Fate of hydroxyapatite nano particles during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Food Technology at Massey University, Riddet Institute and Massey Institute of Food Science and Technology, Palmerston North, New Zealan

The following figures have been removed for copyright reasons, but may be accessed through their sources listed in the References: Figures 2.2 (Yada et al., 2014, Fig.1), 2.3 (Rivera-Munoz, 2011), 2.4 (Sakae et al., 2015, Fig. 2 & 3), 2.5 (Ehrlich et al., 2009, Fig. 3), 2.6 (Lynn & Bonfield, 2005, Fig. 1), 2.7 (Ehrlich et al., 2009, Fig. 6), 2.8 (Mafé et al., 1992, Fig. 1), 2.9 (Gaucheron et al., 2005, Fig. 2). Composite Figure 2.10 remains for clarity's sake.There is an increasing change in population demographics towards an aging population in the world, which had led to the availability of various commercial nutritionally supplemented products. Hydroxyapatite (HA), with chemical formula Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2, is an insoluble calcium salt used for calcium supplementation because of its similarity to the minerals found in human bone and teeth. The insoluble calcium salts are preferred over the soluble ones because of their high heat stability during milk processing under high heat treatment. However, the drawback of insoluble calcium salts is the tendency to sediment during storage resulting in unfavourable gritty texture. Thus, reduction in particle sizes into micron to nano-size improves the dispersion of these insoluble salts. However, the application of nano-sized particles in food products have raised concerns from both the regulatory organizations and consumers on the implications related to both the environmental and health safety aspects. Thus, the objective of the study is to determine the digestion behaviour of nano-sized needle/rod shaped HA (nHA) when added into skim milk during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. Determination of calcium such as soluble and ionic calcium was conducted to determine the dissolution of nHA. The structural changes and the crystallographic changes of nHA were determined using electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction techniques. The results of in vitro gastric digestion showed presence of undissolved nHA particles even after 240 min of gastric and 120 min of intestinal digestion when examined under TEM, while the XRD analysis detected the presence of crystalline nHA in the first 120 min of gastric digestion. Thus, the possible mechanisms leading to the incomplete dissolution of nHA under acidic conditions of the stomach are discussed subsequently

G-Matrix Equation in the Resonating-Group Method

The G-matrix equation is most straightforwardly formulated in the resonating-group method if the quark-exchange kernel is directly used as the driving term for the infinite sum of all the ladder diagrams. The inherent energy-dependence involved in the exchange term of the normalization kernel plays the essential role to define the off-shell T-matrix uniquely when the complete Pauli-forbidden state exists. We analyze this using a simple solvable model with no quark-quark interaction, and calculating the most general T-matrix in the formulation developed by Noyes and Kowalski. This formulation gives a certain condition for the existence of the solution in the Lippmann-Schwinger resonating-group method. A new procedure to deal with the corrections for the reduced masses and the internal-energy terms in the Lambda N - Sigma N coupled-channel resonating-group equation is proposed.Comment: 21 pages 0 figures, submitted to Prog. Theor. Phy

Aversive reaction between disulfiram and betel quid among inpatients with alcohol use disorder in Bhutan: A preliminary study

Betel Quid (BQ) is commonly used in the Asia-Pacific region. Disulfiram is prescribed for people with alcohol use disorders (PwAUDs) after the completion of detoxification as an alternative to rehabilitation. This prospective observational study reports the aversive reactions and common symptoms of Disulfiram and BQ in PwAUDs. Participants included PwAUDs admitted to the psychiatric ward at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital for detoxification, who were on Disulfiram and using BQ at the same time. Aversive reactions between Disulfiram and BQ were observed for 100 patients over a year. Twenty participants showed aversive reactions between BQ and Disulfiram. Common symptoms included sweating, diarrhea, dizziness, tremors, palpitations, shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, and headache. Since PwAUDs in Bhutan are inducted on Disulfiram after detoxification, and most use BQ simultaneously, this study will help inform health care providers to educate people about the aversive reactions of Disulfiram and BQ

INDEX: A Piggy-Back Satellite for Advanced Technology Demonstration

This paper describes outline of the piggy-back satellite INDEX for demonstration of advanced satellite technologies as well as for a small scale science mission. INDEX satellite will be launched in 2002 by Japanese H2-A. The satellite is mainly controlled by the high-speed, fault-tolerant on-board RIes processor (three-voting system of SH-3). The attitude control is a compact system of three-axis stabilization. Although the size of INDEX is small (50Kg class), several newly-developed technologies are applied to the satellite system, including silicon-on-insulator devices, variable emittance radiator, solar-concentrated paddles, lithium-ion battery, and GPS receiver with all-sky antenna-coverage. These technology developments will be applied to Japanese scientific space exploration in future

Habitat requirements of the Himalayan red panda (Ailurus fulgens) and threat analysis in Jigme Dorji National Park, Bhutan

Understanding the influence of anthropogenic disturbances on species’ habitat use and distribution is critical to conservation managers in planning effective conservation strategies and mitigating the impact of development. Few studies have focused on the Himalayan red panda (Ailurus fulgens) in Bhutan. This study aimed to assess the habitat requirements and threats to this endangered species in the Khamaed sub-district of the Jigme Dorji National Park, Bhutan. We employed a transect walk and plot-sampling survey design across two seasons, i.e. winter and spring. In total, we surveyed 84 x 50 m radius circular plots along 51 km of existing trails within a 25.4 km2 study area. At 500 m intervals, we established plots at random distances and direction from the trail. We recorded direct sightings (n = 2) and indirect signs (n = 14), such as droppings and footprints as evidence of red panda presence within an altitudinal range of 2,414 – 3,618 m. We also noted 21 tree and 12 understory species within plots with red panda evidence; the dominant tree species was the Himalayan hemlock (Tsuga dumosa) and the Asian barberry (Berberis asiatica) as an understory species. Red panda presence showed a significant positive association with distance to water sources and fir forests. Plant disturbance and infrastructure, such as power transmission lines, were identified as prominent anthropogenic threats in the study area. Based on our findings, we recommend the development and implementation of local forest management plans, livestock intensification programs and strict application of environmental impact assessment regulations to promote the conservation of the red panda in the region

Cell proliferation after ischemic infarction in gerbil brain

In order to study cell proliferation after ischemic infarction, a model of bilateral common carotid artery occlusion in the gerbil was developed. A comparison of survival rates after 15, 30, 45 and 60 min of occlusion revealed that 45 min was the maximum duration of ischemia after which most (72%) of the gerbils were alive at 1 week. The administration of pentobarbital (single dose, 30 mg/kg) post-operatively to badly seizing animals increased survival to 100%. Large, well-demarcated infarcts were present in posterior thalamus or midbrain in 62% of gerbils subjected to 45 min bilateral occlusion. In 60% of these animals the infarcts were unilateral; in 40% they were bilateral. To quantitate cell proliferation in the infarcts from 12 h to 25 days after ischemia, gerbils were injected with [3H]thymidine 4 h prior to sacrifice, and autoradiographs were prepared from sectioned brains. Proliferation took place from 2 to 7 days after occlusion, with a maximum of 24% labeled cells at 6 days.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/25494/1/0000035.pd

Recent Influences of the West onf Bhutan: Women, Tourism, and Infrastructures

Bhutan is known as the world’s happiest country. It has great natural beauty and a variety 8 of traditions and cultures. There are many different tribes of people living in Bhutan who practice different social and religious customs, and speak a variety of languages. Only a few decades ago, the small kingdom of Bhutan opened itself to western influences. The 3rd King, Jigme Dorji Wanchuck, is considered the father of modern Bhutan. The Bhutanese development strategy focuses on the preservation of socioeconomic, ecological and cultural characteristics of the country, as well as on the wellbeing of the Bhutanese population through the policy of “ Gross National Happiness” or GNH. The Gross National Happiness theory is based on the “four pillars” that move our country towards “ Gross National Happiness.” The four pillars are good governance, preservation and promotion of the national and cultural heritage, protection of the environment and sustainability for future generations. I have focused mainly on Merak because of my recent expedition. I have photos of Brokpa women, a six year old school boy, a few interviews and a two minutes long film on Merak. Some chapters focus on gender roles in tourism and Bhutanese society. My thesis covers some recent developments in Bhutan and the policies on which tourism there is based: low volume, high value, sustainability and eco-friendliness, and the preservation of the culture and traditions of Bhutan