Median Range Values Research Articles

Profiling the novel plant-based meat alternative category: Consumer affective and sensory response in the context of perceived similarity to meat

Plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) are increasingly popular and may contribute towards reduction of negative environmental impacts associated with the meat industry. Inferior sensory characteristics of PBMAs, compared to conventional meat products, remain a barrier for uptake of these products. This study aimed to profile a wide range of PBMAs for perceived similarity to meat, consumer liking, emotional response and sensory experience, and to determine consumer drivers of liking for this product category. Twenty-one PBMAs, spanning a broad range of product types (burger patties, sausages, meatball alternatives, chicken/beef pieces, bacon alternative, turkey roast alternative) and main protein ingredients (extruded plant proteins, tofu, or legumes/vegetables) representative of PBMAs available to Aotearoa New Zealand consumers, were tasted and evaluated by 140 Aotearoa New Zealand residents. Samples ranged widely in their perceived similarity to meat (median value range: 1.0–4.0 on a 5-point-scale) and overall liking ratings (mean ± SD, range: 35.1 ± 1.2––77.7 ± 17.4 on a 100-point hedonic scale). Overall liking ratings were driven mostly by liking for flavour, followed by texture, and less so by appearance. Sensorially, sample differentiation was mostly associated with variation in meat-related flavours and textures, or vegetable-related attributes. Notably meat flavour was the main driver of liking, and a very strong relationship (r = 0.92) was observed between perceived similarity to meat and overall sample liking ratings. Meat-like samples were also associated with positive emotional terms, whereas samples made from wholefoods were associated with negative emotional terms. Textural terms (‘gluey/slimy’, ‘pasty/doughy’) associated with wholefood products were also negative drivers for liking, and should be avoided in future PBMA products. In conclusion, the general population maintains a strong preference for PBMAs that are similar to meat, validating ongoing efforts to improve the meat-like properties of new and emerging products. PBMAs made from wholefoods require extensive product development to achieve consumer satisfaction across the category.

Extended sample storage for platelet function testing in healthy dogs.

Platelet function testing is important for monitoring the effects of antiplatelet therapy but is not readily used due to time constraints for testing and the need for specialized equipment. This study evaluated the effects of various storage methods on selected platelet function tests to determine if delayed platelet function testing is feasible in canine blood samples. Our hypotheses were that platelet function would not decline during storage and, thus, no differences in test results would be found over time. Thirteen healthy dogs were studied. Citrated blood samples were tested with a Platelet Function Analyzer-200 (PFA), which mimics high-shear conditions, using P2Y and CADP cartridges, after being held at room temperature for 2 h and refrigerated for 24 and 48 h. Plateletworks (PW), which measures aggregation based on platelet counting, was performed on an optical hematology analyzer using 10-min-old native samples, citrated samples held at room temperature for 3-4 h and refrigerated for 24 and 48 h, and samples stored in the preservative solution, AGGFix, up to 7 days. PFA closure times increased with storage, especially with the P2Y cartridge. Median aggregation with fresh PW was 94%, and this was maintained at all time points (range of median values 88%-94%). Most samples showed decreased, yet still robust (>70%), aggregation with longer storage. Spontaneous aggregation in citrate was noted in most dogs. AGGFix stabilized platelet aggregates to allow for delayed testing. Delayed platelet function testing is feasible, but ranges of expected values may differ from tests using fresh samples.

Joint impacts of future climate conditions and invasive species on black ash forested wetlands

Wetlands around the globe are being impacted by changing temperature and precipitation patterns. Simultaneously black ash forested wetlands are expected to lose much of their overstory canopy due to the invasive Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). Field experiments and modeling efforts have provided information on species tolerance of post-EAB conditions and future climate adapted species. No studies have yet examined the interaction of the loss of ash and future climate scenarios on wetland hydrologic conditions. We developed daily wetland hydrology models for three vegetation conditions: black ash forest, alternate non-ash forest, and non-forested. Model simulations were evaluated under current climate conditions and under two future climate scenarios representing warm & dry (T: +1.9°C, P: −2.6 cm) and hot & wet (T: +8.9°C, P: +6.2 cm) scenarios. For each combination of vegetation condition and climate scenario, 10,000 annual synthetic weather sequences were used as inputs to the wetland hydrology models. Simulated wetland hydrology remained highly variable based on seasonal precipitation and evaporative demand. We compared the occurrence probability of stream-network connectivity, surface inundation, and dry conditions. Effects ranged from slightly drier under non-forested and warm & dry conditions to much wetter under alternate-forested and hot & wet conditions. Non-forested conditions resulted in a median increase of 15 and 20% of daily observations of connectivity to stream networks and surface inundation, respectively, and 7% (median) fewer daily observations of dry conditions. Alternate-forested conditions resulted in larger median impacts: 40 and 35% more daily observations of connectivity to stream networks and surface inundation, respectively and 10% fewer daily observations of dry conditions. Projected climate change-induced water deficits resulted in 3–9% fewer days with connectivity and surface inundation, respectively and 0–10% more days with dry conditions (values represent the range of median values for combination of vegetation and future scenario). Our results show vegetation change as an equal or greater individual driver of future hydrologic conditions in black ash wetlands relative to climate change. Non-forested conditions and projected climate change-induced impacts each effectively negated the other. Management decisions around vegetation transition and establishment should consider the interaction with future climate scenarios and the large effect that poorly inundation-adapted plant communities could have on hydrologic conditions.

The Astrometric Performance Test of 80 cm Telescope at Yaoan Station and Precise CCD Positions of Apophis

Abstract The 80 cm azimuthal telescope has newly been mounted at Yaoan Station, Purple Mountain Observatory since 2018. The astrometric performance of the telescope is tested in the following three aspects. (a) The geometric distortion of its CCD attached. It is stable in both a single epoch and multi epochs. Eight distortion solutions are derived over about one year. The maximum values range from 0.75 to 0.79 pixel and the median values range from 0.14 to 0.16 pixel. (b) The limit magnitude of stars. About 20.5 mag (Gaia-G) stars can be detected with Johnson-V filter exposured in 300 s. The astrometric error of about 20.5 mag stars is estimated at 0.″14 using the fitted sigmoidal function. (c) The astrometric accuracy and the precision of stacked fast-moving faint object. 24 stacked frames of the potentially hazardous asteroid (99942) Apophis were derived on 2021 April 14 and 15 (fainter than 18 mag) based on the ephemeris shifts. During data reduction, the newest Gaia EDR3 Catalog and Jet Propulsion Laboratory Horizons ephemeris are referenced as theoretical positions of stars and Apophis, respectively. Our results show that the mean (O − C)s (observed minus computed) of Apophis are −0.″018 and 0.″020 in R.A. and decl., and the dispersions are estimated at 0.″094 and 0.″085, respectively, which show the consistency of the stacked results by Astrometrica.

Total Intravenous Anaesthesia with Ketamine, Medetomidine and Midazolam as Part of a Balanced Anaesthesia Technique in Horses Undergoing Castration.

To evaluate the use of ketamine-medetomidine-midazolam total intravenous infusion as part of a balanced anaesthetic technique for surgical castration in horses. Five healthy Standardbred cross colts were premedicated with IV acepromazine (0.01–0.02 mg/kg), medetomidine (7 µg/kg) and methadone (0.1 mg/kg) and anaesthesia induced with IV ketamine (2.2 mg/kg) and midazolam (0.06 mg/kg). Horses were anaesthetised for 40 min with an IV infusion of ketamine (3 mg/kg/h), medetomidine (5 µg/kg/h) and midazolam (0.1 mg/kg/h) while routine surgical castration was performed. Cardiorespiratory variables, arterial blood gases, and anaesthetic depth were assessed at 5 to 10 min intervals. Post-anaesthesia recovery times were recorded, and the quality of the recovery period was assessed. The anaesthetic period and surgical conditions were acceptable with good muscle relaxation and no additional anaesthetic required. The median (range) time from cessation of the infusion to endotracheal tube extubation, head lift and sternal recumbency were 17.2 (7–35) min, 25 (18.9–53) min and 28.1 (23–54) min, respectively. The quality of anaesthetic recovery was good, with horses standing 31.9 (28–61) min after the infusion was ceased. During anaesthesia, physiological variables, presented as a range of median values for each time point were: heart rate 37–44 beats/min, mean arterial pressure 107–119 mmHg, respiratory rate 6–13 breaths/min, arterial partial pressure of oxygen 88–126 mmHg, arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide 52–57 mmHg and pH 7.36–7.39. In conclusion, the co-administration of midazolam, ketamine and medetomidine as in IV infusion, when used as part of a balanced anaesthetic technique, was suitable for short term anaesthesia in horses undergoing castration.

A comprehensive aquatic risk assessment of the beta-blocker propranolol, based on the results of over 600 research papers

A comprehensive aquatic environmental risk assessment (ERA) of the human pharmaceutical propranolol was conducted, based on all available scientific literature. Over 200 papers provided information on environmental concentrations (77 of which provided river concentrations) and 98 dealt with potential environmental effects. The median concentration of propranolol in rivers was 7.1 ng/L (range of median values of individual studies 0.07 to 89 ng/L), and the highest individual value was 590 ng/L. Sixty-eight EC50 values for 35 species were available. The lowest EC50 value was 0.084 mg/L. A species sensitivity distribution (SSD) provided an HC50 value of 6.64 mg/L and an HC5 value of 0.22 mg/L. Thus, there was a difference of nearly 6 orders of magnitude between the median river concentration and the HC50 value, and over 4 orders of magnitude between the median river concentration and the HC5 value. Even if an assessment factor of 100 was applied to the HC5 value, to provide considerable protection to all species, the safety margin is over 100-fold. However, nearly half of all papers reporting effects of propranolol did not provide an EC50 value. Some reported that very low concentrations of propranolol caused effects. The lowest concentration reported to cause an effect - in fact, a range of biochemical and physiological effects on mussels - was 0.3 ng/L. In none of these ‘low concentration’ papers was a sigmoidal concentration-response relationship obtained. Although inclusion of data from these papers in the ERA cause a change in the conclusion reached, we are sceptical of the repeatability of these ‘low concentration’ results. We conclude that concentrations of propranolol present currently in rivers throughout the world do not constitute a risk to aquatic organisms. We discuss the need to improve the quality of ecotoxicology research so that more robust ERAs acceptable to all stakeholders can be completed.

The effect of injurious compression on the elastic, hyper-elastic and visco-elastic properties of porcine peripheral nerves

The aim of this study was to characterise the viscoelastic and hyper-elastic properties of the ulnar nerve before and after compression has been induced, in order to aid the understanding of how the mechanical properties of nerves are altered during nerve compression, a contributing factor to cubital tunnel syndrome. Ulnar nerves were dissected from porcine legs and tensile tested to 10% strain. The Young's modulus and Yeoh hyper-elastic model were used to evaluate the materials elastic and hyper-elastic properties respectively. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was used to evaluate the viscoelastic properties over a range of frequencies between 0.5 Hz and 38 Hz. The nerves were then compressed to 40% for 60 s and the same tests were carried out after compression. The nerves were stiffer after compression, the mean Young's modulus before was 0.181 MPa and increased to 0.601 MPa after compression. The mean shear modulus calculated from the Yeoh hyper-elastic model was also higher after compression increasing from 5 kPa to 7 kPa. After compression, these properties had significantly increased (p < 0.05). The DMA results showed that the nerves exhibit frequency dependent viscoelastic behaviour across all tested frequencies. The median values of storage modulus before compression ranged between 0.605 and 0.757 MPa across the frequencies and after compression between 1.161 MPa and 1.381 MPa. There was a larger range of median values for loss modulus, before compression, median values ranged between 0.073 MPa and 0.216 MPa and after compression from 0.165 MPa to 0.410 MPa. There was a significant increase in both storage and loss modulus after compression (p < 0.05). The mechanical properties of the nerve change following compression, however the response to decompression in vivo requires further evaluation to determine whether the observed changes persist, which may have implications for clinical recovery after surgical decompression in entrapment neuropathy.

Effects of nitrate on phosphorus release from lake sediments

Phosphorus (P) release from sediment is a key process affecting the effectiveness of eutrophication mitigation. We hypothesized that high nitrate (NO3−) input may have dual effect on sediment P release: reduce the sediment P release by improving the oxidation of sediment or promote P release by stimulating the growth of phytoplankton and increase the decomposition rates and oxygen consumption at the sediment water interface. To test the effect of different NO3− concentrations, we conducted a three-month experiment in 15 cement tanks (1 m3), with five targeted concentrations of NO3−: control, 2 mg L−1, 5 mg L−1, 10 mg L−1, and 15 mg L−1. The results showed that: i) when NO3− was maintained at high levels: NO3−≥5–7 mg L−1 (range of median values), there was no effect of NO3− on net P release from the sediment, likely because the positive effects of NO3− (increasing oxidation) was counteracted by a promotion of phytoplankton growth. ii) after NO3− addition was terminated NO3− dropped sharply to a low level (NO3−≤0.4 mg L−1), followed by a minor P release in the low N treatments but a significant P release in the high N treatments, which likely reflect that the inhibition effect of NO3− on P release decreased, while the promotion effects at high NO3− concentrations continued. The results thus supported our hypotheses of a dual effect on sediment P release and suggest dose-dependent effect of NO3− loading on stimulating P release from the sediment, being clear at high NO3− exceeding 5–7 mg L−1.

Comparative study of air quality indices in the European Union towards adopting a common air quality index

This study aims to compare air quality indices applied in European Union countries towards adopting a common air quality index. The urban European cities Rome, Madrid, Paris, London, Berlin, Warsaw, Stockholm, and Oslo were selected. Using the EEA AirBase air quality database, time series data for the major atmospheric pollutants (CO, NO2, SO2, O3, PM10, and PM2.5) were recovered for each city, for most recent years available. Daily averages, maximum hourly values and maximum 8-h averages were calculated for each pollutant. The air quality indices selected were BelAQI, DAQx, DAQI, AtmoIndex, AQIH, and CAQI. The daily value of each air quality indices and the corresponding dominant atmospheric pollutant were determined for each city. A two-stage normalization procedure was applied on air quality indices in a 0–1 range, to allow their direct comparison without altering their structure. All air quality indices exhibited air quality rates over 64% for all cities, thus below the European Union air quality standard. The dominant pollutant was NO2 for both BelAQI and DAQx; O3 for both DAQI and AQIH (with an exception for Warsaw where SO2 was the dominant pollutant). For CAQI, NO2 prevails in Berlin, London, Warsaw, Stockholm, and Oslo, while O3 prevails in Rome, Madrid, and Paris. The dominant pollutant for AtmoIndex was NO2 in Berlin, Warsaw, and Stockholm; O3 in Madrid, Paris, London, and Oslo; PM10 in Rome. A very strong positive statistical correlation ( p &lt; 0.01) was found for all cities between BelAQI and CAQI, and also between CAQI and DAQx. A strong positive statistical correlation ( p &lt; 0.01) was found for all cities between BelAQI and DAQx. A moderate positive correlation was shown between the following pairs of indices: AtmoIndex-DAQI, AtmoIndex-AQIH, DAQI-AQIH, BelAQI-AQIH, and AQIH-CAQI. On the contrary, a weak positive correlation was noticed between the following pairs of indices: BelAQI-DAQI, BelAQI-AtmoIndex, DAQX-DAQI, DAQx-AQIH, DAQI-CAQI, and CAQI-AtmoIndex. After the normalization process that enables the direct comparison of the air quality indices, the main results are the BelAQI presents the largest normalized median (range 0.33–0.5) implying the worst air quality compared to the other air quality indices. The CAQI has a median value of 0.33, the DAQx of 0.25, while the AtmoIndex a median value range of 0.125–0.375, and the DAQI and AQIH of 0.165–0.33. Concluding, the AQIH can be proposed as a common European Union air quality index because: firstly, its calculation comprises all significant atmospheric pollutants including PM2.5, thereby being harmonized with the Directive 2008/50/EC, and, secondly, AQIH does not display extremely low or high (normalized) values compared to the other air quality indices.

The Price of Cyber (In)Security: Evidence from the Italian Private Sector

This paper presents evidence on the economic dimension of cyber risk in the Italian private non-financial sector, based on Bank of Italy survey data. In 2016, the median amount spent on preventing cyber attacks was a modest €4,530, i.e. 15 per cent of a typical worker’s annual gross wages. A wide variation exists across sectors and size classes, reflecting differences in how appealing a target a firm is to attackers and firms’ awareness of threats: median values range from €3,120 for small firms to €19,080 in the ICT sector and €44,590 for large firms. The market for cyber defence in our reference universe is worth at least €570 million. Having been attacked in the past proves to be a strong incentive to invest in security. The majority of breached firms suffered damages worth less than €10,000; 0.1 per cent reported costs of at least €200,000. Neither the sampling design nor the questionnaire were geared towards the measurement of tail events: underestimation of large incidents is likely. More information is needed before the economy-wide cost can be estimated.

Culturable fungi in potting soils and compost.

In the present study the spectrum and the incidence of fungi in potting soils and compost was investigated. Since soil is one of the most important biotopes for fungi, relatively high concentrations of fungal propagules are to be expected. For detection of fungi, samples of commercial soils, compost and soils from potted plants (both surface and sub-surface) were suspended and plated onto several mycological media. The resulting colonies were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. The results from the different sampling series vary, but concentrations on the surface of potted plants and in commercial soils are increased tenfold compared to compost and sub-surface soils. Median values range from 9.5 × 10(4) colony forming units (CFU)/g to 5.5 × 10(5) CFU/g. The spectrum of fungi also varies in the soils. However, all sampling series show high proportion of Aspergillus and Penicillium species, including potentially pathogenic species such as Aspergillus fumigatus. Cladosporium, a genus dominant in the ambient air, was found preferably in samples which were in contact with the air. The results show that potentially pathogenic fungi are present in soils. Immunocompromised individuals should avoid handling soils or potted plants in their immediate vicinity.

Macronutrient status of UK groundwater: Nitrogen, phosphorus and organic carbon

Groundwater is a large, slowly changing pool of the macronutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC), with impacts on receptors, surface waters, dependent wetlands and coastal marine ecosystems. Sources of N to groundwater include fertilisers, animal wastes and septic effluents. N species are well-quantified in groundwater and NO3-N has a wide range of median values (0–12mg/L). The highest concentrations are in the Chalk of East Anglia and Humberside and the Permo-Triassic Sandstone (PTS) of Staffordshire. The highest concentrations of NH4-N are found in confined aquifers. N concentrations have increased with time peaking during the 1980s. Changes in practice have led to the reduction observed in rapidly-responding aquifers. For the Chalk, where the unsaturated zone is thick, improvements may not be seen for decades. P is less well-characterised in UK groundwater reflecting the lack of historical interest in groundwater P, although it can be significant in some aquifer matrices. Groundwater P concentrations are elevated in sandstone formations compared to other lithology and highest in the PTS of the Midlands and northern England (median values>50μg/L). Overall half of the aquifers studied in the UK have median TDP>50μg/L, with values of up to 100μg/L under some urban areas, such as Manchester and Liverpool as well as the Lee Valley. P concentrations in arable areas are variable (20–100μg/L), whereas under semi-natural conditions they are lower (20–50μg/L). There is little information on P trends in groundwater. Most DOC is derived from soils, playing an important part in redox processes. The aquifer matrix can contain high OC and contribute significantly to groundwater DOC. Median values range between 0.4 and 9mg/L, but rarely exceed 5mg/L, except in the Chalk of Yorkshire and Humberside and PTS of Liverpool which have long legacies of anthropogenic pollution.

Mercury in Orange Birch Bolete Leccinum versipelle and soil substratum: bioconcentration by mushroom and probable dietary intake by consumers.

The aim of this study was to examine the contamination, accumulation, and distribution of mercury in fruiting bodies by Leccinum versipelle fungus collected from distant sites across Poland. Mercury was determined using validated method by cold-vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy after direct sample matrix combustion. A large set of data gained using 371 fruiting bodies and 204 soil samples revealed the susceptibility of L. versipelle to Hg contamination and permitted the estimation of probable intake of Hg contaminant by consumers foraging for this species. The range of median values of Hg determined in caps of L. versipelle was from 0.20 to 2.0 mg kg−1 dry biomass, and the median for 19 localities was 0.65 mg kg−1 dry biomass. The values of the Hg bioconcentration factor (BCF) determined for L. versipelle correlated negatively with Hg contents. Mercury in topsoil beneath L. versipelle ranged from 0.019 to 0.041 mg kg−1 dry matter for less-contaminated locations (BCF of 17 to 65 for caps) and from 0.076 to 0.39 mg kg−1 dry matter for more contaminated locations (BCF of 1.9 to 22). Fruiting bodies of L. versipelle collected in some regions of Poland if consumed in amount of 300 g in one meal in a week could provide Hg doses above the provisionally tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) value of 0.004 mg Hg kg−1 body mass, while regular consumptions for most of the locations were below the limit even with more frequent consumption. Also summarized are available data on Hg for three species of fungi of genus Leccinum foraged in Europe.

Persistent organic pollutants in ocean sediments from the North Pacific to the Arctic Ocean

AbstractConcentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OC pesticides), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are reported in surficial sediments sampled along cruise transects from the Bering Sea to the central Arctic Ocean. OCs and PCBs all had significantly higher concentrations in the relatively shallow water (&lt;500 m depth) of the Bering‐Chukchi shelf areas (e.g., ΣPCB 286 ± 265 pg g−1 dw) compared to the deeper water regions (&gt;500 m) of the Bering Sea and Arctic Ocean (e.g., Canada Basin ΣPCB 149 ± 102 pg g−1 dw). Concentrations were similar to, or slightly lower than, studies from the 1990s, indicating a lack of a declining trend. PBDEs (excluding BDE‐209) displayed very low concentrations (e.g., range of median values, 3.5–6.6 pg/g dw). In the shelf areas, the sediments comprised similar proportions of silt and clay, whereas the deep basin sediments were dominated by clay, with a lower total organic carbon (TOC) content. While significant positive correlations were observed between persistent organic pollutant (POP) concentrations and TOC (Pearson correlation, r = 0.66–0.75, p &lt;0.05), the lack of strong correlations, combined with differing chemical profiles between the sediments and technical formulations (and/or marine surface waters), indicate substantial chemical processing during transfer to the benthic environment. Marked differences in sedimentation rates between the shallow and deeper water regions are apparent (the ∼5 cm‐depth grab samples collected here representing ∼100 years of accumulation for the shelf sediments and ∼1000 years for the deeper ocean regions), which may bias any comparisons. Nonetheless, the sediments of the shallower coastal arctic seas appear to serve as significant repositories for POPs deposited from surface waters.

Perchlorate in indoor dust and human urine in China: contribution of indoor dust to total daily intake.

Perchlorate is used in fireworks and China is the largest fireworks producer and consumer in the world. Information regarding human exposure to perchlorate is scarce in China, and exposure via indoor dust ingestion (EDI indoor dust) has rarely been evaluated. In this study, perchlorate was found in indoor dust (detection rate: 100%, median: 47.4 μg/g), human urine (99%, 26.2 ng/mL), drinking water (100%, 3.99 ng/mL), and dairy milk (100%, 12.3 ng/mL) collected from cities that have fireworks manufacturing areas (Yueyang and Nanchang) and in cities that do not have fireworks manufacturing industries (Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Yuxi and Guilin) in China. In comparison with perchlorate levels reported for other countries, perchlorate levels in urine samples from fireworks sites and nonfireworks sites in China were higher. Median indoor dust perchlorate concentrations were positively correlated (r = 0.964, p < 0.001) with outdoor dust perchlorate levels reported previously. The total daily intake (EDI total) of perchlorate, estimated based on urinary levels, ranged from 0.090 to 27.72 μg/kg body weight (bw)/day for all studied participants; the percentage of donors who had EDI total exceeding the reference dose (RfD) recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) was 79%, 48%, and 25% for toddlers (median: 1.829 μg/kg bw/day), adults (0.669 μg/kg bw/day), and children (median: 0.373 μg/kg bw/day), respectively. Toddlers (0.258 μg/kg bw/day) had the highest median EDI indoor dust, which was 2 to 5 times greater than the EDI indoor dust calculated for other age groups (the range of median values: 0.044 to 0.127 μg/kg bw/day). Contribution of indoor dust to EDItotal was 26%, 28%, and 7% for toddlers, children, and adults, respectively. Indoor dust contributed higher percentage to EDI total than that by dairy milk (0.5-5%).

Percentiles of fasting serum insulin, glucose, HbA1c and HOMA-IR in pre-pubertal normal weight European children from the IDEFICS cohort.

The aim of this study is to present age- and sex-specific reference values of insulin, glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and the homeostasis model assessment to quantify insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) for pre-pubertal children. The reference population consists of 7074 normal weight 3- to 10.9-year-old pre-pubertal children from eight European countries who participated in at least one wave of the IDEFICS ('identification and prevention of dietary- and lifestyle-induced health effects in children and infants') surveys (2007-2010) and for whom standardised laboratory measurements were obtained. Percentile curves of insulin (measured by an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay), glucose, HbA1c and HOMA-IR were calculated as a function of age stratified by sex using the general additive model for location scale and shape (GAMLSS) method. Levels of insulin, fasting glucose and HOMA-IR continuously show an increasing trend with age, whereas HbA1c shows an upward trend only beyond the age of 8 years. Insulin and HOMA-IR values are higher in girls of all age groups, whereas glucose values are slightly higher in boys. Median serum levels of insulin range from 17.4 and 13.2 pmol l(-1) in 3-<3.5-year-old girls and boys, respectively, to 53.5 and 43.0 pmol l(-1) in 10.5-<11-year-old girls and boys. Median values of glucose are 4.3 and 4.5 mmol l(-1) in the youngest age group and 49.3 and 50.6 mmol l(-1) in the oldest girls and boys. For HOMA-IR, median values range from 0.5 and 0.4 in 3-<3.5-year-old girls and boys to 1.7 and 1.4 in 10.5-<11-year-old girls and boys, respectively. Our study provides the first standardised reference values for an international European children's population and provides the, up to now, largest data set of healthy pre-pubertal children to model reference percentiles for markers of insulin resistance. Our cohort shows higher values of Hb1Ac as compared with a single Swedish study while our percentiles for the other glucose metabolic markers are in good accordance with previous studies.

A prospective cohort study found that provider and information continuity was low after patient discharge from hospital

Objective Continuity of care is composed of provider and information continuity and can change value over time. Most studies that have quantitatively associated continuity of care and outcomes have ignored these characteristics. This study is a detailed examination of continuity of care in patients discharged from hospital that simultaneously measured separate components of continuity over time or determined the factors with which they are associated. Design Setting Multicenter, prospective cohort study of patients discharged to the community after elective or emergent hospitalization. For all physician visits during 6 months after discharge, we identified the physician and the availability of particular information (including hospital discharge summary and any information from previous physician visits). Four physician continuity scores (preadmission; hospital admitting; hospital consultant; and postdischarge) and two information continuity scores (discharge summary and postdischarge visit information) were calculated for all patients (range: 0–1, where 0 is perfect discontinuity and 1 is perfect continuity). Results Four thousand five hundred fifty-three people were followed for a median of 175 days. Both provider (range of median values: 0–0.410) and information (range: 0.220–0.427) continuity scores were low and varied extensively over time. With a few exceptions, continuity measures were independent of each other. The influence of patient factors on continuity varied extensively between the continuity measures with the most influential factors being admission urgency, admitting service, and the number of physicians who regularly treated the patient. Conclusion Both provider and information continuity was low in patients discharged from hospital. Continuity measures can change extensively over time, which are usually independent of each other, and are associated with patient and admission characteristics. Future studies should measure multiple components of provider and information continuity over time to completely capture continuity of care.

Retrieval and climatology of the aerosol asymmetry parameter in the NOAA aerosol monitoring network

The aerosol monitoring network of the NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory routinely provides data on the aerosol absorption and spectral scattering and backscattering coefficients. An algorithm is introduced that retrieves from the primary measurements the aerosol asymmetry parameter, the optical property needed in addition to those mentioned above to completely characterize aerosol with respect to its direct radiative effect on climate. The algorithm is tested on synthetic data and shown to retrieve the spectral aerosol asymmetry parameter for aerodynamic particle diameters Dp,aer &lt; 1.0 μm with ∼0.8% systematic uncertainty and ∼1.1% systematic uncertainty for Dp,aer &lt; 10.0 μm. The algorithm is applied to data from six ESRL stations representing aerosol in the dried state of continental, marine, arctic, and free tropospheric origin. The retrieved asymmetry parameters show a significant dependence on wavelength. Both wavelength dependence and absolute value of the asymmetry parameter depend on location or air mass type. The median values range from 0.57 for free tropospheric aerosol to 0.65 for marine aerosol at 550 nm wavelength and Dp,aer &lt; 10.0 μm. It is shown that the accuracy of the asymmetry parameters retrieved with the algorithm is significantly larger than that of asymmetry parameters derived from backscatter fractions assuming a Henyey‐Greenstein phase function.

Abnormal oral mucosal light reflectance in bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Background Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in preterm infants. A disordered vascular development and a decreased production of angiogenic factors have been recently reported in the condition. Extracellular matrix (ECM) is known to play an important role on angiogenesis and blood vessel geometry and changes in ECM components have been previously reported in experimental models and patients with BPD. Here, we aimed to assess the potential value of light reflectance on the oral mucosa in detecting infants who will develop BPD. Methods A total of 75 preterm newborns (gestational age: 27.7 ± 2.8 weeks, birth weight: 870 ± 145 g) were recruited to the study, of whom 25 developed BPD (gestational age: 26.9 ± 3.0 weeks, birth weight: 855 ± 150 g). Reflectance was measured on the postnatal days 1 and 28, using high-resolution photographs of the lower gingival and vestibular oral mucosa, using imaging spectrophotometry in the 400–700 nm wavelength electromagnetic spectral range. The median of artefact- and vessel-free areas was n = 78 (interquartile range: 59–88). Median range values were comparable for both groups: BPD-positive infants, median 77 (interquartile: 60–90) vs. control infants, median 74 (interquartile: 62–92). The predictive accuracy of oral spectrophotometry was calculated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Results BPD patients showed significantly lower light reflectance values in the red (610–700 nm, P < 0.0001), with higher values in the violet (400 nm, P = 0.0056; 430 nm, P = 0.014), and blue-green (480–500 nm, P ≤ 0.024) sections of the spectrum already on the first day of life. A low reflectance value in the 640–700 nm wavelengths interval was found to identify BPD patients with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity (640 nm: cutoff ≤ 44.91%; 650 nm: ≤ 45.64%; 660 nm: ≤ 46.56%; 670 nm: ≤ 47.14%; 680 nm: ≤ 47.56%; 690 nm: ≤ 48.95%; 700 nm: ≤ 50.81%). Conclusions These findings indicate the presence of previously unrecognised, early abnormalities in the average optical properties of the oral mucosa from infants developing BPD.

In situ determination of particle friction angles of fluvial gravels

Particle friction angles Φ represent the physical resistance to initial movement of a sediment particle and are therefore useful for relating initiation of motion to particular flows. We determined over 8000 friction angle values at five natural rivers by applying a new method that uses a digital load cell to directly measure the force Fd required to pivot or slide a particle out of its natural resting place. Within each site, median Φ values were very similar to previously reported relations, yet different enough between sites that a location‐general predictive empirical relation would produce errors in Φ of ±10 degrees for Di/Ks &gt; 1. Furthermore, within a Di/Ks class at a given site the range in Φ was as large as 80°, much greater than the range of median values between classes for natural sediment mixtures. Using estimates of τc* from extensive bed load measurements made by Andrews and Erman [1986] at Sagehen Creek and the in situ Φ measurements made in this study together with a theoretical model developed by Wiberg and Smith [1987], we show that Φ measurements made with this new method can be used to accurately predict τc* for natural, water‐worked sediments. Additionally, these results confirm that a Φ value ≪Φ50 is more appropriate for predicting τc* of a given size class.