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Intake, nutrient digestibility, rumen parameters, growth rate, carcase characteristics and cannabinoid residues of sheep fed pelleted rations containing hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) stubble
No full textThe feeding value and impact of hemp stubble in the diet of ruminants is unknown. Fifteen Merino castrated male sheep were maintained in individual pens and fed one of three pelletized experimental inclusion diets, as a 0% (Control), 28% (Hemp 1), and 56% (Hemp 2) pellet that delivered a diet meeting the nutrient requirements of the animals. Inclusion of hemp stubble had no effect (P > 0.05) on either DM intake, live weight gain or the feed to gain ratio but positively impacted ( 0.05) on either DM intake, live weight gain or the feed to gain ratio but positively impacted (P 9 -THC) was not detected in any plasma samples. THCA was detected in the liver of two sheep fed the Hemp 1 pellets and two sheep fed the Hemp 2 pellets. Cannabidiol (CBD) was detected in the liver of one sheep fed the Hemp 2 pellets (but no liver THCA was detected in this sheep). Δ9 -THC was detected in both the kidney fat and subcutaneous fat of all sheep fed hemp stubble, with the concentrations being higher (P 9 -THC in the meat (loin). No other cannabinoids were detected in the meat. Current food standards regulations in Australia prohibit presence of any cannabinoid residues in commercial meat products; thus, determination of a withholding period is required to enable the safe feeding of hemp-stubble to sheep. Further research is also required to gain a greater understanding of the rumen metabolism of cannabinoids
First-principles study of 2H-Mo2C-based MXenes under biaxial strain as Li-battery anodes
No full textMXenes, a family of superior 2D materials, have been intensively investigated because they have many promising properties, particularly high-performance energy storage and high flexibility. To approach the expected critical benchmarks of such materials, the strain dependence of the atomic structure is widely considered for tuning the related properties. In this work, by means of density functional theory, we demonstrate the potential application of the strained 2H phase of Mo2C-based MXenes (Mo2C and Mo2CO2) as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Adsorption and diffusion of Li on the surfaces of both materials and the impact of biaxial strain (εb) in the range of −4% to 4% are insightfully investigated. The lowest adsorption energy of Mo2C is −0.96 eV, and that of Mo2CO2 is −3.13 eV at εb = 0%. The diffusion of Li ions, considering the pathway between the first two most favorable adsorption sites, reveals that the biaxial strain refinement under compressive strain decreases the energy barrier, but the induction of tensile strain increases it in both MXenes. The ranges of the energy barriers of Li-ion adsorption on the surfaces of Mo2C and Mo2CO2 are 31–57 meV and 177–229 meV, respectively. Interestingly, the storage capacity of Li can reach three layers corresponding to a comparably high theoretical capacity of 788.61 mA h g−1 for Mo2C and 681.64 mA h g−1 for Mo2CO2. The atomic configurations are stable, as verified by the negative adsorption energy as well as the slightly distorted structures, by using ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations at 400 K. Moreover, average open circuit voltages (OCVs) of 0.35 V and 0.63 V (at εb = 0%) are reported for Mo2C and Mo2CO2, respectively. Furthermore, the tensile strain results in an increase in the OCVs, while compression has the opposite effect. These computational results provide some basic information on the behaviors of Li-ion adsorption and diffusion on Mo2C-based MXenes upon tuning biaxial strain. They also give a guideline on what conditions are appropriate for practically implementing these MXenes as electrode materials in LIBs
Functionalization of hydrogenated graphene by polylithiated species for efficient hydrogen storage
No full textThe hydrogen (H2) storage capacity of defected graphane (CH) functionalized by polylithiated species CLi3 and CLi4 has been investigated by means of first-principles DFT calculations. The stability and electronic structures of these potential H2 storage materials have also been studied. The binding of these lithium rich species (CLi3, CLi4) to the CH sheet has been found to be strong enough to avoid clustering. The nature of bonding in C–Li and C–C has been revealed by Bader charge analysis. It has been found that when both sides of CH sheet are functionalized by polylithiated species, a storage capacity of more than 13 wt% can be achieved with adsorption energies of H2 in the range of 0.25 eV–0.35 eV, which is suitable for an efficient H2 storage
Art in the bark: Indigenous carved boab trees (Adansonia gregorii) in north-west Australia
No full textFound only in a restricted area of north-west Australia, the Australian boab (Adansonia gregorii) is recognisable by its massive, bottle-shaped trunk, and is an economically important species for Indigenous Australians, with the pith, seeds and young roots all eaten. Many of these trees are also culturally significant and are sometimes carved with images and symbols. The authors discuss the history of research into carved boabs in Australia, and present a recent survey to locate and record these trees in the remote Tanami Desert. Their results provide insight into the archaeological and anthropological significance of dendroglyphs in this region and add to a growing corpus of information on culturally modified trees globally
It’s not just physical: Exercise physiologist-led exercise program promotes functional and psychosocial health outcomes in aged care
No full textRegular physical activity has multiple benefits for older adults, including improved physical, cognitive, and psychosocial health. This exploratory study investigated the benefits of a 12-week exercise program for older adults (n = 11 control and n = 13 intervention) living in a residential aged care facility in Perth, Western Australia. The program, prescribed and delivered by an accredited exercise physiologist, aimed to maintain or improve participants’ physical capacity. It comprised one-on-one exercise sessions (1 hr × 2 days/week × 12 weeks), involving a components-approach intervention. Physical performance measures (balance, strength, flexibility, and mobility) were assessed preintervention and postintervention. Qualitative interviews postintervention with residents participating in the exercise intervention, and with family members, staff, and research team members, explored barriers and enablers to participation and perceived psychosocial outcomes. Findings indicate the program provided physical benefits and enhanced social engagement for participants, illustrating the value of providing exercise physiology services in the aged care sector
Modern Magnetic Resonance Imaging Modalities to Advance Neuroimaging in Astronauts
No full textINTRODUCTION: The rapid development of the space industry requires a deeper understanding of spaceflight's impact on the brain. MRI research reports brain volume changes following spaceflight in astronauts, potentially affecting cognition. Recently, we have demonstrated that this evidence of volumetric changes, as measured by typical T1-weighted sequences (e.g., magnetization-prepared rapid gradient echo sequence; MPRAGE), is error-prone due to the microgravity-related redistribution of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. More modern neuroimaging methods, particularly dual-echo MPRAGE (DEMPRAGE) and magnetization-prepared rapid gradient echo sequence utilizing two inversion pulses (MP2RAGE), have been suggested to be resilient to this error. Here, we tested if these imaging modalities offered consistent segmentation performance improvements in some commonly employed neuroimaging software packages.METHODS: We conducted manual gray matter tissue segmentation in traditional T1w MRI images to utilize for comparison. Automated tissue segmentation was performed for traditional T1w imaging, as well as on DEMPRAGE and MP2RAGE images from the same subjects. Statistical analysis involved a comparison of total gray matter volumes for each modality, and the extent of tissue segmentation agreement was assessed using a test of similarity (Dice coefficient).RESULTS: Neither DEMPRAGE nor MP2RAGE exhibited consistent segmentation performance across all toolboxes tested.DISCUSSION: This research indicates that customized data collection and processing methods are necessary for reliable and valid structural MRI segmentation in astronauts, as current methods provide erroneous classification and hence inaccurate claims of neuroplastic brain changes in the astronaut population
Gait parameters of people with diabetes-related neuropathic plantar foot ulcers
No full textBackground: Foot ulceration associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a global concern. Biomechanical investigation allows the identification of gait abnormalities that may adversely affect ulcer healing. The objective of this case–control study was to compare the gait parameters of cases with diabetes-related foot ulcers to controls. Methods: Three-dimensional movement analyses were performed on 21 people with diabetes-related neuropathic plantar foot ulcers (cases), 69 people with diabetes without a foot ulcer history (diabetes controls) and 56 healthy controls. Outcome data were reported as mean differences, 95% confidence intervals and Cohen's d effect sizes. Binary logistic regressions were used to adjust for age, sex and body mass index. Findings: People with foot ulcers had a smaller plantar flexion (Cohen's d = −0.6 vs. diabetes controls and d = −0.8 vs. healthy controls), knee flexion (d = −0.6 vs. diabetes controls and d = −1.0 vs. healthy controls) and pelvic obliquity (d = −0.9 vs. diabetes controls and d = −0.7 vs. healthy controls) (all P P Interpretation: People with plantar foot ulcers have considerably different gait parameters to controls. Whether the observed gait parameters contributed to the ulcer development or are a response to the ulcer is currently unclear and needs further investigation
Plantar pressures are higher in cases with diabetic foot ulcers compared to controls despite a longer stance phase duration
No full textBackground: Current international guidelines advocate achieving at least a 30 % reduction in maximum plantar pressure to reduce the risk of foot ulcers in people with diabetes. However, whether plantar pressures differ in cases with foot ulcers to controls without ulcers is not clear. The aim of this study was to assess if plantar pressures were higher in patients with active plantar diabetic foot ulcers (cases) compared to patients with diabetes without a foot ulcer history (diabetes controls) and people without diabetes or a foot ulcer history (healthy controls). Methods: Twenty-one cases with diabetic foot ulcers, 69 diabetes controls and 56 healthy controls were recruited for this case-control study. Plantar pressures at ten sites on both feet and stance phase duration were measured using a pre-established protocol. Primary outcomes were mean peak plantar pressure, pressure-time integral and stance phase duration. Non-parametric analyses were used with Holm’s correction to correct for multiple testing. Binary logistic regression models were used to adjust outcomes for age, sex and body mass index. Median differences with 95 % confidence intervals and Cohen’s d values (standardised mean difference) were reported for all significant outcomes. Results: The majority of ulcers were located on the plantar surface of the hallux and toes. When adjusted for age, sex and body mass index, the mean peak plantar pressure and pressure-time integral of toes and the mid-foot were significantly higher in cases compared to diabetes and healthy controls (p ). The stance phase duration was also significantly higher in cases compared to both control groups (p ). The main limitations of the study were the small number of cases studied and the inability to adjust analyses for multiple factors. Conclusions: This study shows that plantar pressures are higher in cases with active diabetic foot ulcers despite having a longer stance phase duration which would be expected to lower plantar pressure. Whether plantar pressure changes can predict ulcer healing should be the focus of future research. These results highlight the importance of offloading feet during active ulceration in addition to before ulceration
The Unresolved Methodological Challenge of Detecting Neuroplastic Changes in Astronauts
No full textAfter completing a spaceflight, astronauts display a salient upward shift in the position of the brain within the skull, accompanied by a redistribution of cerebrospinal fluid. Magnetic resonance imaging studies have also reported local changes in brain volume following a spaceflight, which have been cautiously interpreted as a neuroplastic response to spaceflight. Here, we provide evidence that the grey matter volume changes seen in astronauts following spaceflight are contaminated by preprocessing errors exacerbated by the upwards shift of the brain within the skull. While it is expected that an astronaut’s brain undergoes some neuroplastic adaptations during spaceflight, our findings suggest that the brain volume changes detected using standard processing pipelines for neuroimaging analyses could be contaminated by errors in identifying different tissue types (i.e., tissue segmentation). These errors may undermine the interpretation of such analyses as direct evidence of neuroplastic adaptation, and novel or alternate preprocessing or experimental paradigms are needed in order to resolve this important issue in space health research