Diel oscillation in the optical activity of carotenoids in the absorption spectrum of Nannochloropsis.

In this paper we show that the absorption spectrum of the microalgae Nannochloropsis oceanica exhibits changes in response to the modulation of incident light. A model was used to analyze the contribution of different active pigments to the total absorption in the photosynthetically active radiation region and suggested consistent diel oscillations in the optical activity of carotenoids.

Dairy products consumption in Brazil is associated with socioeconomic and demographic factors: Results from the National Dietary Survey 2008-2009 / Consumo de lácteos e derivados no Brasil está associado com fatores socioeconômicos e demográficos: resultados do Inquérito Nacional de Alimentação 2008-2009

ABSTRACT Objective: To estimate the consumption of dairy products in the Brazilian population. Methods: Data from two non-consecutive food records from 34,003 individuals (aged ³10 years) in the first Brazilian nationally representative dietary survey (2008-2009) were used to estimate the dairy products intake. Dairy products were divided into four major subgroups: cow's milk, cheese, yogurt and other dairy products. Absolute and relative frequencies of individuals in the population who reported consumption of dairy products in at least one of the two-day food record according to sex, age, geographic region and levels of per capita monthly family income were calculated. Moreover, the mean consumption of dairy products, as well as their nutritional contribution in total energy, protein, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium intake was estimated. Results: It was observed that only 43.0% of the population reported consuming dairy products, being the milk subgroup the most frequently consumed (21.1%). The prevalence of consumption was higher among females, elderly, residents of the South region, and among individuals from higher per capita monthly family income. The nutritional contribution of dairy products was less than 10.0% of total energy intake and for most nutrients and the mean daily consumption are justified was 101.8g. Conclusion: Therefore, in view of the low intake of dairy products by Brazilian population and the nutritional benefits associated with this food group, public health strategies to increase dairy consumption are justified.

RESUMO Objetivo: Estimar o consumo de produtos lácteos pela população brasileira. Métodos: Dados de consumo alimentar obtidos por meio de registro alimentar de dois dias não-consecutivos de 34.003 indivíduos com 10 anos ou mais de idade participantes do Primeiro Inquérito Nacional de Alimentação (2008-2009) foram utilizados para estimar o consumo de produtos lácteos. Os produtos lácteos foram divididos em quatro subgrupos maiores: leite, queijo, iogurte e outros lácteos. Frequências absolutas e relativas de indivíduos da população que reportaram consumir os produtos lácteos em pelo menos um dos registros alimentares foram calculadas conforme sexo, idade, região geográfica e níveis de renda familiar mensal per capita. Além disso, estimou-se a quantidade média de consumo dos produtos lácteos, assim como sua contribuição para a ingestão de energia total, proteína, cálcio, fósforo e magnésio. Resultados: Observou-se que apenas 43,0% da população consome produtos lácteos, sendo o leite o produto mais frequentemente consumido (21,1%). A prevalência de consumo foi superior entre o sexo feminino, os idosos e os indivíduos residentes na região Sul e pertencentes aos maiores estratos de renda familiar per capita. A contribuição nutricional dos produtos lácteos para a ingestão de energia e para a maioria dos nutrientes avaliados foi inferior a 10,0% e seu consumo médio diário foi de 101.8g. Conclusão: Tendo em vista o baixo consumo de produtos lácteos pela população brasileira e os benefícios associados a este grupo de alimentos, justificam-se estratégias de saúde pública para o aumento do consumo deste grupo de alimentos.

Yogurt consumption is associated with a better lifestyle in Brazilian population.

BACKGROUND: The importance of dairy products is recognized for their health benefits. However, additional investigation is required to understand the characteristics of the lifestyle of people who incorporate yogurt into their eating routine. Then, the aim of this study was to compare the lifestyle of yogurt consumers and non-consumers. METHODS: A total of 2610 individuals between the ages of 18 and 59 years were recruited and selected for the study, having as the primary criterion the report of frequency of yogurt consumption. Two study groups were formed: consumers (frequency of yogurt consumption ≥ four times a week during the last year) and non-consumers (consumption frequency of less than once a week), paired for age, sex, and socioeconomic class. A structured questionnaire was applied to obtain the data regarding anthropometric characteristics (weight, height, and waist circumference), lifestyle (food consumption, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption), socioeconomic information (relationship status, level of education, and work) and presence of morbidities. Based on the quantity of consumption in grams/day of yogurt and milk, cheeses, and fruit smoothies, four other analysis groups were formed: LOW-Y/LOW-D (low consumption of yogurt and other dairy products); LOW-Y/HIGH-D (low consumption of yogurt and high consumption of other dairy products); HIGH Y/LOW-D (high consumption of yogurt and low consumption of other dairy products); and HIGH-Y/HIGH-D (high consumption of yogurt and other dairy products). Chi-squared and Student's t tests were used to assess the relationships of these factors. RESULTS: The yogurt consumers had a higher educational level (≥8 years: 83.8% vs. 79.9%), a higher frequency of individuals working and/or currently studying (67.7% vs. 65.5%), were more physically active at leisure time (17.2% vs. 14.3%), had reduced alcohol intake (3.6 g/day vs. 6.4 g/day) and a lower frequency of smoking (21.7% vs. 25.5%) compared to non-consumers (p < 0.05). Besides, individuals included in the Groups HIGH-Y/LOW-D and HIGH-Y/HIGH-D, when compared to those included in the Group LOW-Y/LOW-D, presented a significantly greater intake of calcium, vitamin D, phosphorus, and saturated fat. CONCLUSIONS: This research demonstrated an association between consumption of yogurt and a better lifestyle.

Stability Diagrams for Paul Ion Traps Driven by Two-Frequencies.

In this paper, we present and discuss stability diagrams for Paul traps driven by two ac voltages. In contrast to a typical Paul trap, here we suggest a secondary ac voltage whose frequency is twice the frequency of the primary one. The ratio between their amplitudes can be used to expand the region of stability and to access different states of motion of trapped ions. This provides a further mechanism to trap, cool, and manipulate single ions and also to improve the experimental framework where ion clouds and crystals can be prepared and controlled. Such approach opens the possibility of designing more sophisticated trapping architectures, leading to a wide variety of applications on ion trap research and mass analysis techniques.

Probability and amounts of yogurt intake are differently affected by sociodemographic, economic, and lifestyle factors in adults and the elderly-results from a population-based study.

The aim of this population-based cross-sectional health survey (N = 532) was to investigate the factors associated with the probability and amounts of yogurt intake in Brazilian adults and the elderly. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain data on demographics, socioeconomic information, presence of morbidities and lifestyle and anthropometric characteristics. Food intake was evaluated using two nonconsecutive 24-hour dietary recalls and a Food Frequency Questionnaire. Approximately 60% of the subjects were classified as yogurt consumers. In the logistic regression model, yogurt intake was associated with smoking (odds ratio [OR], 1.98), female sex (OR, 2.12), and age 20 to 39 years (OR, 3.11). Per capita family income and being a nonsmoker were factors positively associated with the amount of yogurt consumption (coefficients, 0.61 and 3.73, respectively), whereas the level of education of the head of household was inversely associated (coefficient, 0.61). In this study, probability and amounts of yogurt intake are differently affected by demographic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle factors in adults and the elderly.