•Misuse of restraints was observed in 38% of child occupants younger than 16 years.•Severe and critical errors are most frequent in the age group 0–3 years.•Common errors: loose harness straps, ...incorrectly routing or twisting of seat belts.•Future education and awareness campaigns should focus on children aged <8 years.
Restraint misuse and other occupant safety errors are the major cause of fatal and, severe injuries among child passengers in motor vehicle collisions. The main objectives of the present, study were to provide estimates of restraining practice among children younger than 16 years, traveling on Norwegian high-speed roads, and to uncover the high-risk groups associated with, restraint misuse and other safety errors.
A cross-sectional observational study was performed in conjunction with regular traffic, control posts on high-speed roads. The seating and restraining of child occupants younger than 16, years were observed, the interior environment of the vehicles was examined, and a structured, interview of the driver was conducted according to a specific protocol.
In total, 1260 child occupants aged 0–15 years were included in the study. Misuse of restraints, was observed in 38% of cases, with this being severe or critical in 24%. The presence of restraint, misuse varied significantly with age (p<0.001), with the frequency being highest among child, occupants in the age group 4–7 years. The most common error in this group was improperly routed, seat belts. The highest frequency of severe and critical errors was observed among child occupants in, the age group 0–3 years. The most common errors were loose or improperly routed harness straps and, incorrect installations of the child restraint system. Moreover, 24% of the children were seated in, vehicles with heavy, unsecured objects in the passenger compartment and/or the trunk that were, likely to move into the compartment upon impact and cause injury. No totally unrestrained children, were observed.
This study provides a detailed description of the characteristics of restraint misuse and, the occupant's exposure to unsecured objects. Future education and awareness campaigns should, focus on children aged <8 years. The main challenges are to ensure correct routing and tightness of, harness straps and seat belts, correct installation of child restraints, and avoidance of premature, graduation from child restraints to seat belts only. Information campaigns should also advocate the use, of chest clips and address the potential risks of hard, heavy objects in the passenger compartment and, the importance of the placement and strapping of heavy objects in the trunk.
IMPORTANCE: Increasing evidence shows that physical activity is associated with reduced risk for depression, pointing to a potential modifiable target for prevention. However, the causality and ...direction of this association are not clear; physical activity may protect against depression, and/or depression may result in decreased physical activity. OBJECTIVE: To examine bidirectional relationships between physical activity and depression using a genetically informed method for assessing potential causal inference. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This 2-sample mendelian randomization (MR) used independent top genetic variants associated with 2 physical activity phenotypes—self-reported (n = 377 234) and objective accelerometer-based (n = 91 084)—and with major depressive disorder (MDD) (n = 143 265) as genetic instruments from the largest available, nonoverlapping genome-wide association studies (GWAS). GWAS were previously conducted in diverse observational cohorts, including the UK Biobank (for physical activity) and participating studies in the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (for MDD) among adults of European ancestry. Mendelian randomization estimates from each genetic instrument were combined using inverse variance weighted meta-analysis, with alternate methods (eg, weighted median, MR Egger, MR–Pleiotropy Residual Sum and Outlier PRESSO) and multiple sensitivity analyses to assess horizontal pleiotropy and remove outliers. Data were analyzed from May 10 through July 31, 2018. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: MDD and physical activity. RESULTS: GWAS summary data were available for a combined sample size of 611 583 adult participants. Mendelian randomization evidence suggested a protective relationship between accelerometer-based activity and MDD (odds ratio OR, 0.74 for MDD per 1-SD increase in mean acceleration; 95% CI, 0.59-0.92; P = .006). In contrast, there was no statistically significant relationship between MDD and accelerometer-based activity (β = −0.08 in mean acceleration per MDD vs control status; 95% CI, −0.47 to 0.32; P = .70). Furthermore, there was no significant relationship between self-reported activity and MDD (OR, 1.28 for MDD per 1-SD increase in metabolic-equivalent minutes of reported moderate-to-vigorous activity; 95% CI, 0.57-3.37; P = .48), or between MDD and self-reported activity (β = 0.02 per MDD in standardized metabolic-equivalent minutes of reported moderate-to-vigorous activity per MDD vs control status; 95% CI, −0.008 to 0.05; P = .15). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Using genetic instruments identified from large-scale GWAS, robust evidence supports a protective relationship between objectively assessed—but not self-reported—physical activity and the risk for MDD. Findings point to the importance of objective measurement of physical activity in epidemiologic studies of mental health and support the hypothesis that enhancing physical activity may be an effective prevention strategy for depression.
Multidimensional database technology is a key factor in the interactive analysis of large amounts of data for decision making purposes. In contrast to previous technologies, these databases view data ...as multidimensional cubes that are particularly well suited for data analysis. Multidimensional models categorize data either as facts with associated numerical measures or as textual dimensions that characterize the facts. Queries aggregate measure values over a range of dimension values to provide results such as total sales per month of a given product. Multidimensional database technology is being applied to distributed data and to new types of data that current technology often cannot adequately analyze. For example, classic techniques such as preaggregation cannot ensure fast query response times when data-such as that obtained from sensors or GPS-equipped moving objects-changes continuously. Multidimensional database technology will increasingly be applied where analysis results are fed directly into other systems, thereby eliminating humans from the loop. When coupled with the need for continuous updates, this context poses stringent performance requirements not met by current technology.
We present observations of radio induced optical emissions from a HAARP experiment with simultaneous transmission in X and O‐mode. The additional transmission of X‐mode with a frequency 700 kHz ...higher than the O‐mode, reduces the enhancement of the 6300 Å emission. This suggests that the wave‐plasma process that energizes the electrons, which excites oxygen to the O(1D) state, is closely connected to the excitation of upper‐hybrid waves, whose onset and initial growth are reduced by additional X‐mode pumping.
High‐level quantum‐chemical methods show that the binding in the inclusion complex of hexamethylbenzene (HMB) in 6‐cycloparaphenilacetylene (6‐CPPA) cannot be explained only in terms of electrostatic ...interactions—caused by the polarization associated to curved π‐conjugated systems—and the inclusion of dispersion forces is definitely needed. The theoretical description of van der Waals interactions is notoriously complicated and in fact some DFT methods cannot even predict the existence of the relatively small supramolecular nanoring studied here. However, ab initio MP2 calculations agree with experimental data and show that, in the considered complex, the HMB fragment is placed at the center of the 6‐CPPA ring. The binding energy, which is not available experimentally, is calculated to be around −14 kcal mol−1 with a lower limit of −19 kcal mol−1.
Importance of dispersion forces: High‐level ab initio calculations show that the interactions in the complex HMB@6‐CPPA (see figure) can only be rationalized if dispersion forces are taken into account. Therefore, the commonly used density functional theory (DFT) methods are not well suited to describe this kind of molecular species.
DNA amplification using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an important tool in biotechnology, pathogen surveillance in food, medical and forensic science etc. The PCR technique is now an ...important part of the research in and development of miniaturized biochemical analysis systems. However, reduced or no DNA amplification at all is an important challenge for microfabricated PCR devices due to a negative interaction between PCR chemicals and the surrounding environment, i.e. the materials encapsulating the PCR mix. Materials of special interest regarding PCR compatibility are silicon, glass and polymers, which are important in the fabrication of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), micro total analysis systems (muTAS) and lab-on-a-chip (LOC) systems. The PCR inhibition effect is a particularly important phenomenon in microsystems due to an increased surface-to-volume ratio which enhances the possibility of interaction between the surfaces and ingredients in the PCR mixture. By proper surface treatment the PCR reaction can be facilitated and in this paper we present a systematic and quantitative study of the impact on the PCR compatibility of a chemical and a biological surface treatment. The chemical treatments are based on the silanizing agent dichlordimethylsilane (CH3)2SiCl2, while the biological treatment is based on the protein bovine serum albumin (BSA). We present a simple model system for the investigation of the PCR compatibility of three widely used materials in microfabrication, namely silicon, glass and SU-8. The impact on PCR performance, measured by means of PCR efficiency, of untreated as well as chemically and biologically treated materials is studied. We show a convenient method of assessing the PCR compatibility of silicon, glass and SU-8 with a degree of information not presented before.
Abstract Objectives To establish reference values for maximum walking speed over 10 m for independent community-dwelling Danish adults, aged 60 to 79 years, and to evaluate the effects of gender and ...age. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Danish companies and senior citizens clubs. Participants Two hundred and fifty-two adults (167 women, 85 men) with a mean age of 70 standard deviation (SD) 4 years. Interventions Not applicable. Main outcome measure Results for the 10-m walk test (10 MWT) were used to establish reference values. Results The mean reference value for maximum walking speed over 10 m for all participants was 1.94 (SD 0.31) m/second. Reference values for women aged 60 to 69 years and 70 to 79 years were 1.96 (SD 0.26) and 1.81 (SD 0.29) m/second, respectively. Reference values for men aged 60 to 69 years and 70 to 79 years were 2.10 (SD 0.35) and 2.01 (SD 0.30) m/second, respectively. Significant differences ( P < 0.01) were observed in the age and gender categories. Men were found to walk faster than women, and individuals aged 60 to 69 years walked faster than individuals aged 70 to 79 years. Conclusions This study established the reference values for maximum walking speed over 10 m among independent community-dwelling Danish adults aged 60 to 79 years. The study results showed significant differences in maximum walking speed for different ages and between men and women.
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common illness accompanied by considerable morbidity, mortality, costs, and heightened risk of suicide. We conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis based ...in 135,458 cases and 344,901 controls and identified 44 independent and significant loci. The genetic findings were associated with clinical features of major depression and implicated brain regions exhibiting anatomical differences in cases. Targets of antidepressant medications and genes involved in gene splicing were enriched for smaller association signal. We found important relationships of genetic risk for major depression with educational attainment, body mass, and schizophrenia: lower educational attainment and higher body mass were putatively causal, whereas major depression and schizophrenia reflected a partly shared biological etiology. All humans carry lesser or greater numbers of genetic risk factors for major depression. These findings help refine the basis of major depression and imply that a continuous measure of risk underlies the clinical phenotype.
In the Danish Wadden Sea, exposed salt marshes grow in the form of sequences of salt marsh platforms which terminate at the tidal flat with an erosional cliff. On the tidal flat adjacent to the salt ...marsh, a marsh-parallel small depression is usually formed which acts as a tidal channel (landpriel) creating levees on its landward side, on which salt marsh from the mainland spreads seaward with an uneven topography. On the seaward side of the landpriel, patches of slightly higher elevations form as a result of wave action. As plants get a foothold on these patches salt marsh growth is initiated. Along with this process a salt marsh cliff develops against wave attack from the tidal flat during storms. The unit consisting of levee, landpriel and patches of higher elevation eventually silts up and buries the former cliff on top of the levee, so this now stands as a small (≈
0.25 m) ridge separating the new platform from the older one. Thus, the salt marsh accretes through a sequence of salt marsh platforms, each with its own landpriel, levee and erosional cliff. The landpriel and levee can be recognised later as topographic lows and highs, respectively, in the sand beneath the fine-grained salt marsh sediments, while the erosional cliff can be recognised in the salt marsh topography. Based on these observations, a conceptual evolutionary/accretionary model for exposed salt marshes with associated erosional cliff, landpriel and levee is presented. The deposition across the salt marsh platform decreases in an exponential manner away from the salt marsh edge at a lower rate than that found on a lee side salt marsh at the Skallingen backbarrier north of the study area. This is interpreted as a result of wave action.
Randomized controlled trials have shown that growth hormone (GH) therapy has effects on growth, metabolism, and body composition. GH therapy is prescribed for children with growth failure and adults ...with GH deficiency. Carefully conducted observational study of GH treatment affords the opportunity to assess long-term treatment outcomes and the clinical factors and variables affecting those outcomes, in patients receiving GH therapy in routine clinical practice.
The NordiNet® International Outcome Study (IOS) and the American Norditropin®
Web Enabled Research (ANSWER Program®) are two complementary, non-interventional, observational studies that adhere to current guidelines for pharmacoepidemiological data.
The studies include pediatric and adult patients receiving Norditropin®, as prescribed by their physicians.
The studies gather long-term data on the safety and effectiveness of reallife treatment with the recombinant human GH, Norditropin®. We describe the origins, aims, objectives, and design methodology of the studies, as well as their governance and validity, strengths, and limitations.
The NordiNet® IOS and ANSWER Program® studies will provide valid insights into the effectiveness and safety of GH treatment across a diverse and large patient population treated in accordance with real-world clinical practice and following the Good Pharmacoepidemiological Practice and STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines.
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