A dose-response investigation of the attentional blink during sleep restriction /

Recent dose-response sleep restriction studies, in which nightly sleep is curtailed to varying degrees (e.g., 3-, 5-, 7-hours), have found cumulative, dose-dependent changes in sleepiness, mood, and reaction time. However, brain activity has typically not been measured, and attentionbased tests employed tend to be simple (e.g., reaction time). One task addressing the behavioural and electrophysiological aspects of a specific attention mechanism is the Attentional Blink (AB), which shows that the report accuracy of a second target (T2) is impaired when it is presented soon after a first target (Tl). The aim of the present study was to examine behavioural and electrophysioiogical responses to the AB task to elucidate how sleep restriction impacts attentional capacity. Thirty-six young-adults spent four consecutive days and nights in a sleep laboratory where sleep, food, and activity were controlled. Nightly sleep began with a baseline sleep (8 hours), followed by two nights of sleep restriction (3,5 or 8 hours of sleep), and a recovery sleep (8 hours). An AB task was administered each day at 11 am. Results from a basic battery oftests (e.g., sleepiness, mood, reaction time) confirmed the effectiveness of the sleep restriction manipulation. In terms of the AB, baseline performance was typical (Le., T2 accuracy impaired when presented soon after Tl); however, no changes in any AB behavioural measures were observed following sleep restriction for the 3- or 5-hour groups. The only statistically significant electrophysiological result was a decrease in P300 amplitude (for Tl) from baseline to the second sleep restriction night for the 3-hour group. Therefore, following a brief, two night sleep restriction paradigm, brain functioning was impaired for the TI of the AB in the absence of behavioural deficit. Study limitations and future directions are discussed.

Nymphs in foraging populations of Coptotermes gestroi (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Food searching activity by subterranean termites involves workers, soldiers and nymphs. The present study was carried out for elucidating aspects of nymph foraging behavior in Brazil where the species Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann, 1896) is exotic. Monitoring was conducted through making regular collections from seven different colonies for a period of 22 months, which exhibited the production of forager nymphs all year round. A biometric study was conducted to determine the instars of the forager nymphs collected. The identification of male and female nymphs was also conducted for establishing the sex proportion, which was slightly male-biased. From the 533 forager nymphs collected, 34 were from the 3rd instar, 280 from the 4th instar and 219 from 5th instar. The results suggest that 3rd instar nymphs were not too active in the foraging activities because they were collected only in one colony and in an insignificant quantity. (C) Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2011.

Aplicação de indicadores e índices para avaliar a sustentabilidade ambiental em um sistema de aquicultura integrado e multitrófico com diferentes substratos

Pós-graduação em Aquicultura - FCAV

Minimum income for healthy living

Objectives: We sought to estimate the costs of implementing the current recommendations for healthy choices for a mother with two young children in Atlanta, Georgia. ^ Methods: Current recommendations for healthy choices promoted by the federal government or other credible source were compiled and operationalized into specific conditions or behaviors. The costs of implementing these choices in Atlanta were estimated by using internet searches of retailers/suppliers, phone interviews, and direct observation. The least expensive option was chosen when options were available. ^ Results: Recommendations for choosing a healthy neighborhood, home, school, child care, food, physical activity, and maintaining healthy relationships as well as access to health care were considered. Total costs for this family of three totaled $38,181. Housing, child care, and health insurance contributed to 78% of the total costs. ^ Conclusions: The minimum income needed to choose healthy choices falls short of current wages, and eligibility levels and benefits for income support. ^

La construcción social de productos agroalimentarios típicos en procesos de desarrollo territorial local : Disputas entre saberes teóricos y saberes prácticos

Nuestro trabajo parte de proyectos de Extensión Universitaria en el territorio costero de Berisso, a 15 km. de la Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales de La Plata. La finalidad del proceso de intervención fue mejorar las condiciones socio-económicas de productores familiares en un contexto de recuperación de oficios, prácticas y saberes. El camino iniciado de revalorización de los oficios de viticultor y vitivinicultor, durante los últimos doce años, ha dado como resultado un incipiente resurgimiento de la actividad agroalimentaria en Berisso. Nacen así adaptaciones, innovaciones propias de la interacción social y como resultado del propio proceso de intervención. Las propuestas que se plasmaron en proyectos compartidos por Ciencias Exactas y Agronomía (2006, 2007 y 2010), en los que uno de los ejes trabajados fue la construcción participativa de prácticas en la producción primaria (viñedos y montes de ciruelos) y agroindustrial (vinos, fermentados) permitieron contribuir al mejoramiento y puesta en valor de productos agroalimentarios típicos. En el propio proceso educativo surgen conflictos que presentan obstáculos a la construcción conjunta de saberes, dificultando la incorporación de conocimientos que contribuyen al aseguramiento de la calidad de los productos. Esta construcción conjunta de conocimientos no ha sido armoniosa y ha generado, tanto en los productores como en los técnicos involucrados, un proceso de reflexión acerca de lo que es una "buena práctica agrícola o de manufactura" y lo que no lo es. Así, el debate se inscribe en la valorización de distintos tipos de saberes: los saberes codificados versus los tácitos, que son encarnados por diferentes personas: técnicos y productores respectivamente

La construcción social de productos agroalimentarios típicos en procesos de desarrollo territorial local : Disputas entre saberes teóricos y saberes prácticos

Nuestro trabajo parte de proyectos de Extensión Universitaria en el territorio costero de Berisso, a 15 km. de la Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales de La Plata. La finalidad del proceso de intervención fue mejorar las condiciones socio-económicas de productores familiares en un contexto de recuperación de oficios, prácticas y saberes. El camino iniciado de revalorización de los oficios de viticultor y vitivinicultor, durante los últimos doce años, ha dado como resultado un incipiente resurgimiento de la actividad agroalimentaria en Berisso. Nacen así adaptaciones, innovaciones propias de la interacción social y como resultado del propio proceso de intervención. Las propuestas que se plasmaron en proyectos compartidos por Ciencias Exactas y Agronomía (2006, 2007 y 2010), en los que uno de los ejes trabajados fue la construcción participativa de prácticas en la producción primaria (viñedos y montes de ciruelos) y agroindustrial (vinos, fermentados) permitieron contribuir al mejoramiento y puesta en valor de productos agroalimentarios típicos. En el propio proceso educativo surgen conflictos que presentan obstáculos a la construcción conjunta de saberes, dificultando la incorporación de conocimientos que contribuyen al aseguramiento de la calidad de los productos. Esta construcción conjunta de conocimientos no ha sido armoniosa y ha generado, tanto en los productores como en los técnicos involucrados, un proceso de reflexión acerca de lo que es una "buena práctica agrícola o de manufactura" y lo que no lo es. Así, el debate se inscribe en la valorización de distintos tipos de saberes: los saberes codificados versus los tácitos, que son encarnados por diferentes personas: técnicos y productores respectivamente

La construcción social de productos agroalimentarios típicos en procesos de desarrollo territorial local : Disputas entre saberes teóricos y saberes prácticos

Nuestro trabajo parte de proyectos de Extensión Universitaria en el territorio costero de Berisso, a 15 km. de la Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales de La Plata. La finalidad del proceso de intervención fue mejorar las condiciones socio-económicas de productores familiares en un contexto de recuperación de oficios, prácticas y saberes. El camino iniciado de revalorización de los oficios de viticultor y vitivinicultor, durante los últimos doce años, ha dado como resultado un incipiente resurgimiento de la actividad agroalimentaria en Berisso. Nacen así adaptaciones, innovaciones propias de la interacción social y como resultado del propio proceso de intervención. Las propuestas que se plasmaron en proyectos compartidos por Ciencias Exactas y Agronomía (2006, 2007 y 2010), en los que uno de los ejes trabajados fue la construcción participativa de prácticas en la producción primaria (viñedos y montes de ciruelos) y agroindustrial (vinos, fermentados) permitieron contribuir al mejoramiento y puesta en valor de productos agroalimentarios típicos. En el propio proceso educativo surgen conflictos que presentan obstáculos a la construcción conjunta de saberes, dificultando la incorporación de conocimientos que contribuyen al aseguramiento de la calidad de los productos. Esta construcción conjunta de conocimientos no ha sido armoniosa y ha generado, tanto en los productores como en los técnicos involucrados, un proceso de reflexión acerca de lo que es una "buena práctica agrícola o de manufactura" y lo que no lo es. Así, el debate se inscribe en la valorización de distintos tipos de saberes: los saberes codificados versus los tácitos, que son encarnados por diferentes personas: técnicos y productores respectivamente

Determinantes de efetividade de intervenção clínica na obesidade : perspetiva de um painel de peritos

Tese de mestrado, Nutrição Clínica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 2014

5 Hz repetitive TMS increases anticipatory motor activity in the human cortex

In the present study, we analyzed how high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the primary motor hand area (M1-Hand) shapes anticipatory motor activity in frontal areas as indexed by the contingent negative variation (CNV). Eight right-handed volunteers received real or sham 5 Hz rTMS at an intensity of 90% resting motorthreshold (1500 stimuli per session). Real but not sham rTMS to left M1-Hand induced a site-specific increase in amplitude of the late component of the CNV at the electrode C3 overlaying the site of stimulation. The increase in pre-movement activity in the stimulated cortex may reflect an increase in facilitatory drive from connected motor areas, enhanced responsiveness of the stimulated cortex to these inputs or both. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Food consumption, physical activity and socio-economic status related to BMI, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio in adolescents

Objective: To examine the association between obesity and food group intakes, physical activity and socio-economic status in adolescents. Design: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2008. Cole’s cut-off points were used to categorize BMI. Abdominal obesity was defined by a waist circumference at or above the 90th percentile, as well as a waist-to-height ratio at or above 0?500. Diet was evaluated using an FFQ, and the food group consumption was categorized using sex-specific tertiles of each food group amount. Physical activity was assessed via a self-report questionnaire. Socio-economic status was assessed referring to parental education and employment status. Data were analysed separately for girls and boys and the associations among food consumption, physical activity, socio-economic status and BMI, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio were evaluated using logistic regression analysis, adjusting the results for potential confounders. Setting: Public schools in the Azorean Archipelago, Portugal. Subjects: Adolescents (n 1209) aged 15–18 years. Results: After adjustment, in boys, higher intake of ready-to-eat cereals was a negative predictor while vegetables were a positive predictor of overweight/ obesity and abdominal obesity. Active boys had lower odds of abdominal obesity compared with inactive boys. Boys whose mother showed a low education level had higher odds of abdominal obesity compared with boys whose mother presented a high education level. Concerning girls, higher intake of sweets and pastries was a negative predictor of overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity. Girls in tertile 2 of milk intake had lower odds of abdominal obesity than those in tertile 1. Girls whose father had no relationship with employment displayed higher odds of abdominal obesity compared with girls whose father had high employment status. Conclusions: We have found that different measures of obesity have distinct associations with food group intakes, physical activity and socio-economic status.

Food habits and sport activity during adolescence: differences between athletic and non-athletic teenagers in Switzerland.

OBJECTIVE: To describe food habits and dietary intakes of athletic and non-athletic adolescents in Switzerland. SETTING: College, high schools and professional centers in the Swiss canton of Vaud. METHOD: A total of 3,540 subjects aged 9-19 y answered a self-reported anonymous questionnaire to assess lifestyles, physical plus sports activity and food habits. Within this sample, a subgroup of 246 subjects aged 11-15 also participated in an in-depth ancillary study including a 3 day dietary record completed by an interview with a dietician. RESULTS: More boys than girls reported engaging in regular sports activities (P<0.001). Adolescent food habits are quite traditional: up to 15 y, most of the respondents have a breakfast and eat at least two hot meals a day, the percentages decreasing thereafter. Snacking is widespread among adolescents (60-80% in the morning, 80-90% in the afternoon). Food habits among athletic adolescents are healthier and also are perceived as such in a higher proportion. Among athletic adolescents, consumption frequency is higher for dairy products and ready to eat (RTE) cereals, for fruit, fruit juices and salad (P<0.05 at least). Thus the athletic adolescent's food brings more micronutrients than the diet of their non-athletic counterparts. Within the subgroup (ancillary study), mean energy intake corresponds to requirements for age/gender group. CONCLUSIONS: Athletic adolescents display healthier food habits than non-athletic adolescents: this result supports the idea that healthy behavior tends to cluster and suggests that prevention programs among this age group should target simultaneously both sports activity and food habits.

Fit Futures: Focus on Food, Activity and Young People (PDF 861 KB)

The Fit Futures: Focus on Food, Activity and Young People report

Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global Perspective

The goal of this Report is to review all the relevant research in order to generate a comprehensive series of recommendations on food, nutrition, and physical activity, designed to reduce the risk of cancer and suitable for all societies. This process is also the basis for a continuous review of the evidence.

Impact of physical activity on energy balance, food intake and choice in normal weight and obese children in the setting of acute social stress: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Psychological stress negatively influences food intake and food choices, thereby contributing to the development of childhood obesity. Physical activity can also moderate eating behavior and influence calorie intake. However, it is unknown if acute physical activity influences food intake and overall energy balance after acute stress exposure in children. We therefore investigated the impact of acute physical activity on overall energy balance (food intake minus energy expenditure), food intake, and choice in the setting of acute social stress in normal weight (NW) and overweight/obese (OW/OB) children as well as the impact of psychological risk factors. METHOD: After receiving written consent from their parents, 26 NW (BMI < 90(th) percentile) and 24 7-to 11-year-old OW (n = 5)/OB (n = 19, BMI ≥ 90(th) percentile) children were randomly allocated using computer-generated numbers (1:1, after stratification for weight status) to acute moderate physical or to sedentary activity for 30 min. Afterwards, all children were exposed to an acute social stressor. Children and their parents completed self-report questionnaires. At the end of the stressor, children were allowed to eat freely from a range of 12 different foods (6 sweet/6 salty; each of low/high caloric density). Energy balance, food intake/choice and obesity-related psychological risk factors were assessed. RESULTS: Lower overall energy balance (p = 0.019) and a decreased choice of low density salty foods (p < 0.001) in NW children compared with OW/OB children was found after acute moderate physical activity but not sedentary activity. Independent of their allocation, OW/OB children ate more high density salty foods (104 kcal (34 to 173), p = 0.004) following stress. They scored higher on impulsive behavior (p = 0.005), restrained eating (p < 0.001) and parental corporal punishment (p = 0.03), but these psychological factors were not related to stress-induced food intake/choice. Positive parenting tended to be related to lower intake of sweet high density food (-132 kcal, -277 to 2, p = 0.054). CONCLUSIONS: In the setting of stress, acute moderate physical activity can address energy balance in children, a benefit which is especially pronounced in the OW/OB. Positive parenting may act as a protective factor preventing stress-induced eating of comfort food. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov NCT01693926 The study was a pilot study of a project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (CRSII3_147673).

Food for thought: the importance of glucose and other energy substrates for sustaining brain function under varying levels of activity.

The brain requires a constant and substantial energy supply to maintain its main functions. For decades, it was assumed that glucose was the major if not the only significant source of energy for neurons. This view was supported by the expression of specific facilitative glucose transporters on cerebral blood vessels, as well as neurons. Despite the fact that glucose remains a key energetic substrate for the brain, growing evidence suggests a different scenario. Thus astrocytes, a major type of glial cells that express their own glucose transporter, play a critical role in coupling synaptic activity with glucose utilization. It was shown that glutamatergic activity triggers an enhancement of aerobic glycolysis in this cell type. As a result, lactate is provided to neurons as an additional energy substrate. Indeed, lactate has proven to be a preferential energy substrate for neurons under various conditions. A family of proton-linked carriers known as monocarboxylate transporters has been described and specific members have been found to be expressed by endothelial cells, astrocytes and neurons. Moreover, these transporters are subject to fine regulation of their expression levels and localization, notably in neurons, which suggests that lactate supply could be adjusted as a function of their level of activity. Considering the importance of energetics in the aetiology of several neurodegenerative diseases, a better understanding of its cellular and molecular underpinnings might have important implications for the future development of neuroprotective strategies.