British American Tobacco's partnership with Earthwatch Europe and its implications for public health.

PubMed

McDaniel, Patricia A; Malone, Ruth E

2012-01-01

This paper explores a partnership between British American Tobacco (BAT) and the environmental organisation Earthwatch Europe (EE) and considers its implications for countries implementing Article 5.3 of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. We reviewed approximately 100 internal BAT documents, interviewed EE's former executive director and examined media accounts and BAT and EE websites. We analysed materials by reviewing them iteratively, identifying themes, constructing a timeline of events and assembling a case study. BAT sought a partnership with EE to gain a global ally that could provide entrée into the larger non-governmental organisation (NGO) community. EE debated the ethics of working with BAT, resolving them in BAT's favour and taking a narrow view of its own overall organisational mission. To protect its reputation, EE delayed public disclosure of the partnership. Instead, EE promoted it to policy-makers and other NGOs, extending BAT's reputation and reach into influential circles. The potential for normalising the tobacco industry presence within government through NGO partnerships and the benefits that accrued to BAT even when the partnership was not being publicised show why governments seeking to protect effective tobacco control policies from industry influence need to consider ways to identify and discourage 'hidden' NGO partnerships.

TRACALS Evaluation Report. Initial Evaluation Report (AN/GPN-24) Nellis AFB, Nevada, 10 December 1979-6 Mar 1980.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-05-16

Scott AFB, IL 62225 1 1842 EEG /EEIT, Scott AFB, IL 62225 1 1843 EES/EIELT, H-ickam AFB, H-I 96853 1 1844 EES/EIELT, Griffiss AFB, NY 13441 I HQ AFCC/DAPL...Time Control TDC Target Data Computer TO Technical Order TRACALS Traffic Cortrol and Landing Systems TSDA Transfer Switch Drawer Assembly TWT Traveling...the designated targets. The error detector outputs are fed to the TDC to update the beam position data during the next track interval. (b) Processor

Systematic Review and Quality Appraisal of Economic Evaluation Publications in Dentistry.

PubMed

Tonmukayakul, U; Calache, H; Clark, R; Wasiak, J; Faggion, C M

2015-10-01

Economic evaluation (EE) studies have been undertaken in dentistry since the late 20th century because economic data provide additional information to policy makers to develop guidelines and set future direction for oral health services. The objectives of this study were to assess the methodological quality of EEs in oral health. Electronic searching of Ovid MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, and the NHS Economic Evaluation Database from 1975 to 2013 were undertaken to identify publications that include costs and outcomes in dentistry. Relevant reference lists were also searched for additional studies. Studies were retrieved and reviewed independently for inclusion by 3 authors. Furthermore, to appraise the EE methods, 1 author applied the Drummond 10-item (13-criteria) checklist tool to each study. Of the 114 publications identified, 79 studies were considered full EE and 35 partial. Twenty-eight studies (30%) were published between the years 2011 and 2013. Sixty-four (53%) studies focused on dental caries prevention or treatment. Median appraisal scores calculated for full and partial EE studies were 11 and 9 out of 13, respectively. Quality assessment scores showed that the quality of partial EE studies published after 2000 significantly improved (P = 0.02) compared to those published before 2000. Significant quality improvement was not found in full EE studies. Common methodological limitations were identified: absence of sensitivity analysis, discounting, and insufficient information on how costs and outcomes were measured and valued. EE studies in dentistry increased over the last 40 y in both quantity and quality, but a number of publications failed to satisfy some components of standard EE research methods, such as sensitivity analysis and discounting. © International & American Associations for Dental Research 2015.

Primary extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma involving the carotid artery: a case report and review of the current literature

PubMed Central

Nikkhah, D; Nix, P; Woodhead, C

2012-01-01

Extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma (EES) is a rare soft tissue neoplasm of primitive mesenchymal cells. There is a scarcity of data on EES involving the head and neck, with studies being over years or even decades. We are the first to report a case of EES involving the carotid artery and its subsequent surgical excision and reconstruction. PMID:22613280

Economic evaluations of alcohol prevention interventions: Is the evidence sufficient? A review of methodological challenges.

PubMed

Hill, Sarah R; Vale, Luke; Hunter, David; Henderson, Emily; Oluboyede, Yemi

2017-12-01

Public health interventions have unique characteristics compared to health technologies, which present additional challenges for economic evaluation (EE). High quality EEs that are able to address the particular methodological challenges are important for public health decision-makers. In England, they are even more pertinent given the transition of public health responsibilities in 2013 from the National Health Service to local government authorities where new agents are shaping policy decisions. Addressing alcohol misuse is a globally prioritised public health issue. This article provides a systematic review of EE and priority-setting studies for interventions to prevent and reduce alcohol misuse published internationally over the past decade (2006-2016). This review appraises the EE and priority-setting evidence to establish whether it is sufficient to meet the informational needs of public health decision-makers. 619 studies were identified via database searches. 7 additional studies were identified via hand searching journals, grey literature and reference lists. 27 met inclusion criteria. Methods identified included cost-utility analysis (18), cost-effectiveness analysis (6), cost-benefit analysis (CBA) (1), cost-consequence analysis (CCA) (1) and return-on-investment (1). The review identified a lack of consideration of methodological challenges associated with evaluating public health interventions and limited use of methods such as CBA and CCA which have been recommended as potentially useful for EE in public health. No studies using other specific priority-setting tools were identified. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Prospects for colliders and collider physics to the 1 PeV energy scale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

King, Bruce J.

2000-08-01

A review is given of the prospects for future colliders and collider physics at the energy frontier. A proof-of-plausibility scenario is presented for maximizing our progress in elementary particle physics by extending the energy reach of hadron and lepton colliders as quickly and economically as might be technically and financially feasible. The scenario comprises 5 colliders beyond the LHC—one each of e+e- and hadron colliders and three μ+μ- colliders — and is able to hold to the historical rate of progress in the log-energy reach of hadron and lepton colliders, reaching the 1 PeV constituent mass scale by the early 2040's. The technical and fiscal requirements for the feasibility of the scenario are assessed and relevant long-term R&D projects are identified. Considerations of both cost and logistics seem to strongly favor housing most or all of the colliders in the scenario in a new world high energy physics laboratory.

British American Tobacco’s partnership with Earthwatch Europe and its implications for public health

PubMed Central

McDaniel, Patricia A.; Malone, Ruth E.

2011-01-01

This paper explores a partnership between British American Tobacco (BAT) and the environmental organisation Earthwatch Europe (EE) and considers its implications for countries implementing Article 5.3 of the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. We reviewed approximately 100 internal BAT documents, interviewed EE’s former executive director, and examined media accounts and BAT and EE websites. We analysed materials by reviewing them iteratively, identifying themes, constructing a timeline of events, and assembling a case study. BAT sought a partnership with EE to gain a global ally that could provide entrée into the larger NGO community. EE debated the ethics of working with BAT, resolving them in BAT’s favour and taking a narrow view of its own overall organizational mission. To protect its reputation, EE delayed public disclosure of the partnership. Instead, EE promoted it to policymakers and other NGOs, extending BAT’s reputation and reach into influential circles. The potential for normalising the tobacco industry presence within government through NGO partnerships, and the benefits that accrued to BAT even when the partnership was not being publicised, show why governments seeking to protect effective tobacco control policies from industry influence need to consider ways to identify and discourage “hidden” NGO partnerships. PMID:21347934

Expressed Emotion in Schizophrenia: An Overview

PubMed Central

Amaresha, Anekal C.; Venkatasubramanian, Ganesan

2012-01-01

The expressed emotion (EE) is considered to be an adverse family environment, which includes the quality of interaction patterns and nature of family relationships among the family caregivers and patients of schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders. Influence of EE has been found to be one of the robust predictors of relapse in schizophrenia. This review article aims to provide a brief description of the origins and evolution of the EE as a construct from the available literature. The EE is modulated by multiple factors–some of which include certain personality profile, attribution factors by caregivers toward patient symptoms, and patient's vulnerability to stress. The psychosocial assessment and interventions specifically focused on family psychoeducation can potentially reduce high EE and relapse of symptoms as well. However, the theory surrounded with EE undermines the caregiver's positive attitudes toward the patients. Hence, it is important that the future studies should focus on both protective and vulnerable factors within the construct of EE in schizophrenia to facilitate comprehensive care. PMID:22661801

Annual Technical Report to the Office of Naval Research.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-11-01

7 A A1 208 MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNI V HOUGHTON DEP T OF MFTALLU--ETC IG 11/6 ANNUAL TECHNICAL REPORT TO THE OFFICE OF NAVAL RESEARCH(U) NOV 81 D...A KOSS N00014-76-C-0037 UNCLASSIFIED NLmhEIIIIIIEIIII ElllllEllEllEE ANNUAL TECHNICAL REPORT TO THE OFFICE OF NAVAL RESEARCH CONTRACT No, N00014-76-C... the Office of Naval Research through Contract No. N00014-76-C-0037, NR 031-756. 22 References 1. K. Okazaki, M. Kagawa, and H. Conrad, Acta. Met. 27

The current capacity and future development of economic evaluation for policy decision-making: a survey among researchers and decision-makers in Thailand.

PubMed

Chaikledkaew, Usa; Lertpitakpong, Chanida; Teerawattananon, Yot; Thavorncharoensap, Montarat; Tangcharoensathien, Viroj

2009-01-01

This study aims to explore the knowledge, experience, and attitudes toward economic evaluation (EE) among decision-makers and researchers in Thailand. Researchers were purposively selected from Thai academics and both public and private research organizations related to EE. Decision-makers at the provincial level were purposively selected from the members of the Management Committees of Provincial Health Offices, and those at hospital level were randomly selected from members of the public and private hospital formulary drug committees throughout Thailand. The self-administered postal questionnaires were distributed. Univariate and bivariate analyses were applied. Of the total 2575 questionnaires distributed, 758 (29.4% response rate) were completed and sent back. The majority of researchers and decision-makers were not familiar with technical terms commonly used in health EE, e.g., incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, discounting, and sensitivity analysis. More decision-makers (70.6%) had never had EE training compared to researchers (50.0%). Both roles indicated that value for money was one of the important issues to consider for health technology adoption. An extensive unmet demand for EE training among Thai researchers and decision-makers still exists. Findings from this study contribute to the short- and long-term plans for research capacity building.

[Nicotine and animal models: what does the environmental enrichment paradigm tell us?].

PubMed

Mesa-Gresa, Patricia; Pérez-Martínez, Asunción; Redolat-Iborra, Rosa

2012-01-01

The Environmental Enrichment (EE) paradigm is a housing condition which aims is to provide physical, cognitive and sensorial stimulation to rodents. Animals are housed in larger cages containing inanimate objects such as tunnels, toys and running wheels. The main aim of the current work is to tackle the arguments which suggest that EE may diminish vulnerability to developing addiction to nicotine and other drugs of abuse and to review recent experimental studies performed in relation to this subject. We discuss the major changes induced by EE at physical, neurobiological and behavioral levels and review the results of recent studies which indicate that EE promotes both neurochemical (potentiation of the increase in dopamine release induced by nicotine in the brain cortex) and behavioral changes (increased ability to discriminate the presence of reward and decreased impulsivity), thus supporting the hypothesis put forward. In light of these results, EE can be proposed as a model for the study of vulnerability to addiction to different drugs of abuse, including cocaine and nicotine, though further studies are needed in order to establish the neurobiological implications of the effects of exposure to enriched environments and their possible relationship with changes in brain reward systems.

Traumatic brain injury and post-acute decline: what role does environmental enrichment play? A scoping review

PubMed Central

Frasca, Diana; Tomaszczyk, Jennifer; McFadyen, Bradford J.; Green, Robin E.

2013-01-01

Objectives: While a growing number of studies provide evidence of neural and cognitive decline in traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors during the post-acute stages of injury, there is limited research as of yet on environmental factors that may influence this decline. The purposes of this paper, therefore, are to (1) examine evidence that environmental enrichment (EE) can influence long-term outcome following TBI, and (2) examine the nature of post-acute environments, whether they vary in degree of EE, and what impact these variations have on outcomes. Methods: We conducted a scoping review to identify studies on EE in animals and humans, and post-discharge experiences that relate to barriers to recovery. Results: One hundred and twenty-three articles that met inclusion criteria demonstrated the benefits of EE on brain and behavior in healthy and brain-injured animals and humans. Nineteen papers on post-discharge experiences revealed that variables such as insurance coverage, financial, and social support, home therapy, and transition from hospital to home, can have an impact on clinical outcomes. Conclusion: There is evidence to suggest that lack of EE, whether from lack of resources or limited ability to engage in such environments, may play a role in post-acute cognitive and neural decline. Maximizing EE in the post-acute stages of TBI may improve long-term outcomes for the individual, their family and society. PMID:23616755

Cellular and molecular mechanisms of immunomodulation in the brain through environmental enrichment

PubMed Central

Singhal, Gaurav; Jaehne, Emily J.; Corrigan, Frances; Baune, Bernhard T.

2014-01-01

Recent studies on environmental enrichment (EE) have shown cytokines, cellular immune components [e.g., T lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells], and glial cells in causal relationship to EE in bringing out changes to neurobiology and behavior. The purpose of this review is to evaluate these neuroimmune mechanisms associated with neurobiological and behavioral changes in response to different EE methods. We systematically reviewed common research databases. After applying all inclusion and exclusion criteria, 328 articles remained for this review. Physical exercise (PE), a form of EE, elicits anti-inflammatory and neuromodulatory effects through interaction with several immune pathways including interleukin (IL)-6 secretion from muscle fibers, reduced expression of Toll-like receptors on monocytes and macrophages, reduced secretion of adipokines, modulation of hippocampal T cells, priming of microglia, and upregulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 in central nervous system. In contrast, immunomodulatory roles of other enrichment methods are not studied extensively. Nonetheless, studies showing reduction in the expression of IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α in response to enrichment with novel objects and accessories suggest anti-inflammatory effects of novel environment. Likewise, social enrichment, though considered a necessity for healthy behavior, results in immunosuppression in socially defeated animals. This has been attributed to reduction in T lymphocytes, NK cells and IL-10 in subordinate animals. EE through sensory stimuli has been investigated to a lesser extent and the effect on immune factors has not been evaluated yet. Discovery of this multidimensional relationship between immune system, brain functioning, and EE has paved a way toward formulating environ-immuno therapies for treating psychiatric illnesses with minimal use of pharmacotherapy. While the immunomodulatory role of PE has been evaluated extensively, more research is required to investigate neuroimmune changes associated with other enrichment methods. PMID:24772064

Designing an Effective Environmental Education Program that Meets the Needs of Stakeholders: A Case Study of the High Lonesome Ranch in DeBeque, Colorado

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haley, Bethany M.

A successful environmental education (EE) program is one that supports the mission of the parent organization, meets the needs of its audiences, and is effective at increasing environmental literacy. The High Lonesome Ranch (HLR), a private corporation that operates according to a mixed-use landscape model inspired by Aldo Leopold's land ethic, intends to develop an EE program that will operate within an associated nonprofit organization, the High Lonesome Institute (HLI), to further the mission of promoting a contemporary land ethic. Although HLR owners and staff are motivated to develop an EE program, there is currently no clear consensus regarding an overall vision for the program. The purpose of my thesis is to provide HLR owners and their advisors with a recommended design for the education program based on the missions of the HLR and HLI, sound EE theory, stakeholder feedback, and feasibility within the environment of the HLR. To accomplish this, I reviewed pertinent EE literature, reviewed the models used by existing EE programs, and undertook a two-pronged qualitative case study that gathered feedback from the major stakeholders in the HLR/HLI program. The case study included stakeholder interviews and a one-day facilitated charrette. Although feedback from stakeholders on specific program elements ranged widely, there was widespread support for an EE program at the HLR. From this research, I made a series of recommendations regarding how the HLR/HLI should proceed in development, specific program elements, and next steps in the process.

Functional neuroimaging in epileptic encephalopathies.

PubMed

Siniatchkin, Michael; Capovilla, Giuseppe

2013-11-01

Epileptic encephalopathies (EEs) represent a group of severe epileptic disorders associated with cognitive and behavioral disturbances. The mechanisms of cognitive disability in EEs remain unclear. This review summarized neuroimaging studies that have tried to describe specific fingerprints of brain activation in EE. Although the epileptic activity can be generated individually in different brain regions, it seems likely that the activity propagates in a syndrome-specific way. In some EEs, the epileptiform discharges were associated with an interruption of activity in the default mode network. In another EE, other mechanisms seem to underlie cognitive disability associated with epileptic activity, for example, abnormal connectivity pattern or interfering activity in the thalamocortical network. Further neuroimaging studies are needed to investigate the short-term and long-term impact of epileptic activity on cognition and development. Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2013 International League Against Epilepsy.

Systematic review of publications on economic evaluations of caries prevention programs.

PubMed

Mariño, R J; Khan, A R; Morgan, M

2013-01-01

The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review of economic evaluations (EEs) of dental caries prevention programs to objectively retrieve, synthesize and describe available information on the field. Several strategies were combined to search for literature published between January 1975 and April 2012. MEDLINE, EconoLit and ISI formed the basis of the literature search. The study selection was done using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Bibliographic listings of all retrieved articles were hand-searched. The search identified 206 references. An evaluative framework was developed based on the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination's 'Guidance for undertaking reviews in health care' (York University, 2009). Background information included publication vehicle, year of publication, geographic focus, type of preventive program and type of economic analysis. 63 studies were included in the review. The most common preventive strategies evaluated were dental sealants (n = 13), water fluoridation (n = 12) and mixed interventions (n = 12). By type of EE undertaken, 30 were cost-effectiveness analyses, 22 were cost-benefit analyses, and 5 presented both cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analyses. Few studies were cost-utility analyses (n = 5) or cost minimization analyses (n = 2). By year of publication, most were published after 2003. The review revealed that, although the number of publications reporting EEs has increased significantly in recent years, the quality of the reporting needs to be improved. The main methodological problems identified in the review were the limited information provided on adjustments for discounting in addition to inadequate sensitivity analyses. Attention also needs to be given to the analysis and interpretation of the results of the EEs. Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Illuminating the Black Box of Entrepreneurship Education Programmes: Part 2

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maritz, Alex

2017-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide a justified, legitimate and validated model on entrepreneurship education programmes (EEPs), by combining recent research and scholarship in leading edge entrepreneurship education (EE). Design/methodology/approach: A systematic literature review of recent EE research and scholarship is followed by…

Application of Ultrasonic Bone Curette in Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgery: Technical Note

PubMed Central

Rastelli, Milton M.; Pinheiro-Neto, Carlos D.; Fernandez-Miranda, Juan C.; Wang, Eric W.; Snyderman, Carl H.; Gardner, Paul A.

2014-01-01

Background Endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) of the skull base often requires extensive bone work in proximity to critical neurovascular structures. Objective To demonstrate the application of an ultrasonic bone curette during EES. Methods Ten patients with skull base lesions underwent EES from September 2011 to April 2012 at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Most of the bone work was done with high-speed drill and rongeurs. The ultrasonic curette was used to remove specific structures. Results All the patients were submitted to fully endoscopic endonasal procedures and had critical bony structures removed with the ultrasonic bone curette. Two patients with degenerative spine diseases underwent odontoid process removal. Five patients with clival and petroclival tumors underwent posterior clinoid removal. Two patients with anterior fossa tumors underwent crista galli removal. One patient underwent unilateral optic nerve decompression. No mechanical or heat injury resulted from the ultrasonic curette. The surrounding neurovascular structures and soft tissue were preserved in all cases. Conclusion In selected EES, the ultrasonic bone curette was successfully used to remove loose pieces of bone in narrow corridors, adjacent to neurovascular structures, and it has advantages to high-speed drills in these specific situations. PMID:24719795

Is Obesity Associated with Altered Energy Expenditure?12

PubMed Central

Carneiro, Isabella P; Elliott, Sarah A; Siervo, Mario; Padwal, Raj; Bertoli, Simona; Battezzati, Alberto; Prado, Carla M

2016-01-01

Historically, obese individuals were believed to have lower energy expenditure (EE) rates than nonobese individuals (normal and overweight), which, in the long term, would contribute to a positive energy balance and subsequent weight gain. The aim of this review was to critically appraise studies that compared measures of EE and its components, resting EE (REE), activity EE (AEE), and diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT), in obese and nonobese adults to elucidate whether obesity is associated with altered EE. Contrary to popular belief, research has shown that obese individuals have higher absolute REE and total EE. When body composition (namely the metabolically active component, fat-free mass) is taken into account, these differences between obese and nonobese individuals disappear, suggesting that EE in obese individuals is not altered. However, an important question is whether AEE is lower in obese individuals because of a decrease in overall physical activity or because of less energy expended while performing physical activity. AEE and DIT could be reduced in obese individuals, mostly because of unhealthy behavior (low physical activity, higher intake of fat). However, the current evidence does not support the hypothesis that obesity is sustained by lower daily EE or REE. Future studies, comparing EE between obese and nonobese and assessing potential physiologic abnormalities in obese individuals, should be able to better answer the question of whether these individuals have altered energy metabolism. PMID:27184275

Iowa Hill Pumped Storage Project Investigations - Final Technical Report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hanson, David

2016-07-01

This Final Technical Report is a summary of the activities and outcome of the Department of Energy (DOE) Assistance Agreement DE-EE0005414 with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD). The Assistance Agreement was created in 2012 to support investigations into the Iowa Hill Pumped-storage Project (Project), a new development that would add an additional 400 MW of capacity to SMUD’s existing 688MW Upper American River Hydroelectric Project (UARP) in the Sierra Nevada mountains east of Sacramento, California.

Effect of Enriched (Complex) Environment on Nerve Conduction Velocity: New Data and Review of Implications for the Speed of Information Processing.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reed, T. Edward

1993-01-01

Results with 54 mice confirm that increased stimulation or usage, as would be provided by environmental enrichment (EE), increases peripheral nerve conduction velocity. These results suggest a role at the physiological level for EE (or deprivation) in affecting measured intelligence. (SLD)

Unifying Psychology and Experiential Education: Toward an Integrated Understanding of "Why" It Works

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Houge Mackenzie, Susan; Son, Julie S.; Hollenhorst, Steve

2014-01-01

This article examines the significance of psychology to experiential education (EE) and critiques EE models that have developed in isolation from larger psychological theories and developments. Following a review of literature and current issues, select areas of psychology are explored with reference to experiential learning processes. The state…

Perspectives on variability in pharmacokinetics of an oral contraceptive product☆

PubMed Central

Jusko, William J.

2017-01-01

The early literature and reviews have described the pharmacokinetics (PK) of oral contraceptive (OC) compounds such as ethinyl estradiol (EE) and levonorgestrel (LNG) in women as subject to large intersubject variability. This was partly due to the use of diverse radioimmunoassays, limited sampling periods and an incomplete understanding of single- vs. multiple-dose kinetics and the role of EE in causing both inhibition of hepatic metabolism along with induction of sex hormone binding globulin. Over the past two decades, LNG and EE have been used as target drugs for the assessment of possible drug interactions upon introduction of many new therapeutic agents. This has resulted in at least 17 publications that describe the PK of LNG and EE in women using various 150 mcg/30 mcg products under fairly standard multiple-dose conditions. A review of these studies indicates only moderate variability in the Cmax and area under the curve both within and across these studies. There is impressive similarity in these drug exposure indices found in studies carried out with several products by investigators at numerous sites and countries. PMID:27475034

[Defense mechanisms of the surface epithelium of the human esophageal mucosa].

PubMed

Bykov, V L; Iseeva, E A

2006-01-01

This review, which is based on the literature data and the results of personal research, contains an analysis of the current concepts on the tissue, cellular and molecular mechanisms, protecting human esophageal epithelium (EE) from gastric juice, bile, hot and rough food, microorganisms, alcohol, carcinogens, drugs and oxidizing agents. The response of EE to concrete environmental factors includes both specific and non-specific components, which depend on the nature of injurious agent. EE is damaged structurally and functionally only when it is exposed to the injurious factors of high intensity and/or long duration, which result in the exhaustion of resources of defense mechanisms. The insufficiency of EE defense mechanisms may be based on various genetic defects.

Meta-analysis of long-term clinical outcomes of everolimus-eluting stents.

PubMed

Toyota, Toshiaki; Shiomi, Hiroki; Morimoto, Takeshi; Kimura, Takeshi

2015-07-15

The superiority of everolimus-eluting stents (EES) over sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) for long-term clinical outcomes has not been yet firmly established. We conducted a systematic review and a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing EES directly with SES using the longest available follow-up data. We searched PubMed, the Cochrane database, and ClinicalTrials.gov for RCTs comparing outcomes between EES and SES and identified 13,434 randomly assigned patients from 14 RCTs. EES was associated with significantly lower risks than SES for definite stent thrombosis (ST), definite/probable ST, target-lesion revascularization (TLR), and major adverse cardiac events (MACE). The risks for all-cause death and myocardial infarction were similar between EES and SES. By the stratified analysis according to the timing after stent implantation, the favorable trend of EES relative to SES for ST, TLR, and MACE was consistently observed both within and beyond 1 year. The lower risk of EES relative to SES for MACE beyond 1 year was statistically significant (pooled odds ratio 0.77, 95% confidence interval 0.61 to 0.96, p = 0.02). In conclusion, the current meta-analysis of 14 RCTs directly comparing EES with SES suggested that EES provided improvement in both safety and efficacy; EES compared with SES was associated with significantly lower risk for definite ST, definite/probable ST, TLR, and MACE. The direction and magnitude of the effect beyond 1 year were comparable with those observed within 1 year. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ethynilestradiol 20 mcg plus Levonorgestrel 100 mcg: Clinical Pharmacology.

PubMed

Lello, Stefano; Cavani, Andrea

2014-01-01

Estroprogestins (EPs) are combinations of estrogen and progestin with several actions on women's health. The different pharmacological composition of EPs is responsible for different clinical effects. One of the most used low-dose EP associations is ethinylestradiol 20 mcg plus levonorgestrel 100 mcg in monophasic regimen (EE20/LNG100). This review summarizes clinical pharmacology, cycle control, and effects on lipid and glucose metabolism, coagulation, body weight/body composition, acne, and sexuality of EE20/LNG100. Overall, EE20/LNG100 combination is safe and well tolerated, and in several studies the incidence of adverse events in the treated group was comparable to that of the placebo group. Cycle control was effective and body weight/body composition did not vary among treated and untreated groups in most studies. The EE20/LNG100 combination shows mild or no effect on lipid and glucose metabolism. Lastly, EE20/LNG100 is associated with a low risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). In conclusion, in the process of decision making for the individualization of EPs choice, EE20/LNG100 should be considered for its favorable clinical profile.

Haemostatic and metabolic impact of estradiol pills and drospirenone-containing ethinylestradiol pills vs. levonorgestrel-containing ethinylestradiol pills: A literature review.

PubMed

Lete, Iñaki; Chabbert-Buffet, Nathalie; Jamin, Christian; Lello, Stefano; Lobo, Paloma; Nappi, Rossella E; Pintiaux, Axelle

2015-01-01

Since its introduction 50 years ago, the contraceptive pill has continuously evolved to decrease the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) associated with its use. An increased risk of VTE still remains, however. Other concerns, such as effects on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, have also been reported. In this study we compared two reference combined oral contraceptives (COCs) containing ethinylestradiol (EE)/levonorgestrel (LNG) and EE/drospirenone (DRSP) with COCs containing estradiol (E2) (estradiol valerate [E2V]/dienogest [DNG] and E2/nomegestrol acetate [NOMAC]). They were evaluated according to their influence on recognised haemostatic and metabolic markers. A literature search of the MEDLINE/PubMed database was conducted for head-to-head studies. EE/LNG was chosen as the comparator pill. The haemostatic impact of E2 pills and EE/LNG has been extensively compared, in contrast to that of EE/DRSP and EE/LNG. Changes in haemostatic and metabolic marker levels between EE/LNG and E2V/DNG were generally not statistically significant. E2/NOMAC showed statistically significantly favourable results on haemostatic markers and had a neutral effect on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism when compared with EE/LNG. E2/NOMAC exhibits less haemostatic and metabolic impact than EE/LNG and other COCs, suggesting that it may be a promising candidate to reduce residual VTE risk associated with COC use. Confirmation from a well-powered prospective clinical trial is, however, needed.

Negative, Null and Beneficial Effects of Drinking Water on Energy Intake, Energy Expenditure, Fat Oxidation and Weight Change in Randomized Trials: A Qualitative Review

PubMed Central

Stookey, Jodi J. D.

2016-01-01

Drinking water has heterogeneous effects on energy intake (EI), energy expenditure (EE), fat oxidation (FO) and weight change in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving adults and/or children. The aim of this qualitative review of RCTs was to identify conditions associated with negative, null and beneficial effects of drinking water on EI, EE, FO and weight, to generate hypotheses about ways to optimize drinking water interventions for weight management. RCT conditions that are associated with negative or null effects of drinking water on EI, EE and/or FO in the short term are associated with negative or null effects on weight over the longer term. RCT conditions that are associated with lower EI, increased EE and/or increased FO in the short term are associated with less weight gain or greater weight loss over time. Drinking water instead of caloric beverages decreases EI when food intake is ad libitum. Drinking water increases EE in metabolically-inflexible, obese individuals. Drinking water increases FO when blood carbohydrate and/or insulin concentrations are not elevated and when it is consumed instead of caloric beverages or in volumes that alter hydration status. Further research is needed to confirm the observed associations and to determine if/what specific conditions optimize drinking water interventions for weight management. PMID:26729162

Negative, Null and Beneficial Effects of Drinking Water on Energy Intake, Energy Expenditure, Fat Oxidation and Weight Change in Randomized Trials: A Qualitative Review.

PubMed

Stookey, Jodi J D

2016-01-02

Drinking water has heterogeneous effects on energy intake (EI), energy expenditure (EE), fat oxidation (FO) and weight change in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving adults and/or children. The aim of this qualitative review of RCTs was to identify conditions associated with negative, null and beneficial effects of drinking water on EI, EE, FO and weight, to generate hypotheses about ways to optimize drinking water interventions for weight management. RCT conditions that are associated with negative or null effects of drinking water on EI, EE and/or FO in the short term are associated with negative or null effects on weight over the longer term. RCT conditions that are associated with lower EI, increased EE and/or increased FO in the short term are associated with less weight gain or greater weight loss over time. Drinking water instead of caloric beverages decreases EI when food intake is ad libitum. Drinking water increases EE in metabolically-inflexible, obese individuals. Drinking water increases FO when blood carbohydrate and/or insulin concentrations are not elevated and when it is consumed instead of caloric beverages or in volumes that alter hydration status. Further research is needed to confirm the observed associations and to determine if/what specific conditions optimize drinking water interventions for weight management.

Explanation and elaboration of the Standards for UNiversal reporting of patient Decision Aid Evaluations (SUNDAE) guidelines: examples of reporting SUNDAE items from patient decision aid evaluation literature

PubMed Central

Hoffman, Aubri S; Abhyankar, Purva; Sheridan, Stacey; Bekker, Hilary; LeBlanc, Annie; Levin, Carrie; Ropka, Mary; Shaffer, Victoria; Stacey, Dawn; Stalmeier, Peep; Vo, Ha; Wills, Celia; Thomson, Richard

2018-01-01

This Explanation and Elaboration (E&E) article expands on the 26 items in the Standards for UNiversal reporting of Decision Aid Evaluations guidelines. The E&E provides a rationale for each item and includes examples for how each item has been reported in published papers evaluating patient decision aids. The E&E focuses on items key to reporting studies evaluating patient decision aids and is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Authors and reviewers may wish to use the E&E broadly to inform structuring of patient decision aid evaluation reports, or use it as a reference to obtain details about how to report individual checklist items. PMID:29467235

Making Biodiversity Conservation Happen: The Role of Environmental Education and Communication. A GreenCOM Discussion Paper.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Foster-Turley, Pat

This discussion paper is intended for policy makers, program managers, technical specialists, and others seeking new tools and ideas with which to achieve environmentally sustainable development. Effective techniques from the field of environmental education and communication (EE&C) that can help biodiversity conservationists and program managers…

Why research-informed teaching in engineering education? A review of the evidence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bubou, Gordon Monday; Offor, Ibebietei Temple; Bappa, Abubakar Saddiq

2017-05-01

Challenges of today's engineering education (EE) are emergent, necessitating calls for its reformation to empower future engineers function optimally as innovative leaders, in both local and international contexts. These challenges: keeping pace with technological dynamism; high attrition; and most importantly, quality teaching/learning require multifaceted approaches. But how can EE respond to the growing demand for relevant teaching? What can we do for engineering faculties to leverage on quality teaching? How do we embed quality teaching in EE? Scholarship of teaching and learning is advocated as one viable approach. It uses evidence-based teaching (EBT) strategies, and research-informed evidence to guide educational decisions regarding teaching and learning. We review the theories underpinning EBT, the scientific evidence on which it is based, and innovative instructional strategies that enhance active learning. Some of these issues have been discussed already, largely through developing countries lens. Nevertheless, linkages to equivalent global perspectives are presented here.

Engineering and Environmental Geology of the Indian Wells Valley Area.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-11-06

Institute, 1975. Pp. 145-55. 53. E. L. Harp, K. Tanaka, J . Sarmiento , and D. K. Keefer. Landslides from the May 25-27, 1980, Mammoth Lakeq, California...NH UELLES LE lENRUNAL EOLOG OENTE INANKEC J MLNIER "E NOV 7 NN-TP-6954 SDI-NO-E90 762 m INSSIFIED F/O 9/? ML mhhmmhhomhmhu E~hEE~E~hhAE 1111 * m 3...Read J . A. BURT Research R rtmnot Capt., U.S. Navy r N7Commnder Released for publication by a. Rt. SCHIKFR Technical Director J IWC Technical

A half-century ago physicists missed a major public service opportunity, costing the human race widespread chronic illness and many deaths!

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lundquist, Marjorie

2005-03-01

Radar-pulsed microwave (MW) radiation-helped the Allies win World War II but health concerns soon arose. Alerted to a syndrome resembling mild radiation poisoning,^1 a worried M.D. surveyed radar-exposed workers, finding a high incidence of internal bleeding, 2 leukemia cases in 600 radar operators, 2 brain tumor cases in a 5-man MW research team and many complaints of headache. He sent his report^2 to the Pentagon in 1953. Alarmed Navy officers convened a meeting^3 [mostly of electrical engineers (EEs)] to identify a safe level of MW exposure for servicemen. Biophysicist Herman Schwan attended, playing a major role in establishing 10 mW/cm^2 as a thermally safe MW exposure limit. The IEEE became sole sponsor of ANSI C95 [an early health standard for radiofrequency (RF) exposure] with negative long-term consequences for human health! I review RF health standards development since 1953, comparing what physicists might have done, had they-not EEs-had this responsibility! [See also my technical abstract.] ^1 N.H. Steneck, The Microwave Debate, Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1984; p. 33. ^2 J.T. McLaughlin, A Study of Possible Health Hazards from Exposure to Microwave Radiation (Hughes Aircraft, Culver City CA, Feb. 9, 1953). ^3 Biological Effects of Microwaves, meeting minutes (Navy Dept. Conference, Naval Medical Research Institute, Bethesda MD, Apr. 29, 1953).

Perspectives on variability in pharmacokinetics of an oral contraceptive product.

PubMed

Jusko, William J

2017-01-01

The early literature and reviews have described the pharmacokinetics (PK) of oral contraceptive (OC) compounds such as ethinyl estradiol (EE) and levonorgestrel (LNG) in women as subject to large intersubject variability. This was partly due to the use of diverse radioimmunoassays, limited sampling periods and an incomplete understanding of single- vs. multiple-dose kinetics and the role of EE in causing both inhibition of hepatic metabolism along with induction of sex hormone binding globulin. Over the past two decades, LNG and EE have been used as target drugs for the assessment of possible drug interactions upon introduction of many new therapeutic agents. This has resulted in at least 17 publications that describe the PK of LNG and EE in women using various 150 mcg/30 mcg products under fairly standard multiple-dose conditions. A review of these studies indicates only moderate variability in the C max and area under the curve both within and across these studies. There is impressive similarity in these drug exposure indices found in studies carried out with several products by investigators at numerous sites and countries. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Measuring energy expenditure in clinical populations: rewards and challenges

PubMed Central

Psota, T; Chen, KY

2013-01-01

The measurement of energy expenditure (EE) is recommended as an important component of comprehensive clinical nutrition assessments in patients with altered metabolic states, who failed to respond to nutrition support and with critical illness that require individualized nutrition support. There is evidence that EE is variable in patients with metabolic diseases, such as chronic renal disease, cirrhosis, HIV, cancer cachexia, cystic fibrosis and patients under intensive care. By using appropriate techniques and interpretations of basal or resting EE, clinicians can facilitate the adequate nutrition support with minimum negative impacts from under- or overfeeding in these patients. This review is based on our current understanding of the different components of EE and the techniques to measure them, and to re-examine advances and challenges to determine energy needs in clinical populations with more focuses on the obese, pediatric and elderly patients. In addition, technological advances have expanded the choices of market-available equipments for assessing EE, which also bring specific challenges and rewards in selecting the right equipment with specific performance criteria. Lastly, analytical considerations of interpreting the results of EE in the context of changing body composition are presented and discussed. PMID:23443826

Physiological effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on energy expenditure for prospective fat oxidation in humans: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Kapoor, Mahendra P; Sugita, Masaaki; Fukuzawa, Yoshitaka; Okubo, Tsutomu

2017-05-01

Green tea catechins (GTCs) are known to improve fat oxidation (FOX) during fasted, rested and exercise conditions wherein epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is thought to be the most pharmacologically active and has been studied extensively. From the available data of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on EGCG, we carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis to elucidate whether EGCG consumption indeed increase energy expenditure (EE) and promote FOX. A systematic review of the literature was conducted using electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, JICST, JSTPLUS, and JMEDPLUS and others) and eight RCTs were included. RCTs were reviewed using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and methodological quality was assessed. After data extraction, results were aggregated using fixed- and random-effect approaches and expressed to quantify the relationship between the dose of EGCG for respiratory quotient (RQ), EE and rate of FOX to compare the EGCG and placebo treatments. The meta-analysis results of verities of studies in terms of dose and length of duration revealed that EGCG supplementation provided significant mean difference (MD) when compared with placebo for RQ [MD: -0.02; 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), -0.04 to 0.00; I 2 =67%; P=.01] and EE [MD: 158.05 kJ/day; 95% CI, 4.72 to 311.38; I 2 =0%; P=.04] in fixed-effect approach. Changes in FOX did not reach the level of statistical significance. Meta-analyses of EGCG influence on the body mass index, waist circumference and total body fat mass (TBFM) were also examined and their impact on the promotion of FOX is reported. Effect of EGCG doses was also systematically reviewed. Finding showed that EGCG intake moderately accelerates EE and reduces RQ. The analyses revealed that the EGCG resulted in difference in RQ and EE but the effect on the other measures of energy metabolism was relatively mild. Possibly, EGCG alone has the potential to increase metabolic rate at 300 mg dose. Collectively, the outcome supports the findings that EGCG has an effect on metabolic parameters. However, the large prospective trials are needed to confirm the findings. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Detectors for Linear Colliders: Physics Requirements and Experimental Conditions (1/4)

ScienceCinema

Battaglia, Marco

2018-01-12

How is the anticipated physics program of a future e+e- collider shaping the R&D; for new detectors in collider particle physics ? This presentation will review the main physics requirements and experimental conditions comparing to LHC and LEP. In particular, I shall discuss how e+e- experimentation is expected to change moving from LEP-2 up to multi-TeV energies.

The use of cyproterone acetate/ethinyl estradiol in hyperandrogenic skin symptoms - a review.

PubMed

Bitzer, J; Römer, T; Lopes da Silva Filho, A

2017-06-01

Hyperandrogenism affects approximately 10-20% of women of reproductive age. Hyperandrogenic skin symptoms such as hirsutism, acne, seborrhea and alopecia are associated with significant quality of life and psychological impairment. Women with abnormalities in androgen metabolism may have accompanying anovulation and/or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), both of which have reproductive and metabolic implications if left untreated. Cyproterone acetate (CPA), combined with ethinylestradiol (EE), is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe acne related to androgen-sensitivity (with or without seborrhea) and/or hirsutism, in women of reproductive age. To review the data on the efficacy and safety of CPA 2 mg/EE 35 μg for the treatment of hyperandrogenic skin symptoms in women. A non-systematic narrative review based on a literature search of the PubMed database. Seventy-eight studies were identified. The majority of sufficiently powered studies show a high efficacy of CPA 2 mg/EE 35 μg in the treatment of severe acne and hirsutism. Studies show that therapeutic response in women with hirsutism requires a long-term approach and that hyperandrogenic skin symptoms in patients with PCOS are efficiently treated. Additional benefits include cycle control and, in some women, improvement in mood and perception of body image. Safety and tolerability data are summarized by the pharmacovigilance risk assessment committee (PRAC) of the European Medicine's Agency's (EMA). This review provides a comprehensive overview about the efficacy of CPA 2 mg/EE 35 μg in the treatment of hyperandrogenic skin symptoms, thus allowing both health care professionals and women to balance the risks and benefits of treatment based on evidence.

How many novel eukaryotic 'kingdoms'? Pitfalls and limitations of environmental DNA surveys

PubMed Central

Berney, Cédric; Fahrni, José; Pawlowski, Jan

2004-01-01

Background Over the past few years, the use of molecular techniques to detect cultivation-independent, eukaryotic diversity has proven to be a powerful approach. Based on small-subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene analyses, these studies have revealed the existence of an unexpected variety of new phylotypes. Some of them represent novel diversity in known eukaryotic groups, mainly stramenopiles and alveolates. Others do not seem to be related to any molecularly described lineage, and have been proposed to represent novel eukaryotic kingdoms. In order to review the evolutionary importance of this novel high-level eukaryotic diversity critically, and to test the potential technical and analytical pitfalls and limitations of eukaryotic environmental DNA surveys (EES), we analysed 484 environmental SSU rRNA gene sequences, including 81 new sequences from sediments of the small river, the Seymaz (Geneva, Switzerland). Results Based on a detailed screening of an exhaustive alignment of eukaryotic SSU rRNA gene sequences and the phylogenetic re-analysis of previously published environmental sequences using Bayesian methods, our results suggest that the number of novel higher-level taxa revealed by previously published EES was overestimated. Three main sources of errors are responsible for this situation: (1) the presence of undetected chimeric sequences; (2) the misplacement of several fast-evolving sequences; and (3) the incomplete sampling of described, but yet unsequenced eukaryotes. Additionally, EES give a biased view of the diversity present in a given biotope because of the difficult amplification of SSU rRNA genes in some taxonomic groups. Conclusions Environmental DNA surveys undoubtedly contribute to reveal many novel eukaryotic lineages, but there is no clear evidence for a spectacular increase of the diversity at the kingdom level. After re-analysis of previously published data, we found only five candidate lineages of possible novel high-level eukaryotic taxa, two of which comprise several phylotypes that were found independently in different studies. To ascertain their taxonomic status, however, the organisms themselves have now to be identified. PMID:15176975

Expert opinion on a flexible extended regimen of drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol contraceptive.

PubMed

Han, Leo; Jensen, Jeffrey T

2014-10-01

Oral contraceptives are often prescribed in extended or continuous forms in order to manage menstrual bleeding and menstrual-related side effects. However, with extended regimens, unscheduled intracycle bleeding can become problematic. Flexible extended dosing of a contraceptive containing drospirenone (DRSP) and ethinyl estradiol (EE) was designed to improve bleeding profiles during extended cycles through active management of bleeding symptoms. We examine the rationale for flexible extended dosing as well as review the dosing regimen. We will focus on the findings of the two most important clinical trials regarding flexible extended DRSP/EE (3 mg/20 μg), including the bleeding profiles of women in those trials. Pharmacology, mechanisms of action, efficacy as well as safety of DRSP containing pills will also be reviewed. Flexible extended dosing of DRSP/EE (3 mg/20 μg) has similar pharmacokinetics and contraceptive efficacy of both conventional and fixed extended regimens. However, it has the added benefit of fewer days of bleeding/spotting compared to conventional and fixed extended regimens.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Saudi Children: Symptoms, Histology and Endoscopy Results

PubMed Central

Hasosah, Mohammed Y.; Sukkar, Ghassan A.; Alsahafi, Ashraf F.; Thabit, Adel O.; Fakeeh, Mohammed E.; Al-Zahrani, Daifulah M.; Satti, Mohamed B.

2011-01-01

Background/Aim: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is a clinicopathologic entity characterized by esophageal symptoms in association with a dense eosinophilic infiltrate currently defined as >15 eosinophils per high power field in the appropriate clinical context. This is the first pediatric study in Saudi Arabia to give the experience with EE and examine its symptom, histology and endoscopy results. Materials and Methods: Retrospective chart review of all patients diagnosed with EE at National Guard Hospital, Jeddah Between 2007 and 2009. The authors identified EE on histologic criteria (≥15 eosinophils per high-power field) together with their clinical context. The authors reviewed medical records for details of clinical presentation, laboratory data, radiologic, endoscopic, and histologic findings, and the results of treatment. Results: We identified 15 patients in our database in the last three years. 100% of the patients were males. The median age at presentation was 10 years (range, 3-17 years). The commonly reported symptoms were failure to thrive (86%), epigastric abdominal pain (53%), poor eating (40%), dysphagia with solid food (26%), food impaction (13%), and vomiting (20%). Asthma was reported in 46% and allergic rhinitis in 40%. Peripheral eosinophilia (>0.7 × 10/l) was found in 66%. High serum IgE Level (>60 IU/ml) was found in 60%. Upper endoscopic analysis revealed esophageal trachealization in 46%, esophageal erythema in 46%, white specks on the esophageal mucosa in 33%, esophageal narrowing in 13%, and normal endoscopy in 13%. The mean eosinophils per high-power field was 30.4 (range, 20–71). Histologic characteristics included degranulated eosinophils (86%), basal cell hyperplasia (93%) and eosinophils clusters (micro-abscess) in 73%. The treatment of EE revealed that they used swallowed corticosteroid in 50%, proton pump inhibitors in 66%, elemental diet/ food elimination in 13% and systemic corticosteroid in 13%. Conclusions: Failure to thrive and abdominal pain in a male, atopic school-aged child was the most common feature of EE. Peripheral eosinophilia, high serum IgE and endoscopic esophageal erythema and trachealization should significantly raise the clinical index of suspicion for the diagnosis of EE. PMID:21372349

Prenatal ambient air pollution exposure and the risk of stillbirth: systematic review and meta-analysis of the empirical evidence.

PubMed

Siddika, Nazeeba; Balogun, Hamudat A; Amegah, Adeladza K; Jaakkola, Jouni J K

2016-09-01

Individual studies on the relations between ambient air pollution and the risk of stillbirth have provided contradictory results. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarise the existing evidence. We conducted a systematic search of three databases: PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science, from their time of inception to mid-April, 2015. Original studies of any epidemiological design were included. Data from eligible studies were extracted by two investigators. To calculate the summary effect estimates (EE), the random effects model was used with their corresponding 95% CI. 13 studies met the inclusion criteria. Although not reaching statistical significance, all the summary effect estimates for the risk of stillbirth were systematically elevated in relation to mean prenatal exposure to NO2 per 10 ppb (EE=1.066, 95% CI 0.965 to 1.178, n=3), CO per 0.4 ppm (EE=1.025, 95% CI 0.985 to 1.066, n=3), SO2 per 3 ppb (EE=1.022, 95% CI 0.984 to 1.062, n=3,), PM2.5 per 4 μg/m(3) (EE=1.021, 95% CI 0.996 to 1.046, n=2) and PM10 per 10 μg/m(3) (EE=1.014, 95% CI 0.948 to 1.085, n=2). The effect estimates for SO2, CO, PM10 and O3 were highest for the third trimester exposure. Two time series studies used a lag term of not more than 6 days preceding stillbirth, and both found increased effect estimates for some pollutants. The body of evidence suggests that exposure to ambient air pollution increases the risk of stillbirth. Further studies are needed to strengthen the evidence. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Technical Note: The Relationship Between Heart Rate and Energy Expenditure in Growing Crossbred Boer and Spanish Wethers

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Eight Boer (75%) x Spanish (BS) and 8 Spanish (S) wethers (155 +/- 8 d of age and 19.2 +/- 2.3 kg BW, initial) were used in a replicated crossover design with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to determine effects of genotype, diet quality, and time of the day on energy expenditure (EE), r...

Assessment of Physical Activity and Energy Expenditure: An Overview of Objective Measures

PubMed Central

Hills, Andrew P.; Mokhtar, Najat; Byrne, Nuala M.

2014-01-01

The ability to assess energy expenditure (EE) and estimate physical activity (PA) in free-living individuals is extremely important in the global context of non-communicable diseases including malnutrition, overnutrition (obesity), and diabetes. It is also important to appreciate that PA and EE are different constructs with PA defined as any bodily movement that results in EE and accordingly, energy is expended as a result of PA. However, total energy expenditure, best assessed using the criterion doubly labeled water (DLW) technique, includes components in addition to physical activity energy expenditure, namely resting energy expenditure and the thermic effect of food. Given the large number of assessment techniques currently used to estimate PA in humans, it is imperative to understand the relative merits of each. The goal of this review is to provide information on the utility and limitations of a range of objective measures of PA and their relationship with EE. The measures discussed include those based on EE or oxygen uptake including DLW, activity energy expenditure, physical activity level, and metabolic equivalent; those based on heart rate monitoring and motion sensors; and because of their widespread use, selected subjective measures. PMID:25988109

Caregiver Expressed Emotion and Psychiatric Symptoms in African-Americans with Schizophrenia: An Attempt to Understand the Paradoxical Relationship.

PubMed

Gurak, Kayla; Weisman de Mamani, Amy

2017-06-01

Expressed emotion (EE) is a family environmental construct that assesses how much criticism, hostility, and/or emotional over-involvement a family member expresses about a patient (Hooley, Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 2007, 3, 329). Having high levels of EE within the family environment has generally been associated with poorer patient outcomes for schizophrenia and a range of other disorders. Paradoxically, for African-American patients, high-EE may be associated with a better symptom course (Rosenfarb, Bellack, & Aziz, Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 2006, 115, 112). However, this finding is in need of additional support and, if confirmed, clarification. In line with previous research, using a sample of 30 patients with schizophrenia and their primary caregivers, we hypothesized that having a caregiver classified as low-EE would be associated with greater patient symptom severity. We also aimed to better understand why this pattern may exist by examining the content of interviews taken from the Five-Minute Speech Sample. Results supported study hypotheses. In line with Rosenfarb et al. (2006), having a low-EE caregiver was associated with greater symptom severity in African-American patients. A content analysis uncovered some interesting patterns that may help elucidate this finding. Results of this study suggest that attempts to lower high-EE in African Americans may, in fact, be counterproductive. © 2015 Family Process Institute.

A critical systematic review of budget impact analyses on drugs in the EU countries.

PubMed

van de Vooren, Katelijne; Duranti, Silvy; Curto, Alessandro; Garattini, Livio

2014-02-01

Budget impact analysis (BIA) is a relatively recent technique that is supposed to be complementary to more established economic evaluations (EEs). We reviewed the BIAs published on drugs in the EU since December 2008, to assess whether these studies have improved in quality in the last few years. We conducted a literature search on the international databases PubMed and EMBASE. The selected articles were screened using a two-step approach to assess (1) their main methodological characteristics and (2) the level of adherence to the latest BIA definition. The assessment was made by two independent reviewers and any disagreement was resolved through discussion. Eventually, 17 articles were reviewed. Thirteen referred to a stand-alone BIA not accompanying a full EE, only nine focussed on a new treatment, 15 were sponsored by the manufacturer of the drug of reference, all but one claiming savings for healthcare budgets. The quality of methods was poor in many of the studies, and only a few of them attempted to estimate real local costs in a credible way. Therefore, the crucial items that in theory make a BIA different from other types of EEs were often the major points of weakness of the studies reviewed. Our review confirmed that the BIA is not yet a well-established technique in the literature and many published studies still fail to reach an acceptable quality. In particular, BIAs funded by pharmaceutical companies appear to be tailored to show short-term savings induced by new, highly priced products.

Very Late Scaffold Thrombosis of Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold: Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis.

PubMed

Toyota, Toshiaki; Morimoto, Takeshi; Shiomi, Hiroki; Yoshikawa, Yusuke; Yaku, Hidenori; Yamashita, Yugo; Kimura, Takeshi

2017-01-09

This study sought to compare the 2-year outcomes between bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) and everolimus-eluting metallic drug-eluting stent (EES). The occurrence of very late stent/scaffold thrombosis (VLST) of BVS beyond 1 year after implantation is an increasing concern. We conducted a meta-analysis of 24 studies (BVS: n = 2,567 and EES: n = 19,806) reporting the 2-year outcomes of BVS and/or EES to compare the risk of BVS versus EES for stent/scaffold thrombosis (ST) and target lesion failure (TLF) in 7 comparative studies (3 randomized and 4 observational), and to estimate the pooled incidence rates of ST and TLF including additional 17 single-arm studies. In the 7 comparative studies, the risk for VLST between 1 and 2 years was numerically higher in BVS than in EES (odds ratio [OR]: 2.03 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.62 to 6.71]). The excess risk of BVS relative to EES for ST through 2 years was significant (OR: 2.08 [95% CI: 1.02 to 4.26]). The risk for TLF was neutral between BVS and EES. In the 24 studies, the pooled estimated incidence rates of VLST, and ST through 2 years were higher in BVS than in EES (0.240 [95% CI: 0.022 to 0.608]% vs. 0.003 [95% CI: 0.000 to 0.028]%, and 1.43 [95% CI: 0.67 to 2.41]% vs. 0.56 [95% CI: 0.43 to 0.70]%, respectively). The corresponding rates for TLF were comparable between BVS and EES (1.88 [95% CI: 1.30 to 2.55]% and 1.78 [95% CI: 1.17 to 2.49]% and 7.90 [95% CI: 6.26 to 9.69]% and 7.49 [95% CI: 5.86 to 9.29]%, respectively). In this meta-analysis, BVS as compared with EES was associated with higher risk for VLST between 1 and 2 years and ST through 2 years. Copyright © 2017 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Feasibility Study to Identify Potential Reductions in Energy Use in Tribal Buildings

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Stevens, Willie

Under this project, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) assessed the technical and economic feasibility of energy efficiency improvements to existing Tribally-owned buildings. The feasibility study followed a systematic approach in identifying, selecting, and ranking recommended measures, recognizing that the appropriateness of a measure would depend not only on technical issues but also on institutional and organizational issues, such as financing options and occupant requirements. The completed study provided the Tribes with the information needed to commit necessary resources to reduce the energy use and cost in approximately 40 Tribal buildings, including the changes that may be needed inmore » each facility’s operation and maintenance and personnel requirements. It also presented an economic analysis of energy-efficiency capital improvements and an annotated list of financing options and possible funding sources for implementation and an overall strategy for implementation. This project was located in various Tribal communities located throughout the Flathead Indian Reservation in Western Montana. Notice: The following is a compilation of Annual Program Review Presentations, Award Modifications, and Quarterly Progress Reports submitted to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes under agreement DE-EE0005171. This report covers project activities from September 30, 2011 through December 31, 2014 and has been uploaded to OSTI by DOE as a substitute for the required Final Technical Report which was not received by DOE from the project recipient.« less

AHRQ series on complex intervention systematic reviews-paper 7: PRISMA-CI elaboration and explanation.

PubMed

Guise, Jeanne-Marie; Butler, Mary; Chang, Christine; Viswanathan, Meera; Pigott, Terri; Tugwell, Peter

2017-10-01

Complex interventions are widely used in health care, public health, education, criminology, social work, business, and welfare. They have increasingly become the subject of systematic reviews and are challenging to effectively report. The Complex Interventions Methods Workgroup developed an extension to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Complex Interventions (PRISMA-CI). Following the EQUATOR Network guidance for Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extensions, this Explanation and Elaboration (EE) document accompanies the PRISMA-CI checklist to promote consistency in reporting of systematic reviews of complex interventions. The EE document explains the meaning and rationale for each unique PRISMA-CI checklist item and provides examples to assist systematic review authors in operationalizing PRISMA-CI guidance. The Complex Interventions Workgroup developed PRISMA-CI as an important start toward increased consistency in reporting of systematic reviews of complex interventions. Because the field is rapidly expanding, the Complex Interventions Methods Workgroup plans to re-evaluate periodically for the need to add increasing specificity and examples as the field matures. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Rapid determination of enantiomeric excess: a focus on optical approaches.

PubMed

Leung, Diana; Kang, Sung Ok; Anslyn, Eric V

2012-01-07

High-throughput screening (HTS) methods are becoming increasingly essential in discovering chiral catalysts or auxiliaries for asymmetric transformations due to the advent of parallel synthesis and combinatorial chemistry. Both parallel synthesis and combinatorial chemistry can lead to the exploration of a range of structural candidates and reaction conditions as a means to obtain the highest enantiomeric excess (ee) of a desired transformation. One current bottleneck in these approaches to asymmetric reactions is the determination of ee, which has led researchers to explore a wide range of HTS techniques. To be truly high-throughput, it has been proposed that a technique that can analyse a thousand or more samples per day is needed. Many of the current approaches to this goal are based on optical methods because they allow for a rapid determination of ee due to quick data collection and their parallel analysis capabilities. In this critical review these techniques are reviewed with a discussion of their respective advantages and drawbacks, and with a contrast to chromatographic methods (180 references). This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2012

Beyond 3-D: The New Spectrum of Lidar Applications for Earth and Ecological Sciences

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eitel, Jan U. H.; Hofle, Bernhard; Vierling, Lee A.; Abellan, Antonio; Asner, Gregory P.; Deems, Jeffrey S.; Glennie, Craig L.; Joerg, Phillip C.; LeWinter, Adam L.; Magney, Troy S.;

Affective and enjoyment responses in high intensity interval training and continuous training: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Oliveira, Bruno Ribeiro Ramalho; Santos, Tony Meireles; Kilpatrick, Marcus; Pires, Flávio Oliveira; Deslandes, Andréa Camaz

2018-01-01

Previous studies investigating the effects of high intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) showed controversial results. The aim of the present study was to systematically review the literature on the effects of HIIT and MICT on affective and enjoyment responses. The PRISMA Statement and the Cochrane recommendation were used to perform this systematic review and the database search was performed using PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Knowledge, PsycINFO, and SPORTDiscus. Eight studies investigating the acute affective and enjoyment responses on HIIT and MICT were included in the present systematic review. The standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated for Feeling Scale (FS), Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) and Exercise Enjoyment Scale (EES). The MICT was used as the reference condition. The overall results showed similar beneficial effects of HIIT on PACES and EES responses compared to MICT with SMDs classified as small (PACES-SMD = 0.49, I2 = 69.3%, p = 0.001; EES-SMD = 0.48, I2 = 24.1%, p = 0.245) while for FS, the overall result showed a trivial effect (FS-SMD = 0.19, I2 = 78.9%, p<0.001). Most of the comparisons performed presented positive effects for HIIT. For the FS, six of 12 comparisons showed beneficial effects for HIIT involving normal weight and overweight-to-obese populations. For PACES, six of 10 comparisons showed beneficial effects for HIIT involving normal weight and overweight-to-obese populations. For EES, six of seven comparisons showed beneficial effects for HIIT also involving normal weight and overweight-to-obese populations. Based on the results of the present study, it is possible to conclude that HIIT exercise may be a viable strategy for obtaining positive psychological responses. Although HIIT exercise may be recommended for obtaining positive psychological responses, chronic studies should clarify the applicability of HIIT for exercise adherence.

Review on Dark Photon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Curciarello, Francesca

2016-04-01

e+e- collider experiments at the intensity frontier are naturally suited to probe the existence of a force beyond the Standard Model between WIMPs, the most viable dark matter candidates. The mediator of this new force, known as dark photon, should be a new vector gauge boson very weakly coupled to the Standard Model photon. No significant signal has been observed so far. I will report on current limits set on the coupling factor ɛ2 between the photon and the dark photon by e+e- collider experiments.

Prognostic value of exercise echocardiography in diabetic patients

PubMed Central

Oliveira, Joselina LM; Barreto-Filho, José AS; Oliveira, Carla RP; Santana, Thaiana A; Anjos-Andrade, Fernando D; Alves, Érica O; Nascimento-Junior, Adão C; Góes, Thiago JS; Santana, Nathalie O; Vasconcelos, Francis L; Barreto, Martha A; D'Oliveira Junior, Argemiro; Salvatori, Roberto; Aguiar-Oliveira, Manuel H; Sousa, Antônio CS

2009-01-01

Background Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death in diabetic patients. Although exercise echocardiography (EE) is established as a useful method for diagnosis and stratification of risk for CAD in the general population, there are few studies on its value as a prognostic tool in diabetic patients. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the value of EE in predicting cardiac events in diabetics. Methods 193 diabetic patients, 97 males, 59.8 ± 9.3 yrs (mean ± SD) were submitted to EE between 2001 and 2006 and followed from 7 to 65 months with median of 29 months by phone calls and personal interviews with patients and their primary physician, and reviewing medical records and death certificates. The end points were cardiac events, defined as non-fatal myocardial infarction, late myocardial revascularization and cardiac death. Sudden death without another explanation was considered cardiac death. Survival free of end points was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results Twenty-six cardiac events were registered in 24 individuals during the follow-up. The rates of cardiac events were 20.6 and 7% in patients with positive and negative EE, respectively (p < 0.001). Predictors of cardiac events included sedentary lifestyle, with RR of 2.57 95%CI [1.09 to 6.02] (P = 0.03) and positive EE, with RR 3.63, 95%CI [1.44 to 9.16] (P = 0.01). Patients with positive EE presented higher rates of cardiac events at 12 months (6.8% vs. 2.2%), p = 0.004. Conclusion EE is a useful method to predict cardiac events in diabetic patients with suspected or known CAD. PMID:19480653

[Basic principles and methodological considerations of health economic evaluations].

PubMed

Loza, Cesar; Castillo-Portilla, Manuel; Rojas, José Luis; Huayanay, Leandro

2011-01-01

Health Economics is an essential instrument for health management, and economic evaluations can be considered as tools assisting the decision-making process for the allocation of resources in health. Currently, economic evaluations are increasingly being used worldwide, thus encouraging evidence-based decision-making and seeking efficient and rational alternatives within the framework of health services activities. In this review, we present an overview and define the basic types of economic evaluations, with emphasis on complete Economic Evaluations (EE). In addition, we review key concepts regarding the perspectives from which EE can be conducted, the types of costs that can be considered, the time horizon, discounting, assessment of uncertainty and decision rules. Finally, we describe concepts about the extrapolation and spread of economic evaluations in health.

Effects of Active Video Games on Energy Expenditure in Adults: A Systematic Literature Review.

PubMed

Dutta, Nirjhar; Pereira, Mark A

2015-06-01

The objective of this study was to estimate the mean difference in energy expenditure (EE) in healthy adults between playing active video games (AVGs) compared with traditional video games (TVGs) or rest. A systematic search was conducted on Ovid MEDLINE, Web of Knowledge, and Academic Search Premier between 1998 and April 2012 for relevant keywords, yielding 15 studies. EE and heart rate (HR) data were extracted, and random effects meta-analysis was performed. EE during AVG play was 1.81 (95% CI, 1.29-2.34; I² = 94.2%) kcal/kg/hr higher, or about 108 kcal higher per hour for a 60-kg person, compared with TVG play. Mean HR was 21 (95% CI, 13.7-28.3; I² = 93.4%) beats higher per minute during AVG play compared with TVG play. There was wide variation in the EE and HR estimates across studies because different games were evaluated. Overall metabolic equivalent associated with AVG play was 2.62 (95% CI, 2.25-3.00; I² = 99.2%), equivalent to a light activity level. Most studies had low risk of bias due to proper study design and use of indirect calorimetry to measure EE. AVGs may be used to replace sedentary screen time (eg, television watching or TVG play) with light activity in healthy adults.

Stent Thrombosis With Drug-Eluting Stents and Bioresorbable Scaffolds: Evidence From a Network Meta-Analysis of 147 Trials.

PubMed

Kang, Si-Hyuck; Chae, In-Ho; Park, Jin-Joo; Lee, Hak Seung; Kang, Do-Yoon; Hwang, Seung-Sik; Youn, Tae-Jin; Kim, Hyo-Soo

2016-06-27

This study sought to perform a systematic review and network meta-analysis to compare the relative safety and efficacy of contemporary DES and BVS. To improve outcomes of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary revascularization, there have been advances in the design of drug-eluting stents (DES), including the development of drug-eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS). Prospective, randomized, controlled trials comparing bare-metal stents (BMS), paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES), sirolimus-eluting stents (SES), Endeavor zotarolimus-eluting stents (E-ZES), cobalt-chromium (CoCr) everolimus-eluting stents (EES), platinum-chromium (PtCr)-EES, biodegradable polymer (BP)-EES, Resolute zotarolimus-eluting stents (R-ZES), BP biolimus-eluting stents (BP-BES), hybrid sirolimus-eluting stents (H [Orsiro]-SES), polymer-free sirolimus- and probucol-eluting stents, or BVS were searched in online databases. The primary endpoint was definite or probable stent thrombosis at 1 year. A total of 147 trials including 126,526 patients were analyzed in this study. All contemporary DES were superior to BMS and PES in terms of definite or probable stent thrombosis at 1 year. CoCr-EES, PtCr-EES, and H-SES were associated with significantly lower risk than BVS. CoCr-EES and H-SES were superior to SES and BP-BES. The risk of myocardial infarction was significantly lower with H-SES than with BVS. There were no significant differences regarding all-cause or cardiac mortality. Contemporary devices including BVS showed comparably low risks of repeat revascularization. Contemporary DES, including biocompatible DP-DES, BP-DES, and polymer-free DES, showed a low risk of definite or probable stent thrombosis at 1 year. BVS had an increased risk of device thrombosis compared with CoCr-EES, PtCr-EES, and H-SES. Data from extended follow-up are warranted to confirm the long-term safety of contemporary coronary devices. Copyright © 2016 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Food Chain Mycotoxin Exposure, Gut Health, and Impaired Growth: A Conceptual Framework1

PubMed Central

Smith, Laura E.; Stoltzfus, Rebecca J.; Prendergast, Andrew

2012-01-01

Childhood stunting is an important and intractable public health problem that underlies ∼20% of deaths among children aged <5 y in developing countries. Environmental enteropathy (EE), a subclinical condition of the small intestine characterized by reduced absorptive capacity and increased intestinal permeability, is almost universal among children in developing countries and may mediate stunting. However, the etiology of EE is poorly understood. Mycotoxins are metabolites of fungi that frequently contaminate the staple foods of children living in developing countries. We review evidence from human and animal studies that exposure to mycotoxins, particularly aflatoxin (AF), fumonisin (FUM), and deoxynivaenol (DON), may impair child growth. Although these toxins have distinct actions, they all mediate intestinal damage through: 1) inhibition of protein synthesis (AF, DON); 2) an increase in systemic proinflammatory cytokines (DON); and 3) inhibition of ceramide synthase (FUM). The intestinal pathology that arises from mycotoxin exposure is very similar to that of EE. We propose that future studies should address the role of mycotoxins in the pathogenesis of EE and evaluate interventions to limit mycotoxin exposure and reduce childhood stunting. PMID:22797988

APACK, A Combined Antenna and Propagation Model.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-07-01

sin6 [-e- klUl1 + R e-j2kHcose 1- eck " 2 v’s 6 - -j k£l3 (1-R) Fe ei Hcose (sin 2 -case) l- 3 J n3 Ee 30 1 e-jkr cas ja( + 8) -2 Me~ cs -ea os o + 1...IPE DISTRIBUTION LIST FOR ESD-TR-80-102 CoQntinued)I Defense Technical Information (Bnter 12 Cameron Station Alexandria, VA 22314 AFGL

A Review of Research on the Effectiveness of Environmental Education in Promoting Intergenerational Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Duvall, Jason; Zint, Michaela

2007-01-01

How to design environmental education (EE) programs in ways that encourage children to influence the environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of adults has intrigued researchers for more than a decade. The authors review and synthesize results from 7 studies that sought to answer this question. The studies reviewed were conducted between…

DE-EE0006714 Final Report-Project Icebreaker™

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wagner, Lorry; Karpinski, David; Nagusky, Beth

Project Icebreaker, a 20 Megawatt offshore wind project 8 miles north of Cleveland, OH in Lake Erie, has been under development by the Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation since 2009. Significant development efforts were completed prior to the award of DE-EE0006714 (December 2014). This report describes the status of the work performed under award DE-EE0006714. The work was organized into several categories or tasks. The report presents the status of that work in each of eleven (11) main tasks: 1) State and Federal Permits; 2) Mono Bucket Foundation Engineering; 3) Construction and Installation Engineering; 4) Cable Route Survey; 5) Electricalmore » System Design; 6) Power Off-take; 7) Project Costs and Risk Management; 8) Operations and Maintenance Planning; 9) Domestic Supply Chain Development; 10) Instrumentation Planning; and 11) Department of Energy Review.« less

Family environment, expressed emotion and adolescent self-harm: a review of conceptual, empirical, cross-cultural and clinical perspectives.

PubMed

Michelson, Daniel; Bhugra, Dinesh

2012-04-01

Self-harm in young people is a complex and pervasive problem with a number of co-existing risk factors. Although research has implicated a range of family variables in understanding the onset, maintenance and prevention of adolescent self-harm, relatively little attention has been given to the expressed emotion (EE) construct. Based on a narrative review and synthesis of peer-reviewed literature up to and including 2011, this paper considers the conceptual background and empirical evidence for the role of family environment in the expression of adolescent self-harm, with a particular focus on EE. The clinical implications of this literature for working with young people and families from different cultures are also addressed. In summary, the surveyed research provides insufficient evidence for a direct causal link between family environment and adolescent self-harm, with questions raised about the temporal sequencing of measured variables, specificity of implicated family risk factors, and the nature and role of protective factors in families. Emerging evidence for an association between high EE and adolescent self-harm requires replication in well-controlled, prospective studies. There is also a lack of empirically-supported, family-based treatment modalities for adolescents who self-harm. Intervention strategies should be guided by personalised formulation, taking into account individual vulnerabilities, strengths and social contexts, as well as cultural norms for family environment.

Monitoring Energy Expenditure Using a Multi-Sensor Device-Applications and Limitations of the SenseWear Armband in Athletic Populations.

PubMed

Koehler, Karsten; Drenowatz, Clemens

2017-01-01

In order to monitor their energy requirements, athletes may desire to assess energy expenditure (EE) during training and competition. Recent technological advances and increased customer interest have created a market for wearable devices that measure physiological variables and bodily movement over prolonged time periods and convert this information into EE data. This mini-review provides an overview of the applicability of the SenseWear armband (SWA), which combines accelerometry with measurements of heat production and skin conductivity, to measure total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) and its components such as exercise energy expenditure (ExEE) in athletic populations. While the SWA has been shown to provide valid estimates of EE in the general population, validation studies in athletic populations indicate a tendency toward underestimation of ExEE particularly during high-intensity exercise (>10 METs) with an increasing underestimation as exercise intensity increases. Although limited information is available on the accuracy of the SWA during resistance exercise, high-intensity interval exercise, or mixed exercise forms, there seems to be a similar trend of underestimating high levels of ExEE. The SWA, however, is capable of detecting movement patterns and metabolic measurements even at high exercise intensities, suggesting that underestimation may result from limitations in the proprietary algorithms. In addition, the SWA has been used in the assessment of sleep quantity and quality as well as non-exercise activity thermogenesis. Overall, the SWA provides viable information and remains to be used in various clinical and athletic settings, despite the termination of its commercial sale.

7 CFR 1779.9 - Environmental requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... AGRICULTURE (CONTINUED) WATER AND WASTE DISPOSAL PROGRAMS GUARANTEED LOANS § 1779.9 Environmental requirements... or online at http://www.usda.gov/rus/water/ees/index.htm), the environmental review requirements...

Use of cyproterone acetate/ethinylestradiol in polycystic ovary syndrome: rationale and practical aspects.

PubMed

Ruan, X; Kubba, A; Aguilar, A; Mueck, A O

2017-06-01

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common, heterogeneous disorder characterised by hyperandrogenic skin symptoms, irregular menstruation and subfertility, increased risk of endometrial malignancy, and increased risk of preventable diseases associated with metabolic syndrome. Cyproterone acetate (CPA) 2 mg, combined with ethinylestradiol (EE) 35 μg, is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe acne related to androgen-sensitivity (with or without seborrhea) and/or hirsutism, in women of reproductive age. To review the present knowledge about PCOS and summarize the role of CPA/EE in the care of patients suffering from this condition for the practitioner. Experts with clinical interest and experience in treating symptoms of androgen excess performed a non-systematic review to provide updated information regarding the use of CPA/EE in patients with PCOS. Polycystic ovary-related hyperandrogenic skin symptoms are effectively treated by CPA/EE, reducing not only the symptoms but also their negative impact on quality of life and mental health. Proven additional benefits for these patients include the treatment of menstrual irregularities and reduction in endometrial cancer risk. Possible benefits include preservation of fertility. Treatment increases the risk for venous thromboembolic complications. The nature of other metabolic and cardiovascular long-term effects i.e., whether positive or negative, are still to be investigated. Cyproterone acetate/ethinylestradiol provides effective treatment for PCO-related hyperandrogenic skin symptoms. This efficacy and additional benefits related to menstrual irregularities and endometrial cancer risk, have to be weighed against the risk of venous thromboembolic complications based on an individual benefit/risk evaluation.

Ethinyl estradiol and other human pharmaceutical estrogens in the aquatic environment: a review of recent risk assessment data.

PubMed

Laurenson, James P; Bloom, Raanan A; Page, Stephen; Sadrieh, Nakissa

2014-03-01

Interest in pharmaceuticals in the environment has increased substantially in recent years. Several studies in particular have assessed human and ecological risks from human pharmaceutical estrogens, such as 17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE2). Regulatory action also has increased, with the USA and other countries developing rules to address estrogens and other pharmaceuticals in the environment. Accordingly, the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at the US Food and Drug Administration has conducted a review and analysis of current data on the long-term ecological exposure and effects of EE2 and other estrogens. The results indicate that mean-flow long-term predicted environmental concentrations (PECs) of EE2 in approximately 99% or more of US surface water segments downstream of wastewater treatment plants are lower than a predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) for aquatic chronic toxicity of 0.1 ng/L. Exceedances are expected to be primarily in localized, effluent-dominated water segments. The median mean-flow PEC is more than two orders of magnitude lower than this PNEC. Similar results exist for other pharmaceutical estrogens. Data also suggest that the contribution of EE2 more broadly to total estrogenic load in the environment from all sources (including other human pharmaceutical estrogens, endogenous estrogens, natural environmental estrogens, and industrial chemicals), while highly uncertain and variable, appears to be relatively low overall. Additional data and a more comprehensive approach for data collection and analysis for estrogenic substances in the environment, especially in effluent-dominated water segments in sensitive environments, would more fully characterize the risks.

Risk factors for cerebrospinal fluid leak in pediatric patients undergoing endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery.

PubMed

Stapleton, Amanda L; Tyler-Kabara, Elizabeth C; Gardner, Paul A; Snyderman, Carl H; Wang, Eric W

2017-02-01

To determine the risk factors associated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak following endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) for pediatric skull base lesions. Retrospective chart review of pediatric patients (ages 1 month to 18 years) treated for skull base lesions with EES from 1999 to 2014. Five pathologies were reviewed: craniopharyngioma, clival chordoma, pituitary adenoma, pituitary carcinoma, and Rathke's cleft cyst. Fisher's exact tests were used to evaluate the different factors to determine which had a statistically higher risk of leading to a post-operative CSF leak. 55 pediatric patients were identified who underwent 70 EES's for tumor resection. Of the 70 surgeries, 47 surgeries had intraoperative CSF leaks that were repaired at the time of surgery. 11 of 47 (23%) surgeries had post-operative CSF leaks that required secondary operative repair. Clival chordomas had the highest CSF leak rate at 36%. There was no statistical difference in leak rate based on the type of reconstruction, although 28% of cases that used a vascularized flap had a post-operative leak, whereas only 9% of those cases not using a vascularized flap had a leak. Post-operative hydrocephalus and perioperative use of a lumbar drain were not significant risk factors. Pediatric patients with an intra-operative CSF leak during EES of the skull base have a high rate of post-operative CSF leaks. Clival chordomas appear to be a particularly high-risk group. The use of vascularized flaps and perioperative lumbar drains did not statistically decrease the rate of post-operative CSF leak. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Recent Development of the Two-Stroke Engine. 2 - Design Features

DTIC Science & Technology

1945-05-01

NATIONALADVISORYCOMMI~EE FOR AERONAUTICS. TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM No, 1082 R~CENT DEVELOPMENT OX’ THE TWO–STROKE ENGTNE II - DES IGN l’llATURliS By J...MEMORANDUM . ... . ,., . ,.!. .,, .,- ... —--— — FOR AERONAUTICS ‘ NO. 1082 , > ,. RECENT DEVELOPMENT OF THE TWO-STROKE ENGINE II - DESIGN FEATURES* ,“” By...lUOTE: Reprint of R.T.P.3 Translation No. 2382; issued by the Ministry of Aircraft Production, London, England. II: ._: 2 NACA TM NO. 1082 (=“) The

Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) External Stakeholders Workshop: Workshop Proceedings, 9 October 2008, Golden, Colorado

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Komomua, C.; Kroposki, B.; Mooney, D.

2009-01-01

On October 9, 2008, NREL hosted a workshop to provide an opportunity for external stakeholders to offer insights and recommendations on the design and functionality of DOE's planned Energy Systems Infrastructure Facility (ESIF). The goal was to ensure that the planning for the ESIF effectively addresses the most critical barriers to large-scale energy efficiency (EE) and renewable energy (RE) deployment. This technical report documents the ESIF workshop proceedings.

Nomegestrol acetate/17-beta estradiol: a review of efficacy, safety, and patient acceptability

PubMed Central

Akintomide, Hannat; Panicker, Sabeena

2015-01-01

Nomegestrol acetate (NOMAC) 2.5 mg with 17-beta estradiol (E2) 1.5 mg is a new combined oral contraceptive (COC) formulation and is the first monophasic E2 pill to be marketed, having been licensed for use in Europe in 2011. It is available to be taken daily in a regimen of 24 active pills followed by four placebo pills. NOMAC is a highly selective 19-nor progestogen derivative with specific binding to progesterone receptors, anti-estrogenic activity and no androgenic, mineralocorticoid nor glucocorticoid effects. E2 is an estrogen that is identical to endogenous estrogen. While it has been in use for only a short period of time, current evidence suggests that NOMAC/E2 is just as effective, safe, and acceptable as existing COC preparations. Two large Phase III trials conducted in the Americas and across Europe, Australia, and Asia showed lower cumulative pregnancy rates in the NOMAC/E2 groups compared to the drospirenone (DRSP) 3 mg in combination with ethinyl estradiol (EE) 30 µg (DRSP/EE) groups but this difference was not statistically significant. NOMAC/E2 exhibits a good safety profile and has less effects on cardiovascular risk, hemostatic, metabolic, and endocrine factors in comparison to COCs containing EE in combination with levonorgestrel (LNG) or DRSP. NOMAC/E2 has also been found to cause less breast cell proliferation when compared to E2 alone and has some anti-proliferative effect on human breast cancer cells. NOMAC/E2 is considered acceptable as its compliance, continuation rates, and bleeding patterns were similar to COCs containing DRSP/EE and LNG 150 µg combined with EE 30 µg or LNG 100 µg combined with EE 20 µg (LNG/EE). However, discontinuation was found to be slightly higher in the NOMAC/E2 groups in the two large Phase III trials comparing NOMAC/E2 use with DRSP/EE. As the scientific literature has limited information on NOMAC/E2, further experience with NOMAC/E2 is required. PMID:29386925

Endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy with ostial stent intubation following nasolacrimal duct stent incarceration.

PubMed

Wang, Xiaopeng; Bian, Yang; Yan, Wentao; Daniel, Pelaez; Tu, Yunhai; Wu, Wencan

2015-01-01

To study the feasibility of endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (EE-DCR) with novel lacrimal ostial stent (LOS) intubation for patients with chronic dacryocystitis with incarceration of a previously implanted nasolacrimal duct stent (NDS). According to surgical procedure, 166 patients (167 eyes) were divided into two groups: EE-DCR with LOS intubation was performed on 126 patients (127 eyes) in the EE-DCR group; while external dacryocystorhinostomy (E-DCR) with silicone tube intubation was performed on 40 patients (40 eyes) in the E-DCR group. The LOS or silicone tube was retained for 3-6 months. All patients were followed up for 12-36 months. Success rate of tear drainage reconstruction (TDR) and complications were retrospectively compared. Excluding patients with early detachment of the LOS or the silicone tube, or with incomplete follow-up period, 117 patients (117 eyes) in the EE-DCR group and 36 patients (36 eyes) in the E-DCR group were included. The mean surgical time was 45.8 ± 11.5 min in the EE-DCR group and 68.1 ± 23.8 min in the E-DCR group (p < 0.001). Intraoperatively, the lacrimal sac was observed to become very small and its walls were thin, hyperemic and fragile, firmly attaching to the NDS by fibrous bands in all eyes. Upon final review, success rate of TDR was 83.8% (98/117) in the EE-DCR group, while 58.3% (21/36) in the E-DCR group (p < 0.01). Failure of TDR due to ostial closure by excessive fibrosis occurred in 14 out of 19 patients in the EE-DCR group, significantly less than the 11 out of 15 patients with failed TDR in the E-DCR group (χ(2 )= 6.959, p < 0.01). No significant difference existed in failures due to granuloma occluding the ostium or common canaliculus obstruction. EE-DCR with LOS intubation may be an effective procedure to manage the special subgroup of patients with chronic dacryocystitis with incarcerations of a previously implanted NDS.

Efficacy and safety of an oral contraceptive containing ethinylestradiol 20 µg/drospirenone 3 mg (24/4 regimen) in three indications in the People’s Republic of China: a comparison with international studies

PubMed Central

Marr, Joachim; Huang, Zirong; Wang, Baoxi; Zhang, Hongyan; Roth, Katrin

2015-01-01

While combined oral contraceptives are a popular choice in developed Western countries, they are used by only 1% of women who are married or in a relationship in the People’s Republic of China. The purpose of this review is to describe the efficacy and safety of the combined oral contraceptive containing ethinylestradiol (EE) 20 µg/drospirenone 3 mg taken in a 24/4 regimen (YAZ®; Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Berlin, Germany) by Chinese women and to compare these results with those in women assessed in the international studies. Studies of EE 20 µg/drospirenone 3 mg in three different indications (contraception, acne, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder [PMDD]) have been conducted in Chinese women. The results of these three studies indicate that the EE 20 µg/drospirenone 3 mg combined oral contraceptive is a good long-term contraceptive option in Chinese women, providing 99% contraceptive protection over the observed 1-year treatment period, and additionally had a favorable effect on moderate acne vulgaris and relieved the symptoms of PMDD. The contraceptive efficacy, improvement in acne, and relief from PMDD symptoms observed in these studies did not differ from the effects observed in other international studies of EE 20 µg/drospirenone 3 mg, indicating that EE 20 µg/drospirenone 3 mg is as effective in Chinese women as in other ethnicities. Further, EE 20 µg/drospirenone 3 mg demonstrated a similar safety and tolerability profile in women enrolled in the Chinese and international trials, with no unexpected adverse events reported in any of the three Chinese trials. Overall, the efficacy, tolerability, and degree of non-contraceptive benefits with EE 20 µg/drospirenone 3 mg appear similar in Chinese women when compared with those reported in larger studies done at other international centers. PMID:29386927

Treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) with a novel formulation of drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol.

PubMed

De Berardis, Domenico; Serroni, Nicola; Salerno, Rosa Maria; Ferro, Filippo Maria

2007-08-01

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Pharmacologic options studied for treating severe PMS and PMDD may include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, anxiolytic agents, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists and the diuretic spironolactone. However, the use of combined oral contraceptives (COC) may be a therapeutic option in treating PMS and PMDD. The combination of drospirenone with ethinylestradiol (EE/drospirenone) was approved for marketing as an oral contraceptive in Europe and the United States. The preparation is characterized by a high contraceptive efficacy in combination with excellent cycle control, good tolerability, and a favourable impact on lipid and glucose metabolism. Recently, some placebo-controlled, randomized studies have tested clinical efficacy and tolerability of this COC in the treatment of PMDD. The aim of the present review was to elucidate the possible benefits or disadvantages of PMDD treatment with this novel formulation of EE/drospirenone. The results of trials evaluating the use of EE/drospirenone combination in the treatment of PMDD are encouraging but further studies are needed. However, the reported clinical efficacy and the relative good tolerability of EE/drospirenone may contribute to widen the therapeutic spectrum of PMDD.

Treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) with a novel formulation of drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol

PubMed Central

De Berardis, Domenico; Serroni, Nicola; Salerno, Rosa Maria; Ferro, Filippo Maria

2007-01-01

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Pharmacologic options studied for treating severe PMS and PMDD may include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, anxiolytic agents, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists and the diuretic spironolactone. However, the use of combined oral contraceptives (COC) may be a therapeutic option in treating PMS and PMDD. The combination of drospirenone with ethinylestradiol (EE/drospirenone) was approved for marketing as an oral contraceptive in Europe and the United States. The preparation is characterized by a high contraceptive efficacy in combination with excellent cycle control, good tolerability, and a favourable impact on lipid and glucose metabolism. Recently, some placebo-controlled, randomized studies have tested clinical efficacy and tolerability of this COC in the treatment of PMDD. The aim of the present review was to elucidate the possible benefits or disadvantages of PMDD treatment with this novel formulation of EE/drospirenone. The results of trials evaluating the use of EE/drospirenone combination in the treatment of PMDD are encouraging but further studies are needed. However, the reported clinical efficacy and the relative good tolerability of EE/drospirenone may contribute to widen the therapeutic spectrum of PMDD. PMID:18472980

Skin testing with raw egg does not predict tolerance to baked egg in egg-allergic children.

PubMed

Turner, P J; Kumar, K; Fox, A T

2014-11-01

Most children with egg allergy tolerate egg in baked foods, such as cake, but tolerance cannot be predicted with conventional allergy testing. We hypothesized that the skin prick test (SPT) wheal to unprocessed raw egg might predict tolerance of baked egg at formal oral food challenge (OFC). We conducted a retrospective chart review to assess the utility of SPT wheal to egg extract (EE), raw egg (RE), and the ratio of EE:RE in predicting outcome of baked-egg OFC in children presenting to our tertiary referral centers with a physician diagnosis of egg allergy and following complete egg avoidance in their diet, between 2009 and 2013. OFC were performed following a standardized protocol using baked egg in cake, to a total dose equivalent to 3g egg protein. Data were analyzed from 186 completed challenges: OFC was positive in 64 (34%) children and negative in 122 (66%). Six children experienced anaphylaxis at OFC. Children tolerant to baked egg were more likely to have a lower SPT to egg extract/raw egg and EE:RE (median 0.56) than their allergic counterparts (0.70, p < 0.05). However, ROC curve analysis demonstrated poor predictivity of challenge outcome, with AUC for SPT to egg extract, raw egg and EE:ER equal to 0.71, 0.63 and 0.60, respectively. EE:RE was not helpful in predicting outcome of baked-egg OFC. Indeed, SPT to egg extract was slightly better at predicting outcome than either SPT to raw egg or EE:RE. Unfortunately, tolerance to baked egg can only be predicted from previous history or through controlled exposure. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

A Qualitative Analysis of Common Concerns about Challenges Facing Pharmacy Experiential Education Programs

PubMed Central

Craddick, Karen; Eccles, Dayl; Kwasnik, Abigail; O’Sullivan, Teresa A.

2015-01-01

Objective. To qualitatively analyze free-text responses gathered as part of a previously published survey in order to systematically identify common concerns facing pharmacy experiential education (EE) programs. Methods. In 2011, EE directors at all 118 accredited pharmacy schools in the US were asked in a survey to describe the most pressing issues facing their programs. Investigators performed qualitative, thematic analysis of responses and compared results against demographic data (institution type, class size, number of practice sites, number and type of EE faculty member/staff). Expert and novice investigators identified common themes via an iterative process. To check validity, additional expert and novice reviewers independently coded responses. The Cohen kappa coefficient was calculated and showed good agreement between investigators and reviewers. Results. Seventy-eight responses were received (66% response rate) representing 75% of publicly funded institutions and 71% of schools with class sizes 51-150. Themes identified as common concerns were site capacity, workload/financial support, quality assurance, preceptor development, preceptor stipends, assessment, onboarding, and support/recognition from administration. Good agreement (mean percent agreement 93%, ƙ range=0.59-0.92) was found between investigators and reviewers. Conclusion. Site capacity for student placements continues to be the foremost concern for many experiential education programs. New concerns about preceptor development and procedures for placing and orienting students at individual practice sites (ie, “onboarding”) have emerged and must be addressed as new accreditation standards are implemented. PMID:25741022

Comparing the Impact of Prescription Omega-3 Fatty Acid Products on Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol.

PubMed

Sharp, Randall P; Gales, Barry J; Sirajuddin, Riaz

2018-04-01

Elevated levels of triglycerides are associated with pancreatitis and an increased risk of coronary heart disease. Numerous pharmacologic therapies are available to treat hypertriglyceridemia, including prescription omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce triglyceride levels by 20-50%. Available data indicate the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may be beneficial for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease. Products containing DHA may increase low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and, subsequently, coronary heart disease risk. We reviewed prescription omega-3 fatty acid products, of which two-omega-3 acid ethyl esters (OM3EE) and omega-3 carboxylic acid (OM3CA)-contain both DHA and EPA, whereas the other-icosapent ethyl (IPE)-contains EPA only. We identified three retrospective chart reviews and three case reports comparing IPE with OM3EE, whereas two studies compared IPE with placebo. We also reviewed the major studies of OM3EE versus placebo used to gain US FDA approval. LDL-C levels decreased or did not increase significantly in all available studies and case reports in patients receiving the IPE product, with the best data supporting a dose of 4 g per day. The majority of studies only included patients taking IPE concomitantly with statins, but limited data from one study using IPE monotherapy showed a small reduction in LDL-C. Many questions remain regarding IPE, including whether the product reduces cardiovascular events and mortality.

Process Characterization of Electrical Discharge Machining of Highly Doped Silicon

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-06-01

EEE .! E# EEE @! E#EEEI! E#EEEJ! E# EE "! E# EE ".! E# EE "@! E# EE "I! E# EE "J! $L! $U! 07$(L<--B(L$B(F-O(D1$(ZL]\\(E[( GMU! GML! 64... EE ! LFE# EE ! L@F# EE ! L@E# EE ! L<F# EE ! L<E# EE ! L.F# EE ! &*6)! M! NDO! D! %A! DP! N5P! /G! G! LY > (Z B ; [( G&’=41416(D1ɟ$(H&%&C-$-%( IEFG(N.76=416(LY...roughing experiment. Surface roughness measurements ranged from just over 24

Relativistic corrections to exclusive χc J+γ production from e+e- annihilation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brambilla, Nora; Chen, Wen; Jia, Yu; Shtabovenko, Vladyslav; Vairo, Antonio

2018-05-01

We calculate in the nonrelativistic QCD (NRQCD) factorization framework all leading relativistic corrections to the exclusive production of χc J+γ in e+e- annihilation. In particular, we compute for the first time contributions induced by octet operators with a chromoelectric field. The matching coefficients multiplying production long distance matrix elements (LDMEs) are determined through perturbative matching between QCD and NRQCD at the amplitude level. Technical challenges encountered in the nonrelativistic expansion of the QCD amplitudes are discussed in detail. The main source of uncertainty comes from the not so well known LDMEs. Accounting for it, we provide the following estimates for the production cross sections at √{s }=10.6 GeV : σ (e+e-→χc 0+γ )=(1.4 ±0.3 ) fb , σ (e+e-→χc 1+γ )=(15.0 ±3.3 ) fb , and σ (e+e-→χc 2+γ )=(4.5 ±1.4 ) fb .

Robust Functionality and Active Data Management for Cooperative Networks in the Presence of WMD Stressors

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-09-01

topological impairments," Wiley Handbook of Science and Technology for Homeland Security, 2009. Technical Summary Introduction: DCSs offer a flexible...8217l , nfc ,approx = 1 - 2 2" N 1S t e second argest rugenv(.l..lue o Tapprox , where aN = .,., an subscript "nEe" denotes the eigenvalues for the case...robust distributed computing in the presence of topological impairmt~nts," Wiley Handbook of Science and Technology for Homeland Security, 2009. (3

Manufacturing Cost/Design Guide (MC/DG) for Conceptual Design. Supplement

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-08-01

theprdctipinofthiina~ e~e~~ to - -ý - - . .-.--- leen shl . maka In - n rerduto Ift data in whole or in part. WRNING This document contains technical data whose...Distribution authorized to US G~ov’t agencies 2b OECLASSIPICATION/COOWNRAOINO SCMIIUOJL only; cri ti cal techriol oqy; May 1989. N /A Ote eussfrti...under a series of contracts. These contracts, design curves, etc., are listed inne•,u~ C Prfrmnc u •,, Worl - u~e l- n S l rgan n a number of tedms. The

Obstructive sleep apnea and energy balance regulation: A systematic review.

PubMed

Shechter, Ari

2017-08-01

Obesity and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have a reciprocal relationship. Sleep disruptions characteristic of OSA may promote behavioral, metabolic, and/or hormonal changes favoring weight gain and/or difficulty losing weight. The regulation of energy balance (EB), i.e., the relationship between energy intake (EI) and energy expenditure (EE), is complex and multi-factorial, involving food intake, hormonal regulation of hunger/satiety/appetite, and EE via metabolism and physical activity (PA). The current systematic review describes the literature on how OSA affects EB-related parameters. OSA is associated with a hormonal profile characterized by abnormally high leptin and ghrelin levels, which may encourage excess EI. Data on actual measures of food intake are lacking, and not sufficient to make conclusions. Resting metabolic rate appears elevated in OSA vs. Findings on PA are inconsistent, but may indicate a negative relationship with OSA severity that is modulated by daytime sleepiness and body weight. A speculative explanation for the positive EB in OSA is that the increased EE via metabolism induces an overcompensation in the drive for hunger/food intake, which is larger in magnitude than the rise in EI required to re-establish EB. Understanding how OSA affects EB-related parameters can help improve weight loss efforts in these patients. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chronic Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

PubMed

Kirkegård, Jakob; Mortensen, Frank Viborg; Cronin-Fenton, Deirdre

2017-09-01

Chronic pancreatitis is a putative risk factor for pancreatic cancer. The aim of this study was to examine the magnitude and temporality of this association. We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for observational studies investigating the association between chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. We computed overall effect estimates (EEs) with associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random-effects meta-analytic model. The EEs were stratified by length of follow-up from chronic pancreatitis diagnosis to pancreatic cancer (lag period). Robustness of the results was examined in sensitivity analyses. We identified 13 eligible studies. Pooled EEs for pancreatic cancer in patients with chronic pancreatitis were 16.16 (95% CI: 12.59-20.73) for patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer within 2 years from their chronic pancreatitis diagnosis. The risk of pancreatic cancer in patients with chronic pancreatitis decreased when the lag period was increased to 5 years (EE: 7.90; 95% CI: 4.26-14.66) or a minimum of 9 years (EE: 3.53; 95% CI: 1.69-7.38). In conclusion, chronic pancreatitis increases the risk of pancreatic cancer, but the association diminishes with long-term follow-up. Five years after diagnosis, chronic pancreatitis patients have a nearly eight-fold increased risk of pancreatic cancer. We suggest that common practice on inducing a 2-year lag period in these studies may not be sufficient. We also recommend a close follow-up in the first years following a diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis to avoid overlooking a pancreatic cancer.

A Review of Entrepreneurship Education Research: Exploring the Contribution of the "Education + Training" Special Issues

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Henry, Colette; Lewis, Kate

2018-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to review recent published research on entrepreneurship education (EE) specifically within the special issue collections of the journal "Education + Training," and to assess the overall contribution to the field. The research questions focus on: What topics are explored by these SI papers? What…

Network Performance Modeling, Design and Dimensioning Methodologies

DTIC Science & Technology

2000-01-01

Page Form ApprovedOMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the...failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. 1 . REPORT DATE 2000 2. REPORT TYPE 3...eveEeEeveEeveEeEeveEe,eveEeveEeúèOÍ ÏReéÏ 8i RSQR R�eEeEeve,eEeveEeveEeEeveEeveEe,eveEeEeveEeveEeEeveEe,eveEeveEeúèOæ Í 6H¼2 .),576& ;D8¢;= 1 1u$B+.$0#2

Family Profiles of Expressed Emotion in Adolescent Patients With Anorexia Nervosa and Their Parents.

PubMed

Rienecke, Renee D; Lebow, Jocelyn; Lock, James; Le Grange, Daniel

2017-01-01

The current study examined expressed emotion (EE) among families of adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) participating in a treatment study. EE ratings were made from 110 adolescents toward their parents and from parents toward their children using videotaped family interviews. Participants were 92% female and 75% Caucasian with a mean age of 14.41 years. Four family profiles were created (low patient EE/low parent EE, high patient EE/high parent EE, low patient EE/high parent EE, high patient EE/low parent EE). Family EE profile was not related to full remission at end of treatment. Groups were then combined according to EE level of parent. The low parent group (defined as low on criticism, hostility, and emotional overinvolvement) had significantly lower scores on a measure of eating disorder psychopathology than the high parent group at the end of treatment. Patients with AN in low EE families do better in treatment than those patients belonging to high EE families. These findings are true regardless of the EE status of the patient.

Biodegradable-polymer drug-eluting stents vs. bare metal stents vs. durable-polymer drug-eluting stents: a systematic review and Bayesian approach network meta-analysis.

PubMed

Kang, Si-Hyuck; Park, Kyung Woo; Kang, Do-Yoon; Lim, Woo-Hyun; Park, Kyung Taek; Han, Jung-Kyu; Kang, Hyun-Jae; Koo, Bon-Kwon; Oh, Byung-Hee; Park, Young-Bae; Kandzari, David E; Cohen, David J; Hwang, Seung-Sik; Kim, Hyo-Soo

2014-05-01

The aim of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of biodegradable-polymer (BP) drug-eluting stents (DES), bare metal stents (BMS), and durable-polymer DES in patients undergoing coronary revascularization, we performed a systematic review and network meta-analysis using a Bayesian framework. Study stents included BMS, paclitaxel-eluting (PES), sirolimus-eluting (SES), endeavor zotarolimus-eluting (ZES-E), cobalt-chromium everolimus-eluting (CoCr-EES), platinium-chromium everolimus-eluting (PtCr-EES), resolute zotarolimus-eluting (ZES-R), and BP biolimus-eluting stents (BP-BES). After a systematic electronic search, 113 trials with 90 584 patients were selected. The principal endpoint was definite or probable stent thrombosis (ST) defined according to the Academic Research Consortium within 1 year. Biodegradable polymer-biolimus-eluting stents [OR, 0.56; 95% credible interval (CrI), 0.33-0.90], SES (OR, 0.53; 95% CrI, 0.38-0.73), CoCr-EES (OR, 0.34; 95% CrI, 0.23-0.52), and PtCr-EES (OR, 0.31; 95% CrI, 0.10-0.90) were all superior to BMS in terms of definite or probable ST within 1 year. Cobalt-chromium everolimus-eluting stents demonstrated the lowest risk of ST of all stents at all times after stent implantation. Biodegradable polymer-biolimus-eluting stents was associated with a higher risk of definite or probable ST than CoCr-EES (OR, 1.72; 95% CrI, 1.04-2.98). All DES reduced the need for repeat revascularization, and all but PES reduced the risk of myocardial infarction compared with BMS. All DESs but PES and ZES-E were superior to BMS in terms of ST within 1 year. Cobalt-chromium everolimus-eluting stents was safer than any DES even including BP-BES. Our results suggest that not only the biodegradability of polymer, but the optimal combination of stent alloy, design, strut thickness, polymer, and drug all combined determine the safety of DES.

Endoscopic Endonasal and Transcranial Surgery for Microsurgical Resection of Ventral Foramen Magnum Meningiomas: A Preliminary Experience.

PubMed

Khattar, Nicolas; Koutourousiou, Maria; Chabot, Joseph D; Wang, Eric W; Cohen-Gadol, Aaron A; Snyderman, Carl H; Fernandez-Miranda, Juan C; Gardner, Paul A

2018-05-01

Purely ventral foramen magnum meningiomas are challenging tumors to treat given their location, and proximity and relationship to vital neurovascular structures. To present endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) as a complementary approach to the far-lateral suboccipital approach (FLA) for ventral midline tumors. From May 2008 to October 2013, 5 patients underwent EES and 5 FLA for primary ventral foramen magnum meningiomas. We retrospectively reviewed their records to evaluate outcomes. Nine of 10 patients presented with long-tract and lower cranial nerve deficits. All patients who presented with deficits preoperatively completely normalized after tumor resection regardless of approach. Gross total resection was achieved in 2 cases in the EES group and 4 cases in the FLA group (the rest were near total). Vascular encasement was a limitation to gross total resection with both approaches. Preoperative median Karnofsky Performance Scale score was 80 and improved to 100 in both groups. Following EES, 1 patient developed cerebrospinal fluid leak with resultant meningitis. Two patients developed hydrocephalus, one of which developed an epidural abscess following necrosis of the nasoseptal flap, requiring debridement. In the FLA group, 1 patient developed a pseudomeningocele associated with hydrocephalus. One patient developed an abdominal fat graft site hematoma. Both approaches provide excellent results for resection of ventral foramen magnum meningiomas, with reconstruction and hydrocephalus as the main sources of complication. In our practice, EES is a preferred technique in ventral, purely midline tumors with limited inferior extension and reduced lower cranial nerve manipulation, whereas FLA is preferred in tumors with lateral and caudal extension below the tip of the dens.

Quantification of the adverse effect of ethinylestradiol containing oral contraceptive pills when used in conjunction with growth hormone replacement in routine practice.

PubMed

Phelan, Niamh; Conway, Sophy H; Llahana, Sofia; Conway, Gerard S

2012-05-01

Oestrogen antagonizes the action of growth hormone (GH). For women with combined GH and oestrogen deficiency, transdermal oestradiol is more favourable in this regard compared to oral oestradiol. Oral contraceptive pills containing ethinylestradiol (EE) are commonly used in young women with GHD and there is little information on the impact of this form of oestrogen. A case note review of women with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) attending a tertiary endocrine clinic comparing the dose of GH and serum insulin-like growth factor 1 concentrations and the type of exogenous oestrogen. All women with GHD between the ages of 18 and 47 attending University College London Hospitals (UCLH) were included and grouped according to type of oestrogen replacement. Weight, GH dose and serum IGF-I concentrations were recorded at 121 visits in 88 women. The daily dose of GH was significantly higher and the GH responsivity was significantly lower in the EE group compared to those taking no oestrogen and transdermal oestrogen. The additional cost of GH for women using EE compared to transdermal oestradiol was £6016 per patient per year. Effectiveness of GH improved in all women changing from EE to another form of oestrogen. Use of oral contraceptive pills containing EE should be avoided in women receiving treatment with GH. Alternative options include oral or transdermal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) preparations for those that require oestrogen replacement or a progesterone-based regimen for contraceptive purposes. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Monitoring, sources, receptors, and control measures for three European Union watch list substances of emerging concern in receiving waters - A 20year systematic review.

PubMed

Tiedeken, Erin Jo; Tahar, Alexandre; McHugh, Brendan; Rowan, Neil J

2017-01-01

Pollution of European receiving waters with contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), such as with 17-beta-estradiol (a natural estrogenic hormone, E2), along with pharmaceutically-active compounds diclofenac (an anti-inflammatory drug, DCL) and 17-alpha-ethynylestradiol (a synthetic estrogenic hormone, EE2)) is a ubiquitous phenomenon. These three CECs were added to the EU watch list of emerging substances to be monitoring in 2013, which was updated in 2015 to comprise 10 substances/groups of substances in the field of water policy. A systematic literature review was conducted of 3952 potentially relevant articles over period 1995 to 2015 that produced a new EU-wide database consisting of 1268 publications on DCL, E2 and EE2. European surface water concentrations of DCL are typically reported below the proposed annual average environmental quality standard (AA EQS) of 100ng/l, but that exceedances frequently occur. E2 and EE2 surface water concentrations are typically below 50ng/l and 10ng/l respectively, but these values greatly exceed the proposed AA EQS values for these compounds (0.04 and 0.035ng/l respectively). However, levels of these CECs are frequently reported to be disproportionately high in EU receiving waters, particularly in effluents at control points that require urgent attention. Overall it was found that DCL and EE2 enter European aquatic environment mainly following human consumption and excretion of therapeutic drugs, and by incomplete removal from influent at urban wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). E2 is a natural hormone excreted by humans which also experiences incomplete removal during WWTPs treatment. Current conventional analytical chemistry methods are sufficiently sensitive for the detection and quantification of DCL but not for E2 and EE2, thus alternative, ultra-trace, time-integrated monitoring techniques such as passive sampling are needed to inform water quality for these estrogens. DCL appears resistant to conventional wastewater treatment while E2 and EE2 have high removal efficiencies that occur through biodegradation or sorption to organic matter. There is a pressing need to determine fate and behaviour of these CECs in European receiving waters such as using GIS-modelling of river basins as this will identify pressure points for informing priority decision making and alleviation strategies for upgrade of WWTPs and for hospital effluents with advanced treatment technologies. More monitoring data for these CECs in receiving waters is urgently needed for EU legislation and effective risk management. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Ovulatory effects of three oral contraceptive regimens: a randomized, open-label, descriptive trial.

PubMed

Seidman, Larry; Kroll, Robin; Howard, Brandon; Ricciotti, Nancy; Hsieh, Jennifer; Weiss, Herman

2015-06-01

This study describes ovarian activity suppression of a 21/7-active low-dose combined oral contraceptive (COC) regimen that included only ethinyl estradiol (EE) during the traditional hormone-free interval (HFI) and two commercially available 28-day regimens, a 24/4 and a 21/7 regimen. The randomized, open-label, parallel-group descriptive study was conducted at two US sites. Healthy, reproductive-aged women (n=146) were randomized to one of three groups for three consecutive 28-day cycles, as follows: treatment 1 (n=39 completed): 21/7-active COC [21 days of 150 mcg desogestrel (DSG)/20 mcg EE, followed by 7 days of 10 mcg EE (DSG/EE+7 days EE)], treatment 2 (n=39 completed): 24 days of 3mg drospirenone (DRSP)/20 mcg EE, followed by 4 placebo (PBO)-pill days (DRSP/EE+4 days PBO) and treatment 3 (n=42 completed): 21 days of 100 mcg levonorgestrel (LNG)/20 mcg EE, followed by 7 PBO-pill days (LNG/EE+7 days PBO). The primary outcome was ovarian activity suppression assessed by transvaginal ultrasound and serum hormone concentrations and classified using the Hoogland and Skouby (H/S) method. Ovarian activity rate (H/S grade 4 or 5) was low for all three treatments: 0% [95% confidence interval (CI) 0-2.8] for DSG/EE+7 days EE, 1% (95% CI 0.2-5.2) for DRSP/EE+4days PBO and 1% (95% CI 0-3.9) for LNG/EE+7 days PBO. All three treatments showed similar suppression of serum progesterone, 17β-estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels. The 21/7-active low-dose COC regimen (DSG/EE+7 days EE) showed ovarian activity suppression that was similar to the 24/4 (DRSP/EE+4 days PBO) and 21/7 (LNG/EE+7days PBO) regimens. The 21/7-active low-dose COC regimen (DSG/EE+7 days EE) that included only EE during the traditional HFI showed suppression of ovarian follicular activity that was similar to the 24/4 (DRSP/EE+4days PBO) and the 21/7 (LNG/EE+7 days PBO) comparator regimens. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Are economic evaluations and health technology assessments increasingly demanded in times of rationing health services? The case of the Argentine financial crisis.

PubMed

Rubinstein, Adolfo; Belizán, María; Discacciati, Vilda

2007-01-01

After 4 years of deepening recession, Argentina's economy plummeted after default in 2002. This crisis critically affected health expenditures and triggered acute rationing. Our objective was to explore health decision-makers' knowledge and attitudes about economic evaluations (EE) and whether health technology assessment (HTA) were increasingly used for decision making. A qualitative design based on semistructured interviews and focus groups was used to explore how decision makers belonging to different health sectors implement resource allocation decisions. Informants were mostly unaware of EE. The most important criteria mentioned to adopt a treatment were evidence of effectiveness, social/stakeholder demand, or resource availability. Despite general positive attitudes about EE, knowledge was rather limited. Although cost considerations were widely accepted by purchasers and managers, clinicians argued about these issues as interfering with the doctor-patient relationship. Other important perceived barriers to HTA use were lack of confidence in the transferability of studies conducted in developed countries and institutional fragmentation of the Argentine healthcare system. The new macroeconomic context was cited as a justification of implicit rationing measures. Although explicit priority setting was implemented by many purchasers and managers, HTA was not used to improve technical and/or allocative efficiency. The crisis seems to be a strong incentive to extend the use of HTA in Argentina, provided decision makers are aware as well as involved in the generation of local studies.

Novel ethinyl estradiol-beta-cyclodextrin clathrate formulation does not influence the relative bioavailability of ethinyl estradiol or coadministered drospirenone.

PubMed

Blode, Hartmut; Schürmann, Rolf; Benda, Norbert

2008-03-01

A new combined oral contraceptive formulation has been developed consisting of a beta-cyclodextrin (betadex) clathrate formulation of ethinyl estradiol in combination with drospirenone (EE-betadex clathrate/drsp). In this novel EE-betadex clathrate/drsp preparation, betadex serves as an inert complexing agent to enhance stability and shelf-life. The study was conducted to investigate the relative bioavailability and pharmacokinetic parameters of EE and drsp after oral administration of EE-betadex clathrate/drsp. This was an open-label, randomized, single-dose, three-period, three-treatment, crossover study conducted in 18 healthy postmenopausal women aged 45-75 years. The women received single oral doses of 40 mcg EE/6 mg drsp formulated as EE-betadex clathrate/drsp or EE/drsp (EE as a free steroid) tablets, or as a microcrystalline suspension on three separate occasions. Serum samples were collected for pharmacokinetic analyses. The relative bioavailability of EE and drsp after EE-betadex clathrate/drsp tablet administration was comparable with that achieved with the EE/drsp tablet (107% and 101%, respectively). In addition, the inclusion of EE in a betadex clathrate does not affect the pharmacokinetics of either EE or drsp. There were no safety concerns with any of the medications. The betadex clathrate formulation of EE, when combined with DRSP, does not affect the pharmacokinetics and relative bioavailability of either EE or drsp.

The predictive capacity of perceived expressed emotion as a dynamic entity of adolescents from the general community.

PubMed

Hale, William W; Raaijmakers, Quinten A W; van Hoof, Anne; Meeus, Wim H J

2011-06-01

In previous studies, it has been demonstrated that high parental expressed emotion (EE) is predictive of depressive, aggressive and delinquency symptoms of adolescents. Two issues have received much less prominence in EE research, these being studies of adolescent perceived EE and the measurement of the EE as a dynamic, developmental construct. This 4-year, three-wave, longitudinal study of perceived EE of adolescents from the general community examines if adolescent perceived EE measured with the traditional, one-measurement EE approach as well as adolescent perceived EE measured with a repeated measured, dynamic EE approach can predict adolescent depressive, aggressive and delinquency symptoms. Dutch adolescents (N = 285; 51% girls; M = 13 years) from the general community were prospectively studied annually for 4 years. At all waves, the adolescents completed the Level of Expressed Emotion (LEE) questionnaire and at the final wave also completed self-rated measures of depressive, aggressive and delinquent symptoms. Growth models were used to predict adolescent symptoms from adolescent perceived EE. Growth models significantly predicted adolescent depressive, aggressive and delinquency symptoms from adolescent perceived EE. This study of the LEE demonstrates that developmental characteristics of EE are predictive of adolescents' symptoms. These findings hold implications for current EE intervention therapies and the conceptualization of EE.

[Extra-skeletal Ewing's sarcoma. A case report with detailed review of the literature].

PubMed

Auge, B; Pusel, J

1990-01-01

Extra-skeletal Ewing's Sarcoma (EES): a clinico-pathological entity described in 1975 by L. Angervall and F.M. Enzinger. This article reports a new case in which the primary was localized in the right forearm and metastasized to the left lung fourteen years later. A detailed review of the literature emphasized similarities and differences between osseous and extra-osseous Ewing's Sarcoma.

Relationship Between Skating Economy and Performance During a Repeated-Shift Test in Elite and Subelite Ice Hockey Players.

PubMed

Lamoureux, Nicholas R; Tomkinson, Grant R; Peterson, Benjamin J; Fitzgerald, John S

2018-04-01

Lamoureux, NR, Tomkinson, GR, Peterson, BJ, and Fitzgerald, JS. Relationship between skating economy and performance during a repeated-shift test in elite and subelite ice hockey players. J Strength Cond Res 32(4): 1109-1113, 2018-The purpose of this study was to determine the importance of skating economy to fatigue during repeated high-intensity efforts of a simulated ice hockey shift. Forty-five collegiate and Junior A male ice hockey players (aged 18-24 years) performed a continuous graded exercise test using a skate treadmill. Breath-by-breath data for oxygen consumption (V[Combining Dot Above]O2) and respiratory exchange ratio were collected and used to derive energy expenditure (EE) averaged over the final 10 seconds of each stage. Economy was determined as the slope of the regression line relating V[Combining Dot Above]O2 and EE against skating speed separately. Participants also completed 8 bouts of maximal ice skating through a course designed to simulate typical shift, with timing gates determining first half, second half, and total fatigue decrement, calculated by a percent decrement score. Partial correlation was used to determine the association between economy measures and decrement during the repeated-shift test. Twenty-six participants met inclusion criteria and were included in data analysis. Skating economy measures (both relative V[Combining Dot Above]O2 and EE) were very likely moderate positive correlates of total fatigue decrement (r [95% confidence interval]: V[Combining Dot Above]O2, 0.46 [0.09, 0.72] and EE, 0.44, [0.06, 0.71]) but not with first or second gate decrement. Our results indicate that skating economy plays an important role in fatigue resistance over repeated on-ice sprints designed to simulate a typical shift. This supports the use of technical skating coaching and training techniques to enhance skating economy as a means of improving ice hockey performance.

Energy Efficient Community Development in California: Chula Vista Research Project

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gas Technology Institute

2009-03-31

In 2007, the U.S. Department of Energy joined the California Energy Commission in funding a project to begin to examine the technical, economic and institutional (policy and regulatory) aspects of energy-efficient community development. That research project was known as the Chula Vista Research Project for the host California community that co-sponsored the initiative. The researches proved that the strategic integration of the selected and economically viable buildings energy efficiency (EE) measures, photovoltaics (PV), distributed generation (DG), and district cooling can produce significant reductions in aggregate energy consumption, peak demand and emissions, compared to the developer/builder's proposed baseline approach. However, themore » central power plant emission reductions achieved through use of the EE-DG option would increase local air emissions. The electric and natural gas utility infrastructure impacts associated with the use of the EE and EE-PV options were deemed relatively insignificant while use of the EE-DG option would result in a significant reduction of necessary electric distribution facilities to serve a large-scale development project. The results of the Chula Vista project are detailed in three separate documents: (1) Energy-Efficient Community Development in California; Chula Vista Research Project report contains a detailed description of the research effort and findings. This includes the methodologies, and tools used and the analysis of the efficiency, economic and emissions impacts of alternative energy technology and community design options for two development sites. Research topics covered included: (a) Energy supply, demand, and control technologies and related strategies for structures; (b) Application of locally available renewable energy resources including solar thermal and PV technology and on-site power generation with heat recovery; (c) Integration of local energy resources into district energy systems and existing energy utility networks; (d) Alternative land-use design and development options and their impact on energy efficiency and urban runoff, emissions and the heat island effect; and (e) Alternative transportation and mobility options and their impact on local emissions. (2) Creating Energy-Efficient Communities in California: A Reference Guide to Barriers, Solutions and Resources report provides the results of an effort to identify the most innovative existing and emerging public policy, incentive and market mechanisms that encourage investment in advanced energy technologies and enabling community design options in the State of California and the nation. The report evaluates each of these mechanisms in light of the preceding research and concludes with a set of recommended mechanisms designed for consideration by relevant California State agencies, development and finance industry associations, and municipal governments. (3) Creating Energy-Efficient Communities in California: A Technical Reference Guide to Building and Site Design report contains a set of selected commercially viable energy technology and community design options for high-efficiency, low-impact community development in California. It includes a summary of the research findings referenced above and recommendations for energy technology applications and energy-efficient development strategies for residential, commercial and institutional structures and supporting municipal infrastructure for planned communities. The document also identifies design options, technology applications and development strategies that are applicable to urban infill projects.« less

A comparison of the pharmacokinetic profile of an ascending-dose, extended-regimen combined oral contraceptive to those of other extended regimens.

PubMed

Darwish, Mona; Bond, Mary; Ricciotti, Nancy; Hsieh, Jennifer; Fiedler-Kelly, Jill; Grasela, Thaddeus

2014-11-01

Quartette (levonorgestrel [LNG]/ethinyl estradiol [EE] and EE) is an ascending-dose, extended-regimen combined oral contraceptive (COC) that consists of a constant dose of LNG 150 µg on days 1 to 84 with EE 20 µg on days 1 to 42, 25 µg on days 43 to 63, 30 µg on days 64 to 84, and 10 µg of EE monotherapy on days 85 to 91. A population pharmacokinetic (PK) model for EE was developed using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling to characterize the PK profile of EE administered in Quartette and other extended-regimen LNG/EE COCs. Model-predicted plasma concentration-time profiles demonstrated a stepwise increase in systemic exposure to EE during the first 84 days of the cycle following each EE dose change. Lower concentrations of EE were noted during the final 7-day period of EE 10 µg. Gradual increases in EE seen with Quartette may decrease the incidence of unscheduled bleeding frequently observed during early cycles of extended-regimen COCs. © The Author(s) 2014.

Effect of protein overfeeding on energy expenditure measured in a metabolic chamber.

PubMed

Bray, George A; Redman, Leanne M; de Jonge, Lilian; Covington, Jeffrey; Rood, Jennifer; Brock, Courtney; Mancuso, Susan; Martin, Corby K; Smith, Steven R

2015-03-01

Energy expenditure (EE) increases with overfeeding, but it is unclear how rapidly this is related to changes in body composition, increased body weight, or diet. The objective was to quantify the effects of excess energy from fat or protein on energy expenditure of men and women living in a metabolic chamber. We conducted a randomized controlled trial in 25 participants who ate ∼40% excess energy for 56 d from 5%, 15%, or 25% protein diets. Twenty-four-hour EE (24EE) and sleeping EE (SleepEE) were measured on days 1, 14, and 56 of overfeeding and on day 57 while consuming the baseline diet (usually day 57). Metabolic and molecular markers of muscle metabolism were measured in skeletal muscle biopsy specimens. In the low-protein diet group whose excess energy was fat, the 24EE and SleepEE did not increase during the first day of overfeeding. When extra energy contained protein, both 24EE and SleepEE increased in relation to protein intake (r = 0.50, P = 0.02). The 24EE over 8 wk in all 3 groups was correlated with protein intake (r = 0.60, P = 0.004) but not energy intake (r = 0.16; P = 0.70). SleepEE was unchanged by overfeeding in the low-protein diet group, and baseline surface area predicted increased 24EE in this group. Protein and fat oxidation were reciprocally related during overfeeding. Observed 24EE was higher than predicted on days 1 (P ≤ 0.05), 14 (P = 0.0001), and 56 (P = 0.0007). There was no relation between change in fat mass and change in EE. Excess energy, as fat, does not acutely increase 24EE, which rises slowly as body weight increases. Excess energy as protein acutely stimulates 24EE and SleepEE. The strongest relation with change in 24EE was the change in energy expenditure in tissue other than muscle or fat-free mass. © 2015 American Society for Nutrition.

Active video games and health indicators in children and youth: a systematic review.

PubMed

LeBlanc, Allana G; Chaput, Jean-Philippe; McFarlane, Allison; Colley, Rachel C; Thivel, David; Biddle, Stuart J H; Maddison, Ralph; Leatherdale, Scott T; Tremblay, Mark S

2013-01-01

Active video games (AVGs) have gained interest as a way to increase physical activity in children and youth. The effect of AVGs on acute energy expenditure (EE) has previously been reported; however, the influence of AVGs on other health-related lifestyle indicators remains unclear. This systematic review aimed to explain the relationship between AVGs and nine health and behavioural indicators in the pediatric population (aged 0-17 years). Online databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, psycINFO, SPORTDiscus and Cochrane Central Database) and personal libraries were searched and content experts were consulted for additional material. Included articles were required to have a measure of AVG and at least one relevant health or behaviour indicator: EE (both habitual and acute), adherence and appeal (i.e., participation and enjoyment), opportunity cost (both time and financial considerations, and adverse events), adiposity, cardiometabolic health, energy intake, adaptation (effects of continued play), learning and rehabilitation, and video game evolution (i.e., sustainability of AVG technology). 51 unique studies, represented in 52 articles were included in the review. Data were available from 1992 participants, aged 3-17 years, from 8 countries, and published from 2006-2012. Overall, AVGs are associated with acute increases in EE, but effects on habitual physical activity are not clear. Further, AVGs show promise when used for learning and rehabilitation within special populations. Evidence related to other indicators was limited and inconclusive. Controlled studies show that AVGs acutely increase light- to moderate-intensity physical activity; however, the findings about if or how AVG lead to increases in habitual physical activity or decreases in sedentary behaviour are less clear. Although AVGs may elicit some health benefits in special populations, there is not sufficient evidence to recommend AVGs as a means of increasing daily physical activity.

Eosinophilic esophagitis: A relevant entity for the otolaryngologist.

PubMed

Górriz-Gil, Carmen; Villarreal, Ithzel M; Álvarez-Montero, Óscar; Rodríguez-Valiente, Antonio; Magaz, Marta; García-Berrocal, José R

2016-01-01

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is a recently recognised pathologic entity whose prevalence has risen significantly since it was first described. Its diagnosis represents a challenge for different medical specialties, among which ENT specialists play an important role. Clinical suspicion in a patient with recurrent food impaction or a child with eating disorders and history of hypersensitivity constitutes the first warning sign of a possible EE. The purpose of this review is to highlight EE as a possible differential diagnosis in patients with deglutition disorders and describe the possible clinical symptoms that should alert the ENT specialist to perform appropriate diagnostic tests and procedures. The transnasal esophagoscopy, performed in-office by the ENT, is ideal for reducing possible underdiagnosed cases. Given the fact that an ENT specialist will evaluate a great many patients with deglutition disorders, it is paramount for possible EE cases to be suspected and recognised so that a correct multidisciplinary approach involving not only ENT specialists but also paediatricians, gastroenterologists, allergologists and pathologists can be established. Identifying the dietary component responsible for the esophageal inflammation and removing that food from the patient's diet is the key in the treatment of this immune-mediated disease. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier España, S.L.U. y Sociedad Española de Otorrinolaringología y Cirugía de Cabeza y Cuello. All rights reserved.

3D printing technologies for electrochemical energy storage

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Feng; Wei, Min; Viswanathan, Vilayanur V.

Fabrication of electrodes and electrolytes play an important role in promoting the performance of electrochemical energy storage (EES) devices such as batteries and supercapacitors. Traditional fabrication techniques have limited capability in controlling the geometry and architecture of the electrode and solid-state electrolytes, which would otherwise compromise the performance. 3D printing, a disruptive manufacturing technology, has emerged as an innovative approach to fabricating EES devices from nanoscale to macroscale and from nanowatt to megawatt, providing great opportunities to accurately control device geometry (e.g., dimension, porosity, morphology) and structure with enhanced specific energy and power densities. Moreover, the additive manufacturing nature ofmore » 3D printing provides excellent controllability of the electrode thickness with much simplified process in a cost effective manner. With the unique spatial and temporal material manipulation capability, 3D printing can integrate multiple nanomaterials in the same print, and multi-functional EES devices (including functional gradient devices) can be fabricated. Herein, we review recent advances in 3D printing of EES devices. We focused on two major 3D printing technologies including direct writing and inkjet printing. The direct material deposition characteristics of these two processes enable them to print on a variety of flat substrates, even a conformal one, well suiting them to applications such as wearable devices and on-chip integrations. Other potential 3D printing techniques such as freeze nano-printing, stereolithography, fused deposition modeling, binder jetting, laminated object manufacturing, and metal 3D printing are also introduced. The advantages and limitations of each 3D printing technology are extensively discussed. More importantly, we provide a perspective on how to integrate the emerging 3D printing with existing technologies to create structures over multiple length scale from macro to nano for EES applications.« less

3D printing technologies for electrochemical energy storage

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Feng; Wei, Min; Viswanathan, Vilayanur V.

We present that fabrication and assembly of electrodes and electrolytes play an important role in promoting the performance of electrochemical energy storage (EES) devices such as batteries and supercapacitors. Traditional fabrication techniques have limitations in controlling the geometry and architecture of the electrode and solid-state electrolytes, which would otherwise compromise the performance. 3D printing, a disruptive manufacturing technology, has emerged as an innovative approach to fabricating EES devices from nanoscale to macroscale, providing great opportunities to accurately control device geometry (e.g., dimension, porosity, and morphology) and structure with enhanced specific energy and power densities. Moreover, the “additive” manufacturing nature ofmore » 3D printing provides excellent controllability of the electrode thickness with much simplified process in a cost effective manner. Additionally, with the unique spatial and temporal material manipulation capability, 3D printing can integrate multiple nano-materials in the same print, and multi-functional EES devices (including functional gradient devices) can be fabricated. Herein, we review recent advances in 3D printing of EES devices. We focus on two major 3D printing technologies including direct writing and inkjet printing. The direct material deposition characteristics of these two processes enable them to print on a variety of flat substrates, even a conformal one, well suiting them to applications such as wearable devices and on-chip integrations. Other potential 3D printing techniques such as freeze nano-printing, stereolithography, fused deposition modeling, binder jetting, laminated object manufacturing, and metal 3D printing are also introduced. The advantages and limitations of each 3D printing technology are extensively discussed. More importantly, we provide a perspective on how to integrate the emerging 3D printing with existing technologies to create structures over multiple length scale from nano to macro for EES applications.« less

3D printing technologies for electrochemical energy storage

DOE PAGES

Zhang, Feng; Wei, Min; Viswanathan, Vilayanur V.; ...

2017-08-24

We present that fabrication and assembly of electrodes and electrolytes play an important role in promoting the performance of electrochemical energy storage (EES) devices such as batteries and supercapacitors. Traditional fabrication techniques have limitations in controlling the geometry and architecture of the electrode and solid-state electrolytes, which would otherwise compromise the performance. 3D printing, a disruptive manufacturing technology, has emerged as an innovative approach to fabricating EES devices from nanoscale to macroscale, providing great opportunities to accurately control device geometry (e.g., dimension, porosity, and morphology) and structure with enhanced specific energy and power densities. Moreover, the “additive” manufacturing nature ofmore » 3D printing provides excellent controllability of the electrode thickness with much simplified process in a cost effective manner. Additionally, with the unique spatial and temporal material manipulation capability, 3D printing can integrate multiple nano-materials in the same print, and multi-functional EES devices (including functional gradient devices) can be fabricated. Herein, we review recent advances in 3D printing of EES devices. We focus on two major 3D printing technologies including direct writing and inkjet printing. The direct material deposition characteristics of these two processes enable them to print on a variety of flat substrates, even a conformal one, well suiting them to applications such as wearable devices and on-chip integrations. Other potential 3D printing techniques such as freeze nano-printing, stereolithography, fused deposition modeling, binder jetting, laminated object manufacturing, and metal 3D printing are also introduced. The advantages and limitations of each 3D printing technology are extensively discussed. More importantly, we provide a perspective on how to integrate the emerging 3D printing with existing technologies to create structures over multiple length scale from nano to macro for EES applications.« less

Pharmacokinetic overview of ethinyl estradiol dose and bioavailability using two transdermal contraceptive systems and a standard combined oral contraceptive

PubMed Central

Hofmann, Birte; Reinecke, Isabel; Schuett, Barbara; Merz, Martin; Zurth, Christian

2014-01-01

Objective: To determine the relative bioavailability of ethinyl estradiol (EE) and gestodene (GSD) after application of a novel transdermal contraceptive patch vs. a standard combined oral contraceptive (COC) pill (study 1), and to evaluate the pharmacokinetics (PK) of EE after application of the EE/GSD patch compared with an EE/norelgestromin (NGMN) patch (study 2). Materials: Participants were healthy, non-obese women aged 18 – 45 years (study 1) or 18 – 35 years (study 2). Compositions of study treatments were as follows: 0.55 mg EE/2.1 mg GSD (EE/GSD patch); 0.02 mg EE/0.075 mg GSD (standard COC); 0.6 mg EE/6 mg NGMN (EE/NGMN patch). Methods: In study 1, which consisted of 3 treatment periods (each followed by 7 patch- or pill-free days), treatments were administered in one of two randomized orders: either P–M–E (EE/GSD patch (P) every 7 days for 28 days → COC (M) once-daily for 21 days → two 7-day patch-wearing periods followed by one 10-day patch-wearing phase (E)), or the same treatments administered in sequence M–P–E. For study 2, participants received either the EE/GSD patch or EE/NGMN patch for seven treatment cycles (one patch per week for 3 weeks followed by a 7-day patch-free interval). Results: In study 1, average daily exposure to EE was similar for treatments P and M; the mean daily area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) ratio of treatment P vs. treatment M for EE was 1.06 (90% confidence interval (CI): 0.964 – 1.16), indicating average daily delivery similar to oral administration of 0.019 – 0.023 mg EE. For unbound GSD, average daily exposure was lower for treatment P vs. treatment M. The mean AUC ratio of treatment P vs. treatment M for unbound GSD was 0.820 (90% CI: 0.760 – 0.885), indicating average daily delivery from the patch of 0.057 – 0.066 mg GSD. Prolonged patch wearing did not result in a distinct decline in GSD and EE serum concentrations. In study 2, AUC at steady state (AUC0–168,ss), average steady-state serum concentration, and maximum steady-state serum concentration for EE was 2.0 – 2.7-fold higher for the EE/NGMN patch vs. the EE/GSD patch. The EE/GSD patch was well tolerated in both studies. Conclusions: Based on the 90% CI of the AUC ratio of oral treatment vs. patch application for unbound GSD and EE, the daily doses of GSD and EE released from the EE/GSD patch over the 7-day application period provided the same systemic exposure as those recorded after daily oral administration of a COC containing 0.02 mg EE and 0.06 mg GSD. The EE/GSD patch showed reduced EE exposure compared with the EE/NGMN patch. Together with its good tolerability, these properties support the EE/GSD patch as an effective and well-tolerated alternative to available transdermal and oral contraceptives. PMID:25295716

Thromboembolic adverse event study of combined estrogen-progestin preparations using Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database

PubMed Central

Hasegawa, Shiori; Matsui, Toshinobu; Hane, Yuuki; Abe, Junko; Hatahira, Haruna; Motooka, Yumi; Sasaoka, Sayaka; Fukuda, Akiho; Naganuma, Misa; Hirade, Kouseki; Takahashi, Yukiko; Kinosada, Yasutomi

2017-01-01

Combined estrogen-progestin preparations (CEPs) are associated with thromboembolic (TE) side effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of TE using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) database. Adverse events recorded from April 2004 to November 2014 in the JADER database were obtained from the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) website (www.pmda.go.jp). We calculated the reporting odds ratios (RORs) of suspected CEPs, analyzed the time-to-onset profile, and assessed the hazard type using Weibull shape parameter (WSP). Furthermore, we used the applied association rule mining technique to discover undetected relationships such as the possible risk factors. The total number of reported cases in the JADER contained was 338,224. The RORs (95% confidential interval, CI) of drospirenone combined with ethinyl estradiol (EE, Dro-EE), norethisterone with EE (Ne-EE), levonorgestrel with EE (Lev-EE), desogestrel with EE (Des-EE), and norgestrel with EE (Nor-EE) were 56.2 (44.3–71.4), 29.1 (23.5–35.9), 42.9 (32.3–57.0), 44.7 (32.7–61.1), and 38.6 (26.3–56.7), respectively. The medians (25%–75%) of the time-to-onset of Dro-EE, Ne-EE, Lev-EE, Des-EE, and Nor-EE were 150.0 (75.3–314.0), 128.0 (27.0–279.0), 204.0 (44.0–660.0), 142.0 (41.3–344.0), and 16.5 (8.8–32.0) days, respectively. The 95% CIs of the WSP-β for Ne-EE, Lev-EE, and Nor-EE were lower and excluded 1. Association rule mining indicated that patients with anemia had a potential risk of developing a TE when using CEPs. Our results suggest that it is important to monitor patients administered CEP for TE. Careful observation is recommended, especially for those using Nor-EE, and this information may be useful for efficient therapeutic planning. PMID:28732067

Heterogeneity in Short Gamma-Ray Bursts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Norris, Jay P.; Gehrels Neil; Scargle, Jeffrey D.

2011-01-01

We analyze the Swift/BAT sample of short gamma-ray bursts, using an objective Bayesian Block procedure to extract temporal descriptors of the bursts' initial pulse complexes (IPCs). The sample comprises 12 and 41 bursts with and without extended emission (EE) components, respectively. IPCs of non-EE bursts are dominated by single pulse structures, while EE bursts tend to have two or more pulse structures. The medians of characteristic timescales - durations, pulse structure widths, and peak intervals - for EE bursts are factors of approx 2-3 longer than for non-EE bursts. A trend previously reported by Hakkila and colleagues unifying long and short bursts - the anti-correlation of pulse intensity and width - continues in the two short burst groups, with non-EE bursts extending to more intense, narrower pulses. In addition we find that preceding and succeeding pulse intensities are anti-correlated with pulse interval. We also examine the short burst X-ray afterglows as observed by the Swift/XRT. The median flux of the initial XRT detections for EE bursts (approx 6 X 10(exp -10) erg / sq cm/ s) is approx > 20 x brighter than for non-EE bursts, and the median X-ray afterglow duration for EE bursts (approx 60,000 s) is approx 30 x longer than for non-EE bursts. The tendency for EE bursts toward longer prompt-emission timescales and higher initial X-ray afterglow fluxes implies larger energy injections powering the afterglows. The longer-lasting X-ray afterglows of EE bursts may suggest that a significant fraction explode into more dense environments than non-EE bursts, or that the sometimes-dominant EE component efficiently p()wers the afterglow. Combined, these results favor different progenitors for EE and non-EE short bursts.

Heterogeneity in Short Gamma-Ray Bursts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Norris, Jay P.; Gehrels, Neil; Scargle, Jeffrey D.

2011-07-01

We analyze the Swift/BAT sample of short gamma-ray bursts, using an objective Bayesian Block procedure to extract temporal descriptors of the bursts' initial pulse complexes (IPCs). The sample is comprised of 12 and 41 bursts with and without extended emission (EE) components, respectively. IPCs of non-EE bursts are dominated by single pulse structures, while EE bursts tend to have two or more pulse structures. The medians of characteristic timescales—durations, pulse structure widths, and peak intervals—for EE bursts are factors of ~2-3 longer than for non-EE bursts. A trend previously reported by Hakkila and colleagues unifying long and short bursts—the anti-correlation of pulse intensity and width—continues in the two short burst groups, with non-EE bursts extending to more intense, narrower pulses. In addition, we find that preceding and succeeding pulse intensities are anti-correlated with pulse interval. We also examine the short burst X-ray afterglows as observed by the Swift/X-Ray Telescope (XRT). The median flux of the initial XRT detections for EE bursts (~6×10-10 erg cm-2 s-1) is gsim20× brighter than for non-EE bursts, and the median X-ray afterglow duration for EE bursts (~60,000 s) is ~30× longer than for non-EE bursts. The tendency for EE bursts toward longer prompt-emission timescales and higher initial X-ray afterglow fluxes implies larger energy injections powering the afterglows. The longer-lasting X-ray afterglows of EE bursts may suggest that a significant fraction explode into denser environments than non-EE bursts, or that the sometimes-dominant EE component efficiently powers the afterglow. Combined, these results favor different progenitors for EE and non-EE short bursts.

49 CFR 552.6 - Technical review.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... § 552.6 Technical review. The appropriate Associate Administrator conducts a technical review of the petition. The technical review may consist of an analysis of the material submitted, together with... 49 Transportation 6 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Technical review. 552.6 Section 552.6...

49 CFR 552.6 - Technical review.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... § 552.6 Technical review. The appropriate Associate Administrator conducts a technical review of the petition. The technical review may consist of an analysis of the material submitted, together with... 49 Transportation 6 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Technical review. 552.6 Section 552.6...

Affective and enjoyment responses in high intensity interval training and continuous training: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PubMed Central

Santos, Tony Meireles; Kilpatrick, Marcus; Pires, Flávio Oliveira; Deslandes, Andréa Camaz

2018-01-01

Previous studies investigating the effects of high intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) showed controversial results. The aim of the present study was to systematically review the literature on the effects of HIIT and MICT on affective and enjoyment responses. The PRISMA Statement and the Cochrane recommendation were used to perform this systematic review and the database search was performed using PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Knowledge, PsycINFO, and SPORTDiscus. Eight studies investigating the acute affective and enjoyment responses on HIIT and MICT were included in the present systematic review. The standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated for Feeling Scale (FS), Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) and Exercise Enjoyment Scale (EES). The MICT was used as the reference condition. The overall results showed similar beneficial effects of HIIT on PACES and EES responses compared to MICT with SMDs classified as small (PACES–SMD = 0.49, I2 = 69.3%, p = 0.001; EES–SMD = 0.48, I2 = 24.1%, p = 0.245) while for FS, the overall result showed a trivial effect (FS–SMD = 0.19, I2 = 78.9%, p<0.001). Most of the comparisons performed presented positive effects for HIIT. For the FS, six of 12 comparisons showed beneficial effects for HIIT involving normal weight and overweight-to-obese populations. For PACES, six of 10 comparisons showed beneficial effects for HIIT involving normal weight and overweight-to-obese populations. For EES, six of seven comparisons showed beneficial effects for HIIT also involving normal weight and overweight-to-obese populations. Based on the results of the present study, it is possible to conclude that HIIT exercise may be a viable strategy for obtaining positive psychological responses. Although HIIT exercise may be recommended for obtaining positive psychological responses, chronic studies should clarify the applicability of HIIT for exercise adherence. PMID:29874256

75 FR 8496 - Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Ohio New Source Review Rules

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-25

... CFR 51.166 and 51.165 definitions in OAC 3745-31-01 (E), (J), (M), (X), (JJ), (QQ), (DDD), (EEE), (XXX...), (N), (O), (P), (Q), (S), (T), (U), (V), (W), (X), (DD), (EE), (FF), (GG), (JJ), (MM), (NN), (QQ...

Influence of the dietary intake of medium chain triglycerides on body composition, energy expenditure and satiety: a systematic review.

PubMed

Rego Costa, A C; Rosado, E L; Soares-Mota, M

2012-01-01

Increased prevalence of obesity is associated with the growth of chronic degenerative diseases. One of the main factors associated with this increase is the change in nutritional status of individuals. Medium chain triglycerides (MCT) are rapidly metabolized and less stored in the adipose tissue, being a possible tool for weight control. In order to analyze the influence of consumption of this lipid on satiety, body composition and energy expenditure (EE), a literature review was performed of controlled clinical studies reported in PUBMED and ELSEVIER between the years 2000 and 2010. Fourteen articles were selected presenting short and long-term intervention. Among these, six showed a decrease in body mass of individuals, with consequent loss of weight. Only one showed a positive effect on satiation and four showed an increase in EE. Thus the results are inconclusive and there is a need for further controlled studies with standardized amounts of MCT, so that its use can become an alternative for obesity nutritional treatment.

Changing the way we work: elevating energy expenditure with workstation alternatives.

PubMed

Tudor-Locke, C; Schuna, J M; Frensham, L J; Proenca, M

2014-06-01

Emerging evidence supports the feasibility of raising daily energy expenditure (EE) by replacing office work-related sedentary behavior with low-intensity non-exercise physical activity (PA) via workstation alternatives to the traditional office chair and desktop computer-based combinations. The purpose of this review article is to introduce a simple taxonomy to facilitate classification and study of workstation alternatives, catalog the diversity of research undertaken to date related to energy balance, and present and summarize the gaps and opportunities for a research agenda for workstation alternatives moving forward. A PubMed search elicited 57 English language articles published since 2000; additional articles were identified by reviewing reference sections and contacting authors. Selection criteria ultimately focused on use of workstation alternatives during simulated or real work tasks. The EE of sitting on a stability ball or using sit-stand/standing desks is comparable to the traditional seated condition (≅1.2 kcal min(-1)). The treadmill and pedal desks (active workstation alternatives) offer the greatest promise in terms of EE (≅2-4 kcal min(-1)). Sitting on a stability ball or using sit-stand/standing desks does not impair task performance relative to the traditional seated condition. Some evidence of typing impairment is inconsistently reported with active workstation alternatives; the finer motor skills required for mouse-related tasks may be more affected. Little is known about learning or adaptation with practice. Users are generally accepting of workstation alternatives; however, there is evidence of less than optimal use. Active workstations (that is, treadmill desks and pedal desks) in particular represent a potential strategy for mitigating the diminished EE inherent to contemporary office-based workplaces, but only if they are scalable. The science supporting active workstations is young and heterogeneous; however, this means that there are many knowledge gaps and opportunities for research, including those focused on implementation issues related to optimizing both employers' and workers' uptake.

Bio-integrated electronics and sensor systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yeo, Woon-Hong; Webb, R. Chad; Lee, Woosik; Jung, Sungyoung; Rogers, John A.

2013-05-01

Skin-mounted epidermal electronics, a strategy for bio-integrated electronics, provide an avenue to non-invasive monitoring of clinically relevant physiological signals for healthcare applications. Current conventional systems consist of single-point sensors fastened to the skin with adhesives, and sometimes with conducting gels, which limits their use outside of clinical settings due to loss of adhesion and irritation to the user. In order to facilitate extended use of skin-mounted healthcare sensors without disrupting everyday life, we envision electronic monitoring systems that integrate seamlessly with the skin below the notice of the user. This manuscript reviews recent significant results towards our goal of wearable electronic sensor systems for long-term monitoring of physiological signals. Ultra-thin epidermal electronic systems (EES) are demonstrated for extended use on the skin, in a conformal manner, including during everyday bathing and sleeping activities. We describe the assessment of clinically relevant physiological parameters, such as electrocardiograms (ECG), electromyograms (EMG), electroencephalograms (EEG), temperature, mechanical strain and thermal conductivity, using examples of multifunctional EES devices. Additionally, we demonstrate capability for real life application of EES by monitoring the system functionality, which has no discernible change, during cyclic fatigue testing.

DEPFET pixel detector for future e-e+ experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boronat, M.; DEPFET Collaboration

2016-04-01

The DEPFET Collaboration develops highly granular, ultra-thin pixel detectors for outstanding vertex reconstruction at future e+e- collider experiments. A DEPFET sensor provides, simultaneously, position sensitive detector capabilities and in-pixel amplification by the integration of a field effect transistor on a fully depleted silicon bulk. The characterization of the latest DEPFET prototypes has proven that a comfortable signal to noise ratio and excellent single point resolution can be achieved for a sensor thickness of 50 μm. A complete detector concept is being developed for the Belle II experiment at the new Japanese super flavor factory. The close to Belle related final auxiliary ASICs have been produced and found to operate a DEPFET pixel detector of the latest generation with the Belle II required read-out speed. DEPFET is not only the technology of choice for the Belle II vertex detector, but also a solid candidate for the International Linear Collider (ILC). Therefore, in this paper, the status of DEPFET R&D project is reviewed in the light of the requirements of the vertex detector at a future e+e- collider.

No evidence that environmental enrichment during rearing protects against cocaine behavioral effects but as an intervention reduces an already established cocaine conditioned place preference.

PubMed

Galaj, E; Shukur, A; Manuszak, M; Newman, K; Ranaldi, R

2017-05-01

Environmental enrichment (EE) produces differential effects on psychostimulant-related behaviors. Therefore, we investigated whether the timing of EE exposure - during rearing and before cocaine exposure versus in adulthood and after cocaine exposure might be a determining factor. In Experiment 1, rats reared with EE or not (non-EE) were conditioned with cocaine (5, 10 or 20mg/kg) in one compartment of a CPP apparatus and saline in the other, and later tested for cocaine CPP. In Experiment 2, locomotor activity in response to repeated injections of saline or cocaine was measured in rats raised with EE or non-EE. In Experiment 3 we measured the effects of EE or non-EE during rearing on food-based conditioned approach learning. In Experiment 4, rats were exposed to cocaine CPP conditioning then underwent 60days of EE or non-EE treatment after which they were tested for cocaine CPP. Our results show that rearing in EE did not reduce cocaine CPP or cocaine-induced locomotor activity (Experiments 1 and 2) but significantly facilitated conditioned approach learning (Experiment 3). On the other hand, EE treatment introduced after cocaine conditioning significantly reduced the expression of cocaine CPP (Experiment 4). These findings suggest that EE does not protect against cocaine's rewarding and stimulant effects but can reduce already established cocaine effects, suggesting that EE might be an effective treatment for cocaine addiction-related behaviors. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The effects of oral contraceptives on androgen levels and their relevance to premenstrual mood and sexual interest: a comparison of two triphasic formulations containing norgestimate and either 35 or 25 microg of ethinyl estradiol.

PubMed

Greco, Teri; Graham, Cynthia A; Bancroft, John; Tanner, Amanda; Doll, Helen A

2007-07-01

This study compared two oral contraceptives (OCs) with the same triphasic regimen of progestin (norgestimate 0.18, 0.215 and 0.25 mg) but differing doses of ethinyl estradiol (EE) - 25 and 35 microg EE - in their effects on androgens, mood and sexual interest in women starting on OCs. Total testosterone (T), free testosterone (FT), sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S), together with measures of mood [Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)], sexual interest [Dyadic and Solitary subscales of the Sexual Desire Inventory (SDI)] and self-reported side effects were assessed before starting on the OC and again after 3 months of use. Sixty women, all university students, were randomized to receive either the 25 microg EE (N/EE25) or the 35 microg EE (N/EE35) pill; 12 women discontinued, leaving 48 who completed the 3-month study. Their mean age was 19.7 years (18-30) and they were predominantly white and single. Both OCs produced reductions in mean T [N/EE35: from 1.33 to 0.60 nmol/L, p<.001; N/EE25: from 1.12 to 1.02 nmol/L; nonsignificant (NS)] and FT (N/EE35: from 41.3 to 4.4 pmol/L, p<.001; N/EE25: from 25.4 to 7.9 pmol/L, p<.01), but the reduction in both T and FT was significantly greater with the higher EE dose (N/EE35) (p=.05 and p=.03, respectively). DHEA-S was also reduced with both formulations (N/EE35: from 7.26 to 5.22 micromol/L); N/EE25: from 7.50 to 5.39 micromol/L), although the reduction was only significant in the N/EE35 group (p<.02). Considerable variability in changes in mood was evident with both OCs, with some women showing predominantly negative effects (10 in N/EE35, 5 in N/EE25); others, positive effects (9 in N/EE35, 17 in N/EE25) and some, no change (four in each group). Women using N/EE25 were significantly more likely to show improvement in premenstrual mood than those in the N/EE35 group (p<.02), although there was no correlation between changes in BDI and FT or DHEA-S. Sexual interest scores did not change significantly from baseline to posttreatment with either OC (N/EE35: dyadic, from 40.5 to 39.6, NS; solitary, from 5.9 to 6.4, NS; N/EE25: dyadic, from 36.7 to 37.0, NS; solitary, from 5.0 to 4.2, NS). The lower EE pill reduced FT less and was associated with greater improvement in premenstrual mood. A causal relation between these two effects is uncertain.

Predicting the implementation of environmental education in Indiana K--8 schools

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Li-Ling

The purpose of this study was to identify the factors from the literature that influence teachers' implementation of environmental education (EE), and to predict the implementation of EE in the Indiana K--8 Schools by knowledge of these factors. By adapting two earlier instruments, a complete EE assessment instrument was developed, consisting of scales measuring teachers' implementation of EE, their pre-/in-service environmental training, their attitudes toward and competencies in teaching EE, their perceived barriers in teaching EE, and their significant life experiences related to the environment or EE. A questionnaire was sent to 1,200 randomly selected K--8 teachers in public schools throughout Indiana in April 2003, and 385 completed surveys were returned (32.1% return rate). The demographic characteristics of the respondents and the Indiana teacher population were found to be similar. Thus, the results from this study can be generalized to the Indiana teacher population. The construct validity and reliability of each scale were examined after the completion and return of the questionnaires by using factor analysis, item-test correlation analysis, and ANOVA, and also by assessing their alpha indices. It was found that all nine scales were homogeneous, valid, and reliable. Multiple regression analysis was calculated to predict the level of EE implementation in Indiana K--8 schools. Regression analyses indicated that the extent of the teachers' exposure to EE during their pre- and in-service training, the teachers' attitudes toward and competencies in teaching EE, and the barrier "EE not relevant to what I teach" were significant in the full model. This model accounted for 63% of the variance in the teachers' implementation of EE. The teachers' attitudes toward EE had the greatest effect on the teachers' EE implementation when compared to the other significant predictors in the model. The net effects of the extent of the teachers' pre-service and in-service exposure to EE, their competencies in teaching EE, and the barrier "EE not relevant to what I teach" are approximately the same. The findings of this study provide educational agencies, institutions and administrators with the information that is required to improve EE implementation in Indiana K--8 schools and teacher education programs.

Ashra Neutrino Telescope Array (NTA): Combined Imaging Observation of Astroparticles — For Clear Identification of Cosmic Accelerators and Fundamental Physics Using Cosmic Beams —

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sasaki, Makoto; Kifune, Tadashi

In VHEPA (very high energy particle astronomy) 2014 workshop, focused on the next generation explorers for the origin of cosmic rays, held in Kashiwa, Japan, reviewing and discussions were presented on the status of the observation of GeV-TeV photons, TeV-PeV neutrinos, EeV-ZeV hadrons, test of interaction models with Large Hadron Collider (LHC), and theoretical aspects of astrophysics. The acceleration sites of hadrons, i.e., sources of PeV-EeV cosmic rays, should exist in the universe within the GZK-horizon even in the remotest case. We also affirmed that the hadron acceleration mechanism correlates with cosmic ray composition so that it is important to investigate the acceleration mechanism in relevance to the composition survey at PeV-EeV energy. We regard that LHC and astrophysics theories are ready to be used to probe into hadron acceleration mechanism in the universe. Recently, IceCube has reported detection of three events of neutrinos with energies around 1 PeV and additional events at lower energies, which significantly deviate from the expected level of background events. It is necessary to observe GeV-TeV photon, EeV-ZeV hadron and TeV-PeV neutrino all together, in order to understand hadronic interactions of cosmic rays in the PeV-EeV energy region. It is required to make a step further toward exploring the PeV-EeV universe with high accuracy and high statistics observations for both neutrinos and gamma rays simultaneously, by using the instrument such as Ashra Neutrino Telescope Array (NTA). Wide and fine survey of gamma-rays and neutrinos with simultaneously detecting Cherenkov and fluorescence light with NTA will guide us to a new intriguing stage of recognizing astronomical objects and non-thermal phenomena in ultra-high energy region, in addition, new aspect about the fundamental concepts of physics beyond our presently limited understanding; the longstanding problem of cosmic ray origin, the radiation mechanism of gamma-rays, neutrino and cosmic rays from violent objects like blazars, interaction of gamma-rays and cosmic rays with microwave and infrared background photons, and PeV-EeV neutrinos originated from far places beyond the GZK-horizon.

The Status of Entrepreneurship Education in Australian Universities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maritz, Alex; Jones, Colin; Shwetzer, Claudia

2015-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide an analytical overview of the current state of entrepreneurship education (EE) in Australia; placing emphasis on programs, curricula and entrepreneurship ecosystems. Design/methodology/approach: The authors performed a contextual review of the literature by delineating entrepreneurship education…

Stereochemical diversity in lignan biosynthesis of Arctium lappa L.

PubMed

Suzuki, Shiro; Umezawa, Toshiaki; Shimada, Mikio

2002-06-01

The stereochemistry of lignan biosynthesis in Arctium lappa L. is regulated organ-specifically. (+)-Secoisolariciresinol [81% enantiomeric excess (e.e.)] was isolated from A. lappa petioles. In sharp contrast, lignans whose predominant enantiomers have the opposite absolute configuration to that of (+)-secoisolariciresinol [i.e., (-)-matairesinol (>99% e.e.), (-)-arctigenin (>99% e.e.), and (-)-secoisolariciresinol (65% e.e.)] were isolated from seeds of the species. The stereochemical diversity of secoisolariciresinol was demonstrated with enzyme preparations from A. lappa petioles and seeds. Thus, a petiole enzyme preparation catalyzed the formation of (+)-pinoresinol (33% e.e.), (+)-lariciresinol (30% e.e.), and (+)-secoisolariciresinol (20% e.e.) from achiral coniferyl alcohol in the presence of NADPH and H202, whereas that from ripening seeds catalyzed the formation of (-)-pinoresinol (22% e.e.), (-)-lariciresinol (>99% e.e.), and (-)-secoisolariciresinol (38% e.e.) under the same conditions. In addition, the ripening seed enzyme preparation mediated the selective formation of the optically pure (>99% e.e.) (-)-enantiomer of matairesinol from racemic (+/-)-secoisolariciresinols in the presence of NADP. These results indicate that the stereochemical mechanism for lignan biosynthesis in A. lappa varies with organs, suggesting that multiple lignan-synthesizing isozymes are involved in the stereochemical control of lignan formation in A. lappa.

Career Anchors: Understanding Differences Among Demographic Groups at the Naval Postgraduate School

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-12-01

r C ha lle ng e C re at iv ity Id eo lo gy Id en tit y W ill in gn es s...to L ea ve C ar ee r Sa tis fa ct io n Technical 1.00 0.14 0.01 -0.10 -0.08 -0.08 -0.10 0.17 0.10 0.12 -0.04 Security 1.00 0.18 0.31 0.10...Technological Changes in Office Jobs.” Changing Nature of Work: 173-208. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. 6. Deci, E . L. with R . Flaste.

Final Technical Report Overcoming Critical Barriers to U.S. Wind Power: A University-Industry Consortium

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Acker, Tom; Kipple, Allison

The objective of this project was to develop a curriculum module involving the design and simulation of a wind turbine generator. Dr. Allison Kipple, Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering, led development of the module, employing graduate and undergraduate students, and Dr. Tom Acker served as project manager and principal investigator. This objective was achieved resulting in development of curricular materials, implementation and revision of the materials in EE 364, a Northern Arizona University electrical engineering course in “Fundamentals of Electromagnetics,” and via dissemination of the curricular materials to a broad community including other universities.

Modification and Extension of the Environmental Technical Information System (ETIS) for the Air Force

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-12-01

OF SYSTEMS ............ 26 Ai CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.............................. 28 fa Conclusions Recommendations REFERENCES 30 APPENDiX A...Large Lake Fishing J_ 30 . Coastal Water Fishing 31. She! fish 32. Deep-Sea Fishing 33. Disease Vectors EE- -34. Noxious Weeds 35. Other Undesirable...7,132 9.5 20-24 1239 0 1239 33.4 16 17 33 3.4 2.984 3,201 6,185 8.2 25-29 803 111 914 24.7 29 30 59 6.1 2,425 2,511 4,936 6.6 30 -34 470 43 513 13.8 62

LCFIPlus: A framework for jet analysis in linear collider studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suehara, Taikan; Tanabe, Tomohiko

2016-02-01

We report on the progress in flavor identification tools developed for a future e+e- linear collider such as the International Linear Collider (ILC) and Compact Linear Collider (CLIC). Building on the work carried out by the LCFIVertex collaboration, we employ new strategies in vertex finding and jet finding, and introduce new discriminating variables for jet flavor identification. We present the performance of the new algorithms in the conditions simulated using a detector concept designed for the ILC. The algorithms have been successfully used in ILC physics simulation studies, such as those presented in the ILC Technical Design Report.

Nitramine Propellant Erosivity - III.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-12-01

Commanld c r AFTN. I. Busut t i I US A rmy M i ,, i I (ommiiad W ., Awst in ATTN: R ( IUN1I -YI. R . Mont 1,ol11v rv Red st ollAc enaIAl~~ .iIington .1 .Sant...A-D-A96 878 ARMY ARMAMENT RESEARCHRAN4D EVELOPMENTUCOMMAND ABERO--ETC F/G 19/1 NITRAM INE PROPELLANT EROSII TY_ II.( ) DEC 80 R GEENE, B GROLLMAN, A...NIILER A RYE UNCLASSIFIED ARBRL - R -02278 SBIE D-E430 574 N11hEEE~EEn~hh~~E EohEEEohhEE... LEVEL TECHNICAL REPORT ARBRL-TR-02278 NITRAMINE PROPELLANT

Terrain Analysis Procedural Guide for Built-Up Areas (Report Number 13 in the ETL (Engineer Topographic Laboratories) Series on Guides for Army Terrain Analysts).

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-04-01

J FRODIGH APR 84 TTL-0354 UNCLASSIFIED F/ 8/2 NLE E EIIEII EEEBhEEBh|hEEE EEEBiEEEEEEEEE LI mo|mommoll mo|mlollsom| so|||lmomllsIEEE|lhEEEE|hEE EEE...DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT (of thie Report) SHDL Approved for Public Release; Distribution Unlimited 18.~~~~- SUPEMNAY OE Thi. dcIumnt sATEMEN bo e ...and Mr. Robert P. Macchia, and Mr. Walter E . Boge, were Technical Directors of the Engineer Topographic Laboratories during this period. DI AoeesUlof

A Comparison of Energy Expenditure Estimation of Several Physical Activity Monitors

PubMed Central

Dannecker, Kathryn L.; Sazonova, Nadezhda A.; Melanson, Edward L.; Sazonov, Edward S.; Browning, Raymond C.

2013-01-01

Accurately and precisely estimating free-living energy expenditure (EE) is important for monitoring energy balance and quantifying physical activity. Recently, single and multi-sensor devices have been developed that can classify physical activities, potentially resulting in improved estimates of EE. PURPOSE To determine the validity of EE estimation of a footwear-based physical activity monitor and to compare this validity against a variety of research and consumer physical activity monitors. METHODS Nineteen healthy young adults (10 male, 9 female), completed a four-hour stay in a room calorimeter. Participants wore a footwear-based physical activity monitor, as well as Actical, Actigraph, IDEEA, DirectLife and Fitbit devices. Each individual performed a series of postures/activities. We developed models to estimate EE from the footwear-based device, and we used the manufacturer's software to estimate EE for all other devices. RESULTS Estimated EE using the shoe-based device was not significantly different than measured EE (476(20) vs. 478(18) kcal) (Mean (SE)), respectively, and had a root mean square error (RMSE) of (29.6 kcal (6.2%)). The IDEEA and DirectLlife estimates of EE were not significantly different than the measured EE but the Actigraph and Fitbit devices significantly underestimated EE. Root mean square errors were 93.5 (19%), 62.1 kcal (14%), 88.2 kcal (18%), 136.6 kcal (27%), 130.1 kcal (26%), and 143.2 kcal (28%) for Actical, DirectLife, IDEEA, Actigraph and Fitbit respectively. CONCLUSIONS The shoe based physical activity monitor provides a valid estimate of EE while the other physical activity monitors tested have a wide range of validity when estimating EE. Our results also demonstrate that estimating EE based on classification of physical activities can be more accurate and precise than estimating EE based on total physical activity. PMID:23669877

Eating when depressed, anxious, bored, or happy: Are emotional eating types associated with unique psychological and physical health correlates?

PubMed

Braden, Abby; Musher-Eizenman, Dara; Watford, Tanya; Emley, Elizabeth

2018-06-01

The majority of research on emotional eating has examined general emotional eating, to the exclusion of more distinct emotions such as boredom and positive emotions. The current study aimed to examine whether specific types of emotional eating (i.e., eating in response to depression (EE-D), anxiety/anger (EE-A), boredom (EE-B), and positive emotions (EE-P)) were related to a range of psychological (i.e., global psychological well-being, eating disorder symptoms, emotion regulation) and physical health variables. A sample of adults (n = 189) with overweight/obesity were recruited via Amazon Mechanical Turk. Participants self-reported height and weight and completed a battery of questionnaires. Correlational analyses showed that more frequent EE-D, EE-A, and EE-B were related to poorer psychological well-being, greater eating disorder symptoms, and more difficulties with emotion regulation. EE-P was not significantly related to outcome variables. In regression analyses, eating in response to depression (EE-D) was the type of emotional eating most closely related to psychological well-being, eating disorder symptoms, and emotion regulation difficulties. Exploratory analyses revealed associations between EE-D, EE-A, and EE-B and facets of emotion regulation and specific disordered eating symptoms. Findings suggest that unique patterns exist between specific types of emotional eating and psychological outcomes. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Recommendations from the 4th International Conference on Environmental Education, Ahmedabad, India

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Journal of Education for Sustainable Development, 2008

2008-01-01

The first set of international recommendations to guide environmental education (EE) was developed in Tbilisi, Georgia, in 1977. Ten years later, in 1987, a conference in Moscow, Russia, reviewed progress and focused on institutional strategies and action plans to strengthen environmental education. A third international environmental education…

Active video games for youth: A systematic review

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Whether a population level increase in physical activity (PA) is critical to reduce obesity in youth. Video games are highly popular and active video games (AVGs) have the potential to play a role in promoting youth PA. Studies on AVG play energy expenditure (EE) and maintenance of play in youth wer...

78 FR 8444 - Energy Efficiency and Conservation Loan Program Programmatic Environmental Assessment

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-06

... Recipients' service territories (Ultimate Recipients) for EE improvements at the Ultimate Recipients... area of previous disturbance, but a review of National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) soils maps shows that the Ultimate Recipient's premises is not within a hydric soil unit which is one of the three...

Why Research-Informed Teaching in Engineering Education? A Review of the Evidence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bubou, Gordon Monday; Offor, Ibebietei Temple; Bappa, Abubakar Saddiq

2017-01-01

Challenges of today's engineering education (EE) are emergent, necessitating calls for its reformation to empower future engineers function optimally as innovative leaders, in both local and international contexts. These challenges: keeping pace with technological dynamism; high attrition; and most importantly, quality teaching/learning require…

An E/e' ratio on echocardiography predicts the existence of left atrial low-voltage areas and poor outcomes after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

PubMed

Masuda, Masaharu; Fujita, Masashi; Iida, Osamu; Okamoto, Shin; Ishihara, Takayuki; Nanto, Kiyonori; Kanda, Takashi; Sunaga, Akihiro; Tsujimura, Takuya; Matsuda, Yasuhiro; Ohashi, Takuya; Uematsu, Masaaki

2018-05-01

An elevated left atrial pressure has been reported to play an important role in the development of atrial remodelling in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. The study aimed at elucidating the association between the diastolic early transmitral flow velocity/mitral annular velocity (E/e', a non-invasive surrogate of left atrial pressure) and left atrial low-voltage-area existence, and the prognostic impact of the E/e' on procedural outcomes in patients undergoing AF ablation. Total of 215 consecutive patients were divided into 3 groups based on the estimated left atrial pressure: normal (E/e' < 8.0, n = 58), undetermined (E/e' = 8.0-14.0, n = 114), and elevated (E/e' > 14.0, n = 43). Left atrial endocardial voltage mapping was performed following pulmonary vein isolation. Patients with a high E/e' more frequently had low-voltage areas (E/e' < 8.0, 31%, E/e' = 8.0-14.0, 35%; E/e' > 14.0, 67%; P = 0.0001). After adjusting for other correlates, a high E/e' was an independent predictor of low-voltage-area existence (HR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.02-1.21, P = 0.017). During a mean follow-up period of 12 ± 6 months, recurrent atrial tachyarrhythmias occurred in 22 (10%) patients after multiple (1.4 ± 0.5) procedures. Patients with an E/e' > 14 had more frequent recurrent atrial tachyarrhythmias after multiple ablation procedures than those with an E/e' ≤ 14 (23% vs. 7%, P = 0.001). A high E/e' obtained by pre-ablation echocardiography was associated with a left atrial arrhythmogenic substrate in patients undergoing AF ablation. Furthermore, a high E/e' predicted poor procedural outcomes after pulmonary vein isolation.

Engineering Technical Review Planning Briefing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gardner, Terrie

2012-01-01

The general topics covered in the engineering technical planning briefing are 1) overviews of NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), and Engineering, 2) the NASA Systems Engineering(SE) Engine and its implementation , 3) the NASA Project Life Cycle, 4) MSFC Technical Management Branch Services in relation to the SE Engine and the Project Life Cycle , 5) Technical Reviews, 6) NASA Human Factor Design Guidance , and 7) the MSFC Human Factors Team. The engineering technical review portion of the presentation is the primary focus of the overall presentation and will address the definition of a design review, execution guidance, the essential stages of a technical review, and the overall review planning life cycle. Examples of a technical review plan content, review approaches, review schedules, and the review process will be provided and discussed. The human factors portion of the presentation will focus on the NASA guidance for human factors. Human factors definition, categories, design guidance, and human factor specialist roles will be addressed. In addition, the NASA Systems Engineering Engine description, definition, and application will be reviewed as background leading into the NASA Project Life Cycle Overview and technical review planning discussion.

Are Everolimus-Eluting Stents Associated With Better Clinical Outcomes Compared to Other Drug-Eluting Stents in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus?

PubMed Central

Bundhun, Pravesh Kumar; Pursun, Manish; Teeluck, Abhishek Rishikesh; Long, Man-Yun

2016-01-01

Abstract Controversies still exist with the use of Everolimus-Eluting Stents (EES) compared to other Drug-Eluting Stents (DES) in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Therefore, in order to solve this issue, we aim to compare the 1-year adverse clinical outcomes between EES and non-EE DES with a larger number of patients with T2DM. Medline, EMBASE, PubMed databases, as well as the Cochrane library were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies (OS) comparing EES and non-EE DES in patients with T2DM. One-year adverse outcomes were considered as the clinical endpoints in this study. Odd ratios (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to express the pooled effect on discontinuous variables and the pooled analyses were performed with RevMan 5.3. Ten studies consisting of a total of 11,981 patients with T2DM (6800 patients in the EES group and 5181 in the non-EE DES group) were included in this meta-analysis. EES were associated with a significantly lower major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) with OR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.70–0.98, P = 0.03. Revascularization including target vessel revascularization (TVR) and target lesion revascularization (TLR) were also significantly lower in the EES group with OR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.40–0.94, P = 0.03 and OR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.57–0.95, P = 0.02, respectively. Also, a significantly lower rate of stent thrombosis with OR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.46–0.86, P = 0.003 was observed in the EES group. However, a similar mortality rate was reported between the EES and non-EE DES groups. During this 1-year follow-up period, EES were associated with significantly better clinical outcomes compared to non-EE DES in patients suffering from T2DM. However, further research comparing EES with non-EE DES in insulin-treated and noninsulin-treated patients with T2DM are recommended. PMID:27057888

31 CFR 351.6 - When may I redeem my Series EE savings bond?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... before January 1, 2003. You may redeem your Series EE savings bond at any time beginning six months after... 31 Money and Finance: Treasury 2 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false When may I redeem my Series EE... SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Maturities, Redemption Values, and Investment Yields of Series EE Savings Bonds...

31 CFR 351.6 - When may I redeem my Series EE savings bond?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... before January 1, 2003. You may redeem your Series EE savings bond at any time beginning six months after... 31 Money and Finance: Treasury 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false When may I redeem my Series EE... SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Maturities, Redemption Values, and Investment Yields of Series EE Savings Bonds...

31 CFR 351.70 - How are redemption values calculated for book-entry Series EE savings bonds?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... for book-entry Series EE savings bonds? 351.70 Section 351.70 Money and Finance: Treasury Regulations... DEBT OFFERING OF UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Book-Entry Series EE Savings Bonds § 351.70 How are redemption values calculated for book-entry Series EE savings bonds? We base current redemption...

31 CFR 351.70 - How are redemption values calculated for book-entry Series EE savings bonds?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... for book-entry Series EE savings bonds? 351.70 Section 351.70 Money and Finance: Treasury Regulations... DEBT OFFERING OF UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Book-Entry Series EE Savings Bonds § 351.70 How are redemption values calculated for book-entry Series EE savings bonds? We base current redemption...

The number distribution of weak Explosive Events observed by SUMER/SoHO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mendoza-Torres, J. E.

2016-11-01

Explosive Events (EEs) observed by SUMER on SoHO at the 1393.8 Å Si IV line are analyzed. We look for EEs to study their number distribution at low energies. Eight data sets taken in June 1996 in raster observations are used. In these observations a field on the solar disk is scanned several times during a period considerably longer than the typical timelife of an EE. To look for EE, we first identified the maxima and locations of spectral line increases. The maxima that took place at inner locations of the rastered fields were considered as possible EEs. From this sample, the cases where the spectral line underwent Doppler shifts at most ±3″ from the location of the maximum were considered EEs. After a selection, the region within 5″ of the event was ignored for 5 min either side of the EE in order to conclusively select a different maxima. Based on the analysis of the locations of EEs, it was seen that the more intense EEs tend to take place at given regions while at the intermediate regions the observed EEs are less intense. Therefore we refer to them as Regions of Enhanced Emission (REE) and Quiet Regions (QR), respectively. The width of the REE regions, as seen in North-South direction is about 10-30″. In this work, a total of 487 EEs are analyzed, 266 at REE and 221 at QR. Also, Histograms are made of the maxima of the amplitude of the spectral line during EEs at both REE and QR. At the Histogram for EEs at QR the number grows as the flux decreases with a slope of -1.8. For EEs at REE the Histogram has a maximum about 1 Watts m-2 sr-1 Å-1 with a high energy slope of about -1.6. These numbers are both below the value required to give an important input of energy for coronal heating, as analyzed in the case of microflares (Hudson, 1991). The averages of the maxima of EEs at each set for the REE and QR are computed. The scatter plot of the average values indicates that there is a linear relation between them and the maximum amplitudes of EEs at REE are about two times larger than the amplitudes for EEs at QR.

The concomitant prescribing of ethinyl estradiol/drospirenone and potentially interacting drugs.

PubMed

McAdams, Mara; Staffa, Judy A; Dal Pan, Gerald J

2007-10-01

Ethinyl estradiol 0.03 mg/drospirenone 3 mg (EE/DRSP) contains a progestin drospirenone with antimineralocorticoid properties that may cause potassium retention leading to hyperkalemia. We estimated the percentage of EE/DRSP users prescribed concomitant potassium-sparing drugs [nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (with diuretics), angiotensin II agonists (with diuretics), and potassium chloride] between January 1, 2002, and March 31, 2005. We analyzed a population-based data set of 62,527 EE/DRSP users (Dimension Rx, Caremark). We compared the fill date and end date for each prescription (Rx) for an interacting drug to the start and end date for each EE/DRSP episode (linked Rxs). If a day of an interacting Rx overlapped with an EE/DRSP episode, concomitant prescribing was recorded. A total of 17.6% of the women concomitantly used EE/DRSP and an interacting drug. Twenty-nine percent of concomitant use occurred within a month of EE/DRSP initiation. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and diuretics were most frequently used concomitantly with EE/DRSP. Forty percent of the women with concomitant use were 35 yearsof age or older at EE/DRSP initiation compared with 29% without concomitant use (p<.001). Obstetricians/gynecologists and family practitioners were the most common prescribers of EE/DRSP and potassium-sparing drugs, respectively. Concomitant prescribing of EE/DRSP and potassium-sparing drugs occurred frequently in our study population. As EE/DRSP becomes more widely used, physicians prescribing it should monitor patients for potassium-sparing drug use.

31 CFR 351.6 - When may I redeem my Series EE savings bond?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... before January 1, 2003. You may redeem your Series EE savings bond at any time beginning six months after... 31 Money and Finance:Treasury 2 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false When may I redeem my Series EE savings... SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Maturities, Redemption Values, and Investment Yields of Series EE Savings Bonds...

31 CFR 351.6 - When may I redeem my Series EE savings bond?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... before January 1, 2003. You may redeem your Series EE savings bond at any time beginning six months after... 31 Money and Finance:Treasury 2 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false When may I redeem my Series EE savings... SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Maturities, Redemption Values, and Investment Yields of Series EE Savings Bonds...

31 CFR 351.6 - When may I redeem my Series EE savings bond?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... before January 1, 2003. You may redeem your Series EE savings bond at any time beginning six months after... 31 Money and Finance:Treasury 2 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false When may I redeem my Series EE savings... SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Maturities, Redemption Values, and Investment Yields of Series EE Savings Bonds...

31 CFR 351.61 - What are the denominations and prices of book-entry Series EE savings bonds?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... of book-entry Series EE savings bonds? 351.61 Section 351.61 Money and Finance: Treasury Regulations... DEBT OFFERING OF UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Book-Entry Series EE Savings Bonds § 351.61 What are the denominations and prices of book-entry Series EE savings bonds? Book-entry bonds are...

31 CFR 351.63 - How are redemption payments made for my redeemed book-entry Series EE savings bonds?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... my redeemed book-entry Series EE savings bonds? 351.63 Section 351.63 Money and Finance: Treasury... PUBLIC DEBT OFFERING OF UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Book-Entry Series EE Savings Bonds § 351.63 How are redemption payments made for my redeemed book-entry Series EE savings bonds? We will make...

31 CFR 351.61 - What are the denominations and prices of book-entry Series EE savings bonds?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... of book-entry Series EE savings bonds? 351.61 Section 351.61 Money and Finance: Treasury Regulations... DEBT OFFERING OF UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Book-Entry Series EE Savings Bonds § 351.61 What are the denominations and prices of book-entry Series EE savings bonds? Book-entry bonds are...

31 CFR 351.63 - How are redemption payments made for my redeemed book-entry Series EE savings bonds?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... my redeemed book-entry Series EE savings bonds? 351.63 Section 351.63 Money and Finance: Treasury... PUBLIC DEBT OFFERING OF UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Book-Entry Series EE Savings Bonds § 351.63 How are redemption payments made for my redeemed book-entry Series EE savings bonds? We will make...

31 CFR 351.62 - How is payment made for purchases of book-entry Series EE savings bonds?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... book-entry Series EE savings bonds? 351.62 Section 351.62 Money and Finance: Treasury Regulations... DEBT OFFERING OF UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Book-Entry Series EE Savings Bonds § 351.62 How is payment made for purchases of book-entry Series EE savings bonds? You may only purchase book-entry...

31 CFR 351.66 - What book-entry Series EE savings bonds are included in the computation?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance: Treasury 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false What book-entry Series EE savings... DEBT OFFERING OF UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Book-Entry Series EE Savings Bonds § 351.66 What book-entry Series EE savings bonds are included in the computation? (a) We include all bonds that...

31 CFR 351.66 - What book-entry Series EE savings bonds are included in the computation?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance:Treasury 2 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false What book-entry Series EE savings... DEBT OFFERING OF UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Book-Entry Series EE Savings Bonds § 351.66 What book-entry Series EE savings bonds are included in the computation? (a) We include all bonds that...

31 CFR 351.62 - How is payment made for purchases of book-entry Series EE savings bonds?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... book-entry Series EE savings bonds? 351.62 Section 351.62 Money and Finance: Treasury Regulations... DEBT OFFERING OF UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Book-Entry Series EE Savings Bonds § 351.62 How is payment made for purchases of book-entry Series EE savings bonds? You may only purchase book-entry...

Ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel in a transdermal contraceptive delivery system.

PubMed

Sriprasert, Intira; Stanczyk, Frank Z; Archer, David F

2015-01-01

The new transdermal contraceptive delivery system (TCDS) developed by Agile Therapeutics containing ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (EE/LNG) is a reversible contraceptive method that maintains stable serum levels of both estrogen and progestin, and has efficacy similar to that of combination oral contraceptives (COC). We provided information of this new TCDS compared with the only TCDS available on the market that contains EE and norelgestromin, and has a higher EE exposure than a COC with 35 µg of EE potentially increasing the risk of venous thromboembolism. The article will summarize finding from clinical studies Phase I, II and III of EE/LNG TCDS. The development of the lower dose EE/LNG TCDS has demonstrated less EE exposure. The serum levels of EE and LNG were stable and comparable between various application sites and daily life conditions. Moreover, the EE/LNG TCDS showed comparable efficacy among obese and non-obese users. However, the Pearl index of this EE/LNG TCDS is questionable and the problem of compliance is a potential confounder of the results. The current Phase III efficacy study will contribute to a further evaluation of compliance and efficacy and will be completed in 2016.

Enriched environment promotes remyelination and motor function recovery through modulation of HDAC1/2 in mice.

PubMed

Zheng, Jian; Ding, Weijun; Li, Baoming; Yang, Youjun

2017-08-10

Brain structure and functions are significantly affected by enriched environment (EE). Rodent and rhesus monkeys raised in EE will increase myelination in development, and these increase correlate with improved cognitive functions on learning and memory. However, whether and how EE influences remyelination in the adult remained undefined. Here, we used a cuprizone-induced demyelination mouse model demonstrate that EE significantly enhances remyelination. This EE-regulated remyelination is associated with improved motor skills. We found that histone deacetylases 1/2 (HDAC1/2) were drastically increased in EE. EE act mechanistically by inhibition of Wnt signaling pathway during remyelination through promotion of HDAC1/2. Moreover, pharmacological inhibition of HDACs promoted Wnt signaling activation and impaired remyelination in EE. These results suggested that the effect of EE is likely to be mediated, at least in part, by elevating HDAC1/2 expression and inhibiting Wnt signal pathway, which initiates 'rewiring' of the neural network and accelerates remyelination. These findings highlighted the potential of EE as a promising noninvasive strategy to accelerate remyelination and to restore motor functions for demyelination related disease. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Understanding the effectiveness of the entertainment-education strategy: an investigation of how audience involvement, message processing, and message design influence health information recall.

PubMed

Quintero Johnson, Jessie M; Harrison, Kristen; Quick, Brian L

2013-01-01

A growing body of evidence suggests that entertainment-education (EE) is a promising health communication strategy. The purpose of this study was to identify some of the factors that facilitate and hinder audience involvement with EE messages. Using confirmatory factor analysis, the authors introduce a construct they call experiential involvement, which describes the experience of being cognitively and emotionally involved with EE messages and is a product of transportation into an EE text and identification with EE characters. Using an experimental design, the authors also investigated how reports of experiential involvement and health information recall varied depending on the degree to which the educational content was well integrated with the narrative content in EE messages. Findings indicated that integration significantly influenced health information recall. Results indicated that experiential involvement and the perception that the health topic in EE messages was personally relevant predicted participants' systematic processing of the information in EE messages. Contrary to expectation, personal relevance did not predict experiential involvement, and systematic message processing was negatively related to health information recall. Implications for the construction of EE messages and the study of the EE strategy are discussed.

A survey of 17α-ethinylestradiol and mestranol residues in Hawkesbury River, Australia, using a highly specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) demonstrates the levels of potential biological significance.

PubMed

Uraipong, Chatchaporn; Allan, Robin D; Li, Chunhua; Kennedy, Ivan R; Wong, Victor; Lee, Nanju Alice

2017-10-01

This study reports on the potential status of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) and mestranol (MeEE2) residues in aquatic environments in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, based on the analysis by a specific ELISA we developed. Polyclonal antibodies were raised against the EE2 hapten with a linker attached at the C3-position to direct the antibody binding towards the ring D of EE2/MeEE2. Using this approach, an ELISA highly specific to EE2 and MeEE2 was successfully developed, showing less than 3.1% cross-reactivity (% CR) with other major steroidal sex hormones and their derivatives. The assay performed with the limit of detection (LOD) of 0.04 ± 0.01µg/L for both EE2 and MeEE2, and the limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 0.05 ± 0.01ng/L when it was coupled with the SM2-Biobeads solid phase extraction. Prior to conducting the survey study, it was validated against the gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS) method, which showed high correlation with R 2 of 0.934. Fresh surface water samples collected at different sites along Hawkesbury River in New South Wales (NSW) were analyzed for the EE2/ MeEE2 residues using the developed ELISA. The EE2/MeEE2 levels were found to range between 4.1 and 8.3ng/L in Emigrant Creek, NSW, where the primary activity was macadamia plantation, and higher levels between 15 and 29ng/L in South Creek, NSW, Greater Western Sydney at sites upstream and downstream of the municipal sewage treatment plants. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rhinefrank, Kenneth; Lamb, Bradford; Prudell, Joseph

This Project aims to satisfy objectives of the DOE’s Water Power Program by completing a system detailed design (SDD) and other important activities in the first phase of a utility-scale grid-connected ocean wave energy demonstration. In early 2012, Columbia Power (CPwr) had determined that further cost and performance optimization was necessary in order to commercialize its StingRAY wave energy converter (WEC). CPwr’s progress toward commercialization, and the requisite technology development path, were focused on transitioning toward a commercial-scale demonstration. This path required significant investment to be successful, and the justification for this investment required improved annual energy production (AEP) andmore » lower capital costs. Engineering solutions were developed to address these technical and cost challenges, incorporated into a proposal to the US Department of Energy (DOE), and then adapted to form the technical content and statement of project objectives of the resulting Project (DE-EE0005930). Through Project cost-sharing and technical collaboration between DOE and CPwr, and technical collaboration with Oregon State University (OSU), National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) and other Project partners, we have demonstrated experimentally that these conceptual improvements have merit and made significant progress towards a certified WEC system design at a selected and contracted deployment site at the Wave Energy Test Site (WETS) at the Marine Corps Base in Oahu, HI (MCBH).« less

From Auger to AugerPrime: Understanding Ultrahigh-Energy Cosmic Rays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Montanet, F.; Pierre Auger Collaboration

2016-12-01

Ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs), whose origin is still mysterious, provide a unique probe of the most extreme environments in the universe, of the intergalactic space and of particle physics beyond the reach of terrestrial accelerators. The Pierre Auger Observatory started operating more than a decade ago. Outperforming preceding experiments both in size and in precision, it has boosted forward the field of UHECRs as witnessed by a wealth of results. These include the study of the energy spectrum beyond 1 EeV with its spectral suppression around 40 EeV, of the large-scale anisotropy, of the mass composition, as well as stringent limits on photon and neutrino fluxes. But any harvest of new results also calls for new questions: what is the true nature of the spectral suppression: a propagation effect (so-called Greisen, Zatsepin and Kuz'min or GZK cutoff) or cosmic accelerators running out of steam? What is the composition of UHECRs at the highest energies? In order to answer these questions, the Auger Collaboration is undertaking a major upgrade program of its detectors, the AugerPrime project. The science case and motivations, the technical strategy and the scientific prospects are presented.

Environmental enrichment facilitates cocaine-cue extinction, deters reacquisition of cocaine self-administration and alters AMPAR GluA1 expression and phosphorylation.

PubMed

Gauthier, Jamie M; Lin, Amy; Nic Dhonnchadha, Bríd Á; Spealman, Roger D; Man, Heng-Ye; Kantak, Kathleen M

2017-01-01

This study investigated the combination of environmental enrichment (EE) with cocaine-cue extinction training on reacquisition of cocaine self-administration. Rats were trained under a second-order schedule for which responses were maintained by cocaine injections and cocaine-paired stimuli. During three weekly extinction sessions, saline was substituted for cocaine but cocaine-paired stimuli were presented. Rats received 4-h periods of EE at strategic time points during extinction training, or received NoEE. Additional control rats received EE or NoEE without extinction training. One week later, reacquisition of cocaine self-administration was evaluated for 15 sessions, and then GluA1 expression, a cellular substrate for learning and memory, was measured in selected brain regions. EE provided both 24 h before and immediately after extinction training facilitated extinction learning and deterred reacquisition of cocaine self-administration for up to 13 sessions. Each intervention by itself (EE alone or extinction alone) was ineffective, as was EE scheduled at individual time points (EE 4 h or 24 h before, or EE immediately or 6 h after, each extinction training session). Under these conditions, rats rapidly reacquired baseline rates of cocaine self-administration. Cocaine self-administration alone decreased total GluA1 and/or pSer845GluA1 expression in basolateral amygdala and nucleus accumbens. Extinction training, with or without EE, opposed these changes and also increased total GluA1 in ventromedial prefrontal cortex and dorsal hippocampus. EE alone increased pSer845GluA1 and EE combined with extinction training decreased pSer845GluA1 in ventromedial prefrontal cortex. EE might be a useful adjunct to extinction therapy by enabling neuroplasticity that deters relapse to cocaine self-administration. © 2015 Society for the Study of Addiction.

Lower core body temperature and greater body fat are components of a human thrifty phenotype.

PubMed

Reinhardt, M; Schlögl, M; Bonfiglio, S; Votruba, S B; Krakoff, J; Thearle, M S

2016-05-01

In small studies, a thrifty human phenotype, defined by a greater 24-hour energy expenditure (EE) decrease with fasting, is associated with less weight loss during caloric restriction. In rodents, models of diet-induced obesity often have a phenotype including a reduced EE and decreased core body temperature. We assessed whether a thrifty human phenotype associates with differences in core body temperature or body composition. Data for this cross-sectional analysis were obtained from 77 individuals participating in one of two normal physiology studies while housed on our clinical research unit. Twenty-four-hour EE using a whole-room indirect calorimeter and 24-h core body temperature were measured during 24 h each of fasting and 200% overfeeding with a diet consisting of 50% carbohydrates, 20% protein and 30% fat. Body composition was measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry. To account for the effects of body size on EE, changes in EE were expressed as a percentage change from 24-hour EE (%EE) during energy balance. A greater %EE decrease with fasting correlated with a smaller %EE increase with overfeeding (r=0.27, P=0.02). The %EE decrease with fasting was associated with both fat mass and abdominal fat mass, even after accounting for covariates (β=-0.16 (95% CI: -0.26, -0.06) %EE per kg fat mass, P=0.003; β=-0.0004 (-0.0007, -0.00004) %EE kg(-1) abdominal fat mass, P=0.03). In men, a greater %EE decrease in response to fasting was associated with a lower 24- h core body temperature, even after adjusting for covariates (β=1.43 (0.72, 2.15) %EE per 0.1 °C, P=0.0003). Thrifty individuals, as defined by a larger EE decrease with fasting, were more likely to have greater overall and abdominal adiposity as well as lower core body temperature consistent with a more efficient metabolism.

Help-seeking in people with exceptional experiences: results from a general population sample.

PubMed

Landolt, Karin; Wittwer, Amrei; Wyss, Thomas; Unterassner, Lui; Fach, Wolfgang; Krummenacher, Peter; Brugger, Peter; Haker, Helene; Kawohl, Wolfram; Schubiger, Pius August; Folkers, Gerd; Rössler, Wulf

2014-01-01

Exceptional experiences (EE) are experiences that deviate from ordinary experiences, for example precognition, supernatural appearances, or déjà vues. In spite of the high frequency of EE in the general population, little is known about their effect on mental health and about the way people cope with EE. This study aimed to assess the quality and quantity of EE in persons from the Swiss general population, to identify the predictors of their help-seeking, and to determine how many of them approach the mental health system. An on-line survey was used to evaluate a quota sample of 1580 persons representing the Swiss general population with respect to gender, age, and level of education. Multinomial logistic regression was applied to integrate help-seeking, self-reported mental disorder, and other variables in a statistical model designed to identify predictors of help-seeking in persons with EE. Almost all participants (91%) experienced at least one EE. Generally, help-seeking was more frequent when the EE were of negative valence. Help-seeking because of EE was less frequent in persons without a self-reported mental disorder (8.6%) than in persons with a disorder (35.1%) (OR = 5.7). Even when frequency and attributes of EE were controlled for, people without a disorder sought four times less often help because of EE than expected. Persons with a self-reported diagnosis of mental disorder preferred seeing a mental health professional. Multinomial regression revealed a preference for healers in women with less education, who described themselves as believing and also having had more impressive EE. Persons with EE who do not indicate a mental disorder less often sought help because of EE than persons who indicated a mental disorder. We attribute this imbalance to a high inhibition threshold to seek professional help. Moreover, especially less educated women did not approach the mental health care system as often as other persons with EE, but preferred seeing a healer.

The effect of extending the pill-free interval on follicular activity: triphasic norgestimate/35 micro g ethinyl estradiol versus monophasic levonorgestrel/20 micro g ethinyl estradiol.

PubMed

Creinin, Mitchell D; Lippman, Joel S; Eder, Scott E; Godwin, Amy J; Olson, William

2002-09-01

This study was designed to evaluate follicular activity in women taking oral contraceptives with imposed imperfect compliance. After completing a 28-day cycle of either triphasic norgestimate/EE (NGM/EE) (Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Raritan, NJ) or monophasic levonorgestrel/EE (LNG/EE) (Alesse, Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, Philadelphia, PA), women were instructed to intentionally "miss" the first two active pills of the next pack. The first two tablets in the second treatment cycle were deliberately omitted, thereby extending the pill-free interval from 7 days to 9 days. Subjects were randomized to take NGM/EE (n = 40) or LNG/EE (n = 39) for two consecutive cycles. The mean maximum follicular diameter was significantly greater in women taking LNG/EE than in those taking NGM/EE (16.4 +/- 7.1 mm vs. 12.6 +/- 8.3 mm, p = 0.047). The LNG/EE group had significantly higher median serum estradiol concentrations compared to women taking NGM/EE on pill Days 10 [29.5 pg/mL (range: 10.0-540.0 pg/mL) vs. 2.5 pg/mL (range: 2.0-6.0 pg/mL), p < 0.001] and 14 [11.0 pg/mL (range: 2.0-416.0 pg/mL) vs. 2.0 pg/mL (range: 2.0-3.0 pg/mL), p = 0.001]. Two women in the NGM/EE group and three women in the LNG/EE group had at least one progesterone level > or =3 ng/mL; none of these women demonstrated a maximum follicular diameter >13 mm. Significantly greater follicular activity was observed after an extended pill-free interval in women taking LNG/EE compared to those taking triphasic NGM/EE. The clinical implications of these findings require further study.

A comparison of energy expenditure estimation of several physical activity monitors.

PubMed

Dannecker, Kathryn L; Sazonova, Nadezhda A; Melanson, Edward L; Sazonov, Edward S; Browning, Raymond C

2013-11-01

Accurately and precisely estimating free-living energy expenditure (EE) is important for monitoring energy balance and quantifying physical activity. Recently, single and multisensor devices have been developed that can classify physical activities, potentially resulting in improved estimates of EE. This study aimed to determine the validity of EE estimation of a footwear-based physical activity monitor and to compare this validity against a variety of research and consumer physical activity monitors. Nineteen healthy young adults (10 men, 9 women) completed a 4-h stay in a room calorimeter. Participants wore a footwear-based physical activity monitor as well as Actical, ActiGraph, IDEEA, DirectLife, and Fitbit devices. Each individual performed a series of postures/activities. We developed models to estimate EE from the footwear-based device, and we used the manufacturer's software to estimate EE for all other devices. Estimated EE using the shoe-based device was not significantly different than measured EE (mean ± SE; 476 ± 20 vs 478 ± 18 kcal, respectively) and had a root-mean-square error of 29.6 kcal (6.2%). The IDEEA and the DirectLlife estimates of EE were not significantly different than the measured EE, but the ActiGraph and the Fitbit devices significantly underestimated EE. Root-mean-square errors were 93.5 (19%), 62.1 kcal (14%), 88.2 kcal (18%), 136.6 kcal (27%), 130.1 kcal (26%), and 143.2 kcal (28%) for Actical, DirectLife, IDEEA, ActiGraph, and Fitbit, respectively. The shoe-based physical activity monitor provides a valid estimate of EE, whereas the other physical activity monitors tested have a wide range of validity when estimating EE. Our results also demonstrate that estimating EE based on classification of physical activities can be more accurate and precise than estimating EE based on total physical activity.

Combination of injectable ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone drug-delivery systems and characterization of their in vitro release.

PubMed

Nippe, Stefanie; General, Sascha

2012-11-20

Our aim was to investigate the in vitro release and combination of ethinyl estradiol (EE) and drospirenone (DRSP) drug-delivery systems. DRSP poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles and organogels containing DRSP microcrystals were prepared and characterized with regard to properties influencing drug release. The morphology and release kinetics of DRSP PLGA microparticles indicated that DRSP is dispersed in the polymer. The in vitro release profiles correlated well with in vivo data. Although DRSP degradation is known to be acid-catalyzed, DRSP was relatively stable in the PLGA matrix. Aqueous DRSP PLGA microparticle suspensions were combinable with EE PLGA microparticles and EE poly(butylcyanoacrylate) (PBCA) microcapsules without interacting. EE release from PLGA microparticles was faster than DRSP release; EE release is assumed to be primarily controlled by drug diffusion. Liquid-filled EE PBCA microcapsules were shown to be more robust than air-filled EE PBCA microcapsules; the bursting of microcapsules accelerating the drug delivery was therefore delayed. The drug release profile for DRSP organogels was fairly linear with the square root of time. The system was not combinable with EE PBCA microcapsules. In contrast, incorporation of EE PLGA microparticles in organogels resulted in prolonged EE release. The drug release of EE and DRSP was thus approximated. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

75 FR 61228 - Board Meeting: Technical Lessons Gained From High-Level Nuclear Waste Disposal Efforts

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-04

... NUCLEAR WASTE TECHNICAL REVIEW BOARD Board Meeting: Technical Lessons Gained From High-Level... Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1987, the U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board will meet in Dulles... of Energy on technical issues and to review the technical validity of DOE activities related to...

An intertemporal decision framework for electrochemical energy storage management

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Guannan; Chen, Qixin; Moutis, Panayiotis; Kar, Soummya; Whitacre, Jay F.

2018-05-01

Dispatchable energy storage is necessary to enable renewable-based power systems that have zero or very low carbon emissions. The inherent degradation behaviour of electrochemical energy storage (EES) is a major concern for both EES operational decisions and EES economic assessments. Here, we propose a decision framework that addresses the intertemporal trade-offs in terms of EES degradation by deriving, implementing and optimizing two metrics: the marginal benefit of usage and the average benefit of usage. These metrics are independent of the capital cost of the EES system, and, as such, separate the value of EES use from the initial cost, which provides a different perspective on storage valuation and operation. Our framework is proved to produce the optimal solution for EES life-cycle profit maximization. We show that the proposed framework offers effective ways to assess the economic values of EES, to make investment decisions for various applications and to inform related subsidy policies.

Family functioning in first-episode psychosis: a systematic review of the literature.

PubMed

Koutra, Katerina; Vgontzas, Alexandros N; Lionis, Christos; Triliva, Sofia

2014-07-01

The influential role of family in the outcome of chronic schizophrenia is well documented. However, there has been relatively little research on the intrafamilial relationships of people experiencing their first episode of psychosis (FEP), a point in time when most of the changes in family dynamics are observed. The aim of this article is to present a review of the literature focusing on the family environment of FEP patients. We carried out a computerized literature search on MEDLINE and PsycINFO (1990-2013), and a manual search of references of pertinent articles. In total, 27 studies investigating expressed emotion (EE) and family burden (FB) in FEP were identified and fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Similar to chronic patients, a high prevalence of high-EE in carers of FEP patients was reported. High-EE status appears to be independent of the patient's illness-related characteristics, but dependent of relatives' attributions. In contrast to chronic patients, low levels of FB and psychological distress among family members of FEP patients were observed indicating that in the early stages of the illness family involvement is not yet associated with significant disruption in their lives. Studies assessing FB in chronic patients have found a well-established link of FB with patient's illness-related factors, but in FEP patients the families' appraisal of FB is more closely associated with their coping mechanisms. Further studies evaluating family functioning in terms of cohesion and adaptability will shed light on the intrafamilial relationships in FEP patients which may be associated with the long-term outcome of this chronic illness.

31 CFR 351.35 - What do I need to know about interest rates, penalties, and redemption values for Series EE bonds...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... rates, penalties, and redemption values for Series EE bonds with issue dates of May 1, 2005, or... SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Maturities, Redemption Values, and Investment Yields of Series EE Savings Bonds Series Ee Savings Bonds with Issue Dates of May 1, 2005, Or Thereafter § 351.35 What do I need to know...

31 CFR 351.35 - What do I need to know about interest rates, penalties, and redemption values for Series EE bonds...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... rates, penalties, and redemption values for Series EE bonds with issue dates of May 1, 2005, or... SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Maturities, Redemption Values, and Investment Yields of Series EE Savings Bonds Series Ee Savings Bonds with Issue Dates of May 1, 2005, Or Thereafter § 351.35 What do I need to know...

31 CFR 351.35 - What do I need to know about interest rates, penalties, and redemption values for Series EE bonds...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... rates, penalties, and redemption values for Series EE bonds with issue dates of May 1, 2005, or... SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Maturities, Redemption Values, and Investment Yields of Series EE Savings Bonds Series Ee Savings Bonds with Issue Dates of May 1, 2005, Or Thereafter § 351.35 What do I need to know...

31 CFR 351.35 - What do I need to know about interest rates, penalties, and redemption values for Series EE bonds...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... rates, penalties, and redemption values for Series EE bonds with issue dates of May 1, 2005, or... SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Maturities, Redemption Values, and Investment Yields of Series EE Savings Bonds Series Ee Savings Bonds with Issue Dates of May 1, 2005, Or Thereafter § 351.35 What do I need to know...

31 CFR 351.35 - What do I need to know about interest rates, penalties, and redemption values for Series EE bonds...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... rates, penalties, and redemption values for Series EE bonds with issue dates of May 1, 2005, or... SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Maturities, Redemption Values, and Investment Yields of Series EE Savings Bonds Series Ee Savings Bonds with Issue Dates of May 1, 2005, Or Thereafter § 351.35 What do I need to know...

31 CFR 351.69 - When is a book-entry Series EE savings bond validly issued?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance:Treasury 2 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false When is a book-entry Series EE savings... OF UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Book-Entry Series EE Savings Bonds § 351.69 When is a book-entry Series EE savings bond validly issued? A book-entry bond is validly issued when it is posted to...

31 CFR 351.60 - How are book-entry Series EE savings bonds purchased and held?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance: Treasury 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false How are book-entry Series EE savings... OFFERING OF UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Book-Entry Series EE Savings Bonds § 351.60 How are book-entry Series EE savings bonds purchased and held? Book-entry bonds must be purchased and held online...

31 CFR 351.65 - What amount of book-entry Series EE savings bonds may I acquire per year?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance: Treasury 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false What amount of book-entry Series EE... DEBT OFFERING OF UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Book-Entry Series EE Savings Bonds § 351.65 What amount of book-entry Series EE savings bonds may I acquire per year? The principal amount of book...

31 CFR 351.65 - What amount of book-entry Series EE savings bonds may I acquire per year?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance:Treasury 2 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false What amount of book-entry Series EE... DEBT OFFERING OF UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Book-Entry Series EE Savings Bonds § 351.65 What amount of book-entry Series EE savings bonds may I acquire per year? The principal amount of book...

31 CFR 351.60 - How are book-entry Series EE savings bonds purchased and held?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance:Treasury 2 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false How are book-entry Series EE savings... OFFERING OF UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Book-entry Series EE Savings Bonds § 351.60 How are book-entry Series EE savings bonds purchased and held? Book-entry bonds must be purchased and held online...

31 CFR 351.69 - When is a book-entry Series EE savings bond validly issued?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance: Treasury 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false When is a book-entry Series EE... OFFERING OF UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Book-Entry Series EE Savings Bonds § 351.69 When is a book-entry Series EE savings bond validly issued? A book-entry bond is validly issued when it is posted...

31 CFR 351.60 - How are book-entry Series EE savings bonds purchased and held?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance:Treasury 2 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false How are book-entry Series EE savings... OFFERING OF UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Book-Entry Series EE Savings Bonds § 351.60 How are book-entry Series EE savings bonds purchased and held? Book-entry bonds must be purchased and held online...

The impact of tissue Doppler index E/e' ratio on instantaneous wave-free ratio.

PubMed

Arashi, Hiroyuki; Yamaguchi, Junichi; Ri, Tonre; Otsuki, Hisao; Nakao, Masashi; Kamishima, Kazuho; Jujo, Kentaro; Minami, Yuichiro; Ogawa, Hiroshi; Hagiwara, Nobuhisa

2018-03-01

The instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) is a vasodilator-free, invasive pressure wire index of the functional severity of coronary stenosis and is calculated under resting conditions. In a recent study, iFR was found to be more closely linked to coronary flow reserve (CFR) than fractional flow reserve (FFR). E/e' is a surrogate marker of left ventricular (LV) filling pressure and LV diastolic dysfunction. Coronary resting flow was found to be increased in patients with elevated E/e', and higher coronary resting flow was associated with lower CFR. Higher baseline coronary flow induces a greater loss of translesional pressure and may affect iFR. However, no reports have examined the impact of E/e' on iFR. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between iFR and E/e' compared with FFR. We retrospectively examined 103 consecutive patients (142 with stenosis) whose iFR, FFR, and E/e' were measured simultaneously. The mean age, LV mass index, and systolic blood pressure of patients with elevated E/e' were higher than those of patients with normal E/e'. Although no significant differences were observed in mean FFR values and % diameter stenosis, the mean iFR value in patients with elevated E/e' was significantly lower than that in patients with normal E/e'. The iFR was negatively correlated with E/e', while there was no correlation between FFR and E/e'. Multivariate analysis showed that E/e' and % diameter stenosis were independent determinants of iFR. E/e' ratio affects iFR values. Our results suggest that FFR mainly reflects the functional severity of the epicardial stenosis whereas iFR could potentially be influenced by not only epicardial stenosis but also other factors related to LV filling pressure or LV diastolic dysfunction. Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms that influence the evaluation of iFR in patients with elevated E/e'. Copyright © 2017 Japanese College of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A comparison of bleeding patterns and cycle control using two transdermal contraceptive systems: a multicenter, open-label, randomized study.

PubMed

Gruber, D; Skřivánek, A; Serrani, M; Lanius, V; Merz, M

2015-02-01

To investigate the bleeding pattern and cycle control parameters of a contraceptive patch containing 0.55 mg ethinyl estradiol (EE) and 2.1 mg gestodene (GSD) compared with a patch containing 0.6 mg EE and 6 mg norelgestromin (NGMN). In this phase III, open-label, randomized, parallel-group trial, healthy women aged 18-35 years (smokers aged 18-30 years) received either the EE/GSD patch (n=200) or the EE/NGMN patch (n=198). Treatment consisted of one patch per week for 3 weeks followed by a 7-day, patch-free interval for seven cycles. Bleeding control was assessed in two 90-day reference periods. In reference period 1, mean number of bleeding/spotting days was comparable across treatment groups (p>0.05). However, in reference period 2, there were fewer bleeding/spotting days in the EE/GSD patch group (15.7 versus 18.4; p<0.0001). Mean number of bleeding/spotting episodes was comparable across groups for both reference periods, but bleeding/spotting episodes were shorter for the EE/GSD patch than the EE/NGMN patch during reference period 1 (5.13 days versus 5.53 days, respectively; p<0.05) and reference period 2 (5.07 versus 5.66; p=0.0001). Both treatment groups showed a similar frequency of withdrawal bleeding episodes; however, across all seven cycles, the length of these episodes was consistently shorter with the EE/GSD patch (p<0.01). There were no notable treatment differences in intracyclic bleeding. Bleeding pattern and cycle control achieved with the EE/GSD patch was similar to that of the EE/NGMN patch. The paper presents data on the bleeding pattern and cycle control parameters of an investigational transdermal contraceptive patch containing EE and GSD compared with an approved contraceptive patch containing EE and NGMN. This descriptive study found that bleeding patterns associated with the EE/GSD patch were similar to those of an EE/NGMN patch providing higher EE exposure. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Both pre- and post-lesion experiential therapy is beneficial in 6-hydroxydopamine dopamine-depleted female rats.

PubMed

Jadavji, N M; Metz, G A

2009-01-23

Experiential therapies, such as enriched environment (EE), have been shown to influence the neurodegenerative processes that underlie Parkinson's disease. We have previously demonstrated that EE promotes functional improvement in dopamine-depleted rats. Here we compare the influence of exposure to EE prior to versus after dopamine depletion in the 6-hydroxydopamine rat model of Parkinson's disease. Two groups of female rats were placed in an EE while two groups were housed in a standard environment (SE) for 6 weeks prior to receiving a unilateral nigrostriatal bundle infusion of the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine. After the lesion, one group remained in EE, while the second EE group (Pre-Lesion EE) was moved into SE conditions. In addition, a third group of rats was now moved into EE (Post-lesion EE). A fourth group remained in SE throughout the experimental period. Rats were tested in skilled reaching and skilled walking tasks and in non-skilled motor function up to 4 weeks after lesion. The observations demonstrated beneficial effects of both pre- and post-lesion exposure to EE on skilled movement performance by promoting compensatory limb use and partial protection or restoration of skilled movement. Exposure to pre-lesion EE in particular promoted structural plasticity as indicated by increased expression of the main cytoskeletal component microtubule associated protein-2 in the lesion dorsal striatum. Continuous EE showed absence of rotational bias suggesting attenuated dopamine loss. These data indicate that enriched lifestyle before the onset of motor symptoms and rehabilitation programs after diagnosis might be beneficial in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Is there unity in Europe? First survey of EUPSA delegates on the management of gastroschisis.

PubMed

Zani, Augusto; Ruttenstock, Elke; Davenport, Mark; Ade-Ajayi, Niyi

2013-02-01

To report the first European survey on the current management of gastroschisis and ascertain the degree of variability between centers. A 10-question survey was administered at the 2011 European Paediatric Surgeons' Association (EUPSA) Congress. Questionnaires were completed by 205 delegates from 39 countries. A total of 21 responses (10%) were incomplete and voided. The remaining 184 were divided on the basis of following region of practice: Western Europe (WE, n = 102), Eastern Europe (EE, n = 59), and non-European countries (n = 23). Differences between WE and EE were analyzed using contingency tests. p < 0.05 was considered significant. A total of 15% WE and 2% EE responders work in centers where antenatal magnetic resonance imaging scans are routinely used. Nonplanned delivery is the most popular approach (WE 46%, EE 58%). Primary closure is the preferred choice (WE 92%, EE 86%), and it is achieved by operative fascial closure in the majority (WE 80%, EE 75%) rather than by Bianchi technique (WE 20%, EE 25%). Staged reduction and closure is less popular (WE 8%, EE 14%), and it is achieved by custom-made silo (WE 25%, EE 12.5%), preformed silo (PFS) followed by surgical closure (WE 63%, EE 75%), or PFS followed by sutureless closure (WE 12%, EE 12.5%). Objection to PFS in WE is mainly related to surgeons' lack of confidence in the technique (40%), whereas in EE it is due to unavailability and high cost (62%, p = 0.01). In case of associated intestinal atresia, immediate resection and anastomosis is preferred by 60% of WE surgeons versus 35% of EE surgeons (p = 0.03), who equally favor primary closure and delayed surgery (33%). Nutrition is preferably delivered by peripheral long line in WE (64%) and by central line inserted in the first week of life in EE (62%, p = 0.003). Primary fascial closure is currently the preferred method of gastroschisis closure across Europe. Aspects of care such as strategy for intestinal atresia and delivery of parenteral nutrition differ significantly between WE and EE. Economic considerations appear to influence management strategy particularly in EE. A Europe-wide audit appears warranted to identify whether this survey reflects actual practice. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Effects of preweaning environmental enrichment on hippocampus-dependent learning and memory in developing rats.

PubMed

Lu, Cheng-Qiu; Zhong, Le; Yan, Chong-Huai; Tian, Ying; Shen, Xiao-Ming

2017-02-15

Previous studies have shown that environmental enrichment (EE) improves learning and memory in adult animals. However, the effects of preweaning EE (preEE) on hippocampus-dependent learning and memory as well as its possible mechanisms are poorly understood. Here we report that preEE enhanced the exploratory activity in rats immediately after weaning, and the EE group showed greater performance in a passive avoidance task than the control group (p<0.05), but not in the locomotion activity. Electrophysiology analysis showed that rats exposed to preEE exhibited larger field excitatory postsynaptic potentials after long-term potentiation induction than those in the control group (p<0.05). The protein levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases as well as activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein were significantly upregulated in the preEE group compared to the control group (p<0.05). Our results indicate that preEE can enhance hippocampus-dependent learning and memory function as postweaning EE does, and the upregulated activation of the ERK signal transduction pathway may be the underlying molecular mechanism. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Peroxisomes, lipid droplets, and endoplasmic reticulum “hitchhike” on motile early endosomes

PubMed Central

Guimaraes, Sofia C.; Schuster, Martin; Bielska, Ewa; Dagdas, Gulay; Kilaru, Sreedhar; Meadows, Ben R.A.; Schrader, Michael

2015-01-01

Intracellular transport is mediated by molecular motors that bind cargo to be transported along the cytoskeleton. Here, we report, for the first time, that peroxisomes (POs), lipid droplets (LDs), and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) rely on early endosomes (EEs) for intracellular movement in a fungal model system. We show that POs undergo kinesin-3– and dynein-dependent transport along microtubules. Surprisingly, kinesin-3 does not colocalize with POs. Instead, the motor moves EEs that drag the POs through the cell. PO motility is abolished when EE motility is blocked in various mutants. Most LD and ER motility also depends on EE motility, whereas mitochondria move independently of EEs. Covisualization studies show that EE-mediated ER motility is not required for PO or LD movement, suggesting that the organelles interact with EEs independently. In the absence of EE motility, POs and LDs cluster at the growing tip, whereas ER is partially retracted to subapical regions. Collectively, our results show that moving EEs interact transiently with other organelles, thereby mediating their directed transport and distribution in the cell. PMID:26620910

Shame and guilt/self-blame as predictors of expressed emotion in family members of patients with schizophrenia

PubMed Central

Wasserman, Stephanie; Weisman de Mamani, Amy; Suro, Giulia

2012-01-01

Expressed emotion (EE) is a measure of the family environment reflecting the amount of criticism and emotional over-involvement expressed by a key relative towards a family member with a disorder or impairment. Patients from high EE homes have a poorer illness prognosis than do patients from low EE homes. Despite EE's well-established predictive validity, questions remain regarding why some family members express high levels of EE attitudes while others do not. Based on indirect evidence from previous research, the current study tested whether shame and guilt/self-blame about having a relative with schizophrenia serve as predictors of EE. A sample of 72 family members of patients with schizophrenia completed the Five Minute Speech Sample to measure EE, along with questionnaires assessing self-directed emotions. In line with the hypotheses, higher levels of both shame and guilt/self-blame about having a relative with schizophrenia predicted high EE. Results of the current study elucidate the EE construct and have implications for working with families of patients with schizophrenia. PMID:22357355

Spirulina maxima Extract Prevents Neurotoxicity via Promoting Activation of BDNF/CREB Signaling Pathways in Neuronal Cells and Mice.

PubMed

Koh, Eun-Jeong; Seo, Young-Jin; Choi, Jia; Lee, Hyeon Yong; Kang, Do-Hyung; Kim, Kui-Jin; Lee, Boo-Yong

2017-08-17

Spirulina maxima is a microalgae which contains flavonoids and other polyphenols. Although Spirulina maxima 70% ethanol extract (SM70EE) has diverse beneficial effects, its effects on neurotoxicity have not been fully understood. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of SM70EE against trimethyltin (TMT)-induced neurotoxicity in HT-22 cells. SM70EE inhibited the cleavage of poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP). Besides, ROS production was decreased by down-regulating oxidative stress-associated enzymes. SM70EE increased the factors of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/cyclic AMPresponsive elementbinding protein (CREB) signalling pathways. Additionally, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was suppressed by SM70EE. Furthermore, we investigated whether SM70EE prevents cognitive deficits against scopolamine-induced neurotoxicity in mice by applying behavioral tests. SM70EE increased step-through latency time and decreased the escape latency time. Therefore, our data suggest that SM70EE may prevent TMT neurotoxicity through promoting activation of BDNF/CREB neuroprotective signaling pathways in neuronal cells. In vivo study, SM70EE would prevent cognitive deficits against scopolamine-induced neurotoxicity in mice.

ICT Tools in Environmental Education: Reviewing Two Newcomers to Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fauville, G.; Lantz-Andersson, A.; Säljö, R.

2014-01-01

United Nations of Education Scientific and Cultural Organisation's (UNESCO's) founding statements about environmental education (EE) in the 1970s positioned it as a multidisciplinary field of inquiry. When enacted as such, it challenges traditional ways of organising secondary school education by academic subject areas. Equally,…

Changes in Emotions Related to Medication Used to Treat ADHD. Part I: Literature Review

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Manos, Michael J.; Brams, Matthew; Childress, Ann C.; Findling, Robert L.; Lopez, Frank A.; Jensen, Peter S.

2011-01-01

Objective: To summarize the literature investigating changes in emotional expression (EE) as a function of pharmacotherapy in the treatment of ADHD and to differentiate emotional effects related to ADHD pharmacotherapy from emotional effects related to ADHD as a disorder. Method: English language articles published from January 1, 1988, through…

An Evaluation of Characteristics of Environmental Education Practice in New Zealand Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eames, Chris; Cowie, Bronwen; Bolstad, Rachel

2008-01-01

This paper reports on a national evaluation project that investigated characteristics of environmental education (EE) practice in New Zealand schools in 2002-2003. The research included a review of New Zealand and international environmental education literature, a survey of nearly 200 New Zealand schools and case studies of environmental…

Comparative Review of a Dozen National Energy Plans: Focus on Renewable and Efficient Energy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Logan, J.; James, T. L.

2009-03-01

Dozens of groups have submitted energy, environmental, and economic recovery plans for consideration by the Obama administration and the 111th Congress. This report provides a comparative analysis of 12 national proposals, focusing especially on energy efficiency (EE) and renewable energy (RE) market and policy issues.

A Comparative Review of a Dozen National Energy Plans. Focus on Renewable and Efficient Energy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Logan, Jeffrey; James, Ted L.

2009-03-01

Dozens of groups have submitted energy, environmental, and economic recovery plans for consideration by the Obama administration and the 111th Congress. This report provides a comparative analysis of 12 national proposals, focusing especially on energy efficiency (EE) and renewable energy (RE) market and policy issues.

Nationality Politics in the Soviet Union: At Last, a Subject of Serious Scholarship in the US

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-01-01

Arens, Olavi, Book review: Rei , August, The Drama of the Baltic Peoples (Stockholm: Kirjastus Vaba Eesti, 1970), 384pp, Bulletin of Baltic Studies, Vol...1940-1980 (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1983) EE. Nodel, Emanuel, Estonia: Nation on the Anvil (New York: Bookman Astor , Inc, 1963) FF

24 CFR 902.68 - Technical review of results of PHAS Indicators #1 or #4.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... both reviews, a request for technical review must be submitted in writing to the Director of the Real... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Technical review of results of PHAS... HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT PUBLIC HOUSING ASSESSMENT SYSTEM PHAS Scoring § 902.68 Technical review of...

31 CFR 351.64 - What is the issue date of a book-entry Series EE savings bond?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance:Treasury 2 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false What is the issue date of a book-entry... OF UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Book-Entry Series EE Savings Bonds § 351.64 What is the issue date of a book-entry Series EE savings bond? The issue date of a book-entry Series EE savings bond...

31 CFR 351.64 - What is the issue date of a book-entry Series EE savings bond?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance: Treasury 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false What is the issue date of a book... OFFERING OF UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Book-Entry Series EE Savings Bonds § 351.64 What is the issue date of a book-entry Series EE savings bond? The issue date of a book-entry Series EE savings bond...

Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring during endoscopic endonasal surgery for pediatric skull base tumors.

PubMed

Elangovan, Cheran; Singh, Supriya Palwinder; Gardner, Paul; Snyderman, Carl; Tyler-Kabara, Elizabeth C; Habeych, Miguel; Crammond, Donald; Balzer, Jeffrey; Thirumala, Parthasarathy D

2016-02-01

OBJECT The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) using electromyography (EMG), brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs), and somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) to predict and/or prevent postoperative neurological deficits in pediatric patients undergoing endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) for skull base tumors. METHODS All consecutive pediatric patients with skull base tumors who underwent EES with at least 1 modality of IONM (BAEP, SSEP, and/or EMG) at our institution between 1999 and 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Staged procedures and repeat procedures were identified and analyzed separately. To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of significant free-run EMG activity, the prevalence of cranial nerve (CN) deficits and the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated. RESULTS A total of 129 patients underwent 159 procedures; 6 patients had a total of 9 CN deficits. The incidences of CN deficits based on the total number of nerves monitored in the groups with and without significant free-run EMG activity were 9% and 1.5%, respectively. The incidences of CN deficits in the groups with 1 staged and more than 1 staged EES were 1.5% and 29%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive values (with 95% confidence intervals) of significant EMG to detect CN deficits in repeat procedures were 0.55 (0.22-0.84), 0.86 (0.79-0.9), and 0.97 (0.92-0.99), respectively. Two patients had significant changes in their BAEPs that were reversible with an increase in mean arterial pressure. CONCLUSIONS IONM can be applied effectively and reliably during EES in children. EMG monitoring is specific for detecting CN deficits and can be an effective guide for dissecting these procedures. Triggered EMG should be elicited intraoperatively to check the integrity of the CNs during and after tumor resection. Given the anatomical complexity of pediatric EES and the unique challenges encountered, multimodal IONM can be a valuable adjunct to these procedures.

Environmental enrichment improves novel object recognition and enhances agonistic behavior in male mice.

PubMed

Mesa-Gresa, Patricia; Pérez-Martinez, Asunción; Redolat, Rosa

2013-01-01

Environmental enrichment (EE) is an experimental paradigm in which rodents are housed in complex environments containing objects that provide stimulation, the effects of which are expected to improve the welfare of these subjects. EE has been shown to considerably improve learning and memory in rodents. However, knowledge about the effects of EE on social interaction is generally limited and rather controversial. Thus, our aim was to evaluate both novel object recognition and agonistic behavior in NMRI mice receiving EE, hypothesizing enhanced cognition and slightly enhanced agonistic interaction upon EE rearing. During a 4-week period half the mice (n = 16) were exposed to EE and the other half (n = 16) remained in a standard environment (SE). On PND 56-57, animals performed the object recognition test, in which recognition memory was measured using a discrimination index. The social interaction test consisted of an encounter between an experimental animal and a standard opponent. Results indicated that EE mice explored the new object for longer periods than SE animals (P < .05). During social encounters, EE mice devoted more time to sociability and agonistic behavior (P < .05) than their non-EE counterparts. In conclusion, EE has been shown to improve object recognition and increase agonistic behavior in adolescent/early adulthood mice. In the future we intend to extend this study on a longitudinal basis in order to assess in more depth the effect of EE and the consistency of the above-mentioned observations in NMRI mice. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effects of oral contraceptives containing ethinylestradiol with either drospirenone or levonorgestrel on various parameters associated with well-being in healthy women: a randomized, single-blind, parallel-group, multicentre study.

PubMed

Kelly, Sue; Davies, Emyr; Fearns, Simon; McKinnon, Carol; Carter, Rick; Gerlinger, Christoph; Smithers, Andrew

2010-01-01

The combined oral contraceptive Yasmin (drospirenone 3 mg plus ethinylestradiol 30 microg [DRSP 3 mg/EE 30 microg]) has been shown to be a well tolerated and effective combination that provides high contraceptive reliability and good cycle control. Furthermore, DRSP 3 mg/EE 30 microg has been shown to have a positive effect on premenstrual symptoms and well-being/health-related quality of life, and to improve the skin condition of women with acne. To date, however, there have been relatively few studies that have compared the effects of DRSP 3 mg/EE 30 microg on the general well-being of women with those of other oral contraceptives. To compare the impact of DRSP 3 mg/EE 30 microg with that of levonorgestrel 150 microg/EE 30 microg (LNG 150 microg/EE 30 microg; Microgynon 30) on various parameters associated with well-being in healthy female subjects. This was a randomized, single-blind, parallel-group, multicentre study conducted using 21/7-day regimens of DRSP 3 mg/EE 30 microg and LNG 150 microg/EE 30 microg over seven cycles. Efficacy parameters included: changes in Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ) normative T scores; the proportion of subjects with acne; and menstrual symptoms. Cycle control and subjective well-being parameters were also assessed. Treatment with DRSP 3 mg/EE 30 microg had similar beneficial effects on symptoms of water retention and impaired concentration to LNG 150 microg/EE 30 microg, but was significantly better in alleviating negative affect symptoms during the menstrual phase (median difference in MDQ T score -3; p = 0.027; Wilcoxon rank sum test). The proportion of subjects with acne decreased from approximately 55% to approximately 45% in the DRSP 3 mg/EE 30 microg group, but remained static at approximately 60% in the LNG 150 microg/EE 30 microg group. Somatic and psychological symptoms occurred at the greatest intensity and for most subjects during the menstrual phase of the cycle in both groups. Both drugs had similar cycle control parameters with a tendency towards reduced bleeding with continued use. More subjects in the DRSP 3 mg/EE 30 microg group reported improved physical well-being (60% vs 46%; p = 0.035; chi-squared [chi2] test). Emotional well-being was reported improved in 61% and 51% of DRSP 3 mg/EE 30 microg and LNG 150 microg/EE 30 microg users, respectively (p = 0.1190; chi2 test). Adverse events were typical of oral contraceptive use and did not give rise to any safety concerns. Both products had similar beneficial effects on symptoms of water retention and impaired concentration, but DRSP 3 mg/EE 30 microg was significantly better in alleviating negative affect symptoms during the menstrual phase. The proportion of subjects with acne decreased in the DRSP 3 mg/EE 30 microg group but not in the LNG 150 microg/EE 30 microg group. More subjects in the DRSP 3 mg/EE 30 microg group reported improved physical well-being compared with the LNG 150 microg/EE 30 microg group.

Extremal edges: a powerful cue to depth perception and figure-ground organization.

PubMed

Palmer, Stephen E; Ghose, Tandra

2008-01-01

Extremal edges (EEs) are projections of viewpoint-specific horizons of self-occlusion on smooth convex surfaces. An ecological analysis of viewpoint constraints suggests that an EE surface is likely to be closer to the observer than the non-EE surface on the other side of the edge. In two experiments, one using shading gradients and the other using texture gradients, we demonstrated that EEs operate as strong cues to relative depth perception and figure-ground organization. Image regions with an EE along the shared border were overwhelmingly perceived as closer than either flat or equally convex surfaces without an EE along that border. A further demonstration suggests that EEs are more powerful than classical figure-ground cues, including even the joint effects of small size, convexity, and surroundedness.

Effect of Active Workstation on Energy Expenditure and Job Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

PubMed

Cao, Chunmei; Liu, Yu; Zhu, Weimo; Ma, Jiangjun

2016-05-01

Recently developed active workstation could become a potential means for worksite physical activity and wellness promotion. The aim of this review was to quantitatively examine the effectiveness of active workstation in energy expenditure and job performance. The literature search was conducted in 6 databases (PubMed, SPORTDiscuss, Web of Science, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, and Scopuse) for articles published up to February 2014, from which a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. The cumulative analysis for EE showed there was significant increase in EE using active workstation [mean effect size (MES): 1.47; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22 to 1.72, P < .0001]. Results from job performance indicated 2 findings: (1) active workstation did not affect selective attention, processing speed, speech quality, reading comprehension, interpretation and accuracy of transcription; and (2) it could decrease the efficiency of typing speed (MES: -0.55; CI: -0.88 to -0.21, P < .001) and mouse clicking (MES: -1.10; CI: -1.29 to -0.92, P < .001). Active workstation could significantly increase daily PA and be potentially useful in reducing workplace sedentariness. Although some parts of job performance were significantly lower, others were not. As a result there was little effect on real-life work productivity if we made a good arrangement of job tasks.

Active Video Games and Health Indicators in Children and Youth: A Systematic Review

PubMed Central

McFarlane, Allison; Colley, Rachel C.; Thivel, David; Biddle, Stuart J. H.; Maddison, Ralph; Leatherdale, Scott T.; Tremblay, Mark S.

2013-01-01

Background Active video games (AVGs) have gained interest as a way to increase physical activity in children and youth. The effect of AVGs on acute energy expenditure (EE) has previously been reported; however, the influence of AVGs on other health-related lifestyle indicators remains unclear. Objective This systematic review aimed to explain the relationship between AVGs and nine health and behavioural indicators in the pediatric population (aged 0–17 years). Data sources Online databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, psycINFO, SPORTDiscus and Cochrane Central Database) and personal libraries were searched and content experts were consulted for additional material. Data selection Included articles were required to have a measure of AVG and at least one relevant health or behaviour indicator: EE (both habitual and acute), adherence and appeal (i.e., participation and enjoyment), opportunity cost (both time and financial considerations, and adverse events), adiposity, cardiometabolic health, energy intake, adaptation (effects of continued play), learning and rehabilitation, and video game evolution (i.e., sustainability of AVG technology). Results 51 unique studies, represented in 52 articles were included in the review. Data were available from 1992 participants, aged 3–17 years, from 8 countries, and published from 2006–2012. Overall, AVGs are associated with acute increases in EE, but effects on habitual physical activity are not clear. Further, AVGs show promise when used for learning and rehabilitation within special populations. Evidence related to other indicators was limited and inconclusive. Conclusions Controlled studies show that AVGs acutely increase light- to moderate-intensity physical activity; however, the findings about if or how AVG lead to increases in habitual physical activity or decreases in sedentary behaviour are less clear. Although AVGs may elicit some health benefits in special populations, there is not sufficient evidence to recommend AVGs as a means of increasing daily physical activity. PMID:23799008

Novel Antimicrobial Peptides EeCentrocins 1, 2 and EeStrongylocin 2 from the Edible Sea Urchin Echinus esculentus Have 6-Br-Trp Post-Translational Modifications

PubMed Central

Solstad, Runar Gjerp; Li, Chun; Isaksson, Johan; Johansen, Jostein; Svenson, Johan; Stensvåg, Klara; Haug, Tor

2016-01-01

The global problem of microbial resistance to antibiotics has resulted in an urgent need to develop new antimicrobial agents. Natural antimicrobial peptides are considered promising candidates for drug development. Echinoderms, which rely on innate immunity factors in the defence against harmful microorganisms, are sources of novel antimicrobial peptides. This study aimed to isolate and characterise antimicrobial peptides from the Edible sea urchin Echinus esculentus. Using bioassay-guided purification and cDNA cloning, three antimicrobial peptides were characterised from the haemocytes of the sea urchin; two heterodimeric peptides and a cysteine-rich peptide. The peptides were named EeCentrocin 1 and 2 and EeStrongylocin 2, respectively, due to their apparent homology to the published centrocins and strongylocins isolated from the green sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis. The two centrocin-like peptides EeCentrocin 1 and 2 are intramolecularly connected via a disulphide bond to form a heterodimeric structure, containing a cationic heavy chain of 30 and 32 amino acids and a light chain of 13 amino acids. Additionally, the light chain of EeCentrocin 2 seems to be N-terminally blocked by a pyroglutamic acid residue. The heavy chains of EeCentrocins 1 and 2 were synthesised and shown to be responsible for the antimicrobial activity of the natural peptides. EeStrongylocin 2 contains 6 cysteines engaged in 3 disulphide bonds. A fourth peptide (Ee4635) was also discovered but not fully characterised. Using mass spectrometric and NMR analyses, EeCentrocins 1 and 2, EeStrongylocin 2 and Ee4635 were all shown to contain post-translationally brominated Trp residues in the 6 position of the indole ring. PMID:27007817

Differential neuronal plasticity in mouse hippocampus associated with various periods of enriched environment during postnatal development.

PubMed

Hosseiny, Salma; Pietri, Mariel; Petit-Paitel, Agnès; Zarif, Hadi; Heurteaux, Catherine; Chabry, Joëlle; Guyon, Alice

2015-11-01

Enriched environment (EE) is characterized by improved conditions for enhanced exploration, cognitive activity, social interaction and physical exercise. It has been shown that EE positively regulates the remodeling of neural circuits, memory consolidation, long-term changes in synaptic strength and neurogenesis. However, the fine mechanisms by which environment shapes the brain at different postnatal developmental stages and the duration required to induce such changes are still a matter of debate. In EE, large groups of mice were housed in bigger cages and were given toys, nesting materials and other equipment that promote physical activity to provide a stimulating environment. Weaned mice were housed in EE for 4, 6 or 8 weeks and compared with matched control mice that were raised in a standard environment. To investigate the differential effects of EE on immature and mature brains, we also housed young adult mice (8 weeks old) for 4 weeks in EE. We studied the influence of onset and duration of EE housing on the structure and function of hippocampal neurons. We found that: (1) EE enhances neurogenesis in juvenile, but not young adult mice; (2) EE increases the number of synaptic contacts at every stage; (3) long-term potentiation (LTP) and spontaneous and miniature activity at the glutamatergic synapses are affected differently by EE depending on its onset and duration. Our study provides an integrative view of the role of EE during postnatal development in various mechanisms of plasticity in the hippocampus including neurogenesis, synaptic morphology and electrophysiological parameters of synaptic connectivity. This work provides an explanation for discrepancies found in the literature about the effects of EE on LTP and emphasizes the importance of environment on hippocampal plasticity.

Mathematical model for the contribution of individual organs to non-zero y-intercepts in single and multi-compartment linear models of whole-body energy expenditure.

PubMed

Kaiyala, Karl J

2014-01-01

Mathematical models for the dependence of energy expenditure (EE) on body mass and composition are essential tools in metabolic phenotyping. EE scales over broad ranges of body mass as a non-linear allometric function. When considered within restricted ranges of body mass, however, allometric EE curves exhibit 'local linearity.' Indeed, modern EE analysis makes extensive use of linear models. Such models typically involve one or two body mass compartments (e.g., fat free mass and fat mass). Importantly, linear EE models typically involve a non-zero (usually positive) y-intercept term of uncertain origin, a recurring theme in discussions of EE analysis and a source of confounding in traditional ratio-based EE normalization. Emerging linear model approaches quantify whole-body resting EE (REE) in terms of individual organ masses (e.g., liver, kidneys, heart, brain). Proponents of individual organ REE modeling hypothesize that multi-organ linear models may eliminate non-zero y-intercepts. This could have advantages in adjusting REE for body mass and composition. Studies reveal that individual organ REE is an allometric function of total body mass. I exploit first-order Taylor linearization of individual organ REEs to model the manner in which individual organs contribute to whole-body REE and to the non-zero y-intercept in linear REE models. The model predicts that REE analysis at the individual organ-tissue level will not eliminate intercept terms. I demonstrate that the parameters of a linear EE equation can be transformed into the parameters of the underlying 'latent' allometric equation. This permits estimates of the allometric scaling of EE in a diverse variety of physiological states that are not represented in the allometric EE literature but are well represented by published linear EE analyses.

Experiment 2033. Injection Test of Upper EE-3 Fracture Zone

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Grigsby, Charles O.

1983-09-12

This experiment is designed to investigate the apparent lithologic boundary between the low-opening-pressure fracture system (upper EE-3 fracture and Phase I system) and the high-opening-pressure fracture system (lower fracture in EE-3 and in EE-2). The experiment will test for resistence to breakthrough into the lower EE-2 fracture system at relatively low pressure and will define the veting behavior of the low pressure system.

Comparison of effects of 3 mg drospirenone plus 20 μg ethinyl estradiol alone or combined with metformin or cyproterone acetate on classic metabolic cardiovascular risk factors in nonobese women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

PubMed

Fruzzetti, Franca; Perini, Daria; Lazzarini, Veronica; Parrini, Donatella; Gambacciani, Marco; Genazzani, Andrea Riccardo

2010-10-01

To evaluate the effects of a pill with drospirenone (3 mg) plus ethinyl E(2) (20 μg) (DRP/20EE) alone or associated with metformin or cyproterone acetate (CPA) on some metabolic cardiovascular risk factors in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Randomized, open-label clinical trial. Academic medical clinic. Forty-eight hirsute women with PCOS. Patients were randomized to treatment with DRP/20EE or with DRP/20EE plus metformin (1,500 mg/d) or with DRP/20EE plus CPA (12.5 mg/d, 10 days per cycle) for 6 months. Blood pressure, lipid profile, and indexes of glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were assessed before and after 6 months of treatment. Body mass index and blood pressure were not modified by any treatment. Treatment with DRP/EE20 did not change the lipid profile; DRP/EE20 plus metformin significantly increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations; DRP/EE20 plus CPA significantly increased triglycerides and total cholesterol. The area under the curve for insulin was significantly decreased by DRP/EE20 and DRP/EE20 plus metformin, but it was significantly increased by DRP/EE20 plus CPA. Treatment with DRP/EE20 plus CPA significantly increased the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index and significantly reduced the glucose to insulin ratio index. Treatment with DRP/EE20 significantly increased the glucose to insulin ratio index. Treatment with DRP/EE20 improved insulin sensitivity in hirsute women with PCOS, with no deterioration of lipid profile. This effect was not ameliorated by the addition of metformin. The positive metabolic effects of DRP are abolished by the concomitant use of CPA. Copyright © 2010 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A prospective study on the effects on hemostasis of two oral contraceptives containing drospirenone in combination with either 30 or 20 microg ethinyl estradiol and a reference containing desogestrel and 30 microg ethinyl estradiol.

PubMed

Kluft, Cornelis; Endrikat, Jan; Mulder, Simone M; Gerlinger, Christoph; Heithecker, Renate

2006-04-01

In this open-label, randomized study, we assessed the effects on hemostasis of two combined oral contraceptives containing drospirenone (DRSP) as progestogen component. Three milligrams of DRSP, a progestogen with antimineralocorticoid activity, was combined with either 30 or 20 microg ethinyl estradiol (EE) (DRSP/30EE; DRSP/20EE) and compared with a preparation containing 150 microg desogestrel (DSG) and 30 microg ethinyl estradiol (DSG/30EE). A total of 75 healthy female volunteers aged 18-35 years were enrolled. The hemostasis variables were measured in the medication-free precycle (baseline); in the first, third and sixth treatment cycle; and in the follow-up phase. The target variables for comparison were the relative changes from baseline to Cycle 6. Data of 25 volunteers in each group were valid for the per-protocol evaluation. Most changes in hemostasis variables were similar in the three treatment groups. All procoagulatory variables and the anticoagulatory variable protein C antigen increased slightly, while protein S antigen and activity decreased. For fibrinogen and protein S activity, the changes were statistically significant: less pronounced with DRSP/20EE compared to DSG/30EE at Cycle 6. There were no statistically significant differences in the changes of antifibrinolytic variables, the global clotting tests and D-dimer. All pairwise comparisons of DRSP/30EE vs. DSG/30EE yielded nonsignificant results; however, there was a trend of a lower impact of DRSP/20EE on nearly all hemostatic parameters compared to the 30EE products. All three study treatments were safe and well tolerated by the volunteers and provided adequate contraceptive reliability. The changes in the hemostatic variables for DRSP/20EE were less pronounced compared to DSG/30EE and DRSP/30EE. The results were in accordance with previous reports on effects of similar OCs.

Help-Seeking in People with Exceptional Experiences: Results from a General Population Sample

PubMed Central

Landolt, Karin; Wittwer, Amrei; Wyss, Thomas; Unterassner, Lui; Fach, Wolfgang; Krummenacher, Peter; Brugger, Peter; Haker, Helene; Kawohl, Wolfram; Schubiger, Pius August; Folkers, Gerd; Rössler, Wulf

2014-01-01

Background: Exceptional experiences (EE) are experiences that deviate from ordinary experiences, for example precognition, supernatural appearances, or déjà vues. In spite of the high frequency of EE in the general population, little is known about their effect on mental health and about the way people cope with EE. This study aimed to assess the quality and quantity of EE in persons from the Swiss general population, to identify the predictors of their help-seeking, and to determine how many of them approach the mental health system. Methods: An on-line survey was used to evaluate a quota sample of 1580 persons representing the Swiss general population with respect to gender, age, and level of education. Multinomial logistic regression was applied to integrate help-seeking, self-reported mental disorder, and other variables in a statistical model designed to identify predictors of help-seeking in persons with EE. Results: Almost all participants (91%) experienced at least one EE. Generally, help-seeking was more frequent when the EE were of negative valence. Help-seeking because of EE was less frequent in persons without a self-reported mental disorder (8.6%) than in persons with a disorder (35.1%) (OR = 5.7). Even when frequency and attributes of EE were controlled for, people without a disorder sought four times less often help because of EE than expected. Persons with a self-reported diagnosis of mental disorder preferred seeing a mental health professional. Multinomial regression revealed a preference for healers in women with less education, who described themselves as believing and also having had more impressive EE. Conclusion: Persons with EE who do not indicate a mental disorder less often sought help because of EE than persons who indicated a mental disorder. We attribute this imbalance to a high inhibition threshold to seek professional help. Moreover, especially less educated women did not approach the mental health care system as often as other persons with EE, but preferred seeing a healer. PMID:24904915

An open label, comparative study of the effects of a dose-reduced oral contraceptive containing 20 microg ethinyl estradiol and 100 microg levonorgestrel on hemostatic, lipids, and carbohydrate metabolism variables.

PubMed

Endrikat, Jan; Klipping, C; Cronin, M; Gerlinger, C; Ruebig, A; Schmidt, W; Düsterberg, B

2002-03-01

In this open label, randomized study we compared the influence of a dose-reduced oral contraceptive containing 20 microg ethinyl estradiol (EE) and 100 microg levonorgestrel (20 EE) with a reference preparation containing 30 microg EE and 150 microg levonorgestrel (30 EE) on hemostatic, lipids, and carbohydrate metabolism variables. Data from 48 volunteers were obtained. The direction of the change (increase or decrease) in most of the hemostatic variables were similar in both treatment groups. In particular, prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 increased during treatment, reaching a median percent change of 40% in the 20 EE group and of 17% in the 30 EE group after one year. D-Dimer fibrin split products remained virtually unchanged, with no change at Cycle 13. The median HDL2 cholesterol levels decreased by 26% in the 20 EE group and by 39.8% in 30 EE group (p = 0.0045 for group difference) after one year. The median one year change for LDL cholesterol was 3.23% in the 20 EE group, compared to 25% in the 30 EE group, for VLDL 11.1% compared to 38.8%, respectively, and for total triglycerides 10.0% compared to 37.5%, respectively. The median absolute change for the area under the curve (AUC)(0-3h) for glucose at treatment Cycle 13 was 41.25 mmol/L x min in the 20 EE group and 73.50 mmol/L x min in the 30 EE group. The AUC(0-3h) insulin at treatment Cycle 13 decreased in the 20 EE group by 1635.0 pmolL x min and increased in the 30 EE group by 11797.5 pmolL x min (p = 0.0491 for group difference). Both study treatments were safe and well tolerated by the volunteers. In conclusion, the balanced one-third dose reduction in this new oral contraceptive evoked similar effects on the hemostatic variables, but favorable results for the lipid and carbohydrate profiles.

Ventriculo-arterial coupling detects occult RV dysfunction in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary vascular disease.

PubMed

Axell, Richard G; Messer, Simon J; White, Paul A; McCabe, Colm; Priest, Andrew; Statopoulou, Thaleia; Drozdzynska, Maja; Viscasillas, Jamie; Hinchy, Elizabeth C; Hampton-Till, James; Alibhai, Hatim I; Morrell, Nicholas; Pepke-Zaba, Joanna; Large, Stephen R; Hoole, Stephen P

2017-04-01

Chronic thromboembolic disease (CTED) is suboptimally defined by a mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) <25 mmHg at rest in patients that remain symptomatic from chronic pulmonary artery thrombi. To improve identification of right ventricular (RV) pathology in patients with thromboembolic obstruction, we hypothesized that the RV ventriculo-arterial (Ees/Ea) coupling ratio at maximal stroke work (Ees/Ea max sw ) derived from an animal model of pulmonary obstruction may be used to identify occult RV dysfunction (low Ees/Ea) or residual RV energetic reserve (high Ees/Ea). Eighteen open chested pigs had conductance catheter RV pressure-volume (PV)-loops recorded during PA snare to determine Ees/Ea max sw This was then applied to 10 patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) and ten patients with CTED, also assessed by RV conductance catheter and cardiopulmonary exercise testing. All patients were then restratified by Ees/Ea. The animal model determined an Ees/Ea max sw  = 0.68 ± 0.23 threshold, either side of which cardiac output and RV stroke work fell. Two patients with CTED were identified with an Ees/Ea well below 0.68 suggesting occult RV dysfunction whilst three patients with CTEPH demonstrated Ees/Ea ≥ 0.68 suggesting residual RV energetic reserve. Ees/Ea > 0.68 and Ees/Ea < 0.68 subgroups demonstrated constant RV stroke work but lower stroke volume (87.7 ± 22.1 vs. 60.1 ± 16.3 mL respectively, P  = 0.006) and higher end-systolic pressure (36.7 ± 11.6 vs. 68.1 ± 16.7 mmHg respectively, P  < 0.001). Lower Ees/Ea in CTED also correlated with reduced exercise ventilatory efficiency. Low Ees/Ea aligns with features of RV maladaptation in CTED both at rest and on exercise. Characterization of Ees/Ea in CTED may allow for better identification of occult RV dysfunction. © 2017 The Authors. Physiological Reports published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Physiological Society and the American Physiological Society.

High temperature electrical energy storage: advances, challenges, and frontiers.

PubMed

Lin, Xinrong; Salari, Maryam; Arava, Leela Mohana Reddy; Ajayan, Pulickel M; Grinstaff, Mark W

2016-10-24

With the ongoing global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emission and dependence on oil, electrical energy storage (EES) devices such as Li-ion batteries and supercapacitors have become ubiquitous. Today, EES devices are entering the broader energy use arena and playing key roles in energy storage, transfer, and delivery within, for example, electric vehicles, large-scale grid storage, and sensors located in harsh environmental conditions, where performance at temperatures greater than 25 °C are required. The safety and high temperature durability are as critical or more so than other essential characteristics (e.g., capacity, energy and power density) for safe power output and long lifespan. Consequently, significant efforts are underway to design, fabricate, and evaluate EES devices along with characterization of device performance limitations such as thermal runaway and aging. Energy storage under extreme conditions is limited by the material properties of electrolytes, electrodes, and their synergetic interactions, and thus significant opportunities exist for chemical advancements and technological improvements. In this review, we present a comprehensive analysis of different applications associated with high temperature use (40-200 °C), recent advances in the development of reformulated or novel materials (including ionic liquids, solid polymer electrolytes, ceramics, and Si, LiFePO 4 , and LiMn 2 O 4 electrodes) with high thermal stability, and their demonstrative use in EES devices. Finally, we present a critical overview of the limitations of current high temperature systems and evaluate the future outlook of high temperature batteries with well-controlled safety, high energy/power density, and operation over a wide temperature range.

Environmental enrichment reduces cocaine neurotoxicity during cocaine-conditioned place preference in male rats.

PubMed

Freese, Luana; Almeida, Felipe Borges; Heidrich, Nubia; Hansen, Alana Witt; Steffens, Luiza; Steinmetz, Aline; Moura, Dinara Jaqueline; Gomez, Rosane; Barros, Helena Maria Tannhauser

2018-06-01

Environmental enrichment (EE) has a neuroprotective role and prevents the development of cocaine addiction behavior in rats. Studies showing the role of EE in cocaine toxicity are nonexistent. We hypothesized that rats exposed to EE are protected from cocaine-induced changes in the redox profile and DNA damage after undergoing conditioned place preference (CPP). Ten male Wistar rats were placed in EE cages equipped with toys, a ladder and tunnels, and ten were provided clean, standard laboratory housing (non-EE). EE and non-EE rats were randomly allocated to the classical CPP cocaine vs. saline (COC/Saline) group, where cocaine (15 mg/kg; i.p.) was tested alternately with saline. Afterwards, intracellular reactive species and antioxidant enzymes were evaluated and the comet essay was performed in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of rats. As expected, EE rats spent less time in the cocaine-paired chamber, and as a new result, less cocaine-induced DNA damage was observed in the two brain structures. Altogether, our results demonstrate that EE decreases neurotoxicity in brain regions linked to cocaine addiction but does not extinguish it completely. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

The bioequivalence of the contraceptive steroids ethinylestradiol and drospirenone is not affected by co-administration of dehydroepiandrosterone.

PubMed

Zimmerman, Yvette; Wouters, Wout; Coelingh Bennink, Herjan J T

2013-06-01

To study the effect of co-administration of 50 mg dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on the bioequivalence of ethinylestradiol (EE) and drospirenone (DRSP) in women who were using a combined oral contraceptive (COC) containing 30 μg EE and 3 mg DRSP, and to estimate whether the addition of DHEA to this COC affects the serum levels and the bioequivalence of the synthetic contraceptive steroids. This was a randomised, double-blind, two-period crossover study. Participants received two EE/DRSP COC treatment cycles in random order, one with and one without daily 50 mg DHEA , separated by a 28-day wash-out cycle during which the subjects used an EE/levonorgestrel (LNG) COC without DHEA. Serum levels of EE and DRSP were measured according to a sampling scheme allowing pharmacokinetic evaluations. Addition of DHEA to an EE/DRSP COC had no effect on serum levels of EE and DRSP. The COC regimens with and without DHEA were bioequivalent. Oestradiol levels were equally suppressed during pill intake, whether with placebo or DHEA. Adding DHEA to a COC containing EE and DRSP does not affect the pharmacokinetic properties of EE and DRSP. Therefore, it will most likely not affect its contraceptive efficacy.

Linear Collider Physics Resource Book for Snowmass 2001 - Part 3: Studies of Exotic and Standard Model Physics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Abe, T.; et al.

This Resource Book reviews the physics opportunities of a next-generation e+e- linear collider and discusses options for the experimental program. Part 3 reviews the possible experiments on that can be done at a linear collider on strongly coupled electroweak symmetry breaking, exotic particles, and extra dimensions, and on the top quark, QCD, and two-photon physics. It also discusses the improved precision electroweak measurements that this collider will make available.

Reliability of symptoms and endoscopic findings for diagnosis of esophageal eosinophilia in a Japanese population.

PubMed

Shimura, Shino; Ishimura, Norihisa; Tanimura, Takashi; Yuki, Takafumi; Miyake, Tatsuya; Kushiyama, Yoshinori; Sato, Shuichi; Fujishiro, Hirofumi; Ishihara, Shunji; Komatsu, Taisuke; Kaneto, Eiji; Izumi, Akio; Ishikawa, Noriyoshi; Maruyama, Riruke; Kinoshita, Yoshikazu

2014-01-01

The clinical characteristics of esophageal eosinophilia (EE), which is essential for diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), have not been fully clarified in a Japanese population. The aim of this study was to analyze the reliability of symptoms and endoscopic findings for diagnosing EE in Japanese individuals. We prospectively enrolled subjects who complained of esophageal symptoms suggesting EoE and/or those with endoscopic findings of suspected EoE at the outpatient clinics of 12 hospitals. Diagnostic utility was compared between the EE and non-EE groups using logistic regression analysis. A total of 349 patients, including 319 with symptoms and 30 with no symptoms but endoscopic findings suggesting EoE were enrolled. Of those with symptoms, 8 (2.5%) had EE, and 3 were finally diagnosed with EoE. Of those without symptoms but endoscopic findings, 4 had EE. Among 8 symptomatic patients, 7 had abnormal endoscopic findings suspicious of EoE. Although dysphagia was a major symptom in EE, none of the presenting symptoms was useful for diagnosis of EE. Among the endoscopic findings, linear furrow was the most reliable (OR = 41.583). EE is uncommon among patients with esophageal symptoms in Japanese individuals. The most useful endoscopic finding for diagnosis of EE was linear furrow, whereas subjective symptoms were not supportive. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Ethinyl estradiol-to-desogestrel ratio impacts endothelial function in young women✩

PubMed Central

Meendering, Jessica R.; Torgrimson, Britta N.; Miller, Nicole P.; Kaplan, Paul F.; Minson, Christopher T.

2010-01-01

Background Ethinyl estradiol (EE) and progestins have the ability to alter endothelial function. The type of progestin and the ratio of EE to progestin used in oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) may determine how they affect the arterial vasculature. Study Design In this study, we investigated endothelial function across a cycle in very low dose (VLD) and low dose (LD) combination EE and desogestrel (DSG) OCP users during two phases: active (VLD=20 mcg EE/150 mcg DSG; LD=30 mcg EE/150 mcg DSG) and pill-free. Endothelial function was also measured during an EE-only hormone phase (10 mcg EE) in group VLD. Results Endothelium-dependent vasodilation was greater during the active phase compared to the pill-free phase in group LD (9.02±0.72% vs. 7.33±0.84%; p=.029). This phase difference was not observed in group VLD (5.86±0.63% vs. 6.56±0.70%; p=.108). However, endothelium-dependent vasodilation was higher during the EE-only phase, compared to the active and pill-free phases (8.92±0.47% vs. 5.86±0.63%, and 6.56±0.70%; pb.001) in group VLD. Conclusions These data suggest DSG may antagonize the vasodilatory activity of EE and that this effect is further modulated by the EE-toDSG ratio. PMID:19041440

Comparison of 2 correction methods for absolute values of esophageal pressure in subjects with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, mechanically ventilated in the ICU.

PubMed

Guérin, Claude; Richard, Jean-Christophe

2012-12-01

A recent trial showed that setting PEEP according to end-expiratory transpulmonary pressure (P(pl,ee)) in acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) might improve patient outcome. P(pl,ee) was obtained by subtracting the absolute value of esophageal pressure (P(es)) from airway pressure an invariant value of 5 cm H(2)O. The goal of the present study was to compare 2 methods for correcting absolute P(es) values in terms of resulting P(pl,ee) and recommended PEEP. Measurements collected prospectively from 42 subjects with various forms of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure receiving mechanical ventilation in ICU were analyzed. P(es) was measured at PEEP (P(es,ee)) and at relaxation volume of the respiratory system Vr (P(es,Vr)), obtained by allowing the subject to exhale into the atmosphere (zero PEEP). Two methods for correcting P(es) were compared: Talmor method (P(pl,ee,Talmor) = P(es,ee) - 5 cm H(2)O), and Vr method (P(es,ee,Vr) = P(es,ee) - P(es,Vr)). The rationale was that P(es,Vr) was a more physiologically based correction factor than an invariant value of 5 cm H(2)O applied to all subjects. Over the 42 subjects, median and interquartile range of P(es,ee) and P(es,Vr) were 11 (7-14) cm H(2)O and 8 (4-11) cm H(2)O, respectively. P(pl,ee,Talmor) was 6 (1-8) cm H(2)O, and P(es,ee,Vr) was 2 (1-5) cm H(2)O (P = .008). Two groups of subjects were defined, based on the difference between the 2 corrected values. In 28 subjects P(pl,ee,Talmor) was ≥ P(es,ee,Vr) (7 [5-9] cm H(2)O vs 2 [1-5] cm H(2)O, respectively), while in 14 subjects P(es,ee,Vr) was > P(pl,ee,Talmor) (2 [0-4] cm H(2)O vs -1 [-3 to 2] cm H(2)O, respectively). P(pl,ee,Vr) was significantly greater than P(pl,ee,Talmor) (7 [5-11] cm H(2)O vs 5 [2-7] cm H(2)O) in the former, and significantly lower in the latter (1 [-2 to 6] cm H(2)O vs 6 [4-9] cm H(2)O). Referring absolute P(es) values to Vr rather than to an invariant value would be better adapted to a patient's physiological background. Further studies are required to determine whether this correction method might improve patient outcome.

Influence of environmental enrichment on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) responses to single-dose nicotine, continuous nicotine by osmotic mini-pumps, and nicotine withdrawal by mecamylamine in male and female rats

PubMed Central

Skwara, Amanda J.; Karwoski, Tracy E.; Czambel, R. Kenneth; Rubin, Robert T.; Rhodes, Michael E.

2012-01-01

In the present study, we determined the effects of environmental enrichment (EE; Kong Toys® and Nestlets®) on sexually diergic HPA axis responses to single-dose nicotine (NIC), single-dose NIC following continuous NIC administration for two weeks, and NIC withdrawal by single-dose mecamylamine (MEC) in male and female rats. Blood sampling occurred before and after MEC and NIC administrations for the determination of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (CORT). Supporting and extending our previous findings, EE appeared to produce anxiolytic effects by reducing hormone responses: Male and female rats housed with EE had lower baseline ACTH and significantly lower HPA axis responses to the mild stress of saline (SAL) injection than did those housed without EE. The sexually diergic responses to single dose NIC, continuous NIC, and MEC-induced NIC withdrawal were reduced by EE in many male and female groups. ACTH responses to continuous NIC and MEC-induced NIC withdrawal were blunted to a greater extent in female EE groups than in male EE groups, suggesting that females are more sensitive to the anxiolytic effects of EE. Because EE lowered stress-responsive hormones of the HPA axis in most groups, EE may be a useful intervention for stress reduction in animal models of NIC addiction. As well, the effectiveness of EE in animal studies of NIC withdrawal may enlighten human studies addressing coping styles and tobacco cessation in men and women. PMID:22705101

Predictors of heartburn resolution and erosive esophagitis in patients with GERD.

PubMed

Orlando, Roy C; Monyak, John T; Silberg, Debra G

2009-09-01

The primary objective was to assess gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptom resolution rates with esomeprazole by erosive esophagitis (EE) status, and the secondary objective was to evaluate potential predictors of the presence of EE and heartburn resolution. Patients with GERD who have EE have higher reported symptom resolution rates than those with nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) when treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). This open-label multicenter study included adults with GERD symptoms. Patients were stratified by EE status after endoscopy and received once-daily esomeprazole 40 mg for 4 weeks. Questionnaires determined symptom response rates, and baseline predictors of EE or heartburn resolution were evaluated. Potential predictors, including years with GERD, history of EE, and time to relief with antacids, were examined. Heartburn resolution rates at 4 weeks were higher for patients with EE than NERD (69% [124/179] vs. 48% [85/177]; p < 0.0001). Multivariate models had moderate predictive ability for EE (c-index, 0.76) and poor predictive ability (c-index, 0.57) for heartburn resolution. However, faster heartburn relief with antacid use, particularly within 15 min, was predictive of EE and heartburn resolution. Patients with EE have higher heartburn resolution rates than patients with NERD after treatment, although recall bias may be possible. Fast relief with antacid use is predictive of EE and heartburn resolution with a PPI and suggests that a history of antacid relief may provide corroborative evidence to empiric PPI therapy in determining whether patients with heartburn have acid reflux disease. ClinicalTrials.Gov IDENTIFIER: NCT00242736.

Residential environmental education meeting teachers' science needs and beyond: A Bradford Woods case study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gatzke, Jenna M.

With the continued increase of environmental problems facing the world, the need for environmental education (EE) is greater than ever before. Residential EE centers offer unique opportunities that have the potential to increase EE in student education. The purpose of this study was to explore classroom teachers’ understandings and ideas about and what role residential EE programming and curricula play in their classroom curriculum. Using an embedded mixed methods instrumental case study design, this study worked with 58 classroom teachers attending Bradford Woods, a residential EE center. Data collection sources included an on-line survey, on-site trail observations, and semi-structured phone interviews. Results of the study indicated that teachers found multiple meanings in EE, relating the field to being about, from and in, and for the environment. Residential EE centers were seen to provide both social and academic benefits for students as well as to challenge teachers to take on new and varying roles. Results also linked connections between teachers’ values, beliefs and knowledge to their use of EE in their curriculum. Discussion and implications of the study focus on what overarching findings have been gained from the founding literature base. These findings include a detailed look at the complex role of the teacher in EE programming settings and a discussion on what little has changed in our understandings of the EE, residential EE center, and classroom milieu over the past few decades. Suggestions for future research are outlined based on these overarching findings. Finally, limitations of the study and main contributions to the research base are also presented.

78 FR 64539 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Energy...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-29

... employee when radiogenic skin cancer is claimed. HHS guidelines require the OWCP to ask for this particular... for radiogenic skin cancer. (20 CFR 30.213.) Form EE-10--A covered part E employee who has received an... cancer due to radiation is claimed. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) guidelines require the...

The Development and Implementation of a Global Network for Eurasia Educational Service Using Electronic Mail.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Algee, Alan

The purpose of this study was to choose an appropriate network provider for educational consultants and to develop and implement the network at Eurasia Educational Services (EES) using electronic mail (e-mail). The following eight steps were undertaken: literature review, scanning and selecting of provider criteria, decision-making, participant…

The evolution of Smokey Bear: Environmental education about wildfire for youth

Treesearch

Heidi L. Ballard; Emily Evans; Victoria E. Sturtevant; Pamela Jakes

2012-01-01

Many environmental education programs in the United States educate youth about the prevention of wildfire and its role in ecosystems.We reviewed 50 wildfire education programs for youth (WEY) in the U.S. through an Internet search and interviews with program providers. We investigated whether they reflect current wildfire science, environmental education (EE)...

Development of environmental education in the Korean kindergarten context

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shin, Keum Ho

Many environmental educators insist that environmental education (EE) should be started from a young age. The Korean Ministry of Education (1999) has also emphasized the importance of environmental education in early childhood by including content and objectives regarding EE in the 1999 National Curriculum of Kindergarten. However, many Korean kindergarten teachers do not sufficiently implement environmental education in their teaching practice. To address this issue, this study aimed at investigating and overcoming barriers to fully implement EE in the Korean kindergarten context. Four experienced Korean kindergarten teachers were involved in a fourteen-week critical action research project that included weekly group meetings. At these group meetings, teachers reflected on the barriers preventing the full implementation of EE in their classrooms and discussed possible environmental education actions to be attempted in the following week. These actions, individually implemented in teachers' classrooms, were reviewed at subsequent group meetings. Data from group meetings and teacher lessons were used to analyze the effectiveness of this critical action research project for developing environmental education. At the beginning stages of this study, Korean kindergarten teachers felt strongly uncomfortable participating in group communication. However, through the continuous encouragement of the researcher and with the involvement of participants who have similar educational backgrounds, age, and working experiences, participants came to actively engage in group communication. Participants in this study identified the following barriers to fully implement EE in kindergartens: insufficient understandings and awareness of EE, reluctant attitudes towards the environment, lack of educational support and resources, low parental involvement, and discomfort about going on a field trip to environments. Teachers came to understand the importance, objectives, potential topics, and teaching methods of early childhood environmental education. While implementing environmental education in their classrooms, teachers recognized possibilities for environmental education through connections with children's daily lives and previous activities conducted in their classrooms. Teachers also identified that critical action research through group communication provided practical and useful knowledge of their educational practices. Teachers' improved pedagogical knowledge and awareness about EE increased their confidence to teach environmental education. To lessen the burden of going on a field trip to environments, teachers provided children direct experiences in the environment surrounding schools and during school picnics. Teachers also actively participated in environmental activities with children. These direct experiences of the environment helped teachers and children appreciate the beauty of the environment and change their reluctant attitudes towards the environment. By providing parents children's products produced during EE, teachers were also able to help parents develop an interest in environmental education. While most educational research in Korean kindergartens is conducted by university-based researchers, this research inquiry revealed that action research by the effective partnership with a university-based researcher can encourage the confidence and passion of Korean kindergarten teachers to reflect and resolve issues arising from their experiences and to change educational practices.

Impairment of vocal expression of negative emotions in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

PubMed

Han, Kyung-Hun; Zaytseva, Yuliya; Bao, Yan; Pöppel, Ernst; Chung, Sun Yong; Kim, Jong Woo; Kim, Hyun Taek

2014-01-01

Vocal expression of emotions (EE) in retrieval of events from autobiographical memory was investigated in patients in early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Twenty-one AD patients and 19 controls were interviewed, and EE of the reported memories was rated by 8 independent evaluators. The AD group had lower EE of both recent and remote memory than controls, although EE in remote memories was better preserved in both groups. We observed positive correlations between EE and indicators of cognitive competence in AD patients. AD Patients are impaired in the ability to express emotions already at early stages of the disease, and EE seems to deteriorate along with the progression of cognitive impairment.

Eccentric exercises; why do they work, what are the problems and how can we improve them?

PubMed

Rees, J D; Wolman, R L; Wilson, A

2009-04-01

Eccentric exercises (EE) have proved successful in the management of chronic tendinopathy, particularly of the Achilles and patellar tendons, where they have been shown to be effective in controlled trials. However, numerous questions regarding EE remain. The standard protocols are time-consuming and require very motivated patients. EE are effective in some tendinopathies but not others. Furthermore, the location of the lesion can have a profound effect on efficacy; for example, standard EE in insertional lesions of the Achilles are ineffective. Until recently little was known of the effect of EE on tendinopathic tendons, although a greater understanding of this process is emerging. Additionally, recent in vivo evidence directly comparing eccentric and concentric exercises provides a possible explanation for the therapeutic benefit of EE. The challenge now is to make EE more effective. Suggestions on areas of future research are made.

Cardioprotective and hepatoprotective effects of Citrus hystrix peels extract on rats model

PubMed Central

Putri, Herwandhani; Nagadi, Standie; Larasati, Yonika Arum; Wulandari, Nindi; Hermawan, Adam

2013-01-01

Objective To observe the combination effect of doxorubicin and Citrus hystrix (kaffir lime's) peel ethanolic extract (ChEE) on blood serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity and cardio-hepato-histopathology of female Sprague Dawley rats. Methods Doxorubicin and ChEE (5 rats per group) were administered in five groups of 3 rats each for 11 d. Group I: doxorubicin (dox) 4.67 mg/kg body weight; Group II: dox+ChEE 500 mg/kg body weight; Group III: dox+ChEE 1 000 mg/kg body weight; Group IV: ChEE 1 000 mg/kg body weight; Group V: untreated (control). Results ChEE repaired cardiohistopathology profile of doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity and hepatotoxicity rats, but did not repair neither hepatohistopathology profile nor reduce serum activity of ALT and AST. Conclusion ChEE has potency to be developed as cardioprotector agent in chemotherapy. PMID:23646300

Defining Environmental Education. Workshop Resource Manual.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Disinger, John F.; Monroe, Martha C.

This booklet is one in a series of resource manuals to help teacher educators conduct environmental education (EE) teacher workshops or promote EE programs. This unit is an orientation to the field of EE. It offers a definition of EE and some ways to explain its value to educators and environmental managers. The unit explains current and…

31 CFR 351.14 - When are rate announcements that apply to Series EE savings bonds announced?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... apply to Series EE savings bonds announced? 351.14 Section 351.14 Money and Finance: Treasury... PUBLIC DEBT OFFERING OF UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Maturities, Redemption Values, and Investment Yields of Series EE Savings Bonds General Provisions § 351.14 When are rate announcements that...

31 CFR 351.14 - When are rate announcements that apply to Series EE savings bonds announced?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... apply to Series EE savings bonds announced? 351.14 Section 351.14 Money and Finance: Treasury... FISCAL SERVICE OFFERING OF UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Maturities, Redemption Values, and Investment Yields of Series EE Savings Bonds General Provisions § 351.14 When are rate announcements that...

Using Smartphone Sensors for Improving Energy Expenditure Estimation

PubMed Central

Zhu, Jindan; Das, Aveek K.; Zeng, Yunze; Mohapatra, Prasant; Han, Jay J.

2015-01-01

Energy expenditure (EE) estimation is an important factor in tracking personal activity and preventing chronic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes. Accurate and real-time EE estimation utilizing small wearable sensors is a difficult task, primarily because the most existing schemes work offline or use heuristics. In this paper, we focus on accurate EE estimation for tracking ambulatory activities (walking, standing, climbing upstairs, or downstairs) of a typical smartphone user. We used built-in smartphone sensors (accelerometer and barometer sensor), sampled at low frequency, to accurately estimate EE. Using a barometer sensor, in addition to an accelerometer sensor, greatly increases the accuracy of EE estimation. Using bagged regression trees, a machine learning technique, we developed a generic regression model for EE estimation that yields upto 96% correlation with actual EE. We compare our results against the state-of-the-art calorimetry equations and consumer electronics devices (Fitbit and Nike+ FuelBand). The newly developed EE estimation algorithm demonstrated superior accuracy compared with currently available methods. The results were calibrated against COSMED K4b2 calorimeter readings. PMID:27170901

Educational storylines in entertainment television: audience reactions toward persuasive strategies in medical dramas.

PubMed

Asbeek Brusse, Elsbeth D; Fransen, Marieke L; Smit, Edith G

2015-04-01

Medical television drama series provide an important source of health information. This form of entertainment-education (E-E) can be used to influence knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors toward health-related issues. In the literature, E-E is generally regarded as a persuasive strategy in itself, whereas in an increasing number of E-E programs, several different persuasive strategies are used. An important question is how the audience ethically evaluates these strategies. The aim of the present study is to examine viewers' ethical judgments toward the use of three persuasive strategies in E-E: product placement, framing, and persuasion toward a controversial position. A survey among 525 viewers of 5 popular medical dramas demonstrates that viewers evaluate the use of the currently investigated attitudinal statements about potential persuasive strategies in E-E as being immoral and that viewers prefer neutral storylines. Adopting a strategy that viewers find inappropriate may interfere with the intended prosocial effects of E-E. A broader understanding of the appropriate and inappropriate uses of persuasive strategies in E-E is indispensable for effective E-E productions.

Energy Expenditure and Aging

PubMed Central

Manini, Todd M.

2009-01-01

The study of energy expenditure (EE) has deep roots in understanding aging and lifespan in all species. In humans, total EE decreases substantially in advanced age resulting from parallel changes in resting metabolic rate (RMR) and activity EE. For RMR, this reduction appears to be due to a reduction in organ mass and specific metabolic rates of individual tissues. However, these anatomical changes explain very little regarding the decline in activity EE, which is governed by both genetic and environmental sources. The biological control centers for activity EE are closely coupled with body mass fluctuations and seem to originate in the brain. Several candidate neuromodulators may be involved in the age-related reduction of activity EE that include: orexin, agouti-related proteins and dopaminergic pathways. Unfortunately, the existing body of research has primarily focused on how neuromodulators influence weight gain and only a few studies have been performed in aging models. Recent evidence suggests that activity EE has an important role in dictating lifespan and thus places emphasis on future research to uncover the underlying biological mechanisms. The study of EE continues to unlock clues to aging. PMID:19698803

Using Smartphone Sensors for Improving Energy Expenditure Estimation.

PubMed

Pande, Amit; Zhu, Jindan; Das, Aveek K; Zeng, Yunze; Mohapatra, Prasant; Han, Jay J

2015-01-01

Energy expenditure (EE) estimation is an important factor in tracking personal activity and preventing chronic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes. Accurate and real-time EE estimation utilizing small wearable sensors is a difficult task, primarily because the most existing schemes work offline or use heuristics. In this paper, we focus on accurate EE estimation for tracking ambulatory activities (walking, standing, climbing upstairs, or downstairs) of a typical smartphone user. We used built-in smartphone sensors (accelerometer and barometer sensor), sampled at low frequency, to accurately estimate EE. Using a barometer sensor, in addition to an accelerometer sensor, greatly increases the accuracy of EE estimation. Using bagged regression trees, a machine learning technique, we developed a generic regression model for EE estimation that yields upto 96% correlation with actual EE. We compare our results against the state-of-the-art calorimetry equations and consumer electronics devices (Fitbit and Nike+ FuelBand). The newly developed EE estimation algorithm demonstrated superior accuracy compared with currently available methods. The results were calibrated against COSMED K4b2 calorimeter readings.

A coordinated set of ecosystem research platforms open to international research in ecotoxicology, AnaEE-France.

PubMed

Mougin, Christian; Azam, Didier; Caquet, Thierry; Cheviron, Nathalie; Dequiedt, Samuel; Le Galliard, Jean-François; Guillaume, Olivier; Houot, Sabine; Lacroix, Gérard; Lafolie, François; Maron, Pierre-Alain; Michniewicz, Radika; Pichot, Christian; Ranjard, Lionel; Roy, Jacques; Zeller, Bernd; Clobert, Jean; Chanzy, André

2015-10-01

The infrastructure for Analysis and Experimentation on Ecosystems (AnaEE-France) is an integrated network of the major French experimental, analytical, and modeling platforms dedicated to the biological study of continental ecosystems (aquatic and terrestrial). This infrastructure aims at understanding and predicting ecosystem dynamics under global change. AnaEE-France comprises complementary nodes offering access to the best experimental facilities and associated biological resources and data: Ecotrons, seminatural experimental platforms to manipulate terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, in natura sites equipped for large-scale and long-term experiments. AnaEE-France also provides shared instruments and analytical platforms dedicated to environmental (micro) biology. Finally, AnaEE-France provides users with data bases and modeling tools designed to represent ecosystem dynamics and to go further in coupling ecological, agronomical, and evolutionary approaches. In particular, AnaEE-France offers adequate services to tackle the new challenges of research in ecotoxicology, positioning its various types of platforms in an ecologically advanced ecotoxicology approach. AnaEE-France is a leading international infrastructure, and it is pioneering the construction of AnaEE (Europe) infrastructure in the field of ecosystem research. AnaEE-France infrastructure is already open to the international community of scientists in the field of continental ecotoxicology.

Influence of in line monitored fluid bed granulation process parameters on the stability of Ethinylestradiol.

PubMed

Roßteuscher-Carl, Katrin; Fricke, Sabine; Hacker, Michael C; Schulz-Siegmund, Michaela

2015-12-30

Ethinylestradiol (EE) as a highly active and low dosed compound is prone to oxidative degradation. The stability of the drug substance is therefore a critical parameter that has to be considered during drug formulation. Beside the stability of the drug substance, granule particle size and moisture are critical quality attributes (CQA) of the fluid bed granulation process which influence the tableting ability of the resulting granules. Both CQA should therefore be monitored during the production process by process analytic technology (PAT) according to ICH Q8. This work focusses on the effects of drying conditions on the stability of EE in a fluid-bed granulation process. We quantified EE degradation products 6-alpha-hydroxy-EE, 6-beta-hydroxy-EE, 9(11)-dehydro-EE and 6-oxo-EE during long time storage and accelerated conditions. PAT-tools that monitor granule particle size (Spatial filtering technology) and granule moisture (Microwave resonance technology) were applied and compared with off-line methods. We found a relevant influence of residual granule moisture and thermic stress applied during granulation on the storage stability of EE, whereas no degradation was found immediately after processing. Hence we conclude that drying parameters have a relevant influence on long term EE stability. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Validation of Single-Item Screening Measures for Provider Burnout in a Rural Health Care Network.

PubMed

Waddimba, Anthony C; Scribani, Melissa; Nieves, Melinda A; Krupa, Nicole; May, John J; Jenkins, Paul

2016-06-01

We validated three single-item measures for emotional exhaustion (EE) and depersonalization (DP) among rural physician/nonphysician practitioners. We linked cross-sectional survey data (on provider demographics, satisfaction, resilience, and burnout) with administrative information from an integrated health care network (1 academic medical center, 6 community hospitals, 31 clinics, and 19 school-based health centers) in an eight-county underserved area of upstate New York. In total, 308 physicians and advanced-practice clinicians completed a self-administered, multi-instrument questionnaire (65.1% response rate). Significant proportions of respondents reported high EE (36.1%) and DP (9.9%). In multivariable linear mixed models, scores on EE/DP subscales of the Maslach Burnout Inventory were regressed on each single-item measure. The Physician Work-Life Study's single-item measure (classifying 32.8% of respondents as burning out/completely burned out) was correlated with EE and DP (Spearman's ρ = .72 and .41, p < .0001; Kruskal-Wallis χ(2) = 149.9 and 56.5, p < .0001, respectively). In multivariable models, it predicted high EE (but neither low EE nor low/high DP). EE/DP single items were correlated with parent subscales (Spearman's ρ = .89 and .81, p < .0001; Kruskal-Wallis χ(2) = 230.98 and 197.84, p < .0001, respectively). In multivariable models, the EE item predicted high/low EE, whereas the DP item predicted only low DP. Therefore, the three single-item measures tested varied in effectiveness as screeners for EE/DP dimensions of burnout. © The Author(s) 2015.

Absence of Change in Total Daily Energy Expenditure (EE(sub TD)) in Young and Mature Rats During 14 Days of Hypergravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wade, C. E.; Moran, M. M.; Stein, T. P.; Hoban-Higgins, T. M.; Fuller, P.; Fuller, C. A.; Dalton, Bonnie P. (Technical Monitor)

1999-01-01

Effect of age on the response of EE(sub TD) to an increase in gravity was assessed in young (Y; 1.5 month old) and mature (M; 8 month old) Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were implanted with transmitters to monitor activity, and metabolism was determined by the double labeled water technique. Daily food intake was measured. For each age, rats (n=8 per treatment) were exposed to centrifugation at 2G, or remained at 1G. There was a difference in EE(sub TD) between age groups, 182 plus or minus 11 and 143 plus or minus 5 kcal/kg/day in Y and M, respectively. This difference was attributed in part to a lower activity level in M animals, 48% of Y rats. After day 6 there was no effect on EE(sub TD) of exposure to 2G, or on food intake per 100g BW. Prior studies show a 20% increase in resting EE with hypergravity. In our study the level of activity was reduced to 41% of 1G in both age groups during 2G. For Y at 1G resting EE accounted for 78% of the EE(sub TD) and activity 22%, while at 2G resting EE was 96% of EE(sub TD) and activity 4%. M rats had similar changes. Independent of age, with exposure to hypergravity EE(sub TD) is maintained by behavioral changes.

Effectiveness of ethinylestradiol/drospirenone for premenstrual symptoms in Japanese patients with dysmenorrhea: Open-label pilot study.

PubMed

Takeda, Takashi; Kondo, Akiko; Koga, Shoko; Hayakawa, Jun; Hayakawa, Kenichi; Hiramatsu, Keizo; Yaegashi, Nobuo

2015-10-01

A combined oral contraceptive containing ethinylestradiol 20 µg plus drospirenone 3 mg (EE20 + DRSP) in a 24/4 regimen has been shown to alleviate the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of EE20 + DRSP in Japanese patients with premenstrual symptoms. A multicenter, prospective, open-label, single-arm, phase IV study was performed in Japanese women with dysmenorrhea and premenstrual symptoms. They were treated with EE20 + DRSP to alleviate the symptoms of dysmenorrhea for six treatment cycles. Premenstrual symptoms were evaluated using a Premenstrual Symptoms Questionnaire at baseline and after three and six cycles of EE20 + DRSP. The degree of dysmenorrhea was also evaluated using a visual analog scale at baseline and after one, three, and six cycles of EE20 + DRSP. Forty-eight patients were treated with EE20 + DRSP. Most of the premenstrual symptoms were alleviated significantly by three and six cycles of EE20 + DRSP treatment. EE20 + DRSP treatment significantly improved the severity of premenstrual symptoms. We also confirmed the effectiveness of EE20 + DRSP for the treatment for dysmenorrhea. This study showed that EE20 + DRSP could be a useful treatment strategy for premenstrual symptoms in Japanese women. © 2015 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Activation of apoptosis by ethyl acetate fraction of ethanol extract of Dianthus superbus in HepG2 cell line.

PubMed

Yu, Jian-Qing; Yin, Yan; Lei, Jia-Chuan; Zhang, Xiu-Qiao; Chen, Wei; Ding, Cheng-Li; Wu, Shan; He, Xiao-Yu; Liu, Yan-Wen; Zou, Guo-Lin

2012-02-01

Dianthus superbus L. is commonly used as a traditional Chinese medicine. We recently showed that ethyl acetate fraction (EE-DS) from ethanol extract of D. superbus exhibited the strongest antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. In this study, we examined apoptosis of HepG2 cells induced by EE-DS, and the mechanism underlying apoptosis was also investigated. Treatment of HepG2 cells with EE-DS (20-80 μg/ml) for 48 h led to a significant dose-dependent increase in the percentage of cells in sub-G1 phase by analysis of the content of DNA in cells, and a large number of apoptotic bodies containing nuclear fragments were observed in cells treated with 80 μg/ml of EE-DS for 24 h by using Hoechst 33258 staining. These data show that EE-DS can induce apoptosis of HepG2 cells. Immunoblot analysis showed that EE-DS significantly suppressed the expressions of Bcl-2 and NF-κB. Treatment of cells with EE-DS (80 μg/ml) for 48 h resulted in significant increase of cytochrome c in the cytosol, which indicated cytochrome c release from mitochondria. Activation of caspase-9 and -3 were also determined when the cells treated with EE-DS. The results suggest that apoptosis of HepG2 cells induced by EE-DS could be through the mitochondrial intrinsic pathway. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) data showed that the composition of EE-DS is complicated. Further studies are needed to find the effective constituents of EE-DS. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Standing economy: does the heterogeneity in the energy cost of posture maintenance reside in differential patterns of spontaneous weight-shifting?

PubMed

Miles-Chan, Jennifer L; Fares, Elie-Jacques; Berkachy, Redina; Jacquet, Philippe; Isacco, Laurie; Schutz, Yves; Montani, Jean-Pierre; Dulloo, Abdul G

2017-04-01

Due to sedentarity-associated disease risks, there is much interest in methods to increase low-intensity physical activity. In this context, it is widely assumed that altering posture allocation can modify energy expenditure (EE) to impact body-weight regulation and health. However, we have recently shown the existence of two distinct phenotypes pertaining to the energy cost of standing-with most individuals having no sustained increase in EE during steady-state standing relative to sitting comfortably. Here, we investigated whether these distinct phenotypes are related to the presence/absence of spontaneous "weight-shifting", i.e. the redistribution of body-weight from one foot to the other. Using indirect calorimetry to measure EE in young adults during sitting and 10 min of steady-state standing, we examined: (i) heterogeneity in EE during standing (n = 36); (ii) EE and spontaneous weight-shifting patterns (n = 18); (iii) EE during spontaneous weight-shifting versus experimentally induced weight-shifting (n = 7), and; (iv) EE during spontaneous weight-shifting versus intermittent leg/body displacement (n = 6). Despite heterogeneity in EE response to steady-state standing, no differences were found in the amount or pattern of spontaneous weight-shifting between the two phenotypes. Whilst experimentally induced weight-shifting resulted in a mean EE increase of only 11% (range: 0-25%), intermittent leg/body displacement increased EE to >1.5 METs in all participants. Although the variability in spontaneous weight-shifting signatures between individuals does not appear to underlie heterogeneity in the energy cost of standing posture maintenance, these studies underscore the fact that leg/body displacement, rather than standing posture alone, is needed to increase EE above the currently defined sedentary threshold.

Maintaining physiological testosterone levels by adding dehydroepiandrosterone to combined oral contraceptives: I. Endocrine effects.

PubMed

Coelingh Bennink, Herjan J T; Zimmerman, Yvette; Laan, Ellen; Termeer, Hanneke M M; Appels, Nicole; Albert, Adelin; Fauser, Bart C J M; Thijssen, Jos H H; van Lunsen, Rik H W

2017-11-01

To determine whether adding dehydroepiandrosterone to combined oral contraceptives (COCs) maintains physiological levels of free testosterone. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-way crossover study conducted in 81 healthy women (age range: 20-35 years; Body mass index (BMI) range: 18-35 kg/m 2 ) using oral contraceptives. Androgens, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), estradiol (E2) and estrone (E1) were measured, and free testosterone and the free testosterone index were calculated. Subjects discontinued oral contraceptive use for at least one menstrual cycle before being randomized to receive five cycles of ethinyl estradiol (EE) combined with either levonorgestrel (EE/LNG group) or drospirenone (EE/DRSP group) together with either dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) (50 mg/day orally) or placebo. Subsequently, all subjects crossed over to the other treatment arm for an additional five cycles. Both COCs decreased the levels of all androgens measured. Significant decreases (p<.05) were found with EE/LNG and EE/DRSP for total testosterone (54.5% and 11.3%, respectively) and for free testosterone (66.8% and 75.6%, respectively). Adding DHEA to the COCs significantly increased all androgens compared to placebo. Moreover, including DHEA restored free testosterone levels to baseline values in both COC groups and total testosterone levels to baseline in the EE/LNG group and above baseline in the EE/DRSP group. SHBG concentrations were significantly higher with EE/DRSP compared to EE/LNG (p<.0001). The addition of DHEA did not affect the levels of SHBG. Taking COCs reduces total and free testosterone levels and increases SHBG concentrations. By coadministration with DHEA, physiological levels of total and free testosterone are restored while using EE/LNG. With EE/DRSP, only the free testosterone level is normalized by DHEA coadministration. A daily oral dose of 50-mg DHEA maintains physiological free and total testosterone levels in women who are using an EE/LNG-containing COC. Copyright © 2016 Pantarhei Bioscience. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Mathematical Model for the Contribution of Individual Organs to Non-Zero Y-Intercepts in Single and Multi-Compartment Linear Models of Whole-Body Energy Expenditure

PubMed Central

Kaiyala, Karl J.

2014-01-01

Mathematical models for the dependence of energy expenditure (EE) on body mass and composition are essential tools in metabolic phenotyping. EE scales over broad ranges of body mass as a non-linear allometric function. When considered within restricted ranges of body mass, however, allometric EE curves exhibit ‘local linearity.’ Indeed, modern EE analysis makes extensive use of linear models. Such models typically involve one or two body mass compartments (e.g., fat free mass and fat mass). Importantly, linear EE models typically involve a non-zero (usually positive) y-intercept term of uncertain origin, a recurring theme in discussions of EE analysis and a source of confounding in traditional ratio-based EE normalization. Emerging linear model approaches quantify whole-body resting EE (REE) in terms of individual organ masses (e.g., liver, kidneys, heart, brain). Proponents of individual organ REE modeling hypothesize that multi-organ linear models may eliminate non-zero y-intercepts. This could have advantages in adjusting REE for body mass and composition. Studies reveal that individual organ REE is an allometric function of total body mass. I exploit first-order Taylor linearization of individual organ REEs to model the manner in which individual organs contribute to whole-body REE and to the non-zero y-intercept in linear REE models. The model predicts that REE analysis at the individual organ-tissue level will not eliminate intercept terms. I demonstrate that the parameters of a linear EE equation can be transformed into the parameters of the underlying ‘latent’ allometric equation. This permits estimates of the allometric scaling of EE in a diverse variety of physiological states that are not represented in the allometric EE literature but are well represented by published linear EE analyses. PMID:25068692

Enriched environment increases neurogenesis and improves social memory persistence in socially isolated adult mice.

PubMed

Monteiro, Brisa M M; Moreira, Fabrício A; Massensini, André R; Moraes, Márcio F D; Pereira, Grace S

2014-02-01

Social memory consists of the information necessary to identify and recognize cospecifics and is essential to many forms of social interaction. Social memory persistence is strongly modulated by the animal's experiences. We have shown in previous studies that social isolation (SI) in adulthood impairs social memory persistence and that an enriched environment (EE) prevents this impairment. However, the mechanisms involved in the effects of SI and EE on social memory persistence remain unknown. We hypothesized that the mechanism by which SI and EE affect social memory persistence is through their modulation of neurogenesis. To investigate this hypothesis, adult mice were submitted to 7 days of one of the following conditions: group-housing in a standard (GH) or enriched environment (GH+EE); social isolation in standard (SI) or enriched environment (SI+EE). We observed an increase in the number of newborn neurons in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus (DG) and glomerular layer of the olfactory bulb (OB) in both GH+EE and SI+EE mice. However, this increase of newborn neurons in the granule cell layer of the OB was restricted to the GH+EE group. Furthermore, both SI and SI+EE groups showed less neurogenesis in the mitral layer of the OB. Interestingly, the performance of the SI mice in the buried food-finding task was inferior to that of the GH mice. To further analyze whether increased neurogenesis is in fact the mechanism by which the EE improves social memory persistence in SI mice, we administered the mitotic inhibitor AraC or saline directly into the lateral ventricles of the SI+EE mice. We found that the AraC treatment decreased cell proliferation in both the DG and OB, and impaired social memory persistence in the SI+EE mice. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that neurogenesis is what supports social memory persistence in socially isolated mice. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effect of the hepatitis C virus protease inhibitor faldaprevir on the pharmacokinetics of an oral contraceptive containing ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel in healthy female volunteers.

PubMed

Sabo, John P; Lang, Benjamin; Elgadi, Mabrouk; Huang, Fenglei

2015-01-01

Faldaprevir is a potent hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3/4A protease inhibitor. Faldaprevir is known to inhibit P-glycoprotein, CYP3A4, and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1. This study evaluated the effect of steady-state 240 mg faldaprevir on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of an oral contraceptive containing ethinylestradiol (EE) and levonorgestrel (LNG) in healthy premenopausal women. In period 1, subjects received EE/LNG once daily (QD) for 14 days. Blood samples were taken on days 1, 11, and 12, with intensive PK blood sampling for EE and LNG on day 13. In period 2, subjects received EE-LNG QD and 240 mg faldaprevir QD on days 14 to 21 (240 mg faldaprevir twice daily on day 14). Blood samples were taken on days 14, 19, and 20, with PK profiling samples obtained for EE and LNG on day 21. A total of 15/16 subjects completed the study. Overall, EE and LNG exposure (assessed by the area under the curve) was approximately 1.4-fold higher when EE and LNG were coadministered with faldaprevir than when administered alone. Median t1/2 (terminal half-life in plasma at steady state) values were prolonged for both EE (2.4 h longer) and LNG (4.7 h longer) when EE and LNG were coadministered with faldaprevir. The mean oral clearance and apparent volume of distribution of both EE and LNG were lower (∼ 30%) when EE and LNG were coadministered with faldaprevir. Coadministration of faldaprevir and an oral contraceptive resulted in a moderate increase in exposure to both EE and LNG. However, this increase was not considered clinically meaningful, and no dose adjustment of oral contraceptives was deemed necessary. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration number NCT01570244.). Copyright © 2015, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Effect of Extended 30 μg Ethinyl Estradiol with Continuous Low-Dose Ethinyl Estradiol and Cyclic 20 μg Ethinyl Estradiol Oral Contraception on Adolescent Bone Density: A Randomized Trial.

PubMed

Gersten, Janet; Hsieh, Jennifer; Weiss, Herman; Ricciotti, Nancy A

2016-12-01

To compare changes in lumbar spine bone mineral density after 12 months of a 91-day extended regimen or 28-day combined oral contraceptive with those in a healthy reference group not using hormonal contraceptives. Phase 2, multicenter, open-label, randomized, controlled study. Forty-five academic centers, clinical research centers, and community practices in the United States. Eight hundred twenty-nine postmenarcheal adolescent girls aged 12-18 years. Adolescents were randomly assigned to 91-day levonorgestrel (LNG)/ethinyl estradiol (EE) extended regimen (84 days of LNG 150 μg/EE 30 μg with 7 days of EE 10 μg [LNG/EE extended regimen]) or 28 days of LNG/EE (21 days of LNG 100 μg/EE 20 μg with 7 days of placebo [LNG/EE 21/7]) for 12 months. A reference group not seeking hormonal contraception was also evaluated. The primary end point was mean percent change in lumbar spine bone mineral density measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Of 1361 adolescents randomized/enrolled, 829 were included in the primary analysis. Mean changes in lumbar spine bone mineral density were +2.26% with LNG/EE extended regimen, +1.45% with LNG/EE 21/7, and +2.50% in the reference group. Noninferiority of the LNG/EE extended regimen compared with the reference group was shown. A statistically significant treatment difference was found between LNG/EE 21/7 and the reference group (1.05%; 95% confidence interval, 0.61%-1.49%) but not between LNG/EE extended regimen and the reference group (0.23%; 95% confidence interval, -0.20% to 0.67%). No new safety signals were noted. Compared with the reference group, bone accrual was statistically significantly lower among LNG/EE 21/7 users but not among LNG/EE 30-μg extended regimen users. Additional research is needed to clarify the clinical relevance of these findings. Copyright © 2016 North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A historical cycle control comparison of two drospirenone-containing combined oral contraceptives: ethinylestradiol 30 μg/drospirenone 3 mg administered in a 21/7 regimen versus ethinylestradiol 20 μg/drospirenone 3 mg administered in a 24/4 regimen.

PubMed

Marr, Joachim; Gerlinger, Christoph; Kunz, Michael

2012-05-01

To compare the bleeding patterns and cycle control of an oral contraceptive (OC) containing ethinylestradiol (EE) 30 μg/drospirenone (drsp) 3mg administered in a 21/7 regimen versus a lower-dose OC containing EE 20 μg/drsp 3mg administered in a 24/4 regimen, using data from two identically designed studies. In the first study, 326 healthy women (18-35 years) received EE 30 μg/drsp 3mg in a 21/7 regimen. In the second study, 1027 healthy women (17-36 years) received EE 20 μg/drsp 3mg in a 24/4 regimen. Participants recorded bleeding using daily completed diaries over 13 treatment cycles. During cycles 1-12, the prevalence of scheduled withdrawal bleeding was lower with EE 20 μg/drsp 3mg 24/4 than with EE 30 μg/drsp 3mg 21/7 (82.0-91.7% versus 94.8-100.0% of women, respectively); moreover, a higher proportion of women reported a maximum intensity of light scheduled withdrawal bleeding with EE 20 μg/drsp 3mg 24/4 than with EE 30 μg/drsp 3mg 21/7 (30.9-39.0% versus 13.8-20.5% of women, respectively). In cycles 2-13, unscheduled intracyclic bleeding was reported by 7.7-13.8% of EE 20 μg/drsp 3mg 24/4 recipients and 3.8-7.9% of EE 30 μg/drsp 3mg 21/7 recipients; these were mainly single bleeding days. During reference periods 1-4, the mean number of bleeding episodes was similar between groups (3.1-3.3 episodes with EE 20 μg/drsp 3mg 24/4 versus 3.2 episodes with EE 30 μg/drsp 3mg 21/7). A low-dose 24/4 regimen OC containing EE 20 μg/drsp 3mg is generally comparable in terms of bleeding to a higher-dose 21/7 regimen OC containing EE30 μg/drsp 3mg. Between-treatment differences in bleeding intensity and unscheduled intracyclic bleeding rates were observed. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Efficacy and safety of the combined oral contraceptive ethinylestradiol/drospirenone (Yasmin) in healthy Chinese women: a randomized, open-label, controlled, multicentre trial.

PubMed

Guang-Sheng, Fan; Mei-Lu, Bian; Li-Nan, Cheng; Xiao-Ming, Cao; Zi-Rong, Huang; Zi-Yan, Han; Xiao-Ping, Jing; Jian, Li; Shu-Ying, Wu; Cheng-Liang, Xiong; Zheng-Ai, Xiong; Tian-Fu, Yue

2010-01-01

To evaluate and compare the contraceptive efficacy, bleeding pattern, side effects and other positive effects of a combined oral contraceptive (COC) containing drospirenone (DRSP) [Yasmin] with those of a COC containing desogestrel (DSG) in healthy Chinese women. This was a randomized, open-label, controlled, multicentre study of 768 healthy Chinese women requiring contraception. The subjects were randomized to ethinylestradiol (EE) 30 microg/DRSP 3 mg (n = 573) or EE 30 microg/ DSG 150 microg (n = 195), at a ratio of 3 : 1. Each individual was treated for 13 cycles. Further visits were required at cycle 4, cycle 7, cycle 10 and cycle 13 of treatment. Weight, height and body mass index were evaluated at each visit. The Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ) was administered at baseline, visit 3 (cycle 7) and visit 5 (after cycle 13). Baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups (p > 0.05). The Pearl Index (method failure) for EE/DRSP was 0.208 per 100 women-years, which was lower than that for EE/DSG (0.601 per 100 women-years). There were no significant differences between the treatment groups with regard to bleeding patterns. According to the MDQ subscale, improvements in water retention and increases in appetite during the intermenstrual period and in water retention and general well-being during the menstrual period in the EE/DRSP group (-0.297, -0.057, 0.033 and 0.150, respectively) were significantly improved compared with the EE/DSG group (-0.108, 0.023, 0.231 and -0.023, respectively) [all p < 0.05]. Other values that improved in both groups, particularly improvement in breast pain and tenderness and skin condition, were more evident in the EE/DRSP group (18.0%, 89/494; 12.6%, 62/494) than in the EE/DSG group (11.3%, 19/168; 5.4%, 9/168). Mean weight increased in the EE/DSG group (0.57 kg) while there was a significant decrease in mean weight (-0.28 kg) in the EE/DRSP group (p < 0.01). Both EE/DRSP and EE/DSG have good contraceptive efficacy and a comparable bleeding pattern. EE/DRSP had a more favourable effect on weight and premenstrual symptoms than EE/DSG.

76 FR 3678 - Board Meeting: February 16, 2011-Las Vegas, NV, the U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-20

... NUCLEAR WASTE TECHNICAL REVIEW BOARD Board Meeting: February 16, 2011--Las Vegas, NV, the U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board Will Meet To Discuss DOE Activities Related to Managing Spent Nuclear...-203, Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1987, the U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board will...

76 FR 24065 - Board Workshop: June 6-7, 2011-Arlington, Virginia; the U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-29

... NUCLEAR WASTE TECHNICAL REVIEW BOARD Board Workshop: June 6-7, 2011--Arlington, Virginia; the U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board Will Hold a Workshop on Methods for Evaluating Nuclear Waste Streams... 1987, the U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board will hold a workshop on Monday, June 6, and Tuesday...

The effects of temperature and salinity on 17-α-ethynylestradiol uptake and its relationship to oxygen consumption in the model euryhaline teleost (Fundulus heteroclitus).

PubMed

Blewett, Tamzin; MacLatchy, Deborah L; Wood, Chris M

2013-02-01

The synthetic estrogen 17-α-ethynylestradiol (EE2), a component of birth control and hormone replacement therapy, is discharged into the environment via wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents. The present study employed radiolabeled EE2 to examine impacts of temperature and salinity on EE2 uptake in male killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus). Fish were exposed to a nominal concentration of 100ng/L EE2 for 2h. The rate of EE2 uptake was constant over the 2h period. Oxygen consumption rates (MO(2)), whole body uptake rates, and tissue-specific EE2 distribution were determined. In killifish acclimated to 18°C at 16ppt (50% sea water), MO(2) and EE2 uptake were both lower after 24h exposure to 10°C and 4°C, and increased after 24h exposure to 26°C. Transfer to fresh water (FW) for 24h lowered EE2 uptake rate, and long-term acclimation to fresh water reduced it by 70%. Both long-term acclimation to 100% sea water (32ppt) and a 24h transfer to 100% sea water also reduced EE2 uptake rate by 50% relative to 16ppt. Tissue-specific accumulation of EE2 was highest (40-60% of the total) in the liver plus gall bladder across all exposures, and the vast majority of this was in the bile at 2h, regardless of temperature or salinity. The carcass was the next highest accumulator (30-40%), followed by the gut (10-20%) with only small amounts in gill and spleen. Killifish chronically exposed (15 days) to 100ng/L EE2 displayed no difference in EE2 uptake rate or tissue-specific distribution. Drinking rate, measured with radiolabeled polyethylene glycol-4000, was about 25 times greater in 16ppt-acclimated killifish relative to FW-acclimated animals. However, drinking accounted for less than 30% of gut accumulation, and therefore a negligible percentage of whole body EE2 uptake rates. In general, there were strong positive relationships between EE2 uptake rates and MO(2), suggesting similar uptake pathways of these lipophilic molecules across the gills. These data will be useful in developing a predictive model of how key environmental parameter variations (salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen) affect EE2 uptake in estuarine fish, to determine optimal timing and location of WWTP discharges. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Beowawe Bottoming Binary Unit - Final Technical Report for EE0002856

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McDonald, Dale Edward

2013-02-12

This binary plant is the first high-output refrigeration based waste heat recovery cycle in the industry. Its working fluid is environmentally friendly and as such, the permits that would be required with a butane based cycle are not necessary. The unit is modularized, meaning that the unit’s individual skids were assembled in another location and were shipped via truck to the plant site. This project proves the technical feasibility of using low temperature brine The development of the unit led to the realization of low temperature, high output, and environmentally friendly heat recovery systems through domestic research and engineering. Themore » project generates additional renewable energy for Nevada, resulting in cleaner air and reduced carbon dioxide emissions. Royalty and tax payments to governmental agencies will increase, resulting in reduced financial pressure on local entities. The major components of the unit were sourced from American companies, resulting in increased economic activity throughout the country.« less

10 CFR 905.17 - What are the requirements for the energy efficiency and/or renewable energy report (EE/RE report...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... renewable energy report (EE/RE report) alternative? 905.17 Section 905.17 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ENERGY... energy efficiency and/or renewable energy report (EE/RE report) alternative? (a) Requests to submit an EE..., including any requirements for documenting customer energy efficiency and renewable energy activities. (b...

10 CFR 905.17 - What are the requirements for the energy efficiency and/or renewable energy report (EE/RE report...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... renewable energy report (EE/RE report) alternative? 905.17 Section 905.17 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ENERGY... energy efficiency and/or renewable energy report (EE/RE report) alternative? (a) Requests to submit an EE..., including any requirements for documenting customer energy efficiency and renewable energy activities. (b...

10 CFR 905.17 - What are the requirements for the energy efficiency and/or renewable energy report (EE/RE report...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... renewable energy report (EE/RE report) alternative? 905.17 Section 905.17 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ENERGY... energy efficiency and/or renewable energy report (EE/RE report) alternative? (a) Requests to submit an EE..., including any requirements for documenting customer energy efficiency and renewable energy activities. (b...

10 CFR 905.17 - What are the requirements for the energy efficiency and/or renewable energy report (EE/RE report...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... renewable energy report (EE/RE report) alternative? 905.17 Section 905.17 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ENERGY... energy efficiency and/or renewable energy report (EE/RE report) alternative? (a) Requests to submit an EE..., including any requirements for documenting customer energy efficiency and renewable energy activities. (b...

31 CFR 351.41 - When are definitive Series EE savings bonds validly issued?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance: Treasury 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false When are definitive Series EE savings bonds validly issued? 351.41 Section 351.41 Money and Finance: Treasury Regulations Relating to Money... OF UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Definitive Series EE Savings Bonds § 351.41 When are...

31 CFR 351.49 - How are definitive Series EE savings bonds delivered?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance: Treasury 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false How are definitive Series EE savings bonds delivered? 351.49 Section 351.49 Money and Finance: Treasury Regulations Relating to Money and... UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Definitive Series EE Savings Bonds § 351.49 How are definitive...

31 CFR 351.14 - When are rate announcements that apply to Series EE savings bonds announced?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... to Series EE savings bonds announced? 351.14 Section 351.14 Money and Finance: Treasury Regulations... DEBT OFFERING OF UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Maturities, Redemption Values, and Investment Yields of Series EE Savings Bonds General Provisions § 351.14 When are rate announcements that apply to...

31 CFR 351.14 - When are rate announcements that apply to Series EE savings bonds announced?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... to Series EE savings bonds announced? 351.14 Section 351.14 Money and Finance: Treasury Regulations... DEBT OFFERING OF UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Maturities, Redemption Values, and Investment Yields of Series EE Savings Bonds General Provisions § 351.14 When are rate announcements that apply to...

31 CFR 351.14 - When are rate announcements that apply to Series EE savings bonds announced?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... to Series EE savings bonds announced? 351.14 Section 351.14 Money and Finance: Treasury Regulations... DEBT OFFERING OF UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Maturities, Redemption Values, and Investment Yields of Series EE Savings Bonds General Provisions § 351.14 When are rate announcements that apply to...

Early Life Stress and Sleep Restriction as Risk Factors in PTSD: An Integrative Pre-Clinical Approach

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-04-01

dDG GABAAR alpha 1 expression in both J+UWT(+),EE (J) and EE (A) rats compered to Control. In addition, EE (A) rats exhibit lower expression of BLA...GABAAR alpha 1 expression compered to Control. (*= pɘ.05,**= pɘ.01). 48 7: One way ANOVA [F (3,47)= 4.79, pɘ.01] revealed a significant main...effect for the exposure. Further Post hoc comparisons revealed increased vDG GABAAR alpha 1 expression in both J+UWT(+) and EE (A) rats compered to EE (J

Technical Features of Curriculum-Based Measurement in Writing: A Literature Review

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McMaster, Kristen; Espin, Christine

2007-01-01

This article reviews research examining technical features of curriculum-based measurement (CBM) in written expression. Twenty-eight technical reports and published articles are included in this review. Studies examining the development and technical adequacy of measures of written expression are summarized, beginning with research conducted at…

76 FR 47613 - Board Meeting: September 13-14, 2011-Salt Lake City, UT; the U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-05

... NUCLEAR WASTE TECHNICAL REVIEW BOARD Board Meeting: September 13-14, 2011--Salt Lake City, UT; the U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board Will Meet To Discuss DOE Plans for Used Fuel Disposition R... Amendments Act of 1987, the U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board will hold a public meeting in Salt Lake...

Entertainment-Education Narrative Versus Nonnarrative Interventions to Educate and Motivate Latinas to Engage in Mammography Screening.

PubMed

Borrayo, Evelinn A; Rosales, Monica; Gonzalez, Patricia

2017-06-01

The evidence is limited comparing the effects of entertainment-education (E-E) narrative versus nonnarrative interventions to educate and motivate Latinas to engage in mammography screening. This study compared an E-E narrative intervention to two nonnarrative interventions' effects among Latinas on breast cancer knowledge and motivation, as measured by changes in self-efficacy, behavioral norms, and behavioral intentions to engage in mammography screening. A sample of 141 Spanish-speaking Latinas was randomly assigned to one of three arms: an E-E narrative video, a nonnarrative educational video, and printed educational materials. Using a repeated measures design, the influence of the E-E narrative on pretest to posttest measures was assessed and compared to the influence of the other two interventions. The E-E narrative and nonnarrative interventions significantly increased Latinas' breast cancer knowledge, mammography self-efficacy, and behavioral norms from pretest to posttest. However, the E-E narrative participants' pretest to posttest difference in mammography self-efficacy was significantly higher when compared to the difference of the other two interventions. The effect of the E-E narrative intervention on self-efficacy and behavioral norms was moderated by the participants' absorption in the story and identification with the story characters. E-E narrative and nonnarrative interventions significantly educated and motivated Latinas to engage in mammography screening. The effects on mammography self-efficacy, an important precursor to behavior change, can be more strongly influenced by E-E narratives. Although E-E narrative and nonnarrative interventions were effective, the need still exists to assess if they can ultimately influence lifesaving breast cancer screening behaviors.

Metabolic Power Method: Underestimation of Energy Expenditure in Field-Sport Movements Using a Global Positioning System Tracking System.

PubMed

Brown, Darcy M; Dwyer, Dan B; Robertson, Samuel J; Gastin, Paul B

2016-11-01

The purpose of this study was to assess the validity of a global positioning system (GPS) tracking system to estimate energy expenditure (EE) during exercise and field-sport locomotor movements. Twenty-seven participants each completed a 90-min exercise session on an outdoor synthetic futsal pitch. During the exercise session, they wore a 5-Hz GPS unit interpolated to 15 Hz and a portable gas analyzer that acted as the criterion measure of EE. The exercise session was composed of alternating 5-minute exercise bouts of randomized walking, jogging, running, or a field-sport circuit (×3) followed by 10 min of recovery. One-way analysis of variance showed significant (P < .01) and very large underestimations between GPS metabolic power- derived EE and oxygen-consumption (VO 2 ) -derived EE for all field-sport circuits (% difference ≈ -44%). No differences in EE were observed for the jog (7.8%) and run (4.8%), whereas very large overestimations were found for the walk (43.0%). The GPS metabolic power EE over the entire 90-min session was significantly lower (P < .01) than the VO 2 EE, resulting in a moderate underestimation overall (-19%). The results of this study suggest that a GPS tracking system using the metabolic power model of EE does not accurately estimate EE in field-sport movements or over an exercise session consisting of mixed locomotor activities interspersed with recovery periods; however, is it able to provide a reasonably accurate estimation of EE during continuous jogging and running.

CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100 reverses the neurogenesis promoted by enriched environment and suppresses long-term seizure activity in adult rats of temporal lobe epilepsy.

PubMed

Zhou, Zhike; Liu, Tingting; Sun, Xiaoyu; Mu, Xiaopeng; Zhu, Gang; Xiao, Ting; Zhao, Mei; Zhao, Chuansheng

2017-03-30

It has been showed that enriched environment (EE) enhances the hippocampal neurogenesis and improves the cognitive impairments, accompanied by the increased expressions of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) in adult rats of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). We examined whether the enhanced neurogenesis and improved cognitive functions induced by EE following seizures were mediated by SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway. Therefore, we investigated the effects of the EE combined with CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100 on neurogenesis, cognitive functions and the long-term seizure activity in the TLE model. Adult rats were randomly assigned as control rats, rats treated with EE, rats subjected to status epilepticus (SE), post-SE rats treated with EE, AMD3100 or EE combined with AMD3100 respectively. We used immunofluorescence staining to analyze the hippocampal neurogenesis and Nissl staining to evaluate hippocampal damage. Electroencephalography was used to measure the frequency and mean duration of spontaneous seizures. Cognitive function was evaluated by Morris water maze test. EE treatment significantly, as well as improved cognitive impairments and decreased long-term seizure activity, and that these effects might be mediated through SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway during the chronic stage of TLE. Although AMD3100 reversed the effect of EE on neurogenesis, it did not abolish the cognitive improvement induced by EE following seizures. More importantly, EE combined with AMD3100 treatment significantly suppressed long-term seizure activity, which provided promising evidences to treat TLE. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Stigma, Expressed Emotion, and Quality of Life in Caregivers of Individuals with Dementia.

PubMed

Weisman de Mamani, Amy; Weintraub, Marc J; Maura, Jessica; Martinez de Andino, Ana; Brown, Caitlin A

2017-10-15

Expressed emotion (EE) is a measure of a caregiver's critical and emotionally overinvolved (EOI; e.g., intrusive, self-sacrificing) attitudes and behaviors toward a person with a mental illness. Mounting evidence indicates that high levels of these critical and EOI attitudes and behaviors (collectively termed high EE) in family members are associated with a poorer course of illness for people with a range of disorders, including dementia (Nomura et al., 2005). However, less is known about factors that might trigger high EE and how high EE might impact dementia caregivers' own mental health. In this study we propose that caregivers who perceive stigma from their relative's illness may be more likely to be critical or intrusive (high EOI) toward their relative in an attempt to control symptomatic behaviors. We further hypothesized that high EE would partially mediate the link between stigma and quality of life (QoL) as there is some evidence that high EE is associated with poorer mental health in caregivers themselves (Safavi et al., 2015). In line with study hypotheses and using a sample of 106 dementia caregivers, we found that greater caregiver stigma was associated with both high EE (for criticism and EOI) and with poorer QoL. Mediational analyses further confirmed that high EE accounts for much of the association between stigma and poorer QoL. Study results suggest that addressing caregiver stigma in therapy could reduce levels of high EE and indirectly therefore improve caregiver QoL. Intervening directly to reduce high EE could also improve caregiver QoL. © 2017 Family Process Institute.

Evaluation of the Effect of Tofacitinib on the Pharmacokinetics of Oral Contraceptive Steroids in Healthy Female Volunteers

PubMed Central

Menon, Sujatha; Riese, Richard; Wang, Ronnie; Alvey, Christine W.; Shi, Haihong; Petit, Wendy

2016-01-01

Abstract Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor. Tofacitinib metabolism is primarily mediated by cytochrome P450 3A4. This phase 1 randomized, open‐label, 2‐way crossover study (NCT01137708) evaluated the effect of tofacitinib 30 mg twice daily on the single‐dose pharmacokinetics of combination oral contraceptives ethinylestradiol (EE) and levonorgestrel (LN). EE and LN were administered as a single Microgynon 30® tablet (30 μg EE and 150 μg LN) to 19 healthy women. In the presence of tofacitinib, the area under the curve from time zero to infinity (AUC∞) increased by 6.6% and 0.9% for EE and LN, respectively. Maximal plasma concentrations decreased by 10.4% for EE and increased by 12.2% for LN when coadministered with tofacitinib. The 90% confidence intervals for the adjusted geometric mean ratios for AUC∞ fell within the 80%–125% region for both EE and LN. Mean half‐life was similar in the presence and absence of tofacitinib: 13.8 and 13.3 hours, respectively, for EE; 25.9 and 25.4 hours, respectively, for LN. Tofacitinib had no clinically relevant net inhibitory or inductive effect on the pharmacokinetics of EE and LN. Therefore, there is no evidence to suggest dose adjustments of oral contraceptive drugs containing EE or LN when coadministered with tofacitinib. PMID:27138968

Evaluation of the Effect of Tofacitinib on the Pharmacokinetics of Oral Contraceptive Steroids in Healthy Female Volunteers.

PubMed

Menon, Sujatha; Riese, Richard; Wang, Ronnie; Alvey, Christine W; Shi, Haihong; Petit, Wendy; Krishnaswami, Sriram

2016-09-01

Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor. Tofacitinib metabolism is primarily mediated by cytochrome P450 3A4. This phase 1 randomized, open-label, 2-way crossover study (NCT01137708) evaluated the effect of tofacitinib 30 mg twice daily on the single-dose pharmacokinetics of combination oral contraceptives ethinylestradiol (EE) and levonorgestrel (LN). EE and LN were administered as a single Microgynon 30® tablet (30 μg EE and 150 μg LN) to 19 healthy women. In the presence of tofacitinib, the area under the curve from time zero to infinity (AUC∞ ) increased by 6.6% and 0.9% for EE and LN, respectively. Maximal plasma concentrations decreased by 10.4% for EE and increased by 12.2% for LN when coadministered with tofacitinib. The 90% confidence intervals for the adjusted geometric mean ratios for AUC∞ fell within the 80%-125% region for both EE and LN. Mean half-life was similar in the presence and absence of tofacitinib: 13.8 and 13.3 hours, respectively, for EE; 25.9 and 25.4 hours, respectively, for LN. Tofacitinib had no clinically relevant net inhibitory or inductive effect on the pharmacokinetics of EE and LN. Therefore, there is no evidence to suggest dose adjustments of oral contraceptive drugs containing EE or LN when coadministered with tofacitinib. © 2016, The American College of Clinical Pharmacology.

Do stress and support matter for caring? The role of perceived stress and social support on expressed emotion of carers of persons with first episode psychosis.

PubMed

Sadath, Anvar; Muralidhar, D; Varambally, Shivarama; Gangadhar, B N; Jose, Justin P

2017-02-01

Caring for a person with first episode psychosis (FEP) is a challenging and distressing task for the carers. The carers' stress in the early stage of psychosis can increase their expressed emotion (EE) while social support is hypothesized to decrease EE. However, the influence of stress and social support on carers' EE is not well understood in FEP. To examine how the stress and social support shape expressed emotion in the carers of FEP. Seventy one carers of the patients with non-affective FEP were recruited from the inpatient psychiatry ward of a tertiary mental health care center in South India. The family questionnaire, perceived stress scale and multidimensional scale of perceived social support were used to measure their EE, stress and social support respectively. Carers experienced high level of perceived stress, EE and poor social support. Perceived stress significantly increased EE (β=0.834; p<0.001) and social support did not significantly influence EE (β=-0.065; p>0.05). Perceived stress predicted 76 percent of the variance on EE (Adjusted R 2 =0.761). The results emphasize high level of stress and EE in carers of patients with FEP that implies the need for appropriate psychosocial interventions to manage their stress. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Maternal exposure to environmental enrichment before and during gestation influences behaviour of rat offspring in a sex-specific manner.

PubMed

Zuena, Anna Rita; Zinni, Manuela; Giuli, Chiara; Cinque, Carlo; Alemà, Giovanni Sebastiano; Giuliani, Alessandro; Catalani, Assia; Casolini, Paola; Cozzolino, Roberto

2016-09-01

The beneficial effects of Environmental Enrichment (EE) applied immediately after weaning or even in adulthood have been widely demonstrated. Less is known about the possible changes in behaviour and brain development of the progeny following the exposure of dams to EE. In order to further investigate this matter, female rats were reared in EE for 12weeks, from weaning until delivery. After having confirmed the presence of relevant behavioural effects of EE, both control and EE females underwent mating. Maternal behaviour was observed and male and female offspring were then administered a battery of behavioural test at different ages. EE mothers showed a decreased frequency of total nursing and, during the first 2days of lactation, an increase in licking/grooming behaviour. Maternal exposure to EE affected offspring behaviour in a sex-specific manner: social play behaviour and anxiety-like behaviour were increased in males but not in females and learning ability was improved only in females. As a general trend, maternal EE had a marked influence on motility in male and female offspring in both locomotor activity and swimming speed. Overall, this study highlights the importance of environmental stimulation, not only in the animals directly experiencing EE, but for their progeny too, opening the way to new hypothesis on the heritability mechanisms of behavioural traits. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A computational model for epidural electrical stimulation of spinal sensorimotor circuits.

PubMed

Capogrosso, Marco; Wenger, Nikolaus; Raspopovic, Stanisa; Musienko, Pavel; Beauparlant, Janine; Bassi Luciani, Lorenzo; Courtine, Grégoire; Micera, Silvestro

2013-12-04

Epidural electrical stimulation (EES) of lumbosacral segments can restore a range of movements after spinal cord injury. However, the mechanisms and neural structures through which EES facilitates movement execution remain unclear. Here, we designed a computational model and performed in vivo experiments to investigate the type of fibers, neurons, and circuits recruited in response to EES. We first developed a realistic finite element computer model of rat lumbosacral segments to identify the currents generated by EES. To evaluate the impact of these currents on sensorimotor circuits, we coupled this model with an anatomically realistic axon-cable model of motoneurons, interneurons, and myelinated afferent fibers for antagonistic ankle muscles. Comparisons between computer simulations and experiments revealed the ability of the model to predict EES-evoked motor responses over multiple intensities and locations. Analysis of the recruited neural structures revealed the lack of direct influence of EES on motoneurons and interneurons. Simulations and pharmacological experiments demonstrated that EES engages spinal circuits trans-synaptically through the recruitment of myelinated afferent fibers. The model also predicted the capacity of spatially distinct EES to modulate side-specific limb movements and, to a lesser extent, extension versus flexion. These predictions were confirmed during standing and walking enabled by EES in spinal rats. These combined results provide a mechanistic framework for the design of spinal neuroprosthetic systems to improve standing and walking after neurological disorders.

Structural and biophysical characterization of an epitope-specific engineered Fab fragment and complexation with membrane proteins: implications for co-crystallization.

PubMed

Johnson, Jennifer L; Entzminger, Kevin C; Hyun, Jeongmin; Kalyoncu, Sibel; Heaner, David P; Morales, Ivan A; Sheppard, Aly; Gumbart, James C; Maynard, Jennifer A; Lieberman, Raquel L

2015-04-01

Crystallization chaperones are attracting increasing interest as a route to crystal growth and structure elucidation of difficult targets such as membrane proteins. While strategies to date have typically employed protein-specific chaperones, a peptide-specific chaperone to crystallize multiple cognate peptide epitope-containing client proteins is envisioned. This would eliminate the target-specific chaperone-production step and streamline the co-crystallization process. Previously, protein engineering and directed evolution were used to generate a single-chain variable (scFv) antibody fragment with affinity for the peptide sequence EYMPME (scFv/EE). This report details the conversion of scFv/EE to an anti-EE Fab format (Fab/EE) followed by its biophysical characterization. The addition of constant chains increased the overall stability and had a negligible impact on the antigen affinity. The 2.0 Å resolution crystal structure of Fab/EE reveals contacts with larger surface areas than those of scFv/EE. Surface plasmon resonance, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and size-exclusion chromatography were used to assess Fab/EE binding to EE-tagged soluble and membrane test proteins: namely, the β-barrel outer membrane protein intimin and α-helical A2a G protein-coupled receptor (A2aR). Molecular-dynamics simulation of the intimin constructs with and without Fab/EE provides insight into the energetic complexities of the co-crystallization approach.

Partial Sleep Deprivation Reduces the Efficacy of Orexin-A to Stimulate Physical Activity and Energy Expenditure.

PubMed

DePorter, Danielle P; Coborn, Jamie E; Teske, Jennifer A

2017-10-01

Sufficient sleep is required for weight maintenance. Sleep deprivation due to noise exposure stimulates weight gain by increasing hyperphagia and reducing energy expenditure (EE). Yet the mechanistic basis underlying the weight gain response is unclear. Orexin-A promotes arousal and negative energy balance, and orexin terminals project to the ventrolateral preoptic area (VLPO), which is involved in sleep-to-wake transitions. To determine whether sleep deprivation reduces orexin function in VLPO and to test the hypothesis that sleep deprivation would attenuate the orexin-A-stimulated increase in arousal, physical activity (PA), and EE. Electroencephalogram, electromyogram, distance traveled, and EE were determined in male Sprague-Dawley rats following orexin-A injections into VLPO both before and after acute (12-h) and chronic (8 h/d, 9 d) sleep deprivation by noise exposure. Orexin-A in the VLPO significantly increased arousal, PA, total EE, and PA-related EE and reduced sleep and respiratory quotient before sleep deprivation. In contrast to after acute sleep deprivation in which orexin-A failed to stimulate EE during PA only, orexin-A failed to significantly increase arousal, PA, fat oxidation, total EE, and PA-related EE after chronic sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation may reduce sensitivity to endogenous stimuli that enhance EE due to PA and thus stimulate weight gain. © 2017 The Obesity Society.

An Acceptance-Based Psychoeducation Intervention to Reduce Expressed Emotion in Relatives of Bipolar Patients

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eisner, Lori R.; Johnson, Sheri L.

2008-01-01

Expressed emotion (EE) is a robust predictor of outcome in bipolar disorder. Despite decades of research, interventions to reduce EE levels have had only modest effects. This study used an expanded model of EE to develop an intervention. Research has demonstrated a strong link between attributions and EE in families of patients with psychiatric…

31 CFR 351.68 - Are taxpayer identification numbers (TINs) required for registration of book-entry Series EE...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... (TINs) required for registration of book-entry Series EE savings bonds? 351.68 Section 351.68 Money and... EE Savings Bonds § 351.68 Are taxpayer identification numbers (TINs) required for registration of book-entry Series EE savings bonds? The TIN of each person named in the registration is required to...

Science Teachers' and Senior Secondary Schools Students' Perceptions of Earth and Environmental Science Topics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dawson, Vaille; Carson, Katherine

2013-01-01

This article presents an evaluation of a new upper secondary Earth and Environmental Science (EES) course in Western Australia. Twenty-seven EES teachers were interviewed and 243 students were surveyed about the degree of difficulty, relevance and interest of EES topics in the course. The impact of the course on students' views about EES topics…

Effects of drospirenone-ethinylestradiol and/or metformin on CD4(+)CD28(null) T lymphocytes frequency in women with hyperinsulinemia having polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized clinical trial.

PubMed

Moro, Francesca; Morciano, Andrea; Tropea, Anna; Sagnella, Francesca; Palla, Carola; Scarinci, Elisa; Ciardulli, Andrea; Martinez, Daniela; Familiari, Alessandra; Liuzzo, Giovanna; Tritarelli, Alessandra; Cosentino, Nicola; Niccoli, Giampaolo; Crea, Filippo; Lanzone, Antonio; Apa, Rosanna

2013-12-01

To evaluate the long-term effects of drospirenone (DRSP)/ethinylestradiol (EE) alone, metformin alone, and DRSP/EE-metformin on CD4(+)CD28(null) T lymphocytes frequency, a cardiovascular risk marker, in patients with hyperinsulinemic polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Randomized clinical trial. Ninety three patients with hyperinsulinemic PCOS were age matched and body mass index matched and randomized to receive a 6 months daily treatment with DRSP (3 mg)/EE (0.03 mg), or metformin (1500 mg), or DRSP/EE combined with metformin. CD4(+)CD28(null) T-cell frequencies. The DRSP/EE and metformin groups did not show any significant change in the CD4(+)CD28(null) frequency compared to the baseline. Interestingly, a statistically significant decrease in CD4(+)CD28(null) frequency occurred after 6 months of DRSP/EE-metformin (median 3-1.5; P < .01). Of note, this statistically significant association was confirmed after adjusting for baseline values in DRSP/EE-metformin group by analysis of covariance (P < .05). In women with hyperinsulinemic PCOS, combined therapy with DRSP/EE and metformin may reduce cardiovascular risk.

Effects of the Menopausal Transition on Factors Related to Energy Balance. A MONET group Study

PubMed Central

Karine, Duval; Denis, Prud’homme; Rémi, Rabasa-Lhoret; Irene, Strychar; Martin, Brochu; Jean-Marc, Lavoie; Éric, Doucet

2016-01-01

Objectives Factors that influence weight gain during the menopausal transition are not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in energy expenditure (EE) across the menopausal transition. Methods One hundred and two premenopausal women (age: 49.9 ± 1.9 yrs; BMI: 23.3 ± 2.2 kg/m2) were followed for 5 years. Body composition (DXA), physical activity EE (accelerometer), resting EE and thermic effect of food (indirect calorimetry) were measured annually. Results Total EE decreased significantly over time in postmenopausal women (P < 0.05), which was mostly due to a decrease in physical activity EE (P < 0.05). Although average resting EE remained stable over time in postmenopausal women, a significant increase, over the 5-year period, was noted in women who were in the menopausal transition by year 5 (P < 0.05). Finally, the time spent in moderate physical activity decreased and the time spent in sedentary physical activity increased during the menopausal transition (P < 0.05). Conclusion These results suggest that menopausal transition is accompanied with a decline in EE mainly characterized by a decrease in physical activity EE and a shift to a more sedentary lifestyle. PMID:23422924

Effects of the menopausal transition on energy expenditure: a MONET Group Study.

PubMed

Duval, K; Prud'homme, D; Rabasa-Lhoret, R; Strychar, I; Brochu, M; Lavoie, J-M; Doucet, E

2013-04-01

Factors that influence weight gain during the menopausal transition are not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in energy expenditure (EE) across the menopausal transition. In all, 102 premenopausal women (age: 49.9 ± 1.9 years; body mass index: 23.3 ± 2.2 kg/m(2)) were followed for 5 years. Body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), physical activity EE (accelerometer), resting EE and thermic effect of food (indirect calorimetry) were measured annually. Total EE decreased significantly over time in postmenopausal women (P<0.05), which was mostly due to a decrease in physical activity EE (P<0.05). Although average resting EE remained stable over time in postmenopausal women, a significant increase, over the 5-year period, was noted in women who were in the menopausal transition by year 5 (P<0.05). Finally, the time spent in moderate physical activity decreased and the time spent in sedentary physical activity increased during the menopausal transition (P<0.05). These results suggest that menopausal transition is accompanied with a decline in EE mainly characterized by a decrease in physical activity EE and a shift to a more sedentary lifestyle.

S-Isovaline Contained in Meteorites, Induces Enantiomeric Excess in D,L-glutamic Acid During Recrystallization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kojo, Shosuke

2015-06-01

S-Isovaline (S-Iva: 6.7 mmol) and D,L-glutamic acid (Glu: 2 mmol) were dissolved in 10 ml of hot water, and the resulting solution was divided in 5 vessels. After recrystallization, the crystals were collected from each vessel, and the enantiomeric excess (ee) of Glu was determined with chemical derivatization using 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrophenyl- 5-L-leucinamide followed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Ten crystallizations provided all D-rich Glu with ee values of 2.69 % ± 0.81 % (mean ± standard deviation), and those using R-Iva provided all L-rich Glu with ee values of 6.24 % ± 2.20 %. Five recrystallizations of D,L-Glu alone provided ee values of 0.474 % ± 0.33 %. The differences among these three ee values were statistically significant, showing that S-Iva, which was present in meteorites caused a significant induction of ee in this physiological amino acid. This is the first outcome that S-Iva induced ee changes in a physiological amino acid. S-Iva did not induce any ee changes in D,L-asparagine, leucine, valine, methionine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, glutamine, tyrosine, aspartic acid, or histidine under similar recrystallizations.

Bonding and expressed emotion: two interlinked concepts?

PubMed

Duclos, Jeanne; Maria, Anne-Solène; Dorard, Géraldine; Curt, Florence; Apfel, Alexandre; Vibert, Sarah; Rein, Zoé; Perdereau, Fabienne; Godart, Nathalie

2013-01-01

Bonding and expressed emotion (EE) are two concepts modeling family relationships. Two studies, with contradictory results, have explored whether these concepts and their corresponding instruments [the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) and the Camberwell Family Interview] do indeed measure the same aspects of family relationships. Our first objective was to compare the adolescents' perceptions of family relationships using the PBI, and the parental viewpoint using the Five-Minute Speech Sample (FMSS-EE). Secondly, we compared the PBI scores and EE levels of the parents. Sixty adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa completed the PBI. The FMSS and a modified version of the PBI were administered to parents separately. No significant link was identified between adolescent PBI scores and parental EE levels. However, a link between maternal 'modified' PBI scores and maternal EE was observed: when mothers registered a high Final EE, they were more likely to deny their daughter's psychological autonomy compared to mothers with lower EE. Our empirical results do not support the hypothesis of an overlap between the two concepts. Indeed bonding and EE measure the same object, i.e. the quality of family relationships, but time scales differ and so do the perspectives (patient vs. parental viewpoint). Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Expressed Emotions and Depressive Symptoms in Caregivers of Adolescents with First-Onset Anorexia Nervosa-A Long-Term Investigation over 2.5 Years.

PubMed

Schwarte, Reinhild; Timmesfeld, Nina; Dempfle, Astrid; Krei, Melanie; Egberts, Karin; Jaite, Charlotte; Fleischhaker, Christian; Wewetzer, Christoph; Herpertz-Dahlmann, Beate; Seitz, Jochen; Bühren, Katharina

2017-01-01

High levels of expressed emotions (EE) and depressive symptoms (DS) are often found in caregivers of patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). Both parameters are considered to influence AN symptoms of the patient. One hundred seventy adolescent women with AN and their caregivers were assessed at admission, discharge, at 1-year and 2.5-year follow up to evaluate AN symptoms of the patient and EE and DS of caregivers. The EE and DS were elevated at admission and decreased during treatment, criticism (as part of EE) exhibited again at the 2.5-year follow up. Caregivers of more severely ill patients reported significantly greater levels of EE and DS. Mothers were more affected than fathers. EE and DS were interrelated. Caregivers of adolescent AN patients suffer from elevated levels of EE and DS. Further studies are needed to examine whether therapeutic interventions to reduce caregivers' EE and DS might have a positive influence on treatment outcome. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.

Effects of the environmental estrogenic contaminants bisphenol A and 17α-ethinyl estradiol on sexual development and adult behaviors in aquatic wildlife species

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bhandari, Ramji K.; Deem, Sharon L.; Holliday, Dawn K.; Jandegian, Caitlin M.; Kassotis, Christopher D.; Nagel, Susan C.; Tillitt, Donald E.; vom Saal, Frederick S.; Rosenfeld, Cheryl S.

2015-01-01

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), including the mass-produced component of plastics, bisphenol A (BPA) are widely prevalent in aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Many aquatic species, such as fish, amphibians, aquatic reptiles and mammals, are exposed daily to high concentrations of BPA and ethinyl estradiol (EE2), estrogen in birth control pills. In this review, we will predominantly focus on BPA and EE2, well-described estrogenic EDCs. First, the evidence that BPA and EE2 are detectable in almost all bodies of water will be discussed. We will consider how BPA affects sexual and neural development in these species, as these effects have been the best characterized across taxa. For instance, such chemicals have been in many cases reported to cause sex-reversal of males to females. Even if these chemicals do not overtly alter the gonadal sex, there are indications that several EDCs might demasculinize male-specific behaviors that are essential for attracting a mate. In so doing, these chemicals may reduce the likelihood that these males reproduce. If exposed males do reproduce, the concern is that they will then be passing on compromised genetic fitness to their offspring and transmitting potential transgenerational effects through their sperm epigenome. We will thus consider how diverse epigenetic changes might be a unifying mechanism of how BPA and EE2 disrupt several processes across species. Such changes might also serve as universal species diagnostic biomarkers of BPA and other EDCs exposure. Lastly, the evidence that estrogenic EDCs-induced effects in aquatic species might translate to humans will be considered.

Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery for Remission of Cushing Disease Caused by Ectopic Intracavernous Macroadenoma: Case Report and Literature Review.

PubMed

Koutourousiou, Maria; Winstead, Welby I

2017-02-01

Complete surgical resection of an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting pituitary adenoma is the gold standard of treatment of Cushing disease. Ectopic location of these adenomas is an extremely rare condition that may compromise the diagnosis and surgical success. We present the first case of an ectopic intracavernous ACTH-secreting macroadenoma totally resected with endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES). A 36-year-old woman presented with Cushing syndrome. Increased ACTH, serum cortisol, and free urine cortisol levels were identified; however, pituitary magnetic resonance imaging failed to show a pituitary tumor; instead, a parasellar lesion in the left cavernous sinus (CS) was noticed. Inferior petrosal sinus sampling showed a significant central to peripheral and lateralized left-sided ACTH gradient. The patient underwent EES. No tumor was found in the sella; however, the left CS was widely explored and a tumor was found lateral to the paraclival segment of the carotid artery. There were no complications after EES. Pathology confirmed the diagnosis of an ACTH-secreting adenoma. During the immediate postoperative course, serum cortisol levels decreased lower than 5 μg/dL. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging showed complete tumor resection. At 20 months follow-up, the patient remained in clinical and biochemical remission of Cushing disease. Only 12 cases of ectopic intracavernous ACTH-secreting adenomas have been reported and all were microadenomas. The presence of an ectopic ACTH-secreting macroadenoma in the CS represents a surgical challenge. EES is the ideal approach for complete resection of ectopic intracavernous adenomas, allowing for a wide exploration of the CS with no surgical complications. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effects of the environmental estrogenic contaminants bisphenol A and 17α-ethinyl estradiol on sexual development and adult behaviors in aquatic wildlife species.

PubMed

Bhandari, Ramji K; Deem, Sharon L; Holliday, Dawn K; Jandegian, Caitlin M; Kassotis, Christopher D; Nagel, Susan C; Tillitt, Donald E; Vom Saal, Frederick S; Rosenfeld, Cheryl S

2015-04-01

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), including the mass-produced component of plastics, bisphenol A (BPA) are widely prevalent in aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Many aquatic species, such as fish, amphibians, aquatic reptiles and mammals, are exposed daily to high concentrations of BPA and ethinyl estradiol (EE2), estrogen in birth control pills. In this review, we will predominantly focus on BPA and EE2, well-described estrogenic EDCs. First, the evidence that BPA and EE2 are detectable in almost all bodies of water will be discussed. We will consider how BPA affects sexual and neural development in these species, as these effects have been the best characterized across taxa. For instance, such chemicals have been in many cases reported to cause sex-reversal of males to females. Even if these chemicals do not overtly alter the gonadal sex, there are indications that several EDCs might demasculinize male-specific behaviors that are essential for attracting a mate. In so doing, these chemicals may reduce the likelihood that these males reproduce. If exposed males do reproduce, the concern is that they will then be passing on compromised genetic fitness to their offspring and transmitting potential transgenerational effects through their sperm epigenome. We will thus consider how diverse epigenetic changes might be a unifying mechanism of how BPA and EE2 disrupt several processes across species. Such changes might also serve as universal species diagnostic biomarkers of BPA and other EDCs exposure. Lastly, the evidence that estrogenic EDCs-induced effects in aquatic species might translate to humans will be considered. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Endoscopic endonasal surgery for giant pituitary adenomas: advantages and limitations.

PubMed

Koutourousiou, Maria; Gardner, Paul A; Fernandez-Miranda, Juan C; Paluzzi, Alessandro; Wang, Eric W; Snyderman, Carl H

2013-03-01

Giant pituitary adenomas (> 4 cm in maximum diameter) represent a significant surgical challenge. Endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) has recently been introduced as a treatment option for these tumors. The authors present the results of EES for giant adenomas and analyze the advantages and limitations of this technique. The authors retrospectively reviewed the medical files and imaging studies of 54 patients with giant pituitary adenomas who underwent EES and studied the factors affecting surgical outcome. Preoperative visual impairment was present in 45 patients (83%) and partial or complete pituitary deficiency in 28 cases (52%), and 7 patients (13%) presented with apoplexy. Near-total resection (> 90%) was achieved in 36 patients (66.7%). Vision was improved or normalized in 36 cases (80%) and worsened in 2 cases due to apoplexy of residual tumor. Significant factors that limited the degree of resection were a multilobular configuration of the adenoma (p = 0.002) and extension to the middle fossa (p = 0.045). Cavernous sinus invasion, tumor size, and intraventricular or posterior fossa extension did not influence the surgical outcome. Complications included apoplexy of residual adenoma (3.7%), permanent diabetes insipidus (9.6%), new pituitary insufficiency (16.7%), and CSF leak (16.7%, which was reduced to 7.4% in recent years). Fourteen patients underwent radiation therapy after EES for residual mass or, in a later stage, for recurrence, and 10 with functional pituitary adenomas received medical treatment. During a mean follow-up of 37.9 months (range 1-114 months), 7 patients were reoperated on for tumor recurrence. Three patients were lost to follow-up. Endoscopic endonasal surgery provides effective initial management of giant pituitary adenomas with favorable results compared with traditional microscopic transsphenoidal and transcranial approaches.

Adsorption-induced auto-amplification of enantiomeric excess on an achiral surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yun, Yongju; Gellman, Andrew J.

2015-06-01

The homochirality of biomolecules is a signature of life on Earth and has significant implications in, for example, the production of pharmaceutical compounds. It has been suggested that biomolecular homochirality may have arisen from the amplification of a spontaneously formed small enantiomeric excess (e.e.). Many minerals exhibit naturally chiral surfaces and so adsorption has been proposed as one possible mechanism for such an amplification of e.e. Here we show that when gas-phase mixtures of D- and L-aspartic acid are exposed to an achiral Cu(111) surface, a small e.e. in the gas phase, e.e.g, leads to an amplification of the e.e. on the surface, e.e.s, under equilibrium conditions. Adsorption-induced amplification of e.e. does not require a chiral surface. The dependence of e.e.s on e.e.g has been modelled successfully using a Langmuir-like adsorption isotherm that incorporates the formation of homochiral adsorbate clusters on the surface.

Measurement of cross sections of the interactions e+e- → ϕϕω and e+e- → ϕϕϕ at center-of-mass energies from 4.008 to 4.600 GeV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ablikim, M.; Achasov, M. N.; Ahmed, S.; Ai, X. C.; Albayrak, O.; Albrecht, M.; Ambrose, D. J.; Amoroso, A.; An, F. F.; An, Q.; Bai, J. Z.; Bakina, O.; Baldini Ferroli, R.; Ban, Y.; Bennett, D. W.; Bennett, J. V.; Berger, N.; Bertani, M.; Bettoni, D.; Bian, J. M.; Bianchi, F.; Boger, E.; Boyko, I.; Briere, R. A.; Cai, H.; Cai, X.; Cakir, O.; Calcaterra, A.; Cao, G. F.; Cetin, S. A.; Chai, J.; Chang, J. F.; Chelkov, G.; Chen, G.; Chen, H. S.; Chen, J. C.; Chen, M. L.; Chen, S.; Chen, S. J.; Chen, X.; Chen, X. R.; Chen, Y. B.; Chu, X. K.; Cibinetto, G.; Dai, H. L.; Dai, J. P.; Dbeyssi, A.; Dedovich, D.; Deng, Z. Y.; Denig, A.; Denysenko, I.; Destefanis, M.; de Mori, F.; Ding, Y.; Dong, C.; Dong, J.; Dong, L. Y.; Dong, M. Y.; Dou, Z. L.; Du, S. X.; Duan, P. F.; Fan, J. Z.; Fang, J.; Fang, S. S.; Fang, X.; Fang, Y.; Farinelli, R.; Fava, L.; Feldbauer, F.; Felici, G.; Feng, C. Q.; Fioravanti, E.; Fritsch, M.; Fu, C. D.; Gao, Q.; Gao, X. L.; Gao, Y.; Gao, Z.; Garzia, I.; Goetzen, K.; Gong, L.; Gong, W. X.; Gradl, W.; Greco, M.; Gu, M. H.; Gu, Y. T.; Guan, Y. H.; Guo, A. Q.; Guo, L. B.; Guo, R. P.; Guo, Y.; Guo, Y. P.; Haddadi, Z.; Hafner, A.; Han, S.; Hao, X. Q.; Harris, F. A.; He, K. L.; Heinsius, F. H.; Held, T.; Heng, Y. K.; Holtmann, T.; Hou, Z. L.; Hu, C.; Hu, H. M.; Hu, T.; Hu, Y.; Huang, G. S.; Huang, J. S.; Huang, X. T.; Huang, X. Z.; Huang, Z. L.; Hussain, T.; Ikegami Andersson, W.; Ji, Q.; Ji, Q. P.; Ji, X. B.; Ji, X. L.; Jiang, L. W.; Jiang, X. S.; Jiang, X. Y.; Jiao, J. B.; Jiao, Z.; Jin, D. P.; Jin, S.; Johansson, T.; Julin, A.; Kalantar-Nayestanaki, N.; Kang, X. L.; Kang, X. S.; Kavatsyuk, M.; Ke, B. C.; Kiese, P.; Kliemt, R.; Kloss, B.; Kolcu, O. B.; Kopf, B.; Kornicer, M.; Kupsc, A.; Kühn, W.; Lange, J. S.; Lara, M.; Larin, P.; Leithoff, H.; Leng, C.; Li, C.; Li, Cheng; Li, D. M.; Li, F.; Li, F. Y.; Li, G.; Li, H. B.; Li, H. J.; Li, J. C.; Li, Jin; Li, K.; Li, K.; Li, Lei; Li, P. R.; Li, Q. Y.; Li, T.; Li, W. D.; Li, W. G.; Li, X. L.; Li, X. N.; Li, X. Q.; Li, Y. B.; Li, Z. B.; Liang, H.; Liang, Y. F.; Liang, Y. T.; Liao, G. R.; Lin, D. X.; Liu, B.; Liu, B. J.; Liu, C. X.; Liu, D.; Liu, F. H.; Liu, Fang; Liu, Feng; Liu, H. B.; Liu, H. H.; Liu, H. H.; Liu, H. M.; Liu, J.; Liu, J. B.; Liu, J. P.; Liu, J. Y.; Liu, K.; Liu, K. Y.; Liu, L. D.; Liu, P. L.; Liu, Q.; Liu, S. B.; Liu, X.; Liu, Y. B.; Liu, Y. Y.; Liu, Z. A.; Liu, Zhiqing; Loehner, H.; Long, Y. F.; Lou, X. C.; Lu, H. J.; Lu, J. G.; Lu, Y.; Lu, Y. P.; Luo, C. L.; Luo, M. X.; Luo, T.; Luo, X. L.; Lyu, X. R.; Ma, F. C.; Ma, H. L.; Ma, L. L.; Ma, M. M.; Ma, Q. M.; Ma, T.; Ma, X. N.; Ma, X. Y.; Ma, Y. M.; Maas, F. E.; Maggiora, M.; Malik, Q. A.; Mao, Y. J.; Mao, Z. P.; Marcello, S.; Messchendorp, J. G.; Mezzadri, G.; Min, J.; Min, T. J.; Mitchell, R. E.; Mo, X. H.; Mo, Y. J.; Morales Morales, C.; Morello, G.; Muchnoi, N. Yu.; Muramatsu, H.; Musiol, P.; Nefedov, Y.; Nerling, F.; Nikolaev, I. B.; Ning, Z.; Nisar, S.; Niu, S. L.; Niu, X. Y.; Olsen, S. L.; Ouyang, Q.; Pacetti, S.; Pan, Y.; Patteri, P.; Pelizaeus, M.; Peng, H. P.; Peters, K.; Pettersson, J.; Ping, J. L.; Ping, R. G.; Poling, R.; Prasad, V.; Qi, H. R.; Qi, M.; Qian, S.; Qiao, C. F.; Qin, L. Q.; Qin, N.; Qin, X. S.; Qin, Z. H.; Qiu, J. F.; Rashid, K. H.; Redmer, C. F.; Ripka, M.; Rong, G.; Rosner, Ch.; Ruan, X. D.; Sarantsev, A.; Savrié, M.; Schnier, C.; Schoenning, K.; Shan, W.; Shao, M.; Shen, C. P.; Shen, P. X.; Shen, X. Y.; Sheng, H. Y.; Song, W. M.; Song, X. Y.; Sosio, S.; Spataro, S.; Sun, G. X.; Sun, J. F.; Sun, S. S.; Sun, X. H.; Sun, Y. J.; Sun, Y. Z.; Sun, Z. J.; Sun, Z. T.; Tang, C. J.; Tang, X.; Tapan, I.; Thorndike, E. H.; Tiemens, M.; Uman, I.; Varner, G. S.; Wang, B.; Wang, B. L.; Wang, D.; Wang, D. Y.; Wang, K.; Wang, L. L.; Wang, L. S.; Wang, M.; Wang, P.; Wang, P. L.; Wang, W.; Wang, W. P.; Wang, X. F.; Wang, Y.; Wang, Y. D.; Wang, Y. F.; Wang, Y. Q.; Wang, Z.; Wang, Z. G.; Wang, Z. H.; Wang, Z. Y.; Wang, Zongyuan; Weber, T.; Wei, D. H.; Weidenkaff, P.; Wen, S. P.; Wiedner, U.; Wolke, M.; Wu, L. H.; Wu, L. J.; Wu, Z.; Xia, L.; Xia, L. G.; Xia, Y.; Xiao, D.; Xiao, H.; Xiao, Z. J.; Xie, Y. G.; Xie, Y. H.; Xiu, Q. L.; Xu, G. F.; Xu, J. J.; Xu, L.; Xu, Q. J.; Xu, Q. N.; Xu, X. P.; Yan, L.; Yan, W. B.; Yan, W. C.; Yan, Y. H.; Yang, H. J.; Yang, H. X.; Yang, L.; Yang, Y. X.; Ye, M.; Ye, M. H.; Yin, J. H.; You, Z. Y.; Yu, B. X.; Yu, C. X.; Yu, J. S.; Yuan, C. Z.; Yuan, Y.; Yuncu, A.; Zafar, A. A.; Zeng, Y.; Zeng, Z.; Zhang, B. X.; Zhang, B. Y.; Zhang, C. C.; Zhang, D. H.; Zhang, H. H.; Zhang, H. Y.; Zhang, J.; Zhang, J. J.; Zhang, J. L.; Zhang, J. Q.; Zhang, J. W.; Zhang, J. Y.; Zhang, J. Z.; Zhang, K.; Zhang, L.; Zhang, S. Q.; Zhang, X. Y.; Zhang, Y.; Zhang, Y.; Zhang, Y. H.; Zhang, Y. N.; Zhang, Y. T.; Zhang, Yu; Zhang, Z. H.; Zhang, Z. P.; Zhang, Z. Y.; Zhao, G.; Zhao, J. W.; Zhao, J. Y.; Zhao, J. Z.; Zhao, Lei; Zhao, Ling; Zhao, M. G.; Zhao, Q.; Zhao, Q. W.; Zhao, S. J.; Zhao, T. C.; Zhao, Y. B.; Zhao, Z. G.; Zhemchugov, A.; Zheng, B.; Zheng, J. P.; Zheng, W. J.; Zheng, Y. H.; Zhong, B.; Zhou, L.; Zhou, X.; Zhou, X. K.; Zhou, X. R.; Zhou, X. Y.; Zhu, K.; Zhu, K. J.; Zhu, S.; Zhu, S. H.; Zhu, X. L.; Zhu, Y. C.; Zhu, Y. S.; Zhu, Z. A.; Zhuang, J.; Zotti, L.; Zou, B. S.; Zou, J. H.; Besiii Collaboration

2017-11-01

Using data samples collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider at six center-of-mass energies between 4.008 and 4.600 GeV, we observe the processes e+e- → ϕϕω and e+e- → ϕϕϕ. The Born cross sections are measured and the ratio of the cross sections σ (e+e- → ϕϕω) / σ (e+e- → ϕϕϕ) is estimated to be 1.75 ± 0.22 ± 0.19 averaged over six energy points, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. The results represent first measurements of these interactions.

Bioequivalence evaluation of a folate-supplemented oral contraceptive containing ethinylestradiol/drospirenone/levomefolate calcium versus ethinylestradiol/drospirenone and levomefolate calcium alone.

PubMed

Wiesinger, Herbert; Eydeler, Urte; Richard, Frank; Trummer, Dietmar; Blode, Hartmut; Rohde, Beate; Diefenbach, Konstanze

2012-10-01

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are congenital malformations that occur during early embryonic development. Suboptimal maternal folate status is a well-known risk factor for the occurrence of NTDs, and periconceptional folic acid supplementation has been shown to reduce the risk of NTDs. Folate-supplemented oral contraceptives (OCs) offer a means of improving folate status in women of childbearing potential by increasing their likelihood of having raised folate levels at the time of conception. This study aimed to demonstrate bioequivalence of ethinylestradiol (EE), drospirenone and L-5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate (L-5-methyl-THF; active moiety of levomefolate calcium) when taken as a new folate-supplemented OC containing EE/drospirenone/levomefolate calcium, with the respective OC containing EE/drospirenone and a tablet containing levomefolate calcium only. This was a randomized, open-label, three-period crossover study carried out at a single centre in Germany. The study included 45 healthy women (age range 18-38 years). The women were randomly assigned to single doses of (i) EE 0.03 mg/drospirenone 3 mg/levomefolate calcium 0.451 mg (SAFYRAL®), (ii) EE 0.03 mg/drospirenone 3 mg (Yasmin®), and (iii) levomefolate calcium 0.451 mg, administered using a crossover design, with one or more menstrual cycle washout between doses. The primary variables were maximum concentrations (C(max)) and area under the concentration versus time curve (AUC) values for EE, drospirenone and L-5-methyl-THF. The bioavailability of EE and drospirenone was similar after administration of EE/drospirenone/levomefolate calcium and EE/drospirenone. The geometric mean ratios (GMRs) and its 90% confidence intervals (CIs) for AUC values and C(max) were within the pre-specified range (80.00-125.00%) for bioequivalence for EE and drospirenone in both formulations. The bioavailability of L-5-methyl-THF was similar after administration of EE/drospirenone/levomefolate calcium and levomefolate calcium. The respective GMRs and 90% CIs of baseline-uncorrected and -corrected AUC(last) (AUC from time zero to time of last measurable concentration) and C(max) were also within the 80.00-125.00% range. The novel folate-supplemented OC EE/drospirenone/levomefolate calcium is bioequivalent to the established OC Yasmin® (EE/drospirenone components) and to levomefolate calcium (folate component).

Environmental Education in Finland--A Case Study of Environmental Education in Nature Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jeronen, Eila; Jeronen, Juha; Raustia, Hanna

2009-01-01

The article aims to introduce Environmental Education (EE) in Finland and to discuss how it has been taken into account in Finnish nature schools. Firstly, we present EE models used in Finland. Thereafter we describe a qualitative case study on EE in nature schools (NS). The aim of the study was to get information for the development of EE. The…

Alteration of Cingulate Long-Term Plasticity and Behavioral Sensitization to Inflammation by Environmental Enrichment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shum, Fanny W. F.; Wu, Long-Jun; Zhao, Ming-Gao; Toyoda, Hiroki; Xu, Hui; Ren, Ming; Pinaud, Raphael; Ko, Shanelle W.; Lee, Yong-Seok; Kaang, Bong-Kiun; Zhuo, Min

2007-01-01

Exposure to an enriched environment (EE) has been shown to induce cortical plasticity. Considerable amount of research is focused on the effects of EE in the hippocampus; however, effects of EE on other brain regions and the mechanisms involved are not well known. To investigate this, we induced cortical plasticity by placing mice in an EE for one…

Effects of two combined oral contraceptives containing ethinyl estradiol 30 microg combined with either gestodene or drospirenone on hemostatic parameters, lipid profiles and blood pressure.

PubMed

Yildizhan, Recep; Yildizhan, Begum; Adali, Ertan; Yoruk, Pinar; Birol, Fatih; Suer, Necdet

2009-08-01

The aim of this study is to compare the effect of ethinyl estradiol 0.03 mg/gestodene 0.075 mg (EE/GSD) with ethinylestradiol 0.03 mg/drospirenone 3 mg (EE/DRSP) administered according to conventional 21/7 regimen on body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), lipid metabolism and hemostatic parameters. In this study, 160 healthy women were randomized to EE/GSD mg or EE/DRSP for 12 months. Mean differences in BMI, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC) levels and BP compared to baseline were assessed. One hundred and forty-five (89%) of the women completed all 12 treatment cycles. The subjects randomly assigned into two treatment groups. Group EE/GSD (n = 71) and group EE/DRSP (n = 72). In group B, BMI values were significantly lower than baseline at the sixth cycle. DRSP/EE had more favorable effects on BP than GSD/EE with the mean systolic and diastolic BPs remaining lower in the DRSP/EE group. The difference between the two preparations was not statistically significant at the end of the study. TC levels remained similar in both groups throughout the study period. In both groups LDL-C levels decreased, triglyceride and HDL-C levels significantly increased from baseline levels. These changes result in increasing HDL-C/LDL-C ratio, demonstrating anti-atherogenic effect. Menstrual cycle patterns and the incidence of adverse events were similar between groups. The duration of withdrawal bleeding decreased during the study for both groups and was similar. The EE/DRSP regimen provides good cycle control with reliable contraceptive efficacy and low incidence of adverse events. Compared with the EE/GSD preparation, the EE/DRSP preparation demonstrated a more favorable effect on BMI and BP with the mean BMI and mean BP remaining lower than baseline mean. The new formulation may be especially beneficial for women susceptible to body weight gain and rise in BP.

Final Technical Report Laramie County Community College: Utility-Scale Wind Energy Technology

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Douglas P. Cook

The Utility-Scale Wind Energy Technology U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) grant EE0000538, provided a way ahead for Laramie County Community College (LCCC) to increase educational and training opportunities for students seeking an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or Associate of Science (AS) degree in Wind Energy Technology. The DOE grant enabled LCCC to program, schedule, and successfully operate multiple wind energy technology cohorts of up to 20-14 students per cohort simultaneously. As of this report, LCCC currently runs four cohorts. In addition, the DOE grant allowed LCCC to procure specialized LABVOLT electronic equipment that directly supports is wind energy technologymore » curriculum.« less

24 CFR 902.68 - Technical review of results of PHAS physical condition indicator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... physical condition indicator. 902.68 Section 902.68 Housing and Urban Development REGULATIONS RELATING TO... review of results of PHAS physical condition indicator. (a) Request for technical reviews. This section describes the process for requesting and granting technical reviews of physical inspection results. (1) For...

24 CFR 902.68 - Technical review of results of PHAS physical condition indicator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... physical condition indicator. 902.68 Section 902.68 Housing and Urban Development REGULATIONS RELATING TO... review of results of PHAS physical condition indicator. (a) Request for technical reviews. This section describes the process for requesting and granting technical reviews of physical inspection results. (1) For...

24 CFR 902.68 - Technical review of results of PHAS physical condition indicator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... physical condition indicator. 902.68 Section 902.68 Housing and Urban Development REGULATIONS RELATING TO... review of results of PHAS physical condition indicator. (a) Request for technical reviews. This section describes the process for requesting and granting technical reviews of physical inspection results. (1) For...

30 CFR 750.25 - Permit fees.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... review fee with the permit application. (2) Technical review. Following receipt from OSM of a notice of administrative completeness, an applicant who pays by stage of review shall submit the technical review basic fee... area. (3) Permit issuance. Following receipt from OSM of a notice of technical adequacy, an applicant...

Electrochemical detection of a powerful estrogenic endocrine disruptor: ethinylestradiol in water samples through bioseparation procedure.

PubMed

Martínez, Noelia A; Pereira, Sirley V; Bertolino, Franco A; Schneider, Rudolf J; Messina, Germán A; Raba, Julio

2012-04-20

The synthetic estrogen ethinylestradiol (EE2) is an active component of oral contraceptives (OCs), considered as an endocrine disrupting compound (EDC). It is excreted from humans and released via sewage treatment plant effluents into aquatic environments. EDCs are any environmental pollutant chemical that, once incorporated into an organism, affects the hormonal balance of various species including humans. Its presence in the environment is becoming of great importance in water quality. This paper describes the development of an accurate, sensitive and selective method for capture, preconcentration and determination of EE2 present in water samples using: magnetic particles (MPs) as bioaffinity support for the capture and preconcentration of EE2 and a glassy carbon electrode modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs/GCE) as detection system. The capture procedure was based on the principle of immunoaffinity, the EE2 being extracted from the sample using the anti-EE2 antibodies (anti-EE2 Ab) which were previously immobilized on MPs. Subsequently the analyte desorption was done employing a sulfuric acid solution and the determination of the EE2 in the pre-concentrated solution was carried out by square wave voltammetry (SWV). This method can be used to determine EE2 in the range of 0.035-70 ng L(-1) with a detection limit (LOD) of 0.01 ng L(-1) and R.S.D.<4.20%. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the determination of EE2 in water samples and it has promising analytical applications for the direct determination of EE2 at trace levels. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Hey Teacher, Don't Leave Them Kids Alone: Action Is Better for Memory than Reading.

PubMed

Hainselin, Mathieu; Picard, Laurence; Manolli, Patrick; Vankerkore-Candas, Sophie; Bourdin, Béatrice

2017-01-01

There is no consensus on how the enactment effect (EE), although it is robust, enhances memory. Researchers are currently investigating the cognitive processes underlying this effect, mostly during adulthood; the link between EE and crucial function identified in adulthood such as episodic memory and binding process remains elusive. Therefore, this study aims to verify the existence of EE in 6-10 years old and assess cognitive functions potentially linked to this effect in order to shed light on the mechanisms underlying the EE during childhood. Thirty-five children (15 second graders and 20 fifth graders) were included in this study. They encoded 24 action phrases from a protocol adapted from Hainselin et al. (2014). Encoding occurred under four conditions: Verbal Task, Listening Task, Experimenter-Performed Task, and Subject-Performed Task. Memory performance was assessed for free and cued recall, as well as source memory abilities. ANOVAS were conducted to explore age-related effects on the different scores according to encoding conditions. Correlations between EE scores (Subject-Performed Task/Listening Task) and binding memory scores (short-term binding and episodic memory) were run. Both groups benefited from EE. However, in both groups, performance did not significantly differ between Subject-Performed Task and Experimenter-Performed Task. A positive correlation was found between EE and episodic memory score for second graders and a moderate negative correlation was found between EE and binding scores for fifth graders. Our results confirm the existence of EE in 6 and 10 year olds, but they do not support the multimodal theory (Engelkamp, 2001) or the "glue" theory (Kormi-Nouri and Nilsson, 2001). This suggests instead that episodic memory might not underlie EE during early childhood.

Estrogens Can Disrupt Amphibian Mating Behavior

PubMed Central

Hoffmann, Frauke; Kloas, Werner

2012-01-01

The main component of classical contraceptives, 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), has high estrogenic activity even at environmentally relevant concentrations. Although estrogenic endocrine disrupting compounds are assumed to contribute to the worldwide decline of amphibian populations by adverse effects on sexual differentiation, evidence for EE2 affecting amphibian mating behaviour is lacking. In this study, we demonstrate that EE2 exposure at five different concentrations (0.296 ng/L, 2.96 ng/L, 29.64 ng/L, 2.96 µg/L and 296.4 µg/L) can disrupt the mating behavior of adult male Xenopus laevis. EE2 exposure at all concentrations lowered male sexual arousal, indicated by decreased proportions of advertisement calls and increased proportions of the call type rasping, which characterizes a sexually unaroused state of a male. Additionally, EE2 at all tested concentrations affected temporal and spectral parameters of the advertisement calls, respectively. The classical and highly sensitive biomarker vitellogenin, on the other hand, was only induced at concentrations equal or higher than 2.96 µg/L. If kept under control conditions after a 96 h EE2 exposure (2.96 µg/L), alterations of male advertisement calls vanish gradually within 6 weeks and result in a lower sexual attractiveness of EE2 exposed males toward females as demonstrated by female choice experiments. These findings indicate that exposure to environmentally relevant EE2 concentrations can directly disrupt male mate calling behavior of X. laevis and can indirectly affect the mating behavior of females. The results suggest the possibility that EE2 exposure could reduce the reproductive success of EE2 exposed animals and these effects might contribute to the global problem of amphibian decline. PMID:22355410

What do faculty feel about teaching in this school? assessment of medical education environment by teachers.

PubMed

Shehnaz, Syed Ilyas; Arifulla, Mohamed; Sreedharan, Jayadevan; Gomathi, Kadayam Guruswami

2017-01-01

Faculty members are major stakeholders in curriculum delivery, and positive student learning outcomes can only be expected in an educational environment (EE) conducive to learning. EE experienced by teachers includes all conditions affecting teaching and learning activities. As the EE of teachers indirectly influences the EE of students, assessment of teachers' perceptions of EE can highlight issues affecting student learning. These perceptions can also serve as a valuable tool for identifying faculty development needs. In this study, we have used the Assessment of Medical Education Environment by Teachers (AMEET) inventory as a tool to assess medical teachers' perceptions of the EE. The AMEET inventory was used to assess perceptions regarding various domains of EE by teachers teaching undergraduate students at the College of Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates. Median total, domain, and individual statement scores were compared between groups using Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Teaching-learning activities, learning atmosphere, collaborative atmosphere, and professional self-perceptions were identified as strengths of the EE while time allocated for various teaching-learning activities, preparedness of students, levels of student stress, learning atmosphere in hospital, and support system for stressed faculty members were areas necessitating improvement. The scores of faculty members teaching in basic medical sciences were found to be significantly higher than those in clinical sciences. The EE of this medical college was generally perceived as being positive by faculty although a few areas of concern were highlighted. Strengths and weaknesses of the EE from the teachers' point of view provide important feedback to curriculum planners, which can be used to improve the working environment of the faculty as well as facilitate a better direction and focus to faculty development programs being planned for the future.

Interrelations of maternal expressed emotion, maltreatment, and separation/divorce and links to family conflict and children's externalizing behavior.

PubMed

Narayan, Angela; Cicchetti, Dante; Rogosch, Fred A; Toth, Sheree L

2015-02-01

Research has documented that maternal expressed emotion-criticism (EE-Crit) from the Five-Minute Speech Sample (FMSS) predicts family conflict and children's externalizing behavior in clinical and community samples. However, studies have not examined EE-Crit in maltreating or separated/divorced families, or whether these family risks exacerbate the links between EE-Crit and family conflict and externalizing behavior. The current study examined the associations between maternal EE-Crit, maltreatment, and separation/divorce, and whether maltreatment and separation/divorce moderated associations between EE-Crit and children's externalizing problems, and EE-Crit and family conflict. Participants included 123 children (M = 8.01 years, SD = 1.58; 64.2 % males) from maltreating (n = 83) or low-income, comparison (n = 40) families, and 123 mothers (n = 48 separated/divorced). Mothers completed the FMSS for EE-Crit and the Family Environment Scale for family conflict. Maltreatment was coded with the Maltreatment Classification System using information from official Child Protection Services (CPS) reports from the Department of Human Services (DHS). Trained summer camp counselors rated children's externalizing behavior. Maltreatment was directly associated with higher externalizing problems, and separation/divorce, but not maltreatment, moderated the association between EE-Crit and externalizing behavior. Analyses pertaining to family conflict were not significant. Findings indicate that maltreatment is a direct risk factor for children's externalizing behavior and separation/divorce is a vulnerability factor for externalizing behavior in family contexts with high maternal EE-Crit. Intervention, prevention, and policy efforts to promote resilience in high-risk families may be effective in targeting maltreating and critical parents, especially those with co-occurring separation/divorce. Key Words: expressed emotion, EE-Crit, Five-Minute Speech Sample; maltreatment, divorce, externalizing behavior.

The predictive role of E/e' on ischemic stroke and atrial fibrillation in Japanese patients without atrial fibrillation.

PubMed

Arai, Riku; Suzuki, Shinya; Semba, Hiroaki; Arita, Takuto; Yagi, Naoharu; Otsuka, Takayuki; Sagara, Koichi; Sasaki, Kenichi; Kano, Hiroto; Matsuno, Shunsuke; Kato, Yuko; Uejima, Tokuhisa; Oikawa, Yuji; Kunihara, Takashi; Yajima, Junji; Yamashita, Takeshi

2018-07-01

The predictive role of E/e' on ischemic stroke (IS) and atrial fibrillation (AF) in Japanese patients without AF are unclear. Shinken database includes all the new patients visiting the Cardiovascular Institute Hospital in Tokyo, Japan. E/e' has been routinely measured since 2007. Patients without AF for whom E/e' was measured at the initial visit between 2007 and 2014 (n=11 477, mean age 57.2 years old, men 59.5%) were divided into E/e' tertiles (<8.04, 8.04-11.00, >11.00). During the mean follow-up period of 1.8 years, 58 IS and 140 new appearances of AF were observed. High E/e' tertile was associated with more prevalence of atherothrombotic risks. The cumulative incidence of IS events and new appearance of AF at 6 years in low, middle, and high E/e' tertiles were 0.5%, 1.4%, and 3.0%/year (log-rank test, p<0.001), and 2.5%, 2.9%, and 4.2%/year (log-rank test, p=0.007), respectively. In multivariate analysis, high E/e' tertile was independently associated with IS (HR, 2.857, 95%CI 1.257-6.495, p=0.012). Although high E/e' tertile was independently associated with new appearance of AF when adjusted for coexistence of atherothrombotic risk factors (HR, 1.694, 95%CI, 1.097-2.616, p=0.017), the association was attenuated after adjustment for left atrial dimension. E/e' was significantly associated with incidence of IS and new appearance of AF in non-AF patients. Copyright © 2018 Japanese College of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Is the etiology of eosinophilic esophagitis in adults a response to allergy or reflux injury? Study of cellular proliferation markers.

PubMed

Lewis, C J; Lamb, C A; Kanakala, V; Pritchard, S; Armstrong, G R; Attwood, S E A

2009-01-01

Recent research suggests that allergy may be the key factor in the etiology of eosinophilic esophagitis (EE); however, historically, the condition was hypothesized as related to reflux injury to the esophageal mucosa. We studied this hypothesis by comparing markers of inflammation and cellular proliferation in EE and reflux esophagitis. Lower esophageal biopsies of adult patients with EE (n = 10), reflux esophagitis (n = 8), and normal controls (n = 13) were assessed quantitatively for the expression of the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme, cellular proliferation, and oncogenic resistance to apoptosis using monoclonal antibodies for COX-2, Ki-67, and Bcl-2, respectively. Normal esophageal epithelium demonstrated weak diffuse uptake of COX-2 stain in the basal layer. No COX-2 expression was demonstrated in the EE group, significantly less than the control and reflux groups (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively). Cellular proliferation measured by Ki-67 expression was higher in EE and reflux compared with control (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01). Ki-67 expression, and thus degree of hyperplasia, appeared greater in EE than reflux, but was not statistically significant (P = 0.228). The degree of apoptosis was similar in all study groups. EE and reflux esophagitis are proliferative conditions expressing Ki-67 in higher concentrations than control. Mucosal proliferation in reflux esophagitis is COX-2 dependent. This novel research in EE has demonstrated downregulation of COX-2 expression compared with reflux esophagitis and control. We hypothesize that the allergy-related cytokine IL-13 known to inhibit COX-2 expression and found in high concentrations in EE as responsible for this. The pathogenesis of EE is likely dependent on allergy rather than reflux injury to the esophagus.

Energy expenditure during an exercise training session for cardiac patients.

PubMed

Santa-Clara, Helena; Melo, Xavier; Willi, Romina; Pinto, Rita; Santos, Vanessa; Almeida, José P; Martins, Rodrigo; Clijsen, Ron; Mendes, Miguel; Fernhall, Bo

2018-03-01

Increasing energy expenditure (EE) in cardiac patients remains a challenge. Exercise approaches in cardiac rehabilitation/secondary prevention programs (CR/SP) have consistently resulted in minimal weight loss, due in part to the low exercise-related EE. The purpose of this study was to measure the EE among patients participating in a routine exercise session of Phase III maintenance CR/SP, where a recreational activity was introduced. Twelve overweight/obese male patients with coronary artery disease (aged 62.6 ± 8.5 years) had their total EE measured during a combined aerobic (circuit workout (ACW) and recreational activity) and resistance training (RT) session using a portable gas analyzer. Subjects were instructed to exercise at 60%-70% of heart rate reserve. Activity EE was calculated from total EE and resting EE. The duration of the session was 75.3 ± 1.5 min, of which 59.7 ± 8.8 min were above moderate intensity (3-6 METs). Activity EE was 309 ± 76 kcal, concurring to a total EE of 457 ± 80 kcal (3.9 ± 0.8 METs-h). ACW, recreational activity, and RT fulfilled 34.4% ± 6.4%, 25.0% ± 5.3%, and 14.2% ± 2.7% of the activity EE, respectively. Absolute intensities (METs) were significantly different between the RT (3.9 ± 1.0) and the ACW (6.9 ± 1.8) and recreational activity (5.9 ± 0.8). In conclusion, a combined aerobic and resistance training following standard exercise prescription practices, coupled with a recreational activity, is an effective tool to promote exercise above moderate intensity in male coronary artery disease patients. Clinicians can adopt concepts from recreational activity to develop CR/SP sessions.

Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone vs ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone plus metformin in the treatment of lean women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

PubMed

Cinar, Nese; Harmanci, Ayla; Bayraktar, Miyase; Yildiz, Bulent O

2013-03-01

Oral contraceptive use might be associated with cardiometabolic risk in PCOS. We aimed to compare the effects of ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone (EE/DRSP) alone vs EE/DRSP plus metformin on clinical and cardiometabolic parameters in PCOS. Prospective observational study. Forty-five lean patients with PCOS who received EE/DRSP (30 μg/3 mg) (n = 25) or EE/DRSP plus metformin (1700 mg/day) (n = 20) and 45 BMI-matched healthy controls. BMI, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), hirsutism scores, androgens, lipids, glucose and insulin levels during an OGTT were measured before and after 6 months of treatment in patients and compared to controls. At baseline, patients with PCOS showed similar glucose, insulin and lipids but increased 2 h glucose values compared to controls. Hirsutism scores and free androgen index decreased in both treatment groups. BMI and WHR did not show any change in the EE/DRSP group, while metformin addition resulted in a decrease in BMI. Lipid levels increased in both groups. Glucose and insulin parameters did not change in any group, but metformin addition compared to EE/DRSP alone significantly decreased waist circumference, fasting insulin and HOMA-IR. After-treatment values for both EE/DRSP alone and in combination with metformin compared to the control group showed increased 2 h glucose and increased lipids in patients with PCOS. EE/DRSP alone or in combination with metformin improves clinical and biochemical hyperandrogenism in lean PCOS. Both treatments similarly alter lipid profile. EE/DRSP alone does not affect insulin sensitivity, whereas combining EE/DRSP with metformin might improve it. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Gestational and lactational exposure to ethinyl estradiol, but not bisphenol A, decreases androgen-dependent reproductive organ weights and epididymal sperm abundance in the male long evans hooded rat.

PubMed

Howdeshell, Kembra L; Furr, Johnathan; Lambright, Christy R; Wilson, Vickie S; Ryan, Bryce C; Gray, L Earl

2008-04-01

Many chemicals released into the environment are capable of disrupting normal sex steroid balance, including the oral contraceptive ethinyl estradiol (EE) and the plastic monomer bisphenol A (BPA). EE and BPA are reported to impair reproductive organ development in laboratory animals; however, effects of lower doses of these chemicals have been debated. The goal of the current study was to determine whether relatively low oral doses of EE or BPA would alter male reproductive morphology and associated hormone levels of Long Evans hooded rat. Dams were gavaged with corn oil vehicle, EE (0.05-50 mug/kg/day) or BPA (2, 20, and 200 mug/kg/day) during pregnancy through lactation from gestational day 7 to postnatal day (PND) 18. Anogenital distance was measured at PND2 and nipple retention was measured at PND14 in male pups. Male offspring were euthanized beginning at PND150, and sera and organs were collected for analyses. Adult body weight was significantly decreased in males exposed to 50 mug EE/kg/day. Developmental EE exposure reduced androgen-dependent tissue weights in a dose-dependent fashion; for example, seminal vesicle and paired testes weights were reduced with >/= 5 mug EE/kg/day. Epididymal sperm counts were also significantly decreased with 50 mug EE/kg/day. In contrast, treatment with 2, 20, or 200 mug BPA/kg/day or EE at 0.05-1.5 mug/kg/day did not significantly affect any male endpoint in the current study. These results demonstrate that developmental exposure to oral micromolar doses of EE can permanently disrupt the reproductive tract of the male rat.

Technical Review Board Chairperson Guidelines for Conducting Technical Review Boards for Rocket Testing

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-08-17

to create a guide for technical review board chairperson conducting technical review boards for rocket testing performed by the Air Force Research ...BOARDS FOR ROCKET TESTING   TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Acronyms 1 Abstract 2 Chapter 1. Introduction 3 Introduction and Research Question 3...boards for rocket testing performed by the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Space Missile Propulsion Division located at Edwards Air Force Base in

Site Guidelines for a "Making Middle Grades Work" Technical Review Visit

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Southern Regional Education Board, 2004

2004-01-01

The purpose of the Technical Review Visit (TRV) is to follow up on the actions taken to implement the recommendations indicated for each challenge in the most recent Technical Assistance Visit (TAV) report. This document provides the following: (1) Site Guidelines for the Making Middle Grades Work (MMGW) Technical Review Visit; (2) Site Checklist;…

Schizophrenic Patients' Perceptions of Stress, Expressed Emotion, and Sensitivity To Criticism

PubMed Central

Cutting, Linda P.; Aakre, Jennifer M.; Docherty, Nancy M.

2006-01-01

This study was designed to get an “insider's view” of expressed emotion (EE) from the perspective of schizophrenic patients. Thirty-two patient and “influential other” pairs participated in the study. Patients' perceptions of EE attitudes in influential others were examined to determine whether they corresponded with actual EE ratings. Patients also rated how “stressed” they felt when interacting with their influential others, and patients' general sensitivity to criticism (STC) was assessed. As predicted, patients' perceptions of critical attitudes were related to actual EE ratings of criticism, although patients' perceptions of emotional overinvolvement (EOI) were not related to EOI ratings. Patients reported feeling more stressed when interacting with high-EE influential others, supporting an “EE as stressor” hypothesis. Finally, patients' STC influenced the level of stress they reported. PMID:16731686

A Comparative Study of Exceptional Experiences of Clients Seeking Advice and of Subjects in an Ordinary Population

PubMed Central

Fach, W.; Atmanspacher, H.; Landolt, K.; Wyss, T.; Rössler, W.

2012-01-01

Exceptional experiences (EE) occur frequently within the populations of many countries and across various socio-cultural contexts. Although some EE show similarities with mental disorders, it would be a mistake to identify them in general as disorders. In fact, the vast number of individuals reporting EE includes subclinical and completely healthy subjects. We conducted a comparative empirical study of several characteristics of EE for two samples – one from ordinary population and the other from clients seeking advice. We found surprisingly similar phenomenological patterns of EE in both samples, but the frequency and intensity of EE for clients seeking advice significantly exceeded those for the ordinary population. Our results support the hypothesis of a continuous spectrum between mental health and mental disorder for the types of experiences analyzed. PMID:23423775

Transgenerational effects of environmental enrichment on repetitive motor behavior development.

PubMed

Bechard, Allison R; Lewis, Mark H

2016-07-01

The favorable consequences of environmental enrichment (EE) on brain and behavior development are well documented. Much less is known, however, about transgenerational benefits of EE on non-enriched offspring. We explored whether transgenerational effects of EE might extend to the development of repetitive motor behaviors in deer mice. Repetitive motor behaviors are invariant patterns of movement that, across species, can be reduced by EE. We found that EE not only attenuated the development of repetitive behavior in dams, but also in their non-enriched offspring. Moreover, maternal behavior did not seem to mediate the transgenerational effect we found, although repetitive behavior was affected by reproductive experience. These data support a beneficial transgenerational effect of EE on repetitive behavior development and suggest a novel benefit of reproductive experience. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Bridging the gap: using microsociological theory to understand how expressed emotion predicts clinical outcomes.

PubMed

Stanhope, Victoria; Solomon, Phyllis

2007-06-01

Research has shown that expressed emotion (EE) among families is a strong predictor of relapse for people with severe mental illness. Recent studies have also found the presence of EE in consumer-provider relationships. Despite high consistency in the findings related to EE and relapse, the concept has weak validity as little is known about how exactly it triggers relapse. Microsociological theory provides a framework with which to analyze social interaction and, more specifically, understand how interactions relate to the emotions of pride and shame. By identifying the components of interaction rituals, the theory provides insight into the key processes underlying EE and demonstrates how methodologies based on direct observation have the potential to measure EE with greater validity. This article describes how microsociological theory can be applied to the concept of EE.

Effects of ethynylestradiol on vitellogenin synthesis and sex differentiation in juvenile grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) persist after long-term exposure to a clean environment.

PubMed

Aoki, Jun-ya; Hatsuyama, Ayaka; Hiramatsu, Naoshi; Soyano, Kiyoshi

2011-11-01

We investigated the continuing effects of exposure to ethynylestradiol (EE(2)) in juvenile grey mullet after transfer to a clean environment. Eleven-month-old juvenile fish containing immature phenotype gonad were fed dry diets; the low and high EE(2)-treated groups were fed diets with 0.04 and 4 μg EE(2)/g body weight for 4 weeks, respectively. After treatment, they were transferred to clean seawater, and reared with an EE(2) free diet for 350 days. Vitellogenin (VTG) was not detected in the serum of the control group throughout the experimental period. However, in both treatment groups, abnormal values of serum VTG were detected until approximately 100 days after transfer to a clean environment. In the control group, sex differentiation was not confirmed until 206 days after transfer to a clean environment. However, some of the fish in the 0.04 μg EE(2)-treated group had ovarian cavity and oocytes at 26 days. In most of the fish in the 4 μg EE(2)-treated group, the ovarian cavity had already appeared at the end of EE(2) treatment (0 day), and oocytes were observed at 26 days, suggesting that EE(2) accelerates ovarian differentiation. These results suggest that previous exposure to EE(2) has long-term effects on VTG synthesis and gonadal development. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The impact of familial expressed emotion on clinical and personal recovery among patients with psychiatric disorders: The mediating roles of self-stigma content and process.

PubMed

Chan, Kevin Ka Shing; Lam, Chun Bun

2018-05-24

The present study examined the associations of familial expressed emotion (EE) with clinical and personal recovery among patients with psychiatric disorders, as well as the potential mechanisms underlying these associations. Guided by the content-process theory of self-stigma, we hypothesized that EE would be negatively associated with clinical and personal recovery and that these associations would be mediated by self-stigma content and process. A total of 311 patients with psychiatric disorders completed questionnaires on their perceptions of EE, self-stigma, and recovery. Structural equation modeling demonstrated that EE was positively associated with self-stigma content and process, which were in turn negatively associated with clinical and personal recovery. The indirect effects of EE on clinical and personal recovery, via self-stigma content and process, were also significant. Multigroup analyses further demonstrated that the impact of EE on self-stigma and recovery was generalizable across patients with psychotic and nonpsychotic disorders. Theoretically, our findings revealed the potential pathways through which EE may adversely affect psychiatric recovery. Practically, our findings highlighted the importance of designing multipronged intervention programs to reduce familial EE and its potential harmful impact on psychiatric patients. In addition to helping family members improve their knowledge about psychiatric disorders and adjust their communication styles, practitioners should help psychiatric patients develop resilience against EE, mitigate self-stigma, and achieve recovery. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Effects of environmental enrichment on the incubation of cocaine craving

PubMed Central

Chauvet, Claudia; Goldberg, Steven R.; Jaber, Mohamed; Solinas, Marcello

2012-01-01

Recent studies have demonstrated that exposure to environmental enrichment (EE) during withdrawal periods reduces the risks of relapse to drug-seeking behavior. In this study, we investigated whether EE could prevent the development of time-dependent increases in cocaine-seeking behavior (incubation of craving). In addition, we investigated whether EE could eliminate already developed incubation and whether the effects of EE would last when enrichment is discontinued. For this, we allowed rats to self-administer cocaine for 10 daily 6h sessions and measured cocaine seeking 1, 30 and 60 days after the last self-administration session. In between these tests, rats were kept in forced abstinence and housed either in EE or standard environments (SE). Between day 30 and 60 of withdrawal, half of the rats in each group were maintained in their original environmental condition and the other half was switched to the other environmental condition. We found that exposure to EE prevents development of incubation of cocaine craving and eliminates already developed incubation. In addition, contrary to our expectations, when EE was discontinued, its positive effects on incubation of craving disappeared. These results indicate that EE can reduce cocaine seeking but only temporarily and questions the hypothesis that EE can permanently eliminate the neural consequences of exposure to drugs of abuse. Therefore, stimulating environments could have positive effects on the treatment of cocaine addiction only if they are maintained for long periods of abstinence that encompass the time-frame during which addicts are most vulnerable to relapse. PMID:22634364

The Short-Term Effects of Lying, Sitting and Standing on Energy Expenditure in Women

PubMed Central

POPP, COLLIN J.; BRIDGES, WILLIAM C.; JESCH, ELLIOT D.

2018-01-01

The deleterious health effects of too much sitting have been associated with an increased risk for overweight and obesity. Replacing sitting with standing is the proposed intervention to increase daily energy expenditure (EE). The purpose of this study was to determine the short-term effects of lying, sitting, and standing postures on EE, and determine the magnitude of the effect each posture has on EE using indirect calorimetry (IC). Twenty-eight healthy females performed three separate positions (lying, sitting, standing) in random order. Inspired and expired gases were collected for 45-minutes (15 minutes for each position) using breath-by-breath indirect calorimetry. Oxygen consumption (VO2) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2) were measured to estimate EE. Statistical analyses used repeat measures ANOVA to analyze all variables and post hoc t-tests. Based on the ANOVA the individual, time period and order term did not result in a statistically significant difference. Lying EE and sitting EE were not different from each other (P = 0.56). However, standing EE (kcal/min) was 9.0 % greater than lying EE (kcal/min) (P = 0.003), and 7.1% greater than sitting EE (kcal/min) (P = 0.02). The energetic cost of standing was higher compared to lying and sitting. While this is statistically significant, the magnitude of the effect of standing when compared to sitting was small (Cohen’s d = 0.31). Short-term standing does not offer an energetic advantage when compared to sitting.

Environmental enrichment enhances cognitive flexibility in C57BL/6 mice on a touchscreen reversal learning task.

PubMed

Zeleznikow-Johnston, Ariel; Burrows, Emma L; Renoir, Thibault; Hannan, Anthony J

2017-05-01

Environmental enrichment (EE) is any positive modification of the 'standard housing' (SH) conditions in which laboratory animals are typically held, usually involving increased opportunity for cognitive stimulation and physical activity. EE has been reported to enhance baseline performance of wild-type animals on traditional cognitive behavioural tasks. Recently, touchscreen operant testing chambers have emerged as a way of performing rodent cognitive assays, providing greater reproducibility, translatability and automatability. Cognitive tests in touchscreen chambers are performed over numerous trials and thus experimenters have the power to detect subtle enhancements in performance. We used touchscreens to analyse the effects of EE on reversal learning, visual discrimination and hippocampal-dependent spatial pattern separation and working memory. We hypothesized that EE would enhance the performance of mice on cognitive touchscreen tasks. Our hypothesis was partially supported in that EE induced enhancements in cognitive flexibility as observed in visual discrimination and reversal learning improvements. However, no other significant effects of EE on cognitive performance were observed. EE decreased the activity level of mice in the touchscreen chambers, which may influence the enrichment level of the animals. Although we did not see enhancements on all hypothesized parameters, our testing paradigm is capable of detecting EE-induced improved cognitive flexibility in mice, which has implications for both understanding the mechanisms of EE and improving screening of putative cognitive-enhancing therapeutics. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Family of Beyond Line-of-Sight - Terminals (FAB-T)

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-12-01

Inter- operable with the AEHF, APS, Milstar, and UFO -E/EE Inter- operable with the AEHF, APS, Milstar, and UFO -E/EE Inter- operable with the...AEHF, APS, Milstar, and UFO -E/EE Milstar connectivity has been extensively tested; partial AEHF on-orbit testing has been conducted...Program SR-3300. This performance parameter only applies to the CPT configuration. 8. Interoperability with UFO /E and UFO /EE is predicated on

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sakamoto, Susumu, E-mail: susumu1029@gmail.com; Kikuchi, Naoshi; Ichikawa, Atsuo

Despite the wide use of everolimus as an antineoplastic coating agent for coronary stents to reduce the rate of restenosis, little is known about the health hazards of everolimus-eluting stents (EES). We describe a case of pneumonitis that developed 2 months after EES implantation for angina. Lung pathology demonstrated an organizing pneumonia pattern that responded to corticosteroid therapy. Although the efficacy of EES for ischemic heart disease is well established, EES carries a risk of pneumonitis.

31 CFR 351.71 - How can I find out what my book-entry Series EE savings bonds are worth?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance:Treasury 2 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false How can I find out what my book-entry... OFFERING OF UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE Book-Entry Series EE Savings Bonds § 351.71 How can I find out what my book-entry Series EE savings bonds are worth? (a) Redemption values. You may access...

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mezei, Márk

A global quench is an interesting setting where we can study thermalization of subsystems in a pure state. We investigate entanglement entropy (EE) growth in global quenches in holographic field theories and relate some of its aspects to quantities characterizing chaos. More specifically we obtain four key results: 1. We prove holographic bounds on the entanglement velocity vE and the butterfly effect speed vB that arises in the study of chaos. 2. We obtain the EE as a function of time for large spherical entangling surfaces analytically. We show that the EE is insensitive to the details of the initialmore » state or quench protocol. 3. In a thermofield double state we determine analytically the two-sided mutual information between two large concentric spheres separated in time. 4. We derive a bound on the rate of growth of EE for arbitrary shapes, and develop an expansion for EE at early times. In a companion paper, these results are put in the broader context of EE growth in chaotic systems: we relate EE growth to the chaotic spreading of operators, derive bounds on EE at a given time, and compare the holographic results to spin chain numerics and toy models. In this paper, we perform holographic calculations that provide the basis of arguments presented in that paper.« less

On entanglement spreading from holography

DOE PAGES

Mezei, Márk

2017-05-11

A global quench is an interesting setting where we can study thermalization of subsystems in a pure state. We investigate entanglement entropy (EE) growth in global quenches in holographic field theories and relate some of its aspects to quantities characterizing chaos. More specifically we obtain four key results: 1. We prove holographic bounds on the entanglement velocity vE and the butterfly effect speed vB that arises in the study of chaos. 2. We obtain the EE as a function of time for large spherical entangling surfaces analytically. We show that the EE is insensitive to the details of the initialmore » state or quench protocol. 3. In a thermofield double state we determine analytically the two-sided mutual information between two large concentric spheres separated in time. 4. We derive a bound on the rate of growth of EE for arbitrary shapes, and develop an expansion for EE at early times. In a companion paper, these results are put in the broader context of EE growth in chaotic systems: we relate EE growth to the chaotic spreading of operators, derive bounds on EE at a given time, and compare the holographic results to spin chain numerics and toy models. In this paper, we perform holographic calculations that provide the basis of arguments presented in that paper.« less

Investigation of local anesthetic and antimycobacterial activity of Ottonia martiana Miq. (Piperaceae).

PubMed

Cunico, Miriam M; Trebien, Herbert A; Galetti, Fábio C; Miguel, Obdulio G; Miguel, Marilis D; Auer, Celso G; Silva, Célio L; de Souza, Ana Olívia

2015-01-01

Ottonia martiana is a plant popularly known in Brazil by the use for toothache. Ethanolic extract (EE), hexane fraction (HF), dichloromethane fraction (DF) and piperovatine obtained from O. martiana were assayed in vitro and in vivo. The acute toxicity of EE was determined, and LD50 values of 164.5 and 65.0 mg/kg by the oral and intraperitoneal routes, respectively, indicated a high toxicity for EE in vivo, explaining its popular use by topical administration only. A local anesthetic-like effect of EE and its fractions was observed in experimental models using pain induction, and such effect involved an analgesic action. The antimycobacterial activity of EE, HF, DF and piperovatine was evaluated against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv ATCC 27924. EE, HF, DF, and piperovatine showed a potential antimycobacterial effect with MICs of 16.0, 62.0, 62.0 and 8.0 μg/mL, respectively. Piperovatine was more effective than the EE or the other fractions. The selectivity index (SI=IC50/MIC) values calculated for EE, HF, DF and piperovatine based on the MICs and the cytotoxicity against J774 macrophages (IC50 by MTT assay) revealed values of 6.43, 2.34, 1.5 and 9.66, respectively.

Efficient SO2 capture by amine functionalized PEG.

PubMed

Yang, Dezhong; Hou, Minqiang; Ning, Hui; Zhang, Jianling; Ma, Jun; Han, Buxing

2013-11-07

Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) are a class of non-toxic, non-volatile, biocompatible, and widely available polymers. In this work, we synthesized N-ethyl-N-(2-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)ethyl)-2-aminoethanol (EE3AE) that combines the properties of PEG and amines, and N-decyl-N-ethyl-2-aminoethanol (DEAE). Their performances to capture SO2 were studied at different temperatures, pressures, and absorption times. The interaction between the absorbents and SO2 were characterized by NMR and FTIR techniques. It was demonstrated that both EE3AE and DEAE could absorb SO2 efficiently, and there existed chemical and physical interactions between the absorbents and SO2. In particular, the absorption capacity of EE3AE could be as high as 1.09 g SO2 per g EE3AE at 1 atm. The absorption capacity of EE3AE was much larger than that of DEAE because the ether group in the EE3AE interacted with SO2 more strongly than the alkyl group in the DEAE. The SO2 absorbed by EE3AE could be stripped out by bubbling N2 or by applying a vacuum and the EE3AE could be reused. Moreover, both absorbents exhibited a high SO2-CO2 selectivity.

Spatially restricted G protein-coupled receptor activity via divergent endocytic compartments.

PubMed

Jean-Alphonse, Frederic; Bowersox, Shanna; Chen, Stanford; Beard, Gemma; Puthenveedu, Manojkumar A; Hanyaloglu, Aylin C

2014-02-14

Postendocytic sorting of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is driven by their interactions between highly diverse receptor sequence motifs with their interacting proteins, such as postsynaptic density protein (PSD95), Drosophila disc large tumor suppressor (Dlg1), zonula occludens-1 protein (zo-1) (PDZ) domain proteins. However, whether these diverse interactions provide an underlying functional specificity, in addition to driving sorting, is unknown. Here we identify GPCRs that recycle via distinct PDZ ligand/PDZ protein pairs that exploit their recycling machinery primarily for targeted endosomal localization and signaling specificity. The luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) and β2-adrenergic receptor (B2AR), two GPCRs sorted to the regulated recycling pathway, underwent divergent trafficking to distinct endosomal compartments. Unlike B2AR, which traffics to early endosomes (EE), LHR internalizes to distinct pre-early endosomes (pre-EEs) for its recycling. Pre-EE localization required interactions of the LHR C-terminal tail with the PDZ protein GAIP-interacting protein C terminus, inhibiting its traffic to EEs. Rerouting the LHR to EEs, or EE-localized GPCRs to pre-EEs, spatially reprograms MAPK signaling. Furthermore, LHR-mediated activation of MAPK signaling requires internalization and is maintained upon loss of the EE compartment. We propose that combinatorial specificity between GPCR sorting sequences and interacting proteins dictates an unprecedented spatiotemporal control in GPCR signal activity.

Familial expressed emotion: outcome and course of Israeli patients with schizophrenia.

PubMed

Marom, Sofi; Munitz, Hanan; Jones, Peter B; Weizman, Abraham; Hermesh, Haggai

2002-01-01

We investigated the validity of expressed emotion (EE) in Israel. The study sample consisted of 108 patients with schizophrenia and 15 with schizoaffective disorder, and their key relatives. EE was rated with the Five Minute Speech Sample (FMSS). Patient households were categorized by EE and its two components: criticism and emotional overinvolvement. Patients were rated with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) at admission, at discharge, and 6 months after discharge. Readmissions were determined over a 9-month period. High EE and particularly high criticism were significantly associated with poorer outcome (higher rate of and earlier readmissions, and higher BPRS score at followup) and worse illness course (higher annual number of prior psychiatric hospital admissions). Odds ratios between high EE and high criticism and readmission were 2.6 and 3.5, respectively. The strongest predictor of earlier readmission was the interaction of high criticism x poor compliance with medication. The results converge to further confirm the notion that familial EE is a valid crosscultural predictor of the clinical course of schizophrenia. Moreover, EE has predictive power in very chronic samples. Criticism appears to be the crucial EE component linked with short-term outcome. Treatment aimed at reducing high criticism is warranted. The FMSS appears to have predictive validity.

Bleeding pattern with drospirenone 3 mg+ethinyl estradiol 20 mcg 24/4 combined oral contraceptive compared with desogestrel 150 mcg+ethinyl estradiol 20 mcg 21/7 combined oral contraceptive.

PubMed

Anttila, Leena; Kunz, Michael; Marr, Joachim

2009-11-01

The study was conducted to compare cycle control, bleeding pattern and efficacy of two low-dose combined oral contraceptives. Four hundred fifty-three women were randomized to receive a 24/4 regimen of drospirenone 3 mg/ethinyl estradiol 20 mcg (drsp 3 mg/EE 20 mcg; n=230) or a 21/7 regimen of desogestrel 150 mcg/EE 20 mcg (DSG 150 mcg/EE 20 mcg; n=223), and recorded bleeding daily over 7 treatment cycles. The duration [mean 4.7 (SD 1.5)-5.2 (SD 2.2) days in the drsp 3 mg/EE 20 mcg 24/4 group and 5.1 (SD 1.5)-5.4 (SD 2.1) days in the DSG 150 mcg/ EE 20 mcg group] and maximum intensity ("normal bleeding" for >50% of all subjects) of scheduled bleeding in Cycles 1-6 was comparable between treatment groups. The incidence of unscheduled bleeding during Cycles 2-6 was also similar between the two groups (drsp 3 mg/EE 20 mcg, 8.8-17.3%; DSG 150 mcg/ EE 20 mcg, 9.4-16.3%). Drsp 3 mg/EE 20 mcg 24/4 achieved an acceptable bleeding profile with reliable cycle control, comparable with an established formulation.

The political economy of emergency and essential surgery in global health.

PubMed

Hedges, Jeremy P; Mock, Charles N; Cherian, Meena N

2010-09-01

Emergency and essential surgery (EES) remains a low priority on global health agendas even though a growing body of evidence demonstrates that EES is a cost-effective public health intervention and that it holds the potential to prevent a sizable number of deaths and disabilities. The inferior status of EES should be considered, in part, a political problem and subject to political analysis. This type of political economy examination has been used for other important global health issues but has not been applied to EES. By addressing political concerns and prospects, EES can be better positioned on international agendas, thus improving surgical care delivered to the poor.

Interplay Between Electron-Electron, Electron-Impurity and Electron-Boundary Scattering in a Two Dimensional Electron Gas (2DEG)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abraham, Mathew C.; Ram, Rajeev J.; Gossard, A. C.

2003-03-01

A small group of experiments have been conducted over the past decade that explore the fact that even though electron-electron (e-e) scattering in a 2DEG is momentum conserving, its interplay with electron-impurity (e-i)and electron-boundary (e-b) scattering can change the resistance of bulk and mesoscopic devices respectively. The interplay between e-e and e-i scattering in a bulk sample has been shown to cause a fall in the resistivity as a function of electron temperature in the regime where the scattering length l_ee > l_ei and a rise when l_ee < l_ei. In contrast, the interplay between e-e and e-b scattering has been demonstrated to raise the resistivity of a mesoscopic sized wire as a function of electron temperature in the regime l_ee > lb and a fall when l_ee < l_b. We attempt to present a comprehensive picture of these two apparently competing effects by studying devices that are affected by both phenomena simultaneously.

Expressed emotion is not associated with disorder severity in first-episode mental disorder.

PubMed

Heikkilä, Jyrki; Karlsson, Hasse; Taiminen, Tero; Lauerma, Hannu; Ilonen, Tuula; Leinonen, Kirsi-Marja; Wallenius, Elina; Virtanen, Hilkka; Heinimaa, Markus; Koponen, Salla; Jalo, Päivi; Kaljonen, Anne; Salakangas, Raimo K R

2002-08-30

A family atmosphere characterized by expressed emotion (EE) is a robust predictor of clinical outcome of patients with schizophrenia and mood disorders. However, there is ongoing discussion as to whether EE is more a cause of clinical outcome or a parental reaction to disorder severity. This cross-sectional study examines a sample of 42 consecutive first-episode patients from a defined geographical area with severe mental disorders (schizophrenia-related disorders, psychotic mood disorders, and non-psychotic mood disorders). Their 42 relatives were interviewed, and the relationships between EE variables derived with the five-minute speech sample method (FMSS) and the patients' demographic, premorbid and clinical measures were analyzed. A high EE score was found in 40% of the relatives. High EE was associated with the interviewed relative's not being a spouse and the patient's being young and unmarried. It was not associated with premorbid characteristics, symptom dimensions or the diagnostic group of the patient. These results do not support the hypothesis that EE is a reaction to the clinical features of the patient. Instead, demographic factors may partly mediate the effect of EE on prognosis.

Drospirenone and levonorgestrel in combination with either 30 or 20 mcg ethinylestradiol reduce soluble adhesion molecules in Brazilian women; cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Stocco, Bianca; Fumagalli, Helen Figueiredo; Franceschini, Silvio Antônio; Martinez, Edson Zangiacomi; Marzocchi-Machado, Cleni Mara; Toloi, Maria Regina Torqueti

2012-11-01

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of three contraceptive pills containing ethinylestradiol (EE) (20 or 30 mcg) in combination with drospirenone (DRSP) and levonorgestrel (LNG) on plasma concentration of adhesion molecules vascular cell adhesion molecule -1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and E-selectin. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 72 participants (18-30 years old) distributed into three groups that used oral contraceptives containing EE 20 or 30 mcg combined with DRSP 3 mg or EE 30 mcg/LNG 150 mcg for at least 6 months. The control group was comprised of nonusers of contraceptives. Soluble VCAM-1, soluble ICAM-1 and soluble E-selectin were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Compared to the control group, a significant decrease was found in VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 concentrations with use of DRSP/20 EE and LNG/30 EE. DRSP/20 EE and LNG/30 EE induce favorable changes in endothelial function. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Two-cylinder entanglement entropy under a twist

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xiao; Witczak-Krempa, William; Faulkner, Thomas; Fradkin, Eduardo

2017-04-01

We study the von Neumann and Rényi entanglement entropy (EE) of the scale-invariant theories defined on the tori in 2  +  1 and 3  +  1 spacetime dimensions. We focus on the spatial bi-partitions of the torus into two cylinders, and allow for twisted boundary conditions along the non-contractible cycles. Various analytical and numerical results are obtained for the universal EE of the relativistic boson and Dirac fermion conformal field theories (CFTs), the fermionic quadratic band touching and the boson with z  =  2 Lifshitz scaling. The shape dependence of the EE clearly distinguishes these theories, although intriguing similarities are found in certain limits. We also study the evolution of the EE when a mass is introduced to detune the system from its scale-invariant point, by employing a renormalized EE that goes beyond a naive subtraction of the area law. In certain cases we find the non-monotonic behavior of the torus EE under RG flow, which distinguishes it from the EE of a disk.

Parental Expressed Emotion During Two Forms of Family-Based Treatment for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa.

PubMed

Allan, Erica; Le Grange, Daniel; Sawyer, Susan M; McLean, Louise A; Hughes, Elizabeth K

2018-01-01

High parental expressed emotion (EE), reflected by criticism or emotional over-involvement, has been related to poorer outcome in family-based treatment (FBT) for adolescent anorexia nervosa. This study assessed EE in 89 mothers and 64 fathers at baseline and end of treatment in a randomised trial comparing conjoint FBT to parent-focused FBT (PFT). Compared with conjoint FBT, PFT was associated with a decrease in maternal criticism, regardless of adolescent remission. Furthermore, an increase in maternal criticism was more likely to be observed in conjoint FBT (80%) than PFT (20%, p = 0.001). Adolescents of mothers who demonstrated an increase in EE, or remained high in EE, were less likely to remit compared with adolescents for whom EE decreased or remained low (33% and 0% vs. 43% and 50%, p = 0.03). There were no significant effects for paternal EE. The results highlight the importance of considering EE when implementing FBT for adolescents with anorexia nervosa. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.

Change in expressed emotion and treatment outcome in adolescent anorexia nervosa.

PubMed

Moskovich, Ashley A; Timko, C Alix; Honeycutt, Lisa K; Zucker, Nancy L; Merwin, Rhonda M

2017-01-01

Expressed emotion (EE) has been associated with poor outcomes in anorexia nervosa (AN); however, whether changes in EE predict superior treatment outcomes is unknown. The current study examined whether decreases in EE during an open trial of a novel family-based treatment for AN predicted symptoms at end of treatment. Forty-seven adolescents (12-18 years of age) with AN or sub-threshold AN and their parents (mothers: n = 47, fathers: n = 39) participated in 6 months of family treatment. Measures of AN symptomatology (Eating Disorder Examination completed by adolescent and end of treatment recovery status) and parental EE (Family Questionnaire completed by parents which measures two facets of EE: critical communication [CC] and emotional over-involvement [EOI]) were collected at baseline and end of treatment. Parental EOI, but not CC, significantly decreased during the course of treatment. Change in mothers', but not fathers', EE accounted for additional variance in AN symptomatology at end of treatment above baseline EE and baseline AN symptom levels. Findings suggest a greater emphasis on parent support during treatment may improve outcomes.

Earth Systems Field Work: Service Learning at Local and Global Scales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moore, A.; Derry, L. A.

2016-12-01

The Earth & Environmental Systems (EES) Field Program engages students in hands-on exploration along the boundaries of the living earth, solid earth, ocean, and atmosphere. Based on Hawaíi Island, the semester-length program integrates scientific study with environmental stewardship and service learning. Each year EES students contribute 3000 hours of service to their host community. Throughout the semester students engage in different service activities. Most courses includes a service component - for example - study of the role of invasive species in native ecosystems includes an invasive species removal project. Each student completes a 4-week service internship with a local school, NGO, state or federal agency. Finally, the student group works to offset the carbon footprint of the program in collaboration with local conservation projects. This effort sequesters CO2 emissions while at the same time contributing to reforestation of degraded native ecosystems. Students learn that expertise is not confined to "the academy," and that wisdom and inspiration can be found in unexpected venues. Much of the service learning in the EES Program occurs in collaboration with local partners. Service internships require students to identify a partner and to design a tractable project. Students work daily with their sponsor and make a formal presentation of their project at the end of the internship period. This includes speaking to a non-technical community gathering as well as to a scientific audience. For many students the opportunity to work on a real problem, of interest in the real world, is a highlight of the semester. Beyond working in support of local community groups, the EES Prograḿs C-neutral project engages students with work in service to the global commons. Here the outcome is not measurable within the time frame of a semester, yet the intangible result makes the experience even more powerful. Students take responsibility for an important issue that is not quantified in terms of an end-of-semester grade and without feedback from the academic or local community. By working through the process of calculating and offsetting their carbon footprint - entirely with their own labor - students learn that every individual has the tools and the ability to create change, and that they have the responsibility to do so.

Design and quality standards for custom hybrid microcircuits

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allen, R. V.

1977-01-01

A hybrid microcircuit standard was developed after a thorough review of applicable NASA, military, industry, and technical society specifications and standards and compilation of comments from technical reviewers throughout the hybrid industry. The draft of the standard submitted to the technical reviewers, the comments from the reviewers, and the completed standard are discussed.

30 CFR 736.25 - Permit fees.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... application. (2) Technical review. Following receipt from OSM of a notice of administrative completeness, an applicant who pays by stage of review shall submit the technical review basic fee, plus the per-acre fee for.... Following receipt from OSM of a notice of technical adequacy, an applicant who pays by stage of review shall...

24 CFR 902.68 - Technical review of results of PHAS physical condition indicator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Technical review of results of PHAS physical condition indicator. 902.68 Section 902.68 Housing and Urban Development REGULATIONS RELATING TO... review of results of PHAS physical condition indicator. (a) Request for technical reviews. This section...

Energy expenditure prediction via a footwear-based physical activity monitor: Accuracy and comparison to other devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dannecker, Kathryn

2011-12-01

Accurately estimating free-living energy expenditure (EE) is important for monitoring or altering energy balance and quantifying levels of physical activity. The use of accelerometers to monitor physical activity and estimate physical activity EE is common in both research and consumer settings. Recent advances in physical activity monitors include the ability to identify specific activities (e.g. stand vs. walk) which has resulted in improved EE estimation accuracy. Recently, a multi-sensor footwear-based physical activity monitor that is capable of achieving 98% activity identification accuracy has been developed. However, no study has compared the EE estimation accuracy for this monitor and compared this accuracy to other similar devices. Purpose . To determine the accuracy of physical activity EE estimation of a footwear-based physical activity monitor that uses an embedded accelerometer and insole pressure sensors and to compare this accuracy against a variety of research and consumer physical activity monitors. Methods. Nineteen adults (10 male, 9 female), mass: 75.14 (17.1) kg, BMI: 25.07(4.6) kg/m2 (mean (SD)), completed a four hour stay in a room calorimeter. Participants wore a footwear-based physical activity monitor, as well as three physical activity monitoring devices used in research: hip-mounted Actical and Actigraph accelerometers and a multi-accelerometer IDEEA device with sensors secured to the limb and chest. In addition, participants wore two consumer devices: Philips DirectLife and Fitbit. Each individual performed a series of randomly assigned and ordered postures/activities including lying, sitting (quietly and using a computer), standing, walking, stepping, cycling, sweeping, as well as a period of self-selected activities. We developed branched (i.e. activity specific) linear regression models to estimate EE from the footwear-based device, and we used the manufacturer's software to estimate EE for all other devices. Results. The shoe-based device was not significantly different than the mean measured EE (476(20) vs. 478(18) kcal) (Mean(SE)), respectively, and had the lowest root mean square error (RMSE) by two-fold (29.6 kcal (6.19%)). The IDEEA (445(23) kcal) and DirecLlife (449(13) kcal) estimates of EE were also not different than the measured EE. The Actigraph, Fitbit and Actical devices significantly underestimated EE (339 (19) kcal, 363(18) kcal and 383(17) kcal, respectively (p<.05)). Root mean square errors were 62.1 kcal (14%), 88.2 kcal(18%), 122.2 kcal (27%), 130.1 kcal (26%), and 143.2 kcal (28%) for DirectLife, IDEEA, Actigraph, Actical and Fitbit respectively. Conclusions. The shoe based physical activity monitor was able to accurately estimate EE. The research and consumer physical activity monitors tested have a wide range of accuracy when estimating EE. Given the similar hardware of these devices, these results suggest that the algorithms used to estimate EE are primarily responsible for their accuracy, particularly the ability of the shoe-based device to estimate EE based on activity classifications.

Nasoseptal flap necrosis: a rare complication of endoscopic endonasal surgery.

PubMed

Chabot, Joseph D; Patel, Chirag R; Hughes, Marion A; Wang, Eric W; Snyderman, Carl H; Gardner, Paul A; Fernandez-Miranda, Juan C

2018-05-01

OBJECTIVE The vascularized nasoseptal flap (NSF) has become the workhorse for skull base reconstruction during endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) of the ventral skull base. Although infrequently reported, as with any vascularized flap the NSF may undergo ischemic necrosis and become a nidus for infection. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's experience with NSF was reviewed to determine the incidence of necrotic NSF in patients following EES and describe the clinical presentation, imaging characteristics, and risk factors associated with this complication. METHODS The electronic medical records of 1285 consecutive patients who underwent EES at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center between January 2010 and December 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. From this first group, a list of all patients in whom NSF was used for reconstruction was generated and further refined to determine if the patient returned to the operating room and the cause of this reexploration. Patients were included in the final analysis if they underwent endoscopic reexploration for suspected CSF leak or meningitis. Those patients who returned to the operating room for staged surgery or hematoma were excluded. Two neurosurgeons and a neuroradiologist, who were blinded to each other's results, assessed the MRI characteristics of the included patients. RESULTS In total, 601 patients underwent NSF reconstruction during the study period, and 49 patients met the criteria for inclusion in the final analysis. On endoscopic exploration, 8 patients had a necrotic, nonviable NSF, while 41 patients had a viable NSF with a CSF leak. The group of patients with a necrotic, nonviable NSF was then compared with the group with viable NSF. All 8 patients with a necrotic NSF had clinical and laboratory evidence indicative of meningitis compared with 9 of 41 patients with a viable NSF (p < 0.001). Four patients with necrotic flaps developed epidural empyema compared with 2 of 41 patients in the viable NSF group (p = 0.02). The lack of NSF enhancement on MR (p < 0.001), prior surgery (p = 0.043), and the use of a fat graft (p = 0.004) were associated with necrotic NSF. CONCLUSIONS The signs of meningitis after EES in the absence of a clear CSF leak with the lack of NSF enhancement on MRI should raise the suspicion of necrotic NSF. These patients should undergo prompt exploration and debridement of nonviable tissue with revision of skull base reconstruction.

Sparse Representation of Multimodality Sensing Databases for Data Mining and Retrieval

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-04-09

Savarese. Estimating the Aspect Layout of Object Categories, EEE Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR). 19-JUN-12...Time Equivalent (FTE) support provided by this agreement, and total for each category): (a) Graduate Students Liang Mei, 50% FTE, EE : systems...PhD candidate Min Sun, 50% FTE, EE : systems, PhD candidate Yu Xiang, 50% FTE, EE : systems, PhD candidate Dae Yon Jung, 50% FTE, EE : systems, PhD

Pilot Fullerton in ejection escape suit (EES) on aft flight deck

NASA Image and Video Library

1982-03-30

STS003-31-290 (30 March 1982) --- Astronaut Gordon Fullerton, STS-3 pilot, wearing communications kit assembly (ASSY) mini-headset (HDST) and ejection escape suit (EES), holds flexible hose attached to his EES vent hose fitting and second hose for commander's EES while behind pilots ejection seat (S2) seat back on the aft flight deck. Forward flight deck control panels are visible in the background. Photo credit: NASA

Highly enantioselective production of (R)-halohydrins with whole cells of Rhodotorula rubra KCh 82 culture.

PubMed

Janeczko, Tomasz; Dymarska, Monika; Kostrzewa-Susłow, Edyta

2014-12-04

Biotransformation of ten α-haloacetophenones in the growing culture of the strain Rhodotorula rubra KCh 82 has been carried out. Nine of the substrates underwent an effective enantioselective reduction to the respective (R)-alcohols according to Prelog's rule, with the exception of 2-chloro-1,2-diphenylethan-1-one that was not transformed by this strain. The expected reduction proceeded without dehalogenation, leading to the respective (R)-halohydrins in high yields. The use of this biocatalyst yielded (R)-2-bromo-1-phenyl-ethan-1-ol (enantiomeric excess (ee) = 97%) and its derivatives: 4'-Bromo- (ee = 99%); 4'-Chloro- (ee > 99%); 4'-Methoxy- (ee = 96%); 3'-Methoxy- (ee = 93%); 2'-Methoxy- (ee = 98%). There were also obtained and characterized 2,4'-dichloro-, 2,2',4'-trichloro- and 2-chloro-4'-fluoro-phenyetan-1-ol with >99% of enantiomeric excesses.

Highly Enantioselective Production of (R)-Halohydrins with Whole Cells of Rhodotorula rubra KCh 82 Culture

PubMed Central

Janeczko, Tomasz; Dymarska, Monika; Kostrzewa-Susłow, Edyta

2014-01-01

Biotransformation of ten α-haloacetophenones in the growing culture of the strain Rhodotorula rubra KCh 82 has been carried out. Nine of the substrates underwent an effective enantioselective reduction to the respective (R)-alcohols according to Prelog’s rule, with the exception of 2-chloro-1,2-diphenylethan-1-one that was not transformed by this strain. The expected reduction proceeded without dehalogenation, leading to the respective (R)-halohydrins in high yields. The use of this biocatalyst yielded (R)-2-bromo-1-phenyl-ethan-1-ol (enantiomeric excess (ee) = 97%) and its derivatives: 4'-Bromo- (ee = 99%); 4'-Chloro- (ee > 99%); 4'-Methoxy- (ee = 96%); 3'-Methoxy- (ee = 93%); 2'-Methoxy- (ee = 98%). There were also obtained and characterized 2,4'-dichloro-, 2,2',4'-trichloro- and 2-chloro-4'-fluoro-phenyetan-1-ol with >99% of enantiomeric excesses. PMID:25486054

Habitat Selection by the Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus)

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-03-01

distribution. Herpetological Review 32:191. Clark, E.E. 2003. Relocation and population modeling for gopher tortoise recovery. M.S. Thesis...Gopherus polyphemus in northern Florida. Journal of Herpetology 26:158-165. Diemer, J.E. 1992b. Demography of the tortoise Gopherus polyphemus...in northern Florida. Journal of Herpetology 26:281-289. ERDC/CERL TR-07-1 33 Dozier, J., and J. Stowe. 1999. Tillman Sand Ridge Heritage

Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Health Care and Social Service Workers

DTIC Science & Technology

1998-01-01

commitment, including the endorse- ment and visible involvement of top management , provides the motivation and resources to deal effec- tively with workplace...program to ensure that all managers , supervisors, and employ- ees understand their obligations. • Appropriate allocation of authority and resources to...operations, employee assistance, security, occupational safety and health, legal, and human resources staff. The team or coordinator can review injury

Cosmic jets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rees, M. J.

1986-01-01

The evidence that active galactic nuclei produce collimated plasma jets is summarised. The strongest radio galaxies are probably energised by relativistic plasma jets generated by spinning black holes interacting with magnetic fields attached to infalling matter. Such objects can produce e(+)-e(-) plasma, and may be relevant to the acceleration of the highest-energy cosmic ray primaries. Small-scale counterparts of the jet phenomenon within our own galaxy are briefly reviewed.

Histological alternation and vitellogenin induction in adult rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus) after exposure to ethynylestradiol and nonylphenol

USGS Publications Warehouse

Zha, J.; Wang, Z.; Wang, N.; Ingersoll, C.

2007-01-01

Adult rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus) were exposed to 0, 1, 5, and 25 ng/l (nominal concentrations) of 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) and 3, 10, and 30 μg/l (nominal concentrations) of 4-nonylphenol (NP) under flow-through conditions for a period of 28 d. Low mortality was observed at 5 and 25 ng/l EE2 and the growth of fish reduced significantly at 25 ng/l EE2 compared to controls. However, the gonadosomatic indices (GSI) of male fish were significantly higher in 1 ng/l EE2 treatments and in 10 and 30 μg/l NP treatments (p < 0.05). Renal somatic indices (RSI) of male fish in EE2 treatments were significantly higher than those in controls (p < 0.05). In contrast, significantly decreased GSI and RSI of female fish could only be observed in 5 and 25 ng/l EE2treatments (p < 0.05). Hepatosomatic indices (HSI) of male fish were significantly higher in 25 ng/l EE2 treatments. However, significantly increased of HSI of female fish could only be observed in 1 ng/l EE2 treatments. Plasma vitellogenin (VTG) induction could be observed in males after exposed to different concentrations of EE2 and NP, and plasma VTG concentrations in females exposed to 5 and 25 ng/l EE2 were also significantly higher than in controls (p < 0.05). At level higher than 5 ng/l EE2 or 30 μg/l NP, hepatic tissue and renal tissue impairment of males could be observed. The pathological male liver was associated with a hypertrophy of hepatocytes and damages to cellar structure and accumulated eosinophilic material. Renal tissue showed different pathological effects which was reflected by accumulated eosinophilic material, hemorrhages within the kidney tubules and hypertrophy of the tubular epithelia. Also at these levels of exposure, feminization of male fish could be noticed and parts of males manifested the testis-ova phenomenon. Ovaries of female rare minnow in 25 ng/l EE2 treatment group were degenerated. Therefore when exposed to EE2 and NP even at environmental observed concentrations, adverse effects could occur in the reproductive system of adult fishes. The observed hepatic tissue and renal tissue impairment should be due to the induction and accumulation of VTG in organs, especially in males.

Single and Competitive Adsorption of 17α-Ethinylestradiol and Bisphenol A with Estrone, β-Estradiol, and Estriol onto Sediment

PubMed Central

Li, Yu; Zhang, Chen; Li, Shanshan; Zhou, Changzhi; Li, Xiaopeng

2014-01-01

The competitive adsorption of bisphenol A (BPA) and17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) with different endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), such as estrone (E1), β-estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3) was investigated in the water-sediment system. The primary and interaction effects of coexisted EDCs on the adsorption of BPA and EE2 were studied in binary and multiple systems. The adsorption selectivity of sediment at different initial concentrations of EDCs was also considered, based on the distribution coefficient (β). In binary systems, coexisted EDCs exhibited a positive effect on the adsorption of BPA, while E3 showed a negative effect on the adsorption of EE2. In ternary systems, the interaction of E1*E3 and E2*BPA showed a synergistic effect on the sorption of BPA and EE2, respectively. In quaternary systems, the interaction of E1*E2*E3 showed a synergistic effect on the adsorption of both BPA and EE2. In the quinary system, coexisted EDCs all showed an antagonistic effect on the adsorption of BPA and EE2, which indicated that the coexisted EDCs competed for adsorption with BPA and EE2. EDCs in the E2-EE2-BPA system presented a superior selectivity of sediment with β values of 43.48–87.86. The order of sediment selectivity (E1 > EE2 > E2 > E3 > BPA) in binary systems was in agreement with EDCs’ adsorption capacity, which suggested that the adsorption was dominated by partition adsorption. PMID:24608971

Emotional exhaustion in primary care during early implementation of the VA's medical home transformation: Patient-aligned Care Team (PACT).

PubMed

Meredith, Lisa S; Schmidt Hackbarth, Nicole; Darling, Jill; Rodriguez, Hector P; Stockdale, Susan E; Cordasco, Kristina M; Yano, Elizabeth M; Rubenstein, Lisa V

2015-03-01

Transformation of primary care to new patient-centered models requires major changes in healthcare organizations, including interprofessional expectations and organizational policies. Emotional exhaustion (EE) among workers can accompany major organizational change, threatening its success. Yet little guidance exists about the magnitude of associations with EE during primary care transformation. We assessed EE during the initial phase of national primary care transformation in the Veterans Health Administration. Cross-sectional online surveys of primary care clinicians (PCCs) and staff in 23 primary care clinics within 5 healthcare systems in 1 veterans administration administrative region. We used descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable analyses adjusted for clinic membership and weighted for nonresponse. 515 veterans administration employees (191 PCCs and 324 other primary care staff). Outcome is the EE subscale of the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Predictors include clinic characteristics (from administrative data) and self-reported efficacy for change, experiences with transformation, and perspectives about the organization. The overall response rate was 64% (515/811). In total, 53% of PCCs and 43% of staff had high EE. PCCs (vs. other primary care staff), female (vs. male), and non-Latino (vs. Latino) respondents reported higher EE. Respondents reporting higher efficacy for change and participatory decision making had lower EE scores, adjusting for sex and race. Recognition by healthcare organizations of the potential for clinician and staff EE during primary care transformation is critical. Methods for reducing EE by increasing clinician and staff change efficacy and opportunities to participate in decision making should be considered, with attention to PCCs, and women.

Environmental enrichment for a mixed-species nocturnal mammal exhibit.

PubMed

Clark, Fay E; Melfi, Vicky A

2012-01-01

Environmental enrichment (EE) is an integral aspect of modern zoo animal management but, empirical evaluation of it is biased toward species housed in single-species groups. Nocturnal houses, where several nocturnal species are housed together, are particularly overlooked. This study investigated whether three species (nine-banded armadillos, Dasypus novemcinctus; Senegal bush babies, Galago senegalensis; two-toed sloths, Choloepus didactylus) in the nocturnal house at Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, UK could be enriched using food-based and sensory EE. Subjects were an adult male and female of each species. EE was deemed effective if it promoted target species-typical behaviors, behavioral diversity, and increased use of enriched exhibit zones. Results from generalized linear mixed models demonstrated that food-based EE elicited the most positive behavioral effects across species. One set of food-based EEs (Kong®, termite mound and hanging food) presented together was associated with a significant increase in species-typical behaviors, increased behavioral diversity, and increased use of enriched exhibit zones in armadillos and bush babies. Although one type of sensory EE (scented pine cones) increased overall exhibit use in all species, the other (rainforest sounds) was linked to a significant decrease in species-typical behavior in bush babies and sloths. There were no intra or interspecies conflicts over EE, and commensalism occurred between armadillos and bush babies. Our data demonstrate that simple food-based and sensory EE can promote positive behavioral changes in a mixed-species nocturnal mammal exhibit. We suggest that both food and sensory EE presented concurrently will maximize opportunities for naturalistic activity in all species. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Prenatal and Early Postnatal Environmental Enrichment Reduce Acute Cell Death and Prevent Neurodevelopment and Memory Impairments in Rats Submitted to Neonatal Hypoxia Ischemia.

PubMed

Durán-Carabali, L E; Arcego, D M; Odorcyk, F K; Reichert, L; Cordeiro, J L; Sanches, E F; Freitas, L D; Dalmaz, C; Pagnussat, A; Netto, C A

2018-05-01

Environmental enrichment (EE) is an experimental strategy to attenuate the negative effects of different neurological conditions including neonatal hypoxia ischemia encephalopathy (HIE). The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of prenatal and early postnatal EE in animals submitted to neonatal HIE model at postnatal day (PND) 3. Wistar rats were housed in EE or standard conditions (SC) during pregnancy and lactation periods. Pups of both sexes were assigned to one of four experimental groups, considering the early environmental conditions and the injury: SC-Sham, SC-HIE, EE-sham, and EE-HIE. The offspring were euthanized at two different time points: 48 h after HIE for biochemical analyses or at PND 67 for histological analyses. Behavioral tests were performed at PND 7, 14, 21, and 60. Offspring from EE mothers had better performance in neurodevelopmental and spatial memory tests when compared to the SC groups. HIE animals showed a reduction of IGF-1 and VEGF in the parietal cortex, but no differences in BDNF and TrkB levels were found. EE-HIE animals showed reduction in cell death, lower astrocyte reactivity, and an increase in AKTp levels in the hippocampus and parietal cortex. In addition, the EE was also able to prevent the hippocampus tissue loss. Altogether, present findings point to the protective potential of the prenatal and early postnatal EE in attenuating molecular and histological damage, as well as the neurodevelopmental impairments and the cognitive deficit, caused by HIE insult at PND 3.

Research across the disciplines: a road map for quality criteria in empirical ethics research.

PubMed

Mertz, Marcel; Inthorn, Julia; Renz, Günter; Rothenberger, Lillian Geza; Salloch, Sabine; Schildmann, Jan; Wöhlke, Sabine; Schicktanz, Silke

2014-03-01

Research in the field of Empirical Ethics (EE) uses a broad variety of empirical methodologies, such as surveys, interviews and observation, developed in disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, and psychology. Whereas these empirical disciplines see themselves as purely descriptive, EE also aims at normative reflection. Currently there is literature about the quality of empirical research in ethics, but little or no reflection on specific methodological aspects that must be considered when conducting interdisciplinary empirical ethics. Furthermore, poor methodology in an EE study results in misleading ethical analyses, evaluations or recommendations. This not only deprives the study of scientific and social value, but also risks ethical misjudgement. While empirical and normative-ethical research projects have quality criteria in their own right, we focus on the specific quality criteria for EE research. We develop a tentative list of quality criteria--a "road map"--tailored to interdisciplinary research in EE, to guide assessments of research quality. These quality criteria fall into the categories of primary research question, theoretical framework and methods, relevance, interdisciplinary research practice and research ethics and scientific ethos. EE research is an important and innovative development in bioethics. However, a lack of standards has led to concerns about and even rejection of EE by various scholars. Our suggested orientation list of criteria, presented in the form of reflective questions, cannot be considered definitive, but serves as a tool to provoke systematic reflection during the planning and composition of an EE research study. These criteria need to be tested in different EE research settings and further refined.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-dependent Spinogenesis Underlies Antidepressant-like Effects of Enriched Environment*

PubMed Central

Huang, Yu-Fei; Yang, Chih-Hao; Huang, Chiung-Chun; Hsu, Kuei-Sen

2012-01-01

Current antidepressant treatments remain limited by poor efficacy and a slow onset of action. Increasing evidence demonstrates that enriched environment (EE) treatment can promote structural and behavioral plasticity in the brain and dampen stress-induced alterations of neuroplasticity. Here, we have examined whether short term exposure to EE is able to produce antidepressant-like effects. Our results show that housing adult mice in an EE cage for 7 days led to antidepressant-like behavioral profiles and a significant increase in the number of dendritic spines in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. These EE-induced antidepressant-like effects are primarily attributed to increased vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression through a hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)-mediated transcriptional mechanism. Blockade of HIF-1α synthesis by lentiviral infection with HIF-1α small hairpin RNAs completely blocked the increase in expression of VEGF and the antidepressant-like effects induced by EE. Moreover, no significant antidepressant-like effects were observed with EE treatment in VEGF receptor 2 (Flk-1) knock-out mice. The increase in HIF-1α expression in the hippocampus induced by EE was associated with a decrease in endogenous levels of microRNA-107 (miR-107). Overexpression of miR-107 in the hippocampus completely blocked EE-induced HIF-1α expression and the antidepressant-like effects. These results support a model in which the down-regulation of miR-107, acting through HIF-1α, mediates VEGF-dependent spinogenesis to underlie the EE-induced antidepressant-like effects. PMID:23074224

Energy expenditure estimate by heart-rate monitor and a portable electromagnetic coils system.

PubMed

Gastinger, Steven; Nicolas, Guillaume; Sorel, Anthony; Sefati, Hamid; Prioux, Jacques

2012-04-01

The aim of this article was to compare 2 portable devices (a heart-rate monitor and an electromagnetic-coil system) that evaluate 2 different physiological parameters--heart rate (HR) and ventilation (VE)--with the objective of estimating energy expenditure (EE). The authors set out to prove that VE is a more pertinent setting than HR to estimate EE during light to moderate activities (sitting and standing at rest and walking at 4, 5, and 6 km/hr). Eleven healthy men were recruited to take part in this study (27.6 ± 5.4 yr, 73.7 ± 9.7 kg). The authors determined the relationships between HR and EE and between VE and EE during light to moderate activities. They compared EE measured by indirect calorimetry (EEREF) with EE estimated by HR monitor (EEHR) and EE estimated by electromagnetic coils (EEMAG) in upright sitting and standing positions and during walking exercises. They compared EEREF with EEHR and EEMAG. The results showed no significant difference between the values of EEREF and EEMAG. However, they showed several significant differences between the values of EEREF and EEHR (for standing at rest and walking at 5 and 6 km/hr). These results showed that the electromagnetic-coil system seems to be more accurate than the HR monitor to estimate EE at rest and during exercise. Taking into consideration these results, it would be interesting to associate the parameters VE and HR to estimate EE. Furthermore, a new version of the electromagnetic-coil device was recently developed and provides the possibility to perform measurement under daily life conditions.

Sorption of carbamazepine, 17α-ethinylestradiol, iopromide and trimethoprim to biomass involves interactions with exocellular polymeric substances.

PubMed

Khunjar, Wendell O; Love, Nancy G

2011-02-01

The sorption of carbamazepine (CBZ), iopromide (IOP), trimethoprim (TMP) and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) was evaluated using four biomass types (pure ammonia oxidizing bacterial culture, two heterotrophic enrichment cultures with varying levels of oxygenase activity, and a full-scale nitrifying activated sludge (NAS) culture). CBZ and IOP did not sorb to the four biomass types. EE2 did not sorb to the pure culture but sorbed significantly to the heterotrophic cultures and NAS. TMP sorbed to the heterotrophic cultures and NAS, and was not evaluated for the pure culture. Three floc characteristics (hydrophobicity, median particle size, organic matter content) correlated moderately well with the EE2 organic matter sorption coefficient (KOM,EE2). Zeta potential did not correlate well with KOM,EE2 but did with KOM,TMP, indicating that TMP sorption is more influenced by electrostatic factors than EE2. Once divalent cation-linked exocellular polymeric substances (EPS) were removed from flocs, EE2 and TMP sorption to the non-EPS (cellular) fraction decreased by approximately 50%. The correlation between KOM,EE2 for the non-EPS cellular fraction deteriorated while the correlation between KOM,TMP improved. EE2 seemed to sorb more strongly to EPS protein whereas TMP sorbed equally to polysaccharide and protein EPS. Attempts to develop predictive models were not successful. Pharmaceuticals that sorbed to biomass samples underwent biodegradation whereas those that did not sorb were not biodegraded, suggesting a relationship between sorption and pharmaceutical biotransformation. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Modeling energy expenditure in children and adolescents using quantile regression

PubMed Central

Yang, Yunwen; Adolph, Anne L.; Puyau, Maurice R.; Vohra, Firoz A.; Zakeri, Issa F.

2013-01-01

Advanced mathematical models have the potential to capture the complex metabolic and physiological processes that result in energy expenditure (EE). Study objective is to apply quantile regression (QR) to predict EE and determine quantile-dependent variation in covariate effects in nonobese and obese children. First, QR models will be developed to predict minute-by-minute awake EE at different quantile levels based on heart rate (HR) and physical activity (PA) accelerometry counts, and child characteristics of age, sex, weight, and height. Second, the QR models will be used to evaluate the covariate effects of weight, PA, and HR across the conditional EE distribution. QR and ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions are estimated in 109 children, aged 5–18 yr. QR modeling of EE outperformed OLS regression for both nonobese and obese populations. Average prediction errors for QR compared with OLS were not only smaller at the median τ = 0.5 (18.6 vs. 21.4%), but also substantially smaller at the tails of the distribution (10.2 vs. 39.2% at τ = 0.1 and 8.7 vs. 19.8% at τ = 0.9). Covariate effects of weight, PA, and HR on EE for the nonobese and obese children differed across quantiles (P < 0.05). The associations (linear and quadratic) between PA and HR with EE were stronger for the obese than nonobese population (P < 0.05). In conclusion, QR provided more accurate predictions of EE compared with conventional OLS regression, especially at the tails of the distribution, and revealed substantially different covariate effects of weight, PA, and HR on EE in nonobese and obese children. PMID:23640591

Research across the disciplines: a road map for quality criteria in empirical ethics research

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Research in the field of Empirical Ethics (EE) uses a broad variety of empirical methodologies, such as surveys, interviews and observation, developed in disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, and psychology. Whereas these empirical disciplines see themselves as purely descriptive, EE also aims at normative reflection. Currently there is literature about the quality of empirical research in ethics, but little or no reflection on specific methodological aspects that must be considered when conducting interdisciplinary empirical ethics. Furthermore, poor methodology in an EE study results in misleading ethical analyses, evaluations or recommendations. This not only deprives the study of scientific and social value, but also risks ethical misjudgement. Discussion While empirical and normative-ethical research projects have quality criteria in their own right, we focus on the specific quality criteria for EE research. We develop a tentative list of quality criteria – a “road map” – tailored to interdisciplinary research in EE, to guide assessments of research quality. These quality criteria fall into the categories of primary research question, theoretical framework and methods, relevance, interdisciplinary research practice and research ethics and scientific ethos. Summary EE research is an important and innovative development in bioethics. However, a lack of standards has led to concerns about and even rejection of EE by various scholars. Our suggested orientation list of criteria, presented in the form of reflective questions, cannot be considered definitive, but serves as a tool to provoke systematic reflection during the planning and composition of an EE research study. These criteria need to be tested in different EE research settings and further refined. PMID:24580847

Geotechnical support and topical studies for nuclear waste geologic repositories

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1989-01-01

The present report lists the technical reviews and comments made during the fiscal year 1988 and summarizes the technical progress of the topical studies. In the area of technical assistance, there were numerous activities detailed in the next section. These included 24 geotechnical support activities, including reviews of 6 Study Plans (SP) and participation in 6 SP Review Workshops, review of one whole document Site Characterization Plan (SCP) and participation in the Assembled Document SCP Review Workshops by 6 LBL reviewers; the hosting of a DOE program review, the rewriting of the project statement of work, 2 trips to technicalmore » and planning meetings; preparation of proposed work statements for two new topics for DOE, and 5 instances of technical assistance to DOE. These activities are described in a Table in the following section entitled Geoscience Technical Support for Nuclear Waste Geologic Repositories.''« less

Pilot Fullerton dons EES anti-gravity suit lower torso on middeck

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1982-01-01

Pilot Fullerton dons ejection escape suit (EES) anti-gravity (anti-g) suit lower torso on forward port side middeck above potable water tank. Anti-g suit is an olive drab inner garment that complements EES.

31 CFR 351.4 - In what form are Series EE savings bonds issued?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... (Continued) FISCAL SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY BUREAU OF THE PUBLIC DEBT OFFERING OF UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE General Information § 351.4 In what form are Series EE savings bonds issued...

Understanding the cognitive impact of the contraceptive estrogen Ethinyl Estradiol: tonic and cyclic administration impairs memory, and performance correlates with basal forebrain cholinergic system integrity.

PubMed

Mennenga, Sarah E; Gerson, Julia E; Koebele, Stephanie V; Kingston, Melissa L; Tsang, Candy W S; Engler-Chiurazzi, Elizabeth B; Baxter, Leslie C; Bimonte-Nelson, Heather A

2015-04-01

Ethinyl Estradiol (EE), a synthetic, orally bio-available estrogen, is the most commonly prescribed form of estrogen in oral contraceptives, and is found in at least 30 different contraceptive formulations currently prescribed to women as well as hormone therapies prescribed to menopausal women. Thus, EE is prescribed clinically to women at ages ranging from puberty to reproductive senescence. Here, in two separate studies, the cognitive effects of cyclic or tonic EE administration following ovariectomy (Ovx) were evaluated in young female rats. Study I assessed the cognitive effects of low and high doses of EE, delivered tonically via a subcutaneous osmotic pump. Study II evaluated the cognitive effects of low, medium, and high doses of EE administered via a daily subcutaneous injection, modeling the daily rise and fall of serum EE levels with oral regimens. Study II also investigated the impact of low, medium and high doses of EE on the basal forebrain cholinergic system. The low and medium doses utilized here correspond to the range of doses currently used in clinical formulations, and the high dose corresponds to doses prescribed to a generation of women between 1960 and 1970, when oral contraceptives first became available. We evaluate cognition using a battery of maze tasks tapping several domains of spatial learning and memory as well as basal forebrain cholinergic integrity using immunohistochemistry and unbiased stereology to estimate the number of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-producing cells in the medial septum and vertical/diagonal bands. At the highest dose, EE treatment impaired multiple domains of spatial memory relative to vehicle treatment, regardless of administration method. When given cyclically at the low and medium doses, EE did not impact working memory, but transiently impaired reference memory during the learning phase of testing. Of the doses and regimens tested here, only EE at the highest dose impaired several domains of memory; tonic delivery of low EE, a dose that corresponds to the most popular doses used in the clinic today, did not impact cognition on any measure. Both medium and high injection doses of EE reduced the number of ChAt-immunoreactive cells in the basal forebrain, and cell population estimates in the vertical/diagonal bands negatively correlated with working memory errors. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Drospirenone and non-fatal venous thromboembolism: is there a risk difference by dosage of ethinyl-estradiol?

PubMed

Bird, S T; Delaney, J A C; Etminan, M; Brophy, J M; Hartzema, A G

2013-06-01

Previous studies concluded that there was an increased risk of non-fatal venous thromboembolism (VTE) with drospirenone. It is unknown whether the risk is differential by ethinyl-estradiol dosage. To assess the risk of VTE with drospirenone and to determine whether drospirenone and ethinyl-estradiol 20 μg (DRSP/EE20) has a lower VTE risk than drospirenone and ethinyl-estradiol 30 μg (DRSP/EE30). Our cohort included women aged 18-46 years taking drospirenone or levonorgestrel (LNG)-containing combined oral contraceptives (COCs) in the IMS claims database between 2001 and 2009. VTE was defined using ICD-9-CM coding and anticoagulation. The hazard ratio (HR) from Cox proportional hazards models was used to assess the VTE relative risk (RR) with drospirenone compared with levonorgestrel, adjusted by a propensity score used to control for baseline co-morbidity and stratified by EE dosage and user-type (new/current). The study included 238 683 drospirenone and 193,495 levonorgestrel users. Among new and current users, a 1.90-fold (95% CI, 1.51-2.39) increased VTE relative risk was observed for drospirenone (18.0 VTE/10,000 women-years) vs. levonorgestrel (8.9 VTE/10,000 women-years). In analysis of new users, DRSP/EE20 had a 2.35-fold (95% CI, 1.44-3.82) VTE RR versus LNG/EE20. New users of DRSP/EE30 observed an increased RR versus LNG/EE30 among women starting to use COCs between 2001 and 2006 (2.51, 95% CI, 1.12-5.64) but not between 2007 and 2009 (0.76, 95% CI, 0.42-1.39), attributable to an increased incidence rate with LNG/EE30 from 2007 to 2009. In direct comparison, DRSP/EE20 had an elevated risk of VTE compared with DRSP/EE30 (RR, 1.55; 95% CI, 0.99-2.41). We observed a modestly elevated risk of VTE with drospirenone, compared with levonorgestrel. The larger VTE incidence rate observed in DRSP/EE20 than in DRSP/EE30 and the increasing VTE incidence rate with levonorgestrel between 2007 and 2009 were unexpected. Copyright © 2013 International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis.

A prospective, randomized evaluation of a novel everolimus-eluting coronary stent: the PLATINUM (a Prospective, Randomized, Multicenter Trial to Assess an Everolimus-Eluting Coronary Stent System [PROMUS Element] for the Treatment of Up to Two de Novo Coronary Artery Lesions) trial.

PubMed

Stone, Gregg W; Teirstein, Paul S; Meredith, Ian T; Farah, Bruno; Dubois, Christophe L; Feldman, Robert L; Dens, Joseph; Hagiwara, Nobuhisa; Allocco, Dominic J; Dawkins, Keith D

2011-04-19

We sought to evaluate the clinical outcomes with a novel platinum chromium everolimus-eluting stent (PtCr-EES) compared with a predicate cobalt chromium everolimus-eluting stent (CoCr-EES) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Randomized trials have demonstrated an excellent safety and efficacy profile for the CoCr-EES. The PtCr-EES uses the identical antiproliferative agent and polymer but with a novel platinum chromium scaffold designed for enhanced deliverability, vessel conformability, side-branch access, radiopacity, radial strength, and fracture resistance. A total of 1,530 patients undergoing PCI of 1 or 2 de novo native lesions were randomized at 132 worldwide sites to CoCr-EES (n = 762) or PtCr-EES (n = 768). The primary endpoint was the 12-month rate of target lesion failure (TLF), the composite of target vessel-related cardiac death, target vessel-related myocardial infarction (MI), or ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization (TLR) in the per-protocol population (patients who received ≥1 assigned study stent), powered for noninferiority. The 12-month rate of TLF in the per-protocol population occurred in 2.9% versus 3.4% of patients assigned to CoCr-EES versus PtCr-EES, respectively (difference: 0.5%, 95% confidence interval: -1.3% to 2.3%, p(noninferiority) = 0.001, p(superiority) = 0.60). By intention-to-treat, there were no significant differences between CoCr-EES and PtCr-EES in the 12-month rates of TLF (3.2% vs. 3.5%, p = 0.72), cardiac death or MI (2.5% vs. 2.0%, p = 0.56), TLR (1.9% vs. 1.9%, p = 0.96), or Academic Research Consortium definite or probable stent thrombosis (0.4% vs. 0.4%, p = 1.00). In this large-scale, prospective, single-blind randomized trial, a novel PtCr-EES was noninferior to the predicate CoCr-EES for TLF, with nonsignificant differences in measures of safety and efficacy through 12-month follow-up after PCI. Copyright © 2011 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

PREFACE: 3rd International Conference on Geological, Geographical, Aerospace and Earth Science 2015 (AeroEarth 2015)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gaol, F. L.

2016-02-01

The 3rd International Conferences on Geological, Geographical, Aerospaces and Earth Sciences 2015 (AeroEarth 2015), was held at The DoubleTree Hilton, Jakarta, Indonesia during 26 - 27 September 2015. The 1st AeoroEarth was held succefully in Jakarta in 2013. The success continued to The 2nd AeroEarth 2014 that was held in Kuta Bali, Indonesia. The publications were published by EES IOP in http://iopscience.iop.org/1755-1315/19/1 and http://iopscience.iop.org/1755-1315/23/1 respectively. The AeroEarth 2015 conference aims to bring together researchers, engineers and scientists from around the world. Through research and development, Earth's scientists have the power to preserve the planet's different resource domains by providing expert opinion and information about the forces which make life possible on Earth. The theme of AeroEarth 2015 is ''Earth and Aerospace Sciences : Challenges and Opportunities'' Earth provides resources and the exact conditions to make life possible. However, with the advent of technology and industrialization, the Earth's resources are being pushed to the brink of depletion. Non-sustainable industrial practices are not only endangering the supply of the Earth's natural resources, but are also putting burden on life itself by bringing about pollution and climate change. A major role of earth science scholars is to examine the delicate balance between the Earth's resources and the growing demands of industrialization. Through research and development, earth scientists have the power to preserve the planet's different resource domains by providing expert opinion and information about the forces which make life possible on Earth. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all in the Technical Program Committee who have reviewed the papers and developed a very interesting Conference Program as well as the invited and plenary speakers. This year, we received 78 papers and after rigorous review, 18 papers were accepted. The participants come from 8 countries. There are 4 (four) Parallel Sessions and 3 (Three) Keynote Speakers. It is an honour to present this volume of IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (EES) and we deeply thank the authors for their enthusiastic and high-grade contribution. Finally, we would like to thank the conference chairmen, the members of the steering committee, the organizing committee, the organizing secretariat and the financial support from the conference sponsors that allowed the success of AeroEarth 2015.

BEopt-CA (Ex): A Tool for Optimal Integration of EE, DR and PV in Existing California Homes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Christensen, Craig; Horowitz, Scott; Maguire, Jeff

2014-04-01

This project targeted the development of a software tool, BEopt-CA (Ex) (Building Energy Optimization Tool for California Existing Homes), that aims to facilitate balanced integration of energy efficiency (EE), demand response (DR), and photovoltaics (PV) in the residential retrofit1 market. The intent is to provide utility program managers and contractors in the EE/DR/PV marketplace with a means of balancing the integration of EE, DR, and PV

Photodegradation of 17α-ethynylestradiol in dissolved humic substances solution: Kinetics, mechanism and estrogenicity variation.

PubMed

Ren, Dong; Huang, Bin; Xiong, Dan; He, Huan; Meng, Xiangqi; Pan, Xuejun

2017-04-01

17α-Ethynylestradiol (EE2) in natural waters may cause adverse effects on organisms due to its high estrogenic potency. Laboratory studies were performed to study the effects of a local humic acid (LHA), fulvic acid (LFA) and Aldrich humic acid (AHA) on the photochemical behavior and estrogenic potency of EE2. Here photolytic experiments demonstrated that pure aqueous EE2 could undergo direct and self-sensitized photodegradation at a global rate of 0.0068hr -1 . Photodegradation rate of EE2 in 5.0mg/L dissolved humic substances (DHS) was determined to be 0.0274, 0.0296 and 0.0254hr -1 for LHA, LFA and AHA, respectively. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and triplet dissolved humic substances ( 3 DHS*) scavenging experiments indicated that the promotion effect of DHS on EE2 photodegradation was mainly aroused by the reactions of HO (35%-50%), 1 O 2 (<10%) and 3 DHS* (22%-34%). However, the photodegradation of EE2 could also be inhibited when DHS exceeded the threshold of 10mg/L. Three hydroxylation products of EE2 were identified using GC-MS and their formation pathways were also proposed. In vitro estrogenicity tests showed that EE2 was transformed into chemicals without estrogenic potency. These findings could extend our knowledge on the photochemical behaviors of steroid estrogens in sunlit natural waters. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

On the nature of the solvated electron in ice Ih.

PubMed

de Koning, Maurice; Fazzio, Adalberto; da Silva, Antônio José Roque; Antonelli, Alex

2016-02-14

The water-solvated excess electron (EE) is a key chemical agent whose hallmark signature, its asymmetric optical absorption spectrum, continues to be a topic of debate. While nearly all investigation has focused on the liquid-water solvent, the fact that the crystalline-water solvated EE shows a very similar visible absorption pattern has remained largely unexplored. Here, we present spin-polarized density-functional theory calculations subject to periodic boundary conditions of the interplay between an EE and a number of intrinsic lattice defects in ice Ih. Our results show that the optical absorption signatures in the presence of three unsaturated hydrogen bonds (HB) are very similar to those observed experimentally. Its low-energy side can be attributed to transitions between the EE ground state and a single localized excited level, in a picture that is different from that for the liquid solvent, where this portion has been associated with hydrogen-like s → p excitations. The blue tail, on the other hand, relates to transitions between the EE ground state and delocalized excited states, which is in line with the bound-to-continuum transition interpretations for the EE in liquid water. Finally, we find that, depending on the number of dangling HBs participating in the EE trap, its charge density may spontaneously break the spin degeneracy through exchange interactions with the surrounding electrons, displaying the many-electron quantum nature of the EE problem in ice Ih.

Photocatalytic degradation of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) in the presence of TiO2-doped zeolite.

PubMed

Pan, Zhong; Stemmler, Elizabeth A; Cho, Hong Je; Fan, Wei; LeBlanc, Lawrence A; Patterson, Howard H; Amirbahman, Aria

2014-08-30

Current design limitations and ineffective remediation techniques in wastewater treatment plants have led to concerns about the prevalence of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) in receiving waters. A novel photocatalyst, TiO2-doped low-silica X zeolite (TiO2-LSX), was used to study the degradation of the pharmaceutical compound, 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2). The catalyst was synthesized and characterized using XRD, BET surface analysis, SEM-EDAX, and ICP-OES. The effects of different UV light intensities, initial EE2 concentrations, and catalyst dosages on the EE2 removal efficiency were studied. A higher EE2 removal efficiency was attained with UV-TiO2-LSX when compared with UV-TiO2 or UV alone. The EE2 degradation process followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. A comprehensive empirical model was developed to describe the EE2 degradation kinetics under different conditions using multiple linear regression analysis. The EE2 degradation mechanism was proposed based on molecular calculations, identification of photoproducts using HPLC-MS/MS, and reactive species quenching experiments; the results showed that oxidative degradation pathways initiated by hydroxyl radicals were predominant. This novel TiO2-doped zeolite system provides a promising application for the UV disinfection process in wastewater treatment plants. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Prevalence, clinical profile, iron status, and subject-specific traits for excessive erythrocytosis in andean adults living permanently at 3,825 meters above sea level.

PubMed

De Ferrari, Aldo; Miranda, J Jaime; Gilman, Robert H; Dávila-Román, Victor G; León-Velarde, Fabiola; Rivera-Ch, Maria; Huicho, Luis; Bernabé-Ortiz, Antonio; Wise, Robert A; Checkley, William

2014-11-01

Excessive erythrocytosis (EE) is a prevalent condition in populations living at high altitudes (> 2,500 m above sea level). Few large population-based studies have explored the association between EE and multiple subject-specific traits including oxygen saturation, iron status indicators, and pulmonary function. We enrolled a sex-stratified and age-stratified sample of 1,065 high-altitude residents aged ≥ 35 years from Puno, Peru (3,825 m above sea level) and conducted a standardized questionnaire and physical examination that included spirometry, pulse oximetry, and a blood sample for multiple clinical markers. Our primary objectives were to estimate the prevalence of EE, characterize the clinical profile and iron status indicators of subjects with EE, and describe subject-specific traits associated with EE. Overall prevalence of EE was 4.5% (95% CI, 3.3%-6.0%). Oxygen saturation was significantly lower among EE than non-EE group subjects (85.3% vs 90.1%, P < .001) but no difference was found in iron status indicators between both groups (P > .09 for all values). In multivariable logistic regression, we found that age ≥ 65 years (OR = 2.45, 95% CI, 1.16-5.09), male sex (3.86, 1.78-9.08), having metabolic syndrome (2.66, 1.27-5.75) or being overweight (5.20, 1.95-16.77), pulse oximetry < 85% (14.90, 6.43-34.90), and % predicted FVC < 80% (13.62, 4.40-41.80) were strongly associated with EE. Attributable fractions for EE were greatest for being overweight (26.7%), followed by male sex (21.5%), pulse oximetry < 85% (16.4%), having metabolic syndrome (14.4%), and % predicted FVC < 80% (9.3%). We found a lower prevalence of EE than in previous reports in the Peruvian Andes. Although the presence of hypoxemia and decreased vital capacity were strongly associated with excessive erythrocytosis, being overweight or having metabolic syndrome were associated with an important fraction of cases in our study population.

Prevalence, Clinical Profile, Iron Status, and Subject-Specific Traits for Excessive Erythrocytosis in Andean Adults Living Permanently at 3,825 Meters Above Sea Level

PubMed Central

De Ferrari, Aldo; Miranda, J. Jaime; Gilman, Robert H.; Dávila-Román, Victor G.; León-Velarde, Fabiola; Rivera-Ch, Maria; Huicho, Luis; Bernabé-Ortiz, Antonio; Wise, Robert A.

2014-01-01

BACKGROUND: Excessive erythrocytosis (EE) is a prevalent condition in populations living at high altitudes (> 2,500 m above sea level). Few large population-based studies have explored the association between EE and multiple subject-specific traits including oxygen saturation, iron status indicators, and pulmonary function. METHODS: We enrolled a sex-stratified and age-stratified sample of 1,065 high-altitude residents aged ≥ 35 years from Puno, Peru (3,825 m above sea level) and conducted a standardized questionnaire and physical examination that included spirometry, pulse oximetry, and a blood sample for multiple clinical markers. Our primary objectives were to estimate the prevalence of EE, characterize the clinical profile and iron status indicators of subjects with EE, and describe subject-specific traits associated with EE. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of EE was 4.5% (95% CI, 3.3%-6.0%). Oxygen saturation was significantly lower among EE than non-EE group subjects (85.3% vs 90.1%, P < .001) but no difference was found in iron status indicators between both groups (P > .09 for all values). In multivariable logistic regression, we found that age ≥ 65 years (OR = 2.45, 95% CI, 1.16-5.09), male sex (3.86, 1.78-9.08), having metabolic syndrome (2.66, 1.27-5.75) or being overweight (5.20, 1.95-16.77), pulse oximetry < 85% (14.90, 6.43-34.90), and % predicted FVC < 80% (13.62, 4.40-41.80) were strongly associated with EE. Attributable fractions for EE were greatest for being overweight (26.7%), followed by male sex (21.5%), pulse oximetry < 85% (16.4%), having metabolic syndrome (14.4%), and % predicted FVC < 80% (9.3%). CONCLUSIONS: We found a lower prevalence of EE than in previous reports in the Peruvian Andes. Although the presence of hypoxemia and decreased vital capacity were strongly associated with excessive erythrocytosis, being overweight or having metabolic syndrome were associated with an important fraction of cases in our study population. PMID:24874587

Characterisation of the pharmacokinetics of ethinylestradiol and drospirenone in extended-cycle regimens: population pharmacokinetic analysis from a randomised Phase III study

PubMed Central

Reif, Stefanie; Snelder, Nelleke; Blode, Hartmut

2013-01-01

Objectives The primary objective of this analysis was to characterise the steady-state pharmacokinetics (PK) of ethinylestradiol (EE) and drospirenone (DRSP) in a randomised Phase III study that investigated the contraceptive efficacy and safety of three different regimens of EE 20 µg/DRSP 3 mg. Methods Non-linear mixed-effects modelling was used to develop population PK models for EE and DRSP. EE and DRSP serum concentrations were determined in blood samples obtained from approximately 1100 healthy young women on two occasions during the first cycle (Week 3) and after 6 months (Week 27) of EE 20 µg/DRSP 3 mg use. EE 20 µg/DRSP 3 mg was administered as a flexible extended regimen [24–120 days’ active hormonal intake followed by 4 days with no tablet intake (tablet-free interval)], a conventional 28-day cyclic regimen (24 days’ active hormonal intake followed by 4 days of placebo tablets) or a fixed extended regimen (120 days’ uninterrupted active hormonal intake followed by a 4-day tablet-free interval) over 1 year. Results The population PK of EE and DRSP in this population were successfully described using the developed population models. All three regimens led to similar steady-state drug exposure during long-term treatment. Only minor changes (≤8%) in the steady-state PK of EE and DRSP were observed between Week 3 and Week 27 of an extended regimen. Body weight (BW) and age had a small, statistically significant impact on the PK of EE and DRSP (BW only) in a covariate analysis, however, these changes were not considered to be clinically relevant. Conclusions Extending the established 24/4-day regimen of EE 20 µg/DRSP 3 mg does not change the known steady-state PK of EE and DRSP, suggesting that the clinical efficacy is also similar. This is in line with the published clinical results from this study. PMID:23493606

Characterisation of the pharmacokinetics of ethinylestradiol and drospirenone in extended-cycle regimens: population pharmacokinetic analysis from a randomised Phase III study.

PubMed

Reif, Stefanie; Snelder, Nelleke; Blode, Hartmut

2013-04-01

The primary objective of this analysis was to characterise the steady-state pharmacokinetics (PK) of ethinylestradiol (EE) and drospirenone (DRSP) in a randomised Phase III study that investigated the contraceptive efficacy and safety of three different regimens of EE 20 µg/DRSP 3 mg. Non-linear mixed-effects modelling was used to develop population PK models for EE and DRSP. EE and DRSP serum concentrations were determined in blood samples obtained from approximately 1100 healthy young women on two occasions during the first cycle (Week 3) and after 6 months (Week 27) of EE 20 µg/DRSP 3 mg use. EE 20 µg/DRSP 3 mg was administered as a flexible extended regimen [24-120 days' active hormonal intake followed by 4 days with no tablet intake (tablet-free interval)], a conventional 28-day cyclic regimen (24 days' active hormonal intake followed by 4 days of placebo tablets) or a fixed extended regimen (120 days' uninterrupted active hormonal intake followed by a 4-day tablet-free interval) over 1 year. The population PK of EE and DRSP in this population were successfully described using the developed population models. All three regimens led to similar steady-state drug exposure during long-term treatment. Only minor changes (≤ 8%) in the steady-state PK of EE and DRSP were observed between Week 3 and Week 27 of an extended regimen. Body weight (BW) and age had a small, statistically significant impact on the PK of EE and DRSP (BW only) in a covariate analysis, however, these changes were not considered to be clinically relevant. Extending the established 24/4-day regimen of EE 20 µg/DRSP 3 mg does not change the known steady-state PK of EE and DRSP, suggesting that the clinical efficacy is also similar. This is in line with the published clinical results from this study.

The extended evolutionary synthesis: its structure, assumptions and predictions

PubMed Central

Laland, Kevin N.; Uller, Tobias; Feldman, Marcus W.; Sterelny, Kim; Müller, Gerd B.; Moczek, Armin; Jablonka, Eva; Odling-Smee, John

2015-01-01

Scientific activities take place within the structured sets of ideas and assumptions that define a field and its practices. The conceptual framework of evolutionary biology emerged with the Modern Synthesis in the early twentieth century and has since expanded into a highly successful research program to explore the processes of diversification and adaptation. Nonetheless, the ability of that framework satisfactorily to accommodate the rapid advances in developmental biology, genomics and ecology has been questioned. We review some of these arguments, focusing on literatures (evo-devo, developmental plasticity, inclusive inheritance and niche construction) whose implications for evolution can be interpreted in two ways—one that preserves the internal structure of contemporary evolutionary theory and one that points towards an alternative conceptual framework. The latter, which we label the ‘extended evolutionary synthesis' (EES), retains the fundaments of evolutionary theory, but differs in its emphasis on the role of constructive processes in development and evolution, and reciprocal portrayals of causation. In the EES, developmental processes, operating through developmental bias, inclusive inheritance and niche construction, share responsibility for the direction and rate of evolution, the origin of character variation and organism–environment complementarity. We spell out the structure, core assumptions and novel predictions of the EES, and show how it can be deployed to stimulate and advance research in those fields that study or use evolutionary biology. PMID:26246559

The APEX experiment at JLab. Searching for the vector boson A' decaying to e+e-

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Franklin, Gregg B.

2017-04-01

Jefferson Lab's A' Experiment (APEX) will search for a new vector boson, the A', in the mass range 65 MeV < mA' < 550 MeV, with sensitivity for the A' coupling to electrons of α' > 6 × 10-8α, where α = e2/4π. New vector bosons with such small couplings arise naturally from a small kinetic mixing of the "dark photon", A', with the photon — one of the very few ways in which new forces can couple to the Standard Model — and have received considerable attention as an explanation of various dark-matter related anomalies. In this experiment, A' bosons produced by radiation off an electron beam could appear as narrow resonances with small production cross-sections in the e+e- invariant mass distribution. The two Jefferson Lab HRS spectrometers will provide a reconstructed invariant-mass resolution for the A' of δM/M < 0.5%. With a 33-day run, the experiment will achieve high sensitivity by taking advantage of this mass resolution and high statistics of the e+e- pairs, which will be orders of magnitude larger than in previous searches for the A' boson in this mass range. This paper will review the key concepts of the experiment and the status of the preparations for running APEX. The results of a completed pilot run will be presented.

Light Duty Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Validation Data. Final Technical Report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jelen, Deborah; Odom, Sara

2015-04-30

Electricore, along with partners from Quong & Associates, Inc., Honda R&D Americas (Honda), Nissan Technical Center North America (Nissan), and Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. (Toyota), participated in the Light Duty Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Validation Data program sponsored by the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) (Cooperative Agreement No. DE-EE0005968). The goal of this program was to provide real world data from the operation of past and current FCEVs, in order to measure their performance and improvements over time. The program was successful; 85% of the data fields requestedmore » were provided and not restricted due to proprietary reasons. Overall, the team from Electricore provided at least 4.8 GB of data to DOE, which was combined with data from other participants to produce over 33 key data products. These products included vehicle performance and fuel cell stack performance/durability. The data were submitted to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s National Fuel Cell Technology Evaluation Center (NREL NFCTEC) and combined with input from other participants. NREL then produced composite data products (CDP) which anonymized the data in order to maintain confidentiality. The results were compared with past data, which showed a measurable improvement in FCEVs over the past several years. The results were presented by NREL at the 2014 Fuel Cell Seminar, and 2014 and 2015 (planned) DOE Annual Merit Review. The project was successful. The team provided all of the data agreed upon and met all of its goals. The project finished on time and within budget. In addition, an extra $62,911 of cost sharing was provided by the Electricore team. All participants believed that the method used to collect, combine, anonymize, and present the data was technically and economically effective. This project helped EERE meet its mission of ensuring America’s security and prosperity by documenting progress in addressing energy and environmental challenges. Information from this project will be used by the hydrogen and vehicle industries to help advance the introduction of FCEVs and associated hydrogen infrastructure.« less

Environmental, Institutional, and Demographic Predictors of Environmental Literacy among Middle School Children

PubMed Central

Stevenson, Kathryn T.; Peterson, M. Nils; Bondell, Howard D.; Mertig, Angela G.; Moore, Susan E.

2013-01-01

Building environmental literacy (EL) in children and adolescents is critical to meeting current and emerging environmental challenges worldwide. Although environmental education (EE) efforts have begun to address this need, empirical research holistically evaluating drivers of EL is critical. This study begins to fill this gap with an examination of school-wide EE programs among middle schools in North Carolina, including the use of published EE curricula and time outdoors while controlling for teacher education level and experience, student attributes (age, gender, and ethnicity), and school attributes (socio-economic status, student-teacher ratio, and locale). Our sample included an EE group selected from schools with registered school-wide EE programs, and a control group randomly selected from NC middle schools that were not registered as EE schools. Students were given an EL survey at the beginning and end of the spring 2012 semester. Use of published EE curricula, time outdoors, and having teachers with advanced degrees and mid-level teaching experience (between 3 and 5 years) were positively related with EL whereas minority status (Hispanic and black) was negatively related with EL. Results suggest that school-wide EE programs were not associated with improved EL, but the use of published EE curricula paired with time outdoors represents a strategy that may improve all key components of student EL. Further, investments in teacher development and efforts to maintain enthusiasm for EE among teachers with more than 5 years of experience may help to boost student EL levels. Middle school represents a pivotal time for influencing EL, as improvement was slower among older students. Differences in EL levels based on gender suggest boys and girls may possess complementary skills sets when approaching environmental issues. Our findings suggest ethnicity related disparities in EL levels may be mitigated by time spent in nature, especially among black and Hispanic students. PMID:23533631

Synthesis, structures, and photophysical properties of π-expanded oligothiophene 8-mers and their Saturn-like C₆₀ complexes.

PubMed

Shimizu, Hideyuki; Cojal González, José D; Hasegawa, Masashi; Nishinaga, Tohru; Haque, Tahmina; Takase, Masayoshi; Otani, Hiroyuki; Rabe, Jürgen P; Iyoda, Masahiko

2015-03-25

Two isomers of a multifunctional π-expanded macrocyclic oligothiophene 8-mer, E,E-1 and Z,Z-1, were synthesized using a McMurry coupling of a dialdehyde composed of four 2,5-thienylene and three ethynylene units under high dilution conditions. On the other hand, cyclo[8](2,5-thienylene-ethynylene) 2 was synthesized by intramolecular Sonogashira cyclization of ethynyl bromide 5. From STM measurements, both E,E-1 and Z,Z-1 formed self-assembled monolayers at the solid-liquid interface to produce porous networks, and from X-ray analyses of E,E-1 and 2, both compounds had a round shape with a honeycomb stacked structure. E,E-1 formed various fibrous polymorphs due to nanophase separation of the macrorings. E,E-1 and Z,Z-1 in solution exhibited photochromism upon irradiation with visible and UV light, respectively, and this photoisomerization was confirmed by using STM. Furthermore, amorphous films of Z,Z-1 and E,E-1 showed photoisomerization, although single crystals, fibers, and square tubes of E,E-1 remained unchanged under similar conditions. E,E-1 with a 12.5-14.7 Å inner cavity incorporated fullerene C60 in the cavity in solution and the solid state to produce a Saturn-like complex, whose structure was determined by X-ray analysis. 2 also formed a Saturn-like complex with C60 in the solid state. These Saturn-like complexes are stabilized by van der Waals interactions between the sulfur atoms of 8-mer and C60. The complexes exhibited charge-transfer interactions in the solid state. Like E,E-1, Saturn-like complex E,E-1⊃C60 formed small cube and fiber structures depending on the solvent used, whereas those of Saturn-like complex 2⊃C60 were limited due to the rigidity of the macroring of 2.

A 1-year randomized study to evaluate the effects of a dose reduction in oral contraceptives on lipids and carbohydrate metabolism: 20 microg ethinyl estradiol combined with 100 microg levonorgestrel.

PubMed

Skouby, Sven O; Endrikat, Jan; Düsterberg, Bernd; Schmidt, Werner; Gerlinger, Christoph; Wessel, Jens; Goldstein, Henri; Jespersen, Joergen

2005-02-01

To evaluate the impact on lipid and carbohydrate variables of a combined one-third ethinyl estradiol (EE)/levonorgestrel (LNG) dose reduction in oral contraceptives. In an open-label, randomized study, a dose-reduced oral contraceptive containing 20 microg EE and 100 microg LNG (20 EE/100 LNG) was compared with a reference preparation containing 30 microg EE and 150 microg LNG (30 EE/150 LNG). One-year data from 48 volunteers were obtained. We found a decrease of HDL2 cholesterol and increases of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total triglycerides in both treatment groups from baseline to the 13th treatment cycle. Although for four of six variables, the changes in the 20 EE group were lower compared with the 30 EE group, none of the differences between the two treatments were statistically significant. The median values for the fasting levels of insulin, C-peptide and free fatty acids slightly increased or remained unchanged while the fasting glucose levels slightly decreased after 13 treatment cycles. While the glucose area under the curve (AUC) (0-3 h) was similar in both groups during the OGTT, the insulin AUC(0-3 h) was less increased in the 20 EE/100 LNG group compared with the 30 EE/150 LNG group. None of the differences between the treatment groups for any of the carbohydrate metabolism variables were statistically significant at any time point. Both study treatments were safe and well tolerated by the volunteers. Similar effects on the lipid and carbohydrate profiles were found for both preparations. The balanced one-third EE dose reduction in this new oral contraceptive caused slightly lower, but insignificant, changes in the lipid and carbohydrate variables compared with the reference treatment.

Predicting free-living energy expenditure using a miniaturized ear-worn sensor: an evaluation against doubly labeled water.

PubMed

Bouarfa, Loubna; Atallah, Louis; Kwasnicki, Richard Mark; Pettitt, Claire; Frost, Gary; Yang, Guang-Zhong

2014-02-01

Accurate estimation of daily total energy expenditure (EE)is a prerequisite for assisted weight management and assessing certain health conditions. The use of wearable sensors for predicting free-living EE is challenged by consistent sensor placement, user compliance, and estimation methods used. This paper examines whether a single ear-worn accelerometer can be used for EE estimation under free-living conditions.An EE prediction model as first derived and validated in a controlled setting using healthy subjects involving different physical activities. Ten different activities were assessed showing a tenfold cross validation error of 0.24. Furthermore, the EE prediction model shows a mean absolute deviation(MAD) below 1.2 metabolic equivalent of tasks. The same model was applied to a free-living setting with a different population for further validation. The results were compared against those derived from doubly labeled water. In free-living settings, the predicted daily EE has a correlation of 0.74, p 0.008, and a MAD of 272 kcal day. These results demonstrate that laboratory-derived prediction models can be used to predict EE under free-living conditions [corrected].

Study on Thermal Decomposition Characteristics of Ammonium Nitrate Emulsion Explosive in Different Scales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Qiujie; Tan, Liu; Xu, Sen; Liu, Dabin; Min, Li

2018-04-01

Numerous accidents of emulsion explosive (EE) are attributed to uncontrolled thermal decomposition of ammonium nitrate emulsion (ANE, the intermediate of EE) and EE in large scale. In order to study the thermal decomposition characteristics of ANE and EE in different scales, a large-scale test of modified vented pipe test (MVPT), and two laboratory-scale tests of differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and accelerating rate calorimeter (ARC) were applied in the present study. The scale effect and water effect both play an important role in the thermal stability of ANE and EE. The measured decomposition temperatures of ANE and EE in MVPT are 146°C and 144°C, respectively, much lower than those in DSC and ARC. As the size of the same sample in DSC, ARC, and MVPT successively increases, the onset temperatures decrease. In the same test, the measured onset temperature value of ANE is higher than that of EE. The water composition of the sample stabilizes the sample. The large-scale test of MVPT can provide information for the real-life operations. The large-scale operations have more risks, and continuous overheating should be avoided.

Current maternal depression moderates the relation between critical expressed emotion in mothers and depressive symptoms in their adolescent daughters.

PubMed

Mellick, William; Kalpakci, Allison; Sharp, Carla

2015-06-30

Prior studies have examined critical expressed emotion (EE-Crit) in mothers in the intergenerational transmission of depression. However, the potential moderating effect of maternal depression diagnostic status in relation to EE-Crit and youth depressive symptoms has yet to be determined. A total of N=121 biological mother/daughter dyads that differed in maternal depression diagnostic status were recruited for the present study: (1) currently depressed mothers (current depression, n=29); (2) formerly depressed mothers (past depression, n=39); and (3) mothers free from any psychiatric history (healthy controls, n=53). Mothers were administered structured clinical interviews and completed self-report measures of EE-Crit and psychopathology, and daughters self-reported depressive symptoms. Results indicated no significant group differences in EE-Crit; however, current maternal depression status moderated EE-Crit such that the magnitude of the relation between EE-Crit and adolescent depressive symptoms was significantly greater in daughters of currently depressed mothers. These findings highlight the importance of considering current maternal depression, rather than a history of maternal depression, in relation to EE-Crit and adolescent depressive symptoms, providing impetus for future investigations. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

75 FR 28857 - Agency Information Collection (Technical Industry Standards) Activities Under OMB Review

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-24

... (Technical Industry Standards) Activities Under OMB Review AGENCY: Office of Acquisition and Logistics... Industry Standards. OMB Control Number: 2900-0586. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. Abstract: VAAR provision 852.211-75, Technical Industry Standards, requires that items offered...

75 FR 16461 - Meeting of the Mobile Sources Technical Review Subcommittee

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-01

... ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Meeting of the Mobile Sources Technical Review Subcommittee AGENCY... Committee Act, Public Law 92- 463, notice is hereby given that the Mobile Sources Technical Review... site: http://www.epa.gov/air/caaac/mobile_sources.html . MSTRS listserver subscribers will receive...

Introduction of laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer early during residency: a single institutional study on short-term outcomes.

PubMed

Ogiso, Satoshi; Yamaguchi, Takashi; Hata, Hiroaki; Kuroyanagi, Hiroya; Sakai, Yoshiharu

2010-11-01

Laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer is unpopular because it is technically challenging. Suitable training systems have not been widely studied or established despite the steep learning curve for this procedure. We developed a systematic training program that enables resident surgeons to perform laparoscopic low anterior resection (LLAR) for rectal cancer and evaluated the safety and feasibility of this training program. We analyzed prospectively gathered data on all LLARs for rectal cancer performed at a single center over a 7-year period. Patients were assessed for demographic characteristics, tumor characteristics, operative procedure, operative time, blood loss, conversion to open surgery, complications, time to bowel recovery, distal margin, and number of lymph nodes harvested. We compared the early surgical, oncological, and functional outcomes of LLARs performed by expert surgeons with those of LLARs performed by resident surgeons for both intraperitoneal and extraperitoneal rectal cancer. All analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis. A total of 137 patients met the inclusion criteria for this study. Of the 75 LLARs for intraperitoneal rectal cancer, 40 were performed by expert surgeons (I-E group) and 35 by resident surgeons (I-R group). Of the 62 LLARs for extraperitoneal rectal cancer, 51 were performed by expert surgeons (E-E group) and 11 by resident surgeons (E-R group). The operative time was longer in the E-R group than in the E-E group. The time to resumption of diet was longer in the I-E group than in the I-R group. The other early outcomes, including blood loss, anastomotic leakage, conversion to open surgery, and number of lymph nodes harvested, were similar in the I-E and I-R groups and in the E-E and E-R groups. Our systematic training program on LLAR for rectal cancer enables resident surgeons to perform this procedure safely early during residency, with acceptable short-term outcomes.

Extent and Determinants of Thermogenic Responses to 24 Hours of Fasting, Energy Balance, and Five Different Overfeeding Diets in Humans

PubMed Central

Pannacciulli, Nicola; Bonfiglio, Susan; Pacak, Karel; Krakoff, Jonathan

2013-01-01

Context: Individual variation in the ability to convert excess calories to heat and the effects of dietary macronutrient composition are unclear. Objective: Stability and determinants of the energy expenditure (EE) response to overconsumption were assessed. Design, Setting, and Participants: Twenty subjects (75% male) with normal glucose regulation were evaluated during 24 hours each of energy balance, fasting, and 5 different diets with 200% energy requirements in a clinical research unit. Interventions: Five 1-day overfeeding diets were given in random order: high carbohydrate (75%) and low protein (3%); high carbohydrate and normal protein (20%); high fat (46%) and low protein; high fat (60%) and normal protein; and balanced (50% carbohydrates, 20% protein). Main Outcome Measures: The 24-hour EE, sleeping EE, and thermic effect of food (TEF) during each diet were measured with a metabolic chamber. Appetitive hormones were measured before and after the diets. Results: The EE response to overfeeding exhibited good intraindividual reproducibility. Similar increases above eucaloric feeding in 24-hour EE (mean 10.7 ± 5.7%, P < .001; range 2.9–18.8%) and sleeping EE (14.4 ± 11.3%, P < .001; range 1.0–45.1%) occurred when overfeeding diets containing 20% protein, despite differences in fat and carbohydrate content, but the EE response during overfeeding diets containing 3% protein was attenuated. The percent body fat negatively correlated with TEF during normal protein overfeeding (r = −0.53, P < .01). Fasting peptide YY negatively correlated with TEF (r = −0.56, P < .01) and the increase in sleeping EE (r = −0.54, P < .01) during overfeeding. Conclusions: There is an intrinsic EE response to overfeeding that negatively associates with adiposity, although it represents a small percentage of consumed calories. PMID:23666976

Magnetoliposomes Loaded with Poly-Unsaturated Fatty Acids as Novel Theranostic Anti-Inflammatory Formulations

PubMed Central

Calle, Daniel; Negri, Viviana; Ballesteros, Paloma; Cerdán, Sebastián

2015-01-01

We describe the preparation, physico-chemical characterization and anti-inflammatory properties of liposomes containing the superparamagnetic nanoparticle Nanotex, the fluorescent dye Rhodamine-100 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ethyl ester (ω-3 PUFA-EE), as theranostic anti-inflammatory agents. Liposomes were prepared after drying chloroform suspensions of egg phosphatidylcholine, hydration of the lipid film with aqueous phases containing or not Nanotex, Rhodamine-100 dye or ω-3 PUFA-EE, and eleven extrusion steps through nanometric membrane filters. This resulted in uniform preparations of liposomes of approximately 200 nm diameter. Extraliposomal contents were removed from the preparation by gel filtration chromatography. High Resolution Magic Angle Spinning 1H NMR Spectroscopy of the liposomal preparations containing ω-3 PUFA-EE revealed well resolved 1H resonances from highly mobile ω-3 PUFA-EE, suggesting the formation of very small (ca. 10 nm) ω-3 PUFA-EE nanogoticules, tumbling fast in the NMR timescale. Chloroform extraction of the liposomal preparations revealed additionally the incorporation of ω-3 PUFA-EE within the membrane domain. Water diffusion weighted spectra, indicated that the goticules of ω-3 PUFA-EE or its insertion in the membrane did not affect the average translational diffusion coefficient of water, suggesting an intraliposomal localization, that was confirmed by ultrafiltration. The therapeutic efficacy of these preparations was tested in two different models of inflammatory disease as inflammatory colitis or the inflammatory component associated to glioma development. Results indicate that the magnetoliposomes loaded with ω-3 PUFA-EE allowed MRI visualization in vivo and improved the outcome of inflammatory disease in both animal models, decreasing significantly colonic inflammation and delaying, or even reversing, glioma development. Together, our results indicate that magnetoliposomes loaded with ω-3 PUFA-EE may become useful anti-inflammatory agents for image guided drug delivery. PMID:25767616

Media communication strategies for climate-friendly lifestyles - Addressing middle and lower class consumers for social-cultural change via Entertainment-Education

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lubjuhn, S.; Pratt, N.

2009-11-01

This paper argues that Entertainment-Education (E-E) is a striking communication strategy for reaching middle and lower socio-economic classes with climate-friendly lifestyle messages. On the international level (e.g. in the US and the Netherlands) E-E approaches are being theoretically grounded, whereas in Germany they are not yet. Therefore further theoretical discussion and mapping of E-E approaches is central for future research. As a first step towards providing further theoretical foundations for E-E in the field of sustainability, the authors suggest a threefold mapping of E-E approaches. The threefold mapping of E-E approaches for communicating climate-friendly lifestyles to middle and lower class consumers is based on recent results from academic research and practical developments on the media market. The commonalities among the three is that they all promote pro-sustainability messages in an affective-orientated rather than cognitive-orientated, factual manner. Differences can be found in: the sender of the sustainability message, the targeted consumer groups and the media approach in use. Based on this, the paper draws the conclusion that two new paths for further research activities in the field of Entertainment-Education can be proposed: (1) Improving the existing approaches in practice by using theoretical foundation from the E-E field. This comprises at its core (A) to do formative, process and summative effect research on the messages and (B) to use E-E theory from the field of social psychology, sociology and communication science for further improvement and (2) Generating new E-E theories by analyzing the existing practical approaches in the media to communicate climate change.

Environmental enrichment synergistically improves functional recovery by transplanted adipose stem cells in chronic hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.

PubMed

Seo, Jung Hwa; Kim, Hyongbum; Park, Eun Sook; Lee, Jong Eun; Kim, Dong Wook; Kim, Hyun Ok; Im, Sang Hee; Yu, Ji Hea; Kim, Ji Yeon; Lee, Min-Young; Kim, Chul Hoon; Cho, Sung-Rae

2013-01-01

We investigated the effects of environmental enrichment (EE) on the function of transplanted adipose stem cells (ASCs) and the combined effect of EE and ASC transplantation on neurobehavioral function in an animal model of chronic hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury. HI brain damage was induced in 7-day-old mice by unilateral carotid artery ligation and exposure to hypoxia (8% O2 for 90 min). At 6 weeks of age, the mice were randomly injected with either ASCs or PBS into the striatum and were randomly assigned to either EE or standard cages (SC), comprising ASC-EE (n=18), ASC-SC (n=19), PBS-EE (n=12), PBS-SC (n=17), and untreated controls (n=23). Rotarod, forelimb-use asymmetry, and grip strength tests were performed to evaluate neurobehavioral function. The fate of transplanted cells and the levels of endogenous neurogenesis, astrocyte activation, and paracrine factors were also measured. As a result, EE and ASC transplantation synergistically improved rotarod latency, forelimb-use asymmetry, and grip strength compared to those of the other groups. The number of engrafted ASCs and βIII-tubulin(+) neurons derived from the transplanted ASCs was significantly higher in mice in EE than those in SC. EE and ASC transplantation also synergistically increased BrdU(+)βIII-tubulin(+) neurons, GFAP(+) astrocytic density, and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) level but not the level of CS-56(+) glial scarring in the striatum. In conclusion, EE and ASC transplantation synergistically improved neurobehavioral functions. The underlying mechanisms of this synergism included enhanced repair processes such as higher engraftment of the transplanted ASCs, increased endogenous neurogenesis and astrocytic activation coupled with upregulation of FGF2.

Post-weaning Environmental Enrichment, But Not Chronic Maternal Isolation, Enhanced Ethanol Intake during Periadolescence and Early Adulthood

PubMed Central

Berardo, Luciana R.; Fabio, María C.; Pautassi, Ricardo M.

2016-01-01

This study analyzed ethanol intake in male and female Wistar rats exposed to maternal separation (MS) during infancy (postnatal days 1–21, PD1–21) and environmental enrichment (EE) during adolescence (PD 21–42). Previous work revealed that MS enhances ethanol consumption during adulthood. It is still unknown if a similar effect is found during adolescence. Several studies, in turn, have revealed that EE reverses stress experiences, and reduces ethanol consumption and reinforcement; although others reported greater ethanol intake after EE. The interactive effects between these treatments upon ethanol’s effects and intake have yet to be explored. We assessed chronic ethanol intake and preference (12 two-bottle daily sessions, spread across 30 days, 1st session on PD46) in rats exposed to MS and EE. The main finding was that male – but not female – rats that had been exposed to EE consumed more ethanol than controls given standard housing, an effect that was not affected by MS. Subsequent experiments assessed several factors associated with heightened ethanol consumption in males exposed to MS and EE; namely taste aversive conditioning and hypnotic-sedative consequences of ethanol. We also measured anxiety response in the light-dark box and in the elevated plus maze tests; and exploratory patterns of novel stimuli and behaviors indicative of risk assessment and risk-taking, via a modified version of the concentric square field (CSF) test. Aversive conditioning, hypnosis and sleep time were similar in males exposed or not to EE. EE males, however, exhibited heightened exploration of novel stimuli and greater risk taking behaviors in the CSF test. It is likely that the promoting effect of EE upon ethanol intake was due to these effects upon exploratory and risk-taking behaviors. PMID:27790100

Neural network versus activity-specific prediction equations for energy expenditure estimation in children.

PubMed

Ruch, Nicole; Joss, Franziska; Jimmy, Gerda; Melzer, Katarina; Hänggi, Johanna; Mäder, Urs

2013-11-01

The aim of this study was to compare the energy expenditure (EE) estimations of activity-specific prediction equations (ASPE) and of an artificial neural network (ANNEE) based on accelerometry with measured EE. Forty-three children (age: 9.8 ± 2.4 yr) performed eight different activities. They were equipped with one tri-axial accelerometer that collected data in 1-s epochs and a portable gas analyzer. The ASPE and the ANNEE were trained to estimate the EE by including accelerometry, age, gender, and weight of the participants. To provide the activity-specific information, a decision tree was trained to recognize the type of activity through accelerometer data. The ASPE were applied to the activity-type-specific data recognized by the tree (Tree-ASPE). The Tree-ASPE precisely estimated the EE of all activities except cycling [bias: -1.13 ± 1.33 metabolic equivalent (MET)] and walking (bias: 0.29 ± 0.64 MET; P < 0.05). The ANNEE overestimated the EE of stationary activities (bias: 0.31 ± 0.47 MET) and walking (bias: 0.61 ± 0.72 MET) and underestimated the EE of cycling (bias: -0.90 ± 1.18 MET; P < 0.05). Biases of EE in stationary activities (ANNEE: 0.31 ± 0.47 MET, Tree-ASPE: 0.08 ± 0.21 MET) and walking (ANNEE 0.61 ± 0.72 MET, Tree-ASPE: 0.29 ± 0.64 MET) were significantly smaller in the Tree-ASPE than in the ANNEE (P < 0.05). The Tree-ASPE was more precise in estimating the EE than the ANNEE. The use of activity-type-specific information for subsequent EE prediction equations might be a promising approach for future studies.

Interrelations of Maternal Expressed Emotion, Maltreatment, and Separation/Divorce and Links to Family Conflict and Children’s Externalizing Behavior

PubMed Central

Narayan, Angela; Cicchetti, Dante; Rogosch, Fred A.; Toth, Sheree L.

2014-01-01

Research has documented that maternal expressed emotion-criticism (EE-Crit) from the Five-Minute Speech Sample (FMSS) predicts family conflict and children’s externalizing behavior in clinical and community samples. However, studies have not examined EE-Crit in maltreating or separated/divorced families, or whether these family risks exacerbate the links between EE-Crit and family conflict and externalizing behavior. The current study examined the associations between maternal EE-Crit, maltreatment, and separation/divorce, and whether maltreatment and separation/divorce moderated associations between EE-Crit and children’s externalizing problems, and EE-Crit and family conflict. Participants included 123 children (M = 8.01 years, SD = 1.58; 64.2% males) from maltreating (n = 83) or low-income, comparison (n = 40) families, and 123 mothers (n = 48 separated/divorced). Mothers completed the FMSS for EE-Crit and the Family Environment Scale for family conflict. Maltreatment was coded with the Maltreatment Classification System using information from official Child Protection Services (CPS) reports from the Department of Human Services (DHS). Trained summer camp counselors rated children’s externalizing behavior. Maltreatment was directly associated with higher externalizing problems, and separation/divorce, but not maltreatment, moderated the association between EE-Crit and externalizing behavior. Analyses pertaining to family conflict were not significant. Findings indicate that maltreatment is a direct risk factor for children’s externalizing behavior and separation/divorce is a vulnerability factor for externalizing behavior in family contexts with high maternal EE-Crit. Intervention, prevention, and policy efforts to promote resilience in high-risk families may be effective in targeting maltreating and critical parents, especially those with co-occurring separation/divorce. PMID:25037461

Multigenerational effects of bisphenol A or ethinyl estradiol exposure on F2 California mice (Peromyscus californicus) pup vocalizations

PubMed Central

Johnson, Sarah A.; Farrington, Michelle J.; Murphy, Claire R.; McAllister, Leif A.; Kaur, Sarabjit; Chun, Catherine; Ortega, Madison T.; Marshall, Brittney L.; Hoffmann, Frauke; Ellersieck, Mark R.; Schenk, A. Katrin

2018-01-01

Rodent pups use vocalizations to communicate with one or both parents in biparental species, such as California mice (Peromyscus californicus). Previous studies have shown California mice developmentally exposed to endocrine disrupting chemicals, bisphenol A (BPA) or ethinyl estradiol (EE), demonstrate later compromised parental behaviors. Reductions in F1 parental behaviors might also be due to decreased emissions of F2 pup vocalizations. Thus, vocalizations of F2 male and female California mice pups born to F1 parents developmentally exposed to BPA, EE, or controls were examined. Postnatal days (PND) 2–4 were considered early postnatal period, PND 7 and 14 were defined as mid-postnatal period, and PND 21 and 28 were classified as late postnatal period. EE pups showed increased latency to emit the first syllable compared to controls. BPA female pups had decreased syllable duration compared to control and EE female pups during the early postnatal period but enhanced responses compared to controls at late postnatal period; whereas, male BPA and EE pups showed greater syllable duration compared to controls during early postnatal period. In mid-postnatal period, F2 BPA and EE pups emitted greater number of phrases than F2 control pups. Results indicate aspects of vocalizations were disrupted in F2 pups born to F1 parents developmentally exposed to BPA or EE, but their responses were not always identical, suggesting BPA might not activate estrogen receptors to the same extent as EE. Changes in vocalization patterns by F2 pups may be due to multigenerational exposure to BPA or EE and/or reduced parental care received. PMID:29912934

Predicting energy expenditure through hand rim propulsion power output in individuals who use wheelchairs.

PubMed

Conger, Scott A; Scott, Stacy N; Bassett, David R

2014-07-01

To examine the relationship between hand rim propulsion power and energy expenditure (EE) during wheelchair wheeling and to investigate whether adding other variables to the model could improve on the prediction of EE. Individuals who use manual wheelchairs (n=14) performed five different wheeling activities in a wheelchair with a PowerTap power meter hub built into the right rear wheel. Activities included wheeling on a smooth, level surface at three different speeds (4.5, 5.5 and 6.5 km/h), wheeling on a rubberised track at one speed (5.5 km/h) and wheeling on a sidewalk course that included uphill and downhill segments at a self-selected speed. EE was measured using a portable indirect calorimetry system. Stepwise linear regression was performed to predict EE from power output variables. A repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare the measured EE to the estimates from the power models. Bland-Altman plots were used to assess the agreement between the criterion values and the predicted values. EE and power were significantly correlated (r=0.694, p<0.001). Regression analysis yielded three significant prediction models utilising measured power; measured power and speed; and measured power, speed and heart rate. No significant differences were found between measured EE and any of the prediction models. EE can be accurately and precisely estimated based on hand rim propulsion power. These results indicate that power could be used as a method to assess EE in individuals who use wheelchairs. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Body Segment Kinematics and Energy Expenditure in Active Videogames.

PubMed

Böhm, Birgit; Hartmann, Michael; Böhm, Harald

2016-06-01

Energy expenditure (EE) in active videogames (AVGs) is a component for assessing its benefit for cardiovascular health. Existing evidence suggests that AVGs are able to increase EE above rest and when compared with playing passive videogames. However, the association between body movement and EE remains unclear. Furthermore, for goal-directed game design, it is important to know the contribution of body segments to EE. This knowledge will help to acquire a certain level of exercise intensity during active gaming. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the best predictors of EE from body segment energies, acceleration, and heart rate during different game situations. EE and body segment movement of 17 subjects, aged 22.1 ± 2.5 years, were measured in two different AVGs. In randomized order, the subjects played a handheld-controlled Nintendo(®) Wii™ tennis (NWT) game and a whole body-controlled Sony EyeToy(®) waterfall (ETW) game. Body segment movement was analyzed using a three-dimensional motion capture system. From the video data, mean values of mechanical energy change and acceleration of 10 body segments were analyzed. Measured EE was significantly higher in ETW (7.8 ± 1.4 metabolic equivalents [METs]) than in NWT (3.4 ± 1.0 METs). The best prediction parameter for the more intense ETW game was the energy change of the right thigh and for the less intense hand-controlled NWT game was the energy change of the upper torso. Segment acceleration was less accurate in predicting EE. The best predictors of metabolic EE were the thighs and the upper torso in whole body and handheld-controlled games, respectively. Increasing movement of these body segments would lead to higher physical activity intensity during gaming, reducing sedentary behavior.

The antidepressant-like effect of ethynyl estradiol is mediated by both serotonergic and noradrenergic systems in the forced swimming test.

PubMed

Vega-Rivera, N M; López-Rubalcava, C; Estrada-Camarena, E

2013-10-10

17α-Ethynyl-estradiol (EE2, a synthetic steroidal estrogen) induces antidepressant-like effects in the forced swimming test (FST) similar to those induced by 5-HT and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (dual antidepressants). However, the precise mechanism of action of EE2 has not been studied. In the present study, the participation of estrogen receptors (ERs) and the serotonergic and the noradrenergic presynaptic sites in the antidepressant-like action of EE2 was evaluated in the FST. The effects of the ER antagonist ICI 182,780 (10 μg/rat; i.c.v.), the serotonergic and noradrenergic terminal destruction with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT; 200 μg/rat, i.c.v.), and N-(2-chloro-ethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine (DSP4; 10mg/kg, i.p.) were studied in ovariectomized rats treated with EE2 and subjected to the FST. In addition, the participation of α2-adrenergic receptors in the antidepressant-like action of EE2 was explored using the selective α2-receptor antagonist idazoxan (0.25, 0.5 and 1.0mg/kg, i.p.). EE2 induced an antidepressant-like action characterized by a decrease in immobility behavior with a concomitant increase in swimming and climbing behaviors. The ER antagonist, 5,7-DHT, DSP4, and idazoxan blocked the effects of EE2 on the immobility behavior, whereas ICI 182,780 and 5,7-DHT affected swimming behavior. The noradrenergic compound DSP4 altered climbing behavior, while Idazoxan inhibited the increase of swimming and climbing behaviors induced by EE2. Our results suggest that the antidepressant-like action of EE2 implies a complex mechanism of action on monoaminergic systems and estrogen receptors. Copyright © 2013 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

77 FR 60430 - Meeting of the Mobile Sources Technical Review Subcommittee

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-03

... ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-9736-3] Meeting of the Mobile Sources Technical Review... Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92- 463, notice is hereby given that the Mobile Sources Technical Review... Advisory Committee. This is an open meeting. The meeting will include discussion of current topics and...

Environmental education: A blueprint for achievement?

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McErlean, A.J.; Williams, E.; Wittwer, F.

1995-09-01

The present national effort devoted to environmental education (EE), particularly as it relates to K-12 education, is examined and indexed to other current events and their support levels. For the most part, EE efforts are embedded in science, mathematics, and engineering programs (SME), and the relationships to these other areas are discussed. In the present context, many aspects such as social, ethical, and religious consideration of EE are not addressed. The relationships between EE and the expectation for scientific literacy (SL) and improved environmental decision-making in both short- and long-term contexts are also examined. Under existing programs, the prognosis formore » serious, effective accomplishment, or credible impact on universal EE literacy or enhanced decision-making, is doubtful.« less

Entrepreneurship Education and Academic Performance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johansen, Vegard

2014-01-01

The significant increase of entrepreneurship education (EE) is a trend in Europe. Entrepreneurship education is supposed to promote general and specific entrepreneurial abilities and improve academic performance. This paper evaluates whether EE influences academic performance, measured by Grade Point Average. The main indicator used for EE is the…

Separation of non-racemic mixtures of enantiomers: an essential part of optical resolution.

PubMed

Faigl, Ferenc; Fogassy, Elemér; Nógrádi, Mihály; Pálovics, Emese; Schindler, József

2010-03-07

Non-racemic enantiomeric mixtures form homochiral and heterochiral aggregates in melt or suspension, during adsorption or recrystallization, and these diastereomeric associations determine the distribution of the enantiomers between the solid and other (liquid or vapour) phases. That distribution depends on the stability order of the homo- and heterochiral aggregates (conglomerate or racemate formation). Therefore, there is a correlation between the binary melting point phase diagrams and the experimental ee(I)vs. ee(0) curves (ee(I) refers to the crystallized enantiomeric mixtures, ee(0) is the composition of the starting ones). Accordingly, distribution of the enantiomeric mixtures between two phases is characteristic and usually significant enrichment can be achieved. There are two exceptions: no enrichment could be observed under thermodynamically controlled conditions when the starting enantiomer composition corresponded to the eutectic composition, or when the method used was unsuitable for separation. In several cases, when kinetic control governed the crystallization, the character of the ee(0)-ee(I) curve did not correlate with the melting point binary phase diagram.

Eotaxin-3 and a uniquely conserved gene-expression profile in eosinophilic esophagitis

PubMed Central

Blanchard, Carine; Wang, Ning; Stringer, Keith F.; Mishra, Anil; Fulkerson, Patricia C.; Abonia, J. Pablo; Jameson, Sean C.; Kirby, Cassie; Konikoff, Michael R.; Collins, Margaret H.; Cohen, Mitchell B.; Akers, Rachel; Hogan, Simon P.; Assa’ad, Amal H.; Putnam, Philip E.; Aronow, Bruce J.; Rothenberg, Marc E.

2006-01-01

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is an emerging disorder with a poorly understood pathogenesis. In order to define disease mechanisms, we took an empirical approach analyzing esophageal tissue by a genome-wide microarray expression analysis. EE patients had a striking transcript signature involving 1% of the human genome that was remarkably conserved across sex, age, and allergic status and was distinct from that associated with non-EE chronic esophagitis. Notably, the gene encoding the eosinophil-specific chemoattractant eotaxin-3 (also known as CCL26) was the most highly induced gene in EE patients compared with its expression level in healthy individuals. Esophageal eotaxin-3 mRNA and protein levels strongly correlated with tissue eosinophilia and mastocytosis. Furthermore, a single-nucleotide polymorphism in the human eotaxin-3 gene was associated with disease susceptibility. Finally, mice deficient in the eotaxin receptor (also known as CCR3) were protected from experimental EE. These results implicate eotaxin-3 as a critical effector molecule for EE and provide insight into disease pathogenesis. PMID:16453027

Expressed emotion and sociocultural moderation in the course of schizophrenia.

PubMed

Aguilera, Adrian; López, Steven R; Breitborde, Nicholas J K; Kopelowicz, Alex; Zarate, Roberto

2010-11-01

This study examined whether the sociocultural context moderates the relationship between families' expressed emotion (EE) and clinical outcomes in schizophrenia. In a sample of 60 Mexican American caregivers and their ill relatives, we first assessed whether EE and its indices (criticism, emotional overinvolvement [EOI], and warmth) related to relapse. Second, we extended the analysis of EE and its indices to a longitudinal assessment of symptomatology. Last, we tested whether bidimensional acculturation moderated the relationship between EE (and its indices) and both relapse and symptom trajectory over time. Results indicated that EOI was associated with increased relapse and that criticism was associated with increased symptomatology. Additionally, as patients' Mexican enculturation (Spanish language and media involvement) decreased, EE was increasingly related to relapse. For symptomatology, as patients' U.S. acculturation (English language and media involvement) increased, EE was associated with increased symptoms longitudinally. Our results replicate and extend past research on how culture might shape the way family factors relate to the course of schizophrenia. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved

Ovarian hormones and obesity

PubMed Central

Leeners, Brigitte; Geary, Nori; Tobler, Philippe N.; Asarian, Lori

2017-01-01

Abstract BACKGROUND Obesity is caused by an imbalance between energy intake, i.e. eating and energy expenditure (EE). Severe obesity is more prevalent in women than men worldwide, and obesity pathophysiology and the resultant obesity-related disease risks differ in women and men. The underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Pre-clinical and clinical research indicate that ovarian hormones may play a major role. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE We systematically reviewed the clinical and pre-clinical literature on the effects of ovarian hormones on the physiology of adipose tissue (AT) and the regulation of AT mass by energy intake and EE. SEARCH METHODS Articles in English indexed in PubMed through January 2016 were searched using keywords related to: (i) reproductive hormones, (ii) weight regulation and (iii) central nervous system. We sought to identify emerging research foci with clinical translational potential rather than to provide a comprehensive review. OUTCOMES We find that estrogens play a leading role in the causes and consequences of female obesity. With respect to adiposity, estrogens synergize with AT genes to increase gluteofemoral subcutaneous AT mass and decrease central AT mass in reproductive-age women, which leads to protective cardiometabolic effects. Loss of estrogens after menopause, independent of aging, increases total AT mass and decreases lean body mass, so that there is little net effect on body weight. Menopause also partially reverses women's protective AT distribution. These effects can be counteracted by estrogen treatment. With respect to eating, increasing estrogen levels progressively decrease eating during the follicular and peri-ovulatory phases of the menstrual cycle. Progestin levels are associated with eating during the luteal phase, but there does not appear to be a causal relationship. Progestins may increase binge eating and eating stimulated by negative emotional states during the luteal phase. Pre-clinical research indicates that one mechanism for the pre-ovulatory decrease in eating is a central action of estrogens to increase the satiating potency of the gastrointestinal hormone cholecystokinin. Another mechanism involves a decrease in the preference for sweet foods during the follicular phase. Genetic defects in brain α-melanocycte-stimulating hormone–melanocortin receptor (melanocortin 4 receptor, MC4R) signaling lead to a syndrome of overeating and obesity that is particularly pronounced in women and in female animals. The syndrome appears around puberty in mice with genetic deletions of MC4R, suggesting a role of ovarian hormones. Emerging functional brain-imaging data indicates that fluctuations in ovarian hormones affect eating by influencing striatal dopaminergic processing of flavor hedonics and lateral prefrontal cortex processing of cognitive inhibitory controls of eating. There is a dearth of research on the neuroendocrine control of eating after menopause. There is also comparatively little research on the effects of ovarian hormones on EE, although changes in ovarian hormone levels during the menstrual cycle do affect resting EE. WIDER IMPLICATIONS The markedly greater obesity burden in women makes understanding the diverse effects of ovarian hormones on eating, EE and body adiposity urgent research challenges. A variety of research modalities can be used to investigate these effects in women, and most of the mechanisms reviewed are accessible in animal models. Therefore, human and translational research on the roles of ovarian hormones in women's obesity and its causes should be intensified to gain further mechanistic insights that may ultimately be translated into novel anti-obesity therapies and thereby improve women's health. PMID:28333235

Ovarian hormones and obesity.

PubMed

Leeners, Brigitte; Geary, Nori; Tobler, Philippe N; Asarian, Lori

2017-05-01

Obesity is caused by an imbalance between energy intake, i.e. eating and energy expenditure (EE). Severe obesity is more prevalent in women than men worldwide, and obesity pathophysiology and the resultant obesity-related disease risks differ in women and men. The underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Pre-clinical and clinical research indicate that ovarian hormones may play a major role. We systematically reviewed the clinical and pre-clinical literature on the effects of ovarian hormones on the physiology of adipose tissue (AT) and the regulation of AT mass by energy intake and EE. Articles in English indexed in PubMed through January 2016 were searched using keywords related to: (i) reproductive hormones, (ii) weight regulation and (iii) central nervous system. We sought to identify emerging research foci with clinical translational potential rather than to provide a comprehensive review. We find that estrogens play a leading role in the causes and consequences of female obesity. With respect to adiposity, estrogens synergize with AT genes to increase gluteofemoral subcutaneous AT mass and decrease central AT mass in reproductive-age women, which leads to protective cardiometabolic effects. Loss of estrogens after menopause, independent of aging, increases total AT mass and decreases lean body mass, so that there is little net effect on body weight. Menopause also partially reverses women's protective AT distribution. These effects can be counteracted by estrogen treatment. With respect to eating, increasing estrogen levels progressively decrease eating during the follicular and peri-ovulatory phases of the menstrual cycle. Progestin levels are associated with eating during the luteal phase, but there does not appear to be a causal relationship. Progestins may increase binge eating and eating stimulated by negative emotional states during the luteal phase. Pre-clinical research indicates that one mechanism for the pre-ovulatory decrease in eating is a central action of estrogens to increase the satiating potency of the gastrointestinal hormone cholecystokinin. Another mechanism involves a decrease in the preference for sweet foods during the follicular phase. Genetic defects in brain α-melanocycte-stimulating hormone-melanocortin receptor (melanocortin 4 receptor, MC4R) signaling lead to a syndrome of overeating and obesity that is particularly pronounced in women and in female animals. The syndrome appears around puberty in mice with genetic deletions of MC4R, suggesting a role of ovarian hormones. Emerging functional brain-imaging data indicates that fluctuations in ovarian hormones affect eating by influencing striatal dopaminergic processing of flavor hedonics and lateral prefrontal cortex processing of cognitive inhibitory controls of eating. There is a dearth of research on the neuroendocrine control of eating after menopause. There is also comparatively little research on the effects of ovarian hormones on EE, although changes in ovarian hormone levels during the menstrual cycle do affect resting EE. The markedly greater obesity burden in women makes understanding the diverse effects of ovarian hormones on eating, EE and body adiposity urgent research challenges. A variety of research modalities can be used to investigate these effects in women, and most of the mechanisms reviewed are accessible in animal models. Therefore, human and translational research on the roles of ovarian hormones in women's obesity and its causes should be intensified to gain further mechanistic insights that may ultimately be translated into novel anti-obesity therapies and thereby improve women's health. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com

Enrichment rescues contextual discrimination deficit associated with immediate shock.

PubMed

Clemenson, Gregory D; Lee, Star W; Deng, Wei; Barrera, Vanessa R; Iwamoto, Kei S; Fanselow, Michael S; Gage, Fred H

2015-03-01

Adult animals continue to modify their behavior throughout life, a process that is highly influenced by past experiences. To shape behavior, specific mechanisms of neural plasticity to learn, remember, and recall information are required. One of the most robust examples of adult plasticity in the brain occurs in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus, through the process of adult neurogenesis. Adult neurogenesis is strongly upregulated by external factors such as voluntary wheel running (RUN) and environmental enrichment (EE); however, the functional differences between these two factors remain unclear. Although both manipulations result in increased neurogenesis, RUN dramatically increases the proliferation of newborn cells and EE promotes their survival. We hypothesize that the method by which these newborn neurons are induced influences their functional role. Furthermore, we examine how EE-induced neurons may be primed to encode and recognize features of novel environments due to their previous enrichment experience. Here, we gave mice a challenging contextual fear-conditioning (FC) procedure to tease out the behavioral differences between RUN-induced neurogenesis and EE-induced neurogenesis. Despite the robust increases in neurogenesis seen in the RUN mice, we found that only EE mice were able to discriminate between similar contexts in this task, indicating that EE mice might use a different cognitive strategy when processing contextual information. Furthermore, we showed that this improvement was dependent on EE-induced neurogenesis, suggesting a fundamental functional difference between RUN-induced neurogenesis and EE-induced neurogenesis. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Enrichment Rescues Contextual Discrimination Deficit Associated With Immediate Shock

PubMed Central

Clemenson, Gregory D.; Lee, Star W.; Deng, Wei; Barrera, Vanessa R.; Iwamoto, Kei S.; Fanselow, Michael S.; Gage, Fred H.

2015-01-01

Adult animals continue to modify their behavior throughout life, a process that is highly influenced by past experiences. To shape behavior, specific mechanisms of neural plasticity to learn, remember, and recall information are required. One of the most robust examples of adult plasticity in the brain occurs in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus, through the process of adult neurogenesis. Adult neurogenesis is strongly upregulated by external factors such as voluntary wheel running (RUN) and environmental enrichment (EE); however, the functional differences between these two factors remain unclear. Although both manipulations result in increased neurogenesis, RUN dramatically increases the proliferation of newborn cells and EE promotes their survival. We hypothesize that the method by which these newborn neurons are induced influences their functional role. Furthermore, we examine how EE-induced neurons may be primed to encode and recognize features of novel environments due to their previous enrichment experience. Here, we gave mice a challenging contextual fear-conditioning (FC) procedure to tease out the behavioral differences between RUN-induced neurogenesis and EE-induced neurogenesis. Despite the robust increases in neurogenesis seen in the RUN mice, we found that only EE mice were able to discriminate between similar contexts in this task, indicating that EE mice might use a different cognitive strategy when processing contextual information. Furthermore, we showed that this improvement was dependent on EE-induced neurogenesis, suggesting a fundamental functional difference between RUN-induced neurogenesis and EE-induced neurogenesis. PMID:25330953

Electrochemically modified dissolved organic matter accelerates the combining photodegradation and biodegradation of 17α-ethinylestradiol in natural aquatic environment.

PubMed

He, Huan; Huang, Bin; Fu, Gen; Xiong, Dan; Xu, Zhixiang; Wu, Xinhao; Pan, Xuejun

2018-06-15

The photochemical conversion and microbial transformation of pollutants mediated by dissolved organic matter (DOM), including 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), are often accompanied in natural water. However, there are few studies to explore the connection and mechanism between the two processes. This research aims to investigate the mechanism of DOM after electrochemically modification mediated EE2 combining photodegradation and biodegradation in the environment and it want to explain the natural phenomena of DOM after electrochemical advanced treatment entering the water environment mediated EE2 natural degradation. The results showed that combining photodegradation with biodegradation rates of EE2 mediated by DOM and electrochemically modified DOM (E-DOM) were promoted obviously. The efficiency of EE2 biodegradation was shown to be strongly correlated with electron accepting capacity (EAC) of DOM. Electrochemical modification can increase the EAC of DOM leading to EE2 biodegradation accelerated, and it also can form more triplet-state DOM moieties to promote the EE2 photodegradation in irradiation conditions, due to the increasing of quinone-type structures in DOM. Moreover, cell polymeric secretion (CPS) secreted from the microorganism could be stimulated to an excited state by irradiation, and that also accelerated EE2 degradation. Photolysis combined with biochemical degradation yielded less toxic degradation products. This study shows that the emission of DOM in wastewater after electrochemical treatment could accelerate estrogen degradation and play a positive role on the pollutant transformation in the environment. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Novel Approach to Identify Potential Bioactive Plant Metabolites: Pharmacological and Metabolomics Analyses of Ethanol and Hot Water Extracts of Several Canadian Medicinal Plants of the Cree of Eeyou Istchee.

PubMed

Shang, Nan; Saleem, Ammar; Musallam, Lina; Walshe-Roussel, Brendan; Badawi, Alaa; Cuerrier, Alain; Arnason, John T; Haddad, Pierre S

2015-01-01

We evaluated and compared the antidiabetic potential and molecular mechanisms of 17 Cree plants' ethanol extracts (EE) and hot water extracts (HWE) on glucose homeostasis in vitro and used metabolomics to seek links with the content of specific phytochemicals. Several EE of medical plants stimulated muscle glucose uptake and inhibited hepatic G6Pase activity. Some HWE partially or completely lost these antidiabetic activities in comparison to EE. Only R. groenlandicum retained similar potential between EE and HWE in both assays. In C2C12 muscle cells, EE of R. groenlandicum, A. incana and S. purpurea stimulated glucose uptake by activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway and increasing glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) expression. In comparison to EE, HWE of R. groenlandicum exhibited similar activities; HWE of A. incana completely lost its effect on all parameters; interestingly, HWE of S. purpurea activated insulin pathway instead of AMPK pathway to increase glucose uptake. In the liver, for a subset of 5 plants, HWE and EE activated AMPK pathway whereas the EE and HWE of S. purpurea and K. angustifolia also activated insulin pathways. Quercetin-3-O-galactoside and quercetin 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranoside, were successfully identified by discriminant analysis as biomarkers of HWE plant extracts that stimulate glucose uptake in vitro. More importantly, the latter compound was not identified by previous bioassay-guided fractionation.

Neurogenesis Inhibition Prevents Enriched Environment to Prolong and Strengthen Social Recognition Memory, But Not to Increase BDNF Expression.

PubMed

Pereira-Caixeta, Ana Raquel; Guarnieri, Leonardo O; Pena, Roberta R; Dias, Thomáz L; Pereira, Grace Schenatto

2017-07-01

Hippocampus-dependent memories, such as social recognition (SRM), are modulated by neurogenesis. However, the precise role of newborn neurons in social memory processing is still unknown. We showed previously that 1 week of enriched environment (EE) is sufficient to increase neurogenesis in the hippocampus (HIP) and the olfactory bulb (OB) of mice. Here, we tested the hypothesis that 1 week of EE would enhance SRM persistence and strength. In addition, as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may mediate some of the neurogenesis effects on memory, we also tested if 1 week of EE would increase BDNF expression in the HIP and OB. We also predicted that neurogenesis inhibition would block the gain of function caused by EE on both SRM and BDNF expression. We found that EE increased BDNF expression in the HIP and OB of mice; at the same time, it allowed SRM to last longer. In addition, mice on EE had their SRM unaffected by memory consolidation interferences. As we predicted, treatment with the anti-mitotic drug AraC blocked EE effects on SRM. Surprisingly, neurogenesis inhibition did not affect the BDNF expression, increased by EE. Together, our results suggest that newborn neurons improve SRM persistence through a BDNF-independent mechanism. Interestingly, this study on social memory uncovered an unexpected dissociation between the effect of adult neurogenesis and BDNF expression on memory persistence, reassuring the idea that not all neurogenesis effects on memory are BDNF-dependent.

Energo- and exergo-technical assessment of ground-source heat pump systems for geothermal energy production from underground mines.

PubMed

Amiri, Leyla; Madadian, Edris; Hassani, Ferri P

2018-06-08

The objective of this study is to perform the energy and exergy analysis of an integrated ground-source heat pump (GSHP) system, along with technical assessment, for geothermal energy production by deployment of Engineering Equation Solver (EES). The system comprises heat pump cycle and ground heat exchanger for extracting geothermal energy from underground mine water. A simultaneous energy and exergy analysis of the system is brought off. These analyses provided persuasive outcomes due to the use of an economic and green source of energy. The energetic coefficient of performance (COP) of the entire system is 2.33 and the exergy efficiency of the system is 28.6%. The exergetic efficiencies of the compressor, ground heat exchanger, evaporator, expansion valve, condenser and fan are computed to be 38%, 42%, 53%, 55%, 60% and 64%, respectively. In the numerical investigation, different alteration such as changing the temperature and pressure of the condenser show promising potential for further application of GSHPs. The outcomes of this research can be used for developing and designing novel coupled heat and power systems.

Recovery Act: Pilot Integrated Cellulosic Biorefinery Operations to Fuel Ethanol

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Javers, Jeremy

DOE EE002875 Technical Report Public Release. The objective was to leverage ICM’s pre-existing corn to ethanol pilot plant to build and to commission a fully functional pilot integrated cellulosic biorefinery. ICM’s Integrated Biorefinery (IBR) project was designed to achieve four major objectives. These primary goals were achieved during the performance period from December 2009 – August 2015. The design and construction phase took place from December 2009 until August 2011, with an increase in budget of nearly 4 million dollars. This increased cost was offset by operational changes, so the amount spent for the overall project increased by less thanmore » $500,000. There were three 1,000-hour performance test conducted, which produced cellulosic feedstock.« less

Biological and Chemical Technologies Research at OIT: Annual Summary Report, FY 1997

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Peterson, G.

1998-03-01

The annual summary report presents the fiscal year (FY) 1 997 research activities and accomplishments for the United States Department of Energy (DOE) Biological and Chemical Technologies Research (BCTR) Program. This BCTR program resides within the Office of Industrial Technologies (OIT) of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE). The annual summary report for 1997 (ASR 97) contains the following: program description (including BCTR program mission statement, historical background, relevance, goals and objectives); program structure and organization; selected technical and programmatic highlights for 1 997; detailed descriptions of individual projects; and a listing of program output, including amore » bibliography of published work, patents, and awards arising from work supported by the program.« less

Final Technical Report for EE0006091: H2Pump Hydrogen Recycling System Demonstration

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Staudt, Rhonda

The objective of this project is to demonstrate the product readiness and to quantify the benefits and customer value proposition of H2Pump’s Hydrogen Recycling System (HRS-100™) by installing and analyzing the operation of multiple prototype 100-kg per day systems in real world customer locations. The data gathered will be used to measure reliability, demonstrate the value proposition to customers, and validate our business model. H2Pump will install, track and report multiple field demonstration systems in industrial heat treating and semi-conductor applications. The customer demonstrations will be used to develop case studies and showcase the benefits of the technology to drivemore » market adoption.« less

25-KVA Amorphous Metal-Core Transformer Developmental Test Report

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-08-01

N-1801 August 1989 By G.V. Urata and J.O. Franchi Sponsored By Naval Facilites Engineering Command Technical Note and Office of Naval Research 25-kVA...wt’c.i,,., di.shtr tlion iswilm ihed 89 11 1.3 108 C4C E .0>. .4) C L ’TU m ’D ’s n C w o o en o’ 0. 1 0 4 = ~ E 0 0 -~CI u 0 44 E N N M Cn E E E~ E EE...REPRODUCE LEGIBLY. REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE OM No. o70-o , Pub €ic r o t r b e to jhm, t o ,im io n of Anf rflut,O . m e, o .e, *. du .a. e o ., nte tve

10 CFR 905.17 - What are the requirements for the energy efficiency and/or renewable energy report (EE/RE report...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... include: (1) Customer name, address, phone number, email and Website if applicable, and contact person; (2... of EPAct. Customers must submit, in writing, an EE/RE report every 5 years. (g) Maintaining EE/RE...

Exploring stroke survivor experience of participation in an enriched environment: a qualitative study.

PubMed

White, Jennifer H; Bartley, Emma; Janssen, Heidi; Jordan, Louise-Anne; Spratt, Neil

2015-01-01

Data highlight the importance of undertaking intense and frequent repetition of activities within stroke rehabilitation to maximise recovery. An enriched environment (EE) provides a medium in which these activities can be performed and enhanced recovery achieved. An EE has been shown to promote neuroplasticity in animal models of stroke, facilitating enhanced recovery of motor and cognitive function. However, the benefit of enriching the environment of stroke survivors remains unknown. To qualitatively explore stroke survivors' experience of implementation of exposure to an EE within a typical stroke rehabilitation setting, in order to identify facilitators and barriers to participation. Semi-structured interviews with 10 stroke survivors (7 females and 3 males, mean age of 70.5 years) exposed to an EE for a 2-week period following exposure to routine rehabilitation within a stroke rehabilitation ward. An inductive thematic approach was utilised to collect and analyse data. Qualitative themes emerged concerning the environmental enrichment paradigm including: (1) "It got me moving" - perceived benefits of participation in an EE; (2) "You can be bored or you can be busy." - Attenuating factors influencing participation in an EE; (3) "I don't like to make the staff busier" - limitations to use of the EE. This study provides preliminary support for the implementation of an EE within a typical stroke rehabilitation setting from a patient perspective. Reported benefits included (1) increased motor, cognitive and sensory stimulation, (2) increased social interaction, (3) alleviation of degree of boredom and (4) increased feelings of personal control. However, participants also identified a number of barriers affecting implementation of the EE. We have previously published findings on perceptions of nursing staff working with stroke survivors in this enriched rehabilitation environment who identified that patients benefited from having better access to physical, cognitive and social activities. Together, results contribute to valuable evidence for future implementation of an EE in stroke rehabilitation settings. Implications for Rehabilitation Stroke survivor access to an enriched environment (EE): RESULTS identified that participation in both individual and communal forms of environment enrichment within the stroke rehabilitation ward resulted in increased access to activities providing increased opportunities for enhanced motor, cognitive and sensory stimulation. Increased access to and participation in activities of the environmental enrichment (individual and communal) interrupted the ongoing cycle of boredom and inactivity experienced by many participants. This study provides preliminary support for the implementation of an EE within a typical stroke rehabilitation setting from a patient perspective.

Bridging Climate Change Resilience and Mitigation in the Electricity Sector Through Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency: Emerging Climate Change and Development Topics for Energy Sector Transformation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cox, Sarah L; Hotchkiss, Elizabeth L; Bilello, Daniel E

Reliable, safe, and secure electricity is essential for economic and social development and a necessary input for many sectors of the economy. However, electricity generation and associated processes make up a significant portion of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions contributing to climate change. Furthermore, electricity systems are vulnerable to climate change impacts - both short-term events and changes over the longer term. This vulnerability presents both near-term and chronic challenges in providing reliable, affordable, equitable, and sustainable energy services. Within this context, developing countries face a number of challenges in the energy sector, including the need to reliably meet growingmore » electricity demand, lessen dependence on imported fuels, expand energy access, and improve stressed infrastructure for fuel supply and electricity transmission. Energy efficiency (EE) and renewable energy (RE) technical solutions described in this paper can bridge action across climate change mitigation and resilience through reducing GHG emissions and supporting electric power sector adaptation to increasing climate risk. Integrated planning approaches, also highlighted in this paper, play an integral role in bringing together mitigation and resilience action under broader frameworks. Through supporting EE and RE deployment and integrated planning approaches, unique to specific national and local circumstances, countries can design and implement policies, strategies, and sectoral plans that unite development priorities, climate change mitigation, and resilience.« less

Fγ: A new observable for photon-hadron discrimination in hybrid air shower events

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Niechciol, M.; Risse, M.; Ruehl, P.; Settimo, M.; Younk, P. W.; Yushkov, A.

2018-01-01

To search for ultra-high-energy photons in primary cosmic rays, air shower observables are needed that allow a good separation between primary photons and primary hadrons. We present a new observable, Fγ, which can be extracted from ground-array data in hybrid events, where simultaneous measurements of the longitudinal and the lateral shower profile are performed. The observable is based on a template fit to the lateral distribution measured by the ground array with the template taking into account the complementary information from the measurement of the longitudinal profile, i.e. the primary energy and the geometry of the shower. Fγ shows a very good photon-hadron separation, which is even superior to the separation given by the well-known Xmax observable (the atmospheric depth of the shower maximum). At energies around 1 EeV (10 EeV), Fγ provides a background rejection better than 97.8 % (99.9 %) at a signal efficiency of 50 %. Advantages of the observable Fγ are its technical stability with respect to irregularities in the ground array (i.e. missing or temporarily non-operating stations) and that it can be applied over the full energy range accessible to the air shower detector, down to its threshold energy. Furthermore, Fγ complements nicely to Xmax such that both observables can well be combined to achieve an even better discrimination power, exploiting the rich information available in hybrid events.

78 FR 42821 - Agency Information Collection (Technical Industry Standards) Activities Under OMB Review

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-17

... (Technical Industry Standards) Activities Under OMB Review AGENCY: Office of Acquisition and Logistics... Affairs Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) Provision 852.211-72 (formerly 852.211-75), Technical Industry.... Abstract: VAAR provision 852.211-72, Technical Industry Standards, requires items offered for sale to VA...

The Independent Technical Analysis Process Final Report 2006-2007.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Duberstein, Corey; Ham, Kenneth; Dauble, Dennis

2007-03-01

The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) contracted with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to provide technical analytical support for system-wide fish passage information (BPA Project No. 2006-010-00). The goal of this project was to produce rigorous technical analysis products using independent analysts and anonymous peer reviewers. This project provided an independent technical source for non-routine fish passage analyses while allowing routine support functions to be performed by other well-qualified entities. The Independent Technical Analysis Process (ITAP) was created to provide non-routine analysis for fish and wildlife agencies and tribes in particular and the public in general on matters related tomore » juvenile and adult salmon and steelhead passage through the mainstem hydrosystem. The process was designed to maintain the independence of analysts and reviewers from parties requesting analyses, to avoid potential bias in technical products. The objectives identified for this project were to administer a rigorous, transparent process to deliver unbiased technical assistance necessary to coordinate recommendations for storage reservoir and river operations that avoid potential conflicts between anadromous and resident fish. Seven work elements, designated by numbered categories in the Pisces project tracking system, were created to define and accomplish project goals as follows: (1) 118 Coordination - Coordinate technical analysis and review process: (a) Retain expertise for analyst/reviewer roles. (b) Draft research directives. (c) Send directive to the analyst. (d) Coordinate two independent reviews of the draft report. (e) Ensure reviewer comments are addressed within the final report. (2) 162 Analyze/Interpret Data - Implement the independent aspects of the project. (3) 122 Provide Technical Review - Implement the review process for the analysts. (4) 132 Produce Annual Report - FY06 annual progress report with Pisces Disseminate (5) 161 Disseminate Raw/Summary Data and Results - Post technical products on the ITAP web site. (6) 185-Produce Pisces Status Report - Provide periodic status reports to BPA. (7) 119 Manage and Administer Projects - project/contract administration.« less

78 FR 63251 - Board Meeting; November 20, 2013 in Washington, DC

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-23

... NUCLEAR WASTE TECHNICAL REVIEW BOARD Board Meeting; November 20, 2013 in Washington, DC The U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board will meet to discuss DOE SNF and HLW management research and... Policy Amendments Act of 1987, the U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board will hold a public meeting...

76 FR 77270 - Board Meeting; January 9, 2012, Arlington, VA

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-12

... NUCLEAR WASTE TECHNICAL REVIEW BOARD Board Meeting; January 9, 2012, Arlington, VA The U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board will meet to discuss integration efforts undertaken by DOE-NE and DOE... Amendments Act of 1987, the U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board will hold a public meeting in Arlington...

75 FR 73085 - National Toxicology Program (NTP): Office of Liaison, Policy, and Review; Availability of Draft...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-29

..., Policy, and Review; Availability of Draft NTP Technical Reports; Request for Comments; Announcement of a Panel Meeting to Peer Review Draft NTP Technical Reports AGENCY: National Institute of Environmental... NTP Technical Reports (TRs; available at http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/36051 ) that will be peer...

76 FR 8741 - National Toxicology Program (NTP): Office of Liaison, Policy, and Review; Availability of Draft...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-15

..., Policy, and Review; Availability of Draft NTP Technical Reports; Request for Comments; Announcement of a Panel Meeting To Peer Review Draft NTP Technical Reports AGENCY: National Institute of Environmental... NTP Technical Reports (TRs; available at http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/36051 ) that will be peer...

Moving beyond the EE and ESD Disciplinary Debate in Formal Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McKeown, Rosalyn; Hopkins, Charles

2007-01-01

Many educators think of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) on a disciplinary level--what is Environmental Education's (EE) contribution to a more sustainable future? Briefly, we describe differences and similarities between EE and ESD. Next, we examine four levels of activity--disciplinary, whole school, educational system, and…

Job Prospects for E/E Engineers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Basta, Nicholas

1987-01-01

Discusses the trends in employment in the electrical/electronics (E/E) engineering industry. States that although the number of E/E graduates grew at a rate of over 11 percent from 1985 to 1986, the economy continues to be the major determinant in the job outlook in the field. (TW)

31 CFR 353.2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

..., DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY BUREAU OF THE PUBLIC DEBT REGULATIONS GOVERNING DEFINITIVE UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES EE AND HH General Information § 353.2 Definitions. (a) Bond, or Series EE or HH savings bond, as used in this part, means a definitive United States Savings Bond of Series EE or HH. (b...

Energy expenditure while playing active and inactive video games.

PubMed

Leatherdale, Scott T; Woodruff, Sarah J; Manske, Stephen R

2010-01-01

To examine energy expenditure (EE) when playing active and inactive videogames (VG). Predicted EE was measured among 51 undergraduate students while playing active and inactive VG (Ontario, Canada). Predicted EE was significantly higher playing the active VG compared to the inactive VG according to heart rate monitor (97.4 kcal vs 64.7 kcal) and SenseWear armband (192.4 kcal vs 42.3 kcal) estimates. Active VG may be a viable intervention tool for increasing EE among students who would otherwise be spending time in sedentary screen-based behaviors.

Measurement of the ϕ → π0e+e- transition form factor with the KLOE detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anastasi, A.; Babusci, D.; Bencivenni, G.; Berlowski, M.; Bloise, C.; Bossi, F.; Branchini, P.; Budano, A.; Caldeira Balkeståhl, L.; Cao, B.; Ceradini, F.; Ciambrone, P.; Curciarello, F.; Czerwiński, E.; D'Agostini, G.; Danè, E.; De Leo, V.; De Lucia, E.; De Santis, A.; De Simone, P.; Di Cicco, A.; Di Domenico, A.; Di Salvo, R.; Domenici, D.; D'Uffizi, A.; Fantini, A.; Felici, G.; Fiore, S.; Gajos, A.; Gauzzi, P.; Giardina, G.; Giovannella, S.; Graziani, E.; Happacher, F.; Heijkenskjöld, L.; Ikegami Andersson, W.; Johansson, T.; Kamińska, D.; Krzemien, W.; Kupsc, A.; Loffredo, S.; Mandaglio, G.; Martini, M.; Mascolo, M.; Messi, R.; Miscetti, S.; Morello, G.; Moricciani, D.; Moskal, P.; Papenbrock, M.; Passeri, A.; Patera, V.; Perez del Rio, E.; Ranieri, A.; Salabura, P.; Santangelo, P.; Sarra, I.; Schioppa, M.; Silarski, M.; Sirghi, F.; Tortora, L.; Venanzoni, G.; Wiślicki, W.; Wolke, M.

2016-06-01

A measurement of the vector to pseudoscalar conversion decay ϕ →π0e+e- with the KLOE experiment is presented. A sample of ˜9500 signal events was selected from a data set of 1.7 fb-1 of e+e- collisions at √{ s} ˜mϕ collected at the DAΦNE e+e- collider. These events were used to perform the first measurement of the transition form factor |Fϕπ0 (q2) | and a new measurement of the branching ratio of the decay: BR (ϕ →π0e+e-) = (1.35 ±0.05-0.10+0.05) ×10-5. The result improves significantly on previous measurements and is in agreement with theoretical predictions.

ISR corrections to associated HZ production at future Higgs factories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Greco, Mario; Montagna, Guido; Nicrosini, Oreste; Piccinini, Fulvio; Volpi, Gabriele

2018-02-01

We evaluate the QED corrections due to initial state radiation (ISR) to associated Higgs boson production in electron-positron (e+e-) annihilation at typical energies of interest for the measurement of the Higgs properties at future e+e- colliders, such as CEPC and FCC-ee. We apply the QED Structure Function approach to the four-fermion production process e+e- →μ+μ- b b bar , including both signal and background contributions. We emphasize the relevance of the ISR corrections particularly near threshold and show that finite third order collinear contributions are mandatory to meet the expected experimental accuracy. We analyze in turn the rôle played by a full four-fermion calculation and beam energy spread in precision calculations for Higgs physics at future e+e- colliders.

Fractional reactive extraction for symmetrical separation of 4-nitro-D,L-phenylalanine in centrifugal contactor separators: experiments and modeling.

PubMed

Tang, Kewen; Wen, Ping; Zhang, Panliang; Huang, Yan

2015-01-01

The enantioselective liquid-liquid extraction of 4-nitro-D,L-phenylalanine (D,L-Nphy) using PdCl2 {(s)-BINAP} as extractant in dichloroethane was studied experimentally in a countercurrent cascade of 10 centrifugal contactor separators (CCSs) at 5°C, involving flow ratio, extractant concentration, and Cl(-) concentration. The steady-state enantiomeric excess (ee) in both stream exits was 90.86% at a 93.29% yield. The predicted value was modeled using an equilibrium stage approach. The correlation between model and experiment was satisfactory. The model was applied to optimize the production of both enantiomers in >97% ee and >99% ee. 14 stages and 16 stages are required for 97% ee and 99% ee for both enantiomers, respectively. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Student perceptions of the education environment in a Spanish medical podiatry school.

PubMed

Palomo-López, Patricia; Becerro-de-Bengoa-Vallejo, Ricardo; Calvo-Lobo, César; Tovaruela-Carrión, Natalia; Rodríguez-Sanz, David; Elena Losa-Iglesias, Marta; López-López, Daniel

2018-01-01

The aim of this study was to explore students' perceptions of the educational environment (EE) in a Spanish school of podiatry. Various aspects of EE were compared by academic year in the program. This was a cross-sectional study using a questionnaire to collect perceptions using data from a 2015 survey. Podiatric medical students from Extremadura University participated in this study. EE was assessed with the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) tool.The DREEM questionnaire covers five domains of student perceptions, including learning, teachers, academic self-perceptions, atmosphere, and social self-perceptions. Two hundred thirty-five students participated, resulting in a 90.73% response rate. Participants included similar numbers of students from different years in the program, and most were women. The global EE score was 2.58 out of 4, indicating that students' perceptions were more positive than negative. Although some weaknesses were detected in this school, students viewed the EE positively in all five DREEM domains. Academic year in the program were generally not related to perceptions of EE. Podiatric medical students declared, in general, that the EE was more positive than negative in our school, according to the DREEM questionnaire. However, although the results are on the whole good, some areas need to be revised to make improvements.

Emotional exhaustion and cognitive performance in apparently healthy teachers: a longitudinal multi-source study.

PubMed

Feuerhahn, Nicolas; Stamov-Roßnagel, Christian; Wolfram, Maren; Bellingrath, Silja; Kudielka, Brigitte M

2013-10-01

We investigate how emotional exhaustion (EE), the core component of burnout, relates to cognitive performance, job performance and health. Cognitive performance was assessed by self-rated cognitive stress symptoms, self-rated and peer-rated cognitive impairments in everyday tasks and a neuropsychological test of learning and memory (LGT-3); job performance and physical health were gauged by self-reports. Cross-sectional linear regression analyses in a sample of 100 teachers confirm that EE is negatively related to cognitive performance as assessed by self-rating and peer-rating as well as neuropsychological testing (all p < .05). Longitudinal linear regression analyses confirm similar trends (p < .10) for self-rated and peer-rated cognitive performance. Executive control deficits might explain impaired cognitive performance in EE. In longitudinal analyses, EE also significantly predicts physical health. Contrary to our expectations, EE does not affect job performance. When reversed causation is tested, none of the outcome variables at Time 1 predict EE at Time 2. This speaks against cognitive dysfunctioning serving as a vulnerability factor for exhaustion. In sum, results underpin the negative consequences of EE for cognitive performance and health, which are relevant for individuals and organizations alike. In this way, findings might contribute to the understanding of the burnout syndrome. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Experiences and factors influencing a sample of teachers in New York state public elementary and middle schools to focus on environmental education in their teaching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tooker, Gail Patricia

This study focuses on how fourteen elementary and middle level teachers in New York chose to teach environmental topics as part of their science curricula. Prior research suggested that factors influencing teachers to make curricular decisions are different from those that motivated them to become teachers in the first place (Espinet, et.al. 1992). This was supported by the results of this study, which found that most of these teachers made the decision to begin teaching environmental education (EE) well after deciding to become teachers and that the decision to teach EE was influenced by a variety of factors including participation in EE-oriented in-service programs, media coverage of environmental issues, encouragement from colleagues and school administrators to undertake EE, and personal experiences in childhood or early adulthood with the environment and/or with EE. Studies examining experiences that influence people to practice "environmentally responsible" behaviors (Chawla, 1995; McGarry, 1994; Tanner, 1994) suggested that positive childhood contacts with nature were important predictors for such behavior in adulthood. Findings of this study were largely consistent with these results, however, this sample of teachers viewed their childhood nature experiences as being mostly responsible for the development of their appreciation of the environment, while their actual decision to begin teaching EE was primarily influenced by other experiences, as discussed above. This study also examined how these teachers prepared themselves for teaching EE. The findings indicate that these teachers used a wide variety of preparation strategies. A minority reported becoming prepared for teaching EE through their pre-service teacher education programs. These results were in agreement with prior findings that most teacher education programs in this country do not include a focus on EE. Even where preparation for EE is included, it has been rated by the participants as inadequate (Disinger, 1990; McKeown-Ice, 1995). The sample was established via nomination by EE experts in New York and written invitation. Seven males and seven females representing grades K through 8th volunteered to participate. Data on potentially influential experiences and demographic factors were gathered via written questionnaire and structured interviews and were analyzed using conventional qualitative analysis techniques.

NESC Independent Review of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) Contamination Thermal/Vacuum (T/V) Anomaly Technical Consultation Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sutter, James K.; Leidecker, Henning W.; Panda, Binayak; Piascik, Robert S.; Muirhead, Brian K.; Peeler, Debra

2009-01-01

The NESC eras requested by the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to conduct an independent review of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) Thermal/Vacuum (T/V) Anomaly Assessment. Because the anomaly resulted in the surface contamination of the MRO, selected members of the Materials Super Problem Resolution Team (SPRT) and the NASA technical community having technical expertise relative to contamination issues were chosen for the independent review. The consultation consisted of a review of the MRO Project's reported response to the assessment findings, a detailed review of JPL technical assessment final report, and detailed discussions with the JPL assessment team relative to their findings.

Simultaneous determination of estrogens (ethinylestradiol and norgestimate) concentrations in human and bovine serum albumin by use of fluorescence spectroscopy and multivariate regression analysis.

PubMed

Hordge, LaQuana N; McDaniel, Kiara L; Jones, Derick D; Fakayode, Sayo O

2016-05-15

The endocrine disruption property of estrogens necessitates the immediate need for effective monitoring and development of analytical protocols for their analyses in biological and human specimens. This study explores the first combined utility of a steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy and multivariate partial-least-square (PLS) regression analysis for the simultaneous determination of two estrogens (17α-ethinylestradiol (EE) and norgestimate (NOR)) concentrations in bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA) samples. The influence of EE and NOR concentrations and temperature on the emission spectra of EE-HSA EE-BSA, NOR-HSA, and NOR-BSA complexes was also investigated. The binding of EE with HSA and BSA resulted in increase in emission characteristics of HSA and BSA and a significant blue spectra shift. In contrast, the interaction of NOR with HSA and BSA quenched the emission characteristics of HSA and BSA. The observed emission spectral shifts preclude the effective use of traditional univariate regression analysis of fluorescent data for the determination of EE and NOR concentrations in HSA and BSA samples. Multivariate partial-least-squares (PLS) regression analysis was utilized to correlate the changes in emission spectra with EE and NOR concentrations in HSA and BSA samples. The figures-of-merit of the developed PLS regression models were excellent, with limits of detection as low as 1.6×10(-8) M for EE and 2.4×10(-7) M for NOR and good linearity (R(2)>0.994985). The PLS models correctly predicted EE and NOR concentrations in independent validation HSA and BSA samples with a root-mean-square-percent-relative-error (RMS%RE) of less than 6.0% at physiological condition. On the contrary, the use of univariate regression resulted in poor predictions of EE and NOR in HSA and BSA samples, with RMS%RE larger than 40% at physiological conditions. High accuracy, low sensitivity, simplicity, low-cost with no prior analyte extraction or separation required makes this method promising, compelling, and attractive alternative for the rapid determination of estrogen concentrations in biomedical and biological specimens, pharmaceuticals, or environmental samples. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Characterisation of the transcriptome of male and female wild-type guppy brains with RNA-Seq and consequences of exposure to the pharmaceutical pollutant, 17α-ethinyl estradiol.

PubMed

Saaristo, Minna; Wong, Bob B M; Mincarelli, Laura; Craig, Allison; Johnstone, Christopher P; Allinson, Mayumi; Lindström, Kai; Craft, John A

2017-05-01

Waterways are increasingly being contaminated by chemical compounds that can disrupt the endocrinology of organisms. One such compound is 17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE2), a synthetic estrogen used in the contraceptive pill. Despite considerable research interest in the effects of EE2 on reproduction and gene expression, surprisingly, only a few studies have capitalised on technologies, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS), to uncover the molecular pathways related to EE2 exposure. Accordingly, using high-throughput sequencing technologies, the aim of our study was to explore the effects of EE2 on brain transcriptome in wild-type male and female guppy (Poecilia reticulata). We conducted two sets of experiments, where fish were exposed to EE2 (measured concentrations: 8ng/L and 38ng/L) in a flow-through system for 21days. The effects on the brain transcriptome on both males and females were assessed using Illumina sequencing (MiSeq and HiSeq) platform followed by bioinformatics analysis (edgeR, DESeq2). Here, we report that exposure to EE2 caused both up- and downregulation of specific transcript abundances, and affected transcript abundance in a sex-specific manner. Specifically, we found 773 transcripts, of which 60 were male-specific, 61 female-specific and 285 treatment-specific. EE2 affected expression of 165 transcripts in males, with 88 downregulated and 77 upregulated, while in females, 120 transcripts were affected with 62 downregulated and 58 upregulated. Finally, RT-qPCR validation demonstrated that expression of transcripts related to transposable elements, neuroserpin and heat shock protein were significantly affected by EE2-exposure. Our study is the first to report brain transcriptome libraries for guppies exposed to EE2. Not only does our study provide a valuable resource, it offers insights into the mechanisms underlying the feminizing effects on the brains of organisms exposed to environmentally realistic concentrations of EE2. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

High SMAD7 and p-SMAD2,3 expression is associated with environmental enteropathy in children.

PubMed

Syed, Sana; Dinallo, Vincenzo; Iqbal, Najeeha T; Di Iorio, Laura; Di Fusco, Davide; Guleria, Shan; Amadi, Beatrice C; Sadiq, Kamran; Moskaluk, Christopher; Ali, S Asad; Kelly, Paul; Monteleone, Giovanni

2018-02-01

Enteropathies such as Crohn's disease are associated with enteric inflammation characterized by impaired TGF-β signaling, decreased expression of phosphorylated (p)-SMAD2,3 and increased expression of SMAD7 (an inhibitor of SMAD3 phosphorylation). Environmental enteropathy (EE) is an acquired inflammatory disease of the small intestine (SI), which is associated with linear growth disruption, cognitive deficits, and reduced oral vaccine responsiveness in children <5 y in resource-poor countries. We aimed to characterize EE inflammatory pathways by determining SMAD7 and p-SMAD2,3 levels (using Western blotting) in EE duodenal biopsies (N = 19 children, 7 from Pakistan, 12 from Zambia) and comparing these with healthy controls (Ctl) and celiac disease (CD) patients from Italy. Densitometric analysis of immunoblots showed that EE SI biopsies expressed higher levels of both SMAD7 (mean±SD in arbitrary units [a.u.], Ctl = 0.47±0.20 a.u., EE = 1.13±0.25 a.u., p-value = 0.03) and p-SMAD2,3 (mean±SD, Ctl = 0.38±0.14 a.u., EE = 0.60±0.10 a.u., p-value = 0.03). Immunohistochemistry showed that, in EE, SMAD7 is expressed in both the epithelium and in mononuclear cells of the lamina propria (LP). In contrast, p-SMAD3 in EE is expressed much more prominently in epithelial cells than in the LP. The high SMAD7 immunoreactivity and lack of p-SMAD3 expression in the LP suggests defective TGF-β signaling in the LP in EE similar to a previously reported SMAD7-mediated inflammatory pathway in refractory CD and Crohn's disease. However, Western blot densitometry showed elevated p-SMAD2,3 levels in EE, possibly suggesting a different inflammatory pathway than Crohn's disease but more likely reflecting cumulative protein expression from across all compartments of the mucosa as opposed to the LP alone. Further studies are needed to substantiate these preliminary results and to illustrate the relationship between SMAD proteins, TGF-β signaling, and inflammatory cytokine production, all of which may be potential therapeutic targets.

Water 16-mers and hexamers: assessment of the three-body and electrostatically embedded many-body approximations of the correlation energy or the nonlocal energy as ways to include cooperative effects.

PubMed

Qi, Helena W; Leverentz, Hannah R; Truhlar, Donald G

2013-05-30

This work presents a new fragment method, the electrostatically embedded many-body expansion of the nonlocal energy (EE-MB-NE), and shows that it, along with the previously proposed electrostatically embedded many-body expansion of the correlation energy (EE-MB-CE), produces accurate results for large systems at the level of CCSD(T) coupled cluster theory. We primarily study water 16-mers, but we also test the EE-MB-CE method on water hexamers. We analyze the distributions of two-body and three-body terms to show why the many-body expansion of the electrostatically embedded correlation energy converges faster than the many-body expansion of the entire electrostatically embedded interaction potential. The average magnitude of the dimer contributions to the pairwise additive (PA) term of the correlation energy (which neglects cooperative effects) is only one-half of that of the average dimer contribution to the PA term of the expansion of the total energy; this explains why the mean unsigned error (MUE) of the EE-PA-CE approximation is only one-half of that of the EE-PA approximation. Similarly, the average magnitude of the trimer contributions to the three-body (3B) term of the EE-3B-CE approximation is only one-fourth of that of the EE-3B approximation, and the MUE of the EE-3B-CE approximation is one-fourth that of the EE-3B approximation. Finally, we test the efficacy of two- and three-body density functional corrections. One such density functional correction method, the new EE-PA-NE method, with the OLYP or the OHLYP density functional (where the OHLYP functional is the OptX exchange functional combined with the LYP correlation functional multiplied by 0.5), has the best performance-to-price ratio of any method whose computational cost scales as the third power of the number of monomers and is competitive in accuracy in the tests presented here with even the electrostatically embedded three-body approximation.

Spatial abilities and technical skills performance in health care: a systematic review.

PubMed

Langlois, Jean; Bellemare, Christian; Toulouse, Josée; Wells, George A

2015-11-01

The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the relationship between spatial abilities and technical skills performance in health care in beginners and to compare this relationship with those in intermediate and autonomous learners. Search criteria included 'spatial abilities' and 'technical skills'. Keywords related to these criteria were defined. A literature search was conducted to 20 December, 2013 in Scopus (including MEDLINE) and in several databases on EBSCOhost platforms (CINAHL Plus with Full Text, ERIC, Education Source and PsycINFO). Citations were obtained and reviewed by two independent reviewers. Articles related to retained citations were reviewed and a final list of eligible articles was determined. Articles were assessed for quality using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network-50 assessment instrument. Data were extracted from articles in a systematic way. Correlations between spatial abilities test scores and technical skills performance were identified. A series of 8289 citations was obtained. Eighty articles were retained and fully reviewed, yielding 36 eligible articles. The systematic review found a tendency for spatial abilities to be negatively correlated with the duration of technical skills and positively correlated with the quality of technical skills performance in beginners and intermediate learners. Pooled correlations of studies were -0.46 (p = 0.03) and -0.38 (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.53 to -0.21) for duration and 0.33 (95% CI 0.20-0.44) and 0.41 (95% CI 0.26-0.54) for quality of technical skills performance in beginners and intermediate learners, respectively. However, correlations between spatial abilities test scores and technical skills performance were not statistically significant in autonomous learners. Spatial abilities are an important factor to consider in selecting and training individuals in technical skills in health care. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

An overview of the development of combined oral contraceptives containing estradiol: focus on estradiol valerate/dienogest

PubMed Central

Fruzzetti, Franca; Trémollieres, Florence; Bitzer, Johannes

2012-01-01

Natural estrogens such as estradiol (E2) or its valerate ester (E2V) offer an alternative to ethinyl estradiol (EE). E2-containing combined oral contraceptives (COCs) have demonstrated sufficient ovulation inhibition and acceptable contraceptive efficacy. However, earlier formulations were generally associated with unacceptable bleeding profiles. Two E2V-containing preparations have been approved to date for contraceptive use: E2V/cypro-terone acetate (CPA) (Femilar®; only approved in Finland and only in women >40 years or women aged 35–40 years in whom a COC containing EE is not appropriate) and E2V/dienogest (DNG; Qlaira®/Natazia®). The objective of the current review is to provide an overview of the development of COCs containing natural estrogen, highlighting past issues and challenges faced by earlier formulations, as well as the current status and future directions. The majority of information to date pertains to the development of E2V/DNG. PMID:22468839

An exercise protocol designed to control energy expenditure for long-term space missions.

PubMed

Matsuo, Tomoaki; Ohkawara, Kazunori; Seino, Satoshi; Shimojo, Nobutake; Yamada, Shin; Ohshima, Hiroshi; Tanaka, Kiyoji; Mukai, Chiaki

2012-08-01

Astronauts experience weight loss during spaceflight. Future space missions require a more efficient exercise program not only to maintain work efficiency, but also to control increased energy expenditure (EE). When discussing issues concerning EE incurred through exercise, excess post-exercise energy expenditure (EPEE) must also be considered. The aim of this study was to compare the total EE, including EPEE, induced by two types of interval cycling protocols with the total EE of a traditional, continuous cycling protocol. There were 10 healthy men, ages 20 to 31 yr, who completed 3 exercise sessions: sprint interval training (SIT) consisting of 7 sets of 30-s cycling at 120% VO2max with a 15-s rest between each bout; high-intensity interval aerobic training (HIAT) consisting of 3 sets of 3-min cycling at 80-90% VO2max with a 2-min active rest at 50% VO2max; and continuous aerobic training (CAT) consisting of 40 min of cycling at 60-65% VO2max. During each session, resting metabolic rate, exercise EE, and a 180-min post-exercise EE were measured. The EPEEs during the SIT, HIAT, and CAT averaged 32 +/- 19, 21 +/- 16, and 13 +/- 13 kcal, and the total EE for an entire exercise/ rest session averaged 109 +/- 20, 182 +/- 17, and 363 +/- 45 kcal, respectively. While the EPEE after the CAT was significantly less than after the SIT, the total EE with the CAT was the greatest of the three. The SIT and HIAT would be potential protocols to control energy expenditure for long space missions.

Obesity does not affect treatment outcomes with proton pump inhibitors.

PubMed

Sharma, Prateek; Vakil, Nimish; Monyak, John T; Silberg, Debra G

2013-09-01

Obesity is associated with increased risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). To evaluate the effect of obesity on symptom resolution in patients with nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) and healing rates in patients with erosive esophagitis (EE). Two post hoc analyses were performed. Analyses included pooled data from randomized, double-blind, multicenter studies of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in GERD patients. Analysis 1 included 704 patients with NERD receiving esomeprazole 20 mg, esomeprazole 40 mg, or placebo. Analysis 2 included 11,027 patients with EE receiving esomeprazole 40 mg, omeprazole 20 mg, or lansoprazole 30 mg. For NERD patients, no significant association between baseline heartburn severity and body mass index (BMI) was observed. In EE patients, overweight (BMI 25 to <35 kg/m) and obese (BMI ≥35 kg/m) patients had significantly higher rates of Los Angeles (LA) grade C or D EE than patients with BMI <25 kg/m (P<0.0001). Percentages of PPI-treated patients who achieved heartburn resolution or EE healing within a given LA grade were similar across BMI categories. Heartburn resolution was significantly associated with treatment (esomeprazole vs. placebo), increasing age, and for men versus women (all P≤0.0284). EE healing was significantly associated with PPI treatment (esomeprazole and lansoprazole vs. omeprazole), increasing age, race, presence of a hiatal hernia, and lower LA grade at baseline (all P≤0.0183). In patients with GERD, high BMI was associated with more severe EE at baseline. However, during PPI treatment, BMI is not a significant independent predictor of heartburn resolution or EE healing.

Decreased allopregnanolone induced by hormonal contraceptives is associated with a reduction in social behavior and sexual motivation in female rats.

PubMed

Santoru, Francesca; Berretti, Roberta; Locci, Andrea; Porcu, Patrizia; Concas, Alessandra

2014-09-01

Allopregnanolone is a neurosteroid involved in depression, memory, social, and sexual behavior. We have previously demonstrated that treatment with a combination of ethinylestradiol (EE) and levonorgestrel (LNG), two compounds frequently used in hormonal contraception, decreased brain allopregnanolone concentrations. These changes may contribute to some of the emotional and sexual disorders observed in hormonal contraceptive users. We thus examined whether the reduction in allopregnanolone concentrations induced by long-term EE/LNG administration was associated with altered emotional, learning, social, and sexual behaviors. Rats were orally treated with a combination of EE (0.030 mg) and LNG (0.125 mg) once a day for 4 weeks and were subjected to behavioral tests 24 h after the last administration. EE/LNG treatment reduced immobility behavior in the forced swim test, without affecting sucrose preference and spatial learning and memory. In the resident-intruder test, EE/LNG-treated rats displayed a decrease in dominant behaviors associated with a reduction in social investigation. In the paced mating test, EE/LNG treated rats showed a reduction in proceptive behaviors, while the lordosis quotient was not affected. Progesterone, but not estradiol, administration to EE/LNG-treated rats increased sexual activity and cerebrocortical allopregnanolone concentrations. Prior administration of finasteride decreased allopregnanolone concentrations and abolished the increase in proceptivity induced by progesterone administration. The decrease in brain allopregnanolone concentrations induced by EE/LNG treatment is associated with a reduction in social behavior and sexual motivation in female rats. These results might be relevant to the side effects sometimes exhibited by women taking hormonal contraceptives.

Burnout among psychosocial oncologists: an application and extension of the effort–reward imbalance model

PubMed Central

Rasmussen, Victoria; Turnell, Adrienne; Butow, Phyllis; Juraskova, Ilona; Kirsten, Laura; Wiener, Lori; Patenaude, Andrea; Hoekstra-Weebers, Josette; Grassi, Luigi

2016-01-01

Objectives Burnout is a significant problem among healthcare professionals working within the oncology setting. This study aimed to investigate predictors of emotional exhaustion (EE) and depersonalisation (DP) in psychosocial oncologists, through the application of the effort–reward imbalance (ERI) model with an additional focus on the role of meaningful work in the burnout process. Methods Psychosocial oncology clinicians (n = 417) in direct patient contact who were proficient in English were recruited from 10 international psychosocial oncology societies. Participants completed an online questionnaire, which included measures of demographic and work characteristics, EE and DP subscales of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey, the Short Version ERI Questionnaire and the Work and Meaning Inventory. Results Higher effort and lower reward were both significantly associated with greater EE, although not DP. The interaction of higher effort and lower reward did not predict greater EE or DP. Overcommitment predicted both EE and DP but did not moderate the impact of effort and reward on burnout. Overall, the ERI model accounted for 33% of the variance in EE. Meaningful work significantly predicted both EE and DP but accounted for only 2% more of the variance in EE above and beyond the ERI model. Conclusions The ERI was only partially supported as a useful framework for investigating burnout in psychosocial oncology professionals. Meaningful work may be a viable extension of the ERI model. Burnout among health professionals may be reduced by interventions aimed at increasing self-efficacy and changes to the supportive work environment. PMID:26239424

Increased postprandial energy expenditure may explain superior long term weight loss after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass compared to vertical banded gastroplasty.

PubMed

Werling, Malin; Olbers, Torsten; Fändriks, Lars; Bueter, Marco; Lönroth, Hans; Stenlöf, Kaj; le Roux, Carel W

2013-01-01

Gastric bypass results in greater weight loss than Vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG), but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In addition to effects on energy intake the two bariatric techniques may differentially influence energy expenditure (EE). Gastric bypass in rats increases postprandial EE enough to result in elevated EE over 24 hours. This study aimed to investigate alterations in postprandial EE after gastric bypass and VBG in humans. Fourteen women from a randomized clinical trial between gastric bypass (n = 7) and VBG (n = 7) were included. Nine years postoperatively and at weight stability patients were assessed for body composition and calorie intake. EE was measured using indirect calorimetry in a respiratory chamber over 24 hours and focused on the periods surrounding meals and sleep. Blood samples were analysed for postprandial gut hormone responses. Groups did not differ regarding body composition or food intake either preoperatively or at study visit. Gastric bypass patients had higher EE postprandially (p = 0.018) and over 24 hours (p = 0.048) compared to VBG patients. Postprandial peptide YY (PYY) and glucagon like peptide 1 (GLP-1) levels were higher after gastric bypass (both p<0.001). Gastric bypass patients have greater meal induced EE and total 24 hours EE compared to VBG patients when assessed 9 years postoperatively. Postprandial satiety gut hormone responses were exaggerated after gastric bypass compared to VBG. Long-term weight loss maintenance may require significant changes in several physiological mechanisms which will be important to understand if non-surgical approaches are to mimic the effects of bariatric surgery.

Ecotope-Based Entomological Surveillance and Molecular Xenomonitoring of Multidrug Resistant Malaria Parasites in Anopheles Vectors

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

The emergence and spread of multidrug resistant (MDR) malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum or Plasmodium vivax have become increasingly important in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). MDR malaria is the heritable and hypermutable property of human malarial parasite populations that can decrease in vitro and in vivo susceptibility to proven antimalarial drugs as they exhibit dose-dependent drug resistance and delayed parasite clearance time in treated patients. MDR malaria risk situations reflect consequences of the national policy and strategy as this influences the ongoing national-level or subnational-level implementation of malaria control strategies in endemic GMS countries. Based on our experience along with current literature review, the design of ecotope-based entomological surveillance (EES) and molecular xenomonitoring of MDR falciparum and vivax malaria parasites in Anopheles vectors is proposed to monitor infection pockets in transmission control areas of forest and forest fringe-related malaria, so as to bridge malaria landscape ecology (ecotope and ecotone) and epidemiology. Malaria ecotope and ecotone are confined to a malaria transmission area geographically associated with the infestation of Anopheles vectors and particular environments to which human activities are related. This enables the EES to encompass mosquito collection and identification, salivary gland DNA extraction, Plasmodium- and species-specific identification, molecular marker-based PCR detection methods for putative drug resistance genes, and data management. The EES establishes strong evidence of Anopheles vectors carrying MDR P. vivax in infection pockets epidemiologically linked with other data obtained during which a course of follow-up treatment of the notified P. vivax patients receiving the first-line treatment was conducted. For regional and global perspectives, the EES would augment the epidemiological surveillance and monitoring of MDR falciparum and vivax malaria parasites in hotspots or suspected areas established in most endemic GMS countries implementing the National Malaria Control Programs, in addition to what is guided by the World Health Organization. PMID:25349605

The effect of combined therapies on recovery after acquired brain injury: Systematic review of preclinical studies combining enriched environment, exercise, or task-specific training with other therapies.

PubMed

Malá, Hana; Rasmussen, Camilla Pihl

2017-01-01

Acquired brain injuries (ABI) have devastating effects for the affected individual as well as society. Many studies have investigated the effect of different monotherapies. However, functional recovery is typically only partial. One possible strategy to promote a greater degree of recovery is to apply monotherapies in combination with one or more treatments. The objective of this systematic review is to investigate if approaches combining enriched environment (EE), exercise, or task-specific training with other monotherapies, further enhance the degree of recovery after ABI. Scopus, PsychINFO, and PubMed databases were searched in March 2016 with the following search strings: exercise (or) enriched environment (or) environmental enrichment (or) rehabilitation (and) traumatic brain injury (or) ischemia (or) stroke (and) rat (or) rodent. Studies were included if they (1) were in English, (2) used adult animals subjected to brain injury, (3) included EE, and/or exercise, and/or task-specific training as post-injury treatment strategies, (4) included at least one group receiving another monotherapy. Out of 2.168 hits, 29 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Despite several trends for enhanced recovery after combined therapies, this systematic review of 29 studies does not indicate that combined therapies confer consistent combined effects on motor, cognitive, or cerebral recovery according to present criteria for combined effect. Combined treatments continue to provide hope for enhanced recovery after ABI, however, the research area is in its infancy. This systematic review does not provide conclusive evidence. This is likely due to sparse knowledge regarding optimal treatment parameters. Combined treatments, however, hold the best promise regarding treatment of the complex changes induced by ABI.

Ground Water Technical Considerations during the Five-Year Review Process

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This issue paper has been developed to highlight technical considerations as well as technical resources available to Remedial Project Managers (RPMs) in conducting Five-Year Reviews (FYRs) at CERCLA1 sites with contaminated groundwater.

The Problem-Solving Approach of Environmental Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Connect, 1983

1983-01-01

The problem-solving approach in environmental education (EE), reports on EE programs and activities in selected foreign countries, and a report on the Asian Subregional Workshop on Teacher Training in EE are provided in this newsletter. The nature of the problem-solving approach and brief discussions of such methodologies as group discussion,…

Audience Involvement with Entertainment-Education Programs: Explicating Processes and Outcomes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Quintero Johnson, Jessie Marguerite

2011-01-01

One area of health promotion research rich with potential for both theoretical and empirical investigation is the "entertainment-education" (EE) strategy. Though a growing body of evidence points to the effectiveness of the EE strategy, further investigation is needed to explore the underlying cognitive and affective processes that make EE an…

Some Historical Thoughts on the ee-Learning Renaissance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nilles, Jack M.

2007-01-01

Jack Nilles surveys the evolution of ee-learning at the University of Southern California, together with the first formal telecommuting demonstration program, from its beginnings in the early 1970s to the relevant trends in 2006. Although the basic technologies of telecommuting and ee-learning were in evidence in the 1970s, subsequent…

The Co-Evolution of ESD and EE

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Monroe, Martha C.

2012-01-01

William B. Stapp, a major author of the founding documents of environmental education (EE), foreshadowed the triple concerns of education for sustainable development (ESD) with environment, social justice and economic health. Yet EE in the USA tended to follow the advocacy orientation of the environmental movement of the 1970s and later, following…

Tip60 HAT Action Mediates Environmental Enrichment Induced Cognitive Restoration

PubMed Central

Xu, Songjun; Panikker, Priyalakshmi; Iqbal, Sahira; Elefant, Felice

2016-01-01

Environmental enrichment (EE) conditions have beneficial effects for reinstating cognitive ability in neuropathological disorders like Alzheimer’s disease (AD). While EE benefits involve epigenetic gene control mechanisms that comprise histone acetylation, the histone acetyltransferases (HATs) involved remain largely unknown. Here, we examine a role for Tip60 HAT action in mediating activity- dependent beneficial neuroadaptations to EE using the Drosophila CNS mushroom body (MB) as a well-characterized cognition model. We show that flies raised under EE conditions display enhanced MB axonal outgrowth, synaptic marker protein production, histone acetylation induction and transcriptional activation of cognition linked genes when compared to their genotypically identical siblings raised under isolated conditions. Further, these beneficial changes are impaired in both Tip60 HAT mutant flies and APP neurodegenerative flies. While EE conditions provide some beneficial neuroadaptive changes in the APP neurodegenerative fly MB, such positive changes are significantly enhanced by increasing MB Tip60 HAT levels. Our results implicate Tip60 as a critical mediator of EE-induced benefits, and provide broad insights into synergistic behavioral and epigenetic based therapeutic approaches for treatment of cognitive disorder. PMID:27454757

Tip60 HAT Action Mediates Environmental Enrichment Induced Cognitive Restoration.

PubMed

Xu, Songjun; Panikker, Priyalakshmi; Iqbal, Sahira; Elefant, Felice

2016-01-01

Environmental enrichment (EE) conditions have beneficial effects for reinstating cognitive ability in neuropathological disorders like Alzheimer's disease (AD). While EE benefits involve epigenetic gene control mechanisms that comprise histone acetylation, the histone acetyltransferases (HATs) involved remain largely unknown. Here, we examine a role for Tip60 HAT action in mediating activity- dependent beneficial neuroadaptations to EE using the Drosophila CNS mushroom body (MB) as a well-characterized cognition model. We show that flies raised under EE conditions display enhanced MB axonal outgrowth, synaptic marker protein production, histone acetylation induction and transcriptional activation of cognition linked genes when compared to their genotypically identical siblings raised under isolated conditions. Further, these beneficial changes are impaired in both Tip60 HAT mutant flies and APP neurodegenerative flies. While EE conditions provide some beneficial neuroadaptive changes in the APP neurodegenerative fly MB, such positive changes are significantly enhanced by increasing MB Tip60 HAT levels. Our results implicate Tip60 as a critical mediator of EE-induced benefits, and provide broad insights into synergistic behavioral and epigenetic based therapeutic approaches for treatment of cognitive disorder.

Profile of Polyphenolic and Essential Oil Composition of Polish Propolis, Black Poplar and Aspens Buds.

PubMed

Okińczyc, Piotr; Szumny, Antoni; Szperlik, Jakub; Kulma, Anna; Franiczek, Roman; Żbikowska, Beata; Krzyżanowska, Barbara; Sroka, Zbigniew

2018-05-25

In this work, we studied similarities and differences between 70% ethanol in water extract (70EE) and essential oils (EOs) obtained from propolis, black poplars ( Populus nigra L.) and aspens ( P. tremula L.) to ascertain which of these is a better indicator of the plant species used by bees to collect propolis precursors. Composition of 70EE was analyzed by UPLC-PDA-MS, while GC-MS was used to research the EOs. Principal component analyses (PCA) and calculations of Spearman's coefficient rank were used for statistical analysis. Statistical analysis exhibited correlation between chemical compositions of propolis and Populus buds' 70EE. In the case of EOs, results were less clear. Compositions of black poplars, aspens EOs and propolises have shown more variability than 70EE. Different factors such as higher instability of EOs compared to 70EE, different degradation pattern of benzyl esters to benzoic acid, differences in plant metabolism and bees' preferences may be responsible for these phenomena. Our research has therefore shown that 70EE of propolis reflected the composition of P. nigra or complex aspen⁻black poplar origin.

Unobtrusive measurement of indoor energy expenditure using an infrared sensor-based activity monitoring system.

PubMed

Hwang, Bosun; Han, Jonghee; Choi, Jong Min; Park, Kwang Suk

2008-11-01

The purpose of this study was to develop an unobtrusive energy expenditure (EE) measurement system using an infrared (IR) sensor-based activity monitoring system to measure indoor activities and to estimate individual quantitative EE. IR-sensor activation counts were measured with a Bluetooth-based monitoring system and the standard EE was calculated using an established regression equation. Ten male subjects participated in the experiment and three different EE measurement systems (gas analyzer, accelerometer, IR sensor) were used simultaneously in order to determine the regression equation and evaluate the performance. As a standard measurement, oxygen consumption was simultaneously measured by a portable metabolic system (Metamax 3X, Cortex, Germany). A single room experiment was performed to develop a regression model of the standard EE measurement from the proposed IR sensor-based measurement system. In addition, correlation and regression analyses were done to compare the performance of the IR system with that of the Actigraph system. We determined that our proposed IR-based EE measurement system shows a similar correlation to the Actigraph system with the standard measurement system.

Measurement of Γee(J /ψ) with KEDR detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anashin, V. V.; Aulchenko, V. M.; Baldin, E. M.; Barladyan, A. K.; Barnyakov, A. Y.; Barnyakov, M. Y.; Baru, S. E.; Bedny, I. V.; Blinov, A. E.; Blinov, V. E.; Bobrov, A. V.; Bobrovnikov, V. S.; Bogomyagkov, A. V.; Bondar, A. E.; Bondarev, D. V.; Buzykaev, A. R.; Eidelman, S. I.; Glukhovchenko, Y. M.; Gulevich, V. V.; Gusev, D. V.; Karnaev, S. E.; Karpov, G. V.; Karpov, S. V.; Kharlamova, T. A.; Kiselev, V. A.; Kononov, S. A.; Kotov, K. Y.; Kravchenko, E. A.; Kulikov, V. F.; Kurkin, G. Y.; Kuper, E. A.; Levichev, E. B.; Maksimov, D. A.; Malyshev, V. M.; Maslennikov, A. L.; Medvedko, A. S.; Meshkov, O. I.; Mishnev, S. I.; Morozov, I. I.; Muchnoi, N. Y.; Neufeld, V. V.; Nikitin, S. A.; Nikolaev, I. B.; Okunev, I. N.; Onuchin, A. P.; Oreshkin, S. B.; Orlov, I. O.; Osipov, A. A.; Peleganchuk, S. V.; Pivovarov, S. G.; Piminov, P. A.; Petrov, V. V.; Poluektov, A. O.; Popkov, I. N.; Prisekin, V. G.; Rezanova, O. L.; Ruban, A. A.; Sandyrev, V. K.; Savinov, G. A.; Shamov, A. G.; Shatilov, D. N.; Shwartz, B. A.; Simonov, E. A.; Sinyatkin, S. V.; Skovpen, Y. I.; Skrinsky, A. N.; Smaluk, V. V.; Sokolov, A. V.; Sukharev, A. M.; Starostina, E. V.; Talyshev, A. A.; Tayursky, V. A.; Telnov, V. I.; Tikhonov, Y. A.; Todyshev, K. Y.; Tumaikin, G. M.; Usov, Y. V.; Vorobiov, A. I.; Yushkov, A. N.; Zhilich, V. N.; Zhulanov, V. V.; Zhuravlev, A. N.

2018-05-01

The product of the electronic width of the J/ψ meson and the branching fractions of its decay to hadrons and electrons has been measured using the KEDR detector at the VEPP-4M e + e - collider. The obtained values are Γ_{ee}(J/ψ )=5.550± 0.056± 0.089 Γ_{ee}(J/ψ )\\cdotp B_{hadrons}(J/ψ )=4.884± 0.048± 0.078 keV Γ_{ee}(J/ψ )\\cdotp B_{ee}(J/ψ )=0.3331± 0.0066± 0.0040 keV. The uncertainties shown are statistical and systematic, respectively. Using the result presented and the world-average value of the electronic branching fraction, one obtains the total width of the J/ψ meson: Γ =92.94± 1.83keV. These results are consistent with the previous experiments.

Televised entertainment-education to prevent adolescent alcohol use: perceived realism, enjoyment, and impact.

PubMed

van Leeuwen, Lonneke; Renes, Reint Jan; Leeuwis, Cees

2013-04-01

Alcohol use among adolescents is a concern in the Netherlands because of its high prevalence and risks. To discourage adolescents from drinking alcohol, a televised entertainment-education (E-E) intervention was developed. This study investigated responses of adolescents on perceived realism and enjoyment of the E-E intervention, as well as its impact on alcohol drinking behavior. Viewers perceived the E-E narratives to be credible and enjoyable but did not relate to the characters in the narratives. However, exposure to the E-E intervention predicted desired changes in alcohol drinking behavior, intentions to decrease alcohol use, and perceived normative pressure, especially in less educated viewers. These findings demonstrate that E-E is a promising strategy to target adolescent alcohol use. Future research will focus on the individual processes and story elements that account for the positive results.

Negative communication in psychosis: understanding pathways to poorer patient outcomes.

PubMed

Finnegan, Deirdre; Onwumere, Juliana; Green, Catherine; Freeman, Daniel; Garety, Philippa; Kuipers, Elizabeth

2014-11-01

High expressed emotion (EE) is a robust predictor of elevated rates of relapse and readmission in schizophrenia. However, far less is known about how high EE leads to poorer patient outcomes. This study was designed to examine links between high EE (criticism), affect, and multidimensional aspects of positive symptoms in patients with psychosis. Thirty-eight individuals with nonaffective psychosis were randomly exposed to proxy high-EE or neutral speech samples and completed self-report measures of affect and psychosis symptoms. Patients reported significant increases in anxiety, anger, and distress after exposure to the proxy high-EE speech sample as well as increases in their appraisals of psychosis symptoms: voice controllability, delusional preoccupation, and conviction. These findings offer further evidence of the potential deleterious impact of a negative interpersonal environment on patient symptoms in psychosis.

Technical Packages in Injury and Violence Prevention to Move Evidence into Practice: Systematic Reviews and Beyond

PubMed Central

Haegerich, Tamara M.; David-Ferdon, Corinne; Noonan, Rita K.; Manns, Brian J.; Billie, Holly C.

2016-01-01

Injury and violence prevention strategies have greater potential for impact when they are based on scientific evidence. Systematic reviews of the scientific evidence can contribute key information about which policies and programs might have the greatest impact when implemented. However, systematic reviews have limitations, such as lack of implementation guidance and contextual information, that can limit the application of knowledge. “Technical packages,” developed by knowledge brokers such as the federal government, nonprofit agencies, and academic institutions, have the potential to be an efficient mechanism for making information from systematic reviews actionable. Technical packages provide information about specific evidence-based prevention strategies, along with the estimated costs and impacts, and include accompanying implementation and evaluation guidance to facilitate adoption, implementation, and performance measurement. We describe how systematic reviews can inform the development of technical packages for practitioners, provide examples of technical packages in injury and violence prevention, and explain how enhancing review methods and reporting could facilitate the use and applicability of scientific evidence. PMID:27604301

Mal-Development of the Penis and Loss of Fertility in Male Rats Treated Neonatally with Female Contraceptive 17α-Ethinyl Estradiol: A Dose-Response Study and a Comparative Study with a Known Estrogenic Teratogen Diethylstilbestrol

PubMed Central

Mathews, Ensa; Braden, Tim D.; Williams, Carol S.; Williams, John W.; Bolden-Tiller, Olga; Goyal, Hari O.

2009-01-01

The objectives of this study were to find a minimal dose of 17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE) that is detrimental to the developing penis and fertility and to compare estrogenic effects between EE and diethylstilbestrol (DES). Neonatal rats received EE at 10 ng (1 μg/kg), 100 ng, 1 μg, or 10 μg per pup on alternate days from postnatal days 1 to 11 (dose-response study) or received EE or DES at 100 ng per pup daily from postnatal days 1 to 6 (comparative study). Effects of EE were dose dependent, with ≥ 100-ng dose inducing significant (p < 0.05) reductions in penile length, weight, and diameter. Additionally, the penis was malformed, characterized by underdeveloped os penis and accumulation of fat cells. Fertility was 0% in the ≥ 1-μg groups, in contrast to 60% in the 100-ng group and 100% in the 10-ng and control groups. Animals treated with ≥ 10 ng had significant reductions in the weight of bulbospongious muscle, testis, seminal vesicle, epididymal fat pad, and in epididymal sperm numbers. A comparison of EE and DES effects showed similar reductions in penile weight and length and the weight of bulbospongiosus muscle, testis, seminal vesicle, epididymis, and epididymal fat pad in both adolescent and adult rats. While 5/6 control males sired, only 1/6 in the EE group and 0/6 in the DES group sired. Hence, neonatal exposure to EE at 10 ng (environmentally relevant dose) adversely affects male reproductive organs. A dose ten times higher than this leads to permanently mal-developed penis and infertility. Furthermore, EE and DES exposures show similar level of toxicity to male reproductive organs. PMID:19729556

Higher Daily Energy Expenditure and Respiratory Quotient, Rather Than Fat-Free Mass, Independently Determine Greater ad Libitum Overeating.

PubMed

Piaggi, Paolo; Thearle, Marie S; Krakoff, Jonathan; Votruba, Susanne B

2015-08-01

Body fat-free mass (FFM), energy expenditure (EE), and respiratory quotient (RQ) are known predictors of daily food intake. Because FFM largely determines EE, it is unclear whether body composition per se or the underlying metabolism drives dietary intake. The objective of the study was to test whether 24-hour measures of EE and RQ and their components influence ad libitum food intake independently of FFM. One hundred seven healthy individuals (62 males/45 females, 84 Native Americans/23 whites; age 33 ± 8 y; body mass index 33 ± 8 kg/m(2); body fat 31% ± 8%) had 24-hour measures of EE in a whole-room indirect calorimeter during energy balance, followed by 3 days of ad libitum food intake using computerized vending machine systems. Body composition was estimated by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. FFM, 24-hour EE, RQ, spontaneous physical activity, sleeping EE (sleeping metabolic rate), awake and fed thermogenesis, and ad libitum food intake (INTAKE) were measured. Higher 24-hour RQ (P < .001, partial R(2) = 16%) and EE (P = .01, partial R(2) = 7%), but not FFM (P = .65), were independent predictors of INTAKE. Mediation analysis demonstrated that 24-hour EE is responsible for 80% of the FFM effect on INTAKE (44.5 ± 16.9 kcal ingested per kilogram of FFM, P= .01), whereas the unique effect due to solely FFM was negligible (10.6 ± 23.2, P = .65). Spontaneous physical activity (r = 0.33, P = .001), but not sleeping metabolic rate (P = .71), positively predicted INTAKE, whereas higher awake and fed thermogenesis determined greater INTAKE only in subjects with a body mass index of 29 kg/m(2) or less (r = 0.44, P = .01). EE and RQ, rather than FFM, independently determine INTAKE, suggesting that competitive energy-sensing mechanisms driven by the preferential macronutrient oxidation and total energy demands may regulate food intake.

Twelve-month results of a prospective, multicentre trial to assess the everolimus-eluting coronary stent system (PROMUS Element): the PLATINUM PLUS all-comers randomised trial.

PubMed

Fajadet, Jean; Neumann, Franz-Josef; Hildick-Smith, David; Petronio, Sonia; Zaman, Azfar; Spence, Mark; Wöhrle, Jochen; Elhadad, Simon; Roberts, David; Hovasse, Thomas; Valdés, Mariano; Silber, Sigmund

2017-01-20

The aim of the study was to compare the safety and efficacy of the platinum-chromium-based everolimus-eluting stent (EES) with a cobalt-chromium EES. We performed a prospective, multicentre, single-blind non-inferiority all-comers study randomising patients with stable or unstable coronary artery disease (2:1) to treatment with the platinum-chromium EES (n=1,952) or the control cobalt-chromium EES (n=1,028) in Europe (PLATINUM PLUS trial). The primary endpoint was target vessel failure (TVF) at 12 months, a composite of target vessel-related cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), and ischaemia-driven target vessel revascularisation (TVR). Among 2,980 patients, 33% presented with acute coronary syndromes, and 48% with multivessel disease. At 12 months, the intention-to-treat analysis determined that the platinum-chromium EES was non-inferior to the cobalt-chromium EES for the primary endpoint (86 [4.6%] patients vs. 32 [3.2%], absolute difference 1.4%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.1-2.9; upper limit of the one-sided 95% CI: 2.57%; non-inferiority p=0.012; superiority analysis: hazard ratio [HR] 1.44, 95% CI: 0.96-2.16, p=0.08). In the per protocol analysis, however, the primary endpoint was significantly more common in the platinum-chromium EES (HR 1.64, 95% CI: 1.05-2.55, p=0.03). There were no significant differences in the rates of cardiac death (1.1% vs. 1.0%, p=0.78), MI (1.6% vs. 0.8%, p=0.09), or ischaemia-driven TLR (2.0% vs. 1.6%, p=0.49). The rates of ARC definite or probable stent thrombosis were comparable between platforms (0.8% vs. 0.5%, p=0.44). At one year, the platinum-chromium EES satisfied the pre-specified criteria for non-inferiority relative to the control cobalt-chromium EES in this all-comers trial.

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/nitric oxide system possibly modulate antidepressant-like effect of 17α-ethinyl estradiol in ovariectomized mice.

PubMed

Saeedi Saravi, Seyed Soheil; Arefidoust, Alireza; Saeedi Saravi, Seyed Sobhan; Yaftian, Rahele; Bayati, Mahdi; Salehi, Milad; Dehpour, Ahmad Reza

2017-05-01

Due to a close association between depressive disorders and altered estrogen levels, this study was conducted to examine the hypothesis that antidepressant-like effect of ethinyl estradiol (EE 2) in ovariectomized mice is modulated by mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/nitric oxide pathways. Female mice were undergone bilateral ovariectomy and different doses of EE 2 were intraperitoenally injected alone and combined with specific mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin, non-specific NOS inhibitor, L-NAME, nNOS inhibitor, 7-NI, NO precursor, l-arginine, and selective PDE5I, sildenafil. After locomotion assessment, immobility times were recorded in FST and TST. Moreover, hippocampal mTOR expression was assessed using western blot assay. The hippocampal concentrations of nitrite, a major metabolite of NO, were measured. Although EE 2 demonstrated a significant antidepressant-like activity in OVX mice, acute rapamycin exerted an unmarked decrease of the anti-immobility effect of EE 2 in FST and TST (P>0.05). In contrast, combination of minimal effective dose of EE 2 with sub- effective doses of either L-NAME (10mg/kg) or 7-NI (25mg/kg) resulted in a robust antidepressant-like effect in OVX mice. Administration of either L-NAME or 7-NI enhanced the decreased antidepressant activity of EE 2 induced by combination with rapamycin. Moreover, decrement of hippocampal mTOR expression in OVX mice was significantly enhanced by acute EE 2 . The increased hippocampal nitrite concentrations caused by ovariectomy were also reversed by EE 2 administration. The study demonstrated that acute treatment with lowest dose of EE 2 exerts significant antidepressant-like behavior in OVX mice, possibly, through mTOR activation. This effect seems to be also mediated by the suppression of nitric oxide pathway. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

Bleeding pattern and cycle control with an estradiol-based oral contraceptive: a seven-cycle, randomized comparative trial of estradiol valerate/dienogest and ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel.

PubMed

Ahrendt, Hans-Joachim; Makalová, Dagmar; Parke, Susanne; Mellinger, Uwe; Mansour, Diana

2009-11-01

This study compared the bleeding pattern, cycle control and safety of an oral contraceptive (OC) comprising estradiol valerate/dienogest (E2V/DNG; administered using a dynamic dosing regimen) with a monophasic OC containing ethinyl estradiol 20 mcg/levonorgestrel 100 mcg (EE/LNG). E2V releases estradiol (E2), which is identical to endogenously produced 17beta-estradiol. This was a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, double-dummy trial lasting seven cycles in healthy women aged 18-50 years. Overall, 798 women were randomized and received allocated treatment (399 per group). There were significantly fewer bleeding/spotting days reported by women who received E2V/DNG than those who received EE/LNG [17.3+/-10.4 vs. 21.5+/-8.6, respectively, p<.0001, Reference Period 1 (Days 1-90); and 13.4+/-9.vs. 15.9+/-7.1, respectively, p<.0001, Reference Period 2 (Days 91-180)]. Through Cycles 1-7, the occurrence of scheduled withdrawal bleeding per cycle was 77.7-83.2% with E2V/DNG and 89.5-93.8% with EE/LNG (p<.0001 per cycle). The duration and intensity of scheduled withdrawal bleeding were reduced with E2V/DNG vs. EE/LNG. The incidence of intracyclic bleeding was similar with E2V/DNG (10.5%-18.6%) and EE/LNG (9.9%-17.1%) (p>.05 per cycle). No unintended pregnancies occurred with E2V/DNG, but there was one unintended pregnancy with EE/LNG. Adverse drug reactions occurred in 10.0% and 8.5% of women taking E2V/DNG and EE/LNG, respectively. Overall, 79.4% of women were satisfied with E2V/DNG and 79.9% with EE/LNG. A novel OC composed of E2V/DNG is associated with an acceptable bleeding profile that is comparable to that of an EE-containing OC.

Behavioral and Transcriptomic Fingerprints of an Enriched Environment in Horses (Equus caballus).

PubMed

Lansade, Léa; Valenchon, Mathilde; Foury, Aline; Neveux, Claire; Cole, Steve W; Layé, Sophie; Cardinaud, Bruno; Lévy, Frédéric; Moisan, Marie-Pierre

2014-01-01

The use of environmental enrichment (EE) has grown in popularity over decades, particularly because EE is known to promote cognitive functions and well-being. Nonetheless, little is known about how EE may affect personality and gene expression. To address this question in a domestic animal, 10-month-old horses were maintained in a controlled environment or EE for 12 weeks. The control horses (n = 9) lived in individual stalls on wood shaving bedding. They were turned out to individual paddocks three times a week and were fed three times a day with pellets or hay. EE-treated horses (n = 10) were housed in large individual stalls on straw bedding 7 hours per day and spent the remainder of the time together at pasture. They were fed three times a day with flavored pellets, hay, or fruits and were exposed daily to various objects, odors, and music. The EE modified three dimensions of personality: fearfulness, reactivity to humans, and sensory sensitivity. Some of these changes persisted >3 months after treatment. These changes are suggestive of a more positive perception of the environment and a higher level of curiosity in EE-treated horses, explaining partly why these horses showed better learning performance in a Go/No-Go task. Reduced expression of stress indicators indicated that the EE also improved well-being. Finally, whole-blood transcriptomic analysis showed that in addition to an effect on the cortisol level, the EE induced the expression of genes involved in cell growth and proliferation, while the control treatment activated genes related to apoptosis. Changes in both behavior and gene expression may constitute a psychobiological signature of the effects of enrichment and result in improved well-being. This study illustrates how the environment interacts with genetic information in shaping the individual at both the behavioral and molecular levels.

Year-round effects of a four-week randomized controlled trial using different types of feedback on employees' physical activity.

PubMed

Van Hoye, Karen; Wijtzes, Anne I; Lefevre, Johan; De Baere, Stijn; Boen, Filip

2018-04-12

This follow-up study investigated the year-round effects of a four-week randomized controlled trial using different types of feedback on employees' physical activity, including a need-supportive coach intervention. Participants (n = 227) were randomly assigned to a Minimal Intervention Group (MIG; no feedback), a Pedometer Group (PG; feedback on daily steps only), a Display Group (DG; feedback on daily steps, on daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity [MVPA] and on total energy expenditure [EE]), or a Coaching Group (CoachG; same as DG with need supportive coaching). Daily physical activity level (PAL; Metabolic Equivalent of Task [MET]), number of daily steps, daily minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), active daily EE (EE > 3 METs) and total daily EE were measured at five time points: before the start of the 4-week intervention, one week after the intervention, and 3, 6, and 12 months after the intervention. For minutes of MVPA, MIG showed higher mean change scores compared with the DG. For steps and daily minutes of MVPA, significantly lower mean change scores emerged for MIG compared with the PG. Participants of the CoachG showed significantly higher change scores in PAL, steps, minutes of MVPA, active EE, total EE compared with the MIG. As hypothesized, participants of the CoachG had significantly higher mean change scores in PAL and total EE compared with groups that only received feedback. However, no significant differences were found for steps, minutes of MVPA and active EE between CoachG and PG. Receiving additional need-supportive coaching resulted in a higher PAL and active EE compared with measurement (display) feedback only. These findings suggest to combine feedback on physical activity with personal coaching in order to facilitate long-term behavioral change. When it comes to increasing steps, minutes of MVPA or active EE, a pedometer constitutes a sufficient tool. Clinical Trails.gov NCT01432327 . Date registered: 12 September 2011.

Major differences in organization and availability of health care and medicines for HIV/TB coinfected patients across Europe

PubMed Central

Mansfeld, M; Skrahina, A; Shepherd, L; Schultze, A; Panteleev, AM; Miller, RF; Miro, JM; Zeltina, I; Tetradov, S; Furrer, H; Kirk, O; Grzeszczuk, A; Bolokadze, N; Matteelli, A; Post, FA; Lundgren, JD; Mocroft, A; Efsen, AMW; Podlekareva, DN

2016-01-01

Objectives The aim of the study was to investigate the organization and delivery of HIV and tuberculosis (TB) health care and to analyse potential differences between treatment centres in Eastern (EE) and Western Europe (WE). Methods Thirty-eight European HIV and TB treatment centres participating in the TB:HIV study within EuroCoord completed a survey on health care management for coinfected patients in 2013 (EE: 17 respondents; WE:21; 76% of all TB:HIV centres). Descriptive statistics were obtained for regional comparisons. The reported data on health care strategies were compared with actual clinical practice at patient level via data derived from the TB:HIV study. Results Respondent centres in EE comprised: Belarus (n = 3), Estonia (1), Georgia (1), Latvia (1), Lithuania (1), Poland (4), Romania (1), the Russian Federation (4) and Ukraine (1); those in WE comprised: Belgium (1), Denmark (1), France (1), Italy (7), Spain (2), Switzerland (1) and UK (8). Compared with WE, treatment of HIV and TB in EE are less often located at the same site (47% in EE versus 100% in WE; P < 0.001) and less often provided by the same doctors (41% versus 90%, respectively; P = 0.002), whereas regular screening of HIV-infected patients for TB (80% versus 40%, respectively; P = 0.037) and directly observed treatment (88% versus 20%, respectively; P < 0.001) were more common in EE. The reported availability of rifabutin and second- and third-line anti-TB drugs was lower, and opioid substitution therapy (OST) was available at fewer centres in EE compared with WE (53% versus 100%, respectively; P < 0.001). Conclusions Major differences exist between EE and WE in relation to the organization and delivery of health care for HIV/TB-coinfected patients and the availability of anti-TB drugs and OST. Significant discrepancies between reported and actual clinical practices were found in EE. PMID:25959854

Major differences in organization and availability of health care and medicines for HIV/TB coinfected patients across Europe.

PubMed

Mansfeld, M; Skrahina, A; Shepherd, L; Schultze, A; Panteleev, A M; Miller, R F; Miro, J M; Zeltina, I; Tetradov, S; Furrer, H; Kirk, O; Grzeszczuk, A; Bolokadze, N; Matteelli, A; Post, F A; Lundgren, J D; Mocroft, A; Efsen, Amw; Podlekareva, D N

2015-10-01

The aim of the study was to investigate the organization and delivery of HIV and tuberculosis (TB) health care and to analyse potential differences between treatment centres in Eastern (EE) and Western Europe (WE). Thirty-eight European HIV and TB treatment centres participating in the TB:HIV study within EuroCoord completed a survey on health care management for coinfected patients in 2013 (EE: 17 respondents; WE:21; 76% of all TB:HIV centres). Descriptive statistics were obtained for regional comparisons. The reported data on health care strategies were compared with actual clinical practice at patient level via data derived from the TB:HIV study. Respondent centres in EE comprised: Belarus (n = 3), Estonia (1), Georgia (1), Latvia (1), Lithuania (1), Poland (4), Romania (1), the Russian Federation (4) and Ukraine (1); those in WE comprised: Belgium (1), Denmark (1), France (1), Italy (7), Spain (2), Switzerland (1) and UK (8). Compared with WE, treatment of HIV and TB in EE are less often located at the same site (47% in EE versus 100% in WE; P < 0.001) and less often provided by the same doctors (41% versus 90%, respectively; P = 0.002), whereas regular screening of HIV-infected patients for TB (80% versus 40%, respectively; P = 0.037) and directly observed treatment (88% versus 20%, respectively; P < 0.001) were more common in EE. The reported availability of rifabutin and second- and third-line anti-TB drugs was lower, and opioid substitution therapy (OST) was available at fewer centres in EE compared with WE (53% versus 100%, respectively; P < 0.001). Major differences exist between EE and WE in relation to the organization and delivery of health care for HIV/TB-coinfected patients and the availability of anti-TB drugs and OST. Significant discrepancies between reported and actual clinical practices were found in EE. © 2015 British HIV Association.

Expressed Emotion-Criticism and Risk of Depression Onset in Children

PubMed Central

Burkhouse, Katie L.; Uhrlass, Dorothy J.; Stone, Lindsey B.; Knopik, Valerie S.; Gibb, Brandon E.

2012-01-01

Objective The primary goal of the current study was to examine the impact of maternal criticism (expressed emotion-criticism; EE-Crit) on the prospective development of depressive episodes in children. In addition to examining baseline levels of EE-Crit, we also sought to determine whether distinct subgroups (latent classes) of mothers could be identified based on the levels of EE-Crit they exhibited over a multi-wave assessment and whether that latent class membership would predict depression onset in children. Finally, we examined whether EE-Crit and maternal depression would independently predict children's depression risk or whether EE-Crit would moderate the link between maternal depression and children's depression onset. Method Children of mothers with or without a history of major depression (N=100) were assessed five times over 20 months. Children completed the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) and mothers completed the Five Minute Speech Sample and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) at the baseline assessment, and at 2, 4, and 6 month follow-up assessments. Children and mothers completed diagnostic interviews assessing children's onsets of depressive episodes at the 20 month follow-up. Results Latent class analysis of the 4 waves of EE-Crit assessments revealed two distinct groups, exhibiting relatively lower versus higher levels of EE-Crit across the first 6 months of follow-up. EE-Crit latent class membership predicted children's depression onset over the subsequent 14 months. This finding was maintained after controlling for mother's and children's depressive symptoms during the initial 6 months of follow-up. Finally, maternal depression did not moderate the link between EE-Crit and childhood depression onset. Conclusions Continued exposure to maternal criticism appears to be an important risk factor for depression in children, risk that is at least partially independent of the risk conveyed by maternal depression. These results highlight the importance of a modifiable risk factor for depression–repeated exposure to maternal criticism. PMID:22838507

Expressed emotion-criticism and risk of depression onset in children.

PubMed

Burkhouse, Katie L; Uhrlass, Dorothy J; Stone, Lindsey B; Knopik, Valerie S; Gibb, Brandon E

2012-01-01

The primary goal of the current study was to examine the impact of maternal criticism (expressed emotion-criticism; EE-Crit) on the prospective development of depressive episodes in children. In addition to examining baseline levels of EE-Crit, we also sought to determine whether distinct subgroups (latent classes) of mothers could be identified based on the levels of EE-Crit they exhibited over a multiwave assessment and whether that latent class membership would predict depression onset in children. Finally, we examined whether EE-Crit and maternal depression would independently predict children's depression risk or whether EE-Crit would moderate the link between maternal depression and children's depression onset. Children of mothers with or without a history of major depression (N = 100) were assessed 5 times over 20 months. Children completed the Children's Depression Inventory and mothers completed the Five Minute Speech Sample and the Beck Depression Inventory at the baseline assessment, and at 2-, 4-, and 6-month follow-up assessments. Children and mothers completed diagnostic interviews assessing children's onsets of depressive episodes at the 20-month follow-up. Latent class analysis of the 4 waves of EE-Crit assessments revealed two distinct groups, exhibiting relatively lower versus higher levels of EE-Crit across the first 6 months of follow-up. EE-Crit latent class membership predicted children's depression onset over the subsequent 14 months. This finding was maintained after controlling for mother's and children's depressive symptoms during the initial 6 months of follow-up. Finally, maternal depression did not moderate the link between EE-Crit and childhood depression onset. Continued exposure to maternal criticism appears to be an important risk factor for depression in children, risk that is at least partially independent of the risk conveyed by maternal depression. These results highlight the importance of a modifiable risk factor for depression-repeated exposure to maternal criticism.

Sperm collection by transrectal ultrasound-guided massage of the accessory sex glands is less stressful than electroejaculation without altering sperm characteristics in conscious goat bucks.

PubMed

Abril-Sánchez, Silvia; Freitas-de-Melo, Aline; Beracochea, Florencia; Damián, Juan Pablo; Giriboni, Julia; Santiago-Moreno, Julián; Ungerfeld, Rodolfo

2017-08-01

In anesthetized non-domestic ruminants transrectal ultrasound-guided massage of the accessory sex glands (TUMASG) is an alternative method to collect semen slightly less stressful than electroejaculation (EE). However, some sperm characteristics are better when semen is collected with EE than with TUMASG. As anesthesia reduces the response to stressors, the advantages of TUMASG may be reduced in anesthetized animals, and thus, TUMASG may be even more advantageous in conscious animals. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare the stress response and the characteristics of the sperm collected with TUMASG and EE in conscious goat bucks. Semen was collected in 10 bucks with both procedures. During each procedure, the time required for ejaculation, the number of electric pulses applied and the number of vocalizations were recorded. Rectal temperature, heart rate, serum cortisol concentration, biochemical and hematological parameters were measured before and after each procedure. Sperm characteristics [ejaculated volume, sperm concentration, sperm mass motility (scale 0-5), sperm vigor (scale 0-5), the percentages of motile and progressive motile sperm, of sperm vitality, of sperm with plasma membrane integrity, and with acrosome damage and morphological abnormalities] were also determined. Electroejaculation required more electric pulses than TUMASG (P < 0.0001), but TUMASG took more time than EE (P < 0.0001). The EE provoked more vocalizations (P = 0.02) and a greater increase of cortisol concentrations than TUMASG (P = 0.04). Heart rate also tended to be greater with EE than with TUMASG (P = 0.07). The sperm characteristics did not differ between TUMASG and EE. In conclusion, TUMASG was less stressful and probably less painful than EE without affecting the semen quality. Thus, although it required more time, TUMASG is an alternative procedure to decrease the welfare concerns raised by EE in conscious goat bucks. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.