In this paper, a multi-objective method is used to optimize a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG). Two objective functions have been used in the optimization, which are irreversibility and HRSG equivalent volume. The former expresses the exergetic efficiency and the latter demonstrates the cost of the HRSG. Decision variables are geometric and operational parameters of the HRSG. The results of...

The objectives of this study were to compare the effects of three different Pilates regimes on chronic, mild low back pain symptoms and to determine whether the efficiency of load transfer through the pelvis is improved by those exercises. A between subjects equivalent group experimental design was used. The independent variable was the type of exercise training (three groups) and the two-depen...

BACKGROUND Bean consumption can reduce chronic disease risk and improve nutrition status. Consumer knowledge of bean health benefits could lead to increased intakes. Low-income women have poorer health and nutrition, but their level of knowledge about bean health benefits is unknown. Beans are a familiar food of reasonable cost in most settings and are cultural staples for Hispanics and other e...

INTRODUCTION Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables as part of an overall healthful diet can help lower chronic disease risk and aid in weight management. Increasing the percentage of Americans who consume enough fruits and vegetables every day is part of the Healthy People 2010 objectives for the nation. Assessing trends in consumption of these foods is important for tracking public healt...

The objective of this study was to explore the perception of, feelings and attitudes toward overweight or obesity, and the perceived barriers to weight loss among native adults from lower socio-economic background. A total of six gender- and ethnic-specific focus groups consisted of 38 overweight and obese purposefully and criterion selected adults (21 women and 17 men), participated in this st...

After several years of frantic development, the dream of an "ideal" library remains elusive. Traditionally, combinatorial chemistry has been used primarily for lead generation, and molecular diversity has been the method of choice for designing and prioritizing experiments. One aspect that often has been overlooked is the drug likeness of the resulting collections. Recently, there have been sev...

BACKGROUND Knowledge of the psychological constructs that underlie behavior offers valuable design opportunities for persuasive systems. We use the decision theory, which describes how behavior is underpinned by reward-cost valuations, as a framework for investigating such psychological constructs to deliver design objectives for weight management technologies. OBJECTIVE We applied a decision...

The second law of thermodynamics applies with local exceptions to patient history and therapy interventions. Living things preserve their low level of entropy throughout time because they receive energy from their surroundings in the form of food. They gain their order at the expense of disordering the nutrients they consume. Death is the thermodynamically favored state: it represents a large i...

UNLABELLED BACKGROUND; The self-perception of weight appropriateness is an important component of eating and weight-loss behaviors. Self-perceived weight status, however, is not fully explained by objective weight status. OBJECTIVE To examine the influence of sociodemographic factors on Americans' perceptions of their weight appropriateness, controlling for objective weight status. DESIGN I...