Associations of office workers’ objectively assessed occupational sitting,standing and stepping time with musculoskeletal symptoms

We examined the association of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) with workplace sitting, standing and stepping time, as well as sitting and standing time accumulation (i.e. usual bout duration of these activities), measured objectively with the activPAL3 monitor. Using baseline data from the Stand Up Victoria trial (216 office workers, 14 workplaces), cross-sectional associations of occupational activities with self-reported MSS (low-back, upper and lower extremity symptoms in the last three months) were examined using probit regression, correcting for clustering and adjusting for confounders. Sitting bout duration was significantly (p < 0.05) associated, non-linearly, with MSS, such that those in the middle tertile displayed the highest prevalence of upper extremity symptoms. Other associations were non-significant but sometimes involved large differences in symptom prevalence (e.g. 38%) by activity. Though causation is unclear, these non-linear associations suggest that sitting and its alternatives (i.e. standing and stepping) interact with MSS and this should be considered when designing safe work systems.

Practitioner summary: We studied associations of objectively assessed occupational activities with musculoskeletal symptoms in office workers. Workers who accumulated longer sitting bouts reported fewer upper extremity symptoms. Total activity duration was not significantly associated with musculoskeletal symptoms. We underline the importance of considering total volumes and patterns of activity time in musculoskeletal research.     

Adaptive reshaping of objects in (multiparameter) Hilbert space for enhanced detection and classification: an application of receiver operating curve statistics to laser-based mass spectroscopy

We propose a new approach to the classical detection problem of discrimination of a true signal of interest from an interferent signal, which may be applied to the area of chemical sensing. We show that the detection performance, as quantified by the receiver operating curve (ROC), can be substantially improved when the signal is represented by a multicomponent data set that is actively manipulated by means of a shaped laser probe pulse. In this case, the signal sought (agent) and the interfering signal (interferent) are visualized by vectors in a multidimensional detection space. Separation of these vectors can be achieved by adaptive modification of a probing laser pulse to actively manipulate the Hamiltonian of the agent and interferent. We demonstrate one implementation of the concept of adaptive rotation of signal vectors to chemical agent detection by means of strong-field time-of-flight mass spectrometry.     

Origin of HIV-1 in the chimpanzee Pan troglodytes troglodytes

The human AIDS viruses human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and type 2 (HIV-2) represent cross-species (zoonotic) infections. Although the primate reservoir of HIV-2 has been clearly identified as the sooty mangabey (Cercocebus atys), the origin of HIV-1 remains uncertain. Viruses related to HIV-1 have been isolated from the common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), but only three such SIVcpz infections have been documented, one of which involved a virus so divergent that it might represent a different primate lentiviral lineage. In a search for the HIV-1 reservoir, we have now sequenced the genome of a new SIVcpzstrain (SIVcpzUS) and have determined, by mitochondrial DNA analysis, the subspecies identity of all known SIVcpz-infected chimpanzees. We find that two chimpanzee subspecies in Africa, the central P. t. troglodytes and the eastern P. t. schweinfurthii, harbour SIVcpz and that their respective viruses form two highly divergent (but subspecies-specific) phylogenetic lineages. All HIV-1 strains known to infect man, including HIV-1 groups M, N and O, are closely related to just one of these SIVcpz lineages, that found in P. t. troglodytes. Moreover, we find that HIV-1 group N is a mosaic of SIVcpzUS- and HIV-1-related sequences, indicating an ancestral recombination event in a chimpanzee host. These results, together with the observation that the natural range of P. t. troglodytes coincides uniquely with areas of HIV-1 group M, N and O endemicity, indicate that P. t. troglodytes is the primary reservoir for HIV-1 and has been the source of at least three independent introductions of SIVcpz into the human population.     

Comparison of ICEJAM and RIVJAM Ice Jam Profile Models

A review and comparison of two numerical ice jam profile models is provided. The first is the RIVJAM model, developed at the National Water Research Institute in Canada. The second is the ICEJAM model, which was developed at the University of Alberta and which forms the basis of the solution algorithm in the ice jam calculation routine recently implemented in HEC-RAS. Both the RIVJAM and ICEJAM models solve an ice jam stability equation in conjunction with one-dimensional, steady, gradually varied flow, and both have the capacity to compute profiles for equilibrium and nonequilibrium ice jams. The focus of the investigation is to compare the analytical equations solved, the numerical solution approaches, the required boundary conditions, and the relative sensitivity of the models' calibration parameters. Similarities between the models' governing equations and solution techniques are illustrated through direct comparison of the analytical equations and through model application. Differences between the models' boundary conditions and relative success of calibration are illustrated through the application to case studies.     

Building‐related health symptoms and classroom indoor air quality: a survey of school teachers in New York State

Most previous research on indoor environments and health has studied school children or occupants in non‐school settings. This investigation assessed building‐related health symptoms and classroom characteristics via telephone survey of New York State school teachers. Participants were asked about 14 building‐related symptoms and 23 classroom characteristics potentially related to poor indoor air quality (IAQ). Poisson regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between these symptoms and each classroom characteristic, controlling for potential confounders. About 500 teachers completed the survey. The most frequently reported classroom characteristics included open shelving (70.7%), food eaten in class (65.5%), dust (59.1%), and carpeting (46.9%). The most commonly reported symptoms included sinus problems (16.8%), headache (15.0%), allergies/congestion (14.8%), and throat irritation (14.6%). Experiencing one or more symptoms was associated most strongly with reported dust (relative risk (RR) = 3.67; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.62–5.13), dust reservoirs (RR = 2.13; 95% CI: 1.72–2.65), paint odors (RR = 1.73; 95% CI: 1.40–2.13), mold (RR = 1.71; 95% CI: 1.39–2.11), and moldy odors (RR = 1.65 95% CI: 1.30–2.10). Stronger associations were found with increasing numbers of reported IAQ‐related classroom characteristics. Similar results were found with having any building‐related allergic/respiratory symptom. This research adds to the body of evidence underscoring the importance to occupant health of school IAQ.     

Adaptation to life changes in children and adults: Cross-sectional studies.

Five studies were conducted to test a general theory of adaptation or sequence of emotional stances to major life changes. Children entering school, middle-class students later in school, students in college, and women getting married and becoming mothers all seemed to renegotiate a similar sequence of concern with receptive issues, then with issues of autonomy and assertion, and finally with issues of integration. Exceptions to these results involved working-class students and new fathers. (21 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Assessment of abdominal lymph nodes in a normal paediatric population: an ultrasound study

During a 9 month period, 50 consecutive children were evaluated by ultrasound to determine the size, location (mesenteric vs para-aortic), number, shape and texture of abdominal lymph nodes in a normal paediatric population. High resolution linear array transducers were used with graded compression. Nodes ranging from 10 to 20 mm were recorded in the majority of subjects. In all cases mesenteric lymph nodes were larger and more numerous than para-aortic nodes. Para-aortic lymph nodes were not seen in isolation.     

Sensitivity of H-reflexes and stretch reflexes to presynaptic inhibition in humans

The sensitivity of soleus H-reflexes, T-reflexes, and short-latency stretch reflexes (M1) to presynaptic inhibition evoked by a weak tap applied to the biceps femoris tendon or stimulation of the common peroneal nerve (CPN) was compared in 17 healthy human subjects. The H-reflex was strongly depressed for a period lasting up to 300-400 ms (depression to 48 +/- 23%, mean +/- SD, of control at a conditioning test interval of 70 ms) by the biceps femoris tendon tap. In contrast, the short-latency soleus stretch reflex elicited by a quick passive dorsiflexion of the ankle joint was not depressed. The soleus T-reflex elicited by an Achilles tendon tap was only weakly depressed (92 +/- 8%). The H-reflex was also significantly more depressed than the T-reflex at long intervals (>15 ms) after stimulation of CPN (H-reflex 63 +/- 14%, T-reflex 91 +/- 13%; P < 0. 01). However, the short-latency (2 ms) disynaptic reciprocal Ia inhibition evoked by stimulation of CPN was equally strong for H- and T-reflexes (H-reflex 72 +/- 10%, T-reflex 67 +/- 13%; P = 0.07). Peaks in the poststimulus time histogram (PSTH) of the discharge probability of single soleus motor units (n = 53) elicited by an Achilles tendon tap had a longer duration than peaks evoked by electrical stimulation of the tibial nerve (on average 5.0 ms as compared with 2.7 ms). All parts of the electrically evoked peaks were depressed by the conditioning biceps femoris tendon tap (average depression to 55 +/- 27% of control; P < 0.001). A similar depression was observed for the initial 2 ms of the peaks evoked by the Achilles tendon tap (69 +/- 48%; P < 0.001), but the last 2 ms were not depressed. Conditioning stimulation of the CPN at long intervals (>15 ms) also depressed all parts of the electrically evoked PSTH peaks (n = 34; average 65%; P < 0.001) but had only a significant effect on the initial 2 ms of the peaks evoked by the Achilles tendon tap (85%; P < 0.001). We suggest that the different sensitivity of mechanically and electrically evoked reflexes to presynaptic inhibition is caused by a difference in the shape and composition of the excitatory postsynaptic potentials underlying the two reflexes. This difference may be explained by a different composition and/or temporal dispersion of the afferent volleys evoked by electrical and mechanical stimuli. We conclude that it is not straightforward to predict the modulation of stretch reflexes based on observations of H-reflex modulation.     

EFFECT OF ULTRASONIC TREATMENTS ON THERMOACIDOPHILIC ALICYCLOBACILLUS ACIDOTERRESTRIS IN APPLE JUICE

The effect of ultrasonic treatments on Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris in apple juice was investigated. In general, inactivation of the cells was more pronounced at an elevated power level and as the processing time increased. Approximately 60% of the cells were inactivated after treating the apple juice with 300-W ultrasound for 30 min. The reduction reached more than 80% when the juice was processed for 60 min. The linear inactivation rates ( D values) of ultrasound on A. acidoterrestris were both process- and strain-dependent. The lowest D value at 36.18 min was found when using 600-W ultrasound to treat the A30 strain isolated from the air of a commercial apple juice processing plant, whereas the strain isolated from apple juice concentrate was found most resistant against ultrasound. Changes of sugar content, acidity, haze and juice browning were noted after ultrasonic treatments but did not adversely alter the juice quality.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Characterization of the effects of ultrasonic treatments on thermoacidophilic Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris provides better understanding of how ultrasound technology could assist in alleviating the hard-to-detect spoilage caused by this spore former. Although ultrasonic technology might not be suitable as a standalone unit operation to inactivate high cell loads, the process could be integrated with other thermal or nonthermal technologies to enhance processing efficiencies, consequently preventing microbial spoilage caused by A. acidoterrestris .     

EFFECTS OF INTERMOLECULAR INTERACTIONS AND MOLECULAR ORIENTATION ON THE FLUX BEHAVIOR OF XANTHAN GUM SOLUTIONS DURING ULTRAFILTRATION

Conformational changes of xanthan gum as a function of concentration were investigated to elucidate its unusual flux behavior during ultrafiltration (UF). The contribution of hydrogen bonding on structure formation and the molecular orientation of xanthan gum on the flow characteristics were studied rheomechanically and rheo-optically. Known to affect xanthan structure at low concentrations, hydrogen bonding unexpectedly did not show significant influence on xanthan rheological properties up to 2 wt %. The ordered layers formed on the membrane surface proved responsible for the enhanced water removal during UF. This unique behavior could be attributed to the formation of aligned molecular orientation in addition to the viscosity increases during the biphasic region. Significant differences were observed between xanthan fermentation broth and solutions made of commercial xanthan, suggesting the need to control the salt concentration in fermentation broth in order to make UF an effective recovery process for xanthan gum after fermentation.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The knowledge gained from the present study strengthens fundamental understandings on the conformational changes of xanthan biopolymers during the recovery of xanthan gum from fermentation broth using ultrafiltration (UF). By taking advantage of the aligned molecular orientation, along with controlling the salt concentration in the fermentation broth, UF could be operated at elevated flux to speed up the removal of water from the viscous fermentation broth. The technology should find broad applications in the fermentation industry, especially where viscosity is of concern during the separation and purification of the product.