Perceptions About Alcohol Harm and Alcohol-control Strategies Among People With High Risk of Alcohol Consumption in Alberta, Canada and Queensland, Australia

Sanchez-Ramirez, Diana C.,Franklin, Richard C.,Voaklander, Donald The Korean Society for Preventive Medicine 2018 Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health Vol.51 No.1

Objectives: To explore alcohol perceptions and their association hazardous alcohol use in the populations of Alberta, Canada and Queensland, Australia. Methods: Data from 2500 participants of the 2013 Alberta Survey and the 2013 Queensland Social Survey was analyzed. Regression analyses were used to explore the association between alcohol perceptions and its association with hazardous alcohol use. Results: Greater hazardous alcohol use was found in Queenslanders than Albertans (p<0.001). Overall, people with hazardous alcohol were less likely to believe that alcohol use contributes to health problems (odds ratio [OR], 0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.27 to 0.78; p<0.01) and to a higher risk of injuries (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.33 to 0.90; p<0.05). Albertans with hazardous alcohol use were less likely to believe that alcohol contributes to health problems (OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.26 to 0.92; p<0.05) and were also less likely to choose a highly effective strategy as the best way for the government to reduce alcohol problems (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.43 to 0.91; p=0.01). Queenslanders with hazardous alcohol use were less likely to believe that alcohol was a major contributor to injury (OR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.20 to 0.77; p<0.01). Conclusions: Our results suggest that people with hazardous alcohol use tend to underestimate the negative effect of alcohol consumption on health and its contribution to injuries. In addition, Albertans with hazardous alcohol use were less in favor of strategies considered highly effective to reduce alcohol harm, probably because they perceive them as a potential threat to their own alcohol consumption. These findings represent valuable sources of information for local health authorities and policymakers when designing suitable strategies to target alcohol-related problems.

Hazardous Alcohol Use in 2 Countries: A Comparison Between Alberta, Canada and Queensland, Australia

Sanchez-Ramirez, Diana C.,Franklin, Richard,Voaklander, Donald The Korean Society for Preventive Medicine 2017 Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health Vol.50 No.5

Objectives: This article aimed to compare alcohol consumption between the populations of Queensland in Australia and Alberta in Canada. Furthermore, the associations between greater alcohol consumption and socio-demographic characteristics were explored in each population. Methods: Data from 2500 participants of the 2013 Alberta Survey and the 2013 Queensland Social Survey were analyzed. Regression analyses were used to explore the associations between alcohol risk and socio-demographic characteristics. Results: A higher rate of hazardous alcohol use was found in Queenslanders than in Albertans. In both Albertans and Queenslanders, hazardous alcohol use was associated with being between 18 and 24 years of age. Higher income, having no religion, living alone, and being born in Canada were also associated with alcohol risk in Albertans; while in Queenslanders, hazardous alcohol use was also associated with common-law marital status. In addition, hazardous alcohol use was lower among respondents with a non-Catholic or Protestant religious affiliation. Conclusions: Younger age was associated with greater hazardous alcohol use in both populations. In addition, different socio-demographic factors were associated with hazardous alcohol use in each of the populations studied. Our results allowed us to identify the socio-demographic profiles associated with hazardous alcohol use in Alberta and Queensland. These profiles constitute valuable sources of information for local health authorities and policymakers when designing suitable preventive strategies targeting hazardous alcohol use. Overall, the present study highlights the importance of analyzing the socio-demographic factors associated with alcohol consumption in population-specific contexts.

Perceptions About Alcohol Harm and Alcohol-control Strategies Among People With High Risk of Alcohol Consumption in Alberta, Canada and Queensland, Australia

Diana C. Sanchez-Ramirez,Richard C. Franklin,Donald Voaklander 대한예방의학회 2018 Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health Vol.51 No.1

Objectives: To explore alcohol perceptions and their association hazardous alcohol use in the populations of Alberta, Canada and Queensland, Australia. Methods: Data from 2500 participants of the 2013 Alberta Survey and the 2013 Queensland Social Survey was analyzed. Regression analyses were used to explore the association between alcohol perceptions and its association with hazardous alcohol use. Results: Greater hazardous alcohol use was found in Queenslanders than Albertans (p<0.001). Overall, people with hazardous alcohol were less likely to believe that alcohol use contributes to health problems (odds ratio [OR], 0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.27 to 0.78; p<0.01) and to a higher risk of injuries (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.33 to 0.90; p<0.05). Albertans with hazardous alcohol use were less likely to believe that alcohol contributes to health problems (OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.26 to 0.92; p<0.05) and were also less likely to choose a highly effective strategy as the best way for the government to reduce alcohol problems (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.43 to 0.91; p=0.01). Queenslanders with hazardous alcohol use were less likely to believe that alcohol was a major contributor to injury (OR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.20 to 0.77; p<0.01). Conclusions: Our results suggest that people with hazardous alcohol use tend to underestimate the negative effect of alcohol consumption on health and its contribution to injuries. In addition, Albertans with hazardous alcohol use were less in favor of strategies considered highly effective to reduce alcohol harm, probably because they perceive them as a potential threat to their own alcohol consumption. These findings represent valuable sources of information for local health authorities and policymakers when designing suitable strategies to target alcohol-related problems.

Hazardous Alcohol Use in 2 Countries: A Comparison Between Alberta, Canada and Queensland, Australia

Diana C. Sanchez-Ramirez,Richard Franklin,Donald Voaklander 대한예방의학회 2017 Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health Vol.50 No.5

Objectives: This article aimed to compare alcohol consumption between the populations of Queensland in Australia and Alberta in Canada. Furthermore, the associations between greater alcohol consumption and socio-demographic characteristics were explored in each population. Methods: Data from 2500 participants of the 2013 Alberta Survey and the 2013 Queensland Social Survey were analyzed. Regression analyses were used to explore the associations between alcohol risk and socio-demographic characteristics. Results: A higher rate of hazardous alcohol use was found in Queenslanders than in Albertans. In both Albertans and Queenslanders, hazardous alcohol use was associated with being between 18 and 24 years of age. Higher income, having no religion, living alone, and being born in Canada were also associated with alcohol risk in Albertans; while in Queenslanders, hazardous alcohol use was also associated with common-law marital status. In addition, hazardous alcohol use was lower among respondents with a non-Catholic or Protestant religious affiliation. Conclusions: Younger age was associated with greater hazardous alcohol use in both populations. In addition, different socio-demographic factors were associated with hazardous alcohol use in each of the populations studied. Our results allowed us to identify the socio-demographic profiles associated with hazardous alcohol use in Alberta and Queensland. These profiles constitute valuable sources of information for local health authorities and policymakers when designing suitable preventive strategies targeting hazardous alcohol use. Overall, the present study highlights the importance of analyzing the socio-demographic factors associated with alcohol consumption in population-specific contexts.

Integrating Y-Chromosome, Mitochondrial, and Autosomal Data to Analyze the Origin of Pig Breeds

Ramirez, O.,Ojeda, A.,Tomas, A.,Gallardo, D.,Huang, L.S.,Folch, J.M.,Clop, A.,Sanchez, A.,Badaoui, B.,Hanotte, O.,Galman-Omitogun, O.,Makuza, S.M.,Soto, H.,Cadillo, J.,Kelly, L.,Cho, I.C.,Yeghoyan, S. Oxford University Press 2009 Molecular biology and evolution Vol.26 No.9

<P>We have investigated the origin of swine breeds through the joint analysis of mitochondrial, microsatellite, and Y-chromosome polymorphisms in a sample of pigs and wild boars with a worldwide distribution. Genetic differentiation between pigs and wild boars was remarkably weak, likely as a consequence of a sustained gene flow between both populations. The analysis of nuclear markers evidenced the existence of a close genetic relationship between Near Eastern and European wild boars making it difficult to infer their relative contributions to the gene pool of modern European breeds. Moreover, we have shown that European and Far Eastern pig populations have contributed maternal and paternal lineages to the foundation of African and South American breeds. Although West African pigs from Nigeria and Benin exclusively harbored European alleles, Far Eastern and European genetic signatures of similar intensity were detected in swine breeds from Eastern Africa. This region seems to have been a major point of entry of livestock species in the African continent as a result of the Indian Ocean trade. Finally, South American creole breeds had essentially a European ancestry although Asian Y-chromosome and mitochondrial haplotypes were found in a few Nicaraguan pigs. The existence of Spanish and Portuguese commercial routes linking Asia with America might have favored the introduction of Far Eastern breeds into this continent.</P>

DSP-Based Simplified Space-Vector PWM for a Three-Level VSI with Experimental Validation

Ramirez, Jose Dario Betanzos,Rivas, Jaime Jose Rodriguez,Peralta-Sanchez, Edgar The Korean Institute of Power Electronics 2012 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.12 No.2

Multilevel inverters have gained attention in high-power applications due to their numerous advantages in comparison with conventional two-level inverters. In this paper a simplified Space-Vector Modulation (SVM) algorithm for a three-level Neutral-Point Clamped (NPC) inverter is implemented on a Freescale$^{(R)}$ DSP56F8037. The algorithm is based on a simplification of the space-vector diagram for a three-level inverter so that it can be used with a two-level inverter. Once the simplification has been achieved, calculation of the dwell times and the switching sequences are carried out in the same way as for the two-level SVM method. Details of the hardware design are included. Experimental results are analyzed to validate the performance of the simplified algorithm.

DSP-Based Simplified Space-Vector PWM for a Three-Level VSI with Experimental Validation

Jose Dario Betanzos Ramirez,Jaime Jose Rodriguez Rivas,Edgar Peralta-Sanchez 전력전자학회 2012 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.12 No.2

Multilevel inverters have gained attention in high-power applications due to their numerous advantages in comparison with conventional two-level inverters. In this paper a simplified Space-Vector Modulation (SVM) algorithm for a three-level Neutral-Point Clamped (NPC) inverter is implemented on a Freescale® DSP56F8037. The algorithm is based on a simplification of the space-vector diagram for a three-level inverter so that it can be used with a two-level inverter. Once the simplification has been achieved, calculation of the dwell times and the switching sequences are carried out in the same way as for the two-level SVM method. Details of the hardware design are included. Experimental results are analyzed to validate the performance of the simplified algorithm.

(−)-Epicatechin Ameliorates Cardiac Fibrosis in a Female Rat Model of Pre-Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Moises Bustamante-Pozo,Israel Ramirez-Sanchez,Alejandra Garate-Carrillo,Bruce Ito,Viridiana Navarrete,Moises Haro,Ricardo Garcia,Nancy Carson,Guillermo Ceballos,Francisco Villarreal 한국식품영양과학회 2022 Journal of medicinal food Vol.25 No.8

One of the most abundant flavonoids present in cacao is (−)-epicatechin (Epi) and this flavanol has been linked to the cardiovascular health promoting actions of cocoa products. We previously demonstrated that Epi reduces infarct size in rodent models of ischemia/reperfusion and permanent coronary occlusion. Reduced infarct size was associated with decreased left ventricular (LV) oxidative stress (OS) and indicators of inflammation factors, which foster myocardial fibrosis. In this study, we examine the antifibrotic actions of Epi in an aging female rat model of pre-heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (pre-HFpEF) as well as its potential to mitigate plasma levels of OS, proinflammatory/profibrotic cytokines, and improve passive and active LV function. Epi treatment [1 mg/(kg·d)] was provided daily by gavage from 21 to 22 months of age, whereas controls received water. A Millar catheter was used to assess hemodynamic function. Subsequently, hearts were arrested in diastole, a balloon inserted into the LV and passive pressure–volume curves generated. Fixed LV sections were processed for collagen area fraction quantification using Sirius Red staining. Treatment with Epi did not lead to detectable changes in LV contractile function. However, passive LV pressure volume curves were significantly right shifted with Epi. Collagen area fraction values indicated that Epi treatment significantly reduces LV fibrosis. Epi also significantly reduced plasma OS markers and levels of profibrotic and proinflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, Epi reduces cardiac fibrosis in an aged, female rat model of pre-HFpEF, which correlates with significant reductions in OS and cytokine levels in the absence of changes in LV contractile function.

Participation of COX-1 and COX-2 in the contractile effect of phenylephrine in prepubescent and old rats

Gustavo Guevara-Balcazar,Israel Ramirez-Sanchez,Elvia Mera-Jimenez,Ivan Rubio-Gayosso,Maria Eugenia Aguilar-Najera,Maria C. Castillo-Hernandez 대한생리학회-대한약리학회 2017 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.13 No.1

Vascular reactivity can be influenced by the vascular region, animal age, and pathologies present. Prostaglandins (produced by COX-1 and COX-2) play an important role in the contractile response to phenylephrine in the abdominal aorta of young rats. Although these COXs are found in many tissues, their distribution and role in vascular reactivity are not clear. At a vascular level, they take part in the homeostasis functions involved in many physiological and pathologic processes (e.g., arterial pressure and inflammatory processes). The aim of this study was to analyze changes in the contractile response to phenylephrine of thoracic/abdominal aorta and the coronary artery during aging in rats. Three groups of rats were formed and sacrificed at three distinct ages: prepubescent, young and old adult. The results suggest that there is a higher participation of prostanoids in the contractile effect of phenylephrine in pre-pubescent rats, and a lower participation of the same in old rats. Contrarily, there seems to be a higher participation of prostanoids in the contractile response of the coronary artery of older than pre-pubescent rats. Considering that the changes in the expression of COX-2 were similar for the three age groups and the two tissues tested, and that expression of COX-1 is apparently greater in older rats, COX-1 and COX-2 may lose functionality in relation to their corresponding receptors during aging in rats.

Robust Nonlinear Control of AC Brushless Motor for Electric Vehicles Application

Langarica-Cordoba, Diego,Guerrero-Ramirez, Gerardo V.,Claudio-Sanchez, Abraham,Duran-Fonseca, Miguel A.,Adam-Medina, Manuel,Astorga-Zaragoza, Carlos-Manuel The Korean Institute of Power Electronics 2011 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.11 No.4

This article proposes a robust nonlinear control based on Lyapunov's redesign, whose purpose is to deal with parametric uncertainty in the resistance of the motor windings. The robust controller design is based on the passivity properties of the motor, as well as energy shaping and damping injection. The application of this control technique is focused on electric vehicles mainly formed by a battery bank, a power inverter, an AC brushless motor and the mechanical transmission. The sine PWM technique is used to trigger the switching devices of inverter. The results were obtained from simulation, where is shown that robust control makes a proper tracking of electromagnetic torque.