Reporting quality of randomized trials in the diet and exercise literature for weight loss

BACKGROUND: To adequately assess individual studies and synthesize quantitative research on weight loss studies, transparent reporting of data is required. The authors examined the reporting quality of randomized trials in the weight loss literature, focusing exclusively on subject characteristics as they relate to enrollment, allocation, and follow-up. METHODS: An extensive literature review, which included a computerized search of the MEDLINE database, manual searches of bibliographic references, and cross-referencing of 92 review articles was conducted. A checklist, based on CONSORT recommendations, was used to collect information on whether or not authors reported age, gender, co-morbid disease, medication use, race/ethnicity, and postmenopausal status. Also tracked was whether or not initial and final sample size was reported and stratified by gender. RESULTS: Of 604 possible articles, 231 articles met eligibility criteria. Important subject characteristics were not reported as the following breakdown indicates: age (11%), gender (4%), race/ethnicity (86%), co-morbid disease states (34%), and medication use (92%). Additionally, 21% of articles failed to report initial sample size by gender while 69% neglected to report final sample size by gender. CONCLUSION: Inadequate reporting can create difficulties with interpretation and can lead to biased results receiving false credibility. The quality of reporting for weight loss studies needs considerable improvement

Fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis as a measure of microbial activity in aquatic systems: Application to activated sludges

International audienceFluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis has mainly been used, in soil studies, for measurement of microbial activity and/or for enumeration of bacteria. A protocol is proposed to apply the method to sewage treatment plant activated sludge. The results are compared with values of ETS (electron transport system) activity and oxygen consumption. Unlike ETS activity, FDA hydrolysis is not expected to be proportional to O2 consumption. However, its application to aquatic systems is simpler, less expensive and give results with better reproducibility. FDA hydrolysis may thus allow study of biological activity in situations where extensive surveys in time and/or space are needed

Nutritional quality of a freshwater heterotrophic flagellate: trophic upgrading of its microalgal diet for Daphnia hyalina

International audienc

A Simulation Study of the Impact of LP EGR on a Two-Stage Turbocharged Diesel Engine

Current engine development projects have to face crucial challenges: raw pollutant emission reduction while maintaining or even reducing the engine fuel consumption. To solve this issue, several technologies have been studied and some can offer part of the solution. Among these technologies, turbochargers provide one of the best trade off. Different turbocharging technologies can be used as well as different air path layouts, but one particularly promising technology relies in the Two-Stage series turbocharging. Coupled to turbocharging devices, and despite the recent development in NO${\rm x}$ after-treatment systems, EGR remains a cost-effective solution to respect current and future emissions standards. Thanks to the widespread use of Diesel Particulate Filters, High Pressure EGR is no longer the only efficient solution to provide exhaust gas to the cylinders, in so far as one of the main drawbacks of Low Pressure EGR – compressor and air intake cooler reliability – is reduced. In this context, it is difficult to assess intuitively the impact of the different possible air system configurations on the engine performance, and the consequences on the associated control strategies. It is therefore necessary to use advanced tools, such as simulation in general and engine system simulation in particular. In this paper, we present the way engine system simulation can help in the understanding of technological issues as well as control issues. The approach is illustrated by the study of the impact of Low Pressure EGR in the specific case of a Two-Stage Turbocharged Diesel Engine. Indeed, the impact on the air path layout and on the engine performances are presented, and comparisons between simulation results of the same engine with a High Pressure or a Low Pressure EGR circuit are analyzed. In parallel, some specificities of the control strategy of a Two-Stage Turbocharged Diesel engine are discussed. The impact of a LP EGR circuit on the control laws is analyzed and a solution to adapt the strategies is finally proposed