Radar measurements of snow avalanche full scale experiment in Ryggfonn.

At the full scale experiment site of NG! in Ryggfonn, avalanche velocities and forces have been measured through 15 years. In April 1997 an Austrian developed INW pulsed Doppler radar was used to measure avalanche velocities simultaneously at 15 segments in the avalanche track. Each of the 15 segments had a length of 50 m, with a total length of the radar measurements of 700 m. Avalanche velocities of the flowing part were recorded for about 4 minutes in each segment. The recordings show the distribution of the avalanche velocity with time, simultaneously in each segment. In addition to the radar measurements, avalanche forces were recorded continuously at two locations in the track. The recordings show interesting results concerning the internal distribution of velocities in snow avalanches in relation to measurements of avalanche forces

Statistical avalanche zoning.

Runout for the extreme event on an avalanche path is calculated from confidence limits on a regression analysis of path topographic parameters. This results in redefinition of the traditional zoning problem by dividing it into an estimation of runout distance by an engineering decision on the choice of confidence limit to the estimate and a dynamic problem with boundary conditions defined by the chosen limit

Snow avalanche speed determination using seismic methods

We present a new method to determine the average propagation speed of avalanches using seismic techniques. Avalanche propagation speeds can reach 70 m/s and more, depending on a wide range of factors, such as the characteristics of the avalanche track (e.g. topography) and the snowpack properties (e.g. density). Since the damage produced by the avalanche depends primarily on the size and on the speed of the avalanche, the knowledge of the latter is therefore crucial for estimating avalanche induced hazard in inhabited mountain areas. However, our knowledge of this basic physical parameter is limited by the difficulty of conducting various measurements in the harsh winter weather conditions that often accompany this natural phenomenon. The method of avalanche speed determination presented in this paper is based on cross-correlation and time-frequency analysis techniques. The data used in this study come from the Ryggfonn (Norway) avalanche experimental site operated by the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), and recorded by an array of 6 geophones buried along the main avalanche path during the 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 winter seasons. Specifically, we examine the speeds of 11 different events, characterized by size and snow type. The results obtained are compared with independent speed estimates from CW-radar and pressure plate measurements. As a result of these comparisons our method was validated and has proved to be successful and robust in all cases. We detected a systematic behaviour in the speed evolution among different types of avalanches. Specifically, we found that whereas dry/mixed type flow events display a complex type of speed evolution in the study area with a gradual acceleration and an abrupt deceleration, the speed of the wet snow avalanches decreases with distance in an approximately linear fashion. This generalization holds for different size events. In terms of time duration and maximum speed of the studied events, dry/mixed type avalanches lasted between 8 to 18 s and reached speeds up to 50 m/s, whereas the duration of wet avalanches ranged between 50 and 80 s and their maximum speeds were 10 m/

The design of avalanche protection dams : Recent practical and theoretical developments

This book discusses the design of dams and other protective measures in the run-out zones of wet- and dry-snow avalanches. It summarises recent theoretical developments and the results of field and laboratory studies, combining them with traditional design guidelines and principles to formulate design recommendations. Not discussed are hazard zoning, land use planning, evacuations, supporting structures in starting zones, snow fences in catchment areas, and other safety measures outside the run-out zone. Reinforcement of individual buildings also falls outside the scope of the book, as do protective measures against landslides and slushflows.European Comissio

CCR5AS lncRNA variation differentially regulates CCR5, influencing HIV disease outcome.

Multiple genome-wide studies have identified associations between outcome of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and polymorphisms in and around the gene encoding the HIV co-receptor CCR5, but the functional basis for the strongest of these associations, rs1015164A/G, is unknown. We found that rs1015164 marks variation in an activating transcription factor 1 binding site that controls expression of the antisense long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) CCR5AS. Knockdown or enhancement of CCR5AS expression resulted in a corresponding change in CCR5 expression on CD4+ T cells. CCR5AS interfered with interactions between the RNA-binding protein Raly and the CCR5 3' untranslated region, protecting CCR5 messenger RNA from Raly-mediated degradation. Reduction in CCR5 expression through inhibition of CCR5AS diminished infection of CD4+ T cells with CCR5-tropic HIV in vitro. These data represent a rare determination of the functional importance of a genome-wide disease association where expression of a lncRNA affects HIV infection and disease progression

High-fat diet impact on intestinal cholesterol conversion by the microbiota and serum cholesterol levels

Cholesterol-to-coprostanol conversion by the intestinal microbiota has been suggested to reduce intestinal and serum cholesterol availability, but the relationship between intestinal cholesterol conversion and the gut microbiota, dietary habits, and serum lipids has not been characterized in detail. We measured conserved proportions of cholesterol high and low-converter types in individuals with and without obesity from two distinct, independent low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) dietary intervention studies. Across both cohorts, cholesterol conversion increased in previous low-converters after LCHF diet and was positively correlated with the fecal relative abundance of Eubacterium coprostanoligenes. Lean cholesterol high-converters had increased serum triacylglycerides and decreased HDL-C levels before LCHF diet and responded to the intervention with increased LDL-C, independently of fat, cholesterol, and saturated fatty acid intake. Our findings identify the cholesterol high-converter type as a microbiome marker, which in metabolically healthy lean individuals is associated with increased LDL-C in response to LCHF.publishedVersio

Impact on the Quality of Life of an Educational Program for the Prevention of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: a randomized controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) are a major cause for concern in public health and the main causes of sick leave. Treatments for WMSD have given disappointing results; prevention is the best strategy, but results of preventive measures have not been consistent. To the best of our knowledge there are few studies in literature that evaluated the impact of a specific program aimed at preventing WMSD on the quality of life of employed persons.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>One hundred and one clerical and production workers in a steel trading company were enrolled in an open-label randomized controlled clinical trial (parallel groups) to compare the efficacy of an educational program for primary prevention of WMSD with control intervention. The primary outcome was a change in the physical functioning domain of the quality of life (QL) measured by Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). The intervention group underwent six consecutive weekly sessions concerning specific orientations for the prevention of WMSD, while the control group received general health education in an identical schedule. The SF-36 and theses Work Limitation Questionnaire (WLQ) were evaluated at weeks zero, five and 26.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Baseline characteristics of the interventions groups were comparable, and both groups comprised predominantly young healthy individuals. No significant differences in the variation of the SF-36 and WLQ between the groups were observed at weeks five and 26. However, both groups demonstrated improvement in some aspects of SF-36, suggesting that both educational interventions have beneficial impacts on QL.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A specific educational program aimed at the preventing of WMSD was comparable with general health orientation for the improvement of QL and work capacity in a sample of healthy workers during a six month period.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov: <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00981877">NCT00874718</a></p> <p>Trial Registration</p

The effect of food availability, age or size on the RNA/DNA ratio of individually measured herring larvae: laboratory calibration

RNA/DNA ratios in individual herring (Clupea harengus) larvae (collected from Kiel Bay, Baltic Sea, in 1989) were measured and proved suitable for determining nutritional status. Significant differences between fed and starving larvae appeared after 3 to 4 d of food deprivation in larvae older than 10 d after hatching. The RNA/DNA ratio showed an increase with age or length of the larvae and was less pronounced in starving larvae compared to fed larvae. The individual variability of RNA/DNA ratios in relation to larval length of fed larvae and of larvae deprived of food for intervals of 6 to 9 d is presented. Based on the length dependency and the individual variability found within the RNA/DNA ratios, a laboratory calibration is given to determine whether a larva caught in the field has been starving or not. An example for a field application is shown

Presymptomatic breast cancer in Egypt: role of BRCA1 and BRCA2 tumor suppressor genes mutations detection

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Breast cancer is one of the most common diseases affecting women. Inherited susceptibility genes, <it>BRCA1 </it>and <it>BRCA2</it>, are considered in breast, ovarian and other common cancers etiology. <it>BRCA1 </it>and <it>BRCA2 </it>genes have been identified that confer a high degree of breast cancer risk.</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>Our study was performed to identify germline mutations in some exons of <it>BRCA1 </it>and <it>BRCA2 </it>genes for the early detection of presymptomatic breast cancer in females.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This study was applied on Egyptian healthy females who first degree relatives to those, with or without a family history, infected with breast cancer. Sixty breast cancer patients, derived from 60 families, were selected for molecular genetic testing of <it>BRCA1 </it>and <it>BRCA2 </it>genes. The study also included 120 healthy first degree female relatives of the patients, either sisters and/or daughters, for early detection of presymptomatic breast cancer mutation carriers. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes of all the studied subjects. Universal primers were used to amplify four regions of the <it>BRCA1 </it>gene (exons 2,8,13 and 22) and one region (exon 9) of <it>BRCA2 </it>gene using specific PCR. The polymerase chain reaction was carried out. Single strand conformation polymorphism assay and heteroduplex analysis were used to screen for mutations in the studied exons. In addition, DNA sequencing of the normal and mutated exons were performed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mutations in both <it>BRCA1 </it>and <it>BRCA2 </it>genes were detected in 86.7% of the families. Current study indicates that 60% of these families were attributable to <it>BRCA1 </it>mutations, while 26.7% of them were attributable to <it>BRCA2 </it>mutations. Results showed that four mutations were detected in the <it>BRCA1 </it>gene, while one mutation was detected in the <it>BRCA2 </it>gene. Asymptomatic relatives, 80(67%) out of total 120, were mutation carriers.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p><it>BRCA1 </it>and <it>BRCA2 </it>genes mutations are responsible for a significant proportion of breast cancer. <it>BRCA </it>mutations were found in individuals with and without family history.</p