bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spectrum of dynamic magnetic susceptibility of a randomized f–d magnet with spin–lattice coupling. I. Shift of the magnetic resonance frequencies
Authors: Beznosov A. B. , Orel E. S.
Published: September 2004

In narrow-band ferromagnetic conductors containing local f and quasilocal d magnetic moments the interatomic spin correlations created by the combined effects of the intra-atomic interactions of the quasilocal electrons and their intersite hops are playing a role in the formation of the magnetic resonance spectra. This role is examined, and the transformation of the spectra of the transverse dynamic magnetic susceptibility under conditions of weak spin–lattice coupling and spatial randomization of the g factors of the quasilocal and local spin subsystems is investigated. A calculation done by the method of two-time retarded Green’s functions shows that the interaction of the d and f electrons leads to an effective renormalization of the g factors of both magnetic subsystems, and at zero temperature the spin–lattice coupling lowers the frequency of the inhomogeneous magnetic resonance and causes threshold damping of acoustic and optical magnons.
To the theory of spin–charge separation in one-dimensional correlated electron systems
Authors: Zvyagin A. A.
Published: September 2004

Spin–charge separation is considered to be one of the key properties that distinguish low-dimensional electron systems from others. Three-dimensional correlated electron systems are described by the Fermi liquid theory. There, low-energy excitations (quasiparticles) are reminiscent of noninteracting electrons: They carry charges −e and spins 1/2. It is believed that for any one-dimensional correlated electron system, low-lying electron excitations carry either only spin and no charge, or only charge without spin. That is why recent experiments looked for such low-lying collective electron excitations, one of which carries only spin, and the other carries only charge. Here we show that despite the fact that for exactly solvable one-dimensional correlated electron models there exist excitations which carry only spin and only charge, in all these models with short-range interactions the low-energy physics is described by low-lying collective excitations, one of which carries both spin and charge.
Racial Gradients of Ambient Air Pollution Exposure in Hamilton, Canada
Authors: Buzzelli Michael , Jerrett Michael
Published: September 2004

Environmental justice research in the United States has coalesced around the notion that visible-minority status, along with socioeconomic position (SEP), conditions exposure to environmental health hazards. In the context of long-standing debates over Canada–USA urban differences, we address the question of whether racial gradients exist in air pollution across Hamilton, Canada. Monitored air quality data are spatially interpolated with a kriging algorithm. These interpolated exposures are statistically correlated with 1996 data at the census tract scale, with the aid of multivariate and spatial techniques. The proportion of Latin-Americans in a census tract is positively associated with pollution exposure, even after control for many SEP variables. In contrast, Asian-Canadians are negatively associated with air pollution, and Black-Canadians show no clear correlation at all. Thus, the faces of environmental racism in Canada seem more varied and nuanced than in the USA. Given the immigrant basis of visible minorities in Canada, we argue that Hamilton (and the Canadian city generally) may represent new dimensions of environmental racism driven by economic status at time of entry. In drawing on similar findings in the USA and the United Kingdom, the authors conclude that environmental racism appears present in all jurisdictions, but that the nature and extent of disproportionate exposure differ between countries.
From Private to Public Sphere, the Commodification of the Au Pair Experience? Returned Migrants from Slovakia to the UK
Authors: Williams Allan M , Baláž Vladimir
Published: September 2004

This paper explores three aspects of the au pair migration experience, through a case study of Slovakians, mostly but not all women, who have returned from sojourns in the United Kingdom. First, it argues that au pairs are distinctive from other migrants working in domestic service. Their positions have to be understood in terms of a particular regulatory framework, temporal restrictions, living-in conditions, and the blurring of rights and responsibilities. Second, there is a need to consider the full cycle of migration. Returned au pairs have been able to commodify many aspects of their UK experiences, despite the constraints of relatively short visits, and the household and care work allocated to them. Third, understanding au pair migration as being socially and spatially constituted provides greater insights into their experiences and outcomes.
Visual Perception of Orientation is Categorical near Vertical and Continuous near Horizontal
Authors: Quinn Paul C
Published: September 2004

Four experiments were conducted to examine whether visual-orientation information is perceived categorically. In experiments 1 and 3, adult participants sorted oriented line stimuli into broad oblique and narrow vertical or horizontal categories. Experiments 2 and 4 showed that categorical discrimination of orientation occurred only near the vertical – oblique boundary. The data indicate that there is categorical perception near vertical and more continuous perception near horizontal. The results are relevant to the debate over whether categorical perception is derived from perceptual structure, verbal coding, or within-task learning. In addition, the asymmetrical perception of orientation around vertical and horizontal is consistent with the possibility that there may be differences in the functional significance of orientation near the two main axes.
Interpersonal Perception in Japanese and British Observers
Authors: Kito Tsuneo , Lee Billy
Published: September 2004

We compared performance of Japanese and British observers in deciphering images depicting Japanese interpersonal relationships. 201 Japanese and 215 British subjects were assessed by means of a test consisting of 31 photograph problems accompanied by two or three alternative solutions one of which was correct. Japanese subjects outperformed British subjects on the test overall ( z = 3.981, p < 0.001). A two-factor ANOVA (culture x gender) was performed for each of the problems. A cultural effect was found in 17 problems. Surprisingly, British subjects outperformed Japanese subjects in 7 of these problems. There was a gender effect in 4 problems and a culture x gender interaction in 6 problems. The results indicate that cultural experience facilitates nonverbal appraisal of interpersonal relationships, but it may sometimes cause specific errors. Differences in the perceptual cues used suggest that British subjects had difficulty reading Japanese facial expressions.
Eye Movements during Intentional Car following
Authors: Crundall David , Shenton Claire , Underwood Geoffrey
Published: September 2004

Does intentional car following capture visual attention to the extent that driving may be impaired? We tested fifteen participants on a rudimentary driving simulator. Participants were either instructed to follow a vehicle ahead through a simulated version of London, or were given verbal instructions on where to turn during the route. The presence or absence of pedestrians, and the simulated time of the drive (day or night) were varied across the trials. Eye movements were recorded along with behavioural measures including give-way violations, give-way accidents, and kerb impacts. The results revealed that intentional car following reduced the spread of search and increased fixation durations, with a dramatic increase in the time spent processing the vehicle ahead (controlled for exposure). The effects were most pronounced during nighttime drives. During the car-following trials participants were also less aware of pedestrians, produced more give-way violations, and were involved in more give-way accidents. The results draw attention to the problems encountered during car following, and we relate this to the cognitive demands placed on drivers, especially police drivers who often engage in intentional car following and pursuits.
Perceptual Functions in Prosopagnosia
Authors: Barton Jason J S , Cherkasova Mariya V , Press Daniel Z , Intriligator James M , O'Connor Margaret
Published: September 2004

Some patients with prosopagnosia may have an apperceptive basis to their recognition defect. Perceptual abnormalities have been reported in single cases or small series, but the causal link of such deficits to prosopagnosia is unclear. Our goal was to identify candidate perceptual processes that might contribute to prosopagnosia, by subjecting several prosopagnosic patients to a battery of functions that may be necessary for accurate facial perception.

We tested seven prosopagnosic patients. Three had unilateral right occipitotemporal lesions, two had bilateral posterior occipitotemporal lesions, and one had right anterior-to-occipital temporal damage along with a small left temporal lesion. These lesions all included the fusiform face area, in contrast to one patient with bilateral anterior temporal lesions. Most patients had impaired performance on face-matching tests and difficulty with subcategory judgments for non-face objects.

The most consistent deficits in patients with lesions involving the fusiform face area were impaired perception of spatial relations in dot patterns and reduced contrast sensitivity in the 4 to 8 cycles deg−1 range. Patients with bilateral lesions were impaired in saturation discrimination. Luminance discrimination was normal in all but two patients, and spatial resolution was uniformly spared. Curvature and line-orientation discrimination were impaired in only one patient, who also had the most difficulty with more basic-level object recognition.

We conclude that deficits in luminance, spatial resolution, curvature, line orientation, and contrast at low spatial frequencies are unlikely to contribute to apperceptive prosopagnosia. More relevant may be contrast sensitivity at higher spatial frequencies and the analysis of object spatial structure. Deficits in these functions may impair perception of subtle variations in object shape, and may be one mechanism by which the recognition defect in prosopagnosia can extend to other classes of object subcategorization.
Colour Vision Brings Clarity to Shadows
Authors: Kingdom Frederick A A , Beauce Catherine , Hunter Lyndsay
Published: September 2004

We have revealed a new role for colour vision in visual scene analysis: colour vision facilitates shadow identification. Shadows are important features of the visual scene, providing information about the shape, depth, and movement of objects. To be useful for perception, however, shadows must be distinguished from other types of luminance variation, principally the variation in object reflectance. A potential cue for distinguishing shadows from reflectance variations is colour, since chromatic changes typically occur at object but not shadow boundaries. We tested whether colour cues were exploited by the visual system for shadow identification, by comparing the ability of human test subjects to identify simulated shadows on chromatically variegated versus achromatically variegated backgrounds with identical luminance compositions. Performance was superior with the chromatically variegated backgrounds. Furthermore, introducing random colour contrast across the shadow boundaries degraded their identification. These findings demonstrate that the visual system exploits inbuilt assumptions about the relationships between colour and luminance in the natural visual world.
Motion-Induced Overestimation of the Number of Items in a Display
Authors: Afraz Seyed-Reza , Kiani Roozbeh , Vaziri-Pashkam Maryam , Esteky Hossein
Published: September 2004

Subjects were asked to report the number of items in a display as the items moved along a circular path around the fixation point. As the rotation speed increased, the apparent number of items also increased. This motion-induced overestimation (MIO) effect was investigated in three experiments. In the first experiment, the effect of rotation speed and set size was explored with an enumeration task. The overestimation error increased with an increase in speed or number of items in the display. In the second experiment, we used an adjustment paradigm to measure the speed threshold of MIO effect onset. Temporal rate of the display, which was defined as product of rotation speed and the number of rotating items, was the determining factor of MIO onset. In the third experiment, moving items were marked with different colours. Surprisingly, the number of perceived items was still overestimated even though the number of perceived colours was not.
Plant density affects the reliability of using F1 and F2 yield to predict F3 yield in barley
Authors: Kotzamanidis S. Th. , Roupakias D. G.
Published: September 2004

Prediction of F3 population yield on the basis of the parental lines, the F1, and the F2 generation yield at low and high plant density was studied in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Six F1 crosses together with the 7 parental cultivars were evaluated under high plant density with adjacent check plots and under low plant density in a honeycomb design. In the following year, the 6 F2 populations together with the 7 parental lines were also evaluated at high plant density with adjacent check plots. In addition, the 6 F2s together with a check (cv. Athinaida) were evaluated at low plant density in a honeycomb design. During the third year, the 6 unselected F3 populations together with cv. Athinaida were evaluated under commercial cropping conditions in a randomised complete block design with 4 replications at 2 locations. It was found that yield performance of the F3 population could not be predicted by the mid-parental value (MPV). Similarly, the F3 population yield was not effectively predicted from the yield of the F1, F2, or F1+F2 generations when they were evaluated under high plant density. In contrast, the F3 population yield was predicted effectively from the yield of the F1, F2, or F1+F2 generations when they were evaluated at low plant density. The best results were obtained when the mean yield of the F1 and F2 generations was taken into consideration. It was concluded that low plant density increases the reliability of using F1 and F2 yield per plant in predicting the yield of the F3 populations in barley under crop environment.
Variation within and between two saltbush species in plant composition and subsequent selection by sheep
Authors: Norman Hayley C. , Freind Colby , Masters David G. , Rintoul Allan J. , Dynes Robyn A. , Williams Ian H.
Published: September 2004

This work examines nutritive value and preference by sheep of 2 saltbush species, river saltbush (Atriplex amnicola) and old man saltbush (Atriplex nummularia). Both species are woody perennials that are native to Australia and used in commercial grazing systems. The hypothesis for this study was that sheep will graze saltbushes with higher nutritive value and lower secondary compounds in preference to bushes with lower nutritive value and higher secondary compounds. This was expected to be found both within and between the old man and river saltbush species. To test the hypothesis, 10-month-old Merino ewes grazed a 10-ha plot containing a mixture of old man and river saltbush in approximately equal proportions. Within the plot, and prior to grazing, 20 bushes of each species were pegged for identification and samples of edible plant material collected for analysis. Each week during the grazing period the bushes were photographed for assessment of preference. Sheep preferred river saltbush to old man saltbush and also showed some preferences for specific bushes within each species. Differences in digestibility of dry matter and organic matter, crude protein, ash, oxalates, and nitrates were not clearly associated with differences in preference. Although the reasons for preferences were not demonstrated, the analysis of the plant material did indicate that the content of total ash and oxalates was at levels likely to depress voluntary feed intake.
Selection of food items for inclusion in a newly developed food-frequency questionnaire
Authors: Shai Iris , Shahar Danit R , Vardi Hillel , Fraser Drora
Published: September 2004

Objectives:

To highlight the differences between the food list required in a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to rank people by their intake and the food items that contribute to absolute intake, and to discuss possible applications.

Methods:

We conducted a nutritional survey among 1173 adults using an adapted 24-hour recall questionnaire.

Statistical analysis:

To develop an FFQ, we analysed the 24-hour recall survey data by performing a stepwise multiple regression after grouping conceptually similar food items into 175 food groups.

Results:

In total, 126 food groups were included in the developed FFQ in order to explain at least 80% of the variance in the consumption of each of 27 nutrients. The nutrients that were explained by a few food groups were vitamin A (one food group), alcohol (two), β-carotene (two), vitamin E (three) and cholesterol (five). Nutrients that were explained by a large number of food groups were energy (37 food groups), potassium (31), magnesium (31), dietary fibre (30), phosphorus (31) and sodium (29). Using energy intake as an example, soft drinks were the best between-person energy classifiers, while providing only 2.4% of the total energy intake. Wine, seeds and nuts, which contributed highly to the variance, were minor energy contributors. In contrast, milk, sugar, fried chicken/turkey breast or whole chicken/turkey, which explained little of the variation in the population, were major energy contributors.

Conclusions:

Developing an FFQ on the basis of common foods may not explain the between-person variation required for ranking individual intake in diet–disease studies. Producing lists of ‘discriminating items’ can be a useful application in developing mini-FFQs for selected nutrients.
Issues in assessing the validity of nutrient data obtained from a food-frequency questionnaire: folate and vitamin B12examples
Authors: Flood Victoria M , Smith Wayne T , Webb Karen L , Mitchell Paul
Published: September 2004

Objective:

To compare methods used to assess the validity of nutrient intake data obtained from a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ), using folate and vitamin B12as nutrient examples.

Design:

Cross-sectional sample from a population cohort.

Setting:

Two postcode areas west of Sydney, Australia.

Subjects:

In total, 2895 people aged 49 years and older provided dietary data using a semi-quantitative FFQ (79% of 3654 subjects examined). The validity of the FFQ was assessed against three 4-day weighed food records (WFRs) completed by 78 people (mean age 70 years).

Results:

Folate and vitamin B12validity data were assessed using different methods. The Spearman ranked correlations (energy-adjusted) were 0.66 for folate and 0.38 for vitamin B12. Using the Bland–Altman method, following logetransformation, no linear trend existed between the differences and means for folate and vitamin B12. Large differences existed between the FFQ and WFR in individual cases, particularly for vitamin B12. Finally, data were divided into quintile categories for the test and reference method: 79% classified folate within one quintile, 65% classified vitamin B12within one quintile; there was no gross misclassification for folate and only 3% misclassification for vitamin B12.

Conclusions:

Different methods of analysis provided different information about the validity of the FFQ. Correlation coefficients should not be used alone to assess the validity of nutrient data, but should be used in conjunction with Bland–Altman analyses. Depending on the use of the data, additional assessment of classification categories is recommended. This worked example demonstrates that absolute intakes of folate and vitamin B12should be used with caution.
Vitamin D status in a rural population of northern Norway with high fish liver consumption
Authors: Brustad M , Sandanger T , Aksnes L , Lund E
Published: September 2004

Objective:

To assess vitamin D status and the impact of three fish meals consisting of cod liver and fresh cod-liver oil on the plasma level of vitamin D metabolites in an area with high consumption of cod liver and cod-liver oil.

Design:

Experimental field study.

Methods:

Thirty-two volunteers from the Skjervøy (70°N) municipality in northern Norway were recruited to consume three traditional mølje meals, consisting of cod, cod liver, fresh cod-liver oil and hard roe, in one week. The liver and fresh cod-liver oil consumed by the participants were weighed and recorded. Blood samples were collected before the first meal, and subsequently 12h and 4 days after the last meal. The blood samples were analysed for the vitamin D metabolites 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D). All participants answered a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire, which was used to estimate usual daily nutrient intake. The study was carried out in the last part of March 2001.

Results:

The median daily vitamin D intake estimated from the questionnaire was 9.9μg. The proportion of subjects with baseline 25(OH)D level below 50nmoll−1 was 15.4% and none were below 37.5nmoll−1. Only ‘mølje consumption’ and ‘time spent in daylight’ were significantly associated with baseline log 25(OH)D. The mean total intake of vitamin D in the three servings was 272μg (standard deviation 94μg), ranging from 142 to 434μg. Relative to baseline plasma concentration, the mean level of 25(OH)D decreased slightly in both post-consumption samples (P≤0.03), while 1,25(OH)2D peaked 12h after the final meal (P = 0.03).

Conclusion:

Three mølje meals provided, on average, an amount of vitamin D equal to 54 times the recommended daily dose. Subjects with food consumption habits that included frequent mølje meals during the winter sustained satisfactory vitamin D levels in their blood, in spite of the long ‘vitamin D winter’ (i.e. absence of ultraviolet-induced vitamin D production in the skin).
Assessment of obesity and fear of fatness among inner-city Dublin schoolchildren in a one-year follow-up study
Authors: Griffin Anne C , Younger Katherine M , Flynn Mary AT
Published: September 2004

Background:

Positive secular trends in adolescent obesity and an increased prevalence of fear of fatness, particularly among girls, have been documented world-wide. There is a lack of consensus about assessment criteria for childhood obesity and no standard exists for assessing Irish children. In 1990, the Irish National Nutrition Survey used body mass index (BMI) ≥26kgm−2 to describe the prevalence of overweight among Irish adolescents.

Objectives:

(1) To examine the range in classification of Dublin schoolchildren as overweight according to four standard assessment methods; (2) to assess changes in weight status, prevalence of fear of fatness and accompanying slimming practices in a one-year follow-up; and (3) to compare the prevalence of overweight with that documented in 1990 among adolescents of similar age.

Design:

A one-year follow-up study of 199 healthy schoolchildren (90 boys and 109 girls; mean age of 11 years at baseline) attending seven fee-paying (six single- and one mixed-sex) and eight non-fee-paying (four single- and four mixed-sex) primary schools in Dublin city centre.

Measurements:

Weight, height, waist circumference and triceps skinfold were measured and used in five definitions of overweight, including published cut-off points of BMI-for-age (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention BMI-for-age charts for boys and girls; BMI reference curves for the UK 1990; International Obesity Task Force age- and sex-specific BMI cut-offs), actual relative weight and BMI≥26kgm−2. Assessment of body image perceptions and satisfaction (using figure line drawings) was reported in a questionnaire specifically designed for this study.

Results:

The prevalence of overweight within the total group differed between the four standard definitions of weight status, by 9% at baseline and 8% at follow-up. Accordingly, increasing trends over the year ranged from zero to 3%. Using the criterion BMI≥26kgm−2, 6% of Dublin schoolchildren were overweight, compared with 1.9% of schoolchildren in 1990. Significantly more girls than boys were affected by fear of fatness and were trying to lose weight.

Conclusion:

A standard method for assessment of weight status is urgently needed for the evaluation of obesity prevention initiatives among Irish schoolchildren. Such initiatives need to be sensitive to the pervasiveness of fear of fatness among adolescent girls.
Breast-feeding initiation and exclusive breast-feeding in rural Vietnam
Authors: Duong Dat V , Binns Colin W , Lee Andy H
Published: September 2004

Objective:

To investigate the initiation of breast-feeding and exclusive breast-feeding within the first week after delivery for women in rural Vietnam.

Design:

An interviewer-administered survey was conducted on a sample of rural women who gave birth during August-October 2002.

Setting:

Quang Xuong District, Thanh Hoa Province of Vietnam.

Subjects:

Four hundred and sixty-three women participated in the study, of whom 181 delivered at the district hospital (39.1%), 229 at a commune health centre (49.5%) and 53 at home attended by a traditional birth attendant (11.4%).

Results:

Although the initiation and exclusive breast-feeding rates were relatively high at 98.3% and 83.6% respectively, the premature introduction of complementary food was a great concern. Logistic regression analysis showed that, together with socio-cultural determinants such as feeding preferences of the husband and maternal grandmother, feeding practices of friends, factors relating to delivery methods, delivery locations and health problems could influence the initiation rate and breast-feeding patterns.

Conclusions:

To promote breast-feeding practices of rural mothers, health education on breast-feeding should take into account local socio-cultural features in addition to improving the counselling skills of health workers.
The impact of inter-generational social and regional circumstances on dietary intake patterns of British adults: results from the 1946 British Birth Cohort
Authors: Mishra GD , Prynne CJ , Paul AA , Greenberg DC , Bolton-Smith C
Published: September 2004

Objectives:

(1) To determine the extent to which an individual's childhood social circumstances and region of residence influence their dietary pattern at age 43 years and (2) to establish the extent to which an individual adopts the dietary pattern of their social and regional circumstances at age 43 years.

Design:

Longitudinal study of a social class stratified, random sample of all legitimate, singleton births in the week of 3–9 March 1946.

Settings:

England, Scotland and Wales.

Subjects:

The 3187 survey members who provided sociodemographic information at age 4 years in 1950 and sociodemographic and dietary data (48-hour dietary recall) at 43 years in 1989.

Results:

People who remained in the non-manual social class consumed significantly higher amounts of food items correlated with the factor health aware (items include high-fibre breakfast cereals, wholemeal breads, apples and bananas) than those who remained in the manual social class. Those who made the transition from manual social class in childhood to non-manual social class at age 43 years partly adopted the distinctive dietary patterns of the non-manual social classes. Consumption of items in the factors refined (items include whole-fat milk, white bread, sugar and butter) and sandwich (items include tomatoes, lettuce, onions, bacon and ham) did not differ by social class or regional mobility.

Conclusions:

This work suggests that although adult dietary patterns are developed as a result of childhood influences, these patterns can be modified as a result of social and regional transitions. Such changes in dietary patterns may influence susceptibility to disease.
Validation of a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire used among 2-year-old Norwegian children
Authors: Andersen LF , Lande B , Trygg K , Hay G
Published: September 2004

Objectives:

An adequate diet is of profound importance in infancy and early childhood. To ensure an optimal diet, knowledge about actual intake must be obtained. The aims of this study were to assess the validity of a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire (SFFQ) applied in a large nation-wide survey among 2-year-old children and to examine the validity of the SFFQ in relation to different background parameters.

Design:

The SFFQ was administered to the parents close to the child's second birthday, and one to two weeks later they started to weigh and record the child's diet for 7 days.

Subjects:

One-hundred and eighty-seven families with a 2-year-old child completed both methods.

Results:

There were no differences between the intakes of protein, saturated fatty acids, total carbohydrates and calcium estimated from the two methods. The average intake of all micronutrients, except for calcium, was overestimated by the SFFQ. Bland–Altman plots showed a systematic increase in difference between the two methods with increasing intake for most nutrients. Spearman correlation coefficients between methods for nutrient intakes ranged from 0.26 to 0.50, the median correlation was 0.38. The correlations increased when estimates were adjusted for energy intake, the median correlation being 0.52. Differences in observed validity were found according to the number of siblings.

Conclusions:

This study indicates that the SFFQ may be a valuable tool for measuring average intakes of energy, macronutrients and several food items among a 2-year-old population in Norway. The ability of the questionnaire to rank children according to intakes of nutrients and food items was rather low.
Frequency of soy food consumption and serum isoflavone concentrations among Chinese women in Shanghai
Authors: Frankenfeld Cara L , Lampe Johanna W , Shannon Jackilen , Gao Dao L , Ray Roberta M , Prunty Joann , Kalhorn Thomas F , Wähälä Kristiina , Patterson Ruth E , Thomas David B
Published: September 2004

Objective:

The food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) can be an efficient tool to evaluate dietary intake in large, population-based studies, especially for specific foods. The objective of this study was to validate the assessment of soy and isoflavone (daidzein and genistein) intakes, measured by an FFQ, by comparing intakes with serum isoflavone concentrations.

Design and setting:

Soy and isoflavone intakes and serum isoflavone concentrations were determined as part of a case–control study of dietary factors and risks of benign breast disease and breast cancer. The FFQ, administered during an in-person interview, included six soy-specific line items. Blood was drawn within one week of FFQ completion.

Subjects:

In total, 1823 women living in Shanghai, People's Republic of China.

Results:

In this population, soybean milk, fresh bean curd and other bean foods were eaten once per week, and fermented bean curd, fried bean curd puff and soybeans were eaten less than once per week. A significant linear trend (P > 0.01) in serum isoflavone concentrations across increasing categories of soy and isoflavone intakes was observed, indicating that soy and isoflavone intakes, measured by the FFQ, well distinguished serum isoflavone concentrations. Linear trends were also observed in both case and control groups in stratified analyses, suggesting little differential bias by case–control status.

Conclusions:

The results suggest that the FFQ provides a useful marker of soy food consumption and isoflavone exposure in this population.
Judgement of Two Causal Candidates from Contingency Information: II. Effects of Information about One Cause on Judgements of the Other Cause
Authors: White Peter A.
Published: September 2004

When judgements are being made about two causes there are eight possible kinds of contingency information: occurrences and nonoccurrences of the outcome when both causes are present, when Cause 1 alone is present, when Cause 2 alone is present, and when neither cause is present. It is proposed that contingency information is used to some extent to judge proportionate strength, which is the proportion of occurrences of the outcome that each cause can account for. This leads to a prediction that judgements of one cause will be influenced by information about occurrences, but not nonoccurrences, of the outcome when only the other cause is present. In six experiments consistent support was found for this prediction when the cause being judged had a positive relation with the outcome, but no consistent tendency was found when the cause being judged had a negative relation with the outcome. The effects found for causes with positive contingency cannot be explained by the Rescorla–Wagner model of causal judgement nor by the hypothesis that causal judgements are based on conditional contingencies.
Making a Market: The UK Retail Financial Services Industry and the Rise of the Complex Sub-Prime Credit Market
Authors: Burton Dawn , Knights David , Leyshon Andrew , Alferoff Catrina , Signoretta Paula
Published: September 2004

Except as a technical topic within finance or economics, credit is a much-neglected topic in the social sciences. This paper is concerned with a particular growth and development in the field of credit that appears to have intensified over the last couple of decades. Since the introduction of credit scoring, large sections of the population have been deprived of borrowing money from the mainstream institutions and this has led to the growth and differentiation of the sub-prime market. One part of this market concentrates on consumers with comparatively low incomes and offers loans of limited denominations and collects the repayments door-to-door on a weekly basis. This is called the traditional sub-prime market for credit. Here, interest rates are much higher than in the mainstream market, largely to cover the costs of household collections but also to insure against default. A second part of the market is what is termed the complex subprime market, where customers are categorized as ‘non-standard’ because of their financial history, which may or may not include earning very low incomes. The distinction between these two markets coincides with that between the ‘old’ and the ‘new’ economy. The complex sub-prime market largely distributes its service electronically through the Internet and telephone call centres, whereas the traditional sub-prime market is dependent upon a face-to-face delivery system. In place of a standard pricing system, the complex sub-prime companies operate a risk pricing strategy related to the customer's repayment history. The paper examines these two sub-prime markets from the point of view of their evolution, their importance to customers, and issues of education and regulation.
Chapter 3. Causes of sickness absence: research approaches and explanatory models
Authors: Allebeck Peter , Mastekaasa Arne
Published: September 2004

Research on sickness absence, emanating from different theoretical perspectives and questions, is carried out within several different scientific disciplines. Studies are often based on explanatory models addressing the causes of sickness absence. Here, a brief summary of the various approaches and explanatory models used in sickness-absence research is presented. Also explanatory models for changes over time in sickness absence are briefly discussed.
Chapter 5. Risk factors for sick leave - general studies
Authors: Allebeck Peter , Mastekaasa Arne
Published: September 2004

Extensive information is available from official statistics and descriptive studies on the association between different socio-demographic background factors and sickness absence. This information addresses age, gender, place of residence, and socio-economic status. However, few studies have thoroughly analysed these background factors, and rigorous scientific evidence on the causal relationship between these factors and sick leave is lacking. Regarding the family, we found no scientific evidence that marital status or children living at home were associated with sickness absence. However, we found limited scientific evidence for an effect of divorce. Regarding work-related factors, we found limited scientific evidence for an effect of physically stressful work, and moderate scientific evidence for low psychological control over the work situation. We found limited scientific evidence for a correlation in time between unemployment and sickness absence, but insufficient scientific evidence for the causes of the association. There was moderate scientific evidence that the amount of sickness absence is influenced by the design of the social insurance system, but insufficient evidence on the magnitude of change required to influence the level of sickness absence. Essentially the same results apply to disability pension, although the number of studies is small. However, we found moderate scientific evidence for the effects of socio-economic status, which could be explained partly by childhood experiences.
Chapter 7. Sickness absence and psychiatric disorders
Authors: Hensing Gunnel , Wahlström Rolf
Published: September 2004

There is limited scientific evidence that women have a higher frequency and incidence of sickness absence due to psychiatric diagnoses. Because of conflicting findings, there is insufficient evidence on gender differences in the duration of sickness absence. Because of conflicting findings, there is also insufficient evidence on the association between age and sickness absence with psychiatric diagnoses. There is insufficient evidence on the association of sickness absence due to psychiatric diagnoses with work-related factors, factors related to family and social networks outside of the job, and psychosocial factors in childhood and adolescence since none of the individual factors were investigated in more than a single study. The results were conflicting (insufficient evidence) in five studies that investigated whether individuals with psychiatric disorders were at greater risk for sickness absence and disability pension, irrespective of the diagnosis on the sickness certificate. The four studies that used alcohol diagnoses to identify alcohol problems found increased sickness absence irrespective of the diagnosis on the certificate (expressed as more sick-leave days or an increased risk for prolonged sickness absence in individuals with alcohol problems). Furthermore, two of the studies found an increased risk for disability pension in women diagnosed with alcohol problems. There is insufficient evidence because of too few studies. The results are conflicting with regard to the association between high alcohol consumption and sickness absence, irrespective of the diagnosis on the certificate (insufficient evidence).
Loss of KLP-19 polar ejection force causes misorientation and missegregation of holocentric chromosomes
Authors: Powers James , Rose Debra J. , Saunders Adam , Dunkelbarger Steven , Strome Susan , Saxton William M.
Published: September 2004

Holocentric chromosomes assemble kinetochores along their length instead of at a focused spot. The elongated expanse of an individual holocentric kinetochore and its potential flexibility heighten the risk of stable attachment to microtubules from both poles of the mitotic spindle (merotelic attachment), and hence aberrant segregation of chromosomes. Little is known about the mechanisms that holocentric species have evolved to avoid this type of error. Our studies of the influence of KLP-19, an essential microtubule motor, on the behavior of holocentric Caenorhabditis elegans chromosomes suggest that it has a major role in combating merotelic attachments. Depletion of KLP-19, which associates with nonkinetochore chromatin, allows aberrant poleward chromosome motion during prometaphase, misalignment of holocentric kinetochores, and multiple anaphase chromosome bridges in all mitotic divisions. Time-lapse movies of GFP-labeled mono- and bipolar spindles demonstrate that KLP-19 generates a force on relatively stiff holocentric chromosomes that pushes them away from poles. We hypothesize that this polar ejection force minimizes merotelic misattachment by maintaining a constant tension on pole–kinetochore connections throughout prometaphase, tension that compels sister kinetochores to face directly toward opposite poles.
Regulation of Notch signaling by Drosophila heparan sulfate 3-O sulfotransferase
Authors: Kamimura Keisuke , Rhodes John M. , Ueda Ryu , McNeely Melissa , Shukla Deepak , Kimata Koji , Spear Patricia G. , Shworak Nicholas W. , Nakato Hiroshi
Published: September 2004

Heparan sulfate (HS) regulates the activity of various ligands and is involved in molecular recognition events on the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix. Specific binding of HS to different ligand proteins depends on the sulfation pattern of HS. For example, the interaction between antithrombin and a particular 3-O sulfated HS motif is thought to modulate blood coagulation. However, a recent study of mice defective for this modification suggested that 3-O sulfation plays other biological roles. Here, we show that Drosophila melanogaster HS 3-O sulfotransferase-b (Hs3st-B), which catalyzes HS 3-O sulfation, is a novel component of the Notch pathway. Reduction of Hs3st-B function by transgenic RNA interference compromised Notch signaling, producing neurogenic phenotypes. We also show that levels of Notch protein on the cell surface were markedly decreased by loss of Hs3st-B. These findings suggest that Hs3st-B is involved in Notch signaling by affecting stability or intracellular trafficking of Notch protein.
Superoxide is a mediator of an altruistic aging program in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Fabrizio Paola , Battistella Luisa , Vardavas Raffaello , Gattazzo Cristina , Liou Lee-Loung , Diaspro Alberto , Dossen Janis W. , Gralla Edith Butler , Longo Valter D.
Published: September 2004

Aging is believed to be a nonadaptive process that escapes the force of natural selection. Here, we challenge this dogma by showing that yeast laboratory strains and strains isolated from grapes undergo an age- and pH-dependent death with features of mammalian programmed cell death (apoptosis). After 90–99% of the population dies, a small mutant subpopulation uses the nutrients released by dead cells to grow. This adaptive regrowth is inversely correlated with protection against superoxide toxicity and life span and is associated with elevated age-dependent release of nutrients and increased mutation frequency. Computational simulations confirm that premature aging together with a relatively high mutation frequency can result in a major advantage in adaptation to changing environments. These results suggest that under conditions that model natural environments, yeast organisms undergo an altruistic and premature aging and death program, mediated in part by superoxide. The role of similar pathways in the regulation of longevity in organisms ranging from yeast to mice raises the possibility that mammals may also undergo programmed aging.
Detection of snRNP assembly intermediates in Cajal bodies by fluorescence resonance energy transfer
Authors: Staněk David , Neugebauer Karla M.
Published: September 2004

Spliceosomal small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles (snRNPs) are required for pre-mRNA splicing throughout the nucleoplasm, yet snRNPs also concentrate in Cajal bodies (CBs). To address a proposed role of CBs in snRNP assembly, we have used fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) microscopy to investigate the subnuclear distribution of specific snRNP intermediates. Two distinct complexes containing the protein SART3 (p110), required for U4/U6 snRNP assembly, were localized: SART3•U6 snRNP and SART3•U4/U6 snRNP. These complexes segregated to different nuclear compartments, with SART3•U6 snRNPs exclusively in the nucleoplasm and SART3•U4/U6 snRNPs preferentially in CBs. Mutant cells lacking the CB-specific protein coilin and consequently lacking CBs exhibited increased nucleoplasmic levels of SART3•U4/U6 snRNP complexes. Reconstitution of CBs in these cells by expression of exogenous coilin restored accumulation of SART3•U4/U6 snRNP in CBs. Thus, while some U4/U6 snRNP assembly can occur in the nucleoplasm, these data provide evidence that SART3•U6 snRNPs form in the nucleoplasm and translocate to CBs where U4/U6 snRNP assembly occurs.
Presenilin 1 mediates the turnover of telencephalin in hippocampal neurons via an autophagic degradative pathway
Authors: Esselens Cary , Oorschot Viola , Baert Veerle , Raemaekers Tim , Spittaels Kurt , Serneels Lutgarde , Zheng Hui , Saftig Paul , De Strooper Bart , Klumperman Judith , Annaert Wim
Published: September 2004

Presenilin 1 (PS1) interacts with telencephalin (TLN) and the amyloid precursor protein via their transmembrane domain (Annaert, W.G., C. Esselens, V. Baert, C. Boeve, G. Snellings, P. Cupers, K. Craessaerts, and B. De Strooper. 2001. Neuron. 32:579–589). Here, we demonstrate that TLN is not a substrate for γ-secretase cleavage, but displays a prolonged half-life in PS1−/− hippocampal neurons. TLN accumulates in intracellular structures bearing characteristics of autophagic vacuoles including the presence of Apg12p and LC3. Importantly, the TLN accumulations are suppressed by adenoviral expression of wild-type, FAD-linked and D257A mutant PS1, indicating that this phenotype is independent from γ-secretase activity. Cathepsin D deficiency also results in the localization of TLN to autophagic vacuoles. TLN mediates the uptake of microbeads concomitant with actin and PIP2 recruitment, indicating a phagocytic origin of TLN accumulations. Absence of endosomal/lysosomal proteins suggests that the TLN-positive vacuoles fail to fuse with endosomes/lysosomes, preventing their acidification and further degradation. Collectively, PS1 deficiency affects in a γ-secretase–independent fashion the turnover of TLN through autophagic vacuoles, most likely by an impaired capability to fuse with lysosomes.
Endophilin B1 is required for the maintenance of mitochondrial morphology
Authors: Karbowski Mariusz , Jeong Seon-Yong , Youle Richard J.
Published: September 2004

We report that a fatty acyl transferase, endophilin B1, is required for maintenance of mitochondrial morphology. Down-regulation of this protein or overexpression of endophilin B1 lacking the NH2-terminal lipid-modifying domain causes striking alterations of the mitochondrial distribution and morphology. Dissociation of the outer mitochondrial membrane compartment from that of the matrix, and formation of vesicles and tubules of outer mitochondrial membrane, was also observed in both endophilin B1 knockdown cells and after overexpression of the truncated protein, indicating that endophilin B1 is required for the regulation of the outer mitochondrial membrane dynamics. We also show that endophilin B1 translocates to the mitochondria during the synchronous remodeling of the mitochondrial network that has been described to occur during apoptosis. Double knockdown of endophilin B1 and Drp1 leads to a mitochondrial phenotype identical to that of the Drp1 single knockdown, a result consistent with Drp1 acting upstream of endophilin B1 in the maintenance of morphological dynamics of mitochondria.