Hyperbolic subdiffusive impedance

We use the hyperbolic subdiffusion equation with fractional time derivatives (the generalized Cattaneo equation) to study the transport process of electrolytes in media where subdiffusion occurs. In this model the flux is delayed in a non-zero time with respect to the concentration gradient. In particular, we obtain the formula of electrochemical subdiffusive impedance of a spatially limited sample in the limit of large and of small pulsation of the electric field. The boundary condition at the external wall of the sample are taken in the general form as a linear combination of subdiffusive flux and concentration of the transported particles. We also discuss the influence of the equation parameters (the subdiffusion parameter and the delay time) on the Nyquist impedance plots.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figure

Watching TV news as a memory task -- brain activation and age effects

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Neuroimaging studies which investigate brain activity underlying declarative memory processes typically use artificial, unimodal laboratory stimuli. In contrast, we developed a paradigm which much more closely approximates real-life situations of information encoding.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this study, we tested whether ecologically valid stimuli - clips of a TV news show - are apt to assess memory-related fMRI activation in healthy participants across a wide age range (22-70 years). We contrasted brain responses during natural stimulation (TV news video clips) with a control condition (scrambled versions of the same clips with reversed audio tracks). After scanning, free recall performance was assessed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The memory task evoked robust activation of a left-lateralized network, including primarily lateral temporal cortex, frontal cortex, as well as the left hippocampus. Further analyses revealed that - when controlling for performance effects - older age was associated with greater activation of left temporal and right frontal cortex.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We demonstrate the feasibility of assessing brain activity underlying declarative memory using a natural stimulation paradigm with high ecological validity. The preliminary result of greater brain activation with increasing age might reflect an attempt to compensate for decreasing episodic memory capacity associated with aging.</p

Relationship between perceived stress and negative mood: differences according to of coping style

En el modelo Transaccional de Lazarus se destaca que el efecto que puede producir un determinado estímulo estresor sobre la respuesta de estrés de las personas viene determinado por dos variables fundamenta-les. Una de ellas se refiere a la valoración que hace la persona de la magni-tud de dicho estímulo, la otra está relacionada con el tipo de estrategias uti-lizadas para afrontarlo. El presente trabajo examina si el estado de ánimo negativo puede explicarse a partir del estrés percibido y del estilo de afron-tamiento. También se analiza si existen diferencias en las estrategias de afrontamiento utilizadas en función del género y la edad. Quinientos diez universitarios contestaron a diferentes escalas para medir su estrés percibido, el estado de ánimo y el estilo de afrontamiento. Los resultados muestran que el estrés percibido y un uso frecuente de un estilo de afrontamiento pasivo son factores predictores del estado de áni-mo negativo. Además, se han encontrado diferencias en las estrategias de afrontamiento utilizadas en función del género y de la edad. Se discuten las implicaciones de los resultados para minimizar el impacto de los estresores diarios.In the Lazarus transactional model emphasizes the effect that certain stimuli can produce a stressor on stress response of individuals is determined by two key variables. One of them concerns the assessment made by the person of the magnitude of the stimulus, the other is related to the type of strategies used to cope. This paper examines whether the negative mood can be explained by perceived stress and coping style. It also examines whether there are differences in coping strategies used by gender and age. Five hundred ten university responded to different scales to measure perceived stress, mood and coping style. The results show that perceived stress and frequent use of passive coping style are predictors of negative mood. In addition, we found differences in coping strategies used by gender and age. Implications of the results to minimize the impact of daily stressors

Bienestar psicológico y hábitos saludables: ¿están asociados a la práctica de ejercicio físico?

La práctica regular de ejercicio físico ha demostrado tener efectos beneficiosos sobre la salud psicológica. El propósito de este estudio descriptivo mediante encuesta ha sido analizar la asociación entre la práctica de ejercicio físico y los hábitos de vida saludables y el bienestar psicológico. Se han utilizado dos muestras, una de ellas compuesta por 208 estudiantes pertenecientes a la Universidad de Aveiro (Portugal) y la otra por 239 estudiantes de la Universidad de Granada (España). Los participantes cumplimentaron un cuestionario sobre datos sociodemográficos, salud y ejercicio físico, la Escala de Estrés Percibido (Perceived Stress Scale, PSS) y una forma abreviada del Perfil de Estado de Ánimo (Profile of Mood States, POMS). Los resultados obtenidos en ambos grupos muestran que, mientras que el consumo reducido de alcohol o tabaco y la ausencia de sobrepeso no se asocian a la realización de ejercicio físico, el bienestar psicológico sí está asociado a la práctica regular de ejercicio físico, independientemente del tipo de ejercicio practicado. Los participantes que realizan ejercicio regularmente tienden a percibir mayor grado de salud, menor nivel de estrés y mejor estado de ánimo. Se discuten las implicaciones de los resultados y se sugieren futuras líneas de investigación en esta área.Regular physical exercise has preventive effects for psychological wellbeing. The objective of the present descriptive study was to analyse the association between the practice of physical exercise and healthy life habits, and psychological well-being. It used two samples, one of them composed of 208 students from the Aveiro University (Portugal) and the other composed of 239 students from the Granada University (Spain). The subjects answered a questionnaire about socio-demographic data, health and physical exercise, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and a shortened version of the Profile of Mood States (POMS). The results obtained in both groups showed that the limited use of alcohol or tobacco and the limited overweight are not related to physical exercise, but psychological well-being is related to regular practice of physical exercise, independently of the type of exercise practiced. The subjects that realize regularly exercise tend to perceive higher health level, lower stress level, and better mood states. Implications of the findings and further research lines in this area are discussed

Correlation between magnetic and crystal structural sublattices in palladium-doped FeRh alloys: Analysis of the metamagnetic phase transition driving forces

FeRh alloys doped with the third element exhibit a change in the lattice and magnetic subsystems, which are manifested in antiferromagnetic- ferromagnetic (AFM-FM) first-order phase transition temperature, the shrinkage of the temperate hysteresis under transition, and the reduction of the saturation magnetization. All aforementioned parameters are crucial for practical applications. To control them it is quite important to determine the driving forces of the metamagnetic transition and its origins. In this manuscript ab initio calculations and experimental studies results are presented, which demonstrate the correlation between the structural and magnetic properties of the Fe50Rh50−xPdx alloys. The qualitative analysis of the metamagnetic phase transition driving forces in palladium-doped FeRh alloys was performed to determine their contribution to the evolution of magnetic and lattice subsystems. In addition, the impact of the impurities phases together with its magnetic behavior on the AFM-FM phase transition was considered.Fil: Komlev, Aleksei S.. Lomonosov Moscow State University; RusiaFil: Karpenkov, Dmitriy Y.. National University of Science and Technology; Rusia. Lomonosov Moscow State University; RusiaFil: Gimaev, Radel R.. Lomonosov Moscow State University; RusiaFil: Chirkova, Alisa. Institute for Materials Science; AlemaniaFil: Akiyama, Ayaka. Hirosaki University; JapónFil: Miyanaga, Takafumi. Hirosaki University; JapónFil: Hupalo, Marcio Ferreira. Universidade Estadual do Ponta Grossa; BrasilFil: Aguiar, D.J.M.. Universidade Federal do Paraná; BrasilFil: Carvalho, Alexandre Magnus G.. Universidade Estadual de Maringá; Brasil. Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Jiménez, María Julia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Física del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Física. Instituto de Física del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Cabeza, Gabriela Fernanda. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Física del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Física. Instituto de Física del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Zverev, Vladimir I.. Lomonosov Moscow State University; RusiaFil: Perov, Nikolai S.. Lomonosov Moscow State University; Rusi

Mortars with incorporation of phase change materials (PCM): physical and mechanical properties and durability

O despertar da consciência ambiental pela sociedade, tem levantado problemas até então ignorados tais como os consumos energéticos. Numa sociedade com um elevado ritmo de crescimento e padrões de conforto cada vez maiores, surge a necessidade de minimizar os elevados consumos energéticos, tirando partido de fontes de energia renováveis. As argamassas com incorporação de materiais de mudança de fase (PCM) possuem a capacidade de regular a temperatura no interior dos edifícios, contribuindo desta forma para o aumento do nível de conforto térmico e diminuição do recurso a equipamentos de climatização, apenas com recurso à energia solar. Contudo, a incorporação de materiais de mudança de fase em argamassas modifica algumas das suas principais características. Portanto, o principal objetivo deste estudo consistiu na caracterização física e mecânica de argamassas aditivadas com PCM, assim como na avaliação da sua durabilidade. Para tal foram desenvolvidas 12 composições distintas, à base de diferentes ligantes e dopadas com 40% de PCM. Tendo sido possível observar que a incorporação de PCM provoca diferenças significativas em propriedades tais como a trabalhabilidade, resistência à compressão, resistência à flexão, aderência, absorção de água por capilaridade, absorção de água por imersão e resistência a ações de gelo-degelo. Contudo, foi possível concluir que a incorporação de PCM nas argamassas pode ser realizada com sucesso. Sendo que, as alterações verificadas nas argamassas podem ser contornadas através da incorporação de uma maior dosagem de ligante, superplastificante e até mesmo a inclusão de fibras. Apesar dos resultados desta investigação serem promissores é importante referir que outras investigações devem ser realizadas com o intuito de observar a influência do PCM em argamassas constituídas por outros materiais.The awakening of environmental awareness by society has raised issues previously ignored such as energy consumption. In a society with a high growth rate and increased standards of comfort arises the need to minimize the currently high energy consumption by taking advantage of renewable energy sources. The mortars with incorporation of phase change materials (PCM) have the ability to regulate the temperature inside buildings, contributing to the thermal comfort and reduction of the use of heating and cooling equipment, using only the energy supplied by the sun. However, the incorporation of phase change materials in mortars modifies its characteristics. The main purpose of this study was the physical and mechanical characterization, as well the evaluation of the durability. Twelve compositions were developed, based in different binders and doped with 40% of PCM. It was possible to observe that the incorporation of PCM in mortars caused significant differences in properties, such as workability, compression strength, flexural strength, adhesion, water absorption by capillarity, water absorption by immersion and degradation after freeze-thaw cycles. However, it was concluded that the incorporation of PCM in mortars can be performed successfully. Being that the changes in mortars can be solved by incorporating a higher content of binder, superplasticizer and the inclusion of fibers. Although the results of this investigation are promising it is important to note that further investigations should be performed aiming to observe the influence of PCM in mortars composed by other materials.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia pelo financiamento deste trabalho de investigação desenvolvido no âmbito do projeto “ Contribuição de Argamassas Térmicas Ativas para a Eficiência Energética dos Edifícios” (PTDC/ECM/102154/2008) e à atribuição da bolsa individual de doutoramento com referência SFRH/BD/95611/2013

Subjective response to antipsychotic treatment and compliance in schizophrenia. A naturalistic study comparing olanzapine, risperidone and haloperidol (EFESO Study)

BACKGROUND: In order to compare the effectiveness of different antipsychotic drugs in the treatment of schizophrenia it is very important to evaluate subjective response and compliance in patient cohorts treated according to routine clinical practice. METHOD: Outpatients with schizophrenia entered this prospective, naturalistic study when they received a new prescription for an antipsychotic drug. Treatment assignment was based on purely clinical criteria, as the study did not include any experimental intervention. Patients treated with olanzapine, risperidone or haloperidol were included in the analysis. Subjective response was measured using the 10-item version of the Drug Attitude Inventory (DAI-10), and treatment compliance was measured using a physician-rated 4 point categorical scale. RESULTS: A total of 2128 patients initiated treatment (as monotherapy) with olanzapine, 417 with risperidone, and 112 with haloperidol. Olanzapine-treated patients had significantly higher DAI-10 scores and significantly better treatment compliance compared to both risperidone- and haloperidol-treated patients. Risperidone-treated patients had a significantly higher DAI-10 score compared to haloperidol-treated patients. CONCLUSION: Subjective response and compliance were superior in olanzapine-treated patients, compared to patients treated with risperidone and haloperidol, in routine clinical practice. Differences in subjective response were explained largely, but not completely, by differences in incidence of EPS

Towards an applied metaecology

The complexity of ecological systems is a major challenge for practitioners and decision-makers who work to avoid, mitigate and manage environmental change. Here, we illustrate how metaecology – the study of spatial interdependencies among ecological systems through fluxes of organisms, energy, and matter – can enhance understanding and improve managing environmental change at multiple spatial scales. We present several case studies illustrating how the framework has leveraged decision-making in conservation, restoration and risk management. Nevertheless, an explicit incorporation of metaecology is still uncommon in the applied ecology literature, and in action guidelines addressing environmental change. This is unfortunate because the many facets of environmental change can be framed as modifying spatial context, connectedness and dominant regulating processes - the defining features of metaecological systems. Narrowing the gap between theory and practice will require incorporating system-specific realism in otherwise predominantly conceptual studies, as well as deliberately studying scenarios of environmental change.We thank FAPESP (grants 2014/10470-7 to AM, 2013/04585-3 to DL, 2013/50424-1 to TS and 2015/18790-3to LS), CNPq (Productivity Fellowships 301656/2011-8 to JAFDF,308205/2014-6 to RP, 306183/2014-5 to PIP and 307689/2014-0 to VDP), the National Science Foundation (DEB 1645137 toJGH), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada (SJL,PPN), and the Academy of Finland (grants 257686 and 292765 toMC) for support. This work contributes to the Labex OT-Med (no.ANR-11-LABX-0061), funded by the French government throughthe A*MIDEX project (no. ANR-11-IDEX-0001-02)