University students' notebook computer use: lessons learned using e-diaries to report musculoskeletal discomfort

The objective of this pilot study was to identify if notebook accessories (ergonomic chair, desktop monitor and notebook riser) combined with a wireless keyboard, mouse and participatory ergonomics training would have the greatest impact on reducing self-reported upper extremity musculoskeletal discomfort in university students. In addition to pre-post computing and health surveys, the Ecological Momentary Assessment was used to capture change in discomfort over time using a personal digital assistant (PDA) as the e-diary. The PDA was programmed with a survey containing 45 questions. Four groups of university students were randomised to either intervention (three external computer accessories) or to control. Participants reported less discomfort with the ergonomic chair and notebook riser based on the pre-post survey data and the e-diary/PDA ANOVA analysis. However, the PDA data, adjusted for the effect of hours per day of computer use, showed no benefit of the chair and limited benefit from the riser. Statement of Relevance:University students' use of notebook computers has increased. This study found evidence of a positive effect of an adjustable chair or notebook riser when combined with ergonomic training on reducing discomfort. Daily notebook computer use of 4?h was confirmed as a risk factor. Without some form of ergonomic intervention, these students are likely to enter the workforce with poor computing habits, which places them on the road to future injuries as technology continues to play a dominant role in their lives.     

Resilience management practices for electric utilities and extreme weather

This paper describes management practices of a model resilient electric utility that can serve as a framework for advancing planning and preparation for extreme weather and climate hazards. The framework focuses on practices grouped into eight domains progressing through five levels of maturity. For each domain, a discussion of resilience management practices is provided along with examples. By assessing its maturity level and taking steps to increase it, a utility can realize increased resilience benefits.     

Quality characteristics of angel food cake and muffin using lentil protein as egg/milk replacer

Replacement of animal proteins could be interesting for the food industry because it allows long‐term cost savings, among other reasons. Replacing egg/milk protein (50–100 wt%) by lentil protein (LP) was evaluated on angel cake/muffin quality. The replacement did not significantly affect final product volume, neither the muffins nor the angel food cakes. LP did not affect dough formation and contributed to hold crumb structure building an entangled network in both cake products. In addition, angel cakes and muffins containing LP had significantly lower baking loss than the control. Inferior quality for angel cakes and muffins containing LP was observed regarding hardness and chewiness that increased upon storage, compared to the control. For sensory evaluation in angel cakes, appearance of LP formulations showed lower scores than the control, likely due to the change of crumb colour. Other attributes were not significantly impacted by LP presence. For muffins, M‐100‐LPC formulation showed significant differences with the control for most of the attributes, except appearance and flavour. Indeed, consumers preferred muffins with 100% egg/milk protein replacement, which received higher acceptability scores than control. They also appreciated the ‘nutty’ flavour and moisture of angel cake with 50% egg protein replacement. This research suggests that lentil protein can totally or partially substitute egg/milk protein as foam and emulsion stabiliser in cakes, producing products with satisfactory quality.     

The influence of durian (Durio zibethinus Murray cv. Monthong) on conditioned taste aversion to ethanol

The adverse reaction to 1.25 g/kg ethanol was monitored in male Fischer rats given durian or cabbage (2.4 g FW/100 g BW/day), administered intragastrically. During the first ethanol challenge, a reduced rate of blood acetaldehyde clearance and hypothermia, which is associated with the disulfiram-ethanol reaction, was observed in rats given durian or cabbage. Blood ethanol levels and rate of acetaldehyde elimination were lowest 30 min after the first ethanol challenge in rats given cabbage, while a similar but more exacerbated trend was observed at 60 min in rats given durian. When subjected to conditioned taste aversion using saccharine solution (0.2% v/v) paired with ethanol administration, the rats given durian or cabbage exhibited aversion, with the former showing the earliest and most pronounced response, persisting through to the last ethanol challenge. Rats given cabbage exhibited delayed aversion, which progressively increased to the same level as that observed in rats given durian.     

TULP1 and TUB Are Required for Specific Localization of PRCD to Photoreceptor Outer Segments

Photoreceptor disc component (PRCD) is a small protein which is exclusively localized to photoreceptor outer segments, and is involved in the formation of photoreceptor outer segment discs. Mutations in PRCD are associated with retinal degeneration in humans, mice, and dogs. The purpose of this work was to identify PRCD-binding proteins in the retina. PRCD protein-protein interactions were identified when implementing the Ras recruitment system (RRS), a cytoplasmic-based yeast two-hybrid system, on a bovine retina cDNA library. An interaction between PRCD and tubby-like protein 1 (TULP1) was identified. Co-immunoprecipitation in transfected mammalian cells confirmed that PRCD interacts with TULP1, as well as with its homolog, TUB. These interactions were mediated by TULP1 and TUB highly conserved C-terminal tubby domain. PRCD localization was altered in the retinas of TULP1- and TUB-deficient mice. These results show that TULP1 and TUB, which are involved in the vesicular trafficking of several photoreceptor proteins from the inner segment to the outer segment, are also required for PRCD exclusive localization to photoreceptor outer segment discs.     

The effects of consuming docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-enriched eggs on serum lipids and fatty acid compositions in statin-treated hypercholesterolemic male patients

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of consuming a novel docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-enriched shell egg on the serum lipid levels and ω − 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n − 3 PUFA) of serum phospholipid in statin-treated hypercholesterolemic patients. Fifteen subjects were randomly divided into two treatment groups and consumed either two control or two novel DHA-enriched eggs during two organized breakfast periods of 21 consecutive days each using a double-blinded, cross-over design. The novel enriched eggs from feeding the specialty ration provided 217 mg of DHA and 629 mg of total n − 3 PUFA per day. Total serum cholesterol levels were unchanged with either egg consumption and no significant alterations in lipid levels were found due to a treatment effect. The novel egg group exhibited a significant rise in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) plus DHA levels in serum phospholipid (by 23%) which can be related to a reduced risk for fatal ischemic heart disease. Consumption of this novel egg offers an alternative food option for more than doubling current sub-optimal DHA intakes in North America.     

Classification-based mapping of trees in commercial orchards and natural forests

ABSTRACT

Hyperspectral remote sensing (RS) and images of various spatial resolution open new vistas for classification and mapping trees. These approaches would improve plant classification in a complex population of forest trees of diverse species, genera, and families, as well as monitoring commercial orchards. In this work, we used new RS indices for cellulose, lignin, wax, chlorophyll, carotenoid, and anthocyanin for plant species classification in natural forests and commercial orchards. For proof of concept, the indices were applied to the classification and mapping of various horticultural crop orchards, where error due to the spatial mixing of different trees is minimal. The classification accuracy of the maps varied between 65 and 82%. This wide range was a result of the following factors: The RS index used, the season, and the spatial resolution of the hyperspectral images. The classification quality was highest when the full set of RS indices was used. The effect of the wax index on accuracy was significant. Furthermore, seasonality played an important role in the classification; the target species were better resolved in spring than in the summer. The higher spatial resolution of the images does not necessarily yield better classification and mapping results; it appeared to be case-specific and greatly depended on the species/crop and the unique environment.     

Method matters: Systematic effects of testing procedure on visual working memory sensitivity.

Visual working memory (WM) is traditionally considered a robust form of visual representation that survives changes in object motion, observer's position, and other visual transients. This article presents data that are inconsistent with the traditional view. We show that memory sensitivity is dramatically influenced by small variations in the testing procedure, supporting the idea that representations in visual WM are susceptible to interference from testing. In the study, participants were shown an array of colors to remember. After a short retention interval, memory for one of the items was tested with either a same–different task or a 2-alternative-forced-choice (2AFC) task. Memory sensitivity was much lower in the 2AFC task than in the same–different task. This difference was found regardless of encoding similarity or of whether visual WM required a fine or coarse memory resolution. The 2AFC disadvantage was reduced when participants were informed shortly before testing which item would be probed. The 2AFC disadvantage diminished in perceptual tasks and was not found in tasks probing visual long-term memory. These results support memory models that acknowledge the labile nature of visual WM and have implications for the format of visual WM and its assessment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On the feasibility of solar-powered irrigation

Solar-powered agricultural irrigation is an attractive application of renewable energy. However, to be practical it must be both technically and economically feasible. Here, a method is presented for calculating the feasibility of photovoltaic-powered (PVP) irrigation. The feasibility is expressed as a function of location, which includes climate data, aquifer depth and cost, including local political policies such as carbon taxes. A discounted cash flow analysis is used to compare the lifecycle costs of photovoltaic-, diesel engine- and electrical grid-powered irrigation systems. Five examples illustrate the method's application. These results suggest that PVP irrigation is technically and economically feasible, provided that there is enough land available for the solar array.