Bayesian spatial modelling of terrestrial radiation in Switzerland

The geographic variation of terrestrial radiation can be exploited in epidemiological studies of the health effects of protracted low-dose exposure. Various methods have been applied to derive maps of this variation. We aimed to construct a map of terrestrial radiation for Switzerland. We used airborne $\gamma$-spectrometry measurements to model the ambient dose rates from terrestrial radiation through a Bayesian mixed-effects model and conducted inference using Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation (INLA). We predicted higher levels of ambient dose rates in the alpine regions and Ticino compared with the western and northern parts of Switzerland. We provide a map that can be used for exposure assessment in epidemiological studies and as a baseline map for assessing potential contamination.Comment: 27 pages, 10 figure

Optical study of the electronic phase transition of strongly correlated YbInCu_4

Infrared, visible and near-UV reflectivity measurements are used to obtain conductivity as a function of temperature and frequency in YbInCu_4, which exhibits an isostructural phase-transition into a mixed-valent phase below T_v=42 K. In addition to a gradual loss of spectral weight with decreasing temperature extending up to 1.5 eV, a sharp resonance appears at 0.25 eV in the mixed-valent phase. This feature can be described in terms of excitations into the Kondo (Abrikosov-Suhl) resonance, and, like the sudden reduction of resistivity, provides a direct reflection of the onset of coherence in this strongly correlated electron system.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures (to appear in Phys. Rev. B

A crowdsourced analysis to identify ab initio molecular signatures predictive of susceptibility to viral infection

The response to respiratory viruses varies substantially between individuals, and there are currently no known molecular predictors from the early stages of infection. Here we conduct a community-based analysis to determine whether pre- or early post-exposure molecular factors could predict physiologic responses to viral exposure. Using peripheral blood gene expression profiles collected from healthy subjects prior to exposure to one of four respiratory viruses (H1N1, H3N2, Rhinovirus, and RSV), as well as up to 24 h following exposure, we find that it is possible to construct models predictive of symptomatic response using profiles even prior to viral exposure. Analysis of predictive gene features reveal little overlap among models; however, in aggregate, these genes are enriched for common pathways. Heme metabolism, the most significantly enriched pathway, is associated with a higher risk of developing symptoms following viral exposure. This study demonstrates that pre-exposure molecular predictors can be identified and improves our understanding of the mechanisms of response to respiratory viruses

Bayesian spatial modelling of terrestrial radiation in Switzerland

The geographic variation of terrestrial radiation can be exploited in epidemiological studies of the health effects of protracted low-dose exposure. Various methods have been applied to derive maps of this variation. We aimed to construct a map of terrestrial radiation for Switzerland. We used airborne γ-spectrometry measurements to model the ambient dose rates from terrestrial radiation through a Bayesian mixed-effects model and conducted inference using Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation (INLA). We predicted higher levels of ambient dose rates in the alpine regions and Ticino compared with the western and northern parts of Switzerland. We provide a map that can be used for exposure assessment in epidemiological studies and as a baseline map for assessing potential contamination

Maternal Hypothyroxinemia During Pregnancy and Growth of the Fetal and Infant Head

Severe maternal thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy affects fetal brain growth and corticogenesis. This study focused on the effect of maternal hypothyroxinemia during early pregnancy on growth of the fetal and infant head. In a population-based birth cohort, we assessed thyroid status in early pregnancy (median 13.4, 90% range 10.8-17.2), in 4894 women, and measured the prenatal and postnatal head size of their children at 5 time points. Hypothyroxinemia was defined as normal thyroid-stimulating hormone levels and free thyroxine-4 concentrations below the 10th percentile. Statistical analysis was performed using linear generalized estimating equation. Maternal hypothyroxinemia was associated with larger fetal and infant head size (overall estimate beta: 1.38, 95% confidence interval 0.56; 2.19, P = .001). In conclusion, in the general population, even small variations in maternal thyroid function during pregnancy may affect the developing head of the young child