Particle characterization at CVAO during the 2007 RHaMBLe intensive

The chemical characterization of filter high volume (HV) and Berner impactor (BI) samples PM during RHaMBLe (Reactive Halogens in the Marine Boundary Layer) 2007 shows that the Cape Verde aerosol particles are mainly composed of sea salt, mineral dust and associated water. Minor components are nss-salts, OC and EC. The influence from the African continent on the aerosol constitution was generally small but air masses which came from south-western Europe crossing the Canary Islands transported dust to the sampling site together with other loadings. The mean mass concentration was determined for PM10 to 17 ��g/m**3 from impactor samples and to 24.2 ��g/m**3 from HV filter samples. Non sea salt (nss) components of PM were found in the submicron fractions and nitrate in the coarse mode fraction. Bromide was found in all samples with much depleted concentrations in the range 1-8 ng/m**3 compared to fresh sea salt aerosol indicating intense atmospheric halogen chemistry. Loss of bromide by ozone reaction during long sampling time is supposed and resulted totally in 82��12% in coarse mode impactor samples and in filter samples in 88��6% bromide deficits. A chloride deficit was determined to 8% and 1% for the coarse mode particles (3.5-10 ��m; 1.2-3.5 ��m) and to 21% for filter samples. During 14 May with high mineral dust loads also the maximum of OC (1.71 ��g/m**3) and EC (1.25 ��g/m**3) was measured. The minimum of TC (0.25 ��g/m**3) was detected during the period 25 to 27 May when pure marine air masses arrived. The concentrations of carbonaceous material decrease with increasing particle size from 60% for the ultra fine particles to 2.5% in coarse mode PM. Total iron (dust vs. non-dust: 0.53 vs. 0.06 ��g/m**3), calcium (0.22 vs. 0.03 ��g/m**3) and potassium (0.33 vs. 0.02 ��g/m**3) were found as good indicators for dust periods because of their heavily increased concentration in the 1.2 to 3.5 ��m fraction as compared to their concentration during the non-dust periods. For the organic constituents, oxalate (78-151 ng/m**3) and methanesulfonic acid (MSA, 25-100 ng/m**3) are the major compounds identified. A good correlation between nss-sulphate and MSA was found for the majority of days indicating active DMS chemistry and low anthropogenic influences.

(Table 1) Sulfur contents and isotope composition in rocks and minerals from DSDP/ODP Hole 504B

DSDP Hole 504B is the only hole in oceanic crust to penetrate through the volcanic section and into hydrothermally altered sheeted dikes. We have carried out petrologic and sulfur isotopic analyses of sulfide and sulfate minerals and whole rocks from the core in order to place constraints on the geochemistry of sulfur during hydrothermal alteration of ocean crust. The nearly 600 m-thick pillow section has lost sulfur to seawater and has net d34S = -1.8 per mil due to degassing of SO2 during crystallization and subsequent low temperature interaction with seawater. Hydrothermally altered rocks in the 200 m-thick transition zone are enriched in S and 34S (4300 ppm and +3.0 +/-1.2 per mil, respectively), whereas the more than 500 m of sheeted dikes contain 720 ppm S with d34S = +0.6 +/-1.4 per mil. These data are consistent with the presence of predominantly basaltic sulfur in hydrothermal fluids deep in the crust: following precipitation of anhydrite during seawater recharge, small amounts of seawater sulfate were reduced at temperatures >250��C through conversion of igneous pyrrhotite to secondary pyrite and minor oxidation of ferrous iron in the crust. The S- and 34S-enrichments of the transition zone are the results of seawater sulfate reduction and sulfide deposition during subsurface mixing between upwelling hot (up to 350��C) hydrothermal fluids and seawater. Seawater sulfate was probably reduced through oxidation of ferrous iron in hydrothermal fluids and in the transition zone rocks. Alteration of the upper crust resulted in loss of basaltic sulfur to seawater, fixation of minor seawater sulfur in the crust and redistribution of magmatic sulfur within the crust. This caused net increases in sulfur content and d34S of the upper 1.8 km of the oceanic crust.

A Group-Enhanced Sprint Interval Training Program for Amateur Athletes

Sprint interval training (SIT) can elicit improvements in aerobic and anaerobic capacity. While variations in SIT protocols have been investigated, the influence of social processes cannot be overlooked. As research supports the use of groups to influence individual cognitions and behaviours, the current project assessed the effectiveness of a group-based intervention with participants conducting SIT. Specifically, 53 amateur athletes (age, 21.9 �� 2.9 years; 53% females) took part in a 4-week training program (3 sessions per week, 30-s ���all-out��� efforts with 4 min active recovery, repeated 4���6 times per session), and were assigned to ���true group���, aggregate, or individual conditions. Results indicated no significant differences between groups for the physiological measures. With regards to training improvements from baseline for all participants��� regardless of condition ��� significant main effects for time were identified for maximal oxygen uptake (2.5���2.8 mL��kg���1��min���1, p < 0.001, ��2 = 0.03), time-trial performance (14���32 s, p < 0.001, ��2 = 0.37), and anaerobic power (1.1���1.7 k��h���1, p < 0.001, ��2 = 0.66). With regards to the psychological measures, significant main effects between groups were found for motivation (p = 0.033, ��2 = 0.13), task self-efficacy (p = 0.018, ��2 = 0.15), and scheduling self-efficacy (p = 0.003, ��2 = 0.22). The true group experienced greater improvements in motivation than the individual condition, but the aggregate and individual conditions demonstrated greater increases in task and scheduling self-efficacy. Though the SIT paradigm employed induced training improvements similar to previous work, the group intervention was not able to further these improvements

Older Adult Injury Risk Assessment in the Driving and Occupational Environments

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Washington, 2016-08

Avalia����o do potencial pass��vel de convers��o em energia el��trica das correntes na plataforma continental sul brasileira

O cont��nuo crescimento da popula����o mundial aumenta a demanda e a competi����o por energia, colocando grande esfor��o sobre as fontes de energia n��o renov��veis existentes. Devido a isso, pol��ticas globais para gera����o de energias renov��veis e menos poluentes est��o sendo fortalecidas, al��m de promoverem o desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias. V��rias formas de convers��o de energia foram desenvolvidas no decorrer dos anos, com destaque para os conversores de energia das correntes a base de turbinas, que demonstram alta capacidade de convers��o energ��tica e j�� se encontram em funcionamento. O modelo tridimensional TELEMAC3D foi utilizado para a investiga����o dos processos hidrodin��micos. Este modelo foi acoplado ao m��dulo de convers��o de energia para as an��lises nos locais de maior viabilidade e convers��o energ��tica na Plataforma Continental do Sul do Brasil. A regi��o de estudo demonstrou possuir duas regi��es com alto potencial para a explora����o da energias das correntes marinhas, entretanto a regi��o mais vi��vel para a instala����o de conversores de corrente �� a regi��o norte delimitada entre o Farol da Concei����o e o Farol da Solid��o, podendo atingir pot��ncia m��dia de 10kW=Dia, e alcan��ando valores integrados de 3:5MW=Ano. Atrav��s de uma an��lise da sazonalidade foram observados, durante a primavera os per��odos mais energ��ticos em ambas as regi��es estudadas. As maiores intensidades de convers��o de energia foram estimadas com variabilidade temporal de 16 dias, demonstrando alta correla����o com eventos associados �� passagem de frentes meteorol��gicas na regi��o. O s��tio da regi��o norte, com a presen��a de barreiras que representam a forma dos conversores, se destaca mantendo boa convers��o durante os eventos de ��timo potencial energ��tico. Esta melhora se deve ao efeito de intensifica����o do campo de correntes associado �� presen��a da estrutura f��sica que otimiza a efici��ncia do s��tio. N��o foram observadas diferen��as significativas no padr��o de variabilidade temporal das simula����es estudadas, indicando que a presen��a das barreiras n��o induz grandes altera����es no padr��o temporal da convers��o de energia nas escalas temporais analisadas neste trabalho. Os eventos de alta gera����o de energia foram relacionados a incid��ncia de fortes ventos de quadrante sul e norte, indicando que pelo formato e disposi����o dos conversores, ventos de sudoeste e norte podem favorecer ��timos eventos de convers��o de energia. As simula����es dos s��tios de convers��o demonstraram alta capacidade de gera����o energ��tica, com quatro eventos de extrema gera����o de energia. Entretanto, o s��tio da regi��o norte demonstrou efici��ncia superior a 59,39 GWh ao ano, equivalendo a 0.22% do consumo energ��tico do estado do Rio Grande do Sul no ano de 2010.

Influ��ncia da profundidade e dos par��metros ambientais sobre o desenvolvimento de Gracilaria birdiae (Rhodophyta, Gracilariales) em viveiro de camar��o

This study evaluates the influence of depth and environmental parameters on the development of Gracilaria birdiae Plastino & Oliveira (Gracilariaceae Rhodophyta) in an organic shrimp pound (Litopenaeus vannamei) under euthrophical conditions. PVC structures (module) witch four ropes laden with 150 g of macroalgae each, were kept during 35 days at three different depths (surface, 10 and 20 cm depth). Wet biomass weighing and environmental parameters (temperature, salinity, turbidity, pH, transparence, precipitation, evaporation, insolation, accumulated solar radiation, nitrite, nitrate, ammonium and orthophosphate) were measured weekly. At all three proposed depths, the macroalgae displayed a higher biomass at the end of experiment than at the initial inoculations. The module kept at a 10 cm depth presented the greatest average biomass (186,3), followed by that kept at 20 cm (180,4 g) and the surface module (169,9 g). Biomass variations showed algae to suffer the direct effects of depths. Biomass loss was associated with the factors that influence light penetration, such as sediment deposits above the thallus, rate of evaporation and precipitation. The smallest loses occurred in the algae kept on surface (0,16%), followed by the algae kept at 20 cm (0,20%) and 10 cm (0,22%). The specific growth rate (SGR) of G. birdiae showed no significant difference between the three depths nor the sample periods. Nevertheless, the modules kept at 10 and 20 cm depths presented similar growth evolution, both growing 0,38%��per day-1, while the module kept on surface had an average SGR of 0,36%��day-1. The models related to growth rate demonstrated temperature, salinity, pH, orthophosphate, ammonium, precipitation and turbidity as the principal environmental parameters influencing the development of G. birdiae

Investigating the peculiar emission from the new VHE gamma-ray source H1722+119

The MAGIC (Major Atmospheric Gamma-ray Imaging Cherenkov) telescopes observed the BL Lac object H1722+119 (redshift unknown) for six consecutive nights between 2013 May 17 and 22, for a total of 12.5 h. The observations were triggered by high activity in the optical band measured by the KVA (Kungliga Vetenskapsakademien) telescope. The source was for the first time detected in the very high energy (VHE, E > 100 GeV) ��-ray band with a statistical significance of 5.9 ��. The integral flux above 150 GeV is estimated to be (2.0 �� 0.5) per cent of the Crab Nebula flux. We used contemporaneous high energy (HE, 100MeV < E < 100 GeV) ��-ray observations from Fermi-LAT (Large Area Telescope) to estimate the redshift of the source. Within the framework of the current extragalactic background light models, we estimate the redshift to be z = 0.34��0.15. Additionally, we used contemporaneous X-ray to radio data collected by the instruments on board the Swift satellite, the KVA, and the OVRO (Owens Valley Radio Observatory) telescope to study multifrequency characteristics of the source. We found no significant temporal variability of the flux in the HE and VHE bands. The flux in the optical and radio wavebands, on the other hand, did vary with different patterns. The spectral energy distribution (SED) of H1722+119 shows surprising behaviour in the ��� 3��1014 ���1018 Hz frequency range. It can be modelled using an inhomogeneous helical jet synchrotron self-Compton model.

Efecto de la extirpaci��n de las esp��culas del glande del cuy como t��cnia de esterilizaci��n reproductiva y su influencia en agresividad y ganancia de peso en comparaci��n con un m��todo qu��mico alcohol yodado al 2%

La presente investigaci��n evalu�� el efecto de la extirpaci��n de las esp��culas del glande en cobayos como m��todo de esterilizaci��n reproductiva y su influencia en agresividad y ganancia de peso en comparaci��n con un m��todo qu��mico (alcohol yodado 2%) y un testigo. Se contemplaron dos etapas de estudio, la primera valor�� agresividad y ganancia de peso en 90 cuyes machos de 45 d��as de edad con peso promedio de 658,3��8,54gr los cuales fueron distribuidos en grupos de 5 animales por jaula; para la segunda etapa se consider�� fertilidad y prolificidad en 90 cuyes hembras sexualmente maduras de 3 meses de edad, las cuales fueron empadradas con 18 machos obtenidos al azar de una sub-muestra de la primera etapa, la relaci��n de empadre fue cinco hembras un macho. Los animales en estudio fueron distribuidos en los siguientes tratamientos: T1 animales enteros (n=30), T2 animales extirpados las esp��culas (n=30) y T3 animales castrados con alcohol yodado 2% (n=30). Los datos obtenidos fueron procesados y analizados en el programa SPSS�� versi��n 22.0 determin��ndose que la ganancia total de peso fue para T1 836,4��33,89gr, T2 860,5��24,54gr y T3 725,5��30,45 con significancia estad��stica (P<0,05) para T2 y T1 con relaci��n a T3. En referencia a agresividad medida a trav��s del da��o de la canal a nivel de la zona dorso posterior se obtuvieron resultados porcentuales estad��sticos no significativos (p>0,05) entre tratamientos. En cuanto a fertilidad se obtuvo: para T1 un valor de 66,7%, T2 86,7% y T3 12% existiendo significancia estad��stica (p<0,05) entre tratamientos. Para la variable prolificidad se obtuvo valores medios de: T1 2,47��0,34; T2 3,43��0,32 y T3 0,40��0.22, con diferencias significativas (p<0,05) ��nicamente para el T3 que fue el que menos cr��as obtuvo. En conclusi��n la extirpaci��n de las esp��culas del glande del cuy no esteriliza reproductivamente por el contrario aumenta el porcentaje de fertilidad, no disminuye agresividad, obtiene pesos no distintos al testigo pero alcanza mejores pesos que el m��todo qu��mico.

Sexual Activity Without Condoms and Risk of HIV Transmission in Serodifferent Couples When the HIV-Positive Partner Is Using Suppressive Antiretroviral Therapy

Importance A key factor in assessing the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy (ART) as a prevention strategy is the absolute risk of HIV transmission through condomless sex with suppressed HIV-1 RNA viral load for both anal and vaginal sex. Objective To evaluate the rate of within-couple HIV transmission (heterosexual and men who have sex with men [MSM]) during periods of sex without condoms and when the HIV-positive partner had HIV-1 RNA load less than 200 copies/mL. Design, Setting, and Participants The prospective, observational PARTNER (Partners of People on ART-A New Evaluation of the Risks) study was conducted at 75 clinical sites in 14 European countries and enrolled 1166 HIV serodifferent couples (HIV-positive partner taking suppressive ART) who reported condomless sex (September 2010 to May 2014). Eligibility criteria for inclusion of couple-years of follow-up were condomless sex and HIV-1 RNA load less than 200 copies/mL. Anonymized phylogenetic analysis compared couples' HIV-1 polymerase and envelope sequences if an HIV-negative partner became infected to determine phylogenetically linked transmissions. Exposures Condomless sexual activity with an HIV-positive partner taking virally suppressive ART. Main Outcomes and Measures Risk of within-couple HIV transmission to the HIV-negative partner. Results Among 1166 enrolled couples, 888 (mean age, 42 years [IQR, 35-48]; 548 heterosexual [61.7%] and 340 MSM [38.3%]) provided 1238 eligible couple-years of follow-up (median follow-up, 1.3 years [IQR, 0.8-2.0]). At baseline, couples reported condomless sex for a median of 2 years (IQR, 0.5-6.3). Condomless sex with other partners was reported by 108 HIV-negative MSM (33%) and 21 heterosexuals (4%). During follow-up, couples reported condomless sex a median of 37 times per year (IQR, 15-71), with MSM couples reporting approximately 22���000 condomless sex acts and heterosexuals approximately 36���000. Although 11 HIV-negative partners became HIV-positive (10 MSM; 1 heterosexual; 8 reported condomless sex with other partners), no phylogenetically linked transmissions occurred over eligible couple-years of follow-up, giving a rate of within-couple HIV transmission of zero, with an upper 95% confidence limit of 0.30/100 couple-years of follow-up. The upper 95% confidence limit for condomless anal sex was 0.71 per 100 couple-years of follow-up. Conclusions and Relevance Among serodifferent heterosexual and MSM couples in which the HIV-positive partner was using suppressive ART and who reported condomless sex, during median follow-up of 1.3 years per couple, there were no documented cases of within-couple HIV transmission (upper 95% confidence limit, 0.30/100 couple-years of follow-up). Additional longer-term follow-up is necessary to provide more precise estimates of risk.

Ruminal methane emission by dairy cattle in southeast Brazil.

ABSTRACT: Ruminal gases, particularly methane, generated during the fermentative process in rumen, represent a partial loss of feed energy and are also pointed to as an important factors in greenhouse effect. This study aimed at quantifying methane (CH 4) emission rates from lactating and dry cows and heifers, 24 month-old in average, on pasture under Southeast Brazil tropical conditions, using the tracer gas technique, sulphur hexafluoride (SF 6), four animals per category, distributed in four blocks. Measurements were performed in February and June, 2002, with Holstein and Brazilian Dairy Crossbred (Holstein �� x Gir (Zebu) ��), maintained on fertilized Tanzania-grass (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Tanzania) and fertilized Brachiaria-grass (Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk) pastures. Heifers of both breeds were maintained on unfertilized Brachiaria-grass to simulate conditions of extensive cattle farming systems. CH 4 and SF 6 levels were measured with gas chromatography. Differences in CH4 emissions were measured (p < 0.05) for genetical groups. Holstein produced more methane (299.3g day?1) than the Crossbred (264.2 g day?1). Lactating cows produced more methane (353.8 g day?1) than dry cows (268.8 g day?1) and heifers (222.6 g day?1). Holstein, with greater milk production potential, produced less CH4 (p < 0.05) per unit of dry matter intake (19.1 g kg?1) than the Crossbred (22.0 g kg?1). Methane emission by heifers grazing fertilized pasture (intensive system) was 222.6 g day?1, greater (p < 0.05) than that of heifers on unfertilized pasture (179.2 g day?1). Methane emission varied as function of animal category and management intensity of production system.

Influ��ncia da profundidade e dos par��metros ambientais sobre o desenvolvimento de Gracilaria birdiae (Rhodophyta, Gracilariales) em viveiro de camar��o

This study evaluates the influence of depth and environmental parameters on the development of Gracilaria birdiae Plastino & Oliveira (Gracilariaceae Rhodophyta) in an organic shrimp pound (Litopenaeus vannamei) under euthrophical conditions. PVC structures (module) witch four ropes laden with 150 g of macroalgae each, were kept during 35 days at three different depths (surface, 10 and 20 cm depth). Wet biomass weighing and environmental parameters (temperature, salinity, turbidity, pH, transparence, precipitation, evaporation, insolation, accumulated solar radiation, nitrite, nitrate, ammonium and orthophosphate) were measured weekly. At all three proposed depths, the macroalgae displayed a higher biomass at the end of experiment than at the initial inoculations. The module kept at a 10 cm depth presented the greatest average biomass (186,3), followed by that kept at 20 cm (180,4 g) and the surface module (169,9 g). Biomass variations showed algae to suffer the direct effects of depths. Biomass loss was associated with the factors that influence light penetration, such as sediment deposits above the thallus, rate of evaporation and precipitation. The smallest loses occurred in the algae kept on surface (0,16%), followed by the algae kept at 20 cm (0,20%) and 10 cm (0,22%). The specific growth rate (SGR) of G. birdiae showed no significant difference between the three depths nor the sample periods. Nevertheless, the modules kept at 10 and 20 cm depths presented similar growth evolution, both growing 0,38%��per day-1, while the module kept on surface had an average SGR of 0,36%��day-1. The models related to growth rate demonstrated temperature, salinity, pH, orthophosphate, ammonium, precipitation and turbidity as the principal environmental parameters influencing the development of G. birdiae

Synthesis and Characterization of Photochromic Copolymers Containing 3-Indolylfulgides/Indolylfulgimides

Fulgides and fulgimides are important organic photochromic compounds and can switch between the open forms and the closed forms with light. The 3-indolylfulgides and 3-indolylfulgimides exhibit promising photochromic properties and have great potential in optical memory devices, optical switches and biosensors. Copolymers containing 3-indolylfulgides/indolylfulgimides synthesized via free radical polymerizations increase conformation changes and allow the photochromic compounds to be uniformly distributed in the polymer matrix. A trifluoromethyl 3-indolylfulgide and two trifluoromethyl 3-indolylfulgimides with one or two polymerizable N-stryryl group(s) were prepared. Copolymerization with methyl methacrylate provided two linear copolymers or a cross-linked copolymer. The properties of the monomeric fulgide/fulgimides and copolymers in toluene or as thin films were characterized. In general, the photochromic monomers and copolymers revealed similar photochromic properties and exhibited good thermal and photochemical stability. All compounds absorb visible light in both open forms and closed forms. The closed form copolymers were more stable than the open form copolymers and showed little or no degradation after 400 h. The photochemical degradation rate was less than 0.03% per cycle. In films, conformational restrictions were observed for the open forms suggesting that the preparation of films from the closed forms is advantageous. Two novel methyl 3-indolylfulgimides with one or two polymerizable N-stryryl group(s) were prepared. Copolymerization of acrylamide with the methyl indolylfulgimides or the trifluoromethyl indolylfulgimides yielded two aqueous soluble linear copolymers and two photochromic hydrogels. The closed form copolymers containing trifluoromethyl indolylfulgimides were hydrolyzed in aqueous solution by replacing the trifluoromethyl group with a carboxylic acid group. The resulting carboxylic copolymers were also photochromic. The copolymers containing methyl fulgimides were stable in aqueous solutions and did not hydrolyze. Both methyl and carboxylic copolymers exhibited good stability in aqueous solutions. In general, the open form copolymers were more stable than the closed form copolymers, and the copolymers revealed better stability in acidic solution than neutral solution. The linear copolymers displayed better photochemical stability in neutral solution and degraded up to 22% after 105 cycles. In contrast, the hydrogels showed enhanced fatigue resistance in acidic condition and underwent up to 60 cycles before degrading 24%.

Differences in pelvic floor morphology between continent, stress urinary incontinent, and mixed urinary incontinent elderly women : an MRI study

Aims To compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvic floor musculature (PFM), bladder neck and urethral sphincter morphology under three conditions (rest, PFM maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), and straining) in older women with symptoms of stress (SUI) or mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) or without incontinence. Methods This 2008���2012 exploratory observational cohort study was conducted with community-dwelling women aged 60 and over. Sixty six women (22 per group), mean age of 67.7��������5.2 years, participated in the study. A 3���T MRI examination was conducted under three conditions: rest, PFM MVC, and straining. ANOVA or Kruskal���Wallis tests (data not normally distributed) were conducted, with Bonferroni correction, to compare anatomical measurements between groups. Results Women with MUI symptoms had a lower PFM resting position (M-Line P���=���0.010 and PC/H-line angle P���=���0.026) and lower pelvic organ support (urethrovesical junction height P���=���0.013) than both continent and SUI women. Women with SUI symptoms were more likely to exhibit bladder neck funneling and a larger posterior urethrovesical angle at rest than both continent and MUI women (P���=���0.026 and P���=���0.008, respectively). There were no significant differences between groups on PFM MVC or straining. Conclusions Women with SUI and MUI symptoms present different morphological defects at rest. These observations emphasize the need to tailor UI interventions to specific pelvic floor defects and UI type in older women.

Incidence of debris discs around FGK stars in the solar neighbourhood

Context. Debris discs are a consequence of the planet formation process and constitute the fingerprints of planetesimal systems. Their counterparts in the solar system are the asteroid and Edgeworth-Kuiper belts. Aims. The aim of this paper is to provide robust numbers for the incidence of debris discs around FGK stars in the solar neighbourhood. Methods. The full sample of 177 FGK stars with d ��� 20 pc proposed for the DUst around NEarby Stars (DUNES) survey is presented. Herschel/PACS observations at 100 and 160 ��m were obtained, and were complemented in some cases with data at 70 ��m and at 250, 350, and 500 ��m SPIRE photometry. The 123 objects observed by the DUNES collaboration were presented in a previous paper. The remaining 54 stars, shared with the Disc Emission via a Bias-free Reconnaissance in IR and Sub-mm (DEBRIS) consortium and observed by them, and the combined full sample are studied in this paper. The incidence of debris discs per spectral type is analysed and put into context together with other parameters of the sample, like metallicity, rotation and activity, and age. Results. The subsample of 105 stars with d ��� 15 pc containing 23 F, 33 G, and 49 K stars is complete for F stars, almost complete for G stars, and contains a substantial number of K stars from which we draw solid conclusions on objects of this spectral type. The incidence rates of debris discs per spectral type are 0.26^+0.21_-0.14 (6 objects with excesses out of 23 F stars), 0.21^+0.17_-0.11 (7 out of 33 G stars), and 0.20^+0.14_-0.09 (10 out of 49 K stars); the fraction for all three spectral types together is 0.22^+0.08_-0.07 (23 out of 105 stars). The uncertainties correspond to a 95% confidence level. The medians of the upper limits of L_dust/L_��� for each spectral type are 7.8 �� 10^-7 (F), 1.4 �� 10^-6 (G), and 2.2 �� 10^-6 (K); the lowest values are around 4.0 �� 10^-7. The incidence of debris discs is similar for active (young) and inactive (old) stars. The fractional luminosity tends to drop with increasing age, as expected from collisional erosion of the debris belts.

Differences in pelvic floor morphology between continent, stress urinary incontinent, and mixed urinary incontinent elderly women : an MRI study

Aims To compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvic floor musculature (PFM), bladder neck and urethral sphincter morphology under three conditions (rest, PFM maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), and straining) in older women with symptoms of stress (SUI) or mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) or without incontinence. Methods This 2008���2012 exploratory observational cohort study was conducted with community-dwelling women aged 60 and over. Sixty six women (22 per group), mean age of 67.7��������5.2 years, participated in the study. A 3���T MRI examination was conducted under three conditions: rest, PFM MVC, and straining. ANOVA or Kruskal���Wallis tests (data not normally distributed) were conducted, with Bonferroni correction, to compare anatomical measurements between groups. Results Women with MUI symptoms had a lower PFM resting position (M-Line P���=���0.010 and PC/H-line angle P���=���0.026) and lower pelvic organ support (urethrovesical junction height P���=���0.013) than both continent and SUI women. Women with SUI symptoms were more likely to exhibit bladder neck funneling and a larger posterior urethrovesical angle at rest than both continent and MUI women (P���=���0.026 and P���=���0.008, respectively). There were no significant differences between groups on PFM MVC or straining. Conclusions Women with SUI and MUI symptoms present different morphological defects at rest. These observations emphasize the need to tailor UI interventions to specific pelvic floor defects and UI type in older women.