Neurofilament light plasma concentration positively associates with age and negatively associates with weight and height in the dog

Plasma neurofilament light chain (pNfL) concentration is a biomarker for neuroaxonal injury and degeneration and can be used to monitor response to treatment. Spontaneous canine neurodegenerative diseases are a valuable comparative resource for understanding similar human conditions and as large animal treatment models. The features of pNfL concentration in healthy dogs is not well established. We present data reporting basic pNfL concentration trends in the Labrador Retriever breed. Fifty-five Labrador Retrievers were enrolled. pNfL concentration was measured and correlated to age, sex, neuter status, height, weight, body mass index, and coat color. We found increased pNfL with age (P < 0.0001), shorter stature (P = 0.009) and decreased body weight (P < 0.001). These are similar to findings reported in humans. pNfL concentration did not correlate with sex, BMI or coat color. This data further supports findings that pNfL increase with age in a canine population but highlights a need to consider weight and height when determining normal pNfL concentration in canine populations

Jamming and percolation in random sequential adsorption of straight rigid rods on a two-dimensional triangular lattice

Monte Carlo simulations and finite-size scaling analysis have been performed to study the jamming and percolation behavior of linear $k$-mers (also known as rods or needles) on the two-dimensional triangular lattice, considering an isotropic RSA process on a lattice of linear dimension $L$ and periodic boundary conditions. Extensive numerical work has been done to extend previous studies to larger system sizes and longer $k$-mers, which enables the confirmation of a nonmonotonic size dependence of the percolation threshold and the estimation of a maximum value of $k$ from which percolation would no longer occurs. Finally, a complete analysis of critical exponents and universality have been done, showing that the percolation phase transition involved in the system is not affected, having the same universality class of the ordinary random percolation.Comment: 6 figure

Photopolymerized micelles of diacetylene amphiphile: physical characterization and cell delivery properties:

A series of polydiacetylene (PDA) - based micelles were prepared from diacetylenic surfactant bearing polyethylene glycol, by increasing UV-irradiation times. These polymeric lipid micelles were analyzed by physicochemical methods, electron microscopy and NMR analysis. Cellular delivery of fluorescent dye suggests that adjusting the polymerization state is vital to reach the full in vitro potential of PDA-based delivery system

State of the Art in Building Façades

This chapter presents a portfolio of building materials suitable for facades. It describes the relationship between material type, building element, facade, and the entire building structure. Traditional facades based on static components, as well as adaptive concepts able to interact with changing environmental conditions, are briefly described and illustrated with pictures. Climatic design principles, biomimicry, and bioinspiration in architecture are introduced with the purpose of inspiring future developments

The Warden Attitude: An investigation of the value of interaction with everyday wildlife

Using a discrete choice experiment, we elicit valuations of engagement with ‘everyday wildlife’ through feeding garden birds. We find that bird-feeding is primarily but not exclusively motivated by the direct consumption value of interaction with wildlife. The implicit valuations given to different species suggest that people prefer birds that have aesthetic appeal and that evoke human feelings of protectiveness. These findings suggest that people derive wellbeing by adopting a warden-like role towards ‘their’ wildlife. We test for external validity by conducting a hedonic analysis of sales of bird food. We discuss some policy implications of the existence of warden attitudes

SELECTED ORAL COMMUNICATION SESSION, SESSION 21: FEMALE FERTILITY AND ART, Monday 4 July 2011 15:15 - 16:30

n/

Liberalizing trade in environmental goods and services

We examine the effects of trade liberalization in environmental goods in a model with one domestic downstream polluting firm and two upstream firms (one domestic, one foreign). The upstream firms offer their technologies to the downstream firm at a flat fee. The domestic government sets the emission tax rate after the outcome of R&D is known. The effect of liberalization on the domestic upstream firm's R&D incentive is ambiguous. Liberalization usually results in cleaner production, which allows the country to reach higher welfare. However this increase in welfare is typically achieved at the expense of the environment (a backfire effect)

Mega-analysis methods in ENIGMA: the experience of the generalized anxiety disorder working group

The ENIGMA group on Generalized Anxiety Disorder (ENIGMA‐Anxiety/GAD) is part of a broader effort to investigate anxiety disorders using imaging and genetic data across multiple sites worldwide. The group is actively conducting a mega‐analysis of a large number of brain structural scans. In this process, the group was confronted with many methodological challenges related to study planning and implementation, between‐country transfer of subject‐level data, quality control of a considerable amount of imaging data, and choices related to statistical methods and efficient use of resources. This report summarizes the background information and rationale for the various methodological decisions, as well as the approach taken to implement them. The goal is to document the approach and help guide other research groups working with large brain imaging data sets as they develop their own analytic pipelines for mega‐analyses

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London