A cross-sectional study examining predictors of visit frequency to local green space and the impact this has on physical activity levels

Background Lack of physical activity (PA) is a growing public health concern. There is a growing body of literature that suggests a positive relationship may exist between the amount of local green space near one?s home and PA levels. For instance, park proximity has been shown to predict PA levels amongst certain populations. However, there is little evidence for the role of relatedness towards nature and perceptions of local green space on this relationship. The aim of this study was to examine, in a National UK sample, whether subjective indices associated with local green space were better predictors of visit frequency to local green space and PA levels compared to objectively measured quantity of local green space. Methods A cross-sectional survey was designed. From a random sample, 2079 working age adults responded to an online survey in September 2011. Demographics, self-reported PA, objective measures of the local environment (including local green space, road coverage, and environmental deprivation), were assessed in conjunction with perceptions of local green space and nature relatedness. Quantity of local green space was assessed by cross-referencing respondents? home postcodes with general land use databases. Regression models were conducted to assess which of our independent variables best predicted visit frequency to local green space and/or meeting PA guidelines. In addition, an ordinal regression was run to examine the relationship between visit frequency to local green space and the likelihood of meeting national PA guidelines. Results Nature relatedness was the strongest predictor for both visit frequency to local green space and meeting PA guidelines. Results show that perceived quality is a better predictor of visit frequency to local green space than objective quantity of local green space. The odds of achieving the recommended amount of PA was over four times greater for people who visited local green space once per week compared to never going (OR 4.151; 95 % CI, 2.40 to 7.17). Conclusions These results suggest that perceptions of local green space and nature relatedness play an important role in the relationship between local green space and PA. Considering the known health benefits of PA, our results are potentially important for public health interventions, policy making and environmental planning

Resveratrol, a natural antioxidant phytoalexin, and 4 synthetic derivatives can promote expression of gamma-globin gene in vitro

Resveratrol (3,4′5-trihydroxystilbene) is a naturally occurring phenolic compound. It is found in the skin of red grapes and in a variety of medicinal plants. Resveratrol presents many biological activities that have been applied against cardiovascular disease and cancer. One of Resveratrol properties is inhibition of the enzyme Ribonucleotide reductase. It has been found that some other Ribonucleotide reductase inhibitors like Hydroxyurea, Didox and Trimidox are also inducers of gammaglobin gene expression. In this study we investigated whether Resveratrol and 10 newly synthesized derivatives can act as inducers of gamma-globin gene and increase HbF levels. These derivatives were synthesized by the group of Dr. L.A Stivala (Department of Chemistry, University of Modena) by modifications of the polar groups of Resveratrol structure in an effort to increase its antioxidant activity. We examined the effect of Resveratrol and 10 of its derivatives on gamma- and beta-globin gene promoter activity in a dual luciferase assay in GM979 cells. Hydroxyurea, a known Ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor and HbF inducer and propionic acid, an HbF inducer, were used as positive control substances. The results showed that Resveratrol and 4 of its derivatives increased the gamma-globin gene promoter activity more than 3 fold. The compounds which exhibited an effect were subsequently tested in human erythroid liquid cultures derived from normal individuals and thalassemic patients. HbF content was measured by HPLC. Despite their promising effects on gamma-globin gene promoter activity in MEL cells, Resveratrol and its 4 active derivative compounds did not cause significant increase in HbF production in erythroid progenitor cells (BFUe)

A combined search for the standard model Higgs boson at s\sqrt{s}=1.96 TeV

Submitted to Physics Letters BWe present new results of the search for WH to lepton neutrino b b production in ppbar collisions at a center of mass energy of sqrt{s}=1.96 TeV, based on a dataset with integrated luminosity of 0.44 fb-1. We combine these new results with previously published searches by the D0 collaboration, for WH and ZH production analyzed in the MET b b final state, for ZH (to l+l- b b) production, for WH (to WWW) production, and for H (to WW) direct production. No signal-like excess is observed either in the WH analysis or in the combination of all D0 Higgs boson analyses. We set 95% C.L. (expected) upper limits on to 1.9 (3.3) pb for Higgs boson masses between 105 and 145 GeV, to be compared to the theoretical prediction of 0.13 pb for a standard model (SM) Higgs boson with mass m_H=115 GeV. After combination with the other D0 Higgs boson searches, we obtain for m_H=115 GeV an observed (expected) limit 8.5 (12.1) times higher than the SM predicted Higgs boson production cross section. For m_H=160 GeV, the corresponding observed (expected) ratio is 10.2 (9.0)

A combined search for the standard model Higgs boson at root S=1.96 TeV

We present new results of the search for W H → ℓ ν b over(b, ̄) production in p over(p, ̄) collisions at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt(s) = 1.96   TeV, based on a dataset with integrated luminosity of 0.44   fb-1. We combine these new results with previously published searches by the D0 collaboration, for WH and ZH production analyzed in the E{combining long solidus overlay}T b over(b, ̄) final state, for ZH (→ ℓ+ ℓ- b over(b, ̄)) production, for WH (→ W W W) production, and for H (→ W W) direct production. No signal-like excess is observed either in the WH analysis or in the combination of all D0 Higgs boson analyses. We set 95% C.L. (expected) upper limits on σ (p over(p, ̄) → W H) × B (H → b over(b, ̄)) ranging from 1.6 (2.2) pb to 1.9 (3.3) pb for Higgs boson masses between 105 and 145 GeV, to be compared to the theoretical prediction of 0.13 pb for a Standard Model (SM) Higgs boson with mass mH = 115   GeV. After combination with the other D0 Higgs boson searches, we obtain for mH = 115   GeV an observed (expected) limit 8.5 (12.1) times higher than the SM predicted Higgs boson production cross section. For mH = 160   GeV, the corresponding observed (expected) ratio is 10.2 (9.0). © 2008 Elsevier B.V