Showing papers by "University of North Carolina at Greensboro published in 2012"
Conrad L. Schoch1, Keith A. Seifert, Sabine M. Huhndorf2, Vincent Robert3 +157 more•Institutions (59)
TL;DR: Among the regions of the ribosomal cistron, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region has the highest probability of successful identification for the broadest range of fungi, with the most clearly defined barcode gap between inter- and intraspecific variation.
Abstract: Six DNA regions were evaluated as potential DNA barcodes for Fungi, the second largest kingdom of eukaryotic life, by a multinational, multilaboratory consortium. The region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 used as the animal barcode was excluded as a potential marker, because it is difficult to amplify in fungi, often includes large introns, and can be insufficiently variable. Three subunits from the nuclear ribosomal RNA cistron were compared together with regions of three representative protein-coding genes (largest subunit of RNA polymerase II, second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II, and minichromosome maintenance protein). Although the protein-coding gene regions often had a higher percent of correct identification compared with ribosomal markers, low PCR amplification and sequencing success eliminated them as candidates for a universal fungal barcode. Among the regions of the ribosomal cistron, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region has the highest probability of successful identification for the broadest range of fungi, with the most clearly defined barcode gap between inter- and intraspecific variation. The nuclear ribosomal large subunit, a popular phylogenetic marker in certain groups, had superior species resolution in some taxonomic groups, such as the early diverging lineages and the ascomycete yeasts, but was otherwise slightly inferior to the ITS. The nuclear ribosomal small subunit has poor species-level resolution in fungi. ITS will be formally proposed for adoption as the primary fungal barcode marker to the Consortium for the Barcode of Life, with the possibility that supplementary barcodes may be developed for particular narrowly circumscribed taxonomic groups.
4,116 citations
TL;DR: A deeper understanding of the axes that physiologically connect the gut, liver, muscle, and brain are a prerequisite for optimizing therapeutic strategies to manipulate the gut microbiota to combat disease and improve health.
Abstract: The composition and activity of the gut microbiota codevelop with the host from birth and is subject to a complex interplay that depends on the host genome, nutrition, and life-style. The gut microbiota is involved in the regulation of multiple host metabolic pathways, giving rise to interactive host-microbiota metabolic, signaling, and immune-inflammatory axes that physiologically connect the gut, liver, muscle, and brain. A deeper understanding of these axes is a prerequisite for optimizing therapeutic strategies to manipulate the gut microbiota to combat disease and improve health.
3,509 citations
TL;DR: The effects of acute exercise on cognitive performance are generally small; however, larger effects are possible for particular cognitive outcomes and when specific exercise parameters are used.
1,286 citations
TL;DR: Reduction of butyrate-producing bacteria in the gut microbiota of CRC patients and increase of opportunistic pathogens may constitute a major structural imbalance of gut microbiota in CRC patients.
Abstract: Despite a long-suspected role in the development of human colorectal cancer (CRC), the composition of gut microbiota in CRC patients has not been adequately described. In this study, fecal bacterial diversity in CRC patients (n=46) and healthy volunteers (n=56) were profiled by 454 pyrosequencing of the V3 region of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Both principal component analysis and UniFrac analysis showed structural segregation between the two populations. Forty-eight operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified by redundancy analysis as key variables significantly associated with the structural difference. One OTU closely related to Bacteroides fragilis was enriched in the gut microbiota of CRC patients, whereas three OTUs related to Bacteroides vulgatus and Bacteroides uniformis were enriched in that of healthy volunteers. A total of 11 OTUs belonging to the genera Enterococcus, Escherichia/Shigella, Klebsiella, Streptococcus and Peptostreptococcus were significantly more abundant in the gut microbiota of CRC patients, and 5 OTUs belonging to the genus Roseburia and other butyrate-producing bacteria of the family Lachnospiraceae were less abundant. Real-time quantitative PCR further validated the significant reduction of butyrate-producing bacteria in the gut microbiota of CRC patients by measuring the copy numbers of butyryl-coenzyme A CoA transferase genes (Mann–Whitney test, P<0.01). Reduction of butyrate producers and increase of opportunistic pathogens may constitute a major structural imbalance of gut microbiota in CRC patients.
979 citations
TL;DR: Mind wandering was a significant mediator in the relationship between WMC and reading comprehension, suggesting that the WMC-comprehension correlation is driven, in part, by attention control over intruding thoughts.
Abstract: Some people are better readers than others, and this variation in comprehension ability is predicted by measures of working memory capacity (WMC) The primary goal of this study was to investigate the mediating role of mind-wandering experiences in the association between WMC and normal individual differences in reading comprehension, as predicted by the executive-attention theory of WMC (eg, Engle & Kane, 2004) We used a latent-variable, structural-equation-model approach, testing skilled adult readers on 3 WMC span tasks, 7 varied reading-comprehension tasks, and 3 attention-control tasks Mind wandering was assessed using experimenter-scheduled thought probes during 4 different tasks (2 reading, 2 attention-control) The results support the executive-attention theory of WMC Mind wandering across the 4 tasks loaded onto a single latent factor, reflecting a stable individual difference Most important, mind wandering was a significant mediator in the relationship between WMC and reading comprehension, suggesting that the WMC–comprehension correlation is driven, in part, by attention control over intruding thoughts We discuss implications for theories of WMC, attention control, and reading comprehension
457 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used automated complex span tasks (Operation, Symmetry, and Reading Span) to measure the working memory capacity of young adults with a standardized procedure for adminis- tration and scoring.
Abstract: Individual differences in working memory capacity are related to a variety of behaviors both within and outside of the lab. Recently developed automated complex span tasks have contributed to increasing our knowledge concerning working memory capacity by making valid and reliable assessments freely available for use by researchers. Combining the samples from three testing locations yielded data from over 6,000 young adult participants who performed at least one of three such tasks (Operation, Symmetry, and Reading Span). Normative data are presented here for researchers interested in applying cutoffs for their own applications, and information on the validity and reliability of the tasks is also reported. In addition, the data were analyzed as a function of sex and college status. While automated complex span tasks are just one way to measure working memory capacity, the use of a standardized procedure for adminis- tration and scoring greatly facilitates comparison across studies.
392 citations
TL;DR: The meta-analytic set of national cultural scores along the dimensions of Hofstede's cultural framework is presented in this article, which is based on a larger and more representative sample than that used in any other cross-cultural comparison study.
371 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors compared two explanations: the classic spreading activation account and a new account based on executive and strategic aspects of creative thought, and found that creativity increased sharply with time and flattened slightly by the task's end.
Abstract: The serial order effect—the tendency for later responses to a divergent thinking task to be better than earlier ones—is one of the oldest and most robust findings in modern creativity work. But why do ideas get better? Using new methods that afford a fine-grained look at temporal trajectories, we contrasted two explanations: the classic spreading activation account and a new account based on executive and strategic aspects of creative thought. After completing measures of fluid intelligence and personality, a sample of young adults (n = 133) completed a 10-min unusual uses task. Each response was time-stamped and then rated for creativity by three raters. Multilevel structural equation models estimated the trajectories of creativity and fluency across time and tested if intelligence moderated the effects of time. As in past work, creativity increased sharply with time and flattened slightly by the task's end, and fluency was highest in the task's first minute and then dropped sharply. Intelligence, however, moderated the serial order effect—as intelligence increased, the serial order effect diminished. Taken together, the findings are more consistent with a view that emphasizes executive processes, particularly processes involved in the strategic retrieval and manipulation of knowledge, than the simple spreading of activation to increasingly remote concepts.
366 citations
TL;DR: This article reviewed recent developments in the assessment of creativity using self-report scales, focusing on four new and promising scales: the Creative Achievement Questionnaire, the Biographical Inventory of Creative Behaviors, the revised Creative Behavior Inventory, and the Creative Domain Questionnaire.
Abstract: This article reviews recent developments in the assessment of creativity using self-report scales. We focus on four new and promising scales: the Creative Achievement Questionnaire, the Biographical Inventory of Creative Behaviors, the revised Creative Behavior Inventory, and the Creative Domain Questionnaire. For each scale, we review evidence for reliability, validity, and structure, and we discuss important methodological features for users to consider. We then present new analyses of each scale based on a large, diverse sample. We evaluate each scale’s item-level and scale-level psychometric features, using both classical test theory and item response theory, and we examine how the scales converge. All four scales performed well and covaried highly with each other. Based on the latest generation of tools, self-report creativity assessment is probably much better than creativity researchers think it is.
295 citations
TL;DR: It is found that WMC predicted action and thought control in only some conditions, that attentional lapses contributed to τ, performance accuracy, and WMC's association with them and that mind-wandering experiences were not predicted by trial-to-trial RT changes, and so they cannot always be inferred from objective performance measures.
Abstract: A combined experimental, individual-differences, and thought-sampling study tested the predictions of executive attention (e.g., Engle & Kane, 2004) and coordinative binding (e.g., Oberauer, Sus, Wilhelm, & Sander, 2007) theories of working memory capacity (WMC). We assessed 288 subjects' WMC and their performance and mind-wandering rates during a sustained-attention task; subjects completed either a go/no-go version requiring executive control over habit or a vigilance version that did not. We further combined the data with those from McVay and Kane (2009) to (1) gauge the contributions of WMC and attentional lapses to the worst performance rule and the tail, or t parameter, of reaction time (RT) distributions; (2) assess which parameters from a quantitative evidence-accumulation RT model were predicted by WMC and mind-wandering reports; and (3) consider intrasubject RT patterns—particularly, speeding—as potential objective markers of mind wandering. We found that WMC predicted action and thought control in only some conditions, that attentional lapses (indicated by task-unrelated-thought reports and drift-rate variability in evidence accumulation) contributed to t, performance accuracy, and WMC's association with them and that mind-wandering experiences were not predicted by trial-to-trial RT changes, and so they cannot always be inferred from objective performance measures.
TL;DR: This paper showed that cultural differences at the organizational level are positively associated with social conflict, but that national cultural differences can decrease social conflict and that both organizational and national cultural difference are associated with knowledge transfer.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to elucidate the effects of organizational and national cultural differences on international acquisitions. We argue that cultural differences prompt social identity building that leads to ‘us versus them’ thinking and thereby creates the potential for social conflict. We also maintain that the same cultural differences can contribute to learning in terms of knowledge transfer. We develop a structural equation model to test these hypothesized effects on a sample of related international acquisitions. Our analysis shows that cultural differences at the organizational level are positively associated with social conflict, but that national cultural differences can decrease social conflict. Furthermore, both organizational and national cultural differences are positively associated with knowledge transfer. This analysis shows the importance of disentangling the various effects that cultural differences have on international acquisitions. It also suggests that national cultural differences are less of a problem in international acquisitions than is usually assumed.
TL;DR: Investigation of the extent to which musculoskeletal pain or depression in RNs affects their work productivity and self-reported quality of care and the associated costs found more attention must be paid to the health of the nursing workforce to positively influence the quality of patient care and patient safety.
Abstract: Objective: Although research has been conducted on how nurse staffing levels affect outcomes, there has been little investigation into how the health-related productivity of nurses is related to quality of care. Two major causes of worker presenteeism (reduced on-the-job productivity as a result of health problems) are musculoskeletal pain and mental health issues, particularly depression. This study sought to investigate the extent to which musculoskeletal pain or depression (or both) in RNs affects their work productivity and self-reported quality of care and considered the associated costs.Methods: Using a cross-sectional survey design, a random sample of 2,500 hospital-employed RNs licensed in North Carolina were surveyed using a survey instrument sent by postal mail. Specific measures included questions on individual and workplace characteristics, self-reported quality of care, and patient safety; a numeric pain rating scale, a depression tool (the Patient Health Questionnaire), and a presenteeism tool (the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire: General Health) were also incorporated. A total of 1,171 completed surveys were returned and used for analysis.Results: Among respondents, the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was 71%; that of depression was 18%. The majority of respondents (62%) reported a presenteeism score of at least 1 on a 0-to-10 scale, indicating that health problems had affected work productivity at least “a little.” Pain and depression were significantly associated with presenteeism. Presenteeism was significantly associated with a higher number of patient falls, a higher number of medication errors, and lower quality-of-care scores. Baseline cost estimates indicate that the increased falls and medication errors caused by presenteeism are expected to cost $1,346 per North Carolina RN and just under $2 billion for the United States annually. Upper-boundary estimates exceed $9,000 per North Carolina RN and $13 billion for the nation annually.Conclusion: More attention must be paid to the health of the nursing workforce to positively influence the quality of patient care and patient safety and to control costs.
01 Jan 2012
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss how self-efficacy affects motivation through goals and self-evaluations of progress and how various contextual factors may influence selfefficacy, and propose programs designed to raise school success and recommendations for future research.
Abstract: Student underachievement brought about by low academic motivation is a major factor contributing to school dropout. Motivation affects students’ engagement, or how their cognitions, behaviors, and affects are energized, directed, and sustained during academic activities. According to Bandura’s social cognitive theory, self-efficacy (perceived capabilities for learning or performing actions at designated levels) is a key cognitive variable influencing motivation and engagement. The conceptual framework of social cognitive theory is described to include the roles played by vicarious, symbolic, and self-regulatory processes. We discuss how self-efficacy affects motivation through goals and self-evaluations of progress and how various contextual factors may influence self-efficacy. Research is described that relates self-efficacy to underachievement and dropout. This chapter concludes with programs designed to raise school success and recommendations for future research.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The importance of family behavior in the development of weight control and weight loss activities is emphasized in this article, with a focus on identifying measurable parameters of family-level weight control behaviors and ways to apply those parameters to help create new interventions that use the strengths of the family for achieving weight control goals.
Abstract: The purpose of this article is to emphasize the value of the family as a source of behavior change, particularly with respect to attaining achievable goals of weight loss and regular physical activity for youth and their families. We present a review of the literature, providing support for the value of the family in influencing children to form good diet and exercise behaviors and as a source of support and motivation for individuals seeking to lose or control their weight and to start and maintain a physically active lifestyle. Recognizing the importance of family behavior in the development of weight control and weight loss activities is essential. Future work should focus on identifying measurable parameters of family-level weight control behaviors and ways to apply those parameters to help create new interventions that use the strengths of the family for achieving weight control goals.
TL;DR: The aim of this review was to describe the sources of ROS as well as the major antioxidant defenses with particular attention being paid to lipid peroxidation, and the biomarkers of oxidative stress in SCI and the neuroprotective effects of various compounds with antioxidative properties in animal models of SCI.
Abstract: Study design: Literature review.Objectives: Spinal cord injury (SCI) remains a major public health issue in developed countries as well as worldwide. The pathophysiology of SCI is characterized by an initial primary injury followed by secondary deterioration. Although the etiology and pathogenesis of SCI remain to be fully understood, it has been suggested that reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress have a significant role in the pathophysiology of SCI. Thus, alleviating oxidative stress may be an effective strategy for therapeutic intervention of SCI. The aim of this review was to describe (i) the sources of ROS as well as the major antioxidant defenses with particular attention being paid to lipid peroxidation; (ii) the biomarkers of oxidative stress in SCI and (iii) the neuroprotective effects of various compounds with antioxidative properties in animal models of SCI. Methods: PubMed, one of the most comprehensive biomedical databases, was searched from 1976–2011. All relevant papers were read by title, abstract and full-length article.Results: Oxidative stress is considered a hallmark of injury of SCI. Thus, alleviating oxidative stress may be an effective way of therapeutic intervention of SCI. Two of these agents, the glucocorticoid steroid methylprednisolone and the non-glucocorticoid 21-aminosteroid tirilazad, have been shown to possess significant antioxidant activities and improve recovery of SCI patients in clinical trials. Other promising botanical compounds and their molecular targets and mechanisms of action with regard to potential protection against SCI were also described. These include carotenoids and phenolic compounds.Conclusion: ROS and oxidative stress have a significant role in the pathophysiology of SCI. Alleviating oxidative stress is be an effective strategy for therapeutic intervention of SCI. Extensive research over the past several decades has identified numerous bioactive compounds that have antioxidative stress benefits in animal models of SCI. Thus, continued studies on bioactive compounds with ROS-scavenging capacity may lead to the development of effective antioxidant-based modalities for treating SCI in human subjects.
TL;DR: Risk for the diseases of middle and old age--cardiovascular and metabolic disease--may begin in childhood and depend, in part, on long-term emotional functioning, as well as body mass index, smoking behavior, and recent infections.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors use a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium real business cycle model that includes a pollution externality to estimate the relationship between the cyclical components of carbon dioxide emissions and US GDP and find it to be inelastic.
TL;DR: Several anatomic and neuromuscular risk factors are associated with increased risk of suffering ACL injury—such as female sex and specific measures of bony geometry of the knee joint, including decreased intercondylar femoral notch size, decreased depth of concavity of the medial tibial plateau, increased slope of the tibia plateaus, and increased anterior-posterior knee laxity.
Abstract: Context: Injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of the knee are immediately debilitating and can cause long-term consequences, including the early onset of osteoarthritis It is important to have a comprehensive understanding of all possible risk factors for ACL injury to identify individuals who are at risk for future injuries and to provide an appropriate level of counseling and programs for preventionObjective: This review, part 1 of a 2-part series, highlights what is known and still unknown regarding anatomic and neuromuscular risk factors for injury to the ACL from the current peer-reviewed literatureData Sources: Studies were identified from MEDLINE (1951–March 2011) using the MeSH terms anterior cruciate ligament, knee injury, and risk factors The bibliographies of relevant articles and reviews were cross-referenced to complete the searchStudy Selection: Prognostic studies that utilized the case-control and prospective cohort study designs to evaluate risk factors for ACL injury were included in this reviewResults: A total of 50 case-control and prospective cohort articles were included in the review, and 30 of these studies focused on neuromuscular and anatomic risk factorsConclusions: Several anatomic and neuromuscular risk factors are associated with increased risk of suffering ACL injury—such as female sex and specific measures of bony geometry of the knee joint, including decreased intercondylar femoral notch size, decreased depth of concavity of the medial tibial plateau, increased slope of the tibial plateaus, and increased anterior-posterior knee laxity These risk factors most likely act in combination to influence the risk of ACL injury; however, multivariate risk models that consider all the aforementioned risk factors in combination have not been established to explore this interaction
TL;DR: The age-associated co-development of the host and its microbiota provides a series of windows for therapeutic intervention from early life through old age, yielding new therapeutic insights to improve human health, treat disease, and potentially modify human disease risk factors.
Abstract: The complex metabolic relationships between the host and its microbiota change throughout life and vary extensively between individuals, affecting disease risk factors and therapeutic responses through drug metabolism. Elucidating the biochemical mechanisms underlying this human supraorganism symbiosis is yielding new therapeutic insights to improve human health, treat disease, and potentially modify human disease risk factors. Therapeutic options include targeting drugs to microbial genes or co-regulated host pathways and modifying the gut microbiota through diet, probiotic and prebiotic interventions, bariatric surgery, fecal transplants, or ecological engineering. The age-associated co-development of the host and its microbiota provides a series of windows for therapeutic intervention from early life through old age.
TL;DR: The LESS did not predict ACL injury in a cohort of high school and college athletes and was no relationship between the risk of suffering ACL injury and LESS score whether measured as a continuous or a categorical variable.
Abstract: Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are immediately disabling, costly, take a significant amount of time to rehabilitate, and are associated with an increased risk of developing posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the knee. Specific multiplanar movement patterns of the lower extremity, such as those associated with the drop vertical jump (DVJ) test, have been shown to be associated with an increased risk of suffering noncontact ACL injuries. The Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) has been developed as a tool that can be applied to identify individuals who display at-risk movement patterns during the DVJ.Hypothesis: An increase in LESS score is associated with an increased risk of noncontact ACL injury.Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods: Over a 3-year interval, 5047 high school and college participants performed preseason DVJ tests that were recorded using commercial video cameras. All participants were followed for ACL injury during their sports season, and video...
TL;DR: Body mass index, job satisfaction, number of health problems, mental well-being, and health-related productivity had significant relationships with depression, and hospital-employed nurses have higher rates of depressive symptoms than national norms.
Abstract: Depression impacts 9.4% of the adult population in the United States, and it is known to impact work performance. Nurses with depression are not only likely to suffer themselves, but their illness may have an impact on their coworkers and potentially the quality of care they provide. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of depression in a random sample of hospital-employed nurses to determine individual and workplace characteristics that are associated with depression. A cross-sectional survey design of 1171 registered nurses was used. Measures included individual characteristics, workplace characteristics, work productivity, and depression (9-item Patient Health Questionnaire). Data analysis demonstrated a depressive symptom rate of 18%. The linear regression model accounted for 60.6% of the variation in the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire depression scores. Body mass index, job satisfaction, number of health problems, mental well-being, and health-related productivity had significant relationships with depression (P < .05). Hospital-employed nurses have higher rates of depressive symptoms than national norms. Advanced practice nurses can assist with educating nurses on recognizing depression and confidential interventions, including the use of computerized cognitive-based therapy.
TL;DR: Learning trajectory based instruction (LTBI) as discussed by the authors is a theory of teaching organized around and grounded in research on student learning that uses students' learning trajectories as the basis for instructional decisions.
Abstract: In this article, we propose a theoretical connection between research on learning and research on teaching through recent research on students’ learning trajectories (LTs). We define learning trajectory based instruction (LTBI) as teaching that uses students’ LTs as the basis for instructional decisions. We use mathematics as the context for our argument, first examining current research on LTs and then examining emerging research on how mathematics teachers use LTs to support their teaching. We consider how LTs provide specificity to four highly used frameworks for examining mathematics teaching, namely mathematical knowledge for teaching, task analysis, discourse facilitation practices, and formative assessment. We contend that by unifying various teaching frameworks around the science of LTs, LTBI begins to define a theory of teaching organized around and grounded in research on student learning. Thus, moving from the accumulation of various frameworks into a reorganization of the frameworks, LTBI prov...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors apply organizational identity theory to examine factors that lead family firms to create a family firm image and investigate how a family firms image impacts firm performance, finding that family firm pride, community social ties, and long-term orientation are positively associated with the inclination of a firm to portray itself as a family business to consumers and stakeholders.
16 Feb 2012
TL;DR: Major results from this emerging field of study of carbon nanotubes are reviewed, revealing new properties of the material itself and opening possibilities for advances in future devices.
Abstract: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are among the most highly studied nanomaterials due to their unique (and intertwined) mechanical and electrical properties. Recent advances in fabrication have allowed devices to be fabricated that are capable of applying a twisting force to individual CNTs while measuring mechanical and electrical response. Here, we review major results from this emerging field of study, revealing new properties of the material itself and opening possibilities for advances in future devices.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyzed the environmental management policies and practices of the top 50 hotel companies as disclosed on their corporate web sites and identified 12 major environmental focus areas in which the sample hotel companies engaged.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the environmental management policies and practices of the top 50 hotel companies as disclosed on their corporate web sites.Design/methodology/approach – This study employed content analysis to review the web sites of the top 50 hotel companies as defined herein.Findings – Only 46 per cent of the selected hotel companies used web pages to post information related to environmental issues on their public web sites. The web pages of Wyndham, IHG, Accor, Whitbread, Hyatt, Rezidor, Sol Melia, TUI, and Scandic featured more revealing environmental information than that posted by other companies, which indicated their environmental commitment and engagement. The results of content analysis identified 12 major environmental focus areas in which the sample hotel companies engaged.Research limitations/implications – The findings on environmental policies and practices are limited to the environmental information featured on the web sites of the top 50 hotel companie...
TL;DR: This article explored the role of fluid intelligence in the generation of creative metaphors and found that Gf explained approximately 24% of the variance in metaphor quality (standardized beta =.49), consistent with the view that creative ideation engages executive processes and abilities.
TL;DR: This paper found that people with lower WMC mind wander more frequently than do those with higher WMC, at least during demanding tasks, and the error-proneness of lower-WMC subjects seems to arise partly from their vulnerability to mind wandering.
Abstract: People’s minds sometimes wander from ongoing activities. Although these experiences can be pleasant and useful, they are often unintentional and precipitate mistakes. In this article, we adopt an individual-differences perspective in considering unwanted mind wandering as an indicator of both momentary failures of and enduring deficiencies in executive-control functions. We describe research that associates normal variation in working memory capacity (WMC)—a cognitive ability that broadly predicts intellectual capabilities and accomplishments—with off-task thinking. In laboratory and daily-life assessments, people with lower WMC mind wander more frequently than do those with higher WMC, at least during demanding tasks. Moreover, the error-proneness of lower-WMC subjects seems to arise partly from their vulnerability to mind wandering. Executive control over one’s thoughts therefore seems to contribute to the effective regulation of behavior.
TL;DR: It is demonstrated for the first time that adipose triglycerides due to alcohol-induced hyperlipolysis are reverse transported and deposited in the liver.
Abstract: Alcohol consumption induces liver steatosis; therefore, this study investigated the possible role of adipose tissue dysfunction in the pathogenesis of alcoholic steatosis. Mice were pair-fed an alcohol or control liquid diet for 8 weeks to evaluate the alcohol effects on lipid metabolism at the adipose tissue–liver axis. Chronic alcohol exposure reduced adipose tissue mass and adipocyte size. Fatty acid release from adipose tissue explants was significantly increased in alcohol-fed mice in association with the activation of adipose triglyceride lipase and hormone-sensitive lipase. Alcohol exposure induced insulin intolerance and inactivated adipose protein phosphatase 1 in association with the up-regulation of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3). Alcohol exposure up-regulated fatty acid transport proteins and caused lipid accumulation in the liver. To define the mechanistic link between adipose triglyceride loss and hepatic triglyceride gain, mice were first administered heavy water for 5 weeks to label adipose triglycerides with deuterium, and then pair-fed alcohol or control diet for 2 weeks. Deposition of deuterium-labeled adipose triglycerides in the liver was analyzed using Fourier transform ion cyclotron mass spectrometry. Alcohol exposure increased more than a dozen deuterium-labeled triglyceride molecules in the liver by up to 6.3-fold. These data demonstrate for the first time that adipose triglycerides due to alcohol-induced hyperlipolysis are reverse transported and deposited in the liver.