The M_BH-M_star relation of obscured AGNs at high redshift

We report the detection of broad Halpha emission in three X-ray selected obscured AGNs at z=1-2. By exploiting the Halpha width and the intrinsic X-ray luminosity, we estimate their black hole masses, which are in the range 0.1-3x10^9 Msun. By means of multi-band photometric data, we measure the stellar mass of their host galaxy and, therefore, infer their M_BH/M_star ratio. These are the first obscured AGNs at high-z, selected based on their black hole accretion (i.e. on the basis of their X-ray luminosity), that can be located on the M_BH-M_star relation at high-z. All of these obscured high-z AGNs are fully consistent with the local M_BH-M_star relation. This result conflicts with those for other samples of AGNs in the same redshift range, whose M_BH/M_star ratio departs significantly from the value observed in local galaxies. We suggest that the obscured AGNs in our sample are in an advanced evolutionary stage, have already settled onto the local M_BH-M_star relation, and whose nuclear activity has been temporarily revived by recent galaxy interactions.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in A&A Letters, slightly revised discussion on SMG

Quality of care assessment for people with multimorbidity.

Multimorbidity, the simultaneous presence of multiple health conditions in an individual, is an increasingly common phenomenon globally. The systematic assessment of the quality of care delivered to people with multimorbidity will be key to informing the organization of services for meeting their complex needs. Yet, current assessments tend to focus on single conditions and do not capture the complex processes that are required for providing care for people with multimorbidity. We conducted a scoping review on quality of care and multimorbidity in selected databases in June 2018 and identified 87 documents as eligible for review, predominantly original research and reviews from North America, Europe and Australasia and mostly frequently related to primary care settings. We synthesized data qualitatively in terms of perceived challenges, evidence and proposed metrics. Findings reveal that the association between quality of care and multimorbidity is complex and depends on the conditions involved (quality appears to be higher for those with concordant conditions, and lower in the presence of discordant conditions) and the approach used for measuring quality (quality appears to be higher in people with multimorbidity when measured using condition/drug-specific process or intermediate outcome indicators, and worse when using patient-centred reports of experiences of care). People with discordant multimorbidity may be disadvantaged by current approaches to quality assessment, particularly when they are linked to financial incentives. A better understanding of models of care that best meet the needs of this group is needed for developing appropriate quality assessment frameworks. Capturing patient preferences and values and incorporate patients' voices in the form of patient-reported experiences and outcomes of care will be critical towards the achievement of high-performing health systems that are responsive to the needs of people with multimorbidity

Evaluación de andropogon gayanus, centrosema acutifolium y pueraria phaseoloides en la cría de terneros destetados precozmente en los llanos orientales de colombia

Se midió el desarrollo corporal de terneros destetados a los tres meses de edad en pasturas de Andropogon gayanus, A. gayanus + Centrosema acutifolium y A. gayanus + Pueraria phaseoloides. Se utilizaron 10 terneros/tratamiento (70.3 ± 1.73 kg). El ensayo empezó en plena temporada de lluvias, que en este año fueron excesivas y afectaron negativamente la recuperación de las praderas. El desarrollo de los animales se redujo seriamente por la falta de forraje. Se hicieron algunas comparaciones subjetivas con un grupo de terneros que permaneció con sus madres en sabana nativa, hasta los nueve meses de edad, en la cual se realiza el destete tradicional. La cantidad de lluvia no permitió hacer comparaciones entre las pasturas. Los terneros destetados precozmente mostraron un desempeño muy pobre con respecto a los que permanecieron con sus madres; sin embargo, el grupo que pastoreó A. gayanus presentó los peores resultados en ganancia de peso vivo, porcentaje de proteína y minerales en suero, hematocrito, etc., muriendo tres animales por efecto del tratamiento. El destete precoz redujo el anestro posparto de las vacas y mejoró la recuperación de peso de las mismas.The development of early-weaned calves (three months old) in Andropogon gayanus, A. gayanus, Centrosema acutifolium and A. gayanus + Pueraria phaseoloides was investigated. Ten animals were used per treatment; the experiment beginning at the start of the rainy season. In this year 100 % and 45 % more rain fell in may and june respectively than the yearly average for these months. Several subjective comparison were made between the calves in the improved and group maintaned with their mothers in the native savannah until traditional early weaning occurs. The abnormally high rain-fall adverselty affected pasture recovery to the extent that it was impossible to make comparisons between the three pasture treatments. In general, however, all early-weaned calves did not perform as well as those remaining with their mothers. Results from the group in the pure stand of A. gayanus were the worst overall (live weight gains, protein and minerals in serum red blood cell), with three animals dying during the course of the trial. Early-weaning reduced anestrum pospartum and improved weight recovery of the cows

Quantitative assessment of chronic lung disease of infancy using computed tomography

The aims of this study were to determine whether infants and toddlers with chronic lung disease of infancy (CLDI) have smaller airways and lower lung density compared with full-term healthy controls. Multi-slice computed tomography (CT) chest scans were obtained at elevated lung volumes during a brief respiratory pause in sedated infants and toddlers;38 CLDI were compared with 39 full-term controls. For CLDI subjects, gestational age at birth ranged from 25 to 29 weeks. Airway size was measured for the trachea and the next three to four generations into the right lower lobe;lung volumes and tissue density were also measured. The relationship between airway size and airway generation differed between the CLDI and full-term groups;the sizes of the first and second airway generations were larger in the shorter CLDI than in the shorter full-term subjects. The increased size in the airways in the CLDI subjects was associated with increasing mechanical ventilation time in the neonatal period. CLDI subjects had a greater heterogeneity of lung density compared with full-term subjects. Our results indicate that quantitative analysis of multi-slice CT scans at elevated volumes provides important insights into the pulmonary pathology of infants and toddlers with CLDI

Surface modification of Ti-6Al-4V alloys manufactured by selective laser melting: Microstructural and tribo-mechanical characterization

Medical grade of both titanium (Ti) and Ti6Al4V alloy are recognized as the metallic biomaterials with the better outcomes for clinical repair of bone tissue thanks to their suitable mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. However, those Ti advantages are not enough to avoid failure risks of bone implants; between 5 and 10% of Ti implants fail due to a deficient osseointegration, within 5 years of post-implantation. Most of these failures indicate the necessity of getting a better biomechanical-biofunctional balance. Microstructural and tribomechanical characterizations were performed on Ti6Al4V samples obtained by selective laser melting and subjected to different surface treatments (thermal stress relief, acid etching, chemical treatment and thermochemical treatment). Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction were used for detailed characterization of the elemental composition, phase analysis and surface morphology. Micro-hardness and scratch tests were employed to evaluate the tribo-mechanical properties, which were improved after consecutive surface treatments. Protuberances with spherical morphology, as a remainder of the original powder, were present on the surface. The resulting modified surfaces were constituted by rutile (major phase) and anatase (minor phase). Submicro-nano-topographies were obtained after the chemical and thermochemical treatments.Junta de Andalucía-FEDER (Spain) through the Project Ref. P12-TEP-1401Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness under the Grant No. MAT2015-71284-

Changes in the nocturnal activity of birds during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in a neotropical city

Changes in the nocturnal activity of birds during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in a neotropical city. The COVID-19 lockdown provided the opportunity to measure species biodiversity in urban environments under conditions divergent from regular urban rhythms. For 90 days, including weeks of strict lockdown and the subsequent relaxation of restrictions, we measured the presence and abundance of birds that were active at night at two sites in the city of Cali, Colombia. Our results show that species richness of nocturnal birds decreased 40% to 58% during the weeks with more human activity, adding further evidence to the biodiversity responses of the 'anthropause' on urban environments.Non peer reviewe

Specific instruments to evaluate their knowledge of asthma: a systematic review

Introduction: The evaluation of the level of asthma knowledge is one of the major outcomes for studies related to educational programs on asthma. Hence, identifying the particular instrument suitable for this outcome is essential to the success of studies in this field. Objective: To identify specific instruments to assess knowledge of asthma, analyzing the main characteristics and quality criteria for psychometric validation. Methods: A systematic review was performed to identify outcome measures available to assess knowledge of asthma in children, adolescents, guardians and caregivers. We applied the logic of search in Medline, Lilacs, Scopus, DirectScience, PsycINFO, Cochrane and Tripdatabase. Articles were included by description of the development and psychometric testing of the questionnaires on asthma knowledge. Quality criteria for content validity, construct validity, internal consistency and reproducibility were evaluated and assigned as “positive”, “intermediate” or “negative” rating. Results: Twenty-two instruments were included in the study. None of them had a positive review for all four evaluated psychometric properties. Six received positive or intermediate classification, one of these was developed in Portuguese-BR. Conclusion: Currently, there are 22 questionnaires available to assess the level of asthma knowledge, but most of the instruments do not have full psychometric validationIntrodução: a avaliação do nível de conhecimento em asma é um dos principais desfechos para estudos vinculados a programas de educação em asma. Para isso, identificar o instrumento específico adequado para tal desfecho é essencial para o sucesso de pesquisas nessa área. Objetivo: identificar instrumentos específicos para avaliar o conhecimento de asma, analisando as características principais e os crité- rios de qualidade para validação psicométrica. Métodos: uma revisão sistemática foi realizada para identificar medidas de resultados disponíveis para avaliar o conhecimento da asma em crianças, adolescentes, responsáveis legais e profissionais de saúde. Aplicamos a lógica de pesquisa nas bases de dados Medline, Lilacs, Scopus, Science Direct, PsycINFO, Cochrane e Tripdatabase. Os artigos foram incluídos mediante descrição do desenvolvimento e teste psicométrico dos questionários de conhecimento em asma. Para os critérios de qualidade, a validade de conteúdo, validade de construto, consistência interna e reprodutibilidade foram avaliados e atribuída uma classificação “positivo”, “intermediário” ou “negativo”. Resultados: vinte e dois instrumentos foram incluídos. Nenhum deles teve uma avaliação positiva para todas as quatro propriedades psicométricas avaliadas. Seis receberam classificação “positivo” ou “intermediário”. Destes, somente um foi desenvolvido em português-BR. Conclusão: Atualmente, existem 22 questionários disponíveis para avaliar o nível de conhecimento da asma, mas maioria dos instrumentos não possui validação psicométrica complet

Duodenal metastasis of alveolar soft part sarcoma

Aveolar soft part sarcoma is a rare tumor responsible for about 1% of all soft tissue sarcomas, affecting mostly adolescents and young adults. ASPS has curious patterns of metastatic spread, with seldom lymph node involvement. Lung, bone and brain are the most common metastatic places. Small bowel metastasis are infrequent, having found reported only one case of duodenal metastasis with polypous appearance. We describe a case of duodenal metastasis presenting as abdominal mass five years after initial diagnosis of alveolar soft part sarcoma