Adjusting bone mass for differences in projected bone area and other confounding variables: an allometric perspective.

The traditional method of assessing bone mineral density (BMD; given by bone mineral content [BMC] divided by projected bone area [Ap], BMD = BMC/Ap) has come under strong criticism by various authors. Their criticism being that the projected bone "area" (Ap) will systematically underestimate the skeletal bone "volume" of taller subjects. To reduce the confounding effects of bone size, an alternative ratio has been proposed called bone mineral apparent density [BMAD = BMC/(Ap)3/2]. However, bone size is not the only confounding variable associated with BMC. Others include age, sex, body size, and maturation. To assess the dimensional relationship between BMC and projected bone area, independent of other confounding variables, we proposed and fitted a proportional allometric model to the BMC data of the L2-L4 vertebrae from a previously published study. The projected bone area exponents were greater than unity for both boys (1.43) and girls (1.02), but only the boy's fitted exponent was not different from that predicted by geometric similarity (1.5). Based on these exponents, it is not clear whether bone mass acquisition increases in proportion to the projected bone area (Ap) or an estimate of projected bone volume (Ap)3/2. However, by adopting the proposed methods, the analysis will automatically adjust BMC for differences in projected bone size and other confounding variables for the particular population being studied. Hence, the necessity to speculate as to the theoretical value of the exponent of Ap, although interesting, becomes redundant

Multiple Uses and Conflicting Rights Symposium - Selected Topics on Oil and Gas Law.

Abstract Forthcoming

South Asian Children Have Increased Body Fat in Comparison to White Children at the Same Body Mass Index.

The ability of body mass index (BMI) to predict excess fat in South Asian children is unknown. This cross-sectional study examines the influence of ethnicity on body fatness in children. Weight status and body fat were determined using BMI, waist circumference (WC), two skinfold sites (SF; triceps and subscapula) and leg-to-leg bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA; Tanita BF350, Tanita, Tokyo, Japan) in 194 children aged 8.47 ± 0.50 years from Coventry, United Kingdom. Biological maturity was also determined. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) identified significant differences between ethnic (p 0.05). To conclude, the findings suggest that BMI cut-points may need to be lowered in South Asian children, and thus age-by-sex-by-ethnicity specific BMI cut-points are needed in children. Further research examining body composition with health parameters in this population is needed

Integration of complete chloroplast genome sequences with small amplicon datasets improves phylogenetic resolution in Acacia

Combining whole genome data with previously obtained amplicon sequences has the potential to increase the resolution of phylogenetic analyses, particularly at low taxonomic levels or where recent divergence, rapid speciation or slow genome evolution has resulted in limited sequence variation. However, the integration of these types of data for large scale phylogenetic studies has rarely been investigated. Here we conduct a phylogenetic analysis of the whole chloroplast genome and two nuclear ribosomal loci for 65 Acacia species from across the most recent Acacia phylogeny. We then combine this data with previously generated amplicon sequences (four chloroplast loci and two nuclear ribosomal loci) for 508 Acacia species. We use several phylogenetic methods, including maximum likelihood bootstrapping (with and without constraint) and ExaBayes, in order to determine the success of combining a dataset of 4000 bp with one of 189,000 bp. The results of our study indicate that the inclusion of whole genome data gave a far better resolved and well supported representation of the phylogenetic relationships within Acacia than using only amplicon sequences, with the greatest support observed when using a whole genome phylogeny as a constraint on the amplicon sequences. Our study therefore provides methods for optimal integration of genomic and amplicon sequences

Correction: The Complete Sequence of the Acacia ligulata Chloroplast Genome Reveals a Highly Divergent clpP1 Gene

The authors would like to amend this article based on the discovery that the originally published Acacia ligulata sequence contains assembly errors, which came to light after the publication of the article

Spin-orbit tuned metal-insulator transitions in single-crystal Sr2Ir1-xRhxO4 (0\leqx\leq1)

Sr2IrO4 is a magnetic insulator driven by spin-orbit interaction (SOI) whereas the isoelectronic and isostructural Sr2RhO4 is a paramagnetic metal. The contrasting ground states have been shown to result from the critical role of the strong SOI in the iridate. Our investigation of structural, transport, magnetic and thermal properties reveals that substituting 4d Rh4+ (4d5) ions for 5d Ir4+(5d5) ions in Sr2IrO4 directly reduces the SOI and rebalances the competing energies so profoundly that it generates a rich phase diagram for Sr2Ir1-xRhxO4 featuring two major effects: (1) Light Rh doping (0\leqx\leq0.16) prompts a simultaneous and precipitous drop in both the electrical resistivity and the magnetic ordering temperature TC, which is suppressed to zero at x = 0.16 from 240 K at x=0. (2) However, with heavier Rh doping (0.24< x<0.85 (\pm0.05)) disorder scattering leads to localized states and a return to an insulating state with spin frustration and exotic magnetic behavior that only disappears near x=1. The intricacy of Sr2Ir1-xRhxO4 is further highlighted by comparison with Sr2Ir1-xRuxO4 where Ru4+(4d4) drives a direct crossover from the insulating to metallic states.Comment: 5 figure

Shape change and obesity prevalence among male UK offshore workers after 30 years: new insight from a 3D scanning study.

In 1984, male UK offshore workers had higher fat content and greater overweight- and obesity prevalence than the general population. Since then, body weight has increased by 19%, but - without accompanying anthropometric measures - their size increase, current obesity, and fatness prevalence remain unknown. This study therefore aimed to acquire contemporary anthropometric data, to profile changes since the original survey, and to assess current obesity prevalence in the male offshore workforce. A total of 588 men, recruited via quota sampling to match the workforce weight profile, underwent stature, weight, and 3D photonic scanning measurements from which anatomical girths were extracted, enabling computation of body mass index (BMI), total fat, and visceral adipose tissue (VAT). On average, UK male offshore workers are now 8.1 years older, 3.1 cm taller, 13.9 kg heavier, and have greater girths than in 1984, which are > 97% attributable to increased weight, and < 3% to age difference. Mean BMI increased significantly from 24.9 to 28.1 kg/m2 and - of the contemporary sample - 18% have healthy weight, 52% are overweight, and 30% obese, representing an increase in overweight and obesity prevalence by 6% and 24%, respectively. Waist cutoffs identify 39% of the contemporary sample as healthy, 27% at increased health risk, and 34% at high risk. In conclusion, UK offshore workers today have higher BMI than Scottish men, although some muscular individuals may be misclassified by BMI. Girth data, particularly at the waist, where dimensional increase was greatest, together with predictions of total and visceral fatness, suggest less favorable health status in others

Coordinated Analysis of Organic Matter in Primitive Meteorites

Carbonaceous chondrites (CC) preserve a diverse range of organic matter formed within cold interstellar environments, the solar nebula, and during subsequent parent body asteroidal processing. This organic matter maintains a unique geochemical and istopic record of organic evolution [1-4]. Bulk studies of organics within CC have revealed a complex array of organic species. However, bulk studies invariably involve solvent extraction, resulting in a loss of spatial context of the host mineral matrix [3, 5]. Correlated in situ chemical and isotopic studies suggest preservation of interstellar organics in the form of spherical, often hollow, micrometer sized organic nano-globules. Nanoglobules often exhibit significant delta 15N and delta D enrichments that imply formation through fractionation of ion-molecule reactions within cold molecular clouds and/or the outer protoplanetary disk [5]. In situ studies such as 6-8 are necessary to understand the organic evolutionary stages of nanoglobules and other components in the nebula and parent body [7]. We carried out coordinated in situ micrometer-scale chemical, mineralogical and isotopic studies of the Murchison (CM2), QUE 99177 (CR3), and Tagish Lake (C2 Ung) CC. These studies were performed using fluorescent microscopy, two-step laser mass spectrometry (microL2MS), NanoSIMS, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDX). Comparative analysis of three different meteorites will help reveal the effects of parent body processes on the chemistry and isotopic composition of organic matter

Effect of football activity and physical fitness on information processing, inhibitory control and working memory in adolescents

Background: Whilst an acute bout of exercise has been shown to enhance subsequent cognition, including in adolescents, the effects of team games (of which Football is the most popular) has received little attention. Therefore, this study examined: the effect of an acute bout of outdoor Football activity on information processing, inhibitory control, working memory and circulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in adolescents; the effect of physical fitness on cognition and; the moderating effect of physical fitness on the acute exercise responses. Methods: Following familiarisation, 36 adolescents (16 girls) took part in two trials (60-min Football and 60-min seated rest) separated by 7-d in a counterbalanced, crossover design. Information processing and inhibitory control (Stroop Test), and working memory (Sternberg Paradigm) were assessed 30-min before exercise/rest and immediately, 45- and 90-min post-exercise/rest. Capillary blood samples were obtained before exercise/rest and up to 120-min post-exercise/rest. The median split of distance covered on the MSFT was used to divide the group into high- and low-fit groups. Results: Performance on the cognitive function tasks was similar between Football and seated rest (trial*time interactions; all p > .05). However, the high-fit group had overall quicker response times on both levels of the Stroop Task and all three levels of the Sternberg Paradigm (main effect of fitness; all p  .05). Conclusion: The present study shows that higher levels of physical fitness are beneficial for cognitive function and provides novel evidence that an ecologically valid, and popular, form of exercise is beneficial for working memory following exercise, in high-fit participants only