Acute physiological and affective responses in postmenopausal women during prescribed and self-selected aerobic exercise

Few elderly meet current physical activity (PA) guidelines. The limitations for PA adherence is due the barriers found such as displeasure, discomfort, pain and sense of exhaustion. Self-selected exercise has been strategy for PA adherence, due greatest tolerance by aerobic exercise practitioners. The aim of this study was investigate physiological and psychological responses in prescribed and self-selected sessions in postmenopausal women. It was recruited 27 women active. The study consisted 3 moments: familiarization, self-selected, prescribed sessions. The intensity of self-selected session was replicated in prescribed session. There was significant main effect of the time for HR (p=0,047), FS (p=0,009) and Borg scale (p=0,012). Session by time interaction the significant main effect in HR (p<0,001). Significant mean difference was observed for psychological variables FS (p= 0,011), Borg scale (p= 0,016) and ITL (p<0,001). This study demonstrates the self-selected session relationship with greatest affection and low perceived effort exercise when compared to prescribed exercisePocos ancianos cumplen con las pautas actuales de actividad física (PA). Las limitaciones para la adherencia de la PA se deben a las barreras encontradas, como el disgusto, la incomodidad, el dolor y la sensación de agotamiento. El ejercicio auto seleccionado ha sido una estrategia para la adherencia de la PA, debido a la mayor tolerancia de los practicantes de ejercicio aeróbico. El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar las respuestas fisiológicas y psicológicas en sesiones prescritas y auto seleccionadas en mujeres posmenopáusicas. Se reclutaron 27 mujeres activas. El estudio constó de 3 momentos: familiarización, auto-seleccionados, sesiones prescritas. La intensidad de la sesión auto-seleccionada se replicó en la sesión prescrita. Hubo un efecto principal significativo del tiempo para la FC (p = 0,047), FS (p = 0,009) y escala de Borg (p = 0,012). Interacción sesión por tiempo: efecto principal significativo en la FC (p <0,001). Se observó una diferencia de medias significativa para las variables psicológicas FS (p = 0,011), escala de Borg (p = 0,016) y ITL (p <0,001). Este estudio demuestra la relación del sesión auto-seleccionada con el mayor afecto y el ejercicio de esfuerzo percibido bajo en comparación con el ejercicio prescrito.Poche persone anziane incontrano le attuali linee guida sull'attività fisica (FA). I limiti di aderenza alla PA sono dovuti alle barriere incontrate, come dispiacere, disagio, dolore e senso di sfinimento. L'esercizio di auto-selezione è stata una strategia per aderire all'AF a causa della maggiore tolleranza degli operatori di esercizi aerobici. L'obiettivo di questo studio era di indagare le risposte fisiologiche e psicologiche nelle sedute prescritte e autoselezionate nelle donne in postmenopausa. Sono state reclutate ventisette donne attive. Lo studio consisteva in 3 momenti: familiarizzazione, sessione autoselezionata e sessione prescritta. L'intensità della sessione autoselezionata è stata replicata nella sessione prescritta. C'era un significativo effetto principale del tempo per HR (p = 0.047), FS (p = 0.009) scala di Borg (p = 0.012). Interazione della sessione in base al tempo, significativo effetto principale in HR (p <0,001). Significativa differenza media è stata osservata per le variabili psicologiche FS (p = 0.011), scala Borg (p = 0.016) e ITL (p <0.001). Questo studio dimostra la relazione della sessione autoselezionata con maggiore affettività e basso sforzo percepito rispetto all'esercizio prescritto.Poucos idosos atendem às diretrizes atuais de atividade física (AF). As limitações para a adesão à AF se devem às barreiras encontradas, como desprazer, desconforto, dor e sensação de esgotamento. O exercício auto-selecionado tem sido uma estratégia para a adesão à AF, devido à maior tolerância dos praticantes de exercícios aeróbicos. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar as respostas fisiológicas e psicológicas em sessões prescritas e auto-selecionadas em mulheres na pós-menopausa. Foram recrutadas 27 mulheres ativas. O estudo consistiu em 3 momentos: familiarização, sessão auto-selecionada e sessão prescrita. A intensidade da sessão auto-selecionada foi replicada na sessão prescrita. Houve efeito principal significativo do tempo para FC (p = 0,047), FS (p = 0,009) escala de Borg (p = 0,012). Interação da sessão por tempo, efeito principal significativo na FC (p <0,001). Diferença média significativa foi observada para as variáveis ​​psicológicas FS (p = 0,011), escala de Borg (p = 0,016) e ITL (p <0,001). Este estudo demonstra a relação da sessão auto-selecionada com maior afetividade e baixo esforço percebido quando comparado ao exercício prescrito

The Luminosity Function at z~8 from 97 Y-band dropouts: Inferences About Reionization

[Abbreviated] We present the largest search to date for $z\sim8$ Lyman break galaxies (LBGs) based on 350 arcmin$^2$ of HST observations in the V-, Y-, J- and H-bands from the Brightest of Reionizing Galaxies (BoRG) survey. The BoRG dataset includes $\sim$50 arcmin$^2$ of new data and deeper observations of two previous BoRG pointings, from which we present 9 new $z\sim8$ LBG candidates, bringing the total number of BoRG LBGs to 38 with $25.5\leqslant m_{J} \leqslant 27.6$ (AB system). We introduce a new Bayesian formalism for estimating the galaxy luminosity function (LF), which does not require binning (and thus smearing) of the data and includes a likelihood based on the formally correct binomial distribution as opposed to the often used approximate Poisson distribution. We demonstrate the utility of the new method on a sample of $97$ LBGs that combines the bright BoRG galaxies with the fainter sources published in Bouwens et al. (2012) from the HUDF and ERS programs. We show that the $z\sim8$ LF is well described by a Schechter function with a characteristic magnitude $M^\star = -20.15^{+0.29}_{-0.38}$, a faint-end slope of $\alpha = -1.87^{+0.26}_{-0.26}$, and a number density of $\log_{10} \phi^\star [\textrm{Mpc}^{-3}] = -3.24^{+0.25}_{-0.24}$. Integrated down to $M=-17.7$ this LF yields a luminosity density, $\log_{10} \epsilon [\textrm{erg}/\textrm{s/Hz/Mpc}^{3}] = 25.52^{+0.05}_{-0.05}$. Our LF analysis is consistent with previously published determinations within 1$\sigma$. We discuss the implication of our study for the physics of reionization. By assuming theoretically motivated priors on the clumping factor and the photon escape fraction we show that the UV LF from galaxy samples down to $M=-17.7$ can ionize only 10-50% of the neutral hydrogen at $z\sim8$. Full reionization would require extending the LF down to $M=-15$.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ, 22 pages, 15 figure

Non-linear dependency of the subjective perceived intensity of steering wheel rotational vibration

This is the post-print version of the Article. The official published version can be accessed from the link below - Copyright @ 2009 ElsevierThe present study has established equal sensation curves for steering wheel hand-arm rotational vibration. Psychophysical response tests of 20 participants were performed in a steering wheel rotational vibration simulator using the category-ratio Borg CR10 scale procedure for direct estimation of perceived vibration intensity. The test stimuli used were sinusoidal vibrations at 22 third octave band centre frequencies in the range from 3 to 400 Hz, with acceleration amplitudes in the range from 0.06 to 30 m/s(2) r.m.s. A multivariate regression analysis was performed on the mean perceived intensity Borg CR10 values as a function of the two independent parameters of the vibration frequency and amplitude. The results suggested a non-linear dependency of the subjective perceived intensity on both the steering wheel rotational vibration frequency and amplitude. The equal sensation curves were found to be characterised by a decreased sensitivity to hand-arm vibration with increasing frequency from 10 to 400 Hz, but by an increased sensitivity with increasing frequency from 4 to 10 Hz. A 6th order polynomial model has been proposed as a best fit regression model from which the equal sensation curves for steering wheel rotational vibration are derived.Relevance to industry: For the manufactures of automobiles, steering systems and other automobile components this study provides a mathematical model from which one or more new frequency weightings for the use in evaluating the perceived intensity of steering wheel rotational vibration are derived. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

'Prehistoric painted pottery in Malta' : a century later

In 1911 T.E. Peet pointed out for the first time the difficulty of interpreting the earliest examples of Maltese prehistoric painted pottery. After a century of excavations and research this issue is still largely open especially with regard to Bronze Age wares. This paper deals with the Bronze Age painted pottery class named 'dribbled ware', characterized by decoration produced with the partial application of a thick slip instead of paint. This ware has been reported from several sites in the Maltese archipelago. Focusing on the evidence from In-Nuffara in Gozo, a new hypothesis about the chronology and function of the dribbled ware will be presented.peer-reviewe

The scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) of the Maltese Archipelago

Past works on scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) from the Maltese Archipelago are reviewed. Based on the literature and contemporary collections, a total of 93 species of scale insects belonging to 12 scale insect families are here reported (Aclerdidae 1 species; Asterolecaniidae 4; Coccidae 17; Diaspididae 46; Eriococcidae 5; Kermesidae 1; Margarodidae 1; Micrococcidae 1; Monophlebidae 2; Pseudoccocidae 11; Putoidae 2 and Rhizoecidae 2). Of these, 17 species represent new distribution records. Ten species are excluded from the scale insect fauna of the Maltese Islands. Of the 93 species present, only 29 (31.18%) are probably indigenous and the rest (68.82%) represent established introductions from elsewhere. More than 65% of the indigenous species are typical Mediterranean in distribution, with a few species having a mainly European chorotype. A quarter of the established aliens originate from Eurasia, followed by an East Asian/ Oriental component (20.31%); European (14.06%); Neotropical (14.06%); cryptogenic (14.06%); African (7.81%) and Australasian (4.70%). Movement of live fruit trees and ornamental plants into the Maltese Archipelago from nearby countries is probably the main route for entry of alien scale insects into the country. Some possible future introductions are discussed.peer-reviewe

All NIRspec needs is HST/WFC3 pre-imaging? The use of Milky Way Stars in WFC3 Imaging to Register NIRspec MSA Observations

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will be an exquisite new near-infrared observatory with imaging and multi-object spectroscopy through ESA's NIRspec instrument with its unique Micro-Shutter Array (MSA), allowing for slits to be positioned on astronomical targets by opening specific 0.002"-wide micro shutter doors. To ensure proper target acquisition, the on-sky position of the MSA needs to be verified before spectroscopic observations start. An onboard centroiding program registers the position of pre-identified guide stars in a Target Acquisition (TA) image, a short pre-spectroscopy exposure without dispersion (image mode) through the MSA with all shutters open. The outstanding issue is the availability of Galactic stars in the right luminosity range for TA relative to typical high redshift targets. We explore this here using the stars and $z\sim8$ candidate galaxies identified in the source extractor catalogs of Brightest of Reionizing Galaxies survey (BoRG[z8]), a pure-parallel program with Hubble Space Telescope Wide-Field Camera 3. We find that (a) a single WFC3 field contains enough Galactic stars to satisfy the NIRspec astrometry requirement (20 milli-arcseconds), provided its and the NIRspec TA's are $m_{lim}>24.5$ AB in WFC3 F125W, (b) a single WFC3 image can therefore serve as the pre-image if need be, (c) a WFC3 mosaic and accompanying TA image satisfy the astrometry requirement at $\sim23$ AB mag in WFC3 F125W, (d) no specific Galactic latitude requires deeper TA imaging due to a lack of Galactic stars, and (e) a depth of $\sim24$ AB mag in WFC3 F125W is needed if a guide star in the same MSA quadrant as a target is required. We take the example of a BoRG identified $z\sim8$ candidate galaxy and require a Galactic star within 20" of it. In this case, a depth of 25.5 AB in F125W is required (with $\sim$97% confidence).Comment: 17 pages, 15 figures, to appear in the Journal of Astronomical Instrumentatio

Correcting the z~8 Galaxy Luminosity Function for Gravitational Lensing Magnification Bias

We present a Bayesian framework to account for the magnification bias from both strong and weak gravitational lensing in estimates of high-redshift galaxy luminosity functions. We illustrate our method by estimating the $z\sim8$ UV luminosity function using a sample of 97 Y-band dropouts (Lyman break galaxies) found in the Brightest of Reionizing Galaxies (BoRG) survey and from the literature. We find the luminosity function is well described by a Schechter function with characteristic magnitude of $M^\star = -19.85^{+0.30}_{-0.35}$, faint-end slope of $\alpha = -1.72^{+0.30}_{-0.29}$, and number density of $\log_{10} \Psi^\star [\textrm{Mpc}^{-3}] = -3.00^{+0.23}_{-0.31}$. These parameters are consistent within the uncertainties with those inferred from the same sample without accounting for the magnification bias, demonstrating that the effect is small for current surveys at $z\sim8$, and cannot account for the apparent overdensity of bright galaxies compared to a Schechter function found recently by Bowler et al. (2014a,b) and Finkelstein et al. (2014). We estimate that the probability of finding a strongly lensed $z\sim8$ source in our sample is in the range $\sim 3-15 \%$ depending on limiting magnitude. We identify one strongly-lensed candidate and three cases of intermediate lensing in BoRG (estimated magnification $\mu>1.4$) in addition to the previously known candidate group-scale strong lens. Using a range of theoretical luminosity functions we conclude that magnification bias will dominate wide field surveys -- such as those planned for the Euclid and WFIRST missions -- especially at $z>10$. Magnification bias will need to be accounted for in order to derive accurate estimates of high-redshift luminosity functions in these surveys and to distinguish between galaxy formation models.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ. 20 pages, 13 figure

Dark matter voids in the SDSS galaxy survey

What do we know about voids in the dark matter distribution given the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) and assuming the $\Lambda\mathrm{CDM}$ model? Recent application of the Bayesian inference algorithm BORG to the SDSS Data Release 7 main galaxy sample has generated detailed Eulerian and Lagrangian representations of the large-scale structure as well as the possibility to accurately quantify corresponding uncertainties. Building upon these results, we present constrained catalogs of voids in the Sloan volume, aiming at a physical representation of dark matter underdensities and at the alleviation of the problems due to sparsity and biasing on galaxy void catalogs. To do so, we generate data-constrained reconstructions of the presently observed large-scale structure using a fully non-linear gravitational model. We then find and analyze void candidates using the VIDE toolkit. Our methodology therefore predicts the properties of voids based on fusing prior information from simulations and data constraints. For usual void statistics (number function, ellipticity distribution and radial density profile), all the results obtained are in agreement with dark matter simulations. Our dark matter void candidates probe a deeper void hierarchy than voids directly based on the observed galaxies alone. The use of our catalogs therefore opens the way to high-precision void cosmology at the level of the dark matter field. We will make the void catalogs used in this work available at http://www.cosmicvoids.net.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures, matches JCAP published version, void catalogs publicly available at http://www.cosmicvoids.ne