Developing an End-User Data Capture Methodology

The aim of this research is to establish the extent to which end user requirements are communicated throughout the construction process. The method of inquiry is purely literature based. This research indicates that the perspectives of those involved in construction projects are widening. Whole life considerations are now requiring those with operational expertise and knowledge to be involved in decision making processes. In particular, design build and operate schemes, such as PFI developments, require facilities management involvement at an early stage to allow their operational knowledge to influence design and component decisions based on long term operational efficiencies. The increased use of BIM in such developments also compliments a collaborative approach by endorsing the involvement of those with specialist skills and sharing rich information in timely ways throughout the development project, from inception to operation. The process of arriving at ‘informed decisions’ is clearly complex due to the interactions of components relating to data, information and knowledge. This paper illustrates the need for effective communication of user requirements throughout the construction process. It demonstrates that provision for the capture of tangible data is reaching levels of maturity through the adoption of property asset management systems, platforms and tools. However, the paper raises awareness of the need for further research into how less tangible user requirements are obtained to ensure the ‘voice of the customer’ is heard, interpreted and communicated appropriately by construction specialists throughout the development phases

Change in maternal body mass index is associated with offspring body mass index: a 21-year prospective study

High body-mass index (BMI; defined as 25 kg/m(2) or greater) is associated with increased risk of cancer. To inform public health policy and future research, we estimated the global burden of cancer attributable to high BMI in 2012

Genotype x environment interactions in eggplant for fruit phenolic acid content

Eggplant fruit are a rich source of phenolic acids that influence fruit culinary quality and antioxidant content. We evaluated the influence of production environments and stability of diverse genotypes across environments for eggplant fruit phenolic acid content. Ten Solanum melongena accessions consisting of five F-1 hybrid cultivars, three open-pollinated cultivars and two land race accessions, plus one S. macrocarpon and one S. aethiopicum accession, were grown at two locations under greenhouse and open field environments. Twenty phenolic acid conjugates were identified in fruit flesh and assigned to six classes that included hydroxycinnamic acid amides, caffeoylquinic acid esters, hydroxycinnamoylquinic acid esters, malonylcaffeoylquinic acid esters, di-hydroxycinnamoylquinic acid esters, and other hydroxycinnamic acid conjugates. There were significant differences among accessions for total phenolic acid conjugate content and for all six classes. There were no significant differences detected among the environments for any of the variables. However, the environment x accession interaction was highly significant for all phenolic acid classes. Broad-sense heritability estimates for all six phenolic acid classes were high, ranging from 0.64 to 0.96. Stability analysis demonstrated widespread instability for phenolic acid content across environments. Stability of the predominant caffeoylquinic acid esters class positively influenced stability of total phenolic acid content for some but not all genotypes. High heritability, coupled with highly significant genotype x environment interactions suggests that stability estimates may improve the efficiency of breeding new genotypes with predictable performance across environments.Stommel, JR.; Whitaker, B.; Haynes, K.; Prohens Tomás, J. (2015). Genotype x environment interactions in eggplant for fruit phenolic acid content. Euphytica. 205(3):823-836. doi:10.1007/s10681-015-1415-2S8238362053Allard RW, Bradshaw AD (1964) Implications of genotype–environment interactions in applied plant breeding. Crop Sci 4:503–507Baixauli C (2001) Berenjena. In: Nuez F, Liacer G (eds) La horticultura española. Ediciones de Horticultura, Reus, pp 104–108Bravo L (1998) Polyphenols: chemistry, dietary sources, metabolism, and nutritional significance. Nutr Rev 56:317–333Dixon RA, Pavia NL (1995) Stress-induced phenylpropanoid metabolism. Plant Cell 7:1085–1097Dogan M, Arslan O, Dogan S (2002) Substrate specificity, heat inactivation and inhibition of polyphenol oxidase from different aubergine cultivars. Int J Food Sci Technol 37:415–423Dos Santos MD, Almeida MC, Lopes NP, de Souza GE (2006) Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-pyretic activities of the natural polyphenol chlorogenic acid. Biol Pharm Bull 29:2236–2240Fernandez GCJ (1991) Analysis of genotype × environment interaction by stability estimates. HortScience 26:947–950García-Salas P, Gómez-Caravaca AM, Morales-Soto A, Segura-Carretero A, Fernández-Gutiérrez A (2014) Identification and quantification of phenolic compounds in diverse cultivars of eggplant grown in different seasons by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detector and electrospray-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry. Food Res Int 57:114–122Hanson PM, Yang RY, Tsou SCS, Ledesma K, Engle L, Lee TC (2006) Diversity in eggplant (Solanum melongena) for superoxide scavenging activity, total phenolics, and ascorbic acid. J Food Compos Anal 19:594–600Kang MS (1989) A new SAS program for calculating stability variance parameters. J Hered 80:415Klein RM (1990) Failure of supplementary ultraviolet radiation to enhance flower color under greenhouse conditions. HortScience 25:307–308Knapp SJ, Stroup WW, Ross WM (1985) Exact confidence intervals for heritability on a progeny mean basis. Crop Sci 25:192–194Luthria D, Singh AP, Wilson T, Vorsa N, Banuelos GS, Vinyard BT (2010) Influence of conventional and organic agricultural practices on the phenolic content in eggplant pulp: plant to plant variation. Food Chem 121:406–411Ma C, Whitaker BD, Kennelly EJ (2010) New 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid derivatives in fruit of wild eggplant relative S. viarum. J Agric Food Chem 58:9645–9651Manach C, Scalbert A, Morand C, Remesy C, Jimenez L (2004) Polyphenols: food sources and bioavailability. Am J Clin Nutr 79:727–747Mennella G, Scalzo R, Fibiani M, D’Alessandro A, Francese G, Toppino L, Acciarri N, Almeida AE, Rotino GL (2012) Chemical and bioactive quality traits during fruit ripening in eggplant (S. melongena L.) and allied species. J Agric Food Chem 60:11821–11831Meyer RS, Karol KG, Little DP, Nee MH, Litt A (2012) Phylogeographic relationships among Asian eggplants and new perspectives on eggplant domestication. Mol Phylogenet Evol 63:685–701Ong KW, Hsu A, Tan BK (2012) Chlorogenic acid stimulates glucose transport in skeletal muscle via AMPK activation: a contributor to the beneficial effects of coffee on diabetes. PLoS One 7:e32718Payyavula RS, Duroy AN, Kuhl JC, Pantoha A, Pillai SS (2012) Differential effects of environment on potato phenylpropanoid and carotenoid expression. BMC Plant Biol 12:39Plazas M, Prohens J, Cuñat AN, Vilanova S, Gramazio P, Herraiz FJ, Andújar I (2014) Reducing capacity, chlorogenic acid content and biological activity in a collection of scarlet (Solanum aethiopicum) and gboma (S. macrocarpon) eggplants. Int J Mol Sci 15:17221–17241Prior RL (2003) Fruits and vegetables in the prevention of cellular oxidative damage. Am J Clin Nutr 78:570S–578SPritts M, Luby J (1990) Stability indices for horticultural crops. HortScience 25:740–745Prohens J, Rodriguez-Burruezo A, Raigon MD, Nuez F (2007) Total phenolic acid concentration and browning susceptibility in a collection of different varietal types and hybrids of eggplant: implications for breeding for higher nutritional quality and reduced browning. J Am Soc Hortic Sci 132:638–646Prohens J, Whitaker BD, Plazas M, Vilanova S, Hurtado M, Blasco M, Gramazio P, Stommel JR (2013) Genetic diversity in morphological characters and phenolic acids content resulting from an interspecific cross between eggplant, Solanum melongena, and its wild ancestor (S. incancum). Ann Appl Biol 162:242–257Raigon MD, Prohens J, Munoz-Falcon JE, Nuez F (2008) Comparison of eggplant landraces and commercial varieties for fruit content of phenolics, minerals, dry matter and protein. J Food Compos Anal 21:370–376Raigon MD, Rodriguez-Burruezo A, Prohens J (2010) Effects of organic and conventional cultivation methods on composition of eggplant fruits. Agric Food Chem 58:6833–6840San Jose R, Sanchez-Mata MC, Camara M, Prohens J (2014) Eggplant fruit composition as affected by the cultivation environment and genetic constitution. J Sci Food Agric 94:2774–2784Sato Y, Itagaki S, Kurokawa T, Ogur J, Kobayashi M, Hirano T, Sugawara M, Iseki K (2011) In vitro and in vivo antioxidant properties of chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid. Int J Pharm 403:136–138Setimela PS, Vivek B, Banziger M, Crossa J, Maideni F (2007) Evaluation of early to medium maturing open pollinated maize varieties in SADC region using GGE biplot based on the SREG model. Field Crop Res 103:161–169Shukla GK (1972) Some statistical aspects of partitioning genotype environment components of variability. Heredity 29:237–245Stommel JR, Whitaker BD (2003) Phenolic acid content and composition of eggplant fruit in a germplasm core subset. J Am Soc Hortic Sci 128:704–710Suzuki A, Yamamoto N, Jokura H, Yamamoto M, Fujii A, Tokimitsu I, Saito I (2006) Chlorogenic acid attenuates hypertension and improves endothelial function in spontaneously hypertensive rats. J Hypertens 24:1065–1073University of Maryland (2007) Commercial vegetable production recommendations, University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Service Bulletin 236. College Park, MDWhitaker BD, Stommel JR (2003) Distribution of hydroxycinnamic acid conjugates in fruit of commercial eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) cultivars. J Agric Food Chem 51:3448–3454Winter M, Herrmann K (1986) Esters and glucosides of hydroxycinnamic acids in vegetables. 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Regulation of GIP and GLP1 Receptor Cell Surface Expression by N-Glycosylation and Receptor Heteromerization

In response to a meal, Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide (GIP) and Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) are released from gut endocrine cells into the circulation and interact with their cognate G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Receptor activation results in tissue-selective pleiotropic responses that include augmentation of glucose-induced insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells. N-glycosylation and receptor oligomerization are co-translational processes that are thought to regulate the exit of functional GPCRs from the ER and their maintenance at the plasma membrane. Despite the importance of these regulatory processes, their impact on functional expression of GIP and GLP-1 receptors has not been well studied. Like many family B GPCRs, both the GIP and GLP-1 receptors possess a large extracellular N-terminus with multiple consensus sites for Asn-linked (N)-glycosylation. Here, we show that each of these Asn residues is glycosylated when either human receptor is expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. N-glycosylation enhances cell surface expression and function in parallel but exerts stronger control over the GIP receptor than the GLP-1 receptor. N-glycosylation mainly lengthens receptor half-life by reducing degradation in the endoplasmic reticulum. N-glycosylation is also required for expression of the GIP receptor at the plasma membrane and efficient GIP potentiation of glucose-induced insulin secretion from the INS-1 pancreatic beta cell line. Functional expression of a GIP receptor mutant lacking N-glycosylation is rescued by co-expressed wild type GLP1 receptor, which, together with data obtained using Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer, suggests formation of a GIP-GLP1 receptor heteromer

Search for time-dependent B0s - B0s-bar oscillations using a vertex charge dipole technique

We report a search for B0s - B0s-bar oscillations using a sample of 400,000 hadronic Z0 decays collected by the SLD experiment. The analysis takes advantage of the electron beam polarization as well as information from the hemisphere opposite that of the reconstructed B decay to tag the B production flavor. The excellent resolution provided by the pixel CCD vertex detector is exploited to cleanly reconstruct both B and cascade D decay vertices, and tag the B decay flavor from the charge difference between them. We exclude the following values of the B0s - B0s-bar oscillation frequency: Delta m_s < 4.9 ps-1 and 7.9 < Delta m_s < 10.3 ps-1 at the 95% confidence level.Comment: 18 pages, 3 figures, replaced by version accepted for publication in Phys.Rev.D; results differ slightly from first versio

The regions within the N-terminus critical for human glucagon like peptide-1 receptor (hGLP-1R) cell Surface expression

The hGLP-1R is a target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and belongs to the class B family of GPCRs. Like other class B GPCRs, the GLP-1R contains an N-terminal signal peptide (SP) and undergoes N-linked glycosylation, which are important for its trafficking and maturation. This study analysed the role of the SP, the hydrophobic region after the SP (HRASP), glycosylation and the conserved residues within the N-terminus in GLP-1R trafficking. HGLP-1R targeted to the cell surface showed no SP, and the SP deleted mutant, but not the mutants defective in SP cleavage, showed cell surface expression, demonstrating the importance of SP cleavage for hGLP-1R cell surface expression. The N-terminal deletions of hGLP-1R revealed that the HRASP, not the SP, is essential for cell surface expression of GLP-1R. Further, inhibition of hGLP-1R glycosylation prevented cell surface expression of the receptor. Mutation of Trp39, Tyr69 and Tyr88, which are required for agonist binding, in the GLP-1R abolished cell surface expression of the receptor independent of the SP cleavage or N-linked glycosylation. In conclusion, the N-terminus of hGLP-1R regulates receptor trafficking and maturation. Therefore this study provides insight into the role of hGLP-1R N-terminus on the receptor cell surface expression

Validity of a self-reported measure of familial history of obesity

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Familial history information could be useful in clinical practice. However, little is known about the accuracy of self-reported familial history, particularly self-reported familial history of obesity (FHO).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Two cross-sectional studies were conducted. The aims of study 1 was to compare self-reported and objectively measured weight and height whereas the aims of study 2 were to examine the relationship between the weight and height estimations reported by the study participants and the values provided by their family members as well as the validity of a self-reported measure of FHO. Study 1 was conducted between 2004 and 2006 among 617 subjects and study 2 was conducted in 2006 among 78 participants.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In both studies, weight and height reported by the participants were significantly correlated with their measured values (study 1: r = 0.98 and 0.98; study 2: r = 0.99 and 0.97 respectively; p < 0.0001). Estimates of weight and height for family members provided by the study participants were strongly correlated with values reported by each family member (r = 0.96 and 0.95, respectively; p < 0.0001). Substantial agreement between the FHO reported by the participants and the one obtained by calculating the BMI of each family members was observed (kappa = 0.72; p < 0.0001). Sensitivity (90.5%), specificity (82.6%), positive (82.6%) and negative (90.5%) predictive values of FHO were very good.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A self-reported measure of FHO is valid, suggesting that individuals are able to detect the presence or the absence of obesity in their first-degree family members.</p

Impact of two recent extreme heat episodes on morbidity and mortality in Adelaide, South Australia: a case-series analysis

Extent: 9p.BACKGROUND: Extreme heatwaves occurred in Adelaide, South Australia, in the summers of 2008 and 2009. Both heatwaves were unique in terms of their duration (15 days and 13 days respectively), and the 2009 heatwave was also remarkable in its intensity with a maximum temperature reaching 45.7°C. It is of interest to compare the health impacts of these two unprecedented heatwaves with those of previous heatwaves in Adelaide. METHODS: Using case-series analysis, daily morbidity and mortality rates during heatwaves (≥35°C for three or more days) occurring in 2008 and 2009 and previous heatwaves occurring between 1993 and 2008 were compared with rates during all non-heatwave days (1 October to 31 March). Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were established for ambulance call-outs, hospital admissions, emergency department presentations and mortality. Dose response effects of heatwave duration and intensity were examined. RESULTS: Ambulance call-outs during the extreme 2008 and 2009 events were increased by 10% and 16% respectively compared to 4.4% during previous heatwaves. Overall increases in hospital and emergency settings were marginal, except for emergency department presentations in 2008, but increases in specific health categories were observed. Renal morbidity in the elderly was increased during both heatwaves. During the 2009 heatwave, direct heat-related admissions increased up to 14-fold compared to a three-fold increase seen during the 2008 event and during previous heatwaves. In 2009, marked increases in ischaemic heart disease were seen in the 15-64 year age group. Only the 2009 heatwave was associated with considerable increases in total mortality that particularly affected the 15-64 year age group (1.37; 95% CI, 1.09, 1.71), while older age groups were unaffected. Significant dose-response relationships were observed for heatwave duration (ambulance, hospital and emergency setting) and intensity (ambulance and mortality). CONCLUSIONS: While only incremental increases in morbidity and mortality above previous findings occurred in 2008, health impacts of the 2009 heatwave stand out. These findings send a signal that the intense and long 2009 heatwave may have exceeded the capacity of the population to cope. It is important that risk factors contributing to the adverse health outcomes are investigated to further improve preventive strategies.Monika Nitschke, Graeme R. Tucker, Alana L. Hansen, Susan Williams, Ying Zhang and Peng B

Regional Histopathology and Prostate MRI Positivity: A Secondary Analysis of the PROMIS Trial.

Background The effects of regional histopathologic changes on prostate MRI scans have not been accurately quantified in men with an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level and no previous biopsy. Purpose To assess how Gleason grade, maximum cancer core length (MCCL), inflammation, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), or atypical small acinar proliferation within a Barzell zone affects the odds of MRI visibility. Materials and Methods In this secondary analysis of the Prostate MRI Imaging Study (PROMIS; May 2012 to November 2015), consecutive participants who underwent multiparametric MRI followed by a combined biopsy, including 5-mm transperineal mapping (TPM), were evaluated. TPM pathologic findings were reported at the whole-prostate level and for each of 20 Barzell zones per prostate. An expert panel blinded to the pathologic findings reviewed MRI scans and declared which Barzell areas spanned Likert score 3-5 lesions. The relationship of Gleason grade and MCCL to zonal MRI outcome (visible vs nonvisible) was assessed using generalized linear mixed-effects models with random intercepts for individual participants. Inflammation, PIN, and atypical small acinar proliferation were similarly assessed in men who had negative TPM results. Results Overall, 161 men (median age, 62 years [IQR, 11 years]) were evaluated and 3179 Barzell zones were assigned MRI status. Compared with benign areas, the odds of MRI visibility were higher when a zone contained cancer with a Gleason score of 3+4 (odds ratio [OR], 3.1; 95% CI: 1.9, 4.9; P < .001) or Gleason score greater than or equal to 4+3 (OR, 8.7; 95% CI: 4.5, 17.0; P < .001). MCCL also determined visibility (OR, 1.24 per millimeter increase; 95% CI: 1.15, 1.33; P < .001), but odds were lower with each prostate volume doubling (OR, 0.7; 95% CI: 0.5, 0.9). In men who were TPM-negative, the presence of PIN increased the odds of zonal visibility (OR, 3.7; 95% CI: 1.5, 9.1; P = .004). Conclusion An incremental relationship between cancer burden and prostate MRI visibility was observed. Prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia contributed to false-positive MRI findings. ClinicalTrials.gov registration no. NCT01292291 © RSNA, 2022 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Harmath in this issue