Thinking territory historically.

BACKGROUND: While the randomised controlled trial (RCT) is generally regarded as the design of choice for assessing the effects of health care, within the social sciences there is considerable debate about the relative suitability of RCTs and non-randomised studies (NRSs) for evaluating public policy interventions. // OBJECTIVES: To determine whether RCTs lead to the same effect size and variance as NRSs of similar policy interventions; and whether these findings can be explained by other factors associated with the interventions or their evaluation. // METHODS: Analyses of methodological studies, empirical reviews, and individual health and social services studies investigated the relationship between randomisation and effect size of policy interventions by: 1) Comparing controlled trials that are identical in all respects other than the use of randomisation by 'breaking' the randomisation in a trial to create non-randomised trials (re-sampling studies). 2) Comparing randomised and non-randomised arms of controlled trials mounted simultaneously in the field (replication studies). 3) Comparing similar controlled trials drawn from systematic reviews that include both randomised and non-randomised studies (structured narrative reviews and sensitivity analyses within meta-analyses). 4) Investigating associations between randomisation and effect size using a pool of more diverse RCTs and NRSs within broadly similar areas (meta-epidemiology). // RESULTS: Prior methodological reviews and meta-analyses of existing reviews comparing effects from RCTs and nRCTs suggested that effect sizes from RCTs and nRCTs may indeed differ in some circumstances and that these differences may well be associated with factors confounded with design. Re-sampling studies offer no evidence that the absence of randomisation directly influences the effect size of policy interventions in a systematic way. No consistent explanations were found for randomisation being associated with changes in effect sizes of policy interventions in field trials

Video games as meaningful entertainment experiences

We conducted an experiment to examine individuals’ perceptions of enjoyable and meaningful video games and the game characteristics and dimensions of need satisfaction associated with enjoyment and appreciation. Participants (N = 512) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups that asked them to recall a game that they found either particularly fun or particularly meaningful, and to then rate their perceptions of the game that they recalled. Enjoyment was high for both groups, though appreciation was higher in the meaningful- than fun-game condition. Further, enjoyment was most strongly associated with gameplay characteristics and satisfaction of needs related to competency and autonomy, whereas appreciation was most strongly associated with story characteristics and satisfaction of needs related to insight and relatedness

Controls on the spatial distribution of oceanic <i>δ</i>¹³C_DIC

We describe the design and evaluation of a large ensemble of coupled climate–carbon cycle simulations with the Earth system model of intermediate complexity GENIE. This ensemble has been designed for application to a range of carbon cycle questions, including the causes of late- Quaternary fluctuations in atmospheric CO2. Here we evaluate the ensemble by applying it to a transient experiment over the recent industrial era (1858 to 2008 AD). We employ singular vector decomposition and principal component emulation to investigate the spatial modes of ensemble variability of oceanic dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) δ13C, considering both the spun-up pre-industrial state and the transient change. These analyses allow us to separate the natural (preindustrial) and anthropogenic controls on the δ13CDIC distribution. We apply the same dimensionally reduced emulation techniques to consider the drivers of the spatial uncertainty in anthropogenic DIC. We show that the sources of uncertainty related to the uptake of anthropogenic δ13CDIC and DIC are quite distinct. Uncertainty in anthropogenic δ13C uptake is controlled by air–sea gas exchange, which explains 63% of modelled variance. This mode of variability is largely absent from the ensemble variability in CO2 uptake, which is rather driven by uncertainties in thermocline ventilation rates. Although the need to account for air–sea gas exchange is well known, these results suggest that, to leading order, uncertainties in the ocean uptake of anthropogenic 13C and CO2 are governed by very different processes. This illustrates the difficulties in reconstructing one from the other, and furthermore highlights the need for careful targeting of both δ13CDIC and DIC observations to better constrain the ocean sink of anthropogenic CO2

Measuring gravitational lensing of the cosmic microwave background using cross correlation with large scale structure

We cross correlate the gravitational lensing map extracted from cosmic microwave background measurements by the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) with the radio galaxy distribution from the NRAO VLA Sky Survey (NVSS) by using a quadratic estimator technique. We use the full covariance matrix to filter the data, and calculate the cross-power spectra for the lensing-galaxy correlation. We explore the impact of changing the values of cosmological parameters on the lensing reconstruction, and obtain statistical detection significances at $>3\sigma$. The results of all cross correlations pass the curl null test as well as a complementary diagnostic test using the NVSS data in equatorial coordinates. We forecast the potential for Planck and NVSS to constrain the lensing-galaxy cross correlation as well as the galaxy bias. The lensing-galaxy cross-power spectra are found to be Gaussian distributed.Comment: 16 pages, 10 figure

Sum rules in the heavy quark limit of QCD

In the leading order of the heavy quark expansion, we propose a method within the OPE and the trace formalism, that allows to obtain, in a systematic way, Bjorken-like sum rules for the derivatives of the elastic Isgur-Wise function $\xi(w)$ in terms of corresponding Isgur-Wise functions of transitions to excited states. A key element is the consideration of the non-forward amplitude, as introduced by Uraltsev. A simplifying feature of our method is to consider currents aligned along the initial and final four-velocities. As an illustration, we give a very simple derivation of Bjorken and Uraltsev sum rules. On the other hand, we obtain a new class of sum rules that involve the products of IW functions at zero recoil and IW functions at any $w$. Special care is given to the needed derivation of the projector on the polarization tensors of particles of arbitrary integer spin. The new sum rules give further information on the slope $\rho^2 = - \xi '(1)$ and also on the curvature $\sigma^2 = \xi '' (1)$, and imply, modulo a very natural assumption, the inequality $\sigma^2 \geq {5\over 4} \rho^2$, and therefore the absolute bound $\sigma^2 \geq {15 \over 16}$.Comment: 64 pages, Late

BCKDH: the missing link in apicomplexan mitochondrial metabolism is required for full virulence of Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium berghei

While the apicomplexan parasites Plasmodium falciparum and Toxoplasma gondii are thought to primarily depend on glycolysis for ATP synthesis, recent studies have shown that they can fully catabolize glucose in a canonical TCA cycle. However, these parasites lack a mitochondrial isoform of pyruvate dehydrogenase and the identity of the enzyme that catalyses the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA remains enigmatic. Here we demonstrate that the mitochondrial branched chain ketoacid dehydrogenase (BCKDH) complex is the missing link, functionally replacing mitochondrial PDH in both T. gondii and P. berghei. Deletion of the E1a subunit of T. gondii and P. berghei BCKDH significantly impacted on intracellular growth and virulence of both parasites. Interestingly, disruption of the P. berghei E1a restricted parasite development to reticulocytes only and completely prevented maturation of oocysts during mosquito transmission. Overall this study highlights the importance of the molecular adaptation of BCKDH in this important class of pathogens

Ultraviolet sensitivity of rare decays in nonuniversal extra dimensional models

We consider a nonuniversal five dimensional model in which fermions are localised on a four dimensional brane, while gauge bosons and a scalar doublet can travel in the bulk. As a result of KK number non-conservation at the brane-bulk intersection, the ultraviolet divergence does not cancel out in some physical observables. For example, the $B_d \to l^+l^-$ decay amplitude is linearly divergent, while $B$--$\bar{B}$ mixing amplitude is log divergent. We attempt to identify the exact source of this nonrenormalizability. We compare and contrast our results with those obtained in the universal five dimensional model where all particles travel in the extra dimension.Comment: Latex, 11 pages, uses axodraw.st

Electrohydrodynamic drying versus conventional drying methods: A comparison of key performance indicators

Preserving fruits and vegetables by drying is a traditional yet effective way of reducing food waste. Existing drying methods are either energy-intensive or lead to a significant reduction in product quality. Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) drying is an energy-efficient low-temperature drying method that presents an opportunity to comply with the current challenges of existing drying methods. However, despite its promising characteristics, EHD drying is yet to be accepted by industry and farmers. The adoption of EHD drying is hindered due to different reasons, such as uncertainties surrounding its scalability, quality of dried product, cost of operation, and sustainability compared to conventional drying methods. To address these concerns, this study quantifies and benchmarks the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of EHD drying compared to the standard conventional drying methods based on lab-scale experiments. These drying methods include hot-air, freeze, microwave, and solar drying. The results show that drying food using EHD is at least 1.6, 20, and 70 times more energy-efficient than the microwave, freeze, and hot-air, respectively. Similar results could be observed for exergy efficiency. EHD drying has superior product quality compared to other drying methods. For instance, it could retain 62% higher total phenolic content with 21% less color degradation than freeze-drying. Although microwave drying resulted in significantly higher drying kinetics than other techniques, EHD performed better than solar and freeze-drying but was comparable with hot-air drying. EHD drying also shows promising results in economic performance assessment. It is the cheapest drying method after solar drying and has the highest estimated net present value (NPV) after hot-air drying. Overall, compared to the currently used drying methods for small to medium-scale drying, EHD was found to be a more exergy and energy-efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable alternative that can provide higher-quality dried products. However, its drying kinetics should be improved for industrial applications

Attitudes to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parents seeking health care for their children in two early parenting services in Australia

Aim: to examine the attitudes to and knowledge and beliefs about homosexuality, of nurses and allied professionals in two early parenting services in Australia. Background: Early parenting services employ nurses and allied professionals. Access and inclusion policies are important in community health and early childhood service settings. However, little is known about the perceptions of professionals who work within early parenting services in relation to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender families. Design: This is the final in a series of studies and was undertaken in two early parenting services in two states in Australia using a cross-sectional design with quantitative and qualitative approaches. Methods: Validated questionnaires were completed by 51 nurses and allied professionals and tested with Chi-squared test of independence (or Fisher’s exact test), Mann–Whitney U-test, Kruskal–Wallis one-way analysis of variance, or Spearman’s rank correlation. Thematic analysis examined qualitative data collected in a box for free comments. Results: Of the constructs measured by the questionnaires, no significant relationships were found in knowledge, attitude and gay affirmative practice scores by sociodemographic variables or professional group. However, attitude to lesbians and to gay men scores were significantly negatively affected by conservative political affiliation (p=0.038), held religious beliefs (p=0.011), and frequency of praying (p=0.018). Six overall themes were found: respect, parenting role, implications for the child, management, disclosure, resources and training. Conclusions: The study provided an in-depth analysis of the attitudes, knowledge and beliefs of professionals in two early parenting services, showing that work is needed to promote acceptance of diversity and the inclusion of LGBT families in planning, developing, evaluating and accessing early parenting services. Relevance to clinical practice: Access and inclusion plans for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender families are crucial in early parenting services in Australia and should be included in professional development programs