Identical twin Steiner triple systems

Two Steiner triple systems, each containing precisely one Pasch configuration which, when traded, switches one system to the other, are called twin Steiner triple systems. If the two systems are isomorphic the systems are called identical twins. Hitherto, identical twins were only known for orders 21, 27 and 33. In this paper we construct infinite families of identical twin Steiner triple systems

On the full automorphism group of a Hamiltonian cycle system of odd order

It is shown that a necessary condition for an abstract group G to be the full automorphism group of a Hamiltonian cycle system is that G has odd order or it is either binary, or the affine linear group AGL(1; p) with p prime. We show that this condition is also sufficient except possibly for the class of non-solvable binary groups.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figure

Nutritional adequacy and content of food bank parcels in Oxfordshire, UK: a comparative analysis of independent and organisational provision

Background: Food bank use has increased significantly in the UK. With the rise in demand, it is imperative that users are receiving food parcels that meet their requirements. The present study aimed to explore whether typical food parcels, supplied by The Trussell Trust and independent food banks, were meeting the daily nutrient and energy requirements of an adult user. Methods: The Trussell Trust (n = 2) and independent food banks (n = 9) were surveyed in Oxfordshire, UK. Data were collected on food bank use, resources, donations and parcel content. The energy and nutrient contents of a representative parcel were compared with the average dietary reference values (DRVs) for an adult. Additional comparisons were made between The Trussell Trust and independent provision. Results: Parcels provided energy, carbohydrate, sugar, protein and fibre contents that significantly exceeded the DRVs. In total, 62.2% of energy was provided as carbohydrate and 569% of the DRV was provided by sugars. The vitamin D and retinol content of the parcels was significantly lower than the DRVs, meeting 25% and 27% of users’ needs respectively; provision of all other micronutrients exceeded the DRVs. The Trussell Trust’s parcels provided significantly less vitamin D and copper than independent parcels. Conclusions: Food bank parcels distributed in Oxfordshire, UK, exceeded energy requirements and provided disproportionately high sugar and carbohydrate and inadequate vitamin A and vitamin D compared to the UK guidelines. Improved links with distributors and access to cold food storage facilities would help to address these issues, via increased fresh food provisio

Imprinting a topological interface using Zeeman shifts in an atomic spinor Bose–Einstein condensate

We propose to use spatial control of the Zeeman energy shifts in an ultracold atomic gas to engineer an interface between topologically distinct regions. This provides an experimentally accessible means for studying the interface physics of topological defects and textures. Using the spin-1 Bose–Einstein condensate as an example, we find spinor wave functions that represent defects and textures continuously connecting across the interface between polar and ferromagnetic regions induced by spatially varying Zeeman shifts. By numerical energy-minimization we characterize the defect core structures and determine the energetic stability. The techniques proposed could potentially be used in the laboratory to emulate complex interface physics arising, e.g., in cosmological and condensed-matter contexts in both uniform and lattice systems

Comment on S´ rednicka-Tober et al.: Higher PUFA and n-3 PUFA, conjugated linoleic acid, α-tocopherol and iron, but lower iodine and selenium concentrations in organic milk: a systematic literature review and meta- and redundancy analyses

Comment on S´ rednicka-Tober et al.: Higher PUFA and n-3 PUFA, conjugated linoleic acid, α-tocopherol and iron, but lower iodine and selenium concentrations in organic milk: a systematic literature review and meta- and redundancy analyses Couvreur et al.(6) who showed that increasing grazing from 30 to 100% of the diet led to an increase in milk ALA from 4·0 to 6·1 mg/g total fatty acids (P< 0·001), similar to those reported by S´ rednicka-Tober et al.(1) shown in Table 1 for conventional and organic milk, respectively. Overall, differences in milk fatty acids in organic v. conventional systems are extremely small when examined in the context of total diets and would have very limited contribution to nutrition or health – and the differences are because of the diet of the cow and not specifically because of organic production

Concept Mapping to Define Components for an Occupation-Based Intervention for Parkinson’s Disease and Anxiety

Background: Anxiety, a common symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD), results in reduced life quality, reduced participation in meaningful roles and daily activities, and increased health burden. There are no evidence-based interventions to reduce the impact of anxiety in PD on participation. Objective: This study aimed to identify the key components required for the co-production of an occupation- and community-based intervention for people with PD-related anxiety. Methods: A participatory mixed-methods research study was conducted using online Group Concept Mapping methodology that included five stages: brainstorming, idea synthesis, sorting activity, rating activity, and analysis. A cluster map, pattern match, and ‘go-zone’ charts were created through multivariate statistical analysis based on participants’ responses. The stages were guided by questions generated by the research team working with stakeholders. Results: Eighty-three people participated, with 64 taking part in more than one activity. Participants included people with PD (n = 72), care partners (n = 6), and occupational therapists (n = 5). The final map contained 119 statements with eight clusters (stress value 0.252): exercise, lifestyle changes, self-help, coping, access to information, professional help, peers and groups, support from others. Significant agreement existed between the importance and feasibility rating activities (r = –0.07). ‘Go-zone’ charts highlighted the priority statements for intervention development. Conclusions: This novel participatory study highlighted priority components that provide starting points for future development of an occupation- and community-based intervention for people with PD-related anxiety.</jats:p

Yogurt consumption is associated with higher nutrient intake, diet quality and favourable metabolic profile in children: a cross-sectional analysis using data from years 1–4 of the National diet and Nutrition Survey, UK

Purpose: Yogurt consumption has been associated with higher nutrient intakes, better diet quality and improved metabolic profiles in adults. Few studies have investigated these associations in children. This study investigated the association of yogurt consumption with nutrient intakes, diet quality and metabolic profile in British children. Methods: Data from 1687 children aged 4–10 and 11–18 years of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) years 1–4 were analysed. Yogurt consumption was determined using a 4-day diet diary. Diet quality was assessed by the Healthy Eating Index 2010 (HEI-2010). Anthropometric measures, blood pressure, pulse pressure, plasma glucose, HbA1c, C-reactive protein, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, high-and low-density cholesterol from NDNS were used. Results: The highest tertile of yogurt consumption (T3) was associated with higher nutrient intakes, particularly for calcium (children 4–10 years: P < 0.0001; children 11–18 years P = 0.001), iodine (both age groups P < 0.0001) and riboflavin (both age groups P < 0.0001), and HEI-2010 score (both age groups P < 0.0001) in children aged 4–10 years (mean ± SD:98.4 ± 35.7 g yogurt/day) and 11–18 years (mean ± SD: 105.4 ± 37.5 g yogurt/day) compared with non-consumers (0 g yogurt/d). Yogurt consumption was associated with significantly lower pulse pressure in children aged 4–10 years and lower HbA1c concentration, being shorter and having a larger hip circumference in children aged 11–18 years, compared with non-yogurt consumers. Conclusion: This study suggests that British children who are yogurt consumers (> 60 g/day) have higher overall diet quality, nutrient intakes and adequacy, lower pulse pressure (children aged 4–10 years) and HbA1c concentrations (children aged 11–18 years), were shorter and had a smaller hip circumference (children aged 11–18 years)

Dietary fatty acids: is it time to change the recommendations

Limiting the saturated fatty acid (SAFA) consumption forms the basis of dietary fat recommendations for heart health, despite several meta-analyses demonstrating no link be- tween dietary SAFA and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Three experts on dietary fat and health discussed the evidence of reducing SAFA intake at a symposium of the Federation of European Nutrition Societies in Berlin, Germany, October 23, 2015. Ronald P. Mensink, Maastricht University, the Netherlands, discussed the evidence linking dietary fatty acids and CVD risk. He emphasized the impor- tance of the replacement nutrient(s) when SAFA intake is re- duced. Julie Lovegrove, University of Reading, UK, addressed the question of whether higher intakes of unsaturated fatty acids are beneficial. She discussed the replacement of SAFA by polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and monounsaturat- ed fatty acids (MUFA), noting the reduction in CVD risk with PUFA replacement and in CVD risk markers with MUFA re- placement of SAFA. Ursula Schwab, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland, discussed the importance of di- etary patterns in achieving reduced risk of CVD, observing that several dietary patterns following the principles of a health-promoting diet and adapted to local customs, food preferences and seasonality are effective in reducing the risk of CVD, type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases. This pa- per summarizes the symposium presentations

Service evaluation of an acute Parkinson's therapy pathway between hospital and home

Background People with Parkinson's disease report that inpatient hospital environments do not replicate their home setup. A therapy pathway was developed integrating early home-based assessment, therapy sessions with photographs of key home areas, enhanced communication with community services, and staggered discharge. Methods Outcome measures (length of stay and readmissions within 14 days) in people with Parkinson's disease on the therapy pathway (n=5) were compared to those previously receiving standard care (n=5). Results Mean length of stay was 7.2 days shorter in the intervention group and their discharge Lindop Parkinson's mobility scale score was 39.4% higher. No difference was found in the Modified Barthel Index between the groups. Both groups had the same readmission rates. The pathway was accepted by both people with Parkinson's disease and clinicians. Conclusions The pathway reduced hospital length of stay and increased mobility in patients with Parkinson's disease. It was accepted by patients and clinicians and was feasible to integrate into current practice. The pathway warrants further evaluation