Physical Activity Effects on Depressive Symptoms in Black Adults

Objectives: Randomized trials found physical activity (PA) effective in decreasing depressive symptoms. Few studies included Black participants. The purpose of this systematic literature review was to determine the effects of PA on depressive symptoms in Black adults. Methods: Articles were abstracted by conducting a computer and hand search of eligible studies. Results: Eight of 13 studies found a significant inverse relationship between PA and depressive symptoms in Black adults. Sources for the heterogeneity were explored. Conclusion: Future studies should include representative samples of Black adults, incorporate a theory which considers multiple levels of influence, account for genetic factors in the etiology of depressive symptoms, include individuals diagnosed with depression and with health conditions which may increase the risk of depressive symptoms, account for intra-group ethnic heterogeneity, measure and differentiate between social support and social network, consider aspects of the physical environment and use standardized measurements of PA

Leisure-time Physical Activity in Relation to Depressive Symptoms in African-Americans: Results from the National Survey of American Life

Objective To examine the frequency of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) in relation to depressive symptoms in a nationally representative sample of African American (AA) women and AA men with guidance by Stokols\u27 Social Ecological Framework. Method A secondary analysis of AA women (n = 1811) and AA men (n = 1038) was performed on the National Survey of American Life, where a four stage national area probability sampling was conducted. Interviews were conducted 2001–2003. Clinically depressed AA were excluded from the current study. LTPA was measured by self-report frequency (never, rarely, sometimes, often) of participation in sports/exercise. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. Logistic regression for complex samples was used to examine the relationship between LTPA and depressive symptoms, adjusting for biopsychobehavioral and sociophysical environmental factors. Results Compared with AA women and AA men who reported never participating in LTPA, the multivariate OR for depressive symptoms in AA women and AA men who reported participating in LTPA often was 0.42 (95% CI = 0.24–0.72) and 0.41 (95% CI = 0.25–0.69) respectively. Conclusion Increased frequency of LTPA was associated with fewer depressive symptoms in a nationally representative sample of non-clinically depressed AAs

Depressive Symptoms and Walking in African‐Americans

Objective Although increased frequency of physical activity is associated with fewer depressive symptoms in African‐Americans, most studies do not focus on a specific type of activity. Identifying the activity can provide helpful information for designing interventions that focus on depressive symptoms. The objective of this study was to examine the odds of depressive symptoms in relation to walking in African‐Americans. Design and Sample A secondary analysis was performed on the National Survey of American Life. The sample was made up of community‐dwelling African‐American women (n = 1,903) and men (n = 1,075) who did not meet the DSM‐IV‐TR criteria for depression. Measures Walking was measured by self‐reported frequency (i.e., never, rarely, sometimes, often). Depressive symptoms were measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. Logistic regression for complex samples was used to examine the odds of depressive symptoms in relation to walking. Results Women who reported often walking had lower odds for depressive symptoms than women who reported never walking (OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.38–0.82). Walking frequency was not related to depressive symptoms in men. Conclusions Walking frequency is a modifiable risk factor for elevated depressive symptoms in African‐American women

Gardening/Yard Work and Depressive Symptoms in African Americans

Background The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency of gardening/yard work in relation to depressive symptoms in African-Americans while controlling for biological and social factors. Methods A secondary analysis was performed on the National Survey of American Life (n = 2,903) using logistic regression for complex samples. Gardening/Yard work was measured by self-reported frequency. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. Results Biological and social factors, not gardening/yard work, were associated with depressive symptoms. Conclusions Biological and social factors may need to be addressed before the association between gardening/yard work and depressive symptoms can be determined

Primer registro de Anoura cultrata (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) para la cuenca del río Cauca, Colombia

Anoura cultrata Handley, 1960 is a rare nectarivorous bat of the Glossophaginae subfamily that inhabits mountain environments, from Costa Rica to Bolivia (Tamsitt & Nagorsen 1982). In Colombia museological records of specimens and reported in specialized literature, as well as records of the GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility) database indicate that the species is present in the Andean region of ColombiaAnoura cultrata Handley, 1960 es un murciélago nectarívoro poco común de la subfamilia Glossophaginae que habita ambientes montanos, desde Costa Rica hasta Bolivia (Tamsitt & Nagorsen 1982). En Colombia registros museológicos de especímenes y reportados en literatura especializada, así como registros de la base de datos del GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility) señalan que la especie está presente en la región Andinade Colombi

Mamíferos del departamento de Risaralda, Colombia

Many researchers have documented mammalian diversity in the state of Risaralda; however, the information has not been consolidated nor updated due to changes in nomenclature. To construct the list presented here, a compilation of information from biological collections, scientific literature, and new records was made. The list contains 134 species of mammals from Risaralda, a number which is equivalent to 25 % of the mammal species of Colombia. Of these species, 12 species are endemic for Colombia and eight are in the categories of Critical, Endangered and Vulnerable. Bats are the richest group (59 spp.), and are followed by rodents (33 spp.), which are the group with the highest number of endemic species (8 spp.). Pereira, Santa Rosa de Cabal and Pueblo Rico are the richest municipalities, and are also those where most of the exploration and records are concentrated. In the municipalities Quinchía and Guática no records with support in scientific collections were found. Possibly, species richness will increase if the sampling effort in other locations are increased. This list will hopefully be useful in guiding future studies as well as management and conservation plans for species and areas.Decenas de investigadores han documentado los mamíferos del departamento de Risaralda. Sin embargo, estainformación no ha sido compilada ni actualizada, en razón de los cambios en la nomenclatura. Para la construcciónde esta lista, se recopiló información existente en colecciones biológicas, literatura científica y se adicionaronnuevos registros. La lista de mamíferos consolidada confirma 134 especies para Risaralda, que constituyen el25 % de las especies de mamíferos del país. De estas, 12 son endémicas para Colombia y ocho están en lascategorías Peligro Crítico, En Peligro y Vulnerable. Los murciélagos son el grupo con mayor riqueza (59 spp.)seguido de los roedores (33 spp.); estos últimos tienen el mayor número de especies endémicas (8 spp.). Lamayor riqueza se localiza en los municipios de Pereira, Santa Rosa de Cabal y Pueblo Rico, donde se concentrala mayor parte de la exploración y registros. En los municipios de Quinchía y Guática no se pudieron localizarregistros con respaldo en colecciones científicas. Es posible que la riqueza aumente cuando se incremente elesfuerzo de muestreo hacia otras localidades del departamento. Se espera que esta lista contribuya a direccionarfuturos estudios, así como planes de manejo y conservación tanto de especies como de áreas

Mamíferos del departamento de Risaralda, Colombia

Decenas de investigadores han documentado los mamíferos del departamento de Risaralda. Sin embargo, esta información no ha sido compilada ni actualizada, en razón de los cambios en la nomenclatura. Para la construcción de esta lista, se recopiló información existente en colecciones biológicas, literatura científica y se adicionaron nuevos registros. La lista de mamíferos consolidada confirma 134 especies para Risaralda, que constituyen el 25 % de las especies de mamíferos del país. De estas, 12 son endémicas para Colombia y ocho están en las categorías Peligro Crítico, En Peligro y Vulnerable. Los murciélagos son el grupo con mayor riqueza (59 spp.) seguido de los roedores (33 spp.); estos últimos tienen el mayor número de especies endémicas (8 spp.). La mayor riqueza se localiza en los municipios de Pereira, Santa Rosa de Cabal y Pueblo Rico, donde se concentra la mayor parte de la exploración y registros. En los municipios de Quinchía y Guática no se pudieron localizar registros con respaldo en colecciones científicas. Es posible que la riqueza aumente cuando se incremente el esfuerzo de muestreo hacia otras localidades del departamento. Se espera que esta lista contribuya a direccionar futuros estudios, así como planes de manejo y conservación tanto de especies como de áreas

Low-dimensional, hinged bar-code metal oxide layers and free-standing, ordered organic nanostructures from turbostratic vanadium oxide

Both low-dimensional bar-coded metal oxide layers, which exhibit molecular hinging, and free-standing organic nanostructures can be obtained from unique nanofibers of vanadium oxide (VOx). The nanofibers are successfully synthesized by a simple chemical route using an ethanolic solution of vanadium pentoxide xerogel and dodecanethiol resulting in a double bilayered laminar turbostratic structure. The formation of vanadium oxide nanofibers is observed after hydrothermal treatment of the thiol-intercalated xerogel, resulting in typical lengths in the range 2–6 µm and widths of about 50–500 nm. We observe concomitant hinging of the flexible nanofiber lamina at periodic hinge points in the final product on both the nanoscale and molecular level. Bar-coded nanofibers comprise alternating segments of organic–inorganic (thiols–VOx) material and are amenable to segmented, localized metal nanoparticle docking. Under certain conditions free-standing bilayered organic nanostructures are realized

Validation of the Exoplanet Kepler-21b using PAVO/CHARA Long-Baseline Interferometry

We present long-baseline interferometry of the Kepler exoplanet host star HD179070 (Kepler-21) using the PAVO beam combiner at the CHARA Array. The visibility data are consistent with a single star and exclude stellar companions at separations ~1-1000 mas (~ 0.1-113 AU) and contrasts < 3.5 magnitudes. This result supports the validation of the 1.6 R_{earth} exoplanet Kepler-21b by Howell et al. (2012) and complements the constraints set by adaptive optics imaging, speckle interferometry, and radial velocity observations to rule out false-positives due to stellar companions. We conclude that long-baseline interferometry has strong potential to validate transiting extrasolar planets, particularly for future projects aimed at brighter stars and for host stars where radial velocity follow-up is not available.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS Letters; v2: minor changes added in proo