The current obesity epidemic has intensified research on lifestyle interventions aimed at combating obesity and associated cardiovascular (CV) and metabolic risk. This clustering of risk factors with obesity is known as the “Metabolic Syndrome” (MS). There is now a large body of evidence detailing the ability of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FA) and regular moderate exercise to independently ameliorate several CV risk factors; however the combination of these interventions may be a more effective strategy in reducing CV risk than either treatment alone. This thesis describes the independent and combined effects of supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) rich fish oil, and regular moderate exercise, on CV, metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers. Sedentary, overweight volunteers (BMI > 25kg/m2) with mild hypertension (140/90 – 160/100mmHg), elevated plasma triglycerides (TAG) (>1.6mmol/L) or elevated total cholesterol (TC) (>5.5mmol/L) were recruited in three cohorts for a 12-week intervention trial. Subjects were randomised to one of the following interventions: fish oil, fish oil and exercise, sunflower oil (placebo), sunflower oil and exercise. Subjects consumed 6 g/day of DHA-rich fish oil (26% DHA, 6% EPA; ~1.9g n-3 FA) or sunflower oil. The exercise groups walked 3 days/wk for 45 min, at 75% age-predicted maximal heart rate (HR). Outcome measures were assessed and compared across each intervention group at Weeks 0, 6 and 12, with the exception of body composition, heart rate variability (HRV) and immune functions, which were assessed at Weeks 0 and 12 only. Apart from the consumption of allocated capsules, all subjects were instructed to maintain their normal diet during the study. If not asked to exercise as part of the intervention subjects were also instructed to maintain their normal level of physical activity. Supplementation with DHA rich fish oil resulted in substantial increases in total long chain n-3 FA and DHA levels in erythrocyte membranes, accompanied by reduction of TAG, increase of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and reduction of superoxide production by stimulated neutrophils. Both the increase in HDL and the decrease in superoxide production were correlated with the change in erythrocyte DHA. Endothelium dependent arterial vasodilation (assessed by flow-mediated dilatation, FMD), HRV and HR response to exercise were also improved in subjects supplemented with the DHA-rich fish oil. Regular moderate intensity exercise, either alone or in addition to the DHA-rich fish oil supplementation, had no effect on these parameters, although it improved the compliance of small resistance arteries. Interestingly, however, both DHA-rich fish oil and regular exercise reduced body fat and these effects were additive when the interventions were combined. The change in fat mass was accompanied by an increase in fat oxidation during exercise, as measured by the respiratory exchange ratio. For the population as a whole, reductions in total and abdominal fat mass were associated with reductions in blood pressure. In summary, this study is the first to evaluate the metabolic and CV benefits that can be achieved by combining n-3 FA supplementation from fish oil and regular aerobic exercise in overweight/obese adults. While this combination did not produce any synergistic effects, several independent benefits were attained. The high compliance rate (>85%) within this study indicates that this intervention is well tolerated and may therefore be sustainable in the longer term. Future research should evaluate the mechanisms underlying the n-3 FA - mediated improvements in body composition. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1283720 / Thesis (PhD) -- School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, 2007

Periodontitis is an infective disease caused predominantly by gram negative anaerobic bacteria. However it is apparent that alveolar bone loss, which characterises periodontitis, is a result of the host inflammatory response to pathogenic bacteria, not the infectious agents directly. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (O-3 PUFAs) are recognised, and used widely, for their anti-inflammatory effects. Evidence is emerging that their oxygenated derivatives are key chemical mediators in the resolution of inflammation. We hypothesised that dietary supplementation with fish oil rich in the O-3 PUFA docosahexaenoic acid would modify inflammatory reactions within the periodontium and thus reduce alveolar bone loss in mice infected with periodontopathic bacteria. Eighty mice were fed experimental diets containing either 10% tuna oil (40) or a sunola oil (40) which contained no traceable O-3 PUFAs for 57 days. After two weeks each dietary set was split into four groups of ten mice, with these groups being inoculated with either a) Porphyromas gingivalis b) P. gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum (combined inoculum) c) Carboxymethylcellulose (control) or d) No inoculations (control). Of the twenty mice which received no inoculations, half were sacrificed after fifteen days and half at the end of the experiment to enable comparative fatty acid analysis of the oral soft tissues. Results demonstrated that eicosapentoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid were found in significantly higher proportions in the oral soft tissues of mice fed a tuna oil diet, and that animals receiving this diet exhibited an average of 54 - 72% less alveolar bone resorption in response to the different bacterial infections. Irrespective of diet, the combined inoculum resulted in slightly more alveolar resorption than P. gingivalis alone. The findings of this study suggest that fish oil dietary supplementation may have potential benefits as a host modulatory agent in the adjunctive management of periodontitis. Given its advantages in terms of safety, cost effectiveness and widespread availability, this dietary supplement warrants further research in human trials to assess its ability to modulate alveolar bone loss in individuals with periodontitis. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1313252 / Thesis (D.Clin.Dent.) - University of Adelaide, School of Dentistry (Periodontics), 2008

L'eau est présente aujourd'hui sur Mars sous forme de glace, de vapeur et d'hydratation du sol. L'hydratation, constituée d'eau adsorbée sur les minéraux ou emprisonnée dans leur structure, peut influencer le cycle de l'eau et favoriser des processus d'exobiologie ou d'altération. Cette thèse porte sur l'étude globale et saisonnière de cette hydratation grâce aux données de l'imageur spectral visible et proche-infrarouge OMEGA, en utilisant une forte bande d'absorption à 3 µm. Première étude systématique sur la voie L (grandes longueurs d'onde) d'OMEGA, cette thèse a développé un algorithme rapide pour en calculer les spectres de réflectance, nécessitant d'estimer l'émission thermique sur les données. La réponse photométrique de la voie L étant fortement variable, nous avons proposé un nouvel étalonnage adapté pour obtenir une couverture spatiale et saisonnière représentative. Notre étude révèle que l'hydratation est présente partout sur Mars, pour des teneurs massiques en eau entre 3 et 12%, preuve de l'omniprésence de l'eau adsorbée mais aussi d'une altération générale. La dépendance de l'hydratation avec la pression et la température est conforme aux mesures de laboratoire, et la composition influe sur la force d'adsorption. Les sols clairs semblent plus hydratés. L'influence sur le cycle de l'eau est prouvée par l'observation de variations saisonnières et d'une teneur en eau élevée là où le sous-sol est glacé. Enfin, les carbonates sont un produit d'altération attendu en présence d'eau adsorbée, mais notre recherche systématique sur leur bande à 3.4 µm prouve leur absence globale. Ce résultat est primordial pour les scénarios de l'histoire de l'atmosphère.

L'effet du mélange \rho^0 - \omega dans l'observation de la violation directe de CP dans la désintégration du méson B en mésons vecteurs constitue l'une des études principales de ce travail. Dans une première partie nous calculons les amplitudes de désintégrations de canaux B -> V \rho^0 (\omega) à partir de leur modélisation en utilisant pour cela le formalisme d'hélicité. A partir de ces amplitudes nous pouvons prédire les rapports d'embranchement et les asymétries auxquels on s'attend, compte tenu des différents facteurs de forme et paramètres ajustables introduits. Ce travail a mis en évidence que la violation directe de CP se manifeste à la fois au niveau des rapports d'embranchement, des distributions angulaires et du spectre de masse du \rho^0 - \omega. La prédominance de la polarisation longitudinale mise en avant dans cette thèse est appuyée par les données expérimentales des expériences Babar et Belle. Les phases fortes ont ensuite été déduites en fonction de la masse de la résonance \rho^0 - \omega ainsi que le rapport des amplitudes Penguin et Tree.<br> Dans une seconde partie, nous introduisons l'étude précédemment décrite dans le cadre de l'expérience LHCb, consacrée à l'étude de la beauté et de la violation de CP, qui débutera en 2007. L'analyse de la réponse simulée du détecteur à l'un des canaux modélisés, le canal B0 -> K*0 \rho^0 (\omega) a été réalisée dans le but d'estimer l'intér.et de ce canal pour une telle expérience. Il s'est avéré que l'effet du mélange \rho^0 - \omega dans ce canal n'est a priori pas observable à court terme dans LHCb. En revanche, le canal \rho+ \rho^0 (\omega), dont le rapport d'embranchement prédit dans ce travail est confirmé par Babar et Belle, semble .etre un terrain d'investigation prometteur pour l'observation d'une asymétrie différentielle.

<p>This thesis is a survey of the field of languages over infinite sequences. There is active research going on in this field, during the last year several new results where published. </p><p>We investigate the language containment problem for infinite sequences, with focus on complementation of Büchi automata. Our main focus is on the approach with alternating automata by Kupferman&Vardi. The language containment problem has been proved to be in EXPSPACE. We identify some cases when we can avoid the exponential blow-up by taking advantage of properties of the input automaton. </p><p>Some of the algorithms we explain are also implemented in a Sicstus Prolog library.</p>

<p>Persons suffering from Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) struggle with complications within the functions that regulate and control the brain activities, due to deficiencies in these functions within the affected nerve-paths. ADHD is a cognitive function impairment characterised by inattention, impulsiveness and over activity. According to Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders, American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV), certain diagnostic criteria of ADHD must be fulfilled in order for a person to be diagnosed with ADHD. The everyday problems caused by ADHD are individual and medication can have positive effects relieving the person’s impairing behaviour. The study is based on scientific literature, three quantitative scientific articles and preview material from the last study by Johnson, Fransson, Kadesjö & Gillberg, presently being scrutinised. Swedish as well as English literature has been used. The purpose of this study is to shed some light upon whether medication facilitates the child’s school situation. The result deals with the ADHD diagnosis and pharmacological therapy involving drugs that stimulate the central nervous system, as well as naturopathic medicine like Omega-3/6. The pedagogical aspect for children with ADHD in school has been observed and evaluated. In this matter it is important for the pedagogue to encourage the child by letting it find out that it can manage more than it thinks.</p>

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) enriched eggs are an increasingly important contributor to the egg industry due to the health benefits of n-3 PUFA. During storage and cooking, n-3 PUFA could undergo oxidation and further cause cholesterol oxidation. This study examined stability of n-3 PUFA enriched eggs fortified with antioxidants (vitamin E or organic Selenium [Sel-Plex] or both) following storage and cooking. Total n-3 PUFA was not affected by cooking and storage, although long chain n-3 PUFA concentration decreased. Overall, both vitamin E and Sel-Plex decreased oxidation of yolk lipids and cholesterol. Cooking increased the lipid and cholesterol oxidation. Four weeks of storage did not affect the cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) content, but increased lipid oxidation. It is possible to make the n-3 PUFA in enriched eggs more stable with dietary antioxidants. / Food Science and Technology

Linoleic acid, with a DRI of 12-17g/d, is the most highly consumed polyunsaturated fatty acid in the Western diet and is found in virtually all commonly consumed foods. The concern with dietary linoleic acid, being the metabolic precursor of arachidonic acid, is its consumption may enrich tissues with arachidonic acid and contribute to chronic and overproduction of bioactive eicosanoids. However, no systematic review of human trials regarding linoleic acid consumption and subsequent changes in tissue levels of arachidonic acid has been undertaken. In this study, we reviewed the human literature that reported changes in dietary linoleic acid and its subsequent impact on changing tissue arachidonic acid in erythrocytes and plasma/serum phospholipids. We identified, reviewed, and evaluated all peer-reviewed published literature presenting data outlining changes in dietary linoleic acid in adult human clinical trials that reported changes in phospholipid fatty acid composition (specifically arachidonic acid) in plasma/serum and erythrocytes within the parameters of our inclusion/exclusion criteria. Decreasing dietary linoleic acid up to 90% was not significantly correlated with changes in tissue arachidonic acid levels (p=0.39). Similarly, when dietary linoleic acid levels were increased six fold, no significant correlations with tissue arachidonic acid levels were observed (p=0.72). However, there was a positive relationship between dietary gamma-linolenic acid and arachidonic acid on changes in tissue arachidonic levels. Our results do not support the concept that modifying current intakes of dietary linoleic acid has an effect on changing tissue levels of arachidonic acid in adults consuming Western-type diets.

Persons suffering from Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) struggle with complications within the functions that regulate and control the brain activities, due to deficiencies in these functions within the affected nerve-paths. ADHD is a cognitive function impairment characterised by inattention, impulsiveness and over activity. According to Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders, American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV), certain diagnostic criteria of ADHD must be fulfilled in order for a person to be diagnosed with ADHD. The everyday problems caused by ADHD are individual and medication can have positive effects relieving the person’s impairing behaviour. The study is based on scientific literature, three quantitative scientific articles and preview material from the last study by Johnson, Fransson, Kadesjö &amp; Gillberg, presently being scrutinised. Swedish as well as English literature has been used. The purpose of this study is to shed some light upon whether medication facilitates the child’s school situation. The result deals with the ADHD diagnosis and pharmacological therapy involving drugs that stimulate the central nervous system, as well as naturopathic medicine like Omega-3/6. The pedagogical aspect for children with ADHD in school has been observed and evaluated. In this matter it is important for the pedagogue to encourage the child by letting it find out that it can manage more than it thinks.

Currently, the labeling of functional food products is highly regulated in Canada. Although certain nutrient content claims and five generic health claims have been allowed, the inability to make additional nutrient content and health claims decreases functional food firms incentives to produce and commercialize new and healthy food products. This, in turn, has consequences for functional food demand, consumer welfare, and health care costs. The primary objective of this thesis is to examine the potential welfare implications of functional food labeling for Canadian society.<p>A benefit cost analysis is conducted to examine a specific case study of omega-3 enriched eggs. The benefit cost analysis evaluates the welfare effects of functional food labeling policy and helps realize the magnitude of potential benefits that could be gained if not for restrictive and complicated labeling regulations. Based on a range of assumptions and using three different scenarios to cover a range of estimates, the health benefits from the reduction in the risk of coronary heart disease due to the current consumption of omega-3 enriched eggs, and the production and labeling-related costs are estimated. By comparing the estimated benefits and costs, the results indicate that the current consumption of omega-3 enriched eggs provides a considerable net economic gain. Therefore, labeling information on health components can contribute to facilitating a healthy lifestyle with reduced medical costs, stimulating agricultural innovation, and increasing economic welfare.<p>Realizing the positive overall impact that the current consumption of omega-3 enriched eggs has on consumers health and economy in Canada, a possible policy that could regulate all eggs to be enriched with omega-3 fatty acids is proposed. This policy could potentially be used to correct not only information asymmetry but also the negative externalities that are created by health and disability insurances. The benefit cost analysis show that the health benefits would be greatly increased while costs would slightly increase due to reduced labeling-related costs. Therefore, the results indicate that the net economic gain is even stronger if the mandatory development of omega-3 enriched eggs were required.