Colored semi-transparent Cu-Si oxide thin films prepared by magnetron sputtering

Colored semi-transparent Cu-Si oxide thin films have been prepared by reactive magnetron sputtering from a single cathode of copper-silicon composition. Thin films of different composition and optical response were obtained by changing process parameters like the relative amount of copper in the target and the O2/Ar mixture of the reactive plasma gas. The film characteristics were analyzed by several techniques. Their optical properties (refractive index, absorption coefficient, color) have been correlated with the process parameters used in the film preparation as well as with the film stoichiometry and chemistry.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación CEN-20072014, MAT2010-18447, MAT2010-21228, CSD2008–00023Junta de Andalucía P09-TEP5283, CTS-518

Normative reference of standing long jump for colombian schoolchildren aged 9-17.9 years: The fuprecol study

The purpose of this study was to generate normative values for the standing long jump (SLJ) test in 9- to 17.9-year olds and to investigate sex and age-group differences. The sample comprised 8,034 healthy Colombian schoolchildren [boys n = 3,488 and girls n = 4,546; mean (SD) age 12.8 (±2.3) years old]. Each participant performed two SLJ. Centile smoothed curves, percentile, and tables for the third, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, and 97th percentiles were calculated using Cole's Lambda-Mu-Sigma method. The 2-way analysis of variance tests and Cohen's d showed that the maximum SLJ (centimeter) was higher in boys than in girls across age groups (p less than 0.01), reaching the peak at 13 years. Posthoc analyses within the sexes showed yearly increases in SLJ in all ages. In boys, the 50th percentile SLJ score ranged from 109 to 165 cm. In girls, the 50th percentile jump ranged from 96 to 120 cm. For girls, jump scores increased yearly from age 9 to 12.9 years before reaching a plateau at an age between 13 and 15.9. Our results provide, for the first time, sex- and age-specific SLJ reference values for Colombian schoolchildren aged 9-17.9 years. The normative values presented in this study provide the basis for the determination of the proposed age- and sex-specific standards for the FUPRECOL (Association for Muscular Strength with Early Manifestation of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Among Colombian Children and Adolescents) Study-Physical fitness battery for children and adolescents. © 2016 National Strength and Conditioning Association

Expression of B-nerve growth factor in rabbit male tract and seminal plasma

Nerve growth factor (NGF) has been recently identified as an ovulation inductor factor (OIF) in the seminal plasma (SP) (Ratto et al. PNAS 2012; 109:15042-7). The presence of OIF in rabbit has been suggested but this protein has not yet been identified. Our aim was to study the mRNA expression in the rabbit male reproductive tract and to identify the protein β-NGF in the SP

Evidence for binarity in the bipolar planetary nebulae A79, He2-428 and M1-91

We present low and high resolution long-slit spectra of three bipolar planetary nebulae (PNe) with bright central cores: A79, He2-428 and M1-91. He2-428 and M1-91 have high density (from 10^3.3 to 10^6.5 cm^-3) unresolved nebular cores that indicate that strong mass loss/exchange phenomena are occurring close to their central stars. An F0 star is found at the centre of symmetry of A79; its reddening and distance are consistent with the association of the star with the nebula. The spectrum of the core of He2-428 shows indications of the presence of a hot star with red excess emission, probably arising in a late-type companion. A79 is one of the richest PNe in N and He, the abundances of M1-91 are at the lower end of the range spanned by bipolar PNe, and He2-428 shows very low abundances, similar to those measured for halo PNe. The extended nebulae of A79 and He2-428 have inclined equatorial rings expanding at a velocity of approx. 15 km/s, with kinematical ages 10^4 yr. The association of these aged, extended nebulae with a dense nebular core (He2-428) or a relatively late type star (A79) is interpreted as evidence for the binarity of their nuclei.Comment: 13 pages including 8 tables. A&A accepted; also available at http://www.iac.es/publicaciones/preprints.htm

A 0.8-2.4 microns spectral atlas of Active Galactic Nuclei

Aims: We present a near-infrared spectral atlas of 47 active galactic nuclei (AGN), of all degrees of activity, in the wavelength interval of 0.8-2.4 microns, including the fluxes of the observed emission lines. We analyze the spectroscopic properties of the continuum and emission line spectra of the sources Methods: In order to exclude aperture and seeing effects we use near-infrared spectroscopy in the short cross-dispersed mode (SXD, 0.8-2.4 microns), taking the JHK-bands spectra simultaneously. Results: We present the most extensive NIR spectral atlas of AGN to date. This atlas offers a suitable database for studying the continuum and line emission properties of these objects in a region full of interesting features. The shape of the continuum of QSOs and Seyfert 1's are similar, being essentially flat in H and K band, in the J band, a strong variation is found. In Seyfert 2 galaxies, the continuum in the F_lambda X lambda space smoothly decreases from 1.2 microns redwards in almost all sources. In J, it smoothly rises bluewards in some sources while in others a small decreased in flux is observed. The spectra are dominated by strong emission features of H I, He I, He II, [S III] and conspicuous forbidden lines of low and high ionization species. Molecular lines of H2 are common features to most objects. The absence of O I and Fe II lines in Seyfert 2 galaxies give observational support to the fact that these lines are formated in the outermost portion of the broad line region. [P II] and coronal lines are detected in all degrees of activity. The [Fe II] 12570A/16436A line ratio becomes a reliable reddening indicator for the narrow-line region of Seyfert galaxies.Comment: 39 pages, 17 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics (15/05/2006

New young planetary nebulae in IPHAS

Original article can be found at: http://www.aanda.org/ Copyright The European Southern Observatory. DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/200811575Aims. We search for very small-diameter galactic planetary nebulae (PNe) representing the earliest phases of PN evolution. The IPHAS catalogue of H-emitting stars provides a useful basis for this study since all sources present in this catalogue must be of small angular diameter. Methods. The PN candidates are selected based on their location in two colour-colour diagrams: IPHAS (r' - H) vs. (r' - i'), and 2MASS (J - H) vs. (H - ). Spectroscopic follow-up was carried out on a sample of candidates to confirm their nature. Results. We present a total of 83 PN candidates. We were able to obtain spectra or find the classification from the literature for 35 candidates. Five of these objects are likely to be new PNe, including one large bipolar PN discovered serendipitously close to an emission-line star. PN distances deduced from extinction-distance relations based on IPHAS field-star photometry are presented for the first time. These yield distance estimates for our objects in the range 2 kpc and 6 kpc. From the data in hand, we conclude that four of the discovered objects are probably young PNe.Peer reviewe

Muscle mass to visceral fat ratio is an important predictor of the metabolic syndrome in college students

This study aimed to evaluate the associations between the muscle mass to visceral fat (MVF) ratio and cardiometabolic risk factors in a large population of college students in Colombia and to propose cut-off points of this index for the metabolic syndrome (MetS). A total of 1464 young adults recruited from the FUPRECOL (Asociación de la Fuerza Prensil con Manifestaciones Tempranas de Riesgo Cardiovascular en Jóvenes y Adultos Colombianos) study were categorised into four groups based on their MVF ratio. Muscle mass and visceral fat level of the participants were measured using a bioelectrical impedance analysis. Cardiometabolic risk factors including lifestyle characteristics, anthropometry, blood pressure and biochemical parameters were assessed. The prevalence of moderate to severe obesity, hypertension and the MetS was higher in subjects in quartile (Q)1 (lower MVF ratio) (P less than 0·001). ANCOVA revealed that the subjects in Q1 had higher cardiometabolic disturbances, including altered anthropometry, blood pressure, muscle strength and biochemical parameters after adjusting for age and sex compared with young adults in higher MVF ratio quartiles (P less than 0·001). Muscular mass and physical activity levels were significantly lower in subjects with a lower MVF ratio (P less than 0·001). The receiver operating characteristic curve analyses indicated that in men the best MVF ratio cut-off point for detecting the MetS was 18·0 (AUC 0·83, sensitivity 78 % and specificity 77 %) and for women, the MVF ratio cut-off point was 13·7 (AUC 0·85, sensitivity 76 % and specificity 87 %). A lower MVF ratio is associated with a higher risk cardiometabolic profile in early adulthood, supporting that the MVF ratio could be used as a complementary screening tool that may help clinicians identify young adults at high cardiometabolic risk. © The Authors 2018

Efecto insectistático de extractos etanólicos de clavo y pimienta en Trialeurodes vaporariorum West. (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

In the management the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, organosynthetic pesticides are commonly used, increasing the frequency and doses of application, thus generating resistance of the pest to pesticides and eliminating natural enemies. Then, this make necessary to search for alternatives that contribute to solve the whitefly problem without deteriorating the environment at must. Among several options, bioassays were established applying ethanol extracts of clove Syzygium aromaticum and pepper Pimenta dioica to the leaves of tomato plants where 2-day-old adults were released in a bioassay, and on another set of tomato plants oviposition was previously induced for 3 d. Mortality of adults and laid eggs, as well as hatched eggs were recorded. The 1.0% clove extracts caused 33.7 adult mortality, 72.9% oviposition inhibition with CIO50 of 0.19, and pepper extracts caused 32.5% adult mortality, 65.8% oviposition inhibition with CIO50´s of 0.46%, and both inhibited from 52.6 to 100% hatching with CIE50´s from 0.11 to 0.71% respectively, it being total when 1.0% pepper extract is applied to 2-day-old eggs. It is suggested that activity of the clove and pepper ethanol extracts is mainly insectistatic, although it can have an ovicide effect, it is a biorational input to be integrated into the ecological management of the greenhouse whitefly.En el manejo de la mosca blanca Trialeurodes vaporariorum generalmente se hace uso de plaguicidas organosintéticos, aumentando cada vez más la frecuencia y la dosis de aplicación, lo que provoca resistencia en la plaga a los plaguicidas y eliminación de enemigos naturales, por lo que es imprescindible la búsqueda de alternativas que contribuyan a resolver el problema, sin deterioro del ambiente. Entre las diversas opciones, en los bioensayos se aplicaron al follaje de tomate los extractos etanólicos de clavo Syzygium aromaticum y pimienta Pimenta dioica, en plantas donde previamente se liberaron adultos de 2 d y en otras plantas se indujo la oviposición por 3 d. En estos bioensayos se registró la mortalidad de adultos y huevos ovipositados, así como huevos eclosionados. Los extractos al 1.0% de clavo causan 33.7% de mortalidad de adultos, 72.9% de inhibición de oviposición con CIO50 de 0.19, y de pimienta causan 32.5% de mortalidad de adultos; 65.8% de inhibición de oviposición; con CIO50 0.46% y ambos extractos inhiben de 52.6 a 100% la eclosión de los huevos de mosca blanca con CIE50´s de 0.11 a 0.71% respectivamente, siendo total cuando se aplica el extracto de pimienta al 1.0% a huevos de 2 d de edad. La actividad de los extractos etanólicos de clavo y pimienta, principalmente insectistática; aunque puede llegar a tener efecto ovicida, es una aportación biorracional para integrarse al manejo ecológico de mosca blanca

AFBC of coal with tyre rubber. Influence of the co-combustion variables on the mineral matter of solid by-products and on Zn lixiviation

The study focuses on the generation and distribution of mineral species in fly and bottom ashes. These were formed during a fluidised co-combustion of a fossil fuel (coal) and a non-fossil fuel (tyre rubber) in a small fluidised bed combustor (7cm x 70cm). The pilot plant had continuous fuel feed using varying ratios of coal and rubber. The study also focuses on the lixiviation behaviour of metallic elements with the assessement of zinc recovering

Yield and nutritive value of Urochloa hybrids at different regrowth ages

Objective: To evaluate the productive behavior of Urochloa hybrids, depending on the regrowth age. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study was carried out under rainfed conditions during 2018. The Cayman, Mulato II, Convert 330, Cobra, Camello I, and Camello II hybrids were evaluated based on the regrowth age (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks). The following variables were evaluated: plant height (PH), total dry matter (TDM) yield, dry matter per leaf (DMl) yield, dry matter per stem (DMs) yield, crude protein content (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). The data obtained were evaluated by means of a randomized complete block design with three repetitions, divided into plots: a large plot for the cultivars and small plot for the regrowth ages. Results: The Camello II cultivar obtained the highest TDM yields during the sixth and eighth weeks (4.15 and 6.35 t DM ha-1, respectively); however, during the tenth week, the yield was equal to the yield obtained with the Mulato II and Cayman cultivars (p<0.05). The highest DMl yield was obtained by the Mulato II cultivar during the sixth, eighth, and tenth weeks (3.37, 4.56, and 3.86 t DM ha-1, respectively). The Mulato II cultivar recorded the highest CP values during the second and fourth weeks (158 and 126 g kg-1, respectively); however, the Camello II cultivar obtained the highest CP values during the sixth, eighth, and tenth weeks (99, 95, and 87 g kg-1, respectively). The NDF and ADF values increased as the regrowth age increased: in the tenth week, the Camello II and Cobra cultivars obtained the highest NDF values, while the Camello II cultivar recorded the highest ADF value during the same period. Study Limitations/Implications: Urochloa cultivars were developed for their establishment in humid tropical conditions, where their productive performance is greater. However, in dry tropical conditions, the Cayman, Mulato II, and Cobra cultivars have had a better performance than other grasses —such as buffel grass (Pennisetum ciliare), which is used to feed ruminants. In this sense, other Urochloa cultivars (e.g., Camello I and Camello II), which have greater tolerance to droughts, show desirable forage characteristics, such as yield and forage quality. Findings/Conclusions: The cultivars with the best productive performance were Camello II, Mulato II, and Cayman