Self-reported energy intake by FFQ compared with actual energy intake to maintain body weight in 516 adults

It is generally assumed that a FFQ is not suitable to estimate the absolute levels of individual energy intake. However, in epidemiological studies, reported nutrients by FFQ are often corrected for this intake. The objective of the present study was to assess how accurately participants report their energy intakes by FFQ. We compared reported energy intake with actual energy intake needed to maintain stable body weights during eleven controlled dietary trials. FFQ were developed to capture at least 90 % of energy intake. Participants, 342 women and 174 men, with a mean BMI of 22·8 (sd 3·1) kg/m2 filled out the FFQ just before the trials. Energy intakes during the trials were calculated from provided foods and reported free-food items, representing 90 and 10 % of energy intake, respectively. Mean reported energy intake was 97·5 (sd 12·7) % of actual energy intake during the trials; it was 98·9 (sd 15·2) % for women and 94·7 (sd 16·3) % for men (P = 0·004 for difference between sexes). Correlation coefficients between reported and actual energy intakes were 0·82 for all participants, 0·74 for women and 0·80 for men. Individual reported energy intake as a percentage of actual intake ranged from 56·3 to 159·6 % in women and from 43·8 to 151·0 % in men. In conclusion, the FFQ appeared to be accurate for estimating the mean level of energy intakes of these participants and for ranking them according to their intake. However, the large differences found on the individual level may affect the results of epidemiological studies in an unknown direction if nutrients are corrected for energy intakes reported by FF

High efficiency protoplast isolation from in vitro cultures and hairy roots of Maesa lanceolata

In vitro cultures of the medicinal plant Maesa lanceolata were established to enable the cultivation ofplant material for the production of protoplasts. Callus cultures were initiated using leaves collectedfrom shoot cultures and the root tips from hairy root cultures obtained upon Agrobacterium rhizogenestransformation. For the isolation of protoplasts, the different explant material of M. lanceolata wasexposed to an enzyme mixture consisting of 1.5% cellulase, 0.5% macerozyme R-10 and 0.5 M mannitol.About 6 x 106 protoplasts g-1 fresh weight were obtained from leaf material and 5 x 105 protoplasts g-1fresh weight from callus. To obtain high amounts of hairy root protoplasts, the cultures were pretreatedwith the auxin indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) that stimulated the formation of novel root tips. Usingthe dissected root tips as starting material, 8 x 105 protoplasts g-1 fresh weight were obtained perpreparation. The protoplast isolation method will enable further studies on the transformation andfusion of protoplasts from M. lanceolata.Key words: Maesa lanceolata, in vitro conservation, tissue culture, protoplast isolation

Average plane-size in complex-representable matroids

Melchior's inequality implies that the average line-length in a simple, rank-$3$, real-representable matroid is less than $3$. A similar result holds for complex-representable matroids, using Hirzebruch's inequality, but with a weaker bound of $4$. We show that the average plane-size in a simple, rank-$4$, complex-representable matroid is bounded above by an absolute constant, unless the matroid is the direct-sum of two lines. We also prove that, for any integer $k$, in complex-representable matroids with rank at least $2k-1$, the average size of a rank-$k$ flat is bounded above by a constant depending only on $k$. Finally, we prove that, for any integer $r\ge 2$, the average flat-size in rank-$r$ complex-representable matroids is bounded above by a constant depending only on $r$. We obtain our results using a theorem, due to Ben Lund, that gives a good estimate on the number of rank-$k$ flats in a complex-representable matroid

Systematic analysis of the impact of mixing locality on Mixing-DAC linearity for multicarrier GSM

In an RF transmitter, the function of the mixer and the DAC can be combined in a single block: the Mixing-DAC. For the generation of multicarrier GSM signals in a basestation, high dynamic linearity is required, i.e. SFDR>85dBc, at high output signal frequency, i.e. ƒout ˜ 4GHz. This represents a challenge which cannot be addressed efficiently by current available hardware or state-of-the-art published solutions. Mixing locality indicates if the mixing operation is executed locally in each DAC unit cell or globally on the combined DAC output signal. The mixing locality is identified as one of the most important aspects of the Mixing-DAC architecture with respect to linearity. Simulations of a current steering Mixing-DAC show that local mixing with a local output cascode can result in the highest linearity, i.e. IMD3<-88dBc at ƒout=4GHz

An optimization-based phase-field method for continuous-discontinuous crack propagation

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving. Geelen, R., Liu, Y., Dolbow, J., Rodriguez-Ferran, A. An optimization-based phase-field method for continuous-discontinuous crack propagation. "International journal for numerical methods in engineering", 5 Octubre 2018, vol. 116, núm. 1, p. 1-20, which has been published in final form at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/nme.5911.A new continuous-discontinuous strategy for the computational modeling of crack propagation within the context of phase-field models of fracture is presented. The method is designed to introduce and update a sharp crack surface within an evolving damage band, and to enhance the kinematics of the finite element approximation accordingly. The proposed approach relies on three key elements. First, we propose the use of a crack length functional to provide a trigger for initiating a continuous to discontinuous transition. Next, the crack path identification is addressed by introducing the concept of an auxiliary damage field that varies with an extension of the sharp crack surface. The sharp crack surface is extended through an optimization algorithm, in which the difference between the auxiliary field and the actual damage field stemming from the phase-field framework is minimized. Finally, a strong discontinuity is inserted in the wake of the diffuse crack tip with the eXtended Finite Element Method (X-FEM), completing the continuous to discontinuous transition. Several benchmark problems in two-dimensional quasi-static fracture mechanics are presented to demonstrate the accuracy and robustness of the method.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

REACH implementation costs in the Belgian food industry:a semi-qualitative study

In this paper we discuss how companies in the Belgian food industry are affected by the REACH legislation and whether their competitiveness is weakened as a result. The study has been carried out through an extensive literature study, an electronic survey, in-depth interviews and a case-study. No indication is observed of REACH compliance significantly hampering the competitive position of Belgian food industry. The overall cost burden seems to be relatively low. In contrast with the chemical industry, large food companies bear the highest costs, whereas the financial impact on small and medium-sized food companies remains limited.<br

Vascular uptake of rehydration fluids in hypohydrated men at rest and exercise

The purpose of this study was to formulate and to evaluate rehydration drinks, which would restore total body water and plasma volume (PV), for astronauts to consume before and during extravehicular activity, a few hours before reentry, and immediately after landing. In the first experiment (rest, sitting), five healthy men (23-41 yr), previously dehydrated for 24 hr., drank six (1a, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7) fluid formulations (one each at weekly intervals) and then sat for 70 min. Pre-test PV were measured with Evans blue dye and changes in PV were calculated with the hematocrit-hemoglobin transformation equation. This rest experiment simulated hypohydrated astronauts preparing for reentry. The second experiment (exercise, supine) followed the same protocol except four healthy men (30-46 yr) worked for 70 min. in the supine position on a cycle ergometer at a mean load of 71+/-1 percent of their peak aerobic work capacity. This exercise experiment simulated conditions for astronauts with reduced total body water engaging in extravehicular activity