Concomitant Light-Reversible Magnetic Response in Multiferroic Oxide Heterostructures for Multiphysics Applications.

The concept of multiphysics, where materials respond to diverse external stimuli, such as magnetic fields, electric fields, light irradiation, stress, heat, and chemical reactions, plays a fundamental role in the development of innovative devices. Nanomanufacturing, especially in low-dimensional systems, enhances the synergistic interactions taking place on the nanoscale. Light-matter interaction, rather than electric fields, holds great promise for achieving low-power, wireless control over magnetism, solving two major technological problems: the feasibility of electrical contacts at smaller scales and the undesired heating of the devices. Here, we shed light on the remarkable reversible modulation of magnetism using visible light in epitaxial Fe3O4/BaTiO3 heterostructure. This achievement is underpinned by the convergence of two distinct mechanisms. First, the magnetoelastic effect, triggered by ferroelectric domain switching, induces a proportional change in coercivity and remanence upon laser illumination. Second, light-matter interaction induces charged ferroelectric domain walls' electrostatic decompensations, acting intimately on the magnetization of the epitaxial Fe3O4 film by magnetoelectric coupling. Crucially, our experimental results vividly illustrate the capability to manipulate magnetic properties using visible light. This concomitant mechanism provides a promising avenue for low-intensity visible-light manipulation of magnetism, offering potential applications in multiferroic devices.

Characterization of the Worthen Sparrow (Spizella wortheni)'s Nest Building Materials in Northeastern Mexico.

The study was conducted within a well-managed beef cattle operation in northeastern Mexico. Each nest was weighed and dissected to obtain the plant and animal material used to build the nests. The number of materials present per nest and relative frequency were determined. Twenty-one building materials were used. Over the years, Muhlenbergia torreyi represented 85.5% of the total biomass of the nests, and Aristida longiseta, Bouteloua gracilis, Brickellia canescens, Purshia mexicana and Cirsium ehrenbergii constituted 2.45, 2.80, 2.44, 1.34 and 1.11% of the total biomass, respectively. The above-mentioned grasses represented 95.62% of the total biomass. Material of animal origin was horse and cow hair, which represented 0.84 and 0.58% of the total biomass, respectively. It was concluded that, at the study site, Muhlenbergia torreyi was a key nest-building material for the Worthen sparrow nest.

Reversible optical control of magnetism in engineered artificial multiferroics.

Optical means instead of electric fields may offer a new pathway for low-power and wireless control of magnetism, holding great potential to design next-generation memory and spintronic devices. Artificial multiferroic materials have shown remarkable suitability as platforms towards the optical control of magnetic properties. However, the practical use of magnetic modulation should be both stable and reversible and, particularly, it should occur at room temperature. Here we show an unprecedented reversible modulation of magnetism using low-intensity visible-light in Fe75Al25/BaTiO3 heterostructures, at room temperature. This is enabled by the existence of highly oriented charged domain walls arranged in arrays of alternating in-plane and out-of-plane ferroelectric domains with stripe morphology. Light actuation yields a net anisotropic stress caused by ferroelectric domain switching, which leads to a 90-degree reorientation of the magnetic easy axis. Significant changes in the coercivity and squareness ratio of the hysteresis loops can be light-modulated, encouraging the development of novel low energy-consumption wireless magneto-optical devices.

Effect of heat stress during the dry period on milk yield and reproductive performance of Holstein cows.

This study aimed to determine the influence of heat stress during the dry period on milk yield and reproductive performance of Holstein cows in a hot environment. Breeding and milk production records of cows, as well as meteorological data between 2017 and 2020 from a commercial dairy herd (n = 12,102 lactations), were used to determine the relationship between climatic conditions during the dry period (average of the temperature-humidity index (THI) at the beginning, middle, and end of the dry period) and reproductive efficiency and milk yield traits. THI was divided into < 70 (no heat stress), 70-80 (moderate heat stress), and > 80 (severe heat stress). First-service pregnancy rate of cows decreased (P < 0.01) with increasing hyperthermia during the dry period (9.5, 7.3, and 3.4% for THI < 70, 70-80, and > 80, respectively). All-service pregnancy rate was highest (P < 0.01) for cows not undergoing heat stress during the dry period (60.2%) and lowest (42.6%) for cows with severe heat stress during the dry period. Cows not experiencing heat stress during the dry period required a mean ± SD of 5.6 ± 3.8 services per pregnancy compared with 6.5 ± 3.6 (P < 0.01) for cows subjected to THI > 80 during the dry period. Cows not suffering heat stress during the dry period produced more (P < 0.01) 305-day milk (10,926 ± 1206 kg) than cows subjected to moderate (10,799 ± 1254 kg) or severe (10,691 ± 1297 kg) heat stress during the dry period. Total milk yield did not differ (P > 0.10) between cows not undergoing heat stress (13,337 ± 3346 kg) and cows subjected to severe heat stress during the dry period (13,911 ± 4018 kg). It was concluded that environmental management of dry cows during hot months is warranted to maximize reproductive performance and milk yield in the following lactation.

Characterization of the lung microbiome and inflammatory cytokine levels in women exposed to environmental risk factors: A pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Lung microbiome dysbiosis affects the immune system balance and promotes lung inflammation. We aimed to characterize and compare the lung bacteriome composition and the cytokine profile in women with normal lung function exposed to risk factors for chronic lung diseases (tobacco smoking and biomass-burning smoke exposure). METHODS: We included women with biomass-burning smoke exposure (BE, n = 11) and current smokers women (TS, n = 10). The bacteriome composition was performed in induced sputum, sequencing the 16 rRNA gene. Cytokine levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay multiplex assay in the supernatant of induced sputum. For quantitative variables, we used medians and minimum and maxim values. For the amplicon sequence variants (ASV) differential abundance testing between groups. RESULTS: At the taxa level, the phylum Proteobacteria was found in a higher proportion in the TS group concerning BE (p = .045); however, after the false discovery rate adjustment, this difference was not retained (p = .288). We found a higher concentration of IL-1ß in the TS group than in the BE group (248.6 vs. 177.9 pg/mL, p = .010). Women with high biomass-burning smoke exposure in an hour per day had a positive correlation with the abundance of Bacteroidota (ρ = 0.71, p = .014) and Fusobacteriota (ρ = 0.73, p = .011). FEV1/FVC had a positive correlation with an abundance of Bacteroidota, Proteobacteria, and Fusobacteria (ρ = 0.74, p = .009, ρ = 0.85, p = .001, and ρ = 0.83, p = .001, respectively). In tobacco smoking, women had a positive correlation (ρ = 0.77, p = .009) between cigarettes per day and Firmicutes' abundance. CONCLUSION: Compared to biomass-burning smoke-exposed women, current smokers have poor lung function and high levels of IL-1ß in sputum. Women with biomass-burning smoke exposure present an increased abundance of Bacteroidota and Fusobacteriota.

Fertility of Holstein cows and heifers submitted to timed artificial insemination and receiving one or two doses (12 h apart) of semen.

The objective of this retrospective study was to assess the effect of receiving a single (n = 50,285) or double (n = 4392) artificial insemination (AI), 12 h apart, within a timed artificial insemination protocol on pregnancy per AI (P/AI) in nulliparous heifers (inseminated with either sex-sorted or conventional semen) and pluriparous Holstein cows in a commercial dairy herd. Also, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between temperature-humidity index (THI) and time of the first AI and fertility. Fertility of cows receiving two AI with normothermia (THI <68) was higher (p < .05) than cows receiving a single AI (42.9% vs. 36.4%). P/AI of cows receiving two AI with severe heat stress (THI >85) was higher (p < .05) than cows receiving a single AI (21.0% vs. 12.6%). Regardless of heat stress conditions, applying the first AI in the morning increased (p < .05) P/AI in cows with double AI than in cows whose first AI occurred in the afternoon (38.4 vs. 33.3%). With moderate heat stress, and sexed-sorted semen, P/AI to timed AI was higher (65.0 vs. 51.9%; p < .05) in heifers receiving double AI than those serviced once. It was concluded that double AI, 12 h apart, enhanced fertility at timed AI than herd mates with a single AI, particularly with heat stress at breeding.

Self-reported dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are associated with adipose tissue markers and glucose metabolism in apparently healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND: Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) and resistin are associated with dysfunctional adipose tissue (AT)-related metabolic complications. The role of dietary eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) fatty acids in this relationship is unknown. AIM: To investigate the association of EPA and DHA with PAI-1 and resistin, as well as the role of this association on the glucose metabolism of apparently healthy subjects. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty-six healthy individuals were included. Validated food frequency questionnaires were used to analyse dietary habits. Inflammatory and glucose metabolism markers were quantified. Subcutaneous AT samples were obtained, and adipocyte number, area, and macrophage content were assessed. RESULTS: In 36 subjects aged 56 ± 8 years and with a body mass index of 26 ± 4 kg/m2, logEPA, and logDHA showed significant association with logresistin and a marginal association with PAI-1. Adipocyte number, area, and lognumber of macrophages per adipocyte significantly correlated with PAI-1 but not with logresistin. Although logEPA and logDHA were independently associated with loginsulin, loginsulin resistance, and C-Peptide, the addition of logresistin, but not of PAI-1, into the multivariable model, abolished the associations. CONCLUSIONS: EPA and DHA could modulate glucose metabolism across AT functional states. Our data indicate that this association is independent of other metabolic risk factors.

Effect of breed and management practices on reproductive and milking performance of rangeland goats.

The traditional goat production systems on arid and semi-arid rangelands of northern Mexico are characterized by minimum external inputs; therefore, little is known about goat response to technological improvements. This observational study aimed to ascertain the effect of using improved goat production technologies and breed on milk yield and reproductive performance of goats on rangeland. The study was conducted from January 2017 to June 2018. Thirty-seven goat herds comprising 6393 animals were used. Goats supplemented with 250 g of concentrate (S-goats; 14% crude protein) 30 days before breeding produced significantly more daily milk yield (218 ± 61 vs. 200 ± 60 g) than the unsupplemented (UNS-goats) goats. Milk production per lactation was 12 percentage points greater in goats with access to plain salt throughout the year than those without salt access. The absence of deworming significantly depressed daily milk yield (189 ± 55 vs. 221 ± 61 for non-treated and treated goats). In 5 months, the lowest total milk yield was for Boer goats (26.9 ± 8.3 kg) and the highest for Nubian goats (36.1 ± 9.2 kg). The kidding rate was significantly higher in the S-goats than in the UNS-goats group (66.9 vs. 62.8%). Salt-supplemented goats had a significantly greater kidding rate than goats not receiving salt (68.5 vs. 61.2%). The lowest kidding rate was for Saanen goats and the highest for Nubian goats (66.2%). These findings indicate that milk yield and reproductive performance were primarily influenced by supplementing grazing goats with concentrates and salt in this semi-arid rangeland.

Influence of blood metabolites and body condition score at parturition on fertility and milk yield in Holstein cows / Influencia de metabolitos sanguíneos y condición corporal al parto sobre la fertilidad y producción de leche de vacas Holstein / Influência dos metabólitos sanguíneos e da condição corporal ao nascimento na fertilidade e produção de leite de vacas Holstein

Abstract Background: Variables associated with body tissue mobilization place dairy cows at greater risk of reproductive failure. Objective: To investigate the association between blood metabolites and body condition score (BCS) at the beginning of lactation and the reproductive efficiency and milk yield of Holstein cows in a hot environment. Methods: In total, 165 Holstein cows were selected for the study from which blood samples were taken to determine the concentration of various blood metabolites and their association with the reproductive efficiency and milk yield. Results: Cows with serum β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) ≤0.8 mmol/L one week postpartum were 3.3 times more likely to become pregnant at first service, and 2.2 times more likely to become pregnant before 80 d postpartum than cows with higher serum BHBA levels. The odds (OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.3-5.4; p<0.01) of a cow getting pregnant at first service were higher in cows with serum creatinine levels higher than 2.0 mg/dL one week postpartum than cows with lower blood levels of this metabolite. The BCS at 30 and 60 d postpartum that predicted pregnancy at first service and pregnancy to all services was 3.0. Blood urea nitrogen >15 mg/dL, creatinine <1.8 mg/dL, total protein ≤5.0 mg/dL one week postpartum, and >0.40 units of BCS loss during the first 30 d postpartum were critical threshold that predicted the likelihood of 305-d milk yield higher than 10,500 kg. Conclusions: Serum BHBA and creatinine one wk after calving as well as BCS 30 and 60 d post-calving provided reasonably accurate cut-off screening values to discriminate cows with better reproductive performance and higher 305-d milk yield.

Resumen Antecedentes: Las variables asociadas a mayor movilización de tejido corporal en vacas lecheras conducen a un mayor riesgo de falla reproductiva. Objetivo: Investigar la asociación entre los metabolitos sanguíneos y condición corporal (BCS) al comienzo de la lactancia y la eficiencia reproductiva y producción de leche de vacas Holstein en un ambiente caluroso. Métodos: En total, se seleccionaron 165 vacas Holstein de las cual se tomaron muestras de sangre para determinar la concentración de varios matabolitos sanguíneos, los cuales se asociaron con el desempeño reproductivo y producción de leche. Resultados: Las vacas con β-hidroxibutirato (BHBA) en suero ≤0,8 mmol/L una semana postparto tuvieron 3,3 veces más probabilidades de quedar preñadas en los primeros servicios, y 2,2 veces más probabilidades de quedar gestantes antes de los 80 días postparto que las vacas con mayores niveles séricos de BHBA. Las probabilidades (OR 2,7; IC 95% 1,3-5,4; p<0,01) de que una vaca se preñara en el primer servicio fueron mayores en vacas con niveles de creatinina en suero sanguíneo superiores a 2,0 mg/dL una semana postparto que las vacas con niveles más bajos de este metabolito en sangre. Una BCS de 3 a los 30 y 60 días postparto fue un buen predictor de la preñez al primer servicio y la gestación considerando todos los servicios. El nitrógeno ureico en sangre >15 mg/dL, la creatinina <1,8 mg/dL, la proteína total ≤5,0 mg/dL una semana después del parto y >0,40 unidades de pérdida de BCS durante los primeros 30 días postparto fueron los valores críticos para predecir una producción de leche a 305 días superior a 10.500 kg. Conclusiones: El BHBA y la creatinina en suero sanguíneo una semana postparto, así como la BCS 30 y 60 d después del parto, proporcionan valores razonablemente precisos para identificar las vacas que tendrán mejor desempeño reproductivo y mayor producción de leche a 305 días.

Resumo Antecedentes: A maior mobilização do tecido corporal das vacas leiteiras leva a um aumento do risco de falhas reprodutivas. Objetivo: Para investigar a relação entre os metabolitos sanguíneos e condição do corpo (BCS) para o início da lactação e eficiência reprodutiva e produção de leite de vacas Holstein num ambiente quente. Métodos: No total, foram selecionadas 165 vacas da raça Holandesa, das quais foram coletadas amostras de sangue para determinar a concentração de vários metabólitos sanguíneos, associados ao desempenho reprodutivo e à produção de leite das vacas. Resultados: As vacas com β-hidroxibutirato (BHBA) soro ≤0,8 mmol/L de uma semana após o nascimento foram 3,3 vezes mais probabilidade de engravidar nos primeiros serviços, e 2,2 vezes mais provável que seja grávida antes de 80 dias após o parto do que vacas com níveis séricos de BHBA mais elevados. As probabilidades (OR 2,7, IC de 95% 1,3-5,4, p<0,01) que uma vaca preñara primeiros serviços vacas foram maiores com níveis mais elevados de creatinina no soro do sangue >2,0 mg/dL, uma semana pós-parto do que vacas com níveis sanguíneos mais baixos deste metabolito. Um CC de 3 aos 30 e 60 dias pós-parto foi um bom predictor de gravidez no primeiro serviço e gestação, considerando todos os serviços. O azoto de ureia no sangue >15 mg/dL, creatinina <1,8 mg/dL e proteína total, ≤5,0 mg/dL uma semana após o parto e >0,40 unidades perda CC durante os primeiros 30 dias após o nascimento estavam valores críticos que previram produção de leite em 305 dias >10.500 kg. Conclusões: BHBA e creatinina sérica, uma semana após o parto, bem como CC 30 e 60 d após o parto, forneceram valores razoavelmente precisos para discriminar vacas com melhor desempenho reprodutivo e maior produção de leite em 305 dias.

Growth performance and mammary gland development of Holstein calves fed milk with 15% solids and treated with growth promoters.

The objective of this study was to evaluate growth performance, and mammary gland parenchyma (PAR) development in Holstein female calves fed whole milk combined with milk replacer for 15% total solids (15TS) or only milk (11% TS; 11TS). The effects of zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) and an estrogenic implant (EI) on growth performance, serum metabolites, and PAR development in post-weaning calves (63-90 days of age) fed 15TS or 11TS were also investigated. In the first phase, 78 calves were randomly divided into two groups (n = 39/group), 15TS, or 11TS (5 to 8 L/day; starter ad libitum). After weaning, calves were randomly assigned to four treatments, no EI, EI, ZH, and ZH-EI. In phase 1, 15TS calves had greater (P < 0.01) average body weight at weaning than 11TS calves (82.0 ± 5.8 vs. 74.1 ± 5.7 kg). Pre-weaning average daily gain (718 ± 67 vs. 576 ± 64 g/day) was higher (P < 0.01) for 15TS calves than 11TS calves. Feed/gain (1.5 ± 0.3 vs. 1.8 ± 0.3 kg of DMI/kg of gain) was lower (P < 0.01) for 15TS calves than 11TS calves. PAR area (8.8 ± 3.3 vs. 5.0 ± 1.6 cm2) was greater (P < 0.01) for 15TS calves than 11TS calves. No differences (P > 0.10) in average daily gain (986 ± 79 g/day across treatments) were observed in calves receiving ZH, EI, or ZH-EI fed 15TS or 11TS diets previously. However, the PAR area of 15TS calves administered ZH-EI was 2.2 times greater (P < 0.01) than 11TS calves with no ZH and CI. This study demonstrated the benefits of supplying milk with 15% TS for enhancing overall animal growth and PAR development. Further use of ZH and EI during the post-weaning period did improve mammary PAR growth.

Relevant Factors in Adolescent Well-Being: Family and Parental Relationships.

Health-related quality of life, teachers' opinion of academic performance and self-perceived health are indicators of well-being in the adolescent stage. Some variables, such as those related to the quality of family and parental relationships, may influence these indicators and thus condition well-being during this stage of life and beyond. In this research, the aforementioned variables are analyzed jointly. It is a cross-sectional study in which 1375 adolescent schoolchildren between 11 and 18 years of age participated. Different instruments such as KIDSCREEN-10 and the questionnaire used in the international study Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children were used. The results obtained allow us to conclude that HRQoL, the teacher's opinion of performance and the perception of health status improve as adolescents perceive a more favorable family climate, also helped by good relations between parents. Finally, it is proposed to continue with the efforts made in the school, family environment and other areas because of the enormous potential for generating quality of life in the adolescent stage and the consequent positive repercussions this has on adulthood.

Photocontrolled Strain in Polycrystalline Ferroelectrics via Domain Engineering Strategy.

The use of photonic concepts to achieve nanoactuation based on light triggering requires complex architectures to obtain the desired effect. In this context, the recent discovery of reversible optical control of the domain configuration in ferroelectrics offers a light-ferroic interplay that can be easily controlled. To date, however, the optical control of ferroelectric domains has been explored in single crystals, although polycrystals are technologically more desirable because they can be manufactured in a scalable and reproducible fashion. Here we report experimental evidence for a large photostrain response in polycrystalline BaTiO3 that is comparable to their electrostrain values. Domains engineering is performed through grain size control, thereby evidencing that charged domain walls appear to be the functional interfaces for the light-driven domain switching. The findings shed light on the design of high-performance photoactuators based on ferroelectric ceramics, providing a feasible alternative to conventional voltage-driven nanoactuators.

Loss of forest cover and host functional diversity increases prevalence of avian malaria parasites in the Atlantic Forest.

Host phylogenetic relatedness and ecological similarity are thought to contribute to parasite community assembly and infection rates. However, recent landscape level anthropogenic changes may disrupt host-parasite systems by impacting functional and phylogenetic diversity of host communities. We examined whether changes in host functional and phylogenetic diversity, forest cover, and minimum temperature influence the prevalence, diversity, and distributions of avian haemosporidian parasites (genera Haemoproteus and Plasmodium) across 18 avian communities in the Atlantic Forest. To explore spatial patterns in avian haemosporidian prevalence and taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity, we surveyed 2241 individuals belonging to 233 avian species across a deforestation gradient. Mean prevalence and parasite diversity varied considerably across avian communities and parasites responded differently to host attributes and anthropogenic changes. Avian malaria prevalence (termed herein as an infection caused by Plasmodium parasites) was higher in deforested sites, and both Plasmodium prevalence and taxonomic diversity were negatively related to host functional diversity. Increased diversity of avian hosts increased local taxonomic diversity of Plasmodium lineages but decreased phylogenetic diversity of this parasite genus. Temperature and host phylogenetic diversity did not influence prevalence and diversity of haemosporidian parasites. Variation in the diversity of avian host traits that promote parasite encounter and vector exposure (host functional diversity) partially explained the variation in avian malaria prevalence and diversity. Recent anthropogenic landscape transformation (reduced proportion of native forest cover) had a major influence on avian malaria occurrence across the Atlantic Forest. This suggests that, for Plasmodium, host phylogenetic diversity was not a biotic filter to parasite transmission as prevalence was largely explained by host ecological attributes and recent anthropogenic factors. Our results demonstrate that, similar to human malaria and other vector-transmitted pathogens, prevalence of avian malaria parasites will likely increase with deforestation.

Risk factors associated with testing positive for tuberculosis in high-yielding Holstein cows.

Tuberculosis remains a significant infectious disease of farm animals and humans worldwide. The objective of this study was to assess various risk factors associated with testing positive for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in high-yielding Holstein cows in an intensive dry-lot dairy operation. In a retrospective observational study, 9312 records from Holstein cows from a large dairy herd in northern Mexico were used. The incidence rate of lactating cows reactor to bTB was 7.3 cases/100 cow years (95% CI = 6.7-7.9%). Multiple logistic regression models indicated that cows with total milk yield during the first lactation >10,200 kg were 1.3 times (95% confidence intervals (CI) for odds ratio (OR) = 1.2-1.6) more likely to be detected as bTB reactors than cows with total milk yield <10,200 kg (8.2 vs. 6.4%; P < 0.01). The risk of being reactor to bTB increased with x̅ total milk yield/lactation >11,500 kg (OR=2.7, 95% CI = 2.3-3.3; 10.4 vs. 4.2%) compared with cows with x̅ total milk yield/lactation <11,500 kg. Cows with >10,200 kg 305-day milk yield in the last lactation was associated (P < 0.01) with 1.3 times higher odds (95% CI for OR = 1.1-1.5) of being classed as reactors than cows with <10,200 kg. Cows with peak milk yield >48 kg were 1.9 times (95% CI for OR = 1.6-2.2) more likely to be reactor to bTB than cows with peak milk yield <48 kg (9.2 vs. 5.1%; P < 0.01). Cows with either puerperal metritis (OR = 0.07, 95% CI = 0.5-0.9) or carrying twins (OR = 0.05, 95% CI = 0.01-0.19) had a protective role for being reactor to bTB. This study showed that increased milk production was associated with a higher risk of becoming positive to tuberculin skin test in high-yielding Holstein cows.

What is the impact of post-radical prostatectomy urinary incontinence on everyday quality of life? Linking Pad usage and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short-Form (ICIQ-SF) for a COMBined definition (PICOMB definition).

AIMS: To identify the definition for urinary continence (UC) after radical prostatectomy (RP) which reflects best patients' perception of quality of life (QoL). METHODS: Continence was prospectively assessed in 634 patients, 12 months after RP using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short-Form (ICIQ-SF) and the number of pads employed in a 24-hour period (pad usage). We used the one-way ANOVA technique with posthoc pairwise comparisons according to Scheffé's method (homogeneous subsets) for assessing the degree of QoL deficit related to urinary incontinence (UI). RESULTS: The continence prevalence is 64.4%, 74.1%, 88.3%, and 35.8% using "0 pads," "1 safety pad," "1 pad," and "ICIQ score 0" definitions, respectively. Pad usage is moderately strongly associated with ICIQ 1, 2, and 3 (ρ = 0.744, 0.677, and 0.711, respectively; p < 0.001). Concordance between classical UC definitions is acceptable between "0 pads-ICIQ score 0" (K = 0.466), but poor for "1 safety pad" and "1 pad" (K = 0.326 and 0.137, respectively). Patients with "0 pad usage" have better QoL related to urine leakage than patients with "1 safety pad" or "1 pad" (1.41 vs. 2.44 and 3.11, respectively; p < 0.05). There were no significant differences found regarding QoL between patients with ICIQ score 0 and ICIQ score 2 (1.01 vs. 1.63; p = 0.63). CONCLUSIONS: Pad usage and the ICIQ-SF's answers provide useful information. We propose a combined definition (0 pads and ICIQ score ≤2) as it is the definition with the least impact on daily QoL.

Psychopathological Risk Factors Associated with Body Image, Body Dissatisfaction and Weight-Loss Dieting in School-Age Adolescents.

Determining the comorbidity patterns leading to suffering behavioural eating disorders (BED) that are identifiable in the early stages of life, can help prevent their becoming chronic, as well as preventing the consequences deriving from the cost and effectiveness of intervention programs. The paper focuses mainly on analysing the association between behavioural/emotional risk factors and body image, body satisfaction and diet in school children, as well as confirming whether there are differences based on sex. Several questionnaires (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and several items of Health Behaviour in School-age Children) including these variables were distributed and completed by the 647 adolescents (16 year olds on average) who took part in the research project. The findings confirmed a differentiated risk profile in adolescent girls in that they had greater prevalence of emotional symptoms as a general psychopathological trait, although this was offset with their prosocial behaviour. Additionally, the findings also allowed us to conclude that the factors that predict vulnerability to BEDs are sex, the presence of emotional symptoms and social and behavioural issues. At the end of this paper, we discuss some implications and consequences that should be taken into account for future work.

The Role of Physical Activity and School Physical Education in Enhancing School Satisfaction and Life Satisfaction.

The aim of this study was to understand the role of school satisfaction on life satisfaction, according to gender, age, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity (PA) level. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study, carried out on 2823 adolescents (1396 boys and 1427 girls), aged between 12 and 16. A specific questionnaire to measure life satisfaction (Brief Multidimensional Student Life Satisfaction Scale (BMSLSS)), a questionnaire to measure satisfaction with school ("Life circumstances of Young people: School"), and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were used to analyze PA practice. Gender, age, and BMI were used as control variables. In general, the main results showed that school satisfaction had a clear role in life satisfaction. Similarly, the findings allowed us to conclude that the role of school satisfaction on life satisfaction was more evident in male school children, those who were older, or those who have a higher BMI. The regular practice of PA enhanced school satisfaction and its role on life satisfaction. Therefore, it is very important to assess the importance of school satisfaction as a determinant of quality of life and the adoption of healthy habits, recognizing the fundamental role of teachers in this regard.

The Quality of Breakfast and Healthy Diet in School-aged Adolescents and Their Association with BMI, Weight Loss Diets and the Practice of Physical Activity.

Dietary habits are an important factor in the protection of adolescent health. The quality and frequency of breakfast and the various food groups can affect the wellbeing of this population group in both the short and long term. Research indicates that there is a range of relevant variables in the study of diet at this stage: following a weight loss diet, body mass index and the practice of physical exercise, amongst others. In this paper, all three variables are analysed, together with others of a demographic nature (sex and age). This is a descriptive cross-sectional survey that was carried out on 1318 adolescents aged 11 to 18. The Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) international study questionnaire, sponsored by the World Health Organisation, was used. In general terms, the data revealed that the majority of adolescents do not have adequate eating patterns. The quality and frequency of breakfast and the consumption of food types are associated with almost all the variables under study; additionally, there are significant differences by sex and school year. Finally, proposals are made to prevent eating disorders, which are appearing at an increasingly young age.

Short communication: reproductive response to concentrate supplementation of mixed-breed goats on rangeland.

The effect of concentrate supplementation to crossbred goats on rangeland during the dry period on their reproductive performance was investigated. Goats were assigned into two groups: a concentrate supplemented (S; n = 91) group and an unsupplemented (UNS; n = 118) group. S goats received 350 g/day of concentrate per head, 30 days prior to breeding (flushing in winter) and 30 days during the last trimester of pregnancy. UNS goats presented a lower (P < 0.01) liveweight at the onset of the breeding period than did the S group (38.2 ± 3.7 vs. 44.4 ± 3.6 kg). Average daily gains during pregnancy were higher (P < 0.01) in the S group than UNS goats (15.5 ± 1.2 vs. - 0.5 ± 5.1 g/d). S goats had a higher (P < 0.01) kidding rate (87.1%) than the UNS goats (54.7%). Litter size for UNS and S goats was 1.39 and 2.00, respectively (P < 0.01). Serum triiodothyronine, tetraiodothyronine, and cortisol concentration at the end of the flushing period were not affected by concentrate supplementation. Serum glucose (88.7 ± 3.8 vs. 95.7 ± 5.3 mg/dL), total protein (6.9 ± 1.1 vs. 8.2 ± 1.2 mg/dL), and blood urea nitrogen (17.1 vs. 21.0 ± 4.3 mg/dL) concentrations were lower for UNS goats as compared with S goats. In conclusion, concentrate supplementation in crossbred goats on rangeland markedly improved body mass changes during gestation and the reproductive performance, which implies that malnutrition is a major barrier affecting fertility of goats and liveweight of kids in this rangeland.

The generalized Vogel-Fulcher-Tamman equation for describing the dynamics of relaxor ferroelectrics.

Relaxor ferroelectrics (RF) are outstanding materials owing to their extraordinary dielectric, electromechanical, and electro-optical properties. Although their massive applications, they remain to be one of the most puzzling solid-state materials because understanding their structural local order and relaxation dynamics is being a long-term challenge in materials science. The so-called Vogel-Fulcher-Tamman (VFT) relation has been extensively used to parameterize the relaxation dynamics in RF, although no microscopic description has been firmly established for such empirical relation. Here, we show that VFT equation is not always a proper approach for describing the dielectric relaxation in RF. Based on the Adam-Gibbs model and the Grüneisen temperature index, a more general equation to disentangle the relaxation kinetic is proposed. This approach allows to a new formulation for the configurational entropy leading to a local structural heterogeneity related order parameter for RF. A new pathway to disentangle relaxation phenomena in other relaxor ferroics could have opened.