Capabilities of satellite Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer (GEMS) NO2 data for hourly ambient NO2 exposure modeling.

The Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer (GEMS) is the world's first geostationary instrument that monitors hourly gaseous air pollutant levels, including nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Using the first-of-its-kind capabilities of GEMS NO2 data, we examined how well GEMS NO2 levels can explain the spatiotemporal variabilities in hourly NO2 concentrations in the Republic of Korea for the year 2022. A correlation analysis between hourly GEMS NO2 levels and ground NO2 concentrations showed a higher spatial correlation [Pearson r= 0.56 (SD= 0.20)] than a temporal one [Pearson r= 0.42 (SD= 0.14)], on average. To take advantage of the enhanced spatial predictability of GEMS NO2 data, we employed a mixed effects model to allow hour-specific relationships between GEMS NO2 and NO2 concentrations on a given day in each region and subsequently estimated hourly NO2 concentrations in all urban and rural areas. The 10-fold cross validation demonstrated R2= 0.72, mean absolute error (MAE)= 3.7 ppb, and root mean squared error (RMSE)= 5.5 ppb. The hourly variations of the relationships were attributed particularly to those of wind speed among meteorological parameters considered in this study. The spatial distributions of hourly estimated NO2 concentrations were highly correlated between hours [average r= 0.91 (SD= 0.06)]. Nonetheless, they represented the diurnal patterns of urban versus rural NO2 contrasts during the day [urban/rural NO2 ratios from 1.22 (5 pm) to 1.37 (12 pm)]. The newly retrieved GEMS NO2 data enable temporally as well as spatially resolved NO2 exposure assessment. In combination with the time-activity patterns of individual subjects, the GEMS NO2 data can generate 'sub-population' exposure estimates and therefore enhance health effect studies.

Metabolic and physiological adaptations to first and second lactation in Holstein dairy cows: Postprandial patterns.

Dairy cows during their first and second lactation have different milk yield, body development, feed intake, and metabolic and endocrine statuses. However, large diurnal variations can also exist in terms of biomarkers and hormones related to feeding behavior and energy metabolism. Thus, we investigated the diurnal patterns of the main metabolic plasma analytes and hormones in the same cows during their first and second lactations in different stages of the lactation cycle. Eight Holstein dairy cows were monitored during their first and second lactation, during which they were reared under the same conditions. Blood samples were collected before the morning feeding (0 h) and after 1, 2, 3, 4.5, 6, 9, and 12 h on scheduled days between -21 d relative to calving (DRC) and 120 DRC for the assessment of some metabolic biomarkers and hormones. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS (SAS Institute Inc.). Regardless of parity and stage of lactation, glucose, urea, ß-hydroxybutyrate, and insulin peaked a few hours after the morning feeding, whereas nonesterified fatty acids decreased. The insulin peak was attenuated during the first month of lactation, whereas postpartum growth hormone spiked on average 1 h after the first meal in cows during their first lactation. This peak occurred earlier than during the second lactation. Most of the differences in diurnal trends between lactations were observed in the postpartum period (and in some cases even in early lactation). Glucose and insulin were higher during the first lactation throughout the day, and the differences increased 9 h after feeding. Conversely, nonesterified fatty acids and ß-hydroxybutyrate showed the opposite trend, and their plasma concentrations at 9 and 12 h after feeding differed between lactations. These results confirmed the differences observed between the first 2 lactations in prefeeding metabolic marker concentrations. Furthermore, plasma concentrations of investigated analytes showed high variability during the day, and thus we advise caution when interpreting metabolic biomarker data in dairy cows, especially during the periods close to calving.

Evaluation of an indwelling bolus equipped with a triaxial accelerometer for the characterisation of the diurnal pattern of bovine reticuloruminal contractions.

This observational study aimed to describe the diurnal pattern of reticuloruminal contraction rate (RRCR) and the proportion of time spent ruminating by cattle, using two commercial devices equipped with triaxial accelerometers: an indwelling bolus (placed in the reticulum) and a neck collar. The three objectives of this study were firstly to determine whether the indwelling bolus provided observations consistent with RRCR as determined by clinical examination using auscultation and ultrasound, secondly to compare estimates of time spent ruminating using the indwelling bolus and a collar-based accelerometer, and finally to describe the diurnal pattern of RRCR using the indwelling bolus data. Six rumen-fistulated, non-lactating Jersey cows were fitted with an indwelling bolus (SmaXtec Animal Care GmbH, Graz, Austria) and a neck collar (Silent Herdsman, Afimilk Ltd. Kibbutz Afikim, Israel), and data were collected over two weeks. Cattle were housed together in a single straw-bedded pen and fed ad libitum hay. To assess the agreement between the indwelling bolus and traditional methods of assessing reticuloruminal contractility in the first week, the RRCR was determined over 10 min, twice a day, by ultrasound and auscultation. Mean inter-contraction intervals (ICI) derived from bolus and ultrasound, and from auscultation were 40.4 ± 4.7, 40.1 ± 4.0 and 38.4 ± 3.3 s. Bland-Altmann plots showed similar performance of the methods with small biases. The Pearson correlation coefficient for the time spent ruminating derived from neck collars and indwelling boluses was 0.72 (highly significant, P < 0.001). The indwelling boluses generated a consistent diurnal pattern for all the cows. In conclusion, a robust relationship was observed between clinical observation and the indwelling boluses for estimation of ICI and, similarly, between the indwelling bolus and neck collar for estimating rumination time. The indwelling boluses showed a clear diurnal pattern for RRCR and time spent ruminating, indicating that they should be useful for assessing reticuloruminal motility.

Profiling classical neuropsychiatric biomarkers across biological fluids and following continuous lumbar puncture: A guide to sample type and time.

Identification of putative biomarkers for neuropsychiatric disorders has produced a diverse list of analytes involved in inflammation, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) regulation, growth factor and metabolic pathways. However, translation of these findings to accurate and robust assays has been stalled, affecting objective diagnoses, tracking relapse/remission, and prediction/monitoring of drug affect. Two important factors to control are the sample matrix (e.g. serum, plasma, saliva, or cerebrospinal fluid) and time of sample collection. Additionally, sample collection procedures may affect analyte level. In this study, a panel of 14 core neuropsychiatric biomarkers was measured in serum, plasma, saliva, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), all collected from 8 healthy volunteers at the same time. In a second cohort of 7 healthy volunteers, 6 analytes were measured in serum and CSF collected at 13 timepoints over a 24-h period after catheter placement. We found that many of the analytes were quantifiable in all sample types examined, but often at quite different concentrations and without correlation between the sample types. After catheter placement, a diurnal pattern was observed for cortisol and interleukin-6 in serum, and transient spikes were observed in interleukin-1ß. In CSF, a chronic elevation of several cytokines was observed instead, perhaps due to the continuous sampling procedure. These findings enable more informed decision-making around sample type and collection time, which can be implemented in future biomarker studies. Clinicaltrialgov identifiers: NCT02933762, NCT02475148.

Longitudinal associations between salivary cortisol to C-reactive protein ratios and psychological well-being in Chinese adults.

BACKGROUND: Salivary C-reactive protein (CRP) could be a viable biomarker of inflammation and has been associated with stress outcomes. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis can modulate stress-related inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the interaction effects of immune-endocrine markers on psychological outcomes. METHODS: The study participants were 52 healthy Chinese adults who collected 10 saliva samples over 2 consecutive days at baseline. The participants completed validated measures on anxiety, depression, positive affect, and sleep disturbance at baseline and 1 month later. The stability and diurnal patterns of salivary cortisol and CRP were investigated via paired t-tests and repeated-measures analyses of variance. Regression analysis was used to examine the longitudinal associations between immune-endocrine markers and their interactions (cortisol [Cort]: morning CRP [CRPmorn] and Cort:CRPeven) and psychological measures. RESULTS: Salivary cortisol and CRP displayed satisfactory stability over 2 consecutive days and diurnal patterns of abrupt and gradual decline during the day, respectively. Controlling for baseline psychological measures and confounding variables, Cortmorn and diurnal cortisol slope was significantly and negatively associated with anxiety symptoms and positive affect 1 month later, respectively. Cort:CRPeven and Cort:CRPmorn was significantly and positively associated with depressive symptoms and sleep disturbance 1 month later, respectively. CONCLUSION: These findings offer initial support for the prognostic utility of salivary cortisol and CRP and their balance as determinants of psychological health in healthy adults.

The diurnal pattern and social context of screen behaviours in adolescents: a cross-sectional analysis of the Millennium Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Screen behaviours are highly prevalent in young people and excessive screen use may pose a risk to physical and mental health. Understanding the timing and social settings in which young people accumulate screen time may help to inform the design of interventions to limit screen use. This study aimed to describe diurnal patterns in adolescents' screen-based behaviours and examine the association of social context with these behaviours on weekdays and weekend days. METHODS: Time use diary data are from the sixth wave (2015/2016) of the Millennium Cohort Study, conducted when participants were aged 14 years. Outcome variables were electronic games/Apps, TV-viewing, phone calls and emails/texts, visiting social networking sites and internet browsing. Social context was categorised as alone only, parents only, friends only, siblings only, parents and siblings only. Multilevel multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between social contexts and screen activities. RESULTS: Time spent in TV-viewing was greatest in the evening with a peak of 20 min in every hour between 20:00 and 22:00 in both sexes on weekdays/weekend days. Time spent using electronic games/Apps for boys and social network sites for girls was greatest in the afternoon/evening on weekdays and early afternoon/late evening on weekend days. Screen activities were mainly undertaken alone, except for TV-viewing. Compared to being alone, being with family members was associated with (Odds Ratio (95% Confidence Interval)) more time in TV-viewing in both boys and girls throughout the week (Weekdays: Boys, 2.84 (2.59, 3.11); Girls, 2.25 (2.09, 2.43); Weekend days: Boys, 4.40 (4.16, 4.67); Girls, 5.02 (4.77, 5.27)). Being with friends was associated with more time using electronic games on weekend days in both sexes (Boys, 3.31 (3.12, 3.51); Girls, 3.13 (2.67, 3.67)). CONCLUSIONS: Reductions in screen behaviours may be targeted throughout the day but should be sensitive to differing context. Family members, friends, and adolescent themselves may be important target groups in behaviour change interventions. Future research to address the complex interplay between social context, content and quality of screen behaviours will aid the design of behaviour change interventions.

Characterizing and Evaluating Diurnal Salivary Uric Acid Across Pregnancy Among Healthy Women.

Uric acid levels during pregnancy have been examined as a potential indicator of risk for gestational diabetes mellites, hypertension, and related adverse birth outcomes. However, evidence supporting the utility of serum uric acid levels in predicting poor maternal and fetal health has been mixed. The lack of consistent findings may be due to limitations inherent in serum-based biomeasure evaluations, such as minimal repeated assessments and variability in the timing of these assessments. To address these gaps, we examined repeated measurements of diurnal salivary uric acid (sUA) levels in a sample of 44 healthy women across early-mid and late pregnancy. We assessed potential covariates and confounds of sUA levels and diurnal trajectories, as well as associations between maternal weight gain and blood pressure during pregnancy and sUA concentrations. Using multilevel linear models, we found sUA increased across pregnancy and displayed a robust diurnal pattern with the highest concentrations at waking, a steep decline in the early morning, and decreasing levels across the day. Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, age, prior-night sleep duration, and fetal sex were associated with sUA levels and/or diurnal slopes. Maternal blood pressure and gestational weight gain also showed significant associations with sUA levels across pregnancy. Our results expand upon those found with serum UA measurements. Further, they demonstrate the feasibility of using at-home, minimally-invasive saliva sampling procedures to track UA levels across pregnancy with potential applications for the long-term monitoring of maternal cardiometabolic risk.

Symptom patterns in the daily life of PSC patients.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) may suffer from complaints such as pruritus, right upper abdominal quadrant pain (RUQ-A) and fatigue. However, the severity of these complaints, daily and/or seasonal patterns and other factors of influence in PSC are largely unknown. The aim of this study is to assess daily symptoms and patterns thereof in PSC patients in their natural setting. METHODS: A mobile application was designed according to the experience sampling method. Push notifications with a response time of max 4 h were sent during tiers of 3 months. Questions comprised VAS scales on degree of pruritus, fatigue, RUQ-A, time of the day these symptoms were worst, as well as time of intake of medication. Linear mixed modelling was used to identify patient- and external factors associated with pruritus, fatigue and RUQ-A pain. RESULTS: A total of 6713 questionnaires were completed by 137 patients. Fatigue was the most prevalent symptom among PSC patients being reported in a striking 71% of measurements, followed by pruritus (38%). Both increased during the day and were associated with longer disease duration. A highly significant correlation between pruritus and day temperature was observed (ρ = -0.14, p = .000), and itch was generally worse during winter (p = .000). Patient preference for the tool was high. CONCLUSION: Pruritus and fatigue are prevalent symptoms in the daily life of PSC patients and show a distinct diurnal pattern. This may have implications for efficient dosing of anti-pruritic agents. The level of pruritus is highly correlated with day temperature, which may have several implications.

Diurnal Changes in Water Soluble Carbohydrate Components in Leaves and Sucrose Associated TaSUT1 Gene Expression during Grain Development in Wheat.

In plant tissues, sugar levels are determined by the balance between sugar import, export, and sugar synthesis. So far, water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) dynamics have not been investigated in a diurnal context in wheat stems as compared to the dynamics in flag leaves during the terminal phases of grain filling. Here, we filled this research gap and tested the hypothesis that WSC dynamics interlink with gene expression of TaSUT1. The main stems and flag leaves of two genotypes, Westonia and Kauz, were sampled at four hourly intervals over a 24 h period at six developmental stages from heading to 28 DAA (days after anthesis). The total levels of WSC and WSC components were measured, and TaSUT1 gene expression was quantified at 21 DAA. On average, the total WSC and fructan levels in the stems were double those in the flag leaves. In both cultivars, diurnal patterns in the total WSC and sucrose were detected in leaves across all developmental stages, but not for the fructans 6-kestose and bifurcose. However, in stems, diurnal patterns of the total WSC and fructan were only found at anthesis in Kauz. The different levels of WSC and WSC components between Westonia and Kauz are likely associated with leaf chlorophyll levels and fructan degradation, especially 6-kestose degradation. High correlation between levels of TaSUT1 expression and sucrose in leaves indicated that TaSUT1 expression is likely to be influenced by the level of sucrose in leaves, and the combination of high levels of TaSUT1 expression and sucrose in Kauz may contribute to its high grain yield under well-watered conditions.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) response to a simulated night-shift schedule is modulated by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) genotype.

The BDNF gene contains a polymorphism (Val66Met) that influences sleep and may be associated with more flexible adaptation to circadian misalignment. Fifteen adult men (10 Val/Val homozygotes, 5 Val/Met heterozygotes) participated in a laboratory study involving two 5 d cycles of simulated night shifts. Circulating interleukin-6 (IL-6) was measured from plasma, sleep was recorded polysomnographically, and performance was measured using a psychomotor vigilance test. Compared to Val/Val homozygotes, heterozygotes exhibited a blunted IL-6 temporal (diurnal) pattern, less daytime sleep restriction, and less nighttime performance impairment after the first simulated night-shift cycle. These observations suggest that heterozygotes experienced more flexible circadian adaptation.

Postencephalitis epilepsy in children: Diurnal rhythm of seizures is related to clinical characteristics.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to summarize the relationship between the clinical features of children with postencephalitis epilepsy and the diurnal rhythm of seizures. METHODS: We collected a retrospective review of 44 patients between 0 and 14 years, who were diagnosed with postencephalitis epilepsy. Patients were divided into three groups by their seizures in day/night or wakefulness/sleep state. RESULTS: Most epileptic seizures of patients of age 3 years or younger occurred during the daytime, and the other occurred most frequently at night. Most epileptic seizures of boys occurred during the wakefulness state, and girls occurred most frequently in sleep. Seizures of patients with the first seizure in the daytime occurred more frequently during the daytime and the wakefulness state; on the contrary, the first seizure in the nighttime occurred more frequently during the nighttime and the sleep state. Tonic seizure occurred more often during the nighttime and in sleep; epileptic spasm occurred more frequently during the daytime and wakefulness. Most seizures of temporal origin occurred in the awakening. The seizures of patient occurred more often during the wakefulness state; the prognosis was worse. Patients with the peak of seizures in the daytime, the level of the physiological development were poorer. CONCLUSIONS: The diurnal rhythm of seizures is different in patients with postencephalitis epilepsy with different clinical characteristics (age, gender, time of first seizure, seizure pattern, electroencephalography (EEG), prognosis, and physiological development). Our results may assist in seizure prediction, individualized treatment patterns, and prognosis prediction.

Initiation gait variability is higher in the morning in elderly inpatients.

OBJECTIVE: Although elderly inpatients are known to experience decreased physical activity in the morning, falls occur frequently during this time. Gait variability is an evaluation of gait instability and a risk factor for falls. Gait initiation requires complex processes, and it is important to evaluate gait variability not only during steady-state gait but also during gait initiation. However, the effect of the diurnal pattern on variability in gait characteristics is still unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the diurnal pattern on initiation and steady-state gait variability in elderly inpatients. METHOD: Thirty-seven elderly inpatients (28 women; mean age, 79.7 ± 9.5 years) who could walk without support were sampled in this study. The quantitative measure of gait variability was evaluated using the coefficient of variation (CV) based on four consecutive stride durations determined using triaxial accelerometers. Gait characteristics were evaluated during initiation and steady-state gait and defined as initiation CV and steady-state CV, respectively. This measurement was performed at two time points, morning and daytime. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between initiation and steady-state gait characteristics in the daytime condition. However, in the morning condition, the initiation CV was higher than the steady-state CV. Furthermore, the initiation CV was higher in the morning than during daytime (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that the variability of initiation gait is higher in the morning. It may be important to assess the risk of falls, including initiation gait, in the morning.

Diurnal patterns of N-nitrosodimethylamine and formaldehyde behaviors in different seasons in surface water influenced by effluent from sewage treatment plants.

N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and formaldehyde (FAH) are probable carcinogenic disinfection by-products and have been found to occur in areas of the Yodo River basin that are influenced by treated wastewater. The diurnal patterns of them were examined with water samples collected over 4 years in different seasons at five outlets of four sewage treatment plants (STPs), seven main stream sites, and five tributary sites in the basin. Based on mass flux calculations, STPs were shown to be the main sources of the downstream for NDMA and FAH loads in the study area. Moreover, results revealed that photo degradable NDMA and non-photo degradable FAH showed different fates during the river transportation. For NDMA, in addition to direct photolysis, water temperature was identified as an important factor in NDMA attenuation in surface waters. NDMA attenuated significantly in the daytime and even during summer nights but persisted during winter nights, while attenuation of FAH was found to mainly be influenced by water temperature, and persisted during winter. Their behaviors were compared in an artificial river channel and whole study area, clearly demonstrating the importance of monitoring them in the water environment during periods of low UV intensity and water temperature, especially winter nights.

Real time analysis of lead-containing atmospheric particles in Guangzhou during wintertime using single particle aerosol mass spectrometry.

The toxic effects of lead on human health and the environment have long been a focus of research. To explore sources of lead in Guangzhou, China, we investigated atmospheric lead-containing particles (LCPs) during wintertime using a single particle aerosol mass spectrometer (SPAMS). Based on mass spectral features, LCPs were classified into eight major particle types, including Pb-Cl and Pb-Cl-Li (coal combustion and waste incineration), Pb-Cl-EC and Pb-Cl-OC (diesel trucks and coal combustion), Pb-Cl-Fe (iron and steel industry), Pb-Cl-AlSi (dust), Pb-Sec (secondary formation), and Pb-Cl-Zn (industrial process); these sources (in parentheses) were identified by comparing atmospheric LCP mass spectra with authentic Pb emission source mass spectra. Sampling periods with LCP number fractions (NFs) more than three times the average LCP NF (APF = 4.35%) and below the APF were defined as high LCP NF periods (HLFPs: H1, H3, and H5) and low LCP NF APF periods (LLFPs: L2 and L4), respectively. Diurnal patterns and high Pb-Sec content during LLFPs indicate that photochemical activity and heterogeneous reactions may have controlled Pb-Sec particle formation. The inverse Pb-Cl and Pb-Sec particle diurnal trends during LLFPs suggest the replacement of Cl by sulfate and nitrate. On average over the five periods, ~ 76% of the LCPs likely arose from coal combustion and/or waste incineration, which were dominant sources during all five periods, followed by diesel trucks during LLFPs and iron- and steel-related sources during HLFPs; HLFP LCPs arose mainly from primary emissions. These results can be used to more efficiently control Pb emission sources and prevent harm to human and environmental health from Pb toxicity.

The effects of source and concentration of dietary fiber, starch, and fatty acids on the daily patterns of feed intake, rumination, and rumen pH in dairy cows.

The daily patterns of feed intake and rumination influence rumen fermentation, rumen pH, and timing of absorbed nutrients in the dairy cow, but the effects of diet composition on these patterns are not well characterized. Data from 3 previously published experiments were examined to determine the influence of dietary starch, fiber, and fatty acids (FA) on daily patterns of intake, rumination, and rumen pH. Dietary neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and starch were investigated in 2 experiments, each with duplicated 4 × 4 Latin square designs with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments in cows fed cows 1×/d at 1200 and 1400 h, respectively. To investigate fiber content and digestibility in the first experiment, brown midrib or isogenic conventional corn silage were fed in low- and high-NDF diets (29 and 38%, respectively). To investigate starch source and concentration in the second experiment, ground high-moisture corn or dry ground corn were fed in low- and high-starch diets (21 and 32%, respectively). Effect of fat concentration and saturation was investigated in the third experiment using a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design that fed cows 1×/d at 0900 h; treatments included a control diet with no added fat and 2.5% added saturated FA, unsaturated FA, or a mixture of the saturated and unsaturated FA. In the first 2 experiments, intake followed a similar daily pattern regardless of starch and NDF concentration or digestibility. Rumination displayed a treatment by time interaction for both NDF and starch concentration, with high-fiber, low-starch diets causing greater rumination overnight but not midday. High-starch diets decreased total daily rumen pH equally across the day, but did not change the daily pattern. Type of corn silage did not affect the daily patterns of rumination or rumen pH, but pH was reduced throughout the day in brown midrib diets. In the third experiment, no interactions between fatty acid supplement and time of day were observed for intake, rumination, or rumen pH. Within all experiments, rumination fit or tended to fit a 24-h rhythm regardless of diet, with the amplitude of the rumination being reduced in low-starch diets and diets containing saturated FA or a mixture of saturated and unsaturated FA. Overall, intake, rumination, and rumen pH follow a daily pattern that was minimally modified by dietary fiber and starch type and level or fat level and fatty acid profile.

Analyses of body weight patterns in growing pigs: a new view on body weight in pigs for frequent monitoring.

Frequent BW monitoring of growing pigs can be useful for identifying production (e.g. feeding), health and welfare problems. However, in order to construct a tool which will properly recognize abnormalities in pigs' growth a precise description of the growth process should be used. In this study we proposed a new model of pig growth accounting for daily fluctuations in BW. Body weight measurements of 1710 pigs (865 gilts and 843 barrows) originating from five consecutive batches from a Danish commercial farm were collected. Pigs were inserted into a large pen (maximum capacity=400) between November 2014 and September 2015. On average, each pig was observed for 42 days and weighed 3.6 times a day when passing from the resting to feeding area. Altogether, 243,160 BW measurements were recorded. A multilevel model of pig growth was constructed and fitted to available data. The BW of pigs was modeled as a quadratic function of time. A diurnal pattern was incorporated into the model by a cosine wave with known length (24 h). The model included pig effect which was defined as a random autoregressive process with exponential correlation. Variance of within-pigs error was assumed to increase with time. Because only five batches were observed, it was not possible to obtain the random effect for batch. However, in order to account for the batch effect the model included interactions between batch and fixed parameters: intercept, time, square value of time and cosine wave. The gender effect was not significant and was removed from the final model. For all batches, morning and afternoon peaks in the frequency of visits to the feeding area could be distinguished. According to results, pigs were lighter in the morning and heavier in the evening (minimum BW was reached around 1000 h and maximum around 2200 h). However, the exact time of obtaining maximum and minimum BW during the day differed between batches. Pigs had access to natural light and, therefore, existing differences could be explained by varying daylight level during observations periods. Because the diurnal amplitude for pig growth varied between batches from 0.9 to 1.4 kg, BW monitoring tools based on frequent measurements should account for diurnal variation in BW of pigs. This proposed description of growth will be built into a monitoring tool (a dynamic linear model) and applied to farm data in future studies.

Application and further characterization of the snap bean S156/R123 ozone biomonitoring system in relation to ambient air temperature.

Increased mixing ratios of ground-level ozone (O3) threaten individual plants, plant communities and ecosystems. In this sense, O3 biomonitoring is of great interest. The O3-sensitive S156 and the O3-tolerant R123 genotypes of snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) have been proposed as a potential tool for active biomonitoring of ambient O3. In the present study, an O3 biomonitoring was conducted, with the S156/R123 tool, along with a monitoring of O3 and other environmental conditions in an urban area in Athens, Greece, during the growing seasons of 2012 and 2013. Plant yield was evaluated to assess the effectiveness of AOT40 in interpreting O3-induced phytotoxicity. Across the two genotypes, an approximately two times lower total number of pods - and consequently lower bulk mass of seeds - was found in 2012 than in 2013, although there was no significant difference in the final AOT40 between the two years. No significant differences were observed in the stomatal density or conductance between the two genotypes, whereas it was estimated that, in both genotypes, the abaxial leaf surface contributes 2.7 fold to O3 intake in comparison to the adaxial one. By testing the role of ambient air temperature in outdoor plant environment chambers (OPECs), it was found that increased temperature limits mature pod formation and complicates interpretation of O3 impacts in terms of S156/R123 yields ratios. This is the first study providing evidence for a hormetic response of plants to ambient air temperature. This study also points out the complexity of using yield as a measure of O3 impact across different environments with the snap bean system, whereas visible foliar injury is more consistently related to O3 effects.

A Rasch Analysis of Assessments of Morning and Evening Fatigue in Oncology Patients Using the Lee Fatigue Scale.

CONTEXT: To accurately investigate diurnal variations in fatigue, a measure needs to be psychometrically sound and demonstrate stable item function in relationship to time of day. Rasch analysis is a modern psychometric approach that can be used to evaluate these characteristics. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate, using Rasch analysis, the psychometric properties of the Lee Fatigue Scale (LFS) in a sample of oncology patients. METHODS: The sample comprised 587 patients (mean age 57.3 ± 11.9 years, 80% women) undergoing chemotherapy for breast, gastrointestinal, gynecological, or lung cancer. Patients completed the 13-item LFS within 30 minutes of awakening (i.e., morning fatigue) and before going to bed (i.e., evening fatigue). Rasch analysis was used to assess validity and reliability. RESULTS: In initial analyses of differential item function, eight of the 13 items functioned differently depending on whether the LFS was completed in the morning or in the evening. Subsequent analyses were conducted separately for the morning and evening fatigue assessments. Nine of the morning fatigue items and 10 of the evening fatigue items demonstrated acceptable goodness-of-fit to the Rasch model. Principal components analyses indicated that both morning and evening assessments demonstrated unidimensionality. Person-separation indices indicated that both morning and evening fatigue scales were able to distinguish four distinct strata of fatigue severity. CONCLUSION: Excluding four items from the morning fatigue scale and three items from the evening fatigue scale improved the psychometric properties of the LFS for assessing diurnal variations in fatigue severity in oncology patients.

Ammonia and carbon dioxide concentrations in a layer house.

Higher concentrations of ammonia (NH3) and carbon dioxide (CO2) in animal barns can negatively affect production and health of animals and workers. This paper focuses on measurements of summer concentrations of ammonia (NH3) and carbon dioxide (CO2) in a naturally ventilated laying henhouse located at an egg production facility in Bursa region, western Turkey. Also, indoor and ambient environmental conditions such as temperature and relative humidity were measured simultaneously with pollutant gas concentrations. The average NH3 concentrations during summer of 2013 was 8.05 ppm for exhaust and 5.42 ppm for inlet while average CO2 concentration was 732 ppm for exhaust and 625 ppm for inlet throughout summer. The overall minimum, average and maximum values and humidity were obtained as 16.8°C, 24.72°C, and 34.71°C for indoor temperature and 33.64%, 63.71%, and 86.18% for relative humidity. The lowest exhaust concentrations for NH3 and CO2 were 6.98 ppm and 609 ppm, respectively. They were measured in early morning at the maximum diurnal ventilation rate in July 2013 and August 2013. The highest concentrations were 10.58 ppm for NH3 and 904 ppm for CO2 recorded in the afternoon when the ventilation rate was the lowest in June 2013.

Amyloid-ß diurnal pattern: possible role of sleep in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive decline that is a growing public health crisis with a prevalence projected to more than double in the next 20 years. Sleep is frequently impaired in individuals with AD. Further, recent studies have linked numerous age-related sleep disturbances such as poor sleep efficiency and sleep apnea, to future risk of cognitive impairment. Aggregation of amyloid-ß (Aß) into extracellular plaques in the brain is a key step in AD pathogenesis and likely begins 20 years before the onset of dementia. Aß concentrations in both humans and mouse models show Aß concentrations rise during wakefulness and fall during sleep, that is, an Aß diurnal pattern. There is evidence in animal models that changes in sleep time alter Aß deposition, suggesting that sleep may play a role in AD pathogenesis. A hypothetical model for the role of sleep and the Aß diurnal pattern in AD pathogenesis is proposed.