The Three-point Problem of The Median Line Turning Point: on the Solutions for the Sphere and Ellipsoid

The problem of determining turning points of median lines between states separated by sea is considered. The turning point is defined as the point with equidistance lines to two basepoints along the shoreline of one state and one basepoint in the adjacent state. For the sphere the equidistance lines are parts of great circles, and the problem is solved by closed formulas. For the ellipsoid the lines are defined along geodesics, and an iterative solution is presented

Multi-Objective versus Single-Objective Models in Geodetic Network Optimization

Configuration of a network and observation weights plays an important role in designing and establishing a geodetic network. In this paper, we consider single- and multi-objective optimization models in some numerical investigation. The results illustrate that the reliability model yields the best results in view of internal and external reliability and achievable observation precision. This result we interpret as that the reliability criterion is more sensitive to the configuration of a network than any of the other criteria. We propose re-optimization of the network in the cases where very high (non-achievable) precision is required or when some conditions are not met in the optimization process

Isostatic Crustal Thickness Under The Tibetan Plateau And Himalayas From Satellite Gravity Gradiometry Data

The global gravity and crustal models are used in this study to determine the regional Moho model. For this purpose, we solve the Vening Meinesz-Moritz’s (VMM) inverse problem of isostasy de ned in terms of the isostatic gravity gradient. The functional relation between the Moho depth and the second-order radial derivative of the VMM isostatic potential is formulated by means of the (linearized) Fredholm integral equation of the rst kind. Methods for a spherical harmonic analysis and synthesis of the gravity eld and crustal structure models are applied to evaluate the gravity gradient corrections and the respective corrected gravity gradient, taking into consideration major known density structures within the Earth’s crust (while mantle heterogeneities are disregarded). The resulting gravity gradient is compensated isostatically based on applying the VMM scheme. The VMM inverse problem for finding the Moho depths is solved iteratively. The regularization is applied to stabilize the ill-posed solution. The global geopotential model GOCO-03s, the global topographic/bathymetric model DTM2006.0 and the global crustal model CRUST1.0 are used to generate the VMM isostatic gravity gradient with a spectral resolution complete to a spherical harmonic degree of 250. The VMM inverse scheme is used to determine the regional isostatic crustal thickness beneath the Tibetan Plateau and Himalayas (compiled on a 1x1 arc-deg grid). The differences between the isostatic and seismic Moho models are modeled and subsequently corrected for by applying the non-isostatic correction. Our results show that the regional gravity gradient inversion can model realistically the relative Moho geometry, while the solution contains a systematic bias. We explain this bias by more localized information on the Earth’s inner structure in the gravity gradient eld compared to the potential or gravity fields. Espesor isostático de la corteza bajo la meseta tibetana y los Himalayas a partir de datos satelitales de gradiente gravitatoria ResumenEste estudio utiliza los modelos globales de gravedad y de espesor de la corteza para determinar un modelo regional de la discontinuidad de Mohorovičić (Moho). Con este  fin se resolvió el problema inverso de isostasia Vening Meinesz-Moritz (VMM) de nido en términos de gradiente gravitatoria isostática. La relación funcional entre la profundidad de la Moho y la derivación radial de segundo orden del potencial isostático VMM fue formulado a través de la ecuación integral Fredholm de primera clase. Se aplicaron métodos para el análisis esférico armónico y para la síntesis del campo gravitacional, y los modelos de estructura de corteza para evaluar las correcciones de gradiente gravitatoria y el respectivo gradiente gravitatorio corregido, considerando el conocimiento de las principales densidades de la estructura al interior de la corteza de la Tierra (las heterogenidades del manto fueron ignoradas). El gradiente gravitatorio resultante se compensó isostáticamente con la aplicación del esquema VVM. Se resolvió reiterativamente el problema inverso VVM para encontrar las profundidades de la discontinuidad Moho. Se aplicó la regularización para estabilizar la solución planteada. El modelo geopotencial global GOCO-03s, el modelo global topográfico/batimetrico DTM2006.0 y el modelo global de la corteza CRUST 1.0 permitieron generar el gradiente gravitacional isostático VVM con una resolución espectral completa a un grado esférico armonioso de 250. A través del esquema inverso VMM se determinó el espesor isostático regional bajo la meseta Tibetana y los Himalayas (compilada en una cuadrícula de 1x1 grados sexagesimales). Las diferencias entre los modelos isostático y sísmico de la Moho fueron modeladas y corregidas con la aplicación de la corrección no isostática. Los resultados muestran que la inversión del gradiente gravitatorio puede modelar realísticamente la geometría de la Moho, a pesar que la solución contiene una desviación sistemática. Esta inclinación se explica por la información estructural interna de la Tierra en el campo del gradiente gravitatorio comparado con el potencial gravitatorio

Luftföroreningar vid svetsning

PIXE-analyser kan utföras med utvecklad analysuppställning med noggrannhet och precision av c:a 10 % och med hög analyskapacitet. Ett dataprogram för evaluering av räntgenspektra presenteras. Inverkan av provtjocklek vid PIXE-analys av inhomogena prov har studerats och korrektioner föreslås. Fluorinnehållet i filterprov har bestämts, samtidigt med PIXE-analys, genom utnyttjande av en kärnfysikalisk reaktion som ger resultat med god noggrannhet och precision. Svetsaerosoler har karakteriserats m.h.a. PIXE, ESCA och TEM/EDAX. En uppställning för insamling av svetsaerosoler under utveckling och hittillsvarande resultat indikerar representativ provinsamling med god reproducerbarhet

Mutations in the ELANE Gene are Associated with Development of Periodontitis in Patients with Severe Congenital Neutropenia

# The Author(s) 2011. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com Background Patients with severe congenital neutropenia (SCN) often develop periodontitis despite standard medical and dental care. In light of previous findings that mutations in the neutrophil elastase gene, ELANE, are associated with more severe neutropenic phenotypes, we hypothesized an association between the genotype of SCN and development of periodontitis. Methods Fourteen Swedish patients with SCN or cyclic neutropenia harboring different genetic backgrounds were recruited for periodontal examination. Peripheral blood, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), and subgingival bacterial Thomas Modéer and Katrin Pütsep have contributed equally to the study

Albiglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (Harmony Outcomes): a double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial

Background: Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists differ in chemical structure, duration of action, and in their effects on clinical outcomes. The cardiovascular effects of once-weekly albiglutide in type 2 diabetes are unknown. We aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of albiglutide in preventing cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Methods: We did a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 610 sites across 28 countries. We randomly assigned patients aged 40 years and older with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (at a 1:1 ratio) to groups that either received a subcutaneous injection of albiglutide (30–50 mg, based on glycaemic response and tolerability) or of a matched volume of placebo once a week, in addition to their standard care. Investigators used an interactive voice or web response system to obtain treatment assignment, and patients and all study investigators were masked to their treatment allocation. We hypothesised that albiglutide would be non-inferior to placebo for the primary outcome of the first occurrence of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke, which was assessed in the intention-to-treat population. If non-inferiority was confirmed by an upper limit of the 95% CI for a hazard ratio of less than 1·30, closed testing for superiority was prespecified. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02465515. Findings: Patients were screened between July 1, 2015, and Nov 24, 2016. 10 793 patients were screened and 9463 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to groups: 4731 patients were assigned to receive albiglutide and 4732 patients to receive placebo. On Nov 8, 2017, it was determined that 611 primary endpoints and a median follow-up of at least 1·5 years had accrued, and participants returned for a final visit and discontinuation from study treatment; the last patient visit was on March 12, 2018. These 9463 patients, the intention-to-treat population, were evaluated for a median duration of 1·6 years and were assessed for the primary outcome. The primary composite outcome occurred in 338 (7%) of 4731 patients at an incidence rate of 4·6 events per 100 person-years in the albiglutide group and in 428 (9%) of 4732 patients at an incidence rate of 5·9 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0·78, 95% CI 0·68–0·90), which indicated that albiglutide was superior to placebo (p<0·0001 for non-inferiority; p=0·0006 for superiority). The incidence of acute pancreatitis (ten patients in the albiglutide group and seven patients in the placebo group), pancreatic cancer (six patients in the albiglutide group and five patients in the placebo group), medullary thyroid carcinoma (zero patients in both groups), and other serious adverse events did not differ between the two groups. There were three (<1%) deaths in the placebo group that were assessed by investigators, who were masked to study drug assignment, to be treatment-related and two (<1%) deaths in the albiglutide group. Interpretation: In patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, albiglutide was superior to placebo with respect to major adverse cardiovascular events. Evidence-based glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists should therefore be considered as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes. Funding: GlaxoSmithKline

Worldwide trends in underweight and obesity from 1990 to 2022 : a pooled analysis of 3663 population-representative studies with 222 million children, adolescents, and adults

A list of authors and their affiliations appears online. A supplementary appendix is herewith attached.Background: Underweight and obesity are associated with adverse health outcomes throughout the life course. We estimated the individual and combined prevalence of underweight or thinness and obesity, and their changes, from 1990 to 2022 for adults and school-aged children and adolescents in 200 countries and territories. Methods: We used data from 3663 population-based studies with 222 million participants that measured height and weight in representative samples of the general population. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate trends in the prevalence of different BMI categories, separately for adults (age ≥20 years) and school-aged children and adolescents (age 5–19 years), from 1990 to 2022 for 200 countries and territories. For adults, we report the individual and combined prevalence of underweight (BMI 2 SD above the median). Findings: From 1990 to 2022, the combined prevalence of underweight and obesity in adults decreased in 11 countries (6%) for women and 17 (9%) for men with a posterior probability of at least 0·80 that the observed changes were true decreases. The combined prevalence increased in 162 countries (81%) for women and 140 countries (70%) for men with a posterior probability of at least 0·80. In 2022, the combined prevalence of underweight and obesity was highest in island nations in the Caribbean and Polynesia and Micronesia, and countries in the Middle East and north Africa. Obesity prevalence was higher than underweight with posterior probability of at least 0·80 in 177 countries (89%) for women and 145 (73%) for men in 2022, whereas the converse was true in 16 countries (8%) for women, and 39 (20%) for men. From 1990 to 2022, the combined prevalence of thinness and obesity decreased among girls in five countries (3%) and among boys in 15 countries (8%) with a posterior probability of at least 0·80, and increased among girls in 140 countries (70%) and boys in 137 countries (69%) with a posterior probability of at least 0·80. The countries with highest combined prevalence of thinness and obesity in school-aged children and adolescents in 2022 were in Polynesia and Micronesia and the Caribbean for both sexes, and Chile and Qatar for boys. Combined prevalence was also high in some countries in south Asia, such as India and Pakistan, where thinness remained prevalent despite having declined. In 2022, obesity in school-aged children and adolescents was more prevalent than thinness with a posterior probability of at least 0·80 among girls in 133 countries (67%) and boys in 125 countries (63%), whereas the converse was true in 35 countries (18%) and 42 countries (21%), respectively. In almost all countries for both adults and school-aged children and adolescents, the increases in double burden were driven by increases in obesity, and decreases in double burden by declining underweight or thinness. Interpretation: The combined burden of underweight and obesity has increased in most countries, driven by an increase in obesity, while underweight and thinness remain prevalent in south Asia and parts of Africa. A healthy nutrition transition that enhances access to nutritious foods is needed to address the remaining burden of underweight while curbing and reversing the increase in obesity.peer-reviewe

Heterogeneous contributions of change in population distribution of body mass index to change in obesity and underweight NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC)

From 1985 to 2016, the prevalence of underweight decreased, and that of obesity and severe obesity increased, in most regions, with significant variation in the magnitude of these changes across regions. We investigated how much change in mean body mass index (BMI) explains changes in the prevalence of underweight, obesity, and severe obesity in different regions using data from 2896 population-based studies with 187 million participants. Changes in the prevalence of underweight and total obesity, and to a lesser extent severe obesity, are largely driven by shifts in the distribution of BMI, with smaller contributions from changes in the shape of the distribution. In East and Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, the underweight tail of the BMI distribution was left behind as the distribution shifted. There is a need for policies that address all forms of malnutrition by making healthy foods accessible and affordable, while restricting unhealthy foods through fiscal and regulatory restrictions