Cosmic reionization by primordial cosmic rays

After the so-called cosmic recombination, the expanding universe entered into a period of darkness since most of the matter was in a neutral state. About a billion years later, however, the intergalactic space was once again ionized. The process, known as the cosmic reionization, required the operation of mechanisms that are not well understood. Among other ionizing sources, Population III stars, mini-quasars, and X-ray emitting microquasars have been invoked. In this article we propose that primordial cosmic rays, accelerated at the termination points of the jets of the first microquasars, may have contributed to the reionization of the intergalactic space as well. For this we quantify the ionization power of cosmic rays (electrons and protons) in the primordial intergalactic medium using extensive particle cascade simulations. We establish that, depending on the fraction of electrons to protons accelerated in the microquasar jets, cosmic rays should have contributed to the reionization of the primordial intergalactic medium as much as X-rays from microquasar accretion disks. If the primordial magnetic field was of the order of $10^{-17}$ G, as some models suggest, cosmic rays had an important role in ionizing the neutral material far beyond the birth places of the first stars.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication as a letter to the editor in Astronomy and Astrophysic

Transformações e integração derivadas da mudança de uso do espaço urbano na cidade de Aveiro, Portugal

A cidade de Aveiro sofreu no século XIX várias transformações físicas, voltando a sofrer novas transformações no século XX, altura em que a malha urbana possibilitou o desenvolvimento da cidade. Inserida nestas alterações está a Avenida Dr. Lourenço Peixinho que permitiu a conexão urbana entre o caminho-de-ferro e o centro. A avenida sobrevive aos Planos Urbanísticos (1948-2009) que surgiram após a sua abertura. A investigação visa identificar as tipologias arquitectónicas predominantes, existentes nesta estrutura, entender a problemática do espaço nos diferentes níveis de uso do solo e de mudança de função das habitações para comércio e serviços. Para além disso verifica-se a valorização dessas edificações dominados por atores sociais que defendem diversos interesses comerciais, municipais e imobiliários. Neste contexto o artigo visa definir critérios que permitam a conservação do património arquitectónico e urbanístico contribuindo para a investigação no urbanismo, tendo como suporte o estudo da referida avenida, enquanto património local.The city of Aveiro, suffered a number of physical transformations in the 19th century, undergoing new transformations in the 20th century, when the urban grid enabled the development of the city. Included in these changes is the Avenue Dr. Lourenço Peixinho which provided the urban connection between the railway and the City Center. The Avenue survived the urbanistic plans (1948-2009) that emerged after its opening. This research aims at the identification of the predominant architectural typologies in this structure, the understanding of the problem of space in different levels of land use and change of function of the dwellings for trade and services. In addition there is the valorization of these buildings which are dominated by social elements embodying various commercial, municipal and real estate interests. In this context the article intends to define criteria for the preservation of the architectural and urban heritage, contributing to the research in urbanism, having as grounds the study of that Avenue, as local heritage.Peer Reviewe

Estudo morfológico e filogenético das subespécies Daucus carota ssp. Azoricus e Daucus carota ssp. Maritimus na ilha de S. Miguel

Dissertação de Mestrado, Biodiversidade e Biotecnologia Vegetal, 17 de Março de 2015, Universidade dos Açores.A família Apiaceae está bem representada nos Açores, com 13 géneros e 18 espécies (6 das quais endémicas). Entre estas, encontram-se duas subespécies de Daucus: D. carota L. ssp. azoricus Franco, uma subespécie endémica descrita em 1971 e D. carota L. ssp. maritimus (Lam.) Batt.. Daucus carota, a única espécie cultivada do género, existe tanto na forma domesticada como na forma selvagem e a reprodução cruzada entre estas duas é muito comum. As subespécies descritas são fenotipicamente diversas e não há consenso acerca do número total de subespécies, caracteres diagnosticantes ou distribuição. O objectivo deste estudo foi caracterizar morfológica e geneticamente as populações de D. carota L. existentes na ilha de São Miguel (Açores). Foram recolhidos espécimes de dez populações espalhadas por toda a ilha. A análise estatística dos dados recolhidos na caracterização morfológica não foi capaz de elucidar as relações entre os diferentes locais de amostragem. A sobreposição dos caracteres morfológicos e a grande diversidade fenotípica observada dentro de cada um dos locais amostrados parecem indicar que não existem diferenças morfológicas marcantes entre todos eles. Sequenciámos uma região nuclear COS (conserved ortholog set) e a região nuclear ribossomal ITS (internal transcribed spacer) para averiguar a presença de diferenças genéticas. As sequências ITS revelaram pouca variação entre si, com apenas dois haplótipos diferentes nas 20 sequências analisadas. As sequências COS mostraram-se mais variáveis, com cinco haplótipos diferentes entre as sete sequências produzidas. As análises de Máxima Parcimónia, Máxima Verosimilhança e Bayesiana dos dois alinhamentos incluindo outras acessões de Daucus retiradas do Genbank indicou uma relação próxima entre as nossas amostras e as demais subespécies de D. carota, embora uma inferência conclusiva acerca da classificação infraespecífica de D. carota em geral, e dos nossos espécimes de São Miguel em particular, continue a ser problemática.ABSTRACT: The Apiaceae family is well represented in the Azores, with 13 genera and 18 species (6 of them endemic). Among them are two subspecies of Daucus: D. carota L. ssp. azoricus Franco, an endemic subspecies described in 1971 and D. carota L. ssp. maritimus (Lam.) Batt. Daucus carota, the only cultivated species of the genus, exists in both domesticated and wild forms and interbreeding between these forms is very common. The described subspecies are phenotypically diverse and there is little consensus on their number, diagnostic characters and distribution. The purpose of this study was to characterize morphologically and genetically the populations of D. carota occurring in São Miguel island (Azores). Specimens were collected from ten populations, distributed throughout the island. The statistical analysis of the data collected from the morphometric characterization did not help to resolve the relationships between the different sampling sites. The overlapping character states and the great phenotypic diversity we found within each of the sampled areas seem to indicate that there are no major morphological differences between all the sites. We sequenced one nuclear conserved ortholog region (COS) and the nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) to test for genetic differences. Our ITS sequences revealed little variation among them, with only two different haplotypes emerging from the 20 sequences produced. The COS sequences obtained were more variable, with five haplotypes in the seven sequences analyzed. Maximum Likelihood, Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian analyses of both alignments including Genbank sequences of other Daucus accessions indicated a close relationship between our samples and other D. carota subspecies, although a conclusive inference of the infraspecific classification of D. carota in general, and of our S. Miguel specimens in particular, remains problematic

"Joskus tuntuu, että täytyy puhua enkelten kieltä" : Sairaanhoitajien toteuttama potilasohjaus psoriaasia sairastaville potilaille

Potilasohjaus on keskeinen osa sairaanhoitajan työtä. Hyvin toteutettu potilasohjaus edistää potilaan omahoitoisuutta ja siten parantaa potilaan elämän laatua. Tutkimuksen tarkoituksena oli selvittää sairaanhoitajien toteuttamaa potilasohjausta psoriaasia sairastaville potilaille. Tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli siitä saadun tiedon hyödyntäminen psoriaasia sairastavan potilaan potilasohjauksessa. Tutkimustehtävänä oli kartoittaa sairaanhoitajien kokemuksia heidän toteuttamastaan potilasohjauksesta psoriaasia sairastaville potilaille. Tutkimuksen teoreettinen viitekehys koostuu potilasohjauksesta ja psoriaasia käsittelevästä tietoperustasta. Potilasohjausta tarkastellaan prosessina, johon kuuluu potilasohjauksen tarpeen määrittely, potilasohjauksen tavoitteet, potilasohjausta tukevat tekijät, potilasohjausmenetelmät sekä potilasohjauksen arviointi. Lisäksi teoreettisessa viitekehyksessä tarkastellaan potilaiden kokemuksia potilasohjauksesta. Psoriaasia käsittelevässä osuudessa tarkastellaan psoriaasia sairautena sekä sen eri hoitomuotoja. Tutkimus tehtiin kvalitatiivisella eli laadullisella menetelmällä. Tutkimuksen tekeminen aloitettiin keväällä 2013. Tutkimusaineisto kerättiin teemahaastattelujen avulla helmikuussa 2014, teemahaastatteluihin valittiin osallistujat työkokemuksen ja työnkuvan perusteella. Tutkimukseen haastateltiin kolmea sairaanhoitajaa, jotka toteuttavat potilasohjausta psoriaasia sairastaville potilaille. Tutkimusaineisto analysoitiin maaliskuussa 2014, tutkimuksen analysointiin käytettiin sekä deduktiivista että induktiivista sisällönanalyysiä. Tutkimusraportti kirjoitettiin keväällä 2014. Tutkimusaineiston perusteella sairaanhoitajien toteuttama potilasohjaus psoriaasia sairastaville potilaille pyrkii sekä potilaan omahoitoisuuden että elämän laadun parantamiseen. Tutkimuksen mukaan sairaanhoitajat toteuttavat potilasohjausta psoriaasia sairastavan potilaan tarpeiden mukaan. Potilaille tehdystä kyselystä saadut vastaukset tukevat tutkimukseen osallistuneiden sairaanhoitajien kokemuksia toteuttamastaan potilasohjauksesta psoriaasia sairastaville potilaille.Patient education is a key part of the nurse's work. A well-implemented patient educa-tion can promote patient self-care and thus improve the patient's quality of life. The purpose of this study was to investigate how nurses carried out patient education with patients suffering from psoriasis. The aim was to the use the information obtained from psoriatic patients on patient education. The task of this study was to find out how the nurses experiences their implement patient education to patients who suffers’ psoriasis. The theoretical framework of this study consists of patient guidance and knowledge base for dealing with psoriasis. The patient is regarded as a process, which includes pa-tient education necessary for definition of the objectives of patient education, patient education support factors, patient education, and patient education methods for the evaluation. In addition, the theoretical framework examines patients' experiences of patient education. The section, which deals psoriasis, examines psoriasis as a disease and various treatments of it. The study was conducted as a qualitative method. The study was started in the spring of 2013. Research data was collected through theme-based interviews in February 2014, participants of the theme-based interviews were selected on the basis of work experi-ence and job description. For this research thee nurses were interviewed, they implement patient education to patients who suffers psoriasis. The data was analysed in March 2014, the analysis of the study was used deductive and inductive content analysis. Research report was written in the spring of 2014. The research material was carried out by the patient, the nurses in the control psoriasis in patients’ endeavours as well as the patient's self-care to improve their quality of life. The survey found that nurses take patient education in patients suffering from psoriasis the patient's needs. The patients of the questionnaire responses received in support of the nurses participating in the study take in the experience of patient guidance psoriasis in patients

Perfil dos observadores de aves no Parque Natural da Ria Formosa

In the Algarve the potential for birdwatching tourism is widely recognized, especially in the Ria Formosa Natural Park (RFNP). This study aims to describe birdwatchers' profile in the RFNP. For this purpose, a survey was applied. The results show that the most frequent nationalities of birdwatchers are: British (39%), Dutch (17%) and Portuguese (17%). The majority of birdwatchers are male (55%) and married (57%). The average age is 50 years old. They are highly educated (74% have an academic degree). Concerning profession, the most frequent answer was retired (41%). Respondents are committed to the activity as the majority possess special equipment and practice birdwatching in vacations. This study also tests if nationality is related to other characteristics of the birdwatchers, by using the Kruskal-Wallis and the Chi-square tests. Overall, the results of this study highlight that regional management organizations should invest in developing birdwatching in the RFNP.O potencial para o turismo de birdwatching é vastamente reconhecido, especialmente no Parque Natural da Ria Formosa (PNRF). Este estudo tem como objetivo descrever o perfil dos observadores de aves que visitam o PNRF. Para esse propósito, foi aplicado um questionário. Os resultados mostram que as nacionalidades mais frequentes dos observadores de aves são: britânica (39%), holandesa (17%) e portuguesa (17%). A maioria dos observadores de aves é do sexo masculino (55%), sendo o seu estado civil casado (57%). A idade média é de 50 anos. O seu nível educacional é elevado (74% têm um grau académico). Quanto à profissão, a resposta mais frequente foi aposentado (41%). Os inquiridos estão comprometidos com a atividade, pois a maioria possui equipamentos especiais e pratica observação de aves nas férias. Este estudo também testa se a nacionalidade está relacionada com outras características dos observadores de aves, através de testes Kruskal-Wallis e Qui-quadrado. Os resultados deste estudo indicam que as organizações de gestão regional devem investir no desenvolvimento do birdwatching no PNRF.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Normal spatial learning and improved spatial working memory in mice (mus musculus) lacking dopamine d4 receptors

Dopamine terminals in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex modulate cognitive processes such as spatial learning and working memory. Because dopamine D4 receptors are expressed in these brain areas we have analyzed mutant mice lacking this receptor subtype (Drd4-/-). Wild-type and Drd4-/- mice were challenged in two spatial learning paradigms: the Morris water maze and an alternation T-maze. Drd4-/- mice showed normal place learning ability to find a hidden platform based on spatial extra-maze cues. In addition, Drd4-/- mice were able to find a new platform location with the same learning plasticity as wild type-mice. Spatial working memory assessed on a T maze showed that Drd4-/- mice were more efficient than wild-type mice in acquiring the maximum plateau of correct alternation scores. These results provide further evidence that the functional consequence of lacking D4 receptors is more evident in behaviors dependent on the integrity of the prefrontal cortex.Fil: Falzone, Tomas Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; ArgentinaFil: Avale, Maria Elena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; ArgentinaFil: Gelman, Diego Matias. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; ArgentinaFil: Rubinstein, Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; Argentin

Identificación de un aislamiento argentino de Spodoptera frugiperda granulovirus

La oruga militar tardía, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), es una plaga importante del maíz. Debido al impacto ambiental y a la aparición de resistencia causados por los pesticidas químicos y los eventos transgénicos, el uso de baculovirus resulta una alternativa útil y saludable para su control en estrategias de manejo integrado de plagas. En este trabajo reportamos la identificación de un nuevo aislamiento del granulovirus de la S. frugiperda nativo de la región central de Argentina, SfGV ARG. Se observó que larvas infectadas con SfGV ARG mostraron coloración amarillenta, hinchazón y, en algunos casos, lesiones graves en los últimos segmentos abdominales. Se confirmó la identidad del aislamiento por secuenciación de fragmentos de los genes lef-8, lef-9 y granulina, y por cálculo de distancias evolutivas usando el parámetro de Kimura-2. El patrón de restricción generado con el ADN genómico de SfGV ARG permitió estimar un tamaño de genoma de al menos 135 kb.The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is an important maize pest. Due to the environmental impact and emergence of resistance caused by chemical pesticides and transgenic events, the use of baculoviruses becomes a safe and useful alternative for its control in integrated pest management strategies. Here we report the identification of a novel isolate of a granulovirus of S. frugiperda native to the central region of Argentina, named SfGV ARG. We observed that larvae infected with SfGV ARG showed a yellowish coloration, swollen body and, in some cases, severe lesions in the last abdominal segments. We confirmed the identity of the isolate by sequencing fragments of the lef-8, lef-9 and granulin genes and by calculating evolutionary distances using the Kimura-2-Parameter model. SfGV ARG DNA restriction pattern allowed to estimate a genome of at least 135 kb.Fil: Pidre, Matias Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Sabalette, Karina Belén. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Romanowski, Victor. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Ferrelli, Maria Leticia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular; Argentin

RAVEN: a Node.js Static Metadata Extracting Solution for JavaScript Applications

Metadados são um tipo de dados que se encontram em qualquer tipo de recurso digital e que fornecem informações pertinentes sobre estes, como data de criação e autor. Ao analisar estáticamente ficheiros de código, é possível extrair metadados adicionais, para além daqueles já existentes, possibilitando uma melhor compreensão sobre os recursos analisados e a comparação com outros da mesma espécie.Análisar estaticamente um ficheiro de código consiste em examiná-lo sem ter que o executar. Esta análise permite obter uma representação do código, a qual pode ser utilizada para obter mais metdadados, na forma de métricas de software. Métricas de software são o resultado de medições efetuadas sobre software, sendo exemplos o número de linhas de código de um ficheiro ou a sua complexidade/qualidade.O objetivo desta dissertação prende-se com a criação de uma solução de extração de metadados de aplicações JavaScript, através do uso da plataforma Node.js. Esta solução procederá à análise estática de código JavaScript, existindo várias abordagens possíveis. Desta análise surgem um conjunto de métricas de software, que, em conjunto com outros dados como frameworks em uso, permitem obter uma ferramenta que traduz valor para o proponente da dissertação e comparar ficheiros quanto à sua complexidade.Metadata provide useful information about any type of digital resource. Examples of metadata are author and date of creation of a file. By extracting additional metadata from source code files, through static analysis, one can collect additional information, besides the already existent, and gather a better understanding of the resources and compare them with similar ones.Static analysis consists in examining code files without the need of executing them. This type of analysis allows the creation of a representation of the code which can be used for obtaining more metadata, in the form of software metrics. Software metrics are the result of measurements made over software. Lines of code and code complexity are examples of software metrics.The aim of this dissertation is to develop a metadata extraction solution for JavaScript applications, by leveraging the Node.js environment. This solution will statically analyze JavaScript code, where distinct approaches are possible. The analysis results in a group of software metrics that, in conjunction with other data such as frameworks in use, will produce a valuable tool for the proponent of this dissertation and allow the comparison of files regarding their complexity/quality

Music streaming market in Portugal: the introduction of a new music streaming service

Este projeto de mestrado é um projeto que procura estudar a viabilidade de um novo serviço inovador de música streaming em Portugal. Com vista a dar uma resposta adequada, foi feito um estudo generalizado do mercado, no qual foram aprofundados os avanços tecnológicos do setor, como funcionam os negócios de plataformas online, identificadas as necessidades do mercado e do potencial consumidor. Este estudo deu uma noção geral do mercado, que não foi, no entanto, suficiente para perceber se os consumidores potenciais realmente precisam de uma nova plataforma de música streaming. Para colmatar isto, foi feito um questionário, que foi distribuído pela população Portuguesa, de modo a recolher os seus hábitos de consumo de música online e avaliar se as suas necessidades, enquanto consumidores de música streaming, estão a ser suprimidas. A conclusão é de que existe uma discrepância entre as plataformas de música streaming existentes no mercado Português e as necessidades da população. Isto representa uma oportunidade. Com base nisto, definida uma estratégia de marketing e foi quantificado o investimento necessário, bem como o retorno financeiro, de um novo serviço de música streaming.This is a project, conducted within the scope of the Management Master program, that aims to evaluate the viability of a new music streaming service introduction in the Portuguese market. In order to give an adequate response, a general study of the market was carried out, the technological advances of the sector and how the online platform business operates were exploited. A market characterization was also made and it was identified who the potential consumer is. This study gave a general notion of the market. However, it was not sufficient to realize if potential consumers indeed need a new music streaming platform. To fill this gap, it was conducted a survey among the Portuguese population. The aim was to collect their habits of music streaming consumption and evaluate if their needs are being answered. With this project it was possible to conclude that there is a discrepancy between the music streaming platforms existing in the Portuguese market and the needs of its population. This represents an opportunity. Therefore, a marketing plan was defined and the necessary investment was quantified, as well as the financial return, of the introduction of a new streaming music service