1,236 research outputs found
Physical activity and clustered cardiovascular disease risk factors in young children: a cross-sectional study (the IDEFICS study)
<p>Background
The relevance of physical activity (PA) for combating cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in children has been highlighted, but to date there has been no large-scale study analyzing that association in children aged ≤9 years of age. This study sought to evaluate the associations between objectively-measured PA and clustered CVD risk factors in a large sample of European children, and to provide evidence for gender-specific recommendations of PA.</p>
<p>Methods
Cross-sectional data from a longitudinal study in 16,224 children aged 2 to 9 were collected. Of these, 3,120 (1,016 between 2 to 6 years, 2,104 between 6 to 9 years) had sufficient data for inclusion in the current analyses. Two different age-specific and gender-specific clustered CVD risk scores associated with PA were determined. First, a CVD risk factor (CRF) continuous score was computed using the following variables: systolic blood pressure (SBP), total triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC)/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) ratio, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and sum of two skinfolds (score CRFs). Secondly, another CVD risk score was obtained for older children containing the score CRFs + the cardiorespiratory fitness variable (termed score CRFs + fit). Data used in the current analysis were derived from the IDEFICS (âIdentification and prevention of Dietary- and lifestyle-induced health EFfects In Children and infantSâ) study.</p>
<p>Results
In boys <6 years, the odds ratios (OR) for CVD risk were elevated in the least active quintile of PA (OR: 2.58) compared with the most active quintile as well as the second quintile for vigorous PA (OR: 2.91). Compared with the most active quintile, older children in the first, second and third quintiles had OR for CVD risk score CRFs + fit ranging from OR 2.69 to 5.40 in boys, and from OR 2.85 to 7.05 in girls.</p>
<p>Conclusions
PA is important to protect against clustering of CVD risk factors in young children, being more consistent in those older than 6 years. Healthcare professionals should recommend around 60 and 85 min/day of moderate-to-vigorous PA, including 20 min/day of vigorous PA.</p>
Labour productivity statistics: a reality check for the Norwegian construction industry
Construction is one of the largest sectors that drive the global economy, yet it has failed to receive the necessary attention from the policymakers and investors. The existing construction statistics report the declining state of labour productivity. However, existing statistics often fail to reflect the true scope and economic impact of construction. They mainly account for on-site construction activities, but overlook the manufacturing of construction products and services in construction labour productivity statistics. The aim of this research is to investigate macro-economic labour productivity and identify the methodological problems inhibiting the effective measurement of construction labour productivity. The paper opted for academic literature review and a case study strategy for data collection. The findings reveal that many productive construction activities related to construction products and services are excluded from the construction labour productivity statistics. The results suggest that Norwegian construction labour productivity is not declining and is actually a productive industry in terms of value added per working hour. Although special reference has been made to the Norwegian construction industry, the same approach holds validity at the international arena of construction statistics. The study offers insights and lessons to construction industries of other countries facing similar productivity related issues
High (but Not Low) Urinary Iodine Excretion Is Predicted by Iodine Excretion Levels from Five Years Ago
Background: It has not been investigated whether there are associations between urinary iodine (UI) excretion measurements some years apart, nor whether such an association remains after adjustment for nutritional habits. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relation between iodine-creatinine ratio (ICR) at two measuring points 5 years apart. Methods: Data from 2,659 individuals from the Study of Health in Pomerania were analyzed. Analysis of covariance and Poisson regressions were used to associate baseline with follow-up ICR. Results: Baseline ICR was associated with follow-up ICR. Particularly, baseline ICR >300 mu g/g was related to an ICR >300 mu g/g at follow-up (relative risk, RR: 2.20; p < 0.001). The association was stronger in males (RR: 2.64; p < 0.001) than in females (RR: 1.64; p = 0.007). In contrast, baseline ICR <100 mu g/g was only associated with an ICR <100 mu g/g at follow-up in males when considering unadjusted ICR. Conclusions: We detected only a weak correlation with respect to low ICR. Studies assessing iodine status in a population should take into account that an individual with a low UI excretion in one measurement is not necessarily permanently iodine deficient. On the other hand, current high ICR could have been predicted by high ICR 5 years ago. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Base
Xenoestrogenic activity in blood of European and Inuit populations.
Human exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is ubiquitous and found in all individuals. Studies have documented endocrine disrupting effects and impact on reproduction. The aim of the present study was to compare the level of xenoestrogenic activity in serum of groups with varying POP exposure, and to evaluate correlations to the POP biomarkers, 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (CB-153) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl)-ethylene (p,p'-DDE). No strong consistent association between xenoestrogenic net activity and the two POP markers was found. The results showed that the selected POP markers alone can not predict the integrated xenoestrogenic serum activity. Correlations to the POP markers were found at the extreme edge; the Inuit's and Warsaw study groups eliciting high frequency of samples with ER antagonistic and agonistic activity, respectively. We suggest that the variation in xenoestrogenic serum activity reflects differences in POP exposure mixture, genetic factors and/or life style factors
Breaking out of biogeographical modules: range expansion and taxon cycles in the hyperdiverse ant genus Pheidole
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Atypical audiovisual speech integration in infants at risk for autism
The language difficulties often seen in individuals with autism might stem from an inability to integrate audiovisual information, a skill important for language development. We investigated whether 9-month-old siblings of older children with autism, who are at an increased risk of developing autism, are able to integrate audiovisual speech cues. We used an eye-tracker to record where infants looked when shown a screen displaying two faces of the same model, where one face is articulating/ba/and the other/ga/, with one face congruent with the syllable sound being presented simultaneously, the other face incongruent. This method was successful in showing that infants at low risk can integrate audiovisual speech: they looked for the same amount of time at the mouths in both the fusible visual/ga/â audio/ba/and the congruent visual/ba/â audio/ba/displays, indicating that the auditory and visual streams fuse into a McGurk-type of syllabic percept in the incongruent condition. It also showed that low-risk infants could perceive a mismatch between auditory and visual cues: they looked longer at the mouth in the mismatched, non-fusible visual/ba/â audio/ga/display compared with the congruent visual/ga/â audio/ga/display, demonstrating that they perceive an uncommon, and therefore interesting, speech-like percept when looking at the incongruent mouth (repeated ANOVA: displays x fusion/mismatch conditions interaction: F(1,16) = 17.153, p = 0.001). The looking behaviour of high-risk infants did not differ according to the type of display, suggesting difficulties in matching auditory and visual information (repeated ANOVA, displays x conditions interaction: F(1,25) = 0.09, p = 0.767), in contrast to low-risk infants (repeated ANOVA: displays x conditions x low/high-risk groups interaction: F(1,41) = 4.466, p = 0.041). In some cases this reduced ability might lead to the poor communication skills characteristic of autism
Amygdaloid Kindling and the GABA System
The effect of increased brain GABA levels on fully kindled amygdala seizures was investigated in Long-Evans rats. The newly synthesized GABA-transaminase inhibitor, -Î-acetylenic GABA (GAG) administered on four consecutive days (100 mg/kg, followed by 50 mg/kg, i.p.) was found to either significantly reduce, or eliminate entirely, the behavioral seizures normally produced by amygdala stimulation. The effect is seen after the first injection of GAG although its magnitude was greater on subsequent days. Behavioral seizures reappeared 2 to 3 days after termination of GAG treatment. The duration of electrographic seizures (self-sustained amygdala after-discharge) was either unchanged or greater on the first day of GAG treatment, but was briefer on subsequent days. The duration of afterdischarges returned to normal levels 1 to 2 days earlier than the behavioral seizures after the termination of GAG. Picrotoxin (1.5-2 mg/kg, i.p.) did not antagonize either electrographic or behavioral effects of inhibition produced with GAG. Electrical stimulation of amygdala delivered during the initial sedation stage induced by picrotoxin resulted in further regression of kindled seizures in the majority of animals. Although in doses employed, GAG alleviates amygdaloid-kindled seizures its use requires caution in view of its ability to reduce arousal level. RĂSUMĂ L'effet de l'ĂlĂvation des taux cĂrĂbraux de GABA sur les crises amygdaliennes par effet d'embrasement complet a ĂtĂĂtudiĂ chez des rats Long-Evans. l'injection pendant 4 jours consĂcutifs de 100 mg/kg suivis de 50 mg/kg i.p. d'un inhibiteur de la GABA. Transaminase nouvellement synthĂtisĂ (Î-acetylenic GABA ou GAG) a significativement rĂduit ou mĂme supprimĂ les crises normalement provoquĂes par la stimulation amygdalienne. l'effet est observĂ aprĂs la premiere injection de GAG, mais son importance s'accroit les jours suivants. Les crises rĂapparaissent 2 ou 3 jours aprĂs la fin du traitement au GAG. Du point de vue Ălectrographique, la durĂe de la postdĂcharge amygdalienne autoentretenue est inchingĂe ou accrue le premier jour du traitement, mais elle diminue les jours suivants pour retourner Ă la normale un ou deux jours avant que les crises ne rĂapparaissent aprĂs la fin de ('administration du GAG. l'injection de picrotoxine (1.5-2 mg/kg i.p.) ne s'oppose pas aux effets inhibiteurs du GAG sur les crises ou leur accompagnement EEG. La stimulation Ălectrique de l'amygdala pendant l'Ătape sĂdative initiate induite par la picrotoxine provoque une rĂgression supplĂmentaire des crises d'embrasement chez la majoritĂ des animaux. Bien que, aux doses utilisĂes, le GAG attĂnue les crises amyg-daliennes d'embrasement, son utilisation nĂcessite des prĂcautions compte tenu de sa tendance Ă rĂduire le niveau d'Ăveil. RESUMEN En ratas Long-Evans se ha investigado el efecto del aumento de los niveles cerebrales de GABA, sobre los ataques originados en la amĂgdala totalmente condicionada, (Kindling). El recientemente sintetizado in-hibidor de la GABA transaminasa, Î-acetilĂnico GABA (GAG), redujo significativamente o eliminĂ totalmente las crisis de comportamiento que habitualmente se producen con la estimulaciĂn de la amĂgdala. El efecto se observa despuĂs de la primera in-yecciĂn de GAG pero su magnitud aumentĂ en dias subsiguientes. Las crisis de comportamiento reaparecieron a los 2â3 dĂas de la interrupciĂn del tratamiento con GAG. La duraciĂn de los ataques electrogrĂficos (perservaciĂn de la post-descarga de la amigdala) no se modificĂ, o incluso aumentĂ, en el primer dia de la administraciĂn de GAG pero se redujo en los dias siguientes. La duraciĂn de las post-descargas volviĂ a sus niveles normales 1 o 2 dias antes que la reapariciĂn de las crisis de comportamiento una vez terminado el tratamiento con GAG. La picrotoxina (1.5-2 mg/kg, i.p.) no antagonizĂ los efectos inhibitorios producidos por el GAG sobre el electroencefalograma o las crisis de comportamiento. La estimulaciĂn elĂctrica sobre la amĂgdala, aplicada durante la fase de sedaciĂn inicial inducida por la picrotoxina, condujo a una regresiĂn aĂn mĂs intensa de las crisis condicionadas, en la mayorĂa de los animales. A pesar de que, con las dosis utilizadas, el GAG alivia las crisis de la amĂgdala previamente condicionada, se requiere gran precauciĂn en su utilizaciĂn en vista de su propiedad de reducir el nivel del despertar. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Die Wirkung erhĂhter GABA-Spiegel des Gehirns auf AmygdalonkrĂmpfe nach Kindling wurden bei Long-Evans-Ratten untersucht. Der neuerdings synthetisierte GABA-TYansaminasen-Inhibitor, Gamma-Acetylen-GABA (GAG) wurde an 4 aufeinander-folgenden Tagen in einer Dosis von 100 mg/kg und anschlieliend 50 mg/kg i.p. verabfolgt. Er reduzierte entweder signifikant oder eliminierte vĂllig die anfalls-weisen VerhaltensĂnderungen, die normalerweise durch Stimulation des Amygdalon produziert wurden. Die Wirkung ist nach der Erstinjektion des GAG zu beobachten, obgleich ihr AusmaĂ an folgenden Tagen grĂĂer war. Die VerhaltensanfĂlle kamen 2 bis 3 Tagen nach Beendigung der GAG-Behandlung wieder. Die Dauer der elektrographischen AnfĂlle (sich selbst un-terhaltende Amydalonnachentladungen) blieben entweder gleich oder sie wurden grĂĂer am 1. Tag der GAG-Behandlung, wurden aber kĂrzer an folgenden Tagen. Die Dauer der Nachentladungen nor-malisierte sich 1 bis 2 Tage frĂher als die VerhaltensanfĂlle nach Beendigung des GAG verschwanden. Picrotoxin (1.5 bis 2 mg/kg i.p.) wirken nicht als Antagonist gegenĂber der durch GAG produzierten Hemmung der elektrographischen-oder Verhalten-seffekte. Die elektrische Stimulierung des Amygdalon wĂhrend der initialen Sedierung nach Picrotoxin ver-ursachte bei der Mehrzahl der Tiere einen weiteren RĂckgang der durch Kindling entstandenen AnfĂlle. Obgleich das GAG in den verwandten Dosen, die durch Kindling des Amygdalon erzeugten KrĂmpfe leichter ablaufen lUĂt, erfordert seine Anwendung Vorsicht hinsichtlich seiner FĂhigkeit, das Erreg-barkeitsniveau zu senken.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/66112/1/j.1528-1157.1980.tb04058.x.pd
Fundamental oxidation processes in the remote marine atmosphere investigated using the NOâNOââOâ photostationary state
The photostationary state (PSS) equilibrium between NO and NOâ is reached within minutes in the atmosphere and can be described by the PSS parameter, Ï. Deviations from expected values of Ï have previously been used to infer missing oxidants in diverse locations, from highly polluted regions to the extremely clean conditions observed in the remote marine boundary layer (MBL), and have been interpreted as missing understanding of fundamental photochemistry. Here, contrary to these previous observations, we observe good agreement between PSS-derived NOâ ([NOâ]PSSâ
ext.), calculated from measured NO, Oâ, and jNOâ and photochemical box model predictions of peroxy radicals (ROâ and Hv), and observed NOâ ([NOâ]Obs.) in extremely clean air containing low levels of CO (â100âppbV), we observed higher levels of NOâ than inferred from the PSS, with [NOâ]Obs.ââ[NOâ]PSSâ
ext. of 1.12â1.68 (25thâ75th percentile), implying underestimation of ROâ radicals by 18.5â104âpptV. Potential NOâmeasurement artefacts have to be carefully considered when comparing PSS-derived NOâ to observed NOâ, but we show that the NOâ artefact required to explain the deviation would have to be âŒâ4 times greater than the maximum calculated from known interferences. If the additional RO2 radicals inferred from the PSS convert NO to NOâ with a reaction rate equivalent to that of methyl peroxy radicals (CHâOâ), then the calculated net ozone production rate (NOPR, ppbVâhÂŻÂč) including these additional oxidants is similar to the average change in Oâ observed, within estimated uncertainties, once halogen oxide chemistry is accounted for. This implies that such additional peroxy radicals cannot be excluded as a missing oxidant in clean marine air containing aged pollution and that modelled ROâ concentrations are significantly underestimated under these conditions
Inequitable access to substance abuse treatment services in Cape Town, South Africa
BACKGROUND:Despite high levels of substance use disorders in Cape Town, substance abuse treatment utilization is low among people from disadvantaged communities in Cape Town, South Africa. To improve substance abuse treatment utilization, it is important to identify any potential barriers to treatment initiation so that interventions to reduce these barriers can be implemented. To date, substance abuse research has not examined the factors associated with substance abuse treatment utilization within developing countries. Using the Behavioural Model of Health Services Utilization as an analytic framework, this study aimed to redress this gap by examining whether access to substance abuse treatment is equitable and the profile of variables associated with treatment utilization for people from poor communities in Cape Town, South Africa. METHODS: This study used a case-control design to compare 434 individuals with substance use disorders from disadvantaged communities who had accessed treatment with 555 controls who had not accessed treatment on a range of predisposing, treatment need and enabling/restricting variables thought to be associated with treatment utilization. A hierarchical logistic regression was conducted to assess the unique contribution that the need for treatment, predisposing and enabling/restricting variable blocks made on substance abuse treatment utilization. RESULTS: Findings revealed that non-need enabling/restricting variables accounted for almost equal proportions of the variance in service utilization as the need for treatment variables. These enabling/restricting variables also attenuated the influence of the treatment need and predisposing variables domains on chances of treatment utilization. Several enabling/restricting variables emerged as powerful partial predictors of utilization including competing financial priorities, geographic access barriers and awareness of treatment services. Perceived severity of drug use, a need for treatment variable) was also a partial predictor of utilization. CONCLUSIONS: Findings point to inequitable access to substance abuse treatment services among people from poor South African communities, with non-need factors being significant determinants of treatment utilization. In these communities, treatment utilization can be enhanced by (i) expanding the existing repertoire of services to include low threshold services that target individuals with less severe problems; (ii) providing food and transport vouchers as part of contingency management efforts, thereby reducing some of the financial and geographic access barriers; (iii) introducing community-based mobile outpatient treatment services that are geographically accessible; and (iv) employing community-based outreach workers that focus on improving awareness of where, when and how to access existing treatment services
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Topology optimisation of lattice telecommunication tower and performance-based design considering wind and ice loads
With increasing demand of infrastructure to support power transmission and telecommunication systems, the need of erecting more towers has also been rising significantly. For many years, these towers were designed by using a conservative approach and the opportunities lying in the design optimisation of the towers were not leveraged. This paper presents the application of structural topology optimisation to lattice self-supported telecommunication towers in developing an improved solution in terms of weight-to-stiffness ratio. 2D and 3D topology optimisation studies were performed with highly optimised bracing systems reducing the amount of steel material used, thus its carbon footprint. The new exoskeleton structure is representing a lattice tower composed of âhigh-waistedâ bracing type and elliptical hollow sections (EHS). Comparative modal analyses demonstrated the structural performance of the optimised tower models. In addition, a research-led design was carried out for optimising the geometric cross-sectional properties of the optimised lattice tower subjected to quasi-static analysis followed by regression analysis. The cross-sectional parameters were progressively changed; explicitly the diameter and thickness of the members. The performance-based analysis and design of a topologically optimised lattice tower present alternatives to onerous approaches such as wind tunnel testing or finite element modelling. The results were further analysed to understand their viability in different loading design cases and the effect of cross-sections. Conclusions highlighted the benefits gained by introducing the structural topology optimisation process in the design of slender support structures
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