Changes In Tc Research Articles

Risk for heat-related illness among wildland firefighters: job tasks and core body temperature change

ObjectivesIn order to make recommendations to protect wildland firefighters (WLFFs) from heat-related illness, the role physical exertion plays on core body temperature (Tc) in the work environment needs to be...

Competition between pinning produced by extrinsic random point disorder and superconducting thermal fluctuations in oxygen-deficient GdBa2Cu3Ox coated conductors

We report on the influence of random point defects introduced by 3 MeV proton irradiation on the vortex dynamics of 1.3 μm thick GdBa2Cu3Ox coated conductors. Thin films with different oxygen stoichiometry (6.7 < × < 7) were irradiated with 3 MeV proton (p) using a fluence of 2 × 1016 p cm−2. We find a direct correlation between the changes in Tc produced by oxygen content and damage by irradiation on the resulting vortex dynamics in the films. The analysis of the critical current densities Jc at low temperatures indicates that although irradiation produces smooth magnetic field dependences, the self-field values decrease systematically as Tc reduces. Moreover, the analysis of the relaxation of the persistent currents shows that the characteristic glassy exponent μ systematically decreases from 1.7 to 0.66 as Tc decreases from 93 to 55 K.

Effects of high-protein diet on glycemic control, insulin resistance and blood pressure in type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Obesity is a well-known risk factor of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and it is commonly accompanied by T2DM. It is estimated that almost two thirds of the population with T2DM is also affected by hypertension. Elevated arterial blood pressure would increase the risk for diabetes development. Recently some studies indicated that a high-protein diet was effective for weight loss, and therefore we hypothesized that a high-protein diet could help control blood glucose, mitigate insulin resistance (IR) and improve blood pressure by weight management in T2DM patients. The study aimed to systematically review the effects of a high-protein diet on glycemic control, IR and blood pressure in T2DM patients. We searched four electronic databases until May 1st 2018 and included all randomized clinical trials comparing a high-protein diet with other diets. Two reviewers independently identified the trials for inclusion and independently extracted data. Either a fixed- or a random-effects model was used to combine the changes in each outcome from baseline to the end of the intervention. The meta-analysis was performed with RevMan 5.3 software. Twelve articles (thirteen studies) including 1138 T2DM patients met our inclusion criteria. Glycemic control was not significantly different between the high-protein diet and control group, with the changes in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (-0.13 (95% CI (-0.46, 0.19), p=0.43) mmol/L) and HbA1c% (-0.05 (95% CI (-0.18, 0.08, p=0.92))) from baseline to the end of intervention. However, the difference in IR between the two groups was statistically significant. Most changes in lipids profiles were favorable. The changes in HDL, LDL, TC, and TG were+0.03 (95% CI (-0.04,0.11), p=0.35) mmol/L,-0.10 (95% CI (-0.18,-0.02), p=0.02) mmol/L,-0.21 (95% CI (-0.31,-0.12), p<0.01) mmol/L and-0.19 (95% CI (-0.33,-0.05), p<0.01) mmol/L, respectively. The result of HOMA-IR was-0.27 (95% CI (-0.47,-0.06), p<0.01). Additionally, the difference in blood pressure in terms of systolic blood pressure (-0.57 (95% CI (-2.45, 1.32), p=0.55)) and diastolic blood pressure (-0.73 (95% CI (-2.48, 1.02), p=0.41)) was not significant. This review showed that a high-protein diet does not significantly improve glycemic control and blood pressure, but can lower LDL, TC, TG and HOMA-IR levels in T2DM patients. Further studies are needed to clarify the effects of a high-protein diet on glycemic control, IR and blood pressure control in T2DM patients.

Radiation effects in high-temperature YBa2Cu3O7-x superconducting thin films with low-energy protons for space radiation environments

This paper presents the irradiation effects and microstructure evolution in YBa2Cu3O7-x (YBCO) thin films irradiated with low-energy protons. The microstructure changes can arise from atomic displacements characterized by micro-Raman spectroscopy. Providing different fluence low-proton irradiation conditions to simulate the space proton environment, the obvious properties change of the transition temperature Tc and critical current density Jc can be observed. In accordance with micro-Raman spectroscopy observations, the main components of proton-radiation-induced defects are that displacements of oxygen atoms in Cu–O chains. These oxygen defects acting as effective pinning centers for flux vortices increase the pinning force Fp and the critical current density Jc. However, a further healing process of broken Cu–O chains occurs with further proton irradiation, which leads to a weaker pinning force Fp and a decreased critical current density Jc. This work provides the damage profiles of the proton radiation on high-temperature YBCO superconducting thin films, which are extraordinarily important for the future superconductor applications in long-time space missions.

Curie Temperature Enhancement and Cation Ordering in Titanomagnetites: Evidence From Magnetic Properties, XMCD, and Mössbauer Spectroscopy

AbstractPrevious work has documented time‐ and temperature‐dependent variations in the Curie temperature (Tc) of natural titanomagnetites, independent of any changes in sample composition. To better understand the atomic‐scale processes responsible for these variations, we have generated a set of synthetic titanomagnetites with a range of Ti, Mg, and Al substitution; a subset of samples was additionally oxidized at low temperature (150 °C). Samples were annealed at temperatures between 325 and 400 °C for up to 1,000 hr and characterized in terms of magnetic properties; Fe valence and site occupancy were constrained by X‐ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Annealing results in large (up to ~100 °C) changes in Tc, but Mössbauer, XMCD, and saturation magnetization data all demonstrate that intersite reordering of Fe2+/Fe3+ does not play a role in the observed Tc changes. Rather, the data are consistent with vacancy‐enhanced nanoscale chemical clustering within the octahedral sublattice. This clustering may be a precursor to chemical unmixing at temperatures below the titanomagnetite binary solvus. Additionally, the data strongly support a model where cation vacancies are predominantly situated on octahedral sites, Mg substitution is largely accommodated on octahedral sites, and Al substitution is split between the two sites.

Effect of change in ambient temperature on core temperature of female subjects during the daytime and its sex differences.

Tympanic temperature (Tty), skin temperature, and regional dry heat loss were measured continuously in eight female subjects under three conditions: (1) stepwise increases in ambient temperature (Ta) from 26°C at 09:00 to 30°C at 18:00, (2) steady Ta at 28°C from 09:00 to 18:00, and (3) stepwise decreases in Ta from 30°C at 09:00 to 26°C at 18:00. Oxygen consumption, body weight loss, thermal sensation, and comfort levels were periodically recorded. The Tty increased significantly (p < 0.01) from 36.1 ± 0.36°C to 36.6 ± 0.23°C at 18:00 under condition 1 but remained virtually unchanged under conditions 2 and 3. Thermal comfort was observed at 15:00 and 17:00 under condition 3, whereas subjects reported that they felt slightly cool at 15:00. The rate of body heat storage (S), changes in Tty, mean skin temperature ([Formula: see text]sk), and mean body temperature during each period were calculated, and confirmed that changes in [Formula: see text]sk was correlated with S. Diurnal changes in core temperature (Tc) appeared to be more dependent on diurnal rhythm than on changes in Ta, except when Ta increased continuously. Thus, it may be difficult to predict diurnal changes in women's Tc using a body-heat-balance equation during thermal transient.

Domain wall induced modulation of low field H-T phase diagram in patterned superconductor-ferromagnet stripes

We present a systematic study of the magnetic domain wall induced modulation of superconducting transition temperature (Tc) in Nb/Ni bilayer stripes. By varying the thickness of the Ni layer from 20 nm to 100 nm we have been able to measure the low field Tc-H phase diagram spanning the Néel domain wall and Bloch domain wall range of thicknesses. Micromagnetic simulations confirmed a stronger out-of-plane stray field in the Bloch domain walls compared to the Néel walls. A suppression in Tc was observed in the magnetization reversal region of the Ni film, the magnitude of which followed linearly to the strength of the out-of-plane stray field due to the domain walls. The upper limit of the magnitude of domain wall stray field was roughly estimated by comparing the Tc of the suppressed region of H-Tc phase diagrams with the unaffected part of the H-Tc curve. With Bloch domain walls a change in Tc of more than 60 mK was observed which is much more compared to the earlier reports. We believe that the narrow stripe geometry of the bilayers and the transverse external field maximized the effect of the domain walls in the Ni layer on the overlying superconducting film, leading to a larger change in Tc. This observation may be useful for domain wall controlled switching devices in superconducting spintronics.

Changing trends of incidence and prognosis of thyroid carcinoma.

to evaluate the time trend of epidemiology of follicular cell derived thyroid cancer (TC) based on data from a well documented cancer registry. Population based data on TC from Lower Franconia (LF), Germany, within 1981 and 2015 were analysed to estimate the regional epidemiology of TC. The incidence was assessed in 5-year-intervals for gender, histology, and tumor stage. Incidence of TC solely attributable to papillary TC (PTC) doubled mainly in T1- and T2-stages within the evaluation period from 4.5 to 8.7/100.000/y in females and 1.7 to 4.1/100.000/y in males. There was no significant change of follicular TC (FTC), whereas anaplastic TC (ATC) decreased in the same interval. The number of lymph-node metastases and T3-cases increased, while the frequency of T4-stage and distant metastases decreased. Increased incidences of T1- and T2-stages suggest an over-diagnosis. In contrast, increasing number of tumors at T3-stage and with lymph node involvement contradict the over-diagnosis as the only reason for rising incidence. Declining of T4-stages in spite of increasing of T3-stages and N1-cases indicates the value of timely detection and treatment of TC. In accordance, reduced incidence of advanced cancers with M1-stage and ATC cases promote our current management of TC. Timely diagnosis and adequate risk-adopted treatment of thyroid cancer reduce the frequency of high-risk cases with distant metastases and the possible protracted dedifferentiation of TC to anaplastic features. Our analyses support the management algorithm in thyroid cancer according to the recent guidelines of German Nuclear Medicine Society.

Laparoscopy in infants: close intraoperative hemodynamic monitoring for patient safety

BackgroundHemodynamic changes during laparoscopy have not been well defined in very young children. In this study, intraoperative monitoring of hemodynamic parameters and oxygenation was evaluated during laparoscopy in infants weighing < 10 kg.Patients and methodsThirty infants (5.07 ± 2.51 kg), undergoing laparoscopy (LAP Group, n = 15) or open surgery (Open Group, n = 15), were enrolled. Cerebral regional (crScO2), renal regional oxygenation (rrScO2), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), heart rate (HR), blood pressure, transcutaneous CO2 (TcCO2), end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2), and core temperature (TC) were analyzed at five intervals: T0 = basal; T1 = anesthesia induction; T2 = CO2 PP insufflation in the LAP group; T3 = intraoperative; T4 = cessation of CO2 PP in the LAP group; and T5 = before extubation.ResultsThe LAP group showed differences in crScO2 at T1, T3, and T4 compared with T0 (p < 0.05) and in rrScO2 from T1 to T4 versus T0 (p < 0.05), without hypoxemia. In addition, in the LAP group, an increase in TcCO2 from T2 to T5 versus T0 (p < 0.01) was related to anesthesia time (p = 0.01) and sex (p = 0.03). The SpO2 values were not different during laparoscopy; on the contrary, the OPEN group exhibited a decrease in SpO2 at T4 (p < 0.001) and an increase at T5 versus T0 (p = 0.001) compared with T0. HR and TC changes were detected in both groups (p < 0.01). No significant variations were recorded in blood pressure or end-tidal CO2.ConclusionLimited effects on oxygenation, cardiac output, and thermoregulation were detected in infants during laparoscopy. Many factors, including the child’s age, may play different roles in the regulation of these parameters. Close monitoring is essential to guarantee the infant’s safety.

복합운동프로그램이 비만 초등학생의 혈중지질, 성장호르몬 및 인슐린유사성장인자-1에 미치는 영향

This study aims to determine the effects that combined exercise programs have on the blood lipids, growth hormones, and insulin-like growth factor 1 of obese elementary school children. This study randomly assigned 20 obese male children with a body fat percentage of 25% and more among new participants in the ‘child health behavior improvement service’ promoted by the Community Service Investment Program of J University and the K Office of Education into two groups (exercise group: 10 participants, control group: 10 participants). The combined exercise program of this study was an exercise program that combined aerobic exercise and resistance exercise and the exercise group participated in the program 60 minutes a day, 3 times a week, for 12 weeks and the control group maintained their daily routine. The combined exercise program included warm-up exercises and cool-down exercises for 10 minutes each, aerobic exercises for 20 minutes using a 2 person pedal bike maintaining a range between 50~70%HRR, and band exercises for 20 minutes maintaining a 12-15 on Borg’s rating of perceived exertion scale (RPE, 15-point scale).BR Measurement items before and after exercise were blood lipids (TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C), GH, and IGH-1 and data analysis of this study was conducted using SPSS 18.0 and ANCOVA. Research results gained through these research procedures were as follows. With regard to changes in blood, GH, and IGH-1 following combined exercise, the exercise group displayed positive changes in TC, TG, GH, and IGF-1.

Strain-engineering Mott-insulating La2CuO4

The transition temperature Tc of unconventional superconductivity is often tunable. For a monolayer of FeSe, for example, the sweet spot is uniquely bound to titanium-oxide substrates. By contrast for La2−xSrxCuO4 thin films, such substrates are sub-optimal and the highest Tc is instead obtained using LaSrAlO4. An outstanding challenge is thus to understand the optimal conditions for superconductivity in thin films: which microscopic parameters drive the change in Tc and how can we tune them? Here we demonstrate, by a combination of x-ray absorption and resonant inelastic x-ray scattering spectroscopy, how the Coulomb and magnetic-exchange interaction of La2CuO4 thin films can be enhanced by compressive strain. Our experiments and theoretical calculations establish that the substrate producing the largest Tc under doping also generates the largest nearest neighbour hopping integral, Coulomb and magnetic-exchange interaction. We hence suggest optimising the parent Mott state as a strategy for enhancing the superconducting transition temperature in cuprates.

Enhancement of superconducting properties and flux pinning mechanism on Cr0.0005NbSe2 single crystal under Hydrostatic pressure

Superconducting properties of Cr0.0005NbSe2 (Tc~6.64 K) single crystals have been investigated through the temperature dependent resistivity (~8 GPa) and DC magnetization (~1 GPa) measurements. Further, the critical current density (Jc) as a function of applied magnetic field has been studied from magnetic isotherms. The vortex pinning mechanisms have also been systematically analyzed using weak collective pinning theory as a function of pressure. The Jc corresponds to the flux flow enhanced by the application of pressure due to increase of Tc and vortex changes. We found that the pressure is responsible for the spatial variations in the charge carrier mean free path (δl pinning). We find that core point pinning is more dominant than surface pinning which is caused by the application of pressure. In addition, Jc(H = 0) increases from 3.9 × 105 (0 GPa) to 1.3 × 106 (1.02 GPa) A/cm2 at 2 K as the pressure is increased from normal pressure to 1.02 GPa. The pressure dependence of Tc (dTc/dP) becomes 0.91 K/GPa and 0.75 K/GPa from magnetization and resistivity measurements respectively. We found that the pressure promotes the anisotropy nature, and decrease of coherence length and resulting in pathetic interface of the vortex core with pinning centers.

Effect of pressure on the self-hole-doped superconductor RbGd2Fe4As4O2

RbGd2Fe4As4O2 is a newly discovered self-hole-doped stoichiometric superconductor, which has a hybrid structure with separated double FeAs layers and exhibits a high superconducting transition temperature Tc = 35 K. Here, we report the effect of pressure (P) on its Tc and normal-state transport properties by measuring the temperature dependence of resistivity ρ(T) under various pressures up to 14 GPa with a cubic anvil cell apparatus. We found that the Tc is suppressed monotonically to ca. 12.5 K upon increasing pressure to 14 GPa with a slope change of Tc(P) at around 4 GPa. In addition, the low-temperature normal-state ρ(T), which is proportional to Tn, also evolves gradually from a non-Fermi-liquid with n = 1 at ambient pressure to a Fermi liquid with n = 2 at P ⩾ 4 GPa. Accompanying with the non-Fermi-liquid to Fermi-liquid crossover, the quadratic temperature coefficient of resistivity, which reflects the effective mass of charge carriers, also experiences a significant reduction as commonly observed in the vicinity of a magnetic quantum critical point (QCP). Our results indicate that the stoichiometric RbGd2Fe4As4O2 at ambient pressure might be located near a QCP such that the enhanced critical spin fluctuations lead to high-Tc superconductivity. The application of pressure should broaden the electronic bandwidth and weaken the spin fluctuations, and then restore a Fermi-liquid ground state with lower Tc.

The impact of pycnogenol supplementation on plasma lipids in humans: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.

The effects of pycnogenol on plasma lipids are controversial. A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials were conducted to obtain a conclusive result in humans. PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were systematically searched until March 2018, to explore the clinical trials that examined the effect of pycnogenol supplementation on lipid parameters among adult human. Methodological quality of the eligible studies was evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. To estimate the effect size, changes in blood lipids were implemented. Results were pooled using a random effects model. Potential sources of heterogeneity were explored by subgroup analysis. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 clinical trials with 1,065 participants suggested a significant increase in plasma concentration of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; 3.27mg/dL; 95% CI [0.19, 6.36]; p=0.038). In contrast, plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC; -4.45mg/dL, 95% CI [-11.24, 2.34]; p=0.199), triacylglycerol (TAG; -3.64mg/dL; 95% CI [-17.89, 10.61]; p=0.616), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; -3.61mg/dl; 95% CI [-8.76, 1.55]; p=0.171) were not altered. Adjustment for confounding variables was poor in included studies. Also, these studies did not assess dietary lipid intake. The results indicate that pycnogenol supplementation improves levels of HDL-C; however, the changes in TC, TAG, and LDL-C were not clinically relevant. Since there are few phytochemicals that have a significant increasing effect on HDL-C levels, pycnogenol may have important role in prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Effect of photo-irradiation on metal insulator transition in vanadium dioxide

We report a large transition temperature (TC) decrease in a VO2 thin film device under photo-irradiation. With the increasing photo-irradiation intensity (PIntensity) with a wavelength of 405 nm, the TC of the VO2 device decreased at a rate of ∼3.2×10−2°CW/cm2 and reached as low as 40.0 °C at a PIntensity of 8.4×102 W/cm2. While the change in TC is primarily due to the photothermal effect when the PIntensity is below 3.6×102 W/cm2, both the photothermal and photo-induced carrier density effects contribute to the change in TC when the PIntensity is above 6.4×102 W/cm2.

OR-044 Effect of Elastic Band Exercise, Brisk Walking and the Diabolo Exercise on the Serum Lipid Level of Women with dyslipidemia between 60 to 69 Years Old

Objective This study investigated the effect of elastic band exercise, brisk walking and the diabolo exercise on the serum lipid level of abnormal blood lipids women between 60 to 69 years old.&#x0D; Methods 252 subjects were randomly divided into the elastic band exercise group (EBG), the brisk walking group (BWG), the diabolo exercise group (DEG) and the control group (CG), each group of 63 people. In the end, 186 people (NEBEG=63, NBWG=45, NDEG=32, NCG=46) completed all the tests in 12 weeks due to various reasons, such as withdrawal, travel abroad, and hospitalization. The EBG and the DEG respectively carry on the self-braiding and the Diabolo exercise(DE) training for 1 h, 3 times per week for12 weeks. Participants in the BWG wore pedometers for brisk walking, 5 times per week, and 8,000 to 10,000 steps per time. The CG did not intervene. Measurement on height, body weight, TG, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C were made at two time points—baseline, 12 weeks.&#x0D; Results After 12 weeks of exercise, TG, TC and LDL-C levels of the EBG, BWG and DEG were significantly lower than those in the pre-test group, and the difference was statistically significant, there was no significant change in the control group. The average level of HDL-C in the BWG and DEG was higher than that before the experiment, and the difference was statistically significant. The average level of TG change rate (P50= 0.16) of DEG was greater than EBG (P50=0.09) and BWG(P50=0.05), all of the experimental group were greater than the CG, and the difference was statistically significant. The average level of TC change rate of the EBG, BWG and DEG was greater than the CG, and the difference was statistically significant. The average level of HDL-C change rate in both BWG (P50=0.06) and DEG (P50=0.14) was greater than that of the EBG (P50=0.01) and the CG (P50=0), and the difference was statistically significant. The average level of LDL-C change rate of the EBG(P50=0.06) and the BWG(P50=0.13) was larger than that of the CG (P50= -0.04) and the DEG (P50= -0.08), and the difference was statistically significant. The EBG is compared with the BWG, and the comparison between DEG and CG, the difference was not statistically significant.&#x0D; Conclusions The TG level in the blood was significantly reduced in the EBG, BWG and DEG, and the effect of the diabolo exercise(DE)was better than that of the elastic band exercise (EBE)and the brisk walking(BW). The EBE, BW and DE can significantly reduce the TC level in blood. Both BW and EBE can raise the level of HDL-C in the blood. Both the EBE and BW can reduce the level of LDL-C in the blood。Therefore, all three types of exercise can effectively regulate the Serum Lipid Level of elderly women with dyslipidemia and reduce the risk of ASCVD.

Magnetism of ACFs and superfluidity of 4He adsorbed in ACFs

Activated carbon fibers (ACFs) are a nanoporous form of carbon with huge specific surface areas caused by a three-dimensional random network of nanographites. Because of nano-size effects, non-bonding π-electron spins emerge on the nanographite. The nanographite random network produces many nanopores with a mean size of several nanometers and creates a host system for various guest molecules in ACFs. In order to investigate the magnetic properties of nanographite and the superfluidity of 4He restricted in nano-spaces, the magnetization of ACFs and superfluidity of 4He adsorbed in ACFs have been investigated. The magnetization shows an antiferromagnetic interaction between the non-bonding π-electron spins. Near the insulator-metal transition caused by heat treatment of ACFs, spin glass-like disordered magnetism observed. Up to an 4 He coverage of 22.6 μmol/m 2 , no superfluidity is observed due to the strong van der Waals force between 4 He and nanographite. Over 23.7 μmol/m 2 4He coverage, the superfluid transition is observed at approximately Tc ~ 500 mK. Upon increasing the 4 He coverage, the superfluid density increases, but no change in Tc is observed. These observations indicate that the thickness of superfluid films on nanographite is restricted by the slit type pore shape of ACFs. Copyright © 2018 VBRI Press.

The Early Life Exposome: Associations with Child Lipid Profile

Background: High cholesterol levels during childhood have been associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis later in life. Apart from traditional risk factors for dyslipidemia, such as high fat diet and obesity, the contribution of environmental exposures on variations in lipid levels in childhood, is unclear.Aim: To assess the impact of a wide array of environmental exposures during pregnancy and childhood on lipid profiles in children using an exposome-wide approach.Methods: Within the HELIX exposome project, we measured over 90 prenatal and 110 childhood environmental exposures in 1,301 mother-child pairs from 6 European countries. We also measured in 2-hour fasting plasma samples, total (TC), high-density (HDL), low-density (LDL) lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride (TG) levels at the age of 6-11 years. Associations were assessed using agnostic exposome-wide analyses (ExWAS) correcting for multiple comparisons.Results: Childhood exposure to organochlorine compounds was associated with increased lipids. Exposure to hexachlorobenzene (HCB) was associated with higher TC, LDL and TG levels (mean change per IQR increase: 6.6 mg/dL, 95% CI: 4.4 to 8.8; 5.7 mg/dL, 95% CI: 3.6 to 7.8 and 6.0 mg/dl, 95% CI: 2.6 to 9.4 respectively) after multiple testing correction. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) childhood levels were also associated with increased TGs (6.9 mg/dl, 95% CI: 3.4 to 10.4 and 9.6 mg/dl, 95% CI: 5.4 to 13.9 respectively). Childhood exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE 153) was associated with a 5.2 mg/dL change in TC (95% CI: 2.6 to 7.8), while copper exposure was associated with a -1.7 mg/dL change in HDL (95% CI: -2.7 to -0.8) and a 3.3 mg/dL change in LDL (95% CI: 1.5 to 5.1).Conclusions: Children with higher exposure to organochlorine compounds and copper had higher levels of lipids. Further work is needed to examine the underlying mechanisms and to exclude the role of reverse causation.

The thermodynamics and the inverse isotope effect of superconducting palladium hydride compounds under pressure

We present in this paper a general method to calculate the thermodynamics and the isotope effect under pressure within the Migdal-Eliashberg theory. We apply this method to Palladium hydrides. We have considered the crystal lattice to be zincblende taking into account the experimental evidence for both PdH and PdD at temperatures below 55 K. We have studied, in particular, the changes induced by pressure in the critical temperature, Tc, in the specific heat jump at Tc, in the energy gap at T=0K and in the deviation function D(t). Replacement of hydrogen by deuterium in palladium hydride results in a higher superconducting temperature and in an anomalous isotope effect coefficient, α. The behaviour under pressure of the isotope effect coefficient can be explained taking into account the change in Tc due to the change in both, the electron-phonon and the electron-electron interactions. We get a very good agreement with experiment where the data exist. This method represents a basis on which the thermodynamics of other hydrides under pressure can be studied.

A comparative study of effects of nebivolol and atenolol on blood pressure and lipid profile in patients of mild to moderate hypertension

Background: Beta blockers have been used in the treatment of hypertension, since last four decades and are widely accepted as the first-line treatment for hypertension. Nebivolol, a third generation β-blocker has highest β1 selectivity and is devoid of intrinsic sympathomimetic activity. Along with peripheral vasodilatation and nitric oxide (NO)-induced benefits such as antioxidant activity and reversal of endothelial dysfunction, nebivolol promotes better protection from cardiovascular events. The objective of the study was to compare the effects of atenolol and nebivolol on both blood pressure and lipid profile in patients of mild to moderate hypertension.Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, parallel, open labelled study. Patients were recruited from the medicine out-patient department (OPD) and cardiology OPD. A total of 100 patients were enrolled in the study. 50 patients were allocated to atenolol group and 50 patients to nebivolol group. BP and baseline investigations such as lipid profile were performed. Tests to determine lipid profile were performed on the first visit (Week 0) and at 24 weeks. Continuous variables between the two treatment groups were analyzed by unpaired t-test. Efficacy endpoints within the group were analyzed by using paired t-test.Results: All the lipid levels except HDL-C were increased with atenolol therapy. At 24 weeks, atenolol therapy led to increase in LDL-C, VLDL-C, TC and TG which was highly significant (p&lt;0.0001). HDL levels were decreased at 24 weeks which was also statistically highly significant (p&lt;0.0001). The mean values of lipids in nebivolol group at baseline and at 24 weeks. At 24 weeks, nebivolol therapy led to changes in LDL-C, VLDL-C, HDL-C, TC and TG which was not statistically significant (p&gt;0.05).Conclusions: From study it can be concluded that atenolol and nebivolol are equally effective in reducing BP but atenolol worsens lipid profile as compared to nebivolol.