidence for the role of appetite as a mediator of genetic risk of obesity. Variation in appetitive traits is observable from infancy, drives early weight gain and is highly heritable in infancy and childhood. Obesity-related common genetic variants identified through genome-wide association studies show associations with appetitive traits, and appetite mediates part of the observed association between genetic risk and adiposity. Obesity results from an interaction between genetic susceptibility to overeating and exposure to an 'obesogenic' food environment.

Relationships of birth weight traits with age at first estrus and number of ovulations in Landrace-Duroc-Yorkshire gilts

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Selection for increased litter size has resulted in greater within-litter variation in piglet birth weight and a reduction in litter average birth weight; believed to be associated with intrauterine growth restriction as a result of limitations in uterine capacity. This leads to increased preweaning...

COMPARISON OF HYDROCORTISONE 10 MG TABLETS: TABLET HARDNESS OPTIMISED FOR ADULT USE HAS NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES FOR PAEDIATRIC USE.

PubMed

Saimbi, Sarina; Madden, Valerie; Stirling, Heather; Yahyouche, Asma; Batchelor, Hannah

2016-09-01

Children's medicines are not always readily available as an age appropriate product and manipulation of adult products is often required. Recently the commercial manufacturing process for 10 mg hydrocortisone tablets has changed and the compression force increased due to tablets fracturing on removal from the blister pack. However, this change led to parents of children requiring hydrocortisone reporting that the tablets were more difficult to manipulate.This study evaluated 10 mg hydrocortisone tablets for their suitability for manipulation in order to deliver an appropriate dose to children (2 mg dose). The physical properties of tablets with the old and new compression force were compared as well as the accuracy of obtaining the paediatric dose. The tablets compared were hydrocortisone Auden 10 mg tablets (Brand A, PL16876/002)-these are the newer, harder tablets- and hydrocortisone 10 mg tablets (Brand B, PL17507/0097). Tablet physical properties including friability (Copley FRV200) and tablet hardness (Copley TBF1000) were compared. The accuracy of split doses (halve and quarter tablets) were recorded on a Sartorius analytical balance. The accuracy of the 2 mg paediatric dosing was assessed by crushing the tablet, adding 10 mL of water and extracting 2 mL. The concentration was measured using UV analysis (Jenway Genova Plus) according to a calibration curve (wavelength=246 nm). Two devices were used to crush the tablets: a spoon onto a plate and a commercially available crushing device (Apothecary Ezy Crush Pill Crusher With Ergo Grip). As anticipated Brand A tablets were harder (51.85 ±5.1 N) compared to Brand B (30.99±4.1 N). Brand A tablets passed the friability testing with <1% weight loss whereas Brand B failed as 5 tablets broke during testing.The accuracy of split doses using the score lines to halve and quarter the tablets showed that Brand A were generally better with smaller ranges for both halves (Range for A=41-55%; B=29-70%) and quarters (Range for A=17-35%; B=12-42%) compared to Brand B.The 2 mg dosing accuracy was better for Brand B tablets compared to A and crushing tablets using a commercial device improved the accuracy of dosing for both brands of tablets. When crushing using a spoon the mean dose obtained was 1.3 mg for Brand A and 1.7 mg for Brand B; the commercial crushing device gave values of 1.9 mg for Brand A and 2.1 mg for Brand B. Parents or carers who are required to manipulate 10 mg hydrocortisone tablets to administer a dose to children dispersed in water should be advised to crush the tablet into a fine powder where possible to improve the likelihood of administering an accurate dose. This is particularly important since the introduction of new hydrocortisone Auden tablets which are known to be harder tablets and therefore more force is required to crush these. Some of the experimental work within this project was conducted by Andrew Hackett and Kameron Paul-Thaper whilst at the University of Birmingham on work experience from Arden Sixth Form, Station Rd, Knowle, Solihull, West Midlands, B93 0PT. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Natural Selection on Individual Variation in Tolerance of Gastrointestinal Nematode Infection

PubMed Central

Hayward, Adam D.; Nussey, Daniel H.; Wilson, Alastair J.; Berenos, Camillo; Pilkington, Jill G.; Watt, Kathryn A.; Pemberton, Josephine M.; Graham, Andrea L.

2014-01-01

Hosts may mitigate the impact of parasites by two broad strategies: resistance, which limits parasite burden, and tolerance, which limits the fitness or health cost of increasing parasite burden. The degree and causes of variation in both resistance and tolerance are expected to influence host–parasite evolutionary and epidemiological dynamics and inform disease management, yet very little empirical work has addressed tolerance in wild vertebrates. Here, we applied random regression models to longitudinal data from an unmanaged population of Soay sheep to estimate individual tolerance, defined as the rate of decline in body weight with increasing burden of highly prevalent gastrointestinal nematode parasites. On average, individuals lost weight as parasite burden increased, but whereas some lost weight slowly as burden increased (exhibiting high tolerance), other individuals lost weight significantly more rapidly (exhibiting low tolerance). We then investigated associations between tolerance and fitness using selection gradients that accounted for selection on correlated traits, including body weight. We found evidence for positive phenotypic selection on tolerance: on average, individuals who lost weight more slowly with increasing parasite burden had higher lifetime breeding success. This variation did not have an additive genetic basis. These results reveal that selection on tolerance operates under natural conditions. They also support theoretical predictions for the erosion of additive genetic variance of traits under strong directional selection and fixation of genes conferring tolerance. Our findings provide the first evidence of selection on individual tolerance of infection in animals and suggest practical applications in animal and human disease management in the face of highly prevalent parasites. PMID:25072883

Poster — Thur Eve — 66: Robustness Assessment of a Novel IMRT Planning Method for Lung Radiotherapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ahanj, M.; Bissonnette, J.-P.; Heath, E.

2014-08-15

Conventional radiotherapy treatment planning for lung cancer accounts for tumour motion by increasing the beam apertures. We recently developed an IMRT planning strategy which uses reduced beam apertures in combination with an edge enhancing boost of 110% of the prescription dose to the volume that corresponds to the portion of the CTV that moves outside of the reduced beam. Previous results showed that this approach ensures target coverage while reducing lung dose. In the current study, we evaluate the robustness of this boost volume approach to changes in respiratory motion, including amplitude and phase weight variations. ITV and boost volumemore » plans were generated for 5 NSCLC patients with respiratory motion amplitudes ranging from 1 to 2 cm. A standard 5mm PTV margin was used for all plans. The ORBIT treatment planning tool was used to plan and accumulate dose over 10 respiratory phases defined by the 4DCT datasets. For the phase weight variation study, dose was accumulated for three scenarios: equally-weighted-phases, higher weight assigned to exhale phases and higher weight assigned to inhale phases. For the amplitude variation study, a numerical phantom was used to generate 4DCT datasets corresponding to 7 mm, 10 mm and 14 mm motion amplitudes. Preliminary results found that delivered plans for all phase weight scenarios were clinically acceptable. When normalized to mean lung dose, the boost volume plan delivered 5% more dose to the CTV which indicates the potential for dose escalation using this approach.« less

Development of nonflammable cellulosic foams

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Luttinger, M.

1972-01-01

The development of a moldable cellulosic foam for use in Skylab instrument storage cushions is considered. Requirements include density of 10 lb cu ft or less, minimal friability with normal handling, and nonflammability in an atmosphere of 70 percent oxygen and 30 percent nitrogen at 6.2 psia. A study of halogenated foam components was made, including more highly chlorinated binders, halogen-containing additives, and halogenation of the cellulose. The immediate objective was to reduce the density of the foam through reduction in inorganic phosphate without sacrificing flame-retarding properties of the foams. The use of frothing techniques was investigated, with particular emphasis on a urea-formaldehyde foam. Halogen-containing flame retardants were deemphasized in favor of inorganic salts and the preparation of phosphate and sulphate esters of cellulose. Utilization of foam products for civilian applications was also considered.

Effects of seed weight and rate of emergence on early growth of open-pollinated Douglas-fir families.

Treesearch

J.B. St. Clair; W.T. Adams

1991-01-01

Seed weight, time of emergence, and three measures of seedling size were recorded for 39 open-pollinated Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii[Mirb.] Franco) families in order to assess family variation in seed weight and emergence, and the influence of these seed traits on early growth. Families were planted both...

Genetic Variation in Seed and Fruit Characters in Sugar Maple

Treesearch

William J. Gabriel

1978-01-01

A study of the seeds and fruits of sugar maples from 32 provenances has shown that: (1) dry weight of seed and percentage of filled fruit varied genetically among and within provenances; (2) dry weight of seed and latitude of provenance are positively correlated; provenances from higher latitudes and colder temperatures exhibited higher weights; (3) the percentage of...

Individual variation in growth in sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenck) housed individually

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, Miao; Dong, Shuanglin; Gao, Qinfeng; Wang, Fang; Tian, Xiangli

2010-09-01

The exceptionally large individual growth variation has been previously recognized in several sea cucumber cohorts. However, there is a lack of information regarding the mechanism of such individual differences. In this study, the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) was reared individually in order to eliminate possible effects of social interaction, stocking density, etc. The results showed that there were substantial differences in growth among the sea cucumber individuals during the 100-day experiment. The special growth rate of the sea cucumber individuals differed by up to three folds (from 0.40% to 1.01%), and the coefficient of variation in body weight increased from 12.04% to 40.51%. The final wet body weight, food intake and food conversion efficiency for each sea cucumber were generally positively correlated with their initial wet body weight ( P<0.05). Energy budget of the animals showed that the food energy spent on respiration was much greater (about four folds) but energy deposited for growth was much less for (initially) smaller than for larger A. japonicus. The present result implies that there are obvious genetic differences among the sea cucumber individuals, largely accounting for the individual growth variation of the cohort sea cucumber. These results will provide some basic data for promoting selective breeding and farming of the sea cucumber.

Seasonal variation of lipid-lowering effects of complex spa therapy.

PubMed

Strauss-Blasche, G; Ekmekcioglu, C; Leibetseder, V; Marktl, W

2003-04-01

It has been shown that spa therapy has a lipid-lowering effect. Also, seasonal variations in spa therapy effects have been found for some outcome measures. The aim of the present study is to investigate whether the lipid-lowering effects of spa therapy as a complex health intervention also are subject to seasonal variation. The effect of 3-week resident spa therapy at the Austrian spa Bad Tatzmannsdorf was studied in 395 patients with moderate musculoskeletal chronic pain over a time of 2 years. Spa therapy included balneotherapy, exercise therapy, and dietary measures. Total cholesterol (CHOL), HDL, LDL, triglycerides (TG), and the CHOL/HDL ratio were assessed at the beginning and end of therapy. Spa therapy was associated with a decrease of CHOL, HDL, and LDL (p < 0.001). TG and CHOL/HDL did not change. The decrease of lipids was smaller for older patients, females, and normal weight individuals. CHOL decrease showed a seasonal variation independent of weight loss (p = 0.04), being largest in fall (-6.1%) and smallest in spring (-2.4%). CHOL and CHOL/HDL for obese individuals showed the greatest decrease in winter (-10% for CHOL, -9% for CHOL/HDL ratio), whereas corresponding measures increased for normal-weight subjects. The lipid-lowering effect of spa therapy could be confirmed; it is partly moderated by season. The results suggest that the effect of some components of spa therapy such as exercise therapy, diet, and relaxation may be subject to seasonal variation. Copyright 2003 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg

Relationship Between Gender, Age, and Weight and the Serum Ionized Calcium Variations in Dog Periodontal Disease Evolution.

PubMed

Carreira, L Miguel; Dias, Daniela; Azevedo, Pedro

2015-06-01

To analyze the relationships between gender, age, weight, and variations in the levels of serum ionized calcium ([iCa(2+)]) during periodontal disease (PD) evolution. In this study, dogs (n = 50) were divided into 5 groups according to the stage of PD: G0 (no PD), G1 (gingivitis), G2 (initial periodontitis), G3 (moderate periodontitis), and G4 (severe periodontitis). Statistically significant correlations were observed between age, [iCa(2+)] levels, and PD stage. Older dogs had lower [iCa(2+)] levels and more advanced PD stages (high positive correlation), and their body weight decreased as PD developed (negative correlation). Lower [iCa(2+)] values were associated with more severe PD. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Measurement and Characterization of Helicopter Noise at Different Altitudes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Watts, Michael E.; Greenwood, Eric; Stephenson, James

2016-01-01

This paper presents an overview of a flight test campaign performed at different test sites whose altitudes ranged from 0 to 7000 feet above mean sea level (AMSL) between September 2014 and February 2015. The purposes of this campaign were to: investigate the effects of altitude variation on noise generation, investigate the effects of gross weight variation on noise generation, establish the statistical variability in acoustic flight testing of helicopters, and characterize the effects of transient maneuvers on radiated noise for a medium-lift utility helicopter. In addition to describing the test campaign, results of the acoustic effects of altitude variation for the AS350 SD1 and EH-60L aircraft are presented. Large changes in acoustic amplitudes were observed in response to changes in ambient conditions when the helicopter was flown at constant indicated airspeed and gross weight at the three test sites. However, acoustic amplitudes were found to scale with ambient pressure when flight conditions were defined in terms of the non-dimensional parameters, such as the weight coefficient and effective hover tip Mach number.

The Seasonal Periodicity of Healthy Contemplations About Exercise and Weight Loss: Ecological Correlational Study.

PubMed

Madden, Kenneth Michael

2017-12-13

Lack of physical activity and weight gain are two of the biggest drivers of health care costs in the United States. Healthy contemplations are required before any changes in behavior, and a recent study has shown that they have underlying periodicities. The aim of this study was to examine seasonal variations in state-by-state interest in both weight loss and increasing physical activity, and how these variations were associated with geographic latitude using Google Trends search data for the United States. Internet search query data were obtained from Google Trends (2004-2016). Time series analysis (every 2 weeks) was performed to determine search volume (normalized to overall search intensity). Seasonality was determined both by the difference in search volumes between winter (December, January, and February) and summer (June, July, and August) months and by the amplitude of cosinor analysis. Exercise-related searches were highest during the winter months, whereas weight loss contemplations showed a biphasic pattern (peaking in the summer and winter months). The magnitude of the seasonal difference increased with increasing latitude for both exercise (R 2 =.45, F 1,49 =40.09, beta=-.671, standard deviation [SD]=0.106, P<.001) and weight loss (R 2 =.24, F 1,49 =15.79, beta=-.494, SD=0.124, P<.001) searches. Healthy contemplations follow specific seasonal patterns, with the highest contemplations surrounding exercise during the winter months, and weight loss contemplations peaking during both winter and summer seasons. Knowledge of seasonal variations in passive contemplations may potentially allow for more efficient use of public health campaign resources. ©Kenneth Michael Madden. Originally published in JMIR Public Health and Surveillance (http://publichealth.jmir.org), 13.12.2017.

Estimating geographic variation on allometric growth and body condition of Blue Suckers with quantile regression

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cade, B.S.; Terrell, J.W.; Neely, B.C.

2011-01-01

Increasing our understanding of how environmental factors affect fish body condition and improving its utility as a metric of aquatic system health require reliable estimates of spatial variation in condition (weight at length). We used three statistical approaches that varied in how they accounted for heterogeneity in allometric growth to estimate differences in body condition of blue suckers Cycleptus elongatus across 19 large-river locations in the central USA. Quantile regression of an expanded allometric growth model provided the most comprehensive estimates, including variation in exponents within and among locations (range = 2.88–4.24). Blue suckers from more-southerly locations had the largest exponents. Mixed-effects mean regression of a similar expanded allometric growth model allowed exponents to vary among locations (range = 3.03–3.60). Mean relative weights compared across selected intervals of total length (TL = 510–594 and 594–692 mm) in a multiplicative model involved the implicit assumption that allometric exponents within and among locations were similar to the exponent (3.46) for the standard weight equation. Proportionate differences in the quantiles of weight at length for adult blue suckers (TL = 510, 594, 644, and 692 mm) compared with their average across locations ranged from 1.08 to 1.30 for southern locations (Texas, Mississippi) and from 0.84 to 1.00 for northern locations (Montana, North Dakota); proportionate differences for mean weight ranged from 1.13 to 1.17 and from 0.87 to 0.95, respectively, and those for mean relative weight ranged from 1.10 to 1.18 and from 0.86 to 0.98, respectively. Weights for fish at longer lengths varied by 600–700 g within a location and by as much as 2,000 g among southern and northern locations. Estimates for the Wabash River, Indiana (0.96–1.07 times the average; greatest increases for lower weights at shorter TLs), and for the Missouri River from Blair, Nebraska, to Sioux City, Iowa (0.90–1.00 times the average; greatest decreases for lower weights at longer TLs), were examined in detail to explain the additional information provided by quantile estimates.

Direct measurement of the resistivity weighting function

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koon, D. W.; Chan, Winston K.

1998-12-01

We have directly measured the resistivity weighting function—the sensitivity of a four-wire resistance measurement to local variations in resistivity—for a square specimen of photoconducting material. This was achieved by optically perturbing the local resistivity of the specimen while measuring the effect of this perturbation on its four-wire resistance. The weighting function we measure for a square geometry with electrical leads at its corners agrees well with calculated results, displaying two symmetric regions of negative weighting which disappear when van der Pauw averaging is performed.

Spruce budworm weight and fecundity: means, frequency distributions, and correlations for two populations (Lepidoptera: tortricidae)

Treesearch

Nancy Lorimer; Leah S. Bauer

1983-01-01

Pupal weights and fecundities of spruce budworm from Minnesota had different means, coefficients of variation, and frequency distributions than spruce budworm from New Hampshire. The two variables were correlated in one of the populations but not the other.

Genomic Heritability of Beef Cattle Growth

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Calf weights were examined to determine association between high-density SNP genotypes and growth, in order to estimate additive genetic variation explained by SNP. Data taken from Cycle VII of the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center Germplasm Evaluation Project included birth weight (BWT), 205-d adju...

The relative effects of entry parameters on thermal protection system weight. [space shuttle orbiters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hirasaki, P. N.

1971-01-01

Shielding a spacecraft from the severe thermal environment of an atmospheric entry requires a sophisticated thermal protection system (TPS). Thermal computer program models were developed for two such TPS designs proposed for the space shuttle orbiter. The multilayer systems, a reusable surface insulation TPS, and a re-radiative metallic skin TPS, were sized for a cross-section of trajectories in the entry corridor. This analysis indicates the relative influence of the entry parameters on the weight of each TPS concept. The results are summarized graphically. The trajectory variables considered were down-range, cross-range, orbit inclination, entry interface velocity and flight path angle, maximum heating rate level, angle of attack, and ballistic coefficient. Variations in cross-range and flight path angle over the ranges considered had virtually no effect on the required entry TPS weight. The TPS weight was significantly more sensitive to variations in angle of attack than to dispersions in the other trajectory considered.

SU-F-T-345: Quasi-Dead Beams: Clinical Relevance and Implications for Automatic Planning

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Price, R; Veltchev, I; Lin, T

Purpose: Beam direction selection for fixed-beam IMRT planning is typically a manual process. Severe dose-volume limits on critical structures in the thorax often result in atypical selection of beam directions as compared to other body sites. This work demonstrates the potential consequences as well as clinical relevance. Methods: 21 thoracic cases treated with 5–7 beam directions, 6 cases including non-coplanar arrangements, with fractional doses of 150–411cGy were analyzed. Endpoints included per-beam modulation scaling factor (MSF), variation from equal weighting, and delivery QA passing rate. Results: During analysis of patient-specific delivery QA a sub-standard passing rate was found for a singlemore » 5-field plan (90.48% of pixels evaluated passing 3% dose, 3mm DTA). During investigation it was found that a single beam demonstrated a MSF of 34.7 and contributed only 2.7% to the mean dose of the target. In addition, the variation from equal weighting for this beam was 17.3% absolute resulting in another beam with a MSF of 4.6 contributing 41.9% to the mean dose to the target; a variation of 21.9% from equal weighting. The average MSF for the remaining 20 cases was 4.0 (SD 1.8) with an average absolute deviation of 2.8% from equal weighting (SD 3.1%). Conclusion: Optimization in commercial treatment planning systems typically results in relatively equally weighted beams. Extreme variation from this can result in excessively high MSFs (very small segments) and potential decreases in agreement between planned and delivered dose distributions. In addition, the resultant beam may contribute minimal dose to the target (quasi-dead beam); a byproduct being increased treatment time and associated localization uncertainties. Potential ramifications exist for automatic planning algorithms should they allow for user-defined beam directions. Additionally, these quasi-dead beams may be embedded in the libraries for model-based systems potentially resulting in inefficient and less accurate deliveries.« less

Dose uniformity of scored and unscored tablets: Application of the FDA Tablet Scoring Guidance for Industry.

PubMed

Ciavarella, Anthony; Khan, Mansoor; Gupta, Abhay; Faustino, Patrick

2016-06-20

This FDA laboratory study examines the impact of tablet splitting, the effect of tablet splitters, and the presence of a tablet score on the dose uniformity of two model drugs. Whole tablets were purchased from five manufacturers for amlodipine and six for gabapentin. Two splitters were used for each drug product and the gabapentin tablets were also split by hand. Whole and split amlodipine tablets were tested for content uniformity following the general chapter of the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Uniformity of Dosage Units <905>, which is a requirement of the new FDA Guidance for Industry on tablet scoring. The USP weight variation method was used for gabapentin split tablets based on the recommendation of the guidance. All whole tablets met the USP acceptance criteria for the Uniformity of Dosage Units. Variation in whole tablet content ranged from 0.5-2.1 standard deviation (SD) of the % label claim. Splitting the unscored amlodipine tablets resulted in a significant increase in dose variability of 6.5-25.4 SD when compared to whole tablets. Split tablets from all amlodipine drug products did not meet the USP acceptance criteria for content uniformity. Variation in the weight for gabapentin split tablets was greater than the whole tablets, ranging from 1.3-9.3 SD. All fully scored gabapentin products met the USP acceptance criteria for weight variation. Size, shape, and the presence or absence of a tablet score can affect the content uniformity and weight variation of amlodipine and gabapentin tablets. Tablet splitting produced higher variability. Differences in dose variability and fragmentation were observed between tablet splitters and hand splitting. These results are consistent with the FDA's concerns that tablet splitting "can affect how much drug is present in the split tablet and available for absorption" as stated in the guidance (1). Copyright © 2016, Parenteral Drug Association.

A prospective study of dietary intakes and influential factors from pregnancy to postpartum on maternal weight retention in Taipei, Taiwan.

PubMed

Lyu, Li-Ching; Lo, Chaio-Chen; Chen, Heng-Fei; Wang, Chia-Yu; Liu, Dou-Ming

2009-12-01

Excessive gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention are risk factors for female obesity. The present study was to examine dietary intakes and weight history from a prospective follow-up study from early pregnancy to 1 year postpartum. A total of 151 pregnant women within 20 weeks of pregnancy in Taipei, Taiwan were interviewed periodically to collect dietary and lifestyle information. The participants had an average age of 30 years and the average gestational weight gain was 14 kg, with an average daily intake of 7830 kJ (1870 kcal) in the 1 year following parturition. By bivariate analyses, maternal age, pre-pregnancy BMI and breast-feeding were not related to postpartum weight retention, but gestational weight gain had significant positive correlations (r 0.54 at 6 months, r 0.44 at 1 year; P < 0.05). The generalised estimating equations showed that the average weight before pregnancy, at 6 months and 1 year postpartum was 53.35 kg, 55.75 kg (weight retention 2.36 kg; P < 0.01) and 54.75 kg (weight retention 1.48 kg; P < 0.01), respectively. After controlling for age, pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain and parity, we found at 6 months that the adjusted weight retention at postpartum was 0.79 kg (P < 0.01), but at 1 year it was - 0.08 kg (P>0.05). From multivariate analyses, dietary energy intake and energy intake per kg body weight as a long-term physical activity index could explain 24 % of the variation at 6 months and 27 % of the variation at 1 year in postpartum weight retention. These results suggest that pregnant women should be advised to control gestational weight gain, decrease energy intakes after child-bearing and maintain regular exercise in order to prevent postpartum obesity.

Automated parton-shower variations in PYTHIA 8

DOE PAGES

Mrenna, S.; Skands, P.

2016-10-03

In the era of precision physics measurements at the LHC, efficient and exhaustive estimations of theoretical uncertainties play an increasingly crucial role. In the context of Monte Carlo (MC) event generators, the estimation of such uncertainties traditionally requires independent MC runs for each variation, for a linear increase in total run time. In this work, we report on an automated evaluation of the dominant (renormalization-scale and nonsingular) perturbative uncertainties in the pythia 8 event generator, with only a modest computational overhead. Each generated event is accompanied by a vector of alternative weights (one for each uncertainty variation), with each set separatelymore » preserving the total cross section. Explicit scale-compensating terms can be included, reflecting known coefficients of higher-order splitting terms and reducing the effect of the variations. In conclusion, the formalism also allows for the enhancement of rare partonic splittings, such as g→bb¯ and q→qγ, to obtain weighted samples enriched in these splittings while preserving the correct physical Sudakov factors.« less

Minimizing the Sum of Completion Times with Resource Dependant Times

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yedidsion, Liron; Shabtay, Dvir; Kaspi, Moshe

2008-10-01

We extend the classical minimization sum of completion times problem to the case where the processing times are controllable by allocating a nonrenewable resource. The quality of a solution is measured by two different criteria. The first criterion is the sum of completion times and the second is the total weighted resource consumption. We consider four different problem variations for treating the two criteria. We prove that this problem is NP-hard for three of the four variations even if all resource consumption weights are equal. However, somewhat surprisingly, the variation of minimizing the integrated objective function is solvable in polynomial time. Although the sum of completion times is arguably the most important scheduling criteria, the complexity of this problem, up to this paper, was an open question for three of the four variations. The results of this research have various implementations, including efficient battery usage on mobile devices such as mobile computer, phones and GPS devices in order to prolong their battery duration.

Childhood obesity, thyroid function, and insulin resistance – is there a link? A longitudinal study.

PubMed

Santos, Maria Inês; Limbert, Catarina; Marques, Filipa Carlota; Rosário, Frederico; Lopes, Lurdes

2015-05-01

Serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels are frequently elevated in obese children and are most likely to be associated with insulin resistance. However, clinical relevance of this association remains unclear. To assess the prevalence of hyperthyrotropinemia; to analyze the relationship between TSH and homeostasis model assessment - insulin resistance (HOMA-IR); and to verify whether TSH levels and HOMA-IR vary with weight loss in obese children. Retrospective longitudinal study with data from baseline and 1 year after lifestyle intervention in a pediatric obese group (344 children were recruited and 100 among them completed follow-up). For postintervention analysis, three groups were considered according to body mass index-standard deviation score (BMI-SDS) variations: ≤-0.5 (significant weight loss); 0.5-0 (weight loss); and >0 (weight gain). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 19.0®. The prevalence of increased TSH levels was 9.3%. At baseline TSH (p=0.007), fT4 (p=0.006), and HOMA-IR (p<0.001) were positively correlated to BMI-SDS (n=344). Weight reduction was verified in 67 out of 100 cases but significant loss was present in only 21 cases. Decreases in both TSH and BMI-SDS were independently associated with decreases in HOMA-IR (p=0.005 and p=0.016, respectively). There was no correlation between TSH and BMI-SDS variation. Significant decreases in the HOMA-IR (p=0.006) were only achieved in the significant weight loss group. The prevalence of hyperthyrotropinemia was lower than previously reported. However, cutoff values were adjusted to pubertal stage, suggesting an over report in other studies. Insulin resistance and TSH were positively correlated, independent of body status. Although weight loss was not associated with TSH variation, a decrease in TSH levels was independently associated with decreases in HOMA-IR.

[Comprehensive weighted recognition method for hydrological abrupt change: With the runoff series of Jiajiu hydrological station in Lancang River as an example].

PubMed

Gu, Hai Ting; Xie, Ping; Sang, Yan Fang; Wu, Zi Yi

2018-04-01

Abrupt change is an important manifestation of hydrological process with dramatic variation in the context of global climate change, the accurate recognition of which has great significance to understand hydrological process changes and carry out the actual hydrological and water resources works. The traditional method is not reliable at both ends of the samples. The results of the methods are often inconsistent. In order to solve the problem, we proposed a comprehensive weighted recognition method for hydrological abrupt change based on weighting by comparing of 12 commonly used methods for testing change points. The reliability of the method was verified by Monte Carlo statistical test. The results showed that the efficiency of the 12 methods was influenced by the factors including coefficient of variation (Cv), deviation coefficient (Cs) before the change point, mean value difference coefficient, Cv difference coefficient and Cs difference coefficient, but with no significant relationship with the mean value of the sequence. Based on the performance of each method, the weight of each test method was given following the results from statistical test. The sliding rank sum test method and the sliding run test method had the highest weight, whereas the RS test method had the lowest weight. By this means, the change points with the largest comprehensive weight could be selected as the final result when the results of the different methods were inconsistent. This method was used to analyze the daily maximum sequence of Jiajiu station in the lower reaches of the Lancang River (1-day, 3-day, 5-day, 7-day and 1-month). The results showed that each sequence had obvious jump variation in 2004, which was in agreement with the physical causes of hydrological process change and water conservancy construction. The rationality and reliability of the proposed method was verified.

Influence of weight and type of planting material on fruit quality and its heterogeneity in pineapple [Ananas comosus (L.) Merrill].

PubMed

Fassinou Hotegni, V Nicodème; Lommen, Willemien J M; Agbossou, Euloge K; Struik, Paul C

2014-01-01

Cultural practices can affect the quality of pineapple fruits and its variation. The objectives of this study were to investigate (a) effects of weight class and type of planting material on fruit quality, heterogeneity in quality and proportion and yield of fruits meeting European export standards, and (b) the improvement in quality, proportion and yield of fruits meeting export standards when flowering was induced at optimum time. Experiments were conducted in Benin with cvs Sugarloaf (a Perola type) and Smooth Cayenne. In cv. Sugarloaf, experimental factors were weight class of planting material (light, mixed, heavy) and time of flowering induction (farmers', optimum) (Experiment 1). In cv. Smooth Cayenne an additional experimental factor was the type of planting material (hapas, ground suckers, a mixture of the two) (Experiment 2). Fruits from heavy planting material had higher infructescence and fruit weights, longer infructescences, shorter crowns, and smaller crown: infructescence length than fruits from light planting material. The type of planting material in Experiment 2 did not significantly affect fruit quality except crown length: fruits from hapas had shorter crowns than those from ground suckers. Crops from heavy planting material had a higher proportion and yield of fruits meeting export standards than those from other weight classes in Experiment 1 only; also the type of planting material in Experiment 2 did not affect these variates. Heterogeneity in fruit quality was usually not reduced by selecting only light or heavy planting material instead of mixing weights; incidentally the coefficient of variation was significantly reduced in fruits from heavy slips only. Heterogeneity was also not reduced by not mixing hapas and ground suckers. Flowering induction at optimum time increased the proportion and yield of fruits meeting export standards in fruits from light and mixed slip weights and in those from the mixture of heavy hapas plus ground suckers.

Influence of weight and type of planting material on fruit quality and its heterogeneity in pineapple [Ananas comosus (L.) Merrill

PubMed Central

Fassinou Hotegni, V. Nicodème; Lommen, Willemien J. M.; Agbossou, Euloge K.; Struik, Paul C.

2015-01-01

Cultural practices can affect the quality of pineapple fruits and its variation. The objectives of this study were to investigate (a) effects of weight class and type of planting material on fruit quality, heterogeneity in quality and proportion and yield of fruits meeting European export standards, and (b) the improvement in quality, proportion and yield of fruits meeting export standards when flowering was induced at optimum time. Experiments were conducted in Benin with cvs Sugarloaf (a Perola type) and Smooth Cayenne. In cv. Sugarloaf, experimental factors were weight class of planting material (light, mixed, heavy) and time of flowering induction (farmers', optimum) (Experiment 1). In cv. Smooth Cayenne an additional experimental factor was the type of planting material (hapas, ground suckers, a mixture of the two) (Experiment 2). Fruits from heavy planting material had higher infructescence and fruit weights, longer infructescences, shorter crowns, and smaller crown: infructescence length than fruits from light planting material. The type of planting material in Experiment 2 did not significantly affect fruit quality except crown length: fruits from hapas had shorter crowns than those from ground suckers. Crops from heavy planting material had a higher proportion and yield of fruits meeting export standards than those from other weight classes in Experiment 1 only; also the type of planting material in Experiment 2 did not affect these variates. Heterogeneity in fruit quality was usually not reduced by selecting only light or heavy planting material instead of mixing weights; incidentally the coefficient of variation was significantly reduced in fruits from heavy slips only. Heterogeneity was also not reduced by not mixing hapas and ground suckers. Flowering induction at optimum time increased the proportion and yield of fruits meeting export standards in fruits from light and mixed slip weights and in those from the mixture of heavy hapas plus ground suckers. PMID:25653659

Supportive decision making at the point of care: refinement of a case-based reasoning application for use in nursing practice.

PubMed

DI Pietro, Tammie L; Doran, Diane M; McArthur, Gregory

2010-01-01

Variations in nursing care have been observed, affecting patient outcomes and quality of care. Case-based reasoners that benchmark for patient indicators can reduce variation through decision support. This study evaluated and validated a case-based reasoning application to establish benchmarks for nursing-sensitive patient outcomes of pain, fatigue, and toilet use, using patient characteristic variables for generating similar cases. Three graduate nursing students participated. Each ranked 25 patient cases using demographics of age, sex, diagnosis, and comorbidities against 10 patients from a database. Participant judgments of case similarity were compared with the case-based reasoning system. Feature weights for each indicator were adjusted to make the case-based reasoning system's similarity ranking correspond more closely to participant judgment. Small differences were noted between initial weights and weights generated from participants. For example, initial weight for comorbidities was 0.35, whereas weights generated by participants for pain, fatigue, and toilet use were 0.49, 0.42, and 0.48, respectively. For the same outcomes, the initial weight for sex was 0.15, but weights generated by the participants were 0.025, 0.002, and 0.000, respectively. Refinement of the case-based reasoning tool established valid benchmarks for patient outcomes in relation to participants and assisted in point-of-care decision making.

Evolutionary Games in Multi-Agent Systems of Weighted Social Networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Du, Wen-Bo; Cao, Xian-Bin; Zheng, Hao-Ran; Zhou, Hong; Hu, Mao-Bin

Much empirical evidence has shown realistic networks are weighted. Compared with those on unweighted networks, the dynamics on weighted network often exhibit distinctly different phenomena. In this paper, we investigate the evolutionary game dynamics (prisoner's dilemma game and snowdrift game) on a weighted social network consisted of rational agents and focus on the evolution of cooperation in the system. Simulation results show that the cooperation level is strongly affected by the weighted nature of the network. Moreover, the variation of time series has also been investigated. Our work may be helpful in understanding the cooperative behavior in the social systems.

Anesthetic management with scalp nerve block and propofol/remifentanil infusion during awake craniotomy in an adolescent patient -A case report-

PubMed Central

Sung, Bohyun; Park, Jin-Woo; Byon, Hyo-Jin; Kim, Jin-Tae; Kim, Chong Sung

2010-01-01

Despite of various neurophysiologic monitoring methods under general anesthesia, functional mapping at awake state during brain surgery is helpful for conservation of speech and motor function. But, awake craniotomy in children or adolescents is worrisome considering their emotional friabilities. We present our experience on anesthetic management for awake craniotomy in an adolescent patient. The patient was 16 years old male who would undergo awake craniotomy for removal of brain tumor. Scalp nerve block was done with local anesthetics and we infused propofol and remifentanil with target controlled infusion. The patient endured well and was cooperative before scalp suture, but when surgeon sutured scalp, he complained of pain and was suddenly agitated. We decided change to general anesthesia. Neurosurgeon did full neurologic examinations and there was no neurologic deficit except facial palsy of right side. Facial palsy had improved with time. PMID:21286435

Powder and compaction characteristics of pregelatinized starches.

PubMed

Rojas, J; Uribe, Y; Zuluaga, A

2012-06-01

Pregelatinized starch is widely used as a pharmaceutical aid, especially as a filler-binder. It is known that the tableting performance of excipients could be affected by their source. The aim of this study was to evaluate the powder and tableting properties of pregelatinized starches obtained from yucca, corn and rice and compare those properties with those of Starch 1500. This material had the lowest particle size, and porosity and largest density and best flow. However, yucca starch and corn starch showed an irregular granule morphology, better compactibility and compressibility than Starch 1500. Their onset of plastic deformation and their strain rate sensitivity was comparable to that of Starch 1500. These two materials showed compact disintegration slower that Starch 1500. Conversely, rice starch showed a high elasticity, and friability, low compactibility, which are undesirable for direct compression. This study demonstrated the potential use of pregelatinized starches, especially those obtained from yucca and corn as direct compression filler-binders.

FG90 chitosan as a new polymer for metronidazole mucoadhesive tablets for vaginal administration.

PubMed

Perioli, Luana; Ambrogi, Valeria; Pagano, Cinzia; Scuota, Stefania; Rossi, Carlo

2009-07-30

Topical administration of the antibacterial metronidazole (MET) represents the most common therapy in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV). The formulations generally available for BV therapy are creams, gels, vaginal lavages and vaginal suppositories. In this study, a new dosage form, containing MET, was developed with the aim to realize vaginal mucoadhesive tablets by including bioadhesive polymers as chitosan (FG90C), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVPK90) and polycarbophil (PCPAA1), blended in different ratios. All formulations were characterized by studies of DSC, friability, hardness, hydration, mucoadhesion, in vitro release and antibacterial activity. All polymer mixtures employed were used to prepare tablets with the compactness and hardness so as allow the application on vaginal mucosa. FG90C performances improved in particular when mixed to PVPK90 (1:1 ratio). This kind of delivery system is suitable for formulating MET for topical application representing a good alternative to traditional dosage forms for vaginal topical administration.

Comparison of neurofuzzy logic and decision trees in discovering knowledge from experimental data of an immediate release tablet formulation.

PubMed

Shao, Q; Rowe, R C; York, P

2007-06-01

Understanding of the cause-effect relationships between formulation ingredients, process conditions and product properties is essential for developing a quality product. However, the formulation knowledge is often hidden in experimental data and not easily interpretable. This study compares neurofuzzy logic and decision tree approaches in discovering hidden knowledge from an immediate release tablet formulation database relating formulation ingredients (silica aerogel, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethylcellulose) and process variables (dwell time and compression force) to tablet properties (tensile strength, disintegration time, friability, capping and drug dissolution at various time intervals). Both approaches successfully generated useful knowledge in the form of either "if then" rules or decision trees. Although different strategies are employed by the two approaches in generating rules/trees, similar knowledge was discovered in most cases. However, as decision trees are not able to deal with continuous dependent variables, data discretisation procedures are generally required.

Enabling the Tablet Product Development of 5-Fluorocytosine by Conjugate Acid Base Cocrystals.

PubMed

Perumalla, Sathyanarayana R; Paul, Shubhajit; Sun, Changquan C

2016-06-01

5-Fluorocytosine (FC) is a high-dose antifungal drug that challenges the development of a tablet product due to poor solid-state stability and tabletability. Using 2 pharmaceutically acceptable conjugate acid base (CAB) cocrystals of FC with HCl and acesulfame, we have developed commercially viable high loading FC tablets. The tablets were prepared by direct compression using nano-coated microcrystalline cellulose Avicel PH105 as a tablet binder, which provided both excellent tabletability and good flowability. Commercial manufacturability of formulations based on both CAB cocrystals was verified on a compaction simulator. The results from an expedited friability study were used to set the compaction force, which yielded tablets with sufficient mechanical strength and rapid tablet disintegration. This work demonstrates the potential value of CAB cocrystals in drug product development. Copyright © 2016 American Pharmacists Association®. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Systematic evaluation of common lubricants for optimal use in tablet formulation.

PubMed

Paul, Shubhajit; Sun, Changquan Calvin

2018-05-30

As an essential formulation component for large-scale tablet manufacturing, the lubricant preserves tooling by reducing die-wall friction. Unfortunately, lubrication also often results in adverse effects on tablet characteristics, such as prolonged disintegration, slowed dissolution, and reduced mechanical strength. Therefore, the choice of lubricant and its optimal concentration in a tablet formulation is a critical decision in tablet formulation development to attain low die-wall friction while minimizing negative impact on other tablet properties. Three commercially available tablet lubricants, i.e., magnesium stearate, sodium stearyl fumerate, and stearic acid, were systematically investigated in both plastic and brittle matrices to elucidate their effects on reducing die-wall friction, tablet strength, tablet hardness, tablet friability, and tablet disintegration kinetics. Clear understanding of the lubrication efficiency of commonly used lubricants as well as their impact on tablet characteristics would help future tablet formulation efforts. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A cost of alarm pheromone production in cotton aphids, Aphis gossypii

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Byers, John A.

2005-02-01

The sesquiterpene, (E)-β-farnesene, is used by many aphid species as an alarm pheromone to warn related individuals of predation. Disturbed cotton aphids, Aphis gossypii Glover, released (E)-β-farnesene into the air as detected by solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC MS). Solvent extracts of cotton aphids of various life stages and weights also were analyzed by GC MS for sums of ions 69 and 93, which discriminated (E)-β-farnesene from coeluting compounds. Aphids of all life stages and sizes reared on cotton plants in both an environmental chamber and glasshouse contained (E)-β-farnesene in amounts ranging from 0.1 to 1.5 ng per individual. The quantities of (E)-β-farnesene in aphids increased in relation to increasing body weight, and variation in individual weights explained about 82% of the variation in alarm pheromone. However, the concentrations (ng/mg fresh weight) declined exponentially with increasing body weight. These findings indicate that aphid nymphs try to compensate for their smaller size by producing relatively more pheromone per weight than adults but still cannot approach an evolutionary optimal load, as assumed in adults with the greatest total amounts. This suggests that young aphids need to balance costs of growth and maturation with costs of producing the alarm pheromone.

Body weight and dysautonomia in early Parkinson's disease.

PubMed

Umehara, T; Nakahara, A; Matsuno, H; Toyoda, C; Oka, H

2017-05-01

Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) begin to lose weight several years before diagnosis, which suggests weight variation is associated with some factor(s) that precede the onset of motor symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the association of autonomic nervous system with body weight in patients with PD. The subjects were 90 patients with early de novo PD. We examined the associations of body mass index (BMI) with sympathetic nervous activity reflected in orthostatic intolerance or cardiac uptake of 123 I-metaiodobenzylguanidine and parasympathetic nervous activity reflected in constipation or heart rate variability (HRV). Twelve patients (13.3%) were overweight (BMI>25 kg/m 2 ), 62 patients (68.9%) were normal-weight (18.5≦BMI<25 kg/m 2 ), and 16 patients (17.8%) were underweight (BMI<18.5 kg/m 2 ). Underweight patients had greater disease severity and decrease in blood pressure on head-up tilt-table testing, higher cardiac washout ratio of 123 I-metaiodobenzylguanidine, and lower HRV and complained of constipation more often than those with normal-weight or overweight patients. On multiple regression analyses, the correlation of these variables with BMI maintained statistical significance after adjustment for age, sex, symptom duration, and motor subtype. Dysautonomia and disease severity are closely related to body weight independently of age, sex, symptom duration, and motor subtype. Dysautonomia may play a partial role on weight variation in the early stage of PD. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

In healthy elderly postmenopausal women variations in BMD and BMC at various skeletal sites are associated with differences in weight and lean body mass rather than by variations in habitual physical activity, strength or VO2max.

PubMed

Schöffl, I; Kemmler, W; Kladny, B; Vonstengel, S; Kalender, W A; Engelke, K

2008-01-01

The objective of this study was an integrated cross-sectional investigation for answering the question whether differences in bone mineral density in elderly postmenopausal women are associated with differences in habitual physical activity and unspecific exercise levels. Two hundred and ninety nine elderly women (69-/+3 years), without diseases or medication affecting bone metabolism were investigated. The influence of weight, body composition and physical activity on BMD was measured at multiple sites using different techniques (DXA, QCT, and QUS). Physical activity and exercise level were assessed by questionnaire, maximum strength of the legs and aerobic capacity. Variations in physical activity or habitual exercise had no effect on bone. The only significant univariate relation between strength/VO(2)max and BMD/BMC that remained after adjusting for confounding variables was between arm BMD (DXA) and hand-grip strength. The most important variable for explaining BMD was weight and for cortical BMC of the femur (QCT) lean body mass. Weight and lean body mass emerge as predominant predictors of BMD in normal elderly women, whereas the isolated effect of habitual physical activity, unspecific exercise participation, and muscle strength on bone parameters is negligible. Thus, an increase in the amount of habitual physical activity will probably have no beneficial impact on bone.

Modeling Host Genetic Regulation of Influenza Pathogenesis in the Collaborative Cross

PubMed Central

Ferris, Martin T.; Aylor, David L.; Bottomly, Daniel; Whitmore, Alan C.; Aicher, Lauri D.; Bell, Timothy A.; Bradel-Tretheway, Birgit; Bryan, Janine T.; Buus, Ryan J.; Gralinski, Lisa E.; Haagmans, Bart L.; McMillan, Leonard; Miller, Darla R.; Rosenzweig, Elizabeth; Valdar, William; Wang, Jeremy; Churchill, Gary A.; Threadgill, David W.; McWeeney, Shannon K.; Katze, Michael G.; Pardo-Manuel de Villena, Fernando; Baric, Ralph S.; Heise, Mark T.

2013-01-01

Genetic variation contributes to host responses and outcomes following infection by influenza A virus or other viral infections. Yet narrow windows of disease symptoms and confounding environmental factors have made it difficult to identify polymorphic genes that contribute to differential disease outcomes in human populations. Therefore, to control for these confounding environmental variables in a system that models the levels of genetic diversity found in outbred populations such as humans, we used incipient lines of the highly genetically diverse Collaborative Cross (CC) recombinant inbred (RI) panel (the pre-CC population) to study how genetic variation impacts influenza associated disease across a genetically diverse population. A wide range of variation in influenza disease related phenotypes including virus replication, virus-induced inflammation, and weight loss was observed. Many of the disease associated phenotypes were correlated, with viral replication and virus-induced inflammation being predictors of virus-induced weight loss. Despite these correlations, pre-CC mice with unique and novel disease phenotype combinations were observed. We also identified sets of transcripts (modules) that were correlated with aspects of disease. In order to identify how host genetic polymorphisms contribute to the observed variation in disease, we conducted quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping. We identified several QTL contributing to specific aspects of the host response including virus-induced weight loss, titer, pulmonary edema, neutrophil recruitment to the airways, and transcriptional expression. Existing whole-genome sequence data was applied to identify high priority candidate genes within QTL regions. A key host response QTL was located at the site of the known anti-influenza Mx1 gene. We sequenced the coding regions of Mx1 in the eight CC founder strains, and identified a novel Mx1 allele that showed reduced ability to inhibit viral replication, while maintaining protection from weight loss. PMID:23468633

Feed efficiency and the microbiota of the alimentary tract

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

There is considerable variation in the efficiency that cattle convert feed for maintenance and product (body weight gain, milk, and conceptus). Both intake and gain are polygenic traits and to better understand factors that contribute to variation in feed efficiency more defined phenotypes are need...

Atomic weights of the elements--Review 2000 (IUPAC Technical Report)

USGS Publications Warehouse

de Laeter, John R.; Böhlke, John Karl; De Bièvre, P.; Hidaka, H.; Peiser, H.S.; Rosman, K.J.R.; Taylor, P.D.P.

2003-01-01

A consistent set of internationally accepted atomic weights has long been an essential aim of the scientific community because of the relevance of these values to science and technology, as well as to trade and commerce subject to ethical, legal, and international standards. The standard atomic weights of the elements are regularly evaluated, recommended, and published in updated tables by the Commission on Atomic Weights and Isotopic Abundances (CAWIA) of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). These values are invariably associated with carefully evaluated uncertainties. Atomic weights were originally determined by mass ratio measurements coupled with an understanding of chemical stoichiometry, but are now based almost exclusively on knowledge of the isotopic composition (derived from isotope-abundance ratio measurements) and the atomic masses of the isotopes of the elements. Atomic weights and atomic masses are now scaled to a numerical value of exactly 12 for the mass of the carbon isotope of mass number 12. Technological advances in mass spectrometry and nuclear-reaction energies have enabled atomic masses to be determined with a relative uncertainty of better than 1 ×10−7 . Isotope abundances for an increasing number of elements can be measured to better than 1 ×10−3 . The excellent precision of such measurements led to the discovery that many elements, in different specimens, display significant variations in their isotope-abundance ratios, caused by a variety of natural and industrial physicochemical processes. While such variations increasingly place a constraint on the uncertainties with which some standard atomic weights can be stated, they provide numerous opportunities for investigating a range of important phenomena in physical, chemical, cosmological, biological, and industrial processes. This review reflects the current and increasing interest of science in the measured differences between source-specific and even sample-specific atomic weights. These relative comparisons can often be made with a smaller uncertainty than is achieved in the best calibrated “absolute ” (=SI-traceable) atomic-weight determinations. Accurate determinations of the atomic weights of certain elements also influence the values of fundamental constants such as the Avogadro, Faraday, and universal gas constants. This review is in two parts: the first summarizes the development of the science of atomic-weight determinations during the 20th century; the second summarizes the changes and variations that have been recognized in the values and uncertainties of atomic weights, on an element-by-element basis, in the latter part of the 20th century.

Breastfeeding Is Associated with a Maternal Feeding Style Low in Control from Birth

PubMed Central

Brown, Amy; Lee, Michelle

2013-01-01

Background The influence of maternal child-feeding style upon child weight and eating style for children over the age of twelve months is well established. However there is little empirical evidence examining maternal child-feeding style during milk feeding despite evidence that mothers who breastfeed exert lower levels of control over later diet. The aim of this paper was to examine variation in maternal child-feeding style during the first six months postpartum and to explore associations with mode of milk feeding and infant weight. Methods The Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) is frequently used to measure maternal child-feeding style in preschool children. 390 mothers with an infant aged 0–6 months completed an adapted version of the CFQ to measure maternal child-feeding style during milk feeding. Participants reported breastfeeding duration, infant weight and perceived size. Results Principle components analysis of questionnaire items produced six factors; encouraging feeding, feeding to a routine, limiting intake, concern for weight, monitoring and perceived responsibility. Breastfeeding was associated with lower levels of control compared to formula feeding. Infant birth weight was significantly inversely associated with concern for weight, monitoring and encouraging feeding. Discussion Formula feeding is associated with greater maternal control of child-feeding from birth whilst a lower birth weight is linked to concerns for infant weight and pressure to eat. As early maternal child-feeding relationships may impact negatively upon longer term child weight and eating style, identifying variations in maternal feeding style and understanding the factors that influence this is pertinent. PMID:23382881

[An analysis of skin prick test reactivity to dust mite in overweight and normal weight children with allergic asthma before and after specific immunotherapy].

PubMed

Wang, Jian; Huang, Ying; Zhang, Xue-Li; Huang, Xia; Xu, Xiao-Wen; Liang, Fan-Mei

2016-04-01

To study the skin prick test (SPT) reactivity to house dust mite allergens in overweight and normal weight children with allergic asthma before and after standard subcutaneous specific immunotherapy. Two hundred and fifteen children with allergic asthma who had positive SPT responses to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (DP) and Dermatophagoides farinae (DF) were enrolled. According to the weight index, they were classified into overweight (n=63) and normal weight groups (n=152). Skin indices (SI) to DP and DF were compared between the two groups at 6 months and 1 year after standard subcutaneous specific immunotherapy. The overweight group had a significantly larger histamine wheal diameter than the normal weight group after controlling the variation in testing time (P<0.05). After controlling the variation in weights, there were significant differences in the SIs to DP and DF before specific immunotherapy and at 6 months and 1 year after specific immunotherapy. At 6 months and 1 year after specific immunotherapy, the SIs to DP and DF were significantly reduced in both groups (P<0.05), and the overweight group had greater decreases in the SIs to DP and DF than the normal weight group. The overweight children with allergic asthma have stronger responses to histamine than the normal weight patients. Specific immunotherapy can reduce the reactivity to dust mite allergens in children with allergic asthma. Within one year after specific immunotherapy, the overweight children with allergic asthma have a significantly greater decrease in the reactivity to dust mite allergens than the normal weight patients.

Genome-wide interactions with dairy intake for body mass index in adults of European descent

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Scope: Body weight responds variably to the intake of dairy foods. Genetic variation may contribute to inter-individual variability in associations between body weight and dairy consumption. Methods and results: We conducted a genome-wide interaction study to discover genetic variants that account f...

Fast magnetic resonance imaging based on high degree total variation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Sujie; Lu, Liangliang; Zheng, Junbao; Jiang, Mingfeng

2018-04-01

In order to eliminating the artifacts and "staircase effect" of total variation in Compressive Sensing MRI, high degree total variation model is proposed for dynamic MRI reconstruction. the high degree total variation regularization term is used as a constraint to reconstruct the magnetic resonance image, and the iterative weighted MM algorithm is proposed to solve the convex optimization problem of the reconstructed MR image model, In addtion, one set of cardiac magnetic resonance data is used to verify the proposed algorithm for MRI. The results show that the high degree total variation method has a better reconstruction effect than the total variation and the total generalized variation, which can obtain higher reconstruction SNR and better structural similarity.

Serum aminotransferase changes with significant weight loss: sex and age effects.

PubMed

Suzuki, Ayako; Binks, Martin; Sha, Ronald; Wachholtz, Amy; Eisenson, Howard; Diehl, Anna Mae

2010-02-01

In obese subjects, the liver may be differentially affected by significant weight loss depending on as yet unknown factors. We explored clinical factors associated with serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) changes during significant weight loss in a residential weight loss program. Clinical data from 362 adults who received a comprehensive weight loss intervention (ie, diets, physical fitness, and behavioral modification) in the program were analyzed. Serum ALT was used as a surrogate marker of liver injury. The ALT changes during the program were calculated to create study outcome categories (improvement, no change, or deterioration of ALT during significant weight loss). Variables of demography, lifestyle, and comorbidities at baseline, and total/rate of weight change during the program were explored for associations with the ALT change categories using multiple logistic regression models. Variation by sex was apparent among predictors of ALT deterioration; men with rapid weight loss and women with higher initial body mass index were more likely to experience ALT deterioration, whereas men with prior alcohol consumption were less likely to experience ALT deterioration even after adjusting for baseline ALT (Ps < .03). Variation by age was apparent among predictors of ALT improvement; younger patients with current smoking and older patients with rapid weight loss, diabetes or impaired fasting glucose, or sleep apnea or who followed a reduced-carbohydrate diet were less likely to experience ALT improvement (Ps < .05). A number of clinical factors influence ALT changes during weight loss in sex- and age-specific manners. The patterns that we detected may have pathophysiologic significance beyond the practical implications of our findings in clinical practice related to underlying changes in fat metabolism. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Interindividual variation in DNA methylation at a putative POMC metastable epiallele is associated with obesity

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The estimated heritability of human BMI is close to 75%, but identified genetic variants explain only a small fraction of interindividual body-weight variation. Inherited epigenetic variants identified in mouse models named "metastable epialleles" could in principle explain this "missing heritabilit...

Atomic weights of the elements 2011 (IUPAC Technical Report)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wieser, Michael E.; Holden, Norman; Coplen, Tyler B.; Böhlke, John K.; Berglund, Michael; Brand, Willi A.; De Bièvre, Paul; Gröning, Manfred; Loss, Robert D.; Meija, Juris; Hirata, Takafumi; Prohaska, Thomas; Schoenberg, Ronny; O'Connor, Glenda; Walczyk, Thomas; Yoneda, Shige; Zhu, Xiang-Kun

2013-01-01

The biennial review of atomic-weight determinations and other cognate data has resulted in changes for the standard atomic weights of five elements. The atomic weight of bromine has changed from 79.904(1) to the interval [79.901, 79.907], germanium from 72.63(1) to 72.630(8), indium from 114.818(3) to 114.818(1), magnesium from 24.3050(6) to the interval [24.304, 24.307], and mercury from 200.59(2) to 200.592(3). For bromine and magnesium, assignment of intervals for the new standard atomic weights reflects the common occurrence of variations in the atomic weights of those elements in normal terrestrial materials.

Mechanical Properties of LaRC(tm) SI Polymer for a Range of Molecular Weights

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whitley, Karen S.; Gates, Thomas S.; Hinkley, Jeffrey A.; Nicholson, Lee M.

2000-01-01

Mechanical testing of an advanced polyimide resin (LaRC(tm)-SI) with known variations in molecular weight was performed over a range of temperatures below the glass transition temperature. Elastic and inelastic properties were characterized as a function of molecular weight and test temperature. It was shown that notched tensile strength is a strong function of both temperature and molecular weight, whereas stiffness is only a strong function of temperature. The combined analysis of calculated yield stress and notched tensile strength indicated that low molecular weight materials tended to fail in a brittle manner, whereas high molecular weight materials exhibited ductile failure. The microphotographs of the failure surfaces also supported these findings.

Two-pole microring weight banks.

PubMed

Tait, Alexander N; Wu, Allie X; Ferreira de Lima, Thomas; Nahmias, Mitchell A; Shastri, Bhavin J; Prucnal, Paul R

2018-05-15

Weighted addition is an elemental multi-input to single-output operation that can be implemented with high-performance photonic devices. Microring (MRR) weight banks bring programmable weighted addition to silicon photonics. Prior work showed that their channel limits are affected by coherent inter-channel effects that occur uniquely in weight banks. We fabricate two-pole designs that exploit this inter-channel interference in a way that is robust to dynamic tuning and fabrication variation. Scaling analysis predicts a channel count improvement of 3.4-fold, which is substantially greater than predicted by incoherent analysis used in conventional MRR devices. Advances in weight bank design expand the potential of reconfigurable analog photonic networks and multivariate microwave photonics.

Effects of region, demography, and protection from fishing on batch fecundity of common coral trout ( Plectropomus leopardus)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carter, Alex B.; Davies, Campbell R.; Mapstone, Bruce D.; Russ, Garry R.; Tobin, Andrew J.; Williams, Ashley J.

2014-09-01

Batch fecundity of female Plectropomus leopardus, a coral reef fish targeted by commercial and recreational fishing, was compared between reefs open to fishing and reefs within no-take marine reserves within three regions of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Australia. Length, weight, and age had positive effects on batch fecundity of spawners from northern and central reefs but negligible effects on spawners from southern reefs. Females were least fecund for a given length, weight, and age in the southern GBR. Batch fecundity of a 500-mm fork length female was 430 % greater on central reefs and 207 % greater on northern reefs than on southern reefs. The effects of length and age on batch fecundity did not differ significantly between reserve and fished reefs in any region, but weight-specific fecundity was 100 % greater for large 2.0 kg females on reserve reefs compared with fished reefs in the central GBR. We hypothesize that regional variation in batch fecundity is likely driven by water temperature and prey availability. Significant regional variation in batch fecundity highlights the need for understanding spatial variation in reproductive output where single conservation or fishery management strategies cover large, potentially diverse, spatial scales.

Screening for sexually transmitted diseases in rural South African women.

PubMed

Schneider, H; Coetzee, D J; Fehler, H G; Bellingan, A; Dangor, Y; Radebe, F; Ballard, R C

1998-06-01

This paper reports on a study undertaken in a rural area of South Africa, to develop a non-laboratory tool to screen for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among family planning clients. A cross sectional study was performed of 249 consecutive women attending a family planning service between November and December 1994. A questionnaire was administered, and a clinical examination and laboratory tests conducted. Sociodemographic, clinical, and other non-laboratory variables that were significantly associated with laboratory evidence of infection were combined to produce non-hierarchical scoring systems for three "syndromes": gonococcal and/or chlamydial cervical infection, trichomoniasis, and cervical infection and/or trichomoniasis combined. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of the scoring systems as a screening tool were assessed against the gold standard of laboratory tests. The prevalence of reproductive tract infections among the study participants was as follows: Chlamydia trachomatis 12%, Neisseria gonorrhoeae 3%, Trichomonas vaginalis 18%, and bacterial vaginosis 29%. Although vaginal discharge and other symptoms were frequently reported, symptoms bore no relation to the presence of infection. The following independent associations with gonococcal/chlamydial cervical infection were found: age less than 25 years and cervical mucopus and/or friability. Abnormal discharge on examination, visible inflammatory changes of the cervix (increased redness), no recent travel, and unemployment were associated with trichomoniasis. The combination of trichomonas and/or cervical infection ("STD syndrome") was associated with cervical mucopus/friability, unemployment, lack of financial support, and increased redness of the cervix. Of the three scoring systems developed on the basis of these associations, that of the "STD syndrome" achieved the best performance characteristics as a screening tool, with a sensitivity of 62%, specificity of 74%, and positive predictive value of 48%. STDs are common in a population of rural, sexually active women attending a family planning service. In resource poor settings, non-laboratory screening tools could play some role in identifying and treating infections in these women, especially since the majority would not otherwise have been reached. However, such screening tools cannot be viewed as the only way to identify STDs and should be considered as part of an overall strategy of STD control that includes, for example, good management of symptomatic individuals and their partners.

Influence of Molecular Weight on the Mechanical Performance of a Thermoplastic Glassy Polyimide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nicholson, Lee M.; Whitley, Karen S.; Gates, Thomas S.; Hinkley, Jeffrey A.

1999-01-01

Mechanical Testing of an advanced thermoplastic polyimide (LaRC-TM-SI) with known variations in molecular weight was performed over a range of temperatures below the glass transition temperature. The physical characterization, elastic properties and notched tensile strength were all determined as a function of molecular weight and test temperature. It was shown that notched tensile strength is a strong function of both temperature and molecular weight, whereas stiffness is only a strong function of temperature. A critical molecular weight (Mc) was observed to occur at a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of approx. 22000 g/mol below which, the notched tensile strength decreases rapidly. This critical molecular weight transition is temperature-independent. Furthermore, inelastic analysis showed that low molecular weight materials tended to fail in a brittle manner, whereas high molecular weight materials exhibited ductile failure. The microstructural images supported these findings.

Meditations on birth weight: is it better to reduce the variance or increase the mean?

PubMed

Haig, David

2003-07-01

A conceptual model is presented here in which the birth weight distribution is decomposed into a distribution of target weights and a distribution of perturbations from the target. The target weight is the adaptive goal of fetal development. In the simplest model, perinatal mortality is independent of variation in target weight and determined solely by the magnitude of the perturbation of birth weight from the target. In this model, mortality risk is concentrated in the tails of the birth weight distribution. A difference between populations in their distributions of target weights will be associated with a corresponding shift in their curves of weight-specific risk, without any difference between the populations in overall risk. In this model, risk would be reduced by decreasing the variance of the distribution of perturbations. The model is discussed in the context of the so-called "paradoxes of low birth weight."

Estimating sugar maple bark thickness and volume.

Treesearch

Charles L. Stayton; Michael Hoffman

1970-01-01

Sugar maple bark thickness and volume were estimated using first a published method, then equations developed by the authors. Both methods gave estimates that compared closely with measured values. Information is also presented on variation in bark thickness and on weight and volume of bark as a percentage of total merchantable stem weight and volume.

7 CFR 51.1437 - Size classifications for halves.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... weight of half-kernels after all pieces, particles and dust, shell, center wall, and foreign material..., particles, and dust. In order to allow for variations incident to proper sizing and handling, not more than 15 percent, by weight, of any lot may consist of pieces, particles, and dust: Provided, That not more...

7 CFR 51.1437 - Size classifications for halves.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... weight of half-kernels after all pieces, particles and dust, shell, center wall, and foreign material..., particles, and dust. In order to allow for variations incident to proper sizing and handling, not more than 15 percent, by weight, of any lot may consist of pieces, particles, and dust: Provided, That not more...

7 CFR 51.1437 - Size classifications for halves.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... weight of half-kernels after all pieces, particles and dust, shell, center wall, and foreign material..., particles, and dust. In order to allow for variations incident to proper sizing and handling, not more than 15 percent, by weight, of any lot may consist of pieces, particles, and dust: Provided, That not more...

Variation and correlation of protein molecular weight distribution and semolina quality parameters for durum genotypes grown in North Dakota

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

This research assessed the associations between protein molecular weight distribution (MWD) and quality characteristics for durum semolina samples that were obtained from thirteen durum genotypes grown at seven locations for two years in North Dakota. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) extractable and un...

Drop-Weight Impact Test on U-Shape Concrete Specimens with Statistical and Regression Analyses

PubMed Central

Zhu, Xue-Chao; Zhu, Han; Li, Hao-Ran

2015-01-01

According to the principle and method of drop-weight impact test, the impact resistance of concrete was measured using self-designed U-shape specimens and a newly designed drop-weight impact test apparatus. A series of drop-weight impact tests were carried out with four different masses of drop hammers (0.875, 0.8, 0.675 and 0.5 kg). The test results show that the impact resistance results fail to follow a normal distribution. As expected, U-shaped specimens can predetermine the location of the cracks very well. It is also easy to record the cracks propagation during the test. The maximum of coefficient of variation in this study is 31.2%; it is lower than the values obtained from the American Concrete Institute (ACI) impact tests in the literature. By regression analysis, the linear relationship between the first-crack and ultimate failure impact resistance is good. It can suggested that a minimum number of specimens is required to reliably measure the properties of the material based on the observed levels of variation. PMID:28793540

Buoyancy differences among two deepwater ciscoes from the Great Lakes and their putative ancestor

USGS Publications Warehouse

Krause, A.E.; Eshenroder, R.L.; Begnoche, L.J.

2002-01-01

We analyzed buoyancy in two deepwater ciscoes, Coregonus hoyi and C. kiyi, and in C. artedi, their putative ancestor, and also analyzed how variations in fish weight, water content, and lipid content affected buoyancy. Buoyancy was significantly different among the three species (p < 0.0001). Estimates of percent buoyancy (neutral buoyancy = 0.0%) were: kiyi, 3.8%; hoyi, 4.7%; and artedi, 5.7%. Buoyancy did not change with fish weight alone (p = 0.38). Fish weight was negatively related to water content for all three species (p = 0.037). Lipid content was not significantly different between hoyi and kiyi, but artedi had significantly fewer lipids than hoyi and kiyi (p < 0.10). When artedi was removed from the analysis, fish weight and lipids accounted for 48% of the variation in buoyancy (p = 0.003), fatter hoyi were less dense than leaner hoyi, but fatter and leaner kiyi were no different in density. Our findings provide additional evidence that buoyancy regulation was a speciating mechanism in deepwater ciscoes and that kiyi is more specialized than hoyi for diel-vertical migration in deep water.

Regional income inequality model based on theil index decomposition and weighted variance coeficient

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sitepu, H. R.; Darnius, O.; Tambunan, W. N.

2018-03-01

Regional income inequality is an important issue in the study on economic development of a certain region. Rapid economic development may not in accordance with people’s per capita income. The method of measuring the regional income inequality has been suggested by many experts. This research used Theil index and weighted variance coefficient in order to measure the regional income inequality. Regional income decomposition which becomes the productivity of work force and their participation in regional income inequality, based on Theil index, can be presented in linear relation. When the economic assumption in j sector, sectoral income value, and the rate of work force are used, the work force productivity imbalance can be decomposed to become the component in sectors and in intra-sectors. Next, weighted variation coefficient is defined in the revenue and productivity of the work force. From the quadrate of the weighted variation coefficient result, it was found that decomposition of regional revenue imbalance could be analyzed by finding out how far each component contribute to regional imbalance which, in this research, was analyzed in nine sectors of economic business.

Effect of the aqueous extract of Senecio biafrae (Oliv. & Hiern) J. Moore on some fertility parameters in immature female rat.

PubMed

Lienou, L L; Telefo, P B; Njimou, J R; Nangue, C; Bayala, B R; Goka, S C; Biapa, P; Yemele, M D; Donfack, N J; Mbemya, J T; Tagne, S R; Rodrigues, A P R

2015-02-23

Senecio biafrae is a plant from the huge family of Asteraceae used in the African pharmacopoeia for the treatment of many ailments among which is infertility. The aqueous extract, which was primarily subjected to polyphenol analysis, has been administered to immature female rats for 20 days at 8, 32, 64 and 128 mg/kg of body weight. The day following the treatment, the animals were sacrificed; their serum, ovary and uterus were retained respectively for reproductive hormones, ovarian and uterine proteins, and ovarian cholesterol assays. Light body weight gain variation of treated animals was observed during the experimental period. A significant increase (p ˂ 0.05) in serum estradiol and proteins as well as in uterine weight (p ˂ 0.01) of all Senecio biafrae treated animals was noted. No significant variation was noticed in the ovarian weight and follicle numbers. The various biochemical and physiological parameters of fertility were significantly improved with the aqueous extract of Senecio biafrae, thus attesting some of its traditional usage. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Achieving Body Weight Adjustments for Feeding Status and Pregnant or Non-Pregnant Condition in Beef Cows

PubMed Central

Gionbelli, Mateus P.; Duarte, Marcio S.; Valadares Filho, Sebastião C.; Detmann, Edenio; Chizzotti, Mario L.; Rodrigues, Felipe C.; Zanetti, Diego; Gionbelli, Tathyane R. S.; Machado, Marcelo G.

2015-01-01

Background Beef cows herd accounts for 70% of the total energy used in the beef production system. However, there are still limited studies regarding improvement of production efficiency in this category, mainly in developing countries and in tropical areas. One of the limiting factors is the difficulty to obtain reliable estimates of weight variation in mature cows. This occurs due to the interaction of weight of maternal tissues with specific physiological stages such as pregnancy. Moreover, variation in gastrointestinal contents due to feeding status in ruminant animals is a major source of error in body weight measurements. Objectives Develop approaches to estimate the individual proportion of weight from maternal tissues and from gestation in pregnant cows, adjusting for feeding status and stage of gestation. Methods and Findings Dataset of 49 multiparous non-lactating Nellore cows (32 pregnant and 17 non-pregnant) were used. To establish the relationships between the body weight, depending on the feeding status of pregnant and non-pregnant cows as a function of days of pregnancy, a set of general equations was tested, based on theoretical suppositions. We proposed the concept of pregnant compound (PREG), which represents the weight that is genuinely related to pregnancy. The PREG includes the gravid uterus minus the non-pregnant uterus plus the accretion in udder related to pregnancy. There was no accretion in udder weight up to 238 days of pregnancy. By subtracting the PREG from live weight of a pregnant cow, we obtained estimates of the weight of only maternal tissues in pregnant cows. Non-linear functions were adjusted to estimate the relationship between fasted, non-fasted and empty body weight, for pregnant and non-pregnant cows. Conclusions Our results allow for estimating the actual live weight of pregnant cows and their body constituents, and subsequent comparison as a function of days of gestation and feeding status. PMID:25793770

Spatio-Temporal Variation in Length-Weight Relationships and Condition of the Ribbonfish Trichiurus lepturus (Linnaeus, 1758): Implications for Fisheries Management

PubMed Central

Garcia de Leaniz, Carlos; King, Andrew J.

2016-01-01

Knowledge of length-weight relationships for commercially exploited fish is an important tool for assessing and managing of fish stocks. However, analyses of length-weight relationship fisheries data typically do not consider the inherent differences in length-weight relationships for fish caught from different habitats, seasons, or years, and this can affect the utility of these data for developing condition indices or calculating fisheries biomass. Here, we investigated length-weight relationships for ribbonfish Trichiurus lepturus in the waters of the Arabian Sea off Oman collected during three periods (2001–02, 2007–08, and 2014–15) and showed that a multivariate modelling approach that considers the areas and seasons in which ribbonfish were caught improved estimation of length-weight relationships. We used the outputs of these models to explore spatio-temporal variations in condition indices and relative weights among ribbonfish, revealing fish of 85–125 cm were in the best overall condition. We also found that condition differed according to where and when fish were caught, with condition lowest during spring and pre-south-west monsoon periods and highest during and after the south-west monsoons. We interpret these differences to be a consequence of variability in temperature and food availability. Based on our findings, we suggest fishing during seasons that have the lowest impact on fish condition and which are commercially most viable; such fishery management would enhance fisheries conservation and economic revenue in the region. PMID:27579485

Determinants of birth weight in Portugal: 1988 to 2011.

PubMed

Fuster, Vicente; Santos, Carlota

2016-01-01

The objective of this paper is to analyse temporal birth weight variation, its relationship to the frequency of premature births in Portugal, and the influence of native and immigrant mothers' characteristics as well as to determine the possible existence of a pattern of temporal change in birth weight in the Iberian Peninsula as a whole. Individual mother-child data from the Portuguese National Institute of Statistics regarding live births (N = 2,661,542) permitted an analysis, for the first time, of weight at birth in Portugal from a bio-demographic perspective. The results obtained show that from 1988 to 2011 there was a gradual decline in the average weight at birth in Portugal that may be related to shifts in the duration of gestation. An initial rapid decline in the relative frequency of post-term births took place, followed by small variations from 1995 on. Logistic regressions indicated a pattern unaffected by maternal origin or the sex of the newborn. With regard to weeks of gestation, the odds values obtained were < 1 when the reference category was < 28 weeks. For this factor, no significant differences were found in relation to the mother's origin. Portuguese mothers over 35 years were associated with a higher incidence of low birth weight. Regardless of maternal origin, being a newborn of parity 1, and with the mother not in a couple, resulted in unfavourable outcomes with regard to low birth weight. On the other hand, long gestation periods and having secondary or university education constituted a protective factor.

Spatio-Temporal Variation in Length-Weight Relationships and Condition of the Ribbonfish Trichiurus lepturus (Linnaeus, 1758): Implications for Fisheries Management.

PubMed

Al Nahdi, Abdullah; Garcia de Leaniz, Carlos; King, Andrew J

2016-01-01

Knowledge of length-weight relationships for commercially exploited fish is an important tool for assessing and managing of fish stocks. However, analyses of length-weight relationship fisheries data typically do not consider the inherent differences in length-weight relationships for fish caught from different habitats, seasons, or years, and this can affect the utility of these data for developing condition indices or calculating fisheries biomass. Here, we investigated length-weight relationships for ribbonfish Trichiurus lepturus in the waters of the Arabian Sea off Oman collected during three periods (2001-02, 2007-08, and 2014-15) and showed that a multivariate modelling approach that considers the areas and seasons in which ribbonfish were caught improved estimation of length-weight relationships. We used the outputs of these models to explore spatio-temporal variations in condition indices and relative weights among ribbonfish, revealing fish of 85-125 cm were in the best overall condition. We also found that condition differed according to where and when fish were caught, with condition lowest during spring and pre-south-west monsoon periods and highest during and after the south-west monsoons. We interpret these differences to be a consequence of variability in temperature and food availability. Based on our findings, we suggest fishing during seasons that have the lowest impact on fish condition and which are commercially most viable; such fishery management would enhance fisheries conservation and economic revenue in the region.

Genome-wide association and regional heritability mapping to identify loci underlying variation in nematode resistance and body weight in Scottish Blackface lambs.

PubMed

Riggio, V; Matika, O; Pong-Wong, R; Stear, M J; Bishop, S C

2013-05-01

The genetic architecture underlying nematode resistance and body weight in Blackface lambs was evaluated comparing genome-wide association (GWA) and regional heritability mapping (RHM) approaches. The traits analysed were faecal egg count (FEC) and immunoglobulin A activity against third-stage larvae from Teladorsagia circumcincta, as indicators of nematode resistance, and body weight in a population of 752 Scottish Blackface lambs, genotyped with the 50k single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip. FEC for both Nematodirus and Strongyles nematodes (excluding Nematodirus), as well as body weight were collected at approximately 16, 20 and 24 weeks of age. In addition, a weighted average animal effect was estimated for both FEC and body weight traits. After quality control, 44 388 SNPs were available for the GWA analysis and 42 841 for the RHM, which utilises only mapped SNPs. The same fixed effects were used in both analyses: sex, year, management group, litter size and age of dam, with day of birth as covariate. Some genomic regions of interest for both nematode resistance and body weight traits were identified, using both GWA and RHM approaches. For both methods, strong evidence for association was found on chromosome 14 for Nematodirus average animal effect, chromosome 6 for Strongyles FEC at 16 weeks and chromosome 6 for body weight at 16 weeks. Across the entire data set, RHM identified more regions reaching the suggestive level than GWA, suggesting that RHM is capable of capturing some of the variation not detected by GWA analyses.

Genome-wide association and regional heritability mapping to identify loci underlying variation in nematode resistance and body weight in Scottish Blackface lambs

PubMed Central

Riggio, V; Matika, O; Pong-Wong, R; Stear, M J; Bishop, S C

2013-01-01

The genetic architecture underlying nematode resistance and body weight in Blackface lambs was evaluated comparing genome-wide association (GWA) and regional heritability mapping (RHM) approaches. The traits analysed were faecal egg count (FEC) and immunoglobulin A activity against third-stage larvae from Teladorsagia circumcincta, as indicators of nematode resistance, and body weight in a population of 752 Scottish Blackface lambs, genotyped with the 50k single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip. FEC for both Nematodirus and Strongyles nematodes (excluding Nematodirus), as well as body weight were collected at approximately 16, 20 and 24 weeks of age. In addition, a weighted average animal effect was estimated for both FEC and body weight traits. After quality control, 44 388 SNPs were available for the GWA analysis and 42 841 for the RHM, which utilises only mapped SNPs. The same fixed effects were used in both analyses: sex, year, management group, litter size and age of dam, with day of birth as covariate. Some genomic regions of interest for both nematode resistance and body weight traits were identified, using both GWA and RHM approaches. For both methods, strong evidence for association was found on chromosome 14 for Nematodirus average animal effect, chromosome 6 for Strongyles FEC at 16 weeks and chromosome 6 for body weight at 16 weeks. Across the entire data set, RHM identified more regions reaching the suggestive level than GWA, suggesting that RHM is capable of capturing some of the variation not detected by GWA analyses. PMID:23512009

Meta-analytical study of productive and nutritional interactions of mycotoxins in broilers.

PubMed

Andretta, I; Kipper, M; Lehnen, C R; Hauschild, L; Vale, M M; Lovatto, P A

2011-09-01

A meta-analysis was carried out to study the association of mycotoxins with performance, productive indices, and organ weights in broilers. Ninety-eight papers published between 1980 and 2009 were used, totaling 1,401 diets and 37,371 animals. Meta-analysis followed 3 sequential analyses: graphical, correlation, and variance-covariance. The mycotoxin presence in diets reduced (P < 0.05) feed intake by 12% and weight gain by 14% compared with control group. Ochratoxins and aflatoxins were the mycotoxins with the greatest effect on feed intake and bird growth, reducing (P < 0.05) feed ingestion by 17 and 11%, respectively, and weight gain by 20 and 11%, respectively. The mycotoxin concentration in diets and the animal age at challenge were the variables that more improved the coefficient of determination for equations to estimate mycotoxin effect on weight gain. The mycotoxin effect on growth proved to be greater in young poultry. The residual analysis revealed that 65% of the variation in weight gain was explained by feed intake. The variation in weight gain of challenged broilers in relation to nonchallenged broilers was also influenced by ingestion of nutrients such as protein and methionine. Mortality was 8.8 and 2.8 times greater (P < 0.05) in groups that received diets with deoxynivalenol and aflatoxins, respectively. Mycotoxins also increased (P < 0.05) the relative weight of liver by 15%, of kidneys by 11%, of lungs by 9%, and of gizzard by 3%. Mycotoxins influenced broiler performance, productive indices, and organ weights. However, the magnitude of the effects varied with type and concentration of mycotoxin, animal age, and nutritional factors.

Does low birthweight influence the nutritional status of children at school age? A cohort study in northeast Brazil.

PubMed

de Jesus Machado Amorim, Rosemary; de Carvalho Lima, Marilia; Cabral de Lira, Pedro Israel; Emond, Alan Martin

2011-07-01

Birthweight is recognized to be a determinant of a full term infant's early growth pattern; however, few studies have explored whether this effect is sustained into school age, especially in developing countries. We have used a cohort study from North East Brazil to investigate factors determining the anthropometric status of eight-year-old children born at full-term with low or appropriate weight. A cohort of 375 full-term infants was recruited at birth in six maternity hospitals between 1993 and 1994, in a poor region of the interior of the State of Pernambuco. At the age of 8 years, 86 born with low birthweight and 127 with appropriate birthweight were traced. Multivariable linear regression analyses were used to identify the net effect of socioeconomic conditions, maternal nutritional status and child factors on weight-for-age and height-for-age. An enter approach was used to estimate the contribution of different factors on child anthropometry. Birthweight had little influence on child nutritional status at school age. Maternal BMI and height together were the biggest contributors to variation in child weight-for-age (12.3%) and height-for-age (13.2%), followed by family socioeconomic conditions. Maternal height as a proxy of maternal constraint was the single factor that best explained the variation in both indices (6.2% for weight-for-age and 11.1% for height-for-age). Haemoglobin level measured at eight years made a small but significant contribution to variation in height-for-age (5.6%) and weight for age (1.4%). Maternal nutritional status, reflecting genetic inheritance and the poor socioeconomic conditions of this population, was the most important determinant of the nutritional status of children at school age, rather than birthweight. © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Tablet fragmentation without a disintegrant: A novel design approach for accelerating disintegration and drug release from 3D printed cellulosic tablets.

PubMed

Arafat, Basel; Wojsz, Magdalena; Isreb, Abdullah; Forbes, Robert T; Isreb, Mohammad; Ahmed, Waqar; Arafat, Tawfiq; Alhnan, Mohamed A

2018-06-15

Fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printing has shown the most immediate potential for on-demand dose personalisation to suit particular patient's needs. However, FDM 3D printing often involves employing a relatively large molecular weight thermoplastic polymer and results in extended release pattern. It is therefore essential to fast-track drug release from the 3D printed objects. This work employed an innovative design approach of tablets with unique built-in gaps (Gaplets) with the aim of accelerating drug release. The novel tablet design is composed of 9 repeating units (blocks) connected with 3 bridges to allow the generation of 8 gaps. The impact of size of the block, the number of bridges and the spacing between different blocks was investigated. Increasing the inter-block space reduced mechanical resistance of the unit, however, tablets continued to meet pharmacopeial standards for friability. Upon introduction into gastric medium, the 1 mm spaces gaplet broke into mini-structures within 4 min and met the USP criteria of immediate release products (86.7% drug release at 30 min). Real-time ultraviolet (UV) imaging indicated that the cellulosic matrix expanded due to swelling of hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) upon introduction to the dissolution medium. This was followed by a steady erosion of the polymeric matrix at a rate of 8 μm/min. The design approach was more efficient than a comparison conventional formulation approach of adding disintegrants to accelerate tablet disintegration and drug release. This work provides a novel example where computer-aided design was instrumental at modifying the performance of solid dosage forms. Such an example may serve as the foundation for a new generation of dosage forms with complicated geometric structures to achieve functionality that is usually achieved by a sophisticated formulation approach. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Development and evaluation of natural gum-based extended release matrix tablets of two model drugs of different water solubilities by direct compression.

PubMed

Ofori-Kwakye, Kwabena; Mfoafo, Kwadwo Amanor; Kipo, Samuel Lugrie; Kuntworbe, Noble; Boakye-Gyasi, Mariam El

2016-01-01

The study was aimed at developing extended release matrix tablets of poorly water-soluble diclofenac sodium and highly water-soluble metformin hydrochloride by direct compression using cashew gum, xanthan gum and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) as release retardants. The suitability of light grade cashew gum as a direct compression excipient was studied using the SeDeM Diagram Expert System. Thirteen tablet formulations of diclofenac sodium (∼100 mg) and metformin hydrochloride (∼200 mg) were prepared with varying amounts of cashew gum, xanthan gum and HPMC by direct compression. The flow properties of blended powders and the uniformity of weight, crushing strength, friability, swelling index and drug content of compressed tablets were determined. In vitro drug release studies of the matrix tablets were conducted in phosphate buffer (diclofenac: pH 7.4; metformin: pH 6.8) and the kinetics of drug release was determined by fitting the release data to five kinetic models. Cashew gum was found to be suitable for direct compression, having a good compressibility index (ICG) value of 5.173. The diclofenac and metformin matrix tablets produced generally possessed fairly good physical properties. Tablet swelling and drug release in aqueous medium were dependent on the type and amount of release retarding polymer and the solubility of drug used. Extended release of diclofenac (∼24 h) and metformin (∼8-12 h) from the matrix tablets in aqueous medium was achieved using various blends of the polymers. Drug release from diclofenac tablets fitted zero order, first order or Higuchi model while release from metformin tablets followed Higuchi or Hixson-Crowell model. The mechanism of release of the two drugs was mostly through Fickian diffusion and anomalous non-Fickian diffusion. The study has demonstrated the potential of blended hydrophilic polymers in the design and optimization of extended release matrix tablets for soluble and poorly soluble drugs by direct compression.

IDENTIFICATION OF PHARMACEUTICAL EXCIPIENT BEHAVIOR OF CHICKPEA (CICER ARIETINUM) STARCH IN GLICLAZIDE IMMEDIATE RELEASE TABLETS.

PubMed

Meka, Venkata Srikanth; Yee, Phung; Sheshala, Ravi

2016-01-01

In the past few years, there are number of researchers carrying out their research on the excipients derived from polysaccharides and some of these researches show that natural excipients are comparable and can serve as an alternative to the synthetic excipients. Hence, the objectives of this research are to characterize the naturally sourced chickpea starch powder and to study the pharmaceutical excipient behavior of chickpea starch in gliclazide immediate release (IR) tablets. In this research, the binding properties of chickpea starch were compared to that of povidone, whereas the disintegrant properties of chickpea starch were compared to those of crospovidone, croscarmellose sodium and sodium starch glycolate. Flow property of chickpea starch was assessed with the measurement of bulk density, tapped density, compressibility index and angle of repose. Calibration curve for gliclazide in phosphate buffer pH 7.4 was developed. Gliclazide IR tablets were then produced with direct compression method. Physicochemical characteristics of the tablets, including thickness, tablet weight uniformity, hardness, disintegration time and friability were evaluated. Then, in vitro dissolution studies were performed by following United States Pharmacopeia (USP) dissolution method. The dissolution results were analyzed and compared with t30, t50, dissolution efficiency (DE). Lastly, drug-excipient compatibility studies, including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic analysis and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) analysis were carried out. Fair flow property was observed in the chickpea starch powder. Furthermore, the tablets produced passed all the tests in physicochemical characteristics evaluation except hardness and disintegration test. Additionally, in vitro dissolution studies show that chickpea starch acted as a disintegrant instead of a binder in gliclazide IR tablets and its disintegrant properties were comparable to those of crospovidone, croscarmellose sodium and sodium starch glycolate. Besides that, gliclazide was also compatible with the excipients used. Chickpea starch acted as a disintegrant in gliclazide IR tablets, instead of a binder. Therefore, chickpea starch can be a promising disintegrant in gliclazide IR tablets.

Diurnal Changes in Volume and Specific Tissue Weight of Crassulacean Acid Metabolism Plants 1

PubMed Central

Chen, Sheng-Shu; Black, Clanton C.

1983-01-01

The diurnal variations in volume and in specific weight were determined for green stems and leaves of Crassulacen acid metabolism (CAM) plants. Volume changes were measured by a water displacement method. Diurnal variations occurred in the volume of green CAM tissues. Their volume increased early in the light period reaching a maximum about mid-day, then the volume decreased to a minimum near midnight. The maximum volume increase each day was about 2.7% of the total volume. Control leaves of C3 and C4 plants exhibited reverse diurnal volume changes of 0.2 to 0.4%. The hypothesis is presented and supported that green CAM tissues should exhibit a diurnal increase in volume due to the increase of internal gas pressure from CO2 and O2 when their stomata are closed. Conversely, the volume should decrease when the gas pressure is decreased. The second hypothesis presented and supported was that the specific weight (milligrams of dry weight per square centimeter of green surface area) of green CAM tissues should increase at night due to the net fixation of CO2. Green CAM tissues increased their specific weight at night in contrast to control C3 and C4 leaves which decreased their specific weight at night. With Kalanchoë daigremontiana leaves, the calculated increase in specific leaf weight at night based on estimates of carbohydrate available for net CO2 fixation was near 6% and the measured increase in specific leaf weight was 6%. Diurnal measurements of CAM tissue water content were neither coincident nor reciprocal with their diurnal patterns of either volume or specific weight changes. PMID:16662833

Physical growth and diets of school children: Trends from 2001 to 2015 in rural West Java, Indonesia.

PubMed

Sekiyama, Makiko; Roosita, Katrin; Ohtsuka, Ryutaro

2018-03-01

This study aimed to assess changes in physical growth and diets of school children in rural West Java, Indonesia, between 2001 and 2015, a period of rapid socioeconomic change. In 2001 and 2015, anthropometric measurements (height, weight, mid-upper arm circumference, skin-fold thickness), food consumption surveys, and questionnaires on socioeconomic status were completed by fourth-grade school children in a rural village in West Java. Height increments of 5.9 cm for boys and 4.7 cm for girls during this 14-year period were calculated as 4.21 cm per decade for boys and 3.36 cm per decade for girls, which is equivalent to height increments observed during rapid economic development periods in other countries. Weights also increased by 3.8 kg for boys and 2.0 kg for girls during this period. Variations in weight status significantly increased in 2015; while 98% of the children were within the 'normal' range in 2001, the prevalence of overweight increased from 2.4% in 2001 to 13.7% in 2015 and that of thinness was 4.3% in 2015. Energy, protein, and fat intakes significantly increased in 2015. In 2015, a significant correlation between nutritional intake and weight status was observed, especially among boys. Socioeconomic changes between 2001 and 2015 caused increased heights and weights and greater variation in weight status, especially among boys. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Investigation into the Effect of Ethylcellulose Viscosity Variation on the Drug Release of Metoprolol Tartrate and Acetaminophen Extended Release Multiparticulates-Part I.

PubMed

Mehta, R; Teckoe, J; Schoener, C; Workentine, S; Ferrizzi, D; Rajabi-Siahboomi, A

2016-12-01

Ethylcellulose is one of the most commonly used polymers to develop reservoir type extended release multiparticulate dosage forms. For multiparticulate extended release dosage forms, the drug release is typically governed by the properties of the barrier membrane coating. The ICH Pharmaceutical Development Guideline (ICH Q8) requires an understanding of the influence of critical material attributes and critical process parameters on the drug release of a pharmaceutical product. Using this understanding, it is possible to develop robust formulations with consistent drug release characteristics. Critical material attributes for ethylcellulose were evaluated, and polymer molecular weight variation (viscosity) was considered to be the most critical attribute that can impact drug release. To investigate the effect of viscosity variation within the manufacturer's specifications of ethylcellulose, extended release multiparticulate formulations of two model drugs, metoprolol tartrate and acetaminophen, were developed using ETHOCEL™ as the rate controlling polymer. Quality by Design (QbD) samples of ETHOCEL Std. 10, 20, and 100 Premium grades representing the low, medium, and high molecular weight (viscosity) material were organically coated onto drug layered multiparticulates to a 15% weight gain (WG). The drug release was found to be similar (f 2  > 50) for both metoprolol tartrate and acetaminophen multiparticulates at different coating weight gains of ethylcellulose, highlighting consistent and robust drug release performance. The use of ETHOCEL QbD samples also serves as a means to develop multiparticulate dosage formulations according to regulatory guidelines.

Individual differences in torpor expression in adult mice are related to relative birth weight.

PubMed

Kato, Goro A; Sakamoto, Shinsuke H; Eto, Takeshi; Okubo, Yoshinobu; Shinohara, Akio; Morita, Tetsuo; Koshimoto, Chihiro

2018-04-20

Daily torpor is a physiological adaptation in small mammals and birds, characterised by drastic reductions in metabolism and body temperature. Energy-constraining conditions, such as cold and starvation, are known to cause the expression of daily torpor. However, the reason for high degrees of inter- and intra- individual variation in torpor expression (TE) in similar situations is not clear. As littermates of altricial animals are exposed to an uneven allocation of maternal resources from conception to weaning, we tested whether early nutritional experiences have long-term effects on TE in adults. We used full-sibling littermates of laboratory mice that as adults were starved overnight to induce torpor. We measured body weight from birth until adulthood as an indicator of nutritional status, and calculated the relative body weight (RBW) as an indicator of the difference in nutritional status within a litter. After maturation, we subjected mice to five repeated torpor induction trials involving 24 hours of fasting and 5 days of recovery. Half of the female mice displayed great individual variation in TE, whereas male mice rarely exhibited daily torpor. In females, RBW at birth influenced TE, irrespective of body weight in adulthood; thus, female mice born with low RBWs displayed high TE in adulthood. In conclusion, we provide evidence that TE in mice differs among littermates, and that this variation is linked closely to heterogeneous nutritional experiences during the foetal period. © 2018. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

Allelic Variation in the Toll-Like Receptor Adaptor Protein Ticam2 Contributes to SARS-Coronavirus Pathogenesis in Mice.

PubMed

Gralinski, Lisa E; Menachery, Vineet D; Morgan, Andrew P; Totura, Allison L; Beall, Anne; Kocher, Jacob; Plante, Jessica; Harrison-Shostak, D Corinne; Schäfer, Alexandra; Pardo-Manuel de Villena, Fernando; Ferris, Martin T; Baric, Ralph S

2017-06-07

Host genetic variation is known to contribute to differential pathogenesis following infection. Mouse models allow direct assessment of host genetic factors responsible for susceptibility to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Based on an assessment of early stage lines from the Collaborative Cross mouse multi-parent population, we identified two lines showing highly divergent susceptibilities to SARS-CoV: the resistant CC003/Unc and the susceptible CC053/Unc. We generated 264 F2 mice between these strains, and infected them with SARS-CoV. Weight loss, pulmonary hemorrhage, and viral load were all highly correlated disease phenotypes. We identified a quantitative trait locus of major effect on chromosome 18 (27.1-58.6 Mb) which affected weight loss, viral titer and hemorrhage. Additionally, each of these three phenotypes had distinct quantitative trait loci [Chr 9 (weight loss), Chrs 7 and 12 (virus titer), and Chr 15 (hemorrhage)]. We identified Ticam2 , an adaptor protein in the TLR signaling pathways, as a candidate driving differential disease at the Chr 18 locus. Ticam2 -/- mice were highly susceptible to SARS-CoV infection, exhibiting increased weight loss and more pulmonary hemorrhage than control mice. These results indicate a critical role for Ticam2 in SARS-CoV disease, and highlight the importance of host genetic variation in disease responses. Copyright © 2017 Gralinski et al.

Allelic Variation in the Toll-Like Receptor Adaptor Protein Ticam2 Contributes to SARS-Coronavirus Pathogenesis in Mice

PubMed Central

Gralinski, Lisa E.; Menachery, Vineet D.; Morgan, Andrew P.; Totura, Allison L.; Beall, Anne; Kocher, Jacob; Plante, Jessica; Harrison-Shostak, D. Corinne; Schäfer, Alexandra; Pardo-Manuel de Villena, Fernando; Ferris, Martin T.; Baric, Ralph S.

2017-01-01

Host genetic variation is known to contribute to differential pathogenesis following infection. Mouse models allow direct assessment of host genetic factors responsible for susceptibility to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Based on an assessment of early stage lines from the Collaborative Cross mouse multi-parent population, we identified two lines showing highly divergent susceptibilities to SARS-CoV: the resistant CC003/Unc and the susceptible CC053/Unc. We generated 264 F2 mice between these strains, and infected them with SARS-CoV. Weight loss, pulmonary hemorrhage, and viral load were all highly correlated disease phenotypes. We identified a quantitative trait locus of major effect on chromosome 18 (27.1–58.6 Mb) which affected weight loss, viral titer and hemorrhage. Additionally, each of these three phenotypes had distinct quantitative trait loci [Chr 9 (weight loss), Chrs 7 and 12 (virus titer), and Chr 15 (hemorrhage)]. We identified Ticam2, an adaptor protein in the TLR signaling pathways, as a candidate driving differential disease at the Chr 18 locus. Ticam2−/− mice were highly susceptible to SARS-CoV infection, exhibiting increased weight loss and more pulmonary hemorrhage than control mice. These results indicate a critical role for Ticam2 in SARS-CoV disease, and highlight the importance of host genetic variation in disease responses. PMID:28592648

Adipose tissue CIDEA is associated, independently of weight variation, to change in insulin resistance during a longitudinal weight control dietary program in obese individuals.

PubMed

Montastier, Emilie; Déjean, Sébastien; Le Gall, Caroline; Saris, Wim H M; Langin, Dominique; Viguerie, Nathalie

2014-01-01

Weight loss reduces risk factors associated with obesity. However, long-term metabolic improvement remains a challenge. We investigated quantitative gene expression of subcutaneous adipose tissue in obese individuals and its relationship with low calorie diet and long term weight maintenance induced changes in insulin resistance. Three hundred eleven overweight and obese individuals followed a dietary protocol consisting of an 8-week low calorie diet followed by a 6-month ad libitum weight-maintenance diet. Individuals were clustered according to insulin resistance trajectories assessed using homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index. Adipose tissue mRNA levels of 267 genes selected for regulation according to obesity, metabolic status and response to dieting was assessed using high throughput RT-qPCR. A combination of discriminant analyses was used to identify genes with regulation according to insulin resistance trajectories. Partial correlation was used to control for change in body mass index. Three different HOMA-IR profile groups were determined. HOMA-IR improved during low calorie diet in the 3 groups. At the end of the 6-month follow-up, groups A and B had reduced HOMA-IR by 50%. In group C, HOMA-IR had returned to baseline values. Genes were differentially expressed in the adipose tissue of individuals according to groups but a single gene, CIDEA, was common to all phases of the dietary intervention. Changes in adipose tissue CIDEA mRNA levels paralleled variations in insulin sensitivity independently of change in body mass index. Overall, CIDEA was up-regulated in adipose tissue of individuals with successful long term insulin resistance relapse and not in adipose tissue of unsuccessful individuals. The concomitant change in adipose tissue CIDEA mRNA levels and insulin sensitivity suggests a beneficial role of adipose tissue CIDEA in long term glucose homeostasis, independently of weight variation. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00390637.

Social Inequalities in Body Weight and Physical Activity: Exploring the Role of Fitness Centers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McLaren, Lindsay; Rock, Melanie J.; McElgunn, Jamie

2012-01-01

Fitness centers are a viable option for physical activity, particularly in climates with significant weather variation. Due to variation in economic and social expressions of exclusivity, fitness centers may have some relation to social inequalities in physical inactivity and related health outcomes; thus, our objective was to explore this…

Variation of protein MWD parameters and their associations with free asparagine concentration and quality characteristics in hard red spring wheat

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

This research was performed to determine variation of protein molecular weight distribution (MWD) parameters using size exclusion HPLC and their associations with quality characteristics and free asparagine concentration (FAC) using eleven hard red spring (HRS) wheat genotypes grown at three locatio...

Regional Hospital Input Price Indexes

PubMed Central

Freeland, Mark S.; Schendler, Carol Ellen; Anderson, Gerard

1981-01-01

This paper describes the development of regional hospital input price indexes that is consistent with the general methodology used for the National Hospital Input Price Index. The feasibility of developing regional indexes was investigated because individuals inquired whether different regions experienced different rates of increase in hospital input prices. The regional indexes incorporate variations in cost-share weights (the amount an expense category contributes to total spending) associated with hospital type and location, and variations in the rate of input price increases for various regions. We found that between 1972 and 1979 none of the regional price indexes increased at average annual rates significantly different from the national rate. For the more recent period 1977 through 1979, the increase in one Census Region was significantly below the national rate. Further analyses indicated that variations in cost-share weights for various types of hospitals produced no substantial variations in the regional price indexes relative to the national index. We consider these findings preliminary because of limitations in the availability of current, relevant, and reliable data, especially for local area wage rate increases. PMID:10309557

Population health needs as predictors of variations in NHS practice payments: a cross-sectional study of English general practices in 2013–2014 and 2014–2015

PubMed Central

Levene, Louis S; Baker, Richard; Wilson, Andrew; Walker, Nicola; Boomla, Kambiz; Bankart, M John G

2017-01-01

Background NHS general practice payments in England include pay for performance elements and a weighted component designed to compensate for workload, but without measures of specific deprivation or ethnic groups. Aim To determine whether population factors related to health needs predicted variations in NHS payments to individual general practices in England. Design and setting Cross-sectional study of all practices in England, in financial years 2013–2014 and 2014–2015. Method Descriptive statistics, univariable analyses (examining correlations between payment and predictors), and multivariable analyses (undertaking multivariable linear regressions for each year, with logarithms of payments as the dependent variables, and with population, practice, and performance factors as independent variables) were undertaken. Results Several population variables predicted variations in adjusted total payments, but inconsistently. Higher payments were associated with increases in deprivation, patients of older age, African Caribbean ethnic group, and asthma prevalence. Lower payments were associated with an increase in smoking prevalence. Long-term health conditions, South Asian ethnic group, and diabetes prevalence were not predictive. The adjusted R2 values were 0.359 (2013–2014) and 0.374 (2014–2015). A slightly different set of variables predicted variations in the payment component designed to compensate for workload. Lower payments were associated with increases in deprivation, patients of older age, and diabetes prevalence. Smoking prevalence was not predictive. There was a geographical differential. Conclusion Population factors related to health needs were, overall, poor predictors of variations in adjusted total practice payments and in the payment component designed to compensate for workload. Revising the weighting formula and extending weighting to other payment components might better support practices to address these needs. PMID:27872085

Population health needs as predictors of variations in NHS practice payments: a cross-sectional study of English general practices in 2013-2014 and 2014-2015.

PubMed

Levene, Louis S; Baker, Richard; Wilson, Andrew; Walker, Nicola; Boomla, Kambiz; Bankart, M John G

2017-01-01

NHS general practice payments in England include pay for performance elements and a weighted component designed to compensate for workload, but without measures of specific deprivation or ethnic groups. To determine whether population factors related to health needs predicted variations in NHS payments to individual general practices in England. Cross-sectional study of all practices in England, in financial years 2013-2014 and 2014-2015. Descriptive statistics, univariable analyses (examining correlations between payment and predictors), and multivariable analyses (undertaking multivariable linear regressions for each year, with logarithms of payments as the dependent variables, and with population, practice, and performance factors as independent variables) were undertaken. Several population variables predicted variations in adjusted total payments, but inconsistently. Higher payments were associated with increases in deprivation, patients of older age, African Caribbean ethnic group, and asthma prevalence. Lower payments were associated with an increase in smoking prevalence. Long-term health conditions, South Asian ethnic group, and diabetes prevalence were not predictive. The adjusted R 2 values were 0.359 (2013-2014) and 0.374 (2014-2015). A slightly different set of variables predicted variations in the payment component designed to compensate for workload. Lower payments were associated with increases in deprivation, patients of older age, and diabetes prevalence. Smoking prevalence was not predictive. There was a geographical differential. Population factors related to health needs were, overall, poor predictors of variations in adjusted total practice payments and in the payment component designed to compensate for workload. Revising the weighting formula and extending weighting to other payment components might better support practices to address these needs. © British Journal of General Practice 2017.

Within- and Trans-Generational Effects of Variation in Dietary Macronutrient Content on Life-History Traits in the Moth Plodia interpunctella.

PubMed

Littlefair, Joanne E; Knell, Robert J

2016-01-01

It is increasingly clear that parental environment can play an important role in determining offspring phenotype. These "transgenerational effects" have been linked to many different components of the environment, including toxin exposure, infection with pathogens and parasites, temperature and food quality. In this study, we focus on the latter, asking how variation in the quantity and quality of nutrition affects future generations. Previous studies have shown that artificial diets are a useful tool to examine the within-generation effects of variation in macronutrient content on life history traits, and could therefore be applied to investigations of the transgenerational effects of parental diet. Synthetic diets varying in total macronutrient content and protein: carbohydrate ratios were used to examine both within- and trans-generational effects on life history traits in a generalist stored product pest, the Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella. The macronutrient composition of the diet was important for shaping within-generation life history traits, including pupal weight, adult weight, and phenoloxidase activity, and had indirect effects via maternal weight on fecundity. Despite these clear within-generation effects on the biology of P. interpunctella, diet composition had no transgenerational effects on the life history traits of offspring. P. interpunctella mothers were able to maintain their offspring quality, possibly at the expense of their own somatic condition, despite high variation in dietary macronutrient composition. This has important implications for the plastic biology of this successful generalist pest.

Within- and Trans-Generational Effects of Variation in Dietary Macronutrient Content on Life-History Traits in the Moth Plodia interpunctella

PubMed Central

Knell, Robert J.

2016-01-01

It is increasingly clear that parental environment can play an important role in determining offspring phenotype. These “transgenerational effects” have been linked to many different components of the environment, including toxin exposure, infection with pathogens and parasites, temperature and food quality. In this study, we focus on the latter, asking how variation in the quantity and quality of nutrition affects future generations. Previous studies have shown that artificial diets are a useful tool to examine the within-generation effects of variation in macronutrient content on life history traits, and could therefore be applied to investigations of the transgenerational effects of parental diet. Synthetic diets varying in total macronutrient content and protein: carbohydrate ratios were used to examine both within- and trans-generational effects on life history traits in a generalist stored product pest, the Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella. The macronutrient composition of the diet was important for shaping within-generation life history traits, including pupal weight, adult weight, and phenoloxidase activity, and had indirect effects via maternal weight on fecundity. Despite these clear within-generation effects on the biology of P. interpunctella, diet composition had no transgenerational effects on the life history traits of offspring. P. interpunctella mothers were able to maintain their offspring quality, possibly at the expense of their own somatic condition, despite high variation in dietary macronutrient composition. This has important implications for the plastic biology of this successful generalist pest. PMID:28033396

Body weight of hypersonic aircraft, part 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ardema, Mark D.

1988-01-01

The load bearing body weight of wing-body and all-body hypersonic aircraft is estimated for a wide variety of structural materials and geometries. Variations of weight with key design and configuration parameters are presented and discussed. Both hot and cool structure approaches are considered in isotropic, organic composite, and metal matrix composite materials; structural shells are sandwich or skin-stringer. Conformal and pillow-tank designs are investigated for the all-body shape. The results identify the most promising hypersonic aircraft body structure design approaches and their weight trends. Geometric definition of vehicle shapes and structural analysis methods are presented in appendices.

Tablet splitting: is it worthwhile? Analysis of drug content and weight uniformity for half tablets of 16 commonly used medications in the outpatient setting.

PubMed

Helmy, Sally A

2015-01-01

Tablet splitting is a well-established medical practice in clinical settings for multiple reasons, including cost savings and ease of swallowing. However, it does not necessarily result in weight-uniform half tablets. To (a) investigate the effect of tablet characteristics on weight and content uniformity of half tablets, resulting from splitting 16 commonly used medications in the outpatient setting and (b) provide recommendations for safe tablet-splitting prescribing practices. Ten random tablets from each of the selected medications were weighed and split by 5 volunteers (2 men and 3 women aged 25-44 years) using a knife. The selected medications were mirtazapine 30 mg, bromazepam 3 mg, oxcarbazepin 150 mg, sertraline 50 mg, carvedilol 25 mg, bisoprolol fumarate 10 mg, losartan 50 mg, digoxin 0.25 mg, amiodarone HCl 200 mg, metformin HCl 1,000 mg, glimepiride 4 mg, montelukast 10 mg, ibuprofen 600 mg, celecoxib 200 mg, meloxicam 15 mg, and sildenafil citrate 50 mg. The resulting half tablets were evaluated for weight and drug content uniformity in accordance with proxy United States Pharmacopeia (USP) specification (95%-105% for digoxin and 90%-110% for the other 15 drugs). Weight and drug content uniformity were assessed by comparing weight or drug content of the half tablets with one-half of the mean weight or drug content for all whole tablets in the sample. The percentages by which the weight and drug content of each whole tablet or half tablet differed from sample mean values were calculated. Other relevant physical characteristics of the 16 products were measured. A total of 52 of 320 half tablets (16.2%) and 48 of 320 half tablets (15.0%) fell outside of the proxy USP specification for weight and drug content, respectively. Bromazepam, carvedilol, bisoprolol, losartan, digoxin, and meloxicam half tablets failed the weight and content uniformity test; however, the half tablets for the rest of the medications passed the test. Mean percent weight loss after splitting was less than 1.5% for all drugs. Bromazepam, carvedilol, and digoxin showed the highest powdering loss during the tablet-splitting process. Tablet splitting could be safer and easier when drug- and patient-specific criteria have been met. Tablet size, shape, and hardness may also play a role in the decision to split a tablet or not. Tablets containing drugs with a wide therapeutic index and long half-life might be more suitable candidates for division. Dose variation exceeded a proxy USP specification for more than one-third of sampled half tablets of bromazepam, carvedilol, bisoprolol, and digoxin. Drug content variation in half tablets appeared to be attributed to weight variation due to fragment or powder loss during the splitting process.

Body-Weight Fluctuations and Outcomes in Coronary Disease.

PubMed

Bangalore, Sripal; Fayyad, Rana; Laskey, Rachel; DeMicco, David A; Messerli, Franz H; Waters, David D

2017-04-06

Body-weight fluctuation is a risk factor for death and coronary events in patients without cardiovascular disease. It is not known whether variability in body weight affects outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease. We determined intraindividual fluctuations in body weight from baseline weight and follow-up visits and performed a post hoc analysis of the Treating to New Targets trial, which involved assessment of the efficacy and safety of lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels with atorvastatin. The primary outcome was any coronary event (a composite of death from coronary heart disease, nonfatal myocardial infarction, resuscitated cardiac arrest, revascularization, or angina). Secondary outcomes were any cardiovascular event (a composite of any coronary event, a cerebrovascular event, peripheral vascular disease, or heart failure), death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Among 9509 participants, after adjustment for risk factors, baseline lipid levels, mean body weight, and weight change, each increase of 1 SD in body-weight variability (measured according to average successive variability and used as a time-dependent covariate) was associated with an increase in the risk of any coronary event (2091 events; hazard ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 1.07; P=0.01), any cardiovascular event (2727 events; hazard ratio, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.07; P<0.001), and death (487 events; hazard ratio,1.09; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.12; P<0.001). Among patients in the quintile with the highest variation in body weight, the risk of a coronary event was 64% higher, the risk of a cardiovascular event 85% higher, death 124% higher, myocardial infarction 117% higher, and stroke 136% higher than it was among those in the quintile with the lowest variation in body weight in adjusted models. Among participants with coronary artery disease, fluctuation in body weight was associated with higher mortality and a higher rate of cardiovascular events independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. (Funded by Pfizer; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00327691 .).

Associations of Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) with Lower Birth Weight: An Evaluation of Potential Confounding by Glomerular Filtration Rate Using a Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Model (PBPK).

PubMed

Verner, Marc-André; Loccisano, Anne E; Morken, Nils-Halvdan; Yoon, Miyoung; Wu, Huali; McDougall, Robin; Maisonet, Mildred; Marcus, Michele; Kishi, Reiko; Miyashita, Chihiro; Chen, Mei-Huei; Hsieh, Wu-Shiun; Andersen, Melvin E; Clewell, Harvey J; Longnecker, Matthew P

2015-12-01

Prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been associated with lower birth weight in epidemiologic studies. This association could be attributable to glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which is related to PFAS concentration and birth weight. We used a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model of pregnancy to assess how much of the PFAS-birth weight association observed in epidemiologic studies might be attributable to GFR. We modified a PBPK model to reflect the association of GFR with birth weight (estimated from three studies of GFR and birth weight) and used it to simulate PFAS concentrations in maternal and cord plasma. The model was run 250,000 times, with variation in parameters, to simulate a population. Simulated data were analyzed to evaluate the association between PFAS levels and birth weight due to GFR. We compared simulated estimates with those from a meta-analysis of epidemiologic data. The reduction in birth weight for each 1-ng/mL increase in simulated cord plasma for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was 2.72 g (95% CI: -3.40, -2.04), and for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was 7.13 g (95% CI: -8.46, -5.80); results based on maternal plasma at term were similar. Results were sensitive to variations in PFAS level distributions and the strength of the GFR-birth weight association. In comparison, our meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies suggested that each 1-ng/mL increase in prenatal PFOS and PFOA levels was associated with 5.00 g (95% CI: -21.66, -7.78) and 14.72 g (95% CI: -8.92, -1.09) reductions in birth weight, respectively. Results of our simulations suggest that a substantial proportion of the association between prenatal PFAS and birth weight may be attributable to confounding by GFR and that confounding by GFR may be more important in studies with sample collection later in pregnancy.

A Study on Wheel Sinkage and Rolling Resistance with variations in wheel geometry for Plain and Lugged wheels on TRI -1 Soil Simulant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gireesh Kumar, Pala; Jayalekshmi, S.

2018-03-01

Wheel-soil Interaction studies are gaining momentum in the field of Terramechanics, but the basis is Terzaghi’s bearing capacity equation. For the current study, on a lunar soil simulant TRI – 1, two plain rigid wheels are considered, i.e., small wheel (dia. of 210 mm and width of 50 mm) and large wheel (dia. 160 mm and width 32 mm). Also, different number of lugs (N = 8, 12, 16) with various lug heights (h = 5 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm) are used. In this paper, the variation of wheel sinkages from experiments obtained for various wheel weights are examined and presented. The parameter, Coefficient of rolling resistance (CRR) is determined for various cases. Hence, rolling resistance was determined and examined from the obtained CRR for all cases. Among the cases examined, the large wheel with weight 67.44 N for plain wheels and weight 67.85 N for lugged wheel (no. of lugs = 16, and height of lugs = 5 mm) registered better mobility. Similarly, for small wheel with weight 52.189 N for plain wheel and weight 52.481 N for lugged wheel (no. of lugs = 16, and height of lugs = 5 mm) registered better mobility, a lesser rolling resistance for these cases.

Birth weight interacts with a functional variant of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) to predict executive functioning in children.

PubMed

Wade, Mark; Prime, Heather; Hoffmann, Thomas J; Schmidt, Louis A; O'Connor, Thomas G; Jenkins, Jennifer M

2018-02-01

Genetic variation in the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) is associated with several psychiatric conditions characterized by deficits in executive functioning (EF). A specific OXTR variant, rs2254298, has previously been associated with brain functioning in regions implicated in EF. Moreover, birth weight variation across the entire range is associated with individual differences in cortical structure and function that underlie EF. This is the first study to examine the main and interactive effect between rs2254298 and birth weight on EF in children. The sample consisted of 310 children from an ongoing longitudinal study. EF was measured at age 4.5 using observational tasks indexing working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control. A family-based design that controlled for population admixture, stratification, and nongenomic confounds was employed. A significant genetic association between rs2254298 and EF was observed, with more copies of the major allele (G) associated with higher EF. There was also a significant interaction between rs2254298 and birth weight, such that more copies of the major allele in combination with higher birth weight predicted better EF. Findings suggest that OXTR may be associated with discrete neurocognitive abilities in childhood, and these effects may be modulated by intrauterine conditions related to fetal growth and development.

Seasonally different reproductive investment in a medium-sized rodent (Cavia aperea).

PubMed

Rübensam, K; Hribal, R; Jewgenow, K; Guenther, A

2015-09-01

Pronounced seasonal variations in day length, temperature, and resource availability characterize the temperate regions and strongly influence the animals living in these environments. To survive and reproduce successfully, animals must allocate resources among competing physiological systems, and they usually adjust their time of breeding to the most adequate season. Here, we examined whether reproductive investment in the wild guinea pig (Cavia aperea) differs across seasons. We kept animals in combined indoor-outdoor enclosures under natural light and temperature year-round. We measured littering probability, litter size, and birth weight, as well as maternal weight loss during lactation. In addition, we measured ovulation rate as a parameter to adjust reproductive investment prenatally. Our data reveal strong seasonal variations in reproductive traits despite the fact that the animals reproduced year-round. The results show a reduced reproductive investment in winter, indicated by a lower litter size and birth weight of pups, whereas investment was highest in warm seasons (summer and autumn) with higher litter size and birth weight. Maternal weight loss in lactation was highest in cold seasons even if the litter size was lower. Furthermore, we found the regulation on the proximate level of the reproductive investment, the ovulation rate, to differ significantly between the seasons. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Functional diversity characteristics of canopy tree species of Jianfengling tropical montane rainforest on Hainan Island, China.

PubMed

Xu, Ge Xi; Shi, Zuo Min; Tang, Jing Chao; Liu, Shun; Ma, Fan Qiang; Xu, Han; Liu, Shi Rong; Li, Yi de

2016-11-18

Based on three 1-hm 2 plots of Jianfengling tropical montane rainforest on Hainan Island, 11 commom used functional traits of canopy trees were measured. After combining with topographical factors and trees census data of these three plots, we compared the impacts of weighted species abundance on two functional dispersion indices, mean pairwise distance (MPD) and mean nearest taxon distance (MNTD), by using single- and multi-dimensional traits, respectively. The relationship between functional richness of the forest canopies and species abundance was analyzed. We used a null model approach to explore the variations in standardized size effects of MPD and MNTD, which were weighted by species abundance and eliminated the influences of species richness diffe-rences among communities, and assessed functional diversity patterns of the forest canopies and their responses to local habitat heterogeneity at community's level. The results showed that variation in MPD was greatly dependent on the dimensionalities of functional traits as well as species abundance. The correlations between weighted and non-weighted MPD based on different dimensional traits were relatively weak (R=0.359-0.628). On the contrary, functional traits and species abundance had relatively weak effects on MNTD, which brought stronger correlations between weighted and non-weighted MNTD based on different dimensional traits (R=0.746-0.820). Functional dispersion of the forest canopies were generally overestimated when using non-weighted MPD and MNTD. Functional richness of the forest canopies showed an exponential relationship with species abundance (F=128.20; R 2 =0.632; AIC=97.72; P＜0.001), which might exist a species abundance threshold value. Patterns of functional diversity of the forest canopies based on different dimensional functional traits and their habitat responses showed variations in some degree. Forest canopies in the valley usually had relatively stronger biological competition, and functional diversity was higher than expected functional diversity randomized by null model, which indicated dispersed distribution of functional traits among canopy tree species in this habitat. However, the functional diversity of the forest canopies tended to be close or lower than randomization in the other habitat types, which demonstrated random or clustered distribution of the functional traits among canopy tree species.

The contribution of school environmental factors to individual and school variation in disordered weight control behaviors in a statewide sample of middle schools.

PubMed

Austin, S Bryn; Richmond, Tracy K; Spadano-Gasbarro, Jennifer; Greaney, Mary L; Blood, Emily A; Walls, Courtney; Wang, Monica L; Mezgebu, Solomon; Osganian, Stavroula K; Peterson, Karen E

2013-01-01

We investigated the contribution of school environmental factors to individual and school variation in disordered weight control behaviors (DWCB). Analyses were based on self-report data gathered from 18,567 middle-school students in 2005 and publicly available data on school characteristics. We observed large differences across schools in percent of students engaging in DWCB in the past month, ranging from less than 1% of the student body to 12%. School-neighborhood poverty was associated with higher odds of DWCB in boys. Preventive strategies need to account for wide variability across schools and environmental factors that may contribute to DWCB in early adolescence.

Body weight-dependent troponin T alternative splicing is evolutionarily conserved from insects to mammals and is partially impaired in skeletal muscle of obese rats.

PubMed

Schilder, Rudolf J; Kimball, Scot R; Marden, James H; Jefferson, Leonard S

2011-05-01

Do animals know at a physiological level how much they weigh, and, if so, do they make homeostatic adjustments in response to changes in body weight? Skeletal muscle is a likely tissue for such plasticity, as weight-bearing muscles receive mechanical feedback regarding body weight and consume ATP in order to generate forces sufficient to counteract gravity. Using rats, we examined how variation in body weight affected alternative splicing of fast skeletal muscle troponin T (Tnnt3), a component of the thin filament that regulates the actin-myosin interaction during contraction and modulates force output. In response to normal growth and experimental body weight increases, alternative splicing of Tnnt3 in rat gastrocnemius muscle was adjusted in a quantitative fashion. The response depended on weight per se, as externally attached loads had the same effect as an equal change in actual body weight. Examining the association between Tnnt3 alternative splicing and ATP consumption rate, we found that the Tnnt3 splice form profile had a significant association with nocturnal energy expenditure, independently of effects of weight. For a subset of the Tnnt3 splice forms, obese Zucker rats failed to make the same adjustments; that is, they did not show the same relationship between body weight and the relative abundance of five Tnnt3 β splice forms (i.e. Tnnt3 β2-β5 and β8), four of which showed significant effects on nocturnal energy expenditure in Sprague-Dawley rats. Heavier obese Zucker rats displayed certain splice form relative abundances (e.g. Tnnt3 β3) characteristic of much lighter, lean animals, resulting in a mismatch between body weight and muscle molecular composition. Consequently, we suggest that body weight-inappropriate skeletal muscle Tnnt3 expression in obesity is a candidate mechanism for muscle weakness and reduced mobility. Weight-dependent quantitative variation in Tnnt3 alternative splicing appears to be an evolutionarily conserved feature of skeletal muscle and provides a quantitative molecular marker to track how an animal perceives and responds to body weight.

77 FR 16001 - Interim Procedures for Considering Requests Under the Commercial Availability Provision of the...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-19

... reasons it is not currently produced or offered. (iii) If the subject product involves a style, weight, or... offered. (iv) If the subject product involves a style, weight, or other variation that is new to the... information collection is subject to review and approval by the Office of Management and Budget's (``OMB...

Development of haplotype-specific molecular markers for the low-molecular-weight glutenin subunits

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Low-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (LMW-GSs) are one of the major components of gluten and their allelic variation has been widely associated with numerous wheat end-use quality parameters. These proteins are encoded by multigene families located at the orthologous Glu-3 loci (Glu-A3, Glu-B3 and...

Effects of Molecular Structure in Macroscopic Mechanical Properties of an Advanced Polymer (LARC(sup TM)-SI)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nicholson, Lee M.; Hinkley, Jeffrey A.; Whitley, Karen S.; Gates, Thomas S.

2004-01-01

Mechanical testing of an advanced polymer resin with known variations in molecular weight was performed over a range of temperatures below the glass transition temperature. The elastic properties, inelastic elongation behavior, and notched tensile strength all as a function of molecular weight and test temperature were determined. It was shown that notched tensile strength is a strong function of both temperature and molecular weight, whereas stiffness is only a strong function of temperature.

The World Health Organization fetal growth charts: concept, findings, interpretation, and application.

PubMed

Kiserud, Torvid; Benachi, Alexandra; Hecher, Kurt; Perez, Rogelio González; Carvalho, José; Piaggio, Gilda; Platt, Lawrence D

2018-02-01

Ultrasound biometry is an important clinical tool for the identification, monitoring, and management of fetal growth restriction and development of macrosomia. This is even truer in populations in which perinatal morbidity and mortality rates are high, which is a reason that much effort is put onto making the technique available everywhere, including low-income societies. Until recently, however, commonly used reference ranges were based on single populations largely from industrialized countries. Thus, the World Health Organization prioritized the establishment of fetal growth charts for international use. New fetal growth charts for common fetal measurements and estimated fetal weight were based on a longitudinal study of 1387 low-risk pregnant women from 10 countries (Argentina, Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Norway, and Thailand) that provided 8203 sets of ultrasound measurements. The participants were characterized by median age 28 years, 58% nulliparous, normal body mass index, with no socioeconomic or nutritional constraints (median caloric intake, 1840 calories/day), and had the ability to attend the ultrasound sessions, thus essentially representing urban populations. Median gestational age at birth was 39 weeks, and birthweight was 3300 g, both with significant differences among countries. Quantile regression was used to establish the fetal growth charts, which also made it possible to demonstrate a number of features of fetal growth that previously were not well appreciated or unknown: (1) There was an asymmetric distribution of estimated fetal weight in the population. During early second trimester, the distribution was wider among fetuses <50th percentile compared with those above. The pattern was reversed in the third trimester, with a notably wider variation >50th percentile. (2) Although fetal sex, maternal factors (height, weight, age, and parity), and country had significant influence on fetal weight (1-4.5% each), their effect was graded across the percentiles. For example, the positive effect of maternal height on fetal weight was strongest on the lowest percentiles and smallest on the highest percentiles for estimated fetal weight. (3) When adjustment was made for maternal covariates, there was still a significant effect of country as covariate that indicated that ethnic, cultural, and geographic variation play a role. (4) Variation between populations was not restricted to fetal size because there were also differences in growth trajectories. (5) The wide physiologic ranges, as illustrated by the 5th-95th percentile for estimated fetal weight being 2205-3538 g at 37 weeks gestation, signify that human fetal growth under optimized maternal conditions is not uniform. Rather, it has a remarkable variation that largely is unexplained by commonly known factors. We suggest this variation could be part of our common biologic strategy that makes human evolution extremely successful. The World Health Organization fetal growth charts are intended to be used internationally based on low-risk pregnancies from populations in Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America. We consider it prudent to test and monitor whether the growth charts' performance meets the local needs, because refinements are possible by a change in cut-offs or customization for fetal sex, maternal factors, and populations. In the same line, the study finding of variations emphasizes the need for carefully adjusted growth charts that reflect optimal local growth when public health issues are addressed. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Within-Site Variation in Feather Stable Hydrogen Isotope (δ2Hf) Values of Boreal Songbirds: Implications for Assignment to Molt Origin.

PubMed

Nordell, Cameron J; Haché, Samuel; Bayne, Erin M; Sólymos, Péter; Foster, Kenneth R; Godwin, Christine M; Krikun, Richard; Pyle, Peter; Hobson, Keith A

2016-01-01

Understanding bird migration and dispersal is important to inform full life-cycle conservation planning. Stable hydrogen isotope ratios from feathers (δ2Hf) can be linked to amount-weighted long-term, growing season precipitation δ2H (δ2Hp) surfaces to create δ2Hf isoscapes for assignment to molt origin. However, transfer functions linking δ2Hp with δ2Hf are influenced by physiological and environmental processes. A better understanding of the causes and consequences of variation in δ2Hf values among individuals and species will improve the predictive ability of geographic assignment tests. We tested for effects of species, land cover, forage substrate, nest substrate, diet composition, body mass, sex, and phylogenetic relatedness on δ2Hf from individuals at least two years old of 21 songbird species captured during the same breeding season at a site in northeastern Alberta, Canada. For four species, we also tested for a year × species interaction effect on δ2Hf. A model including species as single predictor received the most support (AIC weight = 0.74) in explaining variation in δ2Hf. A species-specific variance parameter was part of all best-ranked models, suggesting variation in δ2Hf was not consistent among species. The second best-ranked model included a forage substrate × diet interaction term (AIC weight = 0.16). There was a significant year × species interaction effect on δ2Hf suggesting that interspecific differences in δ2Hf can differ among years. Our results suggest that within- and among-year interspecific variation in δ2Hf is the most important source of variance typically not being explicitly quantified in geographic assignment tests using non-specific transfer functions to convert δ2Hp into δ2Hf. However, this source of variation is consistent with the range of variation from the transfer functions most commonly being propagated in assignment tests of geographic origins for passerines breeding in North America.

Impact of bowel gas and body outline variations on total accumulated dose with intensity-modulated proton therapy in locally advanced cervical cancer patients.

PubMed

Berger, Thomas; Petersen, Jørgen Breede Baltzer; Lindegaard, Jacob Christian; Fokdal, Lars Ulrik; Tanderup, Kari

2017-11-01

Density changes occurring during fractionated radiotherapy in the pelvic region may degrade proton dose distributions. The aim of the study was to quantify the dosimetric impact of gas cavities and body outline variations. Seven patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) were analyzed through a total of 175 daily cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. Four-beams intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) dose plans were generated targeting the internal target volume (ITV) composed of: primary tumor, elective and pathological nodes. The planned dose was 45 Gy [Relative-Biological-Effectiveness-weighted (RBE)] in 25 fractions and simultaneously integrated boosts of pathologic lymph nodes were 55-57.5 Gy (RBE). In total, 475 modified CTs were generated to evaluate the effect of: 1/gas cavities, 2/outline variations and 3/the two combined. The anatomy of each fraction was simulated by propagating gas cavities contours and body outlines from each daily CBCT to the pCT. Hounsfield units corresponding to gas and fat were assigned to the propagated contours. D98 (least dose received by the hottest 98% of the volume) and D99.9 for targets and V43Gy(RBE) (volume receiving ≥43 Gy(RBE)) for organs at risk (OARs) were recalculated on each modified CT, and total dose was evaluated through dose volume histogram (DVH) addition across all fractions. Weight changes during radiotherapy were between -3.1% and 1.2%. Gas cavities and outline variations induced a median [range] dose degradation for ITV45 of 1.0% [0.5-3.5%] for D98 and 2.1% [0.8-6.4%] for D99.9. Outline variations had larger dosimetric impact than gas cavities. Worst nodal dose degradation was 2.0% for D98 and 2.3% for D99.9. The impact on bladder, bowel and rectum was limited with V43Gy(RBE) variations ≤3.5 cm 3 . Bowel gas cavities and outline variations had minor impact on accumulated dose in targets and OAR of four-field IMPT in a LACC population of moderate weight changes.

[Variations of the nutritional condition of lobsters Panulirus argus (Decapoda: Palinuridae) in Eastern region of the Gulf of Batabanó, Cuba].

PubMed

Lopeztegui Castillo, Alexander; Capetillo Piñar, Norberto; Betanzos Vega, Abel

2012-03-01

Nutritional condition can affect survival and growth rate of crustaceans, and this is mostly affected by habitat conditions. This study describes the space-temporary nutritional changes in this commercially important species. With this aim, the variations in the nutritional condition (K) of lobsters from four zones (1, 2, 4 and 5) in the Gulf of Batabanó, Cuba, were determined. For this, the weight/length ratio (K=Pt/Lt) was calculated using animals captured in 1981 and 2010. The nutritional condition between areas and sexes, and years and sexes, was contrasted by a bifactorial ANOVA, and the overall length and weight of lobsters were compared using a t-Test for independent samples and unifactorial ANOVA. It was found that the nutritional condition was significantly greater in males than in females. In addition, significant variations between zones were detected for both years. Nutritional condition of lobsters from Zone five was the highest for 1981, while it was Zone two for 2010. Lobsters nutritional state showed significant variations between years, being greater in 1981 (2.34 +/- 0.84g/mm) than in 2010 (1.96 +/- 0.49g/mm). The inter-zones variations as well as the inter-annual ones seem to be related to the reported variations of the bottom type and the vegetation cover. Seasonal variations in the abundance and distribution of benthic organisms, that constitute food for lobsters, could also be influencing. The differences between sexes, however, were assumed as a consequence of the methodology used and the sexual dimorphism of the species. Due to other K estimation methods, that do not include morphometric measurements, these differences were not detected. We suggested that the P. argus nutritional condition is a good estimator of the habitat condition. Besides, according to the applied K estimation methodology, it was found that different groups of lobsters that have resemblant nutritional condition, did not necessarily observe similarities in the overall mean length or weight, so they could exist under different habitat conditions.

Influence of seasonal variation in mood and behavior on cognitive test performance among young adults.

PubMed

Merikanto, Ilona; Lahti, Tuuli; Castaneda, Anu E; Tuulio-Henriksson, Annamari; Aalto-Setälä, Terhi; Suvisaari, Jaana; Partonen, Timo

2012-10-01

Seasonal variations in mood and behavior are common among the general population and may have a deteriorating effect on cognitive functions. In this study the effect of seasonal affective disorder (SAD-like symptoms) on cognitive test performance were evaluated in more detail. The data were derived from the study Mental Health in Early Adulthood in Finland. Participants (n = 481) filled in a modified Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ) and performed cognitive tests in verbal and visual skills, attention and general intelligence. SAD-like symptoms, especially regarding the seasonal variations in weight and appetite, had a significant effect on working memory (Digit Span Backward, P = 0.008) and auditory attention and short-term memory (Digit Span Forward, P = 0.004). The seasonal variations in sleep duration and mood had an effect on auditory attention and short-term memory (Digit Span Forward, P = 0.02 and P = 0.0002, respectively). The seasonal variations in social activity and energy level had no effect. Seasonal changes in mood, appetite and weight have an impairing effect on auditory attention and processing speed. If performance tests are not to repeated in different seasons, attention needs to be given to the most appropriate season in which to test.

Statistical image reconstruction from correlated data with applications to PET

PubMed Central

Alessio, Adam; Sauer, Ken; Kinahan, Paul

2008-01-01

Most statistical reconstruction methods for emission tomography are designed for data modeled as conditionally independent Poisson variates. In reality, due to scanner detectors, electronics and data processing, correlations are introduced into the data resulting in dependent variates. In general, these correlations are ignored because they are difficult to measure and lead to computationally challenging statistical reconstruction algorithms. This work addresses the second concern, seeking to simplify the reconstruction of correlated data and provide a more precise image estimate than the conventional independent methods. In general, correlated variates have a large non-diagonal covariance matrix that is computationally challenging to use as a weighting term in a reconstruction algorithm. This work proposes two methods to simplify the use of a non-diagonal covariance matrix as the weighting term by (a) limiting the number of dimensions in which the correlations are modeled and (b) adopting flexible, yet computationally tractable, models for correlation structure. We apply and test these methods with simple simulated PET data and data processed with the Fourier rebinning algorithm which include the one-dimensional correlations in the axial direction and the two-dimensional correlations in the transaxial directions. The methods are incorporated into a penalized weighted least-squares 2D reconstruction and compared with a conventional maximum a posteriori approach. PMID:17921576

Modeling production functions and economic weights in intensive meat production of guinea pigs.

PubMed

Pascual, Mariam; Cruz, Danny Julio; Blasco, Agustín

2017-10-01

A profit function for a typical commercial farm of intensive guinea pig production was designed. The simulated farm contained 86 cages with a ratio of 7:1 females/males, with continuous mating. Kits were weaned at 15 days of age and slaughtered for meat production at 90 days of age. The absolute (EW) and relative economic weights of the main traits were calculated. The highest EW were kits produced per kindling (US$25), kits weaned per kindling (US$22), kits born alive per kindling (US$20), and the number of kindlings per female and year (US$12). Profit, returns, and costs per female and year were US$15, 68, and 53, respectively. Returns came from the production of young guinea pigs and discarded reproductive adults for meat production, 90 and 10% of the total returns. The highest costs were feeding and labor, 44 and 23% of the total cost. The EW and profit did not substantially change when simulating variations of ±20% in the prices of kilograms of fattening feed and kilograms of live weight of guinea pig, showing their robustness to future variations in market prices or to variations in prices between countries. The results obtained highlight the importance of the feeding costs in the guinea pig meat production.

Widespread differential maternal and paternal genome effects on fetal bone phenotype at mid-gestation.

PubMed

Xiang, Ruidong; Lee, Alice M C; Eindorf, Tanja; Javadmanesh, Ali; Ghanipoor-Samami, Mani; Gugger, Madeleine; Fitzsimmons, Carolyn J; Kruk, Zbigniew A; Pitchford, Wayne S; Leviton, Alison J; Thomsen, Dana A; Beckman, Ian; Anderson, Gail I; Burns, Brian M; Rutley, David L; Xian, Cory J; Hiendleder, Stefan

2014-11-01

Parent-of-origin-dependent (epi)genetic factors are important determinants of prenatal development that program adult phenotype. However, data on magnitude and specificity of maternal and paternal genome effects on fetal bone are lacking. We used an outbred bovine model to dissect and quantify effects of parental genomes, fetal sex, and nongenetic maternal effects on the fetal skeleton and analyzed phenotypic and molecular relationships between fetal muscle and bone. Analysis of 51 bone morphometric and weight parameters from 72 fetuses recovered at day 153 gestation (54% term) identified six principal components (PC1-6) that explained 80% of the variation in skeletal parameters. Parental genomes accounted for most of the variation in bone wet weight (PC1, 72.1%), limb ossification (PC2, 99.8%), flat bone size (PC4, 99.7%), and axial skeletal growth (PC5, 96.9%). Limb length showed lesser effects of parental genomes (PC3, 40.8%) and a significant nongenetic maternal effect (gestational weight gain, 29%). Fetal sex affected bone wet weight (PC1, p < 0.0001) and limb length (PC3, p < 0.05). Partitioning of variation explained by parental genomes revealed strong maternal genome effects on bone wet weight (74.1%, p < 0.0001) and axial skeletal growth (93.5%, p < 0.001), whereas paternal genome controlled limb ossification (95.1%, p < 0.0001). Histomorphometric data revealed strong maternal genome effects on growth plate height (98.6%, p < 0.0001) and trabecular thickness (85.5%, p < 0.0001) in distal femur. Parental genome effects on fetal bone were mirrored by maternal genome effects on fetal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (96.9%, p < 0.001) and paternal genome effects on alkaline phosphatase (90.0%, p < 0.001) and their correlations with maternally controlled bone wet weight and paternally controlled limb ossification, respectively. Bone wet weight and flat bone size correlated positively with muscle weight (r = 0.84 and 0.77, p < 0.0001) and negatively with muscle H19 expression (r = -0.34 and -0.31, p < 0.01). Because imprinted maternally expressed H19 regulates growth factors by miRNA interference, this suggests muscle-bone interaction via epigenetic factors. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Isoleucine epimerization and amino acid composition in molecular-weight separations of Pleistocene Genyornis eggshell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaufman, Darrell S.; Miller, Gifford H.

1995-07-01

This study explores the geochronological utility and analytical reproducibility of separating the high-molecular-weight fraction (HMW) from eggshells of the extinct late Pleistocene ratite, Genyornis, using disposable, prepacked gel-filtration columns. The superior integrity of ratite eggshell for the retention of amino acids indicates that this biomineral is better suited for this type of investigation than previously studied molluscan shell. To evaluate the reproducibility of the gel-filtration technique, we analyzed triplicate subsamples of three eggshells of different ages. The reproducibility, based on the average intrashell variation (coefficient of variation; CV) in the extent of isoleucine epimerization (aIle/Ile) in the HMW (enriched in molecules ca. >10,000 MW) is 3%, well within the range appropriate for geochronological purposes. The average intrashell variation in the total amino acid concentration (Σ[aa]) of the HMW is 5%, somewhat better than for the total acid hydrolysate (TOTAL) of the same samples (7%). To evaluate the relation between molecular weight and the rate of isoleucine epimerization, three molecular-weight fractions were separated using gel filtration, plus the naturally hydrolyzed free fraction (FREE), for each of four fossil eggshells. AIle/Ile increases with decreasing molecular weight in all shells, with a ca. sixfold to ninefold difference in ratios between the HMW andFREE, and a ca. fivefold difference between the HMW andTOTAL. Although linear correlations between aIle/Ile measured in each molecular-weight fraction and in theTOTAL are all highly significant (r ⩾ 0.951), the relation between the extent of epimerization in the HMW and in the TOTAL is best expressed as an exponential function (r = 0.951). This relation is consistent with the idea that, as the epimerization reaction approaches equilibrium in theTOTAL (ca. aIle/Ile > 1.1), its rate decreases beyond that of the HMW. The amino acid composition (relative percent of eight amino acids or combinations of amino acids) is more uniform in the HMW of the four samples compared to lower-molecular-weight fractions. The greater "compositional stability" of the HMW indicates that it contains a residuum of macromolecules that have not been affected by the diagenetically driven changes observed in lower-molecular-weight fractions.

Quantifying the effects of genetic selection and genetic variation for body size, carcass composition, and meat quality in the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus).

PubMed

Sandercock, D A; Nute, G R; Hocking, P M

2009-05-01

A multistrain experiment was conducted to quantify the extent of genetic differences in carcass and muscle yields, muscle quality, support organs, and taste panel assessments of cooked breast muscle of 296 birds from 37 lines of commercial broiler, layer, and traditional chickens. The birds were reared as broilers and 4 males from each line were slaughtered at 6 and 10 wk of age. The extent of genetic variation was measured as the intraclass correlation. The intraclass correlation for live weight; carcass yields; breast, drum, and wing portions; and associated muscle yields were high, whereas those for the thigh portion and yield were low. Broilers had more breast and thigh muscle but similar drum muscle as a proportion of carcass weight compared with layer and traditional lines. Genetic variation for muscle quality (plasma creatine kinase activity) was high; that for muscle color (L, a, and b) and hemorrhage score were moderate in size and were greater at 10 than at 6 wk of age. Broiler lines had greater creatine kinase activity indicative of greater muscle pathology; breast muscle was lighter, less red and yellow in color, and had a greater hemorrhage score than muscle from layer and traditional lines, which were similar. Intraclass correlations for taste panel scores were low and generally not significant except for texture, chicken flavor intensity, flavor liking, and overall liking at 6 wk of age. Significantly greater scores from broiler compared with layer and traditional lines for texture, chicken flavor intensity, and overall liking were observed. At 10 wk of age, chicken flavor intensity did not differ between broiler or layer birds but was significantly greater in both groups than traditional birds. Genetic variation for relative weight of abdominal fat, spleen, and heart was moderately high and greater at 10 than at 6 wk of age. Broiler carcasses had a relatively high proportion of abdominal fat and smaller spleen and heart weights.

Management of fresh water weeds (macrophytes) by vermicomposting using Eisenia fetida.

PubMed

Najar, Ishtiyaq Ahmed; Khan, Anisa B

2013-09-01

In the present study, potential of Eisenia fetida to recycle the different types of fresh water weeds (macrophytes) used as substrate in different reactors (Azolla pinnata reactor, Trapa natans reactor, Ceratophyllum demersum reactor, free-floating macrophytes mixture reactor, and submerged macrophytes mixture reactor) during 2 months experiment is investigated. E. fetida showed significant variation in number and weight among the reactors and during the different fortnights (P <0.05) with maximum in A. pinnata reactor (number 343.3 ± 10.23 %; weight 98.62 ± 4.23 % ) and minimum in submerged macrophytes mixture reactor (number 105 ± 5.77 %; weight 41.07 ± 3.97 % ). ANOVA showed significant variation in cocoon production (F4 = 15.67, P <0.05) and mean body weight (F4 = 13.49, P <0.05) among different reactors whereas growth rate (F3 = 23.62, P <0.05) and relative growth rate (F3 = 4.91, P <0.05) exhibited significant variation during different fortnights. Reactors showed significant variation (P <0.05) in pH, Electrical conductivity (EC), Organic carbon (OC), Organic nitrogen (ON), and C/N ratio during different fortnights with increase in pH, EC, N, and K whereas decrease in OC and C/N ratio. Hierarchical cluster analysis grouped five substrates (weeds) into three clusters-poor vermicompost substrates, moderate vermicompost substrate, and excellent vermicompost substrate. Two principal components (PCs) have been identified by factor analysis with a cumulative variance of 90.43 %. PC1 accounts for 47.17 % of the total variance represents "reproduction factor" and PC2 explaining 43.26 % variance representing "growth factor." Thus, the nature of macrophyte affects the growth and reproduction pattern of E. fetida among the different reactors, further the addition of A. pinnata in other macrophytes reactors can improve their recycling by E. fetida.

When does weight matter most?

PubMed

Chen, Alice J

2012-01-01

Past empirical work establishes a wage penalty from being overweight. In this paper, I exploit variation in an individual's weight over time to determine the age when weight has the largest impact on labor market outcomes. For white men, controlling for weight at younger ages does not eliminate the effect of older adult weight on wage: being overweight as a young adult only adds an additional penalty to adult wages. However, for white women, what they weigh in their early twenties solely determines the existence of an adult wage penalty. The female early-twenties weight penalty has a persistent effect on wages, and differences in marital characteristics, occupation status, or education cannot explain it. It also is not a proxy for intergenerational unobservables. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Development of sustained release floating drug delivery system for norfloxacin: in vitro and in vivo evaluation.

PubMed

Guguloth, Mohan; Bomma, Ramesh; Veerabrahma, Kishan

2011-01-01

Norfloxacin is a drug with an absorption window. Its oral bioavailability is 30-40% and is a case for improvement by appropriate formulation design. In our previous study, gastroretentive floating tablets for norfloxacin were developed employing three different polymers such as HPMC K4M, HPMC K100M, and xanthan gum. The purpose of this investigation is to further improve and evaluate the in vitro and in vivo performance of the prepared floating tablets by inclusion of citric acid as an acidifier, which is also useful in a fed state. The prepared tablets were characterized and found to exhibit satisfactory physico-chemical characteristics. The effects of citric acid at different concentrations on drug release and floating properties were studied. All the prepared batches showed good in vitro buoyancy. It was observed that the tablets remained buoyant for 24 h. The best formulation (F4c), consisting of 1.5% citric acid and 18% HPMC K4M, was selected based on in vitro characteristics and used in vivo radiographic studies by incorporating barium sulphate. These studies revealed that the tablets remained in the stomach for 205 ± 8.4 min in fasting human volunteers. In vivo studies were carried out for the best formulation in eight healthy male human volunteers, and the pharmacokinetic parameters of the developed formulation were compared with marketed conventional (Norbid) tablets. Based on the in vivo performance in a two-way, crossover study design in healthy subjects, the developed floating tablets showed superior bioavailability than the Norbid tablets. The increased bioavailability of developed formulation was found to be 16.27%. Norfloxacin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections such as respiratory and urinary tract infections. Conventional norfloxacin tablets show incomplete drug absorption resulting in lower bioavailabilty. Norfloxacin is better absorbed in the stomach. The dosage forms that remain in the stomach are referred to as gastroretentive drug delivery systems. Gastroretentive floating tablets of norfloxcin were developed by employing three different polymers, which prolonged the drug release from the dosage forms. Tablet floatation was achieved by an effervescent mechanism. Citric acid at different concentrations was used in formulations to provide an acidic microenvironment. The prepared tablets were characterized for hardness, weight variation, thickness, friability, floating lag time, and dissolution. Around 12 tablet formulations were prepared as a continuation of the previous work. The best formulation (F4c) was selected based on in vitro characteristics and used in vivo radiographic studies by incorporating barium sulphate as a radio-opaque agent. The tablets remained in the stomach for about 205 ± 8.4 min. Bioavailability studies were conducted in healthy male human volunteers, and the pharmacokinetic parameters of the best formulation were compared with that of the marketed conventional (Norbid) tablet. The increased bioavailability of the developed formulation was found to be 16.27%.

A variational image-based approach to the correction of susceptibility artifacts in the alignment of diffusion weighted and structural MRI.

PubMed

Tao, Ran; Fletcher, P Thomas; Gerber, Samuel; Whitaker, Ross T

2009-01-01

This paper presents a method for correcting the geometric and greyscale distortions in diffusion-weighted MRI that result from inhomogeneities in the static magnetic field. These inhomogeneities may due to imperfections in the magnet or to spatial variations in the magnetic susceptibility of the object being imaged--so called susceptibility artifacts. Echo-planar imaging (EPI), used in virtually all diffusion weighted acquisition protocols, assumes a homogeneous static field, which generally does not hold for head MRI. The resulting distortions are significant, sometimes more than ten millimeters. These artifacts impede accurate alignment of diffusion images with structural MRI, and are generally considered an obstacle to the joint analysis of connectivity and structure in head MRI. In principle, susceptibility artifacts can be corrected by acquiring (and applying) a field map. However, as shown in the literature and demonstrated in this paper, field map corrections of susceptibility artifacts are not entirely accurate and reliable, and thus field maps do not produce reliable alignment of EPIs with corresponding structural images. This paper presents a new, image-based method for correcting susceptibility artifacts. The method relies on a variational formulation of the match between an EPI baseline image and a corresponding T2-weighted structural image but also specifically accounts for the physics of susceptibility artifacts. We derive a set of partial differential equations associated with the optimization, describe the numerical methods for solving these equations, and present results that demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method compared with field-map correction.

Molecular plasticity and functional enhancements of leg muscles in response to hypergravity in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster.

PubMed

Schilder, Rudolf J; Raynor, Megan

2017-10-01

Studies of organismal and tissue biomechanics have clearly demonstrated that musculoskeletal design is strongly dependent on experienced loads, which can vary in the short term, as a result of growth during life history and during the evolution of animal body size. However, how animals actually perceive and make adjustments to their load-bearing musculoskeletal elements that accommodate variation in their body weight is poorly understood. We developed an experimental model system that can be used to start addressing these open questions, and uses hypergravity centrifugation to experimentally manipulate the loads experienced by Drosophila melanogaster We examined effects of this manipulation on leg muscle alternative splicing of the sarcomere gene troponin T ( Dmel\\up ; Fbgn0004169, herein referred to by its synonym TnT ), a process that was previously demonstrated to precisely correlate with quantitative variation in body weight in Lepidoptera and rat. In a similar fashion, hypergravity centrifugation caused fast (i.e. within 24 h) changes to fly leg muscle TnT alternative splicing that correlated with body weight variation across eight D. melanogaster lines. Hypergravity treatment also appeared to enhance leg muscle function, as centrifuged flies showed an increased negative geotaxis response and jump ability. Although the identity and location of the sensors and effectors involved remains unknown, our results provide further support for the existence of an evolutionarily conserved mechanism that translates signals that encode body weight into appropriate skeletal muscle molecular and functional responses. © 2017. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

Fast T2*-weighted MRI of the prostate at 3 Tesla.

PubMed

Hardman, Rulon L; El-Merhi, Fadi; Jung, Adam J; Ware, Steve; Thompson, Ian M; Friel, Harry T; Peng, Qi

2011-04-01

To describe a rapid T2*-weighted (T2*W), three-dimensional (3D) echo planar imaging (EPI) sequence and its application in mapping local magnetic susceptibility variations in 3 Tesla (T) prostate MRI. To compare the sensitivity of T2*W EPI with routinely used T1-weighted turbo-spin echo sequence (T1W TSE) in detecting hemorrhage and the implications on sequences sensitive to field inhomogeneities such as MR spectroscopy (MRS). B(0) susceptibility weighted mapping was performed using a 3D EPI sequence featuring a 2D spatial excitation pulse with gradients of spiral k-space trajectory. A series of 11 subjects were imaged using 3T MRI and combination endorectal (ER) and six-channel phased array cardiac coils. T1W TSE and T2*W EPI sequences were analyzed quantitatively for hemorrhage contrast. Point resolved spectroscopy (PRESS MRS) was performed and data quality was analyzed. Two types of susceptibility variation were identified: hemorrhagic and nonhemorrhagic T2*W-positive areas. Post-biopsy hemorrhage lesions showed on average five times greater contrast on the T2*W images than T1W TSE images. Six nonhemorrhage regions of severe susceptibility artifact were apparent on the T2*W images that were not seen on standard T1W or T2W images. All nonhemorrhagic susceptibility artifact regions demonstrated compromised spectral quality on 3D MRS. The fast T2*W EPI sequence identifies hemorrhagic and nonhemorrhagic areas of susceptibility variation that may be helpful in prostate MRI planning at 3.0T. Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Influence of low-molecular-weight glutenin subunit haplotypes on dough rheology in elite common wheat varieties

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The low molecular weight glutenin subunits (LMW-GSs) are a class of wheat seed storage proteins. They are encoded by a multigene family located at the Glu-3 loci, and their allelic variation strongly influences wheat end-use quality. Due to ambiguities in the LMW-GS allele nomenclature and to the co...

New Synthesis Of Poly(1,3,4-Oxadiazoles)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Connell, John W.; Hergenrother, Paul M.; Wolf, Peter

1992-01-01

Synthesis via aromatic nucleophilic displacement yields new high-molecular-weight polymers. Polymers exhibited good mechanical and thermal properties. Synthetic route provided high-molecular-weight POX of new chemical structure, potentially more economical. Availability of large variety of activated aromatic dihalides, facilitates variation of chemical structures. Exhibit properties making them useful as films. Also useful in coatings, adhesives, moldings, and composites.

Relating Pine Seed Coat Characteristics to Speed of Germination, Geographic Variation, and Seedling Development

Treesearch

James P. Barnett

1998-01-01

The influence of seed size and weight on early seedling growth of tree species has been studied for over 50 years. Righter (1945) found that, in the genus Pinus, the positive correlation between seed weight and seedling height was temporary and disappeared after time in the field. A more recent study with loblolly pine (Pinus taeda...

A function space framework for structural total variation regularization with applications in inverse problems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hintermüller, Michael; Holler, Martin; Papafitsoros, Kostas

2018-06-01

In this work, we introduce a function space setting for a wide class of structural/weighted total variation (TV) regularization methods motivated by their applications in inverse problems. In particular, we consider a regularizer that is the appropriate lower semi-continuous envelope (relaxation) of a suitable TV type functional initially defined for sufficiently smooth functions. We study examples where this relaxation can be expressed explicitly, and we also provide refinements for weighted TV for a wide range of weights. Since an integral characterization of the relaxation in function space is, in general, not always available, we show that, for a rather general linear inverse problems setting, instead of the classical Tikhonov regularization problem, one can equivalently solve a saddle-point problem where no a priori knowledge of an explicit formulation of the structural TV functional is needed. In particular, motivated by concrete applications, we deduce corresponding results for linear inverse problems with norm and Poisson log-likelihood data discrepancy terms. Finally, we provide proof-of-concept numerical examples where we solve the saddle-point problem for weighted TV denoising as well as for MR guided PET image reconstruction.

[Study on Oxygen Consumption, Oxygen Consumption Rate and Asphyxiation Point of Poecilobdella manillensis].

PubMed

Zhou, Wei-guan; Lv, Wei-ping; Qiu, Yi; Zhou, Wei-hai

2014-12-01

To investigate the oxygen consumption, oxygen consumption rate and asphyxiation point of Poecilobdella ma- nillensis. Oxygen consumption, oxygen consumption rate and asphyxiation point on juvenile (the average weight of 0. 29 g) and adult leech (the average weight of 2.89 g) of Poecilobdella manillensis were measured at water temperature conditions of 20. 2 and 30. 4 °C respectively using an airtight container with flowing water. Oxygen consumptions of Poecilobdella manillensis were increased with the increase of temperature and body weight respectively; However, their oxygen consumption rates circadian variation and the aver- age oxygen consumption rate at daytime were higher than those at night. In addition, their asphyxiation point was declined accordingly with the increase of temperature and body weight respectively. Oxygen consumption and oxygen consumption rate of Poeci- lobdella manillensis were closely associated with their activities and influenced by circadian variation, the preferable feeding time were the period of 6:00-10:00 in the morning or 17:00-19:00 in the afternoon; Meanwhile, Poecilobdella manillensis had a higher ability of the hypoxia tolerance for high density or factory farming, the long time living preservation and the long distance transport.

ISO/GUM UNCERTAINTIES AND CIAAW (UNCERTAINTY TREATMENT FOR RECOMMENDED ATOMIC WEIGHTS AND ISOTOPIC ABUNDANCES)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

HOLDEN,N.E.

2007-07-23

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has published a Guide to the expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM). The IUPAC Commission on Isotopic Abundance and Atomic Weight (CIAAW) began attaching uncertainty limits to their recommended values about forty years ago. CIAAW's method for determining and assigning uncertainties has evolved over time. We trace this evolution to their present method and their effort to incorporate the basic ISO/GUM procedures into evaluations of these uncertainties. We discuss some dilemma the CIAAW faces in their present method and whether it is consistent with the application of the ISO/GUM rules. We discuss the attemptmore » to incorporate variations in measured isotope ratios, due to natural fractionation, into the ISO/GUM system. We make some observations about the inconsistent treatment in the incorporation of natural variations into recommended data and uncertainties. A recommendation for expressing atomic weight values using a tabulated range of values for various chemical elements is discussed.« less

Low-molecular-weight heparins: pharmacologic profile and product differentiation.

PubMed

Fareed, J; Jeske, W; Hoppensteadt, D; Clarizio, R; Walenga, J M

1998-09-10

The interchangeability of low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) has been the subject of discussion since these products were first introduced for the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis. Experimental evidence now exists to show that LMWHs differ from each other in a number of characteristics. Products have been differentiated on the basis of molecular weight and biologic properties, but only limited information derived from the clinical setting is available. Potency has been described on the basis of anti-Factor Xa activity, but at equivalent anti-Xa activities, the anti-Factor IIa activity of different products shows marked variations. At the relatively small doses used for the management of postsurgical deep vein thrombosis, the effect of these interproduct differences may be relatively minor, but as LMWHs are developed for therapeutic use at much higher doses, such differences may become clinically important. Variations in safety and efficacy reported in clinical trials of LMWHs may reflect the known differences in their molecular composition and pharmacologic properties.

The Role of Molecular Weight and Temperature on the Elastic and Viscoelastic Properties of a Glassy Thermoplastic Polyimide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nicholson, Lee M.; Whitley, Karen S.; Gates, Thomas S.

2001-01-01

Mechanical testing of the elastic and viscoelastic response of an advanced thermoplastic polyimide (LaRC-SI) with known variations in molecular weight was performed over a range of temperatures below the glass transition temperature. The notched tensile strength was shown to be a strong function of both molecular weight and temperature, whereas stiffness was only a strong function of temperature. A critical molecular weight was observed to occur at a weight average molecular weight of M, approx. 22,000 g/mol below which, the notched tensile strength decreases rapidly. This critical molecular weight transition is temperature-independent. Low, molecular weight materials tended to fail in a brittle manner, whereas high molecular weight materials exhibited ductile failure. Furthermore, low molecular weight materials have increased creep compliance and creep compliance rate, and are more sensitive to temperature than the high molecular weight materials. At long timescales (less than 1100 hours) physical aging serves to significantly decrease the creep compliance and creep rate of all the materials tested. Low molecular weight materials are less influenced by the effects of physical aging.

Variations in data collection can influence outcome measures of BMI measuring programmes.

PubMed

Townsend, Nick; Rutter, Harry; Foster, Charlie

2011-10-01

The World Health Organization (WHO) promotes the surveillance of obesity prevalence through standardized and harmonized surveillance systems. However, variations in data collection between countries, or between coordinating regions in countries can affect outcome measures. Multilevel analysis of 2007/08 National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) data estimating the relationship between BMI z-score and data collection variations within coordinating regions whilst adjusting for individual-level and school-level variables. The 2007/08 NCMP collected height and weight measurements for 478,381 Reception year pupils (4-5-year-olds) and 496,297 year 6 pupils (10-11-year-olds) from 17,279 primary schools in 152 data collection coordinating regions in England. Data collection variables accounted for 29.7% of the regional variation in BMI z-score for Reception year pupils but only 5.3% for the older Year 6 pupils. Digit preference in the rounding of weight measurements had the greatest impact of all the data collection variables, explaining 26.4% of the regional variation in BMI z-score for Reception year pupils and 4.0% for Year 6 pupils. Although variations in data collection may have a small effect on individual measurements their impact can be magnified when scaled up to regional or national figures. All measurement programmes must regularly identify and minimize variations in data collection to improve accuracy of outcome measures. These factors include those identified within this study: participation and opt out rates, the time in the year the measurements are taken and the recording of measurements to the correct decimal place.

Linearized Programming of Memristors for Artificial Neuro-Sensor Signal Processing

PubMed Central

Yang, Changju; Kim, Hyongsuk

2016-01-01

A linearized programming method of memristor-based neural weights is proposed. Memristor is known as an ideal element to implement a neural synapse due to its embedded functions of analog memory and analog multiplication. Its resistance variation with a voltage input is generally a nonlinear function of time. Linearization of memristance variation about time is very important for the easiness of memristor programming. In this paper, a method utilizing an anti-serial architecture for linear programming is proposed. The anti-serial architecture is composed of two memristors with opposite polarities. It linearizes the variation of memristance due to complimentary actions of two memristors. For programming a memristor, additional memristor with opposite polarity is employed. The linearization effect of weight programming of an anti-serial architecture is investigated and memristor bridge synapse which is built with two sets of anti-serial memristor architecture is taken as an application example of the proposed method. Simulations are performed with memristors of both linear drift model and nonlinear model. PMID:27548186

DSSPcont: continuous secondary structure assignments for proteins

PubMed Central

Carter, Phil; Andersen, Claus A. F.; Rost, Burkhard

2003-01-01

The DSSP program automatically assigns the secondary structure for each residue from the three-dimensional co-ordinates of a protein structure to one of eight states. However, discrete assignments are incomplete in that they cannot capture the continuum of thermal fluctuations. Therefore, DSSPcont (http://cubic.bioc.columbia.edu/services/DSSPcont) introduces a continuous assignment of secondary structure that replaces ‘static’ by ‘dynamic’ states. Technically, the continuum results from calculating weighted averages over 10 discrete DSSP assignments with different hydrogen bond thresholds. A DSSPcont assignment for a particular residue is a percentage likelihood of eight secondary structure states, derived from a weighted average of the ten DSSP assignments. The continuous assignments have two important features: (i) they reflect the structural variations due to thermal fluctuations as detected by NMR spectroscopy; and (ii) they reproduce the structural variation between many NMR models from one single model. Therefore, functionally important variation can be extracted from a single X-ray structure using the continuous assignment procedure. PMID:12824310

Linearized Programming of Memristors for Artificial Neuro-Sensor Signal Processing.

PubMed

Yang, Changju; Kim, Hyongsuk

2016-08-19

A linearized programming method of memristor-based neural weights is proposed. Memristor is known as an ideal element to implement a neural synapse due to its embedded functions of analog memory and analog multiplication. Its resistance variation with a voltage input is generally a nonlinear function of time. Linearization of memristance variation about time is very important for the easiness of memristor programming. In this paper, a method utilizing an anti-serial architecture for linear programming is proposed. The anti-serial architecture is composed of two memristors with opposite polarities. It linearizes the variation of memristance due to complimentary actions of two memristors. For programming a memristor, additional memristor with opposite polarity is employed. The linearization effect of weight programming of an anti-serial architecture is investigated and memristor bridge synapse which is built with two sets of anti-serial memristor architecture is taken as an application example of the proposed method. Simulations are performed with memristors of both linear drift model and nonlinear model.

An adjoint-based method for a linear mechanically-coupled tumor model: application to estimate the spatial variation of murine glioma growth based on diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Xinzeng; Hormuth, David A.; Yankeelov, Thomas E.

2018-06-01

We present an efficient numerical method to quantify the spatial variation of glioma growth based on subject-specific medical images using a mechanically-coupled tumor model. The method is illustrated in a murine model of glioma in which we consider the tumor as a growing elastic mass that continuously deforms the surrounding healthy-appearing brain tissue. As an inverse parameter identification problem, we quantify the volumetric growth of glioma and the growth component of deformation by fitting the model predicted cell density to the cell density estimated using the diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging data. Numerically, we developed an adjoint-based approach to solve the optimization problem. Results on a set of experimentally measured, in vivo rat glioma data indicate good agreement between the fitted and measured tumor area and suggest a wide variation of in-plane glioma growth with the growth-induced Jacobian ranging from 1.0 to 6.0.

Robust dynamic myocardial perfusion CT deconvolution using adaptive-weighted tensor total variation regularization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gong, Changfei; Zeng, Dong; Bian, Zhaoying; Huang, Jing; Zhang, Xinyu; Zhang, Hua; Lu, Lijun; Feng, Qianjin; Liang, Zhengrong; Ma, Jianhua

2016-03-01

Dynamic myocardial perfusion computed tomography (MPCT) is a promising technique for diagnosis and risk stratification of coronary artery disease by assessing the myocardial perfusion hemodynamic maps (MPHM). Meanwhile, the repeated scanning of the same region results in a relatively large radiation dose to patients potentially. In this work, we present a robust MPCT deconvolution algorithm with adaptive-weighted tensor total variation regularization to estimate residue function accurately under the low-dose context, which is termed `MPD-AwTTV'. More specifically, the AwTTV regularization takes into account the anisotropic edge property of the MPCT images compared with the conventional total variation (TV) regularization, which can mitigate the drawbacks of TV regularization. Subsequently, an effective iterative algorithm was adopted to minimize the associative objective function. Experimental results on a modified XCAT phantom demonstrated that the present MPD-AwTTV algorithm outperforms and is superior to other existing deconvolution algorithms in terms of noise-induced artifacts suppression, edge details preservation and accurate MPHM estimation.

Seasonal and spatial patterns of growth of rainbow trout in the Colorado River in Grand Canyon, AZ

USGS Publications Warehouse

Yard, Micheal D.; Korman, Josh; Walters, Carl J.; Kennedy, T.A.

2016-01-01

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) have been purposely introduced in many regulated rivers, with inadvertent consequences on native fishes. We describe how trout growth rates and condition could be influencing trout population dynamics in a 130 km section of the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam based on a large-scale mark–recapture program where ∼8000 rainbow trout were recaptured over a 3-year period (2012–2014). There were strong temporal and spatial variations in growth in both length and weight as predicted from von Bertalanffy and bioenergetic models, respectively. There was more evidence for seasonal variation in the growth coefficient and annual variation in the asymptotic length. Bioenergetic models showed more variability for growth in weight across seasons and years than across reaches. These patterns were consistent with strong seasonal variation in invertebrate drift and effects of turbidity on foraging efficiency. Highest growth rates and relative condition occurred in downstream reaches with lower trout densities. Results indicate that reduction in rainbow trout abundance in Glen Canyon will likely increase trout size in the tailwater fishery and may reduce downstream dispersal into Grand Canyon.

The devil is in the detail: Quantifying vocal variation in a complex, multi-levelled, and rapidly evolving display.

PubMed

Garland, Ellen C; Rendell, Luke; Lilley, Matthew S; Poole, M Michael; Allen, Jenny; Noad, Michael J

2017-07-01

Identifying and quantifying variation in vocalizations is fundamental to advancing our understanding of processes such as speciation, sexual selection, and cultural evolution. The song of the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) presents an extreme example of complexity and cultural evolution. It is a long, hierarchically structured vocal display that undergoes constant evolutionary change. Obtaining robust metrics to quantify song variation at multiple scales (from a sound through to population variation across the seascape) is a substantial challenge. Here, the authors present a method to quantify song similarity at multiple levels within the hierarchy. To incorporate the complexity of these multiple levels, the calculation of similarity is weighted by measurements of sound units (lower levels within the display) to bridge the gap in information between upper and lower levels. Results demonstrate that the inclusion of weighting provides a more realistic and robust representation of song similarity at multiple levels within the display. This method permits robust quantification of cultural patterns and processes that will also contribute to the conservation management of endangered humpback whale populations, and is applicable to any hierarchically structured signal sequence.

Common polymorphic variation in the genetically diverse African insulin gene and its association with size at birth.

PubMed

Petry, Clive J; Rayco-Solon, Pura; Fulford, Anthony J C; Stead, John D H; Wingate, Dianne L; Ong, Ken K; Sirugo, Giorgio; Prentice, Andrew M; Dunger, David B

2009-09-01

The insulin variable number of tandem repeats (INS VNTR) has been variably associated with size at birth in non-African populations. Small size at birth is a major determinant of neonatal mortality, so the INS VNTR may influence survival. We tested the hypothesis, therefore, that genetic variation around the INS VNTR in a rural Gambian population, who experience seasonal variation in nutrition and subsequently birth weight, may be associated with foetal and early growth. Six polymorphisms flanking the INS VNTR were genotyped in over 2,500 people. Significant associations were detected between the maternally inherited SNP 27 (rs689) allele and birth length [effect size 17.5 (5.2-29.8) mm; P = 0.004; n = 361]. Significant associations were also found between the maternally inherited African-specific SNP 28 (rs5506) allele and post-natal weight gain [effect size 0.19 (0.05-0.32) z score points/year; P = 0.005; n = 728). These results suggest that in the Gambian population studied there are associations between polymorphic variation in the genetically diverse INS gene and foetal and early growth characteristics, which contribute to overall polygenic associations with these traits.

Genetic variants influencing effectiveness of weight loss strategies.

PubMed

Deram, Sophie; Villares, Sandra M F

2009-03-01

Body weight excess has an increasingly high prevalence in the world. Obesity is a complex disease of multifactorial origin with a polygenic condition affected by environmental factors. Weight loss is a primary strategy to treat obesity and its morbidities. Weight changes through life depend on the interaction of environmental, behavioral and genetic factors. Interindividual variation of weight loss in response to different types of interventions (behavioral, caloric restriction, exercise, drug or surgery) has been observed. In this article, currently available data on the role of candidate gene polymorphisms in weight loss are reviewed. Even though control of weight loss by genotype was described in twin and family studies, it is premature to recommend use of genotyping in the design of therapeutic diets or drug treatment. Future studies will have to be large in order to assess the effects of multiple polymorphisms, and will have to control factors other than diet.

Preparation and evaluation of a controlled drug release of repaglinide through matrix pellets: in vitro and in vivo studies.

PubMed

Tavakoli, Naser; Minaiyan, Mohsen; Tabbakhian, Majid; Pendar, Yaqub

2014-01-01

Repaglinide, an oral antidiabetic agent, has a rapid onset of action and short half-life of approximately 1 h. Designing a controlled release dosage form of the drug is required to maintain its therapeutic blood level and to eliminate its adverse effects, particularly the hypoglycaemia. Repaglinide sustained release matrix pellets consisting of Avicel, lactose and different polymers were prepared using extrusion-spheronisation method. The effect of different formulation components on in vitro drug release were evaluated using USP apparatus (paddle) for 12 h in phosphate buffer. The optimised formulation was orally administrated to normal and STZ induced diabetic rats. Most pellet formulations had acceptable physical properties with regard to size distribution, flowability and friability. Repaglinide pellets comprising Avicel 50%, lactose 47% and SLS 1% were released 94% of its drug content after 12 h. The optimised formulation was able to decrease blood glucose level in normal rats and those with diabetes throughout 8-12 h.

Chitosan/alginate complexes for vaginal delivery of chlorhexidine digluconate.

PubMed

Abruzzo, A; Bigucci, F; Cerchiara, T; Saladini, B; Gallucci, M C; Cruciani, F; Vitali, B; Luppi, B

2013-01-16

Chitosan/alginate complexes were prepared at different polycation/polyanion molar ratios and freeze-dried vaginal inserts were obtained for chlorhexidine digluconate local delivery in genital infections. Complex yield, FT-IR spectra, and TGA thermograms were studied to confirm the interaction between the two polyions. The influence of different complexes on physical handling, morphology, and drug distribution in the samples were evaluated by friability test, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), respectively. In vitro water-uptake, mucoadhesion and release tests were performed as well as microbiological tests toward pathogenic vaginal microorganisms. The results showed that the selection of suitable chitosan/alginate molar ratio and drug loading allowed modulate insert ability to hydrate, adhere to the mucosa, and release chlorhexidine digluconate. The insert containing an excess of alginate was found to be the best performing formulation and showed good antimicrobial activity toward the pathogens Candida albicans and Escherichia coli. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Clinical and microbiological correlates of vaginal trichomoniasis during pregnancy. The Vaginal Infections and Prematurity Study Group.

PubMed

Pastorek, J G; Cotch, M F; Martin, D H; Eschenbach, D A

1996-11-01

Colonization with Trichomonas vaginalis is a possible cause of poor pregnancy outcome. To facilitate the diagnosis of this condition during pregnancy, we conducted a prospective, multicenter study of 13,816 gravid women who were between 23rd and 26th week of gestation. Findings significantly associated with T. vaginalis colonization included a yellow, green, or bloody discharge from the vagina or cervix; abnormal odor after KOH was added to a vaginal specimen; a vaginal pH of > 5.0; and cervical friability. The amount of vaginal discharge and abnormal consistency of the discharge were also associated with T. vaginalis colonization. These findings (except for cervical bleeding and odor after the addition of KOH to a vaginal specimen, which may be influenced by the presence of other flora) are consistent with those reported elsewhere. The clinical usefulness of these features is minimal, and it is more significant that other microorganisms are makers for trichomoniasis; therefore, controlling for other flora is important in the investigation of T. vaginalis colonization.

Characterization of new functionalized calcium carbonate-polycaprolactone composite material for application in geometry-constrained drug release formulation development.

PubMed

Wagner-Hattler, Leonie; Schoelkopf, Joachim; Huwyler, Jörg; Puchkov, Maxim

2017-10-01

A new mineral-polymer composite (FCC-PCL) performance was assessed to produce complex geometries to aid in development of controlled release tablet formulations. The mechanical characteristics of a developed material such as compactibility, compressibility and elastoplastic deformation were measured. The results and comparative analysis versus other common excipients suggest efficient formation of a complex, stable and impermeable geometries for constrained drug release modifications under compression. The performance of the proposed composite material has been tested by compacting it into a geometrically altered tablet (Tablet-In-Cup, TIC) and the drug release was compared to commercially available product. The TIC device exhibited a uniform surface, showed high physical stability, and showed absence of friability. FCC-PCL composite had good binding properties and good compactibility. It was possible to reveal an enhanced plasticity characteristic of a new material which was not present in the individual components. The presented FCC-PCL composite mixture has the potential to become a successful tool to formulate controlled-release dosage solid forms.

Modification of flow and compressibility of corn starch using quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion method.

PubMed

Akhgari, Abbas; Sadeghi, Hasti; Dabbagh, Mohammad Ali

2014-08-01

The aim of this study was to improve flowability and compressibility characteristics of starch to use as a suitable excipient in direct compression tabletting. Quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion was used as a crystal modification method. Corn starch was dissolved in hydrochloric acid at 80°C and then ethanol as a non-solvent was added with lowering temperature until the formation of a precipitate of modified starch. Flow parameters, particle size and thermal behavior of the treated powders were compared with the native starch. Finally, the 1:1 mixture of naproxen and each excipient was tabletted, and hardness and friability of different tablets were evaluated. Larger and well shaped agglomerates were formed which showed different thermal behavior. Treated starch exhibited suitable flow properties and tablets made by the treated powder had relatively high hardness. It was found that recrystallization of corn starch by quasi emulsion solvent diffusion method could improve its flowability and compressibility characteristics.

Feederism in a woman.

PubMed

Terry, Lesley L; Vasey, Paul L

2011-06-01

Feederism is a fat fetish subculture in which individuals eroticize weight gain and feeding. Feeders are individuals who claim to become sexually aroused by feeding their partners and encouraging them to gain weight. Conversely, Feedees are individuals who claim to become sexually aroused by eating, being fed, and the idea or act of gaining weight. Very little is known about this population. This report describes a woman who self-identified as a Feedee. It is unclear, at present, whether female Feederism represents a unique paraphilia or a thematic variation of morphophilia or sexual masochism.

Seasonal Variation in Pigeon Body Weight and Delayed Matching-to-sample Performance

PubMed Central

Sargisson, Rebecca J; McLean, Ian G; Brown, Glenn S; White, K Geoffrey

2007-01-01

The weights of 5 pigeons with free access to food, monitored over 3 calendar years in the laboratory, were found to fluctuate with season. All pigeons were at their heaviest in the winter and were lightest in the summer. Five different pigeons performed a standard delayed matching-to-sample task for 44 weeks from January to November. Their weights were held at 85% of their summer free-feeding weights, making their predicted deprivation level higher in the winter relative to predicted winter free-feeding weights. Slopes of forgetting functions fit to weekly response totals for each pigeon were shallower in winter, showing an improvement in accuracy with longer delays. Thus, delayed matching-to-sample performance may have been affected by the practice of maintaining the pigeons at a constant body weight throughout the calendar year. PMID:18047229

Child Health in Peru: Importance of Regional Variation and Community Effects on Children's Height and Weight

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shin, Heeju

2007-01-01

In developing countries, height and weight are good indicators of children's health and nutritional status. Maternal education has been accepted as one of the most important influences on child health. Using the 2000 Demographic and Health Survey of Peru, however, I find that the effect of maternal education varies as a function of region. In the…

Why Barbie Feels Heavier than Ken: The Influence of Size-Based Expectancies and Social Cues on the Illusory Perception of Weight

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dijker, Anton J. M.

2008-01-01

In order to examine the relative influence of size-based expectancies and social cues on the perceived weight of objects, two studies were performed, using equally weighing dolls differing in sex-related and age-related vulnerability or physical strength cues. To increase variation in perceived size, stimulus objects were viewed through optical…

Persistence and Variation in Overweight and Obesity Among the Pre-school Population of the Community of Madrid After 2 Years of Follow-up. The ELOIN Cohort.

PubMed

Ortiz-Marrón, Honorato; Ortiz-Pinto, Maira Alejandra; Cuadrado-Gamarra, José I; Esteban-Vasallo, María; Cortés-Rico, Olga; Rey-Gayo, Loreto; Ordobás, María; Galán, Iñaki

2018-04-30

The childhood obesity epidemic is a worldwide public health problem which starts at very early ages. The aim of this study was to determine the persistence of and variation in overweight and obesity among a cohort of children followed up from 4 to 6 years of age. The data were drawn from the ELOIN (Longitudinal Childhood Obesity Study), a population-based cohort in the Community of Madrid, Spain. A total of 2435 children were involved. Weight and height were objectively measured and standardised at 4 (2012-2013) and 6 years of age (2014-2015) by 31 purpose-trained pediatricians. Three reference criteria were used: the World Health Organization (WHO-2006), International Obesity Task Force (IOTF-2000), and Spanish tables of the Orbegozo Foundation 2004, were used to define "absence of excess weight", overweight and obesity. According to the above three classification criteria, between the ages of 4 and 6 years the prevalence of overweight increased from 5.7%-16.5% (range of the 3 criteria) to 8.9%-17.0%, and obesity increased from 3.0%-5.4% to 6.1%-10.1%. Three out of every 4 obese children at age 4 years persisted with obesity at age 6 years, whereas 20.6%-29.3% who were overweight became obese. A total of 8.0% to 16.1% of children maintained "excess weight" (overweight/obesity), 7.9% to 11% were new cases, and 2.2% to 5.9% showed remission. Excess weight increased between the ages of 4 and 6 years. Important variations were observed in weight status susceptible to intervention during well-child visits. Copyright © 2017 Sociedad Española de Cardiología. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Comparison of stomach contents of haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) from the 1981 and 1991 North Sea International Stomach Sampling Projects

USGS Publications Warehouse

Adlerstein, S.A.; Temming, A.; Mergardt, N.

2002-01-01

This study analyses data from over 20 000 haddock stomachs collected during the 1981 and 1991 Stomach Sampling Projects of the North Sea. Sampling was within the framework of the Multispecies Virtual Population Analysis (MSVPA) for fisheries stock assessment. In 1981 stomachs were collected to calculate input feeding parameters from main predators. During 1991 the sampling exercise was repeated to test stability of the parameters in the region. We investigate stability of haddock stomach content weight between years accounting for ontogenic, spatial and temporal variations within the scope of the survey resolution. Analysis using generalized linear and additive models is performed for weight of the stomach content including and excluding empty stomachs and also for proportion of stomachs without food. Results indicate that haddock stomach contents varied significantly between years, quarters and North Sea roundfish areas. Content weights were overall higher in 1981 than in 1991. In 1981 levels were high from spring to fall and in 1991 mostly in spring. During both years levels were lowest in the central North Sea and in winter. Most of the deviance in modelling the stomach weight is explained by the length of the predator. Stomachs sampled in 1981 were most frequently empty in spring and those sampled in 1991 in winter. In both years, proportions decreased with fish length except in winter when levels increased. Proportion of empty stomachs was highest in the central region of the North Sea. Most of the proportion variation is explained by quarterly fluctuation. Variation of content weight can be related to prey composition found in the stomachs. High stomach contents are generally associated with high contribution of fish prey to the total stomach content, mainly sandeels. We propose that sandeels were more vulnerable to predation in 1981 than in 1991 due to colder temperatures. ?? 2002 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.

Can we make reports of end-of-life care quality more consumer-focused? results of a nationwide quality measurement program.

PubMed

Smith, Dawn; Caragian, Nicole; Kazlo, Elena; Bernstein, Jennie; Richardson, Diane; Casarett, David

2011-03-01

The goal of this study was to define families' priorities for various aspects of end-of-life care, and to determine whether scores that reflect these priorities alter facilities' quality rankings. Nationwide telephone survey. 62 VA medical centers, including acute and long term care. For each patient who died in a participating facility, one family member was invited to participate. A survey included 14 items describing key aspects of the patient's care in his or her last month of life, and one global rating. A weighted score was calculated based on the association between each item and the global rating. Interviews were completed with family members for 3,897 of 7,110 patients (55%). Items showed an approximately 5-fold range of weights, indicating a wide variation in the importance that families placed on aspects of palliative care (low: pain management, weight = 0.54, 95% CI 0.38-0.70;/P/<0.001; high: providers were "kind, caring, and respectful: weight = 2.46, 95% CI 2.24-2.68;/P/<0.001). Weights were homogeneous across patient subgroups, and there were no significant changes in facilities' quality rankings when weights were used. Both weighted and unweighted scores showed similar evidence of the impact of process measures. There appears to be wide variation in the importance that families place on several aspects of end-of-life care. However, the impact of weighting was generally even across patient subgroups and facilities. Therefore, the use of weights to account for families' priorities is not likely to alter a facility's quality score.

Birth weight, childhood socioeconomic environment, and cognitive development in the 1958 British birth cohort study

PubMed Central

Jefferis, Barbara J M H; Power, Chris; Hertzman, Clyde

2002-01-01

Objectives To examine the combined effect of social class and weight at birth on cognitive trajectories during school age and the associations between birth weight and educational outcomes through to 33 years. Design Longitudinal, population based, birth cohort study. Participants 10 845 males and females born during 3-9 March 1958 with information on birth weight, social class, and cognitive tests. Main outcome measures Reading, maths, draw a man, copying designs, verbal and non-verbal ability tests at ages 7, 11, and 16, highest qualifications achieved by 33, and trajectories of maths standardised scores at 7-16 years. Results The outcome of all childhood cognitive tests and educational achievements improved significantly with increasing birth weight. Analysis of maths scores at 7 and of highest qualifications achieved by 33 showed that the relations were robust to adjustment for potential confounding factors. For each kilogram increase in birth weight, maths z score increased by 0.17 (adjusted estimate 0.15, 95% confidence interval 0.10 to 0.21) for males and 0.21 (0.20, 0.14 to 0.25) for females. Trajectories of maths z scores between 7 and 16 years diverged for different social class groups: participants from classes I and II increased their relative position on the score with increasing age, whereas classes IV and V showed a relative decline with increasing age. Birth weight explained much less of the variation in cognition than did social class (range 0.5-1.5% v 2.9-12.5%). Conclusions The postnatal environment has an overwhelming influence on cognitive function through to early adulthood, but these strong effects do not explain the weaker but independent association with birth weight. What is already known on this topicWeight at birth is associated with later cognitive developmentThis is maintained across the range of normal birth weightsWhat this study addsSocial class at birth and birth weight have independent effects on maths scores in childhood, but social class at birth explains more of the variation in the scoresThe relation between maths scores and birth weight persists across birth weights after adjustment for gestational age, parental education, and other potential confounding factorsTrajectories of maths attainment diverge, with more affluent social groups increasing their relative advantage whereas the effect of birth weight remains constant over time PMID:12169505

Diurnal Variation of Sweet Taste Recognition Thresholds Is Absent in Overweight and Obese Humans

PubMed Central

Sanematsu, Keisuke; Nakamura, Yuki; Nomura, Masatoshi; Shigemura, Noriatsu; Ninomiya, Yuzo

2018-01-01

Sweet taste thresholds are positively related to plasma leptin levels in normal weight humans: both show parallel diurnal variations and associations with postprandial glucose and insulin rises. Here, we tested whether this relationship also exists in overweight and obese (OW/Ob) individuals with hyperleptinemia. We tested 36 Japanese OW/Ob subjects (body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m2) for recognition thresholds for various taste stimuli at seven different time points from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. using the staircase methodology, and measured plasma leptin, insulin, and blood glucose levels before each taste threshold measurement. We also used the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) to evaluate insulin resistance. The results demonstrated that, unlike normal weight subjects, OW/Ob subjects showed no significant diurnal variations in the recognition thresholds for sweet stimuli but exhibited negative associations between the diurnal variations of both leptin and sweet recognition thresholds and the HOMA-IR scores. These findings suggest that in OW/Ob subjects, the basal leptin levels (~20 ng/mL) may already exceed leptin’s effective concentration for the modulation of sweet sensitivity and that this leptin resistance-based attenuation of the diurnal variations of the sweet taste recognition thresholds may also be indirectly linked to insulin resistance in OW/Ob subjects. PMID:29498693

Spatial and temporal variation in proportional stock density and relative weight of smallmouth bass in a reservoir

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mesa, Matthew G.; Duke, S.D.; Ward, David L.

1990-01-01

Population data for smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieui in 20,235 ha John Day Reservoir on the Columbia River were used to (1) determine whether Proportional Stock Density (PSD) and Relative Weight (Wr) varied spatially and temporally in two areas of the reservoir with established smallmouth bass fisheries; (2) explore possible causes of any observed variation; and (3) discuss some management implications and recommendations. Both PSD and Wr varied spatially and monthly in all years examined. On an annual basis, PSD varied at one area but not at the other, whereas Wr showed little variation. Possible explanations for the variation in PSD and Wr are differences in growth, mortality, recruitment, and exploitation. Our data suggested that regulations established or changed on a reservoir-wide basis may have different effects on the fishery, depending on location in the reservoir. Also, pooling data from various areas within a reservoir to yield point estimates of structural indices may not represent the variation present in the population as a whole. The significant temporal variability reflects the importance of determining the proper time to sample fish to yield representative estimates of the variable of interest. In areas with valuable fisheries or markedly different population structures, we suggest that an area-specific approach be made to reservoir fishery management, and that efforts be made toward effecting consistent harvest regulations in interstate waters.

A comparison of methods for organ-weight data adjustment in chicks.

PubMed

Brown, D R; Southern, L L; Baker, D H

1985-02-01

An experiment was conducted with 168 Arbor Acre X Peterson unsexed, crossbred broiler chicks to compare methods of expressing organ-weight data and to assess changes in organ weights and physiological parameters as body weight (97 to 791 g) and age (5 to 26 days) increased. Actual wet weight of liver, heart, intestine, spleen, and pancreas and percent bone ash increased (P less than .01) as age and body weight increased. Tibia length-to-width ratio decreased (P less than .01) as age and body weight increased. Blood hemoglobin, hematocrit, and plasma protein were not affected (P greater than .1) by age or by body weight. Liver, heart, and intestinal weight decreased (P less than .01) and spleen weight increased (P less than .01) as body weight and age increased when these tissue weights were expressed as percent of body weight. Liver weight adjusted for body weight by covariance analysis, however, remained constant; adjusted heart and intestinal weights decreased (P less than .01), and adjusted spleen weights increased (P less than .01) with increasing age and body weight. The covariate, body weight, was not significant (P greater than .1) for pancreas weight, tibia length-to-width ratio, and percent bone ash. Except for spleen, adjustment by covariance analysis more effectively reduced variation due to body weight than did expression as percent of body weight.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Overweight and Obesity in Portuguese Children: Prevalence and Correlates

PubMed Central

Gomes, Thayse Natacha; Katzmarzyk, Peter T.; dos Santos, Fernanda K.; Souza, Michele; Pereira, Sara; Maia, José A. R.

2014-01-01

There are widespread differences in overweight/obesity prevalence in children, and understanding the reasons for this is very important. The present study aims: (I) to conduct a meta-analysis on overweight/obesity prevalence in Portuguese children; (II) to identify differences in biological and behavioural characteristics between normal-weight and overweight/obese children; and (III) to investigate the importance of individual- and school-level correlates of variation in children’s BMI using multilevel modelling. A search was done for all published papers including Portuguese children during the last decade; further, 686 Portuguese children (9–11 years old) were sampled and their BMI, family income, maturity offset, nutritional habits, physical activity, sedentariness, sleep time, and school environment information were collected. Results showed a stabilization of overweight/obesity during the last decade, 30.6% (95%CI: 0.287–0.34) for boys, 28.4% (95%CI: 0.23–0.35) for girls, and 30.3% (95%CI: 0.27–0.34) for boys and girls together. Differences between weight groups were only found in individual-level biological traits. The multilevel analysis did not identify significant contributions of school-level variables to children’s BMI variation. In conclusion, no increase was found in the prevalence of overweight/obesity among Portuguese children since 2000. Normal-weight and overweight/obese children only differ in individual-level characteristics, and school context variables were not related to variation in BMI. PMID:25372884

Optimization image of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2 fast spin echo (FSE) with variation echo train length (ETL) on the rupture tendon achilles case

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muzamil, Akhmad; Haries Firmansyah, Achmad

2017-05-01

The research was done the optimization image of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) T2 Fast Spin Echo (FSE) with variation Echo Train Length (ETL) on the Rupture Tendon Achilles case. This study aims to find the variations Echo Train Length (ETL) from the results of ankle’s MRI image and find out how the value of Echo Train Length (ETL) works on the MRI ankle to produce optimal image. In this research, the used ETL variations were 12 and 20 with the interval 2 on weighting T2 FSE sagittal. The study obtained the influence of Echo Train Length (ETL) on the quality of ankle MRI image sagittal using T2 FSE weighting and analyzed in 25 images of five patients. The data analysis has done quantitatively with the Region of Interest (ROI) directly on computer MRI image planes which conducted statistical tests Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) and Contras to Noise Ratio (CNR). The Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) was the highest finding on fat tissue, while the Contras to Noise Ratio (CNR) on the Tendon-Fat tissue with ETL 12 found in two patients. The statistics test showed the significant SNR value of the 0.007 (p<0.05) of Tendon tissue, 0.364 (p>0.05) of the Fat, 0.912 (p>0.05) of the Fibula, and 0.436 (p>0.05) of the Heel Bone. For the contrast to noise ratio (CNR) of the Tendon-FAT tissue was about 0.041 (p>0.05). The results of the study showed that ETL variation with T2 FSE sagittal weighting had difference at Tendon tissue and Tendon-Fat tissue for MRI imaging quality. SNR and CNR were an important aspect on imaging optimization process to give the diagnose information.

Effects of increased vertebral number on carcass weight in PIC pigs.

PubMed

Huang, Jieping; Zhang, Mingming; Ye, Runqing; Ma, Yun; Lei, Chuzhao

2017-12-01

Variation of the vertebral number is associated with carcass traits in pigs. However, results from different populations do not match well with others, especially for carcass weight. Therefore, effects of increased vertebral number on carcass weight were investigated by analyzing the relationship between two loci multi-vertebra causal loci (NR6A1 g.748 C > T and VRTN g.20311_20312ins291) and carcass weight in PIC pigs. Results from the association study between vertebral number and carcass weight showed that increased thoracic number had negative effects on carcass weight, but the results were not statistically significant. Further, VRTN Ins/Ins genotype increased more than one thoracic than that of Wt/Wt genotype on average in this PIC population. Meanwhile, there was a significant negative effect of VRTN Ins on carcass weight (P < 0.05). Thus, our results suggested negative effect of increased thoracic number on carcass weight in PIC pigs. © 2017 Japanese Society of Animal Science.

Meta-analysis of lamb birth weight as influenced by pregnancy nutrition of multiparous ewes.

PubMed

Roca Fraga, Fernando J; Lagisz, Malgorzata; Nakagawa, Shinichi; Lopez-Villalobos, Nicolas; Blair, Hugh T; Kenyon, Paul R

2018-05-04

Across the literature, there is large variation in lamb birth weight responses to changes in the ewe pregnancy nutrition. Much of this heterogeneity has been attributed to several factors inherent to each experiment; however, the relative contribution of these experimental factors has not yet been quantified. This meta-analysis aimed to systematically review the variation in lamb birth weight responses across nutritional studies involving adult multiparous ewes. Effect-sizes for individual studies were estimated using the unbiased estimator Hedges' g, whereby positive and negative values indicate heavier and lighter treatment lambs vs. controls, respectively. Heterogeneity varied between early-, mid- and late-pregnancy undernutrition studies (I2total [early pregnancy] = 19.90%, I2total [midpregnancy] = 52.10%, I2total [late pregnancy] = 68.70%). The small average effects for early- (0.04, highest posterior density [HPD] interval = -0.22, 0.28) and mid-pregnancy undernutrition (-0.15, HPD interval = -0.35, 0.05) suggest that if farmers anticipate a potential feed shortage, ewes can be allowed to lose weight providing nutrition is resumed to adequate levels later in pregnancy. On the contrary, late-pregnancy undernutrition was associated with a significant decrease in lamb birth weight (-0.72, HPD interval = -0.86, -0.55). Thus, management practices should focus on ensuring adequate nutrition in late pregnancy. Increasing lamb birth weight could be possible by feeding ewes above their pregnancy maintenance requirement (0.23, HPD interval = 0.002, 0.48), though the number of studies is limited and further research is needed.

Developmental changes in the germinability, desiccation tolerance, hardseededness, and longevity of individual seeds of Trifolium ambiguum

PubMed Central

Hay, F. R.; Smith, R. D.; Ellis, R. H.; Butler, L. H.

2010-01-01

Background and Aims Using two parental clones of outcrossing Trifolium ambiguum as a potential model system, we examined how during seed development the maternal parent, number of seeds per pod, seed position within the pod, and pod position within the inflorescence influenced individual seed fresh weight, dry weight, water content, germinability, desiccation tolerance, hardseededness, and subsequent longevity of individual seeds. Methods Near simultaneous, manual reciprocal crosses were carried out between clonal lines for two experiments. Infructescences were harvested at intervals during seed development. Each individual seed was weighed and then used to determine dry weight or one of the physiological behaviour traits. Key Results Whilst population mass maturity was reached at 33–36 days after pollination (DAP), seed-to-seed variation in maximum seed dry weight, when it was achieved, and when maturation drying commenced, was considerable. Individual seeds acquired germinability between 14 and 44 DAP, desiccation tolerance between 30 and 40 DAP, and the capability to become hardseeded between 30 and 47 DAP. The time for viability to fall to 50 % (p50) at 60 % relative humidity and 45 °C increased between 36 and 56 DAP, when the seed coats of most individuals had become dark orange, but declined thereafter. Individual seed f. wt at harvest did not correlate with air-dry storage survival period. Analysing survival data for cohorts of seeds reduced the standard deviation of the normal distribution of seed deaths in time, but no sub-population showed complete uniformity of survival period. Conclusions Variation in individual seed behaviours within a developing population is inherent and inevitable. In this outbreeder, there is significant variation in seed longevity which appears dependent on embryo genotype with little effect of maternal genotype or architectural factors. PMID:20228084

Safety in the preparation of cytotoxic drugs: How to integrate gravimetric control in the quality assurance policy?

PubMed

Lecordier, J; Heluin, Y; Plivard, C; Bureau, A; Mouawad, C; Chaillot, B; Lahet, J-J

2011-02-01

We present the way to integrate gravimetric control (GC) in a centralized preparation of cytotoxic drugs unit. Two different modalities are described. In the first strategy, the balance is located inside the isolator, whereas in the second, it is located outside in order to remove many technical and ergonomic constraints. These two modalities are compared in terms of benefits and limits. GC consists in comparing the observed weight variation with the expected weight variation using a precision balance. According to the B-in strategy, this variation is directly attributable to the weight of the cytotoxic solution injected, whereas with the B-out strategy, the weight of various additional components must be taken into account. Five hundred and seventy-seven preparations have been weighed. For "B-in" strategy, the 95% confidence interval is [1.02-1.14%] and every preparation is below the threshold of 5%. For "B-out" strategy, the 95% confidence interval is [2.34-2.63%] and 94% of preparations are below the threshold of 5%. B-in strategy is distinctly more precise than B-out strategy and can be applied to all preparations. However, B-out strategy is a feasible option in practice and enables the detection of an important mistake. All in all, results obtained from B-out strategy can be considered as a quality indicator in the production line. Results of GC are helpful in the final step of release, which the pharmacist is responsible for. Many contributions in the quality assurance policy could justify using of GC in every unit. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Seed maturation associated transcriptional programs and regulatory networks underlying genotypic difference in seed dormancy and size/weight in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

PubMed

Yamasaki, Yuji; Gao, Feng; Jordan, Mark C; Ayele, Belay T

2017-09-16

Maturation forms one of the critical seed developmental phases and it is characterized mainly by programmed cell death, dormancy and desiccation, however, the transcriptional programs and regulatory networks underlying acquisition of dormancy and deposition of storage reserves during the maturation phase of seed development are poorly understood in wheat. The present study performed comparative spatiotemporal transcriptomic analysis of seed maturation in two wheat genotypes with contrasting seed weight/size and dormancy phenotype. The embryo and endosperm tissues of maturing seeds appeared to exhibit genotype-specific temporal shifts in gene expression profile that might contribute to the seed phenotypic variations. Functional annotations of gene clusters suggest that the two tissues exhibit distinct but genotypically overlapping molecular functions. Motif enrichment predicts genotypically distinct abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellin (GA) regulated transcriptional networks contribute to the contrasting seed weight/size and dormancy phenotypes between the two genotypes. While other ABA responsive element (ABRE) motifs are enriched in both genotypes, the prevalence of G-box-like motif specifically in tissues of the dormant genotype suggests distinct ABA mediated transcriptional mechanisms control the establishment of dormancy during seed maturation. In agreement with this, the bZIP transcription factors that co-express with ABRE enriched embryonic genes differ with genotype. The enrichment of SITEIIATCYTC motif specifically in embryo clusters of maturing seeds irrespective of genotype predicts a tissue specific role for the respective TCP transcription factors with no or minimal contribution to the variations in seed dormancy. The results of this study advance our understanding of the seed maturation associated molecular mechanisms underlying variation in dormancy and weight/size in wheat seeds, which is a critical step towards the designing of molecular strategies for enhancing seed yield and quality.

Nutritionist’s Variation in Counseling Style and the Effect on Weight Change of Patients Attending a Community Based Lifestyle Modification Program

PubMed Central

Lok, Kris Y. W.; Chan, Ruth S. M.; Sea, Mandy M. M.; Woo, Jean

2010-01-01

Information concerning the nature of nutritionist-patient relationships is very limited. This qualitative and quantitative study examined nutritionist’s skills, attributes, and beliefs towards nutrition counseling during a lifestyle modification intervention program, and whether this affected the patient’s weight outcome. 24 nutrition consultations were observed during the program and the nutritionists were interviewed for their perception on practice (n = 4). A statistically significant difference was observed between the nutritionists in regard to patient’s weight change after adjustment for age and baseline weight (p < 0.001). Key nutritionist skills identified that influenced weight outcome were meticulous investigation of the underlying obesity cause, identification of the subject’s stage of change, and psychological support. PMID:20616982

A further contribution to the seasonal variation of weighted mean temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Maohua; Hu, Wusheng

2017-12-01

The weighted mean temperature Tm is a variable parameter in the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) meteorology and the Askne-Nordius zenith wet delay (ZWD) model. Some parameters about the Tm seasonal variation (e.g. the annual mean value, the annual range, the annual and semi-annual amplitudes, and the long-term trend) were discussed before. In this study, some additional results about the Tm seasonal variation on a global scale were found by using the Tm time series at 309 global radiosonde sites. Periodic signals of the annual and semi-annual variations were detected in these Tm time series by using the Lomb-Scargle periodogram. The annual variation is the main component of the periodic Tm in non-tropical regions, while the annual variation or the semiannual variation can be the main component of the periodic Tm in tropics. The mean annual Tm almost keeps constant with the increasing latitude in tropics, while it decreases with the increasing latitude in non-tropical regions. From a global perspective, Tm has an increasing trend of 0.22 K/decade on average, which may be caused by the global warming effects. The annual phase is almost found in about January for the non-tropical regions of the Southern Hemisphere and in about July for the non-tropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere, but it has no clear symmetry in tropics. Unlike the annual phase, the geographical distributions of semi-annual phase do not follow obvious rules. In non-tropical regions, the maximum and minimum Tm of the seasonal model are usually found in respective summer and winter days while the maximum and minimum Tm are distributed over a whole year but not in any fixed seasons for tropical regions. The seasonal model errors increase with the increasing value of annual amplitude. A primary reason for the irregular seasonal variation in tropics is that Tm has rather small variations in this region.

Intra-specific variation in genome size in maize: cytological and phenotypic correlates

PubMed Central

Realini, María Florencia; Poggio, Lidia; Cámara-Hernández, Julián; González, Graciela Esther

2016-01-01

Genome size variation accompanies the diversification and evolution of many plant species. Relationships between DNA amount and phenotypic and cytological characteristics form the basis of most hypotheses that ascribe a biological role to genome size. The goal of the present research was to investigate the intra-specific variation in the DNA content in maize populations from Northeastern Argentina and further explore the relationship between genome size and the phenotypic traits seed weight and length of the vegetative cycle. Moreover, cytological parameters such as the percentage of heterochromatin as well as the number, position and sequence composition of knobs were analysed and their relationships with 2C DNA values were explored. The populations analysed presented significant differences in 2C DNA amount, from 4.62 to 6.29 pg, representing 36.15 % of the inter-populational variation. Moreover, intra-populational genome size variation was found, varying from 1.08 to 1.63-fold. The variation in the percentage of knob heterochromatin as well as in the number, chromosome position and sequence composition of the knobs was detected among and within the populations. Although a positive relationship between genome size and the percentage of heterochromatin was observed, a significant correlation was not found. This confirms that other non-coding repetitive DNA sequences are contributing to the genome size variation. A positive relationship between DNA amount and the seed weight has been reported in a large number of species, this relationship was not found in the populations studied here. The length of the vegetative cycle showed a positive correlation with the percentage of heterochromatin. This result allowed attributing an adaptive effect to heterochromatin since the length of this cycle would be optimized via selection for an appropriate percentage of heterochromatin. PMID:26644343

Stress and body condition are associated with climate and demography in Asian elephants.

PubMed

Mumby, Hannah S; Mar, Khyne U; Thitaram, Chatchote; Courtiol, Alexandre; Towiboon, Patcharapa; Min-Oo, Zaw; Htut-Aung, Ye; Brown, Janine L; Lummaa, Virpi

2015-01-01

Establishing links between ecological variation, physiological markers of stress and demography is crucial for understanding how and why changes in environmental conditions affect population dynamics, and may also play a key role for conservation efforts of endangered species. However, detailed longitudinal studies of long-lived species are rarely available. We test how two markers of stress and body condition vary through the year and are associated with climatic conditions and large-scale mortality and fertility variation in the world's largest semi-captive population of Asian elephants employed in the timber industry in Myanmar. Glucocorticoid metabolites (used as a proxy for stress levels in 75 elephants) and body weight (used as a proxy for condition in 116 elephants) were monitored monthly across a typical monsoon cycle and compared with birth and death patterns of the entire elephant population over half a century (n = 2350). Our results show seasonal variation in both markers of stress and condition. In addition, this variation is correlated with population-level demographic variables. Weight is inversely correlated with population mortality rates 1 month later, and glucocorticoid metabolites are negatively associated with birth rates. Weight shows a highly positive correlation with rainfall 1 month earlier. Determining the factors associated with demography may be key to species conservation by providing information about the correlates of mortality and fertility patterns. The unsustainability of the studied captive population has meant that wild elephants have been captured and tamed for work. By elucidating the correlates of demography in captive elephants, our results offer management solutions that could reduce the pressure on the wild elephant population in Myanmar.

Yawn duration predicts brain weight and cortical neuron number in mammals

PubMed Central

Church, Allyson M.; Pelegrino, Anthony J.

2016-01-01

Research indicates that the motor action pattern of yawning functions to promote cortical arousal and state change through enhanced intracranial circulation and brain cooling. Because the magnitude of this response likely corresponds to the degree of neurophysiological change, we hypothesized that interspecies variation in yawn duration would correlate with underlying neurological differences. Using openly accessible data, we show that both the mean and variance in yawn duration are robust predictors of mammalian brain weight and cortical neuron number (ρ-values > 0.9). Consistent with these effects, primates tend to have longer and more variable yawn durations compared with other mammals. Although yawning has long been considered a stereotyped action pattern, these findings reveal substantial variation in this response and highlight the importance of measuring yawn duration in future research. PMID:27703056

Effect of ageing time on mechanical properties of plasticized poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farris, Giuseppe; Cinelli, Patrizia; Anguillesi, Irene; Salvadori, Sara; Coltelli, Maria-Beatrice; Lazzeri, Andrea

2014-05-01

Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) based materials were prepared by melt extrusion by using different plasticizers, such as poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEG)s having different molecular weight (400, 1500 and 4000). The plasticizers content was varied in the range 10-20% by weight versus the PHB polymeric matrix. The variation of tensile properties of the different samples was monitored as a function of time of ageing to study the stability of the material. The elastic modulus and tensile strength increased as a function of time, whereas the strain at break decreased. The experimental results were explained by considering both the demixing of the plasticizers and the occurring of secondary crystallization. Moreover the variation in mechanical properties was correlated to the structure and concentration of the different plasticizers employed.

Robustness in linear quadratic feedback design with application to an aircraft control problem

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Patel, R. V.; Sridhar, B.; Toda, M.

1977-01-01

Some new results concerning robustness and asymptotic properties of error bounds of a linear quadratic feedback design are applied to an aircraft control problem. An autopilot for the flare control of the Augmentor Wing Jet STOL Research Aircraft (AWJSRA) is designed based on Linear Quadratic (LQ) theory and the results developed in this paper. The variation of the error bounds to changes in the weighting matrices in the LQ design is studied by computer simulations, and appropriate weighting matrices are chosen to obtain a reasonable error bound for variations in the system matrix and at the same time meet the practical constraints for the flare maneuver of the AWJSRA. Results from the computer simulation of a satisfactory autopilot design for the flare control of the AWJSRA are presented.

Composition of hydroponic lettuce: effect of time of day, plant size, and season.

PubMed

Gent, Martin P N

2012-02-01

The diurnal variation of nitrate and sugars in leafy green vegetables may vary with plant size or the ability of plants to buffer the uptake, synthesis, and use of metabolites. Bibb lettuce was grown in hydroponics in a greenhouse and sampled at 3 h intervals throughout one day in August 2007 and another day in November 2008 to determine fresh weight, dry matter, and concentration of nitrate and sugars. Plantings differing in size and age were sampled on each date. The dry/fresh weight ratio increased during the daylight period. This increase was greater for small compared to large plants. On a fresh weight basis, tissue nitrate of small plants was only half that of larger plants. The variation in concentration with time was much less for nitrate than for soluble sugars. Soluble sugars were similar for all plant sizes early in the day, but they increased far more for small compared to large plants in the long days of summer. The greatest yield on a fresh weight basis was obtained by harvesting lettuce at dawn. Although dry matter or sugar content increased later in the day, there is no commercial benefit to delaying harvest as consumers do not buy lettuce for these attributes. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry.

Why weight? Modelling sample and observational level variability improves power in RNA-seq analyses

PubMed Central

Liu, Ruijie; Holik, Aliaksei Z.; Su, Shian; Jansz, Natasha; Chen, Kelan; Leong, Huei San; Blewitt, Marnie E.; Asselin-Labat, Marie-Liesse; Smyth, Gordon K.; Ritchie, Matthew E.

2015-01-01

Variations in sample quality are frequently encountered in small RNA-sequencing experiments, and pose a major challenge in a differential expression analysis. Removal of high variation samples reduces noise, but at a cost of reducing power, thus limiting our ability to detect biologically meaningful changes. Similarly, retaining these samples in the analysis may not reveal any statistically significant changes due to the higher noise level. A compromise is to use all available data, but to down-weight the observations from more variable samples. We describe a statistical approach that facilitates this by modelling heterogeneity at both the sample and observational levels as part of the differential expression analysis. At the sample level this is achieved by fitting a log-linear variance model that includes common sample-specific or group-specific parameters that are shared between genes. The estimated sample variance factors are then converted to weights and combined with observational level weights obtained from the mean–variance relationship of the log-counts-per-million using ‘voom’. A comprehensive analysis involving both simulations and experimental RNA-sequencing data demonstrates that this strategy leads to a universally more powerful analysis and fewer false discoveries when compared to conventional approaches. This methodology has wide application and is implemented in the open-source ‘limma’ package. PMID:25925576

Birth weight standardized to gestational age and intelligence in young adulthood: a register-based birth cohort study of male siblings.

PubMed

Eriksen, Willy; Sundet, Jon M; Tambs, Kristian

2010-09-01

The authors aimed to determine the relation between birth-weight variations within the normal range and intelligence in young adulthood. A historical birth cohort study was conducted. Data from the Medical Birth Register of Norway were linked with register data from the Norwegian National Conscript Service. The sample comprised 52,408 sibships of full brothers who were born singletons at 37-41 completed weeks' gestation during 1967-1984 in Norway and were intelligence-tested at the time of mandatory military conscription. Generalized estimating equations were used to fit population-averaged panel data models. The analyses showed that in men with birth weights within the 10th-90th percentile range, a within-family difference of 1 standard deviation in birth weight standardized to gestational age was associated with a within-family difference of 0.07 standard deviation (99% confidence interval: 0.03, 0.09) in intelligence score, after adjustment for a range of background factors. There was no significant between-family association after adjustment for background factors. In Norwegian males, normal variations in intrauterine growth are associated with differences in intelligence in young adulthood. This association is probably not due to confounding by familial and parental characteristics.

Does testis weight decline towards the Subarctic? A case study on the common frog, Rana temporaria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hettyey, Attila; Laurila, Anssi; Herczeg, Gábor; Jönsson, K. Ingemar; Kovács, Tibor; Merilä, Juha

2005-04-01

Interpopulation comparisons of variation in resource availability and in allocation patterns along altitudinal and latitudinal gradients allow insights into the mechanisms shaping the life history of animals. Patterns of between-population differences in female life history traits have been studied intensively across a wide range of taxa, but similar investigations in males have remained scarce. To study if testis weight—a measure of reproductive investment—varies on a geographical scale in anurans, we focussed on the variation in relative testis weight (RelTW) and asymmetry in 22 populations of the common frog Rana temporaria along a 1,600-km latitudinal transect across the Scandinavian peninsula. We found that RelTW decreased towards the north. Body mass and body length both had independent positive effects on testes mass. We found evidence for directional asymmetry (DA) in testis weight with the right testis being larger than the left. The level of DA in testis weight was not related to latitude, but both body mass and testes mass had independent positive effects on asymmetry. We discuss the northwards decrease in RelTW in terms of a decreased reproductive investment as a possible consequence of harsher environmental conditions, and perhaps also, weaker sexual selection in the north than in the south.

Variations of body composition, physical activity and caloric intake in schoolchildren during national holidays.

PubMed

Cristi-Montero, Carlos; Munizaga, Cristian; Tejos, Constanza; Ayala, Raquel; Henríquez, Raúl; Solís-Urra, Patricio; Rodríguez-Rodríguez, Fernando

2016-06-01

Scientific literature has described that a significant body weight increase in schoolchildren occurs during some holiday periods (summer, winter, and thanksgiving holidays), harming their health. In this regard, it is thought that this phenomenon is mainly due to changes in eating habits and the variation in levels of physical activity; however, this approach has not yet been explored during national holidays (NAH) in Chile. To determine any changes in body composition, physical activity and caloric intake during NAH. A total of 46 schoolchildren (24 boys, age 10.5 ± 0.5; BMI 21.7 ± 4.7) participated. Measurements were performed 2 days before and after the NAH (9 days). Weight was measured and fat percentage was established using the Slaughter formula. Levels of physical activity were measured with accelerometers, validating 3 weekdays and 1 weekend; caloric intake was established through a 24-h recall. Weight, percentage of fat and caloric intake increased significantly (250 g, 2.2 % and 733.3 kcal, respectively; p < 0.05); however, none of the variables of physical activity showed significant changes. The change in caloric intake seems to be the main cause of weight and fat gain during the NAH.

Telomere length in the two extremes of abnormal fetal growth and the programming effect of maternal arterial hypertension.

PubMed

Tellechea, Mariana; Gianotti, Tomas Fernandéz; Alvariñas, Jorge; González, Claudio D; Sookoian, Silvia; Pirola, Carlos J

2015-01-19

We tested the hypothesis that leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is associated with birth weight in both extremes of abnormal fetal growth: small (SGA) and large for gestational age newborns (LGA). Clinical and laboratory variables of the mothers and the neonates were explored; 45 newborns with appropriate weight for gestational age (AGA), 12 SGA and 12 LGA were included. Whether the differences might be explained by variation in OBFC1 (rs9419958) and CTC1 (rs3027234) genes associated with LTL was determined. A significant association between birth weight and LTL was observed; LTL was significantly shorter in LGA newborns (1.01 ± 0.12) compared with SGA (1.73 ± 0.19) p < 0.005, mean ± SE. Maternal (Spearman R = -0.6, p = 0.03) and neonatal LTL (R = -0.25, p = 0.03) were significantly and inversely correlated with maternal history of arterial hypertension in previous gestations. Neonatal LTL was not significantly associated with either rs9419950 or rs3027234, suggesting that the association between neonatal LTL and birth weight is not influenced by genetic variation in genes that modify the interindividual LTL. In conclusion, telomere biology seems to be modulated by abnormal fetal growth; modifications in telomere length might be programmed by an adverse environment in utero.

Fatty Acid Composition and Contents of Seven Commercial Fish Species of Genus Coregonus from Russian Subarctic Water Bodies.

PubMed

Gladyshev, Michail I; Sushchik, Nadezhda N; Makhutova, Olesia N; Glushchenko, Larisa A; Rudchenko, Anastasia E; Makhrov, Alexander A; Borovikova, Elena A; Dgebuadze, Yury Y

2017-12-01

In several Russian northern lakes and rivers, Arctic cisco Coregonus autumnalis, least cisco C. sardinella, peled C. peled, tugun C. tugun, broad whitefish C. nasus, whitefish C. lavaretus and vendace C. albula were sampled in periods of officially permitted commercial fishery. Special attention was paid to contents (mg g -1 of wet weight) of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in muscle tissues (filets), which are essential for human nutrition. The highest values of EPA + DHA content in semi-anadromous fish and freshwater fish were recorded for C. autumnalis from the Yenisei River, 17.60 mg g -1 wet weight, and for C. lavaretus from the Sobachye Lake, 16.61 mg g -1 wet weight, respectively. Intra-genus variations of EPA + DHA contents of Coregonus species were from 1.87 to 17.60 mg g -1 wet weight. Since the congeneric species were genetically close to each other, the variations in EPA and DHA contents were thought to be caused primarily by ecological factors: migrational capability, type of feeding and trophic status of aquatic ecosystems. In general, the majority of studied species appeared to be of a high nutritive value for humans, although unfavorable environmental conditions could considerably diminish this value.

Workplace-based participatory approach to weight loss for correctional employees.

PubMed

Ferraro, Lindsay; Faghri, Pouran D; Henning, Robert; Cherniack, Martin

2013-02-01

To evaluate the effectiveness of a participatory approach using an employee design team for a 12-week weight-loss program with an 8-week follow-up. Twenty-four employees with mean [standard error (SE)] for weight 233.24 lb [8.16], body mass index 33.29 kg/cm [0.82], and age 42.7 years [1.5] participated in the study, among whom 75% were men and 25% women. Significant reductions in weight, body mass index, and waist circumference (among men) were observed before and after intervention (P < 0.05). About 73% and 68% of the variation in weight change (P < 0.01) and waist circumference (P < 0.01), respectively, were explained by Nutrition Knowledge and Exercise Confidence scores after controlling for gender and age. A participatory program with employee involvement resulted in positive outcomes. Increasing participants' knowledge and providing skills to manage their weight seem to change their attitudes, resulting in better outcomes.

Genome-wide genetic variation and comparison of fruit-associated traits between kumquat (Citrus japonica) and Clementine mandarin (Citrus clementina).

PubMed

Liu, Tian-Jia; Li, Yong-Ping; Zhou, Jing-Jing; Hu, Chun-Gen; Zhang, Jin-Zhi

2018-03-01

The comprehensive genetic variation of two citrus species were analyzed at genome and transcriptome level. A total of 1090 differentially expressed genes were found during fruit development by RNA-sequencing. Fruit size (fruit equatorial diameter) and weight (fresh weight) are the two most important components determining yield and consumer acceptability for many horticultural crops. However, little is known about the genetic control of these traits. Here, we performed whole-genome resequencing to reveal the comprehensive genetic variation of the fruit development between kumquat (Citrus japonica) and Clementine mandarin (Citrus clementina). In total, 5,865,235 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 414,447 insertions/deletions (InDels) were identified in the two citrus species. Based on integrative analysis of genome and transcriptome of fruit, 640,801 SNPs and 20,733 InDels were identified. The features, genomic distribution, functional effect, and other characteristics of these genetic variations were explored. RNA-sequencing identified 1090 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) during fruit development of kumquat and Clementine mandarin. Gene Ontology revealed that these genes were involved in various molecular functional and biological processes. In addition, the genetic variation of 939 DEGs and 74 multiple fruit development pathway genes from previous reports were also identified. A global survey identified 24,237 specific alternative splicing events in the two citrus species and showed that intron retention is the most prevalent pattern of alternative splicing. These genome variation data provide a foundation for further exploration of citrus diversity and gene-phenotype relationships and for future research on molecular breeding to improve kumquat, Clementine mandarin and related species.

Predicting the Size of Sunspot Cycle 24 on the Basis of Single- and Bi-Variate Geomagnetic Precursor Methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, Robert M.; Hathaway, David H.

2009-01-01

Examined are single- and bi-variate geomagnetic precursors for predicting the maximum amplitude (RM) of a sunspot cycle several years in advance. The best single-variate fit is one based on the average of the ap index 36 mo prior to cycle minimum occurrence (E(Rm)), having a coefficient of correlation (r) equal to 0.97 and a standard error of estimate (se) equal to 9.3. Presuming cycle 24 not to be a statistical outlier and its minimum in March 2008, the fit suggests cycle 24 s RM to be about 69 +/- 20 (the 90% prediction interval). The weighted mean prediction of 11 statistically important single-variate fits is 116 +/- 34. The best bi-variate fit is one based on the maximum and minimum values of the 12-mma of the ap index; i.e., APM# and APm*, where # means the value post-E(RM) for the preceding cycle and * means the value in the vicinity of cycle minimum, having r = 0.98 and se = 8.2. It predicts cycle 24 s RM to be about 92 +/- 27. The weighted mean prediction of 22 statistically important bi-variate fits is 112 32. Thus, cycle 24's RM is expected to lie somewhere within the range of about 82 to 144. Also examined are the late-cycle 23 behaviors of geomagnetic indices and solar wind velocity in comparison to the mean behaviors of cycles 2023 and the geomagnetic indices of cycle 14 (RM = 64.2), the weakest sunspot cycle of the modern era.

Spectrophotometric evaluation of stability constants of 1:1 weak complexes from continuous variation data.

PubMed

Sayago, Ana; Asuero, Agustin G

2006-09-14

A bilogarithmic hyperbolic cosine method for the spectrophotometric evaluation of stability constants of 1:1 weak complexes from continuous variation data has been devised and applied to literature data. A weighting scheme, however, is necessary in order to take into account the transformation for linearization. The method may be considered a useful alternative to methods in which one variable is involved on both sides of the basic equation (i.e. Heller and Schwarzenbach, Likussar and Adsul and Ramanathan). Classical least squares lead in those instances to biased and approximate stability constants and limiting absorbance values. The advantages of the proposed method are: the method gives a clear indication of the existence of only one complex in solution, it is flexible enough to allow for weighting of measurements and the computation procedure yield the best value of logbeta11 and its limit of error. The agreement between the values obtained by applying the weighted hyperbolic cosine method and the non-linear regression (NLR) method is good, being in both cases the mean quadratic error at a minimum.

Exaggerated risk: prospect theory and probability weighting in risky choice.

PubMed

Kusev, Petko; van Schaik, Paul; Ayton, Peter; Dent, John; Chater, Nick

2009-11-01

In 5 experiments, we studied precautionary decisions in which participants decided whether or not to buy insurance with specified cost against an undesirable event with specified probability and cost. We compared the risks taken for precautionary decisions with those taken for equivalent monetary gambles. Fitting these data to Tversky and Kahneman's (1992) prospect theory, we found that the weighting function required to model precautionary decisions differed from that required for monetary gambles. This result indicates a failure of the descriptive invariance axiom of expected utility theory. For precautionary decisions, people overweighted small, medium-sized, and moderately large probabilities-they exaggerated risks. This effect is not anticipated by prospect theory or experience-based decision research (Hertwig, Barron, Weber, & Erev, 2004). We found evidence that exaggerated risk is caused by the accessibility of events in memory: The weighting function varies as a function of the accessibility of events. This suggests that people's experiences of events leak into decisions even when risk information is explicitly provided. Our findings highlight a need to investigate how variation in decision content produces variation in preferences for risk.

Variation of Select Flavonols and Chlorogenic Acid Content of Elderberry Collected Throughout the Eastern United States

PubMed Central

Mudge, Elizabeth; Applequist, Wendy L.; Finley, Jamie; Lister, Patience; Townesmith, Andrew K.; Walker, Karen M.; Brown, Paula N.

2016-01-01

American elderberries are commonly collected from wild plants for use as food and medicinal products. The degree of phytochemical variation amongst wild populations has not been established and might affect the overall quality of elderberry dietary supplements. The three major flavonols identified in elderberries are rutin, quercetin and isoquercetin. Variation in the flavonols and chlorogenic acid was determined for 107 collections of elderberries from throughout the eastern United States using an optimized high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection method. The mean content was 71.9 mg per 100g fresh weight with variation ranging from 7.0 to 209.7 mg per 100 g fresh weight within the collected population. Elderberries collected from southeastern regions had significantly higher contents in comparison with those in more northern regions. The variability of the individual flavonol and chlorogenic acid profiles of the berries was complex and likely influenced by multiple factors. Several outliers were identified based on unique phytochemical profiles in comparison with average populations. This is the first study to determine the inherent variability of American elderberries from wild collections and can be used to identify potential new cultivars that may produce fruits of unique or high-quality phytochemical content for the food and dietary supplement industries. PMID:26877585

Penalized weighted least-squares approach for multienergy computed tomography image reconstruction via structure tensor total variation regularization.

PubMed

Zeng, Dong; Gao, Yuanyuan; Huang, Jing; Bian, Zhaoying; Zhang, Hua; Lu, Lijun; Ma, Jianhua

2016-10-01

Multienergy computed tomography (MECT) allows identifying and differentiating different materials through simultaneous capture of multiple sets of energy-selective data belonging to specific energy windows. However, because sufficient photon counts are not available in each energy window compared with that in the whole energy window, the MECT images reconstructed by the analytical approach often suffer from poor signal-to-noise and strong streak artifacts. To address the particular challenge, this work presents a penalized weighted least-squares (PWLS) scheme by incorporating the new concept of structure tensor total variation (STV) regularization, which is henceforth referred to as 'PWLS-STV' for simplicity. Specifically, the STV regularization is derived by penalizing higher-order derivatives of the desired MECT images. Thus it could provide more robust measures of image variation, which can eliminate the patchy artifacts often observed in total variation (TV) regularization. Subsequently, an alternating optimization algorithm was adopted to minimize the objective function. Extensive experiments with a digital XCAT phantom and meat specimen clearly demonstrate that the present PWLS-STV algorithm can achieve more gains than the existing TV-based algorithms and the conventional filtered backpeojection (FBP) algorithm in terms of both quantitative and visual quality evaluations. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

IN-HOSPITAL WEIGHT LOSS, PRESCRIBED DIET AND FOOD ACCEPTANCE

PubMed Central

LEANDRO-MERHI, Vania Aparecida; SREBERNICH, Silvana Mariana; GONÇALVES, Gisele Mara Silva; de AQUINO, José Luiz Braga

2015-01-01

Background Weight loss and malnutrition may be caused by many factors, including type of disease and treatment. Aim The present study investigated the occurrence of in-hospital weight loss and related factors. Method This cross-sectional study investigated the following variables of 456 hospitalized patients: gender, age, disease, weight variation during hospital stay, and type and acceptance of the prescribed diet. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for comparing patients' weight in the first three days in hospital stay and determining which factors affect weight. The generalized estimating equation was used for comparing the food acceptance rates. The significance level was set at 5%. Results The most prescribed diet was the regular (28.8%) and 45.5% of the patients lost weight during their stay. Acceptance of hospital food increased from the first to the third days of stay (p=0.0022) but weight loss was still significant (p<0.0001). Age and type of prescribed diet did not affect weight loss during the study period but type of disease and gender did. Patients with neoplasms (p=0.0052) and males (p=0.0002) lost more weight. Conclusion Weight loss during hospital stay was associated only with gender and type of disease. PMID:25861060

A patient-centered electronic tool for weight loss outcomes after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

PubMed

Wood, G Craig; Benotti, Peter; Gerhard, Glenn S; Miller, Elaina K; Zhang, Yushan; Zaccone, Richard J; Argyropoulos, George A; Petrick, Anthony T; Still, Christopher D

2014-01-01

BACKGROUND. Current patient education and informed consent regarding weight loss expectations for bariatric surgery candidates are largely based on averages from large patient cohorts. The variation in weight loss outcomes illustrates the need for establishing more realistic weight loss goals for individual patients. This study was designed to develop a simple web-based tool which provides patient-specific weight loss expectations. METHODS. Postoperative weight measurements after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) were collected and analyzed with patient characteristics known to influence weight loss outcomes. Quantile regression was used to create expected weight loss curves (25th, 50th, and 75th %tile) for the 24 months after RYGB. The resulting equations were validated and used to develop web-based tool for predicting weight loss outcomes. RESULTS. Weight loss data from 2986 patients (2608 in the primary cohort and 378 in the validation cohort) were included. Preoperative body mass index (BMI) and age were found to have a high correlation with weight loss accomplishment (P < 0.0001 for each). An electronic tool was created that provides easy access to patient-specific, 24-month weight loss trajectories based on initial BMI and age. CONCLUSIONS. This validated, patient-centered electronic tool will assist patients and providers in patient teaching, informed consent, and postoperative weight loss management.

A Complete Color Normalization Approach to Histopathology Images Using Color Cues Computed From Saturation-Weighted Statistics.

PubMed

Li, Xingyu; Plataniotis, Konstantinos N

2015-07-01

In digital histopathology, tasks of segmentation and disease diagnosis are achieved by quantitative analysis of image content. However, color variation in image samples makes it challenging to produce reliable results. This paper introduces a complete normalization scheme to address the problem of color variation in histopathology images jointly caused by inconsistent biopsy staining and nonstandard imaging condition. Method : Different from existing normalization methods that either address partial cause of color variation or lump them together, our method identifies causes of color variation based on a microscopic imaging model and addresses inconsistency in biopsy imaging and staining by an illuminant normalization module and a spectral normalization module, respectively. In evaluation, we use two public datasets that are representative of histopathology images commonly received in clinics to examine the proposed method from the aspects of robustness to system settings, performance consistency against achromatic pixels, and normalization effectiveness in terms of histological information preservation. As the saturation-weighted statistics proposed in this study generates stable and reliable color cues for stain normalization, our scheme is robust to system parameters and insensitive to image content and achromatic colors. Extensive experimentation suggests that our approach outperforms state-of-the-art normalization methods as the proposed method is the only approach that succeeds to preserve histological information after normalization. The proposed color normalization solution would be useful to mitigate effects of color variation in pathology images on subsequent quantitative analysis.

Preformulation Studies of Selected Pretreatment and Therapeutic Compounds

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-07-01

Mefloquine Hydrochloride) Placebo Tablets 39 Manufacturing Formula 40 Final Weight Variation 42 Disintegration Test 43 In-Process Control Analyses 44...average "weight of 563.9 mg. Disintegration times in 900 ml of water (37°C) were around 35 seconds for six tablets , Each tablet had an average thickness...WGROS ( M an .va*. ohm It nseew M nev op ,adIpit 6p 6"Wee dmme6) Antimalarials; preformulations; antileishminiasie; capsule production; tablet

Geographic variation in cancer-related imaging: Veterans Affairs health care system versus Medicare.

PubMed

McWilliams, J Michael; Dalton, Jesse B; Landrum, Mary Beth; Frakt, Austin B; Pizer, Steven D; Keating, Nancy L

2014-12-02

Geographic variations in use of medical services have been interpreted as indirect evidence of wasteful care. Less overuse of services, however, may not be reliably associated with less geographic variation. To compare average use and geographic variation in use of cancer-related imaging between fee-for-service Medicare and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system. Observational analysis of cancer-related imaging from 2003 to 2005 using Medicare and VA utilization data linked to cancer registry data. Multilevel models, adjusted for sociodemographic and tumor characteristics, were used to estimate mean differences in annual imaging use between cohorts of Medicare and VA patients within geographic areas and variation in use across areas for each cohort. 40 hospital referral regions. Older men with lung, colorectal, or prostate cancer, including 34,475 traditional Medicare beneficiaries (Medicare cohort) and 6835 VA patients (VA cohort). Per-patient count of imaging studies for which lung, colorectal, or prostate cancer was the primary diagnosis (each study weighted by a standardized price), and a direct measure of overuse-advanced imaging for prostate cancer at low risk for metastasis. Adjusted annual use of cancer-related imaging was lower in the VA cohort than in the Medicare cohort (price-weighted count, $197 vs. $379 per patient; P < 0.001), as was annual use of advanced imaging for prostate cancer at low risk for metastasis ($41 vs. $117 per patient; P < 0.001). Geographic variation in cancer-related imaging use was similar in magnitude in the VA and Medicare cohorts. Observational study design. Use of cancer-related imaging was lower in the VA health care system than in fee-for-service Medicare, but lower use was not associated with less geographic variation. Geographic variation in service use may not be a reliable indicator of the extent of overuse. Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Policy and Planning.

16 CFR 500.17 - Fractions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... commodity, they may be employed, and (2) If linear measurements are required in terms of yards or feet... fractions, smaller variations in the actual size or weight of the commodity will be permitted as provided in...

Spatial variation in attributable risks.

PubMed

Congdon, Peter

2015-01-01

The attributable risk (AR) measures the contribution of a particular risk factor to a disease, and allows estimation of disease rates specific to that risk. While previous studies consider variability in ARs over demographic categories, this paper considers the extent of spatial variability in ARs estimated from multilevel data with confounders both at individual and geographic levels. A case study considers the AR for diabetes in relation to elevated BMI, and area rates for diabetes attributable to excess weight. Contextual adjustment includes known area variables, and unobserved spatially clustered influences, while spatial heterogeneity (effect modification) is considered in terms of varying effects of elevated BMI by neighbourhood deprivation category. The application is to patient register data in London, with clear evidence of spatial variation in ARs, and in small area diabetes rates attributable to excess weight. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Critical periods in the variation in body composition in school children.

PubMed

Cristi-Montero, Carlos; Bresciani, Guilherme; Alvarez, Ana; Arriagada, Valentina; Beneventi, Angelo; Canepa, Valentina; Espinoza, Paula; Parraguez, Melisa; Toledo, Carlos; Valencia, Consuelo; Rodriguez-Rodriguez, Fernando

2014-10-01

To identify critical periods in the variation in body composition during a school year and determine possible causes. A total of 363 boys and girls aged between 10 and 14 years participated in the study. Before and after the Winter Holidays (WIH) and National Holidays (NAH) (July and September, respectively), measurements were taken of body weight, body fat percentage, waist perimeter, time spent on physical activity and hours of sleep in order to determine the variations. The normality of the data was confirmed and the means were compared with an alpha significance level of p<0.05. The school children increased in weight by 600 g and 510 g in the NAH and WIH, respectively (p<0.0001), and their body fat percentage was significantly increased during both periods (0.51%); however, the waist perimeter measurement saw no significant changes. It can also be seen that in NAH physical activity dropped by an important amount (-41 min, p<0.0001), though this did not occur in WIH. A significant increase in hours of sleep was also seen during the two holiday periods (~1 to 2 hours/day). It is concluded that both NAH and WIH can be considered critical periods due to the sharp increase in body weight and body fat percentage in the school children, where a possible cause is the reduction in time spent on physical activity. Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2014. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.

[Sports-anthropological analysis of Tunisian elite karateka].

PubMed

Raschka, Christoph; Bouzommita, Salem; Preiss, Rüdiger

2005-12-01

This study is based on a careful sport anthropological investigation (ca. 15 min) of 25 Tunisian athletes of the Karate team (aged 18 - 31 years) with special permission of the Tunisian Ministry of Youth and Sports. Considering the height of the Tunisian elite athletes (175.6 +/- 4.9 cm), heavier kareteka are bigger (178.9 +/- 2.2 cm vs. 171.4 +/- 3.9 cm). The mean weight was 73.1 +/- 8.2 kg (heavier athletes 78.7 +/- 5.9 kg vs. lighter athletes 66.0 +/- 4.1 kg). On Conrad's chessboard diagram all the Tunisian karateka were placed in the leptomorph half, only two in the metromorph corridor, but most of them in the middle between hypoplastic and hyperplastic poles. The AKS index diagram demonstrates a faint diagonal positioning of the single weight categories, with progression of body mass from the lower to the upper right area. None of the athletes surpasses a body height of 184 cm. The variation of the AKS index is higher than the variation of body height. The constitutional analysis according to Knussmann (1961) reveals an orientation of heavier weight classes towards macrosomia and pyknomorphism. The proportional figures of the athletes show a small variation of joint heights in lower extremities. In Parnell's somatochart (1954, 1958) the concentration of Tunisian karateka is found in the mesoectomorph third as well as in the somatochart of Heath & Carter (1967). Further sport anthropological karate studies should focus on adolescents and females as well as on physiological and biomechanic parameters.

The International Network for Evaluating Outcomes of very low birth weight, very preterm neonates (iNeo): a protocol for collaborative comparisons of international health services for quality improvement in neonatal care

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background The International Network for Evaluating Outcomes in Neonates (iNeo) is a collaboration of population-based national neonatal networks including Australia and New Zealand, Canada, Israel, Japan, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK. The aim of iNeo is to provide a platform for comparative evaluation of outcomes of very preterm and very low birth weight neonates at the national, site, and individual level to generate evidence for improvement of outcomes in these infants. Methods/design Individual-level data from each iNeo network will be used for comparative analysis of neonatal outcomes between networks. Variations in outcomes will be identified and disseminated to generate hypotheses regarding factors impacting outcome variation. Detailed information on physical and environmental factors, human and resource factors, and processes of care will be collected from network sites, and tested for association with neonatal outcomes. Subsequently, changes in identified practices that may influence the variations in outcomes will be implemented and evaluated using quality improvement methods. Discussion The evidence obtained using the iNeo platform will enable clinical teams from member networks to identify, implement, and evaluate practice and service provision changes aimed at improving the care and outcomes of very low birth weight and very preterm infants within their respective countries. The knowledge generated will be available worldwide with a likely global impact. PMID:24758585

Application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour to weight control in an overweight cohort. Results from a pan-European dietary intervention trial (DiOGenes).

PubMed

McConnon, Aine; Raats, Monique; Astrup, Arne; Bajzová, Magda; Handjieva-Darlenska, Teodora; Lindroos, Anna Karin; Martinez, J Alfredo; Larson, Thomas Meinert; Papadaki, Angeliki; Pfeiffer, Andreas; van Baak, Marleen A; Shepherd, Richard

2012-02-01

Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), this study investigates weight control in overweight and obese participants (27 kg/m(2)≤BMI<45 kg/m(2)) taking part in a dietary intervention trial targeted at weight loss maintenance (n=932). Respondents completed TPB measures investigating "weight gain prevention" at three time points. Correlation and regression analyses were used to investigate the relationship between TPB variables and weight regain. The TPB explained up to 27% variance in expectation, 14% in intention and 20% in desire scores. No relationship was established between intention, expectation or desire and behaviour at Time 1 or Time 2. Perceived need and subjective norm were found to be significantly related to weight regain, however, the model explained a maximum of 11% of the variation in weight regain. Better understanding of overweight individuals' trajectories of weight control is needed to help inform studies investigating people's weight regain behaviours. Future research using the TPB model to explain weight control should consider the likely behaviours being sought by individuals. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A novel weight determination method for time series data aggregation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Paiheng; Zhang, Rong; Deng, Yong

2017-09-01

Aggregation in time series is of great importance in time series smoothing, predicting and other time series analysis process, which makes it crucial to address the weights in times series correctly and reasonably. In this paper, a novel method to obtain the weights in time series is proposed, in which we adopt induced ordered weighted aggregation (IOWA) operator and visibility graph averaging (VGA) operator and linearly combine the weights separately generated by the two operator. The IOWA operator is introduced to the weight determination of time series, through which the time decay factor is taken into consideration. The VGA operator is able to generate weights with respect to the degree distribution in the visibility graph constructed from the corresponding time series, which reflects the relative importance of vertices in time series. The proposed method is applied to two practical datasets to illustrate its merits. The aggregation of Construction Cost Index (CCI) demonstrates the ability of proposed method to smooth time series, while the aggregation of The Taiwan Stock Exchange Capitalization Weighted Stock Index (TAIEX) illustrate how proposed method maintain the variation tendency of original data.

Variation and oscillation for the multilinear singular integrals satisfying Hörmander type conditions.

PubMed

Xia, Yinhong

2018-01-01

Suppose that the kernel K satisfies a certain Hörmander type condition. Let b be a function satisfying [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text], and let [Formula: see text] be a family of multilinear singular integral operators, i.e., [Formula: see text] The main purpose of this paper is to establish the weighted [Formula: see text]-boundedness of the variation operator and the oscillation operator for [Formula: see text].

Intentions to Prevent Weight Gain in Older and Younger Adults; The Importance of Perceived Health and Appearance Consequences.

PubMed

Beeken, Rebecca J; Mahdi, Sundus; Johnson, Fiona; Meisel, Susanne F

2018-01-01

This study investigates whether health and appearance consequences predict intentions to prevent weight gain and whether these relationships differ in younger versus older adults and in men versus women. UK adults aged 18-26 years (younger adults; n = 584) or >45 years (older adults; n = 107) participated in an online survey. Logistic regression assessed associations between intentions to avoid gaining weight and age, gender as well as perceived negative consequences of weight gain for health and appearance. Co-variates were ethnicity, education, weight perception and perceived weight gain vulnerability. Interactions between age, gender and perceived health and appearance consequences of weight gain were also tested. Perceived negative appearance consequences of weight gain predicted weight gain prevention intentions (OR = 9.3, p < 0.001). Health concerns were not a significant predictor of intentions overall but were a strong predictor for older adults (age × health concern interaction: OR = 13.6, p > 0.01). Concerns about feeling unattractive predict intentions to prevent weight gain. However, health consequences of weight gain are only important motivators for older adults. Future research should identify ways to shift the focus of young people from appearance concerns towards the health benefits of maintaining a healthy weight. © 2018 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg.

High level of molecular and phenotypic biodiversity in Jatropha curcas from Central America compared to Africa, Asia and South America

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background The main bottleneck to elevate jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) from a wild species to a profitable biodiesel crop is the low genetic and phenotypic variation found in different regions of the world, hampering efficient plant breeding for productivity traits. In this study, 182 accessions from Asia (91), Africa (35), South America (9) and Central America (47) were evaluated at genetic and phenotypic level to find genetic variation and important traits for oilseed production. Results Genetic variation was assessed with SSR (Simple Sequence Repeat), TRAP (Target Region Amplification Polymorphism) and AFLP (Amplified fragment length polymorphism) techniques. Phenotypic variation included seed morphological characteristics, seed oil content and fatty acid composition and early growth traits. Jaccard’s similarity and cluster analysis by UPGM (Unweighted Paired Group Method) with arithmetic mean and PCA (Principle Component Analysis) indicated higher variability in Central American accessions compared to Asian, African and South American accessions. Polymorphism Information Content (PIC) values ranged from 0 to 0.65. In the set of Central American accessions. PIC values were higher than in other regions. Accessions from the Central American population contain alleles that were not found in the accessions from other populations. Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA; P < 0.0001) indicated high genetic variation within regions (81.7%) and low variation across regions (18.3%). A high level of genetic variation was found on early growth traits and on components of the relative growth rate (specific leaf area, leaf weight, leaf weight ratio and net assimilation rate) as indicated by significant differences between accessions and by the high heritability values (50–88%). The fatty acid composition of jatropha oil significantly differed (P < 0.05) between regions. Conclusions The pool of Central American accessions showed very large genetic variation as assessed by DNA-marker variation compared to accessions from other regions. Central American accessions also showed the highest phenotypic variation and should be considered as the most important source for plant breeding. Some variation in early growth traits was found within a group of accessions from Asia and Africa, while these accessions did not differ in a single DNA-marker, possibly indicating epigenetic variation. PMID:24666927

An assessment of the variation in the concentration of acetylcysteine in infusions for the treatment of paracetamol overdose.

PubMed

Bailey, George P; Wood, David M; Archer, John R H; Rab, Edmund; Flanagan, Robert J; Dargan, Paul I

2017-02-01

Intravenous acetylcysteine is the treatment of choice for paracetamol poisoning. A previous UK study in 2001 found that 39% of measured acetylcysteine infusion concentrations differed by >20% from anticipated concentrations. In 2012, the UK Commission on Human Medicines made recommendations for the management of paracetamol overdose, including provision of weight-based acetylcysteine dosing tables. The aim of this study was to assess variation in acetylcysteine concentrations in administered infusions following the introduction of this guidance. A 6-month single-centre prospective study was undertaken at a UK teaching hospital. After preparation, 5-ml samples were taken from the first, second and third/any subsequent acetylcysteine infusions. Acetylcysteine was measured in diluted (1:50) samples by high-performance liquid chromatography. Comparisons between measured and expected concentrations based on prescribed weight-based dose and volume were made for each infusion. Ninety samples were collected. There was a variation of ≤10% in measured compared to expected concentration for 45 (50%) infusions, of 10-20% for 27 (30%) infusions, 20.1-50% for 14 (16%) infusions and >50% for four (4%) infusions. There was a median (interquartile range) variation in measured compared to expected concentration of -3.6 mg ml -1 (-6.7 to -2.3) for the first infusion, +0.2 mg ml -1 (-0.9 to +0.4) for the second infusion and -0.3 mg ml -1 (-0.6 to +0.2) for third and fourth infusions. There has been a moderate improvement in the variation in acetylcysteine dose administered by infusion. Further work is required to understand the continuing variation and consideration should be given to simplification of acetylcysteine regimes to decrease the risk of administration errors. © 2016 The British Pharmacological Society.

Formulation/cure technology for ultrahigh molecular weight silphenylene-siloxane polymers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hundley, N. H.; Patterson, W. J.

1985-01-01

Molecular weights above one million were achieved for methylvinylsilphenylene-siloxane terpolymers using a two-stage polymerization technique which was successfully scaled up to 200 grams. The resulting polymer was vulcanized by two different formulations and compared to an identically formulated commercial methylvinyl silicone on the basis of ultimate strength, Young's modulus, percent elongation at failure, and tear strength. Relative thermal/oxidative stabilities of the elastomers were assessed by gradient and isothermal thermogravimetric analyses performed in both air and nitrogen. The experimental elastomer exhibited enhanced thermal/oxidative stability and possed equivalent or superior mechanical properties. The effect of variations in prepolymer molecular weight on mechanical properties was also investigated.

Bone mineral density of the skull in premenopausal women.

PubMed

Turner, A S; Maillet, J M; Mallinckrodt, C; Cordain, L

1997-08-01

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the head has received little attention. We used DXA to measure bone mineral density (BMD) of the entire skull including the mandible (BMDHead) and BMD of the cranial vault (BMDVault) in 91 normal young women. We also measured BMD of the total body (BMDTotal body), proximal femur ("total femur"), and lumbar vertebrae (L1-L4). BMD (g/cm2; mean +/- SE) was 1.032 +/- 0.011 for L1-L4, 0.995 +/- 0.011 for total femur, and 2.283 +/- 0.028 for BMDVault (cranial vault) and the mean body weight of all subjects was 59.8 kg. Correlation between BMD Vault and BMDHead was -0.004 g/cm2 suggesting that these two measurements of bone mass of the skull were similar. To determine the correlation between the different variables after accounting for external sources of variation, partial correlation derived from multiple regression was determined. Correlations between BMD at the various locations and with BMDTotal body were moderate to strong. Although small in magnitude, the partial correlations of body weight with BMDTotal body, total femur, and L1-L4 were of equal value in predicting BMDTotal body and further, BMDVault was not influenced by body weight. Including body weight in multiple regression in addition to total femur or L1-L4 removed the extraneous variation due to body weight, and predictions of MBDTotal body were as reliable as when BMDVault was based on goodness of fit tests (P = 0.314). The techniques used to measure BMD of the cranial vault is a relatively new variation of DXA technology. The precision was as good as other measurements of bone mass of the entire skull (including the mandible). Because the cranial vault is less sensitive to mechanical influences, it may be a region where response to therapy could be evaluated. The cranial vault may be a useful area to study certain heritable diseases that affect the skeleton, skeletal artifact, or evaluation of oral bone loss.

Control of bed height in a fluidized bed gasification system

DOEpatents

Mehta, Gautam I.; Rogers, Lynn M.

1983-12-20

In a fluidized bed apparatus a method for controlling the height of the fdized bed, taking into account variations in the density of the bed. The method comprises taking simultaneous differential pressure measurements at different vertical elevations within the vessel, averaging the differential pressures, determining an average fluidized bed density, then periodically calculating a weighting factor. The weighting factor is used in the determination of the actual bed height which is used in controlling the fluidizing means.

Semivariogram modeling by weighted least squares

USGS Publications Warehouse

Jian, X.; Olea, R.A.; Yu, Y.-S.

1996-01-01

Permissible semivariogram models are fundamental for geostatistical estimation and simulation of attributes having a continuous spatiotemporal variation. The usual practice is to fit those models manually to experimental semivariograms. Fitting by weighted least squares produces comparable results to fitting manually in less time, systematically, and provides an Akaike information criterion for the proper comparison of alternative models. We illustrate the application of a computer program with examples showing the fitting of simple and nested models. Copyright ?? 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.

Influence of manufacturing practices on quality of pharmaceutical products manufactured in Kenya.

PubMed

Orwa, J A; Keter, L K; Ouko, S P A; Kibwage, I O; Rukunga, G M

2004-06-01

To establish the quality of pharmaceutical products manufactured by the respective industries in Kenya and determine the effect of manufacturing practices on the quality of these products. Cross-sectional study. Industries examined are in Nairobi, Kenya. Laboratory analysis was carried out using available facilities at Kenya Medical Research Institute and University of Nairobi, Faculty of Pharmacy. Structured Questionnaires were administered to examine how the code of good manufacturing practices has been used in the production of each pharmaceutical product by respective companies. Questionnaires designed to evaluate the distribution and carry out limited post-market surveillance study were administered to community pharmacy outlets. Drugs were sampled and analyzed for their quality according to the respective monographs. The questionnaires administered to the industry included the source of raw materials, quarantine procedure before and after manufacture, manufacturing procedure, quality audit, quality assurance procedure, equipment, and staff. That administered to the pharmacy outlet included availability, affordability and acceptability of locally manufactured pharmaceutical products. Quality analysis of products involved the establishment of the chemical content, dissolution profile, friability, uniformity of weight and identity. For antibiotic suspensions the stability after reconstitution was also determined. There were 15 respondents and two non-respondents from the industry and six out of nine respondents from the pharmacy outlets. The ratio of qualified staff to product range produced seemed to influence product quality. Industries producing several products with only limited number of pharmaceutical staff had more products failing to comply with pharmacopoeia specifications compared to those producing only few products. Nevertheless, all companies are well equipped with quality control equipment, in accordance with type of product manufactured. Private pharmacies stocked few of the locally manufactured products. The reason, they said, was due to low doctor and/or patient acceptance. Compliance with quality specifications as set out in respective monographs was overall 76%. Although the local pharmaceutical industries have adopted good manufacturing practices leading to many good quality products currently in commerce, these manufacturing practices are not comprehensive and measures need to be taken to continue improving them.

Functional characterization of a promoter polymorphism that drives ACSL5 gene expression in skeletal muscle and associates with diet-induced weight loss.

PubMed

Teng, Allen C T; Adamo, Kristi; Tesson, Frédérique; Stewart, Alexandre F R

2009-06-01

Diet-induced weight loss is affected by a wide range of factors, including genetic variation. Identifying functional polymorphisms will help to elucidate mechanisms that account for variation in dietary metabolism. Previously, we reported a strong association between a common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2419621 (C>T) in the promoter of acyl-CoA synthetase long chain 5 (ACSL5), rapid weight loss in obese Caucasian females, and elevated ACSL5 mRNA levels in skeletal muscle biopsies. Here, we showed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) that the T allele creates a functional cis-regulatory E-box element (CANNTG) that is recognized by the myogenic regulatory factor MyoD. The T allele promoted MyoD-dependent activation of a 1089-base pair ACSL5 promoter fragment in nonmuscle CV1 cells. Differentiation of skeletal myoblasts significantly elevated expression of the ACSL5 promoter. The T allele sustained promoter activity 48 h after differentiation, whereas the C allele showed a significant decline. These results reveal a mechanism for elevated transcription of ACSL5 in skeletal muscle of carriers of the rs2419621(T) allele, associated with more rapid diet-induced weight loss. Natural selection favoring promoter polymorphisms that reduced expression of catabolic genes in skeletal muscle likely accounts for the resistance of obese individuals to dietary intervention.

Why weight? Modelling sample and observational level variability improves power in RNA-seq analyses.

PubMed

Liu, Ruijie; Holik, Aliaksei Z; Su, Shian; Jansz, Natasha; Chen, Kelan; Leong, Huei San; Blewitt, Marnie E; Asselin-Labat, Marie-Liesse; Smyth, Gordon K; Ritchie, Matthew E

2015-09-03

Variations in sample quality are frequently encountered in small RNA-sequencing experiments, and pose a major challenge in a differential expression analysis. Removal of high variation samples reduces noise, but at a cost of reducing power, thus limiting our ability to detect biologically meaningful changes. Similarly, retaining these samples in the analysis may not reveal any statistically significant changes due to the higher noise level. A compromise is to use all available data, but to down-weight the observations from more variable samples. We describe a statistical approach that facilitates this by modelling heterogeneity at both the sample and observational levels as part of the differential expression analysis. At the sample level this is achieved by fitting a log-linear variance model that includes common sample-specific or group-specific parameters that are shared between genes. The estimated sample variance factors are then converted to weights and combined with observational level weights obtained from the mean-variance relationship of the log-counts-per-million using 'voom'. A comprehensive analysis involving both simulations and experimental RNA-sequencing data demonstrates that this strategy leads to a universally more powerful analysis and fewer false discoveries when compared to conventional approaches. This methodology has wide application and is implemented in the open-source 'limma' package. © The Author(s) 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research.

Prevalence and causes of low birth weight in India.

PubMed

Bharati, P; Pal, M; Bandyopadhyay, M; Bhakta, A; Chakraborty, S; Bharati, P

2011-12-01

The aims of the study are (i) to understand inter-zone and interstate variation of low birth weight (LBW) and (ii) to determine the key variables to reduce LBW in India. Using the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data of 2005-06 which showed the percentage distribution of LBW infants, ANOVA and post-hoc test were performed to determine the spatial variation of birth weight. The covariates which influence LBW fell into three categories: (i) social variables which included location, mother's education, religion, access of mothers to newspapers, television and family structure; (ii) economic variable namely, the wealth index, and (iii) biological variables which consisted of sex of the children, birth order, and mother's body mass index (BMI). Three models of Logistic regression were carried out to examine the influence of the combinations of these direct and indirect factors. In India, nearly 20% of new borns have LBW. Males have less frequency of LBW than females. The North-east zone has the lowest prevalence of LBW while the north zone has the highest. Mother's education, access to TV and nuclear family, and intake of iron tablets are the most important socio-economic influences on the determination of birth weight in India. It is essential to provide proper diet and nutritional care of mothers during pregnancy. Increased education of mothers through programmes in TV and newspapers articles have significant roles to play in reducing LBW in India.

Effect of Lanthanum-Natural Zeolite, La/NZA catalyst on biodiesel production from crude palm oil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Setianingsih, A.; Wisrayetti; Khairat; Bahri, S.

2018-04-01

Biodiesel can be produced from vegetable oils through the trans-esterification process. In this study, potential vegetable oil of Crude Palm Oil (CPO) was used as sample. The purposes of this research were to produce biodiesel from CPO as an alternative fuel, having study the ratio of impregnation of Lanthanum on NZA, and its catalyst weight to the biodiesel yield. The La/NZA catalyst is made as followed, first the natural zeolite size was reduced using grinding, then activated using HCl 6 N and NH4Cl 1 N, followed with the drying process. La is impregnated into NZA as solution having variations of 1 and 3% (w/w) of NZA, then it was followed with dried in an oven, calcination, oxidation and reduction. Production of biodiesel is carried out through two stages of esterification and transesterification processes. In the trans-esterification process conducted with the various variation of catalyst weight i.e. 1, 2 and 3% of La/NZA (w/w) for a total weight of 80 grams of CPO sample, having the ratio of oil : methanol 1 : 9. Reaction was lasted for 60 minutes at 60°C having 400 rpm stirring speed. From the result, the conversion of 85.37% is given by the run on using 3% La/NZA catalyst having catalyst weight 1%.

Real Diffusion-Weighted MRI Enabling True Signal Averaging and Increased Diffusion Contrast

PubMed Central

Eichner, Cornelius; Cauley, Stephen F; Cohen-Adad, Julien; Möller, Harald E; Turner, Robert; Setsompop, Kawin; Wald, Lawrence L

2015-01-01

This project aims to characterize the impact of underlying noise distributions on diffusion-weighted imaging. The noise floor is a well-known problem for traditional magnitude-based diffusion-weighted MRI (dMRI) data, leading to biased diffusion model fits and inaccurate signal averaging. Here, we introduce a total-variation-based algorithm to eliminate shot-to-shot phase variations of complex-valued diffusion data with the intention to extract real-valued dMRI datasets. The obtained real-valued diffusion data are no longer superimposed by a noise floor but instead by a zero-mean Gaussian noise distribution, yielding dMRI data without signal bias. We acquired high-resolution dMRI data with strong diffusion weighting and, thus, low signal-to-noise ratio. Both the extracted real-valued and traditional magnitude data were compared regarding signal averaging, diffusion model fitting and accuracy in resolving crossing fibers. Our results clearly indicate that real-valued diffusion data enables idealized conditions for signal averaging. Furthermore, the proposed method enables unbiased use of widely employed linear least squares estimators for model fitting and demonstrates an increased sensitivity to detect secondary fiber directions with reduced angular error. The use of phase-corrected, real-valued data for dMRI will therefore help to clear the way for more detailed and accurate studies of white matter microstructure and structural connectivity on a fine scale. PMID:26241680

Effects of dietary inclusion level of a mixture of probiotic cultures and enzymes on broiler chickens immunity response.

PubMed

Seidavi, Alireza; Dadashbeiki, Mohammad; Alimohammadi-Saraei, Mohammad-Hossein; van den Hoven, René; Payan-Carreira, Rita; Laudadio, Vito; Tufarelli, Vincenzo

2017-02-01

The current study was conducted to analyse the effect of a mixture of probiotic cultures and enzymes (Probio Enzyme, XVET GmbH, Germany) on the immune response and weight of central lymphoid organs and liver in broilers. A total of 270 male chickens were randomly divided into nine groups, with three replicates of 10 birds each. Treatment groups were fed for either 22 or 42 days with different levels of Probio Enzyme 250, 500, 750 and 1000 g/ton, whereas the control group fed a basal diet without Probio Enzyme. To analyse the effects of dietary supplementation on broilers humoral immune response, the antibodies titres for avian influenza (AI) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and to the sheep red blood cells (SRBC) challenge were assayed in birds from each experimental unit, along with the assessment of the weight of the main lymphoid organs and liver. The addition of the Probio Enzyme mixture did not significantly affect the titres of the antibodies against AI and NDV at day 42, despite the wide individual variation observed specially on the antibody titres at day 33. Treatments affected the production of IgG after the second challenge with SRBC (P = 0.003), which was transposed to the correspondent total Ig titres (P = 0.044). Conversely, a lower birds' body weight (BW) was found in the majority of treated groups compared to control (P = 0.031). The spleen was the only lymphoid organ showing differences in the absolute and relative weight (P = 0.003 and P = 0.001, respectively). No differences were found in thymus and Bursa of Fabricius weights. In conclusion, broilers treated with Probio Enzyme showed a satisfactory immune response compared with control, despite the wide variation found after the first vaccine challenge against AI. Moreover, the probiotic mixture dose and duration modulated differently the immune response and the spleen weight, unaffecting the central lymphoid organs weight.

Reproductive habitus, psychosocial health, and birth weight variation in Mexican immigrant and Mexican American women in south Texas.

PubMed

Fleuriet, K Jill; Sunil, T S

2015-08-01

The Latina Paradox, or persistent, unexplained variation in low birth weight rates in recently immigrated Mexican women and the trend toward higher rates in subsequent generations of Mexican American women, is most often attributed to unidentified sociocultural causes. We suggest herein that different disciplinary approaches can be synthesized under the constructs of reproductive habitus and subjective social status to identify influences of sociocultural processes on birth weight. Reproductive habitus are "modes of living the reproductive body, bodily practices, and the creation of new subjects through interactions between people and structures" (Smith-Oka, 2012: 2276). Subjective social status infers comparison of self to others based on community definitions of status or socioeconomic status (Adler 2007). We present results from a prospective study of low-income Mexican immigrant and Mexican American women from south Texas that tested the ability of reproductive habitus and subjective social status to elucidate the Latina Paradox. We hypothesized that reproductive habitus between Mexican immigrant women and Mexican American women inform different subjective social statuses during pregnancy, and different subjective social statuses mediate responses to psychosocial stressors known to correlate with low birth weight. Six hundred thirty-one women were surveyed for psychosocial health, subjective social status, and reproductive histories between 2011 and 2013. Eighty-three women were interviewed between 2012 and 2013 for status during pregnancy, prenatal care practices, and pregnancy narratives and associations. Birth weight was extracted from medical records. Results were mixed. Subjective social status and pregnancy-related anxiety predicted low birth weight in Mexican immigrant but not Mexican American women. Mexican immigrant women had significantly lower subjective social status scores but a distinct reproductive habitus that could explain improved psychosocial health during pregnancy. Results underscore the importance of a biopsychosocial, mixed methods approach that integrates anthropology, psychology, and epidemiology in the effort to understand the complex dynamic between sociocultural processes and birth weight. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Seasonal Variations in Birth Weight in Suzhou Industrial Park.

PubMed

Wu, Lei; Ding, Yi; Rui, Xing Li; Mao, Cai Ping

2016-10-01

Many environmental factors have been shown to adversely influence birth weight, and new insight has been gained into 'seasonal programming'. We studied a total of 23,064 infants. The mean birth weight varied across seasons. Logistic regression analysis was used to obtain the crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for dichotomous outcomes (e.g., macrosomia, low birth weight). There were significant differences in the risks for macrosomia in infants born in different seasons. Compared with those for infants born in spring, the ORs for macrosomia were 0.85 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.75-0.98] and 0.87 (95% CI: 0.77-0.99) for infants born in summer and autumn, respectively. These findings suggest that environmental factors may have public health implications and should be considered when primary prevention programs are developed for macrosomia or low birth weight. Copyright © 2016 The Editorial Board of Biomedical and Environmental Sciences. Published by China CDC. All rights reserved.

Pharmacogenetics of leptin in antipsychotic-associated weight gain and obesity-related complications

PubMed Central

Lee, Amy K; Bishop, Jefrey R

2013-01-01

Second-generation antipsychotics can greatly improve symptoms of psychosis-spectrum disorders. Unfortunately, these drugs are associated with weight gain, which increases a patient’s risk for developing chronic diseases including Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases or other obesity-related complications. There are interindividual differences in weight gain resulting from antipsychotic drug use that may be explained by pharmacodynamic characteristics of these agents as well as clinical factors. In addition, genetic variations in pathways associated with satiety are increasingly recognized as potential contributors to antipsychotic-associated weight gain. Polymorphisms in the leptin gene, as well as the leptin receptor gene, are potential pharmacogenetic markers associated with these outcomes. This article summarizes evidence for the associations of the leptin gene and the leptin receptor gene polymorphisms with antipsychotic-induced weight gain, potential mechanisms underlying these relationships, and discusses areas for future pharmacogenetic investigation. PMID:21787190

Sex, race, and the adverse effects of social stigma vs. other quality of life factors among primary care patients with moderate to severe obesity.

PubMed

Wee, Christina C; Davis, Roger B; Chiodi, Sarah; Huskey, Karen W; Hamel, Mary B

2015-02-01

Patients with obesity face widespread social bias, but the importance of this social stigma to patients relative to other quality of life (QOL) factors is unclear. Our aim was to examine the importance of obesity-related social stigma relative to other QOL factors on reducing patients' overall well-being. We used a cross-sectional telephone interview. The study was conducted at four diverse primary care practices in Greater Boston. Three hundred and thirty-seven primary care patients aged 18-65 years and with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 kg/m(2) or higher participated in the study. Patients' health utility (preference-based QOL measure) was determined via responses to a series of standard gamble scenarios assessing willingness to risk death to lose various amounts of weight or to achieve perfect health. We used the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-lite instrument to assess QOL domains specific to obesity (physical function, self-esteem, sexual life, public distress or social stigma, and work), and we examined variation in utility explained by these domains. Depending on patients' race/ethnicity, mean health utilities ranged from 0.92 to 0.99 among men and from 0.89 to 0.93 among women. After adjustment for race, BMI, and education, none of the QOL domains explained much of the variation in utility among men, except for work function among Hispanic men. In contrast, social stigma was the leading QOL contributor to utility for Caucasian women (explaining 6 % of the marginal variation beyond demographics and BMI). In contrast, sexual function was the most important contributor among African American women (3 % marginal variation), and work life was most important among Hispanic women (> 20 % in variation). Lower scores in one domain did not always translate into lower well-being. Moreover, QOL summary scores often explained less of the variation than some individual domains. Obesity-related social stigma had disproportionate adverse effects on Caucasian women patients' well-being, whereas weight-related impairment in work function was particularly important among Hispanic patients and impaired sexual function was important to diminished well-being among African American women although its impact appeared modest.

Socioeconomic status and weight control practices in British adults

PubMed Central

Wardle, J; Griffith, J

2001-01-01

STUDY OBJECTIVE—Attitudes and practices concerning weight control in British adults were examined to test the hypothesis that variation in concern about weight and deliberate weight control might partly explain the socioeconomic status (SES) gradient in obesity. Higher SES groups were hypothesised to show more weight concern and higher levels of dieting.
SETTING—Data were collected as part of the monthly Omnibus Survey of the Office of National Statistics in March 1999.
PARTICIPANTS—A stratified, probability sample of 2690 households was selected by random sampling of addresses in Britain. One randomly selected person in each household was interviewed at their home.
MAIN RESULTS—As predicted, higher SES men and women had higher levels of perceived overweight, monitored their weight more closely, and were more likely to be trying to lose weight. Higher SES groups also reported more restrictive dietary practices and more vigorous physical activity.
CONCLUSIONS—The results are consistent with the idea that part of the protection against weight gain in higher SES groups could be a higher frequency of weight monitoring, a lower threshold for defining themselves as overweight, and a greater likelihood of deliberate efforts at weight control.


Keywords: socioeconomic status; weight control; obesity PMID:11160173

Discovery and refinement of muscle weight QTLs in B6 × D2 advanced intercross mice

PubMed Central

Carbonetto, P.; Cheng, R.; Gyekis, J. P.; Parker, C. C.; Blizard, D. A.; Palmer, A. A.

2014-01-01

The genes underlying variation in skeletal muscle mass are poorly understood. Although many quantitative trait loci (QTLs) have been mapped in crosses of mouse strains, the limited resolution inherent in these conventional studies has made it difficult to reliably pinpoint the causal genetic variants. The accumulated recombination events in an advanced intercross line (AIL), in which mice from two inbred strains are mated at random for several generations, can improve mapping resolution. We demonstrate these advancements in mapping QTLs for hindlimb muscle weights in an AIL (n = 832) of the C57BL/6J (B6) and DBA/2J (D2) strains, generations F8–F13. We mapped muscle weight QTLs using the high-density MegaMUGA SNP panel. The QTLs highlight the shared genetic architecture of four hindlimb muscles and suggest that the genetic contributions to muscle variation are substantially different in males and females, at least in the B6D2 lineage. Out of the 15 muscle weight QTLs identified in the AIL, nine overlapped the genomic regions discovered in an earlier B6D2 F2 intercross. Mapping resolution, however, was substantially improved in our study to a median QTL interval of 12.5 Mb. Subsequent sequence analysis of the QTL regions revealed 20 genes with nonsense or potentially damaging missense mutations. Further refinement of the muscle weight QTLs using additional functional information, such as gene expression differences between alleles, will be important for discerning the causal genes. PMID:24963006

Discovery and refinement of muscle weight QTLs in B6 × D2 advanced intercross mice.

PubMed

Carbonetto, P; Cheng, R; Gyekis, J P; Parker, C C; Blizard, D A; Palmer, A A; Lionikas, A

2014-08-15

The genes underlying variation in skeletal muscle mass are poorly understood. Although many quantitative trait loci (QTLs) have been mapped in crosses of mouse strains, the limited resolution inherent in these conventional studies has made it difficult to reliably pinpoint the causal genetic variants. The accumulated recombination events in an advanced intercross line (AIL), in which mice from two inbred strains are mated at random for several generations, can improve mapping resolution. We demonstrate these advancements in mapping QTLs for hindlimb muscle weights in an AIL (n = 832) of the C57BL/6J (B6) and DBA/2J (D2) strains, generations F8-F13. We mapped muscle weight QTLs using the high-density MegaMUGA SNP panel. The QTLs highlight the shared genetic architecture of four hindlimb muscles and suggest that the genetic contributions to muscle variation are substantially different in males and females, at least in the B6D2 lineage. Out of the 15 muscle weight QTLs identified in the AIL, nine overlapped the genomic regions discovered in an earlier B6D2 F2 intercross. Mapping resolution, however, was substantially improved in our study to a median QTL interval of 12.5 Mb. Subsequent sequence analysis of the QTL regions revealed 20 genes with nonsense or potentially damaging missense mutations. Further refinement of the muscle weight QTLs using additional functional information, such as gene expression differences between alleles, will be important for discerning the causal genes. Copyright © 2014 the American Physiological Society.

Computed tomography automatic exposure control techniques in 18F-FDG oncology PET-CT scanning.

PubMed

Iball, Gareth R; Tout, Deborah

2014-04-01

Computed tomography (CT) automatic exposure control (AEC) systems are now used in all modern PET-CT scanners. A collaborative study was undertaken to compare AEC techniques of the three major PET-CT manufacturers for fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose half-body oncology imaging. An audit of 70 patients was performed for half-body CT scans taken on a GE Discovery 690, Philips Gemini TF and Siemens Biograph mCT (all 64-slice CT). Patient demographic and dose information was recorded and image noise was calculated as the SD of Hounsfield units in the liver. A direct comparison of the AEC systems was made by scanning a Rando phantom on all three systems for a range of AEC settings. The variation in dose and image quality with patient weight was significantly different for all three systems, with the GE system showing the largest variation in dose with weight and Philips the least. Image noise varied with patient weight in Philips and Siemens systems but was constant for all weights in GE. The z-axis mA profiles from the Rando phantom demonstrate that these differences are caused by the nature of the tube current modulation techniques applied. The mA profiles varied considerably according to the AEC settings used. CT AEC techniques from the three manufacturers yield significantly different tube current modulation patterns and hence deliver different doses and levels of image quality across a range of patient weights. Users should be aware of how their system works and of steps that could be taken to optimize imaging protocols.

Adolescent overweight, social relationships and the transition to first sex: gender and racial variations.

PubMed

Cheng, Yen-hsin Alice; Landale, Nancy S

2011-03-01

Being overweight influences adolescents' relationships by increasing their likelihood of experiencing social alienation and discrimination. Its role in sexual development is relatively understudied, as are potential mechanisms through which weight may influence early sexual activity. Data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health were used in discrete-time event history analyses investigating the association between body weight, social relationships and timing of sexual debut among 8,197 respondents who were in grades 7-12 in 1994-1995 (Wave 1) and were young adults in 2001-2002 (Wave 3). Subgroup analyses explored gender and racial and ethnic variations in the association. Overweight adolescents were less likely than their normal-weight peers to report first intercourse between Waves 1 and 3 (odds ratio, 0.9). Characteristics reflecting social alienation, including having relatively few close friends and no experience with romantic relationships, were negatively associated with first intercourse among overweight youths. Results differed by gender and race and ethnicity. Overweight females had a lower likelihood than normal-weight females of experiencing first intercourse (0.8), but no such association was evident among males. Similarly, overweight white youths--but not those from other racial and ethnic groups--had reduced odds of sexual debut (0.7). Future studies should seek to understand the broader implications of adolescent weight status for social relationships and subsequent development, and practitioners should apply this knowledge to prevention programs. Postponement of sexual activity may benefit youths, but potential benefits and risks may depend upon the social processes involved. Copyright © 2010 by the Guttmacher Institute.

Molecular weight dependence of carrier mobility and recombination rate in neat P3HT films

DOE PAGES

Dixon, Alex G.; Visvanathan, Rayshan; Clark, Noel A.; ...

2017-11-02

The microstructure dependence of carrier mobility and recombination rates of neat films of poly 3-hexylthyophene (P3HT) were determined for a range of materials of weight-average molecular weights, Mw, ranging from 14 to 331 kDa. This variation has previously been shown to modify the polymer microstructure, with low molecular weights forming a one-phase, paraffinic-like structure comprised of chain-extended crystallites, and higher molecular weights forming a semicrystalline structure with crystalline domains being embedded in an amorphous matrix. Using Charge Extraction by Linearly Increasing Voltage (CELIV), we show here that the carrier mobility in P3HT devices peaks for materials of Mw = 48more » kDa, and that the recombination rate decreases monotonically with increasing molecular weight. This trend is likely due to the development of a semicrystalline, two-phase structure with increasing Mw, which allows for the spatial separation of holes and electrons into the amorphous and crystalline regions, respectively. This separation leads to decreased recombination.« less

Molecular weight dependence of carrier mobility and recombination rate in neat P3HT films

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dixon, Alex G.; Visvanathan, Rayshan; Clark, Noel A.

The microstructure dependence of carrier mobility and recombination rates of neat films of poly 3-hexylthyophene (P3HT) were determined for a range of materials of weight-average molecular weights, Mw, ranging from 14 to 331 kDa. This variation has previously been shown to modify the polymer microstructure, with low molecular weights forming a one-phase, paraffinic-like structure comprised of chain-extended crystallites, and higher molecular weights forming a semicrystalline structure with crystalline domains being embedded in an amorphous matrix. Using Charge Extraction by Linearly Increasing Voltage (CELIV), we show here that the carrier mobility in P3HT devices peaks for materials of Mw = 48more » kDa, and that the recombination rate decreases monotonically with increasing molecular weight. This trend is likely due to the development of a semicrystalline, two-phase structure with increasing Mw, which allows for the spatial separation of holes and electrons into the amorphous and crystalline regions, respectively. This separation leads to decreased recombination.« less

DRD2 Promoter Region Variation Predicts Antipsychotic-Induced Weight Gain in First Episode Schizophrenia

PubMed Central

Lencz, Todd; Robinson, Delbert G.; Napolitano, Barbara; Sevy, Serge; Kane, John M.; Goldman, David; Malhotra, Anil K.

2010-01-01

Many antipsychotic medications carry a substantial liability for weight gain, and one mechanism common to all antipsychotics is binding to the dopamine D2 receptor. We therefore examined the relationship between −141C Ins/Del (rs1799732), a functional promoter region polymorphism in DRD2, and antipsychotic-induced weight gain in 58 first episode schizophrenia patients enrolled in a randomized trial of risperidone (RIS) vs. olanzapine (OLZ). Carriers of the deletion allele (n=29) were compared to Ins/Ins homozygotes (non-carriers, n=29) in a mixed model encompassing 10 weight measurements over 16 weeks. Deletion allele carriers demonstrated significantly more weight gain after 6 weeks of treatment regardless of assigned medication. While deletion carriers were prescribed higher doses of OLZ (but not RIS), dose did not appear to account for the genotype effects on weight gain. Given previous evidence that deletion carriers demonstrate reduced symptom response to medication, additional study of appropriate treatment options for these patients appears warranted. PMID:20664489

Access Selection Algorithm of Heterogeneous Wireless Networks for Smart Distribution Grid Based on Entropy-Weight and Rough Set

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiang, Min; Qu, Qinqin; Chen, Cheng; Tian, Li; Zeng, Lingkang

2017-11-01

To improve the reliability of communication service in smart distribution grid (SDG), an access selection algorithm based on dynamic network status and different service types for heterogeneous wireless networks was proposed. The network performance index values were obtained in real time by multimode terminal and the variation trend of index values was analyzed by the growth matrix. The index weights were calculated by entropy-weight and then modified by rough set to get the final weights. Combining the grey relational analysis to sort the candidate networks, and the optimum communication network is selected. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can implement dynamically access selection in heterogeneous wireless networks of SDG effectively and reduce the network blocking probability.

Seed size variability: from carob to carats

PubMed Central

Turnbull, Lindsay A; Santamaria, Luis; Martorell, Toni; Rallo, Joan; Hector, Andy

2006-01-01

The seeds of various plants were used as weights because their mass reputedly varies so little. Carob (Ceratonia siliqua), which has given its name to the carat, is particularly famous in this regard. But are carob seeds unusually constant in weight and, if not, how did the myth arise? The variability of seeds sampled from a collection of carob trees (CV=23%) was close to the average of 63 species reviewed from the literature (CV=25%). However, in a perception experiment observers could discriminate differences in carob seed weight of around 5% by eye demonstrating the potential for humans to greatly reduce natural variation. Interestingly, the variability of pre-metrication carat weight standards is also around 5% suggesting that human rather than natural selection gave rise to the carob myth. PMID:17148413

Quantitative evaluation of phase processing approaches in susceptibility weighted imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Ningzhi; Wang, Wen-Tung; Sati, Pascal; Pham, Dzung L.; Butman, John A.

2012-03-01

Susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) takes advantage of the local variation in susceptibility between different tissues to enable highly detailed visualization of the cerebral venous system and sensitive detection of intracranial hemorrhages. Thus, it has been increasingly used in magnetic resonance imaging studies of traumatic brain injury as well as other intracranial pathologies. In SWI, magnitude information is combined with phase information to enhance the susceptibility induced image contrast. Because of global susceptibility variations across the image, the rate of phase accumulation varies widely across the image resulting in phase wrapping artifacts that interfere with the local assessment of phase variation. Homodyne filtering is a common approach to eliminate this global phase variation. However, filter size requires careful selection in order to preserve image contrast and avoid errors resulting from residual phase wraps. An alternative approach is to apply phase unwrapping prior to high pass filtering. A suitable phase unwrapping algorithm guarantees no residual phase wraps but additional computational steps are required. In this work, we quantitatively evaluate these two phase processing approaches on both simulated and real data using different filters and cutoff frequencies. Our analysis leads to an improved understanding of the relationship between phase wraps, susceptibility effects, and acquisition parameters. Although homodyne filtering approaches are faster and more straightforward, phase unwrapping approaches perform more accurately in a wider variety of acquisition scenarios.

An improved geographically weighted regression model for PM2.5 concentration estimation in large areas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhai, Liang; Li, Shuang; Zou, Bin; Sang, Huiyong; Fang, Xin; Xu, Shan

2018-05-01

Considering the spatial non-stationary contributions of environment variables to PM2.5 variations, the geographically weighted regression (GWR) modeling method has been using to estimate PM2.5 concentrations widely. However, most of the GWR models in reported studies so far were established based on the screened predictors through pretreatment correlation analysis, and this process might cause the omissions of factors really driving PM2.5 variations. This study therefore developed a best subsets regression (BSR) enhanced principal component analysis-GWR (PCA-GWR) modeling approach to estimate PM2.5 concentration by fully considering all the potential variables' contributions simultaneously. The performance comparison experiment between PCA-GWR and regular GWR was conducted in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region over a one-year-period. Results indicated that the PCA-GWR modeling outperforms the regular GWR modeling with obvious higher model fitting- and cross-validation based adjusted R2 and lower RMSE. Meanwhile, the distribution map of PM2.5 concentration from PCA-GWR modeling also clearly depicts more spatial variation details in contrast to the one from regular GWR modeling. It can be concluded that the BSR enhanced PCA-GWR modeling could be a reliable way for effective air pollution concentration estimation in the coming future by involving all the potential predictor variables' contributions to PM2.5 variations.

Modulation of venlafaxine hydrochloride release from press coated matrix tablet.

PubMed

Gohel, M C; Soni, C D; Nagori, S A; Sarvaiya, K G

2008-01-01

The aim of present study was to prepare novel modified release press coated tablets of venlafaxine hydrochloride. Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose K4M and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose K100M were used as release modifier in core and coat, respectively. A 3(2) full factorial design was adopted in the optimization study. The drug to polymer ratio in core and coat were chosen as independent variables. The drug release in the first hour and drug release rate between 1 and 12 h were chosen as dependent variables. The tablets were characterized for dimension analysis, crushing strength, friability and in vitro drug release. A check point batch, containing 1:2.6 and 1:5.4 drug to polymer in core and coat respectively, was prepared. The tablets of check point batch were subjected to in vitro drug release in dissolution media with pH 5, 7.2 and distilled water. The kinetics of drug release was best explained by Korsmeyer and Peppas model (anomalous non-Fickian diffusion). The systematic formulation approach enabled us to develop modified release venlafaxine hydrochloride tablets.

Frosta: a new technology for making fast-melting tablets.

PubMed

Jeong, Seong Hoon; Fu, Yourong; Park, Kinam

2005-11-01

The fast-melting tablet (FMT) technology, which is known to be one of the most innovated methods in oral drug delivery systems, is a rapidly growing area of drug delivery. The initial success of the FMT formulation led to the development of various technologies. These technologies, however, still have some limitations. Recently, a new technology called Frosta (Akina) was developed for making FMTs. The Frosta technology utilises the conventional wet granulation process and tablet press for cost-effective production of tablets. The Frosta tablets are mechanically strong with friability of < 1% and are stable in accelerated stability conditions when packaged into a bottle container. They are robust enough to be packaged in multi-tablet vials. Conventional rotary tablet presses can be used for the production of the tablets and no other special instruments are required. Thus, the cost of making FMTs is lower than that of other existing technologies. Depending on the size, Frosta tablets can melt in < 10 s after placing them in the oral cavity for easy swallowing. The Frosta technology is ideal for wide application of FMTs technology to various drug and nutritional formulations.

Hydrothermal vent community zonation along environmental gradients at the Lau back-arc spreading center

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Stacy; Hammerstrom, Kamille

2012-04-01

The Lau back-arc spreading center exhibits gradients in hydrothermal vent habitat characteristics from north to south. Biological zonation within a few meters of vents has been described as temperature driven. We constructed georeferenced photomosaics of the seafloor out to tens of meters beyond vents to describe peripheral zonation and explore correlations between environmental conditions and the biological community. Cluster analysis separated northern sites from southern sites, corresponding to a break in substrate from basalt in the north to andesite in the south. Northern sites were dominated by anemones, and southern by sponges. A previous suggestion that dominants may be dependent on friability of the substrate was not supported; when visually distinguishable, individual species within taxa showed different patterns. Northern sites hosted proportionally more suspension feeding species. Sulfide that can support microbial food sources is at higher concentrations at these sites, though bathymetry that may enhance bottom currents is less rugged. Northern sites had higher diversity that may result from the overall northwards flow, which would generally permit easier dispersal downcurrent, though we observed no difference in dispersal strategies at different sites.

Successful vaginal birth after caesarean section in patient with Ehler-Danlos syndrome type 2.

PubMed

Maraj, Hemant; Mohajer, Michelle; Bhattacharjee, Deepannita

2011-12-01

We present the case of a 31-year-old woman with Ehler-Danlos syndrome (EDS) type 2. She had a previous caesarean section and went on to have an uncomplicated vaginal birth in her last pregnancy. To our knowledge, this is the first case of a successful vaginal birth after caesarean section in a patient with EDS. EDS is a multisystem disorder involving a genetic defect in collagen and connective-tissue synthesis and structure. It is a heterogeneous group of 11 different inherited disorders. Obstetric complications in these patients include miscarriages, stillbirths, premature rupture of the membranes, preterm labour, uterine prolapse, uterine rupture and severe postpartum haemorrhage. There has been much controversy over the appropriate mode of delivery. Abdominal deliveries are complicated by delayed wound healing and increased perioperative blood loss. Vaginal deliveries may be complicated by tissue friability causing extensive perineal tears, pelvic floor and bladder lesions. Our case highlights that in specific, controlled situations it is possible to have a vaginal delivery even after previous caesarean section in patients with EDS.

Successful vaginal birth after caesarean section in patient with Ehler-Danlos syndrome type 2

PubMed Central

Maraj, Hemant; Mohajer, Michelle; Bhattacharjee, Deepannita

2011-01-01

We present the case of a 31-year-old woman with Ehler-Danlos syndrome (EDS) type 2. She had a previous caesarean section and went on to have an uncomplicated vaginal birth in her last pregnancy. To our knowledge, this is the first case of a successful vaginal birth after caesarean section in a patient with EDS. EDS is a multisystem disorder involving a genetic defect in collagen and connective-tissue synthesis and structure. It is a heterogeneous group of 11 different inherited disorders. Obstetric complications in these patients include miscarriages, stillbirths, premature rupture of the membranes, preterm labour, uterine prolapse, uterine rupture and severe postpartum haemorrhage. There has been much controversy over the appropriate mode of delivery. Abdominal deliveries are complicated by delayed wound healing and increased perioperative blood loss. Vaginal deliveries may be complicated by tissue friability causing extensive perineal tears, pelvic floor and bladder lesions. Our case highlights that in specific, controlled situations it is possible to have a vaginal delivery even after previous caesarean section in patients with EDS. PMID:27579117

Feasibility and process scale-up low cost alumina fibers for advanced Re-usable Surface Insulation (RSI)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pearson, A.

1975-01-01

The objective of this program was to establish feasibility of a process to produce low cost aluminum oxide fibers having sufficient strength, flexibility, and thermal stability for multiple re-use at temperatures to 1480 C in advanced RSI type heat shields for reentry vehicles. Using bench-scale processing apparatus, the Alcoa 'Saphiber' process was successfully modified to produce nominally 8 microns diameter polycrystalline alpha-alumina fiber. Thermal stability was demonstrated in vacuum reheating tests to 1371 C and in atmospheric reheating to 1483 C. Individual fiber properties of strength, modulus, and flexibility were not determined because of friability and short length of the fiber. Rigidized tile produced from fiber of nominally 8, 20 and 40 micron diameter had thermal conductivities significantly higher than those of RSI SiO2 or mullite at relatively low temperature but became comparable above about 1000 C. Tile densities were high due to short fiber length, especially in the coarser diameter fiber. No significant effect of fiber diameter on thermal properties could be determined form the data. Mechanical properties of tiles deteriorated as fiber diameter increased.

Extrusion-spheronization: process variables and characterization.

PubMed

Sinha, V R; Agrawal, M K; Agarwal, A; Singh, G; Ghai, D

2009-01-01

Multiparticulate systems have undergone great development in the past decade fueled by the better understanding of their multiple roles as a suitable delivery system. With the passage of time, significant advances have been made in the process of pelletization due to the incorporation of specialized techniques for their development. Extrusion-spheronization seems to be the most promising process for the optimum delivery of many potent drugs having high systemic toxicity. It also offers immense pharmaceutical applicability due to the benefits of high loading capacity of active ingredient(s), narrow size distribution, and cost-effectiveness. On application of a specific coat, these systems can also aid in site-specific delivery, thereby enhancing the bioavailability of many drugs. The current review focuses on the process of extrusion-spheronization and the operational (extruder types, screen pressure, screw speed, temperature, moisture content, spheronization load, speed and time) and formulation (excipients and drugs) variables, which may affect the quality of the final pellets. Various methods for the evaluation of the quality of the pellets with regard to the size distribution, shape, friability, granule strength, density, porosity, flow properties, and surface texture are discussed.

Valeriana officinalis Dry Plant Extract for Direct Compression: Preparation and Characterization.

PubMed

Gallo, Loreana; Ramírez-Rigo, María Veronica; Piña, Juliana; Palma, Santiago; Allemandi, Daniel; Bucalá, Verónica

2012-01-01

Valeriana officinalis L. (Valerianaceae) is one of the most widely used plants for the treatment of anxiety and insomnia. Usually dry plant extracts, including V. officinalis, are hygroscopic materials with poor physico-mechanical properties that can be directly compressed.A V. officinalis dry extract with moderate hygroscocity is suitable for direct compression, and was obtained by using a simple and economical technique. The V. officinalis fluid extract was oven-dried with colloidal silicon dioxide as a drying adjuvant. The addition of colloidal silicon dioxide resulted in a dry plant extract with good physico-mechanical properties for direct compression and lower hygroscopicity than the dry extract without the carrier. The dry plant extract glass transition temperature was considerably above room temperature (about 72 °C). The colloidal silicon dioxide also produced an antiplasticizing effect, improving the powder's physical stability.The pharmaceutical performance of the prepared V. officinalis dry extract was studied through the design of tablets. The manufactured tablets showed good compactability, friability, hardness, and disintegration time. Those containing a disintegrant (Avicel PH 101) exhibited the best pharmaceutical performance, having the lowest disintegration time of around 40 seconds.

Marginal integrity of resin composite restorations restored with PPD initiatorcontaining resin composite cured by QTH, monowave and polywave LED units.

PubMed

Bortolotto, Tissiana; Betancourt, Francisco; Krejci, Ivo

2016-12-01

This study evaluated the influence of curing devices on marginal adaptation of cavities restored with self-etching adhesive containing CQ and PPD initiators and hybrid composite. Twenty-four class V (3 groups, n=8) with margins located on enamel and dentin were restored with Clearfil S3 Bond and Clearfil APX PLT, light-cured with a monowave LED, multiwave LED and halogen light-curing unit (LCU). Marginal adaptation was evaluated with SEM before/after thermo-mechanical loading (TML). On enamel, significantly lower % continuous margins (74.5±12.6) were found in group cured by multiwave LED when compared to monowave LED (87.6±9.5) and halogen LCU (94.4±9.1). The presence of enamel and composite fractures was significantly higher in the group light-cured with multiwave LED, probably due to an increased materials' friability resulted from an improved degree of cure. The clinician should aware that due to a distinct activation of both initiators, marginal quality may be influenced on the long-term.

A minitablet formulation made from electrospun nanofibers.

PubMed

Poller, Bettina; Strachan, Clare; Broadbent, Roland; Walker, Greg F

2017-05-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate electrospun drug loaded nanofibers as a new matrix for minitablets. Prednisone, a poorly water-soluble drug, was loaded into povidone (polyvinylpyrrolidone, PVP) nanofibers using the process of electrospinning. The drug-loaded nanofiber mat was compressed into minitablets with a 2mm diameter and a height of 2.63±0.04mm. SEM analysis of the minitablet identified a nano-web structure with a nanofiber diameter in the range of 400-500nm. The minitablets met the requirements of the US Pharmacopeia with respect to content uniformity and friability. DSC and XRPD analysis of the minitablet indicated that the drug-polymer mixture was a one-phase amorphous system. XRPD analysis of the drug loaded nanofiber mat after 10-months of storage at ambient temperature showed no evidence of recrystallization of the drug. Solubility and dissolution properties of the drug formulated into a nanofiber mat and minitablet were evaluated. These results show that electrospun nanofibers may provide a useful matrix for the further development of minitablets. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Neem gum as a binder in a formulated paracetamol tablet with reference to Acacia gum BP.

PubMed

Ogunjimi, Abayomi Tolulope; Alebiowu, Gbenga

2014-04-01

This study determined the physical, compressional, and binding properties of neem gum (NMG) obtained from the trunk of Azadirachta indica (A Juss) in a paracetamol tablet formulation in comparison with official Acacia gum BP (ACA). The physical and flow properties were evaluated using density parameters: porosity, Carr's index, Hausner's ratio, and flow rate. Compressional properties were analyzed using Heckel and Kawakita equations. The tensile strength, brittle fracture index, and crushing strength-friability/disintegration time ratio were used to evaluate the mechanical properties of paracetamol tablets while the drug release properties of the tablets were assessed using disintegration time and dissolution times. Tablet formulations containing NMG exhibited faster onset and higher amount of plastic deformation during compression than those containing ACA. Neem gum produced paracetamol tablets with lower mechanical strength; however, the tendency of the tablets to cap or laminate was lower when compared to those containing ACA. Inclusion of NMG improved the balance between binding and disintegration properties of paracetamol tablets produced than those containing ACA. Neem gum produced paracetamol tablets with lower disintegration and dissolution times than those containing ACA.

Preparation and In vitro Evaluation of Naproxen Suppositories

PubMed Central

Hargoli, S.; Farid, J.; Azarmi, S. H.; Ghanbarzadeh, S.; Zakeri-Milani, P.

2013-01-01

The aim of this work was to develop the best formulations for naproxen suppositories. The effects of different bases and surfactants on the physicochemical characteristics of the suppositories were determined by several tests such as weight variation, melting point, assay, hardness, and release rate. All formulations met the standard criteria for tested physicochemical parameters; weight variation (97-112%), content uniformity (97-105%), melting point (4.66-8.7 min) and hardness tests (>5400 g). Based on release rate studies, hydrophilic, and lipophilic bases without surfactants were not suitable bases for naproxen suppository. Amongst the formulations containing surfactants only Witepsol H15 with 0.5% w/w of Tween 80 and Witepsol W35 with 0.5% of cetylpyridinium chloride were suitable and released nearly complete drug during 30 and 60 min, respectively. This study demonstrates the effects of incorporation of known agents on the in vitro release characteristics of naproxen suppository. PMID:24019561

Wireline tool cable head overload apparatus

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Roessler, D.E.

1990-05-29

This patent describes a cable head adapted to support a sonde in a well borehole. It comprises: an upper end assembly adapted for connection with a cable extending into a well borehole; a lower end assembly adapted for connection to a sonde to be supported by the cable in the well borehole; yieldable means joining the upper and lower assemblies together in a fixed but yieldable relationship wherein a controllable and variable load is imparted to the cable there above during movement and variations in load on the cable are maintained within specified limits; the yieldable means further including deadmore » weight adjustable means notwithstanding variations in the dead weight of the load, and the yieldable means includes resilient means permitting movements within a desired range dependent on the adjustment thereof and bracketing a selected relative position of the upper and lower end assemblies; and an electrical contact.« less

Natural variation in PTB1 regulates rice seed setting rate by controlling pollen tube growth.

PubMed

Li, Shuangcheng; Li, Wenbo; Huang, Bin; Cao, Xuemei; Zhou, Xingyu; Ye, Shumei; Li, Chengbo; Gao, Fengyan; Zou, Ting; Xie, Kailong; Ren, Yun; Ai, Peng; Tang, Yangfan; Li, Xuemei; Deng, Qiming; Wang, Shiquan; Zheng, Aiping; Zhu, Jun; Liu, Huainian; Wang, Lingxia; Li, Ping

2013-01-01

Grain number, panicle seed setting rate, panicle number and grain weight are the most important components of rice grain yield. To date, several genes related to grain weight, grain number and panicle number have been described in rice. However, no genes regulating the panicle seed setting rate have been functionally characterized. Here we show that the domestication-related POLLEN TUBE BLOCKED 1 (PTB1), a RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligase, positively regulates the rice panicle seed setting rate by promoting pollen tube growth. The natural variation in expression of PTB1 which is affected by the promoter haplotype and the environmental temperature, correlates with the rice panicle seed setting rate. Our results support the hypothesis that PTB1 is an important maternal sporophytic factor of pollen tube growth and a key modulator of the rice panicle seed setting rate. This finding has implications for the improvement of rice yield.

Fast food prices, obesity, and the minimum wage.

PubMed

Cotti, Chad; Tefft, Nathan

2013-03-01

Recent proposals argue that a fast food tax may be an effective policy lever for reducing population weight. Although there is growing evidence for a negative association between fast food prices and weight among adolescents, less is known about adults. That any measured relationship to date is causal is unclear because there has been no attempt to separate variation in prices on the demand side from that on the supply side. We argue that the minimum wage is an exogenous source of variation in fast food prices, conditional on income and employment. In two-stage least-squares analyses, we find little evidence that fast food price changes affect adult BMI or obesity prevalence. Results are robust to including controls for area and time fixed effects, area time trends, demographic characteristics, substitute prices, numbers of establishments and employment in related industries, and other potentially related factors. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Analysis of Fracture Mechanism for Al-Mg/SiCp Composite Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maleque, M. A.; Adebisi, A. A.; Izzati, N.

2017-03-01

The present study aims to examine the fracture mechnism of silicon carbide particle (SiCp) reinforced aluminium matrix composite (AMC) material with 1 wt% addition of magnesium is fabricated using the stir casting process. The aluminium composite (Al-Mg/SiCp) is investigated for fatigue life and impact strength considering reinforcement weight fraction and influence of temperature on fracture toughness. The fabricated composite was tested using fatigue testing machine and charpy impact tester. Fractographic observations were evaluated with the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) on the fracture surface. It was found that increasing the SiCp weight fraction increased the fatigue life of the composite. Moreover, the 20 wt% SiCp Al-Mg composite attained the highest number of cycle and fatigue life compared to other variations. The mechanism responsible for the phenomena includes load transfer from the Al matrix alloy phase to the high strength and stiffness of the incorporated SiCp. The temperature variation influenced the impact strength of the composite and improved fracture toughness is achieved at 150 °C. It can be concluded from this study that reinforcement weight fraction and temperature affects the fracture behavior of the composites.

Edge guided image reconstruction in linear scan CT by weighted alternating direction TV minimization.

PubMed

Cai, Ailong; Wang, Linyuan; Zhang, Hanming; Yan, Bin; Li, Lei; Xi, Xiaoqi; Li, Jianxin

2014-01-01

Linear scan computed tomography (CT) is a promising imaging configuration with high scanning efficiency while the data set is under-sampled and angularly limited for which high quality image reconstruction is challenging. In this work, an edge guided total variation minimization reconstruction (EGTVM) algorithm is developed in dealing with this problem. The proposed method is modeled on the combination of total variation (TV) regularization and iterative edge detection strategy. In the proposed method, the edge weights of intermediate reconstructions are incorporated into the TV objective function. The optimization is efficiently solved by applying alternating direction method of multipliers. A prudential and conservative edge detection strategy proposed in this paper can obtain the true edges while restricting the errors within an acceptable degree. Based on the comparison on both simulation studies and real CT data set reconstructions, EGTVM provides comparable or even better quality compared to the non-edge guided reconstruction and adaptive steepest descent-projection onto convex sets method. With the utilization of weighted alternating direction TV minimization and edge detection, EGTVM achieves fast and robust convergence and reconstructs high quality image when applied in linear scan CT with under-sampled data set.

Deviations in energy sensing predict long-term weight change in overweight Native Americans.

PubMed

Basolo, Alessio; Votruba, Susanne B; Heinitz, Sascha; Krakoff, Jonathan; Piaggi, Paolo

2018-05-01

Energy expenditure (EE), as reflective of body energy demand, has been proposed to be the key driver of food intake, possibly influencing weight change in humans. Variation in this energy-sensing link (overeating relative to weight-maintaining energy requirements) may lead to weight gain over time. Sixty-one overweight otherwise healthy Native Americans (age: 34.0 ± 7.9 years, body fat: 39.7 ± 9.5%, 36 males) were admitted to our clinical research unit for measurements of body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and 24-h EE and respiratory quotient (RQ) in a whole-room indirect calorimeter during energy balance and weight stability. Following this, ad libitum food intake was assessed for three days using computerized vending machines. Body weight change under unrestricted free-living conditions was assessed at an outpatient follow-up visit (median follow-up time = 1.7 years). Total ad libitum food intake (3-day average) was positively associated with 24-h EE (r = 0.44, p < 0.001), RQ (r = 0.34, p = 0.007), and fat free mass (r = 0.38, p = 0.002). A relatively greater food intake after accounting for 24-h EE, but not for RQ (p = 0.30) or for fat free mass (p = 0.23) nor total food intake (p = 0.16), predicted weight gain at the outpatient follow-up visit (r = 0.26, p = 0.04), such that overeating 100 Kcal/d above the food intake predicted by 24-h EE at baseline was associated with an average weight gain of 0.22 Kg over the follow-up period (95% CI: 0.01 to 0.42 Kg). This was due to relatively greater dietary fat intake (r = 0.32, p = 0.01), but not carbohydrate (p = 0.27) or protein (p = 0.06) intake. The individual propensity to overeating, particularly fat, in excess of the weight-maintaining energy requirements can be assessed and predicts long-term weight gain, suggesting that variation in energy sensing may influence appetite by favoring overeating thus promoting obesity development. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Evaluation of wet-line depth-correction methods for cable-suspended current meters

USGS Publications Warehouse

Coon, W.F.; Futrell, James C.

1986-01-01

Wet-line depth corrections for cable-suspended current meter and weight not perpendicular to the water surface have been evaluated using cable-suspended weights towed by a boat in still water. A fathometer was used to track a Columbus sounding weight and to record its actual depth for several apparent depths, weight sizes, and towed velocities. Cable strumming, tension, and weight veer are noted. Results of this study suggest possible differences between observed depth corrections and corrections obtained from the wet-line correction table currently in use. These differences may have resulted from test conditions which deviated from the inherent assumptions of the wet-line table: (1) drag on the weight in the sounding position at the bottom of a stream can be neglected; and (2) the distribution of horizontal drag on the sounding line is in accordance with the variation of velocity with depth. Observed depth corrections were compared to wet-line table values used for determining the 0.8-depth position of the sounding weight under these conditions; the results indicate that questionable differences exist. (Lantz-PTT)

Weights, growth, and survival of timber wolf pups in Minnesota

USGS Publications Warehouse

Van Ballenberghe, V.; Mech, L.D.

1975-01-01

Weights, growth rates, canine tooth lengths, and survival data were obtained from 73 wild wolf (Canis lupus) pups that were 8 to 28 weeks old when live-trapped in three areas of northern Minnesota from 1969 to 1972. Relative weights of wild pups are expressed as percentages of a standard weight curve based on data from captive pups of similar age. These relative weights varied greatly within litters, between litters, and between years; extremes of 31 to 144 percent of the standard were observed. Growth rates ranging from 0.05 to 0.23 kilograms per day were observed, and similar variations in general devel pment and in replacement and growth of canine teeth were noted. Survival data based on radio-tracking and tag returns indicated that pups with relative weights less than 65 percent of standard have a poor chance of survival, whereas pups of at least 80 percent of standard weight have a high survivability. Pups born in 1972 were especially underweight, probably a result of declining white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) densities in the interior of the Superior National Forest study area.

The mean and variability of a floral trait have opposing effects on fitness traits

PubMed Central

Dai, Can; Liang, Xijian; Ren, Jie; Liao, Minglin; Li, Jiyang; Galloway, Laura F.

2016-01-01

Background and Aims Floral traits are essential for ensuring successful pollination and reproduction in flowering plants. In particular, style and anther positions are key for pollination accuracy and efficiency. Variation in these traits among individuals has been well studied, but less is known about variation within flowers and plants and its effect on pollination and reproductive success. Methods Style deflexion is responsible for herkogamy and important for pollen deposition in Passiflora incarnata. The degree of deflexion may vary among stigmas within flowers as well as among flowers. We measured the variability of style deflexion at both the flower and the plant level. The fitness consequences of the mean and variation of style deflexion were then evaluated under natural pollination by determining their relationship to pollen deposition, seed production and average seed weight using structural equation modelling. In addition, the relationship between style deflexion and self-pollen deposition was estimated in a greenhouse experiment. Key Results We found greater variation in style deflexion within flowers and plants than among plants. Variation of style deflexion at the flower and plant level was positively correlated, suggesting that variability in style deflexion may be a distinct trait in P. incarnata. Lower deflexion and reduced variation in that deflexion increased pollen deposition, which in turn increased seed number. However, lower styles also increased self-pollen deposition. In contrast, higher deflexion and greater variability of that deflexion increased variation in pollen deposition, which resulted in heavier seeds. Conclusions Variability of style deflexion and therefore stigma placement, independent from the mean, appears to be a property of individual P. incarnata plants. The mean and variability of style deflexion in P. incarnata affected seed number and seed weight in contrasting ways, through the quantity and potentially quality of pollen deposition. This antagonistic selection via different fitness components may maintain diverse style phenotypes. PMID:26749589

Carcass yield traits of kids from a complete diallel of Boer, Kiko, and Spanish meat goat breeds semi-intensively managed on humid subtropical pasture.

PubMed

Browning, R; Phelps, O; Chisley, C; Getz, W R; Hollis, T; Leite-Browning, M L

2012-03-01

Bucklings (n = 275) from a complete diallel of Boer, Kiko, and Spanish meat goats were slaughtered at 7 mo of age (4 mo postweaning) to evaluate genetic effects on carcass yield. Breed of sire did not affect (P > 0.05) live, carcass, and primal weights. Conversely, breed of dam was a consistently significant source of variation for carcass weight traits. Kiko dams produced kids with heavier (P < 0.05) live, carcass, and primal weights than Boer dams. Weights from Spanish dams were intermediate to Boer and Kiko with the significance of differences varying by trait. Cold carcass dressing percent was affected (P < 0.01) by breeds of sire and dam. Boer sires decreased (P < 0.05) dressing percent compared with Kiko and Spanish sires. Dressing percent was also less (P < 0.01) from Boer dams than from Kiko dams; Spanish dams were intermediate and did not differ (P > 0.05) from Boer or Kiko. Subjective conformation scores for muscularity were affected (P < 0.01) by breeds of sire and dam. Boer-sired kids had better (P < 0.01) live scores than Kiko-sired kids. Progeny of Boer dams had better (P < 0.05) live scores than progeny of Spanish dams. Boer-sired kids also had better carcass scores (P < 0.05) than Kiko-sired and Spanish-sired kids. Breed differences for primal cut proportions were negligible. Proportional boneless meat yields did not vary (P > 0.05) by breeds of sire or dam. Direct effects of Boer were negative for carcass weight, dressing percent, and shoulder weight and positive for proportional leg weight. Direct effects of Kiko were positive for carcass weight and shoulder weight and negative for proportional leg weight. Direct effects of Spanish did not differ (P > 0.10) from 0 for any trait tested. Heterosis levels were similar among breed pairings. Heterosis was substantial (P ≤ 0.05) for live, carcass, and primal weights (5 to 9%) but not for dressing percent, proportional boneless meat yield, or primal weight proportions (<2%). Significant genetic variation was observed among goat breeds for carcass yield traits. Dam breed was more influential than sire breed. Boer germplasm was not superior to Kiko or Spanish germplasm for carcass yield when semi-intensively managed on humid, subtropical pasture. Results emphasize the importance of comparative breed evaluations to provide industry with reliable information on carcass yield among goat genotypes.

Associations of Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) with Lower Birth Weight: An Evaluation of Potential Confounding by Glomerular Filtration Rate Using a Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Model (PBPK)

PubMed Central

Loccisano, Anne E.; Morken, Nils-Halvdan; Yoon, Miyoung; Wu, Huali; McDougall, Robin; Maisonet, Mildred; Marcus, Michele; Kishi, Reiko; Miyashita, Chihiro; Chen, Mei-Huei; Hsieh, Wu-Shiun; Andersen, Melvin E.; Clewell, Harvey J.; Longnecker, Matthew P.

2015-01-01

Background Prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been associated with lower birth weight in epidemiologic studies. This association could be attributable to glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which is related to PFAS concentration and birth weight. Objectives We used a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model of pregnancy to assess how much of the PFAS–birth weight association observed in epidemiologic studies might be attributable to GFR. Methods We modified a PBPK model to reflect the association of GFR with birth weight (estimated from three studies of GFR and birth weight) and used it to simulate PFAS concentrations in maternal and cord plasma. The model was run 250,000 times, with variation in parameters, to simulate a population. Simulated data were analyzed to evaluate the association between PFAS levels and birth weight due to GFR. We compared simulated estimates with those from a meta-analysis of epidemiologic data. Results The reduction in birth weight for each 1-ng/mL increase in simulated cord plasma for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was 2.72 g (95% CI: –3.40, –2.04), and for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was 7.13 g (95% CI: –8.46, –5.80); results based on maternal plasma at term were similar. Results were sensitive to variations in PFAS level distributions and the strength of the GFR–birth weight association. In comparison, our meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies suggested that each 1-ng/mL increase in prenatal PFOS and PFOA levels was associated with 5.00 g (95% CI: –21.66, –7.78) and 14.72 g (95% CI: –8.92, –1.09) reductions in birth weight, respectively. Conclusion Results of our simulations suggest that a substantial proportion of the association between prenatal PFAS and birth weight may be attributable to confounding by GFR and that confounding by GFR may be more important in studies with sample collection later in pregnancy. Citation Verner MA, Loccisano AE, Morken NH, Yoon M, Wu H, McDougall R, Maisonet M, Marcus M, Kishi R, Miyashita C, Chen MH, Hsieh WS, Andersen ME, Clewell HJ III, Longnecker MP. 2015. Associations of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with lower birth weight: an evaluation of potential confounding by glomerular filtration rate using a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model (PBPK). Environ Health Perspect 123:1317–1324; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1408837 PMID:26008903

Evaluation of candidate geomagnetic field models for IGRF-11

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Finlay, C. C.; Maus, S.; Beggan, C. D.; Hamoudi, M.; Lowes, F. J.; Olsen, N.; Thébault, E.

2010-10-01

The eleventh generation of the International Geomagnetic Reference Field (IGRF) was agreed in December 2009 by a task force appointed by the International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy (IAGA) Division V Working Group V-MOD. New spherical harmonic main field models for epochs 2005.0 (DGRF-2005) and 2010.0 (IGRF-2010), and predictive linear secular variation for the interval 2010.0-2015.0 (SV-2010-2015) were derived from weighted averages of candidate models submitted by teams led by DTU Space, Denmark (team A); NOAA/NGDC, U.S.A. (team B); BGS, U.K. (team C); IZMIRAN, Russia (team D); EOST, France (team E); IPGP, France (team F); GFZ, Germany (team G) and NASA-GSFC, U.S.A. (team H). Here, we report the evaluations of candidate models carried out by the IGRF-11 task force during October/November 2009 and describe the weightings used to derive the new IGRF-11 model. The evaluations include calculations of root mean square vector field differences between the candidates, comparisons of the power spectra, and degree correlations between the candidates and a mean model. Coefficient by coefficient analysis including determination of weighting factors used in a robust estimation of mean coefficients is also reported. Maps of differences in the vertical field intensity at Earth's surface between the candidates and weighted mean models are presented. Candidates with anomalous aspects are identified and efforts made to pinpoint both troublesome coefficients and geographical regions where large variations between candidates originate. A retrospective analysis of IGRF-10 main field candidates for epoch 2005.0 and predictive secular variation candidates for 2005.0-2010.0 using the new IGRF-11 models as a reference is also reported. The high quality and consistency of main field models derived using vector satellite data is demonstrated; based on internal consistency DGRF-2005 has a formal root mean square vector field error over Earth's surface of 1.0 nT. Difficulties nevertheless remain in accurately forecasting field evolution only five years into the future.

ASSET (Age/Sex Standardised Estimates of Treatment): A Research Model to Improve the Governance of Prescribing Funds in Italy

PubMed Central

Favato, Giampiero; Mariani, Paolo; Mills, Roger W.; Capone, Alessandro; Pelagatti, Matteo; Pieri, Vasco; Marcobelli, Alberico; Trotta, Maria G.; Zucchi, Alberto; Catapano, Alberico L.

2007-01-01

Background The primary objective of this study was to make the first step in the modelling of pharmaceutical demand in Italy, by deriving a weighted capitation model to account for demographic differences among general practices. The experimental model was called ASSET (Age/Sex Standardised Estimates of Treatment). Methods and Major Findings Individual prescription costs and demographic data referred to 3,175,691 Italian subjects and were collected directly from three Regional Health Authorities over the 12-month period between October 2004 and September 2005. The mean annual prescription cost per individual was similar for males (196.13 euro) and females (195.12 euro). After 65 years of age, the mean prescribing costs for males were significantly higher than females. On average, costs for a 75-year-old subject would be 12 times the costs for a 25–34 year-old subject if male, 8 times if female. Subjects over 65 years of age (22% of total population) accounted for 56% of total prescribing costs. The weightings explained approximately 90% of the evolution of total prescribing costs, in spite of the pricing and reimbursement turbulences affecting Italy in the 2000–2005 period. The ASSET weightings were able to explain only about 25% of the variation in prescribing costs among individuals. Conclusions If mainly idiosyncratic prescribing by general practitioners causes the unexplained variations, the introduction of capitation-based budgets would gradually move practices with high prescribing costs towards the national average. It is also possible, though, that the unexplained individual variation in prescribing costs is the result of differences in the clinical characteristics or socio-economic conditions of practice populations. If this is the case, capitation-based budgets may lead to unfair distribution of resources. The ASSET age/sex weightings should be used as a guide, not as the ultimate determinant, for an equitable allocation of prescribing resources to regional authorities and general practices. PMID:17611624

ASSET (Age/Sex Standardised Estimates of Treatment): a research model to improve the governance of prescribing funds in Italy.

PubMed

Favato, Giampiero; Mariani, Paolo; Mills, Roger W; Capone, Alessandro; Pelagatti, Matteo; Pieri, Vasco; Marcobelli, Alberico; Trotta, Maria G; Zucchi, Alberto; Catapano, Alberico L

2007-07-04

The primary objective of this study was to make the first step in the modelling of pharmaceutical demand in Italy, by deriving a weighted capitation model to account for demographic differences among general practices. The experimental model was called ASSET (Age/Sex Standardised Estimates of Treatment). Individual prescription costs and demographic data referred to 3,175,691 Italian subjects and were collected directly from three Regional Health Authorities over the 12-month period between October 2004 and September 2005. The mean annual prescription cost per individual was similar for males (196.13 euro) and females (195.12 euro). After 65 years of age, the mean prescribing costs for males were significantly higher than females. On average, costs for a 75-year-old subject would be 12 times the costs for a 25-34 year-old subject if male, 8 times if female. Subjects over 65 years of age (22% of total population) accounted for 56% of total prescribing costs. The weightings explained approximately 90% of the evolution of total prescribing costs, in spite of the pricing and reimbursement turbulences affecting Italy in the 2000-2005 period. The ASSET weightings were able to explain only about 25% of the variation in prescribing costs among individuals. If mainly idiosyncratic prescribing by general practitioners causes the unexplained variations, the introduction of capitation-based budgets would gradually move practices with high prescribing costs towards the national average. It is also possible, though, that the unexplained individual variation in prescribing costs is the result of differences in the clinical characteristics or socio-economic conditions of practice populations. If this is the case, capitation-based budgets may lead to unfair distribution of resources. The ASSET age/sex weightings should be used as a guide, not as the ultimate determinant, for an equitable allocation of prescribing resources to regional authorities and general practices.

The Implications of Temperature-Mediated Plasticity in Larval Instar Number for Development within a Marine Invertebrate, the Shrimp Palaemonetes varians

PubMed Central

Oliphant, Andrew; Hauton, Chris; Thatje, Sven

2013-01-01

Variations in larval instar number are common among arthropods. Here, we assess the implications of temperature-mediated variations in larval instar number for larval development time, larval growth rates, and juvenile dry weight within the palaemonid shrimp, Palaemonetes varians. In contrast with previous literature, which focuses on terrestrial arthropods, particularly model and pest species often of laboratory lines, we use wild shrimp, which differ in their life history from previous models. Newly-hatched P. varians larvae were first reared at 5, 10, 17, 25, and 30°C to assess their thermal scope for development. Larvae developed at 17, 25, and 30°C. At higher temperatures, larvae developed through fewer larval instars. Two dominant developmental pathways were observed; a short pathway of four instars and a long pathway of five instars. Longer developmental pathways of six to seven instars were rarely observed (mostly at lower temperatures) and consisted of additional instars as ‘repeat’ instars; i.e. little developmental advance over the preceding instar. To assess the implications of temperature-mediated variation in larval instar number, newly-hatched larvae were then reared at 15, 20, and 25°C. Again, the proportion of larvae developing through four instars increased with temperature. At all temperatures, larval development time and juvenile dry weight were greater for larvae developing through five instars. Importantly, because of the increasing proportion of larvae developing through four instars with increasing temperature, larval traits associated with this pathway (reduced development time and juvenile dry weight) became more dominant. As a consequence of increasing growth rate with temperature, and the shift in the proportion of larvae developing through four instars, juvenile dry weight was greatest at intermediate temperatures (20°C). We conclude that at settlement P. varians juveniles do not follow the temperature-size rule; this is of importance for life-history ecology in response to environmental change, as well as for aquaculture applications. PMID:24069450

The implications of temperature-mediated plasticity in larval instar number for development within a marine invertebrate, the shrimp Palaemonetes varians.

PubMed

Oliphant, Andrew; Hauton, Chris; Thatje, Sven

2013-01-01

Variations in larval instar number are common among arthropods. Here, we assess the implications of temperature-mediated variations in larval instar number for larval development time, larval growth rates, and juvenile dry weight within the palaemonid shrimp, Palaemonetes varians. In contrast with previous literature, which focuses on terrestrial arthropods, particularly model and pest species often of laboratory lines, we use wild shrimp, which differ in their life history from previous models. Newly-hatched P. varians larvae were first reared at 5, 10, 17, 25, and 30 °C to assess their thermal scope for development. Larvae developed at 17, 25, and 30 °C. At higher temperatures, larvae developed through fewer larval instars. Two dominant developmental pathways were observed; a short pathway of four instars and a long pathway of five instars. Longer developmental pathways of six to seven instars were rarely observed (mostly at lower temperatures) and consisted of additional instars as 'repeat' instars; i.e. little developmental advance over the preceding instar. To assess the implications of temperature-mediated variation in larval instar number, newly-hatched larvae were then reared at 15, 20, and 25 °C. Again, the proportion of larvae developing through four instars increased with temperature. At all temperatures, larval development time and juvenile dry weight were greater for larvae developing through five instars. Importantly, because of the increasing proportion of larvae developing through four instars with increasing temperature, larval traits associated with this pathway (reduced development time and juvenile dry weight) became more dominant. As a consequence of increasing growth rate with temperature, and the shift in the proportion of larvae developing through four instars, juvenile dry weight was greatest at intermediate temperatures (20 °C). We conclude that at settlement P. varians juveniles do not follow the temperature-size rule; this is of importance for life-history ecology in response to environmental change, as well as for aquaculture applications.

A reexamination of age-related variation in body weight and morphometry of Maryland nutria

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sherfy, M.H.; Mollett, T.A.; McGowan, K.R.; Daugherty, S.L.

2006-01-01

Age-related variation in morphometry has been documented for many species. Knowledge of growth patterns can be useful for modeling energetics, detecting physiological influences on populations, and predicting age. These benefits have shown value in understanding population dynamics of invasive species, particularly in developing efficient control and eradication programs. However, development and evaluation of descriptive and predictive models is a critical initial step in this process. Accordingly, we used data from necropsies of 1,544 nutria (Myocastor coypus) collected in Maryland, USA, to evaluate the accuracy of previously published models for prediction of nutria age from body weight. Published models underestimated body weights of our animals, especially for ages <3. We used cross-validation procedures to develop and evaluate models for describing nutria growth patterns and for predicting nutria age. We derived models from a randomly selected model-building data set (n = 192-193 M, 217-222 F) and evaluated them with the remaining animals (n = 487-488 M, 642-647 F). We used nonlinear regression to develop Gompertz growth-curve models relating morphometric variables to age. Predicted values of morphometric variables fell within the 95% confidence limits of their true values for most age classes. We also developed predictive models for estimating nutria age from morphometry, using linear regression of log-transformed age on morphometric variables. The evaluation data set corresponded with 95% prediction intervals from the new models. Predictive models for body weight and length provided greater accuracy and less bias than models for foot length and axillary girth. Our growth models accurately described age-related variation in nutria morphometry, and our predictive models provided accurate estimates of ages from morphometry that will be useful for live-captured individuals. Our models offer better accuracy and precision than previously published models, providing a capacity for modeling energetics and growth patterns of Maryland nutria as well as an empirical basis for determining population age structure from live-captured animals.

Seasonal variation of acute toxoplasmic lymphadenopathy in the United States.

PubMed

Contopoulos-Ioannidis, D; Talucod, J; Maldonado, Y; Montoya, J G

2015-07-01

We describe the seasonal variation of acute toxoplasmosis in the United States. Acute toxoplasmic lymphadenopathy (ATL) can be a surrogate of acute toxoplasmosis in patients in whom the date of onset of lymphadenopathy matches the window of acute infection predicted by serological tests performed at a reference laboratory. We used the electronic database of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation Toxoplasma Serology Laboratory (PAMF-TSL) (1997-2011) to identify cases of ATL. We tested the uniformity of distribution of ATL cases per month, across the 12 calendar months, using circular statistics uniformity tests. We identified 112 consecutive cases of ATL. The distribution of cases was not uniform across the 12 calendar months. We observed the highest peak of cases in December and a second highest peak in September. Similar months were identified in patients with acute toxoplasmosis in rural areas in France. The results were similar when we performed weighted analyses, weighting for the total number of Toxoplasma gondii IgG tests performed per month in the PAMF-TSL laboratory. This is the largest study to date of the seasonal variation of ATL in the United States. Physicians should advise high-risk individuals to avoid risk factors associated with T. gondii infections especially around those months.

Insecticide susceptibility of Anopheles mosquitoes changes in response to variations in the larval environment.

PubMed

Owusu, Henry F; Chitnis, Nakul; Müller, Pie

2017-06-16

Insecticide resistance threatens the success achieved through vector control in reducing the burden of malaria. An understanding of insecticide resistance mechanisms would help to develop novel tools and strategies to restore the efficacy of insecticides. Although we have substantially improved our understanding of the genetic basis of insecticide resistance over the last decade, we still know little of how environmental variations influence the mosquito phenotype. Here, we measured how variations in larval rearing conditions change the insecticide susceptibility phenotype of adult Anopheles mosquitoes. Anopheles gambiae and A. stephensi larvae were bred under different combinations of temperature, population density and nutrition, and the emerging adults were exposed to permethrin. Mosquitoes bred under different conditions showed considerable changes in mortality rates and body weight, with nutrition being the major factor. Weight is a strong predictor of insecticide susceptibility and bigger mosquitoes are more likely to survive insecticide treatment. The changes can be substantial, such that the same mosquito colony may be considered fully susceptible or highly resistant when judged by World Health Organization discriminatory concentrations. The results shown here emphasise the importance of the environmental background in developing insecticide resistance phenotypes, and caution for the interpretation of data generated by insecticide susceptibility assays.

Investigation into Variation of Endogenous Metabolites in Bone Marrow Cells and Plasma in C3H/He Mice Exposed to Benzene

PubMed Central

Sun, Rongli; Zhang, Juan; Yin, Lihong; Pu, Yuepu

2014-01-01

Benzene is identified as a carcinogen. Continued exposure of benzene may eventually lead to damage to the bone marrow, accompanied by pancytopenia, aplastic anemia or leukemia. This paper explores the variations of endogenous metabolites to provide possible clues for the molecular mechanism of benzene-induced hematotoxicity. Liquid chromatography coupled with time of flight-mass spectrometry (LC-TOF-MS) and principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to investigate the variation of endogenous metabolites in bone marrow cells and plasma of male C3H/He mice. The mice were injected subcutaneously with benzene (0, 300, 600 mg/day) once daily for seven days. The body weights, relative organ weights, blood parameters and bone marrow smears were also analyzed. The results indicated that benzene caused disturbances in the metabolism of oxidation of fatty acids and essential amino acids (lysine, phenylalanine and tyrosine) in bone marrow cells. Moreover, fatty acid oxidation was also disturbed in plasma and thus might be a common disturbed metabolic pathway induced by benzene in multiple organs. This study aims to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in benzene hematotoxicity, especially in bone marrow cells. PMID:24658442

Ballast system for maintaining constant pressure in a glove box

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shlichta, Paul J. (Inventor)

1989-01-01

A ballast system is disclosed for a glove box including a fixed platform on which is mounted an inflatable bag on top of which resides a cover and a weight. The variable gas volume of the inflatable bag communicates with that of the glove box via a valved tube. The weight and the gas volume are selected to maintain a relatively constant pressure in the glove box despite variations in the glove box volume while avoiding the use of complicated valving apparatus.

Ballast system for maintaining constant pressure in a glove box

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shlichta, Paul J.

1989-09-01

A ballast system is disclosed for a glove box including a fixed platform on which is mounted an inflatable bag on top of which resides a cover and a weight. The variable gas volume of the inflatable bag communicates with that of the glove box via a valved tube. The weight and the gas volume are selected to maintain a relatively constant pressure in the glove box despite variations in the glove box volume while avoiding the use of complicated valving apparatus.

Ballast system for maintaining constant pressure in a glove box

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shlichta, Paul J. (Inventor)

1990-01-01

A ballast system for a glove box including a fixed platform on which is mounted an inflatable bag on top of which resides a cover and a weight. The variable gas volume of the inflatable bag communicates with that of the glove box via a valved tube. The weight and gas volume are selected to maintain a relatively constant pressure in the glove box despite variations in the glove box volume while avoiding the use of complicated valving apparatus.

Design and implementation of real-time wireless projection system based on ARM embedded system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Long, Zhaohua; Tang, Hao; Huang, Junhua

2018-04-01

Aiming at the shortage of existing real-time screen sharing system, a real-time wireless projection system is proposed in this paper. Based on the proposed system, a weight-based frame deletion strategy combined sampling time period and data variation is proposed. By implementing the system on the hardware platform, the results show that the system can achieve good results. The weight-based strategy can improve the service quality, reduce the delay and optimize the real-time customer service system [1].

Interactions Between Wind Erosion, Vegetation Structure, and Soil Stability in Groundwater Dependent Plant Communities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vest, K. R.; Elmore, A. J.; Okin, G. S.

2009-12-01

Desertification is a human induced global phenomenon causing a loss of biodiversity and ecosystem productivity. Semi-arid grasslands are vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts (i.e., groundwater pumping and surface water diversion) that decrease vegetation cover and increase bare soil area leading to a greater probability of soil erosion, potentially enhancing feedback processes associated with desertification. To enhance our understanding of interactions between anthropogenic, physical, and biological factors causing desertification, this study used a combination of modeling and field observations to examine the relationship between chronic groundwater pumping and vegetation cover change and its effects on soil erosion and stability. The work was conducted in Owens Valley California, where a long history of groundwater pumping and surface water diversion has lead to documented vegetation changes. The work examined hydrological, ecological and biogeochemical factors across thirteen sites in Owens Valley. We analyzed soil stability, vegetation and gap size, soil organic carbon, and we also installed Big Spring Number Eight (BSNE) catchers to calculate mass transport of aeolian sediment across sites. Mass transport calculations were used to validate a new wind erosion model that represents the effect of porous vegetation on surface windshear velocity. Results across two field seasons show that the model can be used to predict mass transport, and areas with increased groundwater pumping show a greater susceptibility to erosion. Sediment collected in BSNE catchers was positively correlated with site gap size. Additionally, areas with larger gap sizes have a greater threshold shear velocity and soil stability, yet mass transport was greater at these sites than at sites with smaller gap sizes. Although modeling is complicated by spatial variation in multiple model parameters (e.g., gap size, threshold shear velocity in gaps), our results support the hypothesis that soils with high organic matter are being eroded following the loss of vegetation cover due to groundwater decline leaving behind bare soil surfaces with less fertility hampering vegetation reestablishment. Desertification in this system is apparently easily initiated through groundwater decline due to the high friability of these meadow soils.

Seasonal and interannual variations of atmospheric CO2 and climate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dettinger, Michael D.; Ghil, Michael

1998-02-01

Interannual variations of atmospheric CO2 concentrations at Mauna Loa are almost masked by the seasonal cycle and a strong trend; at the South Pole, the seasonal cycle is small and is almost lost in the trend and interannual variations. Singular-spectrum analysis (SSA) is used here to isolate and reconstruct interannual signals at both sites and to visualize recent decadal changes in the amplitude and phase of the seasonal cycle. Analysis of the Mauna Loa CO2 series illustrates a hastening of the CO2 seasonal cycle, a close temporal relation between Northern Hemisphere (NH) mean temperature trends and the amplitude of the seasonal CO2 cycle, and tentative ties between the latter and seasonality changes in temperature over the NH continents. Variations of the seasonal CO2 cycle at the South Pole differ from those at Mauna Loa: it is phase changes of the seasonal cycle at the South Pole, rather than amplitude changes, that parallel hemispheric and global temperature trends. The seasonal CO2 cycles exhibit earlier occurrences of the seasons by 7days at Mauna Loa and 18days at the South Pole. Interannual CO2 variations are shared at the two locations, appear to respond to tropical processes, and can be decomposed mostly into two periodicities, around (3years)1 and (4years)1, respectively. Joint SSA analyses of CO2 concentrations and tropical climate indices isolate a shared mode with a quasi-triennial (QT) period in which the CO2 and sea-surface temperature (SST) participation are in phase opposition. The other shared mode has a quasi-quadrennial (QQ) period and CO2 variations are in phase with the corresponding tropical SST variations throughout the tropics. Together these interannual modes exhibit a mean lag between tropical SSTs and CO2 variations of about 6 8months, with SST leading. Analysis of the QT and QQ signals in global gridded SSTs, joint SSA of CO2 and δ13C isotopic ratios, and SSA of CO2 and NH-land temperatures indicate that the QT variations in CO2 mostly reflect upwelling variations in the eastern tropical Pacific. QQ variations are dominated by the CO2 signature of terrestrial-ecosystem response to global QQ climate variations. Climate variations associated with these two interannual components of tropical variability have very different effects on global climate and, especially, on terrestrial ecosystems and the carbon cycle.

Diel variation in metabolism and ammonia excretion of Marphysa sanguinea (Polychaeta: Eunicidae)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Dazuo; Chen, Fudi; Zhou, Yibing; Xiu, Zhilong

2016-11-01

Polychaetes provide an excellent food resource for fish and represent the dominant zoobenthos in marine ecosystems. Diel variation in the rates of metabolism and ammonia-N excretion of Marphysa sanguinea were studied. The worms were grouped according to their wet body weight into small (S; 1.24±0.06 g), medium (M; 4.00±0.30 g), and large (L; 8.54±1.08 g) categories. Their weight-specific metabolic rates, based on aerobic respiration ( R), were measured at 16°C (±0.2°C) and classed as either routine ( R R) or standard ( R S) rates. Both respiration types decreased with increasing body weight. Respiration was described by R = a W b, where b was -0.400 9 and -0.532 0 for R R and R S, respectively. Diurnal changes in R S for each group was relatively flat, with a slightly increasing trend with time, but was relatively stable as a whole. R R of the diurnal variation of worms was higher than R S, but both had similar overall trends. The peak values of specific dynamic action (SDA) ( R SDA) in the S, M, and L groups were 2.704, 1.149, and 0.682 mg/(g•h), respectively. The durations of SDA were 13, 6, and 6 h, respectively and the energy expenditures of SDA were 377.98, 117.34, and 74.94 J/g, respectively. These data indicate that the metabolic rates were higher in smaller individuals, which is advantageous for their rapid growth.

Natural (auto)antibodies in calves are affected by age and diet.

PubMed

Khobondo, Joel O; Nieuwland, Mike G B; Webb, Laura E; Bokkers, Eddie A M; Parmentier, Henk K

2015-06-01

Natural autoantibodies (N(a)ab) were found in every species tested so far, and are likely important in maintaining homeostasis. (1) To determine N(a)ab in Bos taurus calves, (2) evaluate effects of diet and age on N(a)ab binding repertoires in calves, and (3) delineate bovine liver cell lysate (BLL) antigens related with variation in rumen score and body weight. Effects of age and diet on staining of BLL fragments by IgM and IgG antibodies in serum samples collected at 20 or at 26 weeks of age from bull calves either fed a restricted or ad libitum diet were analyzed using quantitative Western blotting. Correlations between fragments stained and grouping of calves were done by Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Redundancy analysis (RDA) was done to relate rumen score and body weight variation at slaughter at 27 weeks of age with stained BLL fragments. In sera from all calves IgM and IgG antibodies binding BLL antigens were found. Corresponding fragments were stained, but quantitative differences in staining intensities were related to diet and age for both IgM and IgG. PCA revealed that age had a greater influence than diet on BLL fragment staining. RDA suggested that staining by IgM or IgG of specific BLL fragments was related with variation in rumen score and body weight. Analyses of N(a)ab in serum could be a potential tool to estimate the health status of cattle, and be used to evaluate effects of husbandry practices.

Apparent migration of implantable port devices: normal variations in consideration of BMI.

PubMed

Wyschkon, Sebastian; Löschmann, Jan-Phillip; Scheurig-Münkler, Christian; Nagel, Sebastian; Hamm, Bernd; Elgeti, Thomas

2016-01-01

To evaluate the extent of normal variation in implantable port devices between supine fluoroscopy and upright chest x-ray in relation to body mass index (BMI) based on three different measurement methods. Retrospectively, 80 patients with implanted central venous access port systems from 2012-01-01 until 2013-12-31 were analyzed. Three parameters (two quantitative and one semi-quantitative) were determined to assess port positions: projection of port capsule to anterior ribs (PCP) and intercostal spaces, ratio of extra- and intravascular catheter portions (EX/IV), normalized distance of catheter tip to carina (nCTCD). Changes were analyzed for males and females and normal-weight and overweight patients using analysis of variance with Bonferroni-corrected pairwise comparison. PCP revealed significantly greater changes in chest x-rays in overweight women than in the other groups (p<0.001, F-test). EX/IV showed a significantly higher increase in overweight women than normal-weight women and men and overweight men (p<0.001). nCTCD showed a significantly greater increase in overweight women than overweight men (p = 0.0130). There were no significant differences between the other groups. Inter- and intra-observer reproducibility was high (Cronbach alpha of 0.923-1.0) and best for EX/IV. Central venous port systems show wide normal variations in the projection of catheter tip and port capsule. In overweight women apparent catheter migration is significantly greater compared with normal-weight women and with men. The measurement of EX/IV and PCP are straightforward methods, quick to perform, and show higher reproducibility than measurement of catheter tip-to-carina distance.

Learning in the machine: The symmetries of the deep learning channel.

PubMed

Baldi, Pierre; Sadowski, Peter; Lu, Zhiqin

2017-11-01

In a physical neural system, learning rules must be local both in space and time. In order for learning to occur, non-local information must be communicated to the deep synapses through a communication channel, the deep learning channel. We identify several possible architectures for this learning channel (Bidirectional, Conjoined, Twin, Distinct) and six symmetry challenges: (1) symmetry of architectures; (2) symmetry of weights; (3) symmetry of neurons; (4) symmetry of derivatives; (5) symmetry of processing; and (6) symmetry of learning rules. Random backpropagation (RBP) addresses the second and third symmetry, and some of its variations, such as skipped RBP (SRBP) address the first and the fourth symmetry. Here we address the last two desirable symmetries showing through simulations that they can be achieved and that the learning channel is particularly robust to symmetry variations. Specifically, random backpropagation and its variations can be performed with the same non-linear neurons used in the main input-output forward channel, and the connections in the learning channel can be adapted using the same algorithm used in the forward channel, removing the need for any specialized hardware in the learning channel. Finally, we provide mathematical results in simple cases showing that the learning equations in the forward and backward channels converge to fixed points, for almost any initial conditions. In symmetric architectures, if the weights in both channels are small at initialization, adaptation in both channels leads to weights that are essentially symmetric during and after learning. Biological connections are discussed. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dose Uniformity of Scored and Unscored Tablets: Application of the FDA Tablet Scoring Guidance for Industry.

PubMed

Ciavarella, Anthony B; Khan, Mansoor A; Gupta, Abhay; Faustino, Patrick J

This U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) laboratory study examines the impact of tablet splitting, the effect of tablet splitters, and the presence of a tablet score on the dose uniformity of two model drugs. Whole tablets were purchased from five manufacturers for amlodipine and six for gabapentin. Two splitters were used for each drug product, and the gabapentin tablets were also split by hand. Whole and split amlodipine tablets were tested for content uniformity following the general chapter of the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Uniformity of Dosage Units <905>, which is a requirement of the new FDA Guidance for Industry on tablet scoring. The USP weight variation method was used for gabapentin split tablets based on the recommendation of the guidance. All whole tablets met the USP acceptance criteria for the Uniformity of Dosage Units. Variation in whole tablet content ranged from 0.5 to 2.1 standard deviation (SD) of the percent label claim. Splitting the unscored amlodipine tablets resulted in a significant increase in dose variability of 6.5-25.4 SD when compared to whole tablets. Split tablets from all amlodipine drug products did not meet the USP acceptance criteria for content uniformity. Variation in the weight for gabapentin split tablets was greater than the whole tablets, ranging from 1.3 to 9.3 SD. All fully scored gabapentin products met the USP acceptance criteria for weight variation. Size, shape, and the presence or absence of a tablet score can affect the content uniformity and weight variation of amlodipine and gabapentin tablets. Tablet splitting produced higher variability. Differences in dose variability and fragmentation were observed between tablet splitters and hand splitting. These results are consistent with the FDA's concerns that tablet splitting can have an effect on the amount of drug present in a split tablet and available for absorption. Tablet splitting has become a very common practice in the United States and throughout the world. Tablets are often split to modify dose strength, make swallowing easier, and reduce cost to the consumer. To better address product quality for this widely used practice, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a Guidance for Industry that addresses tablet splitting. The guidance provides testing criteria for scored tablets, which is a part of the FDA review process for drugs. The model drugs selected for this study were amlodipine and gabapentin, which have different sizes, shapes, and tablet scores. Whole and split amlodipine tablets were tested for drug content because of a concern that the low-dose strength may cause greater variability. Whole and split gabapentin tablets were tested for weight variation because of their higher dosage strength of 600 mg. All whole tablets met the acceptance criteria for the Uniformity of Dosage Units based on the guidance recommendations. When unscored amlodipine tablets were split by a splitter, all formulations did not meet the acceptance criteria. When fully scored gabapentin tablets were split by hand and by splitter, they met the acceptance criteria. The findings of this FDA study indicated physical characteristics such as size, shape, and tablet score can affect the uniformity of split tablets. © PDA, Inc. 2016.

Studying Canonical Analysis: A Reply to Thorndike's Comments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barcikowski, Robert S.; Stevens, James P.

1976-01-01

This article is a rejoinder to TM 502 249. Each of Thorndike's comments are examined. A possible solution to the large number of subjects necessary for stable weights and variate-variable correlations using ridge regression procedures is suggested. (RC)

In vitro variation of glycogen content in three sheep nematodes.

PubMed

Premvati, G; Chopra, A K

1979-06-01

In vitro variation of glycogen content under aerobic conditions was measured on fresh weight basis in 3 sheep nematodes inhabiting different niches; Haemonchus contortus, Oesophagostomum columbianum and Trichuris ovis. The parasites were saparated into species and then sexes and starved for varying periods of time up to 24 h in glucose-free physiological saline. The differences between females and males and among the species with respect to glycogen content and its rate of change with time are discussed.

Calcium, potassium, and sodium content of forest floor arthropods

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Reichle, D.E.; Shanks, M.H.; Crossley, D.A. Jr.

1969-01-01

Whole-body nutrient composition of calcium, potassium, and sodium is documented for 37 species of forest floor arthropods. Sodium concentrations averaging 4.6 mg Na/g ash-free dry weight, and potassium concentrations averaging 6.2 mg K/g ash-free dry weight were relatively consistent within and among major taxonomic categories. Calcium content varied from 0.3 to 509.8 mg Ca/g ash-free dry weight, with highest values associated with Diplopoda and related species possessing highly calcified exoskeletons. Within-species variation in chemical composition often exceeded seasonal fluctuations, although several species exhibited significant temporal changes in whole-body nutrient composition of calcium, potassium, and sodium. 9 references, 3 tables.

Methods for the synthesis of polysilanes

DOEpatents

Zeigler, John M.

1991-01-01

A method of controlling the yield of polysilane of a desired molecular weight and/or polydispersity prepared in a reductive condensation of corresponding silane monomers on a solid catalyst dispersed in an inert solvent for both the monomers and the growing polymer chains, comprises determining the variation of molecular weight and/or polydispersity of the polysilane as a function of the solubility of the polysilane in reaction solvent, determining thereby a chosen optimum solubility of the polysilane in solvent for obtaining a desired yield of polysilane of said desired molecular weight and/or polydispersity, and thereafter carrying out the preparation of the polysilane in a solvent in which the polysilane has said chosen optimum solubility.

Accuracy of Recalled Body Weight – A Study with 20-years of Follow-up

PubMed Central

Dahl, Anna K; Reynolds, Chandra A

2013-01-01

Objective Weight changes may be an important indicator of an ongoing pathological process. Retrospective self-report might be the only possibility to capture prior weight. The objective of the study was to evaluate the accuracy of retrospective recall of body weight in old age and factors that might predict accuracy. Design and Methods In 2007, 646 participants (mean age, 71.6 years) of the Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging (SATSA) answered questions about their present weight and how much they weighed 20-years ago. Of these, 436 had self-reported their weight twenty years earlier and among these 134 had also had their weight assessed at this time point. Results Twenty year retrospectively recalled weight underestimated the prior assessed weight by −1.89 ± 5.9 kg and underestimated prior self-reported weight by −0.55 ± 5.2 kg. Moreover, 82.4% of the sample were accurate within 10%, and 45.8% were accurate within 5% of their prior assessed weights; similarly, 84.2% and 58.0 % were accurate within 10% and 5% respectively, for prior self-reported weight. Current higher body mass index and preferences of reporting weights ending with zero or five was associated with an underestimation of prior weight, while greater weight change over 20 year, and low Mini-Mental State Scores (MMSE) (<25) led to an overestimation of prior weight. Conclusions Recalled weight comes close to the assessed population mean, but at the individual level there is a large variation. The accuracy is affected by current BMI, changes in weight, end-digit preferences, and current cognitive ability. Recalled weight should be used with caution. PMID:23913738

Cancer-related Imaging in the Veterans Affairs Health Care System versus Medicare: Does a System with Lower Use Exhibit Less Geographic Variation?

PubMed Central

McWilliams, J. Michael; Dalton, Jesse B.; Landrum, Mary Beth; Frakt, Austin B.; Pizer, Steven D.; Keating, Nancy L.

2014-01-01

Background Geographic variations in use of medical services have been interpreted as indirect evidence of wasteful care. Less overuse of services, however, may not be reliably associated with less geographic variation. Objective To compare average use and geographic variation in use of cancer-related imaging between fee-for-service Medicare and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system. Design Observational analysis of cancer-related imaging from 2003–2005, using Medicare and VA utilization data linked to cancer registry data. We used multilevel models to estimate mean differences in annual imaging use between cohorts of Medicare and VA patients within geographic areas and variation in use across areas for each cohort, adjusting for sociodemographic and tumor characteristics. Setting 40 hospital referral regions. Patients Older men with lung, colorectal, or prostate cancer, including 34,475 traditional Medicare beneficiaries (Medicare cohort) and 6,835 VA patients (VA cohort). Measurements 1)Per-patient count of imaging studies for which lung, colorectal, or prostate cancer was the primary diagnosis (each study weighted by a standardized price); 2)a direct measure of overuse—advanced imaging for prostate cancer at low risk of metastasis. Results Adjusted annual use of cancer-related imaging was lower in the VA cohort than the Medicare cohort (price-weighted count, $197 vs. $379/patient; P<0.001), as was annual use of advanced imaging for prostate cancer at low risk of metastasis ($41 vs. $117/patient; P<0.001). Geographic variation in cancer-related imaging use was similar in magnitude in the VA and Medicare cohorts. Limitations Observational study design. Conclusions Use of cancer-related imaging was lower in the VA health care system than in fee-for-service Medicare, but lower use was not associated with less geographic variation. Geographic variation in service use may not be a reliable indicator of the extent of overuse. Primary Funding Source Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Policy and Planning. PMID:25437407

Biological maturity at birth, the course of the subsequent ontogenetic stages and age at menarche.

PubMed

Szwed, A; Kosińska, M

2012-08-01

The main aim of the study was to assess the influence of biological maturity at birth on growth processes in the subsequent years and during puberty in girls. The material of this study comes from the outpatient clinic cards and cross-sectional research on girls from the province of Wielkopolska in Poland. It includes data of 527 girls. The influence of perinatal maturity on body weight in the later stages of ontogeny was determined with the use of the Kruskal-Wallis test and the Mann-Whitney U test. In order to determine the relationship between perinatal maturity and age at menarche, the survival analysis module was used. The results show a diverse influence of perinatal maturity on the values of body weight achieved in later years of life. The indicated predictive factors included both birth weight and gestational age. In the examined girls menarche occurred between the 10th year and the 17th year of life (X¯=12.87, s=1.26; Me=13 years). The comparison showed a significant variation in age at menarche depending on the length of pregnancy (log-rank χ(2)(2)=27.068, p<0.0001) and birth weight (log-rank χ(2)(2)=23.241, p<0.0001). There was no variation in maturation of the examined girls conditioned by the occurrence of intra-uterine growth retardation (log-rank χ(2)(2)=2.046, p>0.05). Remote prognoses as to the postnatal development of preterm-born children and/or children with low birth weight indicate adverse influence of these variables on age at menarche. Perinatal biological maturity of a newborn conditions the course of postnatal development. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Dialysate bicarbonate variation in maintenance hemodiafiltration patients: Impact on serum bicarbonate, intradialytic hypotension and interdialytic weight gain.

PubMed

Viegas, Márcio; Cândido, Cristina; Felgueiras, Joana; Clemente, José; Barros, Sara; Farbota, Rostislav; Vera, Filipa; Matos, Antero; Sousa, Francisco

2017-07-01

The dialysate bicarbonate (DB) influences the acid-base balance in dialysis patients. Very low and high serum bicarbonate (SB) have been related with a higher mortality. Acid-base balance also has been associated with hemodynamic effects in these patients. The trial aim was to compare the effect of DB concentration variation on SB levels in maintenance hemodiafiltration (HDF) patients and the effect on intradialytic hypotension and interdialytic weight gain. A prospective study, with 9 months of follow-up, involving 93 patients, divided in two groups: group 1 and group 2 with a DB of 34 mmol/L and 30 mmol/L, respectively, with monitoring of pre and post HDF SB, intradialytic hypotension, and interdialytic weight gain. Pre dialysis SB was higher in group 1: median concentration of 22.7 mmol/L vs. 21.1 mmol/L (P < 0.001). Post dialysis SB levels were higher in group 1: median concentration of 28.0 mmol/L vs. 25.3 mmol/L (P < 0.001). Post dialysis SB in alkalotic range was only detected in group 1 (51.2% of the patients). No significant differences were detected in intradialytic hypotension rate [28.0 vs. 27.4 episodes per 1000 sessions in group 1 and 2, respectively, (P = 0.906)] or in average interdialytic weight gain [2.9% vs. 3.0% in group 1 and 2, respectively, (P = 0.710)]. DB of 30 mmol/L appears to be associated with SB levels closer to physiological levels than 34 mmol/L. The bicarbonate dialysate, in the tested concentrations, did not appear to have a significant impact on intradialytic hypotension and interdialytic weight gain in maintenance HDF patients. © 2016 International Society for Hemodialysis.

Weight loss induced by bariatric surgery restores adipose tissue PNPLA3 expression.

PubMed

Wieser, Verena; Adolph, Timon E; Enrich, Barbara; Moser, Patrizia; Moschen, Alexander R; Tilg, Herbert

2017-02-01

Obesity and its related co-morbidities such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are increasing dramatically worldwide. The genetic variation in Patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 (PNPLA3), which is also called adiponutrin (ADPN), in residue 148 (I148M, rs738409) has been associated with NAFLD. However, the regulation and function of PNPLA3 in metabolic diseases remains unclear. Laparoscopic gastric banding (LAGB) of severely obese patients reduces body weight, liver and adipose tissue inflammation. In this study, we investigated whether weight loss induced by LAGB affected PNPLA3 expression in hepatic and adipose tissue. Liver and subcutaneous adipose tissue samples were collected from 28 severely obese patients before and 6 months after LAGB. PNPLA3 expression was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR. To understand whether inflammatory stimuli regulated PNPLA3 expression, we studied the effect of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on PNPLA3 expression in human adipocytes and hepatocytes. PNPLA3 was strongly expressed in the liver and clearly detectable in subcutaneous adipose tissue of obese patients. Weight loss induced by LAGB of severely obese patients led to significantly increased adipose, but not hepatic, tissue expression of PNPLA3. Subcutaneous PNPLA3 expression negatively correlated with body-mass-index, fasting glucose and fasting insulin. TNFα potently suppressed PNPLA3 expression in adipocytes but not hepatocytes. Weight loss induced by LAGB restored adipose tissue PNPLA3 expression which is suppressed by TNFα. Further studies will be required to determine the functional impact of PNPLA3 and its related genetic variation on adipose tissue inflammation and NAFLD. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Genetic variation in the human vitamin D receptor is associated with muscle strength, fat mass and body weight in Swedish women.

PubMed

Grundberg, Elin; Brändström, Helena; Ribom, Eva L; Ljunggren, Osten; Mallmin, Hans; Kindmark, Andreas

2004-03-01

Bone mineral density (BMD) is under strong genetic control and a number of candidate genes have been associated with BMD. Both muscle strength and body weight are considered to be important predictors of BMD but far less is known about the genes affecting muscle strength and fat mass. The purpose of this study was to investigate the poly adenosine (A) repeat and the BsmI SNP in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in relation to muscle strength and body composition in healthy women. A population-based study of 175 healthy women aged 20-39 years was used. The polymorphic regions in the VDR gene (the poly A repeat and the BsmI SNP) were amplified by PCR. Body mass measurements (fat mass, lean mass, body weight and body mass index) and muscle strength (quadriceps, hamstring and grip strength) were evaluated. Individuals with shorter poly A repeat, ss and/or absence of the linked BsmI restriction site (BB) have higher hamstring strength (ss vs LL, P=0.02), body weight (ss vs LL, P=0.049) and fat mass (ss vs LL, P=0.04) compared with women with a longer poly A repeat (LL) and/or the presence of the linked BsmI restriction site (bb). Genetic variation in the VDR is correlated with muscle strength, fat mass and body weight in premenopausal women. Further functional studies on the poly A microsatellite are needed to elucidate whether this is the functionally relevant locus or if the polymorphism is in linkage disequilibrium with a functional variant in a closely situated gene further downstream of the VDR 3'UTR.

Cadence, age, and weight as determinants of forefoot plantar pressures using the Biofoot in-shoe system.

PubMed

Martínez-Nova, Alfonso; Pascual Huerta, Javier; Sánchez-Rodríguez, Raquel

2008-01-01

We evaluated normal plantar pressures and studied the effect of weight, cadence, and age on forefoot plantar pressures in healthy subjects by using the Biofoot (Instituto de Biomecánica de Valencia, Valencia, Spain) in-shoe measurement system. The feet of 45 healthy subjects with no evident foot or lower-limb diseases were measured with the Biofoot in-shoe system. The forefoot was divided into seven areas: the first through fifth metatarsal heads, the hallux, and the second through fifth lesser toes. Three trials of 8 sec each were recorded twice in each subject, and the mean was used to analyze peak and mean plantar pressures. A multiple regression model including weight, age, and cadence was run for each metatarsal head, the hallux, and the lesser toes. Intraclass correlation coefficients and coefficients of variation were also calculated to assess reliability. The second metatarsal head had the greatest peak (960 kPa) and mean (585.1 kPa) pressures, followed by the third metatarsal head. Weight and cadence combined explained 18% and 23% of peak plantar pressure at the second and third metatarsal heads, respectively (P < .001). The intraclass correlation coefficient varied from 0.76 to 0.96 for all variables. The coefficient of variation between sessions ranged from 5.8% to 9.0%. The highest peak and mean plantar pressures were found at the second and third metatarsal heads in healthy subjects. Weight, cadence, and age explained a low variability of this pressure pattern. The Biofoot in-shoe system has good reliability to measure plantar pressures. These data will have implications for the understanding of normal foot biomechanics and its determinants.

Mapping variations in weight percent silica measured from multispectral thermal infrared imagery - Examples from the Hiller Mountains, Nevada, USA and Tres Virgenes-La Reforma, Baja California Sur, Mexico

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hook, S.J.; Dmochowski, J.E.; Howard, K.A.; Rowan, L.C.; Karlstrom, K.E.; Stock, J.M.

2005-01-01

Remotely sensed multispectral thermal infrared (8-13 ??m) images are increasingly being used to map variations in surface silicate mineralogy. These studies utilize the shift to longer wavelengths in the main spectral feature in minerals in this wavelength region (reststrahlen band) as the mineralogy changes from felsic to mafic. An approach is described for determining the amount of this shift and then using the shift with a reference curve, derived from laboratory data, to remotely determine the weight percent SiO2 of the surface. The approach has broad applicability to many study areas and can also be fine-tuned to give greater accuracy in a particular study area if field samples are available. The approach was assessed using airborne multispectral thermal infrared images from the Hiller Mountains, Nevada, USA and the Tres Virgenes-La Reforma, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Results indicate the general approach slightly overestimates the weight percent SiO2 of low silica rocks (e.g. basalt) and underestimates the weight percent SiO2 of high silica rocks (e.g. granite). Fine tuning the general approach with measurements from field samples provided good results for both areas with errors in the recovered weight percent SiO2 of a few percent. The map units identified by these techniques and traditional mapping at the Hiller Mountains demonstrate the continuity of the crystalline rocks from the Hiller Mountains southward to the White Hills supporting the idea that these ranges represent an essentially continuous footwall block below a regional detachment. Results from the Baja California data verify the most recent volcanism to be basaltic-andesite. ?? 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Quantitative trait loci that control body weight in DDD/Sgn and C57BL/6J inbred mice.

PubMed

Suto, Jun-Ichi; Kojima, Misaki

2017-02-01

Inbred DDD/Sgn mice are heavier than inbred C57BL/6J mice. In the present study, we performed quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping for body weight using R/qtl in reciprocal F 2 male populations between the two strains. We identified four significant QTL on Chrs 1, 2, 5, and 17 (proximal region). The DDD/Sgn allele was associated with increased body weight at QTL on Chrs 1 and 5, and the DDD/Sgn allele was associated with decreased body weight at QTL on Chrs 2 and 17. A multiple regression analysis indicated that the detected QTL explain 30.94 % of the body weight variation. Because DDD/Sgn male mice have extremely high levels of circulating testosterone relative to other inbred mouse strains, we performed QTL mapping for plasma testosterone level to examine the effect of testosterone levels on body weight. We identified one suggestive QTL on Chr 5, which overlapped with body weight QTL. The DDD/Sgn allele was associated with increased testosterone level. Thus, we confirmed that there was a genetic basis for the changes in body weight and testosterone levels in male mice. These findings provide insights into the genetic mechanism by which body weight is controlled in male mice.

Body weight and composition dynamics of fall migrating canvasbacks

USGS Publications Warehouse

Serie, J.R.; Sharp, D.E.

1989-01-01

We studied body weights and composition of canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria) during fall migration 1975-77 on stopover sites along the upper Mississippi River near La Crosse, Wisconsin (Navigational Pools 7 and 8) and Keokuk, Iowa (Navigational Pool 19). Body weights varied (P < 0.001) by age and sex without interaction. Weights varied by year (P < 0.001) on Pools 7 and 8. Mean weights increased (P < 0.01) within age and sex classes by date and averaged 3.6 and 2.7 g daily on Pools 7 and 8 and Pool 19, respectively. Percent fat was highly correlated (P < 0.001) with carcass weight for each age and sex. Live weight was a good predictor of total body fat. Mean estimated total body fat ranged from 200 to 300 g and comprised 15-20% of live weights among age and sex classes. Temporal weight patterns were less variable for adults than immatures, but generally increased during migration. Length of stopover varied inversely with fat reserves among color-marked adult males. Variation in fat condition of canvasbacks during fall may explain the mechanism regulating population ingress and egress on stopover sites. Fat reserves attained by canvasbacks during fall stopover may have adaptive significance in improving survival by conditioning for winter.

High genetic-risk individuals benefit less from resistance exercise intervention

PubMed Central

Klimentidis, Yann C.; Bea, Jennifer W.; Lohman, Timothy; Hsieh, Pei-Shan; Going, Scott; Chen, Zhao

2015-01-01

Background/Objectives Genetic factors play an important role in body mass index (BMI) variation, and also likely play a role in the weight-loss and body composition response to physical activity/exercise. With the recent identification of BMI–associated genetic variants, it is possible to investigate the interaction of these genetic factors with exercise on body composition outcomes. Subjects/Methods In a block-randomized clinical trial of resistance exercise among women (n=148), we examined whether the putative effect of exercise on weight and DXA-derived body composition measurements differs according to genetic risk for obesity. Approximately one-half of the sample was randomized to an intervention consisting of a supervised, intensive, resistance exercise program, lasting one year. Genetic risk for obesity was defined as a genetic risk score (GRS) comprised of 21 SNPs known to be associated with normal BMI variation. We examined the interaction of exercise intervention and the GRS on anthropometric and body composition measurements after one year of the exercise intervention. Results We found statistically significant interactions for body weight (p=0.01), body fat (p=0.01), body fat % (p=0.02), and abdominal fat (p=0.02), whereby the putative effect of exercise is greater among those with a lower level of genetic risk for obesity. No single SNP appears to be a major driver of these interactions. Conclusions The weight-loss response to resistance exercise, including changes in body composition, differs according to an individual’s genetic risk for obesity. PMID:25924711

Genome-Wide Interactions with Dairy Intake for Body Mass Index in Adults of European Descent

PubMed Central

Follis, Jack L.; Dashti, Hassan S.; Tanaka, Toshiko; Graff, Mariaelisa; Fretts, Amanda M.; Kilpeläinen, Tuomas O.; Wojczynski, Mary K.; Richardson, Kris; Nalls, Mike A.; Schulz, Christina-Alexandra; Liu, Yongmei; Frazier-Wood, Alexis C.; van Eekelen, Esther; Wang, Carol; de Vries, Paul S.; Mikkilä, Vera; Rohde, Rebecca; Psaty, Bruce M.; Hansen, Torben; Feitosa, Mary F.; Lai, Chao-Qiang; Houston, Denise K.; Ferruci, Luigi; Ericson, Ulrika; Wang, Zhe; de Mutsert, Renée; Oddy, Wendy H.; de Jonge, Ester A. L.; Seppälä, Ilkka; Justice, Anne E.; Lemaitre, Rozenn N.; Sørensen, Thorkild I. A.; Province, Michael A.; Parnell, Laurence D.; Garcia, Melissa E.; Bandinelli, Stefania; Orho-Melander, Marju; Rich, Stephen S.; Rosendaal, Frits R.; Pennell, Craig E.; Kiefte-de Jong, Jessica C.; Kähönen, Mika; Young, Kristin L.; Pedersen, Oluf; Aslibekyan, Stella; Rotter, Jerome I.; Mook-Kanamori, Dennis O.; Zillikens, M. Carola; Raitakari, Olli T.; North, Kari E.; Overvad, Kim; Arnett, Donna K.; Hofman, Albert; Lehtimäki, Terho; Tjønneland, Anne; Uitterlinden, André G.; Rivadeneira, Fernando; Franco, Oscar H.; German, J. Bruce; Siscovick, David S.; Cupples, L. Adrienne; Ordovás, José M.

2017-01-01

Scope Body weight responds variably to the intake of dairy foods. Genetic variation may contribute to inter-individual variability in associations between body weight and dairy consumption. Methods and results A genome-wide interaction study to discover genetic variants that account for variation in BMI in the context of low-fat, high-fat and total dairy intake in cross-sectional analysis was conducted. Data from nine discovery studies (up to 25 513 European descent individuals) were meta-analyzed. Twenty-six genetic variants reached the selected significance threshold (p-interaction<10−7), and six independent variants (LINC01512-rs7751666, PALM2/AKAP2-rs914359, ACTA2-rs1388, PPP1R12A-rs7961195, LINC00333-rs9635058, AC098847.1-rs1791355) were evaluated meta-analytically for replication of interaction in up to 17 675 individuals. Variant rs9635058 (128 kb 3′ of LINC00333) was replicated (p-interaction = 0.004). In the discovery cohorts, rs9635058 interacted with dairy (p-interaction = 7.36 × 10−8) such that each serving of low-fat dairy was associated with 0.225 kg m−2 lower BMI per each additional copy of the effect allele (A). A second genetic variant (ACTA2-rs1388) approached interaction replication significance for low-fat dairy exposure. Conclusion Body weight responses to dairy intake may be modified by genotype, in that greater dairy intake may protect a genetic subgroup from higher body weight. PMID:28941034

A variational data assimilation system for the range dependent acoustic model using the representer method: Theoretical derivations.

PubMed

Ngodock, Hans; Carrier, Matthew; Fabre, Josette; Zingarelli, Robert; Souopgui, Innocent

2017-07-01

This study presents the theoretical framework for variational data assimilation of acoustic pressure observations into an acoustic propagation model, namely, the range dependent acoustic model (RAM). RAM uses the split-step Padé algorithm to solve the parabolic equation. The assimilation consists of minimizing a weighted least squares cost function that includes discrepancies between the model solution and the observations. The minimization process, which uses the principle of variations, requires the derivation of the tangent linear and adjoint models of the RAM. The mathematical derivations are presented here, and, for the sake of brevity, a companion study presents the numerical implementation and results from the assimilation simulated acoustic pressure observations.

General Multivariate Linear Modeling of Surface Shapes Using SurfStat

PubMed Central

Chung, Moo K.; Worsley, Keith J.; Nacewicz, Brendon, M.; Dalton, Kim M.; Davidson, Richard J.

2010-01-01

Although there are many imaging studies on traditional ROI-based amygdala volumetry, there are very few studies on modeling amygdala shape variations. This paper present a unified computational and statistical framework for modeling amygdala shape variations in a clinical population. The weighted spherical harmonic representation is used as to parameterize, to smooth out, and to normalize amygdala surfaces. The representation is subsequently used as an input for multivariate linear models accounting for nuisance covariates such as age and brain size difference using SurfStat package that completely avoids the complexity of specifying design matrices. The methodology has been applied for quantifying abnormal local amygdala shape variations in 22 high functioning autistic subjects. PMID:20620211

Comparison of the Characteristics and Performance of Flurbiprofen 8.75 mg Spray for Sore Throat.

PubMed

Veale, David; Shephard, Adrian; Adams, Verity; Lidster, Charlotte

2017-01-01

Sore throat sprays provide targeted relief by delivering the active ingredient directly to the site of pain. Different sprays vary in characteristics, thus affecting delivery of the active ingredient to the throat, which can impact compliance. The characteristics and performance of FLURBIPROFEN 8.75 mg SPRAY were compared with 12 other sprays. Parameters assessed included spray angle and pattern, droplet size distribution, shot weight uniformity and shot weight throughout life. Among all sprays tested WICK Sulagil Halsspray had the smallest spray angle (46°) and also the smallest diameter spray pattern (X=32.8 mm; Y=34.4 mm). Thiovalone® Buccal Spray Suspension had both the largest spray angle (82°) and largest diameter spray pattern (X=62.6 mm; Y=78.0 mm). Hasco Sept® Aerosol Spray had the smallest droplet size (Dv90=118.4 μm) whereas OKi infiammazione e dolore® 0.16% spray had the largest (Dv90=214.34 μm). In terms of shot weight uniformity, TANTUM® VERDE GOLA 0.25% spray showed the least variation (2% RSD) between shots and UNIBEN Aerosol Spray the most (23.4% RSD). Shot weight throughout life studies showed that FLURBIPROFEN 8.75 mg SPRAY had the least deviation from shot weight (1.77%) whereas OKi infiammazione e dolore® 0.16% spray deviated the most (44.9%). FLURBIPROFEN 8.75 mg SPRAY had the second smallest spray angle/pattern and droplet size distribution and also the least variation in shot weight. Different sore throat sprays vary in different attributes, affecting delivery of the active ingredient. FLURBIPROFEN 8.75 mg SPRAY performed well overall, ranking first among all sprays tested, and providing a dose which is targeted and uniformly delivered throughout the life of the bottle. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.

Analyses of single nucleotide polymorphisms in selected nutrient-sensitive genes in weight-regain prevention: the DIOGENES study.

PubMed

Larsen, Lesli H; Angquist, Lars; Vimaleswaran, Karani S; Hager, Jörg; Viguerie, Nathalie; Loos, Ruth J F; Handjieva-Darlenska, Teodora; Jebb, Susan A; Kunesova, Marie; Larsen, Thomas M; Martinez, J Alfredo; Papadaki, Angeliki; Pfeiffer, Andreas F H; van Baak, Marleen A; Sørensen, Thorkild Ia; Holst, Claus; Langin, Dominique; Astrup, Arne; Saris, Wim H M

2012-05-01

Differences in the interindividual response to dietary intervention could be modified by genetic variation in nutrient-sensitive genes. This study examined single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in presumed nutrient-sensitive candidate genes for obesity and obesity-related diseases for main and dietary interaction effects on weight, waist circumference, and fat mass regain over 6 mo. In total, 742 participants who had lost ≥ 8% of their initial body weight were randomly assigned to follow 1 of 5 different ad libitum diets with different glycemic indexes and contents of dietary protein. The SNP main and SNP-diet interaction effects were analyzed by using linear regression models, corrected for multiple testing by using Bonferroni correction and evaluated by using quantile-quantile (Q-Q) plots. After correction for multiple testing, none of the SNPs were significantly associated with weight, waist circumference, or fat mass regain. Q-Q plots showed that ALOX5AP rs4769873 showed a higher observed than predicted P value for the association with less waist circumference regain over 6 mo (-3.1 cm/allele; 95% CI: -4.6, -1.6; P/Bonferroni-corrected P = 0.000039/0.076), independently of diet. Additional associations were identified by using Q-Q plots for SNPs in ALOX5AP, TNF, and KCNJ11 for main effects; in LPL and TUB for glycemic index interaction effects on waist circumference regain; in GHRL, CCK, MLXIPL, and LEPR on weight; in PPARC1A, PCK2, ALOX5AP, PYY, and ADRB3 on waist circumference; and in PPARD, FABP1, PLAUR, and LPIN1 on fat mass regain for dietary protein interaction. The observed effects of SNP-diet interactions on weight, waist, and fat mass regain suggest that genetic variation in nutrient-sensitive genes can modify the response to diet. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00390637.

A novel approach to selecting and weighting nutrients for nutrient profiling of foods and diets.

PubMed

Arsenault, Joanne E; Fulgoni, Victor L; Hersey, James C; Muth, Mary K

2012-12-01

Nutrient profiling of foods is the science of ranking or classifying foods based on their nutrient composition. Most profiling systems use similar weighting factors across nutrients due to lack of scientific evidence to assign levels of importance to nutrients. Our aim was to use a statistical approach to determine the nutrients that best explain variation in Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores and to obtain β-coefficients for the nutrients for use as weighting factors for a nutrient-profiling algorithm. We used a cross-sectional analysis of nutrient intakes and HEI scores. Our subjects included 16,587 individuals from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2008 who were 2 years of age or older and not pregnant. Our main outcome measure was variation (R(2)) in HEI scores. Linear regression analyses were conducted with HEI scores as the dependent variable and all possible combinations of 16 nutrients of interest as independent variables, with covariates age, sex, and ethnicity. The analyses identified the best 1-nutrient variable model (with the highest R(2)), the best 2-nutrient variable model, and up to the best 16-nutrient variable model. The model with 8 nutrients explained 65% of the variance in HEI scores, similar to the models with 9 to 16 nutrients, but substantially higher than previous algorithms reported in the literature. The model contained five nutrients with positive β-coefficients (ie, protein, fiber, calcium, unsaturated fat, and vitamin C) and three nutrients with negative coefficients (ie, saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar). β-coefficients from the model were used as weighting factors to create an algorithm that generated a weighted nutrient density score representing the overall nutritional quality of a food. The weighted nutrient density score can be easily calculated and is useful for describing the overall nutrient quality of both foods and diets. Copyright © 2012 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Deciphering genetic diversity and inheritance of tomato fruit weight and composition through a systems biology approach

PubMed Central

Pascual, Laura; Xu, Jiaxin; Causse, Mathilde

2013-01-01

Integrative systems biology proposes new approaches to decipher the variation of phenotypic traits. In an effort to link the genetic variation and the physiological and molecular bases of fruit composition, the proteome (424 protein spots), metabolome (26 compounds), enzymatic profile (26 enzymes), and phenotypes of eight tomato accessions, covering the genetic diversity of the species, and four of their F1 hybrids, were characterized at two fruit developmental stages (cell expansion and orange-red). The contents of metabolites varied among the genetic backgrounds, while enzyme profiles were less variable, particularly at the cell expansion stage. Frequent genotype by stage interactions suggested that the trends observed for one accession at a physiological level may change in another accession. In agreement with this, the inheritance modes varied between crosses and stages. Although additivity was predominant, 40% of the traits were non-additively inherited. Relationships among traits revealed associations between different levels of expression and provided information on several key proteins. Notably, the role of frucktokinase, invertase, and cysteine synthase in the variation of metabolites was highlighted. Several stress-related proteins also appeared related to fruit weight differences. These key proteins might be targets for improving metabolite contents of the fruit. This systems biology approach provides better understanding of networks controlling the genetic variation of tomato fruit composition. In addition, the wide data sets generated provide an ideal framework to develop innovative integrated hypothesis and will be highly valuable for the research community. PMID:24151307

Hydroacoustic estimation of zooplankton biomass at two shoal complexes in the Apostle Islands Region of Lake Superior

USGS Publications Warehouse

Holbrook, B.V.; Hrabik, T.R.; Branstrator, D.K.; Yule, D.L.; Stockwell, J.D.

2006-01-01

Hydroacoustics can be used to assess zooplankton populations, however, backscatter must be scaled to be biologically meaningful. In this study, we used a general model to correlate site-specific hydroacoustic backscatter with zooplankton dry weight biomass estimated from net tows. The relationship between zooplankton dry weight and backscatter was significant (p < 0.001) and explained 76% of the variability in the dry weight data. We applied this regression to hydroacoustic data collected monthly in 2003 and 2004 at two shoals in the Apostle Island Region of Lake Superior. After applying the regression model to convert hydroacoustic backscatter to zooplankton dry weight biomass, we used geostatistics to analyze the mean and variance, and ordinary kriging to create spatial zooplankton distribution maps. The mean zooplankton dry weight biomass estimates from plankton net tows and hydroacoustics were not significantly different (p = 0.19) but the hydroacoustic data had a significantly lower coefficient of variation (p < 0.001). The maps of zooplankton distribution illustrated spatial trends in zooplankton dry weight biomass that were not discernable from the overall means.

Identification of genetic factors that modify motor performance and body weight using Collaborative Cross mice

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mao, Jian -Hua; Langley, Sasha A.; Huang, Yurong

Evidence has emerged that suggests a link between motor deficits, obesity and many neurological disorders. However, the contributing genetic risk factors are poorly understood. Here we used the Collaborative Cross (CC), a large panel of newly inbred mice that captures 90% of the known variation among laboratory mice, to identify the genetic loci controlling rotarod performance and its relationship with body weight in a cohort of 365 mice across 16 CC strains. Body weight and rotarod performance varied widely across CC strains and were significantly negatively correlated. Genetic linkage analysis identified 14 loci that were associated with body weight. However,more » 45 loci affected rotarod performance, seven of which were also associated with body weight, suggesting a strong link at the genetic level. As a result, we show that genes identified in this study overlap significantly with those related to neurological disorders and obesity found in human GWA studies. In conclusion, our results provide a genetic framework for studies of the connection between body weight, the central nervous system and behavior.« less

Color Feature-Based Object Tracking through Particle Swarm Optimization with Improved Inertia Weight

PubMed Central

Guo, Siqiu; Zhang, Tao; Song, Yulong

2018-01-01

This paper presents a particle swarm tracking algorithm with improved inertia weight based on color features. The weighted color histogram is used as the target feature to reduce the contribution of target edge pixels in the target feature, which makes the algorithm insensitive to the target non-rigid deformation, scale variation, and rotation. Meanwhile, the influence of partial obstruction on the description of target features is reduced. The particle swarm optimization algorithm can complete the multi-peak search, which can cope well with the object occlusion tracking problem. This means that the target is located precisely where the similarity function appears multi-peak. When the particle swarm optimization algorithm is applied to the object tracking, the inertia weight adjustment mechanism has some limitations. This paper presents an improved method. The concept of particle maturity is introduced to improve the inertia weight adjustment mechanism, which could adjust the inertia weight in time according to the different states of each particle in each generation. Experimental results show that our algorithm achieves state-of-the-art performance in a wide range of scenarios. PMID:29690610