Are food exposures obtained through commercial market panels representative of the general population? Implications for outbreak investigations

Current methods of control recruitment for case-control studies can be slow (a particular issue for outbreak investigations), resource-intensive and subject to a range of biases. Commercial market panels are a potential source of rapidly recruited controls. Our study evaluated food exposure data from these panel controls, compared with an established reference dataset. Market panel data were collected from two companies using retrospective internet-based surveys; these were compared with reference data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS). We used logistic regression to calculate adjusted odds ratios to compare exposure to each of the 71 food items between the market panel and NDNS participants. We compared 2103 panel controls with 2696 reference participants. Adjusted for socio-demographic factors, exposure to 90% of foods was statistically different between both panels and the reference data. However, these differences were likely to be of limited practical importance for 89% of Panel A foods and 79% of Panel B foods. Market panel food exposures were comparable with reference data for common food exposures but more likely to be different for uncommon exposures. This approach should be considered for outbreak investigation, in conjunction with other considerations such as population at risk, timeliness of response and study resources

Emergent Critical Phase and Ricci Flow in a 2D Frustrated Heisenberg Model

We introduce a two-dimensional frustrated Heisenberg antiferromagnet on interpenetrating honeycomb and triangular lattices. Classically the two sublattices decouple, and "order from disorder" drives them into a coplanar state. Applying Friedan's geometric approach to nonlinear sigma models, we show that the scaling of the spin-stiffnesses corresponds to the Ricci flow of a 4D metric tensor. At low temperatures, the relative phase between the spins on the two sublattices is described by a six-state clock model with an emergent critical phase.Comment: 4+ pages, 2 figure

The 2018 Hanabi competition

This paper outlines the Hanabi competition, first run at CIG 2018, and returning for COG 2019. Hanabi presents a useful domain for game agents which must function in a cooperative environment. The paper presents the results of the two tracks which formed the 2018 competition and introduces the learning track, a new track for 2019 which allows the agents to collect statistics across multiple games

Ms. Pac-Man Versus Ghost Team CIG 2016 competition

This paper introduces the revival of the popular Ms. Pac-Man Versus Ghost Team competition. We present an updated game engine with Partial Observability constraints, a new Multi-Agent Systems approach to developing Ghost agents, and several sample controllers to ease the development of entries. A restricted communication protocol is provided for the Ghosts, providing a more challenging environment than before. The competition will debut at the IEEE Computational Intelligence and Games Conference 2016. Some preliminary results showing the effects of Partial Observability and the benefits of simple communication are also presented

Vascular health in children and adolescents: effects of obesity and diabetes

The foundations for cardiovascular disease in adults are laid in childhood and accelerated by the presence of comorbid conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Early detection of vascular dysfunction is an important clinical objective to identify those at risk for subsequent cardiovascular morbidity and events, and to initiate behavioral and medical interventions to reduce risk. Typically, cardiovascular screening is recommended for young adults, especially in people with a family history of cardiovascular conditions. Children and adolescents were once considered to be at low risk, but with the growing health concerns related to sedentary lifestyle, poor diet and obesity, cardiovascular screening may be needed earlier so that interventions to improve cardiovascular health can be initiated. This review describes comorbid conditions that increase cardiovascular risk in youth, namely obesity and diabetes, and describes noninvasive methods to objectively detect vascular disease and quantify vascular function and structure through measurements of endothelial function, arterial compliance, and intima-media thickness. Additionally, current strategies directed toward prevention of vascular disease in these populations, including exercise, dietary interventions and pharmacological therapy are described

How Valid Are Measures of Children’s Self-Concept/ Self-Esteem? Factors and Content Validity in Three Widely Used Scales

Children’s self-esteem/self-concept, a core psychological construct, has been measured in an overwhelming number of studies, and the widespread use of such measures should indicate they have well-established content validity, internal consistency and factor structures. This study, sampling a demographically representative cohort in late childhood/early adolescence in Dublin, Ireland (total n = 651), examined three major self-esteem/self-concept scales designed for late childhood/early adolescence: Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale for Children 2 (Piers et al. 2002), Self-Description Questionnaire I (Marsh 1992) and Self-Perception Profile for Children (Harter 1985). It also examined findings in light of the salient self factors identified by participants in a linked mixed-methods study. The factor structure of Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale was not replicated. The Self-Description Questionnaire I and Self-Perception Profile for Children were replicated only in part although in similar ways. In all three scales, a global/ appearance self evaluation factor accounted for the largest variance in factor analyses. Sport/athletic ability, school ability, school enjoyment, maths and reading ability/enjoyment, behaviour, peer popularity, and parent factors were also identified but did not always reflect existing scale structures. Notably, the factors extracted, or items present in these scales, often did not reflect young people’s priorities, such as friendship over popularity, the importance of family and extended family members, and the significance of incremental personal mastery in activities rather than assessing oneself as comparatively good at preferred activities. The findings raise questions about how self-esteem/self-concept scales are used and interpreted in research with children and young people

Fenomena Politik Soroh Terhadap Sikap Politik Organisasi Mgpssr Dalam Pilkada Serentak Kabupaten Karangasem Tahun 2015

This paper aims to see how such a family-based organization MGPSSR (Maha Gotra Pasek Sanak Sapta Rsi) determine political attitudes in the elections of 2015. Simultaneously Karangasem Soroh seen as social ties within the community people Hindus in Bali which refers to one lineage (dynasty) the same one. This potential was realized by interest groups as one of the factors for support. The emotional response of citizens Pasek (MGPSSR) start flowing on candidates who have a common background of the offspring.Depart by using the theory of dramaturgy and qualitative research methods-descriptive. Research conducted in Karangasem regency showed that the formation of the Volunteer 157 as a continuation MGPSSR to engage in politics and support the candidate of his choice. This study found the implication that soroh can be a major factor supporting the victory of candidates who have the same background as well as to be the main factor causing the impartiatyof victory itself

Desa Bengkala dan Pemenuhan Hak Politik dalam Pemilu (Studi Kasus Kaum Disabilitas Desa Bengkala dalam Pemilukada 2017)

Persons with disabilities (PwDs) in Indonesia are still discriminated, especially on election day. Persons with disabilities in elections have not been fully considered. However, Bengkala Village, Buleleng, Bali Province is able to improve and fulfill the political rights for PwDs. Bengkala Village as a best practice for the needs of PwDs and success as an inclusive Election organizer. This research uses descriptive qualitative method with purposive sampling technique. In seeing the success of Bengkala Village to fulfill the political rights of disability is by using three theories namely: participation theory, rational choice theory, and dramaturgy theory. The three theories dissect disability community relationships with the fulfillment of political rights in elections in Bengkala Village. The purpose of this study is to find out how Bengkala village can fulfill the political rights of the disability. The findings of this research are, firstly, Bengkala Village meets as inclusive village for people with disability, this is inseparable from a Putu Kanta volunteer who supports the existence of people persons with disabilities. Secondly, although there are problems from the KPU, but people with disabilities can still run an inclusive 2017 Election. Third, the success of Pemilukada in Bengkala village was established in livelihood.   Keywords: BengkalaVillage, Disability, Election, Fulfillment of Political Rights