State-space modelling for heater induced thermal effects on LISA pathfinder's test masses

The OSE (Offline Simulations Environment) simulator of the LPF (LISA Pathfinder) mission is intended to simulate the different experiments to be carried out in flight. Amongst these, the thermal diagnostics experiments are intended to relate thermal disturbances and interferometer readouts, thereby allowing the subtraction of thermally induced interferences from the interferometer channels. In this paper we report on the modelling of these simulated experiments, including the parametrisation of different thermal effects (radiation pressure effect, radiometer effect) that will appear in the Inertial Sensor environment of the LTP (LISA Technology Package). We report as well how these experiments are going to be implemented in the LTPDA toolbox, which is a dedicated tool for LPF data analysis that will allow full traceability and reproducibility of the analysis thanks to complete recording of the processes.Postprint (published version

Thermally-activated cation ordering in ZnGa2Se4 single crystals studied by Raman scattering, optical absorption, and ab initio calculations

Order-disorder phase transitions induced by thermal annealing have been studied in the ordered-vacancy compound ZnGa2Se4 by means of Raman scattering and optical absorption measurements. The partially disordered as-grown sample with tetragonal defect stannite (DS) structure and I (4) over bar 2m space group has been subjected to controlled heating and cooling cycles. In situ Raman scattering measurements carried out during the whole annealing cycle show that annealing the sample to 400 degrees C results in a cation ordering in the sample, leading to the crystallization of the ordered tetragonal defect chalcopyrite (DC) structure with I (4) over bar space group. On decreasing temperature the ordered cation scheme of the DC phase can be retained at ambient conditions. The symmetry of the Raman-active modes in both DS and DC phases is discussed and the similarities and differences between the Raman spectra of the two phases emphasized. The ordered structure of annealed samples is confirmed by optical absorption measurements and ab initio calculations, that show that the direct bandgap of DC-ZnGa2Se4 is larger than that of DS-ZnGa2Se4.This study was supported by the Spanish government MEC under grants MAT2010-21270-C04-01/03/04 and MAT2010-19837-C06-06, by MALTA Consolider Ingenio 2010 project (CSD2007-00045), and by the Vicerrectorado de Investigacion y Desarrollo of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (UPV2011-0914 PAID-05-11 and UPV2011-0966 PAID-06-11). EP-G, AM, and PR-H acknowledge computing time provided by Red Espanola de Supercomputacion (RES) and MALTA-Cluster. Finally, the authors would also like to acknowledge M C Moron for stimulating discussions and revision of the present manuscript.Vilaplana Cerda, RI.; Gomis Hilario, O.; Pérez-González, E.; Ortiz, HM.; Manjón Herrera, FJ.; Rodríguez-Hernández, P.; Muñoz, A.... (2013). Thermally-activated cation ordering in ZnGa2Se4 single crystals studied by Raman scattering, optical absorption, and ab initio calculations. Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter. 25(16):165802-1-165802-11. https://doi.org/10.1088/0953-8984/25/16/165802S165802-1165802-112516Bernard, J. E., & Zunger, A. (1988). Ordered-vacancy-compound semiconductors: PseudocubicCdIn2Se4. Physical Review B, 37(12), 6835-6856. doi:10.1103/physrevb.37.6835Jiang, X., & Lambrecht, W. R. L. (2004). Electronic band structure of ordered vacancy defect chalcopyrite compounds with formulaII−III2−VI4. Physical Review B, 69(3). doi:10.1103/physrevb.69.035201Yahia, I. S., Fadel, M., Sakr, G. B., & Shenouda, S. S. (2010). Memory switching of ZnGa2Se4 thin films as a new material for phase change memories (PCMs). Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 507(2), 551-556. doi:10.1016/j.jallcom.2010.08.021Yahia, I. S., Fadel, M., Sakr, G. B., Yakuphanoglu, F., Shenouda, S. S., & Farooq, W. A. (2011). Analysis of current–voltage characteristics of Al/p-ZnGa2Se4/n-Si nanocrystalline heterojunction diode. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 509(12), 4414-4419. doi:10.1016/j.jallcom.2011.01.068Hahn, H., Frank, G., Klingler, W., St�rger, A. D., & St�rger, G. (1955). Untersuchungen �ber tern�re Chalkogenide. VI. �ber Tern�re Chalkogenide des Aluminiums, Galliums und Indiums mit Zink, Cadmium und Quecksilber. Zeitschrift f�r anorganische und allgemeine Chemie, 279(5-6), 241-270. doi:10.1002/zaac.19552790502Errandonea, D., Kumar, R. S., Manjón, F. J., Ursaki, V. V., & Tiginyanu, I. M. (2008). High-pressure x-ray diffraction study on the structure and phase transitions of the defect-stannite ZnGa2Se4 and defect-chalcopyrite CdGa2S4. Journal of Applied Physics, 104(6), 063524. doi:10.1063/1.2981089Morón, M. C., & Hull, S. (2003). Order-disorder phase transition inZn1−xMnxGa2Se4: Long-range order parameter versusx. Physical Review B, 67(12). doi:10.1103/physrevb.67.125208Morón, M. C., & Hull, S. (2005). Effect of magnetic dilution in Zn1−xMnxGa2Se4 (0<x<0.5). Journal of Applied Physics, 98(1), 013904. doi:10.1063/1.1944220Morón, M. C., & Hull, S. (2007). The influence of magnetic dilution in the Zn1−xMnxGa2Se4 series with 0.5<x⩽1. Journal of Applied Physics, 102(3), 033919. doi:10.1063/1.2767273Antonioli, G., Lottici, P. P., & Razzetti, C. (1989). The structure of the defect chalcopyrite ZnGa2Se4 studied by EXAFS. physica status solidi (b), 152(1), 39-49. doi:10.1002/pssb.2221520104Haeuseler, H. (1978). FIR- und Ramanspektren von ternären Chalkogeniden des Galliums und Indiums mit Zink, Cadmium und Quecksilber. Journal of Solid State Chemistry, 26(4), 367-376. doi:10.1016/0022-4596(78)90171-8Eifler, A., Krauss, G., Riede, V., Krämer, V., & Grill, W. (2005). Optical phonon modes and structure of ZnGa2Se4 and ZnGa2S4. Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, 66(11), 2052-2057. doi:10.1016/j.jpcs.2005.09.049Lottici, P. P., & Razzetti, C. (1983). A comparison of the raman spectra of ZnGa2Se4 and other gallium defect chalcopyrites. Solid State Communications, 46(9), 681-684. doi:10.1016/0038-1098(83)90506-9Razzetti, C., Lottici, P. P., & Antonioli, G. (1987). Structure and lattice dynamics of nonmagnetic defective AIIBIII2XIV4 compounds and alloys. Progress in Crystal Growth and Characterization, 15(1), 43-73. doi:10.1016/0146-3535(87)90009-8Attolini, G., Bini, S., Lottici, P. P., & Razzetti, C. (1992). Effects of Group III Cation Substitution in the Raman Spectra of Some Defective Chalcopyrites. Crystal Research and Technology, 27(5), 685-690. doi:10.1002/crat.2170270519Takahashi, Y., Namatsu, H., Machida, K., & Minegishi, K. (1993). Measurements of Diffusion Coefficiens of Water in Electron Cryclotron Resonance Plasma SiO2. Japanese Journal of Applied Physics, 32(Part 2, No. 3B), L431-L433. doi:10.1143/jjap.32.l431Ursaki, V. V., Burlakov, I. I., Tiginyanu, I. M., Raptis, Y. S., Anastassakis, E., & Anedda, A. (1999). Phase transitions in defect chalcopyrite compounds under hydrostatic pressure. Physical Review B, 59(1), 257-268. doi:10.1103/physrevb.59.257Allakhverdiev, K., Gashimzade, F., Kerimova, T., Mitani, T., Naitou, T., Matsuishi, K., & Onari, S. (2003). Raman scattering under pressure in ZnGa2Se4. Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, 64(9-10), 1597-1601. doi:10.1016/s0022-3697(03)00077-5Alonso-Gutiérrez, P., Sanjuán, M. L., & Morón, M. C. (2009). Thermally activated cation ordering in Zn0.5Mn0.5Ga2Se4single crystals studied by Raman scattering. physica status solidi (c), 6(5), 1182-1186. doi:10.1002/pssc.200881218Caldera, D., Morocoima, M., Quintero, M., Rincon, C., Casanova, R., & Grima, P. (2011). On the crystal structure of the defective ternary compound. Solid State Communications, 151(3), 212-215. doi:10.1016/j.ssc.2010.11.031Gomis, O., Vilaplana, R., Manjón, F. J., Pérez-González, E., López-Solano, J., Rodríguez-Hernández, P., … Ursaki, V. V. (2012). High-pressure optical and vibrational properties of CdGa2Se4: Order-disorder processes in adamantine compounds. Journal of Applied Physics, 111(1), 013518. doi:10.1063/1.3675162Eifler, A., Hecht, J.-D., Lippold, G., Riede, V., Grill, W., Krauß, G., & Krämer, V. (1999). Combined infrared and Raman study of the optical phonons of defect chalcopyrite single crystals. Physica B: Condensed Matter, 263-264, 806-808. doi:10.1016/s0921-4526(98)01292-7Sanjuán, M. L., & Morón, M. C. (2002). Raman study of Zn1−xMnxGa2Se4 diluted magnetic semiconductors: disorder and resonance effects. Physica B: Condensed Matter, 316-317, 565-567. doi:10.1016/s0921-4526(02)00574-4Letoullec, R., Pinceaux, J. P., & Loubeyre, P. (1988). The membrane diamond anvil cell: A new device for generating continuous pressure and temperature variations. High Pressure Research, 1(1), 77-90. doi:10.1080/08957958808202482Perdew, J. P., Burke, K., & Ernzerhof, M. (1997). Generalized Gradient Approximation Made Simple [Phys. Rev. Lett. 77, 3865 (1996)]. Physical Review Letters, 78(7), 1396-1396. doi:10.1103/physrevlett.78.1396Manjón, F. J., Gomis, O., Rodríguez-Hernández, P., Pérez-González, E., Muñoz, A., Errandonea, D., … Ursaki, V. V. (2010). Nonlinear pressure dependence of the direct band gap in adamantine ordered-vacancy compounds. Physical Review B, 81(19). doi:10.1103/physrevb.81.195201Santamaría-Pérez, D., Amboage, M., Manjón, F. J., Errandonea, D., Muñoz, A., Rodríguez-Hernández, P., … Tiginyanu, I. M. (2012). Crystal Chemistry of CdIn2S4, MgIn2S4, and MnIn2S4 Thiospinels under High Pressure. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 116(26), 14078-14087. doi:10.1021/jp303164kBaroni, S., de Gironcoli, S., Dal Corso, A., & Giannozzi, P. (2001). Phonons and related crystal properties from density-functional perturbation theory. Reviews of Modern Physics, 73(2), 515-562. doi:10.1103/revmodphys.73.515Giannozzi, P., Baroni, S., Bonini, N., Calandra, M., Car, R., Cavazzoni, C., … Wentzcovitch, R. M. (2009). QUANTUM ESPRESSO: a modular and open-source software project for quantum simulations of materials. Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter, 21(39), 395502. doi:10.1088/0953-8984/21/39/395502Kroumova, E., Aroyo, M. I., Perez-Mato, J. M., Kirov, A., Capillas, C., Ivantchev, S., & Wondratschek, H. (2003). Bilbao Crystallographic Server : Useful Databases and Tools for Phase-Transition Studies. Phase Transitions, 76(1-2), 155-170. doi:10.1080/0141159031000076110Loudon, R. (1964). The Raman effect in crystals. Advances in Physics, 13(52), 423-482. doi:10.1080/00018736400101051Alonso-Gutiérrez, P., & Sanjuán, M. L. (2008). Ordinary and extraordinary phonons and photons: Raman study of anisotropy effects in the polar modes ofMnGa2Se4. Physical Review B, 78(4). doi:10.1103/physrevb.78.045212Manjón, F. J., Marí, B., Serrano, J., & Romero, A. H. (2005). Silent Raman modes in zinc oxide and related nitrides. Journal of Applied Physics, 97(5), 053516. doi:10.1063/1.1856222Garbato, L., Ledda, F., & Rucci, A. (1987). Structural distortions and polymorphic behaviour in ABC2 and AB2C4 tetrahedral compounds. Progress in Crystal Growth and Characterization, 15(1), 1-41. doi:10.1016/0146-3535(87)90008-6Grzechnik, A., Ursaki, V. V., Syassen, K., Loa, I., Tiginyanu, I. M., & Hanfland, M. (2001). Pressure-Induced Phase Transitions in Cadmium Thiogallate CdGa2Se4. Journal of Solid State Chemistry, 160(1), 205-211. doi:10.1006/jssc.2001.9224Marquina, J., Power, C., Grima, P., Morocoima, M., Quintero, M., Couzinet, B., … González, J. (2006). Crystallographic properties of the MnGa2Se4 compound under high pressure. Journal of Applied Physics, 100(9), 093513. doi:10.1063/1.2358826Meenakshi, S., Vijayakumar, V., Eifler, A., & Hochheimer, H. D. (2010). Pressure-induced phase transition in defect Chalcopyrites HgAl2Se4 and CdAl2S4. Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, 71(5), 832-835. doi:10.1016/j.jpcs.2010.02.007Gomis, O., Vilaplana, R., Manjón, F. J., Santamaría-Pérez, D., Errandonea, D., Pérez-González, E., … Ursaki, V. V. (2013). High-pressure study of the structural and elastic properties of defect-chalcopyrite HgGa2Se4. Journal of Applied Physics, 113(7), 073510. doi:10.1063/1.4792495Lowe-Ma, C. K., & Vanderah, T. A. (1991). Structure of ZnGa2S4, a defect sphalerite derivative. Acta Crystallographica Section C Crystal Structure Communications, 47(5), 919-924. doi:10.1107/s0108270190011192Roa, L., Chervin, J. C., Chevy, A., Davila, M., Grima, P., & Gonzáez, J. (1996). Optical Absorption and Raman Scattering Measurements in CuAlSe2 at High Pressure. physica status solidi (b), 198(1), 99-104. doi:10.1002/pssb.222198011

Experimental Evolution of an Oncolytic Vesicular Stomatitis Virus with Increased Selectivity for p53-Deficient Cells

Experimental evolution has been used for various biotechnological applications including protein and microbial cell engineering, but less commonly in the field of oncolytic virotherapy. Here, we sought to adapt a rapidly evolving RNA virus to cells deficient for the tumor suppressor gene p53, a hallmark of cancer cells. To achieve this goal, we established four independent evolution lines of the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) in p53-knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts (p53−/− MEFs) under conditions favoring the action of natural selection. We found that some evolved viruses showed increased fitness and cytotoxicity in p53−/− cells but not in isogenic p53+/+ cells, indicating gene-specific adaptation. However, full-length sequencing revealed no obvious or previously described genetic changes associated with oncolytic activity. Half-maximal effective dose (EC50) assays in mouse p53-positive colon cancer (CT26) and p53-deficient breast cancer (4T1) cells indicated that the evolved viruses were more effective against 4T1 cells than the parental virus or a reference oncolytic VSV (MΔ51), but showed no increased efficacy against CT26 cells. In vivo assays using 4T1 syngeneic tumor models showed that one of the evolved lines significantly delayed tumor growth compared to mice treated with the parental virus or untreated controls, and was able to induce transient tumor suppression. Our results show that RNA viruses can be specifically adapted typical cancer features such as p53 inactivation, and illustrate the usefulness of experimental evolution for oncolytic virotherapy

High-pressure Raman scattering study of defect chalcopyrite and defect stannite ZnGa2Se4

High-pressure Raman scattering measurements have been carried out in ZnGa2Se4 for both tetragonal defect chalcopyrite and defect stannite structures. Experimental results have been compared with theoretical lattice dynamics ab initio calculations and confirm that both phases exhibit different Raman-active phonons with slightly different pressure dependence. A pressure-induced phase transition to a Raman-inactive phase occurs for both phases; however, the sample with defect chalcopyrite structure requires slightly higher pressures than the sample with defect stannite structure to fully transform into the Raman-inactive phase. On downstroke, the Raman-inactive phase transforms into a phase that could be attributed to a disordered zincblende structure for both original phases; however, the sample with original defect chalcopyrite structure compressed just above 20¿GPa, where the transformation to the Raman-inactive phase is not completed, returns on downstroke mainly to its original structure but shows a new peak that does not correspond to the defect chalcopyrite phase. The pressure dependence of the Raman spectra with this new peak and those of the disordered zincblende phase is also reported and discussed. © 2013 AIP Publishing LLCThis study was supported by the Spanish government MEC under Grants No. MAT2010-21270-C04-01/03/04, by MALTA Consolider Ingenio 2010 project (CSD2007-00045), and by the Vicerrectorado de Investigacion y Desarrollo of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (UPV2011-0914 PAID-05-11 and UPV2011-0966 PAID-06-11). E.P.-G., A.M., and P.R.-H. acknowledge computing time provided by Red Espanola de Supercomputacion (RES) and MALTA-Cluster.Vilaplana Cerda, RI.; Gomis Hilario, O.; Pérez-González, E.; Ortiz, HM.; Manjón Herrera, FJ.; Rodríguez-Hernández, P.; Muñoz, A.... (2013). High-pressure Raman scattering study of defect chalcopyrite and defect stannite ZnGa2Se4. Journal of Applied Physics. 113:2335011-23350110. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4810854S233501123350110113A. MacKinnon, Tables of Numerical Data and Functional Relationships in Science and Technology, Landolt-Börnstein New Series, Group III, Vol. 17, pt. h, edited by O. Madelung, M. Schulz, and H. Weiss, (Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1985), p. 124.Bernard, J. E., & Zunger, A. (1988). Ordered-vacancy-compound semiconductors: PseudocubicCdIn2Se4. Physical Review B, 37(12), 6835-6856. doi:10.1103/physrevb.37.6835Jiang, X., & Lambrecht, W. R. L. (2004). Electronic band structure of ordered vacancy defect chalcopyrite compounds with formulaII−III2−VI4. Physical Review B, 69(3). doi:10.1103/physrevb.69.035201Yahia, I. S., Fadel, M., Sakr, G. B., & Shenouda, S. S. (2010). Memory switching of ZnGa2Se4 thin films as a new material for phase change memories (PCMs). Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 507(2), 551-556. doi:10.1016/j.jallcom.2010.08.021Yahia, I. S., Fadel, M., Sakr, G. B., Yakuphanoglu, F., Shenouda, S. S., & Farooq, W. A. (2011). Analysis of current–voltage characteristics of Al/p-ZnGa2Se4/n-Si nanocrystalline heterojunction diode. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 509(12), 4414-4419. doi:10.1016/j.jallcom.2011.01.068Hahn, H., Frank, G., Klingler, W., St�rger, A. D., & St�rger, G. (1955). Untersuchungen �ber tern�re Chalkogenide. VI. �ber Tern�re Chalkogenide des Aluminiums, Galliums und Indiums mit Zink, Cadmium und Quecksilber. Zeitschrift f�r anorganische und allgemeine Chemie, 279(5-6), 241-270. doi:10.1002/zaac.19552790502Errandonea, D., Kumar, R. S., Manjón, F. J., Ursaki, V. V., & Tiginyanu, I. M. (2008). High-pressure x-ray diffraction study on the structure and phase transitions of the defect-stannite ZnGa2Se4 and defect-chalcopyrite CdGa2S4. Journal of Applied Physics, 104(6), 063524. doi:10.1063/1.2981089Hanada, T., Izumi, F., Nakamura, Y., Nittono, O., Huang, Q., & Santoro, A. (1997). Neutron and electron diffraction studies of ZnGa2Se4. Physica B: Condensed Matter, 241-243, 373-375. doi:10.1016/s0921-4526(97)00592-9Morón, M. C., & Hull, S. (2003). Order-disorder phase transition inZn1−xMnxGa2Se4: Long-range order parameter versusx. Physical Review B, 67(12). doi:10.1103/physrevb.67.125208Morón, M. C., & Hull, S. (2005). Effect of magnetic dilution in Zn1−xMnxGa2Se4 (03.0.co;2-2Bilz, H., & Kress, W. (1979). Phonon Dispersion Relations in Insulators. Springer Series in Solid-State Sciences. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-81347-4Grzechnik, A., Ursaki, V. V., Syassen, K., Loa, I., Tiginyanu, I. M., & Hanfland, M. (2001). Pressure-Induced Phase Transitions in Cadmium Thiogallate CdGa2Se4. Journal of Solid State Chemistry, 160(1), 205-211. doi:10.1006/jssc.2001.9224Meenakshi, S., Vijyakumar, V., Godwal, B. K., Eifler, A., Orgzall, I., Tkachev, S., & Hochheimer, H. D. (2006). High pressure X-ray diffraction study of CdAl2Se4 and Raman study of AAl2Se4 (A=Hg, Zn) and CdAl2X4 (X=Se, S). Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, 67(8), 1660-1667. doi:10.1016/j.jpcs.2006.02.015Meenakshi, S., Vijayakumar, V., Eifler, A., & Hochheimer, H. D. (2010). Pressure-induced phase transition in defect Chalcopyrites HgAl2Se4 and CdAl2S4. Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, 71(5), 832-835. doi:10.1016/j.jpcs.2010.02.007Gomis, O., Vilaplana, R., Manjón, F. J., Santamaría-Pérez, D., Errandonea, D., Pérez-González, E., … Ursaki, V. V. (2013). Crystal structure of HgGa2Se4 under compression. Materials Research Bulletin, 48(6), 2128-2133. doi:10.1016/j.materresbull.2013.02.037A̧lvarez-Garcı́a, J., Pérez-Rodrı́guez, A., Barcones, B., Romano-Rodrı́guez, A., Morante, J. R., Janotti, A., … Scheer, R. (2002). Polymorphism in CuInS2 epilayers: Origin of additional Raman modes. Applied Physics Letters, 80(4), 562-564. doi:10.1063/1.1435800Stanbery, B. J., Kincal, S., Kim, S., Chang, C. H., Ahrenkiel, S. P., Lippold, G., … Crisalle, O. D. (2002). Epitaxial growth and characterization of CuInSe2 crystallographic polytypes. Journal of Applied Physics, 91(6), 3598-3604. doi:10.1063/1.1446234Su, D. S., & Wei, S.-H. (1999). Transmission electron microscopy investigation and first-principles calculation of the phase stability in epitaxial CuInS2 and CuGaSe2 films. Applied Physics Letters, 74(17), 2483-2485. doi:10.1063/1.12301

Cranial and extracranial large-vessel giant cell arteritis share a genetic pattern of interferon-gamma pathway

OBJECTIVES: Two main different clinical phenotypes of giant cell arteritis (GCA) have been described, the classic cranial pattern and the extracranial large-vessel (LV) pattern. Since interferon gamma (IFNG) has shown to be a pivotal cytokine in the pathophysiology of GCA, our aim was to evaluate for the first time the influence of IFNG and IFNG receptor 1 (IFNGR1) polymorphisms in the different clinical phenotypes of GCA. METHODS: Two IFNG polymorphisms (rs2069718 G/A and rs1861493 A/G) and one polymorphism in IFNGR1 (rs1327474 G/A) were genotyped in 191 patients with biopsy-proven cranial GCA, 109 with extracranial LV-GCA and 490 healthy controls. A comparative study was conducted between patients with cranial and extracranial LV-GCA. RESULTS: No significant differences in genotype, allele, and haplotype frequencies of IFNG polymorphisms were found between GCA patients with the classic cranial pattern and the extracranial LV-GCA pattern. Similar results were found for genotype and allele frequencies of IFNGR1 polymorphism. It was also the case when patients with extracranial LV-GCA were compared with healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that IFNG and IFNGR1 polymorphisms do not influence the clinical phenotype of expression of GCA. Classic cranial GCA and extracranial LV-GCA seem to share a genetic pattern of IFNG pathway

Genomic transformation and social organization during the Copper Age–Bronze Age transition in southern Iberia

The emerging Bronze Age (BA) of southeastern Iberia saw marked social changes. Late Copper Age (CA) settlements were abandoned in favor of hilltop sites, and collective graves were largely replaced by single or double burials with often distinctive grave goods indirectly reflecting a hierarchical social organization, as exemplified by the BA El Argar group. We explored this transition from a genomic viewpoint by tripling the amount of data available for this period. Concomitant with the rise of El Argar starting ~2200 cal BCE, we observe a complete turnover of Y-chromosome lineages along with the arrival of steppe-related ancestry. This pattern is consistent with a founder effect in male lineages, supported by our finding that males shared more relatives at sites than females. However, simple two-source models do not find support in some El Argar groups, suggesting additional genetic contributions from the Mediterranean that could predate the BA.Introduction Results - Genetic substructure in the Iberian CA - Genetic turnover in the southern Iberian BA and the rise of El Argar - Mediterranean and central European ancestries shaped the genetic profile of southeastern BA groups in Iberia - A late Argar genetic outlier makes links to North Africa and the central Mediterranean - Insights into phenotypic variation, demography, and social correlates of CA and EBA El Argar societies Discussion Material and method

Genomic transformation and social organization during the Copper Age-Bronze Age transition in southern Iberia

The emerging Bronze Age (BA) of southeastern Iberia saw marked social changes. Late Copper Age (CA) settlements were abandoned in favor of hilltop sites, and collective graves were largely replaced by single or double burials with often distinctive grave goods indirectly reflecting a hierarchical social organization, as exemplified by the BA El Argar group. We explored this transition from a genomic viewpoint by tripling the amount of data available for this period. Concomitant with the rise of El Argar starting ~2200 cal BCE, we observe a complete turnover of Y-chromosome lineages along with the arrival of steppe-related ancestry. This pattern is consistent with a founder effect in male lineages, supported by our finding that males shared more relatives at sites than females. However, simple two-source models do not find support in some El Argar groups, suggesting additional genetic contributions from the Mediterranean that could predate the BA

Ideal cardiovascular health and inflammation in European adolescents: The HELENA study

Background and aims Inflammation plays a key role in atherosclerosis and this process seems to appear in childhood. The ideal cardiovascular health index (ICHI) has been inversely related to atherosclerotic plaque in adults. However, evidence regarding inflammation and ICHI in adolescents is scarce. The aim is to assess the association between ICHI and inflammation in European adolescents. Methods and results As many as 543 adolescents (251 boys and 292 girls) from the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence (HELENA) study, a cross-sectional multi-center study including 9 European countries, were measured. C-reactive protein (CRP), complement factors C3 and C4, leptin and white blood cell counts were used to compute an inflammatory score. Multilevel linear models and multilevel logistic regression were used to assess the association between ICHI and inflammation controlling by covariates. Higher ICHI was associated with a lower inflammatory score, as well as with several individual components, both in boys and girls (p < 0.01). In addition, adolescents with at least 4 ideal components of the ICHI had significantly lower inflammatory score and lower levels of the study biomarkers, except CRP. Finally, the multilevel logistic regression showed that for every unit increase in the ICHI, the probability of having an inflammatory profile decreased by 28.1% in girls. Conclusion Results from this study suggest that a better ICHI is associated with a lower inflammatory profile already in adolescence. Improving these health behaviors, and health factors included in the ICHI, could play an important role in CVD prevention

Dietary animal and plant protein intakes and their associations with obesity and cardio-metabolic indicators in European adolescents: The HELENA cross-sectional study

Background: Previous studies suggest that dietary protein might play a beneficial role in combating obesity and its related chronic diseases. Total, animal and plant protein intakes and their associations with anthropometry and serum biomarkers in European adolescents using one standardised methodology across European countries are not well documented. Objectives: To evaluate total, animal and plant protein intakes in European adolescents stratified by gender and age, and to investigate their associations with cardio-metabolic indicators (anthropometry and biomarkers). Methods: The current analysis included 1804 randomly selected adolescents participating in the HELENA study (conducted in 2006-2007) aged 12.5-17.5 y (47% males) who completed two non-consecutive computerised 24-h dietary recalls. Associations between animal and plant protein intakes, and anthropometry and serum biomarkers were examined with General linear Model multivariate analysis. Results: Average total protein intake exceeded the recommendations of World Health Organization and European Food Safety Authority. Mean total protein intake was 96 g/d (59% derived from animal protein). Total, animal and plant protein intakes (g/d) were significantly lower in females than in males and total and plant protein intakes were lower in younger participants (12.5-14.9 y). Protein intake was significantly lower in underweight subjects and higher in obese ones; the direction of the relationship was reversed after adjustments for body weight (g/(kg.d)). The inverse association of plant protein intakes was stronger with BMI z-score and body fat percentage (BF%) compared to animal protein intakes. Additionally, BMI and BF% were positively associated with energy percentage of animal protein. Conclusions: This sample of European adolescents appeared to have adequate total protein intake. Our findings suggest that plant protein intakes may play a role in preventing obesity among European adolescents. Further longitudinal studies are needed to investigate the potential beneficial effects observed in this study in the prevention of obesity and related chronic diseases

Relationship between self-reported dietary intake and physical activity levels among adolescents: The HELENA study

Background Evidence suggests possible synergetic effects of multiple lifestyle behaviors on health risks like obesity and other health outcomes. Therefore it is important to investigate associations between dietary and physical activity behavior, the two most important lifestyle behaviors influencing our energy balance and body composition. The objective of the present study is to describe the relationship between energy, nutrient and food intake and the physical activity level among a large group of European adolescents. Methods The study comprised a total of 2176 adolescents (46.2% male) from ten European cities participating in the HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) study. Dietary intake and physical activity were assessed using validated 24-h dietary recalls and self-reported questionnaires respectively. Analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) were used to compare the energy and nutrient intake and the food consumption between groups of adolescents with different physical activity levels (1st to 3rd tertile). Results In both sexes no differences were found in energy intake between the levels of physical activity. The most active males showed a higher intake of polysaccharides, protein, water and vitamin C and a lower intake of saccharides compared to less active males. Females with the highest physical activity level consumed more polysaccharides compared to their least active peers. Male and female adolescents with the highest physical activity levels, consumed more fruit and milk products and less cheese compared to the least active adolescents. The most active males showed higher intakes of vegetables and meat, fish, eggs, meat substitutes and vegetarian products compared to the least active ones. The least active males reported the highest consumption of grain products and potatoes. Within the female group, significantly lower intakes of bread and cereal products and spreads were found for those reporting to spend most time in moderate to vigorous physical activity. The consumption of foods from the remaining food groups, did not differ between the physical activity levels in both sexes. Conclusion It can be concluded that dietary habits diverge between adolescents with different self-reported physical activity levels. For some food groups a difference in intake could be found, which were reflected in differences in some nutrient intakes. It can also be concluded that physically active adolescents are not always inclined to eat healthier diets than their less active peers.The HELENA study took place with the financial support of the European Community Sixth RTD Framework Programme (Contract FOOD-CT: 2005-007034). This work was also partially supported by the European Union, in the framework of the Public Health Programme (ALPHA project, Ref: 2006120), the Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research (FAS), the Spanish Ministry of Education (EX-2007-1124, and EX-2008-0641), and the Spanish Ministry of Health, Maternal, Child Health and Development Network (number RD08/0072) (JPRL, LAM)