Effects of Conditioning Temperature on Pellet Quality of Nursery Pig Diets

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of conditioning temperature on pellet durability index (PDI) and pellet hardness. A phase 1 swine nursery diet was formulated to contain 25% spray-dried whey. The diet was manufactured and pelleted at the Kansas State University O.H. Kruse Feed Technology and Innovation Center, Manhattan, KS. The treatments consisted of three different conditioning temperatures: 130, 145, and 160°F. Diets were steam conditioned (10 in width × 55 in length Wenger twin staff pre-conditioner, Model 150) for approximately 30 sec on a 1-ton 30-horsepower pellet mill (1012-2 HD Master Model, California Pellet Mill) with a 3/16 in × 1 1/4 in pellet die (L:D 6.7). Treatments were pelleted at 3 separate time points to provide 3 replicates per treatment. Samples were collected directly after discharging from the pellet mill and cooled in an experimental counterflow cooler. Samples were analyzed for PDI using the Holmen NHP 100 (TekPro Ltd, Norfolk, UK) in duplicate for each replicate. Pellet hardness was determined by evaluating the peak amount of force applied before the first signs of fracture. Pellets were crushed perpendicular to their longitudinal axis using a texture analyzer. A total of 30 pellets of similar length were selected at random from each replication to be tested and the force needed to crush each pellet was averaged within replication. Although conditioning temperature was increased in a linear fashion, a quadratic increase (P \u3c 0.002) in hot pellet temperature was observed. Increasing conditioning temperature resulted in increased (linear, P \u3c 0.045) PDI and pellet hardness. There was a tendency for a low correlation (P \u3c 0.076, r = 0.618, r2 = 0.382) between pellet hardness and PDI. Overall, increasing the conditioning temperature increased both pellet hardness and pellet durability; however, these two responses were not strongly correlated. Future research and more data need to be generated to determine the relationship between PDI and pellet hardness at varying levels of pellet quality to determine what factors influence this relationship

Examining exercise dependence symptomatology from a self-determination perspective

Background: Based on the theoretical propositions of Self-Determination Theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 1985) this study examined whether individuals classified as “nondependent-symptomatic” and “nondependent-asymptomatic” for exercise dependence differed in terms of the level of exercise-related psychological need satisfaction and self-determined versus controlling motivation they reported. Further, we examined if the type of motivational regulations predicting exercise behaviour differed among these groups. Methods: Participants (N = 339), recruited from fitness, community, and retail settings, completed measures of exercise-specific psychological need satisfaction, motivational regulations, exercise behaviour and exercise dependence. Results: Individuals who were nondependent-symptomatic for exercise dependence reported higher levels of competence need satisfaction and all forms of motivational regulation, compared to nondependent-asymptomatic individuals. Introjected regulation approached significance as a positive predictor of strenuous exercise behaviour for symptomatic individuals. Identified regulation was a positive predictor of strenuous exercise for asymptomatic individuals. Conclusions: The findings reinforce the applicability of SDT to understanding engagement in exercise

The Effects of Coarse Corn Inclusion in Broiler Diets on Pellet Quality

Previous research has demonstrated the benefits of including large grain particle size in poultry diets on gizzard and gastrointestinal tract development. However, including these larger particles may decrease pellet integrity. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of coarse corn inclusion level on pellet quality. A corn soybean meal-based finisher broiler diet with 1.5% mixer added fat was used in this experiment. Treatments were created by replacing 600 μm corn with 1,200 μm coarse rolled corn at 0, 10, 20, or 30% of the diet. Mash treatments were pelleted using a 30-horsepower pellet mill (Model 1012-2 HD, California Pellet Mill) equipped with a 3/16 × 1 ¼ in. die. Pelleting order was randomized within each replicate with 3 replicates per treatment. Target conditioning temperature was 185°F for 30 s retention time at a 34 lb/min production rate. Samples were analyzed for hot pellet temperature (HPT), fine to pellet ratio (%fines) and pellet durability index (PDI) using the standard tumble box (STD) and Holmen NHP100 (NHP) for 60 s. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. There were no differences among analyzed variables as the inclusion level of coarse corn was increased (P \u3e 0.05). The %fines and PDI remained similar across treatments, regardless of method. In conclusion, increasing the concentration of coarse corn from 0 to 30% did not influence PDI

Effect of Dietary Formic Acid and Lignosulfonate on Pellet Quality

Nursery pig diets are pelleted to improve handling characteristics and pig performance. Feeding good quality pellets is important to achieve the maximum improvements in growth performance. Therefore, it is important to determine how feed additives included in nursery pig diets influence pellet quality. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of formic acid and lignosulfonate (LignoTech USA) inclusion in nursery pig diets on pelleting characteristics, pellet quality, and diet pH. The 5 treat­ments consisted of a control, or the control plus 2 concentrations of added formic acid (0.36% or 0.60%), or the control plus two combinations of 60% formic acid and 40% lignosulfonate (0.60% or 1.0%). Diets were steam conditioned (10 × 55 in, Wenger twin shaft pre-conditioner, Model 150) for approximately 30 s and pelleted on a 1-ton 30-horsepower pellet mill (1012-2 HD Master Model, California Pellet Mill) with a 3/16 × 1 ¼ in pellet die (length:diameter ratio of 6.67). The production rate was set at 1,984 lb/h. Treatments were pelleted at 3 separate time points to provide 3 replicates per treatment. Samples were collected directly after discharging from the pellet mill and cooled in an experimental counterflow cooler. Pellet samples were analyzed for pellet durability index using the Holmen NHP 100 (TekPro Ltd, Norfolk, UK) and stan­dard and modified tumble box methods. Pellet hardness was determined by evaluating the peak amount of force applied before the first signs of fracture. Pellets were crushed perpendicular to their longitudinal axis using a texture analyzer (Model TA-XT2, Stable Micro Systems Godalming, UK). Pellet samples were analyzed for pH via poten­tiometer and electrodes (AACC Method 02-52.01). Voltage and amperage data was collected via Supco DVCV Logger (Supco, Allenwood, NJ) and used to calculate pellet mill energy consumption (kWh/ton). Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure in SAS v. 9.4, with pelleting run as the experimental unit. Increasing formic acid in the diet decreased pH (P \u3c 0.001) by 0.6 to 0.8 in low formic acid diets and by 1 point in the high formic acid diets. When adding formic acid or lignosulfonate to the diet, no evidence for differences was observed for pellet mill energy consumption, production rate, hot pellet temperature, or pellet durability regardless of testing method or pellet hardness. In conclusion, pellet quality was not influenced by formic acid or lignosulfo­nate, and as expected pH decreased as the level of formic acid increased

Moisture Content Throughout the Pelleting Process and Subsequent Effects on Pellet Quality

This experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of steam addition to the condi­tioner on moisture content throughout the pelleting process and subsequent effects on pellet quality. Treatments consisted of diets pelleted with no steam and steam added to achieve conditioning temperatures of 145 and 190°F. Conditioner retention time was set at 30 s and diets were pelleted with a ¼ × 2 ½ inch pellet die. Pellet samples were collected and immediately placed in an experimental counterflow cooler for 15 min. All treatments were replicated at 3 separate time points to provide 3 replicates per treatment. Mash, conditioned mash, hot pellets, and cooled pellet samples were collected for moisture content analysis, and cooled pellets for pellet durability index (PDI). Data were analyzed with pelleting run as the experimental unit and time period as the blocking factor. Moisture samples were analyzed as a 3 × 4 factorial of steam-conditioning and sample location. There was a steam-conditioning × sample interaction (P \u3c 0.01) for moisture. Moisture in mash samples was similar for all treatments. For the no steam treatment, there was no difference in moisture content between the mash, conditioned mash, and hot pellets; however, moisture decreased in cooled pellets. For the 145°F treatment, there was an increase in moisture from mash to conditioned mash, followed by a decrease in both hot pellets and cooled pellets. For the 190°F treatment, moisture increased from mash to conditioned mash, and decreased in hot pellets and cooled pellets. Increasing conditioning temperature from no steam to 190°F increased (P \u3c 0.01) PDI from 3.3, 59.1, to 91.1%, respectively. In conclusion, increasing feed temperature from 97.2 to 190°F via steam addition increased the conditioned mash moisture content by 4.2%, resulting in improved pellet quality

'Working out’ identity: distance runners and the management of disrupted identity

This article contributes fresh perspectives to the empirical literature on the sociology of the body, and of leisure and identity, by analysing the impact of long-term injury on the identities of two amateur but serious middle/long-distance runners. Employing a symbolic interactionist framework,and utilising data derived from a collaborative autoethnographic project, it explores the role of ‘identity work’ in providing continuity of identity during the liminality of long-term injury and rehabilitation, which poses a fundamental challenge to athletic identity. Specifically, the analysis applies Snow and Anderson’s (1995) and Perinbanayagam’s (2000) theoretical conceptualisations in order to examine the various forms of identity work undertaken by the injured participants, along the dimensions of materialistic, associative and vocabularic identifications. Such identity work was found to be crucial in sustaining a credible sporting identity in the face of disruption to the running self, and in generating momentum towards the goal of restitution to full running fitness and reengagement with a cherished form of leisure. KEYWORDS: identity work, symbolic interactionism, distance running, disrupted identit

Effectiveness of an online group course for adolescents and young adults with depressive symptoms: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Depression is a common condition whose first onset is usually in late adolescence or early adulthood. Internet-based interventions are an effective treatment approach to depression. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of a Dutch online cognitive-behavioural group course known as Master Your Mood (<it>Grip op Je Dip</it>) for young people reporting depressive symptoms. Secondary research questions involve maintenance of effect at 6 months, mediators, and predictors of better outcomes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We will conduct a randomised controlled trial (RCT) in which 244 young people aged 16-25 are randomly allocated to the Grip op Je Dip (GOJD) online group course or to a waiting list control group. The participants will be recruited from the general population. The primary outcome measure will be the severity of depressive symptoms according to the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Other outcomes will include anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety, HADS) and mastery (Mastery Scale). Assessments will take place in both groups at baseline and three months later. Effect maintenance will be studied in the GOJD group six months after baseline, with missing data imputed using the expectation-maximisation method. Mediators and predictors of better outcomes will also be identified.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The trial should add to the body of knowledge on the effectiveness of Internet-based interventions for depression. To our knowledge, this will be the first RCT on an online group intervention in this field.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p><a href="http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=NTR1694">NTR1694</a></p

"More than just a run in the park": an exploration of parkrun as a shared leisure space

Over the last 13 years, parkrun has grown from a small time trial in Bushy Park, London, to become a global social movement. During this time, much has been claimed about the potential health-related benefits from participating, but comparatively little attention has been given to the social reasons for attending. The aim of this study was to better understand the meanings of participation for both runners and volunteers using an intrinsic case study that focused on a specific event, Colwick parkrun in Nottingham, England. Building on literature that positions leisure sites as third places, the article seeks to enhance our understanding of parkrun as a community-based initiative. Data collection included observation, participant observation, semi-structured interviews (N = 19), and a survey (N = 235). Several themes emerged, suggesting that participation in parkrun provides an inclusive leisure space for casual sociability, as well as facilitating a shared experience of exercising with others

Specialized inpatient treatment of adult anorexia nervosa: effectiveness and clinical significance of changes

Background: Previous studies have predominantly evaluated the effectiveness of inpatient treatment for anorexia nervosa at the group level. The aim of this study was to evaluate treatment outcomes at an individual level based on the clinical significance of improvement. Patients' treatment outcomes were classified into four groups: deteriorated, unchanged, reliably improved and clinically significantly improved. Furthermore, the study set out to explore predictors of clinically significant changes in eating disorder psychopathology. Methods: A total of 435 inpatients were assessed at admission and at discharge on the following measures: body-mass-index, eating disorder symptoms, general psychopathology, depression and motivation for change. Results: 20.0-32.0% of patients showed reliable changes and 34.1-55.3% showed clinically significant changes in the various outcome measures. Between 23.0% and 34.5% remained unchanged and between 1.7% and 3.0% deteriorated. Motivation for change and depressive symptoms were identified as positive predictors of clinically significant changes in eating disorder psychopathology, whereas body dissatisfaction, impulse regulation, social insecurity and education were negative predictors. Conclusions: Despite high rates of reliable and clinically significant changes following intensive inpatient treatment, about one third of anorexia nervosa patients showed no significant response to treatment. Future studies should focus on the identification of non-responders as well as on the development of treatment strategies for these patients