Sea level rising trends in the South China sea over 1993-2011

Using 19 years of satellite altimeter data, the sea level rising rate over the South China Sea is analyzed.\ud The results show that the basin-averaged sea level rising rate of the SCS is about 4.5 mm/year over the period of 1993-\ud 2011, which is much larger than the global sea level rising rate of 3.2 mm/year since 1993. The steric effect analysis\ud based on Levitus??? dataset shows that the total steric effect can only explain a half of the sea level rising rate in the SCS.\ud Both of the rising rates of the satellite sea level and the steric sea level are geographically non-uniform. The water mass\ud contributions to the sea level rising, including water transport through the straits and fresh water flux at the sea surface,\ud are investigated as well to explain another half of sea level rising rate. However, due to the constraint of accuracy of\ud transport rate from re-analysis dataset, the sea level rising budget is not closed in the current study

Robust Online Magnet Demagnetization Diagnosis in Asymmetrical Six-Phase AC Permanent Magnet Motor Drives

Rotor magnets are critical components, which in case of fault, directly affect the performance of drives based on permanent magnet synchronous motors. Thus, monitoring the rotor magnets status is essential to ensure both high level of efficiency and service continuity. The present study focuses on the investigation of a new full-time domain-based method for the diagnosis of incipient rotor magnet demagnetization in a vector-controlled asymmetrical six-phase surface-mounted ac permanent magnet synchronous motor. The proposed strategy evaluates the rotor magnet demagnetization using a fault index derived from the control signals synthetized in the 5th subspace, and already available in the control system platform. The main advantages of the proposed new strategy are its simplicity of implementation, and effectiveness even under time-varying operating conditions as the employed control signals in specific subspaces have a dc behavior. Extensive numerical simulations and experimental tests, carried out at different speed and load levels, have shown the validity of the proposed method, leading to an effective diagnostic procedure for a vector-controlled asymmetrical six-phase surface-mounted ac PMSM

Socioeconomic and living conditions are determinants of hip fracture incidence and age occurrence among community-dwelling elderly

Summary: In this prospective, 10-year study in community-dwelling elderly aged 50years and over, hip fracture incidence and accordingly age at hip fracture were inversely associated with the area-level income, independently of the geographical area. Age at hip fracture also depended of marital status but in a gender-specific way. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of socioeconomic and living conditions on hip fracture incidence and age occurrence among community-dwelling elderly. Method: Between January 1991 and December 2000, 2,454 hip fractures were recorded in community-dwelling adults aged 50years and over in the Geneva University Hospital, State of Geneva, Switzerland. Median annual household income by postal code of residence (referred to as area-level income) based on the 1990 Census was used as a measure of socioeconomic condition and was stratified into tertiles (<53,170; 53,170-58,678; and ≥58,678 CHF). Hip fracture incidence and age occurrence were calculated according to area-level income categories and adjusted for confounding factors among community-dwelling elderly. Results: Independently of the geographical area (urban versus rural), community-dwelling persons residing in areas with the medium income category presented a lower hip fracture incidence [OR 0.91 (0.82-0.99), p = 0.049] compared to those from the lowest income category. Those in the highest income category had a hip fracture at a significant older age [+1.58 (0.55-2.61) year, p = 0.003] as compared to those in the lowest income category. Age at hip fracture also depended on marital status but in a gender-specific way, with married women fracturing earlier. Conclusions: These results indicate that incidence and age occurrence of hip fracture are influenced by area-level income and living conditions among community-dwelling elderly. Prevention programs may be encouraged in priority in communities with low incom

Lyme borreliosis in Europe.

Despite improvements in prevention, diagnosis and treatment, Lyme borreliosis (LB) is still the most common arthropod-borne disease in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, with risk of infection associated with occupation (e.g. forestry work) and certain outdoor recreational activities (e.g. mushroom collecting). In Europe, LB is caused by infection with one or more pathogenic European genospecies of the spirochaete Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, mainly transmitted by the tick Ixodes ricinus. Recent surveys show that the overall prevalence of LB may be stabilising, but its geographical distribution is increasing. In addition, much remains to be discovered about the factors affecting genospecific prevalence, transmission and virulence, although avoidance of tick bite still appears to be the most efficient preventive measure. Uniform, European-wide surveillance programmes (particularly on a local scale) and standardisation of diagnostic tests and treatments are still urgently needed, especially in the light of climate change scenarios and land-use and socio-economic changes. Improved epidemiological knowledge will also aid development of more accurate risk prediction models for LB. Studies on the effects of biodiversity loss and ecosystem changes on LB emergence may identify new paradigms for the prevention and control of LB and other tick-borne diseases

Current and future distribution of a parasite with complex life cycle under global change scenarios: Echinococcus multilocularis in Europe

Global change is expected to have complex effects on the distribution and transmission patterns of zoonotic parasites. Modelling habitat suitability for parasites with complex life cycles is essential to further our understanding of how disease systems respond to environmental changes, and to make spatial predictions of their future distributions. However, the limited availability of high&nbsp;quality occurrence data with high spatial resolution often constrains these investigations. Using 449 reliable occurrence records for Echinococcus multilocularis from across Europe published over the last 35 years, we modelled habitat suitability for this parasite, the aetiological agent of alveolar echinococcosis, in order to describe its environmental niche, predict its current and future distribution under three global change scenarios, and quantify the probability of occurrence for each European country. Using a machine learning approach, we developed large-scale (25 × 25 km) species distribution models based on seven sets of predictors, each set representing a distinct biological hypothesis supported by current knowledge of the autecology of the parasite. The best-supported hypothesis included climatic, orographic and land-use/land-cover variables such as the temperature of the coldest quarter, forest cover, urban cover and the precipitation seasonality. Future projections suggested the appearance of highly suitable areas for E. multilocularis towards northern latitudes and in the whole Alpine region under all scenarios, while decreases in habitat suitability were predicted for central Europe. Our spatially explicit predictions of habitat suitability shed light on the complex responses of parasites to ongoing global change

Impacts des changements climatiques sur la gestion des barrages-réservoirs du bassin de la Seine - Premiers résultats du projet Climaware

International audienceLes projections climatiques établies par le GIECC indiquent que des changements significatifs dans les précipitations et les températures sont à attendre en Europe dans les prochaines décennies, ce qui devrait impacter la disponibilité en eau. Le projet européen Climaware (2010-2013, financé par IWRM-Net) a été monté pour développer des mesures d'adaptation telles que des instruments de gestion intégrée pour une gestion durable des ressources en eau tenant compte des changements climatiques. Au sein du projet, le cas d'étude sur la rivière Seine se concentre sur l'adaptation de la gestion de barrages (et éventuellement de la capacité de stockage) pour deux objectifs principaux : le soutien d'étiage et l'écrêtement de crues, avec des enjeux socio-économiques importants, en particulier dans la région parisienne. Les quatre grands barrages gérés par l'EPTB Seine Grands Lacs sont situés sur la partie amont du bassin sur quatre sous-bassins différents. Un modèle hydrologique semi-distribué a été développé pour simuler la transformation pluie-débit sur le bassin. Le modèle a été calé en utilisant les données de débits naturalisés sur 25 stations hydrométriques sur le bassin. Le modèle a ensuite été alimenté par des projections climatiques désagrégées issues de sept modèles climatiques différents. Les résultats indiquent que les débits d'étiage pourraient être significativement diminués sur le bassin d'ici à 2050. Ceci appelle à définir des stratégies de gestion adaptées. Plusieurs options seront testées pour tenir compte de ces modifications sur le bassin. / Climate projections established by the IPCC indicate that significant changes in precipitation and temperature are to be expected in Europe in the next decades, which should impact regional water availability. The Climaware European project (2010-2013, funded by IMWR-Net) was set up to develop adaptation measures such as integrated planning instruments for sustainable water resources management accounting for the impacts of climate change. Within the project, the Seine River case study focuses on the adaptation of dam management (and possibly dam storage capacity) for two main objectives: low-flow augmentation and flood alleviation, with important socio-economic stakes especially in the great Paris area. The four large reservoirs managed by the Seine Grands Lacs public basin authority, are situated on the upstream part of the basin on four different sub-basins. A semi-distributed hydrological model was developed to simulate the rainfall-runoff transformation on the basin. The model was calibrated using the naturalized flow data available on 25 gauging station across the basin. Then it was fed with climate projections downscaled from seven different climate models. Results indicate that low flows may be significantly reduced on the basin by 2050. This calls for defining adapted management strategies. Various options will be tested to account for these modifications on the basin

Weight-bearing bones are more sensitive to physical exercise in boys than in girls during pre- and early puberty: a cross-sectional study

Summary: We carried out a cross-section study of the sex-specific relationship between bone mineral content and physical activity at sites with different loading in pre- and early pubertal girls and boys. There was significant sensitivity of bone mineral content of the hip to physical exercise in boys, but not in girls. Background: Since little is known whether there are sex differences in sensitivity of bone to loading, we investigated sex differences in the cross-sectional association between measures of physical activity (PA) and bone mass and size in pre- and early pubertal children of both sexes. Methods: We measured bone mineral content/density (BMC/BMD) and fat-free mass (FFM) in 269 6- to 13-year-old children from randomly selected schools by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Physical activity (PA) was measured by accelerometers and lower extremity strength by a jump-and-reach test. Results: Boys (n = 128) had higher hip and total body BMC and BMD, higher FFM, higher muscle strength and were more physically active than girls (n = 141). Total hip BMC was positively associated with time spent in total and vigorous PA in boys (r = 0.20-0.33, p < 0.01), but not in girls (r = 0.02-0.04, p=ns), even after adjusting for FFM and strength. While boys and girls in the lowest tertile of vigorous PA (22min/day) did not differ in hip BMC (15.62 vs 15.52g), boys in the highest tertile (72min/day) had significantly higher values than the corresponding girls (16.84 vs 15.71g, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Sex differences in BMC during pre- and early puberty may be related to a different sensitivity of bone to physical loading, irrespective of muscle mas

Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Eufortyn® Colesterolo Plus on Serum Lipids, Endothelial Reactivity, Indexes of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Systemic Inflammation in Healthy Subjects with Polygenic Hypercholesterolemia: The ANEMONE Study. Nutrients. 2022 May 18;14(10):209

We aimed to evaluate if dietary supplementation with a nutraceutical compound (Eufortyn® Colesterolo Plus) containing standardized bergamot polyphenolic fraction phytosome (Vazguard®), artichoke extract (Pycrinil®), artichoke dry extract. (Cynara scolymus L.), Q10 phytosome(Ubiqosome®) and zinc, could positively affect serum lipids concentration, systemic inflammation and indexes of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in 60 healthy subjects with polygenic hypercholesterolemia. Participants were adhering to a low-fat, low-sodium Mediterranean diet for a month before being randomly allocated to 8-week treatment with 1 pill each day of either Eufortyn® Colesterolo Plus or placebo. Dietary supplementation with Eufortyn® Colesterolo Plus was associated with significant improvement in total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and endothelial reactivity (ER) in comparison with baseline, and with significant reductions in waist circumference, TC, LDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C, lipid accumulation product and fatty liver index compared to placebo. The study shows that dietary supplementation with standardized bergamot polyphenolic fraction phytosome, artichoke extracts, Q10 phytosome and zinc safely exerts significant improvements in serum lipids, systemic inflammation, indexes of NAFLD and endothelial reactivity in healthy subjects with moderate hypercholesterolemia

Reversal of the hip fracture secular trend is related to a decrease in the incidence in institution-dwelling elderly women

Summary: In this prospective 10-year study in elderly aged 60years and over, there was a 1.3% per year reduction in the standardized incidence of hip fracture in women but not in men. This decrease was mainly due to changes in the standardized incidence of hip fracture in institution-dwelling women. Introduction: A decrease in age-adjusted hip fracture incidence has been recently demonstrated in some countries. Since a large proportion of hip fractures occur in nursing homes, we analyzed whether this decreasing trend would be more detectable in institution-dwelling elderly compared with community-dwelling elderly. Methods: All hip fracture patients aged 60years and over were identified in a well-defined area. Incidence of hip fracture, age- and sex-adjusted to the 2000 Geneva population, was computed in community- and institution-dwelling elderly. Results: From 1991 to 2000, 1,624 (41%) hip fractures were recorded in institutionalized-dwelling elderly and 2,327 (59%) in community-dwelling elderly. The standardized fracture incidence decreased by 1.3% per year in women (p = 0.039), but remained unchanged in men (+0.5%; p = 0.686). Among institution-dwelling women, hip fracture incidence fell by 1.9% per year (p = 0.044), whereas it remained stable among community-dwelling women (+0.0%, p = 0.978). In men, no significant change in hip fracture incidence occurred among institution- or community-dwelling elderly. Conclusions: The decrease in the standardized hip fracture incidence in institution-dwelling women is responsible for the reversal in secular trend. Future research should include stratification according to the residential status to better identify the causes responsible for the trend in hip fracture incidenc