Does the 1/f frequency-scaling of brain signals reflect self-organized critical states?

Many complex systems display self-organized critical states characterized by 1/f frequency scaling of power spectra. Global variables such as the electroencephalogram, scale as 1/f, which could be the sign of self-organized critical states in neuronal activity. By analyzing simultaneous recordings of global and neuronal activities, we confirm the 1/f scaling of global variables for selected frequency bands, but show that neuronal activity is not consistent with critical states. We propose a model of 1/f scaling which does not rely on critical states, and which is testable experimentally.Comment: 3 figures, 6 page

Sneak preview of the Saskatchewan soil information system (SKSIS)

Non-Peer Reviewe

Bi-cultural bi-national benchmarking and assessment of clinical reasoning in Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Published: 23/06/2016Background: The Script Concordance Test (SCT) is being increasingly used in professional development in clinical reasoning (CR) in postgraduate medicine. On-line delivery favours multi-institutional collaboration. Objectives: To establish if: 1) SCT questions developed in the French-speaking University of Montreal were readily adaptable for use in the English-speaking University of Adelaide 2) expert reference panels (ERP) from both institutions could be used interchangeably 3) student cohorts would perform similarly in the same test. Study Design: 82 SCT questions based on 27 clinical cases in Obstetrics and Gynaecology were developed in Montreal and run in a volunteer cohort of year 3 and year 4 medical students (n=154). Local faculty translated all questions, selecting 31 based on 17 clinical cases for use in summative examinations a year 5 student cohort in Adelaide (n=123). Results: Mean (SD) percentage scores using each ERP key were: 74.2 (6.4) versus 73.3 (6.9), p<0.001 for Adelaide students and 72.5 (7.8) versus 70.6 (8.8), p<0.001 for Montreal students. The correlation coefficients were ≥ 0.928 (p<0.001). Conclusions: Student cohorts performed similarly regardless of which ERP key was used. With appropriate editorial control, SCT’s can be effectively shared between French and English-speaking institutions located in different hemispheres. Potential advantages include the creation of an international database of assessment items, benchmarking and cost sharing.Paul Duggan, Patricia Monnier, Alphonse Roex, Marie-Josée Bédard, Bernard Charli

Saskatchewan Soil Information System (SKSIS)-The Launch!

Non-Peer Reviewe

Perceptions of the Impact of Positive Action in EU and non-EU Countries

yesAbstract: Around the world, inequalities exist around boundaries of race, social class, gender, disability, religious beliefs and sexual orientation, often resulting from past and current discriminatory practices. Governments have taken certain measures, including enacting policies such as positive action, to remedy such discrimination. This paper provides a comparative analysis of perceptions of the impact of positive action in seven EU and three non-EU countries. The study adopted participatory methods including consensus workshops, interviews and policy analysis to obtain data from designers of positive action. Findings are discussed, conclusions drawn and wide-ranging recommendations are made at the EC, individual countries and organisational levels

Is traumatic stress research global? A bibliometric analysis.

BACKGROUND: The representation of low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) in traumatic stress research is important to establish a global evidence base, build research capacity, and reduce the burden of unmet mental health needs around the world. Reviews of the traumatic stress literature up to 2002 showed trends toward globalization although LMIC were only marginally represented compared to high-income countries (HIC). OBJECTIVE: To examine the global nature of current traumatic stress research. In particular, we were interested in the extent to which traumatic stress research is: (1) conducted in LMIC, (2) conducted by LMIC researchers, and (3) accessible to them. METHOD: Using the databases PubMed, PsychInfo, and PILOTS, we systematically searched for peer-reviewed articles on traumatic stress published in any language in the year 2012. Out of the 3,123 unique papers identified, we coded a random sample (N=1,000) for study, author, article, and journal characteristics. RESULTS: Although our sample involved research in 56 different countries, most papers (87%) involved research in HIC, with 51% of all papers describing studies in the United States. In 88% of the papers, the author team was affiliated with HIC only. Less than 5% of all author teams involved collaborations between HIC and LMIC researchers. Moreover, 45% of the articles on LMIC studies published by a HIC corresponding author did not involve any LMIC co-authors. LMIC researchers appeared to publish empirical studies in lower impact journals. Of the 1,000 articles in our sample, 32% were open access and 10% were made available via different means; over half of the papers were not accessible without subscription. CONCLUSIONS: Traumatic stress research is increasingly global but still strongly dominated by HIC. Important opportunities to build capacity in LMIC appear to be missed. Implications toward more international traumatic stress research are discussed

Single Cell RNA Profiling Reveals Adipocyte to Macrophage Signaling Sufficient to Enhance Thermogenesis [preprint]

The “browning” of inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) through increased abundance of thermogenic beige/brite adipocytes is induced by cold exposure and many other perturbations in association with beneficial systemic metabolic effects. Adipose browning is reported to require activation of sympathetic nerve fibers (SNF), aided by alternately activated macrophages within iWAT. Here we demonstrate the first example of a non-cell autonomous pathway for iWAT browning that is fully independent of SNF activity. Thus, the strong induction of thermogenic adipocytes prompted by deletion of adipocyte fatty acid synthase (iAdFASNKO mice) was unaffected by denervation or the deletion of SNF modulator Neuregulin-4. However, browning of iWAT in iAdFASNKO mice does require adipocyte cAMP/protein kinase A signaling, as it was blocked in adipocyte- selective Fasn/Gsα double KO mice. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis of iAdFASNKO mouse adipose stromal cells revealed increased macrophages displaying gene expression signatures of the alternately activated type. Mechanistically, depletion of such phagocytic immune cells in iAdFASNKO mice fully abrogated appearance of thermogenic adipocytes in iWAT. Altogether, these findings reveal an unexpected pathway of cAMP/PKA-dependent iWAT browning that is initiated by adipocyte signals and caused by macrophage-like cells independent of sympathetic neuron involvement

Methodological Challenges of Researching Positive Action Measures

This paper highlights some ofthe methodological challenges which have arisen in collecting data for an international study on positive action measures. It will describe strategies employed to encourage participation in the study from as wide a range of organisations and individuals using a mixed method approach. The paper will also discuss the methodological and sensitive issues related to this type of research in organisations and strategies adopted by the research team to ameliorate any problems that have arisen whilst maintaining trustworthiness and rigour in the study

Control of Adipocyte Thermogenesis and Lipogenesis through beta3-Adrenergic and Thyroid Hormone Signal Integration

Here, we show that beta adrenergic signaling coordinately upregulates de novo lipogenesis (DNL) and thermogenesis in subcutaneous white adipose tissue (sWAT), and both effects are blocked in mice lacking the cAMP-generating G protein-coupled receptor Gs (Adipo-GsalphaKO) in adipocytes. However, UCP1 expression but not DNL activation requires rapamycin-sensitive mTORC1. Furthermore, beta3-adrenergic agonist CL316243 readily upregulates thermogenic but not lipogenic genes in cultured adipocytes, indicating that additional regulators must operate on DNL in sWAT in vivo. We identify one such factor as thyroid hormone T3, which is elevated locally by adrenergic signaling. T3 administration to wild-type mice enhances both thermogenesis and DNL in sWAT. Mechanistically, T3 action on UCP1 expression in sWAT depends upon cAMP and is blocked in Adipo-GsalphaKO mice even as elevated DNL persists. Thus, T3 enhances sWAT thermogenesis by amplifying cAMP signaling, while its control of adipocyte DNL can be mediated independently of both cAMP and rapamycin-sensitive mTORC1