Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a growing concern worldwide, particularly among Aboriginal Canadians. Diet has been associated with diabetes risk, and dietary pattern analysis (DPA) provides a method in which whole dietary patterns may be explored in relation to disease. Factor analysis (FA) and reduced rank regression (RRR) of data from the Sandy Lake Health and Diabetes Project identified patterns associated with incident T2DM at follow-up. A RRR-derived pattern characterized by tea, hot cereal, and peas, and low intake of high-sugar foods and beef was positively associated with diabetes; however, the relationship was attenuated with adjustment for age and other covariates. A FA-derived pattern characterized by processed foods was positively associated with incident T2DM in a multivariate model (OR=1.38; CIs: 1.02, 1.86 per unit), suggesting intake of processed foods may predict T2DM risk.

New modelling tools intended to contribute to the development of components for quieter vehicles are developed. The tools are based on continuum models for wave propagation in poro- and visco-elastic media. By using geometric attributes of the studied components, the computational cost may be radically decreased compared to traditional methods. By assigning known analytical functions for one or two of the spatial directions, the spatial dimension of the remaining numerical problem is reduced. This reduction of spatial dimensions is performed in two di↵erent ways. The first one treats wave propagation in infinitely extended homogeneous and hollowed cylindrical rods, or wave guides, consisting of visco-elastic media. The wave solutions obtained are then used to model rubber vibration isolators of finite length by mode-matching the fields to the radial boundary conditions of interest. The second one is a method for modelling rotationally symmetric multilayered structures consisting of poro-elastic, elastic and fluid domains. By using a harmonic expansion for the azimuthal spatial dependence, the original three-dimensional problem is split up into several, much smaller, two- dimensional ones, radically decreasing the computational load.Moreover, using a mixed measurement/modelling approach, the audible frequency range characteristics of a viscous damper from a truck is studied, illustrating the influence of the rubber bushings by which it is attached to surrounding structures.The modelling approaches presented in this thesis are intended as tools aiding the design process of new vehicles, enabling new technology striving for more sustainable vehicle concepts. More specifically, the tools aim to improve the modelling of sound and vibration properties which are often penalised when seeking new, more sustainable vehicle designs.

The primary objective of this study was to assess the relationship between dietary patterns with diabetes and mortality risk from all-cause and cardiovascular disease while controlling for the confounding effects of fitness. The secondary objective was to examine the combined effects of dietary patterns and fitness on chronic disease and mortality risk. Participants consisted of 13,621 men and women from the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study who completed a standardized medical examination and 3-day diet record between 1987 and 1999. Reduced rank regression was used to identify dietary patterns that were predictive of unfavorable profiles of cholesterol, white blood cell count, glucose, mean arterial pressure, HDL-cholesterol, uric acid, triglycerides, and body mass index. One primary dietary pattern emerged, which was labeled the “Unhealthy Eating Index”. This pattern was characterized by a large consumption of processed meat, red meat, white potato products, non-whole grains, added fat, and a small consumption of non-citrus fruits. After adjustment for covariates, the odds ratio for diabetes and the hazard ratio for all-cause mortality were 2.55 (95% confidence interval: 1.81-3.58) and 1.40 (1.02-1.91) in the highest quintile of the Unhealthy Eating Index when compared to the lowest quintile, respectively. After controlling for fitness, these risk estimates were reduced by 51.6% and 55.0%. The Unhealthy Eating Index was not a significant predictor of cardiovascular disease mortality before or after controlling for fitness. Examining the combined effects of dietary patterns and fitness revealed that both variables were independent predictors of diabetes (Ptrend <0.0001), while fitness (Ptrend <0.0001) but not unhealthy eating (Ptrend=0.071) significantly predicted all-cause mortality risk. These results suggest that both diet and fitness must be considered when studying disease. / Thesis (Master, Community Health & Epidemiology) -- Queen's University, 2009-07-08 07:11:06.809

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No description available.

Extended periods of mechanical unloading are known to be detrimental to bone health. Astronauts who spend months in microgravity aboard the International Space Station (ISS) are at particular risk. It is anticipated that NASA will not drastically increase the size of the astronaut corps, and this will mean increased likelihood of repeat missions for more astronauts. Thus, it is important to better understand the effects that prolonged, multiple bouts of unloading have on bone. This study utilized the hindlimb unloaded (HU) rat model to examine bone loss and recovery for single and double unloading bouts. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (6 months old) were randomized into the following groups: baseline (sacrificed at 6 months), 1HU7 (unloaded for 1 month, weight-bearing recovery for 3 months), 2HU10 (unloaded for 1 month, recovered for 2 months, unloaded for another month, and then recovered 2 months), 1HU10 (normal cage activity until 1 month HU ending at month 10, 2 month recovery followed), and aging controls (remained ambulatory throughout experiment). Every month (28 days), animals were terminated and the left femurs were excised, resulting in n=15 per group for each time point. Mineral and geometric properties were measured using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) at the distal femur metaphysis, and quasi-static reduced platen compression (RPC) was used to estimate the mechanical properties of cancellous bone. Strength indices based on pQCT parameters were calculated as predictors of mechanical properties. Bone mass properties decreased due to HU and recovered within 2-3 months post-HU. A combination of increased periosteal apposition and endocortical resorption also occurred during HU. The initial HU bout suppressed normal age-related increases in mechanical properties and recovered within 1-2 months. Cancellous compressive strength index (CSI) most closely matched changes in mechanical properties. A second HU bout after two months recovery had a less detrimental effect on pQCT parameters but a greater negative impact on mechanical properties, when compared to pre-HU values. The opposite is true for mechanical properties if loss is characterized relative to aging controls. Recovery after the second HU period did not appear to be significantly affected by a previous bout of HU.

Reduced tillage and living mulches are alternative management strategies that can improve soil quality by minimizing disturbance and building soil organic matter. Weed suppression by these two practices alone is often insufficient to avoid crop yield losses, but their performance in an integrated system is not well understood. This project investigated the production of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in conventional tillage and strip tillage with a living mulch of teff (Eragrostis tef Zucc.) and Korean lespedeza (Kummerowia stipulacea Maxim.). Yields of pepper and bean were generally higher under conventional tillage without living mulch. Weed biomass was not influenced by tillage, and was adequately suppressed by teff in a year when conditions for teff growth were favorable. Mowing appeared to suppress weed growth but not living mulch growth. Soil nitrate and ammonium concentration was generally higher under conventional tillage without living mulch. Delaying living mulch seeding by 15 days after crop establishment generally did not affect weed suppression or crop yield. Soil aggregate stability was not consistently affected by tillage or living mulch. Increased mowing frequency, living mulch planting delay, or distance between the crop row and the living mulch may be necessary to achieve acceptable yields with living mulches.

Since astronaut time and energy are at a premium, effective countermeasures must be designed to maximize benefits while minimizing time/energy cost. Therefore, our intent was to design and evaluate a low volume, high intensity resistance training program (RTP) on the preservation of knee extensor and plantar flexor size, strength and neuromuscular function in response to unloading. A total of 32 subjects participated. Sixteen men underwent 21 days of unilateral lower limb suspension (ULLS) and were assigned to control (no RTP) (ULLS-CON, n=8) or countermeasures (ULLS-CM, n=8). The remaining subjects were ambulatory for 21 days and were assigned to no RTP (n=8) or countermeasures (n=8). Countermeasure subjects performed RTP every third day during the suspension period (total=6). The RTP consisted of 2 maximal isometric contractions (MVC), 1 set of 10 concentric/eccentric isotonic repetitions, and 1 set to exhaustion, at 80% of 1-repetition maximum (1RM). There was no change in muscle function in ambulatory subjects. Whole muscle cross sectional area (CSA) measured by computed tomography (CT) decreased 7% (thigh) and 7.5% (calf) in ULLS-CON (p<0.05), and was unchanged in ULLS-CM. MVC decreased 16.5% in both quadricep and calf muscles in ULLS-CON (p<0.05) and increased 6% in the quadricep of ULLSCM (p<0.05). Maximal concentric (CNC) and eccentric (ECC) isokinetic strength decreased an average of 18% and 17% in the knee extensors and plantar flexors of ULLS-CON, respectively (p<0.05) and was unchanged in ULLS-CM. 1RM decreased 16% in both quadricep and calf of ULLS-CON (p<0.05) and was unchanged in ULLSCM. Knee extensor work capacity, evaluated during 30 maximal CNC contractions (3.14 rad•sec-'), decreased 18% in ULLS-CON (p<0.05). Neural activation of knee extensors and plantar flexors was measured by electromyography (EMG). Submaximal v.lat, v.med, gast and sol EMG increased in ULLS-CON (p<0.05) and was unaltered in ULLSCM. Maximal EMG decreased 20% and 26% in v.1at and v.med, respectively in ULLSCON (p<0.05). ULLS-CM showed a 15% and 28% increase in v.med and gast maximal EMG (p<0.05). These data suggest knee extensor and plantar flexor muscle size, strength and neuromuscular function were preserved during unloading using a low volume, high intensity RTP performed every third day. / School of Physical Education

A software program was written that implements a finite element analysis (FEA) solution as the basis of an optimization function used for guiding the inverse design problem of aligning fibres, minimizing displacements in a fibre-reinforced polymer composite part in response to a given loading condition, for various part geometries. The FEA solution makes use of the superlinear RGNTet4 element, which includes 3 displacement and 3 rotational degrees of freedom at 4 nodes. Convergence testing verified the accuracy of the solver versus symbolic results for simple cases. Multivariate optimization over fibre orientations and volume fractions was carried out for a simple test case using the NLOpt nonlinear optimization library. Both derivative-free and gradient-based algorithms were tested. Low-Storage Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shannon was the most effective algorithm. Four more complex cases were examined, and by varying fibre orientations, reductions of 48%, 66%, 58% and 32% were achieved in displacements at the loaded nodes.

Sensitivity analysis based on a chemical transport model (CTM) serves as an important approach towards better understanding the relationship between trace contaminant levels in the atmosphere and emissions, chemical and physical processes. Previous studies on ozone control identified the high-order Decoupled Direct Method (HDDM) as an efficient tool to conduct sensitivity analysis. Given the growing recognition of the adverse health effects of fine particulate matter (i.e., particles with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5)), this dissertation presents the development of a HDDM sensitivity technique for particulate matter and its implementation it in a widely used CTM, CMAQ. Compared to previous studies, two new features of the implementation are 1) including sensitivities of aerosol water content and activity coefficients, and 2) tracking the chemical regimes of the embedded thermodynamic model. The new features provide more accurate sensitivities especially for nitrate and ammonium. Results compare well with brute force sensitivities and are shown to be more stable and computationally efficient. Next, this dissertation explores the applications of HDDM. Source apportionment analysis for the Houston region in September 2006 indicates that nonlinear responses accounted for 3.5% to 33.7% of daily average PM2.5, and that PM2.5 formed rapidly during night especially in the presence of abundant ozone and under stagnant conditions. Uncertainty analysis based on the HDDM found that on average, uncertainties in the emissions rates led to 36% uncertainty in simulated daily average PM2.5 and could explain much, but not all, of the difference between simulated and observed PM2.5 concentrations at two observations sites. HDDM is then applied to assess the impact of flare VOC emissions with temporally variable combustion efficiency. Detailed study of flare emissions using the 2006 Texas special inventory indicates that daily maximum 8-hour ozone at a monitoring site can increase by 2.9 ppb when combustion is significantly decreased. The last application in this dissertation integrates the reduced form model into an electricity generation planning model, and enables representation of geospatial dependence of air quality-related health costs in the optimization process to seek the least cost planning for power generation. The integrated model can provide useful advice on selecting fuel types and locations for power plants.