Domain-wall profile in the presence of anisotropic exchange interactions: Effective on-site anisotropy

Starting from a D-dimensional XXZ ferromagnetic Heisenberg model in an hypercubic lattice, it is demonstrated that the anisotropy in the exchange coupling constant leads to a D-dependent effective on-site anisotropy interaction often ignored for D>1. As a result the effective width of the wall depends on the dimensionality of the system. It is shown that the effective one-dimensional Hamiltonian is not the one-dimensional XXZ version as assumed in previous theoretical work. We derive a new expression for the wall profile that generalizes the standard Landau-Lifshitz form. Our results are found to be in very good agreement with earlier numerical work using the Monte Carlo method. Preceding theories concerning the domain wall contribution to magnetoresistance have considered the role of D only through the modification of the density of states in the electronic band structure. This Brief Report reveals that the wall profile itself contains an additional D dependence for the case of anisotropic exchange interactions.Comment: 4 pages; new title and abstract; 1 figure comparing our results with earlier numerical work; a more general model containing the usual on-site anisotropy; new remarks and references on the following two topics: (a) experimental evidence for the existence of spin exchange anisotropy, and (b) preceding theories concerning the domain wall contribution to magnetoresistance; to appear in Phys. Rev.

Reported stigma and discrimination by people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia

Aims. This article examines the extent of stigma and discrimination as reported by people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. The hypothesis is that when people express in their own words the discrimination they experience such discrimination will be found to be widespread. Methods. Seventy-five people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia from 15 different countries were interviewed with a mixed methods instrument to assess reported discrimination. The data were analysed for frequency counts and then a thematic analysis was performed. A conceptual map is provided. Results. The study was a cross-cultural one but, contrary to expectations, few transnational differences were found. The main hypothesis was supported. Conversely, we found that when participants reported ‘positive discrimination', this could as easily be conceptualised as being treated similarly to how others in society would expect to be treated. Conclusion. Negative discrimination is ubiquitous and sometimes connotatively very strong, with reports of humiliation and abuse. ‘Positive discrimination' conversely indicates that people with a mental illness diagnosis expect discrimination and are grateful when it does not occur. The literature on self-stigma is discussed and found wanting. Similarly, the theory that contact with mentally ill people reduces stigma and discrimination is not fully supported by our result

El espacio de los editores: Nutrición Hospitalaria en 2017

Como es habitual, coincidiendo con el comienzo de un nuevo ejercicio, el Comité Editorial da cuenta del último año en Nutrición Hospitalaria (NH), de su situación general, de los cambios producidos y de los resultados obtenidos. Dos son los aspectos relevantes durante 2017, en apariencia, contrapuestos: el incremento en la visibilidad de la revista y, a la vez, la disminución en el factor de impacto Journal Citation Report (JCR)

Techno-economic evaluation of bioenergy production from anaerobic digestion of by-products from ethanol flex plants

Ethanol production implies in by-products generation, mainly vinasse and stillage, respectively generated from sugarcane and corn ethanol production in flex plants. Both by-products require efficient treatment routes to avoid environmental side-effects to support energy recovery. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to evaluate the techno-economic potential of bioenergy (electric and thermal energy) production from the anaerobic digestion (AD) of vinasse and stillage. Three scenarios were defined: (a) Scenario 1, AD of vinasse; (b) Scenario 2, AD of stillage; and (c) Scenario 3, AD of vinasse and stillage in an integrated process. From the results, the methane production was estimated at 3.8 x 106 m3 year-1 considering the AD of stillage and vinasse in Scenario 3. The electricity and thermal energy generation was estimated as 14.61 GWh year-1 and 1.37 x 105 GJ year-1, respectively. This energy would mitigate 1096.05 and 7659.27 ton CO2eq year-1 when replacing fossil fuel energy. The profitability analysis indicated a positive net present value in the scenarios evaluated, however, the highest value was achieved for Scenario 3 (7,890,407.44 USD). For the integrated process, an internal return rate of 86.87% and a payback of 0.68 year were observed. The sensitivity analysis showed that the project profitability is highly dependent on electricity and thermal energy selling prices. In conclusion, AD demonstrated to be a feasible alternative for vinasse and stillage management in an integrated process, being a sustainable technology to the circular economy transition and energy matrix decarbonization.T. Forster-Carneiro acknowledges the database support and samples of materials from NIPE/NIEPE-UNICAMP/UFMT, process numbers 91.752/01-P-17839-2019 and 91759/01-P-18069/2019. T. Forster-Carneiro acknowledges the financial support from the Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP (2018/05999-0; 2018/14938-4) , and CNPq for the productivity grant (302473/2019-0) . L.S. Buller ac-knowledges the financial support from FAPESP (2020/10323-5) . W.G. Sganzerla acknowledges the financial support from FAPESP (2019/26925-7) . M. Tena acknowledges the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry, and Competitiveness for her pre-doctoral contract (Call 2016)

Augmented muscle vasodilatory responses in obese children with Glu27 beta(2)-adrenoceptor polymorphism

This study examined forearm vasodilatation during mental challenge and exercise in 72 obese children (OC; age = 10 +/- 0.1 years) homozygous with polymorphism in the allele 27 of the beta(2)-adrenoceptors: Gln27 (n = 61) and Glu27 (n = 11). Forearm blood flow was recorded during 3 min of each using the Stroop color-word test (MS) and handgrip isometric exercise. Baseline hemodynamic and vascular measurements were similar. During the MS, peak forearm vascular conductance was significantly greater in group Glu27 (Delta = 0.35 +/- 0.4 vs. 0.12 +/- 0.1 units, respectively, p = .042). Similar results were found during exercise (Delta = 0.64 +/- 0.1 vs. 0.13 +/- 0.1 units, respectively, p = .035). Glu27 OC increased muscle vasodilatory responsiveness upon the MS and exercise

Biochemical parameters of silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) after transport with eugenol or essential oil of Lippia alba added to the water

The transport of live fish is a routine practice in aquaculture and constitutes a considerable source of stress to the animals. The addition of anesthetic to the water used for fish transport can prevent or mitigate the deleterious effects of transport stress. This study investigated the effects of the addition of eugenol (EUG) (1.5 or 3.0 mu L L-1) and essential oil of Lippia alba (EOL) (10 or 20 mu L L-1) on metabolic parameters (glycogen, lactate and total protein levels) in liver and muscle, acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE) in muscle and brain, and the levels of protein carbonyl (PC), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and nonprotein thiol groups (NPSH) and activity of glutathione-S-transferase in the liver of silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen; Quoy and Gaimard, 1824) transported for four hours in plastic bags (loading density of 169.2 g L-1). The addition of various concentrations of EUG (1.5 or 3.0 mu L L-1) and EOL (10 or 20 mu L L-1) to the transport water is advisable for the transportation of silver catfish, since both concentrations of these substances increased the levels of NPSH antioxidant and decreased the TBARS levels in the liver. In addition, the lower liver levels of glycogen and lactate in these groups and lower AChE activity in the brain (EOL 10 or 20 mu L L-1) compared to the control group indicate that the energetic metabolism and neurotransmission were lower after administration of anesthetics, contributing to the maintenance of homeostasis and sedation status.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (FAPERGS/PRONEX) [10/0016-8]; Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Cientifico (CNPq) [470964/2009-0]; Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES); CNPqinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Sebomic identification of sex- and ethnicity-specific variations in residual skin surface components (RSSC) for bio-monitoring or forensic applications

Background: “Residual skin surface components” (RSSC) is the collective term used for the superficial layer of sebum, residue of sweat, small quantities of intercellular lipids and components of natural moisturising factor present on the skin surface. Potential applications of RSSC include use as a sampling matrix for identifying biomarkers of disease, environmental exposure monitoring, and forensics (retrospective identification of exposure to toxic chemicals). However, it is essential to first define the composition of “normal” RSSC. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to characterise RSSC to determine commonalities and differences in RSSC composition in relation to sex and ethnicity. Methods: Samples of RSSC were acquired from volunteers using a previously validated method and analysed by high-pressure liquid chromatography–atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation–mass spectrometry (HPLC-APCI-MS). The resulting data underwent sebomic analysis. Results: The composition and abundance of RSSC components varied according to sex and ethnicity. The normalised abundance of free fatty acids, wax esters, diglycerides and triglycerides was significantly higher in males than females. Ethnicity-specific differences were observed in free fatty acids and a diglyceride. Conclusions: The HPLC-APCI-MS method developed in this study was successfully used to analyse the normal composition of RSSC. Compositional differences in the RSSC can be attributed to sex and ethnicity and may reflect underlying factors such as diet, hormonal levels and enzyme expression.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

Dietary and Lifestyle Patterns in the Spanish Pediatric Population (One to <10 Years Old): Design, Protocol, and Methodology of the EsNuPI Study

The interest in a healthy diet and lifestyle during the early stages of life increased, pointing out its role in the development of noncommunicable chronic diseases throughout adult life. Dietary habits and dietary patterns begin to be established in early childhood and persist during adulthood. Therefore, the EsNuPI ("Nutritional Study in Spanish Pediatric Population") study aims to depict the dietary patterns, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors in Spanish children aged from one to 50,000 inhabitants, stratified by Nielsen areas. Participants were involved in one face-to-face survey, followed by a telephone survey after at least one week. Information about dietary intake and habits was obtained using a quantitative food frequency questionnaire and two 24-h dietary recalls. Physical activity and sedentary behaviors were registered using a specific questionnaire based on a seven-day record. Data were processed and stratified by categorical variables to be statistically analyzed in order to meet the study objectives. This study is the first of its kind in a Spanish reference population of this age range and the first to evaluate whether the consumption of adapted milk formulas and dairy products is associated with healthier dietary patterns and better diet quality and lifestyles in this group

Src activation by β-adrenoreceptors is a key switch for tumor metastasis

Norepinephrine (NE) can modulate multiple cellular functions important for cancer progression; however, how this single extracellular signal regulates such a broad array of cellular processes is unknown. Here, we identify Src as a key regulator of phosphoproteomic signaling networks activated in response to beta-adrenergic signaling in cancer cells. These results also identify a new mechanism of Src phosphorylation that mediates beta-adrenergic/PKA regulation of downstream networks, thereby enhancing tumor cell migration, invasion and growth. In human ovarian cancer samples, high tumoral NE levels were correlated with high pSrcY419 levels. Moreover, among cancer patients, the use of beta blockers was significantly associated with reduced cancer-related mortality. Collectively, these data provide a pivotal molecular target for disrupting neural signaling in the tumor microenvironment

Experimental evidences for the use of two macroalgal species, Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus as biomonitors of N sources

Proyecto ANILE (CTM2009-08396, CTM2010-08804-E) Plan Nacional de I+D+i y Proyecto RADIALES (IEO)Postprint2,263