Effect of Temperature on Cu-doped p-ZnTe Thin-Films

In this paper we study the effect of temperature in 150 (±5) and 80 (±5) nm p-ZnTe thin- films immersed in 60 mgCu(NO3)2-3H2O/150 ml (H2O) for 1 minute, and heated at 200 and 300 °C for 30 minutes. Active layers were deposited by pulsed-laser deposition (PLD) at room temperature. Electrical parameters in un-doped films were around 108  ?109 ? and these values decreased to ~ 103 ? when the films were immersed in a Cu solution. The Cu-doped samples heated at 300 °C showed a completely homogeneous doping. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns showed the orthorhombic structure at 200 and 300 °C

Effect of a simulated heat wave on stress parameters of broiler chicken housed at two different stocking densities

 A. Villagrá1, I. Olivas1, N. Fernández2, M. Lainez1, V. Fitas3, A. G. Torres2(1. Centro de Tecnología Animal. Polígono La Esperanza nº 100, 12400, Segorbe, Castellón, Spain;2. Instituto de Cienciay Tecnología Animal, E.T.S.I. Agrónomos, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022, Valencia, Spain;3. ICAAM, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Évora, Apartado 94, 7002-554, Évora, Portugal) Abstract: High temperatures and relative humidities are common in certain areas in summer (for example in the Mediterranean area), and can raise the indoor temperature of the farms.  The aim of this paper was to assess the possible differences in the response to this situation of broilers housed at two different stocking densities (15 and 20 birds/m2).  On day 29 until day 36, the indoor temperature increased to 32℃ from 10:00 to 14:00 and maintained at 28℃ for the rest of the day and the relative humidity was maintained at 75%.  Measured variables before and after this treatment were weight, plasma corticosterone, creatine kinase (CK), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transferase (ALT), glucose (GLU), heterophil lymphocyte ratio and rectal temperature.  Results showed that no differences were found between the animals housed at 15 birds/m2 and those at  20 birds/m2, so stocking density had no significant effect on the measured parameters.  In addition, corticosterone concentration and alanine transferase appeared as not useful parameters to study this situation.Keywords: broiler, stocking density, enzymes activity, heat wave, hot conditions Citation: A. Villagrá, I. Olivas, N. Fernández, M. Lainez, V. Fitas, and A. G. Torres.  Effect of a simulated heat wave on stress parameters of broiler chicken housed at two different stocking densities.  Agric Eng Int: CIGR Journal, 2010, 12(3): 82-86.   &nbsp

Asymmetrical transfer effects of cognitive bias modification: Modifying attention to threat influences interpretation of emotional ambiguity, but not vice versa.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: It is well established that attention bias and interpretation bias each have a key role in the development and continuation of anxiety. How the biases may interact with one another in anxiety is, however, poorly understood. Using cognitive bias modification techniques, the present study examined whether training a more positive interpretation bias or attention bias resulted in transfer of effects to the untrained cognitive domain. Differences in anxiety reactivity to a real-world stressor were also assessed. METHODS: Ninety-seven first year undergraduates who had self-reported anxiety were allocated to one of four groups: attention bias training (n = 24), interpretation bias training (n = 26), control task training (n = 25) and no training (n = 22). Training was computer-based and comprised eight sessions over four weeks. Baseline and follow-up measures of attention and interpretation bias, anxiety and depression were taken. RESULTS: A significant reduction in threat-related attention bias and an increase in positive interpretation bias occurred in the attention bias training group. The interpretation bias training group did not exhibit a significant change in attention bias, only interpretation bias. The effect of attention bias training on interpretation bias was significant as compared with the two control groups. There were no effects on self-report measures. LIMITATIONS: The extent to which interpretive training can modify attentional processing remains unclear. CONCLUSIONS: Findings support the idea that attentional training might have broad cognitive consequences, impacting downstream on interpretive bias. However, they do not fully support a common mechanism hypothesis, as interpretive training did not impact on attentional bias

Muscle mass measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis, calf circumference and grip strength in older adults

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the correlation between muscle mass, measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), with calf circumference and grip strength.Materials and methodsCross-sectional and observational study. Including all functional adults over 60 years of age seen in our Geriatric Clinic during the months of March 2013–February 2014. Measurements of weight, height, BMI, calf circumference, grip strength and muscle mass by BIA were made after the signature of informed consent.Results105 patients were evaluated, 73 women and 32 men, with a mean age of 76 years (SD±7.3). Muscle mass showed a mild positive correlation with calf circumference: Pearson (r=0.31; p=0.000) and a moderate positive correlation with grip strength: Pearson (r=0.50; p=0.000).DiscussionMuscle mass by BIA has a positive correlation with calf circumference and grip strength, and is a reliable measure to assess muscle mass and physical performance in older adults in geriatric ambulatory clinics and can be used in the diagnosis of sarcopenia in Mexican patients

Beneficios económicos del almacenamiento postcosecha de la nuez pecanera en la Región Centro- Sur de Chihuahua

Chihuahua es el principal productor de nuez pecanera del país con una participación de un 64% de la producción nacional. Se desconoce cuál es el porcentaje de esta producción que es vendida inmediatamente después de la cosecha, así como los beneficios obtenidos por aquéllos que optan por almacenarla antes de venderla. La presente investigación parte de la premisa que el almacenamiento de nuez representa un beneficio económico para el productor al aumentar la posibilidad de obtener un mejor precio ampliando el período de mercadeo. La falta de información sobre precios y manejo después de la cosecha ocasiona frecuentemente que los productores se apresuren a vender su nuez. El objetivo es generar información de beneficios económicos de almacenamiento postcosecha de la nuez en la región centro-sur del estado de Chihuahua. Para la obtención de la información, se realizó un análisis histórico de los precios promedio de venta por mes. Se aplicó un cuestionario a una muestra representativa de nogaleros de la región y en base a ello se hizo una caracterización de la situación actual de almacenamiento para identificar la relación costo-beneficio del almacenamiento de nuez, de acuerdo a los resultados obtenidos se concluye que sí es rentable almacenar la nuez por ciertos periodos y dichos resultados permiten determinar en qué mes es más rentable vender la nuez

Support vector machines framework for linear signal processing

This paper presents a support vector machines (SVM) framework to deal with linear signal processing (LSP) problems. The approach relies on three basic steps for model building: (1) identifying the suitable base of the Hilbert signal space in the model, (2) using a robust cost function, and (3) minimizing a constrained, regularized functional by means of the method of Lagrange multipliers. Recently, autoregressive moving average (ARMA) system identification and non-parametric spectral analysis have been formulated under this framework. The generalized, yet simple, formulation of SVM LSP problems is particularized here for three different issues: parametric spectral estimation, stability of Infinite Impulse Response filters using the gamma structure, and complex ARMA models for communication applications. The good performance shown on these different domains suggests that other signal processing problems can be stated from this SVM framework.Publicad

El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Enhances CO2 Exchange Rates in Freshwater Marsh Ecosystems in the Florida Everglades

This research examines the relationships between El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO), water level, precipitation patterns and carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange rates in the freshwater wetland ecosystems of the Florida Everglades. Data was obtained over a 5-year study period (2009-2013) from two freshwater marsh sites located in Everglades National Park that differ in hydrology. At the short-hydroperiod site (Taylor Slough; TS) and the long-hydroperiod site (Shark River Slough; SRS) fluctuations in precipitation patterns occurred with changes in ENSO phase, suggesting that extreme ENSO phases alter Everglades hydrology which is known to have a substantial influence on ecosystem carbon dynamics. Variations in both ENSO phase and annual net CO2 exchange rates co-occurred with changes in wet and dry season length and intensity. Combined with site-specific seasonality in CO2 exchanges rates, El Nino and La Nina phases magnified season intensity and CO2 exchange rates at both sites. At TS, net CO2 uptake rates were higher in the dry season, whereas SRS had greater rates of carbon sequestration during the wet season. As La Nina phases were concurrent with drought years and extended dry seasons, TS became a greater sink for CO2 on an annual basis (-11 to -110 g CO2 m(-2) yr(-1)) compared to El Nino and neutral years (-5 to -43.5 g CO2 m(-2) yr(-1)). SRS was a small source for CO2 annually (1.81 to 80 g CO2 m(-2) yr(-1)) except in one exceptionally wet year that was associated with an El Nino phase (-16 g CO2 m(-2) yr(-1)). Considering that future climate predictions suggest a higher frequency and intensity in El Nino and La Nina phases, these results indicate that changes in extreme ENSO phases will significantly alter CO2 dynamics in the Florida Everglades

p21(Cip1) plays a critical role in the physiological adaptation to fasting through activation of PPARα.

Fasting is a physiological stress that elicits well-known metabolic adaptations, however, little is known about the role of stress-responsive tumor suppressors in fasting. Here, we have examined the expression of several tumor suppressors upon fasting in mice. Interestingly, p21 mRNA is uniquely induced in all the tissues tested, particularly in liver and muscle (>10 fold), and this upregulation is independent of p53. Remarkably, in contrast to wild-type mice, p21-null mice become severely morbid after prolonged fasting. The defective adaptation to fasting of p21-null mice is associated to elevated energy expenditure, accelerated depletion of fat stores, and premature activation of protein catabolism in the muscle. Analysis of the liver transcriptome and cell-based assays revealed that the absence of p21 partially impairs the transcriptional program of PPARα, a key regulator of fasting metabolism. Finally, treatment of p21-null mice with a PPARα agonist substantially protects them from their accelerated loss of fat upon fasting. We conclude that p21 plays a relevant role in fasting adaptation through the positive regulation of PPARα