The effect of dietary non-starch polysaccharide level and bile acid supplementation on fat digestibility and the bile acid balance in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

This study investigated in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) if dietary bile acid supplementation is effective in restoring hampered fat digestibility related to conditions that enhance fecal bile acid loss (i.e., high dietary non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) level and high feeding level). Four diets were formulated according to a two-by-two factorial design. A Low- and High-NSP level (0 vs. 160 g kg-1 inclusion of a NSP-rich ingredient mixture) and two bile acid supplementation levels (0 vs. 2 g kg-1 inclusion of sodium taurocholate) were tested. A contrast in feeding level (i.e., feed intake) was created by subsequently feeding fish restrictively (1.1% BW d-1) for four weeks and to satiation for three weeks. The apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of all nutrients was affected by feeding period (i.e., restricted vs. satiation feeding), but the effect was dependent on diet composition with the ADC decline between feeding periods being larger for the High-NSP diets. The ADC of all macronutrients decreased alongside dietary NSP level, but this decrease was much more pronounced for fat compared to starch and protein, especially during satiation feeding (6.7%). This large drop in fat ADC during satiation feeding of NSP-rich diets occurred alongside enhanced fecal bile acid loss and correlated with a negative bile acid balance. The correlation between the bile acid balance and fat ADC found during satiation feeding of diets without bile acid supplementation was not present in fish fed diets with bile acid supplementation. In contrast to fat ADC, the ADC of protein and starch were independent from bile acid supplementation. In conclusion, dietary bile acid supplementation is an effective way to remediate decreased fat ADC related to enhanced fecal bile acid loss in rainbow trout, but is not effective in improving protein and starch ADC.</p

Issues in Submission and Certification of Variations

The valuation of variation is a critical aspect in the post contract stage. The Contractor has to carry out the works according to issued variation order or on the instructions given by the Engineer even without having the approval. The Contractor might be paid a percentage on the submitted price until cost proposal is certified by the Engineer. The submission and certification process is delayed on most of the projects and this will lead the Contractor to suffer losses from the project. The researcher attempted to review the time gap between variation submission and certification, using a documentary survey of completed building projects. Content analysis of the documents exposed delay in certification period of several variations, those had generated payment delay to Contractor, and identified the loss of opportunity cost as the ultimate effect. Further, the author identified the issues which caused delays in submission and certification of cost variations, and probable solutions to mitigate those issues. In order to achieve above facts, interview survey was carried out with professionals, who had experience in variation management of building construction field. The issues of delay in variation submission and certification procedure in Sri Lankan industry, and solutions for those issues were derived via analysis of the content of conducted interviews. Finally “Variation Procedure Guideline” was proposed and validated with the participation of experts. Author recommended that a proper variation procedure is required to control and certify the value of variation according to the proposed guideline to manage the situation without conflicts. Further, maintain the positive relationship between project stakeholders and contribution of government as the regulatory body will be essential to overcome from mentioned issues.International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB

Use of an Object-Oriented System for Optimizing Life Cycle Embodied Energy and Life Cycle Material Cost of Shopping Centres

Shopping centres are an integral part and a critical component of urban cities in most economies. Typically, the shorter refurbishment cycle and frequent tenant replacements in shopping centres cause excessive use of building materials over its service life. This drastic use of resources, consequently, increase life cycle embodied energy (LCEE) and life cycle material cost (LCMC) of shopping centres. Therefore, careful selection of materials is vital to reduce the negative environmental impacts and material costs. Current research on the implications of material choices on LCEE and LCMC of shopping centres are insubstantial and decisions makers are left with limited information to make better selections. Therefore, selection of energy efficient, cost-effective and environmentally responsive materials and assemblies has been a critical process for the professionals who are involved in decision-making. This paper proposes the use of object-oriented programming (OOP) to develop a mathematical model to develop combinations of building assemblies with minimum LCEE and LCMC of shopping centres through material selection. The model is based for sub-regional shopping centres in Australia, yet can be applied for any similar property type with modifications to databases and model architecture. However, scope of this paper is limited to the development of model architecture with detailed explanations on databases and computing core development. Even though, the detailed presentation of development of OOP structure pro-vides proper insight to the mathematical core for future application

Does Processing have a Considerable Effect on the Nutritional and Functional Properties of Mung Bean (Vigna Radiata)?

AbstractMung bean is an important grain legume which is rich in nutrients and other bioactive compounds with many beneficial physiological effects. However, the effect of processing on properties of mung bean has not been widely studied in Sri Lanka. In the current study, effect of processing (boiling and sprouting) on some nutritional and functional properties of mung bean was investigated in comparison with raw mung bean. Mung bean seeds (Vigna radiata), varity MI6 were obtained from the Government Seed Center, Dambulla, Sri Lanka. Proximate composition, gross energy, insoluble dietary fibre (IDF) and soluble dietary fibre (SDF) contents,total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), α-amylase inhibition capacity, DPPH and ABTS scavenging activities were determined. Crude Protein (CP) content of boiled mung bean was significantly (p<0.05) lower than that of raw mung bean while it was significantly (p<0.05) higher in sprouted mung bean than raw mung bean. Crude fat content (CF) was significantly (p< 0.05) lower in sprouted mung bean when compared to raw mung bean. IDF contents in raw mung bean was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that in sprouted and boiled mung bean whereas, SDF content in boiled and sprouted mung bean were significantly (p<0.05) higher than that in raw mung bean.processing significantly (p<0.05) reduced antioxidant activity and total phenol content compared to raw mung bean. However, flavonoids could only be detected in sprouted mung bean. Further, α-amylase inhibition in sprouted mung bean was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that in boiled mung bean. In conclusion, processing (boiling and sprouting) influences the CP content, CF content, dietary fibre content, antioxidant capacity, α-amylase inhibition and fermentation ability in mung bean

Improving material selection in shopping centres through a parametric life cycle embodied flow and material cost analysis model

Shopping centres are significant built assets and part of the urban fabric in most developed economies. Yet very few studies have conducted a life cycle assessment of shopping centres, despite them using significant amounts of energy and resources throughout their life cycle. This paper presents a parametric model that quantifies the life cycle embodied flow (LCEF) and material cost (LCMC) of Australian shopping centres to inform material selection. Different combinations of building materials and assemblies are identified with minimum LCEF and LCMC for 13 different shop categories typical in shopping centres. The parametric model is used to simulate a case study centre which tests and analyses over 8820 scenarios and delivers benchmark values for the LCEF and LCMC of shopping centres. It shows that a typical centre using concrete and steel, average embodied flow intensities are 14.2 GJ/m2 and 830 kgCO2e/m2. It further demonstrates recurrent embodied flow, which is currently disregarded, is significant and represents up to 56% of the LCEF of a shopping centre over a period of 50 years. Results show that specific assembly combinations could achieve up to 32% LCEF reductions while saving up to 17% on material costs. Foundations and roof structure are identified as the most crucial of building elements for reducing embodied flow in the centre structure. This paper contributes to the embodied environmental impact assessment efforts and the energy-cost nexus by facilitating the appraisal and demonstrating broader societal impacts in making the built environment more economically and environmentally sustainable