A white dwarf catalogue from Gaia-DR2 and the Virtual Observatory

We present a catalogue of 73¿221 white dwarf candidates extracted from the astrometric and photometric data of the recently published Gaia-DR2 catalogue. White dwarfs were selected from the Gaia Hertzsprung–Russell diagram with the aid of the most updated population synthesis simulator. Our analysis shows that Gaia has virtually identified all white dwarfs within 100¿pc from the Sun. Hence, our sub-population of 8555 white dwarfs within this distance limit and the colour range considered, -0.52<(GBP-GRP)<0.80¿, is the largest and most complete volume-limited sample of such objects to date. From this sub-sample, we identified 8343 CO-core and 212 ONe-core white dwarf candidates and derived a white dwarf space density of 4.9±0.4×10-3pc-3¿. A bifurcation in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram for these sources, which our models do not predict, is clearly visible. We used the Virtual Observatory SED Analyzer tool to derive effective temperatures and luminosities for our sources by fitting their spectral energy distributions, that we built from the ultraviolet to the near-infrared using publicly available photometry through the Virtual Observatory. From these parameters, we derived the white dwarf radii. Interpolating the radii and effective temperatures in hydrogen-rich white dwarf cooling sequences, we derived the surface gravities and masses. The Gaia 100¿pc white dwarf population is clearly dominated by cool (~8000¿K) objects and reveals a significant population of massive (¿M~0.8M¿¿) white dwarfs, of which no more than ~30--40 per cent can be attributed to hydrogen-deficient atmospheres, and whose origin remains uncertain.Peer ReviewedPreprin

A ingestão de álcool e qualidade do sêmen em homens jovens saudáveis

Over the past 50 years it has been suggested a worldwide decline in human semen quality, probably being lifestyles one of the main factors concerned. Our objectives are to describe semen quality and alcohol consumption in young university students and to explore the associations between alcohol intake and semen quality in young healthy men. A cross-sectional study was carried out between 2010 and 2011 in the Murcia Region (Spain) and included healthy young university students between 18-23 years of age. Two hundred and nine men completed questionnaires on lifestyle and diet, undertook a physical and andrological examination and provided a semen sample. Descriptive statistics are presented using untransformed data. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to analyze the associations between alcohol intake and semen quality in young men. The median (interquartile range: IQR) values for semen parameters were 42.9 x 106/mL (IQR: 21.9-72.2 x 106/mL) for sperm concentration, 8.9 % (IQR: 6.0-13.9 %) for morphologically normal sperm, and 57.2 % (IQR: 50.7-63.8 %) for sperm motility (progessive and non-progressive). There were no significant associations between alcohol consumption and any sperm parameters. Our results do not support the hypothesis that alcohol intake is related with sperm quality parameters probably due to the low alcohol consumption range in our population of healthy, unselected young men. In conclusion, moderate alcohol consumption is not associated with semen quality in young university students of Murcia Region (Spain).En los últimos 50 años se ha sugerido una disminución global de la concentración espermática humana, siendo los hábitos de vida uno de los principales determinantes señalados. El objetivo de este estudio es describir el consumo de alcohol y la calidad seminal en jóvenes varones universitarios e investigar las asociaciones entre ambas características. Se trata de un estudio transversal que se llevó a cabo en la Región de Murcia (España) entre 2010 y 2011. Los participantes fueron jóvenes universitarios sanos entre 18 y 23 años. Doscientos nueve varones cumplimentaron cuestionarios sobre hábitos de vida y alimentación, se sometieron a un examen físico y andrológico y proporcionaron una muestra seminal. Los estadísticos descriptivos se muestran como datos crudos. Para analizar las asociaciones entre consumo de alcohol y calidad seminal se realizaron análisis de regresión lineal múltiple. Los valores de la mediana y rango intercuartil (RIC) de los parámetros seminales analizados fueron los siguientes: 42,9 x 106/mL (RIC: 21,9-72,2 x 106/mL) de concentración espermática, 8,9 % (RIC: 6,0-13,9 %) de espermatozoides morfológicamente normales, y 57,2 % (RIC: 50,7-63,8 %) de movilidad espermática (progresiva y no progresiva). No se encontraron asociaciones significativamente estadísticas entre el consumo de alcohol y los distintos parámetros seminales. Nuestros resultados no respaldan la hipótesis de que la ingesta de alcohol esté relacionada con la calidad seminal, probablemente debido al bajo rango de consumo de alcohol en nuestra población de estudio. En conclusión, el consumo moderado de alcohol no está relacionado con la calidad seminal en jóvenes universitarios sanos de la Región de Murcia.Nos últimos 50 anos tem sugerido uma diminuição global da concentração de esperma humano e os estilos de vida foram identificados com um dos principais determinantes. O objetivo deste estudo é descrever o consumo de álcool e a qualidade do sémen em jovens universitários e investigar as associações entre estas duas características. Trata-se de um estudo transversal realizado na Região de Múrcia (Espanha) entre 2010 e 2011. Os participantes foram estudantes universitários saudáveis, com idades compreendidas entre os 18 e os 23 anos. Duzentos e nove rapazes responderam aos questionários sobre hábitos de vida e alimentação; submeteram-se a um exame físico e andrológico e forneceram uma amostra de sémen. Os resultados da estatística descritiva foram apresentados com dados brutos. Para analisar as associações entre o consumo de álcool e a qualidade do sémen, realizou-se a análise através de regressão linear múltipla. Os valores de mediana e o intervalo interquartil (IQR) em parâmetros do sémen analisados foram os seguintes: 42,9 x 106/mL (IQR, 21,9-72,2 x 106/mL) de concentração de espermatozóides, de 8,9 % (IQR, 6,0-13,9 %) de espermatozóides morfologicamente normais e 57,2 % (IQR, 50,7-63,8 %) da motilidade de espermática (progressiva e não progressiva). Não foram encontradas associações estatisticamente significativas entre o consumo de álcool e os vários parâmetros do esperma. Os nossos resultados não apoiam a hipótese de que o consumo de álcool esteja relacionado com a qualidade do sémen, provavelmente devido ao baixo consumo de álcool na população em estudada. Conclui-se que o consumo moderado de álcool não está relacionado com a qualidade do sémen nos jovens saudáveis da universidade da Região de Murcia

The Spanish version of the reflective functioning questionnaire: Validity data in the general population and individuals with personality disorders.

Introduction Mentalization or reflective functioning (RF) is the capacity to interpret oneself or the others in terms of internal mental states. Its failures have been linked to several mental disorders and interventions improving RF have a therapeutic effect. Mentalizing capacity of the parents influences the children’s attachment. The Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ-8) is a widely used tool for the assessment of RF. No instrument is available to assess general RF in Spanish-speaking samples. The aim of this study is to develop a Spanish version of the RFQ-8 and to evaluate its reliability and validity in the general population and in individuals with personality disorders. Methods 602 non-clinical and 41 personality disordered participants completed a Spanish translation of the RFQ and a battery of self-reported questionnaires assessing several RF related constructs (alexithymia, perspective taking, identity diffusion and mindfulness), psychopathology (general and specific) and interpersonal problems. Temporal stability was tested in a non-clinical sub-sample of 113 participants. Results Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses suggested a one-factor structure in the Spanish version of the RFQ-8. RFQ-8 understood as a single scale was tested, with low scorings reflecting genuine mentalizing, and high scorings uncertainty. The questionnaire showed good internal consistence in both samples and moderate temporal stability in non-clinical sample. RFQ correlated significantly with identity diffusion, alexithymia, and general psychopathology in both samples; and with mindfulness, perspective taking, and interpersonal problems in clinical sample. Mean values of the scale were significantly higher in the clinical group. Discussion This study provides evidence that the Spanish version of the RFQ-8, understood as a single scale, has an adequate reliability and validity assessing failures in reflective functioning (i.e., hypomentalization) in general population and personality disorders.The study received a Health Strategic Action fund from the Carlos III Health Institute of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. ID PI16/02058. https://www.isciii.es/QueHacemos/Financiacion/solicitudes/Paginas/default.aspx No researcher have received money from the fund. This kind of public funds are managed by public institutes (in this case BIOEF) that ensure this money is only used for some of the material resources necessary to carry out the investigation. https://www.bioef.org/es/ The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

Determinantes associados à variabilidade do índice de fragmentação do ácido desoxirribonucleico espermático em homens saudáveis: um estudo de seguimento

The aim of this work was to study the variability of the sperm deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation index in a cohort of healthy men and to analyze the determinants and associated factors related to that variability, including sexual habits, lifestyle and environmental exposures. This is a prospective study which was carried out for 1 year evaluating multiple semen samples (obtained approximately every 4-6 weeks) from 19 healthy male volunteers. The subjects completed epidemiological questionnaires on lifestyle and environmental exposures in each of the interviews. Individuals were divided into two groups depending on their responses to several lifestyle and environmental exposure questions (“yes” vs. “no”). The coefficient of variation (CV) and the intra-subject coefficient of variation (CVi) of the sperm DNA fragmentation index were calculated and their statistical differences examined with regard to their responses to the studied factors. The CVs of the the sperm DNA fragmentation index were significantly different for all the studied variables, with the exception of the exposure to environmental toxicants (similar CV) and light physical exercise (similar CVi). That index was also positively correlated to the number of hours spent doing sedentary activities (p-value = 0.05). As with the analysis of conventional semen parameters, a single analysis of the sperm DNA fragmentation might be scarcely realiable to determine that parameter in men. Our study shows that certain male factors or characteristics may be related to a higher or lower variability of the sperm DNA fragmentation index.El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar la variabilidad del índice de fragmentación del ácido desoxirribonucleico (ADN) espermático en una cohorte de varones sanos y analizar los factores asociados a dicha variabilidad, incluyendo hábitos de vida y exposiciones ambientales. Se trata de un estudio prospectivo llevado a cabo durante 1 año evaluando múltiples muestras seminales (obtenidas aproximadamente cada 4-6 semanas) procedentes de 19 varones voluntarios sanos. Los sujetos cumplimentaron encuestas epidemiológicas sobre hábitos de vida y exposiciones ambientales en cada una de las entrevistas. Los individuos se clasificaron en dos grupos según sus respuestas acerca de determinados hábitos de vida o exposiciones ambientales (“sí” vs. “no”). Se calculó el coeficiente de variación (CV) y el coeficiente de variación intraindividual (CVi) del índice de fragmentación del ADN espermático y se examinaron sus diferencias estadísticas con respecto a sus respuestas a los factores estudiados. Los CV del índice de fragmentación del ADN espermático fueron significativamente distintos para todas las variables estudiadas, a excepción de la exposición a tóxicos ambientales (similar CV) y el ejercicio físico ligero (similar CVi). Dicho índice también se relacionó positivamente con el número de horas empleadas en actividades sedentarias (p-valor = 0,05). Como ocurre con el análisis de los parámetros seminales convencionales, un único análisis de fragmentación del ADN espermático podría ser poco fiable para determinar dicho parámetro en el varón. Este estudio muestra que determinados factores o características del varón podrían estar relacionadas con una mayor o menor variabilidad de su índice de fragmentación del ADN espermático.O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a variabilidade do índice de fragmentação do ácido desoxirribonucleico (ADN) espermático numa coorte de homens saudáveis e analisar os fatores associados a essa variabilidade, incluindo estilos de vida e exposições ambientais. Este é um estudo prospetivo, realizado por 1 ano, avaliando várias amostras de sémen (obtidas aproximadamente a cada 4-6 semanas) a partir de 19 voluntários saudáveis do sexo masculino. Os sujeitos preencheram questionários epidemiológicos sobre estilos de vida e exposição a fatores ambientais em cada uma das entrevistas. Os indivíduos foram classificados em dois grupos de acordo com suas respostas sobre determinados estilos de vida ou exposições ambientais (“sim” vs. “não”). Calculou-se o coe ciente de variação (CV) e o coe ciente de variação intra-individual (CVI) do índice de fragmentação do ADN do esperma e analisaram-se as diferenças estatísticas relativamente às respostas aos fatores estudados. Os VC do índice de fragmentação do ADN do esperma foram significativamente diferentes para todas as variáveis estudadas, com exceção da exposição a tóxicos ambientais (CV similar) e do exercício físico ligeiro (VCi similar). O índice também se relacionou positivamente com o número de horas gastas em atividades sedentárias (valor-p = 0,05). Tal como acontece com a análise dos parâmetros seminais convencionais, uma única análise de fragmentação de ADN espermático pode ser pouco fiável para determinar este parâmetro no homem. Este estudo mostra que determinados fatores ou características do indivíduo podem estar relacionados com uma maior ou menor variabilidade do seu índice de fragmentação do ADN espermático

Full breastfeeding and paediatric cancer

Aim: It has been suggested that there is an inverse association between breastfeeding and the risk of childhood cancer. We investigated the association between full breastfeeding and paediatric cancer (PC) in a case control study in Spain. Methods: Maternal reports of full breastfeeding, collected through personal interviews using the Paediatric Environmental History, were compared among 187 children 6 months of age or older who had PC and 187 age-matched control siblings. Results: The mean duration of full breastfeeding for cases were 8.43 and 11.25 weeks for controls. Cases had been significantly more often bottle-fed than controls (odds ratio (OR) 1.8; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-2.8). Cases were significantly less breastfed for at least 2 months (OR 0.5; 95% CI 0.3-0.8), for at least 4 months (OR 0.5; 95% CI 0.3-0.8), and for 24 weeks or more (OR 0.5; 95% CI 0.2-0.9). Conclusions: Breastfeeding was inversely associated with PC, the protection increasing with the duration of full breastfeeding. Additional research on possible mechanisms of this association may be warranted. Meanwhile, breastfeeding should be encouraged among mothers

Correlations between Different Heavy Metals in Diverse Body Fluids: Studies of Human Semen Quality

It has been hypothesized that exposure to heavy metals may impair male reproduction. To measure the effect produced by low doses of heavy metals on semen parameters, it is necessary to clarify in which body fluids those measurements must be performed. Sixty-one men attending infertility clinics participated in our study. Concentrations of lead, cadmium, and mercury were measured in whole blood, blood plasma, and seminal plasma using spectroanalytical and electrochemical methods. Semen analyses were performed according to World Health Organization criteria. For statistical analysis, Spearman's rank correlations, mean comparison tests, and discriminant analysis were calculated. Significant correlations between the measured concentrations of the three heavy metals in the same biological fluids were observed. However, no similar relationship was seen when comparing the concentrations in different body fluids of the same metal. According to our results and previous publications, seminal plasma might be the best body fluid for assessing impairment of human semen parameters

The Spanish version of the reflective functioning questionnaire: Validity data in the general population and individuals with personality disorders

INTRODUCTION: Mentalization or reflective functioning (RF) is the capacity to interpret oneself or the others in terms of internal mental states. Its failures have been linked to several mental disorders and interventions improving RF have a therapeutic effect. Mentalizing capacity of the parents influences the children's attachment. The Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ-8) is a widely used tool for the assessment of RF. No instrument is available to assess general RF in Spanish-speaking samples. The aim of this study is to develop a Spanish version of the RFQ-8 and to evaluate its reliability and validity in the general population and in individuals with personality disorders. METHODS: 602 non-clinical and 41 personality disordered participants completed a Spanish translation of the RFQ and a battery of self-reported questionnaires assessing several RF related constructs (alexithymia, perspective taking, identity diffusion and mindfulness), psychopathology (general and specific) and interpersonal problems. Temporal stability was tested in a non-clinical sub-sample of 113 participants. RESULTS: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses suggested a one-factor structure in the Spanish version of the RFQ-8. RFQ-8 understood as a single scale was tested, with low scorings reflecting genuine mentalizing, and high scorings uncertainty. The questionnaire showed good internal consistence in both samples and moderate temporal stability in non-clinical sample. RFQ correlated significantly with identity diffusion, alexithymia, and general psychopathology in both samples; and with mindfulness, perspective taking, and interpersonal problems in clinical sample. Mean values of the scale were significantly higher in the clinical group. DISCUSSION: This study provides evidence that the Spanish version of the RFQ-8, understood as a single scale, has an adequate reliability and validity assessing failures in reflective functioning (i.e., hypomentalization) in general population and personality disorders

Relationships between heavy metal concentrations in three different body fluids and male reproductive parameters: a pilot study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Animal studies have shown the reproductive toxicity of a number of heavy metals. Very few human observational studies have analyzed the relationship between male reproductive function and heavy metal concentrations in diverse biological fluids.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The current study assessed the associations between seminal and hormonal parameters and the concentration of the 3 most frequent heavy metal toxicants (lead, cadmium and mercury) in three different body fluids. Sixty one men attending infertility clinics that participated in a case-control study to explore the role of environmental toxins and lifestyles on male infertility were analyzed. Concentration of lead, cadmium and mercury were measured in blood and seminal plasma and whole blood using anodic stripping voltammetry and atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Serum samples were analyzed for follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and testosterone. Semen analyses were performed according to World Health Organization criteria. Mann-Whitney test and Spearman's rank correlations were used for unadjusted analyses. Multiple linear regression models were performed controlling for age, body mass index and number of cigarettes per day.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There were no significant differences between cases and controls in the concentrations of heavy metals in any of the three body fluids. In multivariate analyses using all subjects no significant associations were found between serum hormone levels and metal concentrations. However there was a significant positive association between the percentage of immotile sperms and seminal plasma levels of lead and cadmium.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results suggest that the presence of lead and cadmium in the reproductive tract of men may be related to a moderate alteration of their seminal parameters.</p

Standalone vertex finding in the ATLAS muon spectrometer

A dedicated reconstruction algorithm to find decay vertices in the ATLAS muon spectrometer is presented. The algorithm searches the region just upstream of or inside the muon spectrometer volume for multi-particle vertices that originate from the decay of particles with long decay paths. The performance of the algorithm is evaluated using both a sample of simulated Higgs boson events, in which the Higgs boson decays to long-lived neutral particles that in turn decay to bbar b final states, and pp collision data at √s = 7 TeV collected with the ATLAS detector at the LHC during 2011

Measurements of Higgs boson production and couplings in diboson final states with the ATLAS detector at the LHC

Measurements are presented of production properties and couplings of the recently discovered Higgs boson using the decays into boson pairs, H →γ γ, H → Z Z∗ →4l and H →W W∗ →lνlν. The results are based on the complete pp collision data sample recorded by the ATLAS experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider at centre-of-mass energies of √s = 7 TeV and √s = 8 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of about 25 fb−1. Evidence for Higgs boson production through vector-boson fusion is reported. Results of combined fits probing Higgs boson couplings to fermions and bosons, as well as anomalous contributions to loop-induced production and decay modes, are presented. All measurements are consistent with expectations for the Standard Model Higgs boson