On the Mechanical Properties of Popgraphene-Based Nanotubes: a Reactive Molecular Dynamics Study.

Carbon-based tubular materials have sparked a great interest in future electronics and optoelectronics device applications. In this work, we computationally studied the mechanical properties of nanotubes generated from popgraphene (PopNTs). Popgraphene is a 2D carbon allotrope composed of 5-8-5 rings. We carried out fully atomistic reactive (ReaxFF) molecular dynamics for PopNTs of different chiralities ( n,0 and 0,n ) and/or diameters and at different temperatures (from 300 up to 1200 K). Results showed that the tubes are thermally stable (at least up to 1200 K). All tubes presented stress/strain curves with a quasi-linear behavior followed by an abrupt drop of stress values. Interestingly, armchair-like PopNTs ( 0,n ) can stand a higher strain load before fracturing when contrasted to the zigzag-like ones ( n,0 ). Moreover, it was obtained that Young's modulus (YMod ) (750-900 GPa) and ultimate strength (σUS ) (120-150 GPa) values are similar to the ones reported for conventional armchair and zigzag carbon nanotubes. YMod values obtained for PopNTs are not significantly temperature-dependent. While the σUS values for the 0,n showed a quasi-linear dependence with the temperature, the n,0 exhibited no clear trends.

Breeding objectives and selection criteria of a participatory community-based breeding programme of goats and sheep.

The absence of formal markets and the large variability of genetic groups and production systems of goats and sheep in developing countries hinder the implementation of traditional breeding programmes. Community-based breeding programmes (CBBP) for these species have been shown to be effective in these countries. In these programmes, the definition of the objectives and criteria of selection is done in a participatory way, which takes into account the desires and needs of the local farmers. We aimed to define the objectives and criteria of a CBBP for goats and sheep in the Inhamuns region, Ceará, Brazil, using a participatory rural appraisal (PRA). This methodology, which consist in an approach that aims to incorporate the knowledge and opinions of rural people in the planning and management of development projects and programmes, was performed in seven districts of two towns of the region (Tauá and Parambu). One hundred twenty-two farmer families participated in the survey. The PRA was able to provide important information, and its results showed that breeders of this region keep flocks of goats and sheep for social, economic and cultural benefits. In order of importance, the main objectives for goat farming were personal fulfilment (PERF), food source for family (FSF), income generation (INCG), savings (SAV) and cultural/family traditions (CULT), while for sheep farming were CULT, FSF, SAV, PERF and INCG. Disease resistance (RDI), adaptability (ADP), fertility (FERT), growth rate (GRA), host resistance of worms (HRW), body conformation (BC), temperament (TEM), longevity (LONG), body size (BSIZ), age at first kidding (AFK) and milk yield (MIY) were the main selection criteria that farmers use for goats. The most important selection criteria used for selecting sheep were ADP, RDI, HRW, GRA, FERT, LONG, BC, BS and age at first lambing. According to these objectives and criteria, the CBBP must consider the adaptation of the animals to the climate and management conditions of the region, the resistance to diseases and productive performance.

Weight evolution in girls treated for idiopathic central precocious puberty with GnRH analogues.

UNLABELLED: Data concerning the effects of GnRHa on weight gain are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To assess the variation of the body mass index (BMI) in girls during GnRHa treatment for idiopathic central precocious puberty (CPP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Semestral anthropometric data from 176 girls treated with goserelin or leuprorelin were analyzed. RESULTS: BMI z-score increased from 1.5 +/- 0.1 SD before treatment (n = 176) to 1.7 +/- 0.2 SD after 24 months (n = 61, p = 0.008). In girls with normal weight before treatment, this variation was greater (n = 112, 0.2 +/- 0.1 SD, p = 0.01) than in those who were overweight (n = 63, -0.9 +/- 0.2 SD, p = 0.7). In the goserelin group the weight change adjusted for bone age was greater (n = 28, 0.4 +/- 0.1 SD) than in the leuprorelin group (n = 5, 0.04 +/- 0.1 SD, p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A slight increase in BMI was noted, mainly in girls with normal weight before treatment. The influence of different GnRHa on weight must be further investigated.