Goitre and Iodine Deficiency in Europe

The prevalence of endemic iodine-deficiency goitre in Europe has been reduced in many areas by the introduction of iodination programmes. Recent reports, however, show that goitre remains a significant problem and that its prevalence has not decreased in a number of European countries. Hetzel1 has pointed out that the high global prevalence of iodine-deficiency disorders could be eradicated within 5-10 years by introduction of an iodised salt programme. The current World Health Organisation recommendations for iodine intake are between 150 and 300 μg/da

First-principles calculations of the structural, electronic, vibrational and magnetic properties of C_{60} and C_{48}N_{12}: a comparative study

In this work, we perform first-principles calculations of the structural, electronic, vibrational and magnetic properties of a novel ${\rm C}_{48}{\rm N}_{12}$ azafullerene. Full geometrical optimization shows that ${\rm C}_{48}{\rm N}_{12}$ is characterized by several distinguishing features: only one nitrogen atom per pentagon, two nitrogen atoms preferentially sitting in one hexagon, ${\rm S}_{6}$ symmetry, 6 unique nitrogen-carbon and 9 unique carbon-carbon bond lengths. The highest occupied molecular orbital of ${\rm C}_{48}{\rm N}_{12}$ is a doubly degenerate level of $a_{g}$ symmetry and its lowest unoccupied molecular orbital is a nondegenerate level of $a_{u}$ symmetry. Vibrational frequency analysis predicts that ${\rm C}_{48}{\rm N}_{12}$ has in total 116 vibrational modes: 58 infrared-active and 58 Raman-active modes. ${\rm C}_{48}{\rm N}_{12}$ is also characterized by 8 $^{13}{\rm C}$ and 2 $^{15}{\rm N}$ NMR spectral signals. Compared to ${\rm C}_{60}$, ${\rm C}_{48}{\rm N}_{12}$ shows an enhanced third-order optical nonlinearities which implies potential applications in optical limiting and photonics.Comment: a long version of our manuscript submitted to J.Chem.Phy

THE PREVALENCE OF PALPABLE FINGER JOINT NODULES IN DIFFUSE IDIOPATHIC SKELETAL HYPEROSTOSIS (DISH). A CONTROLLED STUDY

The presence of clinically palpable finger joint nodules a(Heberden's and Bouchard's nodes) was documented in 123 consecutive cases with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) of the thoracic spine and 191 matched DISH negative controls. The prevalence of palpable finger joint nodules was almost twice as frequent in cases with spinal DISH compared to controls (46% versus 31%, X2 = 7.67, P<0.01; multivariate adjusted odds ratio OR = 1.84; 95% CI: 1.14-2.98). This increase was most marked at the proximal interphalangeal joint, in males and in patients up to the age of 65 years. In addition and independent of other variables such as hyperostotic features, age and sex, the prevalence of palpable finger joint nodules was about twice as high in probands with a history of physically heavy work compared to those without (43% ver sus 26%, X = 9.18, P<0.005; multivariate adjusted odds ratio OR = 2.10; 95% CI: 1.26-3.52). From these results we con clude that DISH should be considered as an independent risk factor in the development of finger joint nodule

DIFFUSE IDIOPATHIC SKELETAL HYPEROSTOSIS (DISH) OF THE SHOULDER: A CAUSE OF SHOULDER PAIN?

Shoulder pain is a common complaint and shoulder hyperostosis a frequent radiological condition. However, little is known about the association between the clinical and radiological findings. To evaluate the clinical relevance of shoulder hyperostosis we performed a controlled, blind study of 99 hospitalized probands with and without thoracospinal hyperostosis on lateral chest X-rays. The study included grading of the shoulder hyperostosis on the basis of three bilateral standard radiographs, assessing shoulder pain in a standardized way by an interviewer and recording extraskeletal causes of shoulder pain. The prevalence of shoulder hyperostosis was doubled in probands with thoracospinal hyperostosis compared to controls (X2= 5.90, F>0.025, n = 99). Shoulder hyperostosis, irrespective of thoracospinal hyperostosis, predisposed to shoulder pain (40% versus 18%, x2 = 4.06, F>0.05, n = 74). Shoulder hyperostosis in combination with thoracospinal hyperostosis (shoulder DISH) predisposed to shoulder pain to an even greater extent (46% versus 12%, x2 = 6.64, P>0.01, n = 47). We conclude that shoulder hyperostosis is a radiological finding of potential clinical relevanc

DIFFUSE IDIOPATHIC SKELETAL HYPEROSTOSIS (DISH) OF THE SPINE: A CAUSE OF BACK PAIN? A CONTROLLED STUDY

This is the first controlled study of the frequency of back pain in a European caucasian population with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH). Elderly patients admitted to hospital for reasons other than back pain were assessed for the presence of spinal DISH using the routine lateral chest radiograph films. A total of 106 probands (82 males, 24 females) with a mean age of 70 years fulfilled the criteria for DISH as defined previously. One hundred and seventyeight patients (117 males, 61 females) not meeting these criteria were used as controls. The prevalence of back pain was assessed by a blinded interviewer using a structured questionnaire. Our primary hymthesis was that spinal DISH positive probands had not had back pain more often than controls. The controlled study showed no statistically significant difference in pain frequency between spinal DISH positive probands and controls at any spinal level. We conclude that back pain does not occur more often in radiographically defined DISH positive probands than in controls. The radiological finding of spinal DISH, as far as it does not lead to stenosis of the spinal canal or dysphagia, thus seems to be a finding without clinical relevanc

Electronic, vibrational and magnetic properties of a novel C_{48}N_{12} aza-fullerene

We study the structural, electronic, vibrational and magnetic properties of a novel ${\rm C}_{48}{\rm N}_{12}$ aza-fullerene using density functional theory and restricted Hartree-Fock theory. Optimized geometries and total energy of this fullerene have been calculated. We find that for ${\rm C}_{48}{\rm N}_{12}$ the total ground state energy is about -67617 eV, the HOMO-LUMO gap is about 1.9 eV, five strong IR spectral lines are located at the vibrational frequencies, 461.5 ${\rm cm}^{-1}$, 568.4 ${\rm cm}^{-1}$, 579.3 ${\rm cm}^{-1}$, 1236.1 ${\rm cm}^{-1}$, 1338.9 ${\rm cm}^{-1}$, the Raman scattering activities and depolarization ratios are zero, and 10 NMR spectral signals are predicted. Calculations of diamagnetic shielding factor, static dipole polarizabilities and hyperpolarizabilities of ${\rm C}_{48}{\rm N}_{12}$ are performed and discussed.Comment: published in Chem.Phys.Let

DIFFUSE IDIOPATHIC SKELETAL HYPEROSTOSIS (DISH) OF THE ELBOW: A CAUSE OF ELBOW PAIN? A CONTROLLED STUDY

Elbow pain is a common complaint and elbow hyperostosis a frequent radiological condition. However, little is known about the association between the clinical and radiological findings. To evaluate the relationship between spinal and extraspinal hyperostotic features and the clinical relevance of elbow hyperostosis we have performed the first controlled, double-blinded study of 85 hospitalized probands, 33 with and 52 without thoracospinal hyperostosis on lateral chest X-ray. Elbow and shoulder hyperostosis were graded on bilateral standard radiographs. Elbow pain was assessed by an interviewer using a standardized questionnaire and extraskeletal causes of elbow pain were recorded. The prevalence of elbow hyperostosis was increased in cases with thoracospinal hyperostosis compared to controls (82% versus 58%, X2 = 5.32, P<0.025, n = 85, odds ratio (OR) 3.30 (95% Cl 1.16-9.35)). Similarly, the prevalence of elbow hyperostosis was increased in cases with shoulder hyperostosis compared to controls (83% versus 60%, x2 = 4.51, P<0.05, n = 84, OR = 3.20 (95% CI 1.06-9.66)), emphasizing the multifocal nature of hyperostotic features. Elbow pain was only slightly more prevalent in cases with elbow hyperostosis compared to controls (21% versus l3%, x2 = 0.75, NS, OR = 1.84 (95% CI 0.46-7.44)). We conclude that elbow hyperostosis is a radiological finding of doubtful clinical relevanc

Interfacial charge transfer in nanoscale polymer transistors

Interfacial charge transfer plays an essential role in establishing the relative alignment of the metal Fermi level and the energy bands of organic semiconductors. While the details remain elusive in many systems, this charge transfer has been inferred in a number of photoemission experiments. We present electronic transport measurements in very short channel ($L < 100$ nm) transistors made from poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT). As channel length is reduced, the evolution of the contact resistance and the zero-gate-voltage conductance are consistent with such charge transfer. Short channel conduction in devices with Pt contacts is greatly enhanced compared to analogous devices with Au contacts, consistent with charge transfer expectations. Alternating current scanning tunneling microscopy (ACSTM) provides further evidence that holes are transferred from Pt into P3HT, while much less charge transfer takes place at the Au/P3HT interface.Comment: 19 preprint pages, 6 figure

Exploring agricultural landscape change from the second half of the twentieth century onwards: combining aerial imagery with farmer perspectives.

CONTEXT Anthropogenic landscape change is an important driver shaping our environment. Historical landscape analysis contributes to the monitoring and understanding of these change processes. Such analyses are often focused on specific spatial scales and single research methods, thus covering only limited aspects of landscape change. OBJECTIVES Here, we aim to assess the potential of combining the analysis of historical aerial imagery and local stakeholder interviews for landscape change studies using a standardized mapping and interviewing approach. METHODS We compared six agricultural landscapes across Europe and mapped land-cover using historical aerial imagery (starting between 1930 and 1980, depending on data availability, until recent years) with an object-based image analysis and random forest classification. For local perspectives of landscape change, we conducted oral history interviews (OHIs) with (almost) retired farmers. Comparing recorded landscape changes from both approaches provided insight into advantages of combining these two methods. RESULTS Object-based analysis enabled the identification of high-resolution land-cover dynamics, with scale enlargement and cropland/grassland expansion being the most commonly recurring trends across European landscapes. Perceived landscape changes identified in the OHIs included changes in farm management, landscape structure, and infrastructure. Farmers also reported drivers and personal values associated with landscape change. Combining the two historical landscape analysis tools resulted in a qualitative and quantitative understanding of changes in land-cover, land use, and land management. CONCLUSIONS Comparing physical land-cover change with local farmer perspectives is key to a comprehensive understanding of landscape change. There are different ways the two methods can be combined, leading to different venues for science and policy making. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10980-024-01914-z