Polymorphisms in toll-like receptor genes and susceptibility to pulmonary aspergillosis

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are important components of innate immunity. We investigated the association between polymorphisms in the TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9 genes and susceptibility to noninvasive forms of pulmonary aspergillosis. A significant association was observed between allele G on Asp299Gly (TLR4) and chronic cavitary pulmonary aspergillosis (odds ratio [OR], 3.46; P =.003). Susceptibility to allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis was associated with allele C on T-1237C (TLR9) (OR, 2.49; P =. 043). No particular polymorphism was associated with severe asthma with fungal sensitization. These findings reinforce the importance of innate immunity in the pathogenesis of different forms of aspergillosis.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, Portugal (POCI/SAU-ESP/61080/ 2004 and fellowship to A.C., contract SFRH/BD/11837/2003); CAPES (Brazilian government) (grant to A.P); and the Fungal Research Trust, United Kingdom

A Rapid and Accurate Extraction Procedure for Analysing Free Amino Acids in Meat Samples by GC-MS

This study evaluated the use of a mixer mill as the homogenization tool for the extraction of free amino acids in meat samples, with the main goal of analyzing a large number of samples in the shortest time and minimizing sample amount and solvent volume. Ground samples (0.2 g) were mixed with 1.5 mL HCl 0.1 M and homogenized in the mixer mill. The final biphasic system was separated by centrifugation. The supernatant was deproteinized, derivatized and analyzed by gas chromatography. This procedure showed a high extracting ability, especially in samples with high free amino acid content (recovery = 88.73–104.94%). It also showed a low limit of detection and quantification (3.8 · 10−4–6.6 · 10−4 μg μL−1 and 1.3 · 10−3–2.2 · 10−2 μg μL−1, resp.) for most amino acids, an adequate precision (2.15–20.15% for run-to-run), and a linear response for all amino acids (R2 = 0.741–0.998) in the range of 1–100 µg mL−1. Moreover, it takes less time and requires lower amount of sample and solvent than conventional techniques. Thus, this is a cost and time efficient tool for homogenizing in the extraction procedure of free amino acids from meat samples, being an adequate option for routine analysis

An Interactive Biobjective Method for Solving a Waste Collection Problem

The aim of this paper is to propose a framework in order to solve the real-world waste collection problem in a city of southern Spain modeled as an Asymmetric Vehicle Routing Problem (AVRP) with side constraints and several variations. In this problem, not only are vehicle capacity and temporal constraints considered but multiple trips are also allowed. Furthermore, two objectives will be considered: the minimization of the total distance and the balance of the working day. Finally, in order to select a single solution among all efficient (or nondominated) solutions, an interactive method is designed using reference points

Effect of Five Bench Inclinations on the Electromyographic Activity of the Pectoralis Major, Anterior Deltoid, and Triceps Brachii during the Bench Press Exercise

The bench press exercise is one of the most used for training and for evaluating upper-body strength. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the electromyographic (EMG) activity levels of the pectoralis major (PM) in its three portions (upper portion, PMUP, middle portion, PMMP, and lower portion, PMLP), the anterior deltoid (AD), and the triceps brachii (TB) medial head during the bench press exercise at five bench angles (0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, and 60°). Thirty trained adults participated in the study. The EMG activity of the muscles was recorded at the aforementioned inclinations at 60% of one-repetition maximum (1RM). The results showed that the maximal EMG activity for PMUP occurred at a bench inclination of 30°. PMMP and PMLP showed higher EMG activity at a 0° bench inclination. AD had the highest EMG activity at 60°. TB showed similar EMG activities at all bench inclinations. In conclusion, the horizontal bench press produces similar electromyographic activities for the pectoralis major and the anterior deltoid. An inclination of 30° produces greater activation of the upper portion of the pectoralis major. Inclinations greater than 45° produce significantly higher activation of the anterior deltoid and decrease the muscular performance of the pectoralis major

Solid-State Hydrolysis (SSH) Improves the Nutritional Value of Plant Ingredients in the Diet of Mugil cephalus

The possibility of improving the nutritional quality of plant byproducts (brewers’ spentgrain and rice bran) through an enzyme treatment was tested in a formulated feed for grey mullet(Mugil cephalus). The enzyme treatment was carried out by Solid-State Hydrolysis (SSH) using acommercial preparation including carbohydrases and phytase. A feed prepared without the treatmentand a commercial feed for carp were used as controls. In a preliminary short-term trial carried out atlaboratory facilities, fish receiving the enzyme-treated feed showed significant improvement in bothFCR and SGR when compared to those obtained with the untreated diet, although both experimentaldiets presented worse values than those obtained with the commercial feed. Different metabolicindicators including higher values of muscle glycogen and plasmatic triglycerides supported thepositive effect of the enzyme treatment on the nutritional condition of the fish over those fed on thediet containing non-treated ingredients. Results of growth and feed efficiency that were obtainedin a second long-term trial developed for 148 days under real production conditions evidenced theequivalence among the experimental and commercial diets and confirmed that enzyme pretreatmentof plant ingredients by SSH may be a useful procedure to improve the nutritive value of highfiber plant byproducts when included in practical diets for this species and others with similarnutritional features

Integrated Value Model for Sustainable Assessment of Modular Residential Towers: Case Study: Ten Degrees Croydon and Apex House in London

Modular construction can become sustainable by making all aspects of the design and construction process more effective during all phases. This paper aims to develop and use a sustainability assessment model for modular residential buildings in two case studies. This research uses the Integrated Value Model for Sustainable Assessment (MIVES), which is a multi-criteria decision-making model for sustainability assessment. This model considers all aspects of sustainability, environmental, economic and social, and helps stakeholders make decisions. Few previous studies have assessed all these aspects in full and MIVES make this assessment possible. For assessment purposes, two modular buildings have been chosen, namely “Ten Degrees Croydon” as the tallest high-rise modular residential building in the world and “Apex House” as the second tallest modular building in the world, both in London. These residential towers were assessed using MIVES, demonstrating a very satisfactory sustainability index in all the above aspects

Sustainability Assessment of Residential Skyscrapers Based on Multi-criteria Decision-making Method: 9 Dubai Case Studies

Residential skyscrapers play a vital role in all aspects of sustainable developments as an integral component of the built environment. The need for tall buildings first arose in Chicago in the late 19th century while today more and more skyscrapers are built to accommodate many occupants in the small available land plots of the world’s megacities. In this paper, after reviewing previous studies, a series of effective indicators are prioritized so that a method for analysing the sustainability performance of residential skyscraper buildings relating to the three dimensions of sustainability is presented. Residential skyscrapers should be designed to respond to all different requirements during their life cycle. Inclusion of economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development in the initial design results in a higher quality of life in residential skyscraper buildings. The method used in this paper is the Integrated Value Model for Sustainable Assessment (MIVES) - a multi18 criteria decision-making method for assessing sustainability. In this regard, nine residential skyscrapers as case studies have been evaluated in Dubai. Based on the multi-criteria approach used in this paper, the analysed residential skyscrapers in Dubai have a sustainability performance in range of 0.29 < SI < 0.62

Evaluation of dynamic spinal morphology and core muscle activation in cyclists. A comparison between standing posture and on the bicycle

(1) Background: Cycling is characterized by a sustained sitting posture on the bicycle, where physiologic spinal curvatures are modified from standing to cycling. Therefore, the main objective was to evaluate and compare the morphology of the spine and the core muscle activity in standing posture and cycling at low intensity. (2) Methods: Twelve competitive cyclists participated in the study. Spinal morphology was evaluated using an infrared-camera system. Muscle activation was recorded using a surface electromyography device. (3) Conclusions: The lumbar spine changes its morphology from lordosis in standing to kyphosis (lumbar flexion) when pedaling on the bicycle. The sacral tilt significantly increases its anterior tilt when cycling compared to when standing. The spinal morphology and sacral tilt are dynamic depending on the pedal’s position during the pedal stroke quadrants. The infraspinatus, latissimus dorsi, external oblique, and pectoralis major showed significantly higher activation pedaling than when standing, although with very low values