Reproducibility and validity of a diet quality index for children assessed using a FFQ

The diet quality index (DQI) for preschool children is a new index developed to reflect compliance with four main food-based dietary guidelines for preschool children in Flanders. The present study investigates: (1) the validity of this index by comparing DQI scores for preschool children with nutrient intakes, both of which were derived from 3d estimated diet records; (2) the reproducibility of the DQI for preschoolers based on a parentally reported forty-seven-item FFQ DQI, which was repeated after 5 weeks; (3) the relative validity of the FFQ DQI with 3d record DQI scores as reference. The study sample included 510 and 58 preschoolers (2-5-6.5 years) for validity and reproducibility analyses, respectively. Increasing 3d record DQI scores were associated with decreasing consumption of added sugars, and increasing intakes of fibre, water, Ca and many micronutrients. Mean FFQ DQI test-retest scores were not significantly different: 72 (so 11) v. 71 (Si) 10) (P-=0-218) out of a maximum of 100. Mean 3d record DQI score (66 (so 10)) was significantly lower than mean FFQ DQI (71 (so 10);

2.5 V 35 dBm IIP3 75 MHz sixth-order active RC filter

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Settlement of Macoma balthica larvae in response to benthic diatom films

The role of multi-species benthic diatom films (BDF) in the settlement of late pediveliger larvae of the bivalve Macoma balthica was investigated in still-water bioassays and multiple choice flume experiments. Axenic diatom cultures that were isolated from a tidal mudflat inhabited by M. balthica were selected to develop BDF sediment treatments characterized by a different community structure, biomass, and amount of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Control sediments had no added diatoms. Although all larvae settled and initiated burrowing within the first minute after their addition in still water, regardless of treatment, only 48-52% had completely penetrated the high diatom biomass treatments after 5 min, while on average 80 and 69% of the larvae had settled and burrowed into the control sediments and BDF with a low diatom biomass (<3.5 mu g Chl a g(-1) dry sediment), respectively. The percentage of larvae settling and burrowing into the sediment was negatively correlated with the concentration of Chl a and EPS of the BDF. This suggests higher physical resistance to bivalve penetration by the BDF with higher diatom biomass and more associated sugar and protein compounds. The larval settlement rate in annular flume experiments at flow velocities of 5 and 15 cm s(-1) was distinctly lower compared to the still-water assays. Only 4.6-5.8% of the larvae were recovered from BDF and control sediments after 3 h. Nonetheless, a clear settlement preference was observed for BDF in the flume experiments; i.e., larvae settled significantly more in BDF compared to control sediments irrespective of flow speed. Comparison with the settlement of polystyrene mimics and freeze-killed larvae led to the conclusion that active selection, active secondary dispersal and, at low flow velocities (5 cm s(-1)), passive adhesion to the sediment are important mechanisms determining the settlement of M. balthica larvae in estuarine biofilms

Investigation of vertical slamming on point absorbers

This paper focuses on the impact of vertical slamming on floating point absorber systems and the associated pressures that might be expected when these phenomena occur. In a first part it will be shown how the occurrence probability of slamming can be reduced by implementing a slamming restriction, i.e. by controlling the motion of the point absorber. The impact of these slamming restrictions on power absorption will be discussed. Secondly an investigation is made of the pressures that occur when the buoys are subject to vertical bottom slamming. Analytical results are presented, which give a pressure prediction of an impacting body with conical and hemispherical shape, using Wagner theory. Laboratory experiments have been carried out at Ghent University. Impact pressures were measured during drop tests with both hemispherical and conical buoy shapes. These pressures were measured by ICP pressure sensors with a range up to 345 kPa with small membrane and very high resonance frequency (> 250 kHz). Analytical and physical results are compared and conclusions are drawn

Evolution and biogeography of the Pavetteae tribe

With over 700 species, the Pavetteae are one o f the largest tribes in the subfamily Dialypetalanthoideae (formerly: Ixoroideae). Pavetteae representatives are characterized by a high morphological variation, especially regarding the reproductive characters (e.g., number of seeds per fruit, seed type and placentation). Representatives of the tribe occur throughout the Paleotropics in humid and dry vegetation types. In the Asian-Pacific región ca 300 species are currently described whereas on continental Africa and Madagascar (and Western Indian Ocean Islands) ca 350 and ca 80 species are present, respectively. Recently many new genera have been recognized among the Malagasy Pavetteae species (e.g. Tulearia). In addition, it is clear that within the paleotropical genus Tarenna there will be a split into different genera. Not only is the taxonomic history of the tribe rather complicated, also the biogeographical history and evolutionary patterns of the tribe remain understudied to date. Molecular phylogenetics combined with age inference methods, diversificaron analyses and ancestral area reconstruction clearly indicate that current diversity of the Pavetteae is the result of several dispersal events within the Paleotropical region. Moreover, several shifts in ecological preference have likely driven the evolutionary history within the Pavetteae