Genetic and nutritional studies to elucidate the role of adipose tissue in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome

Obesity is a major health problem in the United States and worldwide. It increases the risk for type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. A chronic low-grade inflammation occurring in white adipose tissue (WAT) is causally linked to the development of insulin resistance (IR), metabolic syndrome and obesity-associated chronic diseases. The aim of this dissertation research was to elucidate the WAT function in metabolic syndrome using genetic (overexpression of an adipose pro-inflammatory hormone, angiotensinogen) and nutritional manipulations/approaches (caloric restriction and omega-3 fatty acids), with specific emphasis on the role of inflammation. Previous research indicates that WAT renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is overactivated in obesity. However, its role in the pathogenesis of IR is hitherto unknown. Using mice overexpressing angiotensinogen (Agt), the only precursor for the hypertensive hormone angiotensin (Ang) II, in WAT, we showed that adipose-specific RAS overactivation leads to systemic IR. This is at least in part due to Ang II, NADPH oxidase and NF-kB-dependent increases in WAT inflammation. Caloric restriction is the main dietary intervention to treat obesity-associated metabolic disorders. While most health agencies recommend a low-fat diet, energy-restricted high-fat diets (HFR) are also claimed to be effective in this regard. Here, we show that weight loss due to HFR is accompanied by improvements of IR but only partial resolution of WAT inflammation. Further, this diet negatively impacted the adipokine profile supporting the current recommendations for low-fat diets. Dietary interventions targeted at reducing WAT inflammation have not been explored in detail. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid of marine origin with anti-inflammatory properties. We show that EPA is able to both prevent and reverse high-fat diet-induced IR and hepatic steatosis via modulation of WAT inflammation. In conclusion, primary changes occurring in WAT, such as overexpression of Agt, can lead to WAT inflammation and systemic IR. Moreover, nutritional interventions targeting at reducing adiposity (caloric restriction) and inflammation (EPA) can both lead to improvements in systemic IR. Our findings support the current recommendation of low-fat diets for improvement in metabolic profile and show that dietary modulation of WAT function can be used to improve metabolic derangements in obesity

Choosing Between Liberalization and Regulatory Autonomy under GATS: Implications of U.S.-Gambling for Trade in Cross Border E-Services

In 2005, the World Trade Organization (WTO) Appellate Body presided over United States--Measures affecting the cross-border supply of gambling and betting services (U.S.-Gambling), in which Antigua argued that U.S. criminal laws banning the provision of cross-border online gambling services violate U.S. commitments under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). For the first time, the WTO\u27s dispute settlement process directly addressed the application of GATS to domestic regulatory barriers restricting cross-border trade in services. This Article examines GATS rules on domestic regulation as well as the WTO Appellate Body and Panel decisions in the case and asks if the WTO has improperly restricted members\u27 ability to regulate domestic concerns. What will be the broader impact of the WTO\u27s rulings for cross-border trade in e-services? Highlighting the difficulties that members face in trying to resolve the conflict between liberalization and regulatory autonomy in the context of cross-border e-services, this Article argues that the scope of GATS rules on domestic regulation needs to be refined if GATS is to remain an instrumental force in liberalizing trade in e-services. The Article concludes with proposals to guide the negotiations on domestic regulation to ensure that such regulations are not unnecessarily burdensome to trade in e-services. Identifying certain unresolved issues of U.S.-Gambling that characterize the tension between market access and domestic regulatory autonomy, it also argues that these issues must be addressed in the negotiations on domestic regulation if a desirable balance between regulatory autonomy and progressive liberalization of global e-services markets is to be achieved

Anchorage and Bond Behaviour of Near Surface Mounted Fibre Reinforced Polymer Bars

The Near Surface Mounted (NSM) strengthening is an emerging retrofitting technique, which involves bonding Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) reinforcement into grooves cut along the surface of a concrete member to be strengthened. This technique offers many advantages over external bonding of FRP reinforcement, for example, an increased bond capacity, protection from external damage and the possibility of anchoring into adjacent concrete members. To date, significant research has been conducted into the NSM FRP strengthening technique. However, there are still some areas which need further research in order to fully characterise bond and anchorage of NSM FRP bars. Lack of experimental data, design tools and analytical models addressing these areas create obstacles for the efficient use of these advanced polymer materials. The particular objectives of the research are; to investigate bond behaviour between NSM FRP bars and concrete, to understand the critical failure modes involved and their mechanics, and to develop a rational analytical model to predict bond strength and anchorage length requirements for NSM FRP bars. Several significant variables affecting bond, such as bond length, size, shape and type of bar, resin type, groove dimensions and concrete strength, have been considered. In particular, attention has been focussed on the effect of bar shape on bond behaviour. A comprehensive set of laboratory testing and their results, including the effect of the investigated parameters are presented. Various modes of anchorage failure of NSM FRP bars are identified and the underlying mechanics are investigated. Analytical models are developed to predict bond capacity and anchorage length requirements of NSM FRP bars, and are verified with experimental results.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

An investigation into automated processes for generating focus maps

The use of geographic information for mobile applications such as wayfinding has increased rapidly, enabling users to view information on their current position in relation to the neighbouring environment. This is due to the ubiquity of small devices like mobile phones, coupled with location finding devices utilising global positioning system. However, such applications are still not attractive to users because of the difficulties in viewing and identifying the details of the immediate surroundings that help users to follow directions along a route. This results from a lack of presentation techniques to highlight the salient features (such as landmarks) among other unique features. Another problem is that since such applications do not provide any eye-catching distinction between information about the region of interest along the route and the background information, users are not tempted to focus and engage with wayfinding applications. Although several approaches have previously been attempted to solve these deficiencies by developing focus maps, such applications still need to be improved in order to provide users with a visually appealing presentation of information to assist them in wayfinding. The primary goal of this research is to investigate the processes involved in generating a visual representation that allows key features in an area of interest to stand out from the background in focus maps for wayfinding users. In order to achieve this, the automated processes in four key areas - spatial data structuring, spatial data enrichment, automatic map generalization and spatial data mining - have been thoroughly investigated by testing existing algorithms and tools. Having identified the gaps that need to be filled in these processes, the research has developed new algorithms and tools in each area through thorough testing and validation. Thus, a new triangulation data structure is developed to retrieve the adjacency relationship between polygon features required for data enrichment and automatic map generalization. Further, a new hierarchical clustering algorithm is developed to group polygon features under data enrichment required in the automatic generalization process. In addition, two generalization algorithms for polygon merging are developed for generating a generalized background for focus maps, and finally a decision tree algorithm - C4.5 - is customised for deriving salient features, including the development of a new framework to validate derived landmark saliency in order to improve the representation of focus maps

Campylobacter: Animal Reservoirs, Human Infections, and Options for Control

Campylobacteriosis is a frequently diagnosed disease in humans. Most infections are considered foodborne and are caused by Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli. The animal reservoirs of these Campylobacter species, and the sources and routes of transmission, are described and discussed in this chapter. Most warm-blooded animals can be colonized by Campylobacter, but avian species, and in particular poultry, are preferred hosts. Much of the world’s poultry production is colonized by Campylobacter. Source attribution studies estimate that 20–40% of cases are attributed to the handling and consumption of chicken meat, while up to 80% of cases are due to Campylobacter found in the chicken reservoir. The difference suggests that routes other than through the food chain, i.e., environmental contamination, are important. The epidemiology of infections in humans differs between industrialized and low- and middle-income countries. Thus, the most effective interventions would be targeted to primary production. To date, only improved biosecurity is available. If effectively implemented, strict biosecurity can reduce the number of Campylobacter-positive flocks, but implementation to this level has proved difficult for the poultry industry. Available interventions in chicken processing plants can substantially reduce Campylobacter numbers on carcasses and consequently reduce the risk to humans. Public health strategies therefore utilize control programs, which aim at reducing the level of Campylobacter by measures along the food chain. It is now recognized that commercially acceptable complementary interventions for primary production, such as vaccines and feed additives, are urgently needed. Once Campylobacter in poultry is controlled then other minor sources of Campylobacter including contaminated drinking water, direct contact with (pet) animals, and other food items (e.g., red meat and milk) can be addressed

A critical analysis of the early Buddhist theory of causality as embodied in the Pali Nikayas and the Chinese Agamas.

The present work is an attempt to examine the early Buddhist theory of causality as embodied in the Pali Nikayas and the Chinese Agamas. Since the Buddhist theory is a product of criticism, assimilation and synthesis of ideas found in the different streams of pre-Buddhistic thought, a detailed analysis of this background was found to be necessary. Chapter I deals with the main ideas on the problem of causality found in the Vedic tradition, represented by two main theories, self-causation and creation by God. The Materialist, Ajivika and Jaina theories have been examined in Chapter II and it has been shown how information from the Chinese Agamas contribute to a better understanding of some of the obscure concepts in these schools. In Chapter III an attempt has been made to clear some misconceptions with regard to the use of terms expressive of causality and to trace the origin of these misconceptions. Confusion of the Sarvastivada theories with those of early Buddhism necessitated detailed examination, not only of the problem of causality, but also some allied conceptions such as change, impermanence, dharma, etc., and covers the first part of the Chapter IV, while the second part is devoted to an examination of the philosophical significance of the general formula of causality. Chapter V is on the special application of the causal principle and the importance of the Chinese sources in shedding more light on the definition of ignorance (avijja) has been pointed out. Chapter VI shows how the causal principle has been applied in almost every sphere of life. A comparison of the early Buddhist theory with some later developments, with special reference to Madhyamika thought is the subject matter of Chapter VII. The status of the causal principle and the method of its verification is discussed in Chapter VIII and the importance of the extrasensory perceptions has also been pointed out. In Chapter IX an attempt has been made to determine, with the information available, the relationship between the Nikayas and the Agamas. The Appendix was necessitated by a problem in Chapter III

Assessing the social validity of a brief dietary survey for Sri Lankan adults with a focus on gender:a qualitative study

BACKGROUND: As the World Health Organization urges countries to strengthen their noncommunicable disease monitoring and surveillance activities, setting-specific innovations are emerging. Diet – a key, modifiable risk factor for chronic diseases – is particularly challenging to capture reliably. By socially validating self-report dietary survey tools, we may be able to increase the accuracy and representativeness of data for improved population health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to explore the factors that impact Sri Lankan Brief Dietary Survey (a newly developed tool) and 24-h Dietary Recall participation, engagement, and social validity among Sri Lankan adults. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 93 participants (61 women and 32 men) in three Sri Lankan districts (Colombo, Kalutara, and Trincomalee). Interview data were analysed thematically and are presented as non-hierarchical thematic networks. RESULTS: Participants identified a number of factors that influenced their survey participation and engagement. These included the time of day interviews occur, recall ease, level of commitment required, perceived survey value, emotional response to surveys, and interviewer positionality. Many of these factors were gendered, however, both female and male participants expressed a preference for engaging with socially valid research that they felt justified their personal investment in data collection. When explicitly asked to share ideas about how to improve the surveys, many participants opted not to provide suggestions as they felt they lacked the appropriate expertise. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings have implications for the accuracy and equity of dietary surveillance activities, and ultimately the appropriateness and effectiveness of programmes and policies informed by these data. Only through understanding how and why the target population engages with dietary research can we develop socially valid methods that assess and address the dietary risks of individuals and groups that are underrepresented by current conventions. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40795-021-00481-9