Pre- and pro-biotics may improve mineral absorption and retention in the growing male rat : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Nutritional Science at Massey University, Turitea, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Probiotics are bacteria, which reside in the large intestine and concur beneficial health effects on their host. Their abundance can be selectively-stimulated by prebiotics, such as fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS); prebiotics are oligosaccharides, which are not digested in the small intestine, but pass into the large intestine where they are fermented into short-chain fatty acids. Several studies have suggested that prebiotics may improve mineral absorption. This study aimed to determine the effects of pro- and pre-biotic supplementation on mineral absorption and bone quality in growing male rats. Sixty three-week old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomised into five groups and fed either a high-calcium milk powder (HCMP) with or without a probiotic added (groups were subsequently named HCMP - and HCMP + respectively), or HCMP and vitamin K with or without the probiotic (HCMPK - and HCMPK +), or the HCMP with FOS replacing the sucrose in other diets, and the probiotic (the dietary group was named FOS). Animals were maintained on diets for 10 weeks. Balance studies were carried out during weeks 3 - 4 and 8 - 9 of the study. The earlier balance study suggested that dietary interventions may affect mineral absorption. The latter balance study, however, showed no discernable differences between groups. Several reasons were postulated for this. Active-absorption may have been down-regulated as a result of long-term supplementation, or an increased abundance of probiotics could cause an elevation of nutritional demands. Alternatively, supplementation may not prove beneficial once animals had passed their period of peak absorption. Bone resorption and formation did not appear to have been altered as a result of dietary intervention, when measured after 10-weeks. Bone mineral density and content, calcium, magnesium, zinc and ash contents and bone biomechanical testing also showed no significant differences between dietary groups. Further research is required to determine whether results obtained were due to long-term supplementation and / or due to the joint-supplementation of pre- and pro-biotics

The NASA pollution-reduction technology program for small jet aircraft engines

Three advanced combustor concepts, designed for the AiResearch TFE 731-2 turbofan engine, were evaluated in screening tests. Goals for carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons were met or closely approached with two of the concepts with relatively modest departures from conventional combustor design practices. A more advanced premixing/prevaporizing combustor, while appearing to have the potential for meeting the oxides of nitrogen goal as well, will require extensive development to make it a practical combustion system. Smoke numbers for the two combustor concepts were well within the EPA smoke standard. Phase 2, Combustor-Engine Compatibility Testing, which is in its early stages, and planned Phase 3, Combustor-Engine Demonstration Testing, are also described

The NASA broad-specification fuels combustion technology program: An assessment of phase 1 test results

An assessment is made of the results of Phase 1 screening testing of current and advanced combustion system concepts using several broadened-properties fuels. The severity of each of several fuels-properties effects on combustor performance or liner life is discussed, as well as design techniques with the potential to offset these adverse effects. The selection of concepts to be pursued in Phase 2 refinement testing is described. This selection takes into account the relative costs and complexities of the concepts, the current outlook on pollutant emissions control, and practical operational problems

NASA broad-specification fuels combustion technology program: Status and description

The program presented is a contracted effort to evolve and demonstrate the technology required to utilize broad-specification fuels in current and next generation commercial Conventional Takeoff and Landing aircraft engines, and to verify this technology in full-scale engine tests in 1983. The program consists of three phases: Combustor Concept Screening, Combustor Optimization Testing, and Engine Verification Testing. The development and screening of the combustion system designs for the CF6-80 engine and the JT9D-7 engine, respectively, in high-pressure sector test rigs are reported

Performance of an annual combustor designed for a low-cost turbojet engine

Performance tests were conducted on a combustor designed for use in a low-cost turbojet engine. Low-cost features included the use of very inexpensive simplex fuel nozzles and combustor liners of perforated sheet material. Combustion efficiencies at the altitude-cruise and sea-level design points were approximately 94 and 96 percent, respectively. The combustor isothermal total-pressure loss was 8.8 percent at the altitude-cruise-condition diffuser-inlet Mach number of 0.335. The combustor-exit temperature pattern factor was less than 0.3 at the altitude-cruise, sea-level-cruise, and sea-level-static design conditions. The combustor-exit average radial temperature profiles at all conditions were in very good agreement with the design profile. The intense mixing required because of the very high combustor heat-release rate had an adverse effect on ignition capability at altitude windmilling design conditions

Banks on Board

As part of a series of related papers, the authors examine the conceptual foundations of German and American corporate governance, specifically highlighting the role of banks' relationships to corporations and the stock market. This paper focuses on how the regulatory and macroeconomic environments of the two countries helped shape how banks, especially money-centred bankers, actually interacted with their clients. Prior to 1914, despite many regulatory obstacles, American banks wielded more power over U.S. corporations than the legendary German ones because they had more “opportunities” for intervention. The U.S. suffered larger booms and busts (“panics” and bankruptcies), had more foreign investment, as well as saw more corporate consolidation than in Germany. By contrast, German companies seemed to have less need for active bank management and largely maintained their distance from activist banks, although German banks could potentially wield great power through board membership and proxy voting. Additionally, German regulators and investors turned more readily to banks to bolster controls on equity and debt capital markets to dampen dangerous speculation of “productive assets.” They encouraged banks to play a crucial intermediary role in solving the agency problem in firms and correcting the perceived weaknesses of financial markets—unlike U.S. regulators. Germans also expected banks to save companies from financial distress, but these occasions were more rare in Germany than in the United States. Surprisingly, the debates in Germany and the U.S. about the role of banks had many common features, yet the two countries increasingly found alternative solutions to classic corporate governance dilemmas. Whereas American regulators tended to suspect banks' insider relationship with companies and stock markets, and then endeavored to destroy this “money trust,” German regulators turned to banks as institutional stabilizers to tame market turbulence and speculation. Over time, they bolstered rather than undermined banks' special relationship to firms and capital markets. Key institutional choices set the stage for a much greater divergence during the interwar period.banking ; corporate governance

Experience of a tutor centric model for sonography training of emergency department registrars in an Australian urban emergency department 2009–2012

Purpose: To assess the impact of a regular sonographer proctored training program for emergency medicine trainees in the use of Emergency Department bedside ultrasound Methods: Emergency Department (ED) Registrars in the Swan District Hospital ED were provided with proctored instruction in bedside ultrasound in performance of extended focused assessment sonography in trauma (eFAST) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) detection. Training was conducted by credentialed sonographers for individual trainees in a 1:1 or 1:2 setting for 1 hour on a weekly basis. Registrars who trained in the Department between Jan 2009 to Dec 2012 were invited to participate in a survey conducted between June-August 2013 designed to assess the impact of training on their confidence and use of bedside sonography. Results: Registrars reported increased perception of their skill level in AAA and eFAST post-training. High levels of confidence in their ability to adjust machine settings for image optimization, recognition of free fluid in the abdomen and ability to recognise an AAA were also reported. The participants that completed at least 10 hours of training and at least 20 scans showed significantly greater improvement in their perception of skill and confidence levels than those with less time. Registrars reported training was of significant benefit, improving their confidence in obtaining good quality images and their understanding of the equipment, which contributed to them obtaining accreditation. Benefits were ongoing and 50% of participants reported using ultrasound in clinical practice at least 3 times per week and a further 30% at least weekly after leaving ED. Conclusion: Proctored training in the clinical context for ED registrars resulted in improvement in skills, confidence and willingness to maintain skills through practice in the clinical context over the long-term

Representativeness of samples from general practice lists in epidemiological studies: case-control study

Ethical constraints often prevent epidemiological studies from evaluating the impact of non-participation. Particular problems may arise when subjects fail to respond to an approach by researchers or when they cannot be contacted because of inaccurate contact details or a doctor's refusal to give permission for their patient to be approached. If these subjects differ from those subjects who agree or decline to participate then the validity and generalisability of the study may be compromised. We investigated these issues in a case-control study of acute leukaemia in England

Vitamin K policies and midwifery practice: questionnaire survey

Objectives: To investigate policies on neonatal vitamin K and their implementation. Design: Two phase postal survey. Setting: United Kingdom. Participants: A 10% random sample of midwives registered with the United Kingdom Central Council for nursing, midwifery, and health visiting. Of 3191 midwives in the sample, 2515 (79%) responded to phase one and 2294 (72%) completed questionnaires on their current jobs (November 1998 to May 1999). In phase two, 853 (62%) of 1383 eligible midwives gave details on 2179 of their earliest jobs (start dates before 1990). Results: All the midwives in clinical practice at the time of the survey (2271, 99%) reported that they were working in areas with official policies on neonatal vitamin K. Seven distinct policies were described: intramuscular vitamin K for all babies (1159, 51.0%); intramuscular vitamin K for babies at "high risk," oral for others (470, 20.7%); oral vitamin K for all babies (323, 14.2%); parental choice for all (124, 5.5%); parental choice for all except babies at high risk, (119, 5.2%); intramuscular vitamin K for babies at high risk only (33, 1.5%); oral vitamin K for babies at high risk only (17, 0.7%); and a disparate group of policies including intravenous vitamin K for some babies (26, 1.1%). Previous policies were (and some may still be) open to individual interpretation and were not always followed. Conclusions: Hospital policy is not necessarily a good guide to individual practice. The primary purpose of clinical records is to document patient care, and recording practices reflect this. There is considerable variation in vitamin K policies and midwifery practice in the United Kingdom, and there is no clear consensus on which babies should receive vitamin K intramuscularly

Of Aristocrats and Courtesans: Seneca, De Beneficiis 1.14

Using Seneca's analogy of the prostitute as a positive model for the distribution of beneficia as a springboard, this article re-examines the tension between the ideals and practices of the exchange mechanisms of amicitia amongst Rome'e elite