Emotional eating is related with temperament but not with stress biomarkers in preschool children.

Emotional eating (EE) corresponds to a change in eating behavior in response to distress and results in an increase of food intake (overeating (EOE)) or in food avoidance (undereating (EUE)). EE has been related to temperament (i.e. negative emotionality) and dysregulated stress biomarkers in school-aged children; parenting has been understood to influence this relationship in older children. The aim of the study was to investigate to which extent stress biomarkers and negative emotionality are related to EE and to understand the role of parenting in this relationship. The sample consisted of 271 children aged 2-6 years of the Swiss cohort study SPLASHY. We assessed the child's EE, negative emotionality and parenting by parent based reports. Salivary samples were collected over two days to analyze cortisol and salivary alpha-amylase levels. From the whole sample of children, 1.1% showed EOE and 32.9% EUE. Negative emotionality was related to EOE and EUE (0.13 (CI 0.06, 021), p < 0.001; 0.25 (CI 0.14, 0.35), p < 0.001). There was no relationship between stress biomarkers and EE and parenting had any moderating role (all p > 0.05). Similar to a Danish study, parents reported more often EUE than EOE of their child. Both are related to the temperament. Even though the course of EE has not yet been well documented, we conclude that a certain subgroup of children with difficult temperament could be at-risk for eat and weight regulation problems in later childhood

Interventions to Promote Fundamental Movement Skills in Childcare and Kindergarten: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Proficiency in fundamental movement skills (FMS) lays the foundation for being physically active and developing more complex motor skills. Improving these motor skills may provide enhanced opportunities for the development of a variety of perceptual, social, and cognitive skills. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the effects of FMS interventions on actual FMS, targeting typically developing young children. Searches in seven databases (CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) up to August 2015 were completed. Trials with children (aged 2-6 years) in childcare or kindergarten settings that applied FMS-enhancing intervention programs of at least 4 weeks and meeting the inclusion criteria were included. Standardized data extraction forms were used. Risk of bias was assessed using a standard scoring scheme (Effective Public Health Practice Project-Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies [EPHPP]). We calculated effects on overall FMS, object control and locomotor subscales (OCS and LMS) by weighted standardized mean differences (SMD <sub>between</sub> ) using random-effects models. Certainty in training effects was evaluated using GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation System). Thirty trials (15 randomized controlled trials and 15 controlled trials) involving 6126 preschoolers (aged 3.3-5.5 years) revealed significant differences among groups in favor of the intervention group (INT) with small-to-large effects on overall FMS (SMD <sub>between</sub> 0.46), OCS (SMD <sub>between</sub> 1.36), and LMS (SMD <sub>between</sub> 0.94). Our certainty in the treatment estimates based on GRADE is very low. Although there is relevant effectiveness of programs to improve FMS proficiency in healthy young children, they need to be interpreted with care as they are based on low-quality evidence and immediate post-intervention effects without long-term follow-up

Age-Adapted Stress Task in Preschoolers Does not Lead to Uniform Stress Responses.

Acute stress response measures serve as an indicator of physiological functioning, but have previously led to contradictory results in young children due to age-related cortisol hypo-responsivity and methodological inconsistencies in assessment. The aim of this study was to investigate stress responses during a validated age-adapted socio-evaluative stress task in children aged 2-6 years in a child care environment and to detect socio-demographic, task- and child-related characteristics of stress responses. Stress responses were assessed in 323 children for salivary cortisol and salivary alpha amylase (sAA), and in 328 children for changes in heart rate variability (HRV). These data were then associated with socio-demographic (e.g. SES), task-related (e.g. task length) and child-related characteristics (e.g. self-regulation) of stress responses using multilevel models. Analyses revealed elevated sympathetic reactivity (sAA: Coeff=0.053, p=0.004) and reduced HRV (Coeff=-0.465, p<0.001), but no hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) response (Coeff=0.017, p=0.08) during the stress task. Child's age (Coeff=-5.82, p<0.001) and movement during the task (Coeff=-0.17, p=0.015) were associated with acute cortisol release, while diurnal sAA was associated with acute sAA release (Coeff=0.24, p<0.001). Age (Coeff=-0.15, p=0.006) and duration of the task (Coeff=0.13, p=0.015) were further associated with change of HRV under acute stress condition. Children showed inconsistent stress responses which contradicts the assumption of a parallel activation of both stress systems in a valid stress task for young children and might be explained by a pre-arousal to the task of young children in a child care setting. Further results confirm that child- and task-related conditions need to be considered when assessing stress responses in these young children

Physiological stress measures in preschool children and their relationship with body composition and behavioral problems.

The relationship between physiological stress measures and body composition or behavioral problems in older children remains controversial, and data in young children are lacking. The aim of the study was to investigate this relationship in predominantly healthy preschool children. Physiological stress measures were assessed using diurnal salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) and salivary cortisol, nail cortisol and parasympathetic activation (PNS) by overnight heart rate variability, and body composition (body mass index, skinfold thickness) and behavior problems (using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) in 324 children aged 2-6 years of the SPLASHY study. Parasympathetic nervous system was inversely related to body fat, to emotional, and to peer problems. Diurnal sAA was related to hyperactivity problems and moderated the relationship of cortisol and hyperactivity problems. Cortisol was not related to any other health problems. The relationship of PNS with body composition and behavioral problems might highlight the protective role of the parasympathetic system early in life

Chemical ozone loss and ozone mini-hole event during the Arctic winter 2010/2011 as observed by SCIAMACHY and GOME-2

Record breaking loss of ozone (O3) in the Arctic stratosphere has been reported in winter–spring 2010/2011. We examine in detail the composition and transformations occurring in the Arctic polar vortex using total column and vertical profile data products for O3, bromine oxide (BrO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), chlorine dioxide (OClO), and polar stratospheric clouds (PSC) retrieved from measurements made by SCIAMACHY (Scanning Imaging Absorption SpectroMeter for Atmospheric CHartography) on-board Envisat (Environmental Satellite), as well as total column ozone amount, retrieved from the measurements of GOME-2 (Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment) on MetOp-A (Meteorological Experimental Satellite). Similarly we use the retrieved data from DOAS (Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy) measurements made in Ny-Ålesund (78.55° N, 11.55° E). A chemical transport model (CTM) has been used to relate and compare Arctic winter–spring conditions in 2011 with those in the previous year. In late winter–spring 2010/2011 the chemical ozone loss in the polar vortex derived from SCIAMACHY observations confirms findings reported elsewhere. More than 70% of O3 was depleted by halogen catalytic cycles between the 425 and 525 K isentropic surfaces, i.e. in the altitude range ~16–20 km. In contrast, during the same period in the previous winter 2009/2010, a typical warm Arctic winter, only slightly more than 20% depletion occurred below 20 km, while 40% of O3 was removed above the 575 K isentrope (~23 km). This loss above 575 K is explained by the catalytic destruction by NOx descending from the mesosphere. In both Arctic winters 2009/2010 and 2010/2011, calculated O3 losses from the CTM are in good agreement to our observations and other model studies. The mid-winter 2011 conditions, prior to the catalytic cycles being fully effective, are also investigated. Surprisingly, a significant loss of O3 around 60%, previously not discussed in detail, is observed in mid-January 2011 below 500 K (~19 km) and sustained for approximately 1 week. The low O3 region had an exceptionally large spatial extent. The situation was caused by two independently evolving tropopause elevations over the Asian continent. Induced adiabatic cooling of the stratosphere favoured the formation of PSC, increased the amount of active chlorine for a short time, and potentially contributed to higher polar ozone loss later in spring

Komplexes Mess- und Auswerteinstrumentarium fuer die untertaegige Erkundung von Problemzonen der geologischen Barriere von Endlagern und Untertagedeponien (UTD) im Salinar Abschlussbericht

From the integrated geophysical model, a concept for representing a general problem index was developed using the mathematical-statistical 'anomaly criterion'. The problem index is obtained by summing up all anomaly criteria (giving double weight to geoelectrics). It is presented here for the example of Bischofferode mine. The general problem index is a quantitative measure of the hazard of problem zones. Geophysical methods were improved by better measuring instruments, better data acquisition, adaptive evaluation algorithms, integrated data interpretation, and a complex geophysical inventory of evaluation tools. The following applications are envisaged: Patent search for laboratory processes; Recommendations for market-oriented application of geophysical underground methods; Services for exploration and assessment of long-term use; Optimisation of exploration and monitoring scenarios; Licensing of processes, program codes, and software. (orig.)Aus dem integrierten geophysikalischen Modell wurde ueber die mathematisch-statistische Hilfsgroesse Anomaliekriterium der konzeptionelle Ansatz zur Darstellung eines allgemeinen Problemindex entwickelt. Dieser entsteht als Ergebnis der Summation aller Anomaliekriterien (Geoelektrik mit doppeltem Gewicht) und ist im vorliegenden Bericht als Koeffizientenverteilung im Vertikalschnitt des Hangenden der Referenzmessstrecke Bischofferode dargestellt. Der allgemeine Problemindex ist ein quantitatives Mass fuer die Gefaehrdung durch Problemzonen. Im Rahmen der Projektbearbeitung wurden folgende Fortschritte erzielt: - Hochaufloesende experimentelle Bestimmung petrophysikalischer Parameter von Salzgesteinen im Labor; - Aussagefaehige geophysikalische Verfahren im Salzbergbau durch - verbesserte Messtechnik -verdichtete Datengewinnung - adaptive Auswertealgorithmen - integrierte Dateninterpretation; - Komplexes geophysikalisches Bewertungsinstrumentarium. In Fortfuehrung der Projektbearbeitung ergeben sich folgende Moeglichkeiten der Verwertung: - Patentrecherche der Laborverfahren; - Handlungsempfehlungen zum marktorientierten Einsatz der geophysikalischen Untertageverfahren; -Dienstleistungsangebote fuer Erkundung und Bewertung der Langzeitnutzbarkeit. -Optimierung von Szenarien der Erkundung und Ueberwachung; - Lizenzvergabe fuer Verfahrens-, Programmcode und Softwareangebote. (orig.)SIGLEAvailable from TIB Hannover: F02B1790+a / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekBundesministerium fuer Bildung und Forschung, Berlin (Germany)DEGerman