Use of waist to hip ratio in the determination of the body composition in preschool children in Latvian population

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2008, the waist to hip ratio (WHR) has been suggested superior to the body mass index (BMI) in predicting the cardiovascular disease risk in adults and adolescents. There have been studies about the WHR in preschool children in the populations of Pakistan, Chile and Mexico; and it is not the WHO which recommended it as a routine method in preschool children.The present study includes 85 children (41 girls and 44 boys), aged 5 to 7 years, without any chronic conditions. Body height, body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, triceps skinfold, abdominal skinfold and subscapular skinfold were measured. The WHR, the BMI, the sum of three skinfolds and the percentage of body fat (%BF) were calculated.It was found that the WHR decreased with age in girls; there were no specific changes found in the WHR with age in boys. The present study found no correlation in boys or girls between the WHR and the BMI; the WHR and the sum of three skinfolds; the WHR and the percentage of BF. There was also no correlation between the Z-scores of the BMI and Z-scores of the WHR.Conclusions. The WHR is a questionable body composition marker in preschool children in the Latvian population and must be evaluated separately from other body composition markers

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<p>Cell scratch test and Transwell were used to measure the migration abilities of HSVSMCs. NC = Negative control group, only control siRNA transfected; GAS5(-) = lncRNA-GAS5 knockdown group transfected with silence siRNA. <b>A:</b>Cell scratch test was used to measure the migration abilities of HSVSMCs. The results showed that the HSVSMCs have the best migration abilities in the first 24 hours. Values are mean±SE, N = 4. <b>B:</b> The migration abilities of HSVSMCs measured by Transwell. After transfected by lncRNA-GAS5 siRNA for 48 hours, the HSVSMCs were passage into the Transwell Inserts. Then 4 hours, 7 hours, 10 hours later, the migration HSVSMCs were photographed and counted, respectively. Knockdown of lncRNA-GAS5 expression promotes migration of HSVSMCs. Optical microscope images under 200x magnification. <b>C:</b> The migration abilities of HSVSMCs were reflected indirectly by the new migration cells counting with Transwell. Silencing of lncRNA-GAS5 expression increses migration ability of HSVSMCs. Values are mean±SE, N = 10; *, P<0.05.</p

Egy 14. századi új Salamon: V. (Bölcs) Károly francia király

The result of in-hospital all mortality (P < 0.001; RR 3.23; 95% CI 2.28–4.57). (DOCX 54 kb

The reliability of colorimetry is precise(ly) as expected.

Figure S6. Gene ontology (GO) analysis of the differentially expressed genes between C1 and C2. (JPG 403 kb

Exploring the potential of blended learning to promote retention and achievement in higher education professional study programs

In this paper, we present a blended learning model designed for a university professional study program attended by full-time professional workers, i.e. in-service teachers studying in the field of School Administration. The model integrates four main instructional strategies at the program level: mentoring; participation in an online community of professional learning and practice; collaborative concept-mapping with an object-typed knowledge modeling software, and face-to-face seminars in a work setting. Based on interview and observation data collected during two successive small-scale experimentations of the model, we explored potential factors that could have had an impact on students’ academic retention and achievement. Four types of factors were identified: personal, professional, institutional and pedagogical. We found that pedagogical and professional factors, which are insufficiently considered in theoretical models of student retention, are of primary concern for students who work full-time as professionals. A blended learning model designed at the program level and strongly “situated” in the professional practice of the students is a promising avenue to adjust to their career constraints and aspirations and, thus, promoting their academic retention and achievement

<Original Article> Tumor Necrosis Factor Stimulates Acetyltransferase Activity of Human Neutrophils

Of the five cytokines tested (tumor necrosis factor, interleukin 1, colony-stimulating factor, interferon alpha, beta, and gamma), only tumor necrosis factor (TNF) showed a potent stimulatory effect on acetyltransferase activity of human neutrophils. Acetyltransforase is a key enzyme for the production of platelet-activating factor. This potentiating effect of TNF was time- and dose-dependent and was effectively blocked by TNF antiserum. Intracellular Ca++ elevation, protein kinase C activation, and arachidonic acid metabolites appeared not to be involved in the TNF-induced potentiation of the acetyltransferase activity in neutrophils.journal articl

Numerical investigation on fluid flow of gear lubrication

Several details of the mechanism of gear lubrication are still in doubt in spite of many decades of study of this subject. The focus of our work is the investigation of the mechanism by which oil temperature variations affect gear idle rattle, which requires an understanding of the distributions of lubricant and heat within a gearbox. This paper presents the findings of a study of lubricant flow in a simple model gearbox by means of CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) and its validation by a series of tests on a spur gear rig. The commercial CFD code Fluent is used to simulate the splash flow of lubricant, using the techniques of dynamic meshing and VOF (Volume of Fluid). Our model takes into account the effects on the distribution of gear lubricant of lubricant level and physical properties as well as rotational speed. The results demonstrate that the flow patterns are strongly influenced by all these variables. The predictions are validated by high-speed flow visualisations using high-resolution imaging in conjunction with a pulsed Cu-vapour laser light source and powerful white light source. The simulated fluid flows are in good qualitative agreement with the experimental visualisation

Measurement of the e+e-→D(*)+D(*)- cross sections

journal articl

Organic matter accumulation mechanisms in the Lower Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation, Chaoyang Basin, NE China

In western Liaoning Province, the Lower Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation in the Chaoyang Basin is famous for the Jehol Biota and oil shale resources. Although it is an important oil shale-bearing basin, no detailed research has been carried out on organic-rich source rocks that are interbedded with gravity flow deposits and volcaniclastic rocks. The impact of basin evolution, gravity flows, and volcanism on oil shale formation is unknown. Furthermore, the impact of global volcanic activity on the lacustrine carbon cycle in the Chaoyang Basin has not yet been investigated.  This PhD uses a combination of petrology, sedimentology, sequence stratigraphy, elemental geochemistry, organic geochemistry, organic petrology, zircon U-Pb geochronology, and carbon isotope chemostratigraphy. Based on petrology, sedimentology, and sequence stratigraphic principles, the sequence stratigraphic framework of the third Member of the Jiufotang Formation was constructed. Extensional tectonic subsidence is suggested as the controlling factor for basin evolution and the trigger for earthquakes, gravity flows, and volcanic eruptions. In order to determine the characteristics and formation conditions of the lacustrine source rocks, including palaeoclimate, terrigenous detrital matter input, palaeosalinity, redox conditions, and organic matter source and bioproductivity, a range of parameters and techniques were used. These include elemental geochemistry, organic petrology, and organic geochemistry, including assessment of Rock Eval pyrolysis data, and aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon distributions. The oil shales were mainly deposited in a brackish and anoxic environment with salinity stratification and a low sulfur content. Gravity flows were accompanied by the input of terrestrial detritus and a degree of oxygenation in the the bottom waters, reducing oil shale formation. Volcanic eruptions ejected intermediate-acidic ashes, leading to enhancement of algal blooms (by a fertilisation effect due to minor volcanic ash input), or in some cases inhibition of algal blooms (by a poisoning effect due to major volcanic ash input). The best periods for oil shale formation were during the intermissions between tectonic movement, when there were few gravity flows, volcanic eruptions, or earthquakes. Based on U-Pb zircon geochronology and carbon isotope correlation, the lacustrine oil shale sequence in the Chaoyang Basin corresponds to the marine black shale interval within the Early Aptian Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a then refer to OAE 1a. Volcanogenic CO2 drawdown due to reduced activity of the Ontong Java Plateau and local volcanism and eruption of volcanic particles and aerosols into the stratosphere led to a trend of continuous climate cooling in this continental region. The positive δ13 Ccarb excursions in the lacustrine deposits were very likely related to the enhanced organic carbon burial rate and the reduced atmospheric CO2 concentration on a global scale. This research on the organic matter accumulation mechanisms in the Jiufotang Formation, Chaoyang Basin provides a useful example for future resource exploration of coeval oil shales in north China. </p

A study of regional innovation: Shifting to the endogenous development paradigm

application/pdfThe paradigm shifting from extraneous development to endogenous development is one of the cogent ways to make the regional innovation. Littleton, Colorado, known for its “Economic Gardening” program, is a good example among all. Ise, Japan can make such innovation by making the better use of the Ise Jingu, one of the most beloved religious tourist destinations in Japan. The three key factors of making such paradigm shift are an autonomy in the local finance, the strong leadership of the civic leaders and the existence of region- specific special resources.departmental bulletin pape