Inhomogeneous Magnetism in La-doped CaMnO3. (II) Mesoscopic Phase Separation due to Lattice-coupled FM Interactions

A detailed investigation of mesoscopic magnetic and crystallographic phase separation in Ca(1-x)La(x)MnO3, 0.00<=x<=0.20, is reported. Neutron powder diffraction and DC-magnetization techniques have been used to isolate the different roles played by electrons doped into the eg level as a function of their concentration x. The presence of multiple low-temperature magnetic and crystallographic phases within individual polycrystalline samples is argued to be an intrinsic feature of the system that follows from the shifting balance between competing FM and AFM interactions as a function of temperature. FM double-exchange interactions associated with doped eg electrons are favored over competing AFM interactions at higher temperatures, and couple more strongly with the lattice via orbital polarization. These FM interactions thereby play a privileged role, even at low eg electron concentrations, by virtue of structural modifications induced above the AFM transition temperatures.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figure

Anxiety Disorders and Sensory Over-Responsivity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Is There a Causal Relationship?

Anxiety disorders and sensory over-responsivity (SOR) are common in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and there is evidence for an association between these two conditions. Currently, it is unclear what causal mechanisms may exist between SOR and anxiety. We propose three possible theories to explain the association between anxiety and SOR: (a) SOR is caused by anxiety; (b) Anxiety is caused by SOR; or (c) SOR and anxiety are causally unrelated but are associated through a common risk factor or diagnostic overlap. In this paper, we examine support for each theory in the existing anxiety, autism, and neuroscience literature, and discuss how each theory informs choice of interventions and implications for future studies

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of breakfast nutritional composition in French schoolchildren aged 9-11 years

International audienceBackground The present study aimed to analyse the nutritional quality of childrens' breakfasts using data collected during a cross-sectional observational study on the prevalence of urinary osmolality in 529 French children aged 9–11 years. Methods Total nutrient intake, mean adequacy ratio (MAR), energy density and solid energy density were calculated from breakfast food and fluid nutritional composition. To identify the main qualitative breakfast patterns, each breakfast item was categorised into 15 solid and liquid food categories and a principal component analysis followed by a cluster analysis was performed. Results Only 9.8% included skipped breakfast. Breakfast provided, on average, 22.9% of the recommended daily energy intake and 24.7% of the mean adequacy ratio of 23 key nutrients. Four breakfast patterns were identified: ‘Sweets breakfast’ (40.0% of children), ‘Traditional French breakfast’ (27.2%), ‘Ready-to-eat cereal (RTEC) + milk’ (18.1%) and ‘Dairy and juice breakfast’ (9.5%). Nutritionally, the ‘RTEC + milk’ pattern was the most advantageous. Flavoured milk was the most frequently consumed food (50.5%) and the major component of the ‘Traditional French breakfast’. Conclusions Although breakfast provided a substantial contribution to a range of nutrients, opportunity for improvement, particularly to less nutrient breakfast patterns, should not be overlooked

Sex-dependent up-regulation of two splicing factors, Psf and Srp20, during hippocampal memory formation

Gene transcription is required for long-term memory (LTM) formation. LTM formation is impaired in a male-specific manner in mice lacking either of the two Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase kinase (Camkk) genes. Since altered transcription was suggested to cause these impairments in LTM formation, we used microarrays to screen for CaMKKβ-dependent gene expression changes. Here we show that the hippocampal mRNA expression of two splicing factors, splicing factor arginine/serine-rich 3 (Sfrs3/Srp20) and polypyrimidine tract-binding protein-associated splicing factor (Psf), is altered in CaMKKβ-deficient males. In wild-type (WT) mice, the basal expression level in the hippocampus is higher in males than in females, and the sex difference in Srp20 expression is detectable before puberty. Training in two hippocampus-dependent learning tasks, the spatial version of the Morris water maze (MWM) and background contextual fear conditioning, increases the hippocampal mRNA expression of both splicing factors in WT males. However, the increase in Srp20 mRNA expression occurs only in males and not in females, whereas the up-regulation of Psf expression occurs in both sexes. Importantly, control experiments demonstrate that the up-regulation of both splicing factors is specific for the learned associations after contextual fear conditioning. In summary, we provide the first evidence for a regulation of splicing factors during LTM formation and we suggest that alternative splicing contributes to sex differences in LTM formation

Surface reactivity control of a borosilicate glass using thermal poling

The ability to control glass surface reactivity at different length enables key properties required for future “smart substrates”. Employing a thermal poling process on a specific borosilicate glass composition can yield a surface with tailored physical and chemical properties. This work shows that during poling, alkali contained in the glass matrix migrates from the anode to the cathode side of the specimen, yielding the formation of an alkali-depleted layer under the anode. We have shown that this process is responsible for structural changes in the glass network and the formation of a frozen electric field within the glass. Network reorganization is linked to the creation of BØ3 units, which replace BØ4– entities upon migration of the alkali ions. The resulting newly charged borate structure leads to a measurable change in the glass’ affinity to atmospheric water, being attracted to the poled anodic zone. Such spatial control of surface hydrophilicity can aid in the creation of tailored surface functionality.Initiative d'excellence de l'Université de Bordeau

El uso de películas como recurso pedagógico en la enseñanza de neurofarmacología

Recursos audiovisuais são estratégias utilizadas para facilitar o processo ensino-aprendizagem. Entretanto, o uso de filmes comerciais como recurso pedagógico para o ensino das ciências da saúde, tal como a farmacologia, não é tão comum. O objetivo deste artigo é relatar nossa experiência com o uso de filmes, como: Linha Mortal, Mr. Jones, Tempo de despertar, entre outros, como ferramenta de ensino da disciplina Neurofarmacologia. Embora seja ministrada para o ensino de graduação do curso de Enfermagem da Universidade de Brasília, a metodologia pode ser adotada em outros cursos da área de Ciências da Saúde. A combinação de referencial teórico de Neurofarmacologia e a discussão dos filmes em sala de aula pode ser comparada a um estudo de caso, cuja narrativa permite aproximar os estudantes da realidade, tornando lúdico e fácil de relacionar as situações clínicas com o tratamento farmacológico, além de assimilarem novos conceitos. ________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTAudiovisual resources are strategies used to facilitate the process of teaching. However, the use of commercial films as an educational resource for teaching health sciences, such as pharmacology, is not very common. The purpose of this article is to describe our experience with using films, as Flatliners, Mr. Jones, Awakenings, among others, as a teaching tool for the Neuropharmacology course. Although it is used to teach undergraduates at the Nursing course of Brasília University, the methodology can be adopted by other courses in the field of Health Sciences. The combination of the theoretical framework of Neuropharmacology and the classroom discussion of the films can be compared to a case study, whose narrative allows the students to be brought closer to reality, making it entertaining and easier for them to relate to clinical situations, with pharmacotherapy, and to assimilate new concepts. _______________________________________________________________________________ RÉSUMENLos recursos audiovisuales son estrategias para facilitar el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje. El uso de películas comerciales como recurso pedagógico para la enseñanza de las ciencias de la salud, tal como la farmacología, no es tan común. El objetivo de este artículo es relatar nuestra experiencia al usar películas, como, Línea Mortal, Mr. Jones, Tiempo de despertar, entre otras, como herramienta de enseñanza de la asignatura de Neurofarmacología. Aunque se utilice para la enseñanza del curso de graduación de Enfermería de la Universidad de Brasilia, la metodología se puede adoptar en otros cursos de las Ciencias de la Salud. La combinación del referencial teórico de Neurofarmacología y la discusión de las películas en clases se puede comparar a un estudio del caso, cuya narrativa permite aproximar los estudiantes a la realidad, volviendo lúdico y más fácil relacionar las situaciones clínicas con el tratamiento farmacológico y assimilar nuevos conceptos

Computerised Decision Support Systems for the management of freshwater radioecological emergencies: Assessment of the state-of-the-art with respect to the experiences and needs of end-users

Assessment of the environmental and radiological consequences of a nuclear accident requires the management of a great deal of data and information as well as the use of predictive models. Computerised Decision Support Systems (CDSS) are essential tools for this kind of complex assessment and for assisting experts with a rational decision process. The present work focuses on the assessment of the main features of selected state-of-the-art CDSS for off-site management of freshwater ecosystems contaminated by radionuclides. This study involved both developers and end-users of the assessed CDSS and was based on practical customisation exercises, installation and application of the decision systems. Potential end-users can benefit from the availability of several ready-to-use CDSS that allow one to run different kinds of models aimed at predicting the behaviour of radionuclides in aquatic ecosystems, evaluating doses to humans, assessing the effectiveness of different kinds of environmental management interventions and ranking these interventions, accounting for their social, economic and environmental impacts. As a result of the present assessment, the importance of CDSS " integration" became apparent: in many circumstances, different CDSS can be used as complementary tools for the decision-making process. The results of this assessment can also be useful for the future development and improvement of the CDSS. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd

Concepção e organização de um centro de controle de intoxicações The conception and organization of a center for the control of cases of poisoning

Objetivou-se contribuir para uma melhor compreensão da importância dos Centros de Controle de Intoxicações (ou Centros Anti-Veneno), através do relato de sua concepção e organização. Ressaltou-se a necessidade destes centros atuarem integrados a instituições governamentais, a entidades privadas e à comunidade, e a importância dos setores de epidemiologia e prevenção, de análises toxicológicas e de pesquisa científica nestes centros. Enfatizou-se a necessidade de sua intervenção na área de promoção e proteção à saúde, através do estabelecimento de linhas de ação principalmente a nível educacional, de saúde mental e de capacitação profissional. Foram sugeridas algumas providências que concorrerão para maior esclarecimento e, consequentemente, para a diminuição da incidência de intoxicações, revertendo em economia de recursos financeiros que são necessários ao atendimento integral de pacientes intoxicados.<br>As a contribution to a better understanding of the importance of Poison Control Centers, the present work focuses on their conception, organization and action as part of government institutions, private entities and the community. The importance of the sectors that deal with Prevention and Epidemiology, Toxicological Analysis and Scientific Research in these centers is particularly emphasized. Also the necessity for intervention in the areas of preventive public health by means of the creation of plans of action, particularly those related to public awareness, education and mental health, is stressed. Finally suggestions are made which, if implemented, should facilitate the understanding of cases of poisoning and hence diminish their incidence; this should result, in turn, in economy of available government resources, permiting development of more comprehensive treatment programs for patients suffering from poisoning