The psychological effects of exercise

Thousands of businesses in the United States have implemented programs to promote physical fitness among their employees (Falkenberg, 1987). The programs range from company-paid memberships at private health and fitness clubs to complete work site fitness facilities. These programs have been developed not only to improve and maintain employee health but also to promote psychological well-being and productivity and to reduce absenteeism, insurance claims, and stress. Recent research focusing on the use of employee fitness programs to improve work-related behaviors suggests that these programs may improve absenteeism, job satisfaction, tenure. and health care costs, especially among female employees (Baun, Bernacki, & Tsai, 1986; Bernacki & Baun, 1984; Browne, Russell, Morgan, Optenberg, & Clarke, 1984; Der-Karabetian & Gebharp, 1986; Tsai, Baun, & Bernacki, 1987)

Introducing nuclear spin-noise spectroscopy

International audienceNMR spectra are usually obtained by exciting, through a rf field, the nuclear magnetization and then by monitoring the induction, it creates. An alternative approach, named spin noise, exists: it consists in searching for correlations in the noise signal at the probe detection output, a concept up to now used for only a single spin species. Here, we report its extension for looking to small signals in the presence of a major one and show that this technique allows sensitivity enhancement for their detection, in particular when the temperature of detection coil is lower than that of the sample. Signals resulting from small species appear as bumps, superimposed on the dip which results from the main component contribution. For the description and the processing of the experimental spectra, a new analytical equation is introduced. Its derivation is based on fluctuating rf fields due to the preamplifier and coil resistances and magnetization fluctuations and coherent rf field due to the feedback field (radiation damping). Its generality allows analytical explanation of the difference of tuning conditions and the treatment of static magnetic field inhomogeneity, which has an enhanced spectral signature in spin-noise spectra and provides a chemical shift reference. We have combined all these aspects and proved the enhanced detection capability of the nuclear spin-noise approach for characterizing secondary isotopic effect, proving the opening of a new "spin-noise" spectroscopy. Perspectives of this work in terms of classical NMR in the presence of radiation damping but also in terms of unconventional detection scheme will be discussed

Advancing Evaluation Practices in Philanthropy

In recent years, the philanthropic sector has neared consensus on the need to improve measurement and evaluation of its work. Although the philanthropies they lead use different methods, members of the Aspen Philanthropy Group (APG) have agreed that basic principles and practices can inform efforts to monitor performance, track progress, and assess the impact of foundation strategies, initiatives, and grants. They hope to build a culture of learning in the process

Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of Citigroup Inc

Those present at Citigroup\u27s regular meeting of their Board of Directors by invite included: Ms. Krawcheck, and Messrs. Alexander, Banga, Bushnell, Crittenden, Druskin, Freiberg, Helfer, Kaden, Klein, Medina-Mora, Pandit, Rhodes, and Volk Included as an attachment to this set of meeting minutes is a memorandum to the Citigroup\u27s Board of Directors regarding the approval of dividend rates and declaring dividends payable to holders of Citigroup Inc. Preferred Stoc

Monoallelic Expression of Multiple Genes in the CNS

The inheritance pattern of a number of major genetic disorders suggests the possible involvement of genes that are expressed from one allele and silent on the other, but such genes are difficult to detect. Since DNA methylation in regulatory regions is often a mark of gene silencing, we modified existing microarray-based assays to detect both methylated and unmethylated DNA sequences in the same sample, a variation we term the MAUD assay. We probed a 65 Mb region of mouse Chr 7 for gene-associated sequences that show two distinct DNA methylation patterns in the mouse CNS. Selected genes were then tested for allele-specific expression in clonal neural stem cell lines derived from reciprocal F1 (C57BL/6×JF1) hybrid mice. In addition, using a separate approach, we directly analyzed allele-specific expression of a group of genes interspersed within clusters of OlfR genes, since the latter are subject to allelic exclusion. Altogether, of the 500 known genes in the chromosomal region surveyed, five show monoallelic expression, four identified by the MAUD assay (Agc1, p (pink-eyed dilution), P4ha3 and Thrsp), and one by its proximity to OlfR genes (Trim12). Thrsp (thyroid hormone responsive SPOT14 homolog) is expressed in hippocampus, but the human protein homolog, S14, has also been implicated in aggressive breast cancer. Monoallelic expression of the five genes is not coordinated at a chromosome-wide level, but rather regulated at individual loci. Taken together, our results suggest that at least 1% of previously untested genes are subject to allelic exclusion, and demonstrate a dual approach to expedite their identification

What Makes Retirees Happier: A Gradual or 'Cold Turkey' Retirement?

This study explores the factors that affect an individual’s happiness while transitioning into retirement. Recent studies highlight gradual retirement as an attractive option to older workers as they approach full retirement. However, it is not clear whether phasing or cold turkey makes for a happier retirement. Using longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study, this study explores what shapes the change in happiness between the last wave of full employment and the first wave of full retirement. Results suggest that what really matters is not the type of transition (gradual retirement or cold turkey), but whether people perceive the transition as chosen or forced