Modelling body mass index and endometrial cancer risk in a pooled-analysis of three case-control studies.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the relation between body mass index (BMI) and endometrial cancer risk, and to describe the shape of such a relation. DESIGN: Pooled analysis of three hospital-based case-control studies. SETTING: Italy and Switzerland. POPULATION: A total of 1449 women with endometrial cancer and 3811 controls. METHODS: Multivariate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were obtained from logistic regression models. The shape of the relation was determined using a class of flexible regression models. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The relation of BMI with endometrial cancer. RESULTS: Compared with women with BMI 18.5 to <25 kg/m(2) , the odds ratio was 5.73 (95% CI 4.28-7.68) for women with a BMI ≥35 kg/m(2) . The odds ratios were 1.10 (95% CI 1.09-1.12) and 1.63 (95% CI 1.52-1.75) respectively for an increment of BMI of 1 and 5 units. The relation was stronger in never-users of oral contraceptives (OR 3.35, 95% CI 2.78-4.03, for BMI ≥30 versus <25 kg/m(2) ) than in users (OR 1.22, 95% CI 0.56-2.67), and in women with diabetes (OR 8.10, 95% CI 4.10-16.01, for BMI ≥30 versus <25 kg/m(2) ) than in those without diabetes (OR 2.95, 95% CI 2.44-3.56). The relation was best fitted by a cubic model, although after the exclusion of the 5% upper and lower tails, it was best fitted by a linear model. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study confirm a role of elevated BMI in the aetiology of endometrial cancer and suggest that the risk in obese women increases in a cubic nonlinear fashion. The relation was stronger in never-users of oral contraceptives and in women with diabetes. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Risk of endometrial cancer increases with elevated body weight in a cubic nonlinear fashion.

Independent and combined associations of risky single-occasion drinking and drinking volume with alcohol use disorder: Evidence from a sample of young Swiss men.

BACKGROUND: Risky single-occasion drinking (RSOD) is a prevalent and potentially harmful alcohol use pattern associated with increased alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, RSOD is commonly associated with a higher level of alcohol intake, and most studies have not controlled for drinking volume (DV). Thus, it is unclear whether the findings provide information about RSOD or DV. This study sought to investigate the independent and combined effects of RSOD and DV on AUD. METHODS: Data were collected in the longitudinal Cohort Study on Substance Use Risk Factors (C-SURF) among 5598 young Swiss male alcohol users in their early twenties. Assessment included DV, RSOD, and AUD at two time points. Generalized linear models for binomial distributions provided evidence regarding associations of DV, RSOD, and their interaction. RESULTS: DV, RSOD, and their interaction were significantly related to the number of AUD criteria. The slope of the interaction was steeper for non/rare RSOD than for frequent RSOD. CONCLUSIONS: RSOD appears to be a harmful pattern of drinking, associated with increased AUD and it moderated the relationship between DV and AUD. This study highlighted the importance of taking drinking patterns into account, for both research and public health planning, since RSO drinkers constitute a vulnerable subgroup for AUD.

Establishing International Blood Pressure References Among Nonoverweight Children and Adolescents Aged 6 to 17 Years.

BACKGROUND: Several distributions of country-specific blood pressure (BP) percentiles by sex, age, and height for children and adolescents have been established worldwide. However, there are no globally unified BP references for defining elevated BP in children and adolescents, which limits international comparisons of the prevalence of pediatric elevated BP. We aimed to establish international BP references for children and adolescents by using 7 nationally representative data sets (China, India, Iran, Korea, Poland, Tunisia, and the United States). METHODS AND RESULTS: Data on BP for 52 636 nonoverweight children and adolescents aged 6 to 19 years were obtained from 7 large nationally representative cross-sectional surveys in China, India, Iran, Korea, Poland, Tunisia, and the United States. BP values were obtained with certified mercury sphygmomanometers in all 7 countries by using standard procedures for BP measurement. Smoothed BP percentiles (50th, 90th, 95th, and 99th) by age and height were estimated by using the Generalized Additive Model for Location Scale and Shape model. BP values were similar between males and females until the age of 13 years and were higher in males than females thereafter. In comparison with the BP levels of the 90th and 95th percentiles of the US Fourth Report at median height, systolic BP of the corresponding percentiles of these international references was lower, whereas diastolic BP was similar. CONCLUSIONS: These international BP references will be a useful tool for international comparison of the prevalence of elevated BP in children and adolescents and may help to identify hypertensive youths in diverse populations.

CYP17A1 Enzyme activity is linked to ambulatory blood pressure in a family-based population study.

BACKGROUND: Genome-wide association studies have linked CYP17A1 coding for the steroid hormone synthesizing enzyme 17α-hydroxylase (CYP17A1) to blood pressure (BP). We hypothesized that the genetic signal may translate into a correlation of ambulatory BP (ABP) with apparent CYP17A1 activity in a family-based population study and estimated the heritability of CYP17A1 activity. METHODS: In the Swiss Kidney Project on Genes in Hypertension, day and night urinary excretions of steroid hormone metabolites were measured in 518 participants (220 men, 298 women), randomly selected from the general population. CYP17A1 activity was assessed by 2 ratios of urinary steroid metabolites: one estimating the combined 17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase activity (ratio 1) and the other predominantly 17α-hydroxylase activity (ratio 2). A mixed linear model was used to investigate the association of ABP with log-transformed CYP17A1 activities exploring effect modification by urinary sodium excretion. RESULTS: Daytime ABP was positively associated with ratio 1 under conditions of high, but not low urinary sodium excretion (P interaction <0.05). Ratio 2 was not associated with ABP. Heritability estimates (SE) for day and night CYP17A1 activities were 0.39 (0.10) and 0.40 (0.09) for ratio 1, and 0.71 (0.09) and 0.55 (0.09) for ratio 2 (P values <0.001). CYP17A1 activities, assessed with ratio 1, were lower in older participants. CONCLUSIONS: Low apparent CYP17A1 activity (assessed with ratio 1) is associated with elevated daytime ABP when salt intake is high. CYP17A1 activity is heritable and diminished in the elderly. These observations highlight the modifying effect of salt intake on the association of CYP17A1 with BP.

Seleção de variáveis em QSAR

The process of building mathematical models in quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) studies is generally limited by the size of the dataset used to select variables from. For huge datasets, the task of selecting a given number of variables that produces the best linear model can be enormous, if not unfeasible. In this case, some methods can be used to separate good parameter combinations from the bad ones. In this paper three methodologies are analyzed: systematic search, genetic algorithm and chemometric methods. These methods have been exposed and discussed through practical examples.

Desviaciones al modelo logarítmico-lineal en la solubilidad de ibuprofén y naproxén en mezclas cosolventes propilenoglicol-agua

The deviations observed in the solubility of ibuprofen (IBP) and naproxen (NAP) in propylene glycol (PG) + water (W) cosolvent mixtures with respect to the logarithmic-linear model proposed by Yalkowsky have been analyzed at 25.00 ± 0.05 ºC. Negative deviations were obtained in all cosolvent compositions for both drugs; they were greater for IBP. Another treatment, based on Gibbs free energy relationships, was also employed showing an apparent hydrophobicity chameleonic effect, because at low PG proportions NAP is more hydrophobic, whereas at high PG proportions IBP is more hydrophobic. The results are discussed in terms of solute-solvent and solvent-solvent interactions.

Experimento didático de quimiometria para planejamento de experimentos: avaliação das condições experimentais na determinação espectrofotométrica de ferro II com o-fenantrolina. Um tutorial, parte III

The objective of this manuscript is to describe a practical experiment that can be employed for teaching concepts related to design of experiments using Matlab or Octave computing environment to beginners, undergraduate and graduate students. The classical experiment for determination of Fe (II) using o-phenanthroline was selected because it is easy to understand, and all the required materials are readily available in most analytical laboratories. The approach used in this tutorial is divided in two steps: first, the students are introduced to the concept of multivariate effects, how to calculate and interpret them, and the construction and evaluation of a linear model to describe the experimental domain by using a 2³ factorial design. Second, an extension of the factorial design by adding axial points is described, thereby, providing a central composite design. The quadratic model is then introduced and used to build the response surface.

Development of a warning system for wheat blast caused by Pyricularia grisea

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) blast caused by Pyricularia grisea is a new disease in Brazil and no resistant cultivars are available. The interactions between temperature and wetness durations have been used in many early warning systems. Hence, growth chamber experiments to assess the effect of different temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35ºC) and the duration of spike-wetness (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 hours) on the intensity of blast in cultivar BR23 were carried out. Each temperature formed an experiment and the duration of wetness the treatments. The highest blast intensity was observed at 30°C and increased as the duration of the wetting period increased while the lowest occurred at 25°C and 10 hours of spike wetness. Regardless of the temperature, no symptoms occurred when the wetting period was less than 10 hours but at 25°C and a 40 h wetting period blast intensity exceeded 85%. These variations in blast intensity as a function of temperature are explained by a generalized beta model and as a function of the duration of spike wetness by the Gompertz model. Disease intensity was modeled as a function of both temperature and the durations of spike wetness and the resulting equation provided a precise description of the response of P. grisea to temperatures and the durations of spike wetness. This model was used to construct tables that can be used to predict the intensity of P. grisea wheat blast based on the temperatures and the durations of wheat spike wetness obtained in the field.

JUVENILE-MATURE GENETIC CORRELATIONS IN Pinus taeda CLONES PROPAGATED VIA SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS

ABSTRACT This study aimed to estimate the genetic correlation among selection ages (juvenile - adult) and efficiency of early selection for the height, diameter, and volume traits of individuals from Pinus taeda families propagated via somatic embryogenesis. This study was carried out by genetic-statistical analysis, estimation procedure of variance (Reml), and prediction components of breeding values (Blup), using the Selegen-Reml/Blup software. Genetic correlations among juvenile ages and rotation age were performed by applying the linear model developed by Lambeth (1980). In accordance with results of the established model, the early selection can be performed in clones of Pinus taeda with high selection efficiency. Ages from 4 to 6 years old are enough to select Pinus taeda clones propagated via somatic embryogenesis for harvesting at 8 and 12 years old; and 6 to 10 years old are enough to select them for harvesting at 20 years old. On the basis of the genetic correlations estimates from the environments, the clones' selection of Pinus taeda propagated via somatic embryogenesis should be developed specifically for each environment. The clones' selection can be performed considering the diameter due to the high correlation between volume and diameter.

Construction and calibration of TDR probes for volumetric water content estimation in a Distroferric Red Latosol

The determination of volumetric water content of soils is an important factor in irrigation management. Among the indirect methods for estimating, the time-domain reflectometry (TDR) technique has received a significant attention. Like any other technique, it has advantages and disadvantages, but its greatest disadvantage is the need of calibration and high cost of acquisition. The main goal of this study was to establish a calibration model for the TDR equipment, Trase System Model 6050X1, to estimate the volumetric water content in a Distroferric Red Latosol. The calibration was carried out in a laboratory with disturbed soil samples under study, packed in PVC columns of a volume of 0.0078m³. The TDR probes were handcrafted with three rods and 0.20m long. They were vertically installed in soil columns, with a total of five probes per column and sixteen columns. The weightings were carried out in a digital scale, while daily readings of dielectric constant were obtained in TDR equipment. The linear model θν = 0.0103 Ka + 0.1900 to estimate the studied volumetric water content showed an excellent coefficient of determination (0.93), enabling the use of probes in indirect estimation of soil moisture.

Evaluation of roof slope and exposure with different roofing materials in reduced models of animal production facilities in spring and summer

The present study was conducted at the Department of Rural Engineering and the Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology of FCAV/Unesp, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil. The objective was to verify the influence of roof slope, exposure and roofing material on the internal temperature of reduced models of animal production facilities. For the development of the research, 48 reduced and dissemble models with dimensions 1.00 × 1.00 × 0.50 m were used. The roof was shed-type, and the models faced to the North or South directions, with 24 models for each side of exposure. Ceramic, galvanized-steel and fibro tiles were used to build the roofs. Slopes varied between 20, 30, 40 and 50% for the ceramic tile and 10, 30, 40 and 50% for the other two. Inside the models, temperature readings were performed at every hour, for 12 months. The results were evaluated in a general linear model in a nested 3 × 4 × 2 factorial arrangement, in which the effects of roofing material and exposure were nested on the factor Slope. Means were compared by the Tukey test at 5% of probability. After analyzing the data, we observed that with the increase in the slope and exposure to the South, there was a drop in the internal temperature within the model at the geographic coordinates of Jaboticabal city (SP/Brazil).

Estimation methods of reference evapotranspiration (ETo) for Uberlândia -MG

One approach to verify the adequacy of estimation methods of reference evapotranspiration is the comparison with the Penman-Monteith method, recommended by the United Nations of Food and Agriculture Organization - FAO, as the standard method for estimating ET0. This study aimed to compare methods for estimating ET0, Makkink (MK), Hargreaves (HG) and Solar Radiation (RS), with Penman-Monteith (PM). For this purpose, we used daily data of global solar radiation, air temperature, relative humidity and wind speed for the year 2010, obtained through the automatic meteorological station, with latitude 18° 91' 66" S, longitude 48° 25' 05" W and altitude of 869m, at the National Institute of Meteorology situated in the Campus of Federal University of Uberlandia - MG, Brazil. Analysis of results for the period were carried out in daily basis, using regression analysis and considering the linear model y = ax, where the dependent variable was the method of Penman-Monteith and the independent, the estimation of ET0 by evaluated methods. Methodology was used to check the influence of standard deviation of daily ET0 in comparison of methods. The evaluation indicated that methods of Solar Radiation and Penman-Monteith cannot be compared, yet the method of Hargreaves indicates the most efficient adjustment to estimate ETo.

Application of a Pid+fuzzy controller on the motion control system in machine tools

This work deals with an hybrid PID+fuzzy logic controller applied to control the machine tool biaxial table motions. The non-linear model includes backlash and the axis elasticity. Two PID controllers do the primary table control. A third PID+fuzzy controller has a cross coupled structure whose function is to minimise the trajectory contour errors. Once with the three PID controllers tuned, the system is simulated with and without the third controller. The responses results are plotted and compared to analyse the effectiveness of this hybrid controller over the system. They show that the proposed methodology reduces the contour error in a proportion of 70:1.

Rocket tracking and decoupling eigenstructure control law

A control law was designed for a satellite launcher ( rocket ) vehicle using eigenstructure assignment in order that the vehicle tracks a reference attitude and also to decouple the yaw response from roll and pitch manoeuvres and to decouple the pitch response from roll and yaw manoeuvres. The design was based on a complete linear coupled model obtained from the complete vehicle non linear model by linearization at each trajectory point. After all, the design was assessed with the vehicle time varying non-linear model showing a good performance and robustness. The used design method is explained and a case study for the Brazilian satellite launcher ( VLS Rocket ) is reported.

Luottamuksen lähteet. Vertaileva tutkimus yleistynyttä luottamusta synnyttävistä mekanismeista

Tutkimuksen aiheena on yleistynyt luottamus. Väitöskirjassa tutkitaan mistä tuntemattomien kansalaisten toisiinsa kohdistama luottamus kumpuaa ja haetaan vastauksia tähän kysymykseen sekä maakohtaisen että vertailevan tutkimuksen avulla. Tutkimus koostuu yhteenvedon lisäksi viidestä tutkimusartikkelista, joissa luottamuksen syntyä tarkastellaan sekä yksilöiden mikrotason vuorovaikutuksen että maiden välisten eroavaisuuksien näkökulmasta. Yleistyneen luottamuksen synnystä on esitetty useita eri teorioita. Tässä tutkimuksessa tarkastellaan näistä kahta keskeisintä. Osa tutkijoista korostaa kansalaisyhteiskunnan ja ruohonjuuritason verkostojen roolia yleistyneen luottamuksen synnyn taustalla. Tämän hypoteesin mukaan kansalaiset, jotka viettävät aikaansa yhdistyksissä tai muissa sosiaalisissa verkostoissa, oppivat muita helpommin luottamaan paitsi täysin tuntemattomiin ihmisiin myös yhteiskunnallisiin instituutioihin (kansalaisyhteiskuntakeskeinen hypoteesi). Toiset taas painottavat yhteiskunnan julkisten instituutioiden merkitystä. Tämä hypoteesi korostaa instituutioiden reiluutta ja oikeudenmukaisuutta (instituutiokeskeinen hypoteesi). Ihmiset pystyvät luottamaan toisiinsa ja ratkaisemaan kollektiivisia ongelmiaan yhdessä silloin kun esimerkiksi poliittiset ja lainsäädännölliset instituutiot pystyvät luomaan tähän tarvittavan toimintaympäristön. Aineistoina käytetään kansallisia (Hyvinvointi- ja palvelut) sekä kansainvälisiä vertailevia kyselytutkimuksia (European Social Survey ja ISSP). Yksilö- ja makrotason analyyseja yhdistämällä selvitetään yleistynyttä luottamusta selittäviä tekijöitä sekä mekanismeja joiden kautta yleistynyt luottamus muodostuu. Väitöskirjan tulokset tukevat suurimmaksi osaksi instituutiokeskeiseen suuntaukseen sisältyviä hypoteeseja yleistyneen luottamuksen kasautumisesta. Kuitenkin myös esimerkiksi yhdistystoiminnalla havaittiin olevan joitakin yhdistysjäsenien ulkopuolelle ulottuvia myönteisiä vaikutuksia kansalaisten luottamukseen, mikä taas tukee kansalaisyhteiskuntakeskeistä hypoteesia. Tutkimuksen keskeinen tulos on, että kaiken kaikkiaan luottamus näyttäisi kukoistavan maissa, joissa kansalaiset kokevat julkiset instituutiot oikeudenmukaisina sekä reiluina, kansalaisyhteiskunnan roolin luottamuksen synnyttämisessä ollessa tälle alisteinen. Syyksi tähän on oletettu, että näissä maissa (erityisesti pohjoismaiset hyvinvointivaltiot) harjoitettu universaali hyvinvointipolitiikka ja palvelut ovat keskeisiä korkeaa yleistynyttä luottamusta selittäviä tekijöitä. Toisaalta maavertailuissa tätä yhteyttä on selitetty myös sillä, että näissä yhteiskunnassa ei ole paikannettavissa selkeää kulttuurisesti erottuvaa alaluokkaa. Tämän tutkimuksen tulokset tukevat enemmän universaalin hyvinvointivaltion oikeudenmukaisuuteen liittyviä ominaisuuksia alaluokkaistumishypoteesin sijaan. Toisaalta mikrotasolla tarkasteltuna yleistyneen luottamuksen ja hyvinvointipalvelujen välinen yhteys liittyy enemmän palveluiden riittävyyteen kuin niiden universaalisuuden asteeseen. Niin ikään maavertailuissa esimerkiksi verotuksen oikeudenmukaisena kokeminen näyttäisi olevan palvelujen saatavuutta tai niihin liittyviä oikeudenmukaisuuden kokemuksia tärkeämpi seikka yleistyneen luottamuksen kannalta.