Evaluation of the effectiveness of supplemental lights vs no supplemental lights on hydroponically grown lettuce

2017 Fall.Includes bibliographical references.The purpose of the study was to examine the literature from the past 20 years regarding the evaluation of the Effectiveness of Supplemental lights vs No supplemental lights on Organic and Synthetic lettuce production via hydroponically growing lettuce in a greenhouse. The two types of lettuce are 1) green salad bowl and 2) gourmet blend mix. This research was conducted in the Colorado State University, Ft. Collins (CSUFC). The Researcher used quantitative research design with basic agricultural, horticultural, quantitative, and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) quantitative statistical calculations. This research method addressed agricultural horticulture research findings from agriculturalists, farmers, horticulturalists, policy makers, researchers, scientists, universities, and/or other key stakeholders in the agriculture, farming, greenhouse, and horticulture industry. The student researched the historical and current literature and the effects of altering the Supplemental lights for the maximum growth and development of healthy mineral rich lettuce. Twenty-three minerals were tracked and measured using the ICP-MS after production via Supplemental light vs. No Supplemental light using parts per million (ppm) converted from mg, (ng/g), and other amounts. This Thesis contains five chapters including: (1) Introduction, (2) Literature review, (3) Material and Methods, (4) Results and Discussion and (5) Conclusion. Finally, research recommendations are made for future replications and studies to accentuate and increase the validity and reliability of this study

Idiomatic Knowledge and Attitudes toward Idiom Learning: A Case of Kuwaiti EFL College Students

The study attempts to determine if idiomatic knowledge has an influence on students’ attitudes toward learning English idioms. Primarily, the study seeks to uncover if idiomatic knowledge affects Kuwaiti EFL undergraduate college students’ attitudes toward (1) the importance of idiom learning, (2) the difficulties of idiom learning and (3) learning strategies for idioms. Results showed that students had positive attitudes toward English idiom learning. Significant differences in the results were obtained for students’ knowledge of idioms. Keywords: Idiom learning, EFL students’ attitudes, idiomatic knowledge DOI: 10.7176/JEP/12-27-09 Publication date:September 30th 202

Qualité physicochimique et bactériologique de trois stations thermales dans les régions de Fès, Maroc

Les sources thermales au Maroc constituent une richesse inestimable et sont fréquemment exploitées par la population pour différents usages. Cette dernière peut être exposée à des risques de contamination par des germes pathogènes dans les stations thermales mal entretenues. C'est dans ce cadre qu'une étude portant sur la qualité physicochimique et bactériologique de trois sources situées près de la ville de Fès : Sidi Harazem, Moulay Yaâcoub et Ain Allah a été réalisée. Les prélèvements d'eau effectués mensuellement entre Octobre 2012 et Mars 2013 dans les trois stations et à différents points, ont été analysés selon des protocoles standardisés conformément aux normes. Les résultats ont montré que les paramètres physico-chimiques des eaux des trois stations prélevées au niveau des fontaines et du réservoir répondent aux normes marocaines en vigueur. Les analyses bactériologiques ont montré l’absence des germes pathogènes dans les eaux de fontaine des trois stations étudiées. Les eaux de piscine de la station Ain Allah ont présenté, une forte contamination par la flore mésophile et les indicateurs de pollution fécale (coliformes totaux, coliformes fécaux, Escherichia coli et les streptocoques fécaux) par rapport aux eaux de piscine de la station Moulay Yaâcoub qui présentent des densités très faibles. Cette charge bactérienne est liée essentiellement à la fréquentation de cette station par nombre important de baigneurs durant cette saison ainsi qu’à la température qui favorise la croissance des micro-organismes. L’utilisation de ces eaux pour la baignade pourrait être à l’origine de maladies transmises par les eaux de baignade. Ces piscines doivent donc être soumises à un contrôle régulier de la charge et de la nature de la flore microbienne de leurs eaux.Mots-clés: sidi harazem, moulay Yaâcoub, ain allah, physico-chimie, bactériologie, fès, Maroc. Physicochemical and bacteriological quality of three spas in Fez region (Morocco)Hot springs in Morocco are an invaluable wealth and are frequently used by the population for different purposes. The latter may be exposed to the risk of contamination by pathogens in poorly maintained spas. It is in this context, a study of the physico-chemical and bacteriological quality of three springs near Fez city: Sidi Harazem, Moulay Yaâcoub and Ain Allah was performed. Water samples collected monthly between October 2012 and March 2013 in the three stations and at different points were analyzed according to standardized and normalized protocols. The results showed that the physico-chemical parameters of the three station’s waters collected from fountain and reservoir meet Moroccan standards (NM 03.07.001/2006). Bacteriological analysis showed the absence of pathogens in the fountain’s water of the three studied stations. The swimming pool’s water of Ain Allah station presented a strong contamination by mesophilic flora and by faecal pollution indicators (total coliforms, fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli and faecal streptococci) comparing to the water of Moulay Yacoub station swimming pool which exhibit very low bacterial densities. This bacterial density is mainly related to the large number of bathers in this station during this season and also to the temperature that promotes the microorganism’sgrowth. The use of these waters for swimming could be the cause of diseases and illness transmitted by bathing waters. These swimming pools must be subject to regular monitoring of the density and the nature oftheir water’s microbial flora.Keywords: sidi harazem, moulay yaâcoub, ain allah, physico-chemical, bacteriology, fez, Morocco

Genetic variants on chromosome 19 (rs439401 and rs4420638) are associated with obesity and high blood pressure in the Algerian population

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) represents a combination of at least three primary metabolic abnormalities from among obesity, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and high blood pressure, once combined, they increase significantly the cardiovascular risk. The APOE gene is considered as a genetic risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, it has been linked to MetS or its traits in several populations. Our study aimed to analyze the association of three APOE gene polymorphisms with MetS risk and its components in a general population sample, and to highlight the potential influence of these polymorphisms on individual susceptibility to MetS. We performed this work using a population-based, cross-sectional study of a representative sample of 787 individuals (378 men and 409 women, aged between 30 and 64 years) recruited in the city of Oran, Algeria (the ISOR Study); the subjects were genotyped for four polymorphisms, rs7412, rs429358, rs4420638 and rs439401, located in the APOE gene, using the KASPar technology. rs439401 showed a significant association with hypertension (HBP). The T allele confers a high risk of hypertension with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.46 (95 % CI [1.12–1.9], p = 0.006). rs4420638 was significantly associated with obesity in the general population. The G allele provides protection against obesity, the resulting OR is 0.48 (95 % CI [0.29–0.81], p = 0.004). Although APOE variants were not associated with the risk of MetS, the APOE polymorphism alleles were associated with some of the metabolic parameters in Algerian subjects. The relation of APOE rs439401 alleles with a HBP is likely to be indicative of a state of stress of the population

Lack of association between genetic variants in the 19q13.32 region and CHD risk in the Algerian population: a population-based nested case-control study

Background: Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality over the world; intermediate traits associated with CHD commonly studied can be influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Objective: We found previously significant association between three genetic polymorphisms, and the lipid profile variations in the Algerian population. Considering these findings, we therefore decided to assess the relationships between these polymorphisms and CHD risk, Methods: We performed a population-based, cross-sectional study, of 787 individuals recruited in the city of Oran, in which, a nested case-control study for MetS, T2D, HBP, obesity and CHD were performed. Subjects were genotyped for four SNP rs7412, rs429358 rs4420638 and rs439401 located in the 19q13.32 region. Results: The T allele of rs439401 confers a high risk of hypertension with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.46 (95% CI [1.12-1.9], p = 0.006) and the G allele of rs4420638 was significantly associated with a decreased risk of obesity, OR 0.48 (95% CI [0.29-0.81], p = 0.004). No associations were found for MetS, T2D and CHD. Conclusion: Although the studied genetic variants were not associated with the risk of CHD, the 19q13.32 locus was associated with some of the cardiometabolic disorders in Algerian subjects

Trends in obesity and diabetes across Africa from 1980 to 2014: an analysis of pooled population-based studies

Background: The 2016 Dar Es Salaam Call to Action on Diabetes and Other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) advocates national multi-sectoral NCD strategies and action plans based on available data and information from countries of sub-Saharan Africa and beyond. We estimated trends from 1980 to 2014 in age-standardized mean body mass index (BMI) and diabetes prevalence in these countries, in order to assess the co-progression and assist policy formulation. Methods: We pooled data from African and worldwide population-based studies which measured height, weight and biomarkers to assess diabetes status in adults aged ≥ 18 years. A Bayesian hierarchical model was used to estimate trends by sex for 200 countries and territories including 53 countries across five African regions (central, eastern, northern, southern and western), in mean BMI and diabetes prevalence (defined as either fasting plasma glucose of ≥ 7.0 mmol/l, history of diabetes diagnosis, or use of insulin or oral glucose control agents). Results: African data came from 245 population-based surveys (1.2 million participants) for BMI and 76 surveys (182 000 participants) for diabetes prevalence estimates. Countries with the highest number of data sources for BMI were South Africa (n = 17), Nigeria (n = 15) and Egypt (n = 13); and for diabetes estimates, Tanzania (n = 8), Tunisia (n = 7), and Cameroon, Egypt and South Africa (all n = 6). The age-standardized mean BMI increased from 21.0 kg/m2 (95% credible interval: 20.3–21.7) to 23.0 kg/m2 (22.7–23.3) in men, and from 21.9 kg/m2 (21.3–22.5) to 24.9 kg/m2 (24.6–25.1) in women. The age-standardized prevalence of diabetes increased from 3.4% (1.5–6.3) to 8.5% (6.5–10.8) in men, and from 4.1% (2.0–7.5) to 8.9% (6.9–11.2) in women. Estimates in northern and southern regions were mostly higher than the global average; those in central, eastern and western regions were lower than global averages. A positive association (correlation coefficient ≃ 0.9) was observed between mean BMI and diabetes prevalence in both sexes in 1980 and 2014. Conclusions: These estimates, based on limited data sources, confirm the rapidly increasing burden of diabetes in Africa. This rise is being driven, at least in part, by increasing adiposity, with regional variations in observed trends. African countries’ efforts to prevent and control diabetes and obesity should integrate the setting up of reliable monitoring systems, consistent with the World Health Organization’s Global Monitoring System Framework

Worldwide trends in body-mass index, underweight, overweight, and obesity from 1975 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 2416 population-based measurement studies in 128·9 million children, adolescents, and adults.

BACKGROUND: Underweight, overweight, and obesity in childhood and adolescence are associated with adverse health consequences throughout the life-course. Our aim was to estimate worldwide trends in mean body-mass index (BMI) and a comprehensive set of BMI categories that cover underweight to obesity in children and adolescents, and to compare trends with those of adults. METHODS: We pooled 2416 population-based studies with measurements of height and weight on 128·9 million participants aged 5 years and older, including 31·5 million aged 5-19 years. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate trends from 1975 to 2016 in 200 countries for mean BMI and for prevalence of BMI in the following categories for children and adolescents aged 5-19 years: more than 2 SD below the median of the WHO growth reference for children and adolescents (referred to as moderate and severe underweight hereafter), 2 SD to more than 1 SD below the median (mild underweight), 1 SD below the median to 1 SD above the median (healthy weight), more than 1 SD to 2 SD above the median (overweight but not obese), and more than 2 SD above the median (obesity). FINDINGS: Regional change in age-standardised mean BMI in girls from 1975 to 2016 ranged from virtually no change (-0·01 kg/m2 per decade; 95% credible interval -0·42 to 0·39, posterior probability [PP] of the observed decrease being a true decrease=0·5098) in eastern Europe to an increase of 1·00 kg/m2 per decade (0·69-1·35, PP>0·9999) in central Latin America and an increase of 0·95 kg/m2 per decade (0·64-1·25, PP>0·9999) in Polynesia and Micronesia. The range for boys was from a non-significant increase of 0·09 kg/m2 per decade (-0·33 to 0·49, PP=0·6926) in eastern Europe to an increase of 0·77 kg/m2 per decade (0·50-1·06, PP>0·9999) in Polynesia and Micronesia. Trends in mean BMI have recently flattened in northwestern Europe and the high-income English-speaking and Asia-Pacific regions for both sexes, southwestern Europe for boys, and central and Andean Latin America for girls. By contrast, the rise in BMI has accelerated in east and south Asia for both sexes, and southeast Asia for boys. Global age-standardised prevalence of obesity increased from 0·7% (0·4-1·2) in 1975 to 5·6% (4·8-6·5) in 2016 in girls, and from 0·9% (0·5-1·3) in 1975 to 7·8% (6·7-9·1) in 2016 in boys; the prevalence of moderate and severe underweight decreased from 9·2% (6·0-12·9) in 1975 to 8·4% (6·8-10·1) in 2016 in girls and from 14·8% (10·4-19·5) in 1975 to 12·4% (10·3-14·5) in 2016 in boys. Prevalence of moderate and severe underweight was highest in India, at 22·7% (16·7-29·6) among girls and 30·7% (23·5-38·0) among boys. Prevalence of obesity was more than 30% in girls in Nauru, the Cook Islands, and Palau; and boys in the Cook Islands, Nauru, Palau, Niue, and American Samoa in 2016. Prevalence of obesity was about 20% or more in several countries in Polynesia and Micronesia, the Middle East and north Africa, the Caribbean, and the USA. In 2016, 75 (44-117) million girls and 117 (70-178) million boys worldwide were moderately or severely underweight. In the same year, 50 (24-89) million girls and 74 (39-125) million boys worldwide were obese. INTERPRETATION: The rising trends in children's and adolescents' BMI have plateaued in many high-income countries, albeit at high levels, but have accelerated in parts of Asia, with trends no longer correlated with those of adults. FUNDING: Wellcome Trust, AstraZeneca Young Health Programme

Repositioning of the global epicentre of non-optimal cholesterol

High blood cholesterol is typically considered a feature of wealthy western countries(1,2). However, dietary and behavioural determinants of blood cholesterol are changing rapidly throughout the world(3) and countries are using lipid-lowering medications at varying rates. These changes can have distinct effects on the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol, which have different effects on human health(4,5). However, the trends of HDL and non-HDL cholesterol levels over time have not been previously reported in a global analysis. Here we pooled 1,127 population-based studies that measured blood lipids in 102.6 million individuals aged 18 years and older to estimate trends from 1980 to 2018 in mean total, non-HDL and HDL cholesterol levels for 200 countries. Globally, there was little change in total or non-HDL cholesterol from 1980 to 2018. This was a net effect of increases in low- and middle-income countries, especially in east and southeast Asia, and decreases in high-income western countries, especially those in northwestern Europe, and in central and eastern Europe. As a result, countries with the highest level of non-HDL cholesterol-which is a marker of cardiovascular riskchanged from those in western Europe such as Belgium, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Malta in 1980 to those in Asia and the Pacific, such as Tokelau, Malaysia, The Philippines and Thailand. In 2017, high non-HDL cholesterol was responsible for an estimated 3.9 million (95% credible interval 3.7 million-4.2 million) worldwide deaths, half of which occurred in east, southeast and south Asia. The global repositioning of lipid-related risk, with non-optimal cholesterol shifting from a distinct feature of high-income countries in northwestern Europe, north America and Australasia to one that affects countries in east and southeast Asia and Oceania should motivate the use of population-based policies and personal interventions to improve nutrition and enhance access to treatment throughout the world.Peer reviewe