The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is dependent on desalination of seawater to provide new water supplies for the future. Desalination is expensive and it is very important to reduce the cost and lower the energy consumption. Most seawater reverse osmosis facilities use open-ocean intakes, which require extensive pre-treatment processes to remove particulate and biological materials that cause operating problems. An alternative intake is the subsurface system which utilizes the concept of riverbank filtration using wells or galleries and provides natural filtration to improve the quality of feedwater before it enters the desalination plant. This reduces operating cost and lowers energy consumption. Research was focused on evaluating gallery-type intakes (beach and seabed galleries) that could be used along the Northern Red Sea shoreline to provide a better quality feedwater for desalination. The geological characteristics of the visited sites were favorable for the development of seabed filter systems (offshore), but not for beach gallery intakes. The low wave energy along the shoreline and the presence of mud or rocky coasts made beach galleries infeasible. One of the potentially favorable sites for a seabed filter was located in the nearshore area at King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC). This site has a predominantly sandy offshore bottom with shallow water depths, and a low tide range. In addition, the bottom is always covered with water and contains soft limestone unit below the sand mantle that could be easy excavated to facilitate the construction of a seabed filter. About 50 sediment samples were collected from the site and laboratory measurements were performed on them. Grain size distribution, porosity and hydraulic conductivity measurements were performed on the sediment samples. In addition, six statistical methods were used to estimate the hydraulic conductivity values. Based on results of lab measurements, field observations, tide ranges and sediment types, it is concluded that the geological conditions and characteristics of KAEC site are feasible for design and construction of a seabed filtration system. A conservatively designed cell with dimensions of 100 by 50 m would produce about 25,000 m3/day of filtered seawater and seven cells could support a 60,000 m3/day (permeate) seawater RO plant.

The provision of psychotherapeutic services has undergone many changes in its history. Recently the field of therapy has seen an increased emphasis on providing services in briefer periods of time, which has resulted in greater investigation into the parameters that influence rapid therapeutic growth by clients. Despite this push for quick results, many service agencies continue to utilize initial intake interviews that focus exclusively on gathering diagnostic and demographic information. Therapeutic intervention is therefore reserved for some later time when the clients can be accommodated from the agency's waiting list. The present study investigated the influence of a standard intervention presented during the intake interview on reported psychological distress, therapeutic alliance, and dropouts from therapy. In addition, the relationship of self-efficacy to these dimensions was investigated. Eighty subjects who were clients at a university counseling center in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States were split into two groups. One group received the intervention while the other experienced a standard intake without the intervention. Results indicated that the experimental subjects decreased more in their reported levels of distress between the time of the intake interview and their first counseling session than did the control subjects. Similarly, the experimental subjects reported significantly greater feelings of alliance with their therapists than did the control subjects. The number of dropouts from therapy (defined as those who failed to show for the first counseling session) was similar for the groups. Finally, high versus low levels of self-efficacy did not further explain changes in psychological distress or group differences in therapeutic alliance, although level of self-efficacy was related to level of distress. The results of this study suggest that a client's initial contact with a service agency (i.e., the intake interview) can be utilized to initiate therapeutic gain. It is notable that the observed changes occurred regardless of presenting problems and diagnosis. It was speculated that the therapeutic effects could be enhanced further by expanding this approach to provide specific interventions to individual clients based on initial diagnostic impressions.

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Swimming is a very popular sport among adolescents in the US. Little is known about the diet of competitive adolescent swimmers in the US but data from other countries indicate several inadequacies, including excessive intake of fat and lower than recommended intake of carbohydrate and several micronutrients that may affect athletic performance and bone accrual. We assessed usual diet, using a food frequency questionnaire and calcium checklist, among 191 adolescent males and females [91 swimmers (mean 13.7, s = 2.5 years) and 100 non-athletes (mean 14.4, s = 2.8 years)]. For both males and females, swimmers and non-athletes generally had similar average intakes of macro- and micro-nutrients, including higher than recommended amounts of total fat (36%) and saturated fat (12%), and inadequate amounts of calcium, vitamin D, and daily servings of fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy products. This first study of nutritional intake among adolescent swimmers in the US suggests that dietary habits of adolescents who swim competitively may jeopardize optimal athletic performance and place them at risk for future chronic diseases, including osteoporosis.

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of dietary trends in the United States from 2000 to 2018, examining the population's adherence to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) across diverse food groups. Utilizing National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data and employing meta-regression analysis, the research evaluates the intake patterns of vegetables, fruits, grains, protein, dairy, fats and oils, and key nutrients. The findings reveal a consistent and widespread non-adherence to recommended DGA servings, challenging the effectiveness of dietary guidelines in influencing public behavior. Despite revisions in guidelines, the study demonstrates remarkable stability in the intake of both recommended and discouraged foods. Additionally, the study investigates trends in obesity prevalence and BMI, suggesting that the DGAs alone may not be the primary driver of the obesity epidemic. The discussion highlights the persistent disconnect between DGA recommendations and actual dietary behaviors, emphasizing the need for public health interventions. This study contributes valuable insights into the limitations of current dietary guidelines in shaping broader dietary patterns, calling for a more holistic approach to public health interventions.

No description available.

No description available.

More than seventy percent of Americans over the age of sixty are classified as overweight or obese, and the future incidence of these conditions is expected to rise. Although it is unclear why older adults are predisposed to weight gain, decreased total energy expenditure may contribute to positive energy balance. It is also possible that age-related impairments in energy intake regulation result in the inability to appropriately adjust food intake to meet energy requirements with advancing age. The purpose of these investigations was to determine the influence of age and habitual physical activity on acute regulation of energy intake. Secondary objectives were to determine if there are sex differences in energy intake regulation, and to determine if pre-meal water consumption decreases meal energy intake in young and older adults. To achieve these objectives, the ability to spontaneously adjust energy intake at a meal under "preloading" conditions in which a yogurt shake or water was consumed prior to the meal was determined. We hypothesized that older adults would demonstrate less accurate energy intake regulation than younger adults, but that energy intake dysregulation would be attenuated in physically active older adults. We also expected that young men would have higher accuracy of energy intake regulation compared to young women matched for dietary cognitive restraint and cardiorespiratory fitness, and that pre-meal water consumption would decrease meal energy intake in young and older adults. Our main finding was that energy intake regulation is significantly impaired in older compared to younger adults, and that habitual physical activity improves short-term, but not acute, energy intake regulation. We also found that young men demonstrate significantly higher accuracy of energy intake regulation compared to young women. Lastly, we determined that pre-meal water consumption significantly decreases meal energy intake in older, but not young, adults. Overall, these results indicate that acute energy intake regulation is less accurate with advancing age, but that regular physical activity improves short-term energy intake regulation. Additionally, sex appears to influence energy intake regulation, and water consumption is a potential strategy to reduce energy intake in older adults. / Ph. D.

Tall fescue [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.] is an important forage crop in the United States and covers over 14 million ha. The presence of Neotyphodium coenophialum, an endophytic fungus in tall fescue, is associated with several disorders in grazing livestock, but also increased persistence of tall fescue. These disorders, commonly called fescue toxicosis, are responsible for large economic losses in the beef cattle industry each year. This research examined the effect of three fescue types [endophyte-infected Kentucky 31 tall fescue (E+), endophyte-free Kentucky 31 tall fescue (E-), non-ergot alkaloid-producing endophyte Q4508-AR542 tall fescue (Q)], and Lakota prairie grass (L; Bromus catharticus Vahl.) on animal response, alkaloid appearance, DMI, and copper status. Ergovaline (EV) is the most abundant ergot alkaloid in tall fescue and has previously been considered the causative toxin in fescue toxicosis. More recently it is simpler ergot alkaloids, such as lysergic acid amide (LSA) have been implicated. The objective of the first project was to evaluate animal performance and alkaloid (EV and LSA) appearance in forage and ruminal fluid of steers grazing E-, Q, E+, and L. Average daily gains were greater (P < 0.05) on E-, Q and L compared to E+, and there was a trend (P = 0.11) for gains on E- to be higher than with Q. The seasonal appearance of LSA in ruminal fluid was similar to the seasonal pattern of alkaloids in E+ forage. Ergovaline was not detectable in ruminal fluid of steers grazing E+. Alkaloids were not detectable in forage or ruminal fluid of steers grazing E-, Q, or L. The appearance of LSA in ruminal fluid of steers grazing E+ suggests that this alkaloid may contribute to fescue toxicosis. Low DMI of animals grazing E+ tall fescue is considered a key factor in decreased animal performance compared to other fescue types. The objective of the second project was to evaluate DMI of steers grazing E-, E+, Q, and L pastures using the alkane technique. Dry matter intake of steers grazing E- was greater (P < 0.001) than Q, E+, and L and DMI of steers grazing Q and E+ were similar (P > 0.10) in 2004. In 2005, DMI did not differ (P = 0.23) among fescue types. These results suggest that decreased DMI effects ADG of steers grazing E+ compared to those grazing E-, and lower DMI of Q suggests that the fescue variety Q4508 may not be the optimal variety for the incorporation on non-ergot alkaloid-producing endophytes. Reactive oxygen metabolites such as superoxide (O₂⁻) are produced by both endogenous and exogenous sources and an accumulation of these compounds can result in oxidative stress. Copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD) is a Cu-based antioxidant metalloprotein that acts as a defense against oxidative stress by the scavenging of O₂⁻. <i>Neotyphodium</i>-infected tall fescue is typically lower in Cu which could potentially increase oxidative stress of animals grazing this forage. Therefore the objective of the third project was to investigate the Cu and SOD status of steers grazing E-, E+, Q, and L forages. Copper levels of all forages were below the dietary requirement (10μg Cu/g DM) of growing cattle. In 2004, steers grazing E+ exhibited lower (P <0.05) liver Cu compared to E- and Cu intake was lower (P < 0.001). Cu/Zn SOD enzymatic activity and mRNA relative expression did not differ (P > 0.10) among treatments. Copper intake of steers grazing E+ tall fescue was sufficient to maintain, but not replenish liver Cu, and SOD status did not appear compromised by grazing E+ at these Cu levels. / Ph. D.

The purpose of this study was to compare the relationship of body attitude to both dietary intake and selected personality characteristics. The study focused on the relationship between dietary intake and both body attitude and personality characteristics as well as differences in body attitude and personality characteristics between female college age lacrosse athletes, dance team members and controls. The subjects were 27 lacrosse players (mean age = 19.4 ± 1.1 y), 20 dance team members (mean age = 19.5 ± 1.4 y) and 64 non- athlete controls (mean age = 20.6 ± 1.5 y). Participants were administered the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2), the Ben-Tovim Walker Body Attitude Questionnaire, the Cognitive Behavioral Dieting Scale and a Silhouette Scale to assess body attitude and selected personality traits. Participants completed a 5-day diet record including 3 consecutive weekdays and 2 weekend days Group mean differences on body attitude and personality traits were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance. Post-hoc analyses were performed using the Tukey procedure and the Kruskal-Wallis Test. Relationships were determined between dietary intake, body attitude and personality traits utilizing the Pearson Product Moment Correlation procedures. Stepwise multiple regression techniques were utilized in the attempt to develop a valid and reliable prediction equation for dietary intake using body attitude and selected personality characteristics. Significant differences did exist between the athletic groups and the control group on interoceptive awareness, maturity fears, social insecurity, feelings of attractiveness, body dissatisfaction, perfectionism, bulimia, interpersonal distrust, dietary protein (g) intake, dietary fat (g) intake, dietary fiber (g) intake, and vitamin C (mg) intake. No significant differences were found between the lacrosse and dance team on dietary intake, body attitude or personality traits. Significant relationships did exist between dietary intake and body attitude measures in all three groups. In addition, significant relationships were also found to exist between body attitude measures and personality traits in all three groups. Five different prediction equations were generated using relationships from each individual group and then combined groups. The results of this study indicate that female athletes involved in both aesthetic and non-aesthetic sports, may be purposefully restricting total caloric intake as well as fat intake due to body image dissatisfaction during the competitive season. / Ph. D.