Effect of consuming ground beef of differing monounsaturated fatty acid content on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk factors in healthy men

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is currently the most common cause of death in the United States. Some dietary factors contribute importantly to ASCVD and other factors can reduce risk of ASCVD. Oleic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA). Dietary patterns in which oleic acid contributes to a majority of dietary fatty acids are associated with reduced ASCVD risk. These beneficial effects are due to MUFA-induced lipoprotein profile changes such as decreases in low density lipoprotein (LDL) and increases in high density lipoprotein (HDL). LDL oxidation plays a central role in atherosclerosis development as it both initiates and propagates atherosclerosis. HDL is anti-atherogenic as it can attenuate LDL oxidation. HDLs are a class of diverse lipoprotein that varies in protein and enzymatic composition. The paraoxonase (PON) family of enzymes, especially PON1, is primarily expressed in the liver; PON activity in the circulatory system is associated with HDL. Both PON and HDL have been documented to be anti-atherogenic. Other factors such as homocysteine and C-reactive protein (CRP) can also be considered risk factors for ASCVD. However, studies of risk factors in healthy men who consume ground beef with a different content of MUFA are lacking; hence, no conclusive evidence has established whether consuming a high amount of MUFA in the form of ground beef alters the development of atherosclerosis. The overall purpose of this study was to investigate whether the provision of ground beef with a fractionally higher MUFA content could lower or improve several ASCVD risk factors in men who consume ground beef. These risk factors include the metabolic indices of glucose, insulin and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), inflammation risk factors of CRP and homocysteine and anti-risk factor of paraoxonase. The concentration of homocysteine was determined spectrophotometrically following separation by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Enzyme-linked imminosorbent assay kits that measured the CRP and insulin concentration in plasma. The significance of the results was determined by subjecting the data to ANOVA using the general linear model for repeated measurement (P<0.05). From this study, it can be concluded that MUFA has a beneficial effect of lowering risks as determined by metabolic indices and lipoprotein profile. Moreover, our study showed that different concentrations of MUFA in ground beef has no effect on PON1 activity, but that increased beef consumption generally reduces PON1 in association with increases in homocysteine concentration while improving indicators of glucose tolerance

Effect of consuming ground beef of differing monounsaturated fatty acid content on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk factors in healthy men

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is currently the most common cause of death in the United States. Some dietary factors contribute importantly to ASCVD and other factors can reduce risk of ASCVD. Oleic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA). Dietary patterns in which oleic acid contributes to a majority of dietary fatty acids are associated with reduced ASCVD risk. These beneficial effects are due to MUFA-induced lipoprotein profile changes such as decreases in low density lipoprotein (LDL) and increases in high density lipoprotein (HDL). LDL oxidation plays a central role in atherosclerosis development as it both initiates and propagates atherosclerosis. HDL is anti-atherogenic as it can attenuate LDL oxidation. HDLs are a class of diverse lipoprotein that varies in protein and enzymatic composition. The paraoxonase (PON) family of enzymes, especially PON1, is primarily expressed in the liver; PON activity in the circulatory system is associated with HDL. Both PON and HDL have been documented to be anti-atherogenic. Other factors such as homocysteine and C-reactive protein (CRP) can also be considered risk factors for ASCVD. However, studies of risk factors in healthy men who consume ground beef with a different content of MUFA are lacking; hence, no conclusive evidence has established whether consuming a high amount of MUFA in the form of ground beef alters the development of atherosclerosis. The overall purpose of this study was to investigate whether the provision of ground beef with a fractionally higher MUFA content could lower or improve several ASCVD risk factors in men who consume ground beef. These risk factors include the metabolic indices of glucose, insulin and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), inflammation risk factors of CRP and homocysteine and anti-risk factor of paraoxonase. The concentration of homocysteine was determined spectrophotometrically following separation by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Enzyme-linked imminosorbent assay kits that measured the CRP and insulin concentration in plasma. The significance of the results was determined by subjecting the data to ANOVA using the general linear model for repeated measurement (P<0.05). From this study, it can be concluded that MUFA has a beneficial effect of lowering risks as determined by metabolic indices and lipoprotein profile. Moreover, our study showed that different concentrations of MUFA in ground beef has no effect on PON1 activity, but that increased beef consumption generally reduces PON1 in association with increases in homocysteine concentration while improving indicators of glucose tolerance

Modelling the Passenger Choice Behaviour of Buying High-Speed Railway Tickets

Passenger choice behaviour of buying tickets has a great impact on the high-speed rail (HSR) revenue management. It is very critical to find out the sensitive factors that prevent passengers with high willingness to pay for a ticket from buying low-price tickets. The literature on passenger choice behaviour mainly focuses on travel mode choice, choice between a conventional train and a high-speed train and choice among high-speed trains. To extend the literature and serve revenue management, this paper investigates passenger choice behaviour of buying high-speed railway tickets. The data were collected by the stated preference (SP) survey based on Beijing-Hohhot high-speed railway. The conditional logit model was established to analyse influencing factors for business travel and non-business travel. The results show that: business passengers have the higher inherent preference for full-price tickets, while non-business passengers have the higher inherent preference for discount tickets; the number of days booked in advance and frequent passenger points have a significant impact on the ticket choice of business travellers, but not on non-business travellers; passengers are unwilling to buy tickets that depart after 16:00 for non-business travel; factors have different effects on the passengers\u27 choice in business travel and non-business travel. The results can provide parameters for revenue management models and references for the ticket-product design

Surface Decomposition of Doped PrBaMn₂O_5+δInduced by in Situ Nanoparticle Exsolution:Quantitative Characterization and Catalytic Effect in Methane Dry Reforming Reaction

The exsolution of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) from perovskite oxides is a promising strategy for synthesizing supported catalysts. The associated segregation of A-site cations on the surface is challenging to investigate experimentally and is often detrimental to the catalytic performance. In this work, we found that during the in situ exsolution of Ni-Co bimetallic nanoparticles from Pr0.45Ba0.45Mn1–x(Co1/3 Ni2/3)xO3±δ, A-site cation enrichment occurred on the surface when x is 0.1; yet, the perovskite surface decomposed when x reached 0.2, forming a thin layer comprising various nanocrystalline oxides, which partially blocked the active sites of the exsolved Ni-Co particles. A hydration and carbonation reaction facilitated the conversion of nanocrystalline BaO species into large and highly crystallized BaCO3 particles. This enabled the exposure of more Ni-Co active sites and offered a chance to quantify that the decomposed surface layer accounts for ∼7.2 wt % of the total perovskite. Because of this unique feature, the surface-decomposed catalyst showed higher activity in the dry methane reforming reaction with better stability. Importantly, the regeneration feature was not hampered as the complete exsolution-dissolution recyclability of the catalyst remained

Postseismic Restoration of the Ecological Environment in the Wenchuan Region Using Satellite Data

Using Landsat remote-sensing data combined with geological information extracted from ALOS and Sentinel-1A radar data, the ecological environment was evaluated in the years 2007, 2008, 2013, and 2017 through gray correlation analysis on the basis of the construction of the pressure-state-response model. The main objective of this research was to assess the ecological environment changes in Wenchuan County before and after the earthquake, and to provide reference for future social development and policy implementation. The grading map of the ecological environment was obtained for every year, and the ecological restoration status of Wenchuan County after the earthquake was evaluated. The results showed that the maximum area cover at a “safe” ecological level was over 46.4% in 2007. After the 2008 earthquake, the proportion of “unsafe” and “very unsafe” ecological levels was 40.0%, especially around the Lancang River and the western mountain area in Wenchuan County. After five years of restoration, ecological conditions were improved, up to 48.0% in the region. The areas at “critically safe” and above recovered to 85.5% in 2017 within nine years after the deadly Wenchuan earthquake of May 12, 2008. In this paper, we discuss the results of detailed analysis of ecological improvements and correlation with the degrees of pressure, state, and response layers of the Pressure-State-Response (PSR) model

Land-Use/Land-Cover Changes and Their Influence on the Ecosystem in Chengdu City, China during the Period of 1992–2018

Due to urban expansion, economic development, and rapid population growth, land use/land cover (LULC) is changing in major cities around the globe. Quantitative analysis of LULC change is important for studying the corresponding impact on the ecosystem service value (ESV) that helps in decision-making and ecosystem conservation. Based on LULC data retrieved from remote-sensing interpretation, we computed the changes of ESV associated with the LULC dynamics using the benefits transfer method and geographic information system (GIS) technologies during the period of 1992–2018 following self-modified coefficients which were corrected by net primary productivity (NPP). This improved approach aimed to establish a regional value coefficients table for facilitating the reliable evaluation of ESV. The main objective of this research was to clarify the trend and spatial patterns of LULC changes and their influence on ecosystem service values and functions. Our results show a continuous reduction in total ESV from United States (US) $1476.25 million in 1992, to US$1410.17, $1335.10, and$1190.56 million in 2001, 2009, and 2018, respectively; such changes are attributed to a notable loss of farmland and forest land from 1992–2018. The elasticity of ESV in response to changes in LULC shows that 1% of land transition may have caused average changes of 0.28%, 0.34%, and 0.50% during the periods of 1992–2001, 2001–2009, and 2009–2018, respectively. This study provides important information useful for land resource management and for developing strategies to address the reduction of ESV

Remote Sensing Monitoring of Vegetation Dynamic Changes after Fire in the Greater Hinggan Mountain Area: The Algorithm and Application for Eliminating Phenological Impacts

Fires are frequent in boreal forests affecting forest areas. The detection of forest disturbances and the monitoring of forest restoration are critical for forest management. Vegetation phenology information in remote sensing images may interfere with the monitoring of vegetation restoration, but little research has been done on this issue. Remote sensing and the geographic information system (GIS) have emerged as important tools in providing valuable information about vegetation phenology. Based on the MODIS and Landsat time-series images acquired from 2000 to 2018, this study uses the spatio-temporal data fusion method to construct reflectance images of vegetation with a relatively consistent growth period to study the vegetation restoration after the Greater Hinggan Mountain forest fire in the year 1987. The influence of phenology on vegetation monitoring was analyzed through three aspects: band characteristics, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and disturbance index (DI) values. The comparison of the band characteristics shows that in the blue band and the red band, the average reflectance values of the study area after eliminating phenological influence is lower than that without eliminating the phenological influence in each year. In the infrared band, the average reflectance value after eliminating the influence of phenology is greater than the value with phenological influence in almost every year. In the second shortwave infrared band, the average reflectance value without phenological influence is lower than that with phenological influence in almost every year. The analysis results of NDVI and DI values in the study area of each year show that the NDVI and DI curves vary considerably without eliminating the phenological influence, and there is no obvious trend. After eliminating the phenological influence, the changing trend of the NDVI and DI values in each year is more stable and shows that the forest in the region was impacted by other factors in some years and also the recovery trend. The results show that the spatio-temporal data fusion approach used in this study can eliminate vegetation phenology effectively and the elimination of the phenology impact provides more reliable information about changes in vegetation regions affected by the forest fires. The results will be useful as a reference for future monitoring and management of forest resources

Speech2Lip: High-fidelity Speech to Lip Generation by Learning from a Short Video

Synthesizing realistic videos according to a given speech is still an open challenge. Previous works have been plagued by issues such as inaccurate lip shape generation and poor image quality. The key reason is that only motions and appearances on limited facial areas (e.g., lip area) are mainly driven by the input speech. Therefore, directly learning a mapping function from speech to the entire head image is prone to ambiguity, particularly when using a short video for training. We thus propose a decomposition-synthesis-composition framework named Speech to Lip (Speech2Lip) that disentangles speech-sensitive and speech-insensitive motion/appearance to facilitate effective learning from limited training data, resulting in the generation of natural-looking videos. First, given a fixed head pose (i.e., canonical space), we present a speech-driven implicit model for lip image generation which concentrates on learning speech-sensitive motion and appearance. Next, to model the major speech-insensitive motion (i.e., head movement), we introduce a geometry-aware mutual explicit mapping (GAMEM) module that establishes geometric mappings between different head poses. This allows us to paste generated lip images at the canonical space onto head images with arbitrary poses and synthesize talking videos with natural head movements. In addition, a Blend-Net and a contrastive sync loss are introduced to enhance the overall synthesis performance. Quantitative and qualitative results on three benchmarks demonstrate that our model can be trained by a video of just a few minutes in length and achieve state-of-the-art performance in both visual quality and speech-visual synchronization. Code: https://github.com/CVMI-Lab/Speech2Lip

Relationship between burnout and intention to leave amongst clinical nurses: the role of spiritual climate

Aim: This study aims to identify the role that spiritual climate has in reducing burnout and intentions to leave amongst clinical nurses. Background: Both shortages and the high turnover of nurses are challenging problems worldwide. Enhancing the spiritual climate amongst nurses can enhance teamwork, organisational commitment and job satisfaction and can play a role in reducing burnout and turnover intention. Methods: A total of 207 clinical nurses working at a tertiary university hospital were included in this cross-sectional, single-site study. Independent-samples t test and ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis and hierarchical regression analysis were used to explore the relationships amongst related factors. Results: Most clinical departments showed a moderate spiritual climate (60.24±0.82) with high job burnout (33.62±0.28) and turnover intention (2.37±0.57). A good spiritual climate was correlated with high job satisfaction (r=0.412, p < 0.01), low burnout and turnover intention (r = −0.423, p < 0.01 and r = −0.292, p < 0.01, respectively). Spiritual climate could also indirectly influence nurses' job burnout and turnover intention (R2 = 10.31%).ConclusionsDifferent departments have different spiritual climates. The findings from this study indicate that spiritual climate may impact nursing burnout and turnover.Implications for nursing managementUsing a spiritual climate scale provides health care decision-makers with clear information about staff spirituality well-being. Interventions to improve spiritual climate can benefit teamwork in clinical departments

An analysis of thixotropic micropore variation and its mechanism in loess

The relationship between the thixotropic mechanism and the macroscopic thixotropic strength can be clarified by analyzing the changes in microstructure and pores in the loess thixotropic process. This approach is of significant importance for calculating the strength of compacted loess foundations. In the present study, a representative sample prepared from Xi’an loess was analyzed and eight resting ages were set. The micropore characteristics of the remolded loess and undisturbed loess at different resting ages were obtained using electron microscope observation and nuclear magnetic resonance testing. The results indicate that the thixotropy in the prepared loess samples is significant. It is also found that as the resting age grew, newly formed cements in the remolded loess continuously accumulated and filled in the microcracks between the aggregates. Consequently, the contact area of aggregates increased, thereby decreasing the width and length of the microcracks. The proportion of cementation pore and small microcracks gradually increased, while the proportion of large microcracks gradually decreased, indicating that thixotropy increased the cohesive force and friction force of soil structure at the mesoscale. This phenomenon also explains the increase of thixotropic strength at the macroscopic scale. The mesoscopic mechanism of loess thixotropic strength recovery is that the connection between soil particles is re-established after the break of the clay particle–water–charge system. Moreover, the elastic potential energy of soil particles generated by compression promoted the polymerization of clay particles dispersed in a pore water solution to produce flocculating aggregates during resting dissipation. The continuous consumption of clay particles expanded the processing time and flocs and continuously decreased the strength growth rate