Monsoon rainfall over India in June and link with northwest tropical pacific - June ISMR and link with northwest tropical pacific

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Surendran, Sajani; Gadgil, Sulochana; Rajendran, Kavirajan; Varghese, Stella Jes; Kitoh, Akio

2018-03-01

Recent years have witnessed large interannual variation of all-India rainfall (AIR) in June, with intermittent large deficits and excesses. Variability of June AIR is found to have the strongest link with variation of rainfall over northwest tropical Pacific (NWTP), with AIR deficit (excess) associated with enhancement (suppression) of NWTP rainfall. This association is investigated using high-resolution Meteorological Research Institute model which shows high skill in simulating important features of Asian summer monsoon, its variability and the inverse relationship between NWTP rainfall and AIR. Analysis of the variation of NWTP rainfall shows that it is associated with a change in the latitudinal position of subtropical westerly jet over the region stretching from West of Tibetan Plateau (WTP) to NWTP and the phase of Rossby wave steered in it with centres over NWTP and WTP. In years with large rainfall excess/deficit, the strong link between AIR and NWTP rainfall exists through differences in Rossby wave phase steered in the jet. The positive phase of the WTP-NWTP pattern, with troughs over WTP and west of NWTP, tends to be associated with increased rainfall over NWTP and decreased AIR. This scenario is reversed in the opposite phase. Thus, the teleconnection between NWTP rainfall and AIR is a manifestation of the difference in the phase of Rossby wave between excess and deficit years, with centres over WTP and NWTP. This brings out the importance of prediction of phase of Rossby waves over WTP and NWTP in advance, for prediction of June rainfall over India.

JAK/STAT autocontrol of ligand-producing cell number through apoptosis.

PubMed

Borensztejn, Antoine; Boissoneau, Elisabeth; Fernandez, Guillaume; Agnès, François; Pret, Anne-Marie

2013-01-01

During development, specific cells are eliminated by apoptosis to ensure that the correct number of cells is integrated in a given tissue or structure. How the apoptosis machinery is activated selectively in vivo in the context of a developing tissue is still poorly understood. In the Drosophila ovary, specialised follicle cells [polar cells (PCs)] are produced in excess during early oogenesis and reduced by apoptosis to exactly two cells per follicle extremity. PCs act as an organising centre during follicle maturation as they are the only source of the JAK/STAT pathway ligand Unpaired (Upd), the morphogen activity of which instructs distinct follicle cell fates. Here we show that reduction of Upd levels leads to prolonged survival of supernumerary PCs, downregulation of the pro-apoptotic factor Hid, upregulation of the anti-apoptotic factor Diap1 and inhibition of caspase activity. Upd-mediated activation of the JAK/STAT pathway occurs in PCs themselves, as well as in adjacent terminal follicle and interfollicular stalk cells, and inhibition of JAK/STAT signalling in any one of these cell populations protects PCs from apoptosis. Thus, a Stat-dependent unidentified relay signal is necessary for inducing supernumerary PC death. Finally, blocking apoptosis of PCs leads to specification of excess adjacent border cells via excessive Upd signalling. Our results therefore show that Upd and JAK/STAT signalling induce apoptosis of supernumerary PCs to control the size of the PC organising centre and thereby produce appropriate levels of Upd. This is the first example linking this highly conserved signalling pathway with developmental apoptosis in Drosophila.

Incidence of Breast, Prostate, Testicular, and Thyroid Cancer in Italian Contaminated Sites with Presence of Substances with Endocrine Disrupting Properties.

PubMed

Benedetti, Marta; Zona, Amerigo; Beccaloni, Eleonora; Carere, Mario; Comba, Pietro

2017-03-29

The aim of the present study was to investigate the incidence of breast (females), prostate, testicular, and thyroid cancer in the Italian National Priority Contaminated Sites (NPCSs), served by cancer registries, where the presence of endocrine disruptors (EDs), reported to be linked to these tumours, was documented. Evidence of carcinogenicity of EDs present in NPCSs was assessed based on evaluation by international scientific institutions and committees. Standardized Incidence Ratios (SIRs) were computed for each NPCS and cancer site between 1996 and 2005. Excess incidence of one or more cancer site studied was found in twelve out of fourteen NPCSs. Significantly increased SIRs were found for breast cancer in eight NPCSs, for prostate cancer in six, for thyroid cancer (both gender) in four, and for testicular cancer in two. Non-significantly increased SIRs were found in five NPCSs for testicular cancer and in two for thyroid cancer (males). In a small number of instances a significant deficit was reported, mainly for thyroid and prostate cancer. Although increased incidence of one or more cancer sites studied were found in several NPCSs, the ecological study design and the multifactorial aetiology of the considered tumours do not permit concluding causal links with environmental contamination. Regarding the observation of some excesses in SIRs, continuing epidemiological surveillance is warranted.

Application of spatial synoptic classification in evaluating links between heat stress and cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in Prague, Czech Republic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Urban, Aleš; Kyselý, Jan

2018-01-01

Spatial synoptic classification (SSC) is here first employed in assessing heat-related mortality and morbidity in Central Europe. It is applied for examining links between weather patterns and cardiovascular (CVD) mortality and morbidity in an extended summer season (16 May-15 September) during 1994-2009. As in previous studies, two SSC air masses (AMs)—dry tropical (DT) and moist tropical (MT)—are associated with significant excess CVD mortality in Prague, while effects on CVD hospital admissions are small and insignificant. Excess mortality for ischaemic heart diseases is more strongly associated with DT, while MT has adverse effect especially on cerebrovascular mortality. Links between the oppressive AMs and excess mortality relate also to conditions on previous days, as DT and MT occur in typical sequences. The highest CVD mortality deviations are found 1 day after a hot spell's onset, when temperature as well as frequency of the oppressive AMs are highest. Following this peak is typically DT- to MT-like weather transition, characterized by decrease in temperature and increase in humidity. The transition between upward (DT) and downward (MT) phases is associated with the largest excess CVD mortality, and the change contributes to the increased and more lagged effects on cerebrovascular mortality. The study highlights the importance of critically evaluating SSC's applicability and benefits within warning systems relative to other synoptic and epidemiological approaches. Only a subset of days with the oppressive AMs is associated with excess mortality, and regression models accounting for possible meteorological and other factors explain little of the mortality variance.

Rumination, Excessive Reassurance Seeking, and Stress Generation among Early Adolescent Girls

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stroud, Catherine B.; Sosoo, Effua E.; Wilson, Sylia

2018-01-01

Nolen-Hoeksema proposed that rumination increases stressful events and circumstances; however, few studies have examined this question. Thus, we explored whether (a) rumination predicted increases in the generation of chronic and acute stress, (b) excessive reassurance seeking (ERS) mediated links between rumination and stress generation, (c)…

Alaskan Auroral All-Sky Images on the World Wide Web

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stenbaek-Nielsen, H. C.

1997-01-01

In response to a 1995 NASA SPDS announcement of support for preservation and distribution of important data sets online, the Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Alaska, proposed to provide World Wide Web access to the Poker Flat Auroral All-sky Camera images in real time. The Poker auroral all-sky camera is located in the Davis Science Operation Center at Poker Flat Rocket Range about 30 miles north-east of Fairbanks, Alaska, and is connected, through a microwave link, with the Geophysical Institute where we maintain the data base linked to the Web. To protect the low light-level all-sky TV camera from damage due to excessive light, we only operate during the winter season when the moon is down. The camera and data acquisition is now fully computer controlled. Digital images are transmitted each minute to the Web linked data base where the data are available in a number of different presentations: (1) Individual JPEG compressed images (1 minute resolution); (2) Time lapse MPEG movie of the stored images; and (3) A meridional plot of the entire night activity.

Associations of excessive sleepiness on duty with sleeping hours and number of days of overnight work among medical residents in Japan.

PubMed

Wada, Koji; Sakata, Yumi; Theriault, Gilles; Narai, Rie; Yoshino, Yae; Tanaka, Katsutoshi; Aizawa, Yoshiharu

2007-11-01

Despite long-standing concerns regarding the effects of working hours on the performance and health of medical residents, and the patients' safety, prior studies have not shown an association of excessive sleepiness with the number of sleeping hours and days of overnight work among medical residents. In August 2005, a questionnaire was mailed to 227 eligible participants at 16 teaching hospitals. The total number of sleeping hours in the last 30 d was estimated from the average number of sleeping hours during regular days and during days with overnight work, and the number of days of overnight work. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for potentially associated variables. A total of 149 men and 47 women participated in this study. The participation rate was 86.3%. Among the participants, 55 (28.1%) suffered from excessive sleepiness. Excessive sleepiness was associated with sleeping for less than 150 h in the last 30 d (corrected odds ratio [cOR]=1.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-2.16). The number of days of overnight work in the last 30 d showed no association with excessive sleepiness. Excessive sleepiness was also associated with smoking (cOR, 1.65; 95%CI, 1.01-2.32). Medical residents who slept for less than 150 h in the last 30 d and smoked had a significantly higher risk of excessive sleepiness on duty.

Education Models for Teaching Adults about Modifying Dietary Carbohydrate and Controlling Weight

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cleamons, Vincient M.

2018-01-01

The prevalence of diabetes and other pathophysiological conditions has been correlated with the incidence of obesity. A large portion of an adult community in the northwestern United States suffers from excessive weight that has been linked to premature mortality rates and certain forms of diabetes. Excess calories from carbohydrate have been…

Evidence of a possible link between obesogenic food advertising and child overweight.

PubMed

Lobstein, T; Dibb, S

2005-08-01

A recent review of the literature concluded that advertising of foods on television may influence children's food choices and encourage unhealthy diets, but the review acknowledged there was a lack of clear evidence in coming to this conclusion. The present paper examines ecological evidence for a link between advertising to children and the risk of overweight using data from surveys of advertising on children's television and estimates of the prevalence of overweight among children, in the USA, Australia and eight European countries. A significant association was found between the proportion of children overweight and the numbers of advertisements per hour on children's television, especially those advertisements that encourage the consumption of energy-dense, micronutrient-poor foods (r = 0.81, P < 0.005). A weaker, negative association was found between the proportion of children overweight and the number of advertisements encouraging healthier diets (r = -0.56, P < 0.10). The quantity of advertising on children's television appears to be related to the prevalence of excess body weight among children. Furthermore, the content of the advertising appears to have a specific effect. The findings justify the need for taking precautionary measures to reduce children's exposure to obesogenic marketing practices.

ON INFRARED EXCESSES ASSOCIATED WITH Li-RICH K GIANTS

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

Rebull, Luisa M.; Carlberg, Joleen K.; Gibbs, John C.

2015-10-15

Infrared (IR) excesses around K-type red giants (RGs) have previously been discovered using Infrared Astronomy Satellite (IRAS) data, and past studies have suggested a link between RGs with overabundant Li and IR excesses, implying the ejection of circumstellar shells or disks. We revisit the question of IR excesses around RGs using higher spatial resolution IR data, primarily from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer. Our goal was to elucidate the link between three unusual RG properties: fast rotation, enriched Li, and IR excess. Our sample of RGs includes those with previous IR detections, a sample with well-defined rotation and Li abundancemore » measurements with no previous IR measurements, and a large sample of RGs asserted to be Li-rich in the literature; we have 316 targets thought to be K giants, about 40% of which we take to be Li-rich. In 24 cases with previous detections of IR excess at low spatial resolution, we believe that source confusion is playing a role, in that either (a) the source that is bright in the optical is not responsible for the IR flux, or (b) there is more than one source responsible for the IR flux as measured in IRAS. We looked for IR excesses in the remaining sources, identifying 28 that have significant IR excesses by ∼20 μm (with possible excesses for 2 additional sources). There appears to be an intriguing correlation in that the largest IR excesses are all in Li-rich K giants, though very few Li-rich K giants have IR excesses (large or small). These largest IR excesses also tend to be found in the fastest rotators. There is no correlation of IR excess with the carbon isotopic ratio, {sup 12}C/{sup 13}C. IR excesses by 20 μm, though relatively rare, are at least twice as common among our sample of Li-rich K giants. If dust shell production is a common by-product of Li enrichment mechanisms, these observations suggest that the IR excess stage is very short-lived, which is supported by theoretical calculations. Conversely, the Li-enrichment mechanism may only occasionally produce dust, and an additional parameter (e.g., rotation) may control whether or not a shell is ejected.« less

On Infrared Excesses Associated with Li-Rich K Giants

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rebull, Luisa M.; Carlberg, Joleen K.; Gibbs, John C.; Deeb, J. Elin; Larsen, Estefania; Black, David V.; Altepeter, Shailyn; Bucksbee, Ethan; Cashen, Sarah; Clarke, Matthew;

Dehydration of an ethanol/water azeotrope through alginate-DNA membranes cross-linked with metal ions by pervaporation.

PubMed

Uragami, Tadashi; Banno, Masashi; Miyata, Takashi

2015-12-10

To obtain high dehydration membranes for an ethanol/water azeotrope, dried blend membranes prepared from mixtures of sodium alginate (Alg-Na) and sodium deoxyribonucleate (DNA-Na) were cross-linked by immersing in a methanol solution of CaCl2 or MaCl2. In the dehydration of an ethanol/water azeotropic mixture by pervaporation, the effects of immersion time in methanol solution of CaCl2 or MaCl2 on the permeation rate and water/ethanol selectivity through Alg-DNA/Ca(2+) and Alg-DNA/Mg(2+) cross-linked membranes were investigated. Alg-DNA/Mg(2+) cross-linked membrane immersed for 12h in methanol solution of MaCl2 exhibited the highest water/ethanol selectivity. This results from depressed swelling of the membranes by formation of a cross-linked structure. However, excess immersion in solution containing cross-linker led to an increase in the hydrophobicity of cross-linked membrane. Therefore, the water/ethanol selectivity of Alg-DNA/Mg(2+) cross-linked membranes with an excess immersion in cross-linking solution was lowered. The relationship between the structure of Alg-DNA/Ca(2+) and Alg-DNA/Mg(2+) cross-linked membranes and their permeation and separation characteristics during pervaporation of an ethanol/water azeotropic mixture is discussed in detail. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Graphical Exposition of the Link between Two Representations of the Excess Burden of Taxation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Liu, Liqun; Rettenmaier, Andrew J.

2005-01-01

The excess burden of taxation typically has two graphical representations in undergraduate microeconomics and public finance textbooks: the IC/BC (indifference curve/budget constraint) representation and the demand/supply representation. The IC/BC representation has the advantage of showing the behavioral response to a distortionary tax and how a…

Perceived Gender Ratings for High and Low Scorers on the Autism-Spectrum Quotient Consistent with the Extreme Male Brain Account of Autism

PubMed Central

Simons, Jessica M.; Maybery, Murray T.; Leung, Doris; Ng, Honey L. H.; Whitehouse, Andrew J. O.

2015-01-01

The Extreme Male Brain (EMB) theory posits that autistic traits are linked to excessive exposure to testosterone in utero. While findings from a number of studies are consistent with this theory, other studies have produced contradictory results. For example, some findings suggest that rather than being linked to hypermasculinization for males, or defeminization for females, elevated levels of autistic traits are instead linked to more androgynous physical features. The current study provided further evidence relevant to the EMB and androgony positions by comparing groups of males selected for high or low scores on the Autism-spectrum Quotient (AQ) as to the rated masculinity of their faces and voices, and comparable groups of females as to the rated femininity of their faces and voices. The voices of High-AQ males were rated as more masculine than those of Low-AQ males, while the faces of High-AQ females were rated as less feminine than those of Low-AQ females. There was no effect of AQ group on femininity ratings for female voices or on masculinity ratings for male faces. The results thus provide partial support for a link between high levels of autistic-like traits and hypermasculinization for males and defeminization for females, consistent with the EMB theory. PMID:26186689

Analysis of the synoptic winter mortality climatology in five regions of England: Searching for evidence of weather signals.

PubMed

Paschalidou, A K; Kassomenos, P A; McGregor, G R

2017-11-15

Although heat-related mortality has received considerable research attention, the impact of cold weather on public health is less well-developed, probably due to the fact that physiological responses to cold weather can vary substantially among individuals, age groups, diseases etc., depending on a number of behavioral and physiological factors. In the current work we use the classification techniques provided by the COST-733 software to link synoptic circulation patterns with excess cold-related mortality in 5 regions of England. We conclude that, regardless of the classification scheme used, the most hazardous conditions for public health in England are associated with the prevalence of the Easterly type of weather, favoring advection of cold air from continental Europe. It is noteworthy that there has been observed little-to-no regional variation with regards to the classification results among the 5 regions, suggestive of a spatially homogenous response of mortality to the atmospheric patterns identified. In general, the 10 different groupings of days used reveal that excess winter mortality is linked with the lowest daily minimum/maximum temperatures in the area. However it is not uncommon to observe high mortality rates during days with higher, in relative terms, temperatures, when rapidly changing weather results in an increase of mortality. Such a finding confirms the complexity of cold-related mortality and highlights the importance of synoptic climatology in understanding of the phenomenon. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

[The influence of excess weight and obesity on health spending in Brazilian households].

PubMed

Canella, Daniela Silva; Novaes, Hillegonda Maria Dutilh; Levy, Renata Bertazzi

2015-11-01

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of excess weight and obesity on health spending in Brazilian households. Data from the Household Budget Survey 2008-2009 were used to estimate monetary health spending, corresponding to out-of-pocket spending, including purchase of medicines and payment for healthcare services, and to evaluate the nutritional status of the 55,970 household residents. Monthly spending on health and its components were analyzed according to the number of excess weight and obese individuals in households (none, one, two, or three or more individuals). The presence and increasing number of excess weight and obese individuals has resulted in greater spending on health, especially on medicines and health insurance. The results were maintained after adjusting for income, region, area, and presence of elderly and number of residents in the household. Excess weight and obesity had a direct impact on out-of-pocket health spending by Brazilian families.

Trauma-Related Dissociation Is Linked With Maladaptive Personality Functioning

PubMed Central

Granieri, Antonella; Guglielmucci, Fanny; Costanzo, Antonino; Caretti, Vincenzo; Schimmenti, Adriano

2018-01-01

Background: Extensive research has demonstrated the positive associations among the exposure to traumatic experiences, the levels of dissociation, and the severity of psychiatric symptoms in adults. However, it has been hypothesized in clinical literature that an excessive activation of the dissociative processes following multiple traumatic experiences may jeopardize the psychological and behavioral functioning of the individuals, fostering higher levels of maladaptive personality functioning. Methods: The study involved 322 adult volunteers from Italy. Participants completed measures on traumatic experiences, dissociation, and maladaptive personality traits. Results: The number of traumatic experiences reported by participants were positively associated with dissociation scores and maladaptive personality scores. Mediation analyses showed that dissociation acted as a partial mediator in the relationship between traumatic experiences and overall maladaptive personality functioning. Regression curve analyses showed that the positive association between maladaptive personality functioning and dissociation was stronger among participants with higher exposure to traumatic experiences. Conclusion: Exposure to multiple traumatic experiences may increase the risk for an excessive activation of the dissociative processes, which in turn may generate severe impairments in multiple domains of personality functioning. PMID:29887807

Advocating for Health and Safety through Social Media--Linked In!

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carreon, Amie Klein; Peoples, JaNiene; Shipley, Meagan; Wilson, Kelly; Ramirez, Cameron

2016-01-01

Excessive drinking among college students, which is influenced by an array of factors ranging from campus norms to membership in student organizations, has been linked to consequences including motor vehicle accidents, cognitive deficits, arrests, overdoses, assaults, and death. Considering the severity of consequences related to drinking,…

Parameters for measurement of oxidative stress in diabetes mellitus: applicability of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for clinical evaluation.

PubMed

Noiri, Eisei; Tsukahara, Hirokazu

2005-05-01

Investigations of the mechanisms involved in the onset and progression of diabetes have recently confronted the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress. Prolonged exposure to hyperglycemic conditions induces nonenzymatic glycation of protein via the so-called Maillard reaction, resulting in Schiff-base products and Amadori products that engender ROS production. These processes initiate and exacerbate micro- and macrovascular complications in diabetes. Increased oxidative stress is induced by excessive ROS production and inadequate antioxidant defenses. Recently, oxidative stress status markers have been associated directly with the severity and prognosis of diabetes. To examine oxidative stress, reliable and high-throughput methods are needed to examine large numbers of clinical samples. The emerging availability of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for oxidative stress status markers allows its application to assessment of various pathophysiologic conditions, including diabetes. This review outlines the recent achievements of ELISA application for clinical studies elucidating oxidative stress. It introduces the potential applicability of ELISA for investigating oxidative stress in diabetes.

Obesity and Its Potential Effects on Antidepressant Treatment Outcomes in Patients with Depressive Disorders: A Literature Review

PubMed Central

Woo, Young Sup; Seo, Hye-Jin; McIntyre, Roger S.; Bahk, Won-Myong

2016-01-01

Accumulating evidence regarding clinical, neurobiological, genetic, and environmental factors suggests a bidirectional link between obesity and depressive disorders. Although a few studies have investigated the link between obesity/excess body weight and the response to antidepressants in depressive disorders, the effect of weight on treatment response remains poorly understood. In this review, we summarized recent data regarding the relationship between the response to antidepressants and obesity/excess body weight in clinical studies of patients with depressive disorders. Although several studies indicated an association between obesity/excess body weight and poor antidepressant responses, it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions due to the variability of subject composition and methodological differences among studies. Especially, differences in sex, age and menopausal status, depressive symptom subtypes, and antidepressants administered may have caused inconsistencies in the results among studies. The relationship between obesity/excess body weight and antidepressant responses should be investigated further in high-powered studies addressing the differential effects on subject characteristics and treatment. Moreover, future research should focus on the roles of mediating factors, such as inflammatory markers and neurocognitive performance, which may alter the antidepressant treatment outcome in patients with comorbid obesity and depressive disorder. PMID:26771598

Porphyry copper enrichment linked to excess aluminium in plagioclase

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Williamson, B. J.; Herrington, R. J.; Morris, A.

2016-03-01

Porphyry copper deposits provide around 75%, 50% and 20% of world copper, molybdenum and gold, respectively. The deposits are mainly centred on calc-alkaline porphyry magmatic systems in subduction zone settings. Although calc-alkaline magmas are relatively common, large porphyry copper deposits are extremely rare and increasingly difficult to discover. Here, we compile existing geochemical data for magmatic plagioclase, a dominant mineral in calc-alkaline rocks, from fertile (porphyry-associated) and barren magmatic systems worldwide, barren examples having no associated porphyry deposit. We show that plagioclase from fertile systems is distinct in containing `excess’ aluminium. This signature is clearly demonstrated in a case study carried out on plagioclase from the fertile La Paloma and Los Sulfatos copper porphyry systems in Chile. Further, the presence of concentric zones of high excess aluminium suggests its incorporation as a result of magmatic processes. As excess aluminium has been linked to high melt water contents, the concentric zones may record injections of hydrous fluid or fluid-rich melts into the sub-porphyry magma chamber. We propose that excess aluminium may exclude copper from plagioclase, so enriching the remaining melts. Furthermore, this chemical signature can be used as an exploration indicator for copper porphyry deposits.

Brain structural correlates of reward sensitivity and impulsivity in adolescents with normal and excess weight.

PubMed

Moreno-López, Laura; Soriano-Mas, Carles; Delgado-Rico, Elena; Rio-Valle, Jacqueline S; Verdejo-García, Antonio

2012-01-01

Neuroscience evidence suggests that adolescent obesity is linked to brain dysfunctions associated with enhanced reward and somatosensory processing and reduced impulse control during food processing. Comparatively less is known about the role of more stable brain structural measures and their link to personality traits and neuropsychological factors on the presentation of adolescent obesity. Here we aimed to investigate regional brain anatomy in adolescents with excess weight vs. lean controls. We also aimed to contrast the associations between brain structure and personality and cognitive measures in both groups. Fifty-two adolescents (16 with normal weight and 36 with excess weight) were scanned using magnetic resonance imaging and completed the Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire (SPSRQ), the UPPS-P scale, and the Stroop task. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was used to assess possible between-group differences in regional gray matter (GM) and to measure the putative differences in the way reward and punishment sensitivity, impulsivity and inhibitory control relate to regional GM volumes, which were analyzed using both region of interest (ROI) and whole brain analyses. The ROIs included areas involved in reward/somatosensory processing (striatum, somatosensory cortices) and motivation/impulse control (hippocampus, prefrontal cortex). Excess weight adolescents showed increased GM volume in the right hippocampus. Voxel-wise volumes of the second somatosensory cortex (SII) were correlated with reward sensitivity and positive urgency in lean controls, but this association was missed in excess weight adolescents. Moreover, Stroop performance correlated with dorsolateral prefrontal cortex volumes in controls but not in excess weight adolescents. Adolescents with excess weight have structural abnormalities in brain regions associated with somatosensory processing and motivation.

Lipids, adiposity and tendinopathy: is there a mechanistic link? Critical review

PubMed Central

Scott, Alex; Zwerver, Johannes; Grewal, Navi; de Sa, Agnetha; Alktebi, Thuraya; Granville, David J; Hart, David A

2015-01-01

Being overweight or obese is associated with an elevated risk of tendon pathology. However, for sportspeople the epidemiological data linking weight or adiposity on one hand, and risk of tendon pathology on the other, are less consistent. Indeed, the mechanistic links between diet, adiposity and tendon pathology remain largely unexamined. Recent studies have begun to examine the effects of dietary interventions on outcomes such as tendon biomechanics or pain. Oxidised low-density lipoprotein has been shown to (A) accumulate in the tendon tissues of mice that eat a fatty diet and (B) induce a pathological phenotype in human tendon cells. This paper addresses the current debate: is excessive body mass index (causing increased load and strain on tendon tissue) per se the underlying mechanism? Or do local or systemic influences of fat on tendons predispose to tendon pathology? This narrative review argues that excessive blood lipids may be an important avenue for clinical investigations. PMID:25488953

Adverse physiological and psychological effects of screen time on children and adolescents: Literature review and case study.

PubMed

Lissak, Gadi

2018-07-01

A growing body of literature is associating excessive and addictive use of digital media with physical, psychological, social and neurological adverse consequences. Research is focusing more on mobile devices use, and studies suggest that duration, content, after-dark-use, media type and the number of devices are key components determining screen time effects. Physical health effects: excessive screen time is associated with poor sleep and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, obesity, low HDL cholesterol, poor stress regulation (high sympathetic arousal and cortisol dysregulation), and Insulin Resistance. Other physical health consequences include impaired vision and reduced bone density. Psychological effects: internalizing and externalizing behavior is related to poor sleep. Depressive symptoms and suicidal are associated to screen time induced poor sleep, digital device night use, and mobile phone dependency. ADHD-related behavior was linked to sleep problems, overall screen time, and violent and fast-paced content which activates dopamine and the reward pathways. Early and prolonged exposure to violent content is also linked to risk for antisocial behavior and decreased prosocial behavior. Psychoneurological effects: addictive screen time use decreases social coping and involves craving behavior which resembles substance dependence behavior. Brain structural changes related to cognitive control and emotional regulation are associated with digital media addictive behavior. A case study of a treatment of an ADHD diagnosed 9-year-old boy suggests screen time induced ADHD-related behavior could be inaccurately diagnosed as ADHD. Screen time reduction is effective in decreasing ADHD-related behavior. Components crucial for psychophysiological resilience are none-wandering mind (typical of ADHD-related behavior), good social coping and attachment, and good physical health. Excessive digital media use by children and adolescents appears as a major factor which may hamper the formation of sound psychophysiological resilience. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Kinematics and kinetics of elite windmill softball pitching.

PubMed

Werner, Sherry L; Jones, Deryk G; Guido, John A; Brunet, Michael E

2006-04-01

A significant number of time-loss injuries to the upper extremity in elite windmill softball pitchers has been documented. The number of outings and pitches thrown in 1 week for a softball pitcher is typically far in excess of those seen in baseball pitchers. Shoulder stress in professional baseball pitching has been reported to be high and has been linked to pitching injuries. Shoulder distraction has not been studied in an elite softball pitching population. The stresses on the throwing shoulder of elite windmill pitchers are similar to those found for professional baseball pitchers. Descriptive laboratory study. Three-dimensional, high-speed (120 Hz) video data were collected on rise balls from 24 elite softball pitchers during the 1996 Olympic Games. Kinematic parameters related to pitching mechanics and resultant kinetics on the throwing shoulder were calculated. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to relate shoulder stress and pitching mechanics. Shoulder distraction stress averaged 80% of body weight for the Olympic pitchers. Sixty-nine percent of the variability in shoulder distraction can be explained by a combination of 7 parameters related to pitching mechanics. Excessive distraction stress at the throwing shoulder is similar to that found in baseball pitchers, which suggests that windmill softball pitchers are at risk for overuse injuries. Normative information regarding upper extremity kinematics and kinetics for elite softball pitchers has been established.

Early Life Fructose Exposure and Its Implications for Long-Term Cardiometabolic Health in Offspring.

PubMed

Zheng, Jia; Feng, Qianyun; Zhang, Qian; Wang, Tong; Xiao, Xinhua

2016-11-01

It has become increasingly clear that maternal nutrition can strongly influence the susceptibility of adult offspring to cardiometabolic disease. For decades, it has been thought that excessive intake of fructose, such as sugar-sweetened beverages and foods, has been linked to increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in various populations. These deleterious effects of excess fructose consumption in adults are well researched, but limited data are available on the long-term effects of high fructose exposure during gestation, lactation, and infancy. This review aims to examine the evidence linking early life fructose exposure during critical periods of development and its implications for long-term cardiometabolic health in offspring.

Excessive users of violent video games do not show emotional desensitization: an fMRI study.

PubMed

Szycik, Gregor R; Mohammadi, Bahram; Hake, Maria; Kneer, Jonas; Samii, Amir; Münte, Thomas F; Te Wildt, Bert T

2017-06-01

Playing violent video games have been linked to long-term emotional desensitization. We hypothesized that desensitization effects in excessive users of violent video games should lead to decreased brain activations to highly salient emotional pictures in emotional sensitivity brain regions. Twenty-eight male adult subjects showing excessive long-term use of violent video games and age and education matched control participants were examined in two experiments using standardized emotional pictures of positive, negative and neutral valence. No group differences were revealed even at reduced statistical thresholds which speaks against desensitization of emotion sensitive brain regions as a result of excessive use of violent video games.

Excess cases of prostate cancer and estimated overdiagnosis associated with PSA testing in East Anglia

PubMed Central

Pashayan, N; Powles, J; Brown, C; Duffy, S W

2006-01-01

This study aimed to estimate the extent of ‘overdiagnosis' of prostate cancer attributable to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing in the Cambridge area between 1996 and 2002. Overdiagnosis was defined conceptually as detection of prostate cancer through PSA testing that otherwise would not have been diagnosed within the patient's lifetime. Records of PSA tests in Addenbrookes Hospital were linked to prostate cancer registrations by NHS number. Differences in prostate cancer registration rates between those receiving and not receiving prediagnosis PSA tests were calculated. The proportion of men aged 40 years or over with a prediagnosis PSA test increased from 1.4 to 5.2% from 1996 to 2002. The rate of diagnosis of prostate cancer was 45% higher (rate ratios (RR)=1.45, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.02–2.07) in men with a history of prediagnosis PSA testing. Assuming average lead times of 5 to 10 years, 40–64% of the PSA-detected cases were estimated to be overdiagnosed. In East Anglia, from 1996 to 2000, a 1.6% excess of cases was associated with PSA testing (around a quarter of the 5.3% excess incidence cases observed in East Anglia from 1996 to 2000). Further quantification of the overdiagnosis will result from continued surveillance and from linkage of incidence to testing in other hospitals. PMID:16832417

[Cancer incidence in the military: an update].

PubMed

Peragallo, Mario Stefano; Urbano, Francesco; Sarnicola, Giuseppe; Lista, Florigio; Vecchione, Alfredo

2011-01-01

An abnormally elevated rate of Hodgkin's lymphoma was reported in 2001 among Italian soldiers in Bosnia and Kosovo since 1995: a surveillance system was therefore set up for the military community. Preliminary results for a longer period (1996-2007) have shown incidence rates lower than expected for all malignancies. No significant difference was registered between observed and expected cases of Hodkin's lymphoma: the excess of reported cases for this malignancy in 2001-2002 was probably due to a peak occurred in 2000 among the whole military; it is therefore unrelated to deployment in the Balkans, and probably represents a chance event. Moreover, a significant excess of thyroid cancer was reported among the whole military.The estimated number of incident cases, including those missed by the surveillance system, was not significantly higher than expected for all cancers; conversely, the estimated incidence rate of thyroid cancer was significantly increased; this excess, however, is probably due to a selection bias.These data concerning cancer surveillance in the Italian military are consistent with lacking evidence of an increased cancer incidence among troops of other countries deployed in the areas of Iraq, Bosnia, and Kosovo, where armour penetrating depleted uranium shells have been used. However, a comprehensive assessment of cancer morbidity in the military requires a revision of the privacy regulations, in order to link individual records of military personnel and data bases of the National Health Service.

Shuttle/TDRSS modelling and link simulation study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Braun, W. R.; Mckenzie, T. M.; Biederman, L.; Lindsey, W. C.

1979-01-01

A Shuttle/TDRSS S-band and Ku-band link simulation package called LinCsim was developed for the evaluation of link performance for specific Shuttle signal designs. The link models were described in detail and the transmitter distortion parameters or user constraints were carefully defined. The overall link degradation (excluding hardware degradations) relative to an ideal BPSK channel were given for various sets of user constraint values. The performance sensitivity to each individual user constraint was then illustrated. The effect of excessive Spacelab clock jitter on the return link BER performance was also investigated as was the problem of subcarrier recovery for the K-band Shuttle return link signal.

Phospholipids as Biomarkers for Excessive Alcohol Use

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-10-01

NUMBER Phospholipids as Biomarkers for Excessive Alcohol Use 5b. GRANT NUMBER W81XWH-12-1-0497 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S...suspected of alcohol abuse. Toxicol Lett, 151(1), 235-241. Graham, D. P., Cardon , A. L., & Uhl, G. R. (2008). An update on substance use and treatment

Long term cause specific mortality among 34 489 five year survivors of childhood cancer in Great Britain: population based cohort study

PubMed Central

Fidler, Miranda M; Reulen, Raoul C; Winter, David L; Kelly, Julie; Jenkinson, Helen C; Skinner, Rod; Frobisher, Clare

2016-01-01

Objective To determine whether modern treatments for cancer are associated with a net increased or decreased risk of death from neoplastic and non-neoplastic causes among survivors of childhood cancer. Design Population based cohort study. Setting British Childhood Cancer Survivor Study. Participants Nationwide population based cohort of 34 489 five year survivors of childhood cancer with a diagnosis from 1940 to 2006 and followed up until 28 February 2014. Main outcome measures Cause specific standardised mortality ratios and absolute excess risks are reported. Multivariable Poisson regression models were utilised to evaluate the simultaneous effect of risk factors. Likelihood ratio tests were used to test for heterogeneity or trend. Results Overall, 4475 deaths were observed, which was 9.1 (95% confidence interval 8.9 to 9.4) times that expected in the general population, corresponding to 64.2 (95% confidence interval 62.1 to 66.3) excess deaths per 10 000 person years. The number of excess deaths from all causes declined among those treated more recently; those treated during 1990-2006 experienced 30% of the excess number of deaths experienced by those treated before 1970. The corresponding percentages for the decline in excess deaths from recurrence or progression and non-neoplastic causes were 30% and 60%, respectively. Among survivors aged 50-59 years, 41% and 22% of excess deaths were attributable to subsequent primary neoplasms and circulatory conditions, respectively, whereas the corresponding percentages among those aged 60 years or more were 31% and 37%. Conclusions The net effects of changes in cancer treatments, and surveillance and management for late effects, over the period 1940 to 2006 was to reduce the excess number of deaths from both recurrence or progression and non-neoplastic causes among those treated more recently. Among survivors aged 60 years or more, the excess number of deaths from circulatory causes exceeds the excess number of deaths from subsequent primary neoplasms. The important message for the evidence based surveillance aimed at preventing excess mortality and morbidity in survivors aged 60 years or more is that circulatory disease overtakes subsequent primary neoplasms as the leading cause of excess mortality. PMID:27586237

The Hurt of Judgment in Excessive Weight Women: A Hermeneutic Study.

PubMed

Mehrdad, Neda; Hossein Abbasi, Nahid; Nikbakht Nasrabadi, Alireza

2015-04-23

Excess weight is one of the increasing problems of the present society and one of the threatening health conditions around the world. Despite many efforts for prevention and treatment or even surgery, the process of excess weight is not decreased in the world. While most of the studies conducted on excess weight concentrated on the issues why people get excess weight or how the prevention and treatment of excess weight must be performed, there is lake of knowledge about what excessive weight people really experience in their daily life. Understanding the lived experience of excess weight in women is linked with their health and society's health while it indirectly develops the nursing knowledge to improve the quality and access to holistic health care in excessive weight women. The aim of study was to describe with a deeper understanding, the lived experience of excess weight in women. Using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach and a van-manen analysis methods, in depth semi- structured interviews were conducted with twelve women who had lived experience of excess weight. The hurt of Judgment was the main theme that emerged in the process of data analysis. This theme was derived from three sub-themes including social judgment, being different and being seen. These findings can prove helpful in promoting the nursing knowledge concerning a holistic approach in communicating to excessive weight people.

[Estimation of the excess death associated with influenza pandemics and epidemics in Japan after world war II: relation with pandemics and the vaccination system].

PubMed

Ohmi, Kenichi; Marui, Eiji

2011-10-01

To estimate the excess death associated with influenza pandemics and epidemics in Japan after World War II, and to reexamine the relationship between the excess death and the vaccination system in Japan. Using the Japanese national vital statistics data for 1952-2009, we specified months with influenza epidemics, monthly mortality rates and the seasonal index for 1952-74 and for 1975-2009. Then we calculated excess deaths of each month from the observed number of deaths and the 95% range of expected deaths. Lastly we calculated age-adjusted excess death rates using the 1985 model population of Japan. The total number of excess deaths for 1952-2009 was 687,279 (95% range, 384,149-970,468), 12,058 (95% range, 6,739-17,026) per year. The total number of excess deaths in 6 pandemic years of 1957-58, 58-59, 1968-69, 69-70, 77-78 and 78-79, was 95,904, while that in 51 'non-pandemic' years was 591,376, 6.17 fold larger than pandemic years. The average number of excess deaths for pandemic years was 23,976, nearly equal to that for 'non-pandemic' years, 23,655. At the beginning of pandemics, 1957-58, 1968-69, 1969-70, the proportion of those aged <65 years in excess deaths rose compared with 'non-pandemic' years. In the 1970s and 1980s, when the vaccination program for schoolchildren was mandatory in Japan on the basis of the "Fukumi thesis", age-adjusted average excess mortality rates were relatively low, with an average of 6.17 per hundred thousand. In the 1990s, when group vaccination was discontinued, age-adjusted excess mortality rose up to 9.42, only to drop again to 2.04 when influenza vaccination was made available to the elderly in the 2000s, suggesting that the vaccination of Japanese children prevented excess deaths from influenza pandemics and epidemics. Moreover, in the age group under 65, average excess mortality rates were low in the 1970s and 1980s rather than in the 2000s, which shows that the "Social Defensive" schoolchildren vaccination program in the 1970s and 1980s was more effective than the "Individual Defensive" vaccination program in the 2000s. Excess deaths were observed continually, and not limited to pandemic years. We must not slight public health interventions for 'non-pandemic' influenza as well as pandemic influenza. We should also re-examine the importance of "Social Defenses", including preventative vaccination, for public health policy.

Estimating the Hospital Delivery Costs Associated With Severe Maternal Morbidity in New York City, 2008-2012.

PubMed

Howland, Renata E; Angley, Meghan; Won, Sang Hee; Wilcox, Wendy; Searing, Hannah; Tsao, Tsu-Yu

2018-02-01

To quantify the average and total hospital delivery costs associated with severe maternal morbidity in excess of nonsevere maternal morbidity deliveries over a 5-year period in New York City adjusting for other sociodemographic and clinical factors. We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study using linked birth certificates and hospital discharge data for New York City deliveries from 2008 to 2012. Severe maternal morbidity was defined using a published algorithm of International Classification of Diseases, 9 Revision, Clinical Modification disease and procedure codes. Hospital costs were estimated by converting hospital charges using factors specific to each year and hospital and to each diagnosis. These estimates approximate what it costs the hospital to provide services (excluding professional fees) and were used in all subsequent analyses. To estimate adjusted mean costs associated with severe maternal morbidity, we used multivariable regression models with a log link, gamma distribution, robust standard errors, and hospital fixed effects, controlling for age, race and ethnicity, neighborhood poverty, primary payer, number of deliveries, method of delivery, comorbidities, and year. We used the adjusted mean cost to determine the average and total hospital delivery costs associated with severe maternal morbidity in excess of nonsevere maternal morbidity deliveries from 2008 to 2012. Approximately 2.3% (n=13,502) of all New York City delivery hospitalizations were complicated by severe maternal morbidity. Compared with nonsevere maternal morbidity deliveries, these hospitalizations were clinically complicated, required more and intensive clinical services, and had a longer stay in the hospital. The average cost of delivery with severe maternal morbidity was $14,442 (95% CI $14,128-14,756), compared with $7,289 (95% CI $7,276-7,302) among deliveries without severe maternal morbidity. After adjusting for other factors, the difference between deliveries with and without severe maternal morbidity remained high ($6,126). Over 5 years, this difference resulted in approximately $83 million in total excess costs (13,502×$6,126). Severe maternal morbidity nearly doubled the cost of delivery above and beyond other drivers of cost, resulting in tens of millions of excess dollars spent in the health care system in New York City. These findings can be used to demonstrate the burden of severe maternal morbidity and evaluate the cost-effectiveness of interventions to improve maternal health.

Exact mean-energy expansion of Ginibre's gas for coupling constants Γ =2 ×(oddinteger)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salazar, R.; Téllez, G.

2017-12-01

Using the approach of a Vandermonde determinant to the power Γ =Q2/kBT expansion on monomial functions, a way to find the excess energy Uexc of the two-dimensional one-component plasma (2DOCP) on hard and soft disks (or a Dyson gas) for odd values of Γ /2 is provided. At Γ =2 , the present study not only corroborates the result for the particle-particle energy contribution of the Dyson gas found by Shakirov [Shakirov, Phys. Lett. A 375, 984 (2011), 10.1016/j.physleta.2011.01.004] by using an alternative approach, but also provides the exact N -finite expansion of the excess energy of the 2DOCP on the hard disk. The excess energy is fitted to the ansatz of the form Uexc=K1N +K2√{N }+K3+K4/N +O (1 /N2) to study the finite-size correction, with Ki coefficients and N the number of particles. In particular, the bulk term of the excess energy is in agreement with the well known result of Jancovici for the hard disk in the thermodynamic limit [Jancovici, Phys. Rev. Lett. 46, 386 (1981), 10.1103/PhysRevLett.46.386]. Finally, an expression is found for the pair correlation function which still keeps a link with the random matrix theory via the kernel in the Ginibre ensemble [Ginibre, J. Math. Phys. 6, 440 (1965), 10.1063/1.1704292] for odd values of Γ /2 . A comparison between the analytical two-body density function and histograms obtained with Monte Carlo simulations for small systems and Γ =2 ,6 ,10 ,... shows that the approach described in this paper may be used to study analytically the crossover behavior from systems in the fluid phase to small crystals.

Burden of Mortality Attributable to Diagnosed Diabetes: A Nationwide Analysis Based on Claims Data From 65 Million People in Germany.

PubMed

Jacobs, Esther; Hoyer, Annika; Brinks, Ralph; Kuss, Oliver; Rathmann, Wolfgang

2017-12-01

In Germany, as in many other countries, nationwide data on mortality attributable to diagnosed diabetes are not available. This study estimated the absolute number of excess deaths associated with diabetes (all types) and type 2 diabetes in Germany. A prevalence approach that included nationwide routine data from 64.9 million people insured in the German statutory health insurance system in 2010 was used for the calculation. Because nationwide data on diabetes mortality are lacking in Germany, the mortality rate ratio from the Danish National Diabetes Register was used. The absolute number of excess deaths associated with diabetes was calculated as the number of deaths due to diabetes minus the number of deaths due to diabetes with a mortality that was as high as in the population without diabetes. Furthermore, the mortality population-attributable fraction was calculated. A total of 174,627 excess deaths were due to diabetes in 2010, including 137,950 due to type 2 diabetes. Overall, 21% of all deaths in Germany were attributable to diabetes and 16% were attributable to type 2 diabetes. Most of the excess deaths (34% each) occurred in the 70- to 89-year-old age-group. In this first nationwide calculation of excess deaths related to diabetes in Germany, the results suggest that the official German estimates that rely on information from death certificates are grossly underestimated. Countries without national cohorts or diabetes registries could easily use this method to estimate the number of excess deaths due to diabetes. © 2017 by the American Diabetes Association.

Obesity- and aging-induced excess of central transforming growth factor-β potentiates diabetic development via an RNA stress response

PubMed Central

Yan, Jingqi; Zhang, Hai; Yin, Ye; Li, Juxue; Tang, Yizhe; Purkayastha, Sudarshana; Li, Lianxi; Cai, Dongsheng

2014-01-01

The brain, in particular the hypothalamus, plays a role in regulating glucose homeostasis; however, it remains unclear if the brain is causally involved in diabetic development. Here, we identified that hypothalamic TGF-β is excessive under conditions of not only obesity but aging, which are two general etiological factors of diabetes. Pharmacological and genetic approaches consistently revealed that brain TGF-β excess caused hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance in a body weight-independent manner. Cell-specific genetic models demonstrated that astrocytes are responsible for brain TGF-β excess, and POMC neurons are crucial for the pro-diabetic effect of TGF-β excess. Mechanistically, TGF-β excess induced hypothalamic RNA stress response to accelerate IκBα mRNA decay, leading to an atypical, mRNA metabolism-driven hypothalamic NF-κB activation which links obesity as well as aging to hypothalamic inflammation. In conclusion, brain TGF-β excess and induction of RNA stress response and hypothalamic inflammation are important for the pro-diabetic effects of obesity or aging. PMID:25086906

78 FR 18346 - Federal Acquisition Regulation; Submission for OMB Review; Use of Data Universal Numbering System...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-26

... in excess of the micro-purchase threshold to the Federal Procurement Data Center which collects, processes, and disseminates official statistical data on Federal contracting. Contracting officers insert...) Number, in solicitations they expect will result in contracts in excess of the micro-purchase threshold...

76 FR 45592 - Federal Property Suitable as Facilities To Assist the Homeless

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-29

... Neck Annex Indian Head MD 20640 Landholding Agency: Navy Property Number: 77201130003 Status: Excess..., Extensive deterioration, Secured Area Bldg. 4SN Stump Neck Annex Indian Head MD 20640 Landholding Agency.... Stump Neck Annex Indian Head MD Landholding Agency: Navy Property Number: 77201130008 Status: Excess...

Frontal plane kinematics of the hip during running: Are they related to hip anatomy and strength?

PubMed

Baggaley, Michael; Noehren, Brian; Clasey, Jody L; Shapiro, Robert; Pohl, Michael B

2015-10-01

Excessive hip adduction has been associated with a number of lower extremity overuse running injuries. The excessive motion has been suggested to be the result of reduced strength of the hip abductor musculature. Hip anatomical alignment has been postulated to influence hip abduction (HABD) strength and thus may impact hip adduction during running. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between hip anatomy, HABD strength, and frontal plane kinematics during running. Peak isometric HABD strength, 3D lower extremity kinematics during running, femoral neck-shaft angle (NSA), and pelvis width-femur length (PW-FL) ratio were recorded for 25 female subjects. Pearson correlations (p<0.05) were performed between variables. A fair relationship was observed between femoral NSA and HABD strength (r=-0.47, p=0.02) where an increased NSA was associated with reduced HABD strength. No relationship was observed between HABD strength and hip adduction during running. None of the anatomical measurements, NSA or PW-FL, were associated with hip adduction during running. Deviations in the femoral NSA have a limited ability to influence peak isometric hip abduction strength or frontal plane hip kinematics during running. Hip abduction strength does also not appear to be linked with changes in hip kinematics. These findings in healthy individuals question whether excessive hip adduction typically seen in female runners with overuse injuries is caused by deviations in hip abduction strength or anatomical structure. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Excess seawater nutrients, enlarged algal symbiont densities and bleaching sensitive reef locations: 1. Identifying thresholds of concern for the Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

PubMed

Wooldridge, Scott A

2016-05-23

Here, I contribute new insight into why excess seawater nutrients are an increasingly identified feature at reef locations that have low resistance to thermal stress. Specifically, I link this unfavourable synergism to the development of enlarged (suboptimal) zooxanthellae densities that paradoxically limit the capacity of the host coral to build tissue energy reserves needed to combat periods of stress. I explain how both theoretical predictions and field observations support the existence of species-specific 'optimal' zooxanthellae densities ~1.0-3.0×10 6 cellscm- 2 . For the central Great Barrier Reef (GBR), excess seawater nutrients that permit enlarged zooxanthellae densities beyond this optimum range are linked with seawater chlorophyll a>0.45μg·L -1 ; a eutrophication threshold previously shown to correlate with a significant loss in species for hard corals and phototrophic octocorals on the central GBR, and herein shown to correlate with enhanced bleaching sensitivity during the 1998 and 2002 mass bleaching events. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copper toxicity, oxidative stress, and antioxidant nutrients.

PubMed

Gaetke, Lisa M; Chow, Ching Kuang

2003-07-15

Copper (Cu) is an integral part of many important enzymes involved in a number of vital biological processes. Although normally bound to proteins, Cu may be released and become free to catalyze the formation of highly reactive hydroxyl radicals. Data obtained from in vitro and cell culture studies are largely supportive of Cu's capacity to initiate oxidative damage and interfere with important cellular events. Oxidative damage has been linked to chronic Cu-overload and/or exposure to excess Cu caused by accidents, occupational hazards, and environmental contamination. Additionally, Cu-induced oxidative damage has been implicated in disorders associated with abnormal Cu metabolism and neurodegenerative changes. Interestingly, a deficiency in dietary Cu also increases cellular susceptibility to oxidative damage. A number of nutrients have been shown to interact with Cu and alter its cellular effects. Vitamin E is generally protective against Cu-induced oxidative damage. While most in vitro or cell culture studies show that ascorbic acid aggravates Cu-induced oxidative damage, results obtained from available animal studies suggest that the compound is protective. High intakes of ascorbic acid and zinc may provide protection against Cu toxicity by preventing excess Cu uptake. Zinc also removes Cu from its binding site, where it may cause free radical formation. Beta-carotene, alpha-lipoic acid and polyphenols have also been shown to attenuate Cu-induced oxidative damage. Further studies are needed to better understand the cellular effects of this essential, but potentially toxic, trace mineral and its functional interaction with other nutrients.

Is It God or Just the Data that Moves in Mysterious Ways? How Well-Being Research May Be Mistaking Faith for Virtue

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schuurmans-Stekhoven, James Benjamin

2011-01-01

Opinion is mixed regarding the link between spiritual faith-based beliefs (SFBBs) and psychological well-being--however, most published field studies suggest a positive link. Controlled experiments demonstrate that spirituality promotes social cohesion and deters excessive self-interested behaviour. Yet past research has largely overlooked virtues…

Gene Linked to Excess Male Hormones in Female Infertility Disorder

MedlinePlus

... Record Research & Training Medical Research Initiatives Science Highlights Science Education Research in NIH Labs & Clinics Training Opportunities Library Resources Research Resources Clinical Research Resources Safety, Regulation ...

Ontological Modeling for Integrated Spacecraft Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wicks, Erica

2011-01-01

Current spacecraft work as a cooperative group of a number of subsystems. Each of these requiresmodeling software for development, testing, and prediction. It is the goal of my team to create anoverarching software architecture called the Integrated Spacecraft Analysis (ISCA) to aid in deploying the discrete subsystems' models. Such a plan has been attempted in the past, and has failed due to the excessive scope of the project. Our goal in this version of ISCA is to use new resources to reduce the scope of the project, including using ontological models to help link the internal interfaces of subsystems' models with the ISCA architecture.I have created an ontology of functions specific to the modeling system of the navigation system of a spacecraft. The resulting ontology not only links, at an architectural level, language specificinstantiations of the modeling system's code, but also is web-viewable and can act as a documentation standard. This ontology is proof of the concept that ontological modeling can aid in the integration necessary for ISCA to work, and can act as the prototype for future ISCA ontologies.

The association of neoplasms and HIV infection in the correctional setting.

PubMed

Baillargeon, Jacques; Pollock, Brad H; Leach, Charles T; Gao, Shou-Jiang

2004-05-01

HIV-associated immunosuppression has been linked to an increased risk of a number of cancers, including Kaposi sarcoma (KS), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), and invasive cervical cancer. Because prison inmates constitute one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalent populations in the US, understanding the link between HIV infection and cancer in the correctional setting holds particular public health relevance. The study population consisted of 336,668 Texas Department of Criminal Justice inmates who were incarcerated, for any duration, between 1 January 1999 and 31 December 2001. Inmates diagnosed with HIV infection exhibited elevated rates of KS, NHL, anal cancer, and Hodgkin's disease, after adjusting for age and race. The elevated rates of cancer among HIV-infected individuals, particularly prison inmates, may be mediated, in part, by high-risk behaviours. HIV-associated risk behaviours, including unsafe sexual practices, injection drug use, and prostitution may be associated with cancer-related risk behaviours, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and poor diet. It will be important for future investigators to examine the association between HIV infection and cancer risk with sufficiently large study cohorts and appropriate longitudinal designs.

Stressful Life Events and Child Anxiety: Examining Parent and Child Mediators.

PubMed

Platt, Rheanna; Williams, Sarah R; Ginsburg, Golda S

2016-02-01

While a number of factors have been linked with excessive anxiety (e.g., parenting, child temperament), the impact of stressful life events remains under-studied. Moreover, much of this literature has examined bivariate associations rather than testing more complex theoretical models. The current study extends the literature on life events and child anxiety by testing a theory-driven meditational model. Specifically, one child factor (child cognitions/locus of control), two parent factors (parent psychopathology and parenting stress), and two parent-child relationship factors (parent-child dysfunctional interaction and parenting style) were examined as mediators in the relationship between stressful life events and severity of child anxiety. One hundred and thirty anxious parents and their nonanxious, high-risk children (ages ranged from 7 to 13 years) participated in this study. Results indicated that levels of parenting stress, parental anxious rearing, and dysfunctional parent-child interaction mediated the association between stressful life events and severity of anxiety symptoms. Child cognition and parent psychopathology factors failed to emerge as mediators. Findings provide support for more complex theoretical models linking life events and child anxiety and suggest potential targets of intervention.

EVIDENCE FOR NON-STELLAR REST-FRAME NEAR-IR EMISSION ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED STAR FORMATION IN GALAXIES AT z ∼ 1

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

Lange, Johannes U.; Van Dokkum, Pieter G.; Momcheva, Ivelina G.

2016-03-01

We explore the presence of non-stellar rest-frame near-IR (2–5 μm) emission in galaxies at z ∼ 1. Previous studies identified this excess in relatively small samples and suggested that such non-stellar emission, which could be linked to the 3.3 μm polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons feature or hot dust emission, is associated with an increased star formation rate (SFR). In this Letter, we confirm and quantify the presence of an IR excess in a significant fraction of galaxies in the 3D-HST GOODS catalogs. By constructing a matched sample of galaxies with and without strong non-stellar near-IR emission, we find that galaxies with such emissionmore » are predominantly star-forming galaxies. Moreover, star-forming galaxies with an excess show increased mid- and far-IR and Hα emission compared to other star-forming galaxies without. While galaxies with a near-IR excess show a larger fraction of individually detected X-ray active galactic nuclei (AGNs), an X-ray stacking analysis, together with the IR-colors and Hα profiles, shows that AGNs are unlikely to be the dominant source of excess in the majority of galaxies. Our results suggest that non-stellar near-IR emission is linked to increased SFRs and is ubiquitous among star-forming galaxies. As such, the near-IR emission might be a powerful tool to measure SFRs in the era of the James Webb Space Telescope.« less

76 FR 42676 - Information Collection; Federal Excess Personal Property (FEPP) Inventory

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-19

... DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Information Collection; Federal Excess Personal Property... collection, Federal Excess Personal Property (FEPP) Inventory. DATES: Comments must be received in writing on... Personal Property (FEPP) Inventory. OMB Number: 0596-218 Expiration Date of Approval: 12/31/2011. Type of...

Inhibition of Drp1 attenuates mitochondrial damage and myocardial injury in Coxsackievirus B3 induced myocarditis

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

Lin, Lin; Zhang, Ming; Yan, Rui

Viral myocarditis (VMC) is closely related to apoptosis, oxidative stress, innate immunity, and energy metabolism, which are all linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. A close nexus between mitochondrial dynamics and cardiovascular disease with mitochondrial dysfunction has been deeply researched, but there is still no relevant report in viral myocarditis. In this study, we aimed to explore the role of Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1)-linked mitochondrial fission in VMC. Mice were inoculated with the Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) and treated with mdivi1 (a Drp1 inhibitor). Protein expression of Drp1 was increased in mitochondria while decreased in cytoplasm and accompanied by excessive mitochondrial fission inmore » VMC mice. In addition, midivi1 treatment attenuate inflammatory cells infiltration in myocardium of the mice, serum Cardiac troponin I (CTnI) and Creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) level. Mdivi1 also could improved the survival rate of mice and mitochondrial dysfunction reflected as the up-regulated mitochondrial marker enzymatic activities of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), cytochrome c oxidase (COX) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). At the same time, mdivi1 rescued the body weight loss, myocardial injury and apoptosis of cardiomyocyte. Furthermore, decease in LVEDs and increase in EF and FS were detected by echocardiogram, which indicated the improved myocardial function. Thus, Drp1-linked excessive mitochondrial fission contributed to VMC and midivi1 may be a potential therapeutic approach. - Highlights: • The expression of Drp1 is significantly increased in mitochondria while decreased in cytoplasm in VMC mice. • Drp1-linked excessive mitochondrial fission is involved in VMC. • Midivi1 treatment mitigate the mitochondrial damage, inflammation, apoptosis in VMC mice. • The disturbance of mitochondrial dynamics may be a new therapeutic target for VMC.« less

Disordered follicle development

PubMed Central

Chang, R. Jeffrey; Cook-Andersen, Heidi

2013-01-01

Alterations of ovarian follicle morphology and function have been well documented in women with PCOS. These include increased numbers of growing preantral follicles, failure of follicle growth beyond the mid-antral stage, evidence of granulosa call degeneration, and theca cell hyperplasia. Functional abnormalities include paradoxical granulosa cell hyperresponsiveness to FSH which is clinically linked to ovarian hyperstimulation during ovulation induction. In addition, there is likely a primary theca cell defect that accounts for the majority of excess androgen production in this disorder. The precise mechanisms responsible for altered follicle function are not completely clear. However, several factors appear to influence normal advancement of follicle development as well as impair ovarian steroidogenesis. These include intra- as well as extraovarian influences that distort normal ovarian growth and disrupt steroid production by follicle cells. PMID:22874072

Lung Fibroblasts, Aging, and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

PubMed

Pardo, Annie; Selman, Moisés

2016-12-01

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an aging-associated, progressive, and irreversible lung disease of unknown etiology, elusive pathogenesis, and very limited therapeutic options. The hallmarks of IPF are aberrant activation of alveolar epithelial cells and accumulation of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts along with excessive production of extracellular matrix. The linkage of aging with this disorder is uncertain, but a number of changes associated with aging, including telomere attrition, cell senescence, and mitochondrial dysfunction, have been revealed in IPF lungs. Also, aging seems to confer a profibrotic phenotype upon fibroblasts and to increase the severity of the fibrogenic response in non-IPF fibrotic lung disorders. Better knowledge of the pathophysiological mechanisms linking aging to IPF will advance understanding of its pathogenesis and may provide new therapeutic windows to treatment of this devastating disease.

An Event-Level Conceptual Model of College Student Drinking: The Role of Protective Behavioral Strategies, Alcohol Expectancies, and Drinking Motives

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Madden, Danielle R.

2017-01-01

Introduction: The excessive consumption of alcohol by college students is a major public health problem in the U.S. Heavy alcohol use has been linked to numerous consequences ranging from less serious effects (i.e.., hangovers) to death. Decades of research have linked certain beliefs, attitudes or motivations to drinking behavior but intensive…

Individual differences in implicit learning abilities and impulsive behavior in the context of Internet addiction and Internet Gaming Disorder under the consideration of gender.

PubMed

Sariyska, Rayna; Lachmann, Bernd; Markett, Sebastian; Reuter, Martin; Montag, Christian

2017-06-01

•Higher Internet addiction scores were linked to deficient implicit learning.•This association was found in two independent groups of male (excessive) gamers.•Online Gaming addiction was linked to higher risk-taking in healthy participants.•Implicit learning and risk-taking were assessed, using an experimental task.

Incidence of cancer among commercial airline pilots

PubMed Central

Rafnsson, V.; Hrafnkelsson, J.; Tulinius, H.

2000-01-01

OBJECTIVES—To describe the cancer pattern in a cohort of commercial pilots by follow up through the Icelandic Cancer Registry.
METHODS—This is a retrospective cohort study of 458 pilots with emphasis on subcohort working for an airline operating on international routes. A computerised file of the cohort was record linked to the Cancer Registry by making use of personal identification numbers. Expected numbers of cancer cases were calculated on the basis of number of person-years and incidences of cancer at specific sites for men provided by the Cancer Registry. Numbers of separate analyses were made according to different exposure variables.
RESULTS—The standardised incidence ratio (SIR) for all cancers was 0.97 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.62 to 1.46) in the total cohort and 1.16 (95% CI 0.70 to 1.81) among those operating on international routes. The SIR for malignant melanoma of the skin was 10.20, 95% CI 3.29 to 23.81 in the total cohort and 15.63, 95% CI 5.04 to 36.46 in the restricted cohort. Analyses according to number of block-hours and radiation dose showed that malignant melanomas were found in the subgroups with highest exposure estimates, the SIRs were 13.04 and 28.57 respectively. The SIR was 25.00 for malignant melanoma among those who had been flying over five time zones.
CONCLUSIONS—The study shows a high occurrence of malignant melanoma among pilots. It is open to discussion what role exposure of cosmic radiation, numbers of block-hours flown, or lifestyle factors—such as possible excessive sunbathing—play in the aetiology of cancer among pilots. This calls for further and more powerful studies. The excess of malignant melanoma among those flying over five time zones suggests that the importance of disturbance of the circadian rhythm should be taken into consideration in future studies.


Keywords: cancer registry; malignant melanoma of the skin; cosmic radiation; block-hours; time zones PMID:10810099

Excess capacity: markets regulation, and values.

PubMed Central

Madden, C W

1999-01-01

OBJECTIVE: To examine the conceptual bases for the conflicting views of excess capacity in healthcare markets and their application in the context of today's turbulent environment. STUDY SETTING: The policy and research literature of the past three decades. STUDY DESIGN: The theoretical perspectives of alternative economic schools of thought are used to support different policy positions with regard to excess capacity. Changes in these policy positions over time are linked to changes in the economic and political environment of the period. The social values implied by this history are articulated. DATA COLLECTION: Standard library search procedures are used to identify relevant literature. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Alternative policy views of excess capacity in healthcare markets rely on differing theoretical foundations. Changes in the context in which policy decisions are made over time affect the dominant theoretical framework and, therefore, the dominant policy view of excess capacity. CONCLUSIONS: In the 1990s, multiple perspectives of optimal capacity still exist. However, our evolving history suggests a set of persistent values that should guide future policy in this area. PMID:10029502

Healthcare Resource Utilisation Associated with Herpes Zoster in a Prospective Cohort of Older Australian Adults.

PubMed

Karki, Surendra; Newall, Anthony T; MacIntyre, C Raina; Heywood, Anita E; McIntyre, Peter; Banks, Emily; Liu, Bette

2016-01-01

Herpes zoster (HZ) is a common condition that increases in incidence with older age but vaccines are available to prevent the disease. However, there are limited data estimating the health system burden attributable to herpes zoster by age. In this study, we quantified excess healthcare resource usage associated with HZ during the acute/sub-acute period of disease (21days before to 90 days after onset) in 5952 cases and an equal number of controls matched on age, sex, and prior healthcare resource usage. Estimates were adjusted for potential confounders in multivariable regression models. Using population-based estimates of HZ incidence, we calculated the age-specific excess number of health service usage events attributable to HZ in the population. Per HZ case, there was an average of 0.06 (95% CI 0.04-0.08) excess hospitalisations, 1.61 (95% CI 1.51-1.69) excess general practitioner visits, 1.96 (95% CI 1.86-2.15) excess prescriptions filled and 0.11 (95% CI 0.09-0.13) excess emergency department visits. The average number of healthcare resource use events, and the estimated excess per 100,000 population increased with increasing age but were similar for men and women, except for higher rates of hospitalisation in men. The excess annual HZ associated burden of hospitalisations was highest in adults ≥80 years (N = 2244, 95%CI 1719-2767); GP visits was highest in those 60-69 years (N = 50567, 95%CI 39958-61105), prescriptions and ED visits were highest in 70-79 years (N = 50524, 95%CI 40634-60471 and N = 2891, 95%CI 2319-3449 respectively). This study provides important data to establish the healthcare utilisation associated with HZ against which detailed cost-effectiveness analyses of HZ immunisation in older adults can be conducted.

Uncovering the Mechanisms Linking Obesity and Cancer Risk

Cancer.gov

What biological processes mediate the relationship between excess body fat and increased cancer risk? Researchers are examining how hormones, inflammation, signaling molecules, and other biological factors may play a role in cancer progression.

Sympatho-renal axis in chronic disease.

PubMed

Sobotka, Paul A; Mahfoud, Felix; Schlaich, Markus P; Hoppe, Uta C; Böhm, Michael; Krum, Henry

2011-12-01

Essential hypertension, insulin resistance, heart failure, congestion, diuretic resistance, and functional renal disease are all characterized by excessive central sympathetic drive. The contribution of the kidney's somatic afferent nerves, as an underlying cause of elevated central sympathetic drive, and the consequences of excessive efferent sympathetic signals to the kidney itself, as well as other organs, identify the renal sympathetic nerves as a uniquely logical therapeutic target for diseases linked by excessive central sympathetic drive. Clinical studies of renal denervation in patients with resistant hypertension using an endovascular radiofrequency ablation methodology have exposed the sympathetic link between these conditions. Renal denervation could be expected to simultaneously affect blood pressure, insulin resistance, sleep disorders, congestion in heart failure, cardiorenal syndrome and diuretic resistance. The striking epidemiologic evidence for coexistence of these disorders suggests common causal pathways. Chronic activation of the sympathetic nervous system has been associated with components of the metabolic syndrome, such as blood pressure elevation, obesity, dyslipidemia, and impaired fasting glucose with hyperinsulinemia. Over 50% of patients with essential hypertension are hyperinsulinemic, regardless of whether they are untreated or in a stable program of treatment. Insulin resistance is related to sympathetic drive via a bidirectional mechanism. In this manuscript, we review the data that suggests that selective impairment of renal somatic afferent and sympathetic efferent nerves in patients with resistant hypertension both reduces markers of central sympathetic drive and favorably impacts diseases linked through central sympathetics-insulin resistance, heart failure, congestion, diuretic resistance, and cardiorenal disorders.

Measurements in Flight of the Longitudinal-Stability Characteristics of a Republic YF-84A Airplane (Army Serial No. 45-59488) at High Subsonic Mach Numbers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Turner, Howard L.; Cooper, George E.

1948-01-01

A brief investigation was made of the longitudinal-stability characteristics of a YF-84A airplane (Army Serial No. 45-79488). The airplane developed a pitching-up tendency at approximately 0.80 Mach number which necessitated large push forces and down-elevator deflections for further increases in speed. In steady turns at 35,000 feet with the center of gravity at 28.3 percent mean aerodynamic chord for normal accelerations up to the maximum test value, the control-force gradients were excessive at Mach numbers over 0.78. Airplane buffeting did not present a serious problem in accelerated or unaccelerated flight at 15,000 and 35,000 feet up to the maximum test Mach number of 0.84. It is believed that excessive control force would be the limiting factor in attaining speeds in excess of 0.84 Mach number, especially at altitudes below 35,000 feet.

The numbers of 2- 5 and 6-9 mm ovarian follicles are inversely correlated in both normal women and in polycystic ovary syndrome patients: what is the missing link?

PubMed

Peigné, M; Catteau-Jonard, S; Robin, G; Dumont, A; Pigny, P; Dewailly, D

2018-04-01

Is the negative correlation between the numbers of 2-5 and 6-9 mm follicles influenced by ovarian and/or metabolic parameter(s) in young control women and in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)? Our study confirmed that the negative correlation between numbers of follicles sized 2-5 and 6-9 mm was stronger in PCOS than in young control women and was not linked to any ovarian or metabolic parameter. Previous reports described a direct negative correlation between the number of small antral follicles (2-5 mm) and large antral follicle (6-9 mm) during the early follicular phase (cycle Days 2-5) in normal and PCOS women. Numerous factors, that could be either intrinsic to the ovary or secondary to metabolic influence and/or gonadotropin regulation, might account for this. Six hundred and thirty-nine patients with PCOS according to Rotterdam Criteria and 157 control women were recruited in this retrospective cross-sectional study from January 2009 to January 2016. Data were obtained from a database of clinical, hormonal and ultrasound (U/S) features recorded consecutively in a single reproductive medicine centre. Univariate correlations between the various parameters were analysed by the Spearman's correlation test. All variables significantly related to the 2-5 and/or 6-9 mm follicle numbers were included in a principal component analysis (PCA) in order to structure the data and to obtain collections of uncorrelated variables, called principal components (PC), which are linear combinations of the original variables. By univariate analysis, the 2-5 and 6-9 mm follicle numbers were strongly but negatively correlated in both populations. Many other variables were correlated to the 2-5 and/or 6-9 mm follicle numbers and to each other. By PCA, these relationships were gathered into four independent PCs in each population. In both groups, the 2-5 and 6-9 mm follicle numbers correlated strongly and inversely to a specific PC. Among the other variables tested, only serum oestradiol level correlated weakly to this PC in the control group. Two other uncorrelated PCs gathered relationships between variables linked to the metabolic status and the gonadotropin regulation both in control and PCOS women. Lastly, a fourth PC included relationships which linked to ovarian ageing in controls and to follicle dysregulation in patients with PCOS. Our controls did not represent the general population since they were recruited in an ART centre; we used a modified Rotterdam classification for PCOS using follicle count and/or serum AMH level with in-house thresholds to define the follicle excess; the AMH assay used is no longer commercially available. Factor(s) regulating specifically the equilibrium between the 2-5 and 6-9 mm follicle numbers still need(s) to be identified. More attention should be paid to the oocyte. None.

Dynamics of Charge Carriers in Silicon Nanowire Photoconductors Revealed by Photo Hall Effect Measurements.

PubMed

Chen, Kaixiang; Zhao, Xiaolong; Mesli, Abdelmadjid; He, Yongning; Dan, Yaping

2018-04-24

Photoconductors have extraordinarily high gain in quantum efficiency, but the origin of the gain has remained in dispute for decades. In this work, we employ photo Hall effect to reveal the gain mechanisms by probing the dynamics of photogenerated charge carriers in silicon nanowire photoconductors. The results reveal that a large number of photogenerated minority electrons are localized in the surface depletion region and surface trap states. The same number of excess hole counterparts is left in the nanowire conduction channel, resulting in the fact that excess holes outnumber the excess electrons in the nanowire conduction channel by orders of magnitude. The accumulation of the excess holes broadens the conduction channel by narrowing down the depletion region, which leads to the experimentally observed high photo gain.

Undersea Laser Communications Field Test at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC)

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-08-30

and blue wavelength scenario suggests links in excess of 400 meters are achievable with small, low-power, narrow-beam lasercom terminals. The field...of 7.6 meters , which corresponded to between 8–12 beam extinction lengths. The PMT demonstration included real-time electronics to perform...communications link was demonstrated over 4.8 meters (5 beam extinction lengths) with an APD receiver. Communications and characterization data were

The Link Between Excessive Quantity of Sleep and Deteriorated Quality of Wakefulness – Implications for the DSM-5

PubMed Central

Ohayon, Maurice M.; Reynolds, Charles F.; Dauvilliers, Yves

2013-01-01

Objectives Using population-based data, we document the comorbidities (medical, neurologic and psychiatric) and consequences for daily functioning of excessive quantity of sleep (EQS), defined as a main sleep period or 24-hour sleep duration ≥9 hours accompanied by complaints of impaired functioning or distress due to excessive sleep, and its links to excessive sleepiness. Methods A cross-sectional telephone study using a representative sample of 19,136 non-institutionalized individuals living in the United States, aged ≥18 (participation rate: 83.2%). The Sleep-EVAL expert system administered questions on life and sleeping habits; health; and sleep, mental and organic disorders (DSM-IV-TR, ICSD-II, ICD-10). Results Sleeping at least 9 hours per 24-hour period was reported by 8.4% (95% confidence intervals: 8.0%-8.8%) of participants; EQS (prolonged sleep episode with distress/impairment) was observed in 1.6% (1.4% to 1.8%) of the sample. The likelihood of EQS was 3-12 times higher among individuals with a mood disorder. EQS individuals were 2-4 times more likely to report poor quality of life than non-EQS individuals as well as interference with socio-professional activities and relationships. Although between 33% and 66% of individuals with prolonged sleep perceived it as a major problem, only 6.3% to 27.5% of them reported having sought medical attention. Interpretation Excessive Quantity of Sleep is widespread in the general population, co-occurring with a broad spectrum of sleep, medical, neurologic and psychiatric disorders. Therefore, physicians must recognize EQS as a mixed clinical entity indicating careful assessment and specific treatment planning. PMID:23846792

Receptor May Underlie Gender Differences in Response to Smoking Cessation Therapy

MedlinePlus

... β 2 *-nAChRs comprise an excess. In previous studies, the Yale researchers linked heightened β 2 *-nAChR availability to ex-smokers’ nicotine craving and possibly other withdrawal symptoms ...

Sleep Disorders as a Cause of Motor Vehicle Collisions

PubMed Central

de Mello, Marco Túlio; Narciso, Fernanda Veruska; Tufik, Sergio; Paiva, Teresa; Spence, David Warren; BaHammam, Ahmed S.; Verster, Joris C.; Pandi-Perumal, Seithikurippu R.

2013-01-01

Studies have shown that a large proportion of traffic accidents around the world are related to inadequate or disordered sleep. Recent surveys have linked driver fatigue to 16% to 20% of serious highway accidents in the UK, Australia, and Brazil. Fatigue as a result of sleep disorders (especially obstructive sleep apnea), excessive workload and lack of physical and mental rest, have been shown to be major contributing factors in motor vehicle accidents. A number of behavioral, physiological, and psychometric tests are being used increasingly to evaluate the impact of fatigue on driver performance. These include the oculography, polysomnography, actigraphy, the maintenance of wakefulness test, and others. Various strategies have been proposed for preventing or reducing the impact of fatigue on motor vehicle accidents. These have included: Educational programs emphasizing the importance of restorative sleep and the need for drivers to recognize the presence of fatigue symptoms, and to determine when to stop to sleep; The use of exercise to increase alertness and to promote restorative sleep; The use of substances or drugs to promote sleep or alertness (i.e. caffeine, modafinil, melatonin and others), as well as specific sleep disorders treatment; The use of CPAP therapy for reducing excessive sleepiness among drivers who have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. The evidence cited in this review justifies the call for all efforts to be undertaken that may increase awareness of inadequate sleep as a cause of traffic accidents. It is strongly recommended that, for the purpose of promoting highway safety and saving lives, all disorders that cause excessive sleepiness should be investigated and monitored. PMID:23626880

An Experimental Investigation of Compressible Dynamic Stall on a Pitching Airfoil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thorne, Katie; Bowles, Patrick

2009-11-01

A new facility has been designed and constructed at the University of Notre Dame to investigate dynamic stall on a 2-D pitching airfoil at high subsonic Mach numbers. This work is motivated by the need to investigate dynamic stall at conditions relevant to military helicopters. One focus of the experiments is to characterize the role of shock/boundary layer interactions during the pitching cycle. The new dynamic stall facility is integrated into a closed-loop, low turbulence wind tunnel capable of achieving test section Mach numbers in excess of M = 0.6. The design of the dynamic stall test section was focused on achieving reduced pitching frequencies of up to k = 0.2 and chord Reynolds numbers up to 5 x10^6. The facility has the unique ability to execute non-harmonic pitching motions through the use of an actuated pitch link mechanism. Optical access is provided to allow the use of high-speed and Schlieren imaging. Thirty-one flush mounted Kulite dynamic pressure transducers provide the instantaneous unsteady surface pressure distribution over the airfoil. Initial dynamic stall measurements obtained in the new facility will be described.

The role of welfare state principles and generosity in social policy programmes for public health: an international comparative study.

PubMed

Lundberg, Olle; Yngwe, Monica Aberg; Stjärne, Maria Kölegård; Elstad, Jon Ivar; Ferrarini, Tommy; Kangas, Olli; Norström, Thor; Palme, Joakim; Fritzell, Johan

2008-11-08

Many important social determinants of health are also the focus for social policies. Welfare states contribute to the resources available for their citizens through cash transfer programmes and subsidised services. Although all rich nations have welfare programmes, there are clear cross-national differences with respect to their design and generosity. These differences are evident in national variations in poverty rates, especially among children and elderly people. We investigated to what extent variations in family and pension policies are linked to infant mortality and old-age excess mortality. Infant mortality rates and old-age excess mortality rates were analysed in relation to social policy characteristics and generosity. We did pooled cross-sectional time-series analyses of 18 OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries during the period 1970-2000 for family policies and 1950-2000 for pension policies. Increased generosity in family policies that support dual-earner families is linked with lower infant mortality rates, whereas the generosity in family policies that support more traditional families with gainfully employed men and homemaking women is not. An increase by one percentage point in dual-earner support lowers infant mortality by 0.04 deaths per 1000 births. Generosity in basic security type of pensions is linked to lower old-age excess mortality, whereas the generosity of earnings-related income security pensions is not. An increase by one percentage point in basic security pensions is associated with a decrease in the old age excess mortality by 0.02 for men as well as for women. The ways in which social policies are designed, as well as their generosity, are important for health because of the increase in resources that social policies entail. Hence, social policies are of major importance for how we can tackle the social determinants of health.

41 CFR 102-36.120 - What are our responsibilities in authorizing a non-federal individual to screen excess personal...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... responsibilities in authorizing a non-federal individual to screen excess personal property? 102-36.120 Section 102... responsibilities in authorizing a non-federal individual to screen excess personal property? You must do the... such as driver's license or social security numbers. (c) Retrieve any expired or invalid screener's...

Ventral and Dorsal Striatum Networks in Obesity: Link to Food Craving and Weight Gain.

PubMed

Contreras-Rodríguez, Oren; Martín-Pérez, Cristina; Vilar-López, Raquel; Verdejo-Garcia, Antonio

2017-05-01

The food addiction model proposes that obesity overlaps with addiction in terms of neurobiological alterations in the striatum and related clinical manifestations (i.e., craving and persistence of unhealthy habits). Therefore, we aimed to examine the functional connectivity of the striatum in excess-weight versus normal-weight subjects and to determine the extent of the association between striatum connectivity and individual differences in food craving and changes in body mass index (BMI). Forty-two excess-weight participants (BMI > 25) and 39 normal-weight participants enrolled in the study. Functional connectivity in the ventral and dorsal striatum was indicated by seed-based analyses on resting-state data. Food craving was indicated with subjective ratings of visual cues of high-calorie food. Changes in BMI between baseline and 12 weeks follow-up were assessed in 28 excess-weight participants. Measures of connectivity in the ventral striatum and dorsal striatum were compared between groups and correlated with craving and BMI change. Participants with excess weight displayed increased functional connectivity between the ventral striatum and the medial prefrontal and parietal cortices and between the dorsal striatum and the somatosensory cortex. Dorsal striatum connectivity correlated with food craving and predicted BMI gains. Obesity is linked to alterations in the functional connectivity of dorsal striatal networks relevant to food craving and weight gain. These neural alterations are associated with habit learning and thus compatible with the food addiction model of obesity. Copyright © 2016 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Introduction of an operating room information management system improved overall operating room efficiency.

PubMed

De Deyne, Cathy; Heylen, René

2004-01-01

Operating Room (OR) information systems should manage the OR time, assigned to every surgeon, thereby minimizing the sum of costs of unused OR time and minimizing the costs of elective cases performed outside normal allocated OR time (excess OR-time). The aim of this paper is to illustrate how the introduction of an OR information system influenced daily OR activity performance. Since January 2001, we introduced an OR information system with a visual, airport-like, screen as central part, displaying all scheduled OR activity linked in real-time activity with all OR theatres. For the aim of this paper, we compared all data of OR activity for elective abdominal surgery (EAS) for the first half of 2000 compared to the first half of 2001, after the introduction of our information system. In 2000, 764 elective cases were performed, compared to 815 cases in 2001. For both periods, the total OR time allocated to EAS for this 6 months period was 805 h. For 2000, the total duration of OR activity for EAS was 1044 h 50 min (implicating 239 h 50 min over-time), compared to 1127 h 35 min (implicating 322 h 35 min overtime) for 2001. For 2000, we recorded 147 h 20 min excess time (=exceeding the time limits of OR activity and inducing extra costs) and 46h45min unused OR time. For 2001, we recorded 123 h 04 min excess time and 35 h 21 min unused time. In conclusion, in 2001 we recorded an increase in total OR activity for elective abdominal surgery by 7% in number of procedures and by 8% in total duration. However, in 2001 we recorded a decrease in excess time by 16% (123 h 04 min vs 147 h 20 min), which was for a large part due to a 23% decrease in unused OR time in 2001 compared to 2000 (35 h 21min vs 46 h 45 min). Therefore, the introduction of an OR information system, with a real-time visual display of ongoing OR activity, resulted in a increased performance of OR activity, with more OR procedures performed despite less excess time and less extra costs.

A hard X-ray view of the soft excess in AGN

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boissay, R.; Ricci, C.; Paltani, S.

2017-10-01

A soft X-ray emission in excess of the extrapolation of the hard X-ray continuum is detected in many Seyfert 1 galaxies below 1 keV. To understand the uncertain nature of this soft excess, which could be due to warm Comptonization or to blurred ionized reflection, we consider the different behaviors of these models above 10 keV. We present the results of a study done on 102 Seyfert 1s from the Swift BAT 70-Month Hard X-ray Survey catalog. We have performed the joint spectral analysis of Swift/BAT and XMM-Newton data in order to get a hard X-ray view of the soft excess. We discuss the links between the soft-excess strength and the reflection at high energy, the slope of the continuum and the Eddington ratio. We compare our results to simulations of blurred ionized-reflection models and show that they are in contradiction. Indeed, we do not find the expected correlation between the reflection and the soft-excess strengths, neither in individual, nor in stacked spectra. We also present our current project of broadband fitting, using different models explaining the soft excess, to simultaneous XMM-Newton and NuSTAR observations of about ten objects of our sample.

Denture Adhesives

MedlinePlus

... to an excess of zinc in your body. Reports of Problems The FDA is aware of case reports in the medical literature linking negative reactions such ... of the products. The subjects of these case reports used at least two tubes of zinc-containing ...

Gender-moderated links between urgency, binge drinking, and excessive exercise.

PubMed

Reilly, Erin E; Dmochowski, Sasha; Schaumberg, Katherine; Earleywine, Mitch; Anderson, Drew

2016-01-01

Exercise correlates with alcohol use, but the nature of this relation and the extent to which it is maladaptive remains unclear. Urgency and motives for engaging in drinking and exercise might indicate when these behaviors are problematic. The current study examined whether urgency moderated the association between exercise motivated by weight loss and drinking. College students (N = 589, 45.7% male) completed the study during the spring of 2012. Participants completed self-report assessment measures, including frequency/quantity of alcohol consumption, exercise for weight loss, and urgency, during a single session. Negative urgency moderated the relation between exercise and alcohol consumption in men but not women; the link between excessive exercise and alcohol use was stronger for men with higher levels of urgency. Further clarification of the mechanisms underlying alcohol use and physical activity-particularly maladaptive approaches to exercise-will inform health interventions among college students.

Fatigue injury risk in anterior cruciate ligament of target side knee during golf swing.

PubMed

Purevsuren, Tserenchimed; Kwon, Moon Seok; Park, Won Man; Kim, Kyungsoo; Jang, Seung Ho; Lim, Young-Tae; Kim, Yoon Hyuk

2017-02-28

A golf-related ACL injury can be linked with excessive golf play or practice because such over-use by repetitive golf swing motions can increase damage accumulation to the ACL bundles. In this study, joint angular rotations, forces, and moments, as well as the forces and strains on the ACL of the target-side knee joint, were investigated for ten professional golfers using the multi-body lower extremity model. The fatigue life of the ACL was also predicted by assuming the estimated ACL force as a cyclic load. The ACL force and strain reached their maximum values within a short time just after ball-impact in the follow-through phase. The smaller knee flexion, higher internal tibial rotation, increase of the joint compressive force and knee abduction moment in the follow-through phase were shown as to lead an increased ACL loading. The number of cycles to fatigue failure (fatigue life) in the ACL might be several thousands. It is suggested that the excessive training or practice of swing motion without enough rest may be one of factors to lead to damage or injury in the ACL by the fatigue failure. The present technology can provide fundamental information to understand and prevent the ACL injury for golf players. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Pituitary gigantism: update on molecular biology and management.

PubMed

Lodish, Maya B; Trivellin, Giampaolo; Stratakis, Constantine A

2016-02-01

To provide an update on the mechanisms leading to pituitary gigantism, as well as to familiarize the practitioner with the implication of these genetic findings on treatment decisions. Prior studies have identified gigantism as a feature of a number of monogenic disorders, including mutations in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacting protein gene, multiple endocrine neoplasia types 1 and 4, McCune Albright syndrome, Carney complex, and the paraganglioma, pheochromocytoma, and pituitary adenoma association because of succinate dehydrogenase defects. We recently described a previously uncharacterized form of early-onset pediatric gigantism caused by microduplications on chromosome Xq26.3 and we termed it X-LAG (X-linked acrogigantism). The age of onset of increased growth in X-LAG is significantly younger than other pituitary gigantism cases, and control of growth hormone excess is particularly challenging. Knowledge of the molecular defects that underlie pituitary tumorigenesis is crucial for patient care as they guide early intervention, screening for associated conditions, genetic counseling, surgical approach, and choice of medical management. Recently described microduplications of Xq26.3 account for more than 80% of the cases of early-onset pediatric gigantism. Early recognition of X-LAG may improve outcomes, as successful control of growth hormone excess requires extensive anterior pituitary resection and are difficult to manage with medical therapy alone.

Addictive behaviors and psychological distress among adolescents and emerging adults: A mediating role of peer group identification.

PubMed

Savolainen, Iina; Kaakinen, Markus; Sirola, Anu; Oksanen, Atte

2018-06-01

Research suggests the sense of belonging to primary groups functions as an important social resource for youth well-being, but it can be compromised among those dealing with addiction. The current study examined how adolescents' and emerging adults' identification with a primary peer group consisting of friends, mediates the relationship between addictive behaviors and psychological distress. The study utilized demographically balanced survey data on 1200 Finnish participants aged 15 to 25 (mean age 21.29, 50% female). Measures were included for psychological distress, excessive drinking, excessive drug use, excessive gambling, excessive Internet use, and peer group identification. All forms of addictive behaviors had a significant direct relationship with higher psychological distress. Excessive drug use, gambling and Internet use were associated with a weaker identification with a peer group, which predicted higher psychological distress. Contrary to the above findings, excessive drinking was linked to stronger peer group identification, mediating psychological distress downwards. These findings support past research and provide a mediation model explanation onto how weaker social relations add to negative well-being consequences in different addictive behaviors, thus underlining the importance of expanding our understanding of social group outcomes among young individuals.

Fructose-Containing Sugars and Cardiovascular Disease12

PubMed Central

Rippe, James M; Angelopoulos, Theodore J

2015-01-01

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the single largest cause of mortality in the United States and worldwide. Numerous risk factors have been identified for CVD, including a number of nutritional factors. Recently, attention has been focused on fructose-containing sugars and their putative link to risk factors for CVD. In this review, we focus on recent studies related to sugar consumption and cardiovascular risk factors including lipids, blood pressure, obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, and the metabolic syndrome. We then examine the scientific basis for competing recommendations for sugar intake. We conclude that although it appears prudent to avoid excessive consumption of fructose-containing sugars, levels within the normal range of human consumption are not uniquely related to CVD risk factors with the exception of triglycerides, which may rise when simple sugars exceed 20% of energy per day, particularly in hypercaloric settings. PMID:26178027

76 FR 37034 - Certain Employee Remuneration in Excess of $1,000,000 Under Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m)

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-24

... Certain Employee Remuneration in Excess of $1,000,000 Under Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) AGENCY... remuneration in excess of $1,000,000 under the Internal Revenue Code (Code). The proposed regulations clarify... stock options, it is intended that the directors may retain discretion as to the exact number of options...

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

Gibert, Ivan, E-mail: gibert1993@mail.ru; Kiseleva, Svetlana, E-mail: kisielieva1946@mail.ru; Popova, Natalya, E-mail: natalya-popova-44@mail.ru

The investigation of excess dislocation density accumulation in the deformed polycrystalline austenitic steel was carried out using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The distributions of the excess dislocation density in the grains of the deformed austenitic steel with different bending types were obtained and plotted. It was established that in the austenitic polycrystalline steel at the deformation degrees ε = 14 and 25 % the distributions of the excess dislocation density are multimodal. In both cases the grain with compound bending is more stressed. The values of the average excess dislocation density in the grains with the compound and simple bendingmore » are less at ε = 25 % than that at ε = 14 %. This is explained by a significant relaxation of the internal stresses in steel with the increase of the deformation degree from 14 % to 25 %. The increase of the number of twinning systems and the material volume fraction covered by twinning leads to the internal stress relaxation and consequently to the increase of the excess dislocation density. The presence of microtwins in the deformed material has an influence on the distribution of the excess dislocation density. In the deformed polycrystalline austenitic steel the number of grains with compound bending is increased with the increase of the plastic deformation degree.« less

75 FR 5850 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Notice 2006-97

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-04

... Notice 2006-97, Taxation and Reporting of REIT Excess Inclusion Income. 2006-97, Taxation and Reporting...: Title: Notice 2006-97 Taxation and Reporting of REIT Excess Inclusion Income. OMB Number: 1545-2036...

A new approach to chromosome-wide analysis of X-linked markers identifies new associations in Asian and European case-parent triads of orofacial clefts

PubMed Central

Gjerdevik, Miriam; Haaland, Øystein A.; Romanowska, Julia; Lie, Rolv T.

2017-01-01

Background GWAS discoveries on the X-chromosome are underrepresented in the literature primarily because the analytical tools that have been applied were originally designed for autosomal markers. Our objective here is to employ a new robust and flexible tool for chromosome-wide analysis of X-linked markers in complex traits. Orofacial clefts are good candidates for such analysis because of the consistently observed excess of females with cleft palate only (CPO) and excess of males with cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P). Methods Genotypes for 14,486 X-chromosome SNPs in 1,291 Asian and 1,118 European isolated cleft triads were available from a previously published GWAS. The R-package HAPLIN enables genome-wide–level analyses as well as statistical power simulations for a range of biologic scenarios. We analyzed isolated CL/P and isolated CPO for each ethnicity in HAPLIN, using a sliding-window approach to haplotype analysis and two different statistical models, with and without X-inactivation in females. Results There was a larger number of associations in the Asian versus the European sample, and similar to previous reports that have analyzed the same GWAS dataset using different methods, we identified associations with EFNB1/PJA1 and DMD. In addition, new associations were detected with several other genes, among which KLHL4, TBX22, CPXCR1 and BCOR were noteworthy because of their roles in clefting syndromes. A few of the associations were only detected by one particular X-inactivation model, whereas a few others were only detected in one sex. Discussion/Conclusion We found new support for the involvement of X-linked variants in isolated clefts. The associations were specific for ethnicity, sex and model parameterization, highlighting the need for flexible tools that are capable of detecting and estimating such effects. Further efforts are needed to verify and elucidate the potential roles of EFNB1/PJA1, KLHL4, TBX22, CPXCR1 and BCOR in isolated clefts. PMID:28877219

Spreading of cooperative behaviour across interdependent groups

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Luo-Luo; Perc, Matjaž

2013-08-01

Recent empirical research has shown that links between groups reinforce individuals within groups to adopt cooperative behaviour. Moreover, links between networks may induce cascading failures, competitive percolation, or contribute to efficient transportation. Here we show that there in fact exists an intermediate fraction of links between groups that is optimal for the evolution of cooperation in the prisoner's dilemma game. We consider individual groups with regular, random, and scale-free topology, and study their different combinations to reveal that an intermediate interdependence optimally facilitates the spreading of cooperative behaviour between groups. Excessive between-group links simply unify the two groups and make them act as one, while too rare between-group links preclude a useful information flow between the two groups. Interestingly, we find that between-group links are more likely to connect two cooperators than in-group links, thus supporting the conclusion that they are of paramount importance.

Estimate of overdiagnosis of breast cancer due to mammography after adjustment for lead time. A service screening study in Italy

PubMed Central

Paci, Eugenio; Miccinesi, Guido; Puliti, Donella; Baldazzi, Paola; De Lisi, Vincenzo; Falcini, Fabio; Cirilli, Claudia; Ferretti, Stefano; Mangone, Lucia; Finarelli, Alba Carola; Rosso, Stefano; Segnan, Nereo; Stracci, Fabrizio; Traina, Adele; Tumino, Rosario; Zorzi, Manuel

2006-01-01

Introduction Excess of incidence rates is the expected consequence of service screening. The aim of this paper is to estimate the quota attributable to overdiagnosis in the breast cancer screening programmes in Northern and Central Italy. Methods All patients with breast cancer diagnosed between 50 and 74 years who were resident in screening areas in the six years before and five years after the start of the screening programme were included. We calculated a corrected-for-lead-time number of observed cases for each calendar year. The number of observed incident cases was reduced by the number of screen-detected cases in that year and incremented by the estimated number of screen-detected cases that would have arisen clinically in that year. Results In total we included 13,519 and 13,999 breast cancer cases diagnosed in the pre-screening and screening years, respectively. In total, the excess ratio of observed to predicted in situ and invasive cases was 36.2%. After correction for lead time the excess ratio was 4.6% (95% confidence interval 2 to 7%) and for invasive cases only it was 3.2% (95% confidence interval 1 to 6%). Conclusion The remaining excess of cancers after individual correction for lead time was lower than 5%. PMID:17147789

Convergence of Genes and Cellular Pathways Dysregulated in Autism Spectrum Disorders

PubMed Central

Pinto, Dalila; Delaby, Elsa; Merico, Daniele; Barbosa, Mafalda; Merikangas, Alison; Klei, Lambertus; Thiruvahindrapuram, Bhooma; Xu, Xiao; Ziman, Robert; Wang, Zhuozhi; Vorstman, Jacob A.S.; Thompson, Ann; Regan, Regina; Pilorge, Marion; Pellecchia, Giovanna; Pagnamenta, Alistair T.; Oliveira, Bárbara; Marshall, Christian R.; Magalhaes, Tiago R.; Lowe, Jennifer K.; Howe, Jennifer L.; Griswold, Anthony J.; Gilbert, John; Duketis, Eftichia; Dombroski, Beth A.; De Jonge, Maretha V.; Cuccaro, Michael; Crawford, Emily L.; Correia, Catarina T.; Conroy, Judith; Conceição, Inês C.; Chiocchetti, Andreas G.; Casey, Jillian P.; Cai, Guiqing; Cabrol, Christelle; Bolshakova, Nadia; Bacchelli, Elena; Anney, Richard; Gallinger, Steven; Cotterchio, Michelle; Casey, Graham; Zwaigenbaum, Lonnie; Wittemeyer, Kerstin; Wing, Kirsty; Wallace, Simon; van Engeland, Herman; Tryfon, Ana; Thomson, Susanne; Soorya, Latha; Rogé, Bernadette; Roberts, Wendy; Poustka, Fritz; Mouga, Susana; Minshew, Nancy; McInnes, L. Alison; McGrew, Susan G.; Lord, Catherine; Leboyer, Marion; Le Couteur, Ann S.; Kolevzon, Alexander; Jiménez González, Patricia; Jacob, Suma; Holt, Richard; Guter, Stephen; Green, Jonathan; Green, Andrew; Gillberg, Christopher; Fernandez, Bridget A.; Duque, Frederico; Delorme, Richard; Dawson, Geraldine; Chaste, Pauline; Café, Cátia; Brennan, Sean; Bourgeron, Thomas; Bolton, Patrick F.; Bölte, Sven; Bernier, Raphael; Baird, Gillian; Bailey, Anthony J.; Anagnostou, Evdokia; Almeida, Joana; Wijsman, Ellen M.; Vieland, Veronica J.; Vicente, Astrid M.; Schellenberg, Gerard D.; Pericak-Vance, Margaret; Paterson, Andrew D.; Parr, Jeremy R.; Oliveira, Guiomar; Nurnberger, John I.; Monaco, Anthony P.; Maestrini, Elena; Klauck, Sabine M.; Hakonarson, Hakon; Haines, Jonathan L.; Geschwind, Daniel H.; Freitag, Christine M.; Folstein, Susan E.; Ennis, Sean; Coon, Hilary; Battaglia, Agatino; Szatmari, Peter; Sutcliffe, James S.; Hallmayer, Joachim; Gill, Michael; Cook, Edwin H.; Buxbaum, Joseph D.; Devlin, Bernie; Gallagher, Louise; Betancur, Catalina; Scherer, Stephen W.

2014-01-01

Rare copy-number variation (CNV) is an important source of risk for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). We analyzed 2,446 ASD-affected families and confirmed an excess of genic deletions and duplications in affected versus control groups (1.41-fold, p = 1.0 × 10−5) and an increase in affected subjects carrying exonic pathogenic CNVs overlapping known loci associated with dominant or X-linked ASD and intellectual disability (odds ratio = 12.62, p = 2.7 × 10−15, ∼3% of ASD subjects). Pathogenic CNVs, often showing variable expressivity, included rare de novo and inherited events at 36 loci, implicating ASD-associated genes (CHD2, HDAC4, and GDI1) previously linked to other neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as other genes such as SETD5, MIR137, and HDAC9. Consistent with hypothesized gender-specific modulators, females with ASD were more likely to have highly penetrant CNVs (p = 0.017) and were also overrepresented among subjects with fragile X syndrome protein targets (p = 0.02). Genes affected by de novo CNVs and/or loss-of-function single-nucleotide variants converged on networks related to neuronal signaling and development, synapse function, and chromatin regulation. PMID:24768552

Stressful Life Events and Child Anxiety: Examining Parent and Child Mediators

PubMed Central

Platt, Rheanna; Williams, Sarah R.; Ginsburg, Golda S.

2015-01-01

While a number of factors have been linked with excessive anxiety (e.g., parenting, child temperament), the impact of stressful life events remains under-studied. Moreover, much of this literature has examined bivariate associations rather than testing more complex theoretical models. The current study extends the literature on life events and child anxiety by testing a theory-driven meditational model. Specifically, one child factor (child cognitions/locus of control), two parent factors (parent psychopathology and parenting stress), and two parent-child relationship factors (parent-child dysfunctional interaction and parenting style) were examined as mediators in the relationship between stressful life events and severity of child anxiety. One hundred and thirty anxious parents and their nonanxious, high-risk children (ages ranged from 7 to 13 years) participated in this study. Results indicated that levels of parenting stress, parental anxious rearing, and dysfunctional parent-child interaction mediated the association between stressful life events and severity of anxiety symptoms. Child cognition and parent psychopathology factors failed to emerge as mediators. Findings provide support for more complex theoretical models linking life events and child anxiety and suggest potential targets of intervention. PMID:25772523

[A proposal for a new definition of excess mortality associated with influenza-epidemics and its estimation].

PubMed

Takahashi, M; Tango, T

2001-05-01

As methods for estimating excess mortality associated with influenza-epidemic, the Serfling's cyclical regression model and the Kawai and Fukutomi model with seasonal indices have been proposed. Excess mortality under the old definition (i.e., the number of deaths actually recorded in excess of the number expected on the basis of past seasonal experience) covers the random error for that portion of variation regarded as due to chance. In addition, it disregards the range of random variation of mortality with the season. In this paper, we propose a new definition of excess mortality associated with influenza-epidemics and a new estimation method, considering these questions with the Kawai and Fukutomi method. The new definition of excess mortality and a novel method for its estimation were generated as follows. Factors bringing about variation in mortality in months with influenza-epidemics may be divided into two groups: 1. Influenza itself, 2. others (practically random variation). The range of variation of mortality due to the latter (normal range) can be estimated from the range for months in the absence of influenza-epidemics. Excess mortality is defined as death over the normal range. A new definition of excess mortality associated with influenza-epidemics and an estimation method are proposed. The new method considers variation in mortality in months in the absence of influenza-epidemics. Consequently, it provides reasonable estimates of excess mortality by separating the portion of random variation. Further, it is a characteristic that the proposed estimate can be used as a criterion of statistical significance test.

An event-based vibration control for a two-link flexible robotic arm: Numerical and experimental observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Özer, Abdullah; Eren Semercigil, S.

2008-06-01

Flexible robot manipulators have numerous advantages over their rigid counterparts. They have increased payload-to-weight ratio, they run at higher speeds, use less energy and smaller actuators, and they are safer during interaction with their environments. On the other hand, light design combined with external effects result in components which can oscillate with excessive amplitudes. These oscillations cause deviation from the desired path and long idle periods between tasks in order to perform the intended operation safely and accurately. This paper is on an investigation into the effectiveness of a vibration control technique for a two-link flexible robotic arm. Variable stiffness control (VSC) technique is used to control the excessive oscillations. Owing to its dissipative nature, the technique is stable, it is relatively insensitive to significant parameter changes and suitable to be implemented on existing robots. This research considers that the source of the flexibility is either the joints or the links or both. Simulation results of the response of the arm are presented to show the versatility of the proposed control technique. Experiments are performed on a laboratory prototype and the results are presented to test the validity of simulations.

Great Lakes Nearshore Assessment: What Would Goldilocks Do?

EPA Science Inventory

Concerns with the nearshore water quality of the Great Lakes, such as excessive eutrophication and harmful algal blooms, called for establishing a nearshore monitoring program to gain a better understanding of the watershed-nearshore link. This is challenging, as sporadic runoff ...

Premature adrenarche: novel lessons from early onset androgen excess.

PubMed

Idkowiak, Jan; Lavery, Gareth G; Dhir, Vivek; Barrett, Timothy G; Stewart, Paul M; Krone, Nils; Arlt, Wiebke

2011-08-01

Adrenarche reflects the maturation of the adrenal zona reticularis resulting in increased secretion of the adrenal androgen precursor DHEA and its sulphate ester DHEAS. Premature adrenarche (PA) is defined by increased levels of DHEA and DHEAS before the age of 8 years in girls and 9 years in boys and the concurrent presence of signs of androgen action including adult-type body odour, oily skin and hair and pubic hair growth. PA is distinct from precocious puberty, which manifests with the development of secondary sexual characteristics including testicular growth and breast development. Idiopathic PA (IPA) has long been considered an extreme of normal variation, but emerging evidence links IPA to an increased risk of developing the metabolic syndrome (MS) and thus ultimately cardiovascular morbidity. Areas of controversy include the question whether IPA in girls is associated with a higher rate of progression to the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and whether low birth weight increases the risk of developing IPA. The recent discoveries of two novel monogenic causes of early onset androgen excess, apparent cortisone reductase deficiency and apparent DHEA sulphotransferase deficiency, support the notion that PA may represent a forerunner condition for PCOS. Future research including carefully designed longitudinal studies is required to address the apparent link between early onset androgen excess and the development of insulin resistance and the MS.

Hydration of alcohol clusters in 1-propanol-water mixture studied by quasielastic neutron scattering and an interpretation of anomalous excess partial molar volume.

PubMed

Misawa, M; Inamura, Y; Hosaka, D; Yamamuro, O

2006-08-21

Quasielastic neutron scattering measurements have been made for 1-propanol-water mixtures in a range of alcohol concentration from 0.0 to 0.167 in mole fraction at 25 degrees C. Fraction alpha of water molecules hydrated to fractal surface of alcohol clusters in 1-propanol-water mixture was obtained as a function of alcohol concentration. Average hydration number N(ws) of 1-propanol molecule is derived from the value of alpha as a function of alcohol concentration. By extrapolating N(ws) to infinite dilution, we obtain values of 12-13 as hydration number of isolated 1-propanol molecule. A simple interpretation of structural origin of anomalous excess partial molar volume of water is proposed and as a result a simple equation for the excess partial molar volume is deduced in terms of alpha. Calculated values of the excess partial molar volumes of water and 1-propanol and the excess molar volume of the mixture are in good agreement with experimental values.

A near-infrared interferometric survey of debris-disc stars. VI. Extending the exozodiacal light survey with CHARA/JouFLU

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nuñez, P. D.; Scott, N. J.; Mennesson, B.; Absil, O.; Augereau, J.-C.; Bryden, G.; ten Brummelaar, T.; Ertel, S.; Coudé du Foresto, V.; Ridgway, S. T.; Sturmann, J.; Sturmann, L.; Turner, N. J.; Turner, N. H.

2017-12-01

We report the results of high-angular-resolution observations that search for exozodiacal light in a sample of main sequence stars and sub-giants. Using the "jouvence" of the fiber linked unit for optical recombination (JouFLU) at the center for high angular resolution astronomy (CHARA) telescope array, we have observed a total of 44 stars. Out of the 44 stars, 33 are new stars added to the initial, previously published survey of 42 stars performed at CHARA with the fiber linked unit for optical recombination (FLUOR). Since the start of the survey extension, we have detected a K-band circumstellar excess for six new stars at the 1% level or higher, four of which are known or candidate binaries, and two for which the excess could be attributed to exozodiacal dust. We have also performed follow-up observations of 11 of the stars observed in the previously published survey and found generally consistent results. We do however detect a significantly larger excess on three of these follow-up targets: Altair, υ And and κ CrB. Interestingly, the last two are known exoplanet host stars. We perform a statistical analysis of the JouFLU and FLUOR samples combined, which yields an overall exozodi detection rate of . We also find that the K-band excess in FGK-type stars correlates with the existence of an outer reservoir of cold (≲100 K) dust at the 99% confidence level, while the same cannot be said for A-type stars.

The BLI-3/TSP-15/DOXA-1 Dual Oxidase Complex Is Required for Iodide Toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans

PubMed Central

Xu, Zhaofa; Luo, Jintao; Li, Yu; Ma, Long

2014-01-01

Iodine is an essential trace element for life. Iodide deficiency can lead to defective biosynthesis of thyroid hormones and is a major cause of hypothyroidism and mental retardation. Excess iodide intake, however, has been linked to different thyroidal diseases. How excess iodide causes harmful effects is not well understood. Here, we found that the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans exhibits developmental arrest and other pleiotropic defects when exposed to excess iodide. To identify the responsible genes, we performed a forward genetic screen and isolated 12 mutants that can survive in excess iodide. These mutants define at least four genes, two of which we identified as bli-3 and tsp-15. bli-3 encodes the C. elegans ortholog of the mammalian dual oxidase DUOX1 and tsp-15 encodes the tetraspanin protein TSP-15, which was previously shown to interact with BLI-3. The C. elegans dual oxidase maturation factor DOXA-1 is also required for the arresting effect of excess iodide. Finally, we detected a dramatically increased biogenesis of reactive oxygen species in animals treated with excess iodide, and this effect can be partially suppressed by bli-3 and tsp-15 mutations. We propose that the BLI-3/TSP-15/DOXA-1 dual oxidase complex is required for the toxic pleiotropic effects of excess iodide. PMID:25480962

The Age-Varying Association of Student Status with Excessive Alcohol Use: Ages 18 to 30 Years.

PubMed

Evans-Polce, Rebecca J; Maggs, Jennifer L; Staff, Jeremy; Lanza, Stephanie T

2017-02-01

There is a well-known link between attending college and engaging in excessive alcohol use. This study examines in a national sample how the association between student status and excessive alcohol use changes from late adolescence through young adulthood and whether the association of student status with excessive alcohol use is different for students residing with versus away from parents during the school year. This study used cross-sectional data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, a nationally representative sample of noninstitutionalized civilian adults residing in the United States. Our analyses included nonhigh school young adults who were ages 18 to 30 years (n = 8,645). Excessive alcohol use included past-year (i) high-intensity drinking (men: ≥10 standard drinks; women: ≥8) and (ii) exceeding weekly drinking guidelines (men: >14 drinks per week; women: >7). Students who resided away from their parents and students who lived with their parents during the school year were compared to nonstudents. Analyses using time-varying effect modeling showed that the relationship of student status with excessive alcohol use varied as a function of age. Overall student status lost its association with excessive alcohol use in the early 20s, after controlling for demographics and other adult social roles. The association between student status and excessive alcohol use also varied considerably across age and depending on whether the student was residing with or away from parents. The association of student status with excessive alcohol use is heterogeneous in terms of both age and living arrangements, suggesting opportunities for interventions targeting problematic alcohol use. Future research should examine additional sources of heterogeneity of students in their risk for excessive alcohol use. Copyright © 2016 by the Research Society on Alcoholism.

Increased risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma among upstream petroleum workers

PubMed Central

Kirkeleit, Jorunn; Riise, Trond; Bjørge, Tone; Moen, Bente E; Bråtveit, Magne; Christiani, David C

2013-01-01

Objectives To investigate cancer risk, particularly oesophageal cancer, among male upstream petroleum workers offshore potentially exposed to various carcinogenic agents. Methods Using the Norwegian Registry of Employers and Employees, 24 765 male offshore workers registered from 1981 to 2003 was compared with 283 002 male referents from the general working population matched by age and community of residence. The historical cohort was linked to the Cancer Registry of Norway and the Norwegian Cause of Death Registry. Results Male offshore workers had excess risk of oesophageal cancer (RR 2.6, 95% CI 1.4 to 4.8) compared with the reference population. Only the adenocarcinoma type had a significantly increased risk (RR 2.7, 95% CI 1.0 to 7.0), mainly because of an increased risk among upstream operators (RR 4.3, 95% CI 1.3 to 14.5). Upstream operators did not have significant excess of respiratory system or colon cancer or mortality from any other lifestyle-related diseases investigated. Conclusion We found a fourfold excess risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma among male workers assumed to have had the most extensive contact with crude oil. Due to the small number of cases, and a lack of detailed data on occupational exposure and lifestyle factors associated with oesophageal adenocarcinoma, the results must be interpreted with caution. Nevertheless, given the low risk of lifestyle-related cancers and causes of death in this working group, the results add to the observations in other low-powered studies on oesophageal cancer, further suggesting that factors related to the petroleum stream or carcinogenic agents used in the production process might be associated with risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma. PMID:19858535

The Autophagic Degradation of Chloroplasts via Rubisco-Containing Bodies Is Specifically Linked to Leaf Carbon Status But Not Nitrogen Status in Arabidopsis1[W][OA

PubMed Central

Izumi, Masanori; Wada, Shinya; Makino, Amane; Ishida, Hiroyuki

2010-01-01

Autophagy is an intracellular process facilitating the vacuolar degradation of cytoplasmic components and is important for nutrient recycling during starvation. We previously demonstrated that chloroplasts can be partially mobilized to the vacuole by autophagy via spherical bodies named Rubisco-containing bodies (RCBs). Although chloroplasts contain approximately 80% of total leaf nitrogen and represent a major carbon and nitrogen source for new growth, the relationship between leaf nutrient status and RCB production remains unclear. We examined the effects of nutrient factors on the appearance of RCBs in leaves of transgenic Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) expressing stroma-targeted fluorescent proteins. In excised leaves, the appearance of RCBs was suppressed by the presence of metabolic sugars, which were added externally or were produced during photosynthesis in the light. The light-mediated suppression was relieved by the inhibition of photosynthesis. During a diurnal cycle, RCB production was suppressed in leaves excised at the end of the day with high starch content. Starchless mutants phosphoglucomutase and ADP-Glc pyrophosphorylase1 produced a large number of RCBs, while starch-excess mutants starch-excess1 and maltose-excess1 produced fewer RCBs. In nitrogen-limited plants, as leaf carbohydrates were accumulated, RCB production was suppressed. We propose that there exists a close relationship between the degradation of chloroplast proteins via RCBs and leaf carbon but not nitrogen status in autophagy. We also found that the appearance of non-RCB-type autophagic bodies was not suppressed in the light and somewhat responded to nitrogen in excised leaves, unlike RCBs. These results imply that the degradation of chloroplast proteins via RCBs is specifically controlled in autophagy. PMID:20807997

Response of hippocampal mossy fiber zinc to excessive glutamate release.

PubMed

Takeda, Atsushi; Minami, Akira; Sakurada, Naomi; Nakajima, Satoko; Oku, Naoto

2007-01-01

The response of hippocampal mossy fiber zinc to excessive glutamate release was examined to understand the role of the zinc in excessive excitation in the hippocampus. Extracellular zinc and glutamate concentrations during excessive stimulation with high K(+) were compared between the hippocampal CA3 and CA1 by the in vivo microdialysis. Zinc concentration in the CA3 was more increased than that in the CA1, while glutamate concentration in the CA3 was less increased than that in the CA1. It is likely that more increase in extracellular zinc is linked with less increase in extracellular glutamate in the CA3. To see zinc action in mossy fiber synapses during excessive excitation, furthermore, 1mM glutamate was regionally delivered to the stratum lucidum in the presence of zinc or CaEDTA, a membrane-impermeable zinc chelator, and intracellular calcium signal was measured in the CA3 pyramidal cell layer. The persistent increase in calcium signal during stimulation with glutamate was significantly attenuated in the presence of 100 microM zinc, while significantly enhanced in the presence of 1mM CaEDTA. These results suggest that zinc released from mossy fibers attenuates the increase in intracellular calcium signal in mossy fiber synapses and postsynaptic CA3 neurons after excessive inputs to dentate granular cells.

Insomnia, excessive sleepiness, excessive fatigue, anxiety, depression and shift work disorder in nurses having less than 11 hours in-between shifts.

PubMed

Eldevik, Maria Fagerbakke; Flo, Elisabeth; Moen, Bente Elisabeth; Pallesen, Ståle; Bjorvatn, Bjørn

2013-01-01

To assess if less than 11 hours off work between work shifts (quick returns) was related to insomnia, sleepiness, fatigue, anxiety, depression and shift work disorder among nurses. A questionnaire including established instruments measuring insomnia (Bergen Insomnia Scale), sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale), fatigue (Fatigue Questionnaire), anxiety/depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and shift work disorder was administered. Among the 1990 Norwegian nurses who participated in the study; 264 nurses had no quick returns, 724 had 1-30 quick returns and 892 had more than 30 quick returns during the past year. 110 nurses did not report the number of quick returns during the past year. The prevalence of insomnia, excessive sleepiness, excessive fatigue, anxiety, depression and shift work disorder was calculated within the three groups of nurses. Crude and adjusted logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the relation between quick returns and such complaints. We found a significant positive association between quick returns and insomnia, excessive sleepiness, excessive fatigue and shift work disorder. Anxiety and depression were not related to working quick returns. There is a health hazard associated with quick returns. Further research should aim to investigate if workplace strategies aimed at reducing the number of quick returns may reduce complaints among workers.

New spatial and temporal indices of Indian summer monsoon rainfall

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dwivedi, Sanjeev; Uma, R.; Lakshmi Kumar, T. V.; Narayanan, M. S.; Pokhrel, Samir; Kripalani, R. H.

2018-02-01

The overall yearly seasonal performance of Indian southwest monsoon rainfall (ISMR) for the whole Indian land mass is presently expressed by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) by a single number, the total quantum of rainfall. Any particular year is declared as excess/deficit or normal monsoon rainfall year on the basis of this single number. It is well known that monsoon rainfall also has high interannual variability in spatial and temporal scales. To account for these aspects in ISMR, we propose two new spatial and temporal indices. These indices have been calculated using the 115 years of IMD daily 0.25° × 0.25° gridded rainfall data. Both indices seem to go in tandem with the in vogue seasonal quantum index. The anomaly analysis indicates that the indices during excess monsoon years behave randomly, while for deficit monsoon years the phase of all the three indices is the same. Evaluation of these indices is also studied with respect to the existing dynamical indices based on large-scale circulation. It is found that the new temporal indices have better link with circulation indices as compared to the new spatial indices. El Nino and Southern Oscillation (ENSO) especially over the equatorial Pacific Ocean still have the largest influence in both the new indices. However, temporal indices have much better remote influence as compared to that of spatial indices. Linkages over the Indian Ocean regions are very different in both the spatial and temporal indices. Continuous wavelet transform (CWT) analysis indicates that the complete spectrum of oscillation of the QI is shared in the lower oscillation band by the spatial index and in the higher oscillation band by the temporal index. These new indices may give some extra dimension to study Indian summer monsoon variability.

Optical radiation emissions from compact fluorescent lamps.

PubMed

Khazova, M; O'Hagan, J B

2008-01-01

There is a drive to energy efficiency to mitigate climate change. To meet this challenge, the UK Government has proposed phasing out incandescent lamps by the end of 2011 and replacing them with energy efficient fluorescent lighting, including compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) with integrated ballasts. This paper presents a summary of an assessment conducted by the Health Protection Agency in March 2008 to evaluate the optical radiation emissions of CFLs currently available in the UK consumer market. The study concluded that the UV emissions from a significant percentage of the tested CFLs with single envelopes may result in foreseeable overexposure of the skin when these lamps are used in desk or task lighting applications. The optical output of all tested CFLs, in addition to high-frequency modulation, had a 100-Hz envelope with modulation in excess of 15%. This degree of modulation may be linked to a number of adverse effects.

Does Negative Interaction in the Church Increase Psychological Distress? Longitudinal Findings from the Presbyterian Panel Survey*

PubMed Central

Ellison, Christopher G.; Zhang, Wei; Krause, Neal; Marcum, John P.

2009-01-01

This study examines the effects of negative interaction in church on psychological distress. After outlining a series of theoretical arguments linking negative interaction with health and well-being, relevant hypotheses are tested using longitudinal data from two surveys of the 1997–1999 Presbyterian Panel, a nationwide panel of members and elders (lay leaders) in congregations of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Findings confirm that negative interaction appears to foster or exacerbate distress over the study period. In addition, specific dimensions of social negativity have distinctive effects; the impact of criticisms on distress surface only in cross-sectional models, while the effects of excessive demands emerge only in the longitudinal models. No subgroup variations in these effects are detected. Implications of these findings are discussed with regard to (a) research on religion and health and (b) congregational life, and a number of promising directions for future research are elaborated. PMID:20694051

EDUCATIONAL DIFFERENTIALS IN U.S. ADULT MORTALITY: AN EXAMINATION OF MEDIATING FACTORS

PubMed Central

Rogers, Richard G.; Hummer, Robert A.; Everett, Bethany G.

2016-01-01

We use human capital theory to develop hypotheses regarding the extent to which the association between educational attainment and U.S. adult mortality is mediated by such economic and social resources as family income and social support; such health behaviors as inactivity, smoking, and excessive drinking; and such physiological measures as obesity, inflammation, and cardiovascular risk factors. We employ the NHANES Linked Mortality File, a large nationally representative prospective data set that includes an extensive number of factors thought to be important in mediating the education-mortality association. We find that educational differences in mortality for the total population and for specific causes of death are most prominently explained by family income and health behaviors. However, there are age-related differences in the effects of the mediating factors. Higher education enables individuals to effectively coalesce and leverage their diverse and substantial resources to reduce their mortality and increase their longevity. PMID:23347488

Mortality from circulatory diseases, especially ischaemic heart disease in sea pilots and boatmen in Sweden 1951-84: a retrospective cohort study.

PubMed Central

Nyström, L; Kolmodin-Hedman, B; Jönsson, E; Thomasson, L

1990-01-01

A cohort of 1455 sea pilots and boatmen employed after 1921 was established. Those identified and alive in 1951 (n = 1323) were linked to the Swedish cause of death register 1951-84. In 21 352 person-years 383 deaths were observed among sea pilots compared with 379.3 expected (SMR = 101;95% CI between 99 and 112) and in 12,127 person-years the observed number of deaths among boatmen was 136, expected 135.9 (SMR = 100) when Swedish men were used as a reference population. For ischaemic heart disease (IHD) (ICD-8: 410-414) the SMR was equal to 96 (obs = 131, exp = 137.2) for sea pilots and 91 (obs = 44, exp = 48.4) for boatmen. No trend over time or geographical differences could be observed. A healthy worker effect could not explain why there was no excess mortality from IHD. PMID:2310716

Leishmania carbon metabolism in the macrophage phagolysosome- feast or famine?

PubMed

McConville, Malcolm J; Saunders, Eleanor C; Kloehn, Joachim; Dagley, Michael J

2015-01-01

A number of medically important microbial pathogens target and proliferate within macrophages and other phagocytic cells in their mammalian hosts. While the majority of these pathogens replicate within the host cell cytosol or non-hydrolytic vacuolar compartments, a few, including protists belonging to the genus Leishmania, proliferate long-term within mature lysosome compartments.  How these parasites achieve this feat remains poorly defined. In this review, we highlight recent studies that suggest that Leishmania virulence is intimately linked to programmed changes in the growth rate and carbon metabolism of the obligate intra-macrophage stages. We propose that activation of a slow growth and a stringent metabolic response confers resistance to multiple stresses (oxidative, temperature, pH), as well as both nutrient limitation and nutrient excess within this niche. These studies highlight the importance of metabolic processes as key virulence determinants in Leishmania.

Metabolic inflexibility in skeletal muscle: a prelude to the cardiometabolic syndrome?

PubMed

Thyfault, John P; Rector, R Scott; Noland, Robert C

2006-01-01

Peripheral insulin resistance, which is largely dependent on skeletal muscle, is closely linked to the development of the cardiometabolic syndrome. Metabolic flexibility is the capacity for skeletal muscle to acutely shift its reliance between lipids or glucose during fasting or postprandial conditions. Obese and insulin-resistant individuals display elevated intramuscular lipids, impaired vasculature function, decreased fatty add oxidation during fasting, and reduced postprandial glucose metabolism. Impairments in metabolic flexibility are linked to physical inactivity, excess energy intake and obesity, and genetic predisposition. Each of these factors precludes the development of insulin resistance and the cardiometabolic syndrome by mechanistic links that are not fully understood.

High-speed optical links for UAV applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, C.; Grier, A.; Malfa, M.; Booen, E.; Harding, H.; Xia, C.; Hunwardsen, M.; Demers, J.; Kudinov, K.; Mak, G.; Smith, B.; Sahasrabudhe, A.; Patawaran, F.; Wang, T.; Wang, A.; Zhao, C.; Leang, D.; Gin, J.; Lewis, M.; Nguyen, D.; Quirk, K.

2017-02-01

High speed optical backbone links between a fleet of UAVs is an integral part of the Facebook connectivity architecture. To support the architecture, the optical terminals need to provide high throughput rates (in excess of tens of Gbps) while achieving low weight and power consumption. The initial effort is to develop and demonstrate an optical terminal capable of meeting the data rate requirements and demonstrate its functions for both air-air and air-ground engagements. This paper is a summary of the effort to date.

Warfighter Physiological and Environmental Monitoring: A Study for the U.S. Army Research Institute in Environmental Medicine and the Soldier Systems Center

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-11-01

peripheral devices , such as a heart- rate monitor, oximeter, etc., over a wireless link. Interfacing to peripheral sensors requires installation of... devices are powered from wall outlets. However, for networks comprising mobile devices , and in particular for a PAN comprising body-worn sensors ...SpO2) cost in excess of $25K per system 2. Size, weight, and power – Excluding the sensors , the mobile components (comm link and data archiving

Obesity, Exercise and Orthopedic Disease.

PubMed

Frye, Christopher W; Shmalberg, Justin W; Wakshlag, Joseph J

2016-09-01

Osteoarthritis is common among aging canine and feline patients. The incidence and severity of clinical lameness are closely correlated to body condition in overweight and obese patients. Excessive adiposity may result in incongruous and excessive mechanical loading that worsens clinical signs in affected patients. Data suggest a potential link between adipokines, obesity-related inflammation, and a worsening of the underlying pathology. Similarly, abnormal physical stress and generalized systemic inflammation propagated by obesity contribute to neurologic signs associated with intervertebral disc disease. Weight loss and exercise are critical to ameliorating the pain and impaired mobility of affected animals. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

CONTROLLING EXCESS STORM WATER RUNOFF WITH TRADABLE CREDITS

EPA Science Inventory

Development that increases the impervious surface in a watershed causes excess storm water runoff (SWR) that has been identified as a major contributor to stream and riparian habitat degradation. Reduction of storm water runoff can be achieved through establishment of a number of...

Short-term effects of air pollution on respiratory morbidity at Rio de Janeiro--Part II: health assessment.

PubMed

Sousa, S I V; Pires, J C M; Martins, E M; Fortes, J D N; Alvim-Ferraz, M C M; Martins, F G

2012-08-01

The effects of air pollution on health have been studied worldwide. Given that air pollution triggers oxidative stress and inflammation, it is plausible that high levels of air pollutants cause higher number of hospitalisations. This study aimed to assess the impact of air pollution on the emergency hospitalisation for respiratory disease in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The study was divided in two parts: Part I specifically addressing the air pollution assessment and Part II addressing the health assessment. Accordingly, this Part II aimed to estimate the association between the concentrations of PM₁₀, SO₂ and CO observed in Rio de Janeiro and the number of emergency hospitalisations at a central hospital due to respiratory diseases. The pollutant concentrations were measured at two different sites in Rio de Janeiro, but the excess relative risks were calculated based on the concentrations observed at one of the sites, where limits were generally exceeded more frequently, between September 2000 and December 2005. A time series analysis was performed using the number of hospitalisations, divided in three categories (children until 1 year old, children aged between 1 and 5 years old and elderly with 65 years old or more) as independent variable, the concentrations of pollutants as dependent variables and temperature, relative humidity, long term trend, and seasonality as confounders. Data were analysed using generalised additive models with smoothing for some of the dependent variables. Results showed an excess risk of hospitalisation for respiratory disease higher than 2% per 10 μg m⁻³ increase in PM₁₀ concentrations for children under 5 years old, of 2% per 10 μg m⁻³ increase in SO₂ for elderly above 65 years old and around 0.1% per 10 μg m⁻³ increase in CO for children under 1 year and elderly. Other studies have found associations that are in agreement with the results achieved in this study. The study suggests that the ambient levels of air pollutants experienced in Rio de Janeiro between 2000 and 2005 were linked to the number of hospitalisations for respiratory diseases among children and elderly. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

3D maps of the local interstellar medium: the impact of Gaia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Capitanio, L.; Lallement, R.; Vergely, J. L.; Elyajouri, M.; Babusiaux, C.; Ruiz-Dern, L.; Monreal-Ibero, A.; Arenou, F.; Danielski, C.

2017-12-01

Gaia parallaxes combined with colour excess and absorption measurements from large stellar surveys will allow building increasingly precise three-dimensional maps of the interstellar matter (ISM). Reciprocally, detailed maps of the ISM will allow improving photometric calibrations of Gaia and measuring more precisely the amounts of reddening. In the future, the extraction of a diffuse interstellar band (DIB) from Gaia RVS (Radial Velocity Spectrometer) spectra will allow to build a tomography of the carrier of this DIB and compare it with dust and gas distributions. Here we show several results that illustrate current progress in local ISM mapping and a first example of the stellar-interstellar synergy linked to Gaia: a) how Gaia-DR1 parallaxes already modify the ISM maps obtained by means of a full-3D inversion of a compilation of colour excess data, b) how DIB measurements and corresponding Gaia parallaxes can complement colour excess data and improve the maps, c) new hierarchical methods combining distinct surveys, d) improved maps including APOGEE colour excess estimates deduced from the recent Gaia-based photometric calibrations of Ruiz-Dern et al (this issue), e) additional inclusion of LAMOST colour excess estimates (Wang et al, 2016).

Cancer mortality in the British rubber industry.

PubMed

Parkes, H G; Veys, C A; Waterhouse, J A; Peters, A

1982-08-01

Although it is over 30 years since an excess of bladder cancer was first identified in British rubber workers, the fear has persisted that this hazard could still be affecting men working in the industry today. Furthermore, suspicions have also arisen that other and hitherto unsuspected excesses of cancer might be occurring. For these reasons 33 815 men, who first started work in the industry between 1 January 1946 and 31 December 1960, have been followed up to 31 December 1975 to ascertain the number of deaths attributable to malignant disease and to compare these with the expected number calculated from the published mortality rates applicable to the male population of England and Wales and Scotland. The findings confirm the absence of any excess mortality from bladder cancer among men entering the industry after 1 January 1951 (the presumed bladder carcinogens were withdrawn from production processes in July 1949), but they confirm also a statistically significant excess of both lung and stomach cancer mortality. A small excess of oesophageal cancer was also observed in both the tyre and general rubber goods manufacturing sectors. American reports of an excess of leukaemia among rubber workers receive only limited support from the present study, where a small numerical excess of deaths from leukaemia is not statistically significant. A special feature of the study is the adoption of an analytical method that permits taking into account the long latent period of induction of occupational cancer.

Cancer mortality in the British rubber industry.

PubMed Central

Parkes, H G; Veys, C A; Waterhouse, J A; Peters, A

1982-01-01

Although it is over 30 years since an excess of bladder cancer was first identified in British rubber workers, the fear has persisted that this hazard could still be affecting men working in the industry today. Furthermore, suspicions have also arisen that other and hitherto unsuspected excesses of cancer might be occurring. For these reasons 33 815 men, who first started work in the industry between 1 January 1946 and 31 December 1960, have been followed up to 31 December 1975 to ascertain the number of deaths attributable to malignant disease and to compare these with the expected number calculated from the published mortality rates applicable to the male population of England and Wales and Scotland. The findings confirm the absence of any excess mortality from bladder cancer among men entering the industry after 1 January 1951 (the presumed bladder carcinogens were withdrawn from production processes in July 1949), but they confirm also a statistically significant excess of both lung and stomach cancer mortality. A small excess of oesophageal cancer was also observed in both the tyre and general rubber goods manufacturing sectors. American reports of an excess of leukaemia among rubber workers receive only limited support from the present study, where a small numerical excess of deaths from leukaemia is not statistically significant. A special feature of the study is the adoption of an analytical method that permits taking into account the long latent period of induction of occupational cancer. PMID:7093147

Phospholipids as Biomarkers for Excessive Alcohol Use

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-10-01

Epub 2015 Apr 23. PubMed PMID: 25960184; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4495663. 6. Liangpunsakul S. ChREBP, SIRT1 and ethanol metabolism - a complicated...AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-12-1-0497 TITLE: Phospholipids as Biomarkers for Excessive Alcohol Use PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Suthat Liangpunsakul...2015 2. REPORT TYPE Annual 3. DATES COVERED 15Sept2014 - 14Sep2015 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Phospholipids as Biomarkers for Excessive Alcohol Use 5a

Mechanics of dual-mode dilative failure in subaqueous sediment deposits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

You, Yao; Flemings, Peter; Mohrig, David

2014-07-01

We introduce dual-mode dilative failure with flume experiments. Dual-mode dilative failure combines slow and steady release of sediments by breaching with periodic sliding, which rapidly releases an internally coherent wedge of sediments. It occurs in dilative sandy deposits. This periodic slope failure results from cyclic evolution of the excess pore pressure in the deposit. Sliding generates large, transient, negative excess pore pressure that strengthens the deposit and allows breaching to occur. During breaching, negative excess pore pressure dissipates, the deposit weakens, and ultimately sliding occurs once again. We show that the sliding frequency is proportional to the coefficient of consolidation. We find that thicker deposits are more susceptible to dual-mode dilative failure. Discovery of dual-mode dilative failure provides a new mechanism to consider when interpreting the sedimentary deposits linked to submarine slope failures.

Excess costs of social anxiety disorder in Germany.

PubMed

Dams, Judith; König, Hans-Helmut; Bleibler, Florian; Hoyer, Jürgen; Wiltink, Jörg; Beutel, Manfred E; Salzer, Simone; Herpertz, Stephan; Willutzki, Ulrike; Strauß, Bernhard; Leibing, Eric; Leichsenring, Falk; Konnopka, Alexander

2017-04-15

Social anxiety disorder is one of the most frequent mental disorders. It is often associated with mental comorbidities and causes a high economic burden. The aim of our analysis was to estimate the excess costs of patients with social anxiety disorder compared to persons without anxiety disorder in Germany. Excess costs of social anxiety disorder were determined by comparing two data sets. Patient data came from the SOPHO-NET study A1 (n=495), whereas data of persons without anxiety disorder originated from a representative phone survey (n=3213) of the general German population. Missing data were handled by "Multiple Imputation by Chained Equations". Both data sets were matched using "Entropy Balancing". Excess costs were calculated from a societal perspective for the year 2014 using general linear regression with a gamma distribution and log-link function. Analyses considered direct costs (in- and outpatient treatment, rehabilitation, and professional and informal care) and indirect costs due to absenteeism from work. Total six-month excess costs amounted to 451€ (95% CI: 199€-703€). Excess costs were mainly caused by indirect excess costs due to absenteeism from work of 317€ (95% CI: 172€-461€), whereas direct excess costs amounted to 134€ (95% CI: 110€-159€). Costs for medication, unemployment and disability pension was not evaluated. Social anxiety disorder was associated with statistically significant excess costs, in particular due to indirect costs. As patients in general are often unaware of their disorder or its severity, awareness should be strengthened. Prevention and early treatment might reduce long-term indirect costs. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Preventing large birth size in women with preexisting diabetes mellitus: The benefit of appropriate gestational weight gain.

PubMed

Kim, Shin Y; Sharma, Andrea J; Sappenfield, William; Salihu, Hamisu M

2016-10-01

To estimate the percentage of infants with large birth size attributable to excess gestational weight gain (GWG), independent of prepregnancy body mass index, among mothers with preexisting diabetes mellitus (PDM). We analyzed 2004-2008 Florida linked birth certificate and maternal hospital discharge data of live, term (37-41weeks) singleton deliveries (N=641,857). We calculated prevalence of large-for-gestational age (LGA) (birth weight-for-gestational age≥90th percentile) and macrosomia (birth weight>4500g) by GWG categories (inadequate, appropriate, or excess). We used multivariable logistic regression to estimate the relative risk (RR) of large birth size associated with excess compared to appropriate GWG among mothers with PDM. We then estimated the population attributable fraction (PAF) of large birth size due to excess GWG among mothers with PDM (n=4427). Regardless of diabetes status, half of mothers (51.2%) gained weight in excess of recommendations. Large birth size was higher in infants of mothers with PDM than in infants of mothers without diabetes (28.8% versus 9.4% for LGA, 5.8% versus 0.9% for macrosomia). Among women with PDM, the adjusted RR of having an LGA infant was 1.7 (95% CI 1.5, 1.9) for women with excess GWG compared to those with appropriate gain; the PAF was 27.7% (95% CI 22.0, 33.3). For macrosomia, the adjusted RR associated with excess GWG was 2.1 (95% CI 1.5, 2.9) and the PAF was 38.6% (95% CI 24.9, 52.4). Preventing excess GWG may avert over one-third of macrosomic term infants of mothers with PDM. Effective strategies to prevent excess GWG are needed. Published by Elsevier Inc.

TRADING ALLOWANCES FOR STORMWATER CONTROL: HYDROLOGY AND OPPORTUNITY COSTS

EPA Science Inventory

Excess stormwater runoff is a serious problem in a large number of urban areas, causing flooding, water pollution, groundwater recharge deficits and ecological damage to urban streams. It has been posited that to mitigate the effects of excess stormwater runoff, policy makers...

TRADING ALLOWANCES FOR STORMWATER CONTROL: HYDROLOGY AND OPPORTUNITY COSTS

EPA Science Inventory

Excess stormwater runoff is a serious problem in a large number of urban areas, causing flooding, water pollution, groundwater recharge deficits and ecological damage to urban streams. It has been posited that to mitigate the effects of excess stormwater runoff, policy makers cou...

Excess mortality in persons with severe mental disorders: a multilevel intervention framework and priorities for clinical practice, policy and research agendas

PubMed Central

Liu, Nancy H.; Daumit, Gail L.; Dua, Tarun; Aquila, Ralph; Charlson, Fiona; Cuijpers, Pim; Druss, Benjamin; Dudek, Kenn; Freeman, Melvyn; Fujii, Chiyo; Gaebel, Wolfgang; Hegerl, Ulrich; Levav, Itzhak; Munk Laursen, Thomas; Ma, Hong; Maj, Mario; Elena Medina‐Mora, Maria; Nordentoft, Merete; Prabhakaran, Dorairaj; Pratt, Karen; Prince, Martin; Rangaswamy, Thara; Shiers, David; Susser, Ezra; Thornicroft, Graham; Wahlbeck, Kristian; Fekadu Wassie, Abe; Whiteford, Harvey; Saxena, Shekhar

2017-01-01

Excess mortality in persons with severe mental disorders (SMD) is a major public health challenge that warrants action. The number and scope of truly tested interventions in this area remain limited, and strategies for implementation and scaling up of programmes with a strong evidence base are scarce. Furthermore, the majority of available interventions focus on a single or an otherwise limited number of risk factors. Here we present a multilevel model highlighting risk factors for excess mortality in persons with SMD at the individual, health system and socio‐environmental levels. Informed by that model, we describe a comprehensive framework that may be useful for designing, implementing and evaluating interventions and programmes to reduce excess mortality in persons with SMD. This framework includes individual‐focused, health system‐focused, and community level and policy‐focused interventions. Incorporating lessons learned from the multilevel model of risk and the comprehensive intervention framework, we identify priorities for clinical practice, policy and research agendas. PMID:28127922

Taxation and Sugar-Sweetened Beverages: Position of Dietitians of Canada.

PubMed

2016-06-01

Dietitians of Canada recommends that an excise tax of at least 10-20% be applied to sugar-sweetened beverages sold in Canada given the negative impact of these products on the health of the population and the viability of taxation as a means to reduce consumption. For the greatest impact, taxation measures should be combined with other policy interventions such as increasing access to healthy foods while decreasing access to unhealthy foods in schools, daycares, and recreation facilities; restrictions on the marketing of foods and beverages to children; and effective, long-term educational initiatives. This position is based on a comprehensive review of the literature. The Canadian population is experiencing high rates of obesity and excess weight. There is moderate quality evidence linking consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages to excess weight, obesity, and chronic disease onset in children and adults. Taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages holds substantiated potential for decreasing its consumption. Based on economic models and results from recent taxation efforts, an excise tax can lead to a decline in sugar-sweetened beverage purchase and consumption. Taxation of up to 20% can lead to a consumption decrease by approximately 10% in the first year of its implementation, with a postulated 2.6% decrease in weight per person on average. Revenue generated from taxation can be used to fund other obesity reduction initiatives. A number of influential national organizations support a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages.

Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Obesity “Pituitary gigantism: Update on Molecular Biology and Management”

PubMed Central

Lodish, Maya B.; Trivellin, Giampaolo; Stratakis, Constantine A.

2016-01-01

Purpose of review To provide an update on the mechanisms leading to pituitary gigantism, as well as to familiarize the practitioner with the implication of these genetic findings on treatment decisions. Recent findings Prior studies have identified gigantism as a feature of a number of monogenic disorders, including mutations in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacting protein (AIP) gene, multiple endocrine neoplasia types 1 and 4, McCune Albright Syndrome, Carney Complex, and the paraganglioma, pheochromocytoma and pituitary adenoma association (3PA) due to succinate dehydrogenase defects. We recently described a previously uncharacterized form of early-onset pediatric gigantism caused by microduplications on chromosome Xq26.3 and we termed it X-LAG (X-linked acrogigantism). The age of onset of increased growth in X-LAG is significantly younger than other pituitary gigantism cases, and control of growth hormone excess is particularly challenging. Summary Knowledge of the molecular defects that underlie pituitary tumorigenesis is crucial for patient care as they guide early intervention, screening for associated conditions, genetic counseling, surgical approach (partial or total hypophysectomy), and choice of medical management. Recently described microduplications of Xq26.3 account for more than 80% of the cases of early-onset pediatric gigantism. Early recognition of X-LAG may improve outcomes, as successful control of growth hormone excess requires extensive anterior pituitary resection and are difficult to manage with medical therapy alone. PMID:26574647

Risk of Cerebrovascular Events in 178 962 Five-Year Survivors of Cancer Diagnosed at 15 to 39 Years of Age: The TYACSS (Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Survivor Study).

PubMed

Bright, Chloe J; Hawkins, Mike M; Guha, Joyeeta; Henson, Katherine E; Winter, David L; Kelly, Julie S; Feltbower, Richard G; Hall, Marlous; Cutter, David J; Edgar, Angela B; Frobisher, Clare; Reulen, Raoul C

2017-03-28

Survivors of teenage and young adult cancer are at risk of cerebrovascular events, but the magnitude of and extent to which this risk varies by cancer type, decade of diagnosis, age at diagnosis, and attained age remains uncertain. This is the largest-ever cohort study to evaluate the risks of hospitalization for a cerebrovascular event among long-term survivors of teenage and young adult cancer. The population-based TYACSS (Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Survivor Study) (N=178,962) was linked to Hospital Episode Statistics data for England to investigate the risks of hospitalization for a cerebrovascular event among 5-year survivors of cancer diagnosed when 15 to 39 years of age. Observed numbers of first hospitalizations for cerebrovascular events were compared with that expected from the general population using standardized hospitalization ratios (SHRs) and absolute excess risks per 10 000 person-years. Cumulative incidence was calculated with death considered a competing risk. Overall, 2782 cancer survivors were hospitalized for a cerebrovascular event-40% higher than expected (SHR=1.4, 95% confidence interval, 1.3-1.4). Survivors of central nervous system (CNS) tumors (SHR=4.6, 95% confidence interval, 4.3-5.0), head and neck tumors (SHR=2.6, 95% confidence interval, 2.2-3.1), and leukemia (SHR=2.5, 95% confidence interval, 1.9-3.1) were at greatest risk. Males had significantly higher absolute excess risks than females (absolute excess risks =7 versus 3), especially among head and neck tumor survivors (absolute excess risks =30 versus 11). By 60 years of age, 9%, 6%, and 5% of CNS tumor, head and neck tumor, and leukemia survivors, respectively, had been hospitalized for a cerebrovascular event. Beyond 60 years of age, every year, 0.4% of CNS tumor survivors were hospitalized for a cerebral infarction (versus 0.1% expected), whereas at any age, every year, 0.2% of head and neck tumor survivors were hospitalized for a cerebral infarction (versus 0.06% expected). Survivors of a CNS tumor, head and neck tumor, and leukemia are particularly at risk of hospitalization for a cerebrovascular event. The excess risk of cerebral infarction among CNS tumor survivors increases with attained age. For head and neck tumor survivors, this excess risk remains high across all ages. These groups of survivors, particularly males, should be considered for surveillance of cerebrovascular risk factors and potential pharmacological interventions for cerebral infarction prevention. © 2017 American Heart Association, Inc.

Chromium cycling in soils and water: links, gaps, and methods.

PubMed

Bartlett, R J

1991-05-01

The major links in the cycling of chromium in soils and in natural waters are between chromium(III) and chromium (VI). Between the larger links are lesser links involving processes of mobilization and oxidation of CrIII and reduction of CrVI. The gaps are mainly in our understanding of the factors that control these processes. If soluble CrIII is added to an "average" soil, a portion of it will become immediately oxidized by manganese oxides to CrVI. The rest of the CrIII may remain reduced for long periods of time, even in the presence of electron-accepting manganese oxides. However, this less available CrIII can be mobilized by low molecular weight organic complexers and then oxidized where redox conditions are optimal. Usually part of any CrVI added to a soil or sediment will be reduced instantly, especially under acid conditions. On the other hand, high concentrations of polluting CrVI may quickly exhaust the readily available reducing power of the matrix material and excess CrVI, the thermodynamically stable form in air, may persist for years in soils or lagoons without reduction. Cleanup of chromium pollution must involve the surrounding of both CrIII and CrVI with excesses of slowly available reducing substances and sealing them permanently from inputs of atmospheric oxygen. Monitoring the effectiveness of the measures is mandatory, but fortunately the chemical testing for CrVI in soil and water is simple and problem free compared with most colorimetric determinations.

The structural robustness of geographical networks against regional failure and their pre-optimization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yixiao; Zhang, Lin; Huang, Chaogeng; Shen, Bin

2016-06-01

Failures of real-world infrastructure networks due to natural disasters often originate in a certain region, but this feature has seldom been considered in theoretical models. In this article, we introduce a possible failure pattern of geographical networks-;regional failure;-by which nodes and edges within a region malfunction. Based on a previous spatial network model (Louf et al., 2013), we study the robustness of geographical networks against regional failure, which is measured by the fraction of nodes that remain in the largest connected component, via simulations. A small-area failure results in a large reduction of their robustness measure. Furthermore, we investigate two pre-deployed mechanisms to enhance their robustness: One is to extend the cost-benefit growth mechanism of the original network model by adding more than one link in a growth step, and the other is to strengthen the interconnection of hubs in generated networks. We measure the robustness-enhancing effects of both mechanisms on the basis of their costs, i.e., the amount of excessive links and the induced geographical length. The latter mechanism is better than the former one if a normal level of costs is considered. When costs exceed a certain level, the former has an advantage. Because the costs of excessive links affect the investment decision of real-world infrastructure networks, it is practical to enhance their robustness by adding more links between hubs. These results might help design robust geographical networks economically.

Expression pattern of X-linked genes in sex chromosome aneuploid bovine cells.

PubMed

Basrur, Parvathi K; Farazmand, Ali; Stranzinger, Gerald; Graphodatskaya, Daria; Reyes, Ed R; King, W Allan

2004-01-01

Expression of the X-inactive specific transcript (XIST) gene is a prerequisite step for dosage compensation in mammals, accomplished by silencing one of the two X chromosomes in normal female diploid cells or all X chromosomes in excess of one in sex chromosome aneuploids. Our previous studies showing that XIST expression does not eventuate the inactivation of X-linked genes in fetal bovine testis had suggested that XIST expression may not be an indicator of X inactivation in this species. In this study, we used a semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) approach on cultures of bovine cells with varying sex chromosome constitution (XY, XX, XXY and XXX) to test whether the levels of XIST expressed conform to the number of late replicating (inactive) X chromosomes displayed by proliferating cells in these cultures. Expression patterns of four X-linked genes, including hypoxanthine phosphorybosyl transferase (HPRT), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), zinc finger protein locus on the X (ZFX). and 'selected mouse cDNA on the X' (SMCX), in all these cells were also tested. Results showed that XIST expression was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in XXX cells compared to XX and XXY cells and that G6PD. HPRT, and SMCX loci are subject to X inactivation. The significantly higher levels of ZFX expressed in XXX cells compared to XX and XXY cells (p < 0.05) confirmed that this bovine locus, as human ZFX, escapes X inactivation. However, the levels of XIST and ZFX expressed were not proportional to the X chromosome load in these cells suggesting that X-linked loci escaping inactivation may be regulated at transcription (or post-transcription) level by mechanisms that prevent gene-specific product accumulation beyond certain levels in sex chromosome aneuploids.

Highly sensitive reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography assay for the detection of Tamm-Horsfall protein in human urine.

PubMed

Akimoto, Masaru; Hokazono, Eisaku; Ota, Eri; Tateishi, Takiko; Kayamori, Yuzo

2016-01-01

Tamm-Horsfall protein (also known as uromodulin) is the most abundant urinary protein in healthy individuals. Since initially characterized by Tamm and Horsfall, the amount of urinary excretion and structural mutations of Tamm-Horsfall protein is associated with kidney diseases. However, currently available assays for Tamm-Horsfall protein, which are mainly enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based, suffer from poor reproducibility and might give false negative results. We developed a novel, quantitative assay for Tamm-Horsfall protein using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. A precipitation pretreatment avoided urine matrix interference and excessive sample dilution. High-performance liquid chromatography optimization based on polarity allowed excellent separation of Tamm-Horsfall protein from other major urine components. Our method exhibited high precision (based on the relative standard deviations of intraday [≤2.77%] and interday [≤5.35%] repetitions). The Tamm-Horsfall protein recovery rate was 100.0-104.2%. The mean Tamm-Horsfall protein concentration in 25 healthy individuals was 31.6 ± 18.8 mg/g creatinine. There was a strong correlation between data obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (r = 0.906), but enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay values tended to be lower than high-performance liquid chromatography values at low Tamm-Horsfall protein concentrations. The high sensitivity and reproducibility of our Tamm-Horsfall protein assay will reduce the number of false negative results of the sample compared with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Moreover, our method is superior to other high-performance liquid chromatography methods, and a simple protocol will facilitate further research on the physiological role of Tamm-Horsfall protein. © The Author(s) 2015.

Impacts of hot and cold temperature extremes on hospital admissions for cardiovascular diseases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davídkovová, H.; Kyselý, J.; Kříž, B.

2010-09-01

Elevated mortality associated with high ambient temperatures in summer represents one of the main impacts of weather extremes on human society. Increases in mortality during heat waves were examined in many European countries; much less is known about the effects of heat waves on morbidity, measured for example by the number of hospital admissions. Relatively less understood is also cold-related mortality and morbidity in winter, when the relationships between weather and human health are more complex, less direct, and confounded by other factors such as epidemics of influenza/acute respiratory infections. The present study examines links between hot and cold temperature extremes and daily hospital admissions for cardiovascular diseases in the population of the Czech Republic over 1994-2007. We make use of a recently completed database of all admissions for cardiovascular diseases to hospitals in the area of the Czech Republic since 1994, with a detailed classification of diseases and detailed information concerning each patient (in total 1,467,675 hospital admissions over 1994-2007). The main goals of the study are (i) to identify excess/deficit morbidity during and after periods of heat waves in summer and cold spells in winter, (ii) to compare the links for individual diseases (e.g. acute myocardial infarction, I21; angina pectoris, I20; cerebral infarction, I63; brain ischemia, I64) and to identify those diagnoses that are most closely linked to weather, (iii) to identify population groups most vulnerable to temperature extremes, and (iv) to compare the links to temperature extremes for morbidity and mortality. Periods when morbidity data were affected by epidemics of influenza and acute respiratory infections in winter were excluded from the analysis.

Macrophyte Community Response to Nitrogen Loading and Thermal Stressors in Rapidly Flushed Mesocosm Systems

EPA Science Inventory

Increased nitrogen loading has been directly linked to the proliferation of planktonic and macroalgal blooms at a global scale with negative impacts on estuarine ecology and human health. Under excessive anthropogenic nutrient loads, seagrass systems can be replaced by either ma...

SPATIAL ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SPECIATED FINE PARTICLES AND MORTALITY

EPA Science Inventory

Particulate matter (PM) has been linked to a range of serious cardiovascular and respiratory health problems. Some of the recent epidemiologic studies suggest that exposures to PM may result in tens of thousands of excess deaths per year and many more cases of illness among the ...

Adaptive Power Control for Space Communications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thompson, Willie L., II; Israel, David J.

2008-01-01

This paper investigates the implementation of power control techniques for crosslinks communications during a rendezvous scenario of the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) and the Lunar Surface Access Module (LSAM). During the rendezvous, NASA requires that the CEV supports two communication links: space-to-ground and crosslink simultaneously. The crosslink will generate excess interference to the space-to-ground link as the distances between the two vehicles decreases, if the output power is fixed and optimized for the worst-case link analysis at the maximum distance range. As a result, power control is required to maintain the optimal power level for the crosslink without interfering with the space-to-ground link. A proof-of-concept will be described and implemented with Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) Communications, Standard, and Technology Lab (CSTL).

Links between DNA Replication, Stem Cells and Cancer

PubMed Central

Vassilev, Alex; DePamphilis, Melvin L.

2017-01-01

Cancers can be categorized into two groups: those whose frequency increases with age, and those resulting from errors during mammalian development. The first group is linked to DNA replication through the accumulation of genetic mutations that occur during proliferation of developmentally acquired stem cells that give rise to and maintain tissues and organs. These mutations, which result from DNA replication errors as well as environmental insults, fall into two categories; cancer driver mutations that initiate carcinogenesis and genome destabilizing mutations that promote aneuploidy through excess genome duplication and chromatid missegregation. Increased genome instability results in accelerated clonal evolution leading to the appearance of more aggressive clones with increased drug resistance. The second group of cancers, termed germ cell neoplasia, results from the mislocation of pluripotent stem cells during early development. During normal development, pluripotent stem cells that originate in early embryos give rise to all of the cell lineages in the embryo and adult, but when they mislocate to ectopic sites, they produce tumors. Remarkably, pluripotent stem cells, like many cancer cells, depend on the Geminin protein to prevent excess DNA replication from triggering DNA damage-dependent apoptosis. This link between the control of DNA replication during early development and germ cell neoplasia reveals Geminin as a potential chemotherapeutic target in the eradication of cancer progenitor cells. PMID:28125050

Ethnic variations in unplanned readmissions and excess length of hospital stay: a nationwide record-linked cohort study.

PubMed

de Bruijne, Martine C; van Rosse, Floor; Uiters, Ellen; Droomers, Mariël; Suurmond, Jeanine; Stronks, Karien; Essink-Bot, Marie-Louise

2013-12-01

Studies in the USA have shown ethnic inequalities in quality of hospital care, but in Europe, this has never been analysed. We explored variations in indicators of quality of hospital care by ethnicity in the Netherlands. We analysed unplanned readmissions and excess length of stay (LOS) across ethnic groups in a large population of hospitalized patients over an 11-year period by linking information from the national hospital discharge register, the Dutch population register and socio-economic data. Data were analysed with stepwise logistic regression. Ethnic differences were most pronounced in older patients: all non-Western ethnic groups > 45 years had an increased risk for excess LOS compared with ethnic Dutch patients, with odds ratios (ORs) (adjusted for case mix) varying from 1.05 [95% confidence intervals (95% CI) 1.02-1.08] for other non-Western patients to 1.14 (95% CI 1.07-1.22) for Moroccan patients. The risk for unplanned readmission in patients >45 years was increased for Turkish (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.18-1.30) and Surinamese patients (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.07-1.16). These differences were explained partially, although not substantially, by differences in socio-economic status. We found significant ethnic variations in unplanned readmissions and excess LOS. These differences may be interpretable as shortcomings in the quality of hospital care delivered to ethnic minority patients, but exclusion of alternative explanations (such as differences in patient- and community-level factors, which are outside hospitals' control) requires further research. To quantify potential ethnic inequities in hospital care in Europe, we need empirical prospective cohort studies with solid quality outcomes such as adverse event rates.

Ethnic variations in unplanned readmissions and excess length of hospital stay: a nationwide record-linked cohort study

PubMed Central

van Rosse, Floor; Uiters, Ellen; Droomers, Mariël; Suurmond, Jeanine; Stronks, Karien; Essink-Bot, Marie-Louise

2013-01-01

Background: Studies in the USA have shown ethnic inequalities in quality of hospital care, but in Europe, this has never been analysed. We explored variations in indicators of quality of hospital care by ethnicity in the Netherlands. Methods: We analysed unplanned readmissions and excess length of stay (LOS) across ethnic groups in a large population of hospitalized patients over an 11-year period by linking information from the national hospital discharge register, the Dutch population register and socio-economic data. Data were analysed with stepwise logistic regression. Results: Ethnic differences were most pronounced in older patients: all non-Western ethnic groups > 45 years had an increased risk for excess LOS compared with ethnic Dutch patients, with odds ratios (ORs) (adjusted for case mix) varying from 1.05 [95% confidence intervals (95% CI) 1.02–1.08] for other non-Western patients to 1.14 (95% CI 1.07–1.22) for Moroccan patients. The risk for unplanned readmission in patients >45 years was increased for Turkish (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.18–1.30) and Surinamese patients (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.07–1.16). These differences were explained partially, although not substantially, by differences in socio-economic status. Conclusion: We found significant ethnic variations in unplanned readmissions and excess LOS. These differences may be interpretable as shortcomings in the quality of hospital care delivered to ethnic minority patients, but exclusion of alternative explanations (such as differences in patient- and community-level factors, which are outside hospitals’ control) requires further research. To quantify potential ethnic inequities in hospital care in Europe, we need empirical prospective cohort studies with solid quality outcomes such as adverse event rates. PMID:23388242

Alcohol consumption and NHMRC guidelines: has the message got out, are people conforming and are they aware that alcohol causes cancer?

PubMed

Bowden, Jacqueline A; Delfabbro, Paul; Room, Robin; Miller, Caroline L; Wilson, Carlene

2014-02-01

To examine self-reported alcohol consumption and relationships between consumption, awareness of the 2009 NHMRC guidelines of no more than two standard drinks per day, drinking in excess of the guideline threshold and perceptions of alcohol as a risk factor for cancer. Questions were included in annual, cross-sectional surveys of approximately 2,700 South Australians aged 18 years and over from 2004 to 2012. Consumption data for 2011 and 2012 were merged for the majority of analyses. In 2011 and 2012, 21.6% of adults drank in excess of the guideline threshold (33.0% males; 10.7% females). While 53.5% correctly identified the NHMRC consumption threshold for women, only 20.3% did so for men (39.0% nominated a higher amount). A large minority said they did not know the consumption threshold for women (39.2%) or men (40.4%). In 2012, only 36.6% saw alcohol as an important risk factor for cancer. Important predictors of excess consumption for men were: higher household income; and not perceiving alcohol as an important risk factor for cancer. Predictors for women were similar but the role of household income was even more prominent. Men were nearly three times as likely to drink in excess of the guidelines as women. The majority of the population did not see an important link between alcohol and cancer. Awareness of the latest NHMRC guidelines consumption threshold is still low, particularly for men. A strategy to raise awareness of the NHMRC guidelines and the link between alcohol and cancer is warranted. © 2014 The Authors. ANZJPH © 2014 Public Health Association of Australia.

Decomposition of the linking number of a closed ribbon: A problem from molecular biology

PubMed Central

Fuller, F. Brock

1978-01-01

A closed duplex DNA molecule relaxed and containing nucleosomes has a different linking number from the same molecule relaxed and without nucleosomes. What does this say about the structure of the nucleosome? A mathematical study of this question is made, representing the DNA molecule by a ribbon. It is shown that the linking number of a closed ribbon can be decomposed into the linking number of a reference ribbon plus a sum of locally determined “linking differences.” PMID:16592550

A retrospective study of chiropractic treatment of 276 danish infants with infantile colic.

PubMed

Wiberg, Karin R; Wiberg, Jesper M M

2010-09-01

The aim of this study was to investigate if the outcome of excessively crying infants treated with chiropractic manipulation (1) was associated with age and/or (2), at least partially, can be explained by age according to the natural decline in crying. This was a retrospective evaluation of clinical records of 749 infants from a private Danish chiropractic practice. All of the infants were healthy, thriving infants born to term within the age of 0 to 3 months who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for excessively crying infants (infantile colic), whose parents sought chiropractic treatment. The infants were treated using chiropractic management as decided by the treating doctor of chiropractic, and changes in crying based upon the parents' report were noted as improved, uncertain, or nonrecovered. Age predictor groups were cross-tabulated against the outcome variables, and difference between classification groups was tested with χ(2) tables and confidence intervals. Slightly older age was found to be linked to excessively crying infants who experienced clinical improvement. However, no apparent link between the clinical effect of chiropractic treatment and a natural decline in crying was found for this group of infants. The findings of this study do not support the assumption that effect of chiropractic treatment of infantile colic is a reflection of the normal cessation of this disorder. Copyright © 2010 National University of Health Sciences. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

TRADING ALLOWANCES FOR STORMWATER CONTROL: ACCOUNTING FOR CONTINUOUS HYDROLOGY AND OPPORTUNITY COSTS

EPA Science Inventory

Excess stormwater runoff is a serious problem in a large number of urban areas, causing flooding, water pollution, groundwater recharge deficits and ecological damage to urban streams. It has been posited that to mitigate the effects of excess stormwater runoff, policy makers cou...

Evidence of social deprivation on the spatial patterns of excess winter mortality.

PubMed

Almendra, Ricardo; Santana, Paula; Vasconcelos, João

2017-11-01

The aims of this study are to identify the patterns of excess winter mortality (due to diseases of the circulatory system) and to analyse the association between the excess winter deaths (EWD) and socio-economic deprivation in Portugal. The number of EWD in 2002-2011 was estimated by comparing the number of deaths in winter months with the average number in non-winter months. The EWD ratio of each municipality was calculated by following the indirect standardization method and then compared with two deprivation indexes (socio-material and housing deprivation index) through ecological regression models. This study found that: (1) the EWD ratio showed considerable asymmetry in its geography; (2) there are significant positive associations between the EWD ratio and both deprivation indexes; and (3) at the higher level of deprivation, housing conditions have a stronger association with EWD than socio-material conditions. The significant association between two deprivation dimensions (socio-material and housing deprivation) and EWDs suggests that EWD geographical pattern is influenced by deprivation.

Determination of the parameters controlling swelling of chemically cross-linked pH-sensitive poly(N-vinylimidazole) hydrogels.

PubMed

Molina, M Jesús; Gómez-Antón, M Rosa; Piérola, Inés F

2007-10-25

The number of variables controlling the behavior of ionic gels is large and very often some of them are unknown. The aim of this work is to interpret quantitatively the swelling behavior of pH sensitive gels, with the minimum number of simplifying assumptions. With this purpose, the equilibrium degree of swelling (S) and protonation (alpha) of chemically cross-linked poly(N-vinylimidazole) (PVI) immersed in aqueous salt solutions were measured as a function of the ionic strength (mu), in the whole range of pH. In acid solutions with pH in the range 0 to 4, imidazole moieties become protonated, and PVI behaves as a polyelectrolyte gel: S decreases upon increasing mu both for NaCl and for CaCl(2), with HCl as protonating acid. In aqueous solutions with larger pH, between 4 and 12, the hydrogel is practically neutral, and S increases as mu rises, showing a salting-in effect. From the quantitative analysis of these results, the following facts emerged. Protonation induces chain stiffness (as measured by the non-Gaussian factor) and worsening of the solvent quality of the aqueous media (as measured by the polymer-solvent interaction parameter). For alpha below 33%, swelling seems to be governed by the excess of mobile counterions inside the gel with respect to the bath, with a minor but still significantly negative contribution of the osmotic swelling pressure due to polymer-solvent mixing. Above 33% protonation, it is necessary to consider Manning counterion condensation to get parameters with physical meaning. The crossover between polyelectrolyte and salting-in effects corresponds to alpha and mu values with the same ionic and mixing contributions to the osmotic swelling pressure. The formation of ionic nonpermanent cross-links, with H(2)SO(4) as the protonating acid, was discarded.

Methods for analyzing matched designs with double controls: excess risk is easily estimated and misinterpreted when evaluating traffic deaths.

PubMed

Redelmeier, Donald A; Tibshirani, Robert J

2018-06-01

To demonstrate analytic approaches for matched studies where two controls are linked to each case and events are accumulating counts rather than binary outcomes. A secondary intent is to clarify the distinction between total risk and excess risk (unmatched vs. matched perspectives). We review past research testing whether elections can lead to increased traffic risks. The results are reinterpreted by analyzing both the total count of individuals in fatal crashes and the excess count of individuals in fatal crashes, each time accounting for the matched double controls. Overall, 1,546 individuals were in fatal crashes on the 10 election days (average = 155/d), and 2,593 individuals were in fatal crashes on the 20 control days (average = 130/d). Poisson regression of total counts yielded a relative risk of 1.19 (95% confidence interval: 1.12-1.27). Poisson regression of excess counts yielded a relative risk of 3.22 (95% confidence interval: 2.72-3.80). The discrepancy between analyses of total counts and excess counts replicated with alternative statistical models and was visualized in graphical displays. Available approaches provide methods for analyzing count data in matched designs with double controls and help clarify the distinction between increases in total risk and increases in excess risk. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A Physically Based Analytical Model to Describe Effective Excess Charge for Streaming Potential Generation in Water Saturated Porous Media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guarracino, L.; Jougnot, D.

2018-01-01

Among the different contributions generating self-potential, the streaming potential is of particular interest in hydrogeology for its sensitivity to water flow. Estimating water flux in porous media using streaming potential data relies on our capacity to understand, model, and upscale the electrokinetic coupling at the mineral-solution interface. Different approaches have been proposed to predict streaming potential generation in porous media. One of these approaches is the flux averaging which is based on determining the excess charge which is effectively dragged in the medium by water flow. In this study, we develop a physically based analytical model to predict the effective excess charge in saturated porous media using a flux-averaging approach in a bundle of capillary tubes with a fractal pore size distribution. The proposed model allows the determination of the effective excess charge as a function of pore water ionic concentration and hydrogeological parameters like porosity, permeability, and tortuosity. The new model has been successfully tested against different set of experimental data from the literature. One of the main findings of this study is the mechanistic explanation to the empirical dependence between the effective excess charge and the permeability that has been found by several researchers. The proposed model also highlights the link to other lithological properties, and it is able to reproduce the evolution of effective excess charge with electrolyte concentrations.

Awareness of lifestyle risk factors for cancer and heart disease among adults in the UK.

PubMed

Sanderson, Saskia C; Waller, Jo; Jarvis, Martin J; Humphries, Steve E; Wardle, Jane

2009-02-01

To examine and compare awareness of lifestyle risk factors for cancer and heart disease in a single UK representative sample. Two open-ended questions about cancer and heart disease risk factors were included in a population-based survey of 1747 adults. Responses were coded for four lifestyles with established links to both diseases: smoking, eating an unhealthy diet, drinking excessive alcohol and physical inactivity. Awareness of lifestyle risk factors was low for both diseases, although higher for heart disease than cancer. The average number identified by respondents was 2.1 (heart disease) and 1.4 (cancer). The strongest predictor was education (both p<0.001). Awareness that physical inactivity is a cancer risk factor was particularly low at 7%. These findings suggest that public awareness of the impact of lifestyle on commonly feared diseases, especially cancer, is low. Unhealthy lifestyles make a significant contribution to ill health and mortality. Increased public awareness of the links between lifestyles and commonly feared diseases might help people understand the potential health consequences of their actions and encourage them to make much-needed lifestyle changes. Efforts are needed to improve public health messages about how lifestyle risk factors impact on the chances of developing these important diseases.

Convergence of genes and cellular pathways dysregulated in autism spectrum disorders.

PubMed

Pinto, Dalila; Delaby, Elsa; Merico, Daniele; Barbosa, Mafalda; Merikangas, Alison; Klei, Lambertus; Thiruvahindrapuram, Bhooma; Xu, Xiao; Ziman, Robert; Wang, Zhuozhi; Vorstman, Jacob A S; Thompson, Ann; Regan, Regina; Pilorge, Marion; Pellecchia, Giovanna; Pagnamenta, Alistair T; Oliveira, Bárbara; Marshall, Christian R; Magalhaes, Tiago R; Lowe, Jennifer K; Howe, Jennifer L; Griswold, Anthony J; Gilbert, John; Duketis, Eftichia; Dombroski, Beth A; De Jonge, Maretha V; Cuccaro, Michael; Crawford, Emily L; Correia, Catarina T; Conroy, Judith; Conceição, Inês C; Chiocchetti, Andreas G; Casey, Jillian P; Cai, Guiqing; Cabrol, Christelle; Bolshakova, Nadia; Bacchelli, Elena; Anney, Richard; Gallinger, Steven; Cotterchio, Michelle; Casey, Graham; Zwaigenbaum, Lonnie; Wittemeyer, Kerstin; Wing, Kirsty; Wallace, Simon; van Engeland, Herman; Tryfon, Ana; Thomson, Susanne; Soorya, Latha; Rogé, Bernadette; Roberts, Wendy; Poustka, Fritz; Mouga, Susana; Minshew, Nancy; McInnes, L Alison; McGrew, Susan G; Lord, Catherine; Leboyer, Marion; Le Couteur, Ann S; Kolevzon, Alexander; Jiménez González, Patricia; Jacob, Suma; Holt, Richard; Guter, Stephen; Green, Jonathan; Green, Andrew; Gillberg, Christopher; Fernandez, Bridget A; Duque, Frederico; Delorme, Richard; Dawson, Geraldine; Chaste, Pauline; Café, Cátia; Brennan, Sean; Bourgeron, Thomas; Bolton, Patrick F; Bölte, Sven; Bernier, Raphael; Baird, Gillian; Bailey, Anthony J; Anagnostou, Evdokia; Almeida, Joana; Wijsman, Ellen M; Vieland, Veronica J; Vicente, Astrid M; Schellenberg, Gerard D; Pericak-Vance, Margaret; Paterson, Andrew D; Parr, Jeremy R; Oliveira, Guiomar; Nurnberger, John I; Monaco, Anthony P; Maestrini, Elena; Klauck, Sabine M; Hakonarson, Hakon; Haines, Jonathan L; Geschwind, Daniel H; Freitag, Christine M; Folstein, Susan E; Ennis, Sean; Coon, Hilary; Battaglia, Agatino; Szatmari, Peter; Sutcliffe, James S; Hallmayer, Joachim; Gill, Michael; Cook, Edwin H; Buxbaum, Joseph D; Devlin, Bernie; Gallagher, Louise; Betancur, Catalina; Scherer, Stephen W

2014-05-01

Rare copy-number variation (CNV) is an important source of risk for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). We analyzed 2,446 ASD-affected families and confirmed an excess of genic deletions and duplications in affected versus control groups (1.41-fold, p = 1.0 × 10(-5)) and an increase in affected subjects carrying exonic pathogenic CNVs overlapping known loci associated with dominant or X-linked ASD and intellectual disability (odds ratio = 12.62, p = 2.7 × 10(-15), ∼3% of ASD subjects). Pathogenic CNVs, often showing variable expressivity, included rare de novo and inherited events at 36 loci, implicating ASD-associated genes (CHD2, HDAC4, and GDI1) previously linked to other neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as other genes such as SETD5, MIR137, and HDAC9. Consistent with hypothesized gender-specific modulators, females with ASD were more likely to have highly penetrant CNVs (p = 0.017) and were also overrepresented among subjects with fragile X syndrome protein targets (p = 0.02). Genes affected by de novo CNVs and/or loss-of-function single-nucleotide variants converged on networks related to neuronal signaling and development, synapse function, and chromatin regulation. Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

78 FR 53821 - Federal Property Suitable as Facilities To Assist the Homeless

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-30

...: Excess Comments: Off-site removal only; 8,736 sq. ft.; current use: Administrative office; fair....; Admin. 3 mons. vacant; fair conditions; w/in secured area; contact Army for accessibility/ removal reqs... Number: 21201310012 Status: Excess Comments: Off-site removal only; 2,100 sf.; Admin.; fair conditions; w...

10 CFR 765.32 - Reimbursement of excess funds.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY REIMBURSEMENT FOR COSTS OF REMEDIAL ACTION AT ACTIVE URANIUM AND THORIUM PROCESSING SITES Additional Reimbursement Procedures § 765.32 Reimbursement of excess funds. (a) No later... total number of Federal-related dry short tons of byproduct material present at the site where costs of...

The Increasing Importance of Deposition of Reduced Nitrogen in the United States

EPA Science Inventory

Rapid development of agricultural activities and fossil fuel combustion in the United States has led to a great increase in reactive nitrogen (Nr) emissions in the second half of the twentieth century. These emissions have been linked to excess nitrogen (N) deposition (i.e. depos...

Exploring violence against women and adverse health outcomes in middle age to promote women's health

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

A history of intimate partner violence (IPV) is linked to cardiovascular disorders among women. Static autonomic nervous system (ANS) imbalance may result from chronic stress associated with exposure to IPV. Autonomic nervous system imbalance is associated with an excessive proinflammatory response ...

Polymers used to absorb fats and oils: A concept

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marsh, H. E., Jr.

1974-01-01

One approach to problem of excessive oils and fats is to develop method by which oil is absorbed into solid mixture for elimination as solid waste. Materials proposed for these purposes are cross-linked (network) polymers that have high affinity for aliphatic substances, i. e., petroleum, animal, and vegetable oils.

The glucose sensor ChREBP links de-novo lipogenesis to PPARgamma activity and adipocyte differentiation

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Reduced de-novo lipogenesis DNL)in adipose tissue, often observed in obese individuals, is thought to contribute to insulin resistance. Besides trapping excess glucose and providing for triglycerides and energy storage, endogenously synthesized lipids can function as potent signaling molecules. Inde...

Linking Agricultural Crop Management and Air Quality Models for Regional to National-Scale Nitrogen Assessments

EPA Science Inventory

While nitrogen (N) is an essential element for life, human population growth and demands for energy, transportation and food can lead to excess nitrogen in the environment. A modeling framework is described and implemented to promote a more integrated, process-based and system le...

Suspected X-linked facial dysmorphia and growth retardation in related Labrador retriever puppies.

PubMed

Dierks, C; Hoffmann, H; Heinrich, F; Hellige, M; Hewicker-Trautwein, M; Distl, O

2017-02-01

Seven male Labrador retriever puppies from four different litters were identified with a brachycephalic-like face and skull, associated with low birth weight, severe growth retardation, and reduced abilities to crawl and suckle, which were not compatible with survival. Excessive doming of the cranium, brachygnathia superior and inferior, and an abnormally opened fontanelle were found in all affected puppies by computed tomography and at post-mortem examination. Pedigree analysis supported an X-linked recessive mode of inheritance. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Binding Assays for the Quantitative Detection of P. brevis Polyether Neurotoxins in Biological Samples and Antibodies as Therapeutic Aids for Polyether Marine Intoxication

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-05-15

was also linked to urease and toxin-enzyme conjugates were evaluated. 4. Toxin Enzyme Conjugates. Brevetoxins linked to either Jack Bean urease or...described in materials and methods. For urease conjugates, 1:2, 1:4 and 1:6 molar ratios were investigated. The following protocol yielded the most...fold excess urease in 1 volume equivalent of water, in three equal aliquots. Total volume after addition is 2-fold the volume in step [2], final

Predictive factors of excessive online poker playing.

PubMed

Hopley, Anthony A B; Nicki, Richard M

2010-08-01

Despite the widespread rise of online poker playing, there is a paucity of research examining potential predictors for excessive poker playing. The aim of this study was to build on recent research examining motives for Texas Hold'em play in students by determining whether predictors of other kinds of excessive gambling apply to Texas Hold'em. Impulsivity, negative mood states, dissociation, and boredom proneness have been linked to general problem gambling and may play a role in online poker. Participants of this study were self-selected online poker players (N = 179) who completed an online survey. Results revealed that participants played an average of 20 hours of online poker a week and approximately 9% of the sample was classified as a problem gambler according to the Canadian Problem Gambling Index. Problem gambling, in this sample, was uniquely predicted by time played, dissociation, boredom proneness, impulsivity, and negative affective states, namely depression, anxiety, and stress.

Alcoholic cardiomyopathy

PubMed Central

Guzzo-Merello, Gonzalo; Cobo-Marcos, Marta; Gallego-Delgado, Maria; Garcia-Pavia, Pablo

2014-01-01

Alcohol is the most frequently consumed toxic substance in the world. Low to moderate daily intake of alcohol has been shown to have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. In contrast, exposure to high levels of alcohol for a long period could lead to progressive cardiac dysfunction and heart failure. Cardiac dysfunction associated with chronic and excessive alcohol intake is a specific cardiac disease known as alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM). In spite of its clinical importance, data on ACM and how alcohol damages the heart are limited. In this review, we evaluate available evidence linking excessive alcohol consumption with heart failure and dilated cardiomyopathy. Additionally, we discuss the clinical presentation, prognosis and treatment of ACM. PMID:25228956

Harmonizing the MSSM with the Galactic Center excess

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Butter, Anja; Murgia, Simona; Plehn, Tilman; Tait, Tim M. P.

2017-08-01

The minimal supersymmetric setup offers a comprehensive framework to interpret the Fermi-LAT Galactic Center excess. Taking into account experimental, theoretical, and astrophysical uncertainties we can identify valid parameter regions linked to different annihilation channels. They extend to dark matter masses above 250 GeV. There exists a very mild tension between the observed relic density and the annihilation rate in the center of our Galaxy for specific channels. The strongest additional constraints come from the new generation of direct detection experiments, ruling out much of the light and intermediate dark matter mass regime and giving preference to heavier dark matter annihilating into a pair of top quarks.

Pituitary gigantism: Causes and clinical characteristics.

PubMed

Rostomyan, Liliya; Daly, Adrian F; Beckers, Albert

2015-12-01

Acromegaly and pituitary gigantism are very rare conditions resulting from excessive secretion of growth hormone (GH), usually by a pituitary adenoma. Pituitary gigantism occurs when GH excess overlaps with the period of rapid linear growth during childhood and adolescence. Until recently, its etiology and clinical characteristics have been poorly understood. Genetic and genomic causes have been identified in recent years that explain about half of cases of pituitary gigantism. We describe these recent discoveries and focus on some important settings in which gigantism can occur, including familial isolated pituitary adenomas (FIPA) and the newly described X-linked acrogigantism (X-LAG) syndrome. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Aerophagia: excessive air swallowing demonstrated by esophageal impedance monitoring.

PubMed

Hemmink, Gerrit J M; Weusten, Bas L A M; Bredenoord, Albert J; Timmer, Robin; Smout, André J P M

2009-10-01

Patients with aerophagia suffer from the presence of an excessive volume of intestinal gas, which is thought to result from excessive air ingestion. However, this has not been shown thus far. The aim of this study was therefore to assess swallowing and air swallowing frequencies in patients with suspected aerophagia. Ambulatory 24-hour pH-impedance monitoring was performed in patients in whom excessive amounts of intestinal gas were visualized on plain abdominal radiograms. All patients had symptoms of bloating, abdominal distention, flatulence, or excessive belching. Reflux parameters and the number of swallows and air swallows were assessed. The most common symptoms were bloating, abdominal distention, and constipation. Only 3 patients reported excessive belching and 1 patient reported flatulence as their predominant symptom. During the 24-hour measurement, patients showed high incidences of air swallows (521 +/- 63) and gastric belches (126 +/- 37). Patients had normal swallowing frequency (741 +/- 71). This study presents objective parameters that confirm the existence of excessive air swallowing or aerophagia using esophageal impedance monitoring.

Excessive Acquisition in Hoarding

PubMed Central

Frost, Randy O.; Tolin, David F.; Steketee, Gail; Fitch, Kristin E.; Selbo-Bruns, Alexandra

2009-01-01

Compulsive hoarding (the acquisition of and failure to discard large numbers of possessions) is associated with substantial health risk, impairment, and economic burden. However, little research has examined separate components of this definition, particularly excessive acquisition. The present study examined acquisition in hoarding. Participants, 878 self-identified with hoarding and 665 family informants (not matched to hoarding participants), completed an internet survey. Among hoarding participants who met criteria for clinically significant hoarding, 61% met criteria for a diagnosis of compulsive buying and approximately 85% reported excessive acquisition. Family informants indicated that nearly 95% exhibited excessive acquisition. Those who acquired excessively had more severe hoarding; their hoarding had an earlier onset and resulted in more psychiatric work impairment days; and they experienced more symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, and anxiety. Two forms of excessive acquisition (buying and free things) each contributed independent variance in the prediction of hoarding severity and related symptoms. PMID:19261435

Rotation lightcurves of small jovian Trojan asteroids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

French, Linda M.; Stephens, Robert D.; Coley, Daniel; Wasserman, Lawrence H.; Sieben, Jennifer

2015-07-01

Several lines of evidence support a common origin for, and possible hereditary link between, cometary nuclei and jovian Trojan asteroids. Due to their distance and low albedos, few comet-sized Trojans have been studied. We present new lightcurve information for 19 Trojans ≲ 30 km in diameter, more than doubling the number of objects in this size range for which some rotation information is known. The minimum densities for objects with complete lightcurves are estimated and are found to be comparable to those measured for cometary nuclei. A significant fraction (∼40%) of this observed small Trojan population rotates slowly (P > 24 h), with measured periods as long as 375 h (Warner, B.D., Stephens, R.D. [2011]. Minor Planet Bull. 38, 110-111). The excess of slow rotators may be due to the YORP effect. Results of the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test suggest that the distribution of Trojan rotation rates is dissimilar to those of Main Belt Asteroids of the same size. Concerted observations of a large number of Trojans could establish the spin barrier (Warner, B.D., Harris, A.W., Pravec, P. [2009]. Icarus 202, 134-146), making it possible to estimate densities for objects near the critical period.

Deterioration of soil quality and pasture production linked to overgrazing in rangelands of Extremadura (SW Spain)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pulido-Fernández, Manuel; Schnabel, Susanne; Francisco Lavado Contador, Joaquín; Lozano-Parra, Javier; González López, Francisco

2015-04-01

Soil degradation phenomena include water erosion and physical and biological processes have been already reported in rangelands of southwestern Spain. The increasing of the number of domestic animals since 1986 has been highlighted as one of the key causes. The main goal of this work is to analyze the effects of the excessive number of animals on soil quality and pasture production in privately-owned farms dedicated to extensive ranching. Soil properties, soil surface cover, erosion features, pasture production and composition, rainfall and land management variables such as livestock density were analyzed during a period of 3 years (2008-2011). The study was carried out in 22 fenced units belonging to 10 farms distributed throughout the Spanish region of Extremadura. The occurrence of bare soil patches, and consequently water erosion processes, as well as an increasing in the mean values of bulk density from 5 to 10 cm in depth were observed in the fenced units with animal stocking rates exceeding 1 AU ha-1 (AU: animal cattle equivalent unit). Some indications which may serve to confirm the negative effect of increased bulk density on pasture production and quality were also found.

Refractive index of liquid mixtures: theory and experiment.

PubMed

Reis, João Carlos R; Lampreia, Isabel M S; Santos, Angela F S; Moita, Maria Luísa C J; Douhéret, Gérard

2010-12-03

An innovative approach is presented to interpret the refractive index of binary liquid mixtures. The concept of refractive index "before mixing" is introduced and shown to be given by the volume-fraction mixing rule of the pure-component refractive indices (Arago-Biot formula). The refractive index of thermodynamically ideal liquid mixtures is demonstrated to be given by the volume-fraction mixing rule of the pure-component squared refractive indices (Newton formula). This theoretical formulation entails a positive change of refractive index upon ideal mixing, which is interpreted in terms of dissimilar London dispersion forces centred in the dissimilar molecules making up the mixture. For real liquid mixtures, the refractive index of mixing and the excess refractive index are introduced in a thermodynamic manner. Examples of mixtures are cited for which excess refractive indices and excess molar volumes show all of the four possible sign combinations, a fact that jeopardises the finding of a general equation linking these two excess properties. Refractive indices of 69 mixtures of water with the amphiphile (R,S)-1-propoxypropan-2-ol are reported at five temperatures in the range 283-303 K. The ideal and real refractive properties of this binary system are discussed. Pear-shaped plots of excess refractive indices against excess molar volumes show that extreme positive values of excess refractive index occur at a substantially lower mole fraction of the amphiphile than extreme negative values of excess molar volume. Analysis of these plots provides insights into the mixing schemes that occur in different composition segments. A nearly linear variation is found when Balankina's ratios between excess and ideal values of refractive indices are plotted against ratios between excess and ideal values of molar volumes. It is concluded that, when coupled with volumetric properties, the new thermodynamic functions defined for the analysis of refractive indices of liquid mixtures give important complementary information on the mixing process over the whole composition range.

Topological semimetals carrying arbitrary Hopf numbers: Fermi surface topologies of a Hopf link, Solomon's knot, trefoil knot, and other linked nodal varieties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ezawa, Motohiko

2017-07-01

We propose a type of Hopf semimetal indexed by a pair of numbers (p ,q ) , where the Hopf number is given by p q . The Fermi surface is given by a preimage of the Hopf map, which consists of loops nontrivially linked for a nonzero Hopf number. The Fermi surface forms a torus link, whose examples are a Hopf link indexed by (1 ,1 ) , Solomon's knot (2 ,1 ) , a double Hopf link (2 ,2 ) , and a double trefoil knot (3 ,2 ) . We may choose p or q to be a half integer, where the Fermi surface is a torus knot, such as a trefoil knot (3 /2 ,1 ) . It is even possible to make the Hopf number an arbitrary rational number, where a semimetal whose Fermi surface forms open strings is generated.

Do indoor pollutants and thermal conditions in schools influence student performance? A critical review of the literature.

PubMed

Mendell, M J; Heath, G A

2005-02-01

To assess whether school environments can adversely affect academic performance, we review scientific evidence relating indoor pollutants and thermal conditions, in schools or other indoor environments, to human performance or attendance. We critically review evidence for direct associations between these aspects of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and performance or attendance. Secondarily, we summarize, without critique, evidence on indirect connections potentially linking IEQ to performance or attendance. Regarding direct associations, little strongly designed research was available. Persuasive evidence links higher indoor concentrations of NO(2) to reduced school attendance, and suggestive evidence links low ventilation rates to reduced performance. Regarding indirect associations, many studies link indoor dampness and microbiologic pollutants (primarily in homes) to asthma exacerbations and respiratory infections, which in turn have been related to reduced performance and attendance. Also, much evidence links poor IEQ (e.g. low ventilation rate, excess moisture, or formaldehyde) with adverse health effects in children and adults and documents dampness problems and inadequate ventilation as common in schools. Overall, evidence suggests that poor IEQ in schools is common and adversely influences the performance and attendance of students, primarily through health effects from indoor pollutants. Evidence is available to justify (i) immediate actions to assess and improve IEQ in schools and (ii) focused research to guide IEQ improvements in schools. There is more justification now for improving IEQ in schools to reduce health risks to students than to reduce performance or attendance risks. However, as IEQ-performance links are likely to operate largely through effects of IEQ on health, IEQ improvements that benefit the health of students are likely to have performance and attendance benefits as well. Immediate actions are warranted in schools to prevent dampness problems, inadequate ventilation, and excess indoor exposures to substances such as NO(2) and formaldehyde. Also, siting of new schools in areas with lower outdoor pollutant levels is preferable.

Genetic Contribution to Non-Squamous, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in Non-Smokers.

PubMed

Carr, Shamus R; Akerley, Wallace; Cannon-Albright, Lisa

2018-04-04

Lung carcinogenesis is strongly influenced by environmental and heritable factors. The genetic contribution to the different histologies is unknown. A population-based computerized genealogy resource linked to a statewide cancer registry of lung cancer cases (n=5408) was analyzed to evaluate the heritable contribution to lung cancer histology in smoking (n=1751) and non-smoking cases (n=818). Statistical methods were used to test for significant excess relatedness of lung cancer cases. Significant excess distant relatedness was observed for all lung cancer histology subgroups analyzed except the small cell lung cancer subset (p=0.213). When smoking and non-smoking histologic subsets of lung cancer were considered, excess relatedness was observed only in non-smoking NSCLC (n=653; p=0.026) and, particularly, in those non-smokers with non-squamous histology (n=561; p=0.036). Sixty one pedigrees were identified which demonstrated a significant excess risk of non-smoking, non-squamous lung cancer cases; and an excess of female cases was observed among the cases in these high-risk pedigrees. This analysis supports a genetic predisposition to lung cancer carcinogenesis in non-smoking, non-squamous NSCLC cases. Copyright © 2018 International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The moderating role of need for cognition on excessive searching bias: a case of finding romantic partners online.

PubMed

Chiou, Wen-Bin; Yang, Mu-Li

2010-01-01

Using online-dating websites to expand social networks and form close relationships is popular for people in information technology era. Wu and Chiou (2009) demonstrated that more options triggered excessive searching, leading to poorer decision-making and reduced selectivity. They proposed that the more-means-worse effect refers to more searching leads to worse choices by reducing users' cognitive resources, distracting them with irrelevant information and reducing their ability to screen out inferior options. A 2 by 2 experimental study was conducted to investigate the moderating effect of individual differences in need for cognition (NFC) and number of available options on excessive searching and decision quality. A total of 120 undergraduates with experiences of online romantic relationships participated in the experiment. After participants were administrated their need for cognition, they were assigned to review either a small or a large number of options to search for their most desirable romantic partners via a popular online-dating website in Taiwan. Results indicated that high-NFC participants showed more excessive searching than did low-NFC participants. Moreover, the more-means-worse effect was more salient for high-NFC participants than high-NFC participants. The findings suggest that users with high NFC may be more vulnerable to the negative effect of excessive searching.

Excess Long-Term Mortality following Non-Variceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Population-Based Cohort Study

PubMed Central

Crooks, Colin John; Card, Timothy Richard; West, Joe

2013-01-01

Background It is unclear whether an upper gastrointestinal bleed is an isolated gastrointestinal event or an indicator of a deterioration in a patient's overall health status. Therefore, we investigated the excess causes of death in individuals after a non-variceal bleed compared with deaths in a matched sample of the general population. Methods and Findings Linked longitudinal data from the English Hospital Episodes Statistics (HES) data, General Practice Research Database (GPRD), and Office of National Statistics death register were used to define a cohort of non-variceal bleeds between 1997 and 2010. Controls were matched at the start of the study by age, sex, practice, and year. The excess risk of each cause of death in the 5 years subsequent to a bleed was then calculated whilst adjusting for competing risks using cumulative incidence functions. 16,355 patients with a non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleed were matched to 81,523 controls. The total 5-year risk of death due to gastrointestinal causes (malignant or non-malignant) ranged from 3.6% (≤50 years, 95% CI 3.0%–4.3%) to 15.2% (≥80 years, 14.2%–16.3%), representing an excess over controls of between 3.6% (3.0%–4.2%) and 13.4% (12.4%–14.5%), respectively. In contrast the total 5-year risk of death due to non-gastrointestinal causes ranged from 4.1% (≤50 years, 3.4%–4.8%) to 46.6% (≥80 years, 45.2%–48.1%), representing an excess over controls of between 3.8% (3.1%–4.5%) and 19.0% (17.5%–20.6%), respectively. The main limitation of this study was potential misclassification of the exposure and outcome; however, we sought to minimise this by using information derived across multiple linked datasets. Conclusions Deaths from all causes were increased following an upper gastrointestinal bleed compared to matched controls, and over half the excess risk of death was due to seemingly unrelated co-morbidity. A non-variceal bleed may therefore warrant a careful assessment of co-morbid illness seemingly unrelated to the bleed. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary PMID:23637580

[Children's Television Advertising Excesses and Abuses.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Choate, Robert B.

This testimony presents evidence of children's television advertising excesses and abuses. The testimony points out that the average TV-watching child sees more than 22,000 commercials a year, and that on the programs most popular with children large numbers of over-the-counter drugs and hazardous products are advertised. The history of private…

A Disorder Unique to Adolescence? The Kleine-Levin Syndrome.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cawthorn, Paul

1990-01-01

Describes Kleine-Levin syndrome, rare disorder characterized by excessive sleep and abnormal hunger. Notes that, in its pure form, disorder can only be diagnosed in adolescent males. Presents case study of 15-year-old male with disease. Presents evidence which suggests link between Kleine-Levin syndrome and cyclic affective disorders. (Author/ABL)

LINKING GREAT WATERSHEDS AND RIVERS TO FORECAST THE IMPACT OF NUTRIENTS ON LARGE RECEIVING WATERS

EPA Science Inventory

Assessment of our nation's waters, as per sections 305(b) and 303(d) of the Clean Water Act, indicates that approximately 40% are impacted by chemical and non-chemical stressors that impair designated beneficial uses and ecological habitat. Excess nutrients are often listed as a ...

Gender-Moderated Links between Urgency, Binge Drinking, and Excessive Exercise

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reilly, Erin E.; Dmochowski, Sasha; Schaumberg, Katherine; Earleywine, Mitch; Anderson, Drew

2016-01-01

Objective: Exercise correlates with alcohol use, but the nature of this relation and the extent to which it is maladaptive remains unclear. Urgency and motives for engaging in drinking and exercise might indicate when these behaviors are problematic. The current study examined whether urgency moderated the association between exercise motivated by…

Linking soil phosphorus to dissolved phosphorus losses in the midwest

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Harmful and nuisance algal blooms resulting from excess phosphorus (P) have placed agriculture in the spotlight of the water quality debate. Sixty-eight site years of P loading data from 36 fields in Ohio were used to see if a soil test P (STP) concentration could be identified that would permit P a...

Sulfur pollution: an environmental study of Welland, Ontario

Treesearch

Michael R. Moss

1977-01-01

The distribution of sulfur as an environmental pollutant is analysed in the vicinity of Welland, Ontario. A biogeochemical-cycle approach enables areas of excess accumulation to be compared among all linked ecosystem components. Although the patterns of distribution are similar, the amounts of sulfur accumulated in different ecosystems, grassland and woodland, show...

Nitrogen Inputs to Seventy-four Southern New England Estuaries: Application of a Watershed Nitrogen Loading Model

EPA Science Inventory

Excess nitrogen inputs to estuaries have been linked to deteriorating water quality and habitat conditions which in turn have direct and indirect impacts on both commercial and recreational fish and shellfish. This paper is the first of a two-part series that applies a previously...

The Evolution of the American Family and Its Effects on Health Behavior Choices.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Manning, Terri M.

The evolution of the family concerns health educators because family environment has been consistently linked to development of various addictions and negative behaviors, such as drug and alcohol abuse, eating disorders, workaholism, excessive exercise, sexual promiscuity, vandalism, youth crime, and violence and abuse. It is recognized that a…

Response to Comments on "Degradability of an Acrylate-Linked, Fluorotelomer Polymer in Soil"

EPA Science Inventory

We thank Russell et al for their careful comments on our paper. We address their comments, however, in all this detail, we emphasize that it is important not to lose track of several overarching issues that we address here and in Supporting Information: (1) We observed an excess ...

CMIP5 models' shortwave cloud radiative response and climate sensitivity linked to the climatological Hadley cell extent

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lipat, Bernard R.; Tselioudis, George; Grise, Kevin M.; Polvani, Lorenzo M.

2017-06-01

This study analyzes Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5) model output to examine the covariability of interannual Southern Hemisphere Hadley cell (HC) edge latitude shifts and shortwave cloud radiative effect (SWCRE). In control climate runs, during years when the HC edge is anomalously poleward, most models substantially reduce the shortwave radiation reflected by clouds in the lower midlatitude region (LML; ˜28°S-˜48°S), although no such reduction is seen in observations. These biases in HC-SWCRE covariability are linked to biases in the climatological HC extent. Notably, models with excessively equatorward climatological HC extents have weaker climatological LML subsidence and exhibit larger increases in LML subsidence with poleward HC edge expansion. This behavior, based on control climate interannual variability, has important implications for the CO2-forced model response. In 4×CO2-forced runs, models with excessively equatorward climatological HC extents produce stronger SW cloud radiative warming in the LML region and tend to have larger climate sensitivity values than models with more realistic climatological HC extents.

Protective role of integrin-linked kinase against oxidative stress and in maintenance of genomic integrity

PubMed Central

Im, Michelle; Dagnino, Lina

2018-01-01

The balance between the production of reactive oxygen species and activation of antioxidant pathways is essential to maintain a normal redox state in all tissues. Oxidative stress caused by excessive oxidant species generation can cause damage to DNA and other macromolecules, affecting cell function and viability. Here we show that integrin-linked kinase (ILK) plays a key role in eliciting a protective response to oxidative damage in epidermal cells. Inactivation of the Ilk gene causes elevated levels of intracellular oxidant species (IOS) and DNA damage in the absence of exogenous oxidative insults. In ILK-deficient cells, excessive IOS production can be prevented through inhibition of NADPH oxidase activity, with a concomitant reduction in DNA damage. Additionally, ILK is necessary for DNA repair processes following UVB-induced damage, as ILK-deficient cells show a significantly impaired ability to remove cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers following irradiation. Thus, ILK is essential to maintain cellular redox balance and, in its absence, epidermal cells become more susceptible to oxidative damage through mechanisms that involve IOS production by NADPH oxidase activity. PMID:29568383

Protective role of integrin-linked kinase against oxidative stress and in maintenance of genomic integrity.

PubMed

Im, Michelle; Dagnino, Lina

2018-03-02

The balance between the production of reactive oxygen species and activation of antioxidant pathways is essential to maintain a normal redox state in all tissues. Oxidative stress caused by excessive oxidant species generation can cause damage to DNA and other macromolecules, affecting cell function and viability. Here we show that integrin-linked kinase (ILK) plays a key role in eliciting a protective response to oxidative damage in epidermal cells. Inactivation of the Ilk gene causes elevated levels of intracellular oxidant species (IOS) and DNA damage in the absence of exogenous oxidative insults. In ILK-deficient cells, excessive IOS production can be prevented through inhibition of NADPH oxidase activity, with a concomitant reduction in DNA damage. Additionally, ILK is necessary for DNA repair processes following UVB-induced damage, as ILK-deficient cells show a significantly impaired ability to remove cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers following irradiation. Thus, ILK is essential to maintain cellular redox balance and, in its absence, epidermal cells become more susceptible to oxidative damage through mechanisms that involve IOS production by NADPH oxidase activity.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Various Cyanohydrins Using Covalently Immobilized Preparations of Hydroxynitrile Lyase from Prunus dulcis.

PubMed

Alagöz, Dilek; Tükel, S Seyhan; Yildirim, Deniz

2015-11-01

The carrier-based and carrier-free (cross-linked enzyme aggregate) covalent immobilizations of Prunus dulcis hydroxynitrile lyase were investigated. The immobilized preparations were tested for enantioselective carbon-carbon bond formation activity in the biphasic medium. Of the tested preparations, only cross-linked enzyme aggregate of P. dulcis hydroxynitrile lyase (PdHNL-CLEA) achieved the synthesis of (R)-mandelonitrile with 93% yield and 99% enantiopurity. PdHNL-CLEA was also used in the synthesis of various (R)-cyanohydrins from corresponding aldehydes/ketones and hydrocyanic acid. When 4-methoxybenzaldehyde, 4-methyl benzaldehyde, and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde were used as substrates, the yield-enantiomeric excess of corresponding (R)-cyanohydrins were obtained as 95-95, 85-79, and 2-25%, respectively, after 96 h at pH 4.0 and 5 °C. For acetophenone, 4-fluoroacetophenone, 4-chloroacetophenone, 4-bromoacetophenone, and 4-iodoacetophenone, the yield-enantiomeric excess of corresponding (R)-cyanohydrins were 1-99, 20-84, 11-95, 5-99, and 3-24%, respectively at the same conditions. The results demonstrate PdHNL-CLEA can be effectively used in the synthesis of (R)-mandelonitrile.

Neurophysiological symptoms and aspartame: What is the connection?

PubMed

Choudhary, Arbind Kumar; Lee, Yeong Yeh

2018-06-01

Aspartame (α-aspartyl-l-phenylalanine-o-methyl ester), an artificial sweetener, has been linked to behavioral and cognitive problems. Possible neurophysiological symptoms include learning problems, headache, seizure, migraines, irritable moods, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. The consumption of aspartame, unlike dietary protein, can elevate the levels of phenylalanine and aspartic acid in the brain. These compounds can inhibit the synthesis and release of neurotransmitters, dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, which are known regulators of neurophysiological activity. Aspartame acts as a chemical stressor by elevating plasma cortisol levels and causing the production of excess free radicals. High cortisol levels and excess free radicals may increase the brains vulnerability to oxidative stress which may have adverse effects on neurobehavioral health. We reviewed studies linking neurophysiological symptoms to aspartame usage and conclude that aspartame may be responsible for adverse neurobehavioral health outcomes. Aspartame consumption needs to be approached with caution due to the possible effects on neurobehavioral health. Whether aspartame and its metabolites are safe for general consumption is still debatable due to a lack of consistent data. More research evaluating the neurobehavioral effects of aspartame are required.

Occupational risks for colon cancer in Sweden.

PubMed

Chow, W H; Malker, H S; Hsing, A W; McLaughlin, J K; Weiner, J A; Stone, B J; Ericsson, J L; Blot, W J

1994-06-01

Using the Cancer-Environment Registry of Sweden, which links census information (1960) with cancer incidence data (1961 to 1979), we conducted a systematic, population-based assessment of colon cancer incidence among cohorts defined by industry and occupation for all employed persons in Sweden. Small but statistically significant excesses of colon cancer were observed among white-collar occupations, including administrators, professionals, and clerical and sales workers, whereas a reduction in incidence was found among workers in agricultural and related jobs, such as farmers, fishermen, and hunters. Analysis by subsite within the colon revealed little difference in results. The observed risk patterns are consistent with previous reports on colon cancer risk and occupational physical activity levels, ie, elevated risk among sedentary white-collar workers and reduced risk among agricultural workers. Few craftsman and production processing jobs were linked to colon cancer, although statistically significant excesses were observed among shoe and leather workers, metal smiths, and foundry workers in the metal manufacturing industry. The findings indicate that occupation in general is likely to play a relatively small role in colon cancer etiology, with perhaps its major contribution an indirect one via physical activity.

Influenza A virus recycling revisited.

PubMed Central

Dowdle, W. R.

1999-01-01

Current textbooks link influenza pandemics to influenza A virus subtypes H2 (1889-91), H3 (1990), H1 (1918-20), H2 (1957-58) and H3 (1968), a pattern suggesting subtype recycling in humans. Since H1 reappeared in 1977, whatever its origin, some workers feel that H2 is the next pandemic candidate. This report reviews the publications on which the concept of influenza A virus subtype recycling is based and concludes that the data are inconsistent with the purported sequence of events. The three influenza pandemics prior to 1957-58 were linked with subtypes through retrospective studies of sera from the elderly, or through seroarchaeology. The pandemic seroarchaeological model for subtype H1 has been validated by the recent recovery of swine virus RNA fragments from persons who died from influenza in 1918. Application of the model to pre-existing H3 antibody among the elderly links the H3 subtype to the pandemic of 1889-91, not that of 1900 as popularly quoted. Application of the model to pre-existing H2 antibody among the elderly fails to confirm that this subtype caused a pandemic in the late 1800's, a finding which is consistent with age-related excess mortality patterns during the pandemics of 1957 (H2) and 1968 (H3). H2 variants should be included in pandemic planning for a number of reasons, but not because of evidence of recycling. It is not known when the next pandemic will occur or which of the 15 (or more) haemagglutinin subtypes will be involved. Effective global surveillance remains the key to influenza preparedness. PMID:10593030

Adherence to treatment with antipsychotic medication and health care costs among Medicaid beneficiaries with schizophrenia.

PubMed

Gilmer, Todd P; Dolder, Christian R; Lacro, Jonathan P; Folsom, David P; Lindamer, Laurie; Garcia, Piedad; Jeste, Dilip V

2004-04-01

The authors' goal was to evaluate the relationship between adherence to treatment with antipsychotic medication and health expenditures. A secondary objective was to identify risk factors predictive of nonadherence. Data included Medicaid eligibility and claims data from 1998 to 2000 for San Diego County, Calif. Pharmacy records were used to assess adherence to treatment with antipsychotic medication according to the cumulative possession ratio (the number of days medications were available for consumption divided by the number of days subjects were eligible for Medi-Cal). Regression models were used to examine risk factors, hospitalizations, and costs associated with nonadherence, partial adherence, adherence, and excess fills of antipsychotic medication. Forty-one percent of Medicaid beneficiaries with schizophrenia were found to be adherent to treatment with their antipsychotic medications: 24% were nonadherent, 16% were partially adherent, and 19% were excess fillers. Rates of psychiatric hospitalization were lower for those who were adherent (14%) than for those who were nonadherent (35%), partially adherent (24%), or had excess fills (25%). Rates of medical hospitalization were lower for those who were adherent (7%) than for those who were nonadherent (13%) or had excess fills (12%). Those who were adherent had significantly lower hospital costs than the other groups; pharmacy costs were higher among those who were adherent than among those who were nonadherent or partially adherent and were highest for excess fillers. Total costs for excess fillers (14,044 US dollars) were substantially higher than total costs for any other group. Despite the widespread use of atypical antipsychotic medications, alarmingly high rates of both underuse and excessive filling of antipsychotic prescriptions were found in Medicaid beneficiaries with schizophrenia. The high rates of antipsychotic nonadherence and associated negative consequences suggest interventions on multiple levels.

Soil conservation service curve number: How to take into account spatial and temporal variability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rianna, M.; Orlando, D.; Montesarchio, V.; Russo, F.; Napolitano, F.

2012-09-01

The most commonly used method to evaluate rainfall excess, is the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) runoff curve number model. This method is based on the determination of the CN valuethat is linked with a hydrological soil group, cover type, treatment, hydrologic condition and antecedent runoff condition. To calculate the antecedent runoff condition the standard procedure needs to calculate the rainfall over the entire basin during the five days previous to the beginning of the event in order to simulate and then to use that volume of rainfall to calculate the antecedent moisture condition (AMC). This is necessary in order to obtain the correct curve number value. The value of the modified parameter is then kept constant throughout the whole event. The aim of this work is to evaluate the possibility of improving the curve number method. The various assumptions are focused on modifying those related to rainfall and the determination of an AMC condition and their role in the determination of the value of the curve number parameter. In order to consider the spatial variability we assumed that the rainfall which influences the AMC and the CN value does not account for the rainfall over the entire basin, but for the rainfall within a single cell where the basin domain is discretized. Furthermore, in order to consider the temporal variability of rainfall we assumed that the value of the CN of the single cell is not maintained constant during the whole event, but instead varies throughout it according to the time interval used to define the AMC conditions.

The uses and abuses of Facebook: A review of Facebook addiction.

PubMed

Ryan, Tracii; Chester, Andrea; Reece, John; Xenos, Sophia

2014-09-01

Recent research suggests that use of social networking sites can be addictive for some individuals. Due to the link between motivations for media use and the development of addiction, this systematic review examines Facebook-related uses and gratifications research and Facebook addiction research. Searches of three large academic databases revealed 24 studies examining the uses and gratifications of Facebook, and nine studies of Facebook addiction. Comparison of uses and gratifications research reveals that the most popular mo- tives for Facebook use are relationship maintenance, passing time, entertainment, and companionship. These motivations may be related to Facebook addiction through use that is habitual, excessive, or motivated by a desire for mood alteration. Examination of Facebook addiction research indicates that Facebook use can become habitual or excessive, and some addicts use the site to escape from negative moods. However, examination of Facebook addic- tion measures highlights inconsistency in the field. There is some evidence to support the argument that uses and gratifications of Facebook are linked with Facebook addiction. Furthermore, it appears as if the social skill model of addiction may explain Facebook addiction, but inconsistency in the measurement of this condition limits the ability to provide conclusive arguments. This paper recommends that further research be performed to establish the links between uses and gratifications and Facebook addiction. Furthermore, in order to enhance the construct validity of Facebook addiction, researchers should take a more systematic approach to assessment.

Comparison of different sets of array configurations for multichannel 2D ERT acquisition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martorana, R.; Capizzi, P.; D'Alessandro, A.; Luzio, D.

2017-02-01

Traditional electrode arrays such Wenner-Schlumberger or dipole-dipole are still widely used thanks to their well-known properties but the array configurations are generally not optimized for multi-channel resistivity measures. Synthetic datasets relating to four different arrays, dipole-dipole (DD), pole-dipole (PD), Wenner-Schlumberger (WS) and a modified version of multiple gradient (MG), have been made for a systematic comparison between 2D resistivity models and their inverted images. Different sets of array configurations generated from simple combinations of geometric parameters (potential dipole lengths and dipole separation factors) were tested with synthetic and field data sets, even considering the influence of errors and the acquisition velocity. The purpose is to establish array configurations capable to provide reliable results but, at the same time, not involving excessive survey costs, even linked to the acquiring time and therefore to the number of current dipoles used. For DD, PD and WS arrays a progression of different datasets were considered increasing the number of current dipoles trying to get about the same amount of measures. A multi-coverage MG array configuration is proposed by increasing the lateral coverage and so the number of current dipoles. Noise simulating errors both on the electrode positions and on the electric potential was added. The array configurations have been tested on field data acquired in the landfill site of Bellolampo (Palermo, Italy), to detect and locate the leachate plumes and to identify the HDPE bottom of the landfill. The inversion results were compared using a quantitative analysis of data misfit, relative model resolution and model misfit. The results show that the trends of the first two parameters are linked on the array configuration and that a cumulative analysis of these parameters can help to choose the best array configuration in order to obtain a good resolution and reliability of a survey, according to generally short acquisition times.

The zinc dyshomeostasis hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease.

PubMed

Craddock, Travis J A; Tuszynski, Jack A; Chopra, Deepak; Casey, Noel; Goldstein, Lee E; Hameroff, Stuart R; Tanzi, Rudolph E

2012-01-01

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in the elderly. Hallmark AD neuropathology includes extracellular amyloid plaques composed largely of the amyloid-β protein (Aβ), intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) composed of hyper-phosphorylated microtubule-associated protein tau (MAP-tau), and microtubule destabilization. Early-onset autosomal dominant AD genes are associated with excessive Aβ accumulation, however cognitive impairment best correlates with NFTs and disrupted microtubules. The mechanisms linking Aβ and NFT pathologies in AD are unknown. Here, we propose that sequestration of zinc by Aβ-amyloid deposits (Aβ oligomers and plaques) not only drives Aβ aggregation, but also disrupts zinc homeostasis in zinc-enriched brain regions important for memory and vulnerable to AD pathology, resulting in intra-neuronal zinc levels, which are either too low, or excessively high. To evaluate this hypothesis, we 1) used molecular modeling of zinc binding to the microtubule component protein tubulin, identifying specific, high-affinity zinc binding sites that influence side-to-side tubulin interaction, the sensitive link in microtubule polymerization and stability. We also 2) performed kinetic modeling showing zinc distribution in extra-neuronal Aβ deposits can reduce intra-neuronal zinc binding to microtubules, destabilizing microtubules. Finally, we 3) used metallomic imaging mass spectrometry (MIMS) to show anatomically-localized and age-dependent zinc dyshomeostasis in specific brain regions of Tg2576 transgenic, mice, a model for AD. We found excess zinc in brain regions associated with memory processing and NFT pathology. Overall, we present a theoretical framework and support for a new theory of AD linking extra-neuronal Aβ amyloid to intra-neuronal NFTs and cognitive dysfunction. The connection, we propose, is based on β-amyloid-induced alterations in zinc ion concentration inside neurons affecting stability of polymerized microtubules, their binding to MAP-tau, and molecular dynamics involved in cognition. Further, our theory supports novel AD therapeutic strategies targeting intra-neuronal zinc homeostasis and microtubule dynamics to prevent neurodegeneration and cognitive decline.

5 CFR 551.511 - Hourly regular rate of pay.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... remuneration paid to an employee in the workweek by the total number of hours of work in the workweek for which... of work performed by an employee in excess of eight in a day, or in excess of the normal workweek applicable to the employee; (6) Extra compensation provided by a premium rate paid for hours of work...

41 CFR 102-36.235 - What information do we provide when reporting excess personal property?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 3 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false What information do we provide when reporting excess personal property? 102-36.235 Section 102-36.235 Public Contracts and... Julian date). (3) 4-digit Federal Supply Class (use National Stock Number whenever available). (4...

Modeling the demand-price relations in a high-frequency foreign exchange market

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmidt, Anatoly B.

1999-09-01

A stochastic nonlinear dynamics model is introduced in terms of observable variables (price and excess demand assumed to be proportional to the number of buyers) to describe a high-frequency foreign exchange market. It is shown how the fundamentalist and chartist patterns of the trader behavior affect the correlation between excess demand and exchange rates.

Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Model To Evaluate Intramuscular Tetracycline Treatment Protocols To Prevent Antimicrobial Resistance in Pigs

PubMed Central

Ahmad, Amais; Græsbøll, Kaare; Christiansen, Lasse Engbo; Toft, Nils; Matthews, Louise

2014-01-01

High instances of antimicrobial resistance are linked to both routine and excessive antimicrobial use, but excessive or inappropriate use represents an unnecessary risk. The competitive growth advantages of resistant bacteria may be amplified by the strain dynamics; in particular, the extent to which resistant strains outcompete susceptible strains under antimicrobial pressure may depend not only on the antimicrobial treatment strategies but also on the epidemiological parameters, such as the composition of the bacterial strains in a pig. This study evaluated how variation in the dosing protocol for intramuscular administration of tetracycline and the composition of bacterial strains in a pig affect the level of resistance in the intestine of a pig. Predictions were generated by a mathematical model of competitive growth of Escherichia coli strains in pigs under specified plasma concentration profiles of tetracycline. All dosing regimens result in a clear growth advantage for resistant strains. Short treatment duration was found to be preferable, since it allowed less time for resistant strains to outcompete the susceptible ones. Dosing frequency appeared to be ineffective at reducing the resistance levels. The number of competing strains had no apparent effect on the resistance level during treatment, but possession of fewer strains reduced the time to reach equilibrium after the end of treatment. To sum up, epidemiological parameters may have more profound influence on growth dynamics than dosing regimens and should be considered when designing improved treatment protocols. PMID:25547361

The relationship of silicone breast implants and cancer at other sites.

PubMed

Brinton, Louise A

2007-12-01

Although most attention regarding the effects of silicone breast implants on cancer risk has focused on breast cancer, there have also been concerns regarding effects on other cancers. This includes malignancies that could occur as a result of foreign-body carcinogenesis (sarcomas) or immune alterations (hematopoietic malignancies), or cancers suggested as possibly elevated on the basis of previous epidemiologic studies (cancers of the cervix, vulva, lung, and brain). Searches of the English language literature on the topic of silicone breast implants and cancer risk were conducted and reviewed to determine relationships that might have etiologic relevance. Epidemiologic studies provide no support for an increased risk of either sarcoma or multiple myeloma among breast implant recipients, disputing clinical and laboratory findings suggesting such a link. Although a number of epidemiologic studies have demonstrated elevated risks of cervical, vulvar, and lung cancers among breast implant patients, it is likely that these excesses relate more to lifestyle characteristics (e.g., cigarette smoking, sexual behavior) than to the effects of the implants. Brain cancer excesses, suggested in one study, have not been confirmed in either an update of the mortality experience in this study or on the basis of other investigations. At present, there is no convincing evidence that breast implants alter the risk of nonbreast malignancies. Breast implant patients should continue to be monitored for longer term risks and to assess whether cancer risk is influenced by various patient and implant characteristics.

Preventable hospitalizations, barriers to care, and disability.

PubMed

Pezzin, Liliana E; Bogner, Hillary R; Kurichi, Jibby E; Kwong, Pui L; Streim, Joel E; Xie, Dawei; Na, Ling; Hennessy, Sean

2018-05-01

The AHRQ's Prevention Quality Indicators assume inpatient hospitalizations for certain conditions, referred as ambulatory-care sensitive (ACS) conditions, are potentially preventable and may indicate reduced access to and a lower quality of ambulatory care. Using a cohort drawn from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) linked to Medicare claims, we examined the extent to which barriers to healthcare are associated with ACS hospitalizations and related costs, and whether these associations differ by beneficiaries' disability status. Our results indicate that the regression-adjusted cost of ACS hospitalizations for elderly Medicare beneficiaries with no disabilities was $799. This cost increased six-fold, by $5148, among beneficiaries with mild disability, by $9045 for beneficiaries with moderate disability, by $5513 for those with severe disability, and by $8557 for persons with complete disability (P < 0.001). Persons reporting having foregone or delayed needed medical care because of financial difficulties (+$2082, P = .05), those experiencing low satisfaction with care coordination (+$1714, P = .01), and those reporting low satisfaction with access to care (+$1237, P = .02) also incurred significant excess ACS hospitalization costs relative to persons reporting no such barriers. This pattern held true for those with and without a disability, but were especially marked among persons with no functional limitations. These findings suggest that a better understanding of how public policy might effectively improve care coordination and reduce financial barriers to care is essential to formulating programs that reduce excess hospitalizations among the large and growing number of elderly Medicare beneficiaries.

Tactical Decision Aids High Bandwidth Links Using Autonomous Vehicles

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-01-01

1 Tactical Decision Aids (High Bandwidth Links Using Autonomous Vehicles ) A. J. Healey, D. P. Horner, Center for Autonomous Underwater Vehicle...SUBTITLE Tactical Decision Aids (High Bandwidth Links Using Autonomous Vehicles ) 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6

Predictors of excessive use of social media and excessive online gaming in Czech teenagers.

PubMed

Spilková, Jana; Chomynová, Pavla; Csémy, Ladislav

2017-12-01

Background and aims Young people's involvement in online gaming and the use of social media are increasing rapidly, resulting in a high number of excessive Internet users in recent years. The objective of this paper is to analyze the situation of excessive Internet use among adolescents in the Czech Republic and to reveal determinants of excessive use of social media and excessive online gaming. Methods Data from secondary school students (N = 4,887) were collected within the 2015 European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs. Logistic regression models were constructed to describe the individual and familial discriminative factors and the impact of the health risk behavior of (a) excessive users of social media and (b) excessive players of online games. Results The models confirmed important gender-specific distinctions - while girls are more prone to online communication and social media use, online gaming is far more prevalent among boys. The analysis did not indicate an influence of family composition on both the excessive use of social media and on excessive online gaming, and only marginal effects for the type of school attended. We found a connection between the excessive use of social media and binge drinking and an inverse relation between excessive online gaming and daily smoking. Discussion and conclusion The non-existence of significant associations between family environment and excessive Internet use confirmed the general, widespread of this phenomenon across the social and economic strata of the teenage population, indicating a need for further studies on the topic.

A robust signalling system for land mobile satellite services

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Irish, Dale; Shmith, Gary; Hart, Nick; Wines, Marie

1989-01-01

Presented here is a signalling system optimized to ensure expedient call set-up for satellite telephony services in a land mobile environment. In a land mobile environment, the satellite to mobile link is subject to impairments from multipath and shadowing phenomena, which result in signal amplitude and phase variations. Multipath, caused by signal scattering and reflections, results in sufficient link margin to compensate for these variations. Direct signal attenuation caused by shadowing due to buildings and vegetation may result in attenuation values in excess of 10 dB and commonly up to 20 dB. It is not practical to provide a link with sufficient margin to enable communication when the signal is blocked. When a moving vehicle passes these obstacles, the link will experience rapid changes in signal strength due to shadowing. Using statistical models of attenuation as a function of distance travelled, a communication strategy has been defined for the land mobile environment.

Impact of nonlinearity phenomenon FWM in DWDM optical link considering dispersive fiber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Puche, William S.; Amaya, Ferney O.; Sierra, Javier E.

2013-12-01

The increasing demand of network traffic requires new research centers; improve their communications networks, due to the excessive use of mobile and portable devices wanting to have greater access to the network by downloading interactive content quickly and effectively. For our case analyze optical network link through simulation results assuming a DWDM (Dense wavelength Division Multiplexing) optical link, considering the nonlinearity phenomenon FWM (Four Mixed Wavelength) in order to compare their performance, assuming transmission bit rates to 2.5 Gbps and 10 Gbps, using three primary wavelengths of 1450 nm, 1550 nm and 1650 nm for the transmission of information, whose separation is 100 GHz to generate 16 channels or user information. Tests were conducted to analyze optical amplifiers EDFAs link robustness at a maximum distance of 200 km and identify parameters OSNR, SNR and BER, for a robust and effective transmission

The increasing racial disparity in infant mortality rates: composition and contributors to recent US trends.

PubMed

Alexander, Greg R; Wingate, Martha S; Bader, Deren; Kogan, Michael D

2008-01-01

We examined trends in birthweight-gestational age distributions and related infant mortality for African American and white women and calculated the estimated excess annual number of African American infant deaths. Live births to US-resident mothers with a maternal race of white or African American were selected from the National Center for Health Statistics' linked live birth-infant death cohort files (1985-1988 and 1995-2000). The racial disparity in infant mortality widened despite an increasing rate of white low-birthweight infants. White preterm infants had relatively greater gains in survival and the white advantage in survival at term increased. Annually, African American women experience approximately 3300 more infant deaths than would be expected. The increasing US racial disparity in infant mortality is largely influenced by changes in birthweight-gestational age-specific mortality, rather than the birthweight-gestational age distribution. Improvement in the survival of white preterm and low-birthweight infants, probably reflecting advances in and changing access to medical technology, contributed appreciably to this trend.

Market-implied spread for earthquake CAT bonds: financial implications of engineering decisions.

PubMed

Damnjanovic, Ivan; Aslan, Zafer; Mander, John

2010-12-01

In the event of natural and man-made disasters, owners of large-scale infrastructure facilities (assets) need contingency plans to effectively restore the operations within the acceptable timescales. Traditionally, the insurance sector provides the coverage against potential losses. However, there are many problems associated with this traditional approach to risk transfer including counterparty risk and litigation. Recently, a number of innovative risk mitigation methods, termed alternative risk transfer (ART) methods, have been introduced to address these problems. One of the most important ART methods is catastrophe (CAT) bonds. The objective of this article is to develop an integrative model that links engineering design parameters with financial indicators including spread and bond rating. The developed framework is based on a four-step structural loss model and transformed survival model to determine expected excess returns. We illustrate the framework for a seismically designed bridge using two unique CAT bond contracts. The results show a nonlinear relationship between engineering design parameters and market-implied spread. © 2010 Society for Risk Analysis.

Impact on the Japanese atomic bomb survivors of radiation received from the bombs.

PubMed

Cullings, Harry M

2014-02-01

The Radiation Effects Research Foundation (RERF) studies various cohorts of Japanese atomic bomb survivors, the largest being the Life Span Study (LSS), which includes 93,741 persons who were in Hiroshima or Nagasaki at the times of the bombings; there are also cohorts of persons who were exposed in utero and survivors' children. This presentation attempts to summarize the total impact of the radiation from the bombs on the survivors from both an individual perspective (both age-specific and integrated lifetime risk, along with a measure of life expectancy that describes how the risk affects the individual given age at exposure) and a group perspective (estimated numbers of excess occurrences in the cohort), including both early and late effects. As survivors' doses ranged well into the acutely lethal range at closer distances, some of them experienced acute signs and symptoms of radiation exposure in addition to being at risk of late effects. Although cancer has always been a primary concern among late effects, estimated numbers of excess cancers and hematopoietic malignancies in the LSS are a small fraction of the total due to the highly skewed dose distribution, with most survivors receiving small doses. For example, in the latest report on cancer incidence, 853 of 17,448 incident solid cancers were estimated to be attributable to radiation from the bombs. RERF research indicates that risk of radiation-associated cancer varies among sites and that some benign tumors such as uterine myoma are also associated with radiation. Noncancer late effects appear to be in excess in proportion to radiation dose but with an excess relative risk about one-third that of solid cancer and a correspondingly small overall fraction of cases attributable to radiation. Specific risks were found for some subcategories, particularly circulatory disease, including stroke and precedent conditions such as hypertension. Radiation-related cataract in the atomic bomb survivors is well known, with evidence in recent years of risk at lower dose levels than previously appreciated. In addition to somatic effects, survivors experienced psychosocial effects such as uncertainty, social stigma, or rejection, and other social pressures. Developmental deficits associated with in utero exposure, notably cognitive impairment, have also been described. Interaction of radiation with other risk factors has been demonstrated in relation to both cancer and noncancer diseases. Current research interests include whether radiation increases risk of diabetes or conditions of the eye apart from cataract, and there continues to be keen interest as to whether there are heritable effects in survivors' children, despite negative findings to date. Introduction of Impact on the Japanese Atomic- Bomb Survivors (Video 1:52, http://links.lww.com/HP/A29).

Should excessive worry be required for a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder? Results from the US National Comorbidity Survey Replication.

PubMed

Ruscio, Ayelet Meron; Lane, Michael; Roy-Byrne, Peter; Stang, Paul E; Stein, Dan J; Wittchen, Hans-Ulrich; Kessler, Ronald C

2005-12-01

Excessive worry is required by DSM-IV, but not ICD-10, for a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). No large-scale epidemiological study has ever examined the implications of this requirement for estimates of prevalence, severity, or correlates of GAD. Data were analyzed from the US National Comorbidity Survey Replication, a nationally representative, face-to-face survey of adults in the USA household population that was fielded in 2001-2003. DSM-IV GAD was assessed with Version 3.0 of the WHO Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Non-excessive worriers meeting all other DSM-IV criteria for GAD were compared with respondents who met full GAD criteria as well as with other survey respondents to consider the implications of removing the excessiveness requirement. The estimated lifetime prevalence of GAD increases by approximately 40% when the excessiveness requirement is removed. Excessive GAD begins earlier in life, has a more chronic course, and is associated with greater symptom severity and psychiatric co-morbidity than non-excessive GAD. However, non-excessive cases nonetheless evidence substantial persistence and impairment of GAD, high rates of treatment-seeking, and significantly elevated co-morbidity compared with respondents without GAD. Non-excessive cases also have sociodemographic characteristics and familial aggregation of GAD comparable to excessive cases. Individuals who meet all criteria for GAD other than excessiveness have a somewhat milder presentation than those with excessive worry, yet resemble excessive worriers in a number of important ways. These findings challenge the validity of the excessiveness requirement and highlight the need for further research into the optimal definition of GAD.

Overnutrition, mTOR signaling, and cardiovascular diseases

PubMed Central

Jia, Guanghong; Aroor, Annayya R.; Martinez-Lemus, Luis A.

2014-01-01

The prevalence of obesity and associated medical disorders has increased dramatically in the United States and throughout much of the world in the past decade. Obesity, induced by excess intake of carbohydrates and fats, is a major cause of Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and the cardiorenal metabolic syndrome. There is emerging evidence that excessive nutrient intake promotes signaling through the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), which, in turn, may lead to alterations of cellular metabolic signaling leading to insulin resistance and obesity-related diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular and kidney disease, as well as cancer. While the pivotal role of mTOR signaling in regulating metabolic stress, autophagy, and adaptive immune responses has received increasing attention, there remain many gaps in our knowledge regarding this important nutrient sensor. For example, the precise cellular signaling mechanisms linking excessive nutrient intake and enhanced mTOR signaling with increased cardiovascular and kidney disease, as well as cancer, are not well understood. In this review, we focus on the effects that the interaction between excess intake of nutrients and enhanced mTOR signaling have on the promotion of obesity-associated diseases and potential therapeutic strategies involving targeting mTOR signaling. PMID:25253086

Family bonding and adolescent alcohol use: moderating effect of living with excessive drinking parents.

PubMed

Kuendig, Hervé; Kuntsche, Emmanuel

2006-01-01

Excessive parental drinking has been shown to be positively related to adolescent alcohol use and family bonding negatively related. The aim of the present study was to determine if the perception of parental drinking moderates the relationship between family bonding and adolescent alcohol use. Linear structural equation models for multiple group comparisons were estimated based on a national representative sample of 3,448 eight and ninth graders in Switzerland (mean age 14.77; SD 0.89). Adjusted for gender and age, the results confirm that strong family bonds were negatively related to both frequency of alcohol intake and lifetime frequency of drunkenness. Furthermore, a positive link was found with regard to the perception of parental drinking. However, the multiple group comparison revealed that the negative relationship between bonding and adolescent alcohol use was even stronger among adolescents whose parents drink excessively than among those whose parents did not. These results indicate that it may be particularly important for parents in the former category to establish strong family bonds (e.g. by spending free time with their children, listening to their worries) so as to limit adolescent excessive drinking.

Contributors to Excess Infant Mortality in the U.S. South

PubMed Central

Hirai, Ashley H.; Sappenfield, William M.; Kogan, Michael D.; Barfield, Wanda D.; Goodman, David A.; Ghandour, Reem M.; Lu, Michael C.

2015-01-01

Background Infant mortality rates (IMRs) are disproportionally high in the U.S. South; however, the proximate contributors that could inform regional action remain unclear. Purpose To quantify the components of excess infant mortality in the U.S. South by maternal race/ethnicity, underlying cause of death, and gestational age. Methods U.S. Period Linked Birth/Infant Death Data Files 2007–2009 (analyzed in 2013) were used to compare IMRs between the South (U.S. Public Health Regions IV and VI) and all other regions combined. Results Compared to other regions, there were 1.18 excess infant deaths per 1000 live births in the South, representing about 1600 excess infant deaths annually. New Mexico and Texas did not have elevated IMRs relative to other regions; excess death rates among other states ranged from 0.62 per 1000 in Kentucky to 3.82 per 1000 in Mississippi. Racial/ethnic compositional differences, generally the greater proportion of non-Hispanic black births in the South, explained 59% of the overall regional difference; the remainder was mostly explained by higher IMRs among non-Hispanic whites. The leading causes of excess Southern infant mortality were sudden unexpected infant death (SUID; 36%, range=12% in Florida to 90% in Kentucky) and preterm-related death (22%, range=−71% in Kentucky to 51% in North Carolina). Higher rates of preterm birth, predominantly <34 weeks, accounted for most of the preterm contribution. Conclusions To reduce excess Southern infant mortality, comprehensive strategies addressing SUID and preterm birth prevention for both non-Hispanic black and white births are needed, with state-level findings used to tailor state-specific efforts. PMID:24512860

Excess spontaneous emission in non-Hermitian optical systems. II. Laser oscillators

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

Siegman, A.E.

1989-02-01

When the Petermann excess-spontaneous-emission factor described in the accompanying paper (Siegman, preceding paper, Phys. Rev. A 39, 1253 (1989)) is taken into account, we find that the quantum-noise fluctuations or Schawlow-Townes fluctuations in the output spectrum of a laser oscillator will be multiplied by this excess noise factor. The excess spontaneous emission in a laser oscillator cannot be canceled by adjoint-mode-excitation techniques as it can be in a laser amplifier. The resulting noise enhancement can be very sizable (100 to 1000 times or more) in gain-guided laser oscillators, and especially in laser oscillators using geometrically unstable cavities with moderate tomore » high magnifications and Fresnel numbers.« less

Comments received on excess deaths from restricting Medicaid funds for abortions.

PubMed

Wallenstein, S

1978-03-01

Methodological errors inherent in an article by D.B. Petitti and W. Cates (American Journal of Public Health 67:860-862, 1977) on projecting excess maternal mortality resulting from restriction of Medicaid funds for abortion are cited. It is claimed that the authors' mortality estimates are too high because they failed to correct for other early-pregnancy-related mortality risks occurring prior to a planned abortion. To calculate excess risk, the risk for Medicaid patients who abort must be subtracted from non-pregnancy-related maternal mortality rates. Analysis of gestation-age-specific nonabortion maternal mortality can be used to indicate excess maternal mortality for Medicaid recipients choosing abortion, as well as the increased number of deaths due to the postponement of abortion.

Lipogenic-associated gene activity of adipose tissue from beef heifers and relation to production and reproductive traits

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Transition from adolescence to puberty is marked by changes in metabolic activity. Fatty acid synthase (FASN) catalyzes the de novo synthesis of fatty acids and increased expression has been linked to excess energy intake and obesity. The enzyme, DNA-protein kinase (DNA-PK) plays a role in DNA damag...

Teaching Persuasive Argument Essay Writing to Adolescent English Language Learners through the "Reading to Learn" Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ramos, Kathleen Ann

2012-01-01

A persistent achievement gap exists between the steadily growing population of adolescent English language learners (ELLs) in K-12 public schools and their native English-speaking peers. Unsurprisingly, the underachievement of this population of students is linked to an excessively high dropout rate among adolescent ELLs across the nation. Current…

Recent Research on Eating Disorders and Body Image Distortion among Aerobic Instructors and Exercise Participants.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moriarty, Dick; And Others

This document reviews the research linking excessive exercise with eating disorders. Seven steps are listed that an individual follows in going from someone who starts out using exercise and aerobic dance as a stress management technique or a hobby to becoming an exercise dependent individual with addictive behavior. Studies are reviewed, the…

Potential link between excess added sugar intake and ectopic fat: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Context: The effect of added sugar intake on ectopic fat accumulation is a subject of debate. Objective: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to examine the potential effect of added sugar intake on ectopic fat depots. Data Sources: MEDLINE, CA...

Changes of blood parameters associated with bone remodeling following experimentally induced fatty liver disorder in laying hens

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Studies have demonstrated that obesity and osteoporosis are two linked disorders in humans. This study examined if excessive lipid consumption affects bone metabolism in laying hens. One hundred 63-week-old laying hens were randomly divided into two treatments, i.e., fed with a regular diet (control...

Excess centrosomes perturb dynamic endothelial cell repolarization during blood vessel formation

PubMed Central

Kushner, Erich J.; Ferro, Luke S.; Yu, Zhixian; Bautch, Victoria L.

2016-01-01

Blood vessel formation requires dynamic movements of endothelial cells (ECs) within sprouts. The cytoskeleton regulates migratory polarity, and centrosomes organize the microtubule cytoskeleton. However, it is not well understood how excess centrosomes, commonly found in tumor stromal cells, affect microtubule dynamics and interphase cell polarity. Here we find that ECs dynamically repolarize during sprouting angiogenesis, and excess centrosomes block repolarization and reduce migration and sprouting. ECs with excess centrosomes initially had more centrosome-derived microtubules but, paradoxically, fewer steady-state microtubules. ECs with excess centrosomes had elevated Rac1 activity, and repolarization was rescued by blockade of Rac1 or actomyosin blockers, consistent with Rac1 activity promoting cortical retrograde actin flow and actomyosin contractility, which precludes cortical microtubule engagement necessary for dynamic repolarization. Thus normal centrosome numbers are required for dynamic repolarization and migration of sprouting ECs that contribute to blood vessel formation. PMID:27099371

Thermal dileptons in high-energy nuclear collisions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Damjanovic, Sanja

2009-04-01

Clear signs of excess dileptons above the known sources have been found at the SPS for a long time. However, a real clarification of these observations was only recently achieved by NA60, measuring dimuons with unprecedented precision in 158A GeV In-In collisions. The excess mass spectrum in the region M<1 GeV is consistent with a dominant contribution from π+π-→ρ→μ+μ- annihilation. The associated ρ spectral function shows a strong broadening, but essentially no shift in mass. In the region M>1 GeV, the excess is found to be prompt, not due to enhanced charm production. The inverse slope parameter T associated with the transverse momentum spectra rises with mass up to the ρ, followed by a sudden decline above. While the initial rise, coupled to a hierarchy in hadron freeze-out, points to radial flow of a hadronic decay source, the decline above signals a transition to a low-flow source, presumably of partonic origin. The mass spectra show a steep rise towards low masses characteristic of Planck-like radiation. The polarization of the excess referred to the Collins Soper frame is found to be isotropic. All observations are consistent with a global interpretation of the excess as thermal radiation. We conclude with a short discussion of a possible link to direct photons.

National data showed that delayed sleep in six-year-old children was associated with excessive use of electronic devices at 12 years.

PubMed

Kato, Tsuguhiko; Yorifuji, Takashi; Yamakawa, Michiyo; Inoue, Sachiko

2018-01-31

Cross-sectional studies have shown associations between adolescent sleep problems and the use of electronic devices, such as mobile phones, but longitudinal studies remain scarce. We explored any association between delayed bedtimes at six years old and the excessive use of electronic devices at 12 years of age. Texting was a prime focus. We analysed 9607 adolescents who owned mobile phones in 2013 using the Japanese Longitudinal Survey of Newborns in the 21st Century, which started in 2001. The outcomes were daily excessive use of a mobile phone, television (TV) and video games. Delayed bedtime at the age of six years was associated with excessive texting at weekends. The adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals obtained from logistic regression analyses were 1.88 (1.14-3.10) for the 10-11 pm group and 1.98 (1.08-3.63) for the after 11 pm group, compared with the before 9 pm group. Later bedtimes were also associated with increased risks of excessive TV viewing and video game use. Our study indicated that six-year-olds who regularly stayed up late at night used electronic devices more frequently, or for longer, at the age of 12. Parents need to be more aware of links between sleep issues and electronic devices. ©2018 Foundation Acta Paediatrica. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Gas swallow during meals in patients with excessive belching.

PubMed

Caballero, N; Serra, J

2017-09-01

Swallowed gas is an important source of abdominal gas, and aerophagia is often believed as a putative cause of gas-related abdominal symptoms. However, altered gas-swallow during meals has not been demonstrated. Our aim was to characterize the number of gas swallows during meals in patients complaining of excessive belching and gaseousness and a control group without abdominal symptoms during a 24-h period. A 24-h pH-impedance monitoring was performed in 10 patients with excessive belching, and 11 patients without digestive symptoms or reflux in the pH-impedance study. During the study, patients followed their daily routine and customary meals, without any specific limitation. In each patient the number and content of swallows and belches were analyzed. Total meal periods were similar in controls (75±26 min) and patients (79±21 min; P=.339), but the number of gaseous swallows was greater in patients (114±13 swallows) than controls (71±8 swallows; P=.007), due to a greater frequency of gaseous swallows during meals (15±2 swallows/10 min vs 10±1 swallows/10 min, respectively; P=.008). During the 24-h study period, 66±13 belches were recorded in patients, but only 13±3 belches in controls (P<.001), mainly gastric belches (80±4% and 92±2% of belches, patients, and controls, respectively) which showed a good correlation with the number of gaseous swallows performed during meals (r=.756; P=.011). Gas is frequently swallowed during meals. Patients complaining of excessive belching have a different swallow pattern during meals, with an increased ingestion of gas that correlates with increased gastric belching events. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

78 FR 9454 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Information Collection Tools

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-08

... other than the food and beverage industry and the gaming industry; and Notice 2006-97, Taxation and...: Taxation and Reporting of REIT Excess Inclusion Income. OMB Number: 1545-2036. Form Number: Notice 2006-97...

Programming of Fetal Insulin Resistance in Pregnancies with Maternal Obesity by ER Stress and Inflammation

PubMed Central

Sáez, Pablo J.; Villalobos-Labra, Roberto; Farías-Jofré, Marcelo

2014-01-01

The global epidemics of obesity during pregnancy and excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) are major public health problems worldwide. Obesity and excessive GWG are related to several maternal and fetal complications, including diabetes (pregestational and gestational diabetes) and intrauterine programming of insulin resistance (IR). Maternal obesity (MO) and neonatal IR are associated with long-term development of obesity, diabetes mellitus, and increased global cardiovascular risk in the offspring. Multiple mechanisms of insulin signaling pathway impairment have been described in obese individuals, involving complex interactions of chronically elevated inflammatory mediators, adipokines, and the critical role of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-dependent unfolded protein response (UPR). However, the underlying cellular processes linking MO and IR in the offspring have not been fully elucidated. Here, we summarize the state-of-the-art evidence supporting the possibility that adverse metabolic postnatal outcomes such as IR in the offspring of pregnancies with MO and/or excessive GWG may be related to intrauterine activation of ER stress response. PMID:25093191

The Role of Organelle Stresses in Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity: Implication for Treatment

PubMed Central

Chang, Yi-Cheng; Hee, Siow-Wey; Hsieh, Meng-Lun; Chuang, Lee-Ming

2015-01-01

The type 2 diabetes pandemic in recent decades is a huge global health threat. This pandemic is primarily attributed to the surplus of nutrients and the increased prevalence of obesity worldwide. In contrast, calorie restriction and weight reduction can drastically prevent type 2 diabetes, indicating a central role of nutrient excess in the development of diabetes. Recently, the molecular links between excessive nutrients, organelle stress, and development of metabolic disease have been extensively studied. Specifically, excessive nutrients trigger endoplasmic reticulum stress and increase the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, leading to activation of stress signaling pathway, inflammatory response, lipogenesis, and pancreatic beta-cell death. Autophagy is required for clearance of hepatic lipid clearance, alleviation of pancreatic beta-cell stress, and white adipocyte differentiation. ROS scavengers, chemical chaperones, and autophagy activators have demonstrated promising effects for the treatment of insulin resistance and diabetes in preclinical models. Further results from clinical trials are eagerly awaited. PMID:26613076

Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Phenotypes Using Updated Criteria for Polycystic Ovarian Morphology

PubMed Central

Clark, Nina M.; Podolski, Amanda J.; Brooks, Eric D.; Chizen, Donna R.; Pierson, Roger A.; Lehotay, Denis C.

2014-01-01

The prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and its distinct clinical phenotypes were assessed using 3 sets of international diagnostic criteria in women self-reporting concerns over outward features of PCOS. Revised ultrasonographic criteria for polycystic ovaries (PCO) based on modern ultrasound technology were used. Of the participants, 53%, 62%, and 70% were diagnosed with PCOS using National Institutes of Health, Androgen Excess and PCOS Society, and Rotterdam criteria, respectively. Prevalence of Frank, Ovulatory, Normoandrogenic, and Non-PCO PCOS were 66%, 13%, 11%, and 9%, respectively. Frank PCOS was associated with the severest metabolic disturbances whereas metabolic profiles in Normoandrogenic PCOS did not differ from controls, supporting reduced health risks in women without androgen excess. Metabolic disturbances and hyperandrogenism were linked to excess adiposity across all the groups. Using updated criteria for PCO, the prevalence of Non-PCO PCOS and PCO alone in healthy women recruited from the general population was reduced compared to the previous reports. PMID:24520081

Cancer incidence among union carpenters in New Jersey.

PubMed

Dement, John; Pompeii, Lisa; Lipkus, Isaac M; Samsa, Gregory P

2003-10-01

A cohort of 13,354 male union carpenters in New Jersey was linked to cancer registry data to investigate cancer incidence during 1979 through 2000. Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results data were used to calculate standardized incidence ratios (SIRs). A total of 592 incident cancers were observed among this cohort (SIR=1.07), which was not statistically in excess. However, significant excesses were observed for cancers of the digestive system and peritoneum (SIR=1.24) and the respiratory system (SIR=1.52). Workers in the union more than 30 years were at significant risk for cancers of the digestive organs and peritoneum (SIR=3.98), rectum (SIR=4.85), trachea, bronchus, and lung (SIR=4.56), and other parts of the respiratory system (SIR=11.00). Testicular cancer was significantly in excess (SIR=2.48) in analyses that lagged results 15 years from initial union membership. Additional etiologic research is needed to evaluate possible occupational and nonoccupational risk factors for testicular cancer.

MECHANISMS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY: The sexually dimorphic role of androgens in human metabolic disease.

PubMed

Schiffer, Lina; Kempegowda, Punith; Arlt, Wiebke; O'Reilly, Michael W

2017-09-01

Female androgen excess and male androgen deficiency manifest with an overlapping adverse metabolic phenotype, including abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Here, we review the impact of androgens on metabolic target tissues in an attempt to unravel the complex mechanistic links with metabolic dysfunction; we also evaluate clinical studies examining the associations between metabolic disease and disorders of androgen metabolism in men and women. We conceptualise that an equilibrium between androgen effects on adipose tissue and skeletal muscle underpins the metabolic phenotype observed in female androgen excess and male androgen deficiency. Androgens induce adipose tissue dysfunction, with effects on lipid metabolism, insulin resistance and fat mass expansion, while anabolic effects on skeletal muscle may confer metabolic benefits. We hypothesise that serum androgen concentrations observed in female androgen excess and male hypogonadism are metabolically disadvantageous, promoting adipose and liver lipid accumulation, central fat mass expansion and insulin resistance. © 2017 The authors.

MECHANISMS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY: The sexually dimorphic role of androgens in human metabolic disease

PubMed Central

Schiffer, Lina; Kempegowda, Punith; Arlt, Wiebke

2017-01-01

Female androgen excess and male androgen deficiency manifest with an overlapping adverse metabolic phenotype, including abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Here, we review the impact of androgens on metabolic target tissues in an attempt to unravel the complex mechanistic links with metabolic dysfunction; we also evaluate clinical studies examining the associations between metabolic disease and disorders of androgen metabolism in men and women. We conceptualise that an equilibrium between androgen effects on adipose tissue and skeletal muscle underpins the metabolic phenotype observed in female androgen excess and male androgen deficiency. Androgens induce adipose tissue dysfunction, with effects on lipid metabolism, insulin resistance and fat mass expansion, while anabolic effects on skeletal muscle may confer metabolic benefits. We hypothesise that serum androgen concentrations observed in female androgen excess and male hypogonadism are metabolically disadvantageous, promoting adipose and liver lipid accumulation, central fat mass expansion and insulin resistance. PMID:28566439

The relationship between job satisfaction and health: a meta-analysis.

PubMed

Faragher, E B; Cass, M; Cooper, C L

2005-02-01

A vast number of published studies have suggested a link between job satisfaction levels and health. The sizes of the relationships reported vary widely. Narrative overviews of this relationship have been published, but no systematic meta-analysis review has been conducted. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 485 studies with a combined sample size of 267 995 individuals was conducted, evaluating the research evidence linking self-report measures of job satisfaction to measures of physical and mental wellbeing. The overall correlation combined across all health measures was r = 0.312 (0.370 after Schmidt-Hunter adjustment). Job satisfaction was most strongly associated with mental/psychological problems; strongest relationships were found for burnout (corrected r = 0.478), self-esteem(r = 0.429), depression (r = 0.428), and anxiety(r = 0.420). The correlation with subjective physical illness was more modest (r = 0.287). Correlations in excess of 0.3 are rare in this context. The relationships found suggest that job satisfaction level is an important factor influencing the health of workers. Organisations should include the development of stress management policies to identify and eradicate work practices that cause most job dissatisfaction as part of any exercise aimed at improving employee health. Occupational health clinicians should consider counselling employees diagnosed as having psychological problems to critically evaluate their work-and help them to explore ways of gaining greater satisfaction from this important aspect of their life.

Human perinatal immunity in physiological conditions and during infection.

PubMed

van Well, Gijs T J; Daalderop, Leonie A; Wolfs, Tim; Kramer, Boris W

2017-12-01

The intrauterine environment was long considered sterile. However, several infectious threats are already present during fetal life. This review focuses on the postnatal immunological consequences of prenatal exposure to microorganisms and related inflammatory stimuli. Both the innate and adaptive immune systems of the fetus and neonate are immature, which makes them highly susceptible to infections. There is good evidence that prenatal infections are a primary cause of preterm births. Additionally, the association between antenatal inflammation and adverse neonatal outcomes has been well established. The lung, gastrointestinal tract, and skin are exposed to amniotic fluid during pregnancy and are probable targets of infection and subsequent inflammation during pregnancy. We found a large number of studies focusing on prenatal infection and the host response. Intrauterine infection and fetal immune responses are well studied, and we describe clinical data on cellular, cytokine, and humoral responses to different microbial challenges. The link to postnatal immunological effects including immune paralysis and/or excessive immune activation, however, turned out to be much more complicated. We found studies relating prenatal infectious or inflammatory hits to well-known neonatal diseases such as respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and necrotizing enterocolitis. Despite these data, a direct link between prenatal hits and postnatal immunological outcome could not be undisputedly established. We did however identify several unresolved topics and propose questions for further research.

Estrogen promotes cutaneous wound healing via estrogen receptor β independent of its antiinflammatory activities

PubMed Central

Campbell, Laura; Emmerson, Elaine; Davies, Faith; Gilliver, Stephen C.; Krust, Andre; Chambon, Pierre; Ashcroft, Gillian S.

2010-01-01

Post-menopausal women have an increased risk of developing a number of degenerative pathological conditions, linked by the common theme of excessive inflammation. Systemic estrogen replacement (in the form of hormone replacement therapy) is able to accelerate healing of acute cutaneous wounds in elderly females, linked to its potent antiinflammatory activity. However, in contrast to many other age-associated pathologies, the detailed mechanisms through which estrogen modulates skin repair, particularly the cell type–specific role of the two estrogen receptors, ERα and ERβ, has yet to be determined. Here, we use pharmacological activation and genetic deletion to investigate the role of both ERα and ERβ in cutaneous tissue repair. Unexpectedly, we report that exogenous estrogen replacement to ovariectomised mice in the absence of ERβ actually delayed wound healing. Moreover, healing in epidermal-specific ERβ null mice (K14-cre/ERβL2/L2) largely resembled that in global ERβ null mice. Thus, the beneficial effects of estrogen on skin wound healing are mediated by epidermal ERβ, in marked contrast to most other tissues in the body where ERα is predominant. Surprisingly, agonists to both ERα and ERβ are potently antiinflammatory during skin repair, indicating clear uncoupling of inflammation and overall efficiency of repair. Thus, estrogen-mediated antiinflammatory activity is not the principal factor in accelerated wound healing. PMID:20733032

Links between metabolism and cancer

PubMed Central

Dang, Chi V.

2012-01-01

Metabolism generates oxygen radicals, which contribute to oncogenic mutations. Activated oncogenes and loss of tumor suppressors in turn alter metabolism and induce aerobic glycolysis. Aerobic glycolysis or the Warburg effect links the high rate of glucose fermentation to cancer. Together with glutamine, glucose via glycolysis provides the carbon skeletons, NADPH, and ATP to build new cancer cells, which persist in hypoxia that in turn rewires metabolic pathways for cell growth and survival. Excessive caloric intake is associated with an increased risk for cancers, while caloric restriction is protective, perhaps through clearance of mitochondria or mitophagy, thereby reducing oxidative stress. Hence, the links between metabolism and cancer are multifaceted, spanning from the low incidence of cancer in large mammals with low specific metabolic rates to altered cancer cell metabolism resulting from mutated enzymes or cancer genes. PMID:22549953

Age differences in search of web pages: the effects of link size, link number, and clutter.

PubMed

Grahame, Michael; Laberge, Jason; Scialfa, Charles T

2004-01-01

Reaction time, eye movements, and errors were measured during visual search of Web pages to determine age-related differences in performance as a function of link size, link number, link location, and clutter. Participants (15 young adults, M = 23 years; 14 older adults, M = 57 years) searched Web pages for target links that varied from trial to trial. During one half of the trials, links were enlarged from 10-point to 12-point font. Target location was distributed among the left, center, and bottom portions of the screen. Clutter was manipulated according to the percentage of used space, including graphics and text, and the number of potentially distracting nontarget links was varied. Increased link size improved performance, whereas increased clutter and links hampered search, especially for older adults. Results also showed that links located in the left region of the page were found most easily. Actual or potential applications of this research include Web site design to increase usability, particularly for older adults.

Diatoms to human uses: linking nitrogen deposition, aquatic eutrophication, and ecosystem services

DOE PAGES

Rhodes, Charles; Bingham, Andrew; Heard, Andrea M.; ...

2017-07-24

Nitrogen (N) loading to aquatic ecosystems can lead to eutrophication, changing the ecosystem within a waterbody, including primary productivity, water clarity, and food web dynamics. Nutrient loading often first affects the primary productivity of aquatic systems through shifts in phytoplankton communities. However, ecologically important changes in phytoplankton are often not relatable to the general public—whose behavior would need to change to alter patterns of nutrient loading. Therefore, we use the STressor–Ecological Production function–final ecosystem Services Framework to develop 154 chains that link changes in biological indicators of aquatic eutrophication (a shift in phytoplankton community) to final ecosystem services that peoplemore » use or appreciate. We identify 13 ecological production functions (EPF) within three different ecosystems (alpine lakes, lakes, and estuaries) that connect changes in phytoplankton and algae to ecological endpoints that the general public and policy makers can appreciate. Using the Final Ecosystem Goods and Services Classification System, we identify 18 classes of human beneficiaries that potentially will be impacted by a change in one of these endpoints. We further assign strength-of-science scores to each link within the EPFs for the 154 chains according to how well each link is supported by current peer-reviewed literature. By identifying many pathways through which excess N loading in U.S. surface waters can affect ecosystems and ultimately the beneficiaries of ecosystem services, this work intends to draw attention to gaps in empirical ecological literature that constrain understanding of the magnitude of effects that excess N loading can have on human well-being. Here, results highlight the importance of intersections between the natural and social sciences when managers and policy makers evaluate impacts from ecological stressors. A balance between knowledgeable specialists proved key to applying this approach and will continue to remain important.« less

Diatoms to human uses: linking nitrogen deposition, aquatic eutrophication, and ecosystem services

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

Rhodes, Charles; Bingham, Andrew; Heard, Andrea M.

Nitrogen (N) loading to aquatic ecosystems can lead to eutrophication, changing the ecosystem within a waterbody, including primary productivity, water clarity, and food web dynamics. Nutrient loading often first affects the primary productivity of aquatic systems through shifts in phytoplankton communities. However, ecologically important changes in phytoplankton are often not relatable to the general public—whose behavior would need to change to alter patterns of nutrient loading. Therefore, we use the STressor–Ecological Production function–final ecosystem Services Framework to develop 154 chains that link changes in biological indicators of aquatic eutrophication (a shift in phytoplankton community) to final ecosystem services that peoplemore » use or appreciate. We identify 13 ecological production functions (EPF) within three different ecosystems (alpine lakes, lakes, and estuaries) that connect changes in phytoplankton and algae to ecological endpoints that the general public and policy makers can appreciate. Using the Final Ecosystem Goods and Services Classification System, we identify 18 classes of human beneficiaries that potentially will be impacted by a change in one of these endpoints. We further assign strength-of-science scores to each link within the EPFs for the 154 chains according to how well each link is supported by current peer-reviewed literature. By identifying many pathways through which excess N loading in U.S. surface waters can affect ecosystems and ultimately the beneficiaries of ecosystem services, this work intends to draw attention to gaps in empirical ecological literature that constrain understanding of the magnitude of effects that excess N loading can have on human well-being. Here, results highlight the importance of intersections between the natural and social sciences when managers and policy makers evaluate impacts from ecological stressors. A balance between knowledgeable specialists proved key to applying this approach and will continue to remain important.« less

Excessive Gambling and Online Gambling Communities.

PubMed

Sirola, Anu; Kaakinen, Markus; Oksanen, Atte

2018-04-05

The Internet provides an accessible context for online gambling and gambling-related online communities, such as discussion forums for gamblers. These communities may be particularly attractive to young gamblers who are active Internet users. The aim of this study was to examine the use of gambling-related online communities and their relevance to excessive gambling among 15-25-year-old Finnish Internet users (N = 1200). Excessive gambling was assessed by using the South Oaks Gambling Screen. Respondents were asked in a survey about their use of various kinds of gambling-related online communities, and sociodemographic and behavioral factors were adjusted. The results of the study revealed that over half (54.33%) of respondents who had visited gambling-related online communities were either at-risk gamblers or probable pathological gamblers. Discussion in these communities was mainly based on sharing gambling tips and experiences, and very few respondents said that they related to gambling problems and recovery. In three different regression models, visiting gambling-related online communities was a significant predictor for excessive gambling (with 95% confidence level) even after adjusting confounding factors. The association of visiting such sites was even stronger among probable pathological gamblers than among at-risk gamblers. Health professionals working with young people should be aware of the role of online communities in terms of development and persistence of excessive gambling. Monitoring the use of online gambling communities as well as utilizing recovery-oriented support both offline and online would be important in preventing further problems. Gambling platforms should also include warnings about excessive gambling and provide links to helpful sources.

Chemical thermodynamics of ultrasound speed in solutions and liquid mixtures.

PubMed

Reis, João Carlos R; Santos, Angela F S; Lampreia, Isabel M S

2010-02-01

A comprehensive formalism is developed to treat thermodynamically speed of ultrasound data for solutions and liquid mixtures. For solutions, the apparent speed of ultrasound of a solute is introduced and proposed to take the place of empirically defined quantities. The partial speed of ultrasound of a solute is defined and related to the partial molar volume and partial molar isentropic compression. For liquid mixtures, the concept of speed of sound before mixing pure liquids is presented and used to define the change in speed of ultrasound upon ideal mixing, which is predicted to be generally a negative quantity. A new thermodynamic equation is derived linking the values for excess speed of ultrasound, excess molar volume and excess molar isentropic compression of a mixture, and its applications are discussed. Ideal and excess apparent speeds of ultrasound, as well as ideal and excess partial speeds of ultrasound, are defined for substances making up a liquid mixture. Accurate speeds of ultrasound in 31 mixtures of water with the amphiphile 2-(ethylamino)ethanol at 293.15 K are reported. These data are used to demonstrate the ability of the apparent speed of ultrasound to describe the impact of solutes on sonic properties of solutions and the advantages of analysing thermodynamic properties of binary liquid mixtures in terms of the dependence on composition of Balankina's ratios between excess and ideal values. It is concluded that the new thermodynamic functions defined for speeds of ultrasound in solutions and liquid mixtures give, at the least, equivalent information on molecular aspects to the usual functions related to the isentropic compressibility, without needing density data for this purpose.

Why so many sperm cells? Not only a possible means of mitigating the hazards inherent to human reproduction but also an indicator of an exaptation.

PubMed

Barlow, Peter W

2016-01-01

Redundancy-the excess of supply over necessity-has recently been proposed for human sperm cells. However, the apparent superfluity of cell numbers may be necessary in order to circumvent the hazards, many of which can be quantified, that can occur during the transition from gametogenesis within the testes to zygosis within the female reproductive tract. Sperm cell numbers are directly related to testicular volume, and it is owing to a redundancy, and the possible exaptation, of this latter parameter that a putative excess of sperm cells is perceived.

Mps1 as a link between centrosomes and genomic instability.

PubMed

Kasbek, Christopher; Yang, Ching-Hui; Fisk, Harold A

2009-10-01

Centrosomes are microtubule-organizing centers that must be precisely duplicated before mitosis. Centrosomes regulate mitotic spindle assembly, and the presence of excess centrosomes leads to the production of aberrant mitotic spindles which generate chromosome segregation errors. Many human tumors possess excess centrosomes that lead to the production of abnormal spindles in situ. In some tumors, these extra centrosomes appear before aneuploidy, suggesting that defects in centrosome duplication might promote genomic instability and tumorigenesis. The Mps1 protein kinase is required for centrosome duplication, and preventing the proteasome-dependent degradation of Mps1 at centrosomes increases its local concentration and causes the production of excess centrosomes during a prolonged S-phase. Here, we show that Mps1 degradation is misregulated in two tumor-derived cell lines, and that the failure to appropriately degrade Mps1 correlates with the ability of these cells to produce extra centrosomes during a prolonged S-phase. In the 21NT breast-tumor derived cell line, a mutant Mps1 protein that is normally constitutively degraded can accumulate at centrosomes and perturb centrosome duplication, suggesting that these cells have a defect in the mechanisms that target Mps1 to the proteasome. In contrast, the U2OS osteosarcoma cell line expresses a nondegradable form of Mps1, which we show causes the dose-dependent over duplication of centrioles even at very low levels of expression. Our data demonstrate that defects in Mps1 degradation can occur through multiple mechanisms, and suggest that Mps1 may provide a link between the control of centrosome duplication and genomic instability. (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The Role of Fructose, Sucrose and High-fructose Corn Syrup in Diabetes.

PubMed

Cozma, Adrian I; Sievenpiper, John L

2014-02-01

Concerns are growing regarding the role of dietary sugars in the development of obesity and cardiometabolic diseases, including diabetes. High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and sucrose are the most important dietary sweeteners. Both HFCS and sucrose have overlapping metabolic actions with adverse effects attributed to their fructose moiety. Ecological studies have linked the rise in fructose availability with the increases in obesity and diabetes worldwide. This link has been largely underpinned by animal models and select human trials of fructose overfeeding at high levels of exposure. Although prospective cohort studies have shown significant associations comparing the highest with the lowest levels of intake sugar-sweetened beverages, these associations are small, do not hold at moderate levels of intake and are subject to collinearity effects from related dietary and lifestyle factors. Most systematic reviews and meta-analyses from controlled feeding trials have shown that fructose-containing sugars in isocaloric exchange for other carbohydrates do not show evidence of harm and, in the case of fructose, may even have advantages for glycaemic control, especially at small doses. Nevertheless, trials in which fructose-containing sugars supplement diets with excess energy have shown adverse effects, effects that appear more attributable to the excess energy than the sugar. There is no unequivocal evidence that fructose intake at moderate doses is directly related with adverse metabolic effects, although there is potentially cause for concern where fructose is provided at high doses or contributes excess energy to diets. Further investigation is warranted due to the significant knowledge gaps and weaknesses in existing research.

The Role of Fructose, Sucrose and High-fructose Corn Syrup in Diabetes

PubMed Central

Cozma, Adrian I

2014-01-01

Abstract Concerns are growing regarding the role of dietary sugars in the development of obesity and cardiometabolic diseases, including diabetes. High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and sucrose are the most important dietary sweeteners. Both HFCS and sucrose have overlapping metabolic actions with adverse effects attributed to their fructose moiety. Ecological studies have linked the rise in fructose availability with the increases in obesity and diabetes worldwide. This link has been largely underpinned by animal models and select human trials of fructose overfeeding at high levels of exposure. Although prospective cohort studies have shown significant associations comparing the highest with the lowest levels of intake sugar-sweetened beverages, these associations are small, do not hold at moderate levels of intake and are subject to collinearity effects from related dietary and lifestyle factors. Most systematic reviews and meta-analyses from controlled feeding trials have shown that fructose-containing sugars in isocaloric exchange for other carbohydrates do not show evidence of harm and, in the case of fructose, may even have advantages for glycaemic control, especially at small doses. Nevertheless, trials in which fructose-containing sugars supplement diets with excess energy have shown adverse effects, effects that appear more attributable to the excess energy than the sugar. There is no unequivocal evidence that fructose intake at moderate doses is directly related with adverse metabolic effects, although there is potentially cause for concern where fructose is provided at high doses or contributes excess energy to diets. Further investigation is warranted due to the significant knowledge gaps and weaknesses in existing research. PMID:29872464

Practical considerations for volumetric wear analysis of explanted hip arthroplasties.

PubMed

Langton, D J; Sidaginamale, R P; Holland, J P; Deehan, D; Joyce, T J; Nargol, A V F; Meek, R D; Lord, J K

2014-01-01

Wear debris released from bearing surfaces has been shown to provoke negative immune responses in the recipient. Excessive wear has been linked to early failure of prostheses. Analysis using coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) can provide estimates of total volumetric material loss of explanted prostheses and can help to understand device failure. The accuracy of volumetric testing has been debated, with some investigators stating that only protocols involving hundreds of thousands of measurement points are sufficient. We looked to examine this assumption and to apply the findings to the clinical arena. We examined the effects on the calculated material loss from a ceramic femoral head when different CMM scanning parameters were used. Calculated wear volumes were compared with gold standard gravimetric tests in a blinded study. Various scanning parameters including point pitch, maximum point to point distance, the number of scanning contours or the total number of points had no clinically relevant effect on volumetric wear calculations. Gravimetric testing showed that material loss can be calculated to provide clinically relevant degrees of accuracy. Prosthetic surfaces can be analysed accurately and rapidly with currently available technologies. Given these results, we believe that routine analysis of explanted hip components would be a feasible and logical extension to National Joint Registries. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2014;3:60-8.

SU-F-T-39: Comparing Nomograms for Ordering of Palladium-103 Seeds for Dynamic Intraoperative Prostate Seed Implantation

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

Taylor, P; Wang, L; Riegel, A

Purpose: Several nomograms exist for the purpose of ordering palladium- 103 seeds for permanent prostate seed implants. Excess seeds pose additional radiation safety risks and increase the cost of care. This study compared three seed ordering nomograms with seed counts from dynamic intra-operative PSI to determine (1) the cause of excess seeds and (2) the optimal nomogram for our institution. Methods: Pre-operative and intra-operative clinical data were collected for 100 Gy (n=151) and 125 Gy (n=224) prostate seed implants. The number of implanted seeds which would have given D90=100% was normalized to that criteria and seed strength of 2U. Thismore » was plotted against intra-operative prostate volume and compared to two previously published nomograms and an in-house nomogram. A linear fit was produced and confidence intervals were calculated. The causes of excess seeds were assessed by comparing pre- and intra-operative prostate volumes, variability of D90 around 100%, and variance of seed strength from 2U. Results: Of the 375 total cases, 97.6% had excess seeds. On average, 27.17±12.91% of ordered seeds were wasted. Of this percentage, 6.98±5.47% of excess seeds were due to overestimation of pre-operative prostate volume, 1.10±0.88% were due to D90<100%, 1.17±0.67% were due to seed strength over 2U, and 17.36±7.79% could not be directly attributed to a specific reason. The latter percentage may be due to overestimation of the in-house nomogram. Two of three nomograms substantially overestimated the number of seeds required. The third nomogram underestimated the required seed number for smaller prostate treatment volume. A linear fit to the clinical data was derived and 99.9% confidence intervals were calculated. Conclusion: Over 85% of clinical cases wasted over 15% of ordered seeds. Two of three nomograms overestimated the required number of seeds. The upper 99.9% C.I. of the clinical data may provide a more reasonable nomogram for Pd-103 seed ordering.« less

Exploring the nutrient inputs and cycles in Tampa Bay and coastal watersheds using MODIS images and data mining

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Ni-Bin; Xuan, Zhemin

2011-09-01

Excessive nutrients, which may be represented as Total Nitrogen (TN) and Total Phosphorus (TP) levels, in natural water systems have proven to cause high levels of algae production. The process of phytoplankton growth which consumes the excess TN and TP in a water body can also be related to the changing water quality levels, such as Dissolved Oxygen (DO), chlorophyll-a, and turbidity, associated with their changes in absorbance of natural radiation. This paper explores spatiotemporal nutrient patterns in Tampa Bay, Florida with the aid of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS images and Genetic Programming (GP) models that are deigned to link those relevant water quality parameters in aquatic environments.

The uses and abuses of Facebook: A review of Facebook addiction

PubMed Central

RYAN, TRACII; CHESTER, ANDREA; REECE, JOHN; XENOS, SOPHIA

2014-01-01

Abstract Background and aims: Recent research suggests that use of social networking sites can be addictive for some individuals. Due to the link between motivations for media use and the development of addiction, this systematic review examines Facebook-related uses and gratifications research and Facebook addiction research. Method: Searches of three large academic databases revealed 24 studies examining the uses and gratifications of Facebook, and nine studies of Facebook addiction. Results: Comparison of uses and gratifications research reveals that the most popular mo- tives for Facebook use are relationship maintenance, passing time, entertainment, and companionship. These motivations may be related to Facebook addiction through use that is habitual, excessive, or motivated by a desire for mood alteration. Examination of Facebook addiction research indicates that Facebook use can become habitual or excessive, and some addicts use the site to escape from negative moods. However, examination of Facebook addic- tion measures highlights inconsistency in the field. Discussion: There is some evidence to support the argument that uses and gratifications of Facebook are linked with Facebook addiction. Furthermore, it appears as if the social skill model of addiction may explain Facebook addiction, but inconsistency in the measurement of this condition limits the ability to provide conclusive arguments. Conclusions: This paper recommends that further research be performed to establish the links between uses and gratifications and Facebook addiction. Furthermore, in order to enhance the construct validity of Facebook addiction, researchers should take a more systematic approach to assessment. PMID:25317337

Mobile infostation network technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rajappan, Gowri; Acharya, Joydeep; Liu, Hongbo; Mandayam, Narayan; Seskar, Ivan; Yates, Roy

2006-05-01

Inefficient use of network resources on the battlefield is a serious liability: if an asset communicates with the network command for data-a terrain map, for instance-it ties up the end-to-end network resources. When many such assets contend for data simultaneously, traffic is limited by the slowest link along the path from the network command to the asset. A better approach is for a local server, known as an infostation, to download data on an anticipated-need basis when the network load is low. The infostation can then dump data when needed to the assets over a high-speed wireless connection. The infostation serves the local assets over an OFDM-based wireless data link that has MIMO enhancements for high data rate and robustness. We aim for data rate in excess of 100 Mbps, spectral efficiency in excess of 5 bits/sec/Hz, and robustness to poor channel conditions and jammers. We propose an adaptive physical layer that determines power levels, modulation schemes, and the MIMO enhancements to use based on the channel state and the level of interference in the system. We also incorporate the idea of superuser: a user who is allowed preferential use of the high data rate link. We propose a MAC that allows for this priority-based bandwidth allocation scheme. The proposed infostation MAC is integrated tightly with the physical layer through a cross-layer design. We call the proposed infostation PHY, MAC, and network technology, collectively, as the Mobile Infostation Network Technology (MINT).

Ultraviolet radiation, human health, and the urban forest

Treesearch

Gordon M. Heisler; Richard H. Grant

2000-01-01

Excess exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, particularly the ultraviolet B (UVB) portion, has been linked with adverse effects on human health ranging from skin cancers to eye diseases such as cataracts. Trees may prevent even greater disease rates in humans by reducing UV exposure. Tree shade greatly reduces UV irradiance when both the sun and sky are...

N-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids differentially regulate adipose angiotensinogen and other inflammatory adipokines in part via NF-kB dependent mechanisms

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Excessive secretion of angiotensinogen (Agt) and other adipokines such as Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) have been linked to obesity and associated metabolic disorders, with a common feature being inflammation. We have previously shown that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty ...

Growth and clinical variables in nitrogen-restricted piglets fed an adjusted essential amino acid mix: Effects using free amino acid-based diets

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Excess protein intake in early life has been linked to obesity and metabolic syndrome in later life. Yet, protein, and in particular the essential amino acids (EAA), need to be present in adequate quantity to support growth. Using a piglet model restricted in dietary amino acids (AA), our objective...

Assessing Problematic Video Gaming Using the Theory of Planned Behavior: A Longitudinal Study of Dutch Young People

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Haagsma, Maria C.; King, Daniel L.; Pieterse, Marcel E.; Peters, Oscar

2013-01-01

Although excessive video gaming has been linked to a range of psychological problems in young people, there have been few systematic attempts to conceptualize problem gaming using established psychological theory. The aim of this study was to examine problematic game use (PGU) using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). A two-wave, six-month…

Kinetics of acid-catalyzed cleavage of procyanindins

Treesearch

Richard W. Hemingway; Gerald W. McGraw

1983-01-01

Comparison of the rates of cleavage of isomeric procyanidin dimers in the presence of excess phenylmethane thiol and acetic acid showed that compounds with a C(4)-C(8) interflavanoid bond were cleaved more rapidly than their C(4)-C(6) linked isomers, that 2,3-cis isomers with an axial flavan substituent were cleaved more-rapidly than a 2,3-...

Toxicological Findings in 889 Fatally Injured Obese Pilots Involved in Aviation Accidents

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-05-01

fenfluramine has now been withdrawn from the drug markets due to its side effects , heart valve conditions, pulmonary hypertensions, and cardiac...adverse effects of excess visceral abdominal fat (4, 5, 34) . abdominal obesity has been linked with coronary heart disease (22) . the comorbidities...Methamphetamine Cocaine Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)/THC Carboxylic Acid Prescription Drugs Alprazolam Amitriptyline Amlodipine Atenolol Atropine

Effectiveness of Policies Maintaining or Restricting Days of Alcohol Sales on Excessive Alcohol Consumption and Related Harms

PubMed Central

Middleton, Jennifer Cook; Hahn, Robert A.; Kuzara, Jennifer L.; Elder, Randy; Brewer, Robert; Chattopadhyay, Sajal; Fielding, Jonathan; Naimi, Timothy S.; Toomey, Traci; Lawrence, Briana

2013-01-01

Local, state, and national laws and policies that limit the days of the week on which alcoholic beverages may be sold may be a means of reducing excessive alcohol consumption and related harms. The methods of the Guide to Community Preventive Services were used to synthesize scientific evidence on the effectiveness for preventing excessive alcohol consumption and related harms of laws and policies maintaining or reducing the days when alcoholic beverages may be sold. Outcomes assessed in 14 studies that met qualifying criteria were excessive alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harms, including motor vehicle injuries and deaths, violence-related and other injuries, and health conditions. Qualifying studies assessed the effects of changes in days of sale in both on-premises settings (at which alcoholic beverages are consumed where purchased) and off-premises settings (at which alcoholic beverages may not be consumed where purchased). Eleven studies assessed the effects of adding days of sale, and three studies assessed the effects of imposing a ban on sales on a given weekend day. The evidence from these studies indicated that increasing days of sale leads to increases in excessive alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harms and that reducing the number of days that alcoholic beverages are sold generally decreases alcohol-related harms. Based on these findings, when the expansion of days of sale is being considered, laws and policies maintaining the number of days of the week that alcoholic beverages are sold at on- and off-premises outlets in local, state, and national jurisdictions are effective public health strategies for preventing excessive alcohol consumption and related harms. PMID:21084079

Effectiveness of policies maintaining or restricting days of alcohol sales on excessive alcohol consumption and related harms.

PubMed

Middleton, Jennifer Cook; Hahn, Robert A; Kuzara, Jennifer L; Elder, Randy; Brewer, Robert; Chattopadhyay, Sajal; Fielding, Jonathan; Naimi, Timothy S; Toomey, Traci; Lawrence, Briana

2010-12-01

Local, state, and national laws and policies that limit the days of the week on which alcoholic beverages may be sold may be a means of reducing excessive alcohol consumption and related harms. The methods of the Guide to Community Preventive Services were used to synthesize scientific evidence on the effectiveness for preventing excessive alcohol consumption and related harms of laws and policies maintaining or reducing the days when alcoholic beverages may be sold. Outcomes assessed in 14 studies that met qualifying criteria were excessive alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harms, including motor vehicle injuries and deaths, violence-related and other injuries, and health conditions. Qualifying studies assessed the effects of changes in days of sale in both on-premises settings (at which alcoholic beverages are consumed where purchased) and off-premises settings (at which alcoholic beverages may not be consumed where purchased). Eleven studies assessed the effects of adding days of sale, and three studies assessed the effects of imposing a ban on sales on a given weekend day. The evidence from these studies indicated that increasing days of sale leads to increases in excessive alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harms and that reducing the number of days that alcoholic beverages are sold generally decreases alcohol-related harms. Based on these findings, when the expansion of days of sale is being considered, laws and policies maintaining the number of days of the week that alcoholic beverages are sold at on- and off-premises outlets in local, state, and national jurisdictions are effective public health strategies for preventing excessive alcohol consumption and related harms. Published by Elsevier Inc.

The influence of materialism and ideal body internalization on body-dissatisfaction and body-shaping behaviors of young men and women: support for the Consumer Culture Impact Model.

PubMed

Guðnadóttir, Unnur; Garðarsdóttir, Ragna B

2014-04-01

Exposure to media images of the 'body-perfect' ideal has been partly blamed for the pursuit of thinness among women and muscularity among men. Research has largely overlooked the materialistic messages frequently associated with these images. We present findings from two studies with Icelandic students aged 18-21, one focusing on young women (n = 303) and one on young men (n = 226), which test associations of materialistic and body-perfect ideals with body dissatisfaction and excessive body shaping behaviors. In both studies, the internalization of materialistic values is strongly linked to the internalization of body-perfect ideals: the thin-ideal for young women, and the muscular-ideal for young men. A materialist value orientation also predicted body dissatisfaction in both studies, and was linked to body shaping behaviors, albeit differently for young women and men. Thus, the research identifies materialism as a further correlate of both body dissatisfaction and excessive body-shaping behaviors. The findings support Dittmar's (2008) Consumer Culture Impact Model, which proposes that the body-perfect and 'material good life' ideals jointly impact well-being. © 2014 Scandinavian Psychological Associations and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Treatment with agalsidase beta during pregnancy in Fabry disease.

PubMed

Politei, Juan M

2010-04-01

Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disease caused by a deficiency of alpha-galactosidase A, which leads to excessive accumulation of glycosphingolipids in most tissues in the body, with life-threatening clinical consequences in the kidney, heart, and cerebrovascular system. Enzyme replacement therapy using exogenously produced alpha-galactosidase has been available for treatment of this multisystem progressive disease since 2001. Two different preparations of enzyme replacement therapy for Fabry disease are available outside of the USA: agalsidase alfa and agalsidase beta. Despite being X-linked, Fabry disease affects many female patients, and this report presents a successful pregnancy of a female patient receiving agalsidase beta.

Using Hydrazine to Link Ferrocene with Re(CO)3: A Modular Approach.

PubMed

Chanawanno, Kullapa; Rhoda, Hannah M; Hasheminasab, Abed; Crandall, Laura A; King, Alexander J; Herrick, Richard S; Nemykin, Victor N; Ziegler, Christopher J

2016-09-01

Acetyl ferrocene and diacetyl ferrocene both readily react with an excess of hydrazine to afford the corresponding hydrazone compounds. These compounds can then be linked to Re(CO) 3 via a metal-mediated Schiff base reaction, resulting in a series of ferrocene-Re(CO) 3 conjugates with different stoichiometries. Conjugates with 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1 ferrocene: Re(CO) 3 ratios can be produced via this "modular" type synthesis approach. Several examples of these conjugates were structurally characterized, and their spectroscopic, electrochemical, and spectroelectrochemical behaviors were investigated. The electronic structures of these compounds were also probed using DFT and TDDFT calculations.

Developmental programming of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): prenatal androgens establish pancreatic islet α/β cell ratio and subsequent insulin secretion.

PubMed

Ramaswamy, S; Grace, C; Mattei, A A; Siemienowicz, K; Brownlee, W; MacCallum, J; McNeilly, A S; Duncan, W C; Rae, M T

2016-06-06

Exogenous androgenic steroids applied to pregnant sheep programmes a PCOS-like phenotype in female offspring. Via ultrasound guidance we applied steroids directly to ovine fetuses at d62 and d82 of gestation, and examined fetal (day 90 gestation) and postnatal (11 months old) pancreatic structure and function. Of three classes of steroid agonists applied (androgen - Testosterone propionate (TP), estrogen - Diethystilbesterol (DES) and glucocorticoid - Dexamethasone (DEX)), only androgens (TP) caused altered pancreatic development. Beta cell numbers were significantly elevated in prenatally androgenised female fetuses (P = 0.03) (to approximately the higher numbers found in male fetuses), whereas alpha cell counts were unaffected, precipitating decreased alpha:beta cell ratios in the developing fetal pancreas (P = 0.001), sustained into adolescence (P = 0.0004). In adolescence basal insulin secretion was significantly higher in female offspring from androgen-excess pregnancies (P = 0.045), and an exaggerated, hyperinsulinaemic response to glucose challenge (P = 0.0007) observed, whereas prenatal DES or DEX treatment had no effects upon insulin secretion. Postnatal insulin secretion correlated with beta cell numbers (P = 0.03). We conclude that the pancreas is a primary locus of androgenic stimulation during development, giving rise to postnatal offspring whose pancreas secreted excess insulin due to excess beta cells in the presence of a normal number of alpha cells.

Developmental programming of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): prenatal androgens establish pancreatic islet α/β cell ratio and subsequent insulin secretion

PubMed Central

Ramaswamy, S.; Grace, C.; Mattei, A. A.; Siemienowicz, K.; Brownlee, W.; MacCallum, J.; McNeilly, A. S.; Duncan, W. C.; Rae, M. T.

2016-01-01

Exogenous androgenic steroids applied to pregnant sheep programmes a PCOS-like phenotype in female offspring. Via ultrasound guidance we applied steroids directly to ovine fetuses at d62 and d82 of gestation, and examined fetal (day 90 gestation) and postnatal (11 months old) pancreatic structure and function. Of three classes of steroid agonists applied (androgen - Testosterone propionate (TP), estrogen - Diethystilbesterol (DES) and glucocorticoid - Dexamethasone (DEX)), only androgens (TP) caused altered pancreatic development. Beta cell numbers were significantly elevated in prenatally androgenised female fetuses (P = 0.03) (to approximately the higher numbers found in male fetuses), whereas alpha cell counts were unaffected, precipitating decreased alpha:beta cell ratios in the developing fetal pancreas (P = 0.001), sustained into adolescence (P = 0.0004). In adolescence basal insulin secretion was significantly higher in female offspring from androgen-excess pregnancies (P = 0.045), and an exaggerated, hyperinsulinaemic response to glucose challenge (P = 0.0007) observed, whereas prenatal DES or DEX treatment had no effects upon insulin secretion. Postnatal insulin secretion correlated with beta cell numbers (P = 0.03). We conclude that the pancreas is a primary locus of androgenic stimulation during development, giving rise to postnatal offspring whose pancreas secreted excess insulin due to excess beta cells in the presence of a normal number of alpha cells. PMID:27265420

Antibody-dendrimer conjugates: the number, not the size of the dendrimers, determines the immunoreactivity.

PubMed

Wängler, C; Moldenhauer, G; Eisenhut, M; Haberkorn, U; Mier, W

2008-04-01

Radioimmunotherapy using antibodies with favorable tumor targeting properties and high binding affinity is increasingly applied in cancer therapy. The potential of this valuable cancer treatment modality could be further improved by increasing the specific activity of the labeled proteins. This can be done either by coupling a large number of chelators which leads to a decreased immunoreactivity or by conjugating a small number of multimeric chelators. In order to systematically investigate the influence of conjugations on immunoreactivity with respect to size and number of the conjugates, the anti-EGFR antibody hMAb425 was reacted with PAMAM dendrimers of different size containing up to 128 chelating agents per conjugation site. An improved dendrimer synthesis protocol was established to obtain compounds of high homogeneity suitable for the formation of defined protein conjugates. The quantitative derivatization of the PAMAM dendrimers with DOTA moieties and the characterization of the products by isotopic dilution titration using (111)In/(nat)In are shown. The DOTA-containing dendrimers were conjugated with high efficiency to hMAb425 by applying Sulfo-SMCC as cross-linking agent and a 10- to 25-fold excess of the thiol-containing dendrimers. The determination of the immunoreactivities of the antibody-dendrimer conjugates by FACS analysis revealed a median retained immunoreactivity of 62.3% for 1.7 derivatization sites per antibody molecule, 55.4% for 2.8, 27.9% for 5.3, and 17.1% for 10.0 derivatization sites per antibody but no significant differences in immunoreactivity for different dendrimer sizes. These results show that the dendrimer size does not influence the immunoreactivity of the derivatized antibody significantly over a wide molecular weight range, whereas the number of derivatization sites has a crucial effect.

Age-specific excess mortality patterns and transmissibility during the 1889-1890 influenza pandemic in Madrid, Spain.

PubMed

Ramiro, Diego; Garcia, Sara; Casado, Yolanda; Cilek, Laura; Chowell, Gerardo

2018-05-01

Although the 1889-1890 influenza pandemic was one of the most important epidemic events of the 19th century, little is known about the mortality impact of this pandemic based on detailed respiratory mortality data sets. We estimated excess mortality rates for the 1889-1890 pandemic in Madrid from high-resolution respiratory and all-cause individual-level mortality data retrieved from the Gazeta de Madrid, the Official Bulletin of the Spanish government. We also generated estimates of the reproduction number from the early growth phase of the pandemic. The main pandemic wave in Madrid was evident from respiratory and all-cause mortality rates during the winter of 1889-1890. Our estimates of excess mortality for this pandemic were 58.3 per 10,000 for all-cause mortality and 44.5 per 10,000 for respiratory mortality. Age-specific excess mortality rates displayed a J-shape pattern, with school children aged 5-14 years experiencing the lowest respiratory excess death rates (8.8 excess respiratory deaths per 10,000), whereas older populations aged greater than or equal to 70 years had the highest rates (367.9 per 10,000). Although seniors experienced the highest absolute excess death rates, the standardized mortality ratio was highest among young adults aged 15-24 years. The early growth phase of the pandemic displayed dynamics consistent with an exponentially growing transmission process. Using the generalized-growth method, we estimated the reproduction number in the range of 1.2-1.3 assuming a 3-day mean generation interval and of 1.3-1.5 assuming a 4-day mean generation interval. Our study adds to our understanding of the mortality impact and transmissibility of the 1889-1890 influenza pandemic using detailed individual-level mortality data sets. More quantitative studies are needed to quantify the variability of the mortality impact of this understudied pandemic at regional and global scales. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ethical implications of excessive cluster sizes in cluster randomised trials.

PubMed

Hemming, Karla; Taljaard, Monica; Forbes, Gordon; Eldridge, Sandra M; Weijer, Charles

2018-02-20

The cluster randomised trial (CRT) is commonly used in healthcare research. It is the gold-standard study design for evaluating healthcare policy interventions. A key characteristic of this design is that as more participants are included, in a fixed number of clusters, the increase in achievable power will level off. CRTs with cluster sizes that exceed the point of levelling-off will have excessive numbers of participants, even if they do not achieve nominal levels of power. Excessively large cluster sizes may have ethical implications due to exposing trial participants unnecessarily to the burdens of both participating in the trial and the potential risks of harm associated with the intervention. We explore these issues through the use of two case studies. Where data are routinely collected, available at minimum cost and the intervention poses low risk, the ethical implications of excessively large cluster sizes are likely to be low (case study 1). However, to maximise the social benefit of the study, identification of excessive cluster sizes can allow for prespecified and fully powered secondary analyses. In the second case study, while there is no burden through trial participation (because the outcome data are routinely collected and non-identifiable), the intervention might be considered to pose some indirect risk to patients and risks to the healthcare workers. In this case study it is therefore important that the inclusion of excessively large cluster sizes is justifiable on other grounds (perhaps to show sustainability). In any randomised controlled trial, including evaluations of health policy interventions, it is important to minimise the burdens and risks to participants. Funders, researchers and research ethics committees should be aware of the ethical issues of excessively large cluster sizes in cluster trials. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Nuclear Deformation and Neutron Excess as Competing Effects for Dipole Strength in the Pygmy Region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Massarczyk, R.; Schwengner, R.; Dönau, F.; Frauendorf, S.; Anders, M.; Bemmerer, D.; Beyer, R.; Bhatia, C.; Birgersson, E.; Butterling, M.; Elekes, Z.; Ferrari, A.; Gooden, M. E.; Hannaske, R.; Junghans, A. R.; Kempe, M.; Kelley, J. H.; Kögler, T.; Matic, A.; Menzel, M. L.; Müller, S.; Reinhardt, T. P.; Röder, M.; Rusev, G.; Schilling, K. D.; Schmidt, K.; Schramm, G.; Tonchev, A. P.; Tornow, W.; Wagner, A.

2014-02-01

The electromagnetic dipole strength below the neutron-separation energy has been studied for the xenon isotopes with mass numbers A =124, 128, 132, and 134 in nuclear resonance fluorescence experiments using the γELBE bremsstrahlung facility at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf and the HIγS facility at Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory Durham. The systematic study gained new information about the influence of the neutron excess as well as of nuclear deformation on the strength in the region of the pygmy dipole resonance. The results are compared with those obtained for the chain of molybdenum isotopes and with predictions of a random-phase approximation in a deformed basis. It turned out that the effect of nuclear deformation plays a minor role compared with the one caused by neutron excess. A global parametrization of the strength in terms of neutron and proton numbers allowed us to derive a formula capable of predicting the summed E1 strengths in the pygmy region for a wide mass range of nuclides.

Nuclear deformation and neutron excess as competing effects for dipole strength in the pygmy region.

PubMed

Massarczyk, R; Schwengner, R; Dönau, F; Frauendorf, S; Anders, M; Bemmerer, D; Beyer, R; Bhatia, C; Birgersson, E; Butterling, M; Elekes, Z; Ferrari, A; Gooden, M E; Hannaske, R; Junghans, A R; Kempe, M; Kelley, J H; Kögler, T; Matic, A; Menzel, M L; Müller, S; Reinhardt, T P; Röder, M; Rusev, G; Schilling, K D; Schmidt, K; Schramm, G; Tonchev, A P; Tornow, W; Wagner, A

2014-02-21

The electromagnetic dipole strength below the neutron-separation energy has been studied for the xenon isotopes with mass numbers A=124, 128, 132, and 134 in nuclear resonance fluorescence experiments using the γELBE bremsstrahlung facility at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf and the HIγS facility at Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory Durham. The systematic study gained new information about the influence of the neutron excess as well as of nuclear deformation on the strength in the region of the pygmy dipole resonance. The results are compared with those obtained for the chain of molybdenum isotopes and with predictions of a random-phase approximation in a deformed basis. It turned out that the effect of nuclear deformation plays a minor role compared with the one caused by neutron excess. A global parametrization of the strength in terms of neutron and proton numbers allowed us to derive a formula capable of predicting the summed E1 strengths in the pygmy region for a wide mass range of nuclides.

Excessive amounts of mu heavy chain block B-cell development.

PubMed

Zhu, Lingqiao; Chang, Cheong-Hee; Dunnick, Wesley

2011-09-01

Antigen-independent B-cell development occurs in several stages that depend on the expression of Ig heavy and light chain. We identified a line of mice that lacked mature B cells in the spleen. This mouse line carried approximately 11 copies of a transgene of the murine heavy chain constant region locus, and B-lineage cells expressed excessive amounts of the intracellular μ heavy chain. B-cell development failed in the bone marrow at the pro/pre B-cell transition, and examination of other lines with various copy numbers of the same transgene suggested that deficiencies in B-cell development increased with increased transgene copy number. Expression of a transgenic (Tg) light chain along with the Tg μ heavy chain led to minimal rescue of B-cell development in the bone marrow and B cells in the spleen. There are several potential mechanisms for the death of pro/pre B cells as a consequence of excess heavy chain expression.

Extensive Copy Number Variations in Admixed Indian Population of African Ancestry: Potential Involvement in Adaptation

PubMed Central

Dash, Debasis; Mukerji, Mitali

2014-01-01

Admixture mapping has been enormously resourceful in identifying genetic variations linked to phenotypes, adaptation, and diseases. In this study through analysis of copy number variable regions (CNVRs), we report extensive restructuring in the genomes of the recently admixed African-Indian population (OG-W-IP) that inhabits a highly saline environment in Western India. The study included subjects from OG-W-IP (OG), five different Indian and three HapMap populations that were genotyped using Affymetrix version 6.0 arrays. Copy number variations (CNVs) detected using Birdsuite were used to define CNVRs. Population structure with respect to CNVRs was delineated using random forest approach. OG genomes have a surprising excess of CNVs in comparison to other studied populations. Individual ancestry proportions computed using STRUCTURE also reveals a unique genetic component in OGs. Population structure analysis with CNV genotypes indicates OG to be distant from both the African and Indian ancestral populations. Interestingly, it shows genetic proximity with respect to CNVs to only one Indian population IE-W-LP4, which also happens to reside in the same geographical region. We also observe a significant enrichment of molecular processes related to ion binding and receptor activity in genes encompassing OG-specific CNVRs. Our results suggest that retention of CNVRs from ancestral natives and de novo acquisition of CNVRs could accelerate the process of adaptation especially in an extreme environment. Additionally, this population would be enormously useful for dissecting genes and delineating the involvement of CNVs in salt adaptation. PMID:25398783

The link between mental rotation ability and basic numerical representations

PubMed Central

Thompson, Jacqueline M.; Nuerk, Hans-Christoph; Moeller, Korbinian; Cohen Kadosh, Roi

2013-01-01

Mental rotation and number representation have both been studied widely, but although mental rotation has been linked to higher-level mathematical skills, to date it has not been shown whether mental rotation ability is linked to the most basic mental representation and processing of numbers. To investigate the possible connection between mental rotation abilities and numerical representation, 43 participants completed four tasks: 1) a standard pen-and-paper mental rotation task; 2) a multi-digit number magnitude comparison task assessing the compatibility effect, which indicates separate processing of decade and unit digits; 3) a number-line mapping task, which measures precision of number magnitude representation; and 4) a random number generation task, which yields measures both of executive control and of spatial number representations. Results show that mental rotation ability correlated significantly with both size of the compatibility effect and with number mapping accuracy, but not with any measures from the random number generation task. Together, these results suggest that higher mental rotation abilities are linked to more developed number representation, and also provide further evidence for the connection between spatial and numerical abilities. PMID:23933002

On the concept of critical surface excess of micellization.

PubMed

Talens-Alesson, Federico I

2010-11-16

The critical surface excess of micellization (CSEM) should be regarded as the critical condition for micellization of ionic surfactants instead of the critical micelle concentration (CMC). There is a correspondence between the surface excesses Γ of anionic, cationic, and zwitterionic surfactants at their CMCs, which would be the CSEM values, and the critical association distance for ionic pair association calculated using Bjerrum's correlation. Further support to this concept is given by an accurate method for the prediction of the relative binding of alkali cations onto dodecylsulfate (NaDS) micelles. This method uses a relative binding strength parameter calculated from the values of surface excess Γ at the CMC of the alkali dodecylsulfates. This links both the binding of a given cation onto micelles and the onset for micellization of its surfactant salt. The CSEM concept implies that micelles form at the air-water interface unless another surface with greater affinity for micelles exists. The process would start when surfactant monomers are close enough to each other for ionic pairing with counterions and the subsequent assembly of these pairs becomes unavoidable. This would explain why the surface excess Γ values of different surfactants are more similar than their CMCs: the latter are just the bulk phase concentrations in equilibrium with chemicals with different hydrophobicity. An intriguing implication is that CSEM values may be used to calculate the actual critical distances of ionic pair formation for different cations, replacing Bjerrum's estimates, which only discriminate by the magnitude of the charge.

Everything in Moderation: Moderate Use of Screens Unassociated with Child Behavior Problems.

PubMed

Ferguson, Christopher J

2017-12-01

The impact of children's use of "screen" media including television and computer games, continues to be debated. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) until recently recommended a relatively restrictive screen time diet of 2 h or less for most youth. A representative correlational sample of youth were assessed for links between screen time and risky behavioral outcomes. Data collection occurred in 2013 conducted by the State of Florida. Use of screens that was moderately high, in excess of the AAP's former recommendations, but not excessive (1 SD or higher than average), was not associated with delinquency, risky behaviors, sexual behaviors, substance abuse, reduced grades or mental health problems. Even excessive screen use (1 SD or higher) was only weakly associated with negative outcomes related to delinquency, grades and depression only, and at levels unlikely to be practically significant. Results conceptually replicate those of Przybylski (2014) with a US sample for depression and delinquency as outcomes. Moderate use of screens, though in excess of the AAP's historical recommendations, are unassociated with problem outcomes. Excessive use of screens is only weakly associated with negative outcomes, and only those related to depression and delinquency as well as reduced grades, but not risky driving, substance use, risky sex or disordered eating. Although an "everything in moderation" message when discussing screen time with parents may be most productive, results do not support a strong focus on screen time as a preventative measure for youth problem behaviors.

Zinc isotope anomalies in Allende meteorite inclusions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Loss, R. D.; Lugmair, G. W.

1990-01-01

The isotopic compositions of Zn, Cr, Ti, and Ca have been measured in a number of CAIs from the Allende meteorite. The aim was to test astrophysical models which predict large excesses of Zn-66 to accompany excesses in the neutron-rich isotopes of Ca, Ti, Cr, and Ni. Some of the CAIs show clearly resolved but small excesses for Zn-66 which are at least an order of magnitude smaller than predicted. This result may simply reflect the volatility and chemical behavior of Zn as compared to the other (more refractory) anomalous elements found in these samples. Alternatively, revision of parameters and assumptions used for the model calculations may be required.

Molecular Gibbs Surface Excess and CO2-Hydrate Density Determine the Strong Temperature- and Pressure-Dependent Supercritical CO2-Brine Interfacial Tension.

PubMed

Ji, Jiayuan; Zhao, Lingling; Tao, Lu; Lin, Shangchao

2017-06-29

In CO 2 geological storage, the interfacial tension (IFT) between supercritical CO 2 and brine is critical for the storage capacitance design to prevent CO 2 leakage. IFT relies not only on the interfacial molecule properties but also on the environmental conditions at different storage sites. In this paper, supercritical CO 2 -NaCl solution systems are modeled at 343-373 K and 6-35 MPa under the salinity of 1.89 mol/L using molecular dynamics simulations. After computing and comparing the molecular density profile across the interface, the atomic radial distribution function, the molecular orientation distribution, the molecular Gibbs surface excess (derived from the molecular density profile), and the CO 2 -hydrate number density under the above environmental conditions, we confirm that only the molecular Gibbs surface excess of CO 2 molecules and the CO 2 -hydrate number density correlate strongly with the temperature- and pressure-dependent IFTs. We also compute the populations of two distinct CO 2 -hydrate structures (T-type and H-type) and attribute the observed dependence of IFTs to the dominance of the more stable, surfactant-like T-type CO 2 -hydrates at the interface. On the basis of these new molecular mechanisms behind IFT variations, this study could guide the rational design of suitable injecting environmental pressure and temperature conditions. We believe that the above two molecular-level metrics (Gibbs surface excess and hydrate number density) are of great fundamental importance for understanding the supercritical CO 2 -water interface and engineering applications in geological CO 2 storage.

The effect of history of severe mental illness on mortality in colorectal cancer cases: a register-based cohort study.

PubMed

Manderbacka, Kristiina; Arffman, Martti; Lumme, Sonja; Suvisaari, Jaana; Keskimäki, Ilmo; Ahlgren-Rimpiläinen, Aulikki; Malila, Nea; Pukkala, Eero

2018-06-01

While the link between mental illness and cancer survival is well established, few studies have focused on colorectal cancer. We examined outcomes of colorectal cancer among persons with a history of severe mental illness (SMI). We identified patients with their first colorectal cancer diagnosis in 1990-2013 (n = 41,708) from the Finnish Cancer Registry, hospital admissions due to SMI preceding cancer diagnosis (n = 2382) from the Hospital Discharge Register and deaths from the Causes of Death statistics. Cox regression models were used to study the impact on SMI to mortality differences. We found excess colorectal cancer mortality among persons with a history of psychosis and with substance use disorder. When controlling for age, comorbidity, stage at presentation and treatment, excess mortality risk among men with a history of psychosis was 1.72 (1.46-2.04) and women 1.37 (1.20-1.57). Among men with substance use disorder, the excess risk was 1.22 (1.09-1.37). Understanding factors contributing to excess mortality among persons with a history of psychosis or substance use requires more detailed clinical studies and studies of care processes among these vulnerable patient groups. Collaboration between patients, mental health care and oncological teams is needed to improve outcomes of care.

Ontogeny and reversal of brain circuit abnormalities in a preclinical model of PCOS.

PubMed

Silva, Mauro Sb; Prescott, Melanie; Campbell, Rebecca E

2018-04-05

Androgen excess is a hallmark of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a prevalent yet poorly understood endocrine disorder. Evidence from women and preclinical animal models suggests that elevated perinatal androgens can elicit PCOS onset in adulthood, implying androgen actions in both PCOS ontogeny and adult pathophysiology. Prenatally androgenized (PNA) mice exhibit a robust increase of progesterone-sensitive GABAergic inputs to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons implicated in the pathogenesis of PCOS. It is unclear when altered GABAergic wiring develops in the brain, and whether these central abnormalities are dependent upon adult androgen excess. Using GnRH-GFP-transgenic mice, we determined that increased GABA input to GnRH neurons occurs prior to androgen excess and the manifestation of reproductive impairments in PNA mice. These data suggest that brain circuit abnormalities precede the postpubertal development of PCOS traits. Despite the apparent developmental programming of circuit abnormalities, long-term blockade of androgen receptor signaling from early adulthood rescued normal GABAergic wiring onto GnRH neurons, improved ovarian morphology, and restored reproductive cycles in PNA mice. Therefore, androgen excess maintains changes in female brain wiring linked to PCOS features and the blockade of androgen receptor signaling reverses both the central and peripheral PNA-induced PCOS phenotype.

S-Nitrosylation and uncompetitive/fast off-rate (UFO) drug therapy in neurodegenerative disorders of protein misfolding.

PubMed

Nakamura, T; Lipton, S A

2007-07-01

Although activation of glutamate receptors is essential for normal brain function, excessive activity leads to a form of neurotoxicity known as excitotoxicity. Key mediators of excitotoxic damage include overactivation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, resulting in excessive Ca(2+) influx with production of free radicals and other injurious pathways. Overproduction of free radical nitric oxide (NO) contributes to acute and chronic neurodegenerative disorders. NO can react with cysteine thiol groups to form S-nitrosothiols and thus change protein function. S-nitrosylation can result in neuroprotective or neurodestructive consequences depending on the protein involved. Many neurodegenerative diseases manifest conformational changes in proteins that result in misfolding and aggregation. Our recent studies have linked nitrosative stress to protein misfolding and neuronal cell death. Molecular chaperones - such as protein-disulfide isomerase, glucose-regulated protein 78, and heat-shock proteins - can provide neuroprotection by facilitating proper protein folding. Here, we review the effect of S-nitrosylation on protein function under excitotoxic conditions, and present evidence that NO contributes to degenerative conditions by S-nitrosylating-specific chaperones that would otherwise prevent accumulation of misfolded proteins and neuronal cell death. In contrast, we also review therapeutics that can abrogate excitotoxic damage by preventing excessive NMDA receptor activity, in part via S-nitrosylation of this receptor to curtail excessive activity.

Ontogeny and reversal of brain circuit abnormalities in a preclinical model of PCOS

PubMed Central

Silva, Mauro S.B.; Prescott, Melanie; Campbell, Rebecca E.

2018-01-01

Androgen excess is a hallmark of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a prevalent yet poorly understood endocrine disorder. Evidence from women and preclinical animal models suggests that elevated perinatal androgens can elicit PCOS onset in adulthood, implying androgen actions in both PCOS ontogeny and adult pathophysiology. Prenatally androgenized (PNA) mice exhibit a robust increase of progesterone-sensitive GABAergic inputs to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons implicated in the pathogenesis of PCOS. It is unclear when altered GABAergic wiring develops in the brain, and whether these central abnormalities are dependent upon adult androgen excess. Using GnRH-GFP–transgenic mice, we determined that increased GABA input to GnRH neurons occurs prior to androgen excess and the manifestation of reproductive impairments in PNA mice. These data suggest that brain circuit abnormalities precede the postpubertal development of PCOS traits. Despite the apparent developmental programming of circuit abnormalities, long-term blockade of androgen receptor signaling from early adulthood rescued normal GABAergic wiring onto GnRH neurons, improved ovarian morphology, and restored reproductive cycles in PNA mice. Therefore, androgen excess maintains changes in female brain wiring linked to PCOS features and the blockade of androgen receptor signaling reverses both the central and peripheral PNA-induced PCOS phenotype. PMID:29618656

Hostility among adolescents in Switzerland? multivariate relations between excessive media use and forms of violence.

PubMed

Kuntsche, Emmanuel N

2004-03-01

To determine what kind of violence-related behavior or opinion is directly related to excessive media use among adolescents in Switzerland. A national representative sample of 4222 schoolchildren (7th- and 8th-graders; mean age 13.9 years) answered questions on the frequency of television-viewing, electronic game-playing, feeling unsafe at school, bullying others, hitting others, and fighting with others, as part of the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) international collaborative study protocol. The Chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression analyses were applied to high-risk groups of adolescents. For the total sample, all bivariate relationships between television-viewing/electronic game-playing and each violence-related variable are significant. In the multivariate comparison, physical violence among boys ceases to be significant. For girls, only television-viewing is linked to indirect violence. Against the hypothesis, females' electronic game-playing only had a bearing on hitting others. Experimental designs are needed that take into account gender, different forms of media, and violence to answer the question of whether excessive media use leads to violent behavior. With the exception of excessive electronic game-playing among girls, this study found that electronic media are not thought to lead directly to real-life violence but to hostility and indirect violence.

Human Resources Planning in the Republic of Korea. Improving Technical Education and Vocational Training. World Bank Staff Working Papers Number 554.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Kye-Woo

During the 1980s the Korean economy will have to undergo far-reaching structural changes. The major problems faced by the Korean labor market continue to be an excessive demand for college graduates and an excessive supply of high school graduates. Their solution requires a renewed national commitment to human resource development with emphasis on…

Health in financial crises: economic recession and tuberculosis in Central and Eastern Europe.

PubMed

Arinaminpathy, Nimalan; Dye, Christopher

2010-11-06

The ongoing global financial crisis, which began in 2007, has drawn attention to the effect of declining economic conditions on public health. A quantitative analysis of previous events can offer insights into the potential health effects of economic decline. In the early 1990s, widespread recession across Central and Eastern Europe accompanied the collapse of the Soviet Union. At the same time, despite previously falling tuberculosis (TB) incidence in most countries, there was an upsurge of TB cases and deaths throughout the region. Here, we study the quantitative relationship between the lost economic productivity and excess TB cases and mortality. We use the data of the World Health Organization for TB notifications and deaths from 1980 to 2006, and World Bank data for gross domestic product. Comparing 15 countries for which sufficient data exist, we find strong linear associations between the lost economic productivity over the period of recession for each country and excess numbers of TB cases (r(2) = 0.94, p < 0.001) and deaths (r(2) = 0.94, p < 0.001) over the same period. If TB epidemiology and control are linked to economies in 2009 as they were in 1991 then the Baltic states, particularly Latvia, are now vulnerable to another upturn in TB cases and deaths. These projections are in accordance with emerging data on drug consumption, which indicate that these countries have undergone the greatest reductions since the beginning of 2008. We recommend close surveillance and monitoring during the current recession, especially in the Baltic states.

Does access to fast food lead to super-sized pregnant women and whopper babies?

PubMed

Lhila, Aparna

2011-12-01

Rise in the availability of fast-food restaurants has been blamed, at least partly, for the increasing obesity in the U.S. The existing studies of obesity have focused primarily on children, adolescents, and adults, and this paper extends the literature by raising a little-studied question and using nationally representative data to answer it. It examines the relationship between the supply of fast-food restaurants and weight gain of pregnant women and their newborns. I study prenatal weight gain because excessive weight gain has been linked to postpartum overweight/obesity and I study both tails of the birthweight distribution because the origin of obesity may be traced to the prenatal period and both tail outcomes have been associated with obesity later in life. I merge the 1998 and 2004 Natality Detail Files with the Area Resource File, and County Business Patterns, which provide data on the number of fast-food restaurants in the metropolitan area where the mother resides. The empirical model includes an extensive list of MSA characteristics and MSA fixed effects to control for factors that may be correlated with both health outcomes and restaurants' location decision. Results reveal that the fast-food and weight gain relationship is robust to the inclusion of these controls but these controls greatly mitigate the fast food-infant health relationship. Greater access to fast-food restaurants is positively related to mothers' probability of excessive weight gain but it does not share a statistically significant relationship with birthweight. These relationships hold in all the socioeconomic and demographic subgroups studied. 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Health in financial crises: economic recession and tuberculosis in Central and Eastern Europe

PubMed Central

Arinaminpathy, Nimalan; Dye, Christopher

2010-01-01

The ongoing global financial crisis, which began in 2007, has drawn attention to the effect of declining economic conditions on public health. A quantitative analysis of previous events can offer insights into the potential health effects of economic decline. In the early 1990s, widespread recession across Central and Eastern Europe accompanied the collapse of the Soviet Union. At the same time, despite previously falling tuberculosis (TB) incidence in most countries, there was an upsurge of TB cases and deaths throughout the region. Here, we study the quantitative relationship between the lost economic productivity and excess TB cases and mortality. We use the data of the World Health Organization for TB notifications and deaths from 1980 to 2006, and World Bank data for gross domestic product. Comparing 15 countries for which sufficient data exist, we find strong linear associations between the lost economic productivity over the period of recession for each country and excess numbers of TB cases (r2 = 0.94, p < 0.001) and deaths (r2 = 0.94, p < 0.001) over the same period. If TB epidemiology and control are linked to economies in 2009 as they were in 1991 then the Baltic states, particularly Latvia, are now vulnerable to another upturn in TB cases and deaths. These projections are in accordance with emerging data on drug consumption, which indicate that these countries have undergone the greatest reductions since the beginning of 2008. We recommend close surveillance and monitoring during the current recession, especially in the Baltic states. PMID:20427332

Beyond the SCS-CN method: A theoretical framework for spatially lumped rainfall-runoff response

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bartlett, M. S.; Parolari, A. J.; McDonnell, J. J.; Porporato, A.

2016-06-01

Since its introduction in 1954, the Soil Conservation Service curve number (SCS-CN) method has become the standard tool, in practice, for estimating an event-based rainfall-runoff response. However, because of its empirical origins, the SCS-CN method is restricted to certain geographic regions and land use types. Moreover, it does not describe the spatial variability of runoff. To move beyond these limitations, we present a new theoretical framework for spatially lumped, event-based rainfall-runoff modeling. In this framework, we describe the spatially lumped runoff model as a point description of runoff that is upscaled to a watershed area based on probability distributions that are representative of watershed heterogeneities. The framework accommodates different runoff concepts and distributions of heterogeneities, and in doing so, it provides an implicit spatial description of runoff variability. Heterogeneity in storage capacity and soil moisture are the basis for upscaling a point runoff response and linking ecohydrological processes to runoff modeling. For the framework, we consider two different runoff responses for fractions of the watershed area: "prethreshold" and "threshold-excess" runoff. These occur before and after infiltration exceeds a storage capacity threshold. Our application of the framework results in a new model (called SCS-CNx) that extends the SCS-CN method with the prethreshold and threshold-excess runoff mechanisms and an implicit spatial description of runoff. We show proof of concept in four forested watersheds and further that the resulting model may better represent geographic regions and site types that previously have been beyond the scope of the traditional SCS-CN method.

Proximity Link Design and Performance Options for a Mars Areostationary Relay Satellite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Edwards, Charles D.; Bell, David J.; Biswas, Abhijit; Cheung, Kar-Ming; Lock, Robert E.

2016-01-01

Current and near-term Mars relay telecommunications services are provided by a set of NASA and ESA Mars science orbiters equipped with UHF relay communication payloads employing operationally simple low-gain antennas. These have been extremely successful in supporting a series of landed Mars mission, greatly increasing data return relative to direct-to-Earth lander links. Yet their relay services are fundamentally constrained by the short contact times available from the selected science orbits. Future Mars areostationary orbiters, flying in circular, equatorial, 1- sol orbits, offer the potential for continuous coverage of Mars landers and rovers, radically changing the relay support paradigm. Achieving high rates on the longer slant ranges to areostationary altitude will require steered, high-gain links. Both RF and optical options exist for achieving data rates in excess of 100 Mb/s. Several point designs offer a measure of potential user burden, in terms of mass, volume, power, and pointing requirements for user relay payloads, as a function of desired proximity link performance.

Adaptive and reliably acknowledged FSO communications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fitz, Michael P.; Halford, Thomas R.; Kose, Cenk; Cromwell, Jonathan; Gordon, Steven

2015-05-01

Atmospheric turbulence causes the receive signal intensity on free space optical (FSO) communication links to vary over time. Scintillation fades can stymie connectivity for milliseconds at a time. To approach the information-theoretic limits of communication in such time-varying channels, it necessary to either code across extremely long blocks of data - thereby inducing unacceptable delays - or to vary the code rate according to the instantaneous channel conditions. We describe the design, laboratory testing, and over-the-air testing of an FSO modem that employs a protocol with adaptive coded modulation (ACM) and hybrid automatic repeat request. For links with fixed throughput, this protocol provides a 10dB reduction in the required received signal-to-noise ratio (SNR); for links with fixed range, this protocol provides the greater than a 3x increase in throughput. Independent U.S. Government tests demonstrate that our protocol effectively adapts the code rate to match the instantaneous channel conditions. The modem is able to provide throughputs in excess of 850 Mbps on links with ranges greater than 15 kilometers.

Optical analog data link with simple self-test feature

DOEpatents

Witkover, Richard L.

1986-01-01

A communications circuit for optically transmitting analog data signals free of excessive ripple, while having rapid response time. The invention is further characterized by being adapted to provide an immediate indication of the failure of the optical transmission link of the circuit. Commercially available voltage to frequency converter chips are used in conjunction with suitable wiring arrays and in combination with readily available indicator means for constructing the communication circuit of the invention. A V/F converter in the communications circuit is coupled to an offset adjustment means to cause the converter to continuously produce a string of output voltage pulses having a frequency of about 1 Khz responsive to the input analog signal to the converter being zero. The continuous presence of the 1 Khz frequency on the optical transmission link is monitored at the receiving end of the communication circuit and the indicator means is connected to immediately provide an easily detected indication of a failure of the optical transmission link to transmit the 1 Khz frequency pulses.

Negative reactions to monitoring: Do they undermine the ability of monitoring to protect adolescents?

PubMed

Laird, Robert D; Zeringue, Megan M; Lambert, Emily S

2018-02-01

This study focused on adolescents' negative reactions to parental monitoring to determine whether parents should avoid excessive monitoring because adolescents find monitoring behaviors to be over-controlling and privacy invasive. Adolescents (n = 242, M age = 15.4 years; 51% female) reported monitoring, negative reactions, warmth, antisocial behavior, depressive symptoms, and disclosure. Adolescents additionally reported antisocial behavior, depressive symptoms, and disclosure one to two years later. In cross-sectional analyses, less monitoring but more negative reactions were linked with less disclosure, suggesting that negative reactions can undermine parents' ability to obtain information. Although monitoring behaviors were not related to depressive symptoms, more negative reactions were linked with more depressive symptoms, suggesting that negative reactions also may increase depressive symptoms as a side effect of monitoring behavior. Negative reactions were not linked to antisocial behavior. There were no longitudinal links between negative reactions and changes in disclosure, antisocial behavior, or depressive symptoms. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Power electronic interface circuits for batteries and ultracapacitors in electric vehicles and battery storage systems

DOEpatents

King, Robert Dean; DeDoncker, Rik Wivina Anna Adelson

1998-01-01

A method and apparatus for load leveling of a battery in an electrical power system includes a power regulator coupled to transfer power between a load and a DC link, a battery coupled to the DC link through a first DC-to-DC converter and an auxiliary passive energy storage device coupled to the DC link through a second DC-to-DC converter. The battery is coupled to the passive energy storage device through a unidirectional conducting device whereby the battery can supply power to the DC link through each of the first and second converters when battery voltage exceeds voltage on the passive storage device. When the load comprises a motor capable of operating in a regenerative mode, the converters are adapted for transferring power to the battery and passive storage device. In this form, resistance can be coupled in circuit with the second DC-to-DC converter to dissipate excess regenerative power.

Power electronic interface circuits for batteries and ultracapacitors in electric vehicles and battery storage systems

DOEpatents

King, R.D.; DeDoncker, R.W.A.A.

1998-01-20

A method and apparatus for load leveling of a battery in an electrical power system includes a power regulator coupled to transfer power between a load and a DC link, a battery coupled to the DC link through a first DC-to-DC converter and an auxiliary passive energy storage device coupled to the DC link through a second DC-to-DC converter. The battery is coupled to the passive energy storage device through a unidirectional conducting device whereby the battery can supply power to the DC link through each of the first and second converters when battery voltage exceeds voltage on the passive storage device. When the load comprises a motor capable of operating in a regenerative mode, the converters are adapted for transferring power to the battery and passive storage device. In this form, resistance can be coupled in circuit with the second DC-to-DC converter to dissipate excess regenerative power. 8 figs.

Optical analog data link with simple self-test feature

DOEpatents

Witkover, R.L.

1984-02-01

A communications circuit for optically transmitting analog data signals free of excessive ripple, while having rapid response time. The invention is further characterized by being adapted to provide an immediate indication of the failure of the optical transmission link of the circuit. Commerically available voltage to frequency converter chips are used in conjunction with suitable wiring arrays and in combination with readily available indicator means for constructing the communication circuit of the invention. A V/F converter in the communications circuit is coupled to an offset adjustment means to cause the converter to continuously produce a string of output voltage pulses having a frequency of about 1Khz responsive to the input analog signal to the converter being zero. The continuous presence of the 1Khz frequency on the optical transmission link is monitored at the receiving end of the communication circuit and the indicator means is connected to immediately provide an easily detected indication of a failure of the optical transmission link to transmit the 1Khz frequency pulses.

Probing star formation in the dense environments of z ˜ 1 lensing haloes aligned with dusty star-forming galaxies detected with the South Pole Telescope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Welikala, N.; Béthermin, M.; Guery, D.; Strandet, M.; Aird, K. A.; Aravena, M.; Ashby, M. L. N.; Bothwell, M.; Beelen, A.; Bleem, L. E.; de Breuck, C.; Brodwin, M.; Carlstrom, J. E.; Chapman, S. C.; Crawford, T. M.; Dole, H.; Doré, O.; Everett, W.; Flores-Cacho, I.; Gonzalez, A. H.; González-Nuevo, J.; Greve, T. R.; Gullberg, B.; Hezaveh, Y. D.; Holder, G. P.; Holzapfel, W. L.; Keisler, R.; Lagache, G.; Ma, J.; Malkan, M.; Marrone, D. P.; Mocanu, L. M.; Montier, L.; Murphy, E. J.; Nesvadba, N. P. H.; Omont, A.; Pointecouteau, E.; Puget, J. L.; Reichardt, C. L.; Rotermund, K. M.; Scott, D.; Serra, P.; Spilker, J. S.; Stalder, B.; Stark, A. A.; Story, K.; Vanderlinde, K.; Vieira, J. D.; Weiß, A.

2016-01-01

We probe star formation in the environments of massive (˜1013 M⊙) dark matter haloes at redshifts of z ˜ 1. This star formation is linked to a submillimetre clustering signal which we detect in maps of the Planck High Frequency Instrument that are stacked at the positions of a sample of high redshift (z > 2) strongly lensed dusty star-forming galaxies (DSFGs) selected from the South Pole Telescope (SPT) 2500 deg2 survey. The clustering signal has submillimetre colours which are consistent with the mean redshift of the foreground lensing haloes (z ˜ 1). We report a mean excess of star formation rate (SFR) compared to the field, of (2700 ± 700) M⊙ yr-1 from all galaxies contributing to this clustering signal within a radius of 3.5 arcmin from the SPT DSFGs. The magnitude of the Planck excess is in broad agreement with predictions of a current model of the cosmic infrared background. The model predicts that 80 per cent of the excess emission measured by Planck originates from galaxies lying in the neighbouring haloes of the lensing halo. Using Herschel maps of the same fields, we find a clear excess, relative to the field, of individual sources which contribute to the Planck excess. The mean excess SFR compared to the field is measured to be (370 ± 40) M⊙ yr-1 per resolved, clustered source. Our findings suggest that the environments around these massive z ˜ 1 lensing haloes host intense star formation out to about 2 Mpc. The flux enhancement due to clustering should also be considered when measuring flux densities of galaxies in Planck data.

Arab Maghreb Union: Achievement and Prospects

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-06-01

8217 products are always to be preferred 65over outside competition The European agricultural policy (CAP) harmed Maghreban agriculture. The EC... agricultural policy (CAP) encourages the community’s farmers to produce more. The EC intervention boards support the prices by buying excess production. The...cultural, and linguistic links combine to emphasize the place and role played by North ඊThe European agricultural policy : integrated Mediterranean Program

Climate change decreases nitrogen pools and mineralization rates in northern hardwood forests

Treesearch

Jorge Durán; Jennifer L. Morse; Peter M. Groffman; John L. Campbell; Lynn M. Christenson; Charles T. Driscoll; Timothy J. Fahey; Melany C. Fisk; Gene E. Likens; Jerry M. Melillo; Myron J. Mitchell; Pamela H. Templer; Matthew A. Vadeboncoeur; D. P. C. Peters

2016-01-01

Nitrogen (N) supply often limits the productivity of temperate forests and is regulated by a complex mix of biological and climatic drivers. In excess, N is linked to a variety of soil, water, and air pollution issues. Here, we use results from an elevation gradient study and historical data from the long-term Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Study (New Hampshire, USA) to...

Cancer incidence due to excess body weight and leisure-time physical inactivity in Canada: implications for prevention.

PubMed

Brenner, Darren R

2014-09-01

This analysis aimed to estimate the number of incident cases of various cancers attributable to excess body weight (overweight, obesity) and leisure-time physical inactivity annually in Canada. The number of attributable cancers was estimated using the population attributable fraction (PAF), risk estimates from recent meta-analyses and population exposure prevalence estimates obtained from the Canadian Community Health Survey (2000). Age-sex-site-specific cancer incidence was obtained from Statistics Canada tables for the most up-to-date year with full national data, 2007. Where the evidence for association has been deemed sufficient, we estimated the number of incident cases of the following cancers attributable to obesity: colon, breast, endometrium, esophagus (adenocarcinomas), gallbladder, pancreas and kidney; and to physical inactivity: colon, breast, endometrium, prostate, lung and/or bronchus, and ovarian. Overall, estimates of all cancer incidence in 2007 suggest that at least 3.5% (n=5771) and 7.9% (n=12,885) are attributed to excess body weight and physical inactivity respectively. For both risk factors the burden of disease was greater among women than among men. Thousands of incident cases of cancer could be prevented annually in Canada as good evidence exists for effective interventions to reduce these risk factors in the population. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Employer Health and Productivity Roadmap™ strategy.

PubMed

Parkinson, Michael D

2013-12-01

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Total Worker Health™ Program defines essential elements of an integrated health protection and health promotion model to improve the health, safety, and performance of employers and employees. The lack of a clear strategy to address the core drivers of poor health, excessive medical costs, and lost productivity has deterred a comprehensive, integrated, and proactive approach to meet these challenges. The Employer Health and Productivity Roadmap™, comprising six interrelated and integrated core elements, creates a framework of shared accountability for both employers and their health and productivity partners to implement and monitor actionable measures that improve health, maximize productivity, and reduce excessive costs. The strategy is most effective when linked to a financially incentivized health management program or consumer-directed health plan insurance benefit design.

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness as an Indicator of Depression in Hispanic Americans.

PubMed

Nuyen, Brian A; Fox, Rina S; Malcarne, Vanessa L; Wachsman, Solenne I; Sadler, Georgia Robins

2016-09-01

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) has been shown to be associated with depression; however, this relationship has not been confirmed among Hispanic Americans. This study examined the link between EDS and depression among Hispanic Americans (N = 411) and explored the potential moderating roles of age, gender, income, education, health status, and acculturation. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 measured EDS and depression, respectively. Hierarchical linear regression demonstrated that EDS was significantly related to depression. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis suggested that the Epworth Sleepiness Scale discriminated with adequate sensitivity and specificity between participants with moderately severe depression and those with less severe symptoms. No sociodemographic variables moderated the EDS-depression relationship. These findings suggest that depression should be considered when Hispanic Americans present with EDS. © The Author(s) 2016.

Numbers and space: associations and dissociations.

PubMed

Nathan, Merav Ben; Shaki, Samuel; Salti, Moti; Algom, Daniel

2009-06-01

A cornerstone of contemporary research in numerical cognition is the surprising link found between numbers and space. In particular, people react faster and more accurately to small numbers with a left-hand key and to large numbers with a right-hand key. Because this contingency is found in a variety of tasks, it has been taken to support the automatic activation of magnitude as well as the notion of a mental number line arranged from left to right. The present study challenges the presence of a link between left-right location, on the one hand, and small-large number, on the other hand. We show that a link exists between space and relative magnitude, a relationship that might or might not be unique to numbers.

Development of a ferromagnetic component in the superconducting state of Fe-excess Fe1.12Te1-xSex by electronic charge redistribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Wen-Hsien; Karna, Sunil K.; Hsu, Han; Li, Chi-Yen; Lee, Chi-Hung; Sankar, Raman; Cheng Chou, Fang

2015-06-01

The general picture established so far for the links between superconductivity and magnetic ordering in iron chalcogenide Fe1+y(Te1-xSex) is that the substitution of Se for Te directly drives the system from the antiferromagnetic end into the superconducting regime. Here, we report on the observation of a ferromagnetic component that developed together with the superconducting transition in Fe-excess Fe1.12Te1-xSex crystals using neutron and x-ray diffractions, resistivity, magnetic susceptibility and magnetization measurements. The superconducting transition is accompanied by a negative thermal expansion of the crystalline unit cell and an electronic charge redistribution, where a small portion of the electronic charge flows from around the Fe sites toward the Te/Se sites. First-principles calculations show consistent results, revealing that the excess Fe ions play a more significant role in affecting the magnetic property in the superconducting state than in the normal state and the occurrence of an electronic charge redistribution through the superconducting transition.

Child Perfectionism and its Relationship with Personality, Excessive Parental Demands, Depressive Symptoms and Experience of Positive Emotions.

PubMed

Oros, Laura B; Iuorno, Ornella; Serppe, Mónica

2017-02-13

While adaptive perfectionism ensures good overall performance, maladaptive perfectionism is associated with emotional disorders for which psychological treatment is sought. There are many factors that can explain the development of this disorder throughout childhood. The present study analyzed to what extent the child's personality traits and excessive parental demands can predict maladaptive perfectionism, and, in turn, also analyzed how this relates to positive emotions and depressive symptoms in a sample of 404 Argentinian children (M age = 10.30; SD = 1.03). Stepwise multiple regression analyses and Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were performed. Results showed that excessive parental demands, together with high child neuroticism increased the likelihood of developing perfectionism (p < .001) throughout childhood. It was also noted that child perfectionism increased the symptoms of depression (p < .001), decreased feelings of gratitude (p = .018), increased the recognition of self-worth (p = .009) and activated certain aspects of sympathy towards others' pain (p = .043). These processes linked to perfectionism are discussed, clarifying their effects on children's mental health.

Long-Term Excessive Body Weight and Adult Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Are Linked Through Later-Life Body Size and Blood Pressure: The Bogalusa Heart Study.

PubMed

Zhang, Huijie; Zhang, Tao; Li, Shengxu; Guo, Yajun; Shen, Wei; Fernandez, Camilo; Harville, Emily; Bazzano, Lydia A; Urbina, Elaine M; He, Jiang; Chen, Wei

2017-05-12

Childhood adiposity is associated with cardiac structure in later life, but little is known regarding to what extent childhood body weight affects adult left ventricular geometric patterns through adult body size and blood pressure (BP). Determine quantitatively the mediation effect of adult body weight and BP on the association of childhood body mass index (BMI) with adult left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy. This longitudinal study consisted of 710 adults, aged 26 to 48 years, who had been examined for BMI and BP measured ≥4× during childhood and ≥2× during adulthood, with a mean follow-up period of 28.0 years. After adjusting for age, race, and sex, adult BMI had a significant mediation effect (76.4%; P <0.01) on the childhood BMI-adult LV mass index association. The mediation effects of adult systolic BP (15.2%), long-term burden (12.1%), and increasing trends of systolic BP (7.9%) were all significant ( P <0.01). Furthermore, these mediators also had significant mediation effects on the association of childhood BMI with adult LV hypertrophy, eccentric hypertrophy, and concentric hypertrophy. Importantly, the mediation effects of adult BMI were all significantly stronger than those of adult systolic BP on LV mass index, LV hypertrophy, and LV remodeling patterns ( P <0.01). Additionally, the mediation effect of systolic BP on concentric hypertrophy was significantly stronger than that on eccentric hypertrophy ( P <0.01). These findings suggest that increased childhood BMI has long-term adverse impact on subclinical changes in adult cardiac structure, and early life excessive body weight and adult LV hypertrophy are linked through later life excessive body weight and elevated BP. © 2017 American Heart Association, Inc.

Excess mortality related to the August 2003 heat wave in France

PubMed Central

Fouillet, Anne; Rey, Grégoire; Laurent, Françoise; Pavillon, Gérard; Bellec, Stéphanie; Ghihenneuc-Jouyaux, Chantal; Clavel, Jacqueline; Jougla, Eric; Hémon, Denis

2006-01-01

Objectives From August 1st to 20th, 2003, the mean maximum temperature in France exceeded the seasonal norm by 11 to 12°C on nine consecutive days. A major increase in mortality was then observed, which main epidemiological features are described herein. Methods The number of deaths observed from August to November, 2003 in France was compared to those expected on the basis of the mortality rates observed from 2000 to 2002 and the 2003 population estimates. Results From August 1st to 20th, 2003, 15000 excess deaths were observed. From 35 years age, the excess mortality was marked and increased with age. It was 15% higher in women than in men of comparable age as of age 45 years. Excess mortality at home and in retirement institutions was greater than that in hospitals. The mortality of widowed, single and divorced subjects was greater than that of married people. Deaths directly related to heat, heatstroke, hyperthermia and dehydration increased massively. Cardiovascular diseases, ill-defined morbid disorders, respiratory diseases and nervous system diseases also markedly contributed to the excess mortality. The geographic variations in mortality showed a clear age-dependent relationship with the number of very hot days. No harvesting effect was observed. Conclusions Heat waves must be considered as a threat to European populations living in climates that are currently temperate. While the elderly and people living alone are particularly vulnerable to heat waves, no segment of the population may be considered protected from the risks associated with heat waves. PMID:16523319

Excess Facilities: DOD Needs More Complete Information and a Strategy to Guide Its Future Disposal Efforts

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-09-01

Disposal Efforts 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR (S) 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e. TASK NUMBER 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER...8 40 U.S.C. § 102(3). 9 DOD has delegated authority to dispose of properties located at military...the State Historic Preservation Officer, among others, to consider a method to best preserve the historic value of the property prior to authorizing

How much is too much? The effects of information quantity on crowdfunding performance.

PubMed

Moy, Naomi; Chan, Ho Fai; Torgler, Benno

2018-01-01

We explore the effects of the quantity of information on the tendency to contribute to crowdfunding campaigns. Using the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter, we analyze the campaign descriptions and the performance of over 70,000 projects. We look empirically at the effect of information quantity (word count) on funding success (as measure by amount raised and number of backers). Within this empirical approach, we test whether an excessive amount of information will affect funding success. To do so, we test for the non-linearity (quadratic) effect of our independent variable (word count) using regression analysis. Consistent with the hypothesis that excess information will negatively affect funds raised and number of contributors, we observe a consistent U-shaped relationship between campaign text length and overall success which suggest that an optimal number of words exists within crowdfunding texts and that going over this point will reduce a project's chance of fundraising success.

How much is too much? The effects of information quantity on crowdfunding performance

PubMed Central

2018-01-01

We explore the effects of the quantity of information on the tendency to contribute to crowdfunding campaigns. Using the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter, we analyze the campaign descriptions and the performance of over 70,000 projects. We look empirically at the effect of information quantity (word count) on funding success (as measure by amount raised and number of backers). Within this empirical approach, we test whether an excessive amount of information will affect funding success. To do so, we test for the non-linearity (quadratic) effect of our independent variable (word count) using regression analysis. Consistent with the hypothesis that excess information will negatively affect funds raised and number of contributors, we observe a consistent U-shaped relationship between campaign text length and overall success which suggest that an optimal number of words exists within crowdfunding texts and that going over this point will reduce a project’s chance of fundraising success. PMID:29538371

Plausible Boosting of Millimeter-Galaxies in the COSMOS Field by Intervening Large-Scale Structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aretxaga, I.; Wilson, G. W.; Aguilar, E.; Alberts, S.; Scott, K. S.; Scoville, N.; Yun, M. S.; Austermann, J.; Downes, T. D.; Ezawa, H.; Hatsukade, B.; Hughes, D. H.; Kawabe, R.; Kohno, K.; Oshima, T.; Perera, T. A.; Tamura, Y.; Zeballos, M.

2011-10-01

The 0.72 sq. deg. contiguous 1.1mm survey in the central area of the COSMOS field, carried out to a 1σ≍1.26 mJy beam-1 depth with the AzTEC camera mounted on the 10m Atacama Submillimeter Telescope Experiment (ASTE), shows number counts with a significant excess of sources when compared to the number counts derived from the ˜0.5 sq. deg. area sampled at similar depths in the Scuba HAlf Degree Extragalactic Survey (SHADES, Austermann et al. 2010). They are, however, consistent with those derived from fields that were considered too small to characterize the overall blank-field population. We identify differences to be more significant in the S1.1mm ˜> 5 mJy regime, and demonstrate that these excesses in number counts are related to the areas where galaxies at redshifts ˜< 1.1 are more densely clustered. The positions of optical-IR galaxies in the redshift interval 0.6 ˜< z ˜< 0.75 are the ones that show the strongest correlation with the positions of the 1.1mm bright population (S1.mm ˜>5 mJy), a result which does not depend exclusively on the presence of rich clusters within the survey sampled area. The most likely explanation for the observed excess in number counts at 1.1mm is galaxy-galaxy and galaxy-group lensing at moderate amplification levels, that increases in amplitude as one samples larger and larger flux densities.

Inflammation and insulin/IGF-1 resistance as the possible link between obesity and neurodegeneration.

PubMed

Spielman, Lindsay J; Little, Jonathan P; Klegeris, Andis

2014-08-15

Obesity is a growing epidemic that contributes to several brain disorders including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases. Obesity could promote these diseases through several different mechanisms. Here we review evidence supporting the involvement of two recently recognized factors linking obesity with neurodegeneration: the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and onset of insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) resistance. Excess peripheral pro-inflammatory mediators, some of which can cross the blood brain barrier, may trigger neuroinflammation, which subsequently exacerbates neurodegeneration. Insulin and IGF-1 resistance leads to weakening of neuroprotective signaling by these molecules and can contribute to onset of neurodegenerative diseases. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

DOD Methodology for the Valuation of Excess, Obsolete, and Unserviceable Inventory and Operating Materials and Supplies

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-03-25

PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR( S ) 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e. TASK NUMBER 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME( S ) AND ADDRESS(ES...AGENCY NAME( S ) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S ACRONYM( S ) 11. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S REPORT NUMBER( S ) 12. DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENT...Unserviceable FMR Financial Management Regulation OM& S Operating Materials and Supplies SFFAS Statement of Federal Financial Accounting Standards

The relationship between job satisfaction and health: a meta-analysis

PubMed Central

Faragher, E; Cass, M; Cooper, C

2005-01-01

Background: A vast number of published studies have suggested a link between job satisfaction levels and health. The sizes of the relationships reported vary widely. Narrative overviews of this relationship have been published, but no systematic meta-analysis review has been conducted. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 485 studies with a combined sample size of 267 995 individuals was conducted, evaluating the research evidence linking self-report measures of job satisfaction to measures of physical and mental wellbeing. Results: The overall correlation combined across all health measures was r = 0.312 (0.370 after Schmidt-Hunter adjustment). Job satisfaction was most strongly associated with mental/psychological problems; strongest relationships were found for burnout (corrected r = 0.478), self-esteem(r = 0.429), depression (r = 0.428), and anxiety(r = 0.420). The correlation with subjective physical illness was more modest (r = 0.287). Conclusions: Correlations in excess of 0.3 are rare in this context. The relationships found suggest that job satisfaction level is an important factor influencing the health of workers. Organisations should include the development of stress management policies to identify and eradicate work practices that cause most job dissatisfaction as part of any exercise aimed at improving employee health. Occupational health clinicians should consider counselling employees diagnosed as having psychological problems to critically evaluate their work—and help them to explore ways of gaining greater satisfaction from this important aspect of their life. PMID:15657192

Excessive Leucine-mTORC1-Signalling of Cow Milk-Based Infant Formula: The Missing Link to Understand Early Childhood Obesity.

PubMed

Melnik, Bodo C

2012-01-01

Increased protein supply by feeding cow-milk-based infant formula in comparison to lower protein content of human milk is a well-recognized major risk factor of childhood obesity. However, there is yet no conclusive biochemical concept explaining the mechanisms of formula-induced childhood obesity. It is the intention of this article to provide the biochemical link between leucine-mediated signalling of mammalian milk proteins and adipogenesis as well as early adipogenic programming. Leucine has been identified as the predominant signal transducer of mammalian milk, which stimulates the nutrient-sensitive kinase mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). Leucine thus functions as a maternal-neonatal relay for mTORC1-dependent neonatal β-cell proliferation and insulin secretion. The mTORC1 target S6K1 plays a pivotal role in stimulation of mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into adipocytes and to induce insulin resistance. It is of most critical concern that infant formulas provide higher amounts of leucine in comparison to human milk. Exaggerated leucine-mediated mTORC1-S6K1 signalling induced by infant formulas may thus explain increased adipogenesis and generation of lifelong elevated adipocyte numbers. Attenuation of mTORC1 signalling of infant formula by leucine restriction to physiologic lower levels of human milk offers a great chance for the prevention of childhood obesity and obesity-related metabolic diseases.

[Early alcohol initiation and increased adult alcohol consumption: cause or indicator?].

PubMed

Geels, L M; Vink, J M; van Beek, J H D A; Willemsen, G; Bartels, M; Boomsma, D I

2013-01-01

Early alcohol initiation is strongly associated with increased alcohol consumption and alcohol abuse/dependence in adulthood. The mechanisms that underlie this association are unclear. To examine whether there is a causal link between early alcohol initiation and later alcohol consumption. Survey data were collected from twin pairs (age range 18-80) included in the Netherlands Twin Register (NTR). A discordant twin design was used to examine the origin of the link between early alcohol initiation and adult alcohol consumption. Within monozygotic pairs (82-143 pairs), twins who started drinking early were compared to their brother/sister who started drinking later, on frequency of alcohol use, weekly alcohol consumption, number of alcohol intoxications, excessive drinking, alcohol abuse/-dependence, and hazardous drinking. By drawing comparisons within monozygotic pairs, we were able to control for the effects of genes/shared environment. Additional analyses examined the effects of age, sex, and in-/exclusion of lifelong abstainers. Within monozygotic twin pairs, the twin who had started drinking early did not differ significantly from his/her brother/sister with respect to future alcohol consumption. Results were independent of age, sex, and in-/exclusion of lifelong abstainers. Early alcohol initiation did not have significant causal effects on subsequent alcohol consumption in adulthood and may be an indicator of a predisposition for alcohol consumption. Campaigns aimed at raising the minimum age for alcohol initiation will possibly have only a limited effect on adult alcohol consumption.

Excessive use of WeChat, social interaction and locus of control among college students in China

PubMed Central

Jiang, Yingying; Ye, Zi; Wang, Ying; Yang, Lizhuang; Li, Xiaoming; Zhang, Yongjun; Pang, Liangjun; Kong, Yan; Xu, Fei; Zhang, Xiaochu

2017-01-01

In China, the number of college students using mobile phone based messaging and social networking applications like WeChat is increasing rapidly. However, there has been minimal research into the addictive nature of these applications and the psychological characteristics associate with their excessive use. There is also no published scale available for assessing excessive use of WeChat and similar applications. In the current study, we collected data from 1,245 college students in China (715 females) and developed the WeChat Excessive Use Scale (WEUS). We then assessed the relationship between excessive use of WeChat and excessive use of a social networking application-Weibo, problematic use of mobile phones, external locus of control, and social interaction skills. Our 10-item scale featured three factors, namely- “mood modification,” “salience” and ‘‘conflict”- critical factors in assessing different forms of addiction. The WEUS was found to be a reliable instrument in assessing excessive use of WeChat as it showed good internal consistency and correlated with other measures of problematic use social networking and mobile phone addiction. Our results showed that excessive users of WeChat are more likely to excessively use Weibo than they are to problematically use mobile phones. Our study also showed that greater excessive use of WeChat is associated with higher external locus of control and greater online social interaction skills. These results reveal that WeChat has unique and strong appeal among college students in China. Further, practitioners should consider dealing with malleable factors like locus of control and real life social skills in treating people with problematic messaging and social networking. PMID:28817710

Excessive use of WeChat, social interaction and locus of control among college students in China.

PubMed

Hou, Juan; Ndasauka, Yamikani; Jiang, Yingying; Ye, Zi; Wang, Ying; Yang, Lizhuang; Li, Xiaoming; Zhang, Yongjun; Pang, Liangjun; Kong, Yan; Xu, Fei; Zhang, Xiaochu

2017-01-01

In China, the number of college students using mobile phone based messaging and social networking applications like WeChat is increasing rapidly. However, there has been minimal research into the addictive nature of these applications and the psychological characteristics associate with their excessive use. There is also no published scale available for assessing excessive use of WeChat and similar applications. In the current study, we collected data from 1,245 college students in China (715 females) and developed the WeChat Excessive Use Scale (WEUS). We then assessed the relationship between excessive use of WeChat and excessive use of a social networking application-Weibo, problematic use of mobile phones, external locus of control, and social interaction skills. Our 10-item scale featured three factors, namely- "mood modification," "salience" and ''conflict"- critical factors in assessing different forms of addiction. The WEUS was found to be a reliable instrument in assessing excessive use of WeChat as it showed good internal consistency and correlated with other measures of problematic use social networking and mobile phone addiction. Our results showed that excessive users of WeChat are more likely to excessively use Weibo than they are to problematically use mobile phones. Our study also showed that greater excessive use of WeChat is associated with higher external locus of control and greater online social interaction skills. These results reveal that WeChat has unique and strong appeal among college students in China. Further, practitioners should consider dealing with malleable factors like locus of control and real life social skills in treating people with problematic messaging and social networking.

Application of constrained equilibrium thermodynamics to irradiated alloy systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holloway, James Paul; Stubbins, James F.

1984-05-01

Equilibrium thermodynamics are applied to systems with an excess of point defects to calculate the relative stability of phases. It is possible to model systems with supersaturation levels of vacancies and interstitials, such as those found under irradiation. The calculations reveal the extent to which phase compositional boundaries could shift when one phase or both in a two phase system contain an excess of point defects. Phase boundary shifts in the Ni-Si, Fe-Ni, Ni-Cr, and Fe-Cr systems are examined as a function of the number of excess defects in each phase. It is also found that the critical temperature of the sigma phase in the Fe-Cr system and the fcc-bcc transition in the Fe-Ni are sensitive to excess defect concentrations. These results may apply to local irradiation-induced phase transformations in the presence of solute segregation.

An update on the LHC monojet excess

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Asadi, Pouya; Buckley, Matthew R.; DiFranzo, Anthony; Monteux, Angelo; Shih, David

2018-03-01

In previous work, we identified an anomalous number of events in the LHC jets+MET searches characterized by low jet multiplicity and low-to-moderate transverse energy variables. Here, we update this analysis with results from a new ATLAS search in the monojet channel which also shows a consistent excess. As before, we find that this "monojet excess" is well-described by the resonant production of a heavy colored state decaying to a quark and a massive invisible particle. In the combined ATLAS and CMS data, we now find a local (global) preference of 3.3 σ (2.5 σ) for the new physics model over the Standard Model-only hypothesis. As the signal regions containing the excess are systematics-limited, we consider additional cuts to enhance the signal-to-background ratio. We show that binning finer in H T and requiring the jets to be more central can increase S/B by a factor of ˜1 .5.

Radio-over-fiber using an optical antenna based on Rydberg states of atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deb, A. B.; Kjærgaard, N.

2018-05-01

We provide an experimental demonstration of a direct fiber-optic link for RF transmission ("radio-over-fiber") using a sensitive optical antenna based on a rubidium vapor cell. The scheme relies on measuring the transmission of laser light at an electromagnetically induced transparency resonance that involves highly excited Rydberg states. By dressing pairs of Rydberg states using microwave fields that act as local oscillators, we encoded RF signals in the optical frequency domain. The light carrying the information is linked via a virtually lossless optical fiber to a photodetector where the signal is retrieved. We demonstrate a signal bandwidth in excess of 1 MHz limited by the available coupling laser power and atomic optical density. Our sensitive, non-metallic and readily scalable optical antenna for microwaves allows extremely low-levels of optical power (˜1 μW) throughput in the fiber-optic link. It offers a promising future platform for emerging wireless network infrastructures.

Transforming research for food and health in Europe.

PubMed

McCarthy, M

2012-10-01

Eating causes up to a quarter of premature deaths from chronic diseases in Europe through poor diet and excess consumption. FAHRE (Food and Health Research in Europe) was funded to determine needs and gaps in research structures and programmes. Most food research links towards agriculture and the environmental sciences, whereas most health research links towards clinical diseases, biochemical pathways and biology. Research on food and health together includes food safety research addressing biological and chemical contaminants, and biotechnology research supporting clinical nutrition. Research for healthy eating must draw on social and behavioural sciences for studies of policy, regulation and interventions. The food industry, across production, retail and catering, must be part of the research programme, and civil society. Better coordination and improved levels of funding are needed in the coming European research programme 'Horizon 2020', and national programmes linked in the Joint Programming Initiative. Transforming the research agenda can give great benefits to Europe's citizens.

A Study of an Optical Lunar Surface Communications Network with High Bandwidth Direct to Earth Link

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, K.; Biswas, A.; Schoolcraft, J.

2011-01-01

A lunar surface systems study explores the application of optical communications to support a high bandwidth data link from a lunar relay satellite and from fixed lunar assets. The results show that existing 1-m ground stations could provide more than 99% coverage of the lunar terminal at 100Mb/s data rates from a lunar relay satellite and in excess of 200Mb/s from a fixed terminal on the lunar surface. We have looked at the effects of the lunar regolith and its removal on optical samples. Our results indicate that under repeated dust removal episodes sapphire rather than fused silica would be a more durable material for optical surfaces. Disruption tolerant network protocols can minimize the data loss due to link dropouts. We report on the preliminary results of the DTN protocol implemented over the optical carrier.

Aeroelastic Stability of Modern Bearingless Rotors: A Parametric Investigation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nguyen, Khanh Q.

1994-01-01

The University of Maryland Advanced Rotorcraft Code (UMARC) is utilized to study the effects of blade design parameters on the aeroelastic stability of an isolated modern bearingless rotor blade in hover. The McDonnell Douglas Advanced Rotor Technology (MDART) Rotor is the baseline rotor investigated. Results indicate that kinematic pitch-lag coupling introduced through the control system geometry and the damping levels of the shear lag dampers strongly affect the hover inplane damping of the baseline rotor blade. Hub precone, pitchcase chordwise stiffness, and blade fundamental torsion frequency have small to moderate influence on the inplane damping, while blade pre-twist and placements of blade fundamental flapwise and chord-wise frequencies have negligible effects. A damperless configuration with a leading edge pitch-link, 15 deg of pitch-link cant angle, and reduced pitch-link stiffness is shown to be stable with an inplane damping level in excess of 2.7 percent critical at the full hover tip speed.

Dietary fructose in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

PubMed

Vos, Miriam B; Lavine, Joel E

2013-06-01

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in adults and children. A number of genetic and environmental factors are known to predispose individuals to NAFLD. Certain dietary sugars, particularly fructose, are suspected to contribute to the development of NAFLD and its progression. The increasing quantity of fructose in the diet comes from sugar additives (most commonly sucrose and high fructose corn syrup) in beverages and processed foods. Substantial links have been demonstrated between increased fructose consumption and obesity, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance. Growing evidence suggests that fructose contributes to the development and severity of NAFLD. In human studies, fructose is associated with increasing hepatic fat, inflammation, and possibly fibrosis. Whether fructose alone can cause NAFLD or if it serves only as a contributor when consumed excessively in the setting of insulin resistance, positive energy balance, and sedentary lifestyle is unknown. Sufficient evidence exists to support clinical recommendations that fructose intake be limited through decreasing foods and drinks high in added (fructose-containing) sugars. Copyright © 2013 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

Local Arginase 1 Activity Is Required for Cutaneous Wound Healing

PubMed Central

Campbell, Laura; Saville, Charis R; Murray, Peter J; Cruickshank, Sheena M; Hardman, Matthew J

2013-01-01

Chronic nonhealing wounds in the elderly population are associated with a prolonged and excessive inflammatory response, which is widely hypothesized to impede healing. Previous studies have linked alterations in local L-arginine metabolism, principally mediated by the enzymes arginase (Arg) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), to pathological wound healing. Over subsequent years, interest in Arg/iNOS has focused on the classical versus alternatively activated (M1/M2) macrophage paradigm. Although the role of iNOS during healing has been studied, Arg contribution to healing remains unclear. Here, we report that Arg is dynamically regulated during acute wound healing. Pharmacological inhibition of local Arg activity directly perturbed healing, as did Tie2-cre-mediated deletion of Arg1, revealing the importance of Arg1 during healing. Inhibition or depletion of Arg did not alter alternatively activated macrophage numbers but instead was associated with increased inflammation, including increased influx of iNOS+ cells and defects in matrix deposition. Finally, we reveal that in preclinical murine models reduced Arg expression directly correlates with delayed healing, and as such may represent an important future therapeutic target. PMID:23552798

Local arginase 1 activity is required for cutaneous wound healing.

PubMed

Campbell, Laura; Saville, Charis R; Murray, Peter J; Cruickshank, Sheena M; Hardman, Matthew J

2013-10-01

Chronic nonhealing wounds in the elderly population are associated with a prolonged and excessive inflammatory response, which is widely hypothesized to impede healing. Previous studies have linked alterations in local L-arginine metabolism, principally mediated by the enzymes arginase (Arg) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), to pathological wound healing. Over subsequent years, interest in Arg/iNOS has focused on the classical versus alternatively activated (M1/M2) macrophage paradigm. Although the role of iNOS during healing has been studied, Arg contribution to healing remains unclear. Here, we report that Arg is dynamically regulated during acute wound healing. Pharmacological inhibition of local Arg activity directly perturbed healing, as did Tie2-cre-mediated deletion of Arg1, revealing the importance of Arg1 during healing. Inhibition or depletion of Arg did not alter alternatively activated macrophage numbers but instead was associated with increased inflammation, including increased influx of iNOS(+) cells and defects in matrix deposition. Finally, we reveal that in preclinical murine models reduced Arg expression directly correlates with delayed healing, and as such may represent an important future therapeutic target.

Epidemiology of Usher syndrome in Valencia and Spain.

PubMed

Espinós, C; Millán, J M; Beneyto, M; Nájera, C

1998-01-01

To obtain epidemiological data on the prevalence of the different types of Usher syndrome (US) in Spain, since these data were missing; to estimate the proportion of sporadic cases among simplex families, and calculate the prevalence of the Usher syndrome in a homogeneous population from Eastern Spain (3,875,234 inhabitants) that is representative of the Spanish population. Otological, ophthalmological and genetic studies were performed in 89 US patients from 46 families and subjected to statistical and segregation analysis. 41.6% of them suffered US type I, 46.1% type II, and in 12.3% the classification remains unclear. The estimated prevalence for the Province of Valencia was 4.2/100,000. There was a notable excess of male-only affected multiplex sibships in our sample that could be attributable to an X-linked inheritance. The number of families with USI type was similar to that of families with USII type. The estimated prevalence for the Province of Valencia is in agreement with other reports in which the estimate for the prevalence of US ranges from 1.8 to 6.2/100,000.

Finding Hidden Quasars with UKIDSS and AAOmega

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maddox, Natasha; Hewett, P. C.; Warren, S. J.; Croom, S. M.

2007-05-01

The number of luminous quasars that have thus far eluded optical surveys is a subject of ongoing debate. Dust reddening and significant host galaxy light tend to exclude candidates from traditional UV-excess selection. UKIDSS, the near-infrared counterpart to SDSS, has started to provide the large area NIR data required to quantify the number of quasars missing from optical surveys. The quasar candidate list was chosen from the Early Data Release of the UKIDSS Large Area Survey (LAS), which aims to cover 2000 square degrees in two years. Requiring each object to have K<17, J<19.5 (the detection limit of the LAS) and a detection in SDSS were the only restrictions imposed on the candidates. A simple cut in gJK colour space, exploiting the K-band excess of quasars compared to stars, then separates the quasar candidates from the stellar locus. Optical-NIR colour selection with relaxed restrictions on morphology is less sensitive to dust reddening, so provides a more complete candidate list, suitable for follow-up observation with the new AAOmega spectrograph on the Anglo-Australian Telescope. With spectroscopic observations covering nearly 20 square degrees taken at the AAT, this is by far the largest K-band selected quasar sample to date. Many new quasars have been identified, in addition to known quasars being recovered. Several of the newly discovered quasars lie in regions of colour space typically excluded by UV selection. This study highlights the effectiveness of the K-excess technique in selecting quasars that do not necessarily exhibit the classic UV excess, either due to intrinsic SED shape or dust reddening. Combining upcoming UKIDSS data releases with scheduled AAT observations will increase the area surveyed by several times, thus moving closer to fully quantifying the number of luminous, reddened quasars.

Surveillance of US Death Rates from Chronic Diseases Related to Excessive Alcohol Use.

PubMed

Polednak, Anthony P

2016-01-01

To assess the utility of multiple-cause (MC) death records for surveillance of US mortality rates from chronic causes related to excessive alcohol use. The Alcohol-Related Disease Impact (ARDI) resource produced estimates of the population 'alcohol attributable fraction' (AAF) due to excessive drinking for each alcohol-related (AAF > 0%) cause of death, and used AAFs to estimate numbers of alcohol-related deaths from alcohol-related underlying causes (UC) in adults age 20-64 and 65+ years in 2006-2010. For surveillance, this study used MC death file to identify individual deaths (2006-2010) with an 'alcohol-induced' cause (AAF = 100%) anywhere on the certificate, and to obtain US rates of premature death (ages 15-64 and 65-74 years) for 1999-2012. Using the selected MC records, numbers of deaths from alcohol-related chronic UC (2006-2010) were 81% of ARDI estimates for age 20-64, but only 40% for 65+ years. The MC records identified substantial numbers of deaths from causes (e.g. certain infectious diseases) not included as alcohol-related in ARDI, but included in surveillance of premature death rates for chronic UC. Also, premature death rates for chronic alcohol-induced causes using only the UC (as in routine mortality statistics) were only about half the rates based on MC; all rates increased in recent years but some reached statistical significance only by using MC. Using MC records underestimated total US deaths from alcohol-related chronic causes as the UC, but enhanced surveillance of rates for premature deaths involving chronic causes that may be related to excessive alcohol use. © The Author 2015. Medical Council on Alcohol and Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

75 FR 52821 - Federal Property Suitable as Facilities To Assist the Homeless

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-27

... plan, existing sanitary facilities, exact street address), providers should contact the appropriate... Property Number: 97199230006 Status: Excess Comments: 310 sq. ft., 1 story stone structure, no sanitary or... Project Canoe Ridge, State Hwy 52 Celina Co: Clay TN 38551 Landholding Agency: COE Property Number...

Small bowel bacterial overgrowth

MedlinePlus

Overgrowth - intestinal bacteria; Bacterial overgrowth - intestine; Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth; SIBO ... intestine does not have a high number of bacteria. Excess bacteria in the small intestine may use ...

Projecting excess emergency department visits and associated costs in Brisbane, Australia, under population growth and climate change scenarios

PubMed Central

Toloo, Ghasem (Sam); Hu, Wenbiao; FitzGerald, Gerry; Aitken, Peter; Tong, Shilu

2015-01-01

The direct and indirect health effects of increasingly warmer temperatures are likely to further burden the already overcrowded hospital emergency departments (EDs). Using current trends and estimates in conjunction with future population growth and climate change scenarios, we show that the increased number of hot days in the future can have a considerable impact on EDs, adding to their workload and costs. The excess number of visits in 2030 is projected to range between 98–336 and 42–127 for younger and older groups, respectively. The excess costs in 2012–13 prices are estimated to range between AU$51,000–184,000 (0–64) and AU$27,000–84,000 (65+). By 2060, these estimates will increase to 229–2300 and 145–1188 at a cost of between AU$120,000–1,200,000 and AU$96,000–786,000 for the respective age groups. Improvements in climate change mitigation and adaptation measures are likely to generate synergistic health co-benefits and reduce the impact on frontline health services. PMID:26245139

Is excessive online usage a function of medium or activity? An empirical pilot study

PubMed Central

Griffiths, Mark D.; Szabo, Attila

2014-01-01

Aims: The purpose of the study was to seek a better insight into whether the online medium or the online activity was more important in relation to excessive online use. It is not clear whether those people who spend excessive amounts of time on the Internet are engaged in general Internet or whether excessive Internet use is linked to specific activities. Methods: Perceived changes in Internet use habits as function of hypothetical accessibility of favorite sites were investigated in young adults. University students (n = 130, mean age = 20.6 years) who had (on average) spent over 20 hours a week on the Internet for at least nine years completed a survey. The most favored online activities and expected quality of life without Internet access were also investigated. Results: Findings revealed that social networking was by far the most popular online activity, and that lack of access to their preferred online activities would drop by 65% (as measured by perceived Internet usage). Approximately one in six participants (16%) claimed they would not even switch on the computer if access to their favorite online activities were unavailable. In relation to a hypothetical question about the quality of life without Internet access, the responses were normally distributed (rather than skewed). Conclusions: These results show that time spent with Internet activity is not random and/or generalized, but appears more focused. Attraction or addiction on Internet to one or more specific behavior(s) may be a better way forward in the quest for better understanding excessive human behavior in the online environment. PMID:25215216

Excessive weight gain during full breast-feeding.

PubMed

Grunewald, Maria; Hellmuth, Christian; Demmelmair, Hans; Koletzko, Berthold

2014-01-01

Breast-feeding is considered to offer optimal nutrition for healthy infant growth and development. Observational studies have linked breast-feeding to reduced obesity. CASE OBSERVATION: We observed an infant who was born macrosomic (4.56 kg) and showed excessive weight gain markedly exceeding the 97th percentile of weight during full breast-feeding. At the age of 4 months, the weight was greater than 11 kg. Clinical evaluation did not reveal any underlying pathology. After the introduction of complementary feeding and hence reduction of the breast milk intake, the excessive weight gain was attenuated and the slope of the percentile curve paralleled upper percentiles. Since this pattern suggested full breast-feeding as the driver of excessive weight gain, we analyzed the human milk composition at the infant age of 1 year and compared the results with published data on composition at this stage of lactation. The milk contents of lactose, fat, fatty acids, polar lipids, carnitine species, and insulin were similar to the reference data. The adiponectin content was increased. The most remarkable alteration was a high milk protein content (mean 1.25 g/dl, reference 0.8 g/dl). A very high protein supply in infancy has been previously shown to increase plasma concentrations of the growth factors insulin and IGF-1, weight gain, and later obesity. We speculate that interindividual variations in human milk adiponectin and protein contents may contribute to modulation of the growth of fully breast-fed infants and in this case may have contributed to excessive weight gain during full breast-feeding. This hypothesis merits being tested in future cohort studies. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Review: fetal programming of polycystic ovary syndrome by androgen excess: evidence from experimental, clinical, and genetic association studies.

PubMed

Xita, Nectaria; Tsatsoulis, Agathocles

2006-05-01

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder of premenopausal women, characterized by hyperandrogenism, polycystic ovaries, and chronic anovulation along with insulin resistance and abdominal obesity as frequent metabolic traits. Although PCOS manifests clinically during adolescence, emerging data suggest that the natural history of PCOS may originate in intrauterine life. Evidence from experimental, clinical, and genetic research supporting the hypothesis for the fetal origins of PCOS has been analyzed. Female primates, exposed in utero to androgen excess, exhibit the phenotypic features of PCOS during adult life. Clinical observations also support a potential fetal origin of PCOS. Women with fetal androgen excess disorders, including congenital 21-hydroxylase deficiency and congenital adrenal virilizing tumors, develop features characteristic of PCOS during adulthood despite the normalization of androgen excess after birth. The potential mechanisms of fetal androgen excess leading to a PCOS phenotype in humans are not clearly understood. However, maternal and/or fetal hyperandrogenism can provide a plausible mechanism for fetal programing of PCOS, and this, in part, may be genetically determined. Thus, genetic association studies have indicated that common polymorphic variants of genes determining androgen activity or genes that influence the availability of androgens to target tissues are associated with PCOS and increased androgen levels. These genomic variants may provide the genetic link to prenatal androgenization in human PCOS. Prenatal androgenization of the female fetus induced by genetic and environmental factors, or the interaction of both, may program differentiating target tissues toward the development of PCOS phenotype in adult life.

Spark Plasma Sintering for Nanostructured Smart Materials

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-03-02

polyester) with excess isocyanate to form a prepolymer , followed by the addition of a short chain diol that acts as a chain extender to link the... prepolymers together. Due to the thermodynamic imicisibility of segments of PU, phase separation into a flexible soft segment (long chain diol) and a...other reactions of the isocyanate groups with the other functional groups in the chain. [Hepburn, 1992] However, during the initial prepolymer

Effective Operational Assessment: A Return to the Basics

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-10-27

white. Second, they concentrated on what should have been measured (an FM 5-0 rule of thumb ), such as the numbers (and names) of remaining insurgents...12 was manageable, vice ―excessive,‖ another rule of thumb . They cut right to the heart of what mattered in determining whether the insurgents...mentioned, FM 5-0 provides three excellent rules of thumb for the basics of operational assessment: ―avoid excessive analyses,‖ ―avoid … overly

Mortality patterns associated with the 1918 influenza pandemic in Mexico: evidence for a spring herald wave and lack of pre-existing immunity in older populations

PubMed Central

Chowell, Gerardo; Viboud, Cécile; Simonsen, Lone; Miller, Mark A.; Acuna-Soto, Rodolfo

2010-01-01

Background While the mortality burden of the devastating 1918 influenza pandemic has been carefully quantified in the US, Japan, and European countries, little is known about the pandemic experience elsewhere. Here, we compiled extensive archival records to quantify the pandemic mortality patterns in two Mexican cities, Mexico City and Toluca. Methods We applied seasonal excess mortality models to age-specific respiratory mortality rates for 1915–1920 and quantified the reproduction number from daily data. Results We identified 3 pandemic waves in Mexico City in spring 1918, fall 1918, and winter 1920, characterized by unusual excess mortality in 25–44 years old. Toluca experienced 2-fold higher excess mortality rates than Mexico City, but did not have a substantial 3rd wave. All age groups including those over 65 years experienced excess mortality during 1918–20. Reproduction number estimates were below 2.5 assuming a 3-day generation interval. Conclusion Mexico experienced a herald pandemic wave with elevated young adult mortality in spring 1918, similar to the US and Europe. In contrast to the US and Europe, there was no mortality sparing in Mexican seniors, highlighting potential geographical differences in pre-existing immunity to the 1918 virus. We discuss the relevance of our findings to the 2009 pandemic mortality patterns. PMID:20594109

PCC-FISH in skin fibroblasts for local dose assessment: biodosimetric analysis of a victim of the Georgian radiological accident.

PubMed

Pouget, J-P; Laurent, C; Delbos, M; Benderitter, M; Clairand, I; Trompier, F; Stéphanazzi, J; Carsin, H; Lambert, F; Voisin, P; Gourmelon, P

2004-10-01

We propose a new method of biodosimetry that could be applied in cases of localized irradiation. The approach is based on excess chromosome segments determination by the PCC-FISH technique in fibroblasts isolated from skin biopsy. Typically, 0 to 10 Gy ex vivo gamma-irradiated human skin biopsies were dissociated and fibroblasts were isolated and grown for several days. Cells next underwent PCC-FISH painting of whole chromosome 4, and the number of excess chromosome segments per metaphase was determined. An ex vivo reference curve correlating the number of excess chromosome segments per metaphase to the radiation dose was established and used to assess the dose delivered to the skin of one of the victims of the radiological accident that occurred at Lia in Georgia in December 2001. Specifically, the victim suffering from moist desquamation underwent skin excision in Hospital Percy (France). Measurement of excess chromosome segments per metaphase was done in fibroblasts isolated and grown from removed wounded skin and subsequent conversion to radiation doses was performed. The radiation dose map obtained was shown to be in accordance with clinical data and physical dosimetry as well as with conventional biodosimetry. These results demonstrated that PCC-FISH painting applied to skin fibroblasts may be a suitable technique for dose estimation. To assess its worth, this approach needs to be extended to future accidents involving localized radiation exposure.

Linking matrices in systems with periodic boundary conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panagiotou, Eleni; Millett, Kenneth C.

2018-06-01

We study the linking matrix, a measure of entanglement for a collection of closed or open chains in 3-space based on the Gauss linking number. Periodic boundary conditions (PBC) are often used in the simulation of physical systems of filaments. To measure entanglement of closed or open chains in systems employing PBC we use the periodic linking matrix, based on the periodic linking number, defined in Panagiotou (2015 J. Comput. Phys. 300 533–73). We study the properties of the periodic linking matrix as a function of cell size. We provide analytical results concerning the eigenvalues of the periodic linking matrix and show that some of them are invariant of cell-size.

Armodafinil in the treatment of excessive sleepiness.

PubMed

Bogan, Richard K

2010-04-01

Excessive sleepiness causes impaired quality of life and increases the risk of poor health and accidents. Armodafinil is a wake-promoting agent approved in 2007 by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of excessive sleepiness arising from narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA; even after optimal treatment for the underlying obstruction) and shift-work disorder (SWD). It is the R-enantiomer of modafinil, which is a racemic mixture of R- and S-enantiomers. This review summarizes the recent primary data on the pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy and safety of armodafinil using literature published since 2005 that was identified from PubMed. The review describes recent advances in the understanding of the pharmacokinetic profile of the drug and why this may improve wakefulness later after dosing compared with modafinil. It also describes the recent efficacy and safety data supporting the use of armodafinil to treat excessive sleepiness in indicated patients. Armodafinil is a useful therapy for the treatment of excessive sleepiness arising from a number of clinical conditions. It is generally well tolerated and has a low potential for abuse or tolerance.

A SUBTLE INFRARED EXCESS ASSOCIATED WITH A YOUNG WHITE DWARF IN THE EDINBURGH-CAPE BLUE OBJECT SURVEY

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

Dennihy, E.; Dunlap, B. H.; Clemens, J. C.

We report the discovery of a subtle infrared excess associated with the young white dwarf EC 05365–4749 at 3.35 and 4.6 μ m. Follow-up spectroscopic observations are consistent with a hydrogen atmosphere white dwarf of effective temperature 22,800 K and log [ g (cm s{sup −2})] = 8.19. High-resolution spectroscopy reveals atmospheric metal pollution with logarithmic abundances of [Mg/H] = −5.36 and [Ca/H] = −5.75, confirming the white dwarf is actively accreting from a metal-rich source with an intriguing abundance pattern. We find that the infrared excess is well modeled by a flat, opaque debris disk, though disk parameters aremore » not well constrained by the small number of infrared excess points. We further demonstrate that relaxing the assumption of a circular dusty debris disk to include elliptical disks expands the widths of acceptable disks, adding an alternative interpretation to the subtle infrared excesses commonly observed around young white dwarfs.« less

[Estimating and projecting the acute effect of cold spells on excess mortality under climate change in Guangzhou].

PubMed

Sun, Q H; Wang, W T; Wang, Y W; Li, T T

2018-04-06

Objective: To estimate future excess mortality attributable to cold spells in Guangzhou, China. Methods: We collected the mortality data and metrological data from 2009-2013 of Guangzhou to calculated the association between cold spell days and non-accidental mortality with GLM model. Then we projected future daily average temperatures (2020-2039 (2020s) , 2050-2069 (2050s) , 2080-2099 (2080s) ) with 5 GCMs models and 2 RCPs (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) to identify cold spell days. The baseline period was the 1980s (1980-1999). Finally, calculated the yearly cold spells related excess death of 1980s, 2020s, 2050s, and 2080s with average daily death count of non-cold spell days, exposure-response relationship, and yearly number of cold spell days. Results: The average of daily non-accidental mortality in Guangzhou from 2009 to 2013 was 96, and the average of daily average was 22.0 ℃. Cold spell days were associated with 3.3% (95% CI: 0.4%-6.2%) increase in non-accidental mortality. In 1980s, yearly cold spells related deaths were 34 (95% CI: 4-64). In 2020s, the number will increase by 0-10; in 2050s, the number will increase by 1-9; and in 2080s, will increase by 1-9 under the RCP4.5 scenario. In 2020s, the number will increase by 0-9; in 2050s, the number will increase by 1-6; and in 2080s, will increase by 0-11 under the RCP8.5 scenario. Conclusion: The cold spells related non-accidental deaths in Guangzhou will increase in future under climate change.

Trees influence preferencial flow and water uptake in tropical savanna

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benegas, Laura; Bargues-Tobella, Aida; Hasselquist, Niles; Malmer, Anders; Ilstedt, Ulrik

2017-04-01

To address potential competition between trees and grasses for soil water, and to disentangle the main process responsible for local soil water dynamics in pasture ecosystems, we conducted a study of the soil water content and water source partitioning of grasses and trees within a pasture in the Copan River catchment, Honduras. We used differences in the 2H/1H (δD) isotopic signature of soil water (δSW) and the local meteoric water line (LMWL; δLMWL) as a relative index of evaporation, following a recent model proposed by Hasselquist et al (under review). The model uses Lc-excess calculated as the absolute value of the difference between measured δD and that predicted by the local meteoric water line (lc-excess = ¦δDM - δDP¦). Lc-excess values close to zero indicate little difference between soil water samples and local precipitation, whereas larger values indicate a greater degree of evaporation .()...(adapted from Landwehr and Coplen, 2006). From the relation between Lc-excess and SWC, we can tease apart different processes by which trees influence local soil water dynamics, where one such processes indicate that if preferential flow, i.e quick flows through macropores that by-pass the soil matrix, is the main pathway for water movement in the soil, then the Lc-excess values of soil water at deeper depths will be closer to zero than those of the surface soil, whereas relatively higher Lc-excess values would indicate increasing dominance of matrix flow. We found that soil underneath trees was wetter than underneath grasses at the dry season and we can relate this with a lack of clear relationship between Lc-excess and SWC and with the treés apparent shift to groundwater sources for root uptake especially in the dry season. Due to the positive correlation between Lc-excess and SWC under trees and due to the lower Lc-excess values found at subsoil below trees during the dry season, we can infer that preferential flow is also facilitated by the trees enhancing its contribution to groundwater recharge. The possible water losses via interception linked with trees on the soil water dynamic was counterbalanced by the positive contribution of trees to preferential flow and groundwater recharge.

Which is the best predictor of excessive hip internal rotation in women with patellofemoral pain: Rearfoot eversion or hip muscle strength? Exploring subgroups.

PubMed

Ferreira, Amanda Schenatto; de Oliveira Silva, Danilo; Briani, Ronaldo Valdir; Ferrari, Deisi; Aragão, Fernando Amâncio; Pazzinatto, Marcella Ferraz; de Azevedo, Fábio Mícolis

2018-03-26

Patellofemoral pain (PFP) has been linked to increased patellofemoral joint stress as a result of excessive hip internal rotation. Lower hip strength and/or excessive rearfoot eversion have been used to explain such altered movement pattern; however, it is unknown which one is the best predictor of excessive hip internal rotation. To investigate if peak rearfoot eversion and/or peak concentric hip abductor strength can predict peak hip internal rotation during stair ascent in women with PFP. This cross-sectional study included thirty-seven women with PFP which underwent three-dimensional kinematic analysis during stair ascent and hip abductor strength analysis in an isokinetic dynamometer. A forced entry linear regression model analysis was carried out to determine which independent variables present the best capability to predict the hip internal rotation. Peak concentric hip abductor strength significantly predicted peak hip internal rotation during stair ascent (R 2  = 0.27, p = 0.001). Peak rearfoot eversion did not predict peak hip internal rotation during stair ascent (R 2  < 0.01, p = 0.62). A Post-hoc analysis was conducted to explore if a subgroup with excessive rearfoot eversion would predict hip internal rotation. Based on a previous reported cut-off point, 48.6% of the participants were classified as excessive rearfoot eversion. For the subgroup with excessive rearfoot eversion, peak concentric hip abductor strength and peak rearfoot eversion significantly predicted peak hip internal rotation during stair ascent (R 2  = 0.26, p = 0.02; R 2  = 0.42, p = 0.003, respectively). For non-excessive rearfoot eversion subgroup, peak concentric hip abductor strength significantly predicted peak hip internal rotation during stair ascent (R 2  = 0.53; p < 0.001); and peak rearfoot eversion did not (R 2  = 0.01; p = 0.65). Findings indicate that hip muscle strength seems to be related with hip internal rotation in all women with PFP. Rearfoot eversion seems to be related with hip internal rotation only in a subgroup with excessive rearfoot eversion. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Apoptosis in subicular neurons: A comparison between suicide and Addison's disease

PubMed Central

Printha, K.; Hulathduwa, S. R.; Samarasinghe, K.; Suh, Y. H.; De Silva, K. R. D.

2009-01-01

Background: Stress and depression shows possible links to neuronal death in hippocampus. Subiculum plays a prominent role in limbic stress integration and direct effect of corticosteroids on subicular neurons needs to be defined to assess its subsequent impact on hippocampal plasticity. Aim: This study was intended to assess apoptosis in subicular neurons of a young depressed suicide victim, where presumably stress induced excess of corticosteroids and a case of young Addison's disease with low level of corticosteroids. Materials and Method: Both bilateral adrenal glands (Addison's) and subiculum (both cases) were initially stained with hematoxylin and eosin; subicular neurons of both cases were examined for the degree of apoptosis using ‘ApopTag Kit’. Apoptotic cell counts were expressed as average number of labeled cells/mm2 and the results were analysed statistically using a non-parametric Mann–Whitney U test. Result: Apoptotic neurons were detected in the subicular region of both suicide and Addison victims, and it is statistically significant in both right and left between the cases (P < 0.05). In suicide victim, the neuronal apoptosis is considerably significant between the two hemispheres (P < 0.05), in contrast to Addison disease where the number of neuronal cell death between right and left was statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The present study confirms the vulnerability of the subicular neurons to apoptosis, possibly due to corticosteroids in both ends of spectrum. PMID:20048453

Practical considerations for volumetric wear analysis of explanted hip arthroplasties

PubMed Central

Langton, D. J.; Sidaginamale, R. P.; Holland, J. P.; Deehan, D.; Joyce, T. J.; Nargol, A. V. F.; Meek, R. D.; Lord, J. K.

2014-01-01

Objectives Wear debris released from bearing surfaces has been shown to provoke negative immune responses in the recipient. Excessive wear has been linked to early failure of prostheses. Analysis using coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) can provide estimates of total volumetric material loss of explanted prostheses and can help to understand device failure. The accuracy of volumetric testing has been debated, with some investigators stating that only protocols involving hundreds of thousands of measurement points are sufficient. We looked to examine this assumption and to apply the findings to the clinical arena. Methods We examined the effects on the calculated material loss from a ceramic femoral head when different CMM scanning parameters were used. Calculated wear volumes were compared with gold standard gravimetric tests in a blinded study. Results Various scanning parameters including point pitch, maximum point to point distance, the number of scanning contours or the total number of points had no clinically relevant effect on volumetric wear calculations. Gravimetric testing showed that material loss can be calculated to provide clinically relevant degrees of accuracy. Conclusions Prosthetic surfaces can be analysed accurately and rapidly with currently available technologies. Given these results, we believe that routine analysis of explanted hip components would be a feasible and logical extension to National Joint Registries. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2014;3:60–8. PMID:24627327

Alcohol Policies and Suicide: A Review of the Literature

PubMed Central

Xuan, Ziming; Naimi, Timothy S.; Kaplan, Mark S.; Bagge, Courtney L.; Few, Lauren R.; Maisto, Stephen; Saitz, Richard; Freeman, Robert

2016-01-01

Both intoxication and chronic heavy alcohol use are associated with suicide. There is extensive population-level evidence linking per capita alcohol consumption with suicide. While alcohol policies can reduce excessive alcohol consumption, the relationship between alcohol policies and suicide warrants a critical review of the literature. This review summarizes the associations between various types of alcohol policies and suicide, both in the United States and internationally, as presented in English-language literature published between 1999 and 2014. Study designs, methodological challenges, and limitations in ascertaining the associations are discussed. Because of the substantial between-states variation in alcohol policies, U.S.-based studies contributed substantially to the literature. Repeated cross-sectional designs at both the ecological level and decedent level were common among U.S.-based studies. Non-U.S. studies often used time series data to evaluate pre-post comparisons of a hybrid set of policy changes. Although inconsistency remained, the published literature in general supported the protective effect of restrictive alcohol policies on reducing suicide as well as the decreased level of alcohol involvement among suicide decedents. Common limitations included measurement and selection bias, and a focus on effects of a limited number of alcohol policies without accounting for other alcohol policies. This review summarizes a number of studies that suggest restrictive alcohol policies may contribute to suicide prevention on a general population level, and to a reduction of alcohol involvement among suicide deaths. PMID:27618526

Bubble number saturation curve and asymptotics of hypobaric and hyperbaric exposures.

PubMed

Wienke, B R

1991-12-01

Within bubble number limits of the varying permeability and reduced gradient bubble models, it is shown that a linear form of the saturation curve for hyperbaric exposures and a nearly constant decompression ratio for hypobaric exposures are simultaneously recovered from the phase volume constraint. Both limits are maintained within a single bubble number saturation curve. A bubble term, varying exponentially with inverse pressure, provides closure. Two constants describe the saturation curve, both linked to seed numbers. Limits of other decompression models are also discussed and contrasted for completeness. It is suggested that the bubble number saturation curve thus provides a consistent link between hypobaric and hyperbaric data, a link not established by earlier decompression models.

The role of the opioid system in binge eating disorder.

PubMed

Giuliano, Chiara; Cottone, Pietro

2015-12-01

Binge eating disorder is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable consumption of palatable food within brief periods of time. Excessive intake of palatable food is thought to be driven by hedonic, rather than energy homeostatic, mechanisms. However, reward processing does not only comprise consummatory actions; a key component is represented by the anticipatory phase directed at procuring the reward. This phase is highly influenced by environmental food-associated stimuli, which can robustly enhance the desire to eat even in the absence of physiological needs. The opioid system (endogenous peptides and their receptors) has been strongly linked to the rewarding aspects of palatable food intake, and perhaps represents the key system involved in hedonic overeating. Here we review evidence suggesting that the opioid system can also be regarded as one of the systems that regulates the anticipatory incentive processes preceding binge eating hedonic episodes.

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness as an Indicator of Depression in Hispanic Americans

PubMed Central

Malcarne, Vanessa L.; Wachsman, Solenne I.; Sadler, Georgia Robins

2016-01-01

Introduction Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) has been shown to be associated with depression; however, this relationship has not been confirmed among Hispanic Americans. Method This study examined the link between EDS and depression among Hispanic Americans (N = 411) and explored the potential moderating roles of age, gender, income, education, health status, and acculturation. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Patient Health Questionnaire–9 measured EDS and depression, respectively. Results Hierarchical linear regression demonstrated that EDS was significantly related to depression. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis suggested that the Epworth Sleepiness Scale discriminated with adequate sensitivity and specificity between participants with moderately severe depression and those with less severe symptoms. No sociodemographic variables moderated the EDS–depression relationship. Conclusion These findings suggest that depression should be considered when Hispanic Americans present with EDS. PMID:27465932

Dietary Sodium and Health: More Than Just Blood Pressure

PubMed Central

Farquhar, William B.; Edwards, David G.; Jurkovitz, Claudine T.; Weintraub, William S.

2016-01-01

Sodium is essential for cellular homeostasis and physiological function. Excess dietary sodium has been linked to elevations in blood pressure (BP). Salt-sensitivity of BP varies widely, but certain subgroups tend to be more salt-sensitive. The mechanisms underlying sodium-induced increases in BP are not completely understood, but may involve alterations in renal function, fluid volume, fluid regulatory hormones, the vasculature, cardiac function, and the autonomic nervous system. Recent pre-clinical and clinical data support that even in the absence of an increase in BP, excess dietary sodium can adversely affect target organs, including the blood vessels, heart, kidneys, and brain. In this review, we address these issues and the epidemiological literature relating dietary sodium to BP and cardiovascular health outcomes, addressing recent controversies. We also provide information and strategies for reducing dietary sodium. PMID:25766952

Pentadecanoic and Heptadecanoic Acids: Multifaceted Odd-Chain Fatty Acids12

PubMed Central

Pfeuffer, Maria; Jaudszus, Anke

2016-01-01

The odd-chain fatty acids (OCFAs) pentadecanoic acid (15:0) and heptadecanoic acid (17:0), which account for only a small proportion of total saturated fatty acids in milk fat and ruminant meat, are accepted biomarkers of dairy fat intake. However, they can also be synthesized endogenously, for example, from gut-derived propionic acid (3:0). A number of studies have shown an inverse association between OCFA concentrations in human plasma phospholipids or RBCs and risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. We propose a possible involvement in metabolic regulation from the assumption that there is a link between 15:0 and 17:0 and the metabolism of other short-chain, medium-chain, and longer-chain OCFAs. The OCFAs 15:0 and 17:0 can be elongated to very-long-chain FAs (VLCFAs) such as tricosanoic acid (23:0) and pentacosanoic acid (25:0) in glycosphingolipids, particularly found in brain tissue, or can be derived from these VLCFAs. Their chains can be shortened, yielding propionyl-coenzyme A (CoA). Propionyl-CoA, by succinyl-CoA, can replenish the citric acid cycle (CAC) with anaplerotic intermediates and, thus, improve mitochondrial energy metabolism. Mitochondrial function is compromised in a number of disorders and may be impaired with increasing age. Optimizing anaplerotic intermediate availability for the CAC may help to cope with demands in times of increased metabolic stress and with aging. OCFAs may serve as substrates for synthesis of both odd-numbered VLCFAs and propionyl-CoA or store away excess propionic acid. PMID:27422507

Cell proliferation and apoptosis in gill filaments of the lucinid Codakia orbiculata (Montagu, 1808) (Mollusca: Bivalvia) during bacterial decolonization and recolonization.

PubMed

Elisabeth, Nathalie H; Gustave, Sylvie D D; Gros, Olivier

2012-08-01

The shallow-water bivalve Codakia orbiculata which harbors gill-endosymbiotic sulfur-oxidizing γ-proteobacteria can lose and acquire its endosymbionts throughout its life. Long-term starvation and recolonization experiments led to changes in the organization of cells in the lateral zone of gill filaments. This plasticity is linked to the presence or absence of gill-endosymbionts. Herein, we propose that this reorganization can be explained by three hypotheses: (a) a variation in the number of bacteriocytes and granule cells due to proliferation or apoptosis processes, (b) a variation of the volume of these two cell types without modification in the number, and (c) a combination of both number and cell volume variation. To test these hypotheses, we analyzed cell reorganization in terms of proliferation and apoptosis in adults submitted to starvation and returned to the field using catalyzed reporter deposition fluorescence in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and structural analyses. We observed that cell and tissue reorganization in gills filaments is due to a variation in cell relative abundance that maybe associated with a variation in cell apparent volume and depends on the environment. In fact, bacteriocytes mostly multiply in freshly collected and newly recolonized individuals, and excess bacteriocytes are eliminated in later recolonization stages. We highlight that host tissue regeneration in gill filaments of this symbiotic bivalve can occur by both replication of existing cells and division of undifferentiated cells localized in tissular bridges, which might be a tissue-specific multipotent stem cell zone. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Breast-feeding duration for the prevention of excess body weight of mother-child pairs concurrently: a 2-year cohort study.

PubMed

Mastroeni, Marco Fabio; Mastroeni, Silmara Salete de Barros Silva; Czarnobay, Sandra Ana; Ekwaru, John Paul; Loehr, Sarah A; Veugelers, Paul J

2017-10-01

To examine the association between breast-feeding duration and the risk of excess body weight (children >85th percentile, mothers BMI≥25·0 kg/m2) concurrently in mother-child pairs two years after delivery. Prospective cohort study in Joinville, Brazil. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the independent relationship between breast-feeding duration and risk of excess body weight. Brazilian public maternity hospital. Three hundred and five mother-child pairs. At 2-year follow-up, 23·6 % of mother-child pairs had excess body weight. Children breast-fed for <2 months were more likely to have excess body weight than children breast-fed for ≥6 months (OR=2·4; 95 % CI 1·1, 5·1). Breast-feeding for <2 months was also associated with a greater likelihood of maternal excess body weight compared with those who breast-fed for ≥6 months (OR=2·9; 95 % CI 1·1, 8·1). There was a progressive increase in the likelihood of mother-child pairs having excess body weight as breast-feeding duration decreased. In addition to breast-feeding duration, other independent determinants of excess body weight were pre-pregnancy weight, gestational weight gain and number of pregnancies in mothers, and birth weight in children. Breast-feeding for a longer duration has a parallel protective effect on the risk of excess body weight in mother-child pairs two years after birth. Since members of the same family could be influenced by the same risk factors, continued promotion and support of breast-feeding may help to attenuate the rising prevalence of overweight in mother-child pairs.

An Excess Broadband Noise Observed with Overexpanded Jets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zaman, K.B.M.Q.; Bridges, James E.; Brown, C.A.

2009-01-01

Results of an experiment on the characteristics of an excess noise occurring with convergent-divergent (C-D) nozzles in the overexpanded regime are presented in this paper. Data are obtained with five C-D nozzles and a convergent nozzle, all having the same exit diameter. The results clearly establish that the C-D nozzles are noisier in the low Mach number range of the overexpanded regime. This is evidenced from the directivity patterns as well as overall radiated sound power calculations. The excess noise is broadband in nature and is found to be more pronounced with nozzles having a larger half-angle of the divergent section. It appears to occur when a shock resides within the divergent section and results from random unsteady motion of the shock.

NUCLEAR REACTOR CONTROL SYSTEM

DOEpatents

Howard, D.F.; Motta, E.E.

1961-06-27

A method for controlling the excess reactivity in a nuclear reactor throughout the core life while maintaining the neutron flux distribution at the desired level is described. The control unit embodies a container having two electrodes of different surface area immersed in an electrolytic solution of a good neutron sbsorbing metal ion such as boron, gadolinium, or cadmium. Initially, the neutron absorber is plated on the larger electrode to control the greater neutron flux of a freshly refueled core. As the fuel burns up, the excess reactivity decreases and the neutron absorber is then plated onto the smaller electrode so that the number of neutrons absorbed also decreases. The excess reactivity in the core may thus be maintained without the introduction of serious perturbations in the neutron flux distributibn.

Validity and extension of the SCS-CN method for computing infiltration and rainfall-excess rates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mishra, Surendra Kumar; Singh, Vijay P.

2004-12-01

A criterion is developed for determining the validity of the Soil Conservation Service curve number (SCS-CN) method. According to this criterion, the existing SCS-CN method is found to be applicable when the potential maximum retention, S, is less than or equal to twice the total rainfall amount. The criterion is tested using published data of two watersheds. Separating the steady infiltration from capillary infiltration, the method is extended for predicting infiltration and rainfall-excess rates. The extended SCS-CN method is tested using 55 sets of laboratory infiltration data on soils varying from Plainfield sand to Yolo light clay, and the computed and observed infiltration and rainfall-excess rates are found to be in good agreement.

Research and Development on the Storage Ring Vacuum System for the APS Upgrade Project

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

Stillwell, B.; Brajuskovic, B.; Carter, J.

A number of research and development activities are underway at Argonne National Laboratory to build confidence in the designs for the storage ring vacuum system required for the Advanced Photon Source Up-grade project (APS-U) [1]. The predominant technical risks are: excessive residual gas pressures during operation; insufficient beam position monitor stability; excessive beam impedance; excessive heating by induced electrical surface currents; and insufficient operational reliability. Present efforts to mitigate these risks include: building and evaluating mockup assemblies; performing mechanical testing of chamber weld joints; developing computational tools; investigating design alternatives; and performing electrical bench measurements. Status of these activities andmore » some of what has been learned to date will be shared.« less

Comparing excess costs across multiple corporate populations.

PubMed

Wright, Douglas; Adams, Laura; Beard, Marshall J; Burton, Wayne N; Hirschland, David; McDonald, Timothy; Napier, Deborah; Galante, Salvatore; Smith, Thomas; Edington, D W

2004-09-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of health risk level to charged medical costs and determine the excess cost of higher risk individuals compared to low risk. Two years of medical claims from six corporations were used to determine costs of health risk assessment (HRA) participants and nonparticipants. A total of 165,770 employees, 21,124 of which took an HRA, were used for the study. Costs increased as risk level increased. There were no significant differences within a risk level between companies for the cost ratio. Percent of medical costs due to excess risk ranged from 15.0-30.8% for HRA participants and 23.8-38.3% for the study population. Cost patterns were consistent across companies. Excess cost as the result of increased risk level accounted for a substantial portion of the cost at each company. These results can be used to justify the need for a health-promotion program and to estimate potential savings as the result of excess risk. Even without the use of an HRA, health practitioners should feel confident stating that excess risk accounts for at least 25% to 30% of medical costs per year across a wide variety of companies, regardless of industry or demographics. The numbers can be used as a realistic estimate for any health promotion program financial proposal.

Identification of erosional and inundation hazard zones in Ken-Betwa river linking area, India, using remote sensing and GIS.

PubMed

Avtar, Ram; Singh, Chander Kumar; Shashtri, Satayanarayan; Mukherjee, Saumitra

2011-11-01

Ken-Betwa river link is one of the pilot projects of the Inter Linking of Rivers program of Government of India in Bundelkhand Region. It will connect the Ken and Betwa rivers through a system of dams, reservoirs, and canals to provide storage for excess rainfall during the monsoon season and avoid floods. The main objective of this study is to identify erosional and inundation prone zones of Ken-Betwa river linking site in India using remote sensing and geographic information system tools. In this study, Landsat Thematic Mapper data of year 2005, digital elevation model from the Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission, and other ancillary data were analyzed to create various thematic maps viz. geomorphology, land use/land cover, NDVI, geology, soil, drainage density, elevation, slope, and rainfall. The integrated thematic maps were used for hazard zonation. This is based on categorizing the different hydrological and geomorphological processes influencing the inundation and erosion intensity. Result shows that the southern part of the study area which lies in Panna district of Madhya Pradesh, India, is more vulnerable than the other areas.

Application of cross-linked and hydrolyzed arabinoxylans in baking of model rye bread.

PubMed

Buksa, Krzysztof; Nowotna, Anna; Ziobro, Rafał

2016-02-01

The role of water extractable arabinoxylan with varying molar mass and structure (cross-linked vs. hydrolyzed) in the structure formation of rye bread was examined using a model bread. Instead of the normal flour, the dough contained starch, arabinoxylan and protein, which were isolated from rye wholemeal. It was observed that the applied mixes of these constituents result in a product closely resembling typical rye bread, even if arabinoxylan was modified (by cross-linking or hydrolysis). The levels of arabinoxylan required for bread preparation depended on its modification and mix composition. At 3% protein, the maximum applicable level of poorly soluble cross-linked arabinoxylan was 3%, as higher amounts of this preparation resulted in an extensively viscous dough and diminished bread volume. On the other hand highly soluble, hydrolyzed arabinoxylan could be used at a higher level (6%) together with larger amounts of rye protein (3% or 6%). Further addition of arabinoxylan leads to excessive water absorption, resulting in a decreased viscosity of the dough during baking and insufficient gas retention. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Agricultural Pesticide Use and Pancreatic Cancer Risk in the Agricultural Health Study Cohort

PubMed Central

Andreotti, Gabriella; Beane Freeman, Laura E.; Hou, Lifang; Coble, Joseph; Rusiecki, Jennifer; Hoppin, Jane A.; Silverman, Debra T.; Alavanja, Michael

2009-01-01

Pancreatic cancer is a rapidly fatal disease that has been linked with pesticide use. Previous studies have reported excess risks of pancreatic cancer with organochlorines such as DDT, however, many other commonly used pesticides have not been examined. To further examine the potential associations between the use of a number of pesticides and pancreatic cancer, we conducted a case-control analysis in the Agricultural Health Study, one of the largest prospective cohorts with over 89,000 participants including pesticide applicators and their spouses in Iowa and North Carolina. This analysis included 93 incident pancreatic cancer cases (64 applicators, 29 spouses) and 82,503 cancer-free controls who completed an enrollment questionnaire providing detailed pesticide use, demographic and lifestyle information. Ever use of 24 pesticides and intensity-weighted lifetime days [(lifetime exposure days) × (exposure intensity score)] of 13 pesticides was assessed. Risk estimates were calculated using unconditional logistic regression controlling for age, smoking, and diabetes. Among pesticide applicators, two herbicides (EPTC and pendimethalin) of the 13 pesticides examined for intensity-weighted lifetime use showed a statistically significant exposure-response association with pancreatic cancer. Applicators in the top half of lifetime pendimethalin use had a 3.0-fold (95% CI 1.3-7.2, p-trend=0.01) risk compared to never users, and those in the top half of lifetime EPTC use had a 2.56-fold (95% CI=1.1-5.4, p-trend=0.01) risk compared to never users. Organochlorines were not associated with an excess risk of pancreatic cancer in this study. These findings suggest that herbicides, particularly pendimethalin and EPTC, may be associated with pancreatic cancer. PMID:19142867

Cancer incidence among male pulp and paper workers in Norway.

PubMed

Langseth, H; Andersen, A

2000-04-01

The study investigated cancer incidence among 23,718 male pulp and paper workers employed continuously for at least 1 year between 1920 and 1993 in Norway. The name, date of birth, personal identification number, dates of hire and termination for all employment periods, specific department, and job categories were registered for each worker. Six subcohorts were established (sulfite mill, sulfate mill, paper mill, maintenance department, administrative staff and other departments). Data on the cohort were linked with data in the Norwegian Cancer Register. The follow-up period for cancer incidence, date of death, or emigration was from 1953 through 1993. An excess incidence of lung cancer was found among both short- and long-term employees [standardized incidence ratio (SIR) 1.5, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.13-2.03 and SIR 1.2, 95% CI 1.09-1.34, respectively], especially for workers with the longest latency (SIR 1.3, 95% CI 1.08-1.44) and for sulfite mill workers (SIR 1.5, 95% CI 1.09-1.99). The risk for pleural mesothelioma was also increased (SIR 2.4, 95% CI 1.45-3.75), especially among maintenance workers. The results also showed an increased risk for malignant melanoma (SIR 1.3, 95% CI 1.04-1.60), an unexpected finding. Almost all the increased risk for lung cancer can be explained by a combination of smoking habits and asbestos use. although an effect of other work-related exposures (sulfur and chloride compounds, wood dust) cannot be excluded. Most of the cases of pleural mesothelioma occurred in departments where asbestos was used. There is no clear explanation for the excess of malignant melanoma, and the finding may be a chance occurrence.

Is Helicobacter pylori really the cause of gastric cancer?

PubMed

Nyrén, O

1998-08-01

Since 1994, when the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) designated Helicobacter pylori a human carcinogen, a considerable number of new studies have examined the association of this microorganism with risk of gastric cancer. The aim of this review was to critically evaluate current evidence of a causal relationship between the infection and gastric cancer in humans, taking these new studies into account. A MEDLINE search for the years 1982 through March 1998 yielded eight cohort studies, 40 case-control studies and eight ecologic studies. They were divided into four categories according to the weight of the evidence produced. In the category producing the strongest evidence, the cohort studies, five out of eight studies (including the three that formed the basis for the IARC decision) found a statistically significant excess risk of gastric cancer among the infected with odds ratios ranging between 2.8 and 6.0. Two cohort studies showed a non-significant tendency towards a positive association, but with point estimates indicating no more than a 50-60% excess risk among the H. pylori seropositive, and one apparently well-performed cohort study was completely negative. The two population-based case-control studies published to date found statistically non-significant odds ratios no higher than 1.3 and 1.4. Thus, the evidence of a strong causal link between H. pylori infection and gastric cancer has, if anything, become less convincing. Recent studies seem to indicate that the strength of the association may vary with type of H. pylori strain, and possibly presence of effect-modifying co-factors in the host and/or the environment. Future studies need to identify high-risk constellations of carcinogenic strains and unfavorable co-factors to make targeted prophylaxis cost-effective.

An Investigation of the Overlap Among Disinhibited Eating Behaviors in Children and Adolescents

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-09-01

findings suggest that emotional eating may be linked with aberrant eating patterns--excess overall energy intake and consumption of high- fat foods-that...overweight and have greater body fat mass than youth who reported no loss of control eating episodes (Ackard, Neumark-Sztainer, Story, & Perry, 2003; Field...reporting loss of control eating consumed more overall energy (Hilbert & Czaja, 2009; Hilbert, et al., 2010), especially from fat and carbohydrate

Fluid and Electrolyte Needs for Training, Competition, and Recovery

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-01-01

begin both training and competition in a state of fluid deficit. Analysis of samples collected from elite football ( soccer ) players before training...surprisingly, samples collected from players before a competitive game revealed that 8 of the 20 outfield players had a urine osmolality in excess of...2007) reported that basketball players attempted fewer shots and were less able to make shots linked with movement (e.g. lay-up) when dehydration had

Linking Logistics and Operations: A Case Study of World War II Air Power

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-01-01

Weapon System Evaluation Group, 1951, p. 30). The logistic innovation greatly extended the time that combat ships could remain on station and...presented. This Note was produced under the Project AIR FORCE Resource Management and System Acquisition Program in the project "Combat Support C3 Needs...maintenance workload data suggest either unacceptable system performance or excessive costs. The predictive power of these models is so poor as to

A Refined Sample of Lyman Excess H II Regions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marshall, Brandon; Kerton, C. R.

2018-05-01

A large number (67) of the compact/ultra-compact H II regions identified in the CORNISH catalogue were determined to be powered by a Lyman continuum flux in excess of what was expected given their corresponding luminosity. In this study we attempt to reasonably explain away this Lyman excess phenomenon in as many of the 67 H II regions as possible through a variety of observational and astrophysical means including new luminosity estimates, new Herschel photometry, new distance determinations, the use of different models for dust and ionized gas covering factors, and the use of different stellar calibrations. This phenomenon has been observed before; however, the objects shown to exhibit this behavior in the literature have decidedly different physical properties than the regions in our sample, and thus the origin of the excess is not the same. We find that the excess can be reproduced using OB stellar atmosphere models that have been slightly modified in the extreme ultraviolet. Though the exact mechanism producing the excess is still uncertain, we do find that a scaled up magnetospheric accretion model, often used to explain similar emission from T Tauri stars, is unable to match our observations. Our results suggest that the Lyman excess may be associated with younger H II regions, and that it is more commonly found in early B-type stars. Our refined sample of 24 Lyman excess H II regions provides an ideal sample for comparative studies with regular H II regions, and can act as the basis for the further detailed study of individual regions.

Cancer incidence among Danish seafarers: a population based cohort study

PubMed Central

Kaerlev, L; Hansen, J; Hansen, H; Nielsen, P

2005-01-01

Aims: Seafarers aboard oil and chemical tankers may be exposed to many chemicals, including substances like benzene that are known to be carcinogenic. Other seafarers are exposed to engine exhaust, different oil products, and chemicals used aboard and some years ago asbestos was also used extensively in ships. The aim of this study was to study cancer morbidity among Danish seafarers in relation to type of ship and job title. Methods: A cohort of all Danish seafarers during 1986–1999 (33 340 men; 11 291 women) registered by the Danish Maritime Authority with an employment history was linked with the nationwide Danish Cancer Registry and followed up for cancer until the end of 2002. The number of person years at risk was 517 518. Standardised incidence ratios (SIR) were estimated by use of the corresponding national rates. Results: The SIR of all cancers combined was higher than expected: 1.26 (95% CI 1.19 to 1.32) for men and 1.07 (95% CI 0.95 to 1.20) for women. This was mainly due to an excess of cancer of the larynx, lung, tongue, mouth, pharynx, oesophagus, pancreas, kidney, urinary bladder, colon, and bone as well as skin melanomas among men (the three latter borderline significantly increased), and an excess of cancer of the lung, rectum, and cervix uteri among women. The differences in risk pattern for lung cancer between the different job categories among men ranged in terms of SIR from 1.2 (95% CI 0.9 to 1.7) (engine officers) to 2.3 (1.6 to 3.3) (engine room crew), and 4.1 (2.1 to 7.4) among maintenance crew. Non-officers had a 1.5 times higher lung cancer risk than officers. No increased occurrence of all lymphatic and haematopoietic malignancies combined was found for employees on tankers, but the number of cases was limited to a total of 7. Conclusions: Danish seafarers, especially men, face an increased overall cancer risk, in particular a risk for lung cancer and other tobacco associated cancers. PMID:16234401

24 CFR 983.261 - When occupancy may exceed 25 percent cap on the number of PBV units in each building.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... percent cap on the number of PBV units in each building. 983.261 Section 983.261 Housing and Urban...) PROGRAM Occupancy § 983.261 When occupancy may exceed 25 percent cap on the number of PBV units in each... contract for contract units in excess of the 25 percent cap pursuant to § 983.56(a). (b) In referring...

Safely Intake Number of Macridiscus sp. (Kerang Ceplos) from Tambak Lorok Waters, Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meirenno Tielman, Eduard; Suprijanto, Jusup; Widowati, Ita

2018-02-01

The dynamics pollution that supposed to be derived from industrial activities around Tambak Lorok waters will affect the quality of waters, and also biota such as Macridiscus sp. mussels (Kerang Ceplos) that live and accumulate pollutants such as heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Al, Mn and Fe). However, Macridiscus sp. mussels which have been contaminated by heavy metals is usually sold for consumption by the people and if they consume it in excess, it will be toxic in the people’s body. So that, this study was to analyze Safely Intake Number of Macridiscus sp. from Tambak Lorok waters. This study used AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry) method to analyze the accumulation number of the pollutant (Pb, Cu, Al, Mn and Fe). Safely Intake Number calculation is used MWI (Maximal Weekly Intake) and MTI (Maximal Tolerable Intake) calculation method. The results of AAS showed that the highest numbers of pollutant was Al (reached 534,51 mg/kg in the body of Macridiscus sp. that taken in February, 2016) and has exceeded the safely intake number (MWI Al = 1 mg/kg, based on WHO/FAO) so that it’s MTI values was low (0,08 kg/week/person). It means that Macridiscus sp. was not safe to be consumed excessively at that time.

Number word use in toddlerhood is associated with number recall performance at seven years of age.

PubMed

Libertus, Melissa E; Marschik, Peter B; Einspieler, Christa

2014-01-01

Previous studies have shown that verbal working memory and vocabulary acquisition are linked in early childhood. However, it is unclear whether acquisition of a narrow range of words during toddlerhood may be particularly related to recall of the same words later in life. Here we asked whether vocabulary acquisition of number words, location and quantifier terms over the first three years of life are associated with verbal and visuospatial working memory at seven years. Our results demonstrate that children who produced more number words between 20-26 months and started to produce the number words 1-10 earlier showed greater number recall at 7 years of age. This link was specific to numbers and neither extended to quantifier and location terms nor verbal and visuospatial working memory performance with other stimuli. These findings suggest a category-specific link between the mental lexicon of number words and working memory for numbers at an early age.

Analysis of Gambling in the Media Related to Screens: Immersion as a Predictor of Excessive Use?

PubMed

Rémond, Jean-Jacques; Romo, Lucia

2018-01-02

This study investigates the intricacies between the player interface proposed by the screens, (in particular on smartphone applications or in video games) and gambling. Recent research indicates connections between "immersion" and excessive screen practice. We want to understand the causal-effects between online gambling and the "immersion" variable and understand their relationship and its contingencies. This article empirically investigates whether and how it is possible to observe immersion with its sub-dimensions in gambling on different screens. The objective of this study was to analyze: (1) the costs and benefits associated with gambling practice on screens (2) the link between gambling practice and screen practice (video game, Internet, mobile screen); (3) to observe the propensity to immersion for individuals practicing gambling on screens; and (4) to examine the comorbidities and cognitive factors associated with the practice of gambling on screen. A total of 432 adults (212 men, 220 women), recruited from Ile-de-France (France), responded to a battery of questionnaires. Our study suggests that immersion variables make it possible to understand the cognitive participation of individuals towards screens in general, the practice of gambling on screens and the excessive practice of screens.

Glycolytic overload and the genesis of breast cancer.

PubMed

Robson, J R

1984-03-01

It is suggested that the development of breast cancer is due to overloading of the glycolytic pathways. An excess of substrates or an excessive delivery rate of substrates to the Krebs Cycle is believed to result in the formation of acetyl CoA. Feedback mechanisms controlling the conversion of acetyl CoA to cholesterol may be overcome; the resulting high concentration of cholesterol induces the formation of pregnenolone which may then be converted into androgens, estrogens and progesterone. These steroids are in addition to those produced by gonads and adrenal glands. Glycolytic overload is also associated with an increase in fat stores which have been shown to be the site of interconversion of sex hormones. Excess sex hormones or abnormal sex hormones are believed to be the cause of breast cancer. The hypothesis presented links glycolytic overload with clinical biochemical phenomena and explains some of the anomalies observed in breast cancer experience in different ethnic groups. Changes in dietary habits during the history of man resulting in " gorging " and the consumption of highly refined sugars are possible causes of glycolytic overload. So, also, is impaired thermogenesis due to Brown Fat deficits in certain ethnic groups.

Excess Podocyte Semaphorin-3A Leads to Glomerular Disease Involving PlexinA1–Nephrin Interaction

PubMed Central

Reidy, Kimberly J.; Aggarwal, Pardeep K.; Jimenez, Juan J.; Thomas, David B.; Veron, Delma; Tufro, Alda

2014-01-01

Semaphorin-3A (Sema3a), a guidance protein secreted by podocytes, is essential for normal kidney patterning and glomerular filtration barrier development. Here, we report that podocyte-specific Sema3a gain-of-function in adult mice leads to proteinuric glomerular disease involving the three layers of the glomerular filtration barrier. Reversibility of the glomerular phenotype upon removal of the transgene induction provided proof-of-principle of the cause-and-effect relationship between podocyte Sema3a excess and glomerular disease. Mechanistically, excess Sema3a induces dysregulation of nephrin, matrix metalloproteinase 9, and αvβ3 integrin in vivo. Sema3a cell-autonomously disrupts podocyte shape. We identified a novel direct interaction between the Sema3a signaling receptor plexinA1 and nephrin, linking extracellular Sema3a signals to the slit-diaphragm signaling complex. We conclude that Sema3a functions as an extracellular negative regulator of the structure and function of the glomerular filtration barrier in the adult kidney. Our findings demonstrate a crosstalk between Sema3a and nephrin signaling pathways that is functionally relevant both in vivo and in vitro. PMID:23954273

The APOE4 allele shows opposite sex bias in microbleeds and Alzheimer’s Disease of humans and mice

PubMed Central

Cacciottolo, Mafalda; Christensen, Amy; Moser, Alexandra; Liu, Jiahui; Pike, Christian J.; Sullivan, Patrick M.; Morgan, Todd E.; Dolzhenko, Egor; Charidimou, Andreas; Wahlund, Lars-Olaf; Wiberg, Maria Kristofferson; Shams, Sara; Chiang, Gloria Chia-Yi; Finch, Caleb E.

2015-01-01

The APOE4 allele confers greater risk of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) for women than men, in conjunction with greater clinical deficits per unit of AD neuropathology (plaques, tangles). Cerebral microbleeds, which contribute to cognitive dysfunctions during AD, also show APOE4 excess, but sex-APOE allele interactions are not described. We report that elderly men diagnosed for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD showed a higher risk of cerebral cortex microbleeds with APOE4 allele dose effect in two clinical cohorts (ADNI and KIDS). Sex-APOE interactions were further analyzed in EFAD mice carrying human APOE alleles and familial AD genes. At 7 months, E4FAD mice had cerebral cortex microbleeds with female excess, in contrast to humans. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), plaques, and soluble Aβ also showed female excess. Both the cerebral microbleeds and CAA increased in proportion to individual Aβ load. In humans, the opposite sex bias of APOE4 allele for microbleeds vs the plaques and tangles is the first example of organ-specific, sex-linked APOE allele effects, and further shows AD as a uniquely human condition. PMID:26686669

The APOE4 allele shows opposite sex bias in microbleeds and Alzheimer's disease of humans and mice.

PubMed

Cacciottolo, Mafalda; Christensen, Amy; Moser, Alexandra; Liu, Jiahui; Pike, Christian J; Smith, Conor; LaDu, Mary Jo; Sullivan, Patrick M; Morgan, Todd E; Dolzhenko, Egor; Charidimou, Andreas; Wahlund, Lars-Olof; Wiberg, Maria Kristofferson; Shams, Sara; Chiang, Gloria Chia-Yi; Finch, Caleb E

2016-01-01

The apolipoprotein APOE4 allele confers greater risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) for women than men, in conjunction with greater clinical deficits per unit of AD neuropathology (plaques, tangles). Cerebral microbleeds, which contribute to cognitive dysfunctions during AD, also show APOE4 excess, but sex-APOE allele interactions are not described. We report that elderly men diagnosed for mild cognitive impairment and AD showed a higher risk of cerebral cortex microbleeds with APOE4 allele dose effect in 2 clinical cohorts (ADNI and KIDS). Sex-APOE interactions were further analyzed in EFAD mice carrying human APOE alleles and familial AD genes (5XFAD (+/-) /human APOE(+/+)). At 7 months, E4FAD mice had cerebral cortex microbleeds with female excess, in contrast to humans. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy, plaques, and soluble Aβ also showed female excess. Both the cerebral microbleeds and cerebral amyloid angiopathy increased in proportion to individual Aβ load. In humans, the opposite sex bias of APOE4 allele for microbleeds versus the plaques and tangles is the first example of organ-specific, sex-linked APOE allele effects, and further shows AD as a uniquely human condition. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Early infant exposure to excess multivitamin: a risk factor for autism?

PubMed

Zhou, Shi-Sheng; Zhou, Yi-Ming; Li, Da; Ma, Qiang

2013-01-01

Autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects boys more than girls, is often associated with altered levels of monoamines (serotonin and catecholamines), especially elevated serotonin levels. The monoamines act as both neurotransmitters and signaling molecules in the gastrointestinal and immune systems. The evidence related to monoamine metabolism may be summarized as follows: (i) monoamine neurotransmitters are enzymatically degraded/inactivated by three mechanisms: oxidative deamination, methylation, and sulfation. The latter two are limited by the supply of methyl groups and sulfate, respectively. (ii) A decrease in methylation- and sulfation-mediated monoamine inactivation can be compensated by an increase in the oxidative deamination catalyzed by monoamine oxidase, an X-linked enzyme exhibiting higher activity in females than in males. (iii) Vitamins can, on one hand, facilitate the synthesis of monoamine neurotransmitters and, on the other hand, inhibit their inactivation by competing for methylation and sulfation. Therefore, we postulate that excess multivitamin feeding in early infancy, which has become very popular over the past few decades, may be a potential risk factor for disturbed monoamine metabolism. In this paper, we will focus on the relationship between excess multivitamin exposure and the inactivation/degradation of monoamine neurotransmitters and its possible role in the development of autism.

Analysis of Gambling in the Media Related to Screens: Immersion as a Predictor of Excessive Use?

PubMed Central

Rémond, Jean-Jacques; Romo, Lucia

2018-01-01

This study investigates the intricacies between the player interface proposed by the screens, (in particular on smartphone applications or in video games) and gambling. Recent research indicates connections between “immersion” and excessive screen practice. We want to understand the causal-effects between online gambling and the “immersion” variable and understand their relationship and its contingencies. This article empirically investigates whether and how it is possible to observe immersion with its sub-dimensions in gambling on different screens. The objective of this study was to analyze: (1) the costs and benefits associated with gambling practice on screens (2) the link between gambling practice and screen practice (video game, Internet, mobile screen); (3) to observe the propensity to immersion for individuals practicing gambling on screens; and (4) to examine the comorbidities and cognitive factors associated with the practice of gambling on screen. A total of 432 adults (212 men, 220 women), recruited from Ile-de-France (France), responded to a battery of questionnaires. Our study suggests that immersion variables make it possible to understand the cognitive participation of individuals towards screens in general, the practice of gambling on screens and the excessive practice of screens. PMID:29301311

Divergent effects of ethinylestradiol-drospirenone and flutamide-metformin on follistatin in adolescents and women with hyperinsulinemic androgen excess.

PubMed

Ibáñez, Lourdes; Díaz, Marta; López-Bermejo, Abel; de Zegher, Francis

2011-03-01

Randomized studies have disclosed that ethinylestradiol-drospirenone and flutamide-metformin have divergent effects on the body adiposity and adipokines of adolescents and young women with hyperinsulinemic androgen excess. We have now tested in 41 patients from those original studies whether the divergent effects on body adiposity could be mediated by divergent levels of follistatin, an adipokine that promotes subcutaneous adipogenesis. Circulating follistatin was measured, at study start and after 9 months, with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Treatment with ethinylestradiol-drospirenone was accompanied by a more adipose body composition and by a nearly 4-fold rise of follistatinemia (P<0.0001). In contrast, treatment with low-dose flutamide-metformin did not increase body adiposity and did not alter follistatinemia detectably. Finally, combined treatment with ethinylestradiol-drospirenone and flutamide-metformin was accompanied by an intermediate (2- to 3-fold) rise of follistatinemia (P<0.005). In conclusion, the principle that ethinylestradiol-drospirenone and flutamide-metformin exert diverging effects on adipokines is herewith broadened to include circulating follistatin. Hyperfollistatinemia may be among the mechanisms whereby oral contraceptives aggravate the body adiposity of adolescents and young women with hyperinsulinemic androgen excess.

Linking suspended sediment transport metrics with fish functional traits in the Northwestern Great Plains (Invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schwartz, J. S.; Simon, A.; Klimetz, L.

2009-12-01

Loss of ecological integrity due to excessive suspended sediment in rivers and streams is a major cause of water quality impairment in the United States. Although 32 states have developed numeric criteria for turbidity or suspended solids, or both according to the USEPA (2006), criteria is typically written as a percent exceedance above background and what constitutes background is not well defined. Defining a background level is problematic considering suspended sediments and related turbidity levels change with flow stage and season, and limited scientific data exists on relationships between sediment exposure and biotic response. Current assessment protocols for development of sediment total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) lack a means to link temporally-variable sediment transport rates with specific losses of ecological functions as loads increase. This study, within the in Northwestern Great Plains Ecoregion, co-located 58 USGS gauging stations with existing flow and suspended sediment data, and fish data from federal and state agencies. Suspended sediment concentration (SSC) transport metrics were quantified into exceedance frequencies of a given magnitude, duration as the number of consecutive days a given concentration was equaled or exceeded, dosage as concentration x duration, and mean annual suspended sediment yields. A functional traits-based approach was used to correlate SSC transport metrics with site occurrences of 20 fish traits organized into four main groups: preferred rearing mesohabitat, trophic structure, feeding habits, and spawning behavior. Negative correlations between SSC metrics and trait occurrences were assumed to represent potential conditions for impairment, specifically identifying an ecological loss by functional trait. Potential impairment conditions were linked with presence of the following traits: habitat preferences for stream pool and river shallow waters; feeding generalists, omnivores, piscivores; and several spawning behaviors. Using these results, TMDL targets were proposed such as < 19 mg/l SSC and 1,500 mg/l-day dosage at the 95% recurrence frequency for feeding generalists and omnivores. In general, traits correlated with: 1) a broad range of SSC exceedance frequencies and flow stages, 2) exceedance frequencies near 90-95% occurring at moderate flow stages; and 3) exceedance frequencies near 0.01-10 % occurring during floods. Unstable channels were found to be greater in transported suspended sediment than stable channels over a range of concentration exceedance frequencies, and likely influence physical habitat quality. Pool-preference and gravel spawner traits were greater in stable channels than unstable channels. Overall, a functional traits-based approach utilizing concentration-duration-frequency characteristics of suspended sediment transport was successful in identifying potential “targets” for biological impairment due to excessive sediment, and will aid in developing sediment TMDLs.

Randomised controlled trial of an automated, interactive telephone intervention to improve type 2 diabetes self-management (Telephone-Linked Care Diabetes Project): study protocol

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background An estimated 285 million people worldwide have diabetes and its prevalence is predicted to increase to 439 million by 2030. For the year 2010, it is estimated that 3.96 million excess deaths in the age group 20-79 years are attributable to diabetes around the world. Self-management is recognised as an integral part of diabetes care. This paper describes the protocol of a randomised controlled trial of an automated interactive telephone system aiming to improve the uptake and maintenance of essential diabetes self-management behaviours. Methods/Design A total of 340 individuals with type 2 diabetes will be randomised, either to the routine care arm, or to the intervention arm in which participants receive the Telephone-Linked Care (TLC) Diabetes program in addition to their routine care. The intervention requires the participants to telephone the TLC Diabetes phone system weekly for 6 months. They receive the study handbook and a glucose meter linked to a data uploading device. The TLC system consists of a computer with software designed to provide monitoring, tailored feedback and education on key aspects of diabetes self-management, based on answers voiced or entered during the current or previous conversations. Data collection is conducted at baseline (Time 1), 6-month follow-up (Time 2), and 12-month follow-up (Time 3). The primary outcomes are glycaemic control (HbA1c) and quality of life (Short Form-36 Health Survey version 2). Secondary outcomes include anthropometric measures, blood pressure, blood lipid profile, psychosocial measures as well as measures of diet, physical activity, blood glucose monitoring, foot care and medication taking. Information on utilisation of healthcare services including hospital admissions, medication use and costs is collected. An economic evaluation is also planned. Discussion Outcomes will provide evidence concerning the efficacy of a telephone-linked care intervention for self-management of diabetes. Furthermore, the study will provide insight into the potential for more widespread uptake of automated telehealth interventions, globally. Trial Registration Number ACTRN12607000594426 PMID:20937148

Tetraploidy Enhances Boron-Excess Tolerance in Carrizo Citrange (Citrus sinensis L. Osb. × Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf.).

PubMed

Ruiz, Marta; Quiñones, Ana; Martínez-Alcántara, Belén; Aleza, Pablo; Morillon, Raphaël; Navarro, Luis; Primo-Millo, Eduardo; Martínez-Cuenca, Mary-Rus

2016-01-01

Tetraploidy modifies root anatomy which may lead to differentiated capacity to uptake and transport mineral elements. This work provides insights into physiological and molecular characters involved in boron (B) toxicity responses in diploid (2x) and tetraploid (4x) plants of Carrizo citrange (Citrus sinensis L. Osb. × Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf.), a widely used citrus rootstock. With B excess, 2x plants accumulated more B in leaves than 4x plants, which accounted for their higher B uptake and root-to-shoot transport rates. Ploidy did not modify the expression of membrane transporters NIP5 and BOR1 in roots. The cellular allocation of B excess differed between ploidy levels in the soluble fraction, which was lower in 4x leaves, while cell wall-linked B was similar in 2x and 4x genotypes. This correlates with the increased damage and stunted growth recorded in the 2x plants. The 4x roots were found to have fewer root tips, shorter specific root length, longer diameter, thicker exodermis and earlier tissue maturation in root tips, where the Casparian strip was detected at a shorter distance from the root apex than in the 2x roots. The results presented herein suggest that the root anatomical characters of the 4x plants play a key role in their lower B uptake capacity and root-to-shoot transport. Tetraploidy enhances B excess tolerance in citrange CarrizoExpression of NIP5 and BOR1 transporters and cell wall-bounded B are similar between ploidiesB tolerance is attributed to root anatomical modifications induced by genome duplicationThe rootstock 4x citrange carrizo may prevent citrus trees from B excess.

Explaining gender differences in ill-health in South Korea: the roles of socio-structural, psychosocial, and behavioral factors.

PubMed

Chun, Heeran; Khang, Young-Ho; Kim, Il-Ho; Cho, Sung-Il

2008-09-01

This study examines and explains the gender disparity in health despite rapid modernization in South Korea where the social structure is still based on traditional gender relations. A nationally representative sample of 2897 men and 3286 women aged 25-64 from the 2001 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was analyzed. Health indicators included self rated health and chronic disease. Age-adjusted prevalence was computed according to a gender and odds ratios (OR) derived from logistic regression. Percentage changes in OR by inclusion of determinant variables (socio-structural, psychosocial, and behavioral) into the base logistic regression model were used to estimate the contributions to the gender gap in two morbidity measures. Results showed a substantial female excess in ill-health in both measures, revealing an increasing disparity in the older age group. Group-specific age-adjusted prevalence of ill-health showed an inverse relationship to socioeconomic position. When adjusting for each determinant, employment status, education, and depression contributed the greatest to the gender gap. After adjusting for all suggested determinants, 78% for self rated health and 86% for chronic disease in excess OR could be explained. After stratifying for age, the full model provided a complete explanation for the female excess in chronic illness, but for self rated health a female excess was still evident for the younger age group. Socio-structural factors played a crucial role in accounting for female excess in ill-health. This result calls for greater attention to gender-based health inequality stemming from socio-structural determinants in South Korea. Cross-cultural validation studies are suggested for further discussion of the link between changing gender relations and the gender health gap in morbidity in diverse settings.

Tetraploidy Enhances Boron-Excess Tolerance in Carrizo Citrange (Citrus sinensis L. Osb. × Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf.)

PubMed Central

Ruiz, Marta; Quiñones, Ana; Martínez-Alcántara, Belén; Aleza, Pablo; Morillon, Raphaël; Navarro, Luis; Primo-Millo, Eduardo; Martínez-Cuenca, Mary-Rus

2016-01-01

Tetraploidy modifies root anatomy which may lead to differentiated capacity to uptake and transport mineral elements. This work provides insights into physiological and molecular characters involved in boron (B) toxicity responses in diploid (2x) and tetraploid (4x) plants of Carrizo citrange (Citrus sinensis L. Osb. × Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf.), a widely used citrus rootstock. With B excess, 2x plants accumulated more B in leaves than 4x plants, which accounted for their higher B uptake and root-to-shoot transport rates. Ploidy did not modify the expression of membrane transporters NIP5 and BOR1 in roots. The cellular allocation of B excess differed between ploidy levels in the soluble fraction, which was lower in 4x leaves, while cell wall-linked B was similar in 2x and 4x genotypes. This correlates with the increased damage and stunted growth recorded in the 2x plants. The 4x roots were found to have fewer root tips, shorter specific root length, longer diameter, thicker exodermis and earlier tissue maturation in root tips, where the Casparian strip was detected at a shorter distance from the root apex than in the 2x roots. The results presented herein suggest that the root anatomical characters of the 4x plants play a key role in their lower B uptake capacity and root-to-shoot transport. Highlights Tetraploidy enhances B excess tolerance in citrange Carrizo Expression of NIP5 and BOR1 transporters and cell wall-bounded B are similar between ploidies B tolerance is attributed to root anatomical modifications induced by genome duplication The rootstock 4x citrange carrizo may prevent citrus trees from B excess. PMID:27252717

Effect of excess body weight on quality of life and satisfaction with body image among middle-aged Lithuanian inhabitants of Kaunas city.

PubMed

Baceviciene, Migle; Reklaitiene, Regina; Tamosiūnas, Abdonas

2009-01-01

The aim of the study was to identify the effect of overweight, obesity, and conditions related to body weight on quality of life and to assess the relationship between body weight and satisfaction with body image between middle-aged Lithuanian inhabitants of Kaunas city. MATERIAL AND METHODS. A random sample of 1403 Kaunas men and women, aged 35-64 years and stratified by age and sex, was examined in 2001-2002. Response rate was 62.4%. Examination included physical measurements and information on risk factors related to lifestyle. Quality of life was assessed by World Health Organization Quality of Life 100 questionnaire. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify the effect of excess body weight and conditions linked to body weight on quality of life. RESULTS. Less than three-fourths (73%) of men and women had excess body weight (body mass index, > or =25.0 kg/m(2)). Obesity in a complex with other analyzed factors had a negative effect on men's quality of life in the independence domain as compared to ones with BMI of <25.0 kg/m(2) (OR=1.87; 95% CI=1.08-3.26). Obesity for women increased the odds of having worse quality of life in the psychological and independence domains. Mean scores of body image and appearance facet for men with normal body mass were 73.5, for overweigh ones 72.2, and for obese 66.8 (for women 69.9, 63.3, and 52.9, respectively; P=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS. Among women excess body weight was associated with impaired quality of life. Men with excess body weight reported better overall quality of life. Obese persons were less satisfied with their body image as compared to ones with normal body weight.

Modeling Insights into Deuterium Excess as an Indicator of Water Vapor Source Conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lewis, Sophie C.; Legrande, Allegra Nicole; Kelley, Maxwell; Schmidt, Gavin A.

2013-01-01

Deuterium excess (d) is interpreted in conventional paleoclimate reconstructions as a tracer of oceanic source region conditions, such as temperature, where precipitation originates. Previous studies have adopted co-isotopic approaches to estimate past changes in both site and oceanic source temperatures for ice core sites using empirical relationships derived from conceptual distillation models, particularly Mixed Cloud Isotopic Models (MCIMs). However, the relationship between d and oceanic surface conditions remains unclear in past contexts. We investigate this climate-isotope relationship for sites in Greenland and Antarctica using multiple simulations of the water isotope-enabled Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) ModelE-R general circulation model and apply a novel suite of model vapor source distribution (VSD) tracers to assess d as a proxy for source temperature variability under a range of climatic conditions. Simulated average source temperatures determined by the VSDs are compared to synthetic source temperature estimates calculated using MCIM equations linking d to source region conditions. We show that although deuterium excess is generally a faithful tracer of source temperatures as estimated by the MCIM approach, large discrepancies in the isotope-climate relationship occur around Greenland during the Last Glacial Maximum simulation, when precipitation seasonality and moisture source regions were notably different from present. This identified sensitivity in d as a source temperature proxy suggests that quantitative climate reconstructions from deuterium excess should be treated with caution for some sites when boundary conditions are significantly different from the present day. Also, the exclusion of the influence of humidity and other evaporative source changes in MCIM regressions may be a limitation of quantifying source temperature fluctuations from deuterium excess in some instances.

Impact of singular excessive computer game and television exposure on sleep patterns and memory performance of school-aged children.

PubMed

Dworak, Markus; Schierl, Thomas; Bruns, Thomas; Strüder, Heiko Klaus

2007-11-01

Television and computer game consumption are a powerful influence in the lives of most children. Previous evidence has supported the notion that media exposure could impair a variety of behavioral characteristics. Excessive television viewing and computer game playing have been associated with many psychiatric symptoms, especially emotional and behavioral symptoms, somatic complaints, attention problems such as hyperactivity, and family interaction problems. Nevertheless, there is insufficient knowledge about the relationship between singular excessive media consumption on sleep patterns and linked implications on children. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of singular excessive television and computer game consumption on sleep patterns and memory performance of children. Eleven school-aged children were recruited for this polysomnographic study. Children were exposed to voluntary excessive television and computer game consumption. In the subsequent night, polysomnographic measurements were conducted to measure sleep-architecture and sleep-continuity parameters. In addition, a visual and verbal memory test was conducted before media stimulation and after the subsequent sleeping period to determine visuospatial and verbal memory performance. Only computer game playing resulted in significant reduced amounts of slow-wave sleep as well as significant declines in verbal memory performance. Prolonged sleep-onset latency and more stage 2 sleep were also detected after previous computer game consumption. No effects on rapid eye movement sleep were observed. Television viewing reduced sleep efficiency significantly but did not affect sleep patterns. The results suggest that television and computer game exposure affect children's sleep and deteriorate verbal cognitive performance, which supports the hypothesis of the negative influence of media consumption on children's sleep, learning, and memory.

The Boundaries of Genocide: Quantifying the Uncertainty of the Death Toll During the Pol Pot Regime (1975-1979)

PubMed Central

Heuveline, Patrick

2015-01-01

Estimates of excess deaths under Pol Pot's rule of Cambodia (1975-79) range from under one million to over three million. The more plausible among those, methodologically, still vary from one to two million deaths, but this range of independent point estimates has no particular statistical meaning. Stochastically reconstructing population dynamics in Cambodia from extant historical and demographic data yields interpretable distributions of the death toll and other demographic indicators. The resulting 95-percent simulation interval (1.2 to 2.8 million excess deaths) demonstrates substantial uncertainty with regards to the exact scale of mortality, yet still excludes nearly half of the previous death-toll estimates. The 1.5 to 2.25 million interval contains 69 per cent of the simulations for the actual number of excess death, more than the wider (one to two million) range of previous plausible estimates. The median value of 1.9 million excess deaths represents 21 percent of the population at risk. PMID:26218856

The GeV Excess Shining Through: Background Systematics for the Inner Galaxy Analysis

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

Calore, Francesca; Cholis, Ilias; Weniger, Christoph

2015-02-10

Recently, a spatially extended excess of gamma rays collected by the Fermi-LAT from the inner region of the Milky Way has been detected by different groups and with increasingly sophisticated techniques. Yet, any final conclusion about the morphology and spectral properties of such an extended diffuse emission are subject to a number of potentially critical uncertainties, related to the high density of cosmic rays, gas, magnetic fields and abundance of point sources. We will present a thorough study of the systematic uncertainties related to the modelling of diffuse background and to the propagation of cosmic rays in the inner partmore » of our Galaxy. We will test a large set of models for the Galactic diffuse emission, generated by varying the propagation parameters within extreme conditions. By using those models in the fit of Fermi-LAT data as Galactic foreground, we will show that the gamma-ray excess survives and we will quantify the uncertainties on the excess emission morphology and energy spectrum.« less

A Tale of Tails. Dark Matter Interpretations of the Fermi GeV Excess in Light of Background Model Systematics

DOE PAGES

Calore, Francesca; Cholis, Ilias; McCabe, Christopher; ...

2015-03-10

Several groups have identified an extended excess of gamma rays over the modeled foreground and background emissions towards the Galactic center (GC) based on observations with the Fermi Large Area Telescope. The excess emission is compatible in morphology and spectrum with a telltale sign from dark matter (DM) annihilation. Here, we present a critical reassessment of DM interpretations of the GC signal in light of the foreground and background uncertainties that some of us recently outlaid in Calore et al. (2014). We also find that a much larger number of DM models fits the gamma-ray data than previously noted. Inmore » particular: (1) In the case of DM annihilation into b¯b, we find that even large DM masses up to m χ≃74 GeV are allowed at p-value >0.05. (2) Surprisingly, annihilation into nonrelativistic hh gives a good fit to the data. (3) The inverse Compton emission from μ +μ - with m χ~60–70 GeV can also account for the excess at higher latitudes, |b|>2°, both in its spectrum and morphology. We also present novel constraints on a large number of mixed annihilation channels, including cascade annihilation involving hidden sector mediators. Finally, we show that the current limits from dwarf spheroidal observations are not in tension with a DM interpretation when uncertainties on the DM halo profile are accounted for.« less

Virtual Mentor Cataract Surgery Trainer

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-09-01

excessive lens movement), look for zonular absence, assess for notable lenticular astigmatism ** How and when do you decide to use a capsular...AD_________________ AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-08-1-0531 TITLE: Virtual Mentor Cataract Surgery Trainer...REPORT TYPE Annual 3. DATES COVERED 20 Aug 2008 – 19 Aug 2009 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER Virtual Mentor Cataract Surgery

Journal Impact Factors and Self-Citations: Implications for Psychology Journals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Anseel, Frederik; Duyck, Wouter; De Baene, Wouter; Brysbaert, Marc

2004-01-01

Comments on the study by J. G. Adair and N. Vohra (see record 2003-02034-002) of changes in the number of references and citations in psychology journals as a consequence of the current knowledge explosion. They made a striking observation of the sometimes excessive number of self-citations in psychology journals. However, after this illustration,…

Where and when to measure forest fire danger

Treesearch

G. Lloyd. Hayes

1944-01-01

This article presents the results of a study to determine the place, time, and number of measurements that should be made to obtain dependable ratings of "average-bad" fire conditions without an excessive number of stations or observations. The author concludes that under the conditions prevailing in the Priest River Experimental Forest in northern Idaho a...

Regulation of Cerebral Cortical Size and Neuron Number by Fibroblast Growth Factors: Implications for Autism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vaccarino, Flora M.; Grigorenko, Elena L.; Smith, Karen Muller; Stevens, Hanna E.

2009-01-01

Increased brain size is common in children with autism spectrum disorders. Here we propose that an increased number of cortical excitatory neurons may underlie the increased brain volume, minicolumn pathology and excessive network excitability, leading to sensory hyper-reactivity and seizures, which are often found in autism. We suggest that…

Summary Report: Pilot Study of an Innovative Biological Treatment Process for the Removal of Ammonia from a Small Drinking Water System

EPA Science Inventory

The use of biologically active filtration to oxidize ammonia as a full-scale drinking water treatment process has not been thoroughly considered in the United States. A number of concerns with biological water treatment exist including the potential release of excessive numbers o...

Adopting epidemic model to optimize medication and surgical intervention of excess weight

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Ruoyan

2017-01-01

We combined an epidemic model with an objective function to minimize the weighted sum of people with excess weight and the cost of a medication and surgical intervention in the population. The epidemic model is consisted of ordinary differential equations to describe three subpopulation groups based on weight. We introduced an intervention using medication and surgery to deal with excess weight. An objective function is constructed taking into consideration the cost of the intervention as well as the weight distribution of the population. Using empirical data, we show that fixed participation rate reduces the size of obese population but increases the size for overweight. An optimal participation rate exists and decreases with respect to time. Both theoretical analysis and empirical example confirm the existence of an optimal participation rate, u*. Under u*, the weighted sum of overweight (S) and obese (O) population as well as the cost of the program is minimized. This article highlights the existence of an optimal participation rate that minimizes the number of people with excess weight and the cost of the intervention. The time-varying optimal participation rate could contribute to designing future public health interventions of excess weight.

Link prediction with node clustering coefficient

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Zhihao; Lin, Youfang; Wang, Jing; Gregory, Steve

2016-06-01

Predicting missing links in incomplete complex networks efficiently and accurately is still a challenging problem. The recently proposed Cannistrai-Alanis-Ravai (CAR) index shows the power of local link/triangle information in improving link-prediction accuracy. Inspired by the idea of employing local link/triangle information, we propose a new similarity index with more local structure information. In our method, local link/triangle structure information can be conveyed by clustering coefficient of common-neighbors directly. The reason why clustering coefficient has good effectiveness in estimating the contribution of a common-neighbor is that it employs links existing between neighbors of a common-neighbor and these links have the same structural position with the candidate link to this common-neighbor. In our experiments, three estimators: precision, AUP and AUC are used to evaluate the accuracy of link prediction algorithms. Experimental results on ten tested networks drawn from various fields show that our new index is more effective in predicting missing links than CAR index, especially for networks with low correlation between number of common-neighbors and number of links between common-neighbors.

Oxidative stress and cardiomyocyte necrosis with elevated serum troponins: pathophysiologic mechanisms.

PubMed

Robinson, Antwon D; Ramanathan, Kodangudi B; McGee, Jesse E; Newman, Kevin P; Weber, Karl T

2011-08-01

The progressive nature of heart failure is linked to multiple factors, including an ongoing loss of cardiomyocytes and necrosis. Necrotic cardiomyocytes leave behind several footprints: the spillage of their contents leading to elevations in serum troponins; and morphologic evidence of tissue repair with scarring. The pathophysiologic origins of cardiomyocyte necrosis relates to neurohormonal activation, including the adrenergic nervous system. Catecholamine-initiated excessive intracellular Ca accumulation and mitochondria Ca overloading in particular initiate a mitochondriocentric signal-transducer-effector pathway to necrosis and which includes the induction of oxidative stress and opening of their inner membrane permeability transition pore. Hypokalemia, ionized hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia, where consequent elevations in parathyroid hormone further account for excessive intracellular Ca accumulation, hypozincemia and hyposelenemia each compromise metalloenzyme-based antioxidant defenses. The necrotic loss of cardiomyocytes and adverse structural remodeling of myocardium is related to the central role played by a mitochondriocentric pathway initiated by neurohormonal activation.

Vitamins and Microelement Bioavailability in Different Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease.

PubMed

Jankowska, Magdalena; Rutkowski, Bolesław; Dębska-Ślizień, Alicja

2017-03-15

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) predisposes one to either deficiency or toxic excess of different micronutrients. The knowledge on micronutrients-specifically water-soluble vitamins and trace elements-in CKD is very limited. Consequently, current guidelines and recommendations are mostly based on expert opinions or poor-quality evidence. Abnormalities of micronutrient resources in CKD develop for several reasons. Dietary restrictions and anorexia lead to an insufficient micronutrient intake, while diuretics use and renal replacement therapy lead to their excessive losses. Absorption is unpredictable, and metabolism impaired. Better understanding of the micronutrient needs of CKD patients could have an impact on many complications linked to vitamin and trace element disorders, including high mortality, increased risk of atherosclerosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, anemia, polyneuropathy, encephalopathy, weakness and fragility, muscle cramps, bone disease, depression, or insomnia. Here, we summarize the up-to-date knowledge on micronutrient resources in different stages of CKD, and share our experience with the assessment of micronutrient status.

Neanderthal ancestry drives evolution of lipid catabolism in contemporary Europeans

PubMed Central

Khrameeva, Ekaterina E.; Bozek, Katarzyna; He, Liu; Yan, Zheng; Jiang, Xi; Wei, Yuning; Tang, Kun; Gelfand, Mikhail S.; Prufer, Kay; Kelso, Janet; Paabo, Svante; Giavalisco, Patrick; Lachmann, Michael; Khaitovich, Philipp

2014-01-01

Although Neanderthals are extinct, fragments of their genomes persist in contemporary humans. Here we show that while the genome-wide frequency of Neanderthal-like sites is approximately constant across all contemporary out-of-Africa populations, genes involved in lipid catabolism contain more than threefold excess of such sites in contemporary humans of European descent. Evolutionally, these genes show significant association with signatures of recent positive selection in the contemporary European, but not Asian or African populations. Functionally, the excess of Neanderthal-like sites in lipid catabolism genes can be linked with a greater divergence of lipid concentrations and enzyme expression levels within this pathway, seen in contemporary Europeans, but not in the other populations. We conclude that sequence variants that evolved in Neanderthals may have given a selective advantage to anatomically modern humans that settled in the same geographical areas. PMID:24690587

Problems for the standard black hole/accretion disk models in Cygnus X-1?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Done, C.; Mulchaey, J. S.; Mushotzky, R. F.; Arnaud, K. A.

1992-01-01

Archival EXOSAT and HEAO1-A2 data from Cyg X-1 show the 'high energy excess' above 10 keV seen in X-ray observations of AGN. Using a likelihood ratio test, we are for the first time able to distinguish conclusively in favor of Compton reflection rather than partial covering as the origin of the high energy excess. This supports the idea of an X-ray illuminated accretion disk in Cyg X-1, but the line equivalent width is smaller by a factor of 2-3 than that expected from such a disk. While the larger optical depth required for reflection as opposed to line emission admit the possibility of seeing line without reflection, the converse is not possible. To see a reflection spectrum, including the strong iron absorption edge, implies that strong iron emission must be observed as the line and edge are causally linked.

Labour migration and HIV epidemics in Africa.

PubMed

Decosas, J

1998-10-01

The profile of HIV infection in West Africa is linked to the regional pattern of labor migration. Areas of high HIV prevalence correspond closely to the destination and recruitment points of migrant workers. This correlation suggests that mobile populations have characteristics that make them more susceptible to HIV epidemics. The most plausible explanatory variables for the association of migration and epidemic HIV are deprived living conditions, disruption of social support, and dysfunctional social organization. Migration creates chronic gender imbalances in the reproductive age group. The general excess of females in the recruitment areas and excess of males at the destination erodes traditional community norms of behavior. Health service provision, including health education and condom marketing, does not address these key social factors. Small improvements in the physical and social environment of migrants and their communities of origin may result in greater benefits than any targeted service provision.

Dietary sodium and health: more than just blood pressure.

PubMed

Farquhar, William B; Edwards, David G; Jurkovitz, Claudine T; Weintraub, William S

2015-03-17

Sodium is essential for cellular homeostasis and physiological function. Excess dietary sodium has been linked to elevations in blood pressure (BP). Salt sensitivity of BP varies widely, but certain subgroups tend to be more salt sensitive. The mechanisms underlying sodium-induced increases in BP are not completely understood but may involve alterations in renal function, fluid volume, fluid-regulatory hormones, the vasculature, cardiac function, and the autonomic nervous system. Recent pre-clinical and clinical data support that even in the absence of an increase in BP, excess dietary sodium can adversely affect target organs, including the blood vessels, heart, kidneys, and brain. In this review, the investigators review these issues and the epidemiological research relating dietary sodium to BP and cardiovascular health outcomes, addressing recent controversies. They also provide information and strategies for reducing dietary sodium. Copyright © 2015 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Iron in Chronic Brain Disorders: Imaging and Neurotherapeutic Implications

PubMed Central

Stankiewicz, James; Panter, Scott S; Neema, Mohit; Arora, Ashish; Batt, Courtney; Bakshi, Rohit

2007-01-01

Summary Iron is important for brain oxygen transport, electron transfer, neurotransmitter synthesis, and myelin production. Though iron deposition has been observed in the brain with normal aging, increased iron has also been shown in many chronic neurologic disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. In vitro studies have demonstrated that excessive iron can lead to free radical production, which can promote neurotoxicity. However, the link between observed iron deposition and pathologic processes underlying various diseases of the brain is not well understood. It is not known whether excessive in vivo iron directly contributes to tissue damage or is solely an epiphenomenon. In this article we focus on the imaging of brain iron and the underlying physiology and metabolism relating to iron deposition. We conclude with a discussion of the potential implications of iron-related toxicity to neurotherapeutic development. PMID:17599703

Low excess air burners keep boiler and air cleaner while cutting fuel costs

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

Robinson, H.

1981-11-01

In the 1970s at the Humko Chemical Co., producers of fatty acids used in plastics, soaps, rubber products, and textiles, it was deemed necessary to modify existing boiler equipment to insure an adequate fuel supply and to increase efficienct. Existing equipment operated at an overall average efficiency of 77% and only 6% excess O/sub 2/ could be achieved with number 6 fuel oil and only 2.6% with natural gas. Cleaning the boilers and replacing existing burners with oil and gas firing units led to overall efficiency up to 84% with only 1% excess O/sub 2/. Even though fuel costs havemore » approximately tripled during the ensuing time, Humko's cost of producing steam has only doubled with the more efficienct equipment. (BLM)« less

Numerical cognition is resilient to dramatic changes in early sensory experience.

PubMed

Kanjlia, Shipra; Feigenson, Lisa; Bedny, Marina

2018-06-20

Humans and non-human animals can approximate large visual quantities without counting. The approximate number representations underlying this ability are noisy, with the amount of noise proportional to the quantity being represented. Numerate humans also have access to a separate system for representing exact quantities using number symbols and words; it is this second, exact system that supports most of formal mathematics. Although numerical approximation abilities and symbolic number abilities are distinct in representational format and in their phylogenetic and ontogenetic histories, they appear to be linked throughout development--individuals who can more precisely discriminate quantities without counting are better at math. The origins of this relationship are debated. On the one hand, symbolic number abilities may be directly linked to, perhaps even rooted in, numerical approximation abilities. On the other hand, the relationship between the two systems may simply reflect their independent relationships with visual abilities. To test this possibility, we asked whether approximate number and symbolic math abilities are linked in congenitally blind individuals who have never experienced visual sets or used visual strategies to learn math. Congenitally blind and blind-folded sighted participants completed an auditory numerical approximation task, as well as a symbolic arithmetic task and non-math control tasks. We found that the precision of approximate number representations was identical across congenitally blind and sighted groups, suggesting that the development of the Approximate Number System (ANS) does not depend on visual experience. Crucially, the relationship between numerical approximation and symbolic math abilities is preserved in congenitally blind individuals. These data support the idea that the Approximate Number System and symbolic number abilities are intrinsically linked, rather than indirectly linked through visual abilities. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

29 CFR 1404.11 - Nominations of arbitrators.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

..., unless the number of names is excessive. These inclusions/exclusions may not discriminate against anyone because of age, race, color, gender, national origin, disability, or religion. (d) If the parties do not...

Dopaminergic dysregulation in mice selectively bred for excessive exercise or obesity.

PubMed

Mathes, Wendy Foulds; Nehrenberg, Derrick L; Gordon, Ryan; Hua, Kunjie; Garland, Theodore; Pomp, Daniel

2010-07-11

Dysregulation of the dopamine system is linked to various aberrant behaviors, including addiction, compulsive exercise, and hyperphagia leading to obesity. The goal of the present experiments was to determine how dopamine contributes to the expression of opposing phenotypes, excessive exercise and obesity. We hypothesized that similar alterations in dopamine and dopamine-related gene expression may underly obesity and excessive exercise, as competing traits for central reward pathways. Moreover, we hypothesized that selective breeding for high levels of exercise or obesity may have influenced genetic variation controlling these pathways, manifesting as opposing complex traits. Dopamine, dopamine-related peptide concentrations, and gene expression were evaluated in dorsal striatum (DS) and nucleus accumbens (NA) of mice from lines selectively bred for high rates of wheel running (HR) or obesity (M16), and the non-selected ICR strain from which these lines were derived. HPLC analysis showed significantly greater neurotransmitter concentrations in DS and NA of HR mice compared to M16 and ICR. Microarray analysis showed significant gene expression differences between HR and M16 compared to ICR in both brain areas, with changes revealed throughout the dopamine pathway including D1 and D2 receptors, associated G-proteins (e.g., Golf), and adenylate cyclase (e.g., Adcy5). The results suggest that similar modifications within the dopamine system may contribute to the expression of opposite phenotypes in mice, demonstrating that alterations within central reward pathways can contribute to both obesity and excessive exercise. Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Dopaminergic Dysregulation in Mice Selectively Bred for Excessive Exercise or Obesity

PubMed Central

Nehrenberg, Derrick L.; Gordon, Ryan; Hua, Kunjie; Garland, Theodore; Pomp, Daniel

2010-01-01

Dysregulation of the dopamine system is linked to various aberrant behaviors, including addiction, compulsive exercise, and hyperphagia leading to obesity. The goal of the present experiments was to determine how dopamine contributes to the expression of opposing phenotypes, excessive exercise and obesity. We hypothesized that similar alterations in dopamine and dopamine-related gene expression may underly obesity and excessive exercise, as competing traits for central reward pathways. Moreover, we hypothesized that selective breeding for high levels of exercise or obesity may have influenced genetic variation controlling these pathways, manifesting as opposing complex traits. Dopamine, dopamine-related peptide concentrations, and gene expression were evaluated in dorsal striatum (DS) and nucleus accumbens (NA) of mice from lines selectively bred for high rates of wheel running (HR) or obesity (M16), and the non-selected ICR strain from which these lines were derived. HPLC analysis showed significantly greater neurotransmitter concentrations in DS and NA of HR mice compared to M16 and ICR. Microarray analysis showed significant gene expression differences between HR and M16 compared to ICR in both brain areas, with changes revealed throughout the dopamine pathway including D1 and D2 receptors, associated G-proteins (eg. Golf), and adenylate cyclase (eg. Adcy5). The results suggest similar modifications within the dopamine system may contribute to the expression of opposite phenotypes in mice, demonstrating that alterations within central reward pathways can contribute to both obesity and excessive exercise. PMID:20156488

BMI predicts emotion-driven impulsivity and cognitive inflexibility in adolescents with excess weight.

PubMed

Delgado-Rico, Elena; Río-Valle, Jacqueline S; González-Jiménez, Emilio; Campoy, Cristina; Verdejo-García, Antonio

2012-08-01

Adolescent obesity is increasingly viewed as a brain-related dysfunction, whereby reward-driven urges for pleasurable foods "hijack" response selection systems, such that behavioral control progressively shifts from impulsivity to compulsivity. In this study, we aimed to examine the link between personality factors (sensitivity to reward (SR) and punishment (SP), BMI, and outcome measures of impulsivity vs. flexibility in--otherwise healthy--excessive weight adolescents. Sixty-three adolescents (aged 12-17) classified as obese (n = 26), overweight (n = 16), or normal weight (n = 21) participated in the study. We used psychometric assessments of the SR and SP motivational systems, impulsivity (using the UPPS-P scale), and neurocognitive measures with discriminant validity to dissociate inhibition vs. flexibility deficits (using the process-approach version of the Stroop test). We tested the relative contribution of age, SR/SP, and BMI on estimates of impulsivity and inhibition vs. switching performance using multistep hierarchical regression models. BMI significantly predicted elevations in emotion-driven impulsivity (positive and negative urgency) and inferior flexibility performance in adolescents with excess weight--exceeding the predictive capacity of SR and SP. SR was the main predictor of elevations in sensation seeking and lack of premeditation. These findings demonstrate that increases in BMI are specifically associated with elevations in emotion-driven impulsivity and cognitive inflexibility, supporting a dimensional path in which adolescents with excess weight increase their proneness to overindulge when under strong affective states, and their difficulties to switch or reverse habitual behavioral patterns.

Using ²¹⁰Pb measurements to estimate sedimentation rates on river floodplains.

PubMed

Du, P; Walling, D E

2012-01-01

Growing interest in the dynamics of floodplain evolution and the important role of overbank sedimentation on river floodplains as a sediment sink has focused attention on the need to document contemporary and recent rates of overbank sedimentation. The potential for using the fallout radionuclides ¹³⁷Cs and excess ²¹⁰Pb to estimate medium-term (10-10² years) sedimentation rates on river floodplains has attracted increasing attention. Most studies that have successfully used fallout radionuclides for this purpose have focused on the use of ¹³⁷Cs. However, the use of excess ²¹⁰Pb potentially offers a number of advantages over ¹³⁷Cs measurements. Most existing investigations that have used excess ²¹⁰Pb measurements to document sedimentation rates have, however, focused on lakes rather than floodplains and the transfer of the approach, and particularly the models used to estimate the sedimentation rate, to river floodplains involves a number of uncertainties, which require further attention. This contribution reports the results of an investigation of overbank sedimentation rates on the floodplains of several UK rivers. Sediment cores were collected from seven floodplain sites representative of different environmental conditions and located in different areas of England and Wales. Measurements of excess ²¹⁰Pb and ¹³⁷Cs were made on these cores. The ²¹⁰Pb measurements have been used to estimate sedimentation rates and the results obtained by using different models have been compared. The ¹³⁷Cs measurements have also been used to provide an essentially independent time marker for validation purposes. In using the ²¹⁰Pb measurements, particular attention was directed to the problem of obtaining reliable estimates of the supported and excess or unsupported components of the total ²¹⁰Pb activity of sediment samples. Although there was a reasonable degree of consistency between the estimates of sedimentation rate provided by the ¹³⁷Cs and excess ²¹⁰Pb measurements, some differences existed and the various models used to interpret excess ²¹⁰Pb measurements could produce different results. By using the ¹³⁷Cs measurements to provide independent validation of the estimates of sedimentation rate provided by the different models used with the excess ²¹⁰Pb measurement it was shown that the CICCS and Composite CRS models appeared to generally provide the best results. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Asbestos-related lung cancers: A retrospective clinical and pathological study.

PubMed

Uguen, Marie; Dewitte, Jean-Dominique; Marcorelles, Pascale; Loddé, Brice; Pougnet, Richard; Saliou, Philippe; De Braekeleer, Marc; Uguen, Arnaud

2017-07-01

Exposure to asbestos results in serious risks of developing mesothelioma and lung cancer. The link between asbestos exposure and lung carcinoma is well established. Nevertheless, precise histopathological data are poorly considered when investigating the asbestos-cancer link in a compensatory approach. In the present study, we aim to describe the features of individuals with compensated lung cancer who were referred to an occupational disease center, regarding occupational exposure to asbestos, smoking history and pathological data. We led a retrospective study of compensated ARLC cases seen in our occupational disease center between 2003 and 2013. A total of 146 men were included (mean age at diagnosis, 63.2 years) of whom approximately 90% were heavy current or former smokers (mean value, 30.4 packs/year). The major industries associated with the lung cancer cases were shipbuilding (69.9%), and building construction (7.5%) in this harbor region. The results of the present study showed that lung upper lobe was most prevalent (61.6%) and an excess of adenocarcinoma was found (45.9%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (38.4%) as well as thoracic sarcomas (2.1%). Neoplasm was not histologically proven in 6.8% of the cases. Subsequent pathology examinations also reclassified 2 tumors as metastases from esophageal and laryngeal origins. In conclusion, smoking prevention should be encouraged in asbestos-exposed workers as reflected by the number of smokers with asbestos-related lung cancer. Thus, histological data should be considered further to evaluate the potent relationship between asbestos exposure and lung malignancy, especially in a compensatory approach.

Comparing sugary drinks in the food retail environment in six NYC neighborhoods.

PubMed

Adjoian, Tamar; Dannefer, Rachel; Sacks, Rachel; Van Wye, Gretchen

2014-04-01

Obesity is a national public health concern linked to numerous chronic health conditions among Americans of all age groups. Evidence suggests that discretionary calories from sugary drink consumption have been a significant contributor to excess caloric intake among both children and adults. Research has established strong links between retail food environments and purchasing habits of consumers, but little information exists on the sugary drink retail environment in urban neighborhoods. The objective of this assessment was to compare various aspects of the sugary drink retail environment across New York City (NYC) neighborhoods with disparate self-reported sugary drink consumption patterns. In-store retail audits were conducted at 883 corner stores, chain pharmacies, and grocery stores in 12 zip codes throughout NYC. Results showed that among all beverage types assessed, sugary drinks had the most prominent presence in the retail environment overall, which was even more pronounced in higher-consumption neighborhoods. In higher- versus lower-consumption neighborhoods, the mean number of sugary drink varieties available at stores was higher (11.4 vs. 10.4 varieties), stores were more likely to feature sugary drink advertising (97 vs. 89 %) and advertising at multiple places throughout the store (78 vs. 57 %), and several sugary drinks, including 20-oz Coke® or Pepsi®, were less expensive ($1.38 vs. $1.60). These results, all statistically significant, indicate that neighborhoods characterized by higher levels of sugary drink consumption expose shoppers to sugary drinks to a greater extent than lower-consumption neighborhoods. This builds upon evidence documenting the association between the environment and individual behavior.

Aggressive tumor growth and clinical evolution in a patient with X-linked acro-gigantism syndrome.

PubMed

Naves, Luciana A; Daly, Adrian F; Dias, Luiz Augusto; Yuan, Bo; Zakir, Juliano Coelho Oliveira; Barra, Gustavo Barcellos; Palmeira, Leonor; Villa, Chiara; Trivellin, Giampaolo; Júnior, Armindo Jreige; Neto, Florêncio Figueiredo Cavalcante; Liu, Pengfei; Pellegata, Natalia S; Stratakis, Constantine A; Lupski, James R; Beckers, Albert

2016-02-01

X-linked acro-gigantism (X-LAG) syndrome is a newly described disease caused by microduplications on chromosome Xq26.3 leading to copy number gain of GPR101. We describe the clinical progress of a sporadic male X-LAG syndrome patient with an Xq26.3 microduplication, highlighting the aggressive natural history of pituitary tumor growth in the absence of treatment. The patient first presented elsewhere aged 5 years 8 months with a history of excessive growth for >2 years. His height was 163 cm, his weight was 36 kg, and he had markedly elevated GH and IGF-1. MRI showed a non-invasive sellar mass measuring 32.5 × 23.9 × 29.1 mm. Treatment was declined and the family was lost to follow-up. At the age of 10 years and 7 months, he presented again with headaches, seizures, and visual disturbance. His height had increased to 197 cm. MRI showed an invasive mass measuring 56.2 × 58.1 × 45.0 mm, with compression of optic chiasma, bilateral cavernous sinus invasion, and hydrocephalus. His thyrotrope, corticotrope, and gonadotrope axes were deficient. Surgery, somatostatin analogs, and cabergoline did not control vertical growth and pegvisomant was added, although vertical growth continues (currently 207 cm at 11 years 7 months of age). X-LAG syndrome is a new genomic disorder in which early-onset pituitary tumorigenesis can lead to marked overgrowth and gigantism. This case illustrates the aggressive nature of tumor evolution and the challenging clinical management in X-LAG syndrome.

Aggressive tumor growth and clinical evolution in a patient with X-linked acro-gigantism syndrome

PubMed Central

Naves, Luciana A.; Daly, Adrian F.; Dias, Luiz Augusto; Yuan, Bo; Zakir, Juliano Coelho Oliveira; Barra, Gustavo Barcellos; Palmeira, Leonor; Villa, Chiara; Trivellin, Giampaolo; Jreige, Armindo; Neto, Florêncio Figueiredo Cavalcante; Liu, Pengfei; Pellegata, Natalia S.; Stratakis, Constantine A.; Lupski, James R.

2017-01-01

X-linked acro-gigantism (X-LAG) syndrome is a newly described disease caused by microduplications on chromosome Xq26.3 leading to copy number gain of GPR101. We describe the clinical progress of a sporadic male X-LAG syndrome patient with an Xq26.3 microduplication, highlighting the aggressive natural history of pituitary tumor growth in the absence of treatment. The patient first presented elsewhere aged 5 years 8 months with a history of excessive growth for >2 years. His height was 163 cm, his weight was 36 kg, and he had markedly elevated GH and IGF-1. MRI showed a non-invasive sellar mass measuring 32.5 × 23.9 × 29.1 mm. Treatment was declined and the family was lost to follow-up. At the age of 10 years and 7 months, he presented again with headaches, seizures, and visual disturbance. His height had increased to 197 cm. MRI showed an invasive mass measuring 56.2 × 58.1 × 45.0 mm, with compression of optic chiasma, bilateral cavernous sinus invasion, and hydrocephalus. His thyrotrope, corticotrope, and gonadotrope axes were deficient. Surgery, somatostatin analogs, and cabergoline did not control vertical growth and pegvisomant was added, although vertical growth continues (currently 207 cm at 11 years 7 months of age). X-LAG syndrome is a new genomic disorder in which early-onset pituitary tumorigenesis can lead to marked overgrowth and gigantism. This case illustrates the aggressive nature of tumor evolution and the challenging clinical management in X-LAG syndrome. PMID:26607152

Obesity-related pulmonary arterial hypertension in rats correlates with increased circulating inflammatory cytokines and lipids and with oxidant damage in the arterial wall but not with hypoxia

PubMed Central

Irwin, David C.; Garat, Chrystelle V.; Crossno, Joseph T.; MacLean, Paul S.; Sullivan, Timothy M.; Erickson, Paul F.; Jackman, Matthew R.; Harral, Julie W.; Reusch, Jane E. B.

2014-01-01

Abstract Obesity is causally linked to a number of comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, renal dysfunction, and cancer. Obesity has also been linked to pulmonary disorders, including pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). It was long believed that obesity-related PAH was the result of hypoventilation and hypoxia due to the increased mechanical load of excess body fat. However, in recent years it has been proposed that the metabolic and inflammatory disturbances of obesity may also play a role in the development of PAH. To determine whether PAH develops in obese rats in the absence of hypoxia, we assessed pulmonary hemodynamics and pulmonary artery (PA) structure in the diet-resistant/diet-induced obesity (DR/DIO) and Zucker lean/fatty rat models. We found that high-fat feeding (DR/DIO) or overfeeding (Zucker) elicited PA remodeling, neomuscularization of distal arterioles, and elevated PA pressure, accompanied by right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy. PA thickening and distal neomuscularization were also observed in DIO rats on a low-fat diet. No evidence of hypoventilation or chronic hypoxia was detected in either model, nor was there a correlation between blood glucose or insulin levels and PAH. However, circulating inflammatory cytokine levels were increased with high-fat feeding or calorie overload, and hyperlipidemia and oxidant damage in the PA wall correlated with PAH in the DR/DIO model. We conclude that hyperlipidemia and peripheral inflammation correlate with the development of PAH in obese subjects. Obesity-related inflammation may predispose to PAH even in the absence of hypoxia. PMID:25610600

Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress: Its Role in Disease and Novel Prospects for Therapy

PubMed Central

Schönthal, Axel H.

2012-01-01

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a multifunctional organelle required for lipid biosynthesis, calcium storage, and protein folding and processing. A number of physiological and pathological conditions, as well as a variety of pharmacological agents, are able to disturb proper ER function and thereby cause ER stress, which severely impairs protein folding and therefore poses the risk of proteotoxicity. Specific triggers for ER stress include, for example, particular intracellular alterations (e.g., calcium or redox imbalances), certain microenvironmental conditions (e.g., hypoglycemia, hypoxia, and acidosis), high-fat and high-sugar diet, a variety of natural compounds (e.g., thapsigargin, tunicamycin, and geldanamycin), and several prescription drugs (e.g., bortezomib/Velcade, celecoxib/Celebrex, and nelfinavir/Viracept). The cell reacts to ER stress by initiating a defensive process, called the unfolded protein response (UPR), which is comprised of cellular mechanisms aimed at adaptation and safeguarding cellular survival or, in cases of excessively severe stress, at initiation of apoptosis and elimination of the faulty cell. In recent years, this dichotomic stress response system has been linked to several human diseases, and efforts are underway to develop approaches to exploit ER stress mechanisms for therapy. For example, obesity and type 2 diabetes have been linked to ER stress-induced failure of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells, and current research efforts are aimed at developing drugs that ameliorate cellular stress and thereby protect beta cell function. Other studies seek to pharmacologically aggravate chronic ER stress in cancer cells in order to enhance apoptosis and achieve tumor cell death. In the following, these principles will be presented and discussed. PMID:24278747

A Mechanistic Model of Early FcεRI Signaling: Lipid Rafts and the Question of Protection from Dephosphorylation

PubMed Central

Barua, Dipak; Goldstein, Byron

2012-01-01

We present a model of the early events in mast cell signaling mediated by FcεRI where the plasma membrane is composed of many small ordered lipid domains (rafts), surrounded by a non-order region of lipids consisting of the remaining plasma membrane. The model treats the rafts as transient structures that constantly form and breakup, but that maintain a fixed average number per cell. The rafts have a high propensity for harboring Lyn kinase, aggregated, but not unaggregated receptors, and the linker for the activation of T cells (LAT). Phosphatase activity in the rafts is substantially reduced compared to the nonraft region. We use the model to analyze published experiments on the rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 cell line that seem to contradict the notion that rafts offer protection. In these experiments IgE was cross-linked with a multivalent antigen and then excess monovalent hapten was added to break-up cross-links. The dephosphorylation of the unaggregated receptor (nonraft associated) and of LAT (raft associated) were then monitored in time and found to decay at similar rates, leading to the conclusion that rafts offer no protection from dephosphorylation. In the model, because the rafts are transient, a protein that is protected while in a raft will be subject to dephosphorylation when the raft breaks up and the protein finds itself in the nonraft region of the membrane. We show that the model is consistent with the receptor and LAT dephosphorylation experiments while still allowing rafts to enhance signaling by providing substantial protection from phosphatases. PMID:23284735

Cushing Disease Presenting as Primary Psychiatric Illness: A Case Report and Literature Review.

PubMed

Rasmussen, Sean A; Rosebush, Patricia I; Smyth, Harley S; Mazurek, Michael F

2015-11-01

We report the case of a woman with long-standing refractory depression and psychotic features who was eventually diagnosed with Cushing disease. After surgical treatment of a pituitary adenoma, she experienced gradual psychiatric recovery and was eventually able to discontinue all psychotropic medication. We review the psychiatric components of Cushing disease, implications of psychiatric illnesses for the treatment and prognosis of Cushing disease, and potential pathophysiological mechanisms linking glucocorticoid excess to psychiatric illness.

A role for shellfish aquaculture in coastal nitrogen management.

PubMed

Rose, Julie M; Bricker, Suzanne B; Tedesco, Mark A; Wikfors, Gary H

2014-01-01

Excess nutrients in the coastal environment have been linked to a host of environmental problems, and nitrogen reduction efforts have been a top priority of resource managers for decades. The use of shellfish for coastal nitrogen remediation has been proposed, but formal incorporation into nitrogen management programs is lagging. Including shellfish aquaculture in existing nitrogen management programs makes sense from environmental, economic, and social perspectives, but challenges must be overcome for large-scale implementation to be possible.

The Great Recession, unemployment and suicide

PubMed Central

Norström, Thor; Grönqvist, Hans

2015-01-01

Background How have suicide rates responded to the marked increase in unemployment spurred by the Great Recession? Our paper puts this issue into a wider perspective by assessing (1) whether the unemployment-suicide link is modified by the degree of unemployment protection, and (2) whether the effect on suicide of the present crisis differs from the effects of previous economic downturns. Methods We analysed the unemployment-suicide link using time-series data for 30 countries spanning the period 1960–2012. Separate fixed-effects models were estimated for each of five welfare state regimes with different levels of unemployment protection (Eastern, Southern, Anglo-Saxon, Bismarckian and Scandinavian). We included an interaction term to capture the possible excess effect of unemployment during the Great Recession. Results The largest unemployment increases occurred in the welfare state regimes with the least generous unemployment protection. The unemployment effect on male suicides was statistically significant in all welfare regimes, except the Scandinavian one. The effect on female suicides was significant only in the eastern European country group. There was a significant gradient in the effects, being stronger the less generous the unemployment protection. The interaction term capturing the possible excess effect of unemployment during the financial crisis was not significant. Conclusions Our findings suggest that the more generous the unemployment protection the weaker the detrimental impact on suicide of the increasing unemployment during the Great Recession. PMID:25339416

Association of symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with symptoms of excessive exercising in an adult general population sample.

PubMed

Berger, Nikolas A A; Müller, Astrid; Brähler, Elmar; Philipsen, Alexandra; de Zwaan, Martina

2014-09-12

An increasing number of studies suggest that physical activity can alleviate symptoms of ADHD in children. In adults there are currently insufficient data available on this subject. Interestingly, ADHD and forms of excessive exercising have both been shown to occur more frequently in adult athletes. The aim of the present study was to empirically investigate the association of ADHD and excessive exercising in the adult general population. For diagnosis of adult and childhood ADHD a large representative sample of the German general population (n = 1,615) completed a retrospective assessment of childhood ADHD and a self-report assessment of adult ADHD. Excessive exercising as well as putative mediating variables such as eating related psychopathology, depression, and anxiety were assessed using standardized self-rating instruments. Individuals with childhood only ADHD had a significantly higher frequency of excessive exercising (9.0%) than individuals without ADHD (2.7%). Excessive exercising was significantly associated with childhood only ADHD compared to no ADHD with an odds ratio of 3.239 even after controlling for socio-demographic variables, BMI, eating related and general psychopathology. Our data show that excessive exercising is significantly overrepresented in individuals in which ADHD symptoms in childhood have not persisted into adulthood. We thus hypothesize that a subgroup of individuals might suppress ADHD symptoms by excessive sporting activities. Although in healthy adults physical activity has been associated with immediate and long term improvements in cognitive functioning, studies empirically investigating associations between the effects of physical activity and adult ADHD are rare. Further studies are warranted to explore the potential role of physical activity in the treatment of ADHD in adults.

[Association between hours of television watched, physical activity, sleep and excess weight among young adults].

PubMed

Martínez-Moyá, María; Navarrete-Muñoz, Eva M; García de la Hera, Manuela; Giménez-Monzo, Daniel; González-Palacios, Sandra; Valera-Gran, Desirée; Sempere-Orts, María; Vioque, Jesús

2014-01-01

To explore the association between excess weight or body mass index (BMI) and the time spent watching television, self-reported physical activity and sleep duration in a young adult population. We analyzed cross-sectional baseline data of 1,135 participants (17-35 years old) from the project Dieta, salud y antropometría en población universitaria (Diet, Health and Anthrompmetric Variables in Univeristy Students). Information about time spent watching television, sleep duration, self-reported physical activity and self-reported height and weight was provided by a baseline questionnaire. BMI was calculated as kg/m(2) and excess of weight was defined as ≥25. We used multiple logistic regression to explore the association between excess weight (no/yes) and independent variables, and multiple linear regression for BMI. The prevalence of excess weight was 13.7% (11.2% were overweight and 2.5% were obese). A significant positive association was found between excess weight and a greater amount of time spent watching television. Participants who reported watching television >2h a day had a higher risk of excess weight than those who watched television ≤1h a day (OR=2.13; 95%CI: 1.37-3.36; p-trend: 0.002). A lower level of physical activity was associated with an increased risk of excess weight, although the association was statistically significant only in multiple linear regression (p=0.037). No association was observed with sleep duration. A greater number of hours spent watching television and lower physical activity were significantly associated with a higher BMI in young adults. Both factors are potentially modifiable with preventive strategies. Copyright © 2013 SESPAS. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Effect of excess iodine intake on thyroid diseases in different populations: A systematic review and meta-analyses including observational studies

PubMed Central

Katagiri, Ryoko; Yuan, Xiaoyi; Kobayashi, Satomi; Sasaki, Satoshi

2017-01-01

Background Although several reports concerning the association of iodine excess and thyroid disease have appeared, no systematic review of the association between iodine excess intake and thyroid diseases, especially hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, has yet been reported. Method We conducted a systematic search of Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases, Ichushi-Web and CiNii database for intervention trials and observational studies. Search terms were constructed from related words for excess AND iodine intake or excretion AND thyroid hormones or diseases AND study designs. After considering the qualitative heterogeneity among studies, a meta-analysis was conducted and odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated in random-effects models. A protocol was registered with PROSPERO (No. CRD42015028081). Results 50 articles were included, including three intervention trials, six case-control studies, six follow-up studies and 35 cross-sectional studies. Three cross-sectional studies in adults included in meta-analysis. Odds ratio of overt and subclinical hypothyroidism between excess and adequate populations were 2.78 (CI:1.47 to 5.27) and 2.03 (CI:1.58 to 2.62) in adults, respectively. Source of excess iodine status was mainly iodized salt or water in included studies. Conclusion Although universal salt iodization has improved goiter rates, chronic exposure to excess iodine from water or poorly monitored salt are risk factors for hypothyroidism in free-living populations. Monitoring of both iodine concentration in salt as well as the iodine concentration in local drinking water are essential to preventing thyroid diseases. Hypothyroidism should be also carefully monitored in areas with excess iodine. Because of the low quality and limited number of included studies, further evidence and review are required. PMID:28282437

Linking Parameter Estimates Derived from an Item Response Model through Separate Calibrations. Research Report. ETS RR-09-40

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Haberman, Shelby J.

2009-01-01

A regression procedure is developed to link simultaneously a very large number of item response theory (IRT) parameter estimates obtained from a large number of test forms, where each form has been separately calibrated and where forms can be linked on a pairwise basis by means of common items. An application is made to forms in which a…

Conversion of Sugar to Fat: Is Hepatic de Novo Lipogenesis Leading to Metabolic Syndrome and Associated Chronic Diseases?

PubMed

Schwarz, Jean-Marc; Clearfield, Michael; Mulligan, Kathleen

2017-08-01

Epidemiologic studies suggest a link between excess sugar consumption and obesity, fatty liver disease, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. One important pathway that may link these metabolic diseases to sugar consumption is hepatic conversion of sugar to fat, a process known as de novo lipogenesis (DNL). Mechanistic studies have shown that diets high in simple sugars increase both DNL and liver fat. Importantly, removal of sugar from diets of children with obesity for only 9 days consistently reduced DNL and liver fat and improved glucose and lipid metabolism. Although the sugar and beverage industries continue to question the scientific evidence linking high-sugar diets to metabolic diseases, major health organizations now make evidence-based recommendations to limit consumption of simple sugars to no more than 5% to 10% of daily intake. Clear recommendation about moderating sugar intake to patients may be an important nonpharmacologic tool to include in clinical practice.

Would a "one-handed" scientist lack rigor? How scientists discuss the work-relatedness of musculoskeletal disorders in formal and informal communications.

PubMed

Premji, Stephanie; Messing, Karen; Lippel, Katherine

2008-03-01

When research results concerning occupational health are expressed ambiguously, compensation and prevention can be affected. This study examined the language used by scientists to discuss the relation between work and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Language regarding work and MSDs in twenty articles from two peer-reviewed journals was compared with that in 94 messages on MSDs posted by published scientists to an internet list. Almost all the articles found some link between work and MSDs. However, few articles expressed belief in such a link unambiguously in the title or abstract, and language on links was often hard for a non-health scientist to interpret. Language and methods gave excess weight to negative results. On the listserve, many scientists expressed unambiguous views on linkages between work and MSDs. Scientists must express their opinions more forthrightly if they wish their results to be used to favour prevention and to foster access to workers' compensation.

Software defined network architecture based research on load balancing strategy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

You, Xiaoqian; Wu, Yang

2018-05-01

As a new type network architecture, software defined network has the key idea of separating the control place of the network from the transmission plane, to manage and control the network in a concentrated way; in addition, the network interface is opened on the control layer and the data layer, so as to achieve programmable control of the network. Considering that only the single shortest route is taken into the calculation of traditional network data flow transmission, and congestion and resource consumption caused by excessive load of link circuits are ignored, a link circuit load based flow media business QoS gurantee system is proposed in this article to divide the flow in the network into ordinary data flow and QoS flow. In this way, it supervises the link circuit load with the controller so as to calculate reasonable route rapidly and issue the flow table to the exchanger, to finish rapid data transmission. In addition, it establishes a simulation platform to acquire optimized result through simulation experiment.

Internet traffic load balancing using dynamic hashing with flow volume

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jo, Ju-Yeon; Kim, Yoohwan; Chao, H. Jonathan; Merat, Francis L.

2002-07-01

Sending IP packets over multiple parallel links is in extensive use in today's Internet and its use is growing due to its scalability, reliability and cost-effectiveness. To maximize the efficiency of parallel links, load balancing is necessary among the links, but it may cause the problem of packet reordering. Since packet reordering impairs TCP performance, it is important to reduce the amount of reordering. Hashing offers a simple solution to keep the packet order by sending a flow over a unique link, but static hashing does not guarantee an even distribution of the traffic amount among the links, which could lead to packet loss under heavy load. Dynamic hashing offers some degree of load balancing but suffers from load fluctuations and excessive packet reordering. To overcome these shortcomings, we have enhanced the dynamic hashing algorithm to utilize the flow volume information in order to reassign only the appropriate flows. This new method, called dynamic hashing with flow volume (DHFV), eliminates unnecessary flow reassignments of small flows and achieves load balancing very quickly without load fluctuation by accurately predicting the amount of transferred load between the links. In this paper we provide the general framework of DHFV and address the challenges in implementing DHFV. We then introduce two algorithms of DHFV with different flow selection strategies and show their performances through simulation.

Attwater's prairie-chicken-its life history and management

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lehmann, Valgene W.

1941-01-01

Attwater's prairie chicken, a characteristic bird of the Texas coastal prairie, is closely related to the now extinct heath-hen of northeastern North America. Once abundant in an area extending from the coastal tall-grass prairies of southwestern Louisiana and Texas west and south to near Port Isabel, it has decreased in numbers as man has exploited its habitat, until now it is threatened with the same fate as that of the heath-hen.Important factors limiting the numbers of the bird include excessive or persistent rainfall during the nesting season, heavy grazing, excessive pasture burning, agricultural operations, and overshooting. Management will usually involve protection from excessive killing, improvement of food and cover, and control of predators and of the kill by hunters. Responsibility for this rests with the landowner.Optimum prairie chicken range apparently consists of well-drained grassland, with some weeds or shrubs, the cover varying in density from light to heavy; and with surface water available in summer; diversification within the grassland type is essential. In the absence of ample refuges for the species, probably all other favorable factors together will fail to save Attwater's prairie chicken from extinction.This number continues the series of the North American Fauna issued by the Bureau of Biological Survey, of the United States Department of Agriculture, prior to its transfer and consolidation with the Bureau of Fisheries on June 30, 1940, to form the Fish and Wildlife Service, in the Department of the Interior.

SPIPS: Spectro-Photo-Interferometry of Pulsating Stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mérand, Antoine

2017-10-01

SPIPS (Spectro-Photo-Interferometry of Pulsating Stars) combines radial velocimetry, interferometry, and photometry to estimate physical parameters of pulsating stars, including presence of infrared excess, color excess, Teff, and ratio distance/p-factor. The global model-based parallax-of-pulsation method is implemented in Python. Derived parameters have a high level of confidence; statistical precision is improved (compared to other methods) due to the large number of data taken into account, accuracy is improved by using consistent physical modeling and reliability of the derived parameters is strengthened by redundancy in the data.

29 CFR 794.142 - Special compensation when overtime in excess of 12 daily or 56 weekly hours is worked in the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... schedule: Hours M T W T F S S Tot. Worked 14 9 10 15 12 8 0 68 Number of overtime hours in excess of 56 in....133 an hour ($2×40=$80; $2.40×20=$48; $80+48=$128; $128÷60=$2.133; see § 778.115 of this chapter... worked, together with $10.67 as overtime premium for the 10 daily overtime hours ($2.133×1/2×10), or...

29 CFR 794.142 - Special compensation when overtime in excess of 12 daily or 56 weekly hours is worked in the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... schedule: Hours M T W T F S S Tot. Worked 14 9 10 15 12 8 0 68 Number of overtime hours in excess of 56 in....133 an hour ($2×40=$80; $2.40×20=$48; $80+48=$128; $128÷60=$2.133; see § 778.115 of this chapter... worked, together with $10.67 as overtime premium for the 10 daily overtime hours ($2.133×1/2×10), or...

29 CFR 794.142 - Special compensation when overtime in excess of 12 daily or 56 weekly hours is worked in the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... schedule: Hours M T W T F S S Tot. Worked 14 9 10 15 12 8 0 68 Number of overtime hours in excess of 56 in....133 an hour ($2×40=$80; $2.40×20=$48; $80+48=$128; $128÷60=$2.133; see § 778.115 of this chapter... worked, together with $10.67 as overtime premium for the 10 daily overtime hours ($2.133×1/2×10), or...

29 CFR 794.142 - Special compensation when overtime in excess of 12 daily or 56 weekly hours is worked in the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... schedule: Hours M T W T F S S Tot. Worked 14 9 10 15 12 8 0 68 Number of overtime hours in excess of 56 in....133 an hour ($2×40=$80; $2.40×20=$48; $80+48=$128; $128÷60=$2.133; see § 778.115 of this chapter... worked, together with $10.67 as overtime premium for the 10 daily overtime hours ($2.133×1/2×10), or...

Tax-deferred annuity plans: meeting the IRS audit challenge.

PubMed

Schussler, M

1997-01-01

A growing number of nonprofit organizations are being fined for violations of IRS regulations following IRS audits of their tax-deferred annuity (TDA) plans. To ensure that their organizations can withstand the scrutiny of an IRS audit, TDA plan administrators must ensure that plans meet IRS regulations and be prepared for IRS audits. Documentation--particularly of the TDA plan itself, and procedures related to salary reduction programs, compensation limits, excess deferrals and other excess contributions, loans, and distributions--must be comprehensive and in compliance with IRS regulations.

Xilmass: A New Approach toward the Identification of Cross-Linked Peptides.

PubMed

Yılmaz, Şule; Drepper, Friedel; Hulstaert, Niels; Černič, Maša; Gevaert, Kris; Economou, Anastassios; Warscheid, Bettina; Martens, Lennart; Vandermarliere, Elien

2016-10-18

Chemical cross-linking coupled with mass spectrometry plays an important role in unravelling protein interactions, especially weak and transient ones. Moreover, cross-linking complements several structural determination approaches such as cryo-EM. Although several computational approaches are available for the annotation of spectra obtained from cross-linked peptides, there remains room for improvement. Here, we present Xilmass, a novel algorithm to identify cross-linked peptides that introduces two new concepts: (i) the cross-linked peptides are represented in the search database such that the cross-linking sites are explicitly encoded, and (ii) the scoring function derived from the Andromeda algorithm was adapted to score against a theoretical tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) spectrum that contains the peaks from all possible fragment ions of a cross-linked peptide pair. The performance of Xilmass was evaluated against the recently published Kojak and the popular pLink algorithms on a calmodulin-plectin complex data set, as well as three additional, published data sets. The results show that Xilmass typically had the highest number of identified distinct cross-linked sites and also the highest number of predicted cross-linked sites.

Health impacts of Facebook usage and mobile texting among undergraduate dental students: it's time to understand the difference between usage and an excessive use.

PubMed

Lee, Y L; Verma, R K; Yadav, H; Barua, A

2016-11-01

Facebook and mobile texting are prevalent in the lives of almost every student. However, little is known about the relationship between Facebook usage or mobile texting and their impacts on health amongst undergraduate dental students. In this study, excessive Facebook use and excessive mobile texting were studied as they relate to impacts on health. A cross-sectional study was conducted at a private university in Malaysia. A total of 188 undergraduate dental students were interviewed using a pre-tested and self-rated questionnaire. Data collected from participants were analysed using SPSS version 18.0. Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and multiple logistic regression analyses were applied to study the relationship between explanatory variables and excessive Facebook use and excessive mobile texting. The prevalence of excessive Facebook use and excessive mobile texting amongst undergraduate dental students was found to be 33.2% and 33.0%, respectively. According to a multivariate analysis, texting habits, such as the presence of daytime sleepiness after texting late at night (aOR = 2.682, 95% CI = 1.142-6.301) and the presence of anxious feelings if students failed to receive a timely response (aOR = 3.819, 95% CI = 1.580-9.230), were determined to be significant predictors of excessive mobile texting. Excessive Facebook use was found to be significantly related to three variables as follows: fewer numbers of close friends (aOR = 2.275, 95% CI = 1.057-4.898), the checking of updates on the Facebook walls of their friends (aOR = 2.582, 95% CI = 1.189-5.605) and the absence of active and vigorous feelings during Facebook use (aOR = 3.401, 95% CI = 1.233-9.434). Approximately one-third of undergraduate dental students in this study experienced excessive Facebook use and/or excessive mobile texting. Health education and promotion should be instituted to create awareness, whilst students should be advised to practise self-control with respect to both mobile texting and Facebook usage. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Physiological roles of nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase.

PubMed

Hoek, J B; Rydström, J

1988-08-15

From the foregoing considerations, the energy-linked transhydrogenase reaction emerges as a powerful and flexible element in the network of redox and energy interrelationships that integrate mitochondrial and cytosolic metabolism. Its thermodynamic features make it possible for the reaction to respond readily to challenges, either on the side of NADPH utilization or on the side of energy depletion. Yet, the kinetic features are designed to prevent a wasteful input of energy when other sources of reducing equivalents to NADP are available, or to deplete the redox potential of NADPH in other than emergency conditions. By virtue of these characteristics, the energy-linked transhydrogenase can act as an effective buffer system, guarding against an excessive depletion of NADPH, preventing uncontrolled changes in key metabolites associated with NADP-dependent enzymes and calling on the supply of reducing equivalents from NAD-linked substrates only under conditions of high demand for NADPH. At the same time, it can provide an emergency protection against a depletion of energy, especially in situations of anoxia where a supply of reducing equivalents through NADP-linked substrates can be maintained. The flexibility of this design makes it possible that the functions of the energy-linked transhydrogenase vary from one tissue to another and are readily adjustable to different metabolic conditions.

Mortality in retired coke oven plant workers.

PubMed Central

Chau, N; Bertrand, J P; Mur, J M; Figueredo, A; Patris, A; Moulin, J J; Pham, Q T

1993-01-01

A previous study on 536 retired coke oven plant workers in Lorraine Collieries (France) reported an excess of deaths from lung cancer (standardised mortality ratio (SMR) = 251) compared with the French male population. Occupational exposures during working life were retraced for each subject, but the number of deaths during the observation period (1963-82) was small, and smoking habits were known only for dead subjects. In 1988, the cohort was re-examined (182 deaths occurred between 1963 and 1987) and smoking habits were determined for all the subjects. This study confirmed the excess of lung cancer (SMR = 238, p < 0.001). It showed an excess of mortality from all causes (SMR = 141, p < 0.001), overall cancers (SMR = 133, p < 0.05), and cardiovascular diseases (SMR = 133, p < 0.05). A significant excess of deaths was found for subjects who worked near the ovens for all causes (145, p < 0.01), lung cancer (SMR = 252, p < 0.01), colon cancer (SMR = 381, p < 0.05), and cardiovascular diseases (SMR = 155, p < 0.05). A significant excess mortality was also found from all causes (176, p < 0.05) and stomach cancer (SMR = 538, p < 0.01) in subjects who worked in byproducts, from lung cancer (SMR = 433, p < 0.001) in those in the workshops, and from cirrhosis of the liver and alcoholism (SMR = 360, p < 0.01) in those underground; but, due to small numbers, these figures were not robust. An excess of mortality from all causes (SMR = 163, p<001), lung cancer (SMR = 228, p<0.05) and cardiovascular diseases (SMR = 179, p<0.01) was shown also for non-exposed or slightly exposed subjects. The fact that, on the whole, mortality of various exposed groups was similar to that of non-exposed or slightly exposed workers may be explained in part by the selection at hiring and the healthy worker effect. As an increased risk of lung cancer was noted among subjects who worked in the old generations of plant compared with the other workers (although the relative risk was not significant) it is concluded that the role of occupational hazards could not be excluded. PMID:8435345

Motivations to play specifically predict excessive involvement in massively multiplayer online role-playing games: evidence from an online survey.

PubMed

Zanetta Dauriat, Francesca; Zermatten, Ariane; Billieux, Joël; Thorens, Gabriel; Bondolfi, Guido; Zullino, Daniele; Khazaal, Yasser

2011-01-01

Several studies have linked massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) with possible problematic usage or internet addiction. The main goal of the present study was to assess links between motivations to play in MMORPGs and addictive involvement in such types of games. A total of 696 gamers responded to an online survey. Five distinct motivations to play were identified in gamers: achievement, socializing, immersion, relaxing and escaping. Multiple regression analysis revealed that addictive MMORPG use patterns are predicted by achievement, escapism and socializing motives. Gender was also a significant predictor of problematic involvement in MMORPGs. Moreover, addictive MMORPG use positively correlated with the weekly time devoted to playing MMORPGs. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.

A Population-based survey of risk for cancer in individuals diagnosed with myotonic dystrophy

PubMed Central

Abbott, Diana; Johnson, Nicholas E; Cannon-Albright, Lisa A.

2018-01-01

Introduction The risk of cancer in patients diagnosed with myotonic dystrophy (DM) is reported for the homogeneous Utah population. Methods Clinical data accessed from the largest Utah healthcare providers have been record-linked to the Utah Population Database (UPDB), a population-based resource also linked to the Utah Cancer Registry. Relative risks were estimated for 36 cancers of different types in 281 DM patients. Results Testicular cancer (RR=10.74; 95% CI: 1.91, 38.79), endometrial cancer (6.98; 1.24, 25.22), and Non-Hodgkins lymphoma (4.25; 1.16, 12.43) were all observed at significant excess in DM patients. Discussion This study confirms an overall increased risk of cancer in DM. Individuals diagnosed with DM might benefit from risk counseling. PMID:27064430

Systems implications of L-band fade data statistics for LEO mobile systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Devieux, Carrie L.

1993-01-01

This paper examines and analyzes research data on the role of foliage attenuation in signal fading between a satellite transmitter and a terrestrial vehicle-mounted receiver. The frequency band of measurement, called L-Band, includes the region 1610.0 to 1626.5 MHz. Data from tests involving various combinations of foliage and vehicle movement conditions clearly show evidence of fast fading (in excess of 0.5 dB per millisecond) and fade depths as great or greater than 16 dB. As a result, the design of a communications link power control that provides the level of accuracy necessary for power sensitive systems could be significantly impacted. Specific examples of this include the communications links that employ Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) as a modulation technique.

Systems implications of L-band fade data statistics for LEO mobile systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Devieux, Carrie L.

This paper examines and analyzes research data on the role of foliage attenuation in signal fading between a satellite transmitter and a terrestrial vehicle-mounted receiver. The frequency band of measurement, called L-Band, includes the region 1610.0 to 1626.5 MHz. Data from tests involving various combinations of foliage and vehicle movement conditions clearly show evidence of fast fading (in excess of 0.5 dB per millisecond) and fade depths as great or greater than 16 dB. As a result, the design of a communications link power control that provides the level of accuracy necessary for power sensitive systems could be significantly impacted. Specific examples of this include the communications links that employ Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) as a modulation technique.

Non-conservation of global charges in the Brane Universe and baryogenesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dvali, Gia; Gabadadze, Gregory

1999-08-01

We argue that global charges, such as baryon or lepton number, are not conserved in theories with the Standard Model fields localized on the brane which propagates in higher-dimensional space-time. The global-charge non-conservation is due to quantum fluctuations of the brane surface. These fluctuations create ``baby branes'' that can capture some global charges and carry them away into the bulk of higher-dimensional space. Such processes are exponentially suppressed at low-energies, but can be significant at high enough temperatures or energies. These effects can lead to a new, intrinsically high-dimensional mechanism of baryogenesis. Baryon asymmetry might be produced due either to ``evaporation'' into the baby branes, or creation of the baryon number excess in collisions of two Brane Universes. As an example we discuss a possible cosmological scenario within the recently proposed ``Brane Inflation'' framework. Inflation is driven by displaced branes which slowly fall on top of each other. When the branes collide inflation stops and the Brane Universe reheats. During this non-equilibrium collision baryon number can be transported from one brane to another one. This results in the baryon number excess in our Universe which exactly equals to the hidden ``baryon number'' deficit in the other Brane Universe. © 1999

Androgens and Hypertension in Men and Women: a Unifying View.

PubMed

Moretti, Costanzo; Lanzolla, Giulia; Moretti, Marta; Gnessi, Lucio; Carmina, Enrico

2017-05-01

This review was designed to revaluate the androgen role on the mechanisms of hypertension and cardiovascular risks in both men and women. Sex steroids are involved in the regulation of blood pressure, but pathophysiological mechanism is not well understood. Androgens have an important effect on metabolism, adipose and endothelial cell function, and cardiovascular risk in both men and women. A focal point in this contest is represented by the possible gender-specific regulation of different tissues and in particular of the adipose cell. Available data confirm that androgen deficiency is linked to increased prevalence of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Adipocyte dysfunction seems to be the main involved mechanism. Androgen replacement reduces inflammation state in man, protecting by metabolic syndrome progression. In women, androgen excess has been considered as promoting factor of cardiovascular risk. However, recent data suggest that excessive androgen production has little effect per se in inducing hypertension in young women of reproductive age. Also in postmenopausal women, data on relative androgen excess and hypertension are missing, while adrenal androgen deficiency has been associated to increased mortality. Molecular mechanisms linking androgen dysregulation to hypertension are almost Unknown, but they seem to be related to increased visceral fat, promoting a chronic inflammatory state through different mechanisms. One of these may involve the recruitment and over-activation of NF-kB, a ubiquitous transcription factor also expressed in adipose cells, where it may cause the production of cytokines and other immune factors. The NF-kB signalling pathway may also influence brown adipogenesis leading to the preferential enlargement of visceral adipocytes. Chronic inflammation and adipocyte dysfunction may alter endothelial function leading to hypertension. Both in men and in women, particularly in the post-menopausal period, hypoandrogenism seems to be a major determinant of the increased prevalence of hypertension. The relationship between androgen signalling and NF-kB might explain the pathophysiological mechanism leading to the development of endothelium dysfunction and hypertension.

Association of adverse childhood environment and 5-HTTLPR Genotype with late-life depression.

PubMed

Ritchie, Karen; Jaussent, Isabelle; Stewart, Robert; Dupuy, Anne-Marie; Courtet, Philippe; Ancelin, Marie-Laure; Malafosse, Alain

2009-09-01

Neurobiological and clinical studies suggest that childhood maltreatment may result in functional and structural nervous system changes that predispose the individual to depression. This vulnerability appears to be modulated by a polymorphism in the serotonin gene-linked promoter region (5-HTTLPR). Little is known, however, about the persistence of this vulnerability across the life span, although clinical studies of adult populations suggest that gene-environment interaction may diminish with aging. Depressive symptomatology and adverse and protective childhood events were examined in a population of 942 persons aged 65 years and older, taking into account sociodemographic characteristics and proximal competing causes of depression (widowhood, recent life events, vascular and neurologic disorder, and disability). Subjects were recruited between March 1999 and February 2001 and were diagnosed as depressed if they met 1 of 3 criteria: a diagnosis of major depression on the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, a score higher than 16 on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale, or current treatment with an antidepressant. Exposure to traumatic events in childhood doubled the risk of late-life depression and increased the risk of repeated episodes. Not all events were found to be pathogenic; significant risk was associated with excessive sharing of parental problems, poverty or financial difficulties, mental disorder in parents, excessive physical punishment, verbal abuse from parents, humiliation, and mistreatment by an adult outside the family. Interactions were observed between the 5-HTTLPR long (L) allele, poverty, and excessive sharing of parental problems. Certain types of childhood trauma continue to constitute risk factors for depression in old age, outweighing more proximal causes. Gene environment vulnerability interaction is linked in older age to the L-carrying genotype, modulating the effects of general environmental conditions rather than aggressive acts on the individual, perhaps due to increased cardiac reactivity. Copyright 2009 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.

Effect of dietary consumption as a modifier on the association between FTO gene variants and excess body weight in children from an admixed population in Brazil: the Social Changes, Asthma and Allergy in Latin America (SCAALA) cohort study.

PubMed

Vilella, Marília; Nunes de Oliveira Costa, Gustavo; Lima Barreto, Maurício; Alexandrina Figueredo, Camila; Maria Alcantara-Neves, Neuza; Cunha Rodrigues, Laura; Maria Alvim de Matos, Sheila; Leovigildo Fiaccone, Rosemeire; Oliveira, Pablo; Rocha, Aline; de Cássia Ribeiro-Silva, Rita

2017-06-01

Previous studies have shown associations of variants of the FTO gene with body weight, but none of these have involved Latin American populations with a high level of miscegenation, as is seen in the north-eastern Brazilian population. This study evaluated the association between SNP in the FTO gene and excess weight in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. In addition, the effect of diet as a modifier on this association was also investigated. This cross-sectional study included 1191 participants aged 4-11 years, who were genotyped for 400 variants of the FTO gene. Direct anthropometric measures were made and dietary data were obtained by 24-h food recall. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess the associations of interest. Overall, 11·2 % of the individuals included in the study were overweight/obese. Interactions were identified between the percentage energy intake from proteins and obesity risk linked to the rs62048379 SNP (P interaction=0·01) and also between fat intake (PUFA:SFA ratio) and obesity risk linked to the rs62048379 SNP (P interaction=0·01). The T allele for the variant rs62048379 was positively associated with overweight/obesity in individuals whose percentage energy intake from protein was above the median (OR 2·00; 95 % CI 1·05, 3·82). The rs62048379 SNP was also associated with overweight/obesity in individuals whose PUFA:SFA ratio was below the median (OR 1·63; 95 % CI 1·05, 2·55). The association between FTO gene variants and excess body weight can be modulated by dietary characteristics, particularly by fatty acid distribution and dietary protein intake in children.

Structure of chromatin and the linking number of DNA.

PubMed Central

Worcel, A; Strogatz, S; Riley, D

1981-01-01

Recent observations suggest that the basic supranucleosomal structure of chromatin is a zigzag helical ribbon with a repeat unit made of two nucleosomes connected by a relaxed spacer DNA. A remarkable feature of one particular ribbon is that it solves the apparent paradox between the number of DNA turns per nucleosome and the total linking number of a nucleosome-containing closed circular DNA molecule. We show here that the repeat unit of the proposed structure, which contains two nucleosomes with -1 3/4 DNA turns per nucleosome and one spacer crossover per repeat, contributes -2 to the linking number of closed circular DNA. Space-filling models show that the cylindrical 250-A chromatin fiber can be generated by twisting the ribbon. Images PMID:6940168

Systemic and Local Vaccination against Breast Cancer with Minimum Autoimmune Sequelae

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-10-01

AD_________________ Award Number: W81XWH-10-1-0466 TITLE: Systemic and Local Vaccination against...September 2012 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER Systemic and Local Vaccination against Breast Cancer with Minimum Autoimmune Sequelae 5b...eliminate the tumor by vaccination and local ablation to render long-term immune protection without excessive autoimmune sequelae. Complimenting this

Systemic And Local Vaccination Against Breast Cancer With Minimum Autoimmune Sequelae

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-10-01

AD_________________ Award Number: W81XWH-10-1-0466 TITLE: Systemic and Local Vaccination against...2011 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER Systemic and Local Vaccination against Breast Cancer with Minimum Autoimmune Sequelae 5b. GRANT...eliminate the tumor by vaccination and local ablation to render long-term immune protection without excessive autoimmune sequelae. Complimenting this

Asia's communications market booms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davis, Neil W.

1995-01-01

Excessive regulation and a shortage of entrepreneurs have long hampered Asia's communications and direct broadcasting satellite business markets. Recently, however, this sector has blossomed with a growing number of number Asian-owned communications satellites launched and others purchased for imminent use. Competition among the Asian countries in the development of satellite television broadcasting for the region is discussed with particular emphasis on Hong Kong and Japan.

Workweeks of 41 Hours or More and Premium Pay.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bureau of Labor Statistics (DOL), Washington, DC.

The survey conducted in May, 1975 by the Bureau of Census showed that both the number of employees working more than the standard 40-hour workweek and the number receiving premium pay for hours in excess of the standard were substantially fewer than in the previous year. About 14.1 million wage and salary employees worked overtime in May, 1975…

QTLs for early tiller production and relationships with rapid seedling growth and increased panicle number in rice

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The ideal plant type, or idiotype, for rice is to create a moderate number of tillers, not too few or yield will be decreased by production of too few seed heads, nor too many which will divert energy and nutrients away from grain into excessive stems and leaves. While the rice cultivars grown toda...

Penetration, Completeness, and Representativeness of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database.

PubMed

Jacobs, Jeffrey P; Shahian, David M; He, Xia; O'Brien, Sean M; Badhwar, Vinay; Cleveland, Joseph C; Furnary, Anthony P; Magee, Mitchell J; Kurlansky, Paul A; Rankin, J Scott; Welke, Karl F; Filardo, Giovanni; Dokholyan, Rachel S; Peterson, Eric D; Brennan, J Matthew; Han, Jane M; McDonald, Donna; Schmitz, DeLaine; Edwards, Fred H; Prager, Richard L; Grover, Frederick L

2016-01-01

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Adult Cardiac Surgery Database (ACSD) has been successfully linked to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Medicare database, thereby facilitating comparative effectiveness research and providing information about long-term follow-up and cost. The present study uses this link to determine contemporary completeness, penetration, and representativeness of the STS ACSD. Using variables common to both STS and CMS databases, STS operations were linked to CMS data for all CMS coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery hospitalizations discharged between 2000 and 2012, inclusive. For each CMS CABG hospitalization, it was determined whether a matching STS record existed. Center-level penetration (number of CMS sites with at least one matched STS participant divided by the total number of CMS CABG sites) increased from 45% in 2000 to 90% in 2012. In 2012, 973 of 1,081 CMS CABG sites (90%) were linked to an STS site. Patient-level penetration (number of CMS CABG hospitalizations done at STS sites divided by the total number of CMS CABG hospitalizations) increased from 51% in 2000 to 94% in 2012. In 2012, 71,634 of 76,072 CMS CABG hospitalizations (94%) occurred at an STS site. Completeness of case inclusion at STS sites (number of CMS CABG cases at STS sites linked to STS records divided by the total number of CMS CABG cases at STS sites) increased from 88% in 2000 to 98% in 2012. In 2012, 69,213 of 70,932 CMS CABG hospitalizations at STS sites (98%) were linked to an STS record. Linkage of STS and CMS databases demonstrates high and increasing penetration and completeness of the STS database. Linking STS and CMS data facilitates studying long-term outcomes and costs of cardiothoracic surgery. Copyright © 2016 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Mechanistic Links Between PARP, NAD, and Brain Inflammation After TBI

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-10-01

1 AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-13-2-0091 TITLE: Mechanistic Links Between PARP, NAD , and Brain Inflammation After TBI PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR...COVERED 25 Sep 2014 - 24 Sep 2015 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER Mechanistic Links Between PARP, NAD , and Brain Inflammation After TBI 5b. GRANT...efficacy of veliparib and NAD as agents for suppressing inflammation and improving outcomes after traumatic brain injury. The animal models include

Long-acting follicle-stimulating hormone analogs containing N-linked glycosylation exhibited increased bioactivity compared with o-linked analogs in female rats.

PubMed

Weenen, C; Peña, J E; Pollak, S V; Klein, J; Lobel, L; Trousdale, R K; Palmer, S; Lustbader, E G; Ogden, R T; Lustbader, J W

2004-10-01

The effects of altering the number and type of additional carbohydrate moieties on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of FSH were examined in this report. A series of single-chain follitropins, containing variable numbers of additional N- (or O-) linked carbohydrates, were designed and expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Proper folding, efficient receptor binding, and signal transduction were confirmed by in vitro assays. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters were evaluated in immature female Sprague Dawley rats. Increasing the number of glycosylation sites with either N- (or O-) linked moieties extended the elimination half-life as much as 2-fold compared with recombinant human FSH (rhFSH). However, there was a maximum elimination half-life such that further glycosylation provided no additional lengthening of the half-life. Conversely, biopotency, as assessed by inhibin A levels 74 h post injection, and follicle production were significantly higher for the N-linked analogs. Rats stimulated with the longest acting analogs (either N- or O-linked) showed significantly higher ovarian weights than rats receiving a single injection of rhFSH. The analog containing four additional N-linked sites (rhFSH-N4) had the greatest number of large, preovulatory follicles. Although the half-life of rhFSH-N4 displayed no further enhancement beyond the other longest acting analogs, this analog exhibited significantly increased biopotency in rats. This work provides the basis for the generation of a series of reagents potentially useful for therapeutic applications.

Rain rate intensity model for communication link design across the Indian region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kilaru, Aravind; Kotamraju, Sarat K.; Avlonitis, Nicholas; Sri Kavya, K. Ch.

2016-07-01

A study on rain statistical parameters such as one minute rain intensity, possible number of minute occurrences with respective percentage of time in a year has been evaluated for the purpose of communication link design at Ka, Q, V bands as well as at Free-Space Optical communication links (FSO). To understand possible outage period of a communication links due to rainfall and to investigate rainfall pattern, Automatic Weather Station (AWS) rainfall data is analysed due its ample presence across India. The climates of the examined AWS regions vary from desert to cold climate, heavy rainfall to variable rainfall regions, cyclone effective regions, mountain and coastal regions. In this way a complete and unbiased picture of the rainfall statistics for Indian region is evaluated. The analysed AWS data gives insight into yearly accumulated rainfall, maximum hourly accumulated rainfall, mean hourly accumulated rainfall, number of rainy days and number of rainy hours from 668 AWS locations. Using probability density function the one minute rainfall measurements at KL University is integrated with AWS measurements for estimating number of rain occurrences in terms of one minute rain intensity for annual rainfall accumulated between 100 mm and 5000 mm to give an insight into possible one minute accumulation pattern in an hour for comprehensive analysis of rainfall influence on a communication link for design engineers. So that low availability communications links at higher frequencies can be transformed into a reliable and economically feasible communication links for implementing High Throughput Services (HTS).

Excess under-5 female mortality across India: a spatial analysis using 2011 census data.

PubMed

Guilmoto, Christophe Z; Saikia, Nandita; Tamrakar, Vandana; Bora, Jayanta Kumar

2018-06-01

Excess female mortality causes half of the missing women (estimated deficit of women in countries with suspiciously low proportion of females in their population) today. Globally, most of these avoidable deaths of women occur during childhood in China and India. We aimed to estimate excess female under-5 mortality rate (U5MR) for India's 35 states and union territories and 640 districts. Using the summary birth history method (or Brass method), we derived district-level estimates of U5MR by sex from 2011 census data. We used data from 46 countries with no evidence of gender bias for mortality to estimate the effects and intensity of excess female mortality at district level. We used a detailed spatial and statistical analysis to highlight the correlates of excess mortality at district level. Excess female U5MR was 18·5 per 1000 livebirths (95% CI 13·1-22·6) in India 2000-2005, which corresponds to an estimated 239 000 excess deaths (169 000-293 000) per year. More than 90% of districts had excess female mortality, but the four largest states in northern India (Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh) accounted for two-thirds of India's total number. Low economic development, gender inequity, and high fertility were the main predictors of excess female mortality. Spatial analysis confirmed the strong spatial clustering of postnatal discrimination against girls in India. The considerable effect of gender bias on mortality in India highlights the need for more proactive engagement with the issue of postnatal sex discrimination and a focus on the northern districts. Notably, these regions are not the same as those most affected by skewed sex ratio at birth. None. Copyright © 2018 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

[Hyperactivity and anorexia nervosa: behavioural and biological perspective].

PubMed

Kohl, M; Foulon, C; Guelfi, J-D

2004-01-01

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder defined by a symptomatic triad, anorexia, emaciation and amenorrhoea. This disease mainly affects young women. Besides these three symptoms, hyperactivity is often associated with anorexia nervosa. Hyperactivity can be considered as a strategy to lose weight, but studies on animal models have shown that it could be explained by more complicated mechanisms. Hyperactivity is defined by an excess of physical activity, which can induce social, professional and family consequences. Hyperactivity can take different forms, most striking is the restless one. Patients with anorexia nervosa are not all hyperactive. Brewerton et al. have compared patients with anorexia nervosa and hyperactivity to patients without hyperactivity. Hyperactive patients are more dissatisfied by their body image, they use less means of purging (laxatives, vomiting), and they start starving earlier than patients without hyperactivity. Many factors can promote the emergence and maintenance of hyperactivity, especially social and cultural requirements, sports environment, family influences. Various models can explain the links between excessive exercise and anorexia nervosa. Epling and Pierce have exposed a behavioural model which shows how hyperactivity can lead to starvation, creating a self-maintained cycle. Eisler and Le Grande have described four models to explain the links between hyperactivity and anorexia nervosa. First, excessive exercise can be considered as a symptom of anorexia nervosa. It can also promote the development of eating disorders. Anorexia nervosa and hyperactivity can be a manifestation of an other psychiatric disorder. At least, hyperactivity can be a variant of anorexia nervosa, which has the same effects, as weight loss. Hyperactivity can also be considered as a kind of obsessive compulsive disorder. Hyperactivity and obsessive compulsive disorders actually share some clinical and neurochemical characteristics. An other model consists in comparing excessive exercise in anorexia nervosa to an addictive behaviour. Self-starvation exacerbated by hyperactivity can be considered as an addiction to endogenous opioid. Few studies are carried out in order to estimate the prevalence of high level exercise in the eating disorders. Davis et al. have achieved a prevalence study. The results indicate that a large majority of patients with anorexia nervosa (80,8%) were exercising excessively during an acute phase of the disorder. Research on animals, specially on rats, brings us an interesting model explaining interactions between anorexia nervosa and hyperactivity. With animal models, we have noticed that, when rats with access to a running wheel, are restricted in their food intake, they become excessively active, and paradoxically reduce food consumption. Many searchers have tried to explain this phenomenon. Morse et al. have pointed from animal models that the level of hyperactivity was linked to the severity of food restriction. This result can be explained by a failure of a part of the brain involved in rest and activity regulation. Animal research brings us explanations about the effects of starvation on the endocrine system and the neurotransmitters. Broocks et al. have shown that corticosterone concentration in plasma was synergistically increased by semi starvation and exercise, and the reduction of triiodothyronine by semi starvation was significantly greater in the running wheel group. An other study of Broocks et al. has revealed an increased hypothalamic serotonin metabolism with the combined effect of hyperactivity and food restriction. Tryptophan, an amid acid involved in serotonin synthesis, can also play a role in the maintenance of anorexia nervosa. In starvation conditions, opioid releasing caused by physical exercise would decrease food intake. Exner's study and Adan's one have shown that leptin would be involved in semi starvation induced hyperactivity mechanisms. In spite of animal models can not be entirely generalized to human, they are useful to try to explain biological supports of hyperactivity. Hyperactivity is not only a strategy to lose weight, but also a specific symptom which completes the clinical triad. Animal studies have led to promising results; we might use medicine, such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors or opioid antagonists in the treatment of hyperactivity in anorexia nervosa.

Television viewing, computer use and total screen time in Canadian youth.

PubMed

Mark, Amy E; Boyce, William F; Janssen, Ian

2006-11-01

Research has linked excessive television viewing and computer use in children and adolescents to a variety of health and social problems. Current recommendations are that screen time in children and adolescents should be limited to no more than 2 h per day. To determine the percentage of Canadian youth meeting the screen time guideline recommendations. The representative study sample consisted of 6942 Canadian youth in grades 6 to 10 who participated in the 2001/2002 World Health Organization Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children survey. Only 41% of girls and 34% of boys in grades 6 to 10 watched 2 h or less of television per day. Once the time of leisure computer use was included and total daily screen time was examined, only 18% of girls and 14% of boys met the guidelines. The prevalence of those meeting the screen time guidelines was higher in girls than boys. Fewer than 20% of Canadian youth in grades 6 to 10 met the total screen time guidelines, suggesting that increased public health interventions are needed to reduce the number of leisure time hours that Canadian youth spend watching television and using the computer.

Peer Victimization among Classmates-Associations with Students' Internalizing Problems, Self-Esteem, and Life Satisfaction.

PubMed

Låftman, Sara B; Modin, Bitte

2017-10-13

Bullying is a major problem in schools and a large number of studies have demonstrated that victims have a high excess risk of poor mental health. It may however also affect those who are not directly victimized by peers. The present study investigates whether peer victimization among classmates is linked to internalizing problems, self-esteem, and life satisfaction at the individual level, when the student's own victimization has been taken into account. The data were derived from the first wave of the Swedish part of Youth in Europe Study (YES!), including information on 4319 students in grade 8 (14-15 years of age) distributed across 242 classes. Results from multilevel analyses show a significant association between classes with a high proportion of students being victimized and higher levels of internalizing problems, lower self-esteem, and lower life satisfaction at the student level. This association holds when the student's own victimization has been taken into account. This suggests that peer victimization negatively affects those who are directly exposed, as well as their classmates. We conclude that efficient methods and interventions to reduce bullying in school are likely to benefit not only those who are victimized, but all students.

Research in the United States relative to geochemistry and health

USGS Publications Warehouse

Petrie, W.L.; Cannon, H.L.

1979-01-01

Increasing concern regarding the effects of the geochemical environment on health in the United States has fostered research studies in a number of universities and government agencies. The necessity to evaluate the effects of natural and man-made elemental excesses in the environment on health requires the establishment of requirements and tolerance limits for the various elements in water and crops. Maps of the geographic distribution of these elements in rocks, surficial materials and ground and surface waters are also essential for comparison with the occurrence of disease. Funding support for research projects that relate to various parameters of these problems emanates largely from a few federal agencies, and much of the work is conducted at government, university and private facilities. An example of the latter is the National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council, which has several components that are addressing a variety of comparative studies of the geochemical environment related to health; studies involve specific trace elements (like selenium and magnesium), diseases (like cancer, urolithiasis and cardiovascular disease), other health factors (like aging and nutrition) and links with timely major problems (like the health effects of greatly increasing the use of coal). ?? 1979.

Exposure to High Fluoride Drinking Water and Risk of Dental Fluorosis in Estonia

PubMed Central

Indermitte, Ene; Saava, Astrid; Karro, Enn

2009-01-01

The purpose of this study was to assess exposure to drinking water fluoride and evaluate the risk of dental fluorosis among the Estonian population. The study covered all 15 counties in Estonia and 93.7% of population that has access to public water supplies. In Estonia groundwater is the main source for public water supply systems in most towns and rural settlements. The content of natural fluoride in water ranges from 0.01 to 7.20 mg/L. The exposure to different fluoride levels was assessed by linking data from previous studies on drinking water quality with databases of the Health Protection Inspectorate on water suppliers and the number of water consumers in water supply systems. Exposure assessment showed that 4% of the study population had excessive exposure to fluoride, mainly in small public water supplies in western and central Estonia, where the Silurian-Ordovician aquifer system is the only source of drinking water. There is a strong correlation between natural fluoride levels and the prevalence of dental fluorosis. Risk of dental fluorosis was calculated to different fluoride exposure levels over 1.5 mg/L. PMID:19440411

[Atherosclerosis and nutrition].

PubMed

Daubresse, J C

2000-09-01

Atherosclerosis is the main cause of mortality in industrialized countries and even in poorly developed ones. It is linked to age and gender and also to a number of well identified risk factors: lipids anomalies, arterial hypertension, diabetes, smoking and weight excess among others. Risk factors improvement significantly reduces cardiovascular events. It is evident that nutrition plays an important role as it can modulate the evolution of body weight and blood pressure. Nutrition is also able to reduce the prevalence and severity of hyperlipidemias and diabetes. Saturated fatty acids (excepted stearic acid), trans poly-unsaturated acids as well as cholesterol increase serum LDL-cholesterol. Mono- and poly-unsaturated and classical cis-mono-unsaturated acids do the opposite. N-3 poly-unsaturated acids reduce serum triglyceride levels and cardiovascular events. Carbohydrates with a low glycemic index are important determinants of serum HDL-cholesterol levels and reduce cardiovascular risk. Animal proteins bring essential amino-acids to the body but also saturated fats. It seems interesting to eat vegetal proteins among which those derived from soya look promising. Our diet will include enough fiber and phytosterols-containing margarines look interesting as well. Modest alcohol consumption improves cardiovascular mortality in the majority of the prospective studies.

The links between hypertrophy, reproductive potential and longevity in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast.

PubMed

Molon, Mateusz; Zadrag-Tecza, Renata

2016-01-01

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has long been used as a model organism for studying the basic mechanisms of aging. However, the main problem with the use of this unicellular fungus is the unit of "longevity". For all organisms, lifespan is expressed in units of time, while in the case of yeast it is defined by the number of daughter cells produced. Additionally, in yeast the phenotypic effects of mutations often show a clear dependence on the genetic background, suggesting the need for an analysis of strains representing different genetic backgrounds. Our results confirm the data presented in earlier papers that the reproductive potential is strongly associated with an increase in cell volume per generation. An excessive cell volume results in the loss of reproductive capacity. These data clearly support the hypertrophy hypothesis. The time of life of all analysed mutants, with the exception of sch9D, is the same as in the case of the wild-type strain. Interestingly, the 121% increase of the fob1D mutant's reproductive potential compared to the sfp1D mutant does not result in prolongation of the mutant's time of life (total lifespan).

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cancer: Role of antioxidative nutraceuticals.

PubMed

Prasad, Sahdeo; Gupta, Subash C; Tyagi, Amit K

2017-02-28

Extensive research over the past half a century indicates that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in cancer. Although low levels of ROS can be beneficial, excessive accumulation can promote cancer. One characteristic of cancer cells that distinguishes them from normal cells is their ability to produce increased numbers of ROS and their increased dependence on an antioxidant defense system. ROS are produced as a byproduct intracellularly by mitochondria and other cellular elements and exogenously by pollutants, tobacco, smoke, drugs, xenobiotics, and radiation. ROS modulate various cell signaling pathways, which are primarily mediated through the transcription factors NF-κB and STAT3, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, kinases, growth factors, cytokines and other proteins, and enzymes; these pathways have been linked to cellular transformation, inflammation, tumor survival, proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis of cancer. ROS are also associated with epigenetic changes in genes, which is helpful in diagnosing diseases. This review considers the role of ROS in the various stages of cancer development. Finally, we provide evidence that nutraceuticals derived from Mother Nature are highly effective in eliminating cancer cells. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Red blood cells as modulators of T cell growth and survival.

PubMed

Arosa, Fernando A; Pereira, Carlos F; Fonseca, Ana M

2004-01-01

T cell homeostasis is largely controlled by a balance between cell death and survival and anomalies in either process account for a number of diseases linked to excessive or faulty T cell growth. Yet, the influence that cells outside the immunological system have on these processes has only recently received attention. Accumulated evidence indicate that homeostasis of the CD4+ and CD8+ T cell pools is highly dynamic and regulated by signals delivered by cells and molecules present in the different internal microenvironments. The major function of red blood cells (RBC) is generally considered to be oxygen and carbon dioxide transport. In recent years, however, RBC have been implicated in the regulation of basic physiological processes, from vascular contraction and platelet aggregation to T cell growth and survival. Regulation of T cell survival by RBC may influence the response of selected subsets of T cells to internal or external stimuli and may help explaining the immunomodulatory activities of red blood cells. By interfering in the balance between death and survival RBC become potential tools that can be manipulated to improve or reverse pathological situations characterized by anomalies in the control of T cell growth.

The Impact of Taxation Reduction on Smoking in Youth between 1990 and 1999: Results from a Reconstructed Cohort Analysis of the Canadian Community Health Surveys

PubMed Central

Birkett, Nicholas J.

2014-01-01

Background Increases in taxation can contribute to smoking control. In the early 1990’s, tobacco smuggling rates in Canada increased dramatically. Governments responded with a substantial reduction in taxes on tobacco products. This study examines the impact of these tax changes on smoking in youth in Canada. Methods Data on smoking from three consecutive cycles of the Canadian Community Health Surveys were combined and analyzed using a reconstructed cohort approach. Age, sex and calendar year specific rates of smoking experimentation and the onset of daily smoking were estimated for youth. Estimates apply to the entire Canadian population. Results There was a strong increase in smoking in youth in the years following the reduction in tobacco taxes. The increase was stronger in women. The rates returned to pre-1990 rates by about 2002. The number of excess daily smokers for people born between 1977 and 1985 that can be linked to the taxation reduction is about 190,000. Interpretation There is strong evidence that reduction of tobacco taxes to combat smuggling had an adverse impact on smoking rates in youth. PMID:24699515

The impact of taxation reduction on smoking in youth between 1990 and 1999: results from a reconstructed cohort analysis of the Canadian Community Health Surveys.

PubMed

Birkett, Nicholas J

2014-01-01

Increases in taxation can contribute to smoking control. In the early 1990's, tobacco smuggling rates in Canada increased dramatically. Governments responded with a substantial reduction in taxes on tobacco products. This study examines the impact of these tax changes on smoking in youth in Canada. Data on smoking from three consecutive cycles of the Canadian Community Health Surveys were combined and analyzed using a reconstructed cohort approach. Age, sex and calendar year specific rates of smoking experimentation and the onset of daily smoking were estimated for youth. Estimates apply to the entire Canadian population. There was a strong increase in smoking in youth in the years following the reduction in tobacco taxes. The increase was stronger in women. The rates returned to pre-1990 rates by about 2002. The number of excess daily smokers for people born between 1977 and 1985 that can be linked to the taxation reduction is about 190,000. There is strong evidence that reduction of tobacco taxes to combat smuggling had an adverse impact on smoking rates in youth.

Post-traumatic stress symptoms in pathological gambling: Potential evidence of anti-reward processes.

PubMed

Green, Cheryl L; Nahhas, Ramzi W; Scoglio, Arielle A; Elman, Igor

2017-03-01

Background Excessive gambling is considered to be a part of the addiction spectrum. Stress-like emotional states are a key feature both of pathological gambling (PG) and of substance addiction. In substance addiction, stress symptomatology has been attributed in part to "anti-reward" allostatic neuroadaptations, while a potential involvement of anti-reward processes in the course of PG has not yet been investigated. Methods To that end, individuals with PG (n = 22) and mentally healthy subjects (n = 13) were assessed for trauma exposure and post-traumatic stress symptomatology (PTSS) using the Life Events Checklist and the Civilian Mississippi Scale, respectively. Results In comparison with healthy subjects, individuals with PG had significantly greater PTSS scores including greater physiological arousal sub-scores. The number of traumatic events and their recency were not significantly different between the groups. In the PG group, greater gambling severity was associated with more PTSS, but neither with traumatic events exposure nor with their recency. Conclusions Our data replicate prior reports on the role of traumatic stress in the course of PG and extend those findings by suggesting that the link may be derived from the anti-reward-type neuroadaptation rather than from the traumatic stress exposure per se.

Narcolepsy patients' blood-based miRNA expression profiling: miRNA expression differences with Pandemrix vaccination.

PubMed

Mosakhani, N; Sarhadi, V; Panula, P; Partinen, M; Knuutila, S

2017-11-01

Narcolepsy is a neurological sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and nighttime sleep disturbance. Among children and adolescents vaccinated with Pandemrix vaccine in Finland and Sweden, the number of narcolepsy cases increased. Our aim was to identify miRNAs involved in narcolepsy and their association with Pandemrix vaccination. We performed global miRNA proofing by miRNA microarrays followed by RT-PCR verification on 20 narcolepsy patients (Pandemrix-associated and Pandemrix-non-associated) and 17 controls (vaccinated and non-vaccinated). Between all narcolepsy patients and controls, 11 miRNAs were differentially expressed; 17 miRNAs showed significantly differential expression between Pandemrix-non-associated narcolepsy patients and non-vaccinated healthy controls. MiR-188-5p and miR-4499 were over-expressed in narcolepsy patients vs healthy controls. Two miRNAs, miR-1470 and miR-4455, were under-expressed in Pandemrix-associated narcolepsy patients vs Pandemrix-non-associated narcolepsy patients. We identified miRNA expression patterns in narcolepsy patients that linked them to mRNA targets known to be involved in brain-related pathways or brain disorders. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Risks for central nervous system diseases among mobile phone subscribers: a Danish retrospective cohort study.

PubMed

Schüz, Joachim; Waldemar, Gunhild; Olsen, Jørgen H; Johansen, Christoffer

2009-01-01

The aim of this study was to investigate a possible link between cellular telephone use and risks for various diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). We conducted a large nationwide cohort study of 420 095 persons whose first cellular telephone subscription was between 1982 and 1995, who were followed through 2003 for hospital contacts for a diagnosis of a CNS disorder. Standardized hospitalization ratios (SHRs) were derived by dividing the number of hospital contacts in the cohort by the number expected in the Danish population. The SHRs were increased by 10-20% for migraine and vertigo. No associations were seen for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis or epilepsy in women. SHRs decreased by 30-40% were observed for dementia (Alzheimer disease, vascular and other dementia), Parkinson disease and epilepsy among men. In analyses restricted to subscribers of 10 years or more, the SHRs remained similarly increased for migraine and vertigo and similarly decreased for Alzheimer disease and other dementia and epilepsy (in men); the other SHRs were close to unity. In conclusion, the excesses of migraine and vertigo observed in this first study on cellular telephones and CNS disease deserve further attention. An interplay of a healthy cohort effect and reversed causation bias due to prodromal symptoms impedes detection of a possible association with dementia and Parkinson disease. Identification of the factors that result in a healthy cohort might be of interest for elucidation of the etiology of these diseases.

Toxicological Effects of Nickel Chloride on IgA+ B Cells and sIgA, IgA, IgG, IgM in the Intestinal Mucosal Immunity in Broilers

PubMed Central

Wu, Bangyuan; Cui, Hengmin; Peng, Xi; Fang, Jing; Zuo, Zhicai; Deng, Junliang; Huang, Jianying

2014-01-01

The objective of this study was to investigate the toxicological effects of dietary NiCl2 on IgA+ B cells and the immunoglobulins including sIgA, IgA, IgG and IgM in the small intestine and cecal tonsil of broilers by the methods of immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Two hundred and forty one-day-old avian broilers were randomly divided into four groups and fed on a control diet and three experimental diets supplemented with 300, 600, and 900 mg/kg NiCl2 for 42 days. Compared with the control group, the IgA+ B cell number and the sIgA, IgA, IgG, and IgM contents in the NiCl2-treated groups were significantly decreased (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). It was concluded that dietary NiCl2 in the excess of 300 mg/kg had negative effects on the IgA+ B cell number and the abovementioned immunoglobulin contents in the small intestine and the cecal tonsil. NiCl2-reduced sIgA, IgA, IgG and IgM contents is due to decrease in the population and/or the activation of B cell. The results suggest that NiCl2 at high levels has intestinal mucosal humoral immunotoxicity in animals. PMID:25116637

Stress at work and mental health status among female hospital workers.

PubMed Central

Estryn-Behar, M; Kaminski, M; Peigne, E; Bonnet, N; Vaichere, E; Gozlan, C; Azoulay, S; Giorgi, M

1990-01-01

Relations between working conditions and mental health status of female hospital workers were studied in a sample of 1505 women: 43% were nurses, 32% auxiliaries, and 7% ancillary staff; 13% were other qualified health care staff, mainly head nurses; 5% had occupations other than direct health care; 63% worked on the morning, 20% on the afternoon, and 17% on the night shift. Data were collected at the annual routine medical visit by the occupational health practitioner, using self administered questionnaires and clinical assessments. Five health indicators were considered: a high score to the general health questionnaire (GHQ); fatigue; sleep impairment; use of antidepressants, sleeping pills, or sedatives; and diagnosis of psychiatric morbidity at clinical assessment. Four indices of stress at work were defined: job stress, mental load, insufficiency in internal training and discussion, and strain caused by schedule. The analysis was conducted by multiple logistic regression, controlling for type of occupation, shift, number of years of work in hospital, daily travel time to work, age, marital status, number of children, and wish to move house. Sleep impairment was mostly linked to shift and strain due to schedule. For all other indicators of mental health impairment and especially high GHQ scores, the adjusted odds ratios increased significantly with the levels of job stress, mental load, and strain due to schedule. This evidence of association between work involving an excessive cumulation of stress factors and mental wellbeing should be considered in interventions aimed at improving the working conditions of hospital workers. PMID:2310704

Self-reported heart symptoms are strongly linked to past and present poverty in Russia: evidence from the 1998 Taganrog interview survey.

PubMed

Vågerö, Denny; Kislitsyna, Olga

2005-08-01

In this Russian-Swedish collaborative study the question of how symptoms of heart disease are linked to poverty in Russia was addressed. A random sample household survey was conducted in Taganrog, southern Russia. It covered questions about living circumstances, poverty and health. Health questions included both symptoms of heart problems, such as chest pain and high blood pressure, psychological problems such as depression and anxiety, as well as health-related behaviours such as alcohol drinking. Answers from 1972 women and men aged 18-70 are analysed here. The poorest fifth of the population were more than twice as likely as others to report heart symptoms. Problems in affording vegetables, meat or fish, clothes and footwear were linked to heart symptoms more closely than other economic indicators, such as car ownership or ownership of consumer durables. Psychological symptoms, sleeping problems and alcohol drinking were all related to self-reported heart symptoms, but explained little of the excess risks attributable to present poverty. Childhood poverty was also linked to present heart symptoms. Life-time accumulated experience of economic hardship contributes to present levels of heart disease symptomology in Russia.

Editorial: X-chromosome-linked Kallmann's syndrome: Pathology at the molecular level

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

Prager, D.; Braunstein, G.D.

Kallmann's syndrome or olfactogenital dysplasia refers to a disorder characterized by hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and anosmia or hyposmia which can occur sporadically or in a familial setting. Originally described in 1856, the first familial cases were reported by Kallmann et al., in 1944. Based on segregation analysis of multiple families, three modes of transmission have been documented: X-linked, autosomal dominant with variable penetrance, and autosomal recessive. Kallmann's syndrome occurs in less than 1 in 10,000 male births, with a 5-fold excess of affected males to females, suggesting that the X-linked form is the most frequent. By genetic linkage analysis the X-linkedmore » form of Kallmann's syndrome was localized to Xp22.3. This was confirmed by the description of patients with contiguous gene syndromes due to deletions of various portions of the distal short arm of the X-chromosome. Such patients present with complex phenotypes characterized by a combination of Kallmann's syndrome with X-linked icthyosis due to steroid sulfatase deficiency, chondrodysplasia punctata, short stature, and mental retardation. DNA analysis has identified and mapped the genes responsible for these disorders. 10 refs., 1 fig., 1 tab.« less

Dietary contribution of foods and beverages sold within a university campus and its effect on diet quality of young adults.

PubMed

Roy, Rajshri; Rangan, Anna; Hebden, Lana; Yu Louie, Jimmy Chun; Tang, Lie Ming; Kay, Judy; Allman-Farinelli, Margaret

2017-02-01

Tertiary education institutions have been linked with excessive weight in young adults. However, few data are available on the effect of foods from the university food environment on the diet quality of young adults. The aim of this study was to describe the association of a number of foods and beverages consumed at university food outlets with the diet quality of young adults. This was a cross-sectional survey in which the 103 university student participants, aged 19 to 24 y, contributed 5 d of dietary data. A purposely designed, validated smartphone application was used to collect the data. Diet quality was assessed by adherence to the 2013 dietary guidelines for food groups and nutrients, and the validated Healthy Eating Index for Australians (HEIFA-2013) was applied. Individual HEIFA-2013 scores were compared with the frequency of food purchase and consumption from university outlets to assess a dose-response effect of the food environment. Comparisons by tertiles of diet quality for body mass index, waist circumference, and takeaway food consumption (university and other) were computed using a one-way analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey test. There was a statistically significant difference between the number of university foods and beverages consumed in 5 d and the HEIFA-2013 scores: More on-campus purchases resulted in a poor-quality diet (P = 0.001). As the HEIFA-2013 tertile scores increased, there was a significant decrease in the number of university campus and other takeaway foods consumed; body mass index and waist circumference showed a decrease in trend. Efforts to improve the diet quality of young adults attending university may benefit from approaches to improve the campus food environment. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Extensive copy number variations in admixed Indian population of African ancestry: potential involvement in adaptation.

PubMed

Narang, Ankita; Jha, Pankaj; Kumar, Dhirendra; Kutum, Rintu; Mondal, Anupam Kumar; Dash, Debasis; Mukerji, Mitali

2014-11-13

Admixture mapping has been enormously resourceful in identifying genetic variations linked to phenotypes, adaptation, and diseases. In this study through analysis of copy number variable regions (CNVRs), we report extensive restructuring in the genomes of the recently admixed African-Indian population (OG-W-IP) that inhabits a highly saline environment in Western India. The study included subjects from OG-W-IP (OG), five different Indian and three HapMap populations that were genotyped using Affymetrix version 6.0 arrays. Copy number variations (CNVs) detected using Birdsuite were used to define CNVRs. Population structure with respect to CNVRs was delineated using random forest approach. OG genomes have a surprising excess of CNVs in comparison to other studied populations. Individual ancestry proportions computed using STRUCTURE also reveals a unique genetic component in OGs. Population structure analysis with CNV genotypes indicates OG to be distant from both the African and Indian ancestral populations. Interestingly, it shows genetic proximity with respect to CNVs to only one Indian population IE-W-LP4, which also happens to reside in the same geographical region. We also observe a significant enrichment of molecular processes related to ion binding and receptor activity in genes encompassing OG-specific CNVRs. Our results suggest that retention of CNVRs from ancestral natives and de novo acquisition of CNVRs could accelerate the process of adaptation especially in an extreme environment. Additionally, this population would be enormously useful for dissecting genes and delineating the involvement of CNVs in salt adaptation. © The Author(s) 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution.

Excess noise in gain-guided amplifiers

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

Deutsch, I.H.; Garrison, J.C.; Wright, E.M.

1991-06-01

A second-quantized theory of the radiation field is used to study the origin of the excess noise observed in gain-guided amplifiers. We find that the reduction of the signal-to-noise ratio is a function of the length of the amplifier, and thus the enhancement of the noise is a propagation effect arising from longitudinally inhomogeneous gain of the noise rather than from an excess of local spontaneous emission. We confirm this conclusion by showing that the microscopic rate of spontaneous emission into a given non-power-orthogonal cavity mode is not enhanced by the Petermann factor. In addition, we illustrate the difficulties associatedmore » with photon statistics for this and other open systems by showing that no acceptable family of photon-number operators corresponds to a set of non-power-orthogonal cavity modes.« less

Collisions with meteoroid streams as one possible mechanism for the formation of hyperbolic cometary orbits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guliyev, Ayyub; Nabiyev, Shaig

2017-07-01

This paper presents the results of a statistical analysis of the dynamic parameters of 300 comets that have osculating hyperbolic orbits. It is shown that such comets differ from other comets by their large perihelion distances and by a predominance of retrograde motion. It is shown that the values of i, the inclination of the hyperbolic comets, are in comparative excess over the interval 90-120°. The dominance by q, the perihelion distance, renders it difficult to suggest that the excess hyperbolic velocity of these comets can be the result of physical processes that take place in their nuclei. Aspects of the following working hypothesis, that the hyperbolic excess of parameter e might be formed after comets pass through meteoroid streams, are also studied. To evaluate this hypothesis, the distribution of the orbits of hyperbolic comets relative to the plane of motion of 112 established meteoroid streams are analyzed. The number (N) of orbit nodes for hyperbolic comets with respect to the plane of each stream at various distances is calculated. To determine the degree of redundancy of N, a special computing algorithm was applied that provided the expected value nav as well as the standard deviation σ for the number of cometary nodes at the plane of each stream. A comparative analysis of the N and nav values that take σ into account suggests an excess in 40 stream cases. This implies that the passage of comets through meteoroid streams can lead to an acceleration of the comets' heliocentric velocity.

Chemical poisoning

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

Binns, W.

1956-01-01

The toxicity of a number of chemicals are discussed in relation to their effects on farm animals. Arsenic has been a common cause of accidental poisoning of animals because it often is used to kill insects, parasites, weeds and rodents. It may be acute or chronic, depending on the amount consumed. The common symptoms are loss of flesh; a bright-red coloration of the mucous membranes; digestive disturbance, irregular pulse, and depression. Livestock may be affected by excess amounts of fluorides. An excessive amount of F interferes with the normal calcification of the bones and teeth. Animals may get lead poisoningmore » by chewing or licking lead-painted objects, lead storage batteries, and discarded painting materials. Orchard sprays also contain lead compounds. Symptoms include inflammation of the mucous membranes, loss of appetite, diarrhea, grinding of teeth, and salivation. Lead may also affect the nervous system causing animals to walk in circles and run into objects because of blindness. Molybdenum poisoning may occur in animals that graze on forage plants containing excessive amounts of the element. Some of the symptoms of chronic molybdenum poisoning are profuse diarrhea, and general weakness. Nitrate poisoning may be produced by a number of plants and fertilizer. The symptoms include staggering gait, tremors, rapid breathing and marked dilation of pupils. Salt poisoning may occur from the excessive consumption of sodium chloride. Symptoms include hypersensitivity to touch, loss of appetite and loss of coordination. Selenium poisoning is caused by the ingestion of plants that have absorbed selenium from the soils. Symptoms include loss of hair and rough horns, long and deformed hoofs, and sloughing of hoofs.« less

Is polypharmacy an independent risk factor for adverse outcomes after an emergency department visit?

PubMed

Salvi, Fabio; Rossi, Lorena; Lattanzio, Fabrizia; Cherubini, Antonio

2017-03-01

This study aimed at verifying the role of polypharmacy as an independent risk factor for adverse health outcomes in older emergency department (ED) patients. This was a large (n = 2057) sample of older ED patients (≥65 years) participating in an observational cohort study. Polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy were defined as having 6-9 drug prescriptions and 10 or more drug prescriptions in the last 3 months, respectively. The total number of medication prescriptions was also available. Outcome measures were in-hospital mortality; 30-day ED return; ED revisit, hospital admission, and mortality at 6 months. Logistic and Cox regression models as well as receiver operating characteristic curves using the Youden index and the area under the curve were calculated. Polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy were present in 624 (30.3 %) and 367 (17.8 %) subjects, respectively. The mean number of prescriptions in the last 3 months was 5.7 (range 0-25) drugs. Polypharmacy and, particularly, excessive polypharmacy were constantly and independently associated with worse outcomes. A cut-off of 6 had the highest value of the Youden Index in predicting the majority of the adverse outcomes considered. Polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy are independent risk factors for adverse health outcomes after an ED visit. Further studies are needed to clarify whether drug related issues (such as non-compliance, inappropriate or suboptimal prescribing, adverse drug reactions, and drug-drug or drug-disease interactions) or underlying multimorbidity and disease severity, as well as clinical complexity and frailty, are responsible for the negative outcomes associated with polypharmacy.

Exercise during pregnancy and its association with gestational weight gain.

PubMed

Harris, Shericka T; Liu, Jihong; Wilcox, Sara; Moran, Robert; Gallagher, Alexa

2015-03-01

We examined the association between exercise during pregnancy and meeting gestational weight gain recommendations. Data came from the 2009 South Carolina Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (n = 856). Women reported their participation in exercise/sports activities before and during pregnancy, including the number of months and types of exercise. We developed an exercise index (EI), the product of the number of months spent in exercise and average metabolic equivalents for specific exercise. The 2009 Institute of Medicine's guideline was used to categorize gestational weight gain into three classes: inadequate, adequate, and excessive. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to adjust for confounders. Over 46 % of women exceeded the recommended weight gain during pregnancy. Nearly one third (31.9 %) of women reported exercising ≥3 times a week at any time during pregnancy. Compared to women who did not report this level of exercise during pregnancy, exercising women were more likely to meet gestational weight gain recommendations (32.7 vs. 18.7 %) and had a lower odds of excessive gestational weight gain [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.43, 95 % confidence interval 0.24-0.78]. Women with an EI above the median value of those women who exercised or women who exercised ≥3 times a week for 6-9 months during pregnancy had lower odds of excessive gestational weight gain (AOR for EI 0.20, 0.08-0.49; AOR for months 0.26, 0.12-0.56, respectively). Our findings support the need to promote or increase exercise during pregnancy to reduce the high proportion of women who are gaining excessive weight.

TRENDS IN MORTALITY FROM OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS AMONG MEN IN ENGLAND AND WALES DURING 1979-2010

PubMed Central

Harris, E Clare; Palmer, Keith T; Cox, Vanessa; Darnton, Andrew; Osman, John; Coggon, David

2016-01-01

Objectives To monitor the impact of health and safety provisions and inform future preventive strategies, we investigated trends in mortality from established occupational hazards in England and Wales. Methods We analysed data from death certificates on underlying cause of death and last full-time occupation for 3,688,916 deaths among men aged 20-74 years in England and Wales during 1979-2010 (excluding 1981 when records were incomplete). Proportional mortality ratios (PMRs), standardised for age and social class, were calculated for occupations at risk of specified hazards. Observed and expected numbers of deaths for each hazard were summed across occupations, and the differences summarised as average annual excesses. Results Excess mortality declined substantially for most hazards. For example, the annual excess of deaths from chronic bronchitis and emphysema fell from 170.7 during 1979-90 to 36.0 in 2001-10, and that for deaths from injury and poisoning from 237.0 to 87.5. In many cases the improvements were associated with falling PMRs (suggesting safer working practices), but they also reflected reductions in the numbers of men employed in more hazardous jobs, and declining mortality from some diseases across the whole population. Notable exceptions to the general improvement were diseases caused by asbestos, especially in some construction trades and sinonasal cancer in woodworkers. Conclusions The highest priority for future prevention of work-related fatalities is the minority of occupational disorders for which excess mortality remains static or is increasing, in particular asbestos-related disease among certain occupations in the construction industry and sinonasal cancer in woodworkers. PMID:26976946

Design and Simulation of a Pressure Wave Supercharger for a Small Two-Stroke Engine

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-03-27

Air at ambient pressure is passed through the compressor where the pressure is increased with the intended purpose of increasing the overall mass flow...rate of air to the intake manifold. For a small two-stroke engine that has little excess energy to spare for the operation of a compressor , the...exhaust gasses from the engine to drive a turbine that is linked via a shaft to a centrifugal compressor which feeds compressed air to the intake

ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay) to Detect Humoral Antibodies Specific for Clostridium botulinum Type A Neurotoxin

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-11-19

10.6). Unbound toxoid was removed by washing three times with phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.4) containing 0.05% Triton X-100 (Eastman Organic...MD) in phosphate-buffered saline was added. After a 90 min incubation period at 37*C, the excess conjugate was removed by washing each well three times...3. Cardella, M. A. 1964. Botulinum toxoids, p. 113-129. In K . H. Lewis and K . Cassel, Jr., (ed.), Botulism. U. S. Department of Health, Education

Corruption in the Kenya Police Force and Impacts on Kenyan Security: Investigating the Need for Police Reforms

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-03-21

against the citizens. Kenya Police have always been linked with abuse of power with impunity when tackling crime or executing their duties. For example...Therefore, ethical police code of conducts in American 14 policing were established in the efforts to control excessive use of power while...occurs when the police encounter with the citizens during their routine enforcement of the law. The high -level of negative attitudes among Kenyans to the

Pervaporation separation of ethanol-water mixtures using polyethylenimine composite membranes

DOEpatents

Neidlinger, H.H.; Schissel, P.O.; Orth, R.A.

1987-04-21

Synthetic, organic, polymeric membranes were prepared from polyethylenimine for use with pervaporation apparatus in the separation of ethanol-water mixtures. The polymeric material was prepared in dilute aqueous solution and coated onto a polysulfone support film, from which excess polymeric material was subsequently removed. Cross-links were then generated by limited exposure to toluene-2,4-diisocyanate solution, after which the prepared membrane was heat-cured. The resulting membrane structures showed high selectivity in permeating ethanol or water over a wide range of feed concentrations.