bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unbalanced holographic superconductors and spintronics
Authors: Bigazzi Francesco , Cotrone Aldo L. , Musso Daniele , Fokeeva Natalia Pinzani , Seminara Domenico
Published: February 2012

Abstract

We present a minimal holographic model for s-wave superconductivity with unbalanced Fermi mixtures, in 2 + 1 dimensions at strong coupling. The breaking of a U(1)
A
“charge” symmetry is driven by a non-trivial profile for a charged scalar field in a charged asymptotically AdS
4 black hole. The chemical potential imbalance is implemented by turning on the temporal component of a U(1)
B
“spin” field under which the scalar field is uncharged. We study the phase diagram of the model and comment on the eventual (non) occurrence of LOFF-like inhomogeneous superconducting phases. Moreover, we study “charge” and “spin” transport, implementing a holographic realization (and a generalization thereof to superconducting setups) of Mott’s two-current model which provides the theoretical basis of modern spintronics. Finally we comment on possible string or M-theory embeddings of our model and its higher dimensional generalizations, within consistent Kaluza-Klein truncations and brane-anti brane setups.
Splanchnic Artery Stenosis and Abdominal Complaints: Clinical History Is of Limited Value in Detection of Gastrointestinal Ischemia
Authors: ter Steege R. W. F. , Sloterdijk H. S. , Geelkerken R. H. , Huisman A. B. , van der Palen J. , Kolkman J. J.
Published: February 2012

Background

Splanchnic artery stenosis is common and mostly asymptomatic and may lead to gastrointestinal ischemia (chronic splanchnic syndrome, CSS). This study was designed to assess risk factors for CSS in the medical history of patients with splanchnic artery stenosis and whether these risk factors can be used to identify patients with high and low risk of CSS.

Methods

All patients referred for suspected CSS underwent a standardized workup, including a medical history with questionnaire, duplex ultrasound, gastrointestinal tonometry, and angiography. Definitive diagnosis and treatment advice was made in a multidisciplinary team. Patients with confirmed CSS were compared with no‐CSS patients.

Results

A total of 270 patients (102 M, 168 F; mean age, 53 years) with splanchnic artery stenosis were analyzed, of whom 109 (40%) had CSS and 161 no CSS. CSS‐patients more often reported postprandial pain (87% vs. 72%, p = 0.007), weight loss (85% vs. 70%, p = 0.006), adapted eating pattern (90% vs. 79%, p = 0.005) and diarrhea (35% vs. 22%, p = 0.023). If none of these risk factors were present, the probability of CSS was 13%; if all were present, the probability was 60%. Adapted eating pattern (odds ratio (OR) 3.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08–8.88) and diarrhea (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.31–5.3) were statistically significant in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

In patients with splanchnic artery stenosis, the clinical history is of limited value for detection of CSS. A diagnostic test to detect ischemia is indispensable for proper selection of patients with splanchnic artery stenosis who might benefit from treatment.
Differences in developmental changes in GABAergic response between bushy and stellate cells in the rat anteroventral cochlear nucleus
Authors: Song Ning‐ying , Shi Hai‐bo , Li Chun‐yan , Yin Shan‐kai
Published: February 2012

Many mammalian central nervous system neuron responses mediated by GABAA receptors undergo a developmental transition from excitation to inhibition, but little is known about the time of this switch in specific cell types in the developing anteroventral cochlear nucleus (AVCN). In the present study, bushy and stellate cells, two major cell types in the AVCN, were identified according to their morphology and electrophysiology. The equilibrium potential of GABA‐evoked currents (EGABA) was examined using the gramicidin‐perforated patch‐clamp technique. We found that the action of GABA in bushy and stellate cells switched from predominantly depolarizing to predominantly hyperpolarizing with respect to their resting membrane potential (Vrest) at different postnatal ages. Such a switch in the GABA response of bushy cells occurred before the first postnatal week, whereas that in stellate cells happened at the end of the second postnatal week. Furthermore, we discovered that bushy cells had a more depolarized Vrest than did stellate cells before the second postnatal week; however, the EGABA of bushy and stellate cells was not significantly different. Thus, the discrepancy in the timing of the developmental shift from depolarizing to hyperpolarizing GABA responses between bushy and stellate cells may be due to the difference in their Vrest, but not due to EGABA itself. These results suggest that GABAergic inhibition functions earlier in bushy than in stellate cells. In contrast, the longer excitatory action of GABA on stellate cells possibly renders them more vulnerable than bushy cells to excitotoxic substances during early development.
Effects of high-dose fish oil supplementation during early infancy on neurodevelopment and language: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Meldrum Suzanne J. , D'Vaz Nina , Simmer Karen , Dunstan Janet A. , Hird Kathryn , Prescott Susan L.
Published: February 2012

n-3 Long-chain PUFA (LC-PUFA) intake during infancy is important for neurodevelopment; however, previous studies ofn-3 LC-PUFA supplementation have been inconclusive possibly due to an insufficient dose and limited methods of assessment. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of direct supplementation with high-dose fish oil (FO) on infant neurodevelopmental outcomes and language. In the present randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 420 healthy term infants were assigned to receive a DHA-enriched FO supplement (containing at least 250 mg DHA/d and 60 mg EPA/d) or a placebo (olive oil) from birth to 6 months. Assessment occurred at 18 months via the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (3rd edition; BSID-III) and the Child Behavior Checklist. Language assessment occurred at 12 and 18 months via the Macarthur–Bates Communicative Development Inventory. The FO group had significantly higher erythrocyte DHA (P = 0·03) and plasma phospholipid DHA (P = 0·01) levels at 6 months of age relative to placebo. In a small subset analysis (about 40 % of the total population), children in the FO group had significantly higher percentile ranks of both later developing gestures at 12 and 18 months (P = 0·007;P = 0·002, respectively) and the total number of gestures (P = 0·023;P = 0·006, respectively). There was no significant difference between the groups in the standard or composite scores of the BSID-III. The results suggest that improved postnataln-3 LC-PUFA intake in the first 6 months of life using high-dose infant FO supplementation was not beneficial to global infant neurodevelopment. However, some indication of benefits to early communicative development was observed.
‘Catalytic’ doses of fructose may benefit glycaemic control without harming cardiometabolic risk factors: a small meta-analysis of randomised controlled feeding trials
Authors: Sievenpiper John L. , Chiavaroli Laura , de Souza Russell J. , Mirrahimi Arash , Cozma Adrian I. , Ha Vanessa , Wang D. David , Yu Matthew E. , Carleton Amanda J. , Beyene Joseph , Di Buono Marco , Jenkins Alexandra L. , Leiter Lawrence A. , Wolever Thomas M. S. , Kendall Cyril W. C. , Jenkins David J. A.
Published: February 2012

Contrary to concerns that fructose may have adverse metabolic effects, there is evidence that small, ‘catalytic’ doses ( ≤ 10 g/meal) of fructose decrease the glycaemic response to high-glycaemic index meals in human subjects. To assess the longer-term effects of ‘catalytic’ doses of fructose, we undertook a meta-analysis of controlled feeding trials. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library. Analyses included all controlled feeding trials ≥ 7 d featuring ‘catalytic’ fructose doses ( ≤ 36 g/d) in isoenergetic exchange for other carbohydrates. Data were pooled by the generic inverse variance method using random-effects models and expressed as mean differences (MD) with 95 % CI. Heterogeneity was assessed by the Q statistic and quantified by I2. The Heyland Methodological Quality Score assessed study quality. A total of six feeding trials (n 118) met the eligibility criteria. ‘Catalytic’ doses of fructose significantly reduced HbA1c (MD − 0·40, 95 % CI − 0·72, − 0·08) and fasting glucose (MD − 0·25, 95 % CI − 0·44, − 0·07). This benefit was seen in the absence of adverse effects on fasting insulin, body weight, TAG or uric acid. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses showed evidence of effect modification under certain conditions. The small number of trials and their relatively short duration limit the strength of the conclusions. In conclusion, this small meta-analysis shows that ‘catalytic’ fructose doses ( ≤ 36 g/d) may improve glycaemic control without adverse effects on body weight, TAG, insulin and uric acid. There is a need for larger, longer ( ≥ 6 months) trials using ‘catalytic’ fructose to confirm these results.
In vitrocomparison of commensal, probiotic and pathogenic strains ofEnterococcus faecalis
Authors: Christoffersen Trine E. , Jensen Hanne , Kleiveland Charlotte R. , Dørum Guro , Jacobsen Morten , Lea Tor
Published: February 2012

In vivostudies have provided evidence that micro-organisms have important roles in immunological, digestive and respiratory functions, conferring health benefits on the host. Severalin vitromethods have been advised for the initial screening of microbes with potential health effects. The objective of the present study was to employ suchin vitromethodology to characterise different strains ofEnterococcus faecalis. The characteristics of a commercial product marketed as a probiotic, Symbioflor-1 (Symbiopharm), were compared with the characteristics of both pathogenic and commensal strains. Tolerance towards low pH and viability after exposure to human gastric and duodenal juices were assayed. Symbioflor-1 was the most susceptible strain to these treatments when compared with the otherE. faecalisstrains. Furthermore, Symbioflor-1 exhibited the lowest adhesion capacity to intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) and mucus. Competitive binding studies using heparin indicated that glycosaminoglycans might be involved in the adhesion to IEC, but also that differences in these putative bacteria–host interactions do not cause the relative low adhesion capacity of Symbioflor-1. Maturation of dendritic cells (DC) after exposure to bacteria was assayed as an indication of an immunomodulatory effect. All strains induced a moderate elevation of the DC maturation markers CD83 and CD86; however, no strain-specific differences were detected. Correlations betweenin vitroandin vivostudies are discussed. Althoughin vitroassaying is a rational starting point for the selection of microbes with a potential health benefit, it is emphasised that human clinical trials are the definite tool for establishing probiotic status.
Implementing a minimal intervention for chronic fatigue syndrome in a mental health centre: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Tummers M. , Knoop H. , van Dam A. , Bleijenberg G.
Published: February 2012

Background

Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is an effective but intensive treatment, requiring trained therapists. A minimal intervention based on CBT for CFS, guided self-instruction, was shown to be an effective treatment when delivered in a tertiary treatment centre. Implementing this intervention in a community-based mental health centre (MHC) will increase the treatment capacity for CFS patients. This study evaluated the effectiveness of guided self-instruction for CFS implemented in an MHC, delivered by nurses.

Method

One hundred and twenty-three patients were randomly assigned to either guided self-instruction (n=62) or a waiting list (n=61). Randomization was computer generated, with allocation by numbered sealed envelopes. Group allocation was open to all those involved. Patients fulfilled US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria for CFS. Primary outcome variables were fatigue severity and physical and social functioning, measured with the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS) and the Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form-36 (SF-36) respectively.

Results

After 6 months, patients who followed guided self-instruction reported a significantly larger decrease in fatigue compared to the waiting list [mean difference –8.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) −3.8 to −12.4, controlled effect size 0.70]. There was no significant difference in physical and social functioning. However, post-hoc analyses showed a significant decrease in fatigue and physical disabilities following the intervention in a subgroup of patients with physical disabilities at baseline (SF-36 physical functioning ⩽70).

Conclusions

Implementation of guided self-instruction in a community-based MHC was partially successful. The minimal intervention can be effectively implemented for CFS patients with physical impairments.
Introduction to the Forum on Liminality
Authors: NEUMANN IVER B.
Published: February 2012

In 1909, Arnold van Gennep wrote a book on the rites of passage where he discussed what he called the liminal phase (from Lat. limes, border, pl. limites) through which boys in a number of cultures had to pass in order to become men. With his Dutch name, his German birth, his move to France with his divorced mother at the ripe age of six, and his interest in the Arab world, he was nothing if not a man in transition between different life worlds. His scholarly life, too, was a life of transit; from haute école to haute école, from France to Switzerland. To top it all, when the institutionalisation of the social sciences in France was finally hitting its stride with the emergence of Durkheim's année-school, van Gennep was marginalised. There was no closure to his scholarly travels. Van Gennep remained liminal, remained in becoming. In his own terms, his rite de passage never ended. He went from pre-liminality to liminality – a condition that his greatest follower, the symbolic interactionalist anthropologist Victor Turner characterised as existing betwixt and between socially recognised positions – without entering the post-liminal phase of having been fully incorporated into one of those already existing positions. Van Gennep made it his life to deal with the uncertainties and the danger that any social order ascribes to those who are between categories. With this Forum, liminality arrives within the discipline of International Relations (IR) in earnest. The rest of this Introduction will give some historical background that situates the Forum's three post-structural protagonists, note how their undertaking is part of a wider thrust towards process-oriented and relation-oriented work within the social sciences and introduce the pieces.
Communitas and forms without foundations: Romania's case of interlocking liminalities
Authors: STOICESCU MARIA-RUXANDRA
Published: February 2012

As Maria Mälksoo and Bahar Rumelili's contributions in this Forum show, the concept of liminality has either been ignored or understudied in International Relations (IR) theory. To a certain extent, liminality suffers from the same ills as the condition it refers to, since liminal actors, by finding themselves simultaneously inside and outside structures, puzzle and challenge them. It has been shown that through the lens of liminality it is possible to read deeper into the social construction of identities on the international scene, into the question of ontological security, and into actors’ capacities of consolidating or subverting structural arrangements. When considering liminality for a particular case, its position as a concept within IR theory must be kept in mind. It challenges the linearity and neatness of many IR categories, and also, questions certain tendencies in IR theory that make it a rather self-referential system of concepts with the worrying capacity of developing a world entirely divorced from field realities; it is equally important to look at liminality as a way of seeing things which is inspired and informed by the fluctuating facts of social dynamics.
Student-chosen criteria for peer assessment of tertiary rock groups in rehearsal and performance: what's important?
Authors: Blom Diana , Encarnacao John
Published: February 2012

The study investigates criteria chosen by music students for peer and self assessment of both the rehearsal process and performance outcome of their rock groups. The student-chosen criteria and their explanations of these criteria were analysed in relation to Birkett's skills taxonomy of ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ skills. In the rehearsal process, students placed an emphasis on ‘soft’ skill issues, and in the performance outcome, on ‘hard’ skill issues. For students and staff, challenges raised include understanding how and whether to assess ‘soft’ skills; that there is a continuum of ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ skills rather than a binary; and ensuring clear understanding of criteria terms.
Storying music and the arts education: the generalist teacher voice
Authors: Garvis Susanne , Pendergast Donna
Published: February 2012

For students in Years 1–10 in Queensland, Australia, The Arts (hereafter referred to as ‘arts’) is one of eight Key Learning Areas in the core curriculum. Yet, while arts – comprising five strands including music – is a mandatory component of the curriculum, implementation varies widely. This occurs for a range of reasons, one of which is the common practice that generalist teachers are allocated delivery of the arts programme in their teaching load. Furthermore, research reveals that music and the arts are frequently considered to be the ‘frills subject’ in a school's timetable, often the first to be removed from the timetable when time is short and the first to feel the impact of budget cuts, including the engagement of specialist arts educators (Russell-Bowie, 2004). This study highlights the gap between policy rhetoric for music and the arts and the pedagogical reality in generalist classrooms. Using a narrative informed case study methodology, a story constellation derived from a beginning generalist teacher and a school principal is revealed. The discussion which follows provides a focus, through the generation of key values statements derived from the data, on the tensions this beginning teacher has experienced in his practice as a teacher responsible for teaching music and the arts, juxtaposed with a similar narrative of the school principal.
k-NEAREST NEIGHBOR ESTIMATION OF INVERSE-DENSITY-WEIGHTED EXPECTATIONS WITH DEPENDENT DATA
Authors: Chu Ba , Jacho-Chávez David T.
Published: February 2012

This paper considers the problem of estimating expected values of functions that are inversely weighted by an unknown density using the k-nearest neighbor (k-NN) method. It establishes the $\root \of T $-consistency and the asymptotic normality of an estimator that allows for strictly stationary time-series data. The consistency of the Bartlett estimator of the derived asymptotic variance is also established. The proposed estimator is also shown to be asymptotically semiparametric efficient in the independent random sampling scheme. Monte Carlo experiments show that the proposed estimator performs well in finite sample applications.
A Community-Engaged Art Program for Older People: Fostering Social Inclusion
Authors: Moody Elaine , Phinney Alison
Published: February 2012

L’inclusion sociale est un facteur important pour promouvoir la santé optimale et le bien-être des personnes âgées. Les arts communautaires engagés (ACE) ont été promus comme moyen de soutenir l’inclusion sociale des personnes âgées, mais peu de preuves empiriques ont été rapportées. Le but de cette étude était d’explorer le rôle d’un programme de l’ACE dans la promotion de l’inclusion sociale des personnes âgées résidant dans la communauté. Seize heures d’observation des participants, neuf entretiens et des analyses de documents ont été menées auprès de 20 aînés au programme Arts, Santé et Aînés (ASA) Projet de Vancouver. Les résultats ont indiqué que le programme a soutenu la capacité des personnes âgées à développer des relations dans la communauté par de nouveaux moyens en les aidant à nouer des liens au-delà du centre pour personnes âgées. Les participants ont également développé un sentiment plus fort d’appartenance à la communauté grâce à la collaboration en tant que groupe, travaillant ensemble sur le projet artistique pour produire une présentation finale à l’ensemble de la communauté. Les résultats suggèrent que l’ACE contribue à l’inclusion sociale des personnes âgées.
A model of multi-disciplinary approach to the diagnosis and treatment of young patients with cryptogenic stroke and patent foramen ovale
Authors: Mazzucco Sara , Bovi Paolo , Carletti Monica , Tomelleri Giampaolo , Golia Giorgio , Stegagno Chiara , Variola Andrea , Anselmi Maurizio , Nicolis Daniele , Olivato Silvia , Anzola Gian Paolo , Ribichini Flavio ,   the VEROSTROKE Study Group
Published: February 2012

Background

Treatment of patent foramen ovale in young patients with stroke is not supported by robust scientific evidence. In clinical practice, a pragmatic approach is needed to guide such therapeutic decisions. This study aims at standardising the diagnostic pathway for stroke patients younger than 55 years of age with a patent foramen ovale; elaborating a therapeutic algorithm; discussing every case in regular interdisciplinary counselling meeting; and setting up a follow-up schedule to assess clinical outcomes.

Methods

This is a cohort study on the effect of a standardised treatment of stroke patients with a patent foramen ovale. The primary endpoints include occurrence of recurrent ischaemic events, major bleeding, and device-related complications. The secondary endpoints include drug- or procedure-related side effects, persistence of right-to-left shunt, and persistent cardiac arrhythmia of new onset.

Results

A total of 103 patients have been enrolled. In all, 51 patients underwent percutaneous atrial septal repair; of these, one had minor post-procedural bleeding. At 12 months, 25% of this group of patients showed a latent I grade shunt, one patient a latent II degree shunt, and none had a persistent shunt. The remaining 52 patients were addressed to medical therapy; one of them experienced stroke recurrences while on medical therapy.

Conclusions

This model of implementation of available evidence to clinical practice via a group-based, multi-disciplinary counselling provides a shared and coherent decision pathway and yielded a very low rate of recurrent events and therapy-related complications. This approach could be replicated in specific protocols for other complex or neglected clinical problems.
The effect of paediatric syncope on health-related quality of life
Authors: Anderson Jeffrey B. , Czosek Richard J. , Knilans Timothy K. , Marino Bradley S.
Published: February 2012

Background

Syncope is common in children and adolescents and most commonly represents neurocardiogenic syncope. No information has been reported regarding the effect of syncope on health-related quality of life in children.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients seen in the Heart Institute Syncope Clinic at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center between July, 2009 and June, 2010. Health-related quality of life was assessed using the PedsQL™ tool. PedsQL™ scores were compared with both healthy historical controls and historical controls with chronic illnesses.

Results

A total of 106 patients were included for analysis. In all, 90% were Caucasian and 63% were girls. The median age was 15.1 years (8.2–21.6). Compared with healthy controls, patients had lower PedsQL™ scores: Total score (75.2 versus 83.8, p < 0.0001); Physical Health Summary (78.8 versus 87.5, p < 0.0001); Psychosocial Health Summary (73.9 versus 81.9, p < 0.001), Emotional Functioning (68.9 versus 79.3, p < 0.001); and School Functioning (66.4 versus 81.1, p < 0.001). No difference was seen in Social Functioning (86.2 versus 85.2, p = 0.81). Patients also had lower PedsQL™ Total scores than patients with diabetes mellitus (p < 0.0001) and similar scores to patients with asthma, end-stage renal disease, obesity, and structural heart disease.

Conclusion

Children with syncope, although typically benign in aetiology, can have low health-related quality of life.
Differences in vitamin D status and calcium metabolism in Saudi Arabian boys and girls aged 6 to 18 years: effects of age, gender, extent of veiling and physical activity with concomitant implications for bone health
Authors: Al-Ghamdi Maryam A , Lanham-New Susan A , Kahn Jalal A
Published: February 2012

Objective

Few data exist looking at vitamin D status and bone health in school-aged boys and girls from Saudi Arabia. The present study aimed to determine the extent of poor vitamin D status in school boys and girls aged 6–18 years and to examine if there was any difference in status with age, physical activity and veiling and concomitant effects on bone.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Subjects

A total of 150 boys (7–16 years) and 150 girls (6–18 years) from local schools were divided into age categories: 6–9 years (elementary school); 10–12 years (secondary school); 13–14 years (middle years); 15–18 years (high school).

Results

Vitamin D status was significantly lower in girls than boys in all age groups (P< 0·01), with the 15–18-year-old girls having the lowest level (22·0 (sd9·4) nmol/l) in comparison to the 15–18-year-old boys (39·3 (sd14·0) nmol/l) and the 6–9-year-old girls (41·2 (sd9·3) nmol/l). Parathyroid hormone status was highest in the 15–18-year-old girls in comparison to boys of the same age. A total of 64 % of 15–18-year-old girls had 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) status <25 nmol/l in comparison to 31 % in the 13–14 years age category, 26 % in the 10–12 years category and 2·5 % in the 6–9 years category. No boys had 25OHD status <25 nmol/l. Fully veiled girls had lower 25OHD status than partly veiled or unveiled girls (P< 0·05). Low 25OHD and high parathyroid hormone was associated with lower bone mass in the 6–9 years and 13–14 years age groups (P< 0·05).

Conclusions

These data suggest significant hypovitaminosis D in older adolescent females, which is a cause for concern given that there is currently no public health policy for vitamin D in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Dietary patterns are associated with dietary recommendations but have limited relationship to BMI in the Communities Advancing the Studies of Tribal Nations Across the Lifespan (CoASTAL) cohort
Authors: Fialkowski Marie K , McCrory Megan A , Roberts Sparkle M , Tracy J Kathleen , Grattan Lynn M , Boushey Carol J
Published: February 2012

Objective

Traditional food systems in indigenous groups have historically had health-promoting benefits. The objectives of the present study were to determine if a traditional dietary pattern of Pacific Northwest Tribal Nations (PNwT) could be derived using reduced rank regression and if the pattern would be associated with lower BMI and current Dietary Reference Intakes.

Design

The baseline data from the Communities Advancing the Studies of Tribal Nations Across the Lifespan (CoASTAL) cohort were used to derive dietary patterns for the total sample and those with plausibly reported energy intakes.

Setting

Pacific Northwest Coast of Washington State, USA.

Subjects

Adult PNwT members of the CoASTAL cohort with laboratory-measured weight and height and up to 4 d of dietary records (n418).

Results

A traditional dietary pattern did not evolve from the analysis. Moderate consumption of a sweet drinks dietary pattern was associated with lower BMI while higher consumption of a vegetarian-based dietary pattern was associated with higher BMI. The highest consumers of the vegetarian-based dietary pattern were almost six times more likely to meet the recommendations for dietary fibre.

Conclusions

Distinct dietary patterns were found. Further exploration is needed to confirm whether the lack of finding a traditional pattern is due to methodology or the loss of a traditional dietary pattern among this population. Longitudinal assessment of the CoASTAL cohort's dietary patterns needs to continue.
Design aspects of 24 h recall assessments may affect the estimates of protein and potassium intake in dietary surveys
Authors: Crispim Sandra P , Geelen Anouk , Siebelink Els , Huybrechts Inge , Lillegaard Inger TL , Margaritis Irene , Rehurkova Irena , Slimani Nadia , Ocke Marga C , de Boer Evelien , Veer Pieter van't , de Vries Jeanne HM
Published: February 2012

Objective

To evaluate the impact of different modes of administration (face-to-facev. telephone), recall days (firstv. second), days of the week (weekdayv. weekend) and interview days (1 d laterv. 2 d later) on bias in protein and K intakes collected with 24 h dietary recalls (24-HDR).

Design

Two non-consecutive 24-HDR (collected with standardised EPIC-Soft software) were used to estimate protein and K intakes by a face-to-face interview at the research centres and a telephone interview, and included all days of the week. Two 24 h urine collections were used to determine biomarkers of protein and K intake. The bias in intake was defined as the ratio between the 24-HDR estimate and the biomarker.

Setting

Five centres in Belgium, Czech Republic, France, the Netherlands and Norway in the European Food Consumption Validation (EFCOVAL) study.

Subjects

About 120 adults (aged 45–65 years) per centre.

Results

The bias in protein intake in the Czech Republic and Norway was smaller for telephone than face-to-face interviews (P= 0·01). The second 24-HDR estimates of protein intake in France and K intake in Belgium had a larger bias than the first 24-HDR (P= 0·01 and 0·04, respectively). In the Czech Republic, protein intake estimated during weekends and K intake estimated during weekdays had a larger bias than during other days of the week (P= 0·01). In addition, K intake collected 2 d later in the Czech Republic was likely to be overestimated.

Conclusions

The biases in protein and K intakes were comparable between modes of administration, recall days, days of the week and interview days in some, but not all, study centres.
MicroRNA-181a – a tale of discrepancies
Authors: Seoudi Aliaa M. , Lashine Yasmine A. , Abdelaziz Ahmed I.
Published: February 2012

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs that act as post-transcriptional regulators. The low complementarity required between the sequences of a miRNA and its target mRNA enables a single miRNA to act on a large range of targets. Thus miRNAs have an intersecting complex effect that spans a multiplicity of pathways and processes. In this review, the different roles of a vital miRNA, miR-181a, in physiological and pathological developments are collated in an attempt to highlight the intersections of such processes and to show how the deregulation of miR-181a could in one context drive malignancy, whereas in another it can lead to autoimmunity. Such deregulation could be related to the faulty levels of one of its own targets, p53, which was recently reported to control an array of miRNAs, one of which is miR-181a. This sheds light on a hidden loop of chaos behind chronic diseases such as autoimmunity and cancer.
ON ONTOLOGY AND REALISM IN MATHEMATICS
Authors: GAIFMAN HAIM
Published: February 2012

The paper is concerned with the way in which “ontology” and “realism” are to be interpreted and applied so as to give us a deeper philosophical understanding of mathematical theories and practice. Rather than argue for or against some particular realistic position, I shall be concerned with possible coherent positions, their strengths and weaknesses. I shall also discuss related but different aspects of these problems. The terms in the title are the common thread that connects the various sections.
Tectonics of the Ninetyeast Ridge derived from spreading records in adjacent oceanic basins and age constraints of the ridge
Authors: Krishna Kolluru S. , Abraham Honey , Sager William W. , Pringle Malcolm S. , Frey Frederick , Gopala Rao Dasari , Levchenko Oleg V.
Published: February 2012

Analysis of new and existing geophysical data for the Central Indian and Wharton Basins of the Indian Ocean were used to understand the formation and evolution of the Ninetyeast Ridge (NER), especially its relationship to the Kerguelen hot spot and the Wharton spreading ridge. Satellite gravity data and magnetic anomalies 34 through 19 define crustal isochrons and show fracture zones striking ∼N5°E. One of these, at 89°E, crosses the ∼N10°E trending NER, impacting the NER morphology. From 77 to 43 Ma the NER lengthened at a rate of ∼118 km/Myr, twice that of the ∼48–58 km/Myr accretion rate of adjacent oceanic crust. This difference can be explained by southward jumps of the Wharton spreading ridge toward the hot spot, which transferred portions of crust from the Antarctic plate to the Indian plate, lengthening the NER. Magnetic anomalies document a small number of large spreading ridge jumps in the ocean crust immediately to the west of the NER, especially two leaving observable 65 and 42 Ma fossil spreading ridges. In contrast, complex magnetic anomaly progressions and morphology imply that smaller spreading ridge jumps occurred at more frequent intervals beneath the NER. Comparison of the NER dates and magnetic anomaly ages implies that the hot spot first emplaced NER volcanoes on the Indian plate at a distance from the Wharton Ridge, but as the northward drifting spreading ridge approached the hot spot, the two interacted, keeping later NER volcanism near the spreading ridge crest by spreading center jumps.
The 11 year solar cycle signal in transient simulations from the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model
Authors: Chiodo G. , Calvo N. , Marsh D. R. , Garcia‐Herrera R.
Published: February 2012

The atmospheric response to the 11 year solar cycle (SC) and its combination with the quasi‐biennal oscillation (QBO) are analyzed in four simulations of the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model version 3.5 (WACCM3.5), which were performed with observed sea surface temperatures, volcanic eruptions, greenhouse gases, and a nudged QBO. The analysis focuses on the annual mean response of the model to the SC and on the evolution of the solar signal during the Northern Hemispheric winter. WACCM3.5 simulates a significantly warmer stratosphere under solar maximum conditions compared to solar minimum. The vertical structure of the signal in temperature and ozone at low latitudes agrees with observations better than previous versions of the model. The temperature and wind response in the extratropics is more uncertain because of its seasonal dependence and the large dynamical variability of the polar vortex. However, all four simulations reproduce the observed downward propagation of zonal wind anomalies from the upper stratosphere to the lower stratosphere during boreal winter resulting from solar‐induced modulation of the polar night jet and the Brewer‐Dobson circulation. Combined QBO‐SC effects in the extratropics are consistent with observations, but they are not robust across the ensemble members. During boreal winter, solar signals are also found in tropospheric circulation and surface temperature. Overall, these results confirm the plausibility of proposed dynamical mechanisms driving the atmospheric response to the SC. The improvement of the model climatology and variability in the polar stratosphere is the basis for the success in simulating the evolution and magnitude of the solar signal.
Regional sources of nitrous oxide over the United States: Seasonal variation and spatial distribution
Authors: Miller S. M. , Kort E. A. , Hirsch A. I. , Dlugokencky E. J. , Andrews A. E. , Xu X. , Tian H. , Nehrkorn T. , Eluszkiewicz J. , Michalak A. M. , Wofsy S. C.
Published: February 2012

This paper presents top‐down constraints on the magnitude, spatial distribution, and seasonality of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions over the central United States. We analyze data from tall towers in 2004 and 2008 using a high resolution Lagrangian particle dispersion model paired with both geostatistical and Bayesian inversions. Our results indicate peak N2O emissions in June with a strong seasonal cycle. The spatial distribution of sources closely mirrors data on fertilizer application with particularly large N2O sources over the US Cornbelt. Existing inventories for N2O predict emissions that differ substantially from the inverse model results in both seasonal cycle and magnitude. We estimate a total annual N2O budget over the central US of 0.9–1.2 TgN/yr and an extrapolated budget for the entire US and Canada of 2.1–2.6 TgN/yr. By this estimate, the US and Canada account for 12–15% of the total global N2O source or 32–39% of the global anthropogenic source as reported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2007.
Performance on Delay Tasks in Early Childhood Predicted Socioemotional and School Adjustment Nine Years Later: A Longitudinal Study in Chinese Children
Authors: Chen Xinyin , Zhang Guangzhen , Chen Huichang , Li Dan
Published: February 2012

This study examined, in a sample of Chinese children, the relations between early childhood delay behavior and later socioemotional and school adjustment. Observational data on delay behavior based on two delay tasks were collected when the children were two years old. Follow-up data on social competence, distinguished studentship, learning problems, perceived self-worth, loneliness, and depression were collected in the sample ( N = 175) from multiple sources, including teacher and mother ratings, self-reports, and school records at 11 years of age (fifth grade). It was found that delay behavior was positively associated with later social and school competence. Moreover, delay behavior negatively predicted later learning and emotional problems. Children's social competence mediated the relations between delay behavior and school and psychological adjustment. The results indicate that the ability to control one's own behavior plays a comprehensive role in socioemotional and academic development in Chinese children.
International Knowledge Displayed by School Psychology Students in the U.S.A.
Authors: Oakland Thomas , Jones Douglas , Callueng Carmelo
Published: February 2012

Psychology isbecoming a global profession whose members are expected to display knowledge ofinternational events and conditions that may impact their discipline. Knowledgeof important international events and conditions seemingly enables professionalpersonnel to more effectively obtain and use global resources and understand andguide global policy. Prior studies found young adults in the U.S.A. generallydisplay less knowledge of international issues than their age peers in otherindustrialized countries ( Cogan,Torney-Purta, & Anderson, 1988 ; Roper ASW, 2002 ; Roper Public Affairs GFK,2006 ; Zhao,Lin, & Hoge, 2007 ). This study examines the degreeof international knowledge displayed by 438 school psychology students in theU.S.A. over six domains: international relations, global demographics, currentevents, international economics, international school psychology, and geography.The students generally display a higher level of international knowledge thanother young adults in the U.S.A., and at a level similar to age peers in otherindustrialized nations. Participants enrolled in doctoral degree programs,males, and those who have traveled more broadly display higher levels ofinternational knowledge.
Mitochondrial processing peptidase regulates PINK1 processing, import and Parkin recruitment
Authors: Greene Andrew W , Grenier Karl , Aguileta Miguel A , Muise Stephanie , Farazifard Rasoul , Haque M Emdadul , McBride Heidi M , Park David S , Fon Edward A
Published: February 2012

Mutations in phosphatase and tensin homologue‐induced kinase 1 (PINK1) cause recessively inherited Parkinson's disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disorder linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. In healthy mitochondria, PINK1 is rapidly degraded in a process involving both mitochondrial proteases and the proteasome. However, when mitochondrial import is compromised by depolarization, PINK1 accumulates on the mitochondrial surface where it recruits the PD‐linked E3 ubiquitin ligase Parkin from the cytosol, which in turn mediates the autophagic destruction of the dysfunctional organelles. Using an unbiased RNA‐mediated interference (RNAi)‐based screen, we identified four mitochondrial proteases, mitochondrial processing peptidase (MPP), presenilin‐associated rhomboid‐like protease (PARL), m‐AAA and ClpXP, involved in PINK1 degradation. We find that PINK1 turnover is particularly sensitive to even modest reductions in MPP levels. Moreover, PINK1 cleavage by MPP is coupled to import such that reducing MPP activity induces PINK1 accumulation at the mitochondrial surface, leading to Parkin recruitment and mitophagy. These results highlight a new role for MPP in PINK1 import and mitochondrial quality control via the PINK1–Parkin pathway.
Signalling through the grapevine
Authors: Dikic Ivan , Daly Roger J
Published: February 2012

The 5th Barossa Meeting on ‘Cell Signalling and Molecular Medicine’ was held in November 2011 in the Barossa Valley, South Australia. The combination of an inspirational environment and outstanding science led to a superb meeting that highlighted the versatility of cellular signalling systems and how they can be targeted by novel therapeutic approaches.
Associations of Obesogenic Behaviors in Mothers and Obese Children Participating in a Randomized Trial
Authors: Sonneville Kendrin R. , Rifas‐Shiman Sheryl L. , Kleinman Ken P. , Gortmaker Steven L. , Gillman Matthew W. , Taveras Elsie M.
Published: February 2012

Relatively little research has assessed the association between obesogenic behaviors in parents and their children. The objective of the present analysis was to examine cross‐sectional associations in television (TV)/video viewing, sugar‐sweetened beverage intake, and fast food intake between mothers and their preschool aged children. We studied baseline data among 428 participants in High Five for Kids, a randomized controlled trial of behavior change among overweight and obese children of ages 2–6.9 years. The main exposures were whether mothers viewed TV/videos <1 h/day, drank <1 serving/day of sugar‐sweetened beverages, and ate fast food <1 time/week. The main outcomes were whether children met these goals for the same behaviors. Using multivariate logistic regression adjusted for maternal and child characteristics, we estimated odds ratios of children meeting the behavioral goals. The majority of mothers ate fast food <1 time/week (73%) and drank <1 serving/day of sugar‐sweetened beverages (73%), while few mothers viewed <1 h/day of TV/videos (31%). Most children met the fast food goal (68%), but not the goals for sugar‐sweetened beverages (31%) or TV/video viewing (13%). In adjusted models, the odds ratios for a child meeting the goal were 3.2 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7, 6.2) for TV/video viewing, 5.8 (95% CI 2.8, 12.0) for sugar‐sweetened beverage intake, and 17.5 (95% CI 9.8, 31.2) for fast food intake if their mothers met the goal for the same behavior. Obesogenic behaviors of mothers and preschool aged children were strongly associated. Our findings lend support to obesity prevention strategies that target parental behavior and the family environment.
Insulin Resistance as a Predictor of Gains in Body Fat, Weight, and Abdominal Fat in Nondiabetic Women: A Prospective Study
Authors: Tucker Larry A. , Tucker Jared M.
Published: February 2012

The purpose was to determine the relationship between insulin resistance (IR) and risk of gaining body fat percentage (BF%), body weight, and abdominal fat over 18 months. A prospective cohort study was conducted using a sample of 226 women. IR was assessed using fasting blood insulin and glucose levels to calculate homeostatic model assessment (HOMA). Participants were divided into High (4th quartile) Moderate (2nd and 3rd quartiles), and Low (1st quartile) HOMA categories. BF% was estimated using plethysmography (Bod Pod), weight was measured in a standard swimsuit, and abdominal fat was indexed using the average of two circumferences taken at the umbilicus. Participants wore accelerometers and completed weighed food logs for 7 consecutive days to control for the effect of physical activity (PA) and energy intake, respectively. On average, women in the High HOMA group decreased in BF% (−0.48 ± 3.60), whereas those in the Moderate (0.40 ± 3.66) and Low HOMA (1.17 ± 3.15) groups gained BF% (F = 5.4, P = 0.0211). Changes in body weight showed a similar dose‐response relationship (F = 4.7, P = 0.0317). However, baseline IR was not predictive of changes in abdominal fat (F = 0.8, P = 0.3635). Controlling for several covariates had little effect on gains in BF% and weight, but adjusting for initial BF% and/or initial weight nullified changes in BF% and weight across the IR groups. In conclusion, women with High HOMA tend to gain significantly less BF% and weight than women with low or moderate HOMA. The decreased risk appears unrelated to several covariates, except initial BF% and weight levels, which seem to play key roles in the relationships.
Scintillating Lustre Induced by Radial Fins
Authors: Takahashi Kohske , Fukuda Haruaki , Watanabe Katsumi , Ueda Kazuhiro
Published: February 2012

Radial lines of Ehrenstein patterns induce illusory scintillating lustre in gray disks inserted into the central gaps (scintillating-lustre effect). We report a novel variant of this illusion by replacing the radial lines with white and black radial fins. Both white and gray disks inserted into the central gaps were perceived as scintillating, if the ratio of the black/white fin width were balanced (ie, close to 1.0). Thus, the grayness of the central disk is not a prerequisite for the scintillation. However, the scintillation was drastically reduced when the ratio was imbalanced. Furthermore, the optimal ratio depended on the color of the center disks.
Haptic Face Aftereffect
Authors: Matsumiya Kazumichi
Published: February 2012

Face aftereffects (FAEs) are generally thought of as being a visual phenomenon. However, recent studies have shown that people can haptically recognize a face. Here, I report a haptic, rather than visual, FAE. By using three-dimensional facemasks, I found that haptic exploration of the facial expression of the facemask causes a subsequently touched neutral facemask to be perceived as having the opposite facial expression. The results thus suggest that FAEs can also occur in haptic perception of faces.