CVD of CrO2 Thin Films: Influence of the Deposition Parameters on their Structural and Magnetic Properties

This work reports on the synthesis of CrO2 thin films by atmospheric pressure CVD using chromium trioxide (CrO3) and oxygen. Highly oriented (100) CrO2 films containing highly oriented (0001) Cr2O3 were grown onto Al2O3(0001) substrates. Films display a sharp magnetic transition at 375 K and a saturation magnetization of 1.92 Bohr magnetons per f.u., close to the bulk value of 2 Bohr magnetons per f.u. for the CrO2. Keywords: Chromium dioxide (CrO2), Atmospheric pressure CVD, Spintronics.Comment: 5 pages, 6 figure

Adenoviral delivery of angiotensin-(1-7) or angiotensin-(1-9) inhibits cardiomyocyte hypertrophy via the mas or angiotensin Type 2 receptor

The counter-regulatory axis of the renin angiotensin system peptide angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] has been identified as a potential therapeutic target in cardiac remodelling, acting via the mas receptor. Furthermore, we recently reported that an alternative peptide, Ang-(1-9) also counteracts cardiac remodelling via the angiotensin type 2 receptor (AT(2)R). Here, we have engineered adenoviral vectors expressing fusion proteins which release Ang-(1-7) [RAdAng-(1-7)] or Ang-(1-9) [RAdAng-(1-9)] and compared their effects on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in rat H9c2 cardiomyocytes or primary adult rabbit cardiomyocytes, stimulated with angiotensin II, isoproterenol or arg-vasopressin. RAdAng-(1-7) and RAdAng-(1-9) efficiently transduced cardiomyocytes, expressed fusion proteins and secreted peptides, as demonstrated by western immunoblotting and conditioned media assays. Furthermore, secreted Ang-(1-7) and Ang-(1-9) inhibited cardiomyocyte hypertrophy (Control = 168.7±8.4 µm; AngII = 232.1±10.7 µm; AngII+RAdAng-(1-7) = 186±9.1 µm, RAdAng-(1-9) = 180.5±9 µm; P<0.05) and these effects were selectively reversed by inhibitors of their cognate receptors, the mas antagonist A779 for RAdAng-(1-7) and the AT(2)R antagonist PD123,319 for RAdAng-(1-9). Thus gene transfer of Ang-(1-7) and Ang-(1-9) produces receptor-specific effects equivalent to those observed with addition of exogenous peptides. These data highlight that Ang-(1-7) and Ang-(1-9) can be expressed via gene transfer and inhibit cardiomyocyte hypertrophy via their respective receptors. This supports applications for this approach for sustained peptide delivery to study molecular effects and potential gene therapeutic actions

Reducing meat consumption and following plant-based diets: current evidence and future directions to inform integrated transitions

Background: There is increasing consensus that transitioning towards reduced meat consumption and more plant-based diets is a key feature to address important health and sustainability challenges. However, relevant evidence that may inform these transitions remains fragmented with no overarching rationale or theoretical framework, which limits the ability to design and deliver coordinated efforts to address these challenges. Scope and approach: Eleven databases were systematically searched using sets of keywords referring meat curtailment, meat substitution and plant-based diets, as well as consumer choice, appraisal or behavior (2602 articles selected for title and abstract screening; 161 full-texts assessed for eligibility; 110 articles selected for extraction and coding). Barriers and enablers were identified and integrated into an overarching framework (i.e., COM-B system), which conceptualizes behavior as being influenced by three broad components: capability, opportunity and motivation. Key findings and conclusions: This review mapped potential barriers and enablers in terms of capability, opportunity, and motivation to reduce meat consumption and follow more plant-based diets. These included lack of information for consumers and difficulty to acquire new cooking skills (barrier, capability), changes in service provision in collective meal contexts (enabler, opportunity), and positive taste expectations for plant-based meals (enabler, motivation). Evidence on variables referring to the motivation domain is clearly increasing, but there is a striking need for studies that include capability and opportunity variables as well. The results of this review are relevant to a variety of fields and audiences interested in promoting sustainable living and health improvements through dietary choice.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Emphasizing the losses or the gains: comparing situational and individual moderators of framed messages to promote fruit and vegetable intake

Health messages are a commonly used way to promote changes in dietary habits but their efficacy could be enhanced by strategies such as the way in which the presented arguments are framed. This study aimed to test the effectiveness of framed messages (gain vs. loss) on behavioural intention and fruit and vegetable (FV) intake, comparing predictions based on prominent theoretical perspectives on message framing (function of the health behaviour and recipients' motivational orientation) and by further exploring the role of baseline intentions as a potential moderator of the framing effects. Undergraduate students (N = 180) completed the three assessment points in time. At baseline, individual moderators (motivational orientation and intentions) and fruit and vegetable intake were assessed. One week later, participants were randomly assigned to the loss or gain-framed message and indicated their intentions for FV intake the following week. A week later, FV intake over the previous week was assessed. The gain-frame was not conducive, per se, to higher intentions or behaviour. Having intention as the outcome, only baseline intentions moderated the effects of message frame. When considering FV intake as the outcome, both motivational orientation and baseline intentions moderated the effects of message frame, with the loss-frame promoting higher FV intake among individuals who were prevention-oriented and had higher baseline intentions. Findings suggest that the success of framed messages for FV intake depends upon the recipient's characteristics, such as motivational orientation, baseline intentions, and cultural background, with implications for health communication interventions.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Embryo and larval biology of the deepsea octocoral Dentomuricea aff. meteor under different temperature regimes

Deep-sea octocorals are common habitat-formers in deep-sea ecosystems, however, our knowledge on their early life history stages is extremely limited. The present study focuses on the early life history of the species Dentomuricea aff. meteor, a common deep-sea octocoral in the Azores. The objective was to describe the embryo and larval biology of the target species under two temperature regimes, corresponding to the minimum and maximum temperatures in its natural environment during the spawning season. At temperature of 13 ±0.5 °C, embryos of the species reached the planula stage after 96h and displayed a median survival of 11 days. Planulae displayed swimming only after stimulation, swimming speed was 0.24 ±0.16 mm s−1 and increased slightly but significantly with time. Under a higher temperature (15 °C ±0.5 °C) embryos reached the planula stage 24 h earlier (after 72 h), displayed a median survival of 16 days and had significantly higher swimming speed (0.3 ±0.27 mm s−1). Although the differences in survival were not statistically significant, our results highlight how small changes in temperature can affect embryo and larval characteristics with potential cascading effects in larval dispersal and success. In both temperatures, settlement rates were low and metamorphosis occurred even without settlement. Such information is rarely available for deep-sea corals, although essential to achieve a better understanding of dispersal, connectivity and biogeographical patterns of benthic species.Versión del edito

When is congruency helpful? Interactive effects of frame, motivational orientation, and perceived message quality on fruit and vegetable consumption

Health messages framed to be congruent with people’s motivational orientation have been shown to be generally effective in promoting health behavior change, but some inconsistencies have been found. This study tested whether the perceived quality of a health message moderated the congruency effect in the domain of fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption. Undergraduate participants (N = 109) read a health message promoting FV intake in which the frame (gain vs. loss) was either congruent or incongruent with their approach/avoidance motivational orientation. Perceived message quality and intention to increase FV intake were assessed after message exposure, and self-reported FV intake was assessed one week later. A significant interaction between congruency and perceived message quality was found on both intention and FV intake. When messages were congruent, higher intentions and FV intake were observed when perceived message quality was high, but the reverse pattern was observed when perceived message quality was low. The findings support the potential utility of using congruently-framed messages to promote fruit and vegetable consumption, while also underscoring the necessity of using high-quality messages in order for congruency to influence health-related behaviors

Condicionantes agroclimáticas para a ricinocultura em Rondônia: II. Região dos cerrados do sul.

Utilizando a metodologia de balanço hídrico climático de Thornthwaite & Mather, esse trabalho preliminar objetivou predizer sobre as épocas de semeadura da mamoneira em "safrinha" nos cerrados do sul de Rondônia com menores riscos a essa potencial exploração econômica. Embora a época mais propícia para semeadura dependa dos ensaios de validação de cultivares precoces, épocas, locais e interação genótipo x ambiente, conclui-se que as condições climáticas e balanço hídrico dessa região do Estado são satisfatórios para o cultivo da mamona, de porte anão, precoce (90 a 120 dias) e tolerante às doenças fúngicas. Indicouse preliminarmente o período de semeadura entre 10/fevereiro a 10/março, embora, no final do período indicado possa apresentar déficit hídrico no estádio da maturação da mamoneira.bitstream/item/42530/1/bpd25-ricinocultura.pd

Cultivares de arroz de terras altas indicadas para Rondônia – período 2004/06.

Objetivou-se, orientar os segmentos da cadeia produtiva do arroz de terras altas de Rondônia quanto a: critérios de escolha pelos produtores rurais das cultivares indicadas pela Embrapa para o Estado; nível tecnológico a ser empregado para cada cultivar; ecorregiões de melhor adaptabilidade e estabilidade produtiva; principais características agroindustriais; e características culinárias dos grãos demandadas pelo consumidor final.bitstream/item/24768/1/ct75-arrozdeterrasaltaz.pd

Condicionantes agroclimáticas para a ricinocultura em Rondônia: I. Regiões norte e centro-leste.

O Estado de Rondônia é dependente do complexo multimodal, formado pela Rodovia Marechal Rondon (BR-364) e a hidrovia Madeira-Amazonas, para a circulação interna e a agroexportação de produtos de baixo valor agregado. Provavelmente em curto prazo, a produção do biodiesel, a partir da mamona e outras fontes bioenergéticas, tenha alta demanda tecnológica de produção agrícola, beneficiamento e refinarias de óleos vegetais. Embora a ricinocultura não seja tradicional no Estado, poderá vir a ser estratégica para a agroeconomia e o desenvolvimento sustentado regional. Utilizando-se da metodologia de Thornthwaite e Mather, estimaram-se os dados das condições hídricas do solo (balanços hídricos) para capacidade de retenção de água disponível no solo de duas localidades representativas de Rondônia, objetivando a predição das épocas de semeadura para o cultivo tecnificado da mamona (Ricinus communis L.). Concluiu-se que embora as regiões norte e centro-Leste apresentem algumas limitações ambientais, as condições agrocli áticas e o balanço hídrico das regiões de Porto Velho (norte) e Ouro Preto d?Oeste (centro-leste), são satisfatórias para a icinocultura permitindo preliminarmente indicar o período de semeadura entre 1°/fevereiro a 1º/março. A confirmação dos resultados preliminares dependerá dos testes de validação (cultivares precoces, épocas, locais e interação genótipo x ambiente).bitstream/item/42531/1/bpd26-ricinocultura.pd

Health messages to promote fruit and vegetable consumption at different stages: a match-mismatch design

Objective: To examine the effectiveness of matching health messages promoting fruit and vegetable intake to the Health Action Process Approach stages of change.Design: In a randomised controlled trial, 205 undergraduate students (non-intenders n=123; intenders n=82) were exposed to one of three health messages, targeted at non-intenders, intenders and controls.Main outcome measures: Three longitudinal assessments of stage, fruit and vegetable intake, and social-cognitive determinants were obtained.Results: Stage-specific effects of the interventions were confirmed. For self-efficacy, a stage by health message crossover interaction emerged, with both non-intenders and intenders in the matched conditions scoring higher in self-efficacy. Furthermore, in line with predictions, non-intenders in the matched condition showed higher risk perception, outcome expectancies, intention, and stage progression immediately after message exposure, and lower levels of action planning and coping planning a week later in the mismatched condition, but for these outcomes no differences across conditions were obtained among intenders. Multiple mediation analyses confirmed the facilitating role of self-efficacy and behavioural intention among non-intenders.Conclusions: Stages should be considered when designing health messages, although more interactive interventions for intenders and extended measurement time frames may be required.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio