DNA methylation age is accelerated in alcohol dependence.

Alcohol dependence (ALC) is a chronic, relapsing disorder that increases the burden of chronic disease and significantly contributes to numerous premature deaths each year. Previous research suggests that chronic, heavy alcohol consumption is associated with differential DNA methylation patterns. In addition, DNA methylation levels at certain CpG sites have been correlated with age. We used an epigenetic clock to investigate the potential role of excessive alcohol consumption in epigenetic aging. We explored this question in five independent cohorts, including DNA methylation data derived from datasets from blood (n = 129, n = 329), liver (n = 92, n = 49), and postmortem prefrontal cortex (n = 46). One blood dataset and one liver tissue dataset of individuals with ALC exhibited positive age acceleration (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0069, respectively), whereas the other blood and liver tissue datasets both exhibited trends of positive age acceleration that were not significant (p = 0.83 and p = 0.57, respectively). Prefrontal cortex tissue exhibited a trend of negative age acceleration (p = 0.19). These results suggest that excessive alcohol consumption may be associated with epigenetic aging in a tissue-specific manner and warrants further investigation using multiple tissue samples from the same individuals

High-resolution correlated sources identification using decomposition of the estimated source sub-space

Second order methods in signal processing for spatial analysis are limited by the correlation between sources . In fact, the sources must emit independent signais in order to satisfy the exigences of theses methods as well as to obtain high resolution. The method proposed here, increases the rank of the matrix that contains the vectors used ta reform the source sub-space basis . This is like a source decorrelation. The advantage of this new method is that it continues to separate with a high resolution sources that are totally correlated unlike the popular method of spatial smoothing . This article shows how the DEESE algorithm use translational invariance and directional invariance of the linear arrays for the recuperation of an orthonormal source sub-space basis . A realistic simulations are also presented ta confirm the correct position of source estimations and high resolution factors .L'emploi des méthodes du deuxième ordre de traitement du signal pour l'analyse spatiale est limité par la corrélation existante entre les sources. Celles-ci doivent rayonner des signaux indépendants afin de satisfaire les exigences de ces méthodes et permettre un haut pouvoir résolvant. La méthode proposée ici, parvient à augmenter le rang d'une matrice contenant les vecteurs susceptibles de reformer la base du sous-espace formé par les sources. Ceci agit comme une décorrélation des sources. L'avantage de cette méthode est qu'elle continue à séparer les sources totalement corrélées avec un haut pouvoir résolvant contrairement à la populaire diversité d'espac

Education and older adults at the University of the Third Age

This article reports a critical analysis of older adult education in Malta. In educational gerontology, a critical perspective demands the exposure of how relations of power and inequality, in their myriad forms, combinations, and complexities, are manifest in late-life learning initiatives. Fieldwork conducted at the University of the Third Age (UTA) in Malta uncovered the political nature of elder-learning, especially with respect to three intersecting lines of inequality - namely, positive aging, elitism, and gender. A cautionary note is, therefore, warranted at the dominant positive interpretations of UTAs since late-life learning, as any other education activity, is not politically neutral.peer-reviewe

Diffusion and jump-length distribution in liquid and amorphous Cu33_{33}Zr67_{67}

Using molecular dynamics simulation, we calculate the distribution of atomic jum ps in Cu$_{33}$Zr$_{67}$ in the liquid and glassy states. In both states the distribution of jump lengths can be described by a temperature independent exponential of the length and an effective activation energy plus a contribution of elastic displacements at short distances. Upon cooling the contribution of shorter jumps dominates. No indication of an enhanced probability to jump over a nearest neighbor distance was found. We find a smooth transition from flow in the liquid to jumps in the g lass. The correlation factor of the diffusion constant decreases with decreasing temperature, causing a drop of diffusion below the Arrhenius value, despite an apparent Arrhenius law for the jump probability

A mixed‐methods analysis of younger adults\u27 perceptions of asthma, self‐management, and preventive care: This isn\u27t helping me none

Background: Young adults (ages 18‐44) have increased emergency department use for asthma and poor adherence to medications. The objective of this mixed‐methods study was to understand experiences with and approaches to managing asthma, of which little is known in this age group. Methods: Surveys (Asthma Control Questionnaire, Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire) and 1:1 semi‐structured interviews were used to explore experiences with asthma, symptoms, self‐management behaviors, and relationship to asthma control and quality of life. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis techniques. Descriptive statistics and bivariate correlations were used to examine distributive characteristics and associations between variables. Results: Forty urban adults participated (mean age 32.7 ± 6.2, 1σ). Coughing was reported nearly 46% more often than wheezing, with 42.5% (17/40) coughing until the point of vomiting most days. Most participants delayed using medication for symptoms due to misperceptions about inhalers. Higher symptom frequency and worse asthma control were associated with greater use of non‐pharmacologic symptom management strategies (r=0.645, p\u3c0.001; r=0.360, p=0.022, respectively). Five themes were identified regarding young adults experiences with asthma: (1) having asthma means being limited and missing out on life; (2) healthcare for asthma is burdensome and other things are more important; (3) there is not enough personal benefit in medical interactions to make preventive care worthwhile; (4) there is insufficient support and education about asthma for adults; and (5) people normalize chronic symptoms over time and find ways of coping that fit with their lifestyle. Conclusions & Clinical Relevance: Young adults may tolerate symptoms without using quick‐relief medication or seeking preventive care. Increasing engagement with preventive services will require decreasing perceived burdens and increasing the personal benefits of care. Evaluating for non‐pharmacologic approaches to managing symptoms and asthma‐related coughing may identify uncontrolled asthma. Enhanced training for clinicians in patient‐centric asthma care may be needed

Effets d’une finition des agneaux à l’herbe sur les qualités nutritionnelles et gustatives de la viande

This study was carried out within the framework of the ECOLAGNO project which focuses on lambmeat production according to agro ecological practices. Two experiments were conducted for two successive yearsby the interregional center of information and research on ovine production (CIIRPO) in order to measure the effectof the type of lamb fattening on sensory and nutritional qualities of their meat, and on breeding performances. In2016 and 2017, three groups of 30 suckled lambs on pasture, weaned at 125 days of age, were compared. Thecontrol group was fattened with concentrated feed indoors and the other two groups were grass-fed in order tofinish lambs only on grass, either within a continuous grazing system on plots with multispecies crops such asgrass, legumes and tannin-rich plants or with cellular grazing. There were little differences between the threegroups for lamb breeding performances and carcass qualities. On average 50 kg RM of concentrated feed weresaved per lamb fattened on pasture. Grazing did not alter odor or flavor of lamb chops. However, the fatty acidprofile of meat was improved for grass-fed animals.Cette étude a été menée dans le cadre du projet ECOLAGNO s’intéressant à la production de vianded’agneau selon des pratiques agro-écologiques. Deux essais conduits sur deux années consécutives par le CentreInterrégional d’Information et de Recherche en Production Ovine (CIIRPO) avaient pour objectif de mesurerl’impact du mode de finition des agneaux, à l’herbe ou en bergerie, sur les qualités gustatives et nutritionnelles dela viande, ainsi que sur les aspects zootechniques. En 2016 et 2017, trois lots de 30 agneaux à l’herbe, allaitéspuis sevrés à 125 jours, ont été comparés. Le témoin était fini en bergerie avec un aliment concentré, les deuxautres au pâturage dans l’objectif de finir les agneaux exclusivement avec de l’herbe : l’un en pâturage continu surdes parcelles multi-espèces composées de graminées, légumineuses et plantes riches en tanins ; l’autre enpâturage cellulaire. Les performances zootechniques et les qualités de la carcasse des agneaux sont peudifférentes entre les trois lots. L’économie de concentré s’est située en moyenne à 50 kg brut par agneau avec unefinition à l’herbe. Il n’y a pas eu de dégradation de l’odeur ou de la flaveur des côtelettes lors des finitions aupâturage ; en revanche, le profil en acides gras des viandes a été amélioré

Effect of strain on surface diffusion in semiconductor heteroepitaxy

We present a first-principles analysis of the strain renormalization of the cation diffusivity on the GaAs(001) surface. For the example of In/GaAs(001)-c(4x4) it is shown that the binding of In is increased when the substrate lattice is expanded. The diffusion barrier \Delta E(e) has a non-monotonic strain dependence with a maximum at compressive strain values (e 0) studied. We discuss the consequences of spatial variations of both the binding energy and the diffusion barrier of an adatom caused by the strain field around a heteroepitaxial island. For a simplified geometry, we evaluate the speed of growth of two coherently strained islands on the GaAs(001) surface and identify a growth regime where island sizes tend to equalize during growth due to the strain dependence of surface diffusion.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures, LaTeX2e, to appear in Phys. Rev. B (2001). Other related publications can be found at http://www.rz-berlin.mpg.de/th/paper.htm

Going Mobile with Primary Care: Smartphone-Telemedicine for Asthma Management in Young Urban Adults (TEAMS)

Background: The majority of adults with persistent asthma have chronically uncontrolled disease and interventions to improve outcomes are needed. We evaluated the efficacy, feasi- bility, and acceptability of a multi-component smartphone-telemedicine program (TEAMS) to deliver asthma care remotely, support provider adherence to asthma management guide- lines, and improve patient outcomes. Methods: TEAMS utilized: (1) remote symptom monitoring, (2) nurse-led smartphone-tele- medicine with self-management training for patients, and (3) Electronic medical record- based clinical decision support software. Adults aged 18-44 (N=33) and primary care providers (N=4) were recruited from a safety-net practice in Upstate New York. Asthma con- trol, quality of life, and FEV1 were measured at 0, 3 and 6 months. Acceptability was assessed via survey and end-of-study interviews. Paired t-test and mixed effects modeling were used to evaluate the effect of the intervention on asthma outcomes. Results: At baseline, 80% of participants had uncontrolled asthma. By 6-months, 80% classi- fied as well-controlled. Improvements in control and quality of life were large (d=1.955, d=1.579). FEV%pred increased 4.2% (d=1.687) with the greatest gain in males, smokers, and lower educational status. Provider adherence to national guidelines increased from 43.3% to 86.7% (CI = 22.11-64.55) and patient adherence to medication increased from 45.58% to 85.29% (CI = 14.79-64.62). Acceptability was 95.7%; In follow up interviews, 29/30 patients and all providers indicated TEAMS worked better than usual care, supported effective self- management, and reduced symptoms over time, which led to greater self-efficacy and motivation to manage asthma. Discussion: Based on these findings, we conclude that smartphone telemedicine could substantially improve clinical asthma management, adherence to guidelines, and patient outcomes