Prevalence, Predictors & Prevention of Motion Sickness in Zero-G Parabolic Flights

INTRODUCTION Zero-G parabolic flight reproduces the weightlessness of space for short periods of time. However motion sickness may affect some fliers. The aim was to assess the extent of this problem and to find possible predictors and modifying factors. METHODS Airbus Zero-G flights consist of 31 parabolas performed in blocks. Each parabola consisted of 20s 0g sandwiched by 20s hypergravity of 1.5-1.8g. The survey covered n=246 person-flights (193 Males 53 Females), aged (M+/-SD) 36.0+/-11.3 years. An anonymous questionnaire included motion sickness rating (1=OK to 6=Vomiting), Motion Sickness Susceptibility Questionnaire (MSSQ), anti-motion sickness medication, prior Zero-G experience, anxiety level, and other characteristics. RESULTS Participants had lower MSSQ percentile scores 27.4+/-28.0 than the population norm of 50. Motion sickness was experienced by 33% and 12% vomited. Less motion sickness was predicted by older age, greater prior Zero-G flight experience, medication with scopolamine, lower MSSQ scores, but not gender nor anxiety. Sickness ratings in fliers pre-treated with scopolamine (1.81+/-1.58) were lower than for non-medicated fliers (2.93+/-2.16), and incidence of vomiting in fliers using scopolamine treatment was reduced by half to a third. Possible confounding factors including age, sex, flight experience, MSSQ, could not account for this. CONCLUSION Motion sickness affected one third of Zero-G fliers, despite being intrinsically less motion sickness susceptible compared to the general population. Susceptible individuals probably try to avoid such a provocative environment. Risk factors for motion sickness included younger age and higher MSSQ scores. Protective factors included prior Zero-G flight experience (habituation) and anti-motion sickness medication

Levels of Cadmium, Lead, Mercury and 137caesium in Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) Tissues from Northern Québec

Levels of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and total mercury (Hg) were assessed in samples of muscle, kidney, and liver from caribou (Rangifer tarandus; n = 317) harvested in two regions of northern Québec between 1994 and 1996. Levels of 137caesium (137Cs) were also examined in muscle samples. Log concentration of the three metals varied significantly among tissues and was lowest in diaphragm muscle and highest in kidneys and liver. Mean Cd (wet weight, w.w.) concentration was 0.01 µg/g in muscle, 7.69 µg/g in kidneys and 1.13 µg/g in liver. Levels of Cd exceeded tolerance thresholds for human consumption in nearly all kidney samples and in nearly half the liver samples. Mean Pb concentration (w.w.) was 0.05 µg/g in muscle, 0.26 µg/g in kidneys and 0.95 µg/g in liver, with few samples exceeding consumption thresholds. Mean total Hg concentration (w.w.) in muscle was 0.03 µg/g, 1.26 µg/g in kidneys and 0.67 µg/g in liver, with concentrations exceeding consumption thresholds in most kidney samples and nearly half the liver samples. Regional differences occurred in log concentration of the three metals for most tissues, with the western region consistently showing higher values. Mean log Cd and Pb concentrations increased with age in kidneys, but log Pb decreased with age in muscle samples. Interactions between month of collection and sex and region also occurred for some metals in some tissues. Mean level of 137Cs in muscle samples was 94.7 Bq/kg, never exceeding the acceptable limit for human consumption.On a mesuré les niveaux de cadmium (Cd), de plomb (Pb) et de mercure total (Hg) dans des échantillons de muscle, de rein et de foie de caribous (Rangifer tarandus; n = 317) prélevés dans deux régions du Québec nordique entre 1994 et 1996. On a en outre étudié les niveaux de césium 137 (137Cs) dans des échantillons musculaires. Les concentrations enregistrées des trois métaux montraient d'importantes variations parmi les divers tissus et étaient les plus faibles dans le muscle du diaphragme et les plus élevées dans le rein et le foie. La concentration moyenne de Cd (poids frais, p.f.) était de 0,01 µg/g dans le muscle, de 7,69 µg/g dans le rein et de 1,13 µg/g dans le foie. Les niveaux de Cd dépassaient les seuils de tolérance pour la consommation humaine dans presque tous les échantillons de rein et dans près de la moitié des échantillons de foie. La concentration moyenne (p.f.) de Pb était de 0,05 µg/g dans le muscle, de 0,26 µg/g dans le rein et de 0,95 µg/g dans le foie, avec peu d'échantillons dépassant les seuils de consommation. La concentration moyenne de Hg total (p.f.) dans le muscle était de 0,03 µg/g, de 1,26 µg/g dans le rein et de 0,67 µg/g dans le foie, avec des concentrations qui dépassaient les seuils de consommation dans la plupart des échantillons de rein et presque la moitié des échantillons de foie. Des différences régionales sont apparues dans les concentrations enregistrées des trois métaux pour la plupart des tissus, la zone occidentale montrant constamment des valeurs plus élevées. Avec l'âge, les concentrations moyennes enregistrées pour le Cd et le Pb augmentaient dans le rein, alors que celles de Pb diminuaient dans le muscle. Des interactions entre le mois des prélèvements, le sexe et la région se produisaient aussi avec certains métaux et certains tissus. Le niveau moyen de 137Cs dans les échantillons musculaires était de 94,7 Bq/kg, ne dépassant jamais la limite acceptable pour la consommation humaine

Evaluating the effects of CELF1 deficiency in a mouse model of RNA toxicity.

International audienceMyotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), the most common form of adult-onset muscular dystrophy, is caused by an expanded (CTG)n repeat in the 3' untranslated region of the DM protein kinase (DMPK) gene. The toxic RNA transcripts produced from the mutant allele alter the function of RNA-binding proteins leading to the functional depletion of muscleblind-like (MBNL) proteins and an increase in steady state levels of CUG-BP1 (CUGBP-ETR-3 like factor 1, CELF1). The role of increased CELF1 in DM1 pathogenesis is well studied using genetically engineered mouse models. Also, as a potential therapeutic strategy, the benefits of increasing MBNL1 expression have recently been reported. However, the effect of reduction of CELF1 is not yet clear. In this study, we generated CELF1 knockout mice, which also carry an inducible toxic RNA transgene to test the effects of CELF1 reduction in RNA toxicity. We found that the absence of CELF1 did not correct splicing defects. It did however mitigate the increase in translational targets of CELF1 (MEF2A and C/EBPβ). Notably, we found that loss of CELF1 prevented deterioration of muscle function by the toxic RNA, and resulted in better muscle histopathology. These data suggest that while reduction of CELF1 may be of limited benefit with respect to DM1-associated spliceopathy, it may be beneficial to the muscular dystrophy associated with RNA toxicity

Large scale quantum simulations: C_60 impacts on a semiconducting surface

We present tight binding molecular dynamics simulations of C_60 collisions on the reconstructed diamond(111) surface, carried out with an O(N) method and with cells containing 1140 atoms. The results of our simulations are in very good agreement with experiments performed under the same impact conditions. Furthermore our calculations provide a detailed characterization of the microscopic processes occuring during the collision, and allow the identification of three impact regimes, as a function of the fullerene incident energy. Finally, the study of the reactivity between the cluster and the surface gives insight into the deposition mechanisms of C_60 on semiconducting substrates

Exploring futures of food and farming systems: the Agrimonde scenarios

This brief series was developed in preparation for the Foresight Breakout Session of the Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development (GCARD 2012) and the Global Foresight Hub1. The briefs were written to communicate to a wider audience, such as policy makers, civil society organizations, researchers, and funders. The briefs were classified into three categories: Future Studies, Regional Update, and Visioning. http://www.fao.org/docs/eims/upload/305838/Brief%2016.pd

Correlation of the Functional Difficulties Questionnaire (FDQ-9) with dynamic balance using the SMART instrumented wobbleboard

Objectives : To investigate concurrent validity of the Functional Difficulties Questionnaire (FDQ-9) using balance tasks on the SMARTwobbleboard . Poor balance is associated with reduced physical activity which may impact on quality of life. There is a requirement to use simple tests to assess balance so that suitable interventions can be employed to ameliorate poor balance and enhance uptake of physical activity. Design: Observational study employing 30 healthy volunteers who completed the FDQ-9 and undertook three balance tasks on the SMARTwobbleboard: double leg stance eyes open (DLSEO); double leg stance eyes closed (DLSEC) and single leg stance eyes open (SLSEO). Results: There were moderate significant correlations between the FDQ-9 and DLSEO and SLSEO. There were significant between group differences in dynamic balance for participants with FDQ-9 ≤ 18 (indicative of no functional difficulties) and FDQ-9 ≥ 19 (indicative of one or more functional difficulties) for DLSEO and SLSEO. Conclusions: Significant moderate correlations were recorded between the FDQ-9 and the SMARTwobbleboard in healthy adults indicating a relationship between dynamic balance and questionnaire scores (DLSEO and SLSEO). Initial findings contribute to the concurrent validity of the FDQ-9 which could also be used as a simple tool for assessing balance

Carbon superatom thin films

Assembling clusters on surfaces has emerged as a novel way to grow thin films with targeted properties. In particular, it has been proposed from experimental findings that fullerenes deposited on surfaces could give rise to thin films retaining the bonding properties of the incident clusters. However the microscopic structure of such films is still unclear. By performing quantum molecular dynamics simulations, we show that C_28 fullerenes can be deposited on a surface to form a thin film of nearly defect free molecules, which act as carbon superatoms. Our findings help clarify the structure of disordered small fullerene films and also support the recently proposed hyperdiamond model for solid C_28.Comment: 13 pages, RevTeX, 2 figures available as black and white PostScript files; color PostScript and/or gif files available upon reques

QTL analysis of resistance to Fusarium head blight in Swiss winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.)

Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat is a widespread and destructive disease which occurs in humid and semi-humid areas. FHB epidemics can cause serious yield and quality losses under favorable climatic conditions, but the major concern is the contamination of grains with mycotoxins. Resistance to FHB is quantitatively inherited and greatly influenced by the environment. Its evaluation is costly and time-consuming. The genetic basis of FHB resistance has mainly been studied in spring wheat. The objective of this study was to map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for resistance to FHB in a population of 240 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between the two Swiss winter wheat cultivars Arina (resistant) and Forno (susceptible). The RILs were genotyped with microsatellite and RFLP markers. The resulting genetic map comprises 380 loci and spans 3,086cM. The 240 RILs were evaluated for resistance to FHB in six field trials over 3 years. Composite interval mapping (CIM) analyses carried out on FHB AUDPC (i.e. mean values across six environments) revealed eight QTLs which altogether explained 47% of the phenotypic variance. The three main QTLs were mapped on the long arms of chromosomes 6D (R 2=22%), 5B (R 2=14%) and 4A (R 2=10%). The QTL detected on 5B originated from the susceptible parent Forno. Other QTLs with smaller effects on FHB resistance were detected on chromosomes 2AL, 3AL, 3BL, 3DS and 5A

Detection of QTLs for Stagonospora glume blotch resistance in Swiss winter wheat

Stagonospora nodorum is the causal agent of the Stagonospora glume blotch disease in hexaploid wheat. The Swiss winter bread wheat cv. 'Arina' has a highly effective, durable and quantitative glume blotch resistance. We studied 240 single seed descent (SSD)-derived lines of an 'Arina × Forno' F5:7 population to identify and map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for glume blotch resistance under natural infestation. Using composite interval mapping (CIM) and LOD>4.5, we detected two chromosomal regions on chromosome arms 3BS and 4BL which were specifically associated with glume blotch resistance. These identified QTLs were designated QSng.sfr-3BS and QSng.sfr-4BL, respectively. QSng.sfr-3BS peaked at the locus Xgwm389 in the telomeric region of the short arm of chromosome 3B and explained 31.2% of the observed phenotypic variance for the resistance within the population. The responsible QSng.sfr-3BS allele originated from the resistant parent 'Arina'. The QTL QSng.sfr-4BL (19.1%) mapped to chromosome arm 4BL ('Forno' allele) very close to two known genes, TaMlo and a catalase (Cat). Both QTL alleles combined could enhance the resistance level by about 50%. Additionally, they showed significant epistatic effects (4.4%). We found PCR-based microsatellite markers closely linked to QSng.sfr-3BS (gwm389) and QSng.sfr-4BL (gwm251) which make marker-assisted selection (MAS) for Stagonospora glume blotch resistance feasible. We also found one resistance QTL, QSng.sfr-5BL, on the long arm of chromosome 5B which overlapped with QTLs for plant height as well as heading tim