Pasta is one of staple foods in Western countries. It is loved especially by Italians. In Japan, spaghetti is very commonly consumed at lunch.
Pasta is made from grain, as well as bread. It contains much carbonate. Therefore, many believe eating pasta will make you fatty. However, an academic report against this idea was published recently.
Mail Online: Pasta DOESN'T make you fat - it actually helps weight loss, (Italian) researchers claim
In this study, 23,000 people living in Italy were asked what kind of food they take. Through analyzing the gathered data, the researchers investigated the relationship between the body proportion of the participants and their consumption of pasta. As a result, it seems that taking pasta is not associated with increased body weight. Rather it is likely enjoying pasta brings you lower waist circumference.
It looks an amazing outcome. This paper was published in Nutrition and Diabetes, an academic journal relevant to Nature. However, being not an exception of cross-sectional studies, this surprising result cannot apply to real.
In the article, participants were randomly selected from residents in a couple of certain regions. It is an appropriate way of a survey. In the participants, one-third of women and a half of men were overweight, and more than one-fourth in both genders were obese. This proportion may resemble the total population of Italy and other European countries, but may different from that in the US or Japan.
In a crude analysis, the obtained records suggested a positive association between pasta intake and body mass index. Thus, the more you take pasta, the more you are heavy. This result is quite usual.
However, the researchers considered that obese women participants could underestimate their energy intake, because the reported energy intake was lower in obese women. Therefore, the author elaborated the energy residuals methodology to estimate the real energy intake.
Nutrition and Diabetes: Association of pasta consumption with body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio: results from Moli-sani and INHES studies
I have no idea how the author adjusted the amount of energy the participants underreported. First of all, when participants are dishonest to record their diet, the outcome of analysis must not be trustworthy.
Also, the amount of pasta intake is questionable to influence the body proportion, as mentioned in the article above. Only 50g per day was consumed by the participants. I do not believe such small portion of pasta has an impact on body weight.
Other factors have not been described in this paper. The researchers must have examined many possibilities in this survey with such a large sample size. If there were no other decisive factors associate with body proportion, it suggests that any one-issue diets have no effect, ironically.
Balanced food and adequate exercise are essential to keep your body beautiful.
Thursday, July 7, 2016
Wednesday, July 6, 2016
Suicides in Chinese officials
Recently, suicide cases in Chinese officials were focused.
According to the media, at least 28 government officials have committed suicide in this year. The record will be worse than the last year.
Some experts say that it is due to control against graft in China. In recent years, President Xi Jinping is enthusiastic to anti-corruption campaign. Many officials are arrested to be prosecuted for violating the legislation. It is said that graft in Chinese officials had been very common. Jinping considers this tradition as a quite serious problem, and he is willing to extinct inappropriate behaviors in government officials.
If an official is prosecuted, not only the person is sent to jail, but also their family members are to be inflicted serious disgrace. Considering the fearful future, some officials commit suicide before the investigation proceeds, according to the experts.
There are several reasons for suicide. The government says that they killed themselves because of depression. But, I think this hypothesis that officials, at least some of them, commit suicide to avoid to be prosecuted.
Hindustan Times: Wave of suicides by Chinese officials indicate impact of Xi’s anti-graft drive
On the other hand, I am not sure the number of suicidal cases in Chinese official has an impact. Approximately 100,000 people commit suicide in China in a year. Officials who commit suicide is a part of them. The suicidal rate in officials may be smaller than that in public.
In China, women are more likely to commit suicide compared to men. It is a unique characteristic. Thus, men tend to kill themselves more frequently than women in most countries. Iraq and North Korea are rare exceptions other than China.
My past entry: Who publish report of suicide rate
I hardly indicate a rational explanation for the diversity. But, it seems cultural differences are responsible for it because it is highly likely that men are vulnerable than women regarding suicidal tendency.
Anyway, suicide is a tragic event. Even on the side of the government, it is no good to allow officials who were involved in the graft to kill themselves, because it delays the organizational investigation. Some amendment of the policy or procedure of persecution is needed, I think.
According to the media, at least 28 government officials have committed suicide in this year. The record will be worse than the last year.
Some experts say that it is due to control against graft in China. In recent years, President Xi Jinping is enthusiastic to anti-corruption campaign. Many officials are arrested to be prosecuted for violating the legislation. It is said that graft in Chinese officials had been very common. Jinping considers this tradition as a quite serious problem, and he is willing to extinct inappropriate behaviors in government officials.
If an official is prosecuted, not only the person is sent to jail, but also their family members are to be inflicted serious disgrace. Considering the fearful future, some officials commit suicide before the investigation proceeds, according to the experts.
There are several reasons for suicide. The government says that they killed themselves because of depression. But, I think this hypothesis that officials, at least some of them, commit suicide to avoid to be prosecuted.
Hindustan Times: Wave of suicides by Chinese officials indicate impact of Xi’s anti-graft drive
On the other hand, I am not sure the number of suicidal cases in Chinese official has an impact. Approximately 100,000 people commit suicide in China in a year. Officials who commit suicide is a part of them. The suicidal rate in officials may be smaller than that in public.
In China, women are more likely to commit suicide compared to men. It is a unique characteristic. Thus, men tend to kill themselves more frequently than women in most countries. Iraq and North Korea are rare exceptions other than China.
My past entry: Who publish report of suicide rate
I hardly indicate a rational explanation for the diversity. But, it seems cultural differences are responsible for it because it is highly likely that men are vulnerable than women regarding suicidal tendency.
Anyway, suicide is a tragic event. Even on the side of the government, it is no good to allow officials who were involved in the graft to kill themselves, because it delays the organizational investigation. Some amendment of the policy or procedure of persecution is needed, I think.
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Quantum random number generator
It is reported that Quantum random number generator has been now available.
ITProPortal: Quantum random number generators explained
Random number generation is one of basic functions for a modern computer. But its quality is not satisfactory. The other day, the number according to the user's request was generated referring to the time stamp. It means that the user could predict the number in advance if he or she understood the mechanism. Even recently, the theory of generating random number has not so much improved. This is because computer programming is essentially based on determinism.
In quantum physics, by contrast, everything is unpredictable. Each quantum is randomly assigned on the wave of probability. And we cannot determine the location of each quantum before identifying it.
Quantum concept is consistent with chaos theory. Chaos theory explains why we cannot predict the weather precisely. Water particles are always randomly moving, sometimes causing a decisive change of weather. This concept is completely against traditional physics in which every movement was considered to be able to be described with some particular formula.
My past entry: Schroedinger's cat and lovely world
I am not sure how to utilize quantum random number generator. Nonetheless, I guess it can be innovative in computer technology.
Quantum theory is also considered to improve the quality of crypt communication. Quantum has a characteristic that it will change, or be fixed, just when you recognize it. Applying this amazing property, you can create a cryptography which is never eavesdropped by others. When someone monitors it, the code will have been altered. Wiretapping is theoretically impossible.
My past entry: Quantum encryption
Quantum physics is so complex that I hardly understand it. However, it may be commonly used in our daily life in the near future.
ITProPortal: Quantum random number generators explained
Random number generation is one of basic functions for a modern computer. But its quality is not satisfactory. The other day, the number according to the user's request was generated referring to the time stamp. It means that the user could predict the number in advance if he or she understood the mechanism. Even recently, the theory of generating random number has not so much improved. This is because computer programming is essentially based on determinism.
In quantum physics, by contrast, everything is unpredictable. Each quantum is randomly assigned on the wave of probability. And we cannot determine the location of each quantum before identifying it.
Quantum concept is consistent with chaos theory. Chaos theory explains why we cannot predict the weather precisely. Water particles are always randomly moving, sometimes causing a decisive change of weather. This concept is completely against traditional physics in which every movement was considered to be able to be described with some particular formula.
My past entry: Schroedinger's cat and lovely world
I am not sure how to utilize quantum random number generator. Nonetheless, I guess it can be innovative in computer technology.
Quantum theory is also considered to improve the quality of crypt communication. Quantum has a characteristic that it will change, or be fixed, just when you recognize it. Applying this amazing property, you can create a cryptography which is never eavesdropped by others. When someone monitors it, the code will have been altered. Wiretapping is theoretically impossible.
My past entry: Quantum encryption
Quantum physics is so complex that I hardly understand it. However, it may be commonly used in our daily life in the near future.
Monday, July 4, 2016
Workaholism and psychiatric symptoms, a study
There are workaholic people, as you know. Some of them are very fond of working. Some say that they feel as if they enjoy leisure during work. On the other hand, some have too much thought of responsibility. They cannot reduce working time even if they are exhausted. As a result, not a few people break their health. In Japan, “Karoshi” (death due to excessive working) sometimes occurs. This fact estimates the higher likelihood of workaholic people in Japan.
So far, the relationship between workaholism and mental disorders has not been examined in detail. Recently, a cross-sectional study with a large sample size was published. In this study, a total of 16,426 working people participated in this survey. Approximately four-fifths were full-time workers. Most of the participants were employed either in public or private sector, and the majority of them were not in an administering position.
PlosOne: The Relationships between Workaholism and Symptoms of Psychiatric Disorders: A Large-Scale Cross-Sectional Study
This study proved that some relationships between psychiatric symptoms measured with self -rating scales and workaholic tendency. In this study, anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsiveness, and ADHD tendency were examined, and all of them were suggested to be associated with workaholism. Each of symptoms contributed significantly to the variance in workaholism, even after controlling for socio- demographic factors.
It is likely to be estimated high prevalence rate of workaholism in people with some psychiatric illness. It has been indicated that people with ADHD are often indulged in some particular works. Obsessive people are also likely to stick to work. The present result is consistent with these previous findings.
On the other hand, there are some questions to be examined before reaching a conclusion. In the present study, all of the symptoms examined were found to be correlated to workaholics. The sample population can be biased to the cluster in which many pathological working people were included. As a cross-sectional study, the results have no imprecation about a causal relationship. Thus, it is possible workaholic people tend to be mentally ill, and it is quite predictable. In the adoption of self-rating scale, symptoms can be exaggerated in some occasions.
I wonder that there is a relationship between workaholism and bipolarity, or hypomanic symptoms. In this study, the hypomanic tendency was not examined. It may be due the difficulty of measuring hypomanic symptoms. There is no self-rating scale of hypomania available with certain validity. People at hypomanic state seldom feel as so. I sense the considerable amount of people engaging in the tough working state are at hypomanic state, and they are at risk of bipolar depression. It is valuable if we predict their preclinical stage to prevent the onset of bipolar disorder.
So far, the relationship between workaholism and mental disorders has not been examined in detail. Recently, a cross-sectional study with a large sample size was published. In this study, a total of 16,426 working people participated in this survey. Approximately four-fifths were full-time workers. Most of the participants were employed either in public or private sector, and the majority of them were not in an administering position.
PlosOne: The Relationships between Workaholism and Symptoms of Psychiatric Disorders: A Large-Scale Cross-Sectional Study
This study proved that some relationships between psychiatric symptoms measured with self -rating scales and workaholic tendency. In this study, anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsiveness, and ADHD tendency were examined, and all of them were suggested to be associated with workaholism. Each of symptoms contributed significantly to the variance in workaholism, even after controlling for socio- demographic factors.
It is likely to be estimated high prevalence rate of workaholism in people with some psychiatric illness. It has been indicated that people with ADHD are often indulged in some particular works. Obsessive people are also likely to stick to work. The present result is consistent with these previous findings.
On the other hand, there are some questions to be examined before reaching a conclusion. In the present study, all of the symptoms examined were found to be correlated to workaholics. The sample population can be biased to the cluster in which many pathological working people were included. As a cross-sectional study, the results have no imprecation about a causal relationship. Thus, it is possible workaholic people tend to be mentally ill, and it is quite predictable. In the adoption of self-rating scale, symptoms can be exaggerated in some occasions.
I wonder that there is a relationship between workaholism and bipolarity, or hypomanic symptoms. In this study, the hypomanic tendency was not examined. It may be due the difficulty of measuring hypomanic symptoms. There is no self-rating scale of hypomania available with certain validity. People at hypomanic state seldom feel as so. I sense the considerable amount of people engaging in the tough working state are at hypomanic state, and they are at risk of bipolar depression. It is valuable if we predict their preclinical stage to prevent the onset of bipolar disorder.
Sunday, July 3, 2016
Kirifuri Highland in Nikko
This weekend, I visited Kirifuri Highland (Misty Highland) in Nikko.
This place is located in Tochigi prefecture. Kirifuri Highland has around 1,000-meter height above the sea level. The ground in it is called Kisuge Daira Park, a representative for Broad dwarf daylily (Nikko kisege).
Broad dwarf daylily is a bright yellow flower. They bloom just at present. I enjoyed many lilies around the ground.
And I climbed a total of 1,445 steps of upstairs to reach the peak of the hill. I was so exhausted.
But, the view from the top was splendid.
Kirifuri Highland is sharing the name with Kirifuri Sammyaku (Misty Mountains) in the Lord of the Rings. In addition, dwarf appears in the name of broad dwarf daylily. So amazing.
Furthermore, there were some falls around there. I enjoyed to see the water splash.
I also went to an alpaca farm. There were many alpacas there. Most of them had got their fur cut. It was to resist heat, according to the explanation in the farm. Of course, we make use of their fur to make some clothes.
It was a nice weekend journey.
Saturday, July 2, 2016
Ozone hole shrinking thanks to reducing CFCs
A new study found that Arctic ozone hole is recovering.
USA Today: Study: Ozone hole over Antarctica beginning to heal
The ozone layer is surrounding the earth, and it is considered to block ultraviolet ray stroke from the sun. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet is harmful to our body. Therefore, the ozone layer is essential for human being.
However, it was several decades ago when ozone hole was observed in the Arctic region. The reason of damaged ozone was some kind of aerosol which is so stable that it reach ozone layer to destroy it. The gas was frequently contained in hair spray and deodorant.
In the late 1980s, many countries made a treaty to limit the production of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which was deemed to cause ozone hole.
The Washington Post: The Antarctic ozone hole has finally started to ‘heal,’ scientists report
It seems effective. Recently, scientists revealed that the ozone hole shrunk by 1.5 million square miles, compared to the size measured in 2000.
It is rarely experienced that the influence of human activity on the environment is proven. Even the presence of global warming is doubted by some researchers. The hypothesis that CFCs is one of the main causes of creating ozone hole is persuasive. And now, there are few possibilities but this hypothesis to explain well the restoring of the ozone layer.
It is a lucky, but certain example that human can treat our environment, reducing pollution to keep the earth sustainable. Other attempts should be respected as well, for the better future.
USA Today: Study: Ozone hole over Antarctica beginning to heal
The ozone layer is surrounding the earth, and it is considered to block ultraviolet ray stroke from the sun. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet is harmful to our body. Therefore, the ozone layer is essential for human being.
However, it was several decades ago when ozone hole was observed in the Arctic region. The reason of damaged ozone was some kind of aerosol which is so stable that it reach ozone layer to destroy it. The gas was frequently contained in hair spray and deodorant.
In the late 1980s, many countries made a treaty to limit the production of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which was deemed to cause ozone hole.
The Washington Post: The Antarctic ozone hole has finally started to ‘heal,’ scientists report
It seems effective. Recently, scientists revealed that the ozone hole shrunk by 1.5 million square miles, compared to the size measured in 2000.
It is rarely experienced that the influence of human activity on the environment is proven. Even the presence of global warming is doubted by some researchers. The hypothesis that CFCs is one of the main causes of creating ozone hole is persuasive. And now, there are few possibilities but this hypothesis to explain well the restoring of the ozone layer.
It is a lucky, but certain example that human can treat our environment, reducing pollution to keep the earth sustainable. Other attempts should be respected as well, for the better future.
Friday, July 1, 2016
First fatal case of auto-driving car
A tragedy having been afraid but expected occurred. A self-driving car provided by Tesla Motors made a crash, leading to the death of the driver on June 30th, 2016.
It happened in the US. According to the report by Tesla, the car's sensor failed to recognize a white truck trailer. It seemed to have been missed in the bright sky. The car ran out to the trailer, to be crashed.
The Guardian: Tesla driver dies in first fatal crash while using autopilot mode
Tesla Motors expressed a great regret for the victim. But it also emphasizes the safety of autonomous driving, referring that autopilot death may occur every in 130 million miles, whereas human causes fatal accidents every in 94 million miles.
This statement may be true. I believe auto-driving car is safer than manual driving even at present. However, I guess some people cannot accept this fact. They trust their own technique too much, or they are not willing to rely on the machine in controlling their lives. These thoughts are also understandable.
Anyway, traffic accident is not avoidable as long as we use vehicle. Tesla is expected to get along with the counterstrike of people who do not trust self-driving cars.
It happened in the US. According to the report by Tesla, the car's sensor failed to recognize a white truck trailer. It seemed to have been missed in the bright sky. The car ran out to the trailer, to be crashed.
The Guardian: Tesla driver dies in first fatal crash while using autopilot mode
Tesla Motors expressed a great regret for the victim. But it also emphasizes the safety of autonomous driving, referring that autopilot death may occur every in 130 million miles, whereas human causes fatal accidents every in 94 million miles.
This statement may be true. I believe auto-driving car is safer than manual driving even at present. However, I guess some people cannot accept this fact. They trust their own technique too much, or they are not willing to rely on the machine in controlling their lives. These thoughts are also understandable.
Anyway, traffic accident is not avoidable as long as we use vehicle. Tesla is expected to get along with the counterstrike of people who do not trust self-driving cars.
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