Physical activity may increase long bone calcium (Ca) content to preserve bone strength in postmenopausal women. This study determined the effect of compulsory swimming and voluntary running exercise on bone mineral density, bone Ca and phosphorus (P) content, and femoral neck and tibia strength in ovariectomized (OVX) retired breeder rats, as a model for postmenopausal women. Thirty-seven nine-month old Sprague Dawley rats were assigned randomly into one of four treatment groups for the nine-week study: OVX + running (OR; n=9); OVX + swimming (OS; n=10); OVX + no exercise (O; n=9); sham-surgery + no exercise (Sh; n=9). OR rats had free access to running wheels; OS rats were trained over one week to swim for one hour, five days a week. At sacrifice, femurs, tibias, humeri, and vertebrae were removed. Bone mineral density was analyzed using pDEXA, and bone Ca and P content were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry and colormetric assay, respectively. Femur and tibia strength was determined by Q-tester. Bone mineral density was significantly higher for all bones measured in the exercise groups compared to the sedentary groups. Mean grams (g) of Ca per dry femur weight for OS rats were higher than O rats (p=0.019). Tibias of the OR and OS rats were able to absorb significantly more energy to break load than the O rats (p=0.000; p=0.001, respectively), and energy absorption was significantly higher for the OR compared to Sh tibia (p=0.022). No other significant differences in parameters were observed among the four groups. Results of this study suggest that both types of exercise improve bone mineral density, that swim exercise may be beneficial in preserving femur Ca content, and that swim exercise and voluntary running may be beneficial in improving tibia strength in OVX rats.

Based on the literacy need in the state of Louisiana, this project was interested in whether the Ready to Learn: Between the Lions literacy workshop could equip parents to enhance and develop their childs literacy skills and to enhance family literacy interactions. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness and usefulness of a Ready to Learn literacy workshop in two Baton Rouge Head Start preschool centers, Banks and Southern University. Participants attended workshops once a month from January to April, lasting approximately 30 minutes each. The workshop was evaluated using a pretest/posttest instrument consisting of seven likert-type questions. Results show an increase in participants scores from the pretest to posttest in four of the five workshop objectives. Ready to Learn workshops were valuable to participants in encouraging literacy in their families and successful in teaching participants new literacy strategies and skills to use with their family.

The objectives of the research are to determine the impact of the retting methods and blending percentage on the properties of kenaf fiber as well as the yarns and fabrics that contain kenaf, and to analyze and characterize kenaf fiber and yarns and fabrics that contain kenaf in terms of physical properties, such as tensile strength, elongation, evenness, absorbency and surface characteristics. In this research, kenaf fiber bundles were treated by chemical methods and softened to improve fiber properties. The treated fibers then were blended with cotton having 0, 10%, 25%, and 50% blending ratio and spun into yarns with open-end rotor spinning and ring spinning. These yarns were knitted into fabrics. Comparative analysis of the kenaf fiber in terms of fiber length, fiber fineness, and fiber strength was done by Uster HVI, Uster Tensorapid, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) techniques. The yarns were tested by Uster and SEM to determine their strength, elongation and structure. Properties of the fabrics were tested by KAWABATA System. It was found that after the chemical treatment, the fiber fineness, softness and elongation at break were improved, but the fiber bundle strength and length were decreased. Increasing the concentration of sodium hydroxide weakened the fiber strength significantly. To the yarns, the more the kenaf contained, the weaker the yarn and the fabric strength were, and the lower elongation the yarn and fabric have also. Fabrics became stiffer when kenaf blending ratio was increased. Open-end Rotor spun yarn and fabric exhibited a more even apparent but both were weaker than Ring spun yarn and fabric.

Nutrition education has the potential not only to increase nutrition knowledge and, potentially, healthy behaviors, among the elderly, but also to reduce the need for health and social services. The nutrition component described herein is part of an overall wellness program that focuses on increasing physical activity and healthy dietary behaviors among participants. We completed a four month nutrition intervention in a group of 33 low income elderly at the Leo Butler Center (LBC) (n=20) and Catholic Presbyterian Apartments (CPA) (n=13) in the fall of 2005 in Baton Rouge, LA. The Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) was used as the theoretical framework. Topics included in the intervention were MyPyramid and Dietary Guidelines for Americans, Food Labels, Nutrition and Aging, and Food Safety. Pre-post testing was used before and after each class to determine changes in knowledge. Food Security status and self-perceived eating habits, nutritional quality of the diet, and nutrition knowledge (pre-and post intervention) were also assessed. The majority of study participants were female (88%), African American (70%), and food secure (78%). Mean age was 66.60±10.93 years; mean weight was 86.36±21.9 kilos; and the mean number of classes attended was 1.88±0.86. For LBC participants, significant increases in knowledge (p<0.001) were shown for all lessons. For CPA participants, significant increases in knowledge were shown for all lessons with the exception of the Food Labels lesson (p=0.02, p=0.01, p<0.001 for MyPyramid and DGA lesson, Nutrition and Aging lesson, and the Food Safety lesson respectively). Significant differences were shown for self-perceived nutritional quality of the diet (p=0.01) and nutrition knowledge (p=0.02) for pre-post intervention results; however, no differences were shown for self-perceived eating habits. Two months after the intervention was completed, a follow up question to determine if there were any dietary changes was included. Respondents reported dietary changes, especially for increases in fruits and vegetables and use of food labels. Therefore, nutrition education in the elderly, especially on MyPyramid and DGA, and Food labels is recommended.

The purpose this study was to investigate the relationship between alcohol advertising policies in the campus newspaper, The Reveille, and students reported consumption of alcohol. Students reported consumption of alcohol was assessed using the Harvard School of Public Healths College Alcohol Study (CAS) for the years 1997, 1999, and 2000. Five variables were used: (a) How many times have you had five or more drinks in a row? (b) During the last two weeks, how many times have you had four drinks in row, (but no more than that?) (c) The last you had four or more drinks in row, how many drinks did you actually have? (d) On how many occasions have you had a drink of alcohol in the past 30 days? (e) In the past 30 days, how often did you drink enough to get drunk? Demographically, in all three sample years (1997, 1999, and 2000), the participants were similar. In terms of gender, more males than females responded (54.9% in 1997; 61.9% in 1999; and 60.1% in 2000). The students ranged from 18-25 years of age. The majority of the sample was white, single, Catholic, lived off campus, and had no Greek or athletic affiliation with the school. The findings from this study indicated that students consumption of alcohol may have increased following a change in the alcohol advertisement policy of the campus newspaper The Reveille. In 1999-2000, students who reported drinking four or more drinks in a row were likely to be influenced to drink by the presence of alcohol advertisements in The Reveille. The same held true for students who reported drinking alcohol within a 30 day period, and for the number of occasions students reported getting drunk. The causal link between alcohol advertising and consumer behavior is complex. Also, literature relating specifically to college students is not voluminous. Therefore, future research is needed in the area of alcohol advertising and its effects on alcohol consumption, particularly as it relates to college students, since high risk drinking appears to be a common characteristic among this group.

The purpose of this study was to calculate the metabolizable energy value of Hi-Maize® RS (60% amylose), to observe if consumption of RS alters adiposity, and to examine the effects of RS on fermentation and fecal excretion. Eighteen four-week old male Sprague-Dawley rats consumed either a 20% amylose Hi-Maize® RS diet (n=6) or a control diet (baseline group, n=6; control group, n=6). The baseline group was sacrificed at the beginning of the study; the RS and control groups were transferred to metabolic cages and fed the respective diets for the next six weeks. Feces and urine from each individual rat was collected daily and stored separately for each of the periods. At sacrifice, fat pads were weighed; gastrointestinal tract organs were cleaned and weighed. Baseline rat data were used to determine the total energy gained in RS and control rats. Metabolizable energy value of Hi-Maize® RS was determined by a calculation by Livesey (1995) using energy data from bomb calorimetry of the diet, urine and feces. At the end of the third period, the metabolizable energy value for Hi-Maize® RS was 1.55 kcal/g. The value for the RS diet was 3.66 kcal/g, which was significantly lower than the control diet of 4.29 kcal/g (p < 0.001). Adaptation to the RS diet occurred over time as seen by changes in the digestible energy values of RS per each period. For the RS group, abdominal fat was lower (p < 0.05) possibly due to lower metabolizable energy of the RS diet, cecum and large intestine weights were greater (p < 0.001), and pH of the cecal contents was lower than the control rats (p < 0.001) due to greater fermentation of the RS diet. Fecal weight for each of the periods was greater in the RS group (p < 0.001) compared to the control group. Compared to the consumption of a highly digestible starch diet, Hi-Maize ® RS provides less energy to the body and increases fermentation and fecal excretion, which may provide a healthier colonic environment.

This research was conducted to determine whether our participatory process of curriculum development for vocational technical schools in Honduras was successful. This study analyzed program documents and correspondence to answer two questions: a) How did individual stakeholders perceive and negotiate the participatory process? and b) What factors --individual and environmental-- promoted and impeded the participatory process of development in this project? Participatory development concepts applied to Human Ecology Theory guided this research. Qualitative methodologies were utilized to develop the curriculumPhenomenology-- and to evaluate the process of developmentGrounded Theory and Matrix Analysis. An analysis of individual counterpart contacts revealed that stakeholder organizations moved through 3 phases from project inception to completion. First, the team established an egalitarian and participatory philosophy of development. Second, they moved through a sequence of learning and teaching exercises prior to forming partnerships and developing projects. Third, the team focused on counterpart fit and relationship development as essential factors in successful partnering and participatory development. The process was a success in the following respects: 1) Our team valued, respected and facilitated the needs and desires of local agencies working in the field; 2) Our participatory process was informed, iterative and voluntary, and 3) Overall participation by our primary stakeholders were consistent and significant. Our process could have been improved by involving primary beneficiaries earlier in the project cycle. Although this analysis was qualitative and is therefore limited in its generalizeability, several lessons learned may be transferred to others interested in planning for a participatory development process. Individual development workers, the group dynamic and philosophy, and the process of development are equally important in successfully facilitating a participatory project. Supporting factors were a decentralized decision-making structure, key host-country based employees and recognition that socialization and play cement relationships that are an essential base for participatory processes. Impeding factors were a lack of time and funds dedicated to support relationship development and counterpart input.

Raw materials used in nonwoven products vary greatly, covering the entire spectrum from synthetic to natural fibers. The limitation of use for industrial applications of nonwoven products has long been surpassed, today nonwovens being found in diverse applications ranging from intimate apparel to geotextiles. The present work has as its ultimate goal to develop a commercial method for characterizing some of the physical properties of bagasse or other unconventional fibers obtained through a new atmospheric extraction method, and also to create and analyze different nonwoven structures based on bagasse, kenaf and other annual plants. Bagasse fibers were extracted from sugar cane rind in two different steps: mechanical separation and chemical extraction. Several factors were considered such as solutions of sodium hydroxide with different concentrations and time of reaction. A similar process was used for kenaf. The kenaf rind containing outer bast fiber was mechanically separated (using a Tilby separator) and chemically treated with an alkali solution. Even though underrated as a potential fiber, bagasse draws more and more attention because of the increasing concern for disposal of agricultural residues and the need for enhancing the sugar cane industry's profitability. However, there is a lack of an instrumental method to evaluate bagasse fiber length and fineness. This paper presents a study on measuring bagasse fiber fineness using image analysis method. Cross-section images of bagasse fibers were visualized using Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM). The relationship between fiber fineness and cross-sectional area was analyzed using the statistical method of regression. The model used in this method can be extended for evaluating convesely the cross-sectional area when the finess is known, and/or for evaluating other unconventional fibers. Different structures of nonwoven materials were created through carding, needle-punching, and thermal-bonding. As bonding agents, different types of synthetic polymers have been used depending on the final product usage. The final products were subjected to testing procedures (according with their usage) such as mechanical determinations, thermal analysis, dynamo-mechanical analysis, biodegradability. The results provided information regarding the possibility to use the nonwoven structures created in different applications.

This study was designed to assess the relationship of alcohol consumption, dietary intake, and body mass index (BMI) in 1,335 young adult males and females aged 20-38 years (62% female and 27% black) who were part of the Bogalusa Heart Study. Data were collected in 1995-1996 on dietary intake and alcohol consumption patterns. The prevalence of alcohol consumption was higher in males compared with females and higher in whites than blacks. Among drinkers, whites and blacks did not differ in the amount of alcohol consumed. Energy from alcohol was also greater in males than in females. Total energy intake did not differ between drinkers and non-drinkers. Across levels of alcohol consumption, total energy intake was not significantly different among non-drinkers, light drinkers, or moderate drinkers; however, heavy drinkers consumed significantly more total energy than did non-drinkers, light, and moderate drinkers. Drinkers did not differ from non-drinkers in relation to non-alcohol energy intake. Intake of non-alcohol energy remained constant across levels of alcohol consumption. Carbohydrate intake (g) was significantly lower in drinkers compared with non-drinkers. Carbohydrate intake was significantly lower in moderate and heavy drinkers compared with lower levels of alcohol consumption. Mean energy intake from protein (g) did not differ between drinkers and non-drinkers. Protein intake was significantly lower in heavy drinkers compared with lower levels of alcohol consumption. Total fat intake (g) was significantly lower in drinkers compared with non-drinkers. Total fat intake was significantly lower in heavy drinkers compared with lower levels of alcohol consumption. Adjusted means for BMI and waist circumference were greater drinkers than for non-drinkers. Mean BMI did not differ between males and females; however, waist circumference was greater in males than in females. Energy from alcohol was added to the diets of drinkers, particularly heavy drinkers. Paradoxically, drinkers had a lower BMI and a smaller waist circumference than did non-drinkers.

The Louisiana Family Nutrition Program (FNP) reaches up to 120,000 food-stamp recipients and other low SES individuals per year through direct and indirect nutrition education methods. To be effective in eliciting behavior change, a nutrition education program must be developed to be consistent with the needs, motivations, and concerns of the target audience; therefore, it is important that the needs, motivations, and concerns are being met by FNP. The purpose of this study was to determine, through the use of focus group discussions (FGD), whether nutrition education needs of FNP participants are being satisfied by the program. Nutrition education needs cover a broad scope of concerns, including: knowledge of the program, time and place of nutrition education sessions, nutrition education materials, and delivery methods. Five FGD were conducted with 34 FNP participants in five FNP parishes. The PRECEDE/PROCEED theoretical model was used to classify information from FGD into predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling factors. Results suggested that participants learned of FNP through the nutrition educator or community agencies such as Head Start and Office of Family Support. Although all participants were knowledgeable about the program itself, some indicated that lack of knowledge about meeting times and locations of nutrition education sessions was a barrier to participation. Other barriers to participation in FNP were minimal, but did include lack of transportation, lack of childcare, lack of interest, and time nutrition sessions were held. Participants families and personal barriers to dietary change influenced use of information in FNP. Program characteristics including, program availability, nutrition information, and delivery methods were enablers to FNP participation. Preferred delivery methods of nutrition education included a variety of methods. Information obtained from this study is used to provide recommendations for FNP.