XMM-Newton timing mode observations of Mrk 421

We present the results of a detailed temporal analysis of the bright BL Lac object Mrk 421 using the three available long timing mode observations by the EPIC PN camera. This detector mode is characterized by its long life time and is largely free of photon pile-up problems. The source was found in different intensity and variability states differing by up to more than a factor of three in count rate. A time resolved cross correlation analysis between the soft and hard energy bands revealed that the characteristics of the correlated emission, with lags of both signs, change on time scales of a few thousand seconds. Individual spectra, resolved on time scales of a few hundread seconds, can be quite well fitted by a broken power law. We find significant spectral variations on time scales as short as 500-1000 sec. Both the hard and the soft band spectral indices show a non-linear correlation with the source flux. A comparison of the observed light curves with numerical results from relativistic hydrodynamic computer simulations of the currently favored shock-in-jet models indicates that any determination of the jet's physical parameters from `simple' emission models must be regarded with caution: at any time we are seeing the emission from several emission regions distinct in space and time, which are connected by the complex hydrodynamic evolution of the non-uniform jet.Comment: 16 pages, 16 figures. Accepted for publication in A&

Decreased point prevalence of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) oropharyngeal colonization by mass immunization of Brazilian children less than 5 years old with Hib polyribosylribitol phosphate polysaccharide-tetanus toroid conjugate vaccine in combination with diphtheria-tetanus toxoids-pertussis vaccine

A protective herd effect has been described after susceptible populations of children are vaccinated with conjugate Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), Hib carriage was studied in children aged 6-24 months attending day care centers in two cities in southern Brazil (Curitiba and Porto Alegre), in Curitiba, routine immunization with Hib polyribosylribitol phosphate polysaccharide-tetanus toroid conjugate vaccine (PRP-T) in combination with diphtheria-tetanus toxoids-pertussis vaccine (PRP-T/DTP) has been offered since September 1996; DTP vaccine alone is routinely given in Porto Alegre, Children in Porto Alegre (n = 643) were 8 times less likely to have received adequate Hib vaccination and 4 times more likely to be Hib carriers than children in Curitiba (n = 647; i.e., point prevalence of oropharyngeal colonization, 4.8% vs. 1.2%). Point prevalence of carriage with non-type b or other nontypeable Hi was similar in children of both cities, There was a vaccination effect on carriage rates in children who received a primary 3-dose series, independent of the booster dose, suggesting that a booster may be unnecessary to induce population protection.Pasteur Merieux Connaught Brasil, Dept Med, BR-04552905 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Pediat, São Paulo, BrazilSecretaria Estado Saude São Paulo, Inst Adolfo Lutz, Seccao Bacteriol, São Paulo, BrazilSanta Casa Misericordia São Paulo, Fac Ciencias Med, Dept Patol, São Paulo, BrazilSecretaria Municipal Saude Curitiba, Dept Epidemiol, Curitiba, Parana, BrazilSecretaria Municipal Saude Porto Alegre, Dept Epidemiol, Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Pediat, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Ten per cent polarized optical emission from GRB 090102

The nature of the jets and the role of magnetic fields in gamma-ray bursts (GRB) remains unclear. In a baryon-dominated jet only weak, tangled fields generated in situ through shocks would be present. In an alternative model, jets are threaded with large scale magnetic fields that originate at the central engine and which accelerate and collimate the jets. The way to distinguish between the models is to measure the degree of polarization in early-time emission, however previous claims of gamma-ray polarization have been controversial. Here we report that the early optical emission from GRB 090102 was polarized at the level of P=10+/-1%, indicating the presence of large-scale fields originating in the expanding fireball. If the degree of polarization and its position angle were variable on timescales shorter than our 60-s exposure, then the peak polarization may have been larger than 10 per cent.Comment: 16 pages, 4 figures. Published in Nature (2009), Vol. 462, p767-76

Consensus definition of advance care planning in dementia: A 33-country Delphi study.

Existing advance care planning (ACP) definitional frameworks apply to individuals with decision-making capacity. We aimed to conceptualize ACP for dementia in terms of its definition and issues that deserve particular attention. Delphi study with phases: (A) adaptation of a generic ACP framework by a task force of the European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC); (B) four online surveys by 107 experts from 33 countries, September 2021 to June 2022; (C) approval by the EAPC board. ACP in dementia was defined as a communication process adapted to the person's capacity, which includes, and is continued with, family if available. We identified pragmatic boundaries regarding participation and time (i.e., current or end-of-life care). Three interrelated issues that deserve particular attention were capacity, family, and engagement and communication. A communication and relationship-centered definitional framework of ACP in dementia evolved through international consensus supporting inclusiveness of persons with dementia and their family. This article offers a consensus definitional framework of advance care planning in dementia. The definition covers all stages of capacity and includes family caregivers. Particularly important are (1) capacity, (2) family, (3) engagement, and communication. Fluctuating capacity was visualized in relation to roles and engaging stakeholders

Quem canta seus males espanta - o uso do canto como estratégia para uma aprendizagem musical mais consciente

O presente Relatório da Prática de Ensino Supervisionada apresenta todas as atividades desenvolvidas no Conservatório de Música do Porto durante o ano letivo 2019/2020, no âmbito do Mestrado em Ensino da Música da Escola Superior de Música e Artes do Espetáculo do Porto. Inicialmente é apresentada uma caracterização da instituição onde foi realizado o estágio, fazendo uma contextualização histórica e organizacional, segundo os seus documentos estruturantes. No segundo capítulo é apresentado todo o processo da prática educativa, contemplando a sua organização, observações e planificações das aulas no decorrer do ano letivo. Por fim, no terceiro capítulo, é apresentado o Projeto de Intervenção, o qual teve como objetivo estudar a aplicação do canto como estratégia de aprendizagem. É apresentado todo o processo realizado com 16 alunos, análise e discussão dos resultados obtidos e as reflexões finais.This Supervised Teaching Practice Report presents all the activities developed at the Conservatório de Música do Porto during the academic year 2019/2020, within the scope of the Master in Music Teaching at the Escola Superior de Música e Artes do Espetáculo at Porto. Initially, a characterization of the institution where the internship took place is presented, providing its historical and organizational contextualization, according to its structuring documents. In the second chapter, the entire educational practice process is presented, contemplating its organization, observations and lesson plans during the academic year. Finally, in the third chapter, the Intervention Project is presented, which aimed to study the application of singing as a learning strategy. The entire process carried out with 16 students is presented with analysis and discussion of the results obtained and the final reflections

Natural occurrence of Cucumber mosaic virus infecting water mint (Mentha aquatica) in Antalya and Konya, Turkey

A virus causing a disease in mint (the aromatic and culinary plant) has recently become a problem in the Taurus Mountains, a mountain range in the Mediterranean region of Turkey. To detect the virus and investigate its distribution in the region, mint leaf samples were collected from the vicinity of spring areas in the plateaus of Antalya and Konya in 2009. It was found that Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) was detected in 27.08% of symptomatic samples tested by DAS-ELISA. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of CMV on mint plants in this region of Turkey