Cardiovascular Effects of Long Term Androgenic Anabolic Steroid Use

Background: Anabolic steroids have been a consistent area of debate when it comes to athletes. Anabolic steroids are very common in certain sports like powerlifting and bodybuilding. Negative health effects have been found to be associated with the long term use of anabolic steroids. The objective of this review is to determine if there are negative cardiovascular effects associated with chronic androgenic anabolic steroid use when compared to non-steroid users. Methods: A literature review of past research articles was performed. Pertinent information was obtained from the sources and compiled as evidence for the topic of this paper. Results: Using primarily bodybuilder populations, the findings obtained from the articles supported decreased left ventricular function, increase in blood pressure, atherosclerosis of blood vessels, and an increase in LDL with a decrease in HDL. Conclusion: Anabolic steroids can be contributed to decreased left ventricular function, increased blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and increase LDL and decrease HDL leading to an overall decrease in cardiovascular function. Improving education on the cardiovascular impact anabolic steroids can have can ultimately decrease the risk of individuals abusing these drugs and having a decrease in overall health

L&D must be a participant not a bystander in machine learning

New research shows practitioners are aware of the opportunities but need to be involved earlier to ensure projects are human centred, say Jeff Gold, Lynn Nichol and Patricia Harrison

Scintillator-based ion beam profiler for diagnosing laser-accelerated ion beams

Next generation intense, short-pulse laser facilities require new high repetition rate diagnostics for the detection of ionizing radiation. We have designed a new scintillator-based ion beam profiler capable of measuring the ion beam transverse profile for a number of discrete energy ranges. The optical response and emission characteristics of four common plastic scintillators has been investigated for a range of proton energies and fluxes. The scintillator light output (for 1 MeV > Ep < 28 MeV) was found to have a non-linear scaling with proton energy but a linear response to incident flux. Initial measurements with a prototype diagnostic have been successful, although further calibration work is required to characterize the total system response and limitations under the high flux, short pulse duration conditions of a typical high intensity laser-plasma interaction

Out of the shadows: A young woman's journey from hiding to celebrating her identity

In April 2019 the UK government reported that little progress had been made to remedy social outcomes inequality between Roma and the wider population, recommending further recognition of Roma, for example in census data, to enable identification of Roma, their needs, and how to meet those needs. In this article we present an account of one Roma woman’s journey from hiding her identity to celebrating it. We expose five critical incidents that challenge and mould her sense of identity and career aspiration, with insights into her hopes and dreams as she reflects upon the barriers she faces and attempts to overcome. The narrative enhances understanding of the intersection of experience and ethnic identity formation, Marcella’s (pseudonym) case study emerges verbatim through quotes; we do not alter or correct her English. In our exploration, we follow the six classical steps recommended in case study analysis (Yin, 2009) and ground some of the key analytical concepts in Goffman’s theories of stigma (1963) and theatrical performances in everyday life. We conclude by identifying key parallels in her experience, relevant regardless of socioeconomic status to further debate on the nature of internalised shame, stigma and class

Signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 localizes to the mitochondria and modulates mitophagy

The signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins are latent transcription factors that have been shown to be involved in cell proliferation, development, apoptosis, and autophagy. STAT proteins undergo activation by phosphorylation at tyrosine 701 and serine 727 where they translocate to the nucleus to regulate gene expression. STAT1 has been shown to be involved in promoting apoptotic cell death in response to cardiac ischemia/reperfusion and has recently been shown by our laboratory to be involved in negatively regulating autophagy. These processes are thought to promote cell death and restrict cell survival leading to the generation of an infarct. Here we present data that shows STAT1 localizes to the mitochondria and co-immunoprecipitates with LC3. Furthermore, electron microscopy studies also reveal mitochondria from ex vivo I/R treated hearts of STAT1KO mice contained within a double membrane autophagosome indicating that STAT1 may be involved in negatively regulating mitophagy. This is the first description of STAT1 being localized to the mitochondria and also having a role in mitophagy

A Differential Positioning System Using Modulation Correlation of Signals of Opportunity

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) have become the positioning systems of choice for many applications. However, GNSS signals are susceptible to obstruction, interference and jamming. Therefore, to maximize robustness and integrity, it is necessary to employ a dissimilar positioning technology that can operate independently and back-up GNSS. One such technology exploits ‘signals of opportunity’ – signals that are designed for purposes other than navigation. This paper presents a system that uses amplitude modulation (AM) radio broadcasts in the medium frequency (MF) band. At these frequencies, the predominant ground-wave propagation mode offers better coverage in remote areas and over sea than is achievable with higher frequency signals. The system is differential and operates by correlating modulation information between the reference and user receivers. A system of this form mitigates the deterioration in and around buildings encountered in prior systems and can provide absolute position using fewer signals than a system using only carrier phase. The system presented in this paper uses generalized cross correlation to obtain time difference of arrival measurements that are subsequently used for position determination. Preliminary results indicate the system provides a robust position solution. Moreover, the system offers the potential to be combined with carrier phase measurements to achieve enhanced performance, while the modulation correlation technique is readily extendable to other types of signal

A New Differential Positioning Method using Modulation Correlation of Signals of Opportunity

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) have become the positioning systems of choice for many applications. However, GNSS signals are susceptible to obstruction, interference and jamming. Therefore, to maximize robustness and integrity, it is necessary to employ a dissimilar positioning technology that can operate independently and back-up GNSS. One such technology exploits 'signals of opportunity' - signals that are designed for purposes other than navigation.This paper presents a system that uses amplitude modulation (AM) radio broadcasts in the medium frequency (MF) band. At these frequencies, the predominant ground-wave propagation mode offers better coverage in remote areas and over sea than is achievable with higher frequency signals.The system is differential and operates by correlating modulation information between the reference and user receivers. A system of this form mitigates the deterioration in and around buildings encountered in prior systems and can provide absolute position using fewer signals than a system using only carrier phase.The system presented in this paper uses generalized cross correlation to obtain time difference of arrival measurements that are subsequently used for position determination. Preliminary results indicate the system provides a robust position solution. Moreover, the system offers the potential to be combined with carrier phase measurements to achieve enhanced performance, while the modulation correlation technique is readily extendable to other types of signal

Quadratic resource value assessment during mantis shrimp (Stomatopoda) contests

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via the DOI in this recordResource value assessment, in which competitors adjust behaviours according to the perceived value of a contested resource, is well described in animal contests. Such assessment is usually assumed to be categorical or linear; for example, males fight more aggressively when females are present than absent, or as female fecundity increases. Here, to our knowledge for the first time, we show quadratic resource value assessment, in which resource value is highest at a certain level and decreases in either direction. The mantis shrimp Neogonodactylus bredini occupies coral rubble burrows in a size-assortative manner: individuals of a certain body size inhabit burrows of a certain size. Using mock burrows of various sizes, we tested whether mantis shrimp (1) chose burrows predicted to be the best fit for their body size and (2) were more aggressive during, endured higher costs during and were more likely to win contests over burrows predicted to be best fit. Individuals chose burrows larger than their predicted best fit burrows. In contests, intruders without burrows were more likely to evict burrow residents when the burrow was slightly smaller than the intruder's predicted best fit size. Intruder success decreased as relative burrow size increased or decreased from this value. Intruders won by delivering more strikes and by being aggressive first. In contrast to intruders, burrow residents showed little evidence of resource value assessment. A literature review revealed that quadratic resource value assessment may play a role in contests over resources from territories to parasite hosts. Therefore, our results impact theoretical models of contest behaviour and may lend insight to how contests affect resource distributions.National Science Foundation (NSF)Human Frontiers Science Progra