First Evaluation of an Index of Low Vagally-Mediated Heart Rate Variability as a Marker of Health Risks in Human Adults: Proof of Concept.

Multiple studies have demonstrated low vagally-mediated heart rate variability (HRV) being associated with a range of risk factors for heart disease and stroke, including inflammation, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. Yet, no cut point exists that indicates elevated risk. In the present study we sought to identify a cut point-value for HRV that is associated with elevated risk across a range of known risk factors. METHODS:A total of 9550 working adults from 19 study sites took part in a health assessment that included measures of inflammation, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension and vagally-mediated HRV (Root mean square of successive differences between normal heartbeats (RMSSD)). Multiple age and sex adjusted logistic regressions were calculated per risk factor (normal versus clinical range), with RMSSD being entered in binary at different cut points ranging from 15-39 msec with a 2 msec increment. RESULTS:For daytime RMSSD, values below 25 ± 4 indicated elevated risk (odds ratios (OR) 1.5-3.5 across risk factors). For nighttime RMSSD, values below 29 ± 4 indicated elevated risk (OR 1.2-2.0). CONCLUSION:These results provide the first evidence that a single value of RMSSD may be associated with elevated risk across a range of established cardiovascular risk factors and may present an easy to assess novel marker of cardiovascular risk

Joint Antenna Selection and Phase-Only Beamforming Using Mixed-Integer Nonlinear Programming

In this paper, we consider the problem of joint antenna selection and analog beamformer design in downlink single-group multicast networks. Our objective is to reduce the hardware costs by minimizing the number of required phase shifters at the transmitter while fulfilling given distortion limits at the receivers. We formulate the problem as an L0 minimization problem and devise a novel branch-and-cut based algorithm to solve the resulting mixed-integer nonlinear program to optimality. We also propose a suboptimal heuristic algorithm to solve the above problem approximately with a low computational complexity. Computational results illustrate that the solutions produced by the proposed heuristic algorithm are optimal in most cases. The results also indicate that the performance of the optimal methods can be significantly improved by initializing with the result of the suboptimal method.Comment: to be presented at WSA 201

Daily commuting to work is not associated with variables of health

Background: Commuting to work is thought to have a negative impact on employee health. We tested the association of work commute and different variables of health in German industrial employees. Methods: Self-rated variables of an industrial cohort (n = 3805; 78.9 % male) including absenteeism, presenteeism and indices reflecting stress and well-being were assessed by a questionnaire. Fasting blood samples, heart-rate variability and anthropometric data were collected. Commuting was grouped into one of four categories: 0–19.9, 20–44.9, 45–59.9, ≥60 min travelling one way to work. Bivariate associations between commuting and all variables under study were calculated. Linear regression models tested this association further, controlling for potential confounders. Results: Commuting was positively correlated with waist circumference and inversely with triglycerides. These associations did not remain statistically significant in linear regression models controlling for age, gender, marital status, and shiftwork. No other association with variables of physical, psychological, or mental health and well-being could be found. Conclusions: The results indicate that commuting to work has no significant impact on well-being and health of German industrial employees

Results at the 1-Year Follow-Up of a Prospective Cohort Study with Short, Zirconia Implants

The objective of this study was to clinically and radiologically evaluate the performance of a short (8 mm), 1-piece, zirconia implant after an observation period of 1 year in function. A total of 47 patients with 1 missing tooth in the position of a premolar or molar were recruited. Short (8 mm), 1-piece, zirconia implants were placed and loaded after a healing period of 2 to 4 months with monolithic crowns made of 3 different materials. Implants were followed up for one year and clinically and radiologically assessed. A total of 46 implants were placed. One was excluded since no primary stability was achieved at implant placement. At the 1-year follow-up, mean marginal bone loss 1 year after loading was 0.05 ± 0.47 mm. None of the implants showed marginal bone loss greater than 1 mm or clinical signs of peri-implantitis. A total of 2 implants were lost during the healing phase and another after loading, resulting in a survival rate of 93% after 1 year. All lost implants showed a sudden increased mobility with no previous signs of marginal bone loss or peri-implant infection. The short, 8 mm, zirconia implants showed stable marginal bone levels over the short observation period of 1 year. Although they revealed slightly lower survival rates, they can be suggested for the use in sites with reduced vertical bone. Scientific data are very limited, and long-term data are not yet available, and therefore, they are needed

Ruthenium polypyridyl peptide conjugates: membrane permeable probes for cellular imaging

Two novel polyarginine labelled ruthenium polypyridyl dyes are reported, one conjugated to five, (Ru-Ahx-R5), and one to eight arginine residues, (Ru-Ahx-R8). Both complexes exhibit long-lived, intense, and oxygen sensitive luminescence. (Ru-R8) is passively, efficiently and very rapidly transported across the cell membrane into the cytoplasm without requirement for premeablisation of the cell membrane. Such ruthenium polypyridyl peptide conjugates open up the possibility for targeted cell delivery for environmentally sensitive intensity and lifetime imaging

Inverse Estimation of an Annual Cycle of California's Nitrous Oxide Emissions

Nitrous oxide (N_2O) is a potent long‐lived greenhouse gas (GHG) and the strongest current emissions of global anthropogenic stratospheric ozone depletion weighted by its ozone depletion potential. In California, N_2O is the third largest contributor to the state's anthropogenic GHG emission inventory, though no study has quantified its statewide annual emissions through top‐down inverse modeling. Here we present the first annual (2013–2014) statewide top‐down estimates of anthropogenic N_2O emissions. Utilizing continuous N_2O observations from six sites across California in a hierarchical Bayesian inversion, we estimate that annual anthropogenic emissions are 1.5–2.5 times (at 95% confidence) the state inventory (41 Gg N_2O in 2014). Without mitigation, this estimate represents 4–7% of total GHG emissions assuming that other reported GHG emissions are reasonably correct. This suggests that control of N_2O could be an important component in meeting California's emission reduction goals of 40% and 80% below 1990 levels of the total GHG emissions (in CO_2 equivalent) by 2030 and 2050, respectively. Our seasonality analysis suggests that emissions are similar across seasons within posterior uncertainties. Future work is needed to provide source attribution for subregions and further characterization of seasonal variability

Measuring equilibrium properties in aging systems

We corroborate the idea of a close connection between replica symmetry breaking and aging in the linear response function for a large class of finite-dimensional systems with short-range interactions. In these system, characterized by a continuity condition with respect to weak random perturbations of the Hamiltonian, the ``fluctuation dissipation ratio'' in off-equilibrium dynamics should be equal to the static cumulative distribution function of the overlaps. This allows for an experimental measurement of the equilibrium order parameter function.Comment: 5 pages, LaTeX. The paper has been completely rewritten and shortene

Elevated HbA1c levels and the accumulation of differentiated T cells in CMV+ individuals

Aims/hypothesis Biological ageing of the immune system, or immunosenescence, predicts poor health and increased mortality. A hallmark of immunosenescence is the accumulation of differentiated cytotoxic T cells (CD27−CD45RA+/−; or dCTLs), partially driven by infection with the cytomegalovirus (CMV). Immune impairments reminiscent of immunosenescence are also observed in hyperglycaemia, and in vitro studies have illustrated mechanisms by which elevated glucose can lead to increased dCTLs. This study explored associations between glucose dysregulation and markers of immunosenescence in CMV+ and CMV− individuals. Methods A cross-sectional sample of participants from an occupational cohort study (n = 1,103, mean age 40 years, 88% male) were assessed for HbA1c and fasting glucose levels, diabetes, cardiovascular risk factors (e.g. lipids), numbers of circulating effector memory (EM; CD27−CD45RA−) and CD45RA re-expressing effector memory (EMRA; CD27−CD45RA+) T cells, and CMV infection status. Self-report and physical examination assessed anthropometric, sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Results Among CMV+ individuals (n = 400), elevated HbA1c was associated with increased numbers of EM (B = 2.75, p \u3c 0.01) and EMRA (B = 2.90, p \u3c 0.01) T cells, which was robust to adjustment for age, sex, sociodemographic variables and lifestyle factors. Elevated EM T cells were also positively associated with total cholesterol (B = 0.04, p \u3c 0.05) after applying similar adjustments. No associations were observed in CMV− individuals. Conclusions/interpretation The present study identified consistent associations of unfavourable glucose and lipid profiles with accumulation of dCTLs in CMV+ individuals. These results provide evidence that the impact of metabolic risk factors on immunity and health can be co-determined by infectious factors, and provide a novel pathway linking metabolic risk factors with accelerated immunosenescence. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00125-015-3731-4) contains peer-reviewed but unedited supplementary material, which is available to authorised users

Trial of Ultrasound guided carpal tunnel release versus Traditional Open Release (TUTOR)

BACKGROUND: Carpal tunnel release (CTR) is a surgical treatment option for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) symptoms that are unresponsive to conservative treatment. Most patients experience symptomatic relief after CTR regardless of the surgical technique. However, direct comparisons of the safety and effectiveness between CTR surgical techniques are limited. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to compare the safety and effectiveness of CTR with ultrasound guidance (CTR-US) versus mini-open CTR (mOCTR) in subjects with symptomatic CTS. DESIGN AND METHODS: TUTOR (Trial of Ultrasound guided CTR versus Traditional Open Release) is a randomized controlled trial in which 120 subjects at up to 12 sites in the United States will be randomized (2:1) to receive CTR-US or mOCTR. The primary endpoint of the study is the percentage of patients who return to normal daily activities within 3 days of the procedure. Secondary endpoints of the study are median time to return to normal daily activities, percentage of patients who return to work within 3 days of the procedure, median time to return to work, Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire Symptom Severity Scale (BCTQ-SSS) change score at 3 months, BCTQ Functional Status Scale (BCTQ-FSS) change score at 3 months, Numeric Pain Scale change score at 3 months, EuroQoL-5 Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) change score at 3 months, and the incidence of device- or procedure-related adverse events at 3 months. Patient follow-up in this trial will continue for 1 year. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study was approved by a central institutional review board and ongoing trial oversight will be provided by a data safety monitoring board (DSMB). The authors intend to report the results of this trial at medical conferences and peer-reviewed journals. The outcomes of TUTOR will have important clinical and economic implications for all stakeholders involved in treating patients with CTS. STUDY REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (https://clinicaltrials.gov): NCT05405218. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1

Kinetics of jumping regarding agility dogs

Canine agility is a popular sport discipline, involving various jumping activities. Handlers navigate their dogs through a course with different obstacles. Courses are characterized by jumping at high speed and with fast directional changes. Systematic scientific research regarding kinetics in jumping agility dogs is scarce. For the first time, we examined kinetic parameters for single legs in take-off and landing a hurdle jump. Further, we compared straight jumps and wrap jumps, where dogs perform a tight turn during the landing phase. Simultaneous kinetic and kinematic data were recorded from 10 advanced agility Border collies jumping over two consecutive hurdles. We here report the jump kinetics. Ground reaction forces (GRF) were recorded for hindlimbs during take-off and forelimbs during landing. For straight jumps, we found synchronous hindlimb touchdown at take-off phase. Ground reaction force shows similar GRF progression in both hindlimbs. During the landing of a straight jump, the forelimbs show skipping gait pattern, with first touchdown of the trailing limb, followed by touchdown of the leading limb. We found shallower angle of attack and a higher decelerative impulse for the leading limb than the trailing limb. For wrap jumps, hindlimbs touchdown was synchronous during the take-off phase, but the GRF pattern differed. The GRF progression indicated that the take-off pattern of the two limbs acts like a differential gear. Hindlimbs produced a torque already at take-off, to start the wrap. The touchdown of forelimbs was synchronous during landing, but like the hindlimbs they showed a different GRF progression. We found longer contact durations for the left than the right forelimb. Peak vertical and mediolateral forces seem to be higher for the right forelimb than the left forelimb, to resist inertia effects and to continue turning