Adaptive Optics Images of Kepler Objects of Interest

All transiting planets are at risk of contamination by blends with nearby, unresolved stars. Blends dilute the transit signal, causing the planet to appear smaller than it really is, or produce a false positive detection when the target star is blended with eclipsing binary stars. This paper reports on high spatial-resolution adaptive optics images of 90 Kepler planetary candidates. Companion stars are detected as close as 0.1 arcsec from the target star. Images were taken in the near-infrared (J and Ks bands) with ARIES on the MMT and PHARO on the Palomar Hale 200-inch. Most objects (60%) have at least one star within 6 arcsec separation and a magnitude difference of 9. Eighteen objects (20%) have at least one companion within 2 arcsec of the target star; 6 companions (7%) are closer than 0.5 arcsec. Most of these companions were previously unknown, and the associated planetary candidates should receive additional scrutiny. Limits are placed on the presence of additional companions for every system observed, which can be used to validate planets statistically using the BLENDER method. Validation is particularly critical for low-mass, potentially Earth-like worlds, which are not detectable with current-generation radial velocity techniques. High-resolution images are thus a crucial component of any transit follow-up program.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, accepted to A

Relationship of force metrics with swimming performance in age-group swimmers

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Accretion-Induced Lithium Line Enhancements in Classical T Tauri Stars: RW Aur

It is widely accepted that much of the stochastic variability of T Tauri stars is due to accretion by a circumstellar disk. The emission line spectrum as well as the excess continuum emission are common probes of this process. In this communication, we present additional probes of the circumstellar environment in the form of resonance lines of low ionization potential elements. Using a set of 14 high resolution echelle observations of the classical T Tauri star (CTTS), RW Aur, taken between 1986 and 1996, we carefully measure the continuum veiling at each epoch by comparing more than 500 absorption lines with those of an appropriate template. This allows us to accurately subtract out the continuum emission and to recover the underlying photospheric spectrum. In doing so, we find that selected photospheric lines are enhanced by the accretion process, namely the resonance lines of LiI and KI. A resonance line of TiI and a low excitation potential line of CaI also show weak enhancements. Simple slab models and computed line bisectors lead us to propose that these line enhancements are markers of cool gas at the beginning of the accretion flow which provides an additional source of line opacity. These results suggest that published values of surface lithium abundances of classical T Tauri stars are likely to be overestimated. This would account for the various reports of surface lithium abundances in excess of meteoritic values among the extreme CTTS. Computing LTE lithium abundances of RW Aur in a low and then high accretion state yields abundances which vary by one order of magnitude. The low accretion state lithium abundance is consistent with theoretical predictions for a star of this age and mass while the high accretion state spectrum yields a super-meteoritic lithium abundance.Comment: 28 pages, 8 figures, accepted by Ap

Isokinetics strength relation with fear of fall, falls and physical activity level in elderly women

Introduction: Low levels of physical activity (PA) in elderly has been related with the decline in physical and psychological functions, affecting the ability in the performance of activities of daily living (ADLs) and contributing to the occurrence of walking-related fall (Metz, Lee, Sui, Powell, Blair, 2010). The purpose of this study was to relate strength levels with fear of fall (FF), falls occurrence as well as with PA level on elderly women. Methods: One hundred not institutionalized post-menopausal women (aged 66.17 ± 8.21 years) volunteered to participate on this research. The peak torque (PT) at 60º.s-1 ( 3 rep) and 180º.s-1 (20 rep) angular speeds in knee extension and flexion concentric actions were measured using an isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex System 3). Muscular fatigue was also estimated at 180º.s-1. To achieve the occurrence of falls during last year as well FF score, we applied a standardized Questionnaire that included socio-demographic, health and falls parameters. PA level was accessed by interview with Yale Physical Activity Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was performed using means and standard deviations. The Spearman correlation coefficient was used to investigate associations among quantitative independent variables. Results: PT at 60º.s-1 in knee extension and flexion and PT at 180º.s-1 in knee flexion showed a positive association with vigorous index (r=,205 p=,041; r=,249 p=,013; r=,218 p=,029 respectively). Standing index presented also a positive correlation with PT at 60º.s-1 and PT 180º.s-1 in knee extension (r=,205 p=,041 and r=,314 p=,004). FF registered a positive association with body mass (BM) and body mass index (BMI) (r=,205 p=,041 and r=,201 p=,045), and a negative association with PT in extension action on both angular velocities (r=-,241 p=,016 and r=-,203 p=,043). Muscular fatigue showed a positive correlation with the number of falls during the last year (r=,201 p=,036). Conclusions: Decreases of strength on lower limb is an important factor that contributes to falls occurrence once we registered a negative relation between PT on extension action and the FF. Our data related higher values of BM and BMI with higher fear of falling confirming that overweight are common associated to disturb on gait function and mobility that represents also a risk factor for falls. Present results suggest that more time of PA is needed to increase lower limb strength in the elderly

Characterisation of Portuguese RC precast industrial building stock

The construction of a vulnerability model requires reliable information on the features of the buildings in the study. The purpose of this work is the characterisation of the precast industrial buildings in Portuguese industrial park, based on the survey of 73 design projects of existing buildings. The collected data are based on a previous study on the features that influence the seismic response of this type of buildings. The parameters collected are associated with the global geometry and specific elements characteristics (e.g., column dimensions, reinforcement ratios, and connections details), to the mechanical properties of the materials and other parameters that can give some important information in the characterisation of the buildings (e.g., construction year and localization). In the end, a comparison with other available databases, namely, from Italy and Turkey, is done in order to conclude about the similarity. This information is important to define representative experimental specimens and numerical simulation to conduce seismic risk analysis.publishe

A systematic review on dry-land strength and conditioning training on swimming performance

Objectives. — The objective of this review was to examine the effects of dry-land strength and conditioning (S&C) training on swimming, and starts and turns performances. News. — S&C training is a common practice in swimming aiming to enhance performance or to prevent injuries. However, studies regarding the effects of S&C on swimming performance are scarce; the influence of age, gender or competitive level is even scarcer. Prospects and projects. — After a structured literature search, sixteen studies were included in the current review. Of those, seven did not report any positive or negative effects on swimming performance. Contrarily, most studies with positive effects were conducted with older swimmers whereas maximal strength was the most effective methodology for improving swimming performance. S&C plyometric training is suggested to be the most effective method to improve starts and turns. Future Randomized Controlled Trials should be conducted to explore the effects of S&C induced by age and gender, on different swimming distances and techniques, and long-term training effects. Conclusion. — It is recommended that S&C training should be based on maximal strength, ranging from six to twelve weeks of 2 to 4 sessions per week (approximately 24 sessions altogether). In each session, coaches should vary from 2 to 3 sets and 3 to 5 repetitions, according to prescribed intensity. Rest intervals should range between 2 to 5 minutes and the intensity should be from 80 to 90% of 1RM. Particularly regarding improving starts and turns, a S&C training regime ranging from 6 to 8 weeks and with 2 sessions per week is suggested. In each session, swimmers should perform between 1 and 6 sets and 1 and 10 repetitions, according to the established intensity. Rest between sets should range from 60 to 90 seconds. The swimmers in the included studies are mostly men which do not allow to say if the recommendations made are gender-dependent.PlyométriqueRésuméObjectifs. — L’objectif de cette révision a été d’examiner les effets de l’entraînement de forceà sec sur les performances de nage, départs et virages.Actualités. — L’entraînement de force à sec est une pratique commune en natation et a pour butd’augmenter la performance ou de prévenir les blessures. Pourtant, les études sur les effets dece type d’entraînement sur la performance de nage restent encore peu nombreux ; l’influencede l’âge, le genre ou le niveau compétitif sont des questions encore moins abordées.Perspectives et projets. —À la suite d’une recherche structurée, quinze études furent inclusesdans cette révision. Parmi celles-ci, sept concluaient l’absence d’effet, positif ou négatif, surla performance de nage. En revanche, en ce qui concerne les études qui mettent en avantles effets positifs sur la performance, l’entraînement de force maximum fût la méthodologiela plus performante, pour la plupart, chez les nageurs les plus expérimentés. L’entraînementplyométrique apparaît comme la méthodologie la plus performante pour améliorer la perfor-mance des départs et des virages. Les études futures devraient être menées pour explorer leseffets de l’entraînement de force induits par l’âge et le sexe, sur les différentes distances ettechniques de natation et les effets d’entraînement à long terme.Conclusion. — Il est conseillé que l’entraînement de force à sec repose sur la force maximum,durant une période variant entre 6 et 12 semaines avec 2 ou 4 sessions hebdomadaires. Pourchaque session, les entraîneurs doivent réaliser entre 2 ou 3 séries et entre 3 ou 5 répétitions parsérie, tout en respectant l’intensité requise. Les intervalles de récupération doivent avoir unedurée variable qui se situe entre 2 et 5 minutes, tandis que l’intensité devraient se situer entreles 80 et les 90% de 1RM. Concernant l’amélioration des départs et des virages, il est suggéré quel’entraînement de force à sec varie entre les 6 et les 8 semaines avec 2 sessions hebdomadaires.Au cours de chaque session, les nageurs sont tenus de réaliser entre 1 et 6 séries et entre 1 et10 répétions par série, tout en respectant l’intensité requise. Les intervalles de récupérationdoivent avoir une durée variable qui se situe entre 60 et 90 secondes. Les nageurs des étudescontemplées sont en majorité de hommes auxquels on défend de dire si les recommandationsfaites varient selon le sexe.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Evaluation of Microencapsulation of The UFV-AREG1 Bacteriophage in Alginate-Ca Microcapsules using Microfluidic Devices

The indiscriminate use of antibiotics and the emergence of resistant microorganisms have become a major challenge for the food industry. The purpose of this work was to microencapsulate the bacteriophage UFV-AREG1 in a calcium alginate matrix using microfluidic devices and to study the viability and efficiency of retention. The microcapsules were added to gel of propylene glycol for use as an antimicrobial in the food industry. The technique showed the number of the phage encapsulation, yielding drops with an average 100-250 $\mu$m of diameter, 82.1 $\pm$ 2% retention efficiency and stability in the gel matrix for 21 days. The gel added to the microencapsulated phage showed efficiency (not detectable on the surface) in reducing bacterial contamination on the surface at a similar level to antimicrobial chemicals (alcohol 70%). Therefore, it was possible to microencapsulate bacteriophages in alginate-Ca and apply the microcapsules in gels for use as sanitizers in the food industry.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure

Anéis de Ferrara: - 4 Anos Depois

Os anéis intraestromais, nomeadamente o anel de Ferrara, constitui uma importante opção terapêutica das doenças ectásicas da córnea, de origem não inflamatória como o Queratocone. Os autores analisaram os primeiros 30 casos operados no Serviço de Oftalmologia do CHLC relativamente à eficácia, estabilidade e segurança deste procedimento ao longo dos 4 anos. Verificaram estabilidade refractiva, diminuição queratométrica e do equivalente esférico e boa tolerância ao material implantado. Os autores concluem que esta opção terapêutica para o queratocone é segura, reversível, com resultados estáveis que permitem adiar ou evitar a queratoplastia