Phonon-plasmon coupling in Si doped GaN nanowires

The vibrational properties of silicon doped GaN nanowires with diameters comprised between 40 and 100 nm are studied by Raman spectroscopy through excitation with two different wavelengths: 532 and 405 nm. Excitation at 532 nm does not allow the observation of the coupled phonon-plasmon upper mode for the intentionally doped samples. Yet, excitation at 405 nm results in the appearance of a narrow peak at frequencies close to that of the uncoupled A1(LO) mode for all samples. This behavior points to phonon-plasmon scattering mediated by large phonon wave-vector in these thin and highly doped nanowires

Spectroscopic classification of X-ray sources in the Galactic Bulge Survey

We present the classification of 26 optical counterparts to X-ray sources discovered in the Galactic Bulge Survey. We use (time-resolved) photometric and spectroscopic observations to classify the X-ray sources based on their multi-wavelength properties. We find a variety of source classes, spanning different phases of stellar/binary evolution. We classify CX21 as a quiescent cataclysmic variable (CV) below the period gap, and CX118 as a high accretion rate (nova-like) CV. CXB12 displays excess UV emission, and could contain a compact object with a giant star companion, making it a candidate symbiotic binary or quiescent low mass X-ray binary (although other scenarios cannot be ruled out). CXB34 is a magnetic CV (polar) that shows photometric evidence for a change in accretion state. The magnetic classification is based on the detection of X-ray pulsations with a period of 81 $\pm$ 2 min. CXB42 is identified as a young stellar object, namely a weak-lined T Tauri star exhibiting (to date unexplained) UX Ori-like photometric variability. The optical spectrum of CXB43 contains two (resolved) unidentified double-peaked emission lines. No known scenario, such as an AGN or symbiotic binary, can easily explain its characteristics. We additionally classify 20 objects as likely active stars based on optical spectroscopy, their X-ray to optical flux ratios and photometric variability. In 4 cases we identify the sources as binary stars.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRA

Revisiting protein aggregation as pathogenic in sporadic Parkinson and Alzheimer diseases.

The gold standard for a definitive diagnosis of Parkinson disease (PD) is the pathologic finding of aggregated α-synuclein into Lewy bodies and for Alzheimer disease (AD) aggregated amyloid into plaques and hyperphosphorylated tau into tangles. Implicit in this clinicopathologic-based nosology is the assumption that pathologic protein aggregation at autopsy reflects pathogenesis at disease onset. While these aggregates may in exceptional cases be on a causal pathway in humans (e.g., aggregated α-synuclein in SNCA gene multiplication or aggregated β-amyloid in APP mutations), their near universality at postmortem in sporadic PD and AD suggests they may alternatively represent common outcomes from upstream mechanisms or compensatory responses to cellular stress in order to delay cell death. These 3 conceptual frameworks of protein aggregation (pathogenic, epiphenomenon, protective) are difficult to resolve because of the inability to probe brain tissue in real time. Whereas animal models, in which neither PD nor AD occur in natural states, consistently support a pathogenic role of protein aggregation, indirect evidence from human studies does not. We hypothesize that (1) current biomarkers of protein aggregates may be relevant to common pathology but not to subgroup pathogenesis and (2) disease-modifying treatments targeting oligomers or fibrils might be futile or deleterious because these proteins are epiphenomena or protective in the human brain under molecular stress. Future precision medicine efforts for molecular targeting of neurodegenerative diseases may require analyses not anchored on current clinicopathologic criteria but instead on biological signals generated from large deeply phenotyped aging populations or from smaller but well-defined genetic-molecular cohorts

Antropometría nutricional en escolares venezolanos

La valoración del crecimiento en la etapa escolar es importante, dado que permite detectar y tratar oportunamente cualquier alteración que pueda permanecer hasta la edad adulta. El objetivo es evaluar las variables antropométricas para determinar el estado nutricional, así como comparar contra las referencias nacionales, las variables de dimensión y composición corporal, en escolares de Educación Básica de Caracas. Las variables analizadas fueron: edad, sexo, peso (P), estatura (E), Circunferencia del Brazo (CB), Pliegue del Tríceps (PTr), Pliegue Subescapular (PSe), Indice de Masa Corporal (IMC), Area Muscular (AM) y Area Grasa (AG). Se utilizó un diseño de investigación semilongitudinal y se evaluaron 71 escolares, a partir de los 6 años y 70 niños desde los 8 años, con seguimiento de cuatro mediciones anuales. Se obtuvo que el peso y la estatura aumentan con la edad, siendo menor en los niños con edad de inicio a los 8 años. En CB y PTr los valores promedio de las niñas son más altos que los de los varones. Se registra un aumento sostenido del IMC. Los niños presentan un mayor desarrollo muscular (AM) que las niñas, lo contrario se presenta en la masa grasa (AG). En las edades de 6 a 9 años, el 71,4% de las niñas y el 66,7% de los niños está dentro de la norma (10#p#90), con porcentajes superiores al 43% para todas las variables consideradas. Los porcentajes de déficit nutricional son más altos que los de sobrepeso. Se registra una tendencia al déficit en P, E, PTr, PSe, IMC, AM y AG. Se registraron casos de sobrepeso extremo (23,81%) y (5,26%), para los que se iniciaron a los 6 y 8 años, respectivamente y posible desnutrición (24,0%) para los que se iniciaron a los 6 años.Growth rate evaluations in schoolchildren are relevant, since they allowus to detect and treat possible physical alterations in early stages, which may remain upto adulthood. The object of the present paper was to evaluate the anthropometricvariables, to detect the nutritional status of children, as compared against nationalstandards. The variables choised reflect body dimensions and body composition, instudents from the basic education level of Caracas city. They were age, sex, bodyweight (W), body height (S), arm circumference (AC), Tricipital (FTr), and Subscapular(FSe) skinfolds, Body mass index (ICM), and Muscle (MA), and Fat (FA) areas. A semi-longitudinal design was employed and seventy one children were measured from sixyears old and seventy from eight years old. Measurements were repeated periodically,four times a year. Our results indicated that the weight and height increased in functionof age, being lower in children with age from beginning to eight years. The averages forAC and FTr in girls were greater than those for the boys. A sustained increasement ofthe IMC was also seen. Boys showed greater muscle mass (MA) than the girls, whilethe opposite was found for fatty area (FA). At ages from 6 to 9 years, the 71.4% of girlsand the 66.7% of boys were comprised within the normal values (10=<p=<90), withhigher percentages than 43% in all variables. The proportion of nutritional deficit was,however, higher than that of overweight. A trend leading to deficitary weight wasregistered, as well as for S, FTr, FSe, ICM, MA and FA. Some cases of extreme over-weight (23.81% and 5.26%) were seen for children who initiated at 6 and 8 years old.Finally, possible undernourishment (24.0%) was registered for the beginners at sixyears of age.Asociación de Antropología Biológica de la República Argentina (AABRA

Antropometría nutricional en escolares venezolanos

La valoración del crecimiento en la etapa escolar es importante, dado que permite detectar y tratar oportunamente cualquier alteración que pueda permanecer hasta la edad adulta. El objetivo es evaluar las variables antropométricas para determinar el estado nutricional, así como comparar contra las referencias nacionales, las variables de dimensión y composición corporal, en escolares de Educación Básica de Caracas. Las variables analizadas fueron: edad, sexo, peso (P), estatura (E), Circunferencia del Brazo (CB), Pliegue del Tríceps (PTr), Pliegue Subescapular (PSe), Indice de Masa Corporal (IMC), Area Muscular (AM) y Area Grasa (AG). Se utilizó un diseño de investigación semilongitudinal y se evaluaron 71 escolares, a partir de los 6 años y 70 niños desde los 8 años, con seguimiento de cuatro mediciones anuales. Se obtuvo que el peso y la estatura aumentan con la edad, siendo menor en los niños con edad de inicio a los 8 años. En CB y PTr los valores promedio de las niñas son más altos que los de los varones. Se registra un aumento sostenido del IMC. Los niños presentan un mayor desarrollo muscular (AM) que las niñas, lo contrario se presenta en la masa grasa (AG). En las edades de 6 a 9 años, el 71,4% de las niñas y el 66,7% de los niños está dentro de la norma (10#p#90), con porcentajes superiores al 43% para todas las variables consideradas. Los porcentajes de déficit nutricional son más altos que los de sobrepeso. Se registra una tendencia al déficit en P, E, PTr, PSe, IMC, AM y AG. Se registraron casos de sobrepeso extremo (23,81%) y (5,26%), para los que se iniciaron a los 6 y 8 años, respectivamente y posible desnutrición (24,0%) para los que se iniciaron a los 6 años.Growth rate evaluations in schoolchildren are relevant, since they allowus to detect and treat possible physical alterations in early stages, which may remain upto adulthood. The object of the present paper was to evaluate the anthropometricvariables, to detect the nutritional status of children, as compared against nationalstandards. The variables choised reflect body dimensions and body composition, instudents from the basic education level of Caracas city. They were age, sex, bodyweight (W), body height (S), arm circumference (AC), Tricipital (FTr), and Subscapular(FSe) skinfolds, Body mass index (ICM), and Muscle (MA), and Fat (FA) areas. A semi-longitudinal design was employed and seventy one children were measured from sixyears old and seventy from eight years old. Measurements were repeated periodically,four times a year. Our results indicated that the weight and height increased in functionof age, being lower in children with age from beginning to eight years. The averages forAC and FTr in girls were greater than those for the boys. A sustained increasement ofthe IMC was also seen. Boys showed greater muscle mass (MA) than the girls, whilethe opposite was found for fatty area (FA). At ages from 6 to 9 years, the 71.4% of girlsand the 66.7% of boys were comprised within the normal values (10=<p=<90), withhigher percentages than 43% in all variables. The proportion of nutritional deficit was,however, higher than that of overweight. A trend leading to deficitary weight wasregistered, as well as for S, FTr, FSe, ICM, MA and FA. Some cases of extreme over-weight (23.81% and 5.26%) were seen for children who initiated at 6 and 8 years old.Finally, possible undernourishment (24.0%) was registered for the beginners at sixyears of age.Asociación de Antropología Biológica de la República Argentina (AABRA

Towards a sustainable innovation policy – institutional structures, stakeholder participation and mixes of policy instruments

Environmental policy and innovation policy regimes at national and EC levels require a more strategic principle and process based approach to policy coherence, in order to achieve greater integration. This paper investigates potential public-private institutional structures, forms of stakeholder participation, and development of mixes of policy instruments that could play a role in integrating environmental policy and innovation policy regimes into a sustainable innovation policy regime. These factors form part of guidance for improving policy processes for promoting sustainable innovation, currently being formulated in a research project under the UK ESRC Sustainable Technologies Programme, aiming to reflect the complexity of both innovation and environmental processes and systems. This paper analyses three aspects of this guidance – the role of public-private institutional structures in policy development; forms of stakeholder participation and related consensual policy decision-making designed to include representatives of the innovation constituency; and approaches to the development of a more coherent and integrated mix of policy instruments. It draws on a project case study of EC Directives and other policy measures relating to alternative energy sources in vehicles; assessment of Integrated Product Policy as an attempt to achieve greater policy coherence; analysis of the Transition Management approach (developed by Kemp and Rotmans, and now being applied to innovation in energy policy by the Netherlands’ Ministry of Economic Affairs); and direct experience of involvement in EC policy processes. Finally, potential institutional developments to move to a more adaptive policy making approach are considered. This would facilitate ‘policy learning’, by institutionalising policy review, learning and correction mechanisms, and so facilitate more rapid reaction to the dynamics of innovation. It is argued that such an approach could be beneficial to sustainable innovation policy, the development of more sustainable innovation systems, and also to the integration of environmental policy with other policy areas

Impacts of Habitat Fragmentation on Northern Bobwhites in the Gulf Coast Prairie Landscape Conservation Cooperative

The northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) has experienced range wide declines over the last several decades, primarily due to loss and fragmentation of habitat. As populations decline, there is a need for understanding factors that impact bobwhite population persistence at local and regional spatial scales. Our goal was to assess changes in land use and their relationship to bobwhite declines at 3 different spatial scales (region, county, and home range) in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. We used North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data from 1974-2014 to create abundance maps and trends. At the regional scale, we compared bobwhite abundance with road density (2000, 2010), human population (1970-2010), and land use (1974-2012). We then used the BBS data to identify counties with stable and declining bobwhite abundance, and then compared bobwhite abundance to land use at metapopulation (800-9600 ha) and home range scales (15 ha). Bobwhite populations decreased from 45.93 ± 1.01 birds/count in 1970 to 11.55 ± 0.64 birds/count in 2012. as road density and human population increased. Pasture and other land increased, woodland was relatively stable, and cropland decreased in 2012. At the metapopulation level, declining populations had higher road density, more edge and patch area for pasture, and larger patches of cropland compared to stable populations. At the home range scale, declining populations had significantly fewer, and smaller, woody patches, more herbaceous habitat, and less bare ground. This study demonstrates that while on a small scale managers can provide woody cover and reduce cropland effects to support stable populations, the large-scale drivers of bobwhite decline, namely human population growth and the resulting loss of habitat, will be critical to quail management in the future

Improving physical activity behaviors, physical fitness, cardiometabolic and mental health in adolescents - ActTeens program : a protocol for a randomized controlled trial

This trial aims to investigate the effects of the ActTeens physical activity program, on adolescents' physical activity level, health-related fitness, cardiometabolic and mental health. The trial will aim to recruit ∼140 adolescents (aged 13-14 years). Participants will be randomized into either intervention or control groups. The intervention will be guided by social cognitive theory and self-determination theory and implemented over one school term (24- weeks). The ActTeens Program will include: (1) structured physical activity sessions delivered within physical education, including movement-based games and dynamic stretching warm-ups; resistance training skill development; high-intensity training workouts; and cooldowns; (2) self-monitoring plus goal setting for physical activity by pedometer-smart wearable; and (3) healthy lifestyle guidance (social support) by WhatsApp® messages about healthy eating and regular physical activity for the intervention and parents groups. Study outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 24-weeks from baseline, and 12-months from baseline. Physical activity (accelerometer) is the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes include muscular and cardiorespiratory fitness, cardiometabolic profile, and mental health. A process evaluation will be conducted (i.e., recruitment, retention, attendance, and program satisfaction). This project will have the potential to address many questions and debates regarding the implementation of physical activity interventions in low-and- middle-income countries

Gestão ambiental.

bitstream/item/48517/1/Gestao-ambiental.pd