Associations between sedentary time, physical activity and bone health among older people using compositional data analysis

Introduction : Aging is associated with a progressive decrease in bone mass (BM), and being physical active is one of the main strategies to combat this continuous loss. Nonetheless, because daily time is limited, time spent on each movement behavior is co-dependent. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between BM and movement behaviors in elderly people using compositional data analysis. Methods : We analyzed 871 older people [395 men (76.9 +/- 5.3y) and 476 women (76.7 +/- 4.7y)]. Time spent in sedentary behavior (SB), light physical activity (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), was assessed using accelerometry. BM was determined by bone densitometry (DXA). The sample was divided according to sex and bone health indicators. Results : The combined effect of all movement behaviors (PA and SB) was significantly associated with whole body, leg and femoral region BM in the whole sample (p<0.05), with leg and pelvic BM (p<0.05) in men and, with whole body, arm and leg BM (p<0.05) in women. In men, arm and pelvic BM were negatively associated with SB and whole body, pelvic and leg BM were positively associated with MVPA (p<0.05). In women, whole body and leg BM were positively associated with SB. Arm and whole body BM were positively associated and leg BM was negatively associated with LPA and arm BM was negatively associated with MVPA (p<0.05). Women without bone fractures spent less time in SB and more in LPA and MVPA than the subgroup with bone fractures. Conclusion : We identified that the positive effect of MVPA relative to the other behaviors on bone mass is the strongest overall effect in men. Furthermore, women might decrease bone fracture risk through PA increase and SB reduction, despite the fact that no clear benefits of PA for bone mass were found

Mechanical disassembly of human picobirnavirus like particles indicates that cargo retention is tuned by the RNA-coat protein interaction

Here we investigate the cargo retention of individual human picobirnavirus (hPBV) virus-like particles (VLPs) which differ in the N-terminal of their capsid protein (CP): (i) hPBV CP contains the full-length CP sequence; (ii) hPBV Δ45-CP lacks the first 45 N-terminal residues; and (iii) hPBV Ht-CP is the full-length CP with a N-terminal 36-residue tag that includes a 6-His segment. Consequently, each VLP variant holds a different interaction with the ssRNA cargo. We used atomic force microscopy (AFM) to induce and monitor the mechanical disassembly of individual hPBV particles. First, while Δ45-CP particles that lack ssRNA allowed a fast tip indentation after breakage, CP and Ht-CP particles that pack heterologous ssRNA showed a slower tip penetration after being fractured. Second, mechanical fatigue experiments revealed that the increased length in 8% of the N-terminal (Ht-CP) makes the virus particles to crumble ∼10 times slower than the wild type N-terminal CP, indicating enhanced RNA cargo retention. Our results show that the three differentiated N-terminal topologies of the capsid result in distinct cargo release dynamics during mechanical disassembly experiments because of the different interaction with RNAFIS2017-89549-R, FIS2017-90701-REDT, PID2021-126608OB-I00, PID2020-113287RB-I0

Isotope Labelling for Reaction Mechanism Analysis in DBD Plasma Processes

Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasmas and plasma catalysis are becoming an alternative procedure to activate various gas phase reactions. A low-temperature and normal operating pressure are the main advantages of these processes, but a limited energy efficiency and little selectivity control hinder their practical implementation. In this work, we propose the use of isotope labelling to retrieve information about the intermediate reactions that may intervene during the DBD processes contributing to a decrease in their energy efficiency. The results are shown for the wet reforming reaction of methane, using D2O instead of H2O as reactant, and for the ammonia synthesis, using NH3/D2/N2 mixtures. In the two cases, it was found that a significant amount of outlet gas molecules, either reactants or products, have deuterium in their structure (e.g., HD for hydrogen, CDxHy for methane, or NDxHy for ammonia). From the analysis of the evolution of the labelled molecules as a function of power, useful information has been obtained about the exchange events of H by D atoms (or vice versa) between the plasma intermediate species. An evaluation of the number of these events revealed a significant progression with the plasma power, a tendency that is recognized to be detrimental for the energy efficiency of reactant to product transformation. The labelling technique is proposed as a useful approach for the analysis of plasma reaction mechanisms

Molecular properties of PTCDA on graphene grown on a rectangular symmetry substrate

The chemical modulation associated with moiré patterns, arising at the interface of metal-supported 2D material systems, affects the interaction between molecules and 2D materials on surfaces. Since the crystallography of the support influences the interfacial chemistry of the moiré modulation, this parameter could also play a role in the graphene-molecule interaction, although studies using non-hexagonal metal supports are needed to investigate this effect. It is a key issue since graphene appears combined with organic films in most technological advances related to this material. Here, we have characterized the properties of PTCDA molecules on graphene grown on Rh(110) substrates, which exhibit a rectangular atomic packing, using scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. The results showed that PTCDA molecules are arranged on the surface into a herringbone structure exhibiting a long-range ordering, which grows continuously across substrate atomic steps edge and dislocations. The quasi-1D moiré patterns of the Gr/Rh(110) surfaces are found to provide an inert chemical landscape for the molecular arrangement. Bias voltage-dependent imaging of the orbital structure of PTCDA molecules and differential conductance spectra back up a weak molecule–substrate interaction scheme. Finally, the α-polymorph of bulk crystal PTCDA has been determined as the favored stacking configuration for bilayer molecules on Gr/Rh(110)Financial support from the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) under grant No. MAT2016-77852-C2-2-R, as well as, from the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion ´ (MICINN) through the “María de Maetzu” program for units of excellence in R&D (grant No. CEX2018-000805-M) is gratefully acknowledged. A. J. M.-G. acknowledges funding by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion ´ (MICINN) through Project No. PID2020-116619GA-C22, as well as, from the Comunidad de Madrid and the Universidad Autonoma ´ de Madrid under project SI3/PJI/2021- 0050

Mobile Applications Incidence in the Decision Making of Potential Tourists in Huelva City

El presente trabajo presenta un análisis sobre los hábitos de consumo y del proceso de compra/reservas de productos o servicios turísticos a través de aplicaciones móviles en Huelva capital. Entre los resultados más significativos se pudo encontrar que 52,04% de los potenciales turistas utilizan las aplicaciones móviles, siendo totalmente determinante en su decisión de compra los comentarios y opiniones de otros turistas en dichas plataformas, así como las fotografías del destino a escoger, aun entendiendo que dichas informaciones suelen ser falsas o manipuladas.This paper presents an analysis of spending habits and buying process of travel services through mobile applications in Huelva city. Among the most significant results can be found that 52.04% of potential tourists use mobile applications, being fully decisive in their decision to purchase the comments and opinions of other tourists on these platforms, as well as photographs of the destination you choose, while they are understanding that such information often false or manipulated

Reproductive traits of the Colorada Pampeana goat

Information on seven different flocks of the Colorada goat breed in La Pampa (Argentina) was recorded during three consecutive years (1995-1997) to estimate reproductive performance. On the average, reproductive indexes were: fecundity: 87.85 percent, fertility: 92.12 percent, actual prolificity: 1.897 and commercial prolificity: 1.752. There were no signifficant differences among years for any index. On the contrary, flocks differed for fecundity and fertility percentage. Buck percentage was on the average 1.71 percent, and duration of the mating period was about 5 months. Abortus percentage was on the average 4.45 percent, being significantly higher (12.31 percent) in the dryest year. In conclusion, reproductive performance of the Colorada Pampeana goat was high, and it may be showing the adaptation of this breed to the agronomic and environmental conditions of La Pampa province.Durante tres años consecutivos (1995 a 1997) se estudiaron 7 majadas de cabra Colorada en la provincia de La Pampa (Argentina), obteniendo como promedio los siguientes índices reproductivos: fecundidad: 87,85 p.100; fertilidad: 92,12 p.100; prolificidad real: 1,897 y prolificidad comercial: 1,752. No se detectaron diferencias significativas entre años; pero sí entre establecimientos, para los índices de fecundidad y fertilidad. El porcentaje de machos reproductores utilizados para el servicio fue del 1,71 p.100, y la duración del período reproductivo fue aproximadamente de 5 meses. El porcentaje de abortos ha sido en promedio para los 3 años del 4,45 p.100, pero fue sensiblemente superior (12,31 p.100) durante el año de mayor sequía. Los altos índices reproductivos registrados confirman la buena adaptación de la cabra Colorada al medio ambiente en el que se desempeña

Incidencia del contexto económico, financiero y jurídico en el volumen y casuística de la reclamación financiera en España.

Esta comunicación analiza a través de una metodología estadística el posible efecto que, sobre el nivel de reclamación financiera canalizada a través del Servicio de Reclamaciones del Banco de España, pueden tener distintos factores de naturaleza económica, financiera y jurídica determinantes del contexto en el que actualmente se desarrollan las relaciones bancarias. Con el horizonte temporal de una década, 1988-1997, se estudia la repercusión que sobre el volumen y casuística de la reclamación financiera en España ha originado la evolución de la inflación, la bajada significativa de tipos de interés y el intenso desarrollo normativo tutelar de los intereses de la clientela bancaria.This paper analyses, using a statistical methodology, the possible impact that different factors from the economic, financial and legal environment could have on the volume and casuistry of banking complaints, which Banco de España has transacted during the last decade, from 1988 to 1997. Following an introduction that makes stand out the customer’s increasing importance in banking negotiation, we study specifically the influence of the inflation, the low interest rates and the recent legislation about transparency in banking and customer’s protection

Morphologic and phaneroptic characterization of the pampean red goat

The morphoestructure and coat characteristics of Red Goats or Wool Goats has been deteminated and compared with the remainder goats of the zone. The Red Goats were characterized as middlesized animals with 64.2 ± 2.80 cm of height at withers in females and 73.2 ± 3.61cm in males, and a live weight of 44.4 ± 6.03 kg and 71.1 ± 8.94 kg in females and males respectively. They have a strong sexual dimorphism, with a predominantly straight, head profile medium to large ear size, and Aegagrus or arch-spiral horn type. Their mantle is uniform, with an open face of fine, silky, and curli hair. Predominant mantle colours are reddish and light brown. The remainder evaluated goats have greater variability, specially in those characters important for racial diagnosis, as the front-nasal profile, horn type, ear type, pigmentation and hair characteristics.Se determinaron las características fanerópticas y medidas e índices morfológicos de cabras regionales pampeanas, particularmente del tipo que se conoce en la zona como cabra Colorada o de Lana, y se compararon con las del resto de cabras de la zona. Las cabras Coloradas son animales mediolíneos y eumétricos, de 64,2± 2,80 de alzada a la cruz en hembras y 73,2 ± 3,61cm en machos y 44,4 ± 6,03 kg y 71,1 ± 8,94 kg de peso en hembras y machos respectivamente. Son animales de fuerte dimorfismo sexual, con perfil fronto nasal predominantemente recto, orejas medianas a grandes y cuernos de tipo Aegagrus o arcoespiral. El manto es de tipo uniforme, con un vellón de pelo largo, fino, suave, sedoso y rizado, predominando las capas de color rojizo y los tostados. El resto de cabras evaluadas presentan mayor variabilidad, especialmente en aquellos caracteres de importancia en la diagnosis racial como el perfil fronto-nasal, tipo de cuernos, tipo de orejas, pigmentación y características del pelo