Fat oxidation kinetics : effect of exercise

ABSTRACT Fat oxidation kinetics: effect of exercise. During graded exercise, absolute whole body fat oxidation rates increase from low to moderate intensities, and then markedly decline at high intensities, implying an exercise intensity (Fatmax) at which the fat oxidation rate is maximal (MFO). The main aim of the present work was to examine the effect of exercise on whole body fat oxidation kinetics. For this purpose, a sinusoidal mathematical model (SIN) has been developped in the first study to provide an accurate description of the shape of fat oxidation kinetics during graded exercise, represented as a function of exercise intensity, and to determine Fatmax and MFO. The SIN model incorporates three independent variables (i.e., dilatation, symmetry, and translation) that correspond to main expected modulations of the basic fat oxidation curve because of factors such as mode of exercise or training status. The results of study 1 showed that the SIN model was a valuable tool to determine Fatmax and MFO, and to precisely characterize and quantify the different shape of fat oxidation kinetics through its three variables. The effectiveness of the SIN model to detect differences in fat oxidation kinetics induced by a specific factor was then confirmed in the second study, which quantitatively described and compared fat oxidation kinetics in two different popular modes of exercise: running and cycling. It was found that the mean fat oxidation kinetics during running was characterized by a greater dilatation and a rightward asymmetry compared with the symmetric parabolic curve in cycling. In the two subsequent studies, the effect of a prior endurance exercise of different intensities and durations on whole body fat oxidation kinetics was examined. Study 3 determined the impact of a 1-h continuous exercise bout at an exercise intensity corresponding to Fatmax on fat oxidation kinetics during a subsequent graded test, while study 4 investigated the effect of an exercise leading to a more pronounced muscle glycogen depletion. The results of these two latter studies showed that fat oxidation rates, MFO, and Fatmax were enhanced following endurance exercise, but were increased to a greater extent with a more severe mucle glycogen depletion, inducing therefore modifications in the postexercise fat oxidation kinetics (i.e., greater dilatation and rightward asymmetry). In perspective, further studies have been suggested 1) to assess physiological meaning of the three independent variables of the SIN model; and 2) to compare the effect of two different training programs on fat oxidation kinetics in obese subjects.

Educational expansion, intergenerational mobility and over-education

[eng] There is a vast literature on intergenerational mobility in sociology and economics. Similar interest has emerged for the phenomenon of over-education in both disciplines. There are no studies, however, linking these two research lines. We study the relationship between social mobility and over-education in a context of educational expansion. Our framework allows for the evaluation of several policies, including those affecting social segregation, early intervention programs and the power of unions. Results show the evolution of social mobility, over-education, income inequality and equality of opportunity under each scenario.

Top income shares in Portugal over the twentieth century

[cat] L’objectiu d’aquest article és presentar nova evidència estadística sobre l’evolució de les desigualtats econòmiques a Portugal a llarg termini. L’explotació de les fonts fiscals portugueses ha permès l’estimació annual de les top income shares des de 1936. La construcció d’aquesta nova sèrie s’ha fet seguint la metodologia emprada per Piketty (2001). Aquesta nova sèrie revela una caiguda de les top income shares durant la Segona Guerra Mundial, seguida d’una recuperació fins a principis dels anys cinquanta. Des de mitjans dels cinquanta fins a principis dels anys vuitanta hi ha una caiguda dràstica de les top income shares. Per acabar, durant els anys noranta les top income shares tornen a augmentar. Aquesta pauta és molt similar a la viscuda en altres països: la reducció de les top income shares durant l’època daurada és compartida per tots els països estudiats i el seu increment als anys noranta sembla que alinea Portugal amb la pauta seguida pels països Anglosaxons.

Development of a high throughput PCR to detect Coxiella burnetii and its application in a diagnostic laboratory over a 7-year period.

Q fever is a worldwide zoonotic infectious disease due to Coxiella burnetii. The clinical presentation may be acute (pneumonia and/or hepatitis) or chronic (most commonly endocarditis). Diagnosis mainly relies on serology and PCR. We therefore developed a quantitative real-time PCR. We first tested blindly its performance on various clinical samples and then, when thoroughly validated, we applied it during a 7-year period for the diagnosis of both acute and persistent C. burnetii infection. Analytical sensitivity (< 10 copies/PCR) was excellent. When tested blindly on 183 samples, the specificity of the PCR was 100% (142/142) and the sensitivity was 71% (29/41). The sensitivity was 88% (7/8) on valvular samples, 69% (20/29) on blood samples and 50% (2/4) on urine samples. This new quantitative PCR was then successfully applied for the diagnosis of acute Q fever and endovascular infection due to C. burnetii, allowing the diagnosis of Q fever in six patients over a 7-year period. During a local small cluster of cases, the PCR was also applied to blood from 1355 blood donors; all were negative confirming the high specificity of this test. In conclusion, we developed a highly specific method with excellent sensitivity, which may be used on sera for the diagnosis of acute Q fever and on various samples such as sera, valvular samples, aortic specimens, bone and liver, for the diagnosis of persistent C. burnetii infection.

The adjustment of energy expenditure and oxidation to energy intake: the role of carbohydrate and fat balance.

Evidence is accumulating that total body mass and its relative composition influence the rate of fat utilization in man. This effect can be explained by two factors operating in concert: (i) the effect of the size of the tissue mass and (ii) the nature of the fuel mix oxidized, i.e. the proportion of energy derived from fat vs. carbohydrate. In a cross-sectional study of 307 women with increasing degrees of obesity, we observed that the respiratory quotient (RQ) in post-absorptive conditions became progressively lower with increased body fatness, indicating a shift in substrate utilization. However, the RQ is known to be also influenced by the diet commonly ingested by the subjects. A short-term mixed diet overfeeding in lean and obese women has also demonstrated the high sensitivity of RQ to changes in energy balance. Following a one-day overfeeding (2500 kcal/day in excess of the previous 24 h energy expenditure), the magnitude of increase in RQ was identical in lean and obese subjects and the net efficiency of substrate utilization and storage was not influenced by the state of obesity.

Report on a review of selected application controls over the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Payroll System for the period April 12, 2010 through June 30, 2010

Report on a review of selected application controls over the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Payroll System for the period April 12, 2010 through June 30, 2010

Fluoroscopy-guided procedures in cardiology: is patient exposure being reduced over time?

The number of fluoroscopy-guided procedures in cardiology is increasing over time and it is appropriate to wonder whether technological progress or change of techniques is influencing patient exposure. The aim of this study is to examine whether patient dose has been decreasing over the years. Patient dose data of more than 7700 procedures were collected from two cardiology centres. A steady increase in the patient dose over the years was observed in both the centres for the two cardiological procedures included in this study. Significant increase in dose was also observed after the installation of a flat-panel detector. The increasing use of radial access may lead to an increase in the patient exposure. The monitoring of dose data over time showed a considerable increase in the patient exposure over time. Actions have to be taken towards dose reduction in both the centres.

Report on a review of selected general and application controls over the Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS) Legacy and I-Que Pension Administration Systems for the period May 16, 2011 through June 16, 2011

Report on a review of selected general and application controls over the Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS) Legacy and I-Que Pension Administration Systems for the period May 16, 2011 through June 16, 2011

Report on a review of selected general and application controls over the Iowa Department of Administrative Service’s (DAS) Human Resource Information System (HRIS), Payroll, Integrated Information for Iowa (I/3) and E-Payment Engine Systems for the periods April 13, 2009 through May 15, 2009 and April 5, 2010 through May 7, 2010

Report on a review of selected general and application controls over the Iowa Department of Administrative Service’s (DAS) Human Resource Information System (HRIS), Payroll, Integrated Information for Iowa (I/3) and E-Payment Engine Systems for the periods April 13, 2009 through May 15, 2009 and April 5, 2010 through May 7, 2010

Escape over a potential barrier driven by colored noise: Large but finite correlation times

The recent theory of Tsironis and Grigolini for the mean first-passage time from one metastable state to another of a bistable potential for long correlation times of the noise is extended to large but finite correlation times.

Precision determination of r(0)Lambda((MS)over-bar) from the QCD static energy

We use the recently obtained theoretical expression for the complete QCD static energy at next-to-next-to-next-to leading-logarithmic accuracy to determine r(0)Lambda((MS) over bar) by comparison with available lattice data, where r(0) is the lattice scale and Lambda((MS) over bar) is the QCD scale. We obtain r(0)Lambda((MS) over bar) = 0.622(-0.015)(+0.019) for the zero-flavor case. The procedure we describe can be directly used to obtain r(0)Lambda((MS) over bar) in the unquenched case, when unquenched lattice data for the static energy at short distances becomes available. Using the value of the strong coupling alpha(s) as an input, the unquenched result would provide a determination of the lattice scale r(0).

(K)over-bar* mesons in dense matter

We study the properties of (K) over bar* mesons in nuclear matter using a unitary approach in coupled channels within the framework of the local hidden gauge formalism and incorporating the (K) over bar pi decay channel in matter. The in-medium (K) over bar *N interaction accounts for Pauli blocking effects and incorporates the (K) over bar* self-energy in a self-consistent manner. We also obtain the (K) over bar* (off-shell) spectral function and analyze its behavior at finite density and momentum. At a normal nuclear matter density, the (K) over bar* meson feels a moderately attractive potential, while the (K) over bar* width becomes five times larger than in free space. We estimate the transparency ratio of the gamma A -> K+K*(-) A` reaction, which we propose as a feasible scenario at the present facilities to detect changes in the properties of the (K) over bar* meson in nuclear medium.