114 research outputs found
Thermic effect of feeding: orange juice vs. a protein drink (240 kcal)
We investigated the thermic effect of feeding (TEF) equicaloric (1004.16 kJ) portions of randomly provided fresh squeezed orange juice (17.45 oz) and Protein RushTM (40g protein, 17 oz). Eight subjects (5 women, 3 men; 25.8 ± 9.2 yrs, 174.9 ± 12.4 cm, 71.5 ± 17.5 kg) reported to the lab on subsequent mornings and underwent 30-minutes of resting metabolic rate testing, followed by 2-minutes of drink ingestion, followed by 60-minutes of supine rest. Data were collected via a metabolic cart and ventilated hood. Resting data were subtracted from all post-ingestion measures. Within groups the rate of O2 uptake (l min-1) increased significantly for protein (+29%, p = 0.03) but not for orange juice (+21%, p = 0.11); when expressed as ml . kg-1 min-1, both groups had significant increases (p \u3c 0.005). Between groups O2 uptake measurements over the 1-hour period revealed a 21% difference between orange juice (2.66 ± 0.6 liters) and protein (3.36 ± 0.9 liters) that did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.10). Energy expenditure (kJ) determined via the respiratory exchange ratio (RER) revealed orange juice at (60.8 ± 10.1 kJ) and protein (63.7 ± 20.0 kJ) were 5% different, also non-significant (p = 0.72). The RER averaged over the 60-min TEF period was significantly different between orange juice (0.868 ± 0.07) and protein (0.773 ± 0.04) (p = 0.005). Sample size calculations indicate that 14 subjects would reveal statistical significance for O2 uptake yet 163 subjects would be required for energy expenditure differences between drinks. We suggest the potential for bias in selecting a measure of TEF from data within- and between-groups and, O2 uptake vs. energy expenditure
Metamorphism of metachert from the Southern Alps, New Zealand. A thermodynamic forward modelling study
Scattered, scarce occurrences of garnet- and quartz-rich metamorphic rock, probably derived from Mn- and Fe-rich chert, occur within metamorphosed greywacke sequences worldwide. The metamorphism of such garnetiferous metacherts has not previously been investigated using modern thermodynamic forward modelling techniques due to the lack of appropriate, internally-consistent activity-composition (a–x) models for Mn-bearing minerals. The present study applies thermodynamic forward modelling using the recently-proposed a–x models of White et al. (2014) to investigate the metamorphism of garnetiferous metachert samples from the Southern Alps, New Zealand.
Pressure-temperature (P–T) pseudosections are used in combination with results from petrography, element composition mapping using micro X-ray fluorescence (µXRF) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) methods, and garnet composition data from analytical transects by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), to study metachert metamorphism. All the samples are compositionally layered, so the possibility exists that an input bulk rock composition might not match the effective bulk composition at the site of garnet growth. If a mineral assemblage stability field in a calculated P–T pseudosection matched the mineral assemblage in the rock, this was taken as an initial indication of a permissible input bulk rock composition. In that case, refined constraints on the P–T conditions were sought by comparing calculated and measured garnet compositions. The studied rocks include samples that are carbonate-bearing, which require consideration of the effects of fluid composition in mixed H₂O–CO₂ fluids, as well as a sample in which the garnet is strongly zoned, texturally-complex, and inferred to be of polymetamorphic origin. The effects of element fractionation by that garnet were investigated by recalculating the P–T pseudosection using a new bulk rock composition with the garnet core content removed. In none of the samples did the calculated and observed composition isopleths for the garnet cores match, suggesting that initial garnet nucleation in these Mn-rich rocks was locally controlled. For most samples in which the calculated and observed mineral assemblages matched, successful estimates of the peak metamorphic conditions were obtained. A garnet chert (A12E) from the mylonite zone of the Alpine Fault at Vine Creek, near Hokitika, gave a tight intersection of composition isopleths, indicating peak metamorphic conditions of 510 °C/5.5 kbar, after recalculation to correct for element fractionation by the strongly-zoned garnet. This tight, modern constraint is within error of previously-reported results from traditional geothermobarometry (420–600 °C/5.9–13 kbar) and Raman spectroscopy of carbonaceous material (RSCM T = 556 °C) from nearby sites. A peak metamorphic estimate of 520–550 °C/7–10 kbar was obtained from a dolomite-bearing sample from the garnet zone near Fox Glacier (J34), in good comparison with published temperatures from Raman spectroscopy of carbonaceous material in nearby metagreywacke samples (526–546 °C). The prograde metamorphic P–T path was probably steep, based on growth of the garnet core at ~475535 °C/5–9 kbar. The successful results for these garnet chert samples show that the new a-x models for Mn-bearing minerals extend the range of rock types that are amenable to pseudosection modelling.
Results obtained in this study also serve to highlight several possible concerns: a) garnet nucleation and initial growth in very Mn-rich rocks may be subject to local compositional or kinetic controls; b) bulk rock compositions may not always mimic the effective bulk composition; c) the existing a–x models for Mn-bearing minerals and white micas may need refining; and d) some rocks may simply be ill-suited to thermodynamic forward modelling. Items a) and b) may be indicated by the common observation of a mismatch between predicted and measured garnet composition isopleths for garnet cores, and by a mismatch between garnet composition isopleths and the appropriate mineral assemblage field for sample AMS01, from the mylonite zone, Hari Hari, Southern Alps. For item c) every P–T pseudosection calculated using the new a–x models for Mn-bearing minerals showed garnet stable to very low temperatures below 300 °C. In addition, the P–T pseudosection for an oligoclase-zone metachporphyroblasts of Fe-Ti oxides (magnetitert (Sample J36) from Hari Mare stream, Franz Josef - Fox Glacier, indicated that the white mica margarite should be present instead of plagioclase (oligoclase), for a rock in which oligoclase is present and margarite is absent, a problem previously noted elsewhere. Item d) is exemplified by a very garnet-rich ferruginous metachert sample (J35, garnet zone, headwater region, Moeraki River, South Westland) which proved impossible to model successfully due to its complex mineral growth and deformation history. This sample contained multiple generations of carbonate with differing compositions, amphibole (not incorporated for modelling with the new a–x models for Mn-bearing minerals), large e associated with smaller, possibly later-formed ilmenite), and the garnet bands were offset by late deformation.
The garnetiferous metachert samples studied here preserve in their textures and compositions clues to their growth mechanism and metamorphic history. The textures in at least two of the samples are consistent with the diffusion controlled nucleation and growth model for garnet. This research has successfully used state of the art thermodynamic modelling techniques in combination with the latest internally consistent a-x models on Mn-rich metachert, for the first time, extracting P–T conditions of the metamorphism of garnetiferous metachert from the Southern Alps
Onset of the Thermic Effect of Feeding (TEF): a randomized cross-over trial
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The purpose of this investigation was to identify the onset of the thermic effect of feeding (TEF) after ingestion of a high carbohydrate (CHO) and a high protein (PRO) 1255 kJ (300 kcal) drink.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Resting metabolic rate (RMR) and TEF were measured over 30-minute periods via indirect calorimetry using a ventilated hood technique. Eighteen subjects (7 men and 11 women) completed two randomized, double-blind trials. Data were collected in 1-minute measurement intervals. RMR was subtracted from TEF and the time of onset was obtained when two consecutive data points exceeded 5% and 10% of resting metabolic rate.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>At 5% above RMR the onset of TEF for CHO was 8.4 ± 6.2 minutes and was not different as compared to PRO, 8.6 ± 5.2 minutes (p = 0.77). Likewise, no differences were found with a 10% increase above RMR: CHO, 14.1 ± 7.5 min; PRO, 16.7 ± 6.7 min (p = 0.36). Several subjects did not show a 10% increase within 30-min.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We conclude that the onset of TEF is variable among subjects but is initiated within about 5 to 20-min for most subjects after ingestion of a 1255 kJ liquid meal. No differences were found between CHO or PRO liquid meals.</p
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Welfare of Animals in Australia
We report on the various responses in Australia during 2020 to minimize negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the welfare of animals. Most organizations and individuals with animals under their care had emergency preparedness plans in place for various scenarios; however, the restrictions on human movement to contain the spread of COVID-19, coupled with the economic impact and the health effects of COVID-19 on the skilled workforce, constituted a new threat to animal welfare for which there was no blueprint. The spontaneous formation of a national, multisectoral response group on animal welfare, consisting of more than 34 organizations with animals under their care, facilitated information flow during the crisis, which helped to mitigate some of the shocks to different organizations and to ensure continuity of care for animals during the pandemic. We conclude that animal welfare is a shared responsibility, and accordingly, a multisectoral approach to animal welfare during a crisis is required. Our experience demonstrates that to safeguard animal welfare during crises, nations should consider the following: a national risk assessment, clear communication channels, contingency plans for animal welfare, a crisis response group, and support systems for animal care providers. Our findings and recommendations from the Australian context may inform other countries to ensure that animal welfare is not compromised during the course of unpredictable events
Working at the weekend: supermarket and shopping centre workers in Salford/Manchester (UK) and Porto (Portugal)
Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world
Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality.
Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States.
Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis.
Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection
Dynamic partitioning of tropical Indian Ocean surface waters using ocean colour data — management and modelling applications
Comparison of major depression diagnostic classification probability using the SCID, CIDI, and MINI diagnostic interviews among women in pregnancy or postpartum: An individual participant data meta‐analysis
OBJECTIVES: A previous individual participant data meta-analysis (IPDMA) identified differences in major depression classification rates between different diagnostic interviews, controlling for depressive symptoms on the basis of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. We aimed to determine whether similar results would be seen in a different population, using studies that administered the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) in pregnancy or postpartum. METHODS: Data accrued for an EPDS diagnostic accuracy IPDMA were analysed. Binomial generalised linear mixed models were fit to compare depression classification odds for the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM (SCID), controlling for EPDS scores and participant characteristics. RESULTS: Among fully structured interviews, the MINI (15 studies, 2,532 participants, 342 major depression cases) classified depression more often than the CIDI (3 studies, 2,948 participants, 194 major depression cases; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.21, 11.43]). Compared with the semistructured SCID (28 studies, 7,403 participants, 1,027 major depression cases), odds with the CIDI (interaction aOR = 0.88, 95% CI [0.85, 0.92]) and MINI (interaction aOR = 0.95, 95% CI [0.92, 0.99]) increased less as EPDS scores increased. CONCLUSION: Different interviews may not classify major depression equivalently
Instructional Models for Course-Based Research Experience (CRE) Teaching
The course-based research experience (CRE) with its documented educational benefits is increasingly being implemented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. This article reports on a study that was done over a period of 3 years to explicate the instructional processes involved in teaching an undergraduate CRE. One hundred and two instructors from the established and large multi-institutional SEA-PHAGES program were surveyed for their understanding of the aims and practices of CRE teaching. This was followed by large-scale feedback sessions with the cohort of instructors at the annual SEA Faculty Meeting and subsequently with a small focus group of expert CRE instructors. Using a qualitative content analysis approach, the survey data were analyzed for the aims of inquiry instruction and pedagogical practices used to achieve these goals. The results characterize CRE inquiry teaching as involving three instructional models: 1) being a scientist and generating data; 2) teaching procedural knowledge; and 3) fostering project ownership. Each of these models is explicated and visualized in terms of the specific pedagogical practices and their relationships. The models present a complex picture of the ways in which CRE instruction is conducted on a daily basis and can inform instructors and institutions new to CRE teaching
Neurologic Involvement in Children and Adolescents Hospitalized in the United States for COVID-19 or Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome
This article is made available for unrestricted research re-use and secondary analysis in any form or by any means with acknowledgement of the original source. These permissions are granted for the duration of the World Health Organization (WHO) declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic.Importance Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affects the nervous system in adult patients. The spectrum of neurologic involvement in children and adolescents is unclear.
Objective To understand the range and severity of neurologic involvement among children and adolescents associated with COVID-19.
Setting, Design, and Participants Case series of patients (age <21 years) hospitalized between March 15, 2020, and December 15, 2020, with positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 test result (reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and/or antibody) at 61 US hospitals in the Overcoming COVID-19 public health registry, including 616 (36%) meeting criteria for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. Patients with neurologic involvement had acute neurologic signs, symptoms, or diseases on presentation or during hospitalization. Life-threatening involvement was adjudicated by experts based on clinical and/or neuroradiologic features.
Exposures Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.
Main Outcomes and Measures Type and severity of neurologic involvement, laboratory and imaging data, and outcomes (death or survival with new neurologic deficits) at hospital discharge.
Results Of 1695 patients (909 [54%] male; median [interquartile range] age, 9.1 [2.4-15.3] years), 365 (22%) from 52 sites had documented neurologic involvement. Patients with neurologic involvement were more likely to have underlying neurologic disorders (81 of 365 [22%]) compared with those without (113 of 1330 [8%]), but a similar number were previously healthy (195 [53%] vs 723 [54%]) and met criteria for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (126 [35%] vs 490 [37%]). Among those with neurologic involvement, 322 (88%) had transient symptoms and survived, and 43 (12%) developed life-threatening conditions clinically adjudicated to be associated with COVID-19, including severe encephalopathy (n = 15; 5 with splenial lesions), stroke (n = 12), central nervous system infection/demyelination (n = 8), Guillain-Barré syndrome/variants (n = 4), and acute fulminant cerebral edema (n = 4). Compared with those without life-threatening conditions (n = 322), those with life-threatening neurologic conditions had higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (median, 12.2 vs 4.4) and higher reported frequency of D-dimer greater than 3 μg/mL fibrinogen equivalent units (21 [49%] vs 72 [22%]). Of 43 patients who developed COVID-19–related life-threatening neurologic involvement, 17 survivors (40%) had new neurologic deficits at hospital discharge, and 11 patients (26%) died.
Conclusions and Relevance In this study, many children and adolescents hospitalized for COVID-19 or multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children had neurologic involvement, mostly transient symptoms. A range of life-threatening and fatal neurologic conditions associated with COVID-19 infrequently occurred. Effects on long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes are unknown
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