The First Lunar Ranging Constraints on Gravity Sector SME Parameters

We present the first constraints on pure-gravity sector Standard-Model Extension (SME) parameters using Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR). LLR measures the round trip travel time of light between the Earth and the Moon. With 34+ years of LLR data, we have constrained six independent linear combinations of SME parameters at the level of $10^{-6}$ to $10^{-11}$. There is no evidence for Lorentz violation in the LLR dataset.Comment: 7 pages, presented at the Fourth Meeting on CPT and Lorentz Symmetry, Bloomington, Indiana, August 200

An evaluation of the IDEEA™ activity monitor for estimating energy expenditure

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Bolus tube feeding suppresses food intake and circulating ghrelin concentrations in healthy subjects in a short-term placebo-controlled trial

Background: previous investigations suggest continuous tube feeding (TF) schedules do not suppress appetite and food intake, but bolus TF has been little studied. OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that 1) bolus TF does not suppress appetite and food intake and 2) there is no interrelation between food intake and appetite mediators (including ghrelin). Design: a single-blind, placebo-controlled trial within which 6 healthy men [body mass index (in kg/m(2)): 21.1 +/- 1.61] received 3 d of bolus TF (6.93 +/- 0.38 MJ/d of 4.18 kJ/mL multinutrient feed). For 2 d before and after TF, placebo boluses (&lt;0.4 MJ/d) were given by tube. Hourly tracking of appetite, weighed measurements of daily ad libitum food intake, and metabolic and hormonal (including ghrelin) measurements were undertaken. Results: total energy intake was significantly increased with bolus TF (18.2 +/- 1.86 MJ; P = 0.0005) despite a partial reduction in food intake compared with placebo periods (P = 0.013) and during the TF period (by 15%; P = 0.007). There was little change in hunger and fullness with bolus TF, and within-day temporal patterns did not differ whether TF or placebo was given. Changes in fasting concentrations of ghrelin (1003.6-756.0 pmol/L; P = 0.013) and other mediators (including leptin, insulin, and glucose) were significantly related to subsequent daily food intake (eg, ghrelin: r(2) = 0.81, P = 0.022). Conclusions: in this short-term study, subjects maintained appetite ratings during bolus TF by a significant reduction in food intake and changes in ghrelin and some appetite mediators related to subsequent daily food intake. Longer-term studies are required to fully ascertain the effect of TF on appetite, food intake, and appetite mediators<br/

Testing for Lorentz Violation: Constraints on Standard-Model-Extension Parameters via Lunar Laser Ranging

We present constraints on violations of Lorentz invariance based on archival lunar laser-ranging (LLR) data. LLR measures the Earth-Moon separation by timing the round-trip travel of light between the two bodies and is currently accurate to the equivalent of a few centimeters (parts in 1011 of the total distance). By analyzing this LLR data under the standard-model extension (SME) framework, we derived six observational constraints on dimensionless SME parameters that describe potential Lorentz violation. We found no evidence for Lorentz violation at the 10-6 to 10-11 level in these parameters. This work constitutes the first LLR constraints on SME parameters

Testing for Lorentz Violation: Constraints on Standard-Model-Extension Parameters via Lunar Laser Ranging

We present constraints on violations of Lorentz invariance based on archival lunar laser-ranging (LLR) data. LLR measures the Earth-Moon separation by timing the round-trip travel of light between the two bodies and is currently accurate to the equivalent of a few centimeters (parts in 1011 of the total distance). By analyzing this LLR data under the standard-model extension (SME) framework, we derived six observational constraints on dimensionless SME parameters that describe potential Lorentz violation. We found no evidence for Lorentz violation at the 10-6 to 10-11 level in these parameters. This work constitutes the first LLR constraints on SME parameters

Measuring the difference between actual and reported food intakes in the context of energy balance under laboratory conditions

Acknowledgements The present study was funded by the Food Standards Agency, UK. The Food Standards Agency had no role in the design, analysis or writing of this article. The authors’ responsibilities were as follows: R. J. S., L. M. O’R. and G. W. H. designed the research; L. M. O’R. and Z. F. conducted the research and analysed the data; G. W. H. performed the statistical analyses; P. R. carried out the DLW analysis; R. J. S. had primary responsibility for the final content; R. J. S., L. M. O’R., Z. F., S. W. and M. B. E. L. wrote the paper.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Solar system constraints on the Dvali-Gabadadze-Porrati braneworld theory of gravity

A number of proposals have been put forward to account for the observed accelerating expansion of the Universe through modifications of gravity. One specific scenario, Dvali-Gabadadze-Porrati (DGP) gravity, gives rise to a potentially observable anomaly in the solar system: all planets would exhibit a common anomalous precession, dw/dt, in excess of the prediction of General Relativity. We have used the Planetary Ephemeris Program (PEP) along with planetary radar and radio tracking data to set a constraint of |dw/dt| < 0.02 arcseconds per century on the presence of any such common precession. This sensitivity falls short of that needed to detect the estimated universal precession of |dw/dt| = 5e-4 arcseconds per century expected in the DGP scenario. We discuss the fact that ranging data between objects that orbit in a common plane cannot constrain the DGP scenario. It is only through the relative inclinations of the planetary orbital planes that solar system ranging data have sensitivity to the DGP-like effect of universal precession. In addition, we illustrate the importance of performing a numerical evaluation of the sensitivity of the data set and model to any perturbative precession.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Procolipase gene : no association with early-onset obesity or fat intake

Copyright 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial on Weight Loss Maintenance

Funding Information: This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement 643309. The material presented and views expressed here are the responsibility of the author(s) only. The European Commission takes no responsibility for any use made of the information set out.Background: The use of digital interventions can be accurately monitored via log files. However, monitoring engagement with intervention goals or enactment of the actual behaviors targeted by the intervention is more difficult and is usually evaluated based on pre-post measurements in a controlled trial. Objective: The objective of this paper is to evaluate if engaging with 2 digital intervention modules focusing on (1) physical activity goals and action plans and (2) coping with barriers has immediate effects on the actual physical activity behavior. Methods: The NoHoW Toolkit (TK), a digital intervention developed to support long-term weight loss maintenance, was evaluated in a 2 x 2 factorial randomized controlled trial. The TK contained various modules based on behavioral self-regulation and motivation theories, as well as contextual emotion regulation approaches, and involved continuous tracking of weight and physical activity through connected commercial devices (Fitbit Aria and Charge 2). Of the 4 trial arms, 2 had access to 2 modules directly targeting physical activity: a module for goal setting and action planning (Goal) and a module for identifying barriers and coping planning (Barriers). Module visits and completion were determined based on TK log files and time spent in the module web page. Seven physical activity metrics (steps; activity; energy expenditure; fairly active, very active and total active minutes; and distance) were compared before and after visiting and completing the modules to examine whether the modules had immediate or sustained effects on physical activity. Immediate effect was determined based on 7-day windows before and after the visit, and sustained effects were evaluated for 1 to 8 weeks after module completion. Results: Out of the 811 participants, 498 (61.4%) visited the Goal module and 406 (50.1%) visited the Barriers module. The Barriers module had an immediate effect on very active and total active minutes (very active minutes: before median 24.2, IQR 10.4-43.0 vs after median 24.9, IQR 10.0-46.3; P=.047; total active minutes: before median 45.1, IQR 22.9-74.9 vs after median 46.9, IQR 22.4-78.4; P=.03). The differences were larger when only completed Barriers modules were considered. The Barriers module completion was also associated with sustained effects in fairly active and total active minutes for most of the 8 weeks following module completion and for 3 weeks in very active minutes. Conclusions: The Barriers module had small, significant, immediate, and sustained effects on active minutes measured by a wrist-worn activity tracker. Future interventions should pay attention to assessing barriers and planning coping mechanisms to overcome them. Trial Registration: ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN88405328; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN88405328publishersversionpublishe

Women with a low satiety phenotype show impaired appetite control and greater resistance to weight loss.

AbstractThis trial compared weight loss outcomes over 14-weeks in women showing low or high satiety responsiveness [low or high satiety phenotype (LSP, HSP)] measured by a standardized protocol. Food preferences and energy intake after low and high energy density (LED, HED) meals were also assessed. Ninety-six women (n = 52 analysed; 41.24 ± 12.54 years; 34.02 ± 3.58 kg/m2) engaged in one of two weight loss programs underwent LED and HED laboratory-test days during weeks 3 and 12. Preferences for LED and HED-foods (Leeds Food Preference Questionnaire) and ad libitum evening meal and snack energy intake (EI) were assessed in response to equi-caloric LED- and HED-breakfasts and lunches. Weekly questionnaires assessed control over eating and ease of adherence to the program. Satiety quotients based on subjective fullness ratings post-LED and HED breakfasts determined LSP (n=26) and HSP (n=26) by tertile splits. Results showed that the LSP lost less weight and had smaller reductions in waist circumference compared to HSP. The LSP showed greater preferences for HED-foods, and under HED-conditions, consumed more snacks (kcal) compared to HSP. Snack EI did not differ under LED-conditions. LSP reported less control over eating and reported more difficulty with program adherence. In conclusion, low satiety responsiveness is detrimental for weight loss. LED meals can improve self-regulation of EI in the LSP, which may be beneficial for longer-term weight control.</jats:p