The impact of realistic models of mass segregation on the event rate of extreme-mass ratio inspirals and cusp re-growth

One of the most interesting sources of gravitational waves (GWs) for LISA is the inspiral of compact objects on to a massive black hole (MBH), commonly referred to as an "extreme-mass ratio inspiral" (EMRI). The small object, typically a stellar black hole (bh), emits significant amounts of GW along each orbit in the detector bandwidth. The slowly, adiabatic inspiral of these sources will allow us to map space-time around MBHs in detail, as well as to test our current conception of gravitation in the strong regime. The event rate of this kind of source has been addressed many times in the literature and the numbers reported fluctuate by orders of magnitude. On the other hand, recent observations of the Galactic center revealed a dearth of giant stars inside the inner parsec relative to the numbers theoretically expected for a fully relaxed stellar cusp. The possibility of unrelaxed nuclei (or, equivalently, with no or only a very shallow cusp) adds substantial uncertainty to the estimates. Having this timely question in mind, we run a significant number of direct-summation $N-$body simulations with up to half a million particles to calibrate a much faster orbit-averaged Fokker-Planck code. We then investigate the regime of strong mass segregation (SMS) for models with two different stellar mass components. We show that, under quite generic initial conditions, the time required for the growth of a relaxed, mass segregated stellar cusp is shorter than a Hubble time for MBHs with $M_\bullet \lesssim 5 \times 10^6 M_\odot$ (i.e. nuclei in the range of LISA). SMS has a significant impact boosting the EMRI rates by a factor of $\sim 10$ for our fiducial models of Milky Way type galactic nuclei.Comment: Accepted by CQG, minor changes, a bit expande

Carnian (Late Triassic) C-isotope excursions, environmental changes, and biotic turnover: a global perturbation of the Earth's surface system

Here we present the second part of the special thematic issue on the Carnian Pluvial Episode (CPE). In this issue, two works on terrestrial sedimentological and floral changes linked to the CPE, and new carbon isotope records from Oman and China are presented. The papers published in this issue complement those contained in volume 175 issue 6; they altogether give an almost complete vision of the state-of-the-art about the CPE, including the many conundrums

Assessing the impact of universities’ entrepreneurial activity on regional competitiveness

The aim of this study is to test the multidimensional construct of the Entrepreneurial University (EU), and therefore to confirm whether EU factors make a positive contribution to regional competitiveness. Data were collected from ten Portuguese Public Universities (PPUs) through a self-administered questionnaire. First- and second-order confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were performed through factor and multiple linear regression analyses. The main findings show that EU related factors—perceived and combined with actual regional metrics—especially entrepreneurial supporting measures, positively contributed to regional competitiveness. This study shows policy makers that universities are not merely cost centres but provide knowledge spillovers that can have a positive influence on regional competitiveness.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Intermittent chaos driven by nonlinear Alfvén waves

International audienceWe investigate the relevance of chaotic saddles and unstable periodic orbits at the onset of intermittent chaos in the phase dynamics of nonlinear Alfvén waves by using the Kuramoto-Sivashinsky (KS) equation as a model for phase dynamics. We focus on the role of nonattracting chaotic solutions of the KS equation, known as chaotic saddles, in the transition from weak chaos to strong chaos via an interior crisis and show how two of these unstable chaotic saddles can interact to produce the plasma intermittency observed in the strongly chaotic regimes. The dynamical systems approach discussed in this work can lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms responsible for the phenomena of intermittency in space plasmas

Formulações micelares proteicas e respectivo método de produção

The present invention describes micellar protein formulations for the controlled release of active ingredients, and method for preparing the same. The invention describes a new micelle composition for use in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and detergents. In particular, it describes micelle formation formulations that comprise: an aqueous phase containing a protein or a natural or synthetic peptide; a lipophilic phase containing a hydrophobic compound; an adjuvant dissolved in the aqueous phase to regulate the size and stability of the micelles; the size of the micelles varying from 30 to 5000 nm, preferably from 30 to 100 nm, wherein the micelles can be obtained by two different methods, namely using ultrasound or a high-pressure homogeniser. The preparation method involves two distinct phases: an aqueous phase and a lipophilic phase. The aqueous phase can be water or any buffer that is best suitable for a given use, such as an aqueous solution of bovine serum albumen (BSA); human serum albumen (HSA); silk fibroin or a polypeptide fibroin.A presente invenção descreve em formulações micelares proteicas para libertação controlada de agentes e respetivo método de produção. A invenção descreve numa nova composição de micelas para aplicações farmacêuticas, cosméticas e 0 o0 detergência. Nomeadamente, formulações para a formação de micelas que compreendem: · uma fase aquosa contendo uma proteína ou um péptido natural ou sintético; · uma fase lipofílica que compreende um composto hidrofóbico; · um agente adjuvante dissolvido na fase aquosa que regula o tamanho e estabilidade das micelas; em que os tamanhos das referidas micelas varia entre 30 a 5000 nm, de preferência de 30-100 nm, as referidas micelas podem ser obtidas a partir de duas metodologias diferentes, nomeadamente ultra-sons ou homogeneizador de alta pressão. O método de preparação envolve duas fases distintas: fase aquosa e fase lipofílica. A fase aquosa pode ser água ou qualquer tampão que mais se adeque para uma determinada aplicação, como por exemplo uma solução aquosa de albumina sérica bovina (BSA); albumina sérica humana (HSA); fibroína da seda ou de um polipéptido.Universidade do Minh

Alteração dos parâmetros analíticos decorrentes de um programa de treino

Os pacientes com insuficiência renal crónica em programa regular de hemodiálise têm capacidade funcional reduzida e comportamentos sedentários, o que se traduz num aumento da morbimortalidade. Ao longo dos últimos anos têm sido desenvolvidos e implementados, nesta população específica, programas de maximização da funcionalidade com efeitos benéficos comprovados. As alterações do perfil analítico, decorrentes destes programas de intervenção, ainda não estão suficientemente estudadas. O objetivo principal deste estudo é analisar as alterações dos parâmetros analíticos da pessoa hemodialisada, decorrentes da implementação de programas de treino de maximização da funcionalidade. Para a concretização deste objetivo foi desenhada uma investigação causal comparativa, que decorreu na clínica NorDial; 24 indivíduos (grupo de intervenção) foram sujeitos a um programa de treino aeróbio (bicicleta estática e tapete rolante) antes das sessões de hemodiálise e 27 mantiveram a sua rotina habitual (grupo de controlo); todos os indivíduos foram sujeitos a avaliação antropométrica (peso, altura, índice de massa corporal) e da capacidade funcional (teste sit-to-stand, up and go e força de preensão manual) antes e depois da implementação do programa de treino e foi monitorizado o perfil analítico mensalmente durante um ano. Foram ainda determinados o tempo de duração das sessões de hemodiálise, a dosagem de darbepoetina administrada e o índice de adequação à hemodiálise. Principais resultados: Hemoglobina (g/dL) grupo de intervencao: Mês 0 (N=23): 12,67±0,84; Mês 3 (N=23): 12,75±1,00 Hemoglobina (g/dL) grupo de controlo: Mês 0 (N=23): 12,37±0,99; Mês 3 (N=23): 12,58±0,90 Hematocrito (%) grupo de intervencao: Mês 0 (N=23): 37,88±2,90; Mês 3 (N=23): 37,73±3,28 Hematocrito (%) grupo de controlo: Mês 0 (N=23): 37,10±2,70; Mês 3 (N=23): 37,64±2,80 Darbepoetina administrada (μg/sem) grupo de intervencao: Mês 0 (N=23): 38,52±26,51; Mês 3 (N=23): 26,83±19,15** Darbepoetina administrada (μg/sem) grupo de controlo: Mês 0 (N=23): 41,39±35,85; Mês 3 (N=23): 30,91±29,57 No grupo de intervenção observou-se diminuição da dose de administração de darbepoetina, mantendo-se os parâmetros relativos à anemia inalterados, o que constitui uma vantagem para os pacientes e diminui os custos do tratamento. Relativamente aos outros parâmetros analíticos em estudo, não foi possível estabelecer relação efetiva entre a variabilidade encontrada e a implementação do programa de treino. No entanto, essa variabilidade verificou-se em ambos os grupos o que parece indiciar que a implementação do programa não tem efeito prejudicial sobre estes parâmetros e, particularmente, sobre a eficácia do tratamento dialítico. É premente a introdução de programas de maximização da funcionalidade na rotina diária de tratamento destes pacientes

Physical capacity, quality of life and body composition of postmenopausal osteoporotic women

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease that has great influence on functional independence and quality of life, leading to reduced bone mass, microarchitectural deterioration, increased bone fragility, bone fractures with minimal trauma, decreased bone mineral density and decrease bone quality. This quality is defined by the bone health of it and is closely related to physical activity and body composition, genetic and hormonal factors and nutrition. Under normal conditions, bone mineral density evolves, increased up to 27 years, leveling up to 40. From here begins to decrease and there is a sharp decline in the menopausal stage and after it keeps a sharp downward trend. Thus we aim to evaluate the physical condition of postmenopausal osteoporotic women, assessing their functional status, different manifestations of strength and body composition. After approval by the Ethics Committee of the North Health Region, we identified women diagnosed with osteoporosis by dual-energy bone densitometry (DEXA), which showed inclusion criteria and who wanted to participate in the study of their own free will. After assessment of blood pressure and heart rate were subjected to: a) Demographic variables b) Quality of life evaluated with the osteoporosis assessment questionnaire (OPAQ) – 1 to 5 points represented by numeric scale from 1 to 5, in which 1 represents better quality of life and 5 represents poor quality of life c) Tinetti Falls Efficacy Scale [1] d) Physical activity: short version of IPAQ (International Physical Activity Questionnaire). e) Functional capacity: timed up and go test; 30 sec sit to stand; unipodal balance eyes shut f) Height: stadiometer Seca g) Handgrip strength of both hands: Jamar h) Key pinch strength with digital dynamometer Baseline hand dynamometer i) Body composition: bioelectric impedance on Tanita Ironman Body Composition Monitor The 18 women studied have an average age of 66,8±6,4 years, 148,2±5,3 cm of height and 57,4±6,2 Kg of weight which represents a BMI of 26,2±3,3. In the OPAQ the evaluated women achieved 3,1±0,7 points and in the FES achieved 79,3±21,1 points. In the IPAQ 14 women were with low level of physical activity and 4 with moderated physical activity (average physical activity of 387,5±294,9METs). The average result of the timed up and go test was 9,4±2,7 seconds, in the 30 sec sit to stand was 10,1±2,9 repetitions and in the unipodal balance test was 4,1±6,9 seconds. When evaluating strength, we found 16,8±6,4 Kg/f for right handgrip strength and 16,2±5,8 Kg/f for left handgrip strength. When evaluating key pinch strength we found 6,6±5,0 Kg/f and 6,3±5,2 Kg/f for the right and left hand, respectively. Analyzing the body composition average values, we have 33,6±6,0% for total body fat, 47,5±4,3% to body water, 2,0±0,2Kg to bone mass and 36,2±3,2 Kg to muscular mass. Once established correlations between different variables, we can highlight some of the most important: ® Weight correlates with total body fat (0,561*) and with body water (-,470*); BMI correlates with average OPAQ (0,529*), total body fat (0,732**) and body water (-0,709**); timed up and go test correlates with average age (0,633**), sit to stand (-0,583*), handgrip right and left (- 0,581*; -0,504*)The participants in this study show similar values when compared with the population with similar characteristics. The BMI value means that the participants are averagely overweight. Most of the women of the study have reduced physical activity levels and none of them have high physical activity levels. We also can conclude that weight as an important role on body composition and the timed up and go test is an easy and cheap test that gives us much information about the physical functioning of these osteoporotic postmenopausal women

Folic acid-tagged protein nanoemulsions loaded with CORM-2 enhance the survival of mice bearing subcutaneous A20 lymphoma tumors.

UNLABELLED: Folic Acid (FA)-tagged protein nanoemulsions were found to be preferentially internalized on B-cell lymphoma cell line (A20 cell line), which, for the first time, is reported to express folate receptor (FR)-alpha. Carbon monoxide releasing molecule-2 (CORM-2) was incorporated in the oil phase of the initial formulation. FA-functionalized nanoemulsions loaded with CORM-2 exhibited a considerable antitumor effect and an increased survival of BALB/c mice bearing subcutaneous A20 lymphoma tumors. The developed nanoemulsions also demonstrated to be well tolerated by these immunocompetent mice. Thus, the results obtained in this study demonstrate that FA-tagged protein nanoemulsions can be successfully used in cancer therapy, with the important ability to delivery drugs intracellularly. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR: In this research, the authors developed folic acid tagged nanoemulsions containing a carbon monoxide releasing protein molecule for targeted cancer cell treatment. In-vitro and in-vivo experiments showed efficacy against B-cell lymphoma cells. The same nanocarrier platform could be applied to other tumor cells expressing folate receptors on the cell surface.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is avilable via Elsevier at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1549963415000726

Auto-regulação da aprendizagem em crianças e adolescentes filhos de vítimas de violência doméstica contra mulheres

A violência doméstica contra mulheres afecta negativamente o desenvolvimento de alguns domínios de auto-regulação. Contudo, pouco se conhece sobre o seu impacto na auto-regulação da aprendizagem. Este estudo avaliou a auto-regulação da aprendizagem em 50 filhos de vítimas de violência doméstica contra mulheres. O grupo de filhos de vítimas apresentou níveis inferiores de rendimento académico. O grupo de filhos de vítimas simultaneamente de violência psicológica e física registou níveis inferiores nas dimensões de Avaliação e Execução de auto-regulação da aprendizagem. Estes resultados suportam as evidências de que a exposição à violência doméstica afecta negativamente o desenvolvimento da auto-regulação. Para além disso, sugerem que a exposição a violência familiar afecta negativamente também algumas dimensões da auto-regulação da aprendizagem