An examination of health inequities among college students by sexual orientation identity and sex

Background. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) college students may have an increased number of health inequities compared to their heterosexual counterparts. However, to date, no research has provided a comprehensive examination of health-related factors by sexual orientation identity and sex among a national sample of college students. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine physical, sexual, interpersonal relations/safety, and mental health inequities by sexual orientation identity and sex among a national sample of college students. Design and methods. Participants (n=39,767) completed the National College Health Assessment II during the fall 2008/spring 2009 academic year. Hierarchical binary logistic regression analyses were used to examine health inequities by sexual orientation identity and sex. Results. LGB students compared to heterosexual students, experienced multiple health inequities including higher rates of being verbally threatened and lower rates of physical activity and condom use. Conclusions. An understanding of health inequities experienced by LGB college students is critical as during these years of transition, students engage in protective (e.g., physical activity) and risky (e.g., lack of condom use) health behaviours, establishing habits that could last a lifetime. Future research should be used to design and implement targeted public health strategies and policies to reduce health inequities and improve health-related quality of life among LGB college students

The evolution of RNAs with multiple functions

Increasing numbers of transcripts have been reported to transmit both protein-coding and regulatory information. Apart from challenging our conception of the gene, this observation raises the question as to what extent this phenomenon occurs across the genome and how and why such dual encoding of function has evolved in the eukaryotic genome. To address this question, we consider the evolutionary path of genes in the earliest forms of life on Earth, where it is generally regarded that proteins evolved from a cellular machinery based entirely within RNA. This led to the domination of protein-coding genes in the genomes of microorganisms, although it is likely that RNA never lost its other capacities and functionalities, as evidenced by cis-acting riboswitches and UTRs. On the basis that the subsequent evolution of a more sophisticated regulatory architecture to provide higher levels of epigenetic control and accurate spatiotemporal expression in developmentally complex organisms is a complicated task, we hypothesize: (i) that mRNAs have been and remain subject to secondary selection to provide trans-acting regulatory capability in parallel with protein-coding functions; (ii) that some and perhaps many protein-coding loci, possibly as a consequence of gene duplication, have lost protein-coding functions en route to acquiring more sophisticated trans-regulatory functions; (iii) that many transcripts have become subject to secondary processing to release different products; and (iv) that novel proteins have emerged within loci that previously evolved functionality as regulatory RNAs. In support of the idea that there is a dynamic flux between different types of informational RNAs in both evolutionary and real time, we review recent observations that have arisen from transcriptomic surveys of complex eukaryotes and reconsider how these observations impact on the notion that apparently discrete loci may express transcripts with more than one function. In conclusion, we posit that many eukaryotic loci have evolved the capacity to transact a multitude of overlapping and potentially independent functions as both regulatory and protein-coding RNAs

Physical Activity: An Update for Health Educators

Abstract Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease and is associated with increased risk for several other diseases. It is important that health educators recognize physical inactivity as a major health problem and understand the current physical activity public health recommendation. As health educators, it is our responsibility to educate ourselves, as well as our students, clients, and patients about physical activity and its benefits

Water-Quality and -Quantity Data for Abandoned Underground Coal Mines in Eastern Kentucky

Water-quality and -quantity analyses were performed between 1997 and 2003 by the Kentucky Geological Survey under contract from the Kentucky River Authority and the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority to study abandoned underground coal mines as possible water supplies for communities in the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field. The steep terrain of the coal field limits surface-water supplies, and groundwater systems are difficult to locate and often have too low a yield to provide community water supplies. KGS has been working with the Kentucky River Authority, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority, and local government officials to search for water supplies in abandoned underground coal mines. The data in the appendices of this report are interpreted in Cumbie and others (2006)

Dysregulation of Arginase Isoenzymes in FL-HCC: Investigating the Impact of Nonspecific Arginase-Isoform Antibodies on the Market

In this project, we investigated the expression of the isoenzymes Arginase 1 (ARG1) and Arginase 2 (ARG2) in fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FL-HCC) tissue samples. Previous proteomics data had predicted ARG2 to be up-regulated in FL-HCC without clear indication of dysregulation in ARG1. We utilized western blot analysis to determine protein expression by comparing five FL-HCC patient samples to three normal liver tissue samples. During the analysis, we discovered the non-specificity of several commercially bought ARG2 antibodies. This led to the design and execution of various experiments aimed at troubleshooting and identifying a commercially available ARG2 antibody that is specific for the ARG2 isotype. Once the ARG2 isotype-specific antibody was identified, it was used for western blot analysis. Our data concluded that ARG2 expression is up-regulated in FL-HCC. In addition, our data shows that ARG1 expression is sample-specific, pointing to possible stage-specific dysregulation of ARG1 in FL-HCC tumor samples. Overall, our project demonstrates the importance of verifying isoform-specific antibodies while determining the expression of Arginase isoforms in tissue samples. Our findings have important implications for FL-HCC research, as they suggest that targeting ARG2 may be a promising therapeutic strategy. Additionally, our study highlights the need for careful validation of isoform-specific antibodies in cancer research, which can improve the accuracy and reliability of experimental results

Анализ переноса тепла в активном элементе электромагнита

Описан приближенный способ определения тепловых потерь в плоском активном элементе конечных размеров при симметричных условиях охлаждения. Характеристика тепловых потерь определяется числом Био. Проведено исследование нестационарного теплового состояния в шихтованном пакете магнитопровода с равномерно распределенными источниками тепла на основе конечно-разностного метода. Приведены результаты численного моделирования процесса нестационарной двумерной теплопроводности, протекающего в поперечном сечении активного элемента электромагнита

Characterization of body weight and composition changes during the sophomore year of college

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Years spent in college represents a critical time for obesity development though little information is known regarding how body weight and composition changes beyond the first year of college. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in body weight and composition and the factors influencing those changes among sophomore females.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Body composition by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry was obtained in participants beginning during their freshman year and continued through their sophomore year.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>No difference was observed between sophomore year fall and spring visits for body weight (60.4 versus 60.6 kg) or fat mass (19.3 versus 18.7 kg). However, a significant (<it>P </it>≤ 0.05) decrease was observed for body fat (31.9 versus 30.9 %fat) and a significant increase was observed for fat-free mass (37.7 versus 38.4 kg). Participants living off campus significantly (<it>P </it>≤ 0.05) declined in body fat (33.0 versus 31.0 %fat) and fat mass (19.4 versus 18.2 kg) and increased in fat-free mass (36.1 versus 37.2 kg) with no differences in those living on campus.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>No change in body weight was observed in females during their sophomore year. However, an increase in fat-free mass accompanied with a decrease in fat mass resulted in a decrease in body fat. Participants living off campus had favorable changes in their body composition by means of decreasing %fat and fat mass while increasing fat-free mass. Participants living on campus did not demonstrate these favorable changes.</p

Time-dependent seismic tomography of the Coso geothermal area, 1996-2004

Local-earthquake tomographic images were calculated for each of the years 1996 - 2004 using arrival times from the U.S. Navy’s permanent seismometer network at the Coso geothermal area, California. The results show irregular strengthening with time of the wave-speed ratio VP/VS at shallow depths. These changes result predominately from progressive relative increase in VS with respect to VP, and could result from processes associated with geothermal operations such as decrease in fluid pressure and the drying of argillaceous minerals such as illite

Earthquake Occurrence in Geometrical Complex Systems

Earthquake Occurrence in Geometrical Complex System

lncRNAdb: a reference database for long noncoding RNAs

Large numbers of long RNAs with little or no protein-coding potential [long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs)] are being identified in eukaryotes. In parallel, increasing data describing the expression profiles, molecular features and functions of individual lncRNAs in a variety of systems are accumulating. To enable the systematic compilation and updating of this information, we have developed a database (lncRNAdb) containing a comprehensive list of lncRNAs that have been shown to have, or to be associated with, biological functions in eukaryotes, as well as messenger RNAs that have regulatory roles. Each entry contains referenced information about the RNA, including sequences, structural information, genomic context, expression, subcellular localization, conservation, functional evidence and other relevant information. lncRNAdb can be searched by querying published RNA names and aliases, sequences, species and associated protein-coding genes, as well as terms contained in the annotations, such as the tissues in which the transcripts are expressed and associated diseases. In addition, lncRNAdb is linked to the UCSC Genome Browser for visualization and Noncoding RNA Expression Database (NRED) for expression information from a variety of sources. lncRNAdb provides a platform for the ongoing collation of the literature pertaining to lncRNAs and their association with other genomic elements. lncRNAdb can be accessed at: http://www.lncrnadb.org/