Electron tomography of (In,Ga)N insertions in GaN nanocolumns grown on semi-polar (112̄ 2) GaN templates

We present results of scanning transmission electron tomography on GaN/(In,Ga)N/GaN nanocolumns (NCs) that grew uniformly inclined towards the patterned, semi-polar GaN( 11 2 ̄ 2 ) substrate surface by molecular beam epitaxy. For the practical realization of the tomographic experiment, the nanocolumn axis has been aligned parallel to the rotation axis of the electron microscope goniometer. The tomographic reconstruction allows for the determination of the three-dimensional indium distribution inside the nanocolumns. This distribution is strongly interrelated with the nanocolumn morphology and faceting. The (In,Ga)N layer thickness and the indium concentration differ between crystallographically equivalent and non-equivalent facets. The largest thickness and the highest indium concentration are found at the nanocolumn apex parallel to the basal planes

Alteraciones fisarias tras radiación láser

Ante el auge actual de la radiación láser y al no encontrar bibliografía referente al posible efecto sobre el cartílago de crecimiento, hemos decidido hacer una valoración del mismo en un modelo experimental. Se utilizaron 50 ratas, estableciéndose cinco grupos de estudio de 10 animales cada uno, dependiendo de la dosis de radiación aplicada percutáneamente sobre la fisis femoral distal. Tras el estudio ultraestructural, histoquímico y morfométrico, hemos observado una serie de alteraciones indicadoras de un daño celular directo. Los hallazgos permiten concluir que este tipo de radiación está contraindicado absolutamente durante la fase de crecimiento óseo o en el esqueleto inmaduro.In view of the present importance of Laser Radiation, and due to the lack of references about its effects on the growth cartilage, we designed an experimental model in order to asses it. A total of 50 rats were used, establishing five groups of study at 10 animals each, depending on the dosis of radiation applied percutaneously on the distal femoral phisys. After the structural, histochemical and morphometric study, we observed a series of alterations indicating a direct celular damage at the physion. From the results, it is concluded that laser radiation should be on absolute contraindication during the phase of bone growth or in the inmature skeleton

Development of the 'Sigue la Huella' physical activity intervention for adolescent in Huesca, Spain

Engaging in physical activity (PA) on a regular and adequate basis generates considerable benefits for health. In developed countries, the time spent doing PA is decreasing, whilst sedentary time (ST) is increasing. A multicomponent school-based intervention programme, called ‘Sigue la Huella’ (Follow the Footprint), was developed to reduce sedentary lifestyles and increase PA levels. This programme has proven to be effective in increasing the daily levels of moderate to vigorous PA, in decreasing ST and in improving motivational outcomes in secondary education students, in the city of Huesca (Spain). The study design was quasi-experimental, longitudinal and by cohorts, and it was carried out in four schools, two as an experimental group (n¿=¿368) and two as a control group (n¿=¿314). During the 25 months’ intervention, this programme adopted a holistic approach aiming to create favourable environments to engage in PA, and the empowerment of students to get actively involved in the design and execution of the activities, assuming responsibility for managing and optimizing their own PA. The programme is theoretically based on the social-ecological model and self-determination theory, and it provided evidence for four actions or components that can be used in school-based PA promotion: tutorial action, Physical Education at school, dissemination of information and participation in institutional programmes and events. The aim of this article is to describe the main characteristics of the intervention programme that have proved to be effective with respect to the objectives proposed

Elucidation of the RamA Regulon in Klebsiella pneumoniae Reveals a Role in LPS Regulation

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a significant human pathogen, in part due to high rates of multidrug resistance. RamA is an intrinsic regulator in K. pneumoniae established to be important for the bacterial response to antimicrobial challenge; however, little is known about its possible wider regulatory role in this organism during infection. In this work, we demonstrate that RamA is a global transcriptional regulator that significantly perturbs the transcriptional landscape of K. pneumoniae, resulting in altered microbe-drug or microbe-host response. This is largely due to the direct regulation of 68 genes associated with a myriad of cellular functions. Importantly, RamA directly binds and activates the lpxC, lpxL-2 and lpxO genes associated with lipid A biosynthesis, thus resulting in modifications within the lipid A moiety of the lipopolysaccharide. RamA-mediated alterations decrease susceptibility to colistin E, polymyxin B and human cationic antimicrobial peptide LL-37. Increased RamA levels reduce K. pneumoniae adhesion and uptake into macrophages, which is supported by in vivo infection studies, that demonstrate increased systemic dissemination of ramA overexpressing K. pneumoniae. These data establish that RamA-mediated regulation directly perturbs microbial surface properties, including lipid A biosynthesis, which facilitate evasion from the innate host response. This highlights RamA as a global regulator that confers pathoadaptive phenotypes with implications for our understanding of the pathogenesis of Enterobacter, Salmonella and Citrobacter spp. that express orthologous RamA proteins

LGMDD1 natural history and phenotypic spectrum: Implications for clinical trials

OBJECTIVE: To delineate the full phenotypic spectrum and characterize the natural history of limb girdle muscular dystrophy type D1 (LGMDD1). METHODS: We extracted age at clinical events of interest contributing to LGMDD1 disease burden via a systematic literature and chart review. Manual muscle testing and quantitative dynamometry data were used to estimate annualized rates of change. We also conducted a cross-sectional observational study using previously validated patient-reported outcome assessments (ACTIVLIM, PROMIS-57) and a new LGMDD1 questionnaire. Some individuals underwent repeat ACTIVLIM and LGMDD1 questionnaire assessments at 1.5 and 2.5 years. RESULTS: A total of 122 LGMDD1 patients were included from 14 different countries. We identified two new variants (p.E54K, p.V99A). In vitro assays and segregation support their pathogenicity. The mean onset age was 29.7 years. Genotype appears to impact onset age, weakness pattern, and median time to loss of ambulation (34 years). Dysphagia was the most frequent abnormality (51.4%). Deltoids, biceps, grip, iliopsoas, and hamstrings strength decreased by (0.5-1 lb/year). Cross-sectional ACTIVLIM and LGMDD1 questionnaire scores correlated with years from disease onset. Longitudinally, only the LGMDD1 questionnaire detected significant progression at both 1.5 and 2.5 years. Treatment trials would require 62 (1.5 years) or 30 (2.5 years) patients to detect a 70% reduction in the progression of the LGMDD1 questionnaire. INTERPRETATION: This study is the largest description of LGMDD1 patients to date and highlights potential genotype-dependent differences that need to be verified prospectively. Future clinical trials will need to account for variability in these key phenotypic features when selecting outcome measures and enrolling patients

Analyzing climate change adaptation in the agriculture and water sectors: screening risks and opportunities.

As part of the Mediterranean area, the Guadiana basin in Spain is particularly exposed to increasing water stress due to climate change. Future warmer and drier climate will have negative implications for the sustainability of water resources and irrigation agriculture, the main socio- economic sector in the region. This paper illustrates a systematic analysis of climate change impacts and adaptation in the Guadiana basin based on a two-stage modeling approach. First, an integrated hydro-economic modeling framework was used to simulate the potential effects of regional climate change scenarios for the period 2000-2069. Second, a participatory multi-criteria technique, namely the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), was applied to rank potential adaptation measures based on agreed criteria. Results show that, in the middle-long run and under severe climate change, reduced water availability, lower crop yields and increased irrigation demands might lead to water shortages, crop failure, and up to ten percent of income losses to irrigators. AHP results show how private farming adaptation measures, including improving irrigation efficiency and adjusting crop varieties, are preferred to public adaptation measures, such as building new dams. The integrated quantitative and qualitative methodology used in this research can be considered a socially-based valuable tool to support adaptation decision-making

Distinguishing cubic and hexagonal phases within InGaN/GaN microstructures using electron energy loss spectroscopy

3D InGaN/GaN microstructures grown by metal organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) and molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) have been extensively studied using a range of electron microscopy techniques. The growth of material by MBE has led to the growth of cubic GaN material. The changes in these crystal phases has been investigated by Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy, where the variations in the fine structure of the N K‐edge shows a clear difference allowing the mapping of the phases to take place. GaN layers grown for light emitting devices sometimes have cubic inclusions in the normally hexagonal wurtzite structures, which can influence the device electronic properties. Differences in the fine structure of the N K‐edge between cubic and hexagonal material in electron energy loss spectra are used to map cubic and hexagonal regions in a GaN/InGaN microcolumnar device. The method of mapping is explained, and the factors limiting spatial resolution are discussed

Development of key policy recommendations for active transport in New Zealand: A multi-sector and multidisciplinary endeavour

Background: Despite national-level initiatives to encourage active transport (AT) in New Zealand since 2005, rates of AT have continued to decline in most parts of the country, with negative impacts on health and the environment. This article describes the development of key policy recommendations for increasing AT in New Zealand. The goal was to establish a cohesive set of priority recommendations to inform AT decision-making in central and local government, district health boards, public health units and regional sports trusts in New Zealand. Project description: The development of policy recommendations was a planned outcome of multi-sectoral discussions held at The Active Living and Environment Symposium (TALES; Dunedin, New Zealand; February 2019). A ten-member working group consisting of TALES symposium delegates working in academia, industry and non-governmental organisations led the development of the recommendations. Symposium delegates contributed their expertise to draft recommendations and reports prior to, during and after the symposium. Importance and feasibility of each recommended action were independently evaluated by working group members. The final set of 13 policy recommendations (and 39 associated actions) included: making a national-level commitment to change; establishing a nationally coordinated and funded programme of education and promotion of AT; making a commitment to design cities for people, not cars; and developing a regulatory system that encourages AT. The report aligns with the current New Zealand government's increased focus on wellbeing, walking, cycling, public transport and the Vision Zero approach. A final report was officially launched in April 2019 with presentations to stakeholders April-May 2019. Conclusions: This cross-sector effort resulted in a report with a set of recommendations designed to stimulate the development of a new AT strategy for New Zealand; prompt setting of targets and monitoring progress/outcomes; and inform New Zealand's response to the World Health Organization's Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018–2030

Factors associated with compliance with physical activity recommendations among adolescents in Huesca.

BACKGROUND: Schools have been identified as environments of choice for physical activity promotion. This study examines factors associated with compliance with objectively assessed physical activity recommendations for early adolescents taking part in “Sigue la Huella”, a school-based intervention guided by a social ecological framework and Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 2002). METHODS: A total of 200 students (108 boys) aged 12-13 years (M = 12.16; SD = ± 0.51), wore accelerometers during a 7-day period and completed a questionnaire. Participants were considered compliant to the recommendations if their moderate to vigorous physical activity, averaged over 7 days, was =60 minutes a day. RESULTS: 57.4% of boys and 9.9% of girls met recommendations. In a mixed logistic regression model, compliance was higher among boys and students attending private schools, and lower for obese students. Compliance was also associated with higher perceptions of physical competence, higher perceptions of autonomy in physical education, greater importance attached to physical education and less sedentary behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Assessed objectively, gender differences in compliance with physical activity recommendations were greater than expected. Self-Determination Theory emerged as a useful framework to identify motivational factors that can be addressed in school-based physical activity interventions and programs for early adolescents