Density, heat capacity and thermal conductivity of liquid egg products

Density, heat capacity and thermal conductivity of liquid egg products, such as egg white, egg yolk, whole egg and various white and yolk blends, were determined as affected by temperature and water content ranging from 273 to 311 K and 51.8 to 88.2% (mass), respectively. Polynomial models fitted the experimental data very well, showing a linear relationship both for temperature and water content. (c) 2005 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Kinetic evaluation of the pyrolysis of high density polyethylene over H-AlMCM-41 material

The AlMCM-41 material with Si/Al=50 was synthesized by hydrothermal method, using cethyltrimethylammonium as template. The protonic H-AlMCM-41 acid form was obtained by ion exchange with ammonium chloride solution and subsequent calcination. The characterization of the material by several techniques showed that a good-quality MCM-41 material was obtained. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) has been submitted to thermal degradation alone, and in presence of the exchanged H-AlMCM-41 catalyst at a concentration of 1: 1 in mass (H-AlMCM-41/HDPE). The reactor was connected on line to a gas chromatograph connected to a mass spectrometer. This process was evaluated by thermogravimetry (TG), from 350 to 600degreesC, under helium dynamic atmosphere, with heating rates of 5.0; 10.0 and 20.0 degreesC/min. From TG curves, the activation energy, calculated using a multiple heating rate integral kinetic method, decreased from 225.5 KJ.mol(-1), for the pure polymer (HDPE), to 184.7 KJ.mol(-1), in the presence of the catalyst (H-AlMCM-41/HDPE).

Optimization of the Transesterification Reaction in Biodiesel Production and Determination of Density and Viscosity of Biodiesel/Diesel Blends at Several Temperatures

Waste frying oil has been used to optimize the production of biodiesel. Biodiesel was prepared through sodium ethoxide catalyzed methanolysis from the transesterification of recycled waste frying oil. Optimization of the transesterification reaction for biodiesel production was carried out by means of statistical analyses using ANOVA. The optimum conditions for reaction were the following: a oil methanol mole ratio of 1:9, temperature of 50 degrees C, catalyst mass fraction of 0.9 %, and reaction time of 40 min, which enabled a yield of 98.7 % determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis. The density and viscosity of biodiesel/diesel blends have been determined as a function of composition at several temperatures.

Dietary, anthropometric, and biochemical determinants of plasma high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in free-living adults

The level of high-density lipoprotein is thought to be critical in inhibiting lesion formation as well as reducing the lipid load of preexisting atherosclerotic lesions. With the aim of determining the main determinants of plasma HDL-cholesterol (HDL-c) in free-living adults, 997 individuals (52.3 10 years, 67 females) were selected for a descriptive cross-sectional study. The used data corresponded to the baseline obtained from participants clinically selected for a lifestyle modification program. Covariables of clinical, anthropometry, food intake, aerobic fitness, and plasma biochemistry were analyzed against plasma HDL-c either as continuous or categorized variables. After adjustments for age, gender, and BMI the excess of abdominal fat along with high carbohydrate-energy intake and altered plasma triglycerides were the stronger predictors of reduced plasma HDL-c. In conclusion lifestyle interventions aiming to normalize abdominal fatness and plasma triglycerides are recommended to restore normal levels of HDL-c in these free-living adults. Copyright © 2011 Erick Prado de Oliveira et al.

Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) after different exposures of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and poly vinyl chloride (PVC) geomembranes

This paper presents the results of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) tests in PVC (1.0; 2.0 mm) and HDPE (0.8; 2.5 mm) geomembranes exposed to weathering and leachate after 30 months. The aim of this paper is the comparison of fresh and exposed samples to assess the degradation process concerning the total loss of mass of geomembranes. The exposure was conducted in accordance with the recommendations of ASTM standards. The TGA tests were carried out according to ASTM D6370 and E2105. Results show, for instance, that for PVC geomembrane the largest reductions of plasticizers occurred for samples exposed to weathering. The loss of plasticizers after the exposure contributed to the decrease of deformation and consequent increase in stiffness. TGA tests shows to be a valuable tool to control the quality of the materials. © 2012 ejge.

Polymorphisms of estrogen receptor-α gene in Brazilian women with high breast density after menopause

The association of genetic polymorphism in the estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) gene and risk for diseases including breast cancer (BC) has been the subject of great interest. Objective: Checking on women with high breast density after menopause, the frequency of the Pvull and Xbal polymorphisms of the ERα gene and the correlation between them and the known risk factors for breast cancer. Method: Observational study with 308 women between 45 and 65 years old with high breast density, without hormonal therapy, menstruation for a year or more, breast and ovarian cancer history. It was characterized in clinical history and physical examination: menarche, menopause, parity, family history of BC, smoking, alcohol intake and body mass index. Results: The allelic and genotypic frequencies for ERα-Pvull and Xbal: p=43.99%; p=56.01%; pp=32.14%; Pp=47.73% and PP=20.13%; X=41.56%; x=58.44%; xx=33.44%; Xx=50.00% and XX=16.56%, respectively. The most frequent risk factors for BC: menarche before 12 years old (35.38%), nulliparity or first child after 28 years old (41.66%), family history of BC (19.16%) and overweight/obesity (62.01%). Conclusion: Allelic and genotypic distribution similar to literature. The risk factors for BC were more prevalent in women with high breast density but without significant associations with these polymorphisms. © 2013 Informa UK Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of soy isoflavones on mammographic density and breast parenchyma in postmenopausal women: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the effects of soy isoflavones on breast tissue in postmenopausal women. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 80 women (aged ≥45 y and with amenorrhea >12 mo) with vasomotor symptoms were randomized to receive either 250 mg of standardized soy extract corresponding to isoflavone 100 mg/day (n = 40) or placebo (n = 40) for 10 months. Breasts were evaluated through mammographic density and breast parenchyma using ultrasound (US) at baseline and 10-month follow-up. Independent t test, analysis of variance, Mann-Whitney U test, and χ2 trend test were used in statistical analysis. RESULTS: Baseline clinical characteristics showed no significant differences between the isoflavone group and the placebo group, with mean (SD) age of 55.1 (6.0) and 56.2 (7.7) years, mean (SD) menopause duration of 6.6 (4.8) and 7.1 (4.2) years, and mean (SD) body mass index of 29.7 (5.0) and 28.5 (4.9) kg/m2, respectively (P > 0.05). The study was completed by 32 women on isoflavone and 34 women on placebo. The groups did not differ in mammographic density or breast parenchyma by US (P > 0.05). Within each group, the baseline and final moments did not differ in mammography or US parameters significantly (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of soy isoflavone extract for 10 months does not affect breast density, as assessed by mammography and US, in postmenopausal women. © 2013 by The North American Menopause Society.

Density of Trichospilus diatraeae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) Parasitizing Diaphania hyalinata (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) Pupae

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Relationship between chronological and bone ages and pubertal stage of breasts with bone biomarkers and bone mineral density in adolescents

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Metabolic syndrome reduces bone mineral density in overweight adolescents

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Painéis de Medium Density Fiberboard fabricados com bagaço de cana-de-açúcar e madeira de reflorestamento

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Bone mineral density in healthy female adolescents according to age, bone age and pubertal breast stage

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effect of low-dose combined oral contraceptives on bone mineral density in adolescents: a 1-year follow-up

Purpose: To assess the bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) of female adolescents in use of standard low-dose combined oral contraceptives (COC) (EE 20 mcg/ Desogestrel 150 mcg) for a one-year period and to compare results against healthy controls matched for age and gender not in use of COC. Methods: A prospective, longitudinal study was conducted.Fifty adolescents, 12 to 20 years of age, were divided into a COC user group (n 35) and a control group (n 15) and submitted to a Bone Densitometry scan using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at study inclusion and again at 12-month follow-up. Results: Results showed no statistically significant differences between the COC user and control groups at the initial moment. However, at 12-month follow-up, COC users showed negative mean percentage variation between initial and follow-up values for lumbar spine BMD and BMC of -1.09% and -1.58%, respectively, whereas controls had positive variations of +12.44% and +15.87%, respectively. Thus, the adolescents in use of COC showed a loss, albeit slight, in bone mass whereas the control group showed an increase. Conclusions: The low dose COC assessed (EE 20 mcg/Desogestrel 150 mcg) appeared to negatively affect the process of bone mass acquisition which occurs during adolescence.

Relationship between bone ageand pubertal breast stage to bone biomarkers and bone mineral density in healthy brazilian female adolescents

Background and Aims Bone metabolism involves understanding many factors, especially during puberty, when bone turnover is significant and the bone mass peak must be achieved as a protective factor of future bone health. The objective was to evaluate the behavior of formation and resorption bone biomarkers (BB) in function of biological maturation in female adolescents.Methods Evaluation of formation and resorption BB, osteocalcin (OC), bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and carboxyterminal telopeptide (S-CTx) by correlating them with bone mineralization, bone age and pubertal development in healthy female adolescents. Seventy-two volunteers were subdivided into groups according to chronological age/bone age (BA): 10 11 years (n=12), 12 13 years (n=16), 14 15 years (n=15) and 16 19 years (n=29). The following were evaluated: weight (kg), height (m), BMI (kg/m2), calcium intake (3-day 24h food recalls (mg/day), puberty events (Tanner stages), serum OC (ng/mL), BAP (U/L), S-CTx (ng/mL) and bone mineral density (BMD) as calculated by DXA (g/cm2) in the spine (L1-L4), proximal femur and whole body. The project was approved by the UNESP Ethics Committee.Results BB showed similar behaviors, with higher mean values for 10 12 years and when adolescents were in the B2-B3 Pubertal Maturation Stage (B2: BAP=110.16 U/L, OC=33.81ng/mL, S-CTx=1.66 ng/mL and B3: BAP=136.50 U/L, OC=39.15ng/mL and S-CTx=1.88 ng/mL; p<0.001). Mean BB values decreased with advancing BA and pubertal maturity.Conclusions BB values showed parallelism with peak height velocity and significant negative correlation with BMD in the different evaluated sites, with chronological and BA ; higher BMD values correlated with lower bone biomarker values.

Bone mineral density and body composition in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty before and after treatment with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist

OBJECTIVES: Idiopathic central precocious puberty and its postponement with a (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) GnRH agonist are complex conditions, the final effects of which on bone mass are difficult to define. We evaluated bone mass, body composition, and bone remodeling in two groups of girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty, namely one group that was assessed at diagnosis and a second group that was assessed three years after GnRH agonist treatment. METHODS: The precocious puberty diagnosis and precocious puberty treatment groups consisted of 12 girls matched for age and weight to corresponding control groups of 12 (CD) and 14 (CT) girls, respectively. Bone mineral density and body composition were assessed by dual X-ray absorptiometry. Lumbar spine bone mineral density was estimated after correction for bone age and the mathematical calculation of volumetric bone mineral density. CONEP: CAAE-0311.0.004.000-06. RESULTS: Lumbar spine bone mineral density was slightly increased in individuals diagnosed with precocious puberty compared with controls; however, after correction for bone age, this tendency disappeared (CD = -0.74 +/- 0.9 vs. precocious puberty diagnosis = -1.73 +/- 1.2). The bone mineral density values of girls in the precocious puberty treatment group did not differ from those observed in the CT group. CONCLUSION: There is an increase in bone mineral density in girls diagnosed with idiopathic central precocious puberty. Our data indicate that the increase in bone mineral density in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty is insufficient to compensate for the marked advancement in bone age observed at diagnosis. GnRH agonist treatment seems to have no detrimental effect on bone mineral density.