Validation of the Lower Tagus Valley velocity and structural model using ambient noise broadband measurements

Along his history the Lower Tagus Valley (LTV) region was shaken by several earthquakes, some of them were produced in large ruptures of offshore structures located southwest of the Portuguese coastline, among these we the Lisbon earthquake of 1 November 1755; other moderates earthquakes were produced by local sources such as the 1344, 1531 and the 1909 Benavente earthquake. In order to promote an improved assessment of the seismic hazard in this region, we propose the introduction of realistic methods on the prediction of ground motion produced by moderate to large earthquakes in LTV. This process involves the establishment of a structural 3D model based on all the available geophysical and geotechnical data on the area (seismic, gravimetric, deep wells and geological outcrops) and the determination of wave propagation from a finite difference method: by applying the E3D program [1,2]. To confirm this model we use broadband ambient noise measurements collected in two profiles with azimuth perpendicular to the basin axis and we applied the horizontal to vertical (H/V) spectral ratio method [3] to the recordings in order to estimate the amplification of the basin. The H/V curves obtained reveals the existence of two low frequency peaks centered on 0.2 a 1 Hz frequencies[4]. These peaks are strongly related with the thickness of Cenozoic and alluvial sediments. By inversion of the H/V curve, we obtain a more detailed velocity model for the region where the profile were determined, which is in good agreement with borehole data and other results obtained with magnetic and seismic reflection methods

Outer Regions of the Milky Way

With the start of the Gaia era, the time has come to address the major challenge of deriving the star formation history and evolution of the disk of our MilkyWay. Here we review our present knowledge of the outer regions of the Milky Way disk population. Its stellar content, its structure and its dynamical and chemical evolution are summarized, focussing on our lack of understanding both from an observational and a theoretical viewpoint. We describe the unprecedented data that Gaia and the upcoming ground-based spectroscopic surveys will provide in the next decade. More in detail, we quantify the expect accuracy in position, velocity and astrophysical parameters of some of the key tracers of the stellar populations in the outer Galactic disk. Some insights on the future capability of these surveys to answer crucial and fundamental issues are discussed, such as the mechanisms driving the spiral arms and the warp formation. Our Galaxy, theMilkyWay, is our cosmological laboratory for understanding the process of formation and evolution of disk galaxies. What we learn in the next decades will be naturally transferred to the extragalactic domain.Comment: 22 pages, 10 figures, Invited review, Book chapter in "Outskirts of Galaxies", Eds. J. H. Knapen, J. C. Lee and A. Gil de Paz, Astrophysics and Space Science Library, Springer, in pres

Somatotypes trajectories during adulthood and their association with COPD phenotypes

Rationale: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) comprises distinct phenotypes, all characterised by airflow limitation. Objectives: We hypothesised that somatotype changes - as a surrogate of adiposity - from early adulthood follow different trajectories to reach distinct phenotypes. Methods: Using the validated Stunkard''s Pictogram, 356 COPD patients chose the somatotype that best reflects their current body build and those at ages 18, 30, 40 and 50 years. An unbiased group-based trajectory modelling was used to determine somatotype trajectories. We then compared the current COPD-related clinical and phenotypic characteristics of subjects belonging to each trajectory. Measurements and main results: At 18 years of age, 88% of the participants described having a lean or medium somatotype (estimated body mass index (BMI) between 19 and 23 kg.m(-2)) while the other 12% a heavier somatotype (estimated BMI between 25 and 27 kg.m(-2)). From age 18 onwards, five distinct trajectories were observed. Four of them demonstrating a continuous increase in adiposity throughout adulthood with the exception of one, where the initial increase was followed by loss of adiposity after age 40. Patients with this trajectory were primarily females with low BMI and D-LCO (diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide). A persistently lean trajectory was seen in 14% of the cohort. This group had significantly lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), D-LCO, more emphysema and a worse BODE (BMI, airflow obstruction, dyspnoea and exercise capacity) score thus resembling the multiple organ loss of tissue (MOLT) phenotype. Conclusions: COPD patients have distinct somatotype trajectories throughout adulthood. Those with the MOLT phenotype maintain a lean trajectory throughout life. Smoking subjects with this lean phenotype in early adulthood deserve particular attention as they seem to develop more severe COPD

Optimal Cutoff Scores for Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment in the Brazilian Version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment among the Elderly

Objective: To propose cutoff scores for the Brazilian version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-BR) stratified by education in order to detect mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in the elderly. Method: A transversal study in health centers was performed on 159 elderly people with 4–12 years of education and 70 of their peers with over 12 years of schooling. The MoCA-BR cutoff scores for screening cognitive impairment were determined based on an ROC curve analysis. Results: The ROC curve analysis indicated that cutoff scores under 20 were good for screening elderly people with cognitive impairment with more than 12 years of education, and scores under 21 were good for screening those with 4–12 years of education. Conclusions: MoCA-BR scores under 21 points (after adding 1 point to the elderly with ≤12 years of education) indicate a need to continue the diagnostic investigation with regular follow-ups

Major electrocardiographic abnormalities according to the Minnesota coding system among Brazilian adults (from the ELSA-Brasil cohort study)

The electrocardiogram is a simple and useful clinical tool; nevertheless, few studies have evaluated the prevalence of electrocardiographic abnormalities in the Latin American population. This study aims to evaluate the major electrocardiographic abnormalities according to the Minnesota coding system in Brazilian adults, stratified by gender, age, race, and cardiovascular risk factors. Data from 14,424 adults (45.8% men, age 35 to 74 years) were obtained at baseline of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil), according to standardized protocol. The electrocardiogram were obtained with the Burdick Atria 6100 machine, stored on Pyramis System, automatically coded according to the Minnesota coding system by the Glasgow University software and then manually revised. Major abnormalities were more prevalent in men than women (11.3% and 7.9%, p <0.001). These differences were consistent through the different age groups, race, and number of cardiovascular risk factors. Electrocardiographic major abnormalities were more prevalent in black participants for both men (black: 15.1%, mixed: 10.4%, white: 11.1%, p = 0.001) and women (black: 10%, mixed: 7.6%, white: 7.2%, p = 0.004). In conclusion, in this large sample of Brazilian adults, the prevalence of major electrocardiographic abnormalities was higher among men, the elderly, black, and among people with more cardiovascular risk factors

High Altitude test of RPCs for the ARGO-YBJ experiment

A 50 m**2 RPC carpet was operated at the YangBaJing Cosmic Ray Laboratory (Tibet) located 4300 m a.s.l. The performance of RPCs in detecting Extensive Air Showers was studied. Efficiency and time resolution measurements at the pressure and temperature conditions typical of high mountain laboratories, are reported.Comment: 16 pages, 10 figures, submitted to Nucl. Instr. Met