Spinorial Characterizations of Surfaces into 3-dimensional pseudo-Riemannian Space Forms

We give a spinorial characterization of isometrically immersed surfaces of arbitrary signature into 3-dimensional pseudo-Riemannian space forms. For Lorentzian surfaces, this generalizes a recent work of the first author in $\mathbb{R}^{2,1}$ to other Lorentzian space forms. We also characterize immersions of Riemannian surfaces in these spaces. From this we can deduce analogous results for timelike immersions of Lorentzian surfaces in space forms of corresponding signature, as well as for spacelike and timelike immersions of surfaces of signature (0,2), hence achieving a complete spinorial description for this class of pseudo-Riemannian immersions.Comment: 9 page

Dietary intakes and body composition of Māori and Pacific women in the women's EXPLORE study : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, Massey University, Albany, New Zealand

The most thorough record of dietary intake among New Zealand (NZ) Māori and Pacific women was undertaken in the 2008 NZ Adult Nutrition Survey, but it did not consider the relationship with body composition. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between dietary intake and body composition (particularly body mass index (BMI) and body fat (BF) percentage) of all Māori (n=79) and Pacific (n=75) women (16-45 years old) recruited in the women’s EXPLORE study. Anthropometric data was measured using weight, height, and air displacement plethysmography (BodPod), while dietary data was assessed using a validated, 220-item, semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. On average, the BMI (28.2 kg/m2) and BF (34.6%) of Māori women classified them as overweight, while the average BMI (31.9 kg/m2) and BF (37.8%) of Pacific women classified them as obese. There were significant positive correlations between the BMI and BF percentage of Māori (r=0.86) and Pacific women (r=0.87), which suggests BMI is a good indicator of BF percentage in these populations. The percentage of Māori and Pacific women who exceeded their estimated energy requirement was similar and identical to the percentage of women found in the obese BF percentage groups, respectively. Dietary intake was compared with NZ guidelines, revealing that both groups of women consumed inadequate carbohydrate. In contrast, both groups consumed excess total and saturated fat, and sodium in excess of the upper level, mostly due to high intakes of takeaways. Takeaways were also the top contributor of total energy (13.4%), protein (13.4%) and fat (17.7%) in Pacific women. Obese Māori women consumed more takeaways (42.7%) than non-obese. Obese Pacific women consumed more discretionary breads, cereals and starchy foods (e.g. iced buns, croissants and paraoa parai (fry bread)) (210%) than non-obese. Recommendations include reducing takeaways, fats (e.g. butter), and sugar-sweetened beverages. Instead, opt for more complex carbohydrates and leafy green vegetables. Further research should investigate relationships between dietary intake and waist circumference, as well as other factors influencing body composition, such as physical activity and level of deprivation

A Fundamental Theorem for submanifolds of multiproducts of real space forms

We prove a Bonnet theorem for isometric immersions of submanifolds into the products of an arbitrary number of simply connected real space forms. Then, we prove the existence of associated families of minimal surfaces in such products. Finally, in the case of $\mathbb{S}^2\times\mathbb{S}^2$, we give a complex version of the main theorem in terms of the two canonical complex structures of $\mathbb{S}^2\times\mathbb{S}^2$

Wake up economists! - Currency-issuing central governments have no budget constraint

Abstract: Despite what mainstream economists preach, currency-issuing central governments have no budget constraint. It is therefore incumbent upon them to use their unique spending and taxing powers to achieve the broader goal of sustainable development. Their failure to do so has meant that nations have fallen well short of realising their full potential. Rather than accept the neo-liberal myth that ‘small government is best’, the citizens of a nation should welcome the central-government’s responsible use of their unique spending and taxing powers to provide sufficient public goods and critical infrastructure, achieve and maintain full employment, resolve critical social and environmental concerns, and meet the requirements of an aging population. Should central governments fail in their responsibility to prudently use their unique powers, public disapproval is best registered through the ballot box, not through degenerative debates that distort the facts about the operation of a modern, fiat-currency economy.Keywords: Central governments, government budgets, fiscal and monetary policy, sustainable development

Demographic characteristics and opportunistic diseases associated with attrition during preparation for antiretroviral therapy in primary health centres in Kibera, Kenya.

Using routine data from HIV-positive adult patients eligible for antiretroviral therapy (ART), we report on routinely collected demographic characteristics and opportunistic diseases associated with pre-ART attrition (deaths and loss to follow-up). Among 2471 ART eligible patients, enrolled between January 2005 and November 2008, 446 (18%) were lost to attrition pre-ART. Adjusted risk factors significantly associated with pre-ART attrition included age <35 years (Odds Ratio, OR 1.4, 95% Confidence Interval, CI 1.1-1.8), severe malnutrition (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1-2.0), active pulmonary tuberculosis (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.4), severe bacterial infections including severe bacterial pneumonia (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2-2.8) and prolonged unexplained fever (>1 month), (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.3-5.2). This study highlights a number of clinical markers associated with pre-ART attrition that could serve as 'pointers' or screening tools to identify patients who merit fast-tracking onto ART and/or closer clinical attention and follow-up

Incidence of Tuberculosis in HIV-Infected Patients Before and After Starting Combined Antiretroviral Therapy in 8 Sub-Saharan African HIV Programs.

SETTIN

Antiretroviral treatment uptake and attrition among HIV-positive patients with tuberculosis in Kibera, Kenya

Using data of human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients with tuberculosis from three primary care clinics in Kibera slums, Nairobi, Kenya, we report on the proportion that started antiretroviral treatment (ART) and attrition (deaths, lost to follow-up and stopped treatment) before and while on ART. Of 427 ART eligible patients, enrolled between January 2004 and December 2008, 70% started ART, 19% were lost to attrition and 11% had not initiated ART. Of those who started ART, 14% were lost to attrition, making a cumulative pre-ART and ART attrition of 33%. ART uptake among patients with TB was relatively good, but programme attrition was high and needs urgent addressing