A later daily distribution of energy intake has been inconsistently associated with adiposity in adults but studies in children are lacking. We aimed to assess the potential prospective and bidirectional associations between caloric midpoint and adiposity at ages 7 and 10 years. We selected a sample of 1910 participants of the Generation XXI birth cohort (Portugal). Using ≥2 food diaries, we computed the caloric midpoint, i.e., the clock time at which 50 % of total daily energy intake is achieved. Sex- and age-specific z-scores for body mass index (zBMI) and waist-to-height ratio (zWHtR) were obtained. We assessed the prospective association of caloric midpoint at age 7 with zBMI and zWHtR at age 10, using sex-stratified regression models adjusted for zBMI/zWHtR at 7 years, age, energy-dense foods' intake, maternal education and BMI. Bidirectionality between caloric midpoint and zBMI from ages 7 to 10 was assessed by cross-lagged panel models. After adjustments, caloric midpoint at age 7 was negatively associated with zBMI at age 10 in females (B = -0.032; 95 %CI: -0.056, -0.008). In females, there was a bidirectional negative association which was stronger from zBMI at age 7 to caloric midpoint at age 10 (stdβ2 = -0.077, P = 0.021) than from caloric midpoint at age 7 to zBMI at age 10 (stdβ1 = -0.037, P = 0.013). Associations with zBMI in males and zWHtR in either sex were weaker and not statistically significant. A weak reciprocal negative association between caloric midpoint and zBMI may exist in females aged 7 to 10; this novel finding warrants careful interpretation and further investigation. Factors driving sex-differences and bidirectional associations should be explored.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a novel dietary supplement, including melatonin and magnesium, delivered via coffee pods on sleep quality, resting metabolic rate (RMR), and body composition in individuals with poor sleep quality disturbances. Using a double-blinded, randomized, crossover trial, we recruited 35 participants to a 4-week intervention with both supplements (1.9 mg melatonin + 200 mg elemental magnesium before sleep) and placebo conditions, considering a 7d washout period between treatments. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire was applied, RMR (kcal) was measured using indirect calorimetry (canopy ventilated open-circuit system) and body composition was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Decreases in PSQI and anger - hostility scores, as well as in energy intake and fat mass, were observed (p < 0.05) for both conditions, from baseline to the end of each 4-week intervention. Differences between conditions were also observed for these parameters along with energy spent in activity, number of sedentary breaks, sleep efficiency, latency time, time in bed, total sleep time, awakening time, and movement index (p < 0.05) favouring the supplement condition. However, the final PSQI questionnaire scores still indicated poor sleep quality on average (PSQI > 5), in both conditions, with no changes regarding RMR. A melatonin-magnesium supplement, in a coffee pod format, showed improvements in sleep quality in otherwise healthy individuals with sleep disturbances, however PSQI questionnaire scores still indicated poor quality on average (PSQI > 5).

Later chronotypes may be associated with lower diet quality and later timing of energy intake in paediatric age. Period of data collection of these variables may affect these parameters and inter-relationship. We aimed to assess the cross-sectional association of chronotype with a diet quality score (HEI) and caloric midpoint (time of achieving 50% of total daily energy intake), considering summer holidays, using data from the National Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey 2015-2016 for 578 participants (6-14 years of age). Chronotype was estimated by the midpoint of sleep and categorized as Early, Intermediate and Late, using physical activity diaries, while outcomes using two food diaries/24 h recalls. Associations of chronotype with outcomes were assessed by linear regressions adjusted for sex, age, parental education (model 1), BMI, sports practice (model 2), and summer holidays (no/yes) (model 3). In model 2, a Late vs. Early chronotype was negatively associated with HEI ($\widehat {{\rm{\beta }}}$beta = -0.74; 95% CI: -1.47, -0.07) and positively with caloric midpoint ($\widehat {{\rm{\beta }}}$beta = 0.35; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.69). However, associations lost significance in model 3. The association between chronotype and dietary habits may be benefit from being studied considering school terms and summer holidays. Future larger prospective studies are needed to clarify the role of summer holidays on this inter-relationship.

Temporal energy intake (EI) and physical activity (PA) patterns may be associated with obesity. We aimed to derive and characterise temporal EI and PA patterns, and assess their cross-sectional association with weight status, in 6-to-14-year-old Portuguese participants of the National Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey 2015-2016. We extracted times and EI of all eating occasions from two 1-d food diaries/24-h recalls, while types and times of PA from 4-d PA diaries. We derived EI patterns (n 714) and PA patterns (n 595), using, respectively, a hierarchical and K-means cluster analysis, considering the average proportion of total daily EI (%TEI) and PA intensity (%TPA), within each 2-h interval across the 24-h day. Patterns were labelled based on the 2-h intervals of %TEI/TPA peaks. We assessed the association between patterns and overweight or obesity (BMI z-score ≥ +1 sd) using adjusted logistic regressions (OR (95 % CI)). Three EI patterns emerged: 1 - 'Early afternoon and early evening'; 2 - 'Early afternoon and late evening'; and 3 - 'Late morning, early and mid-afternoon and late evening'. EI Pattern 3 v. Pattern 1 was negatively associated with overweight or obesity (0·49 (0·26, 0·92)). PA Pattern 1 - 'Late morning, mid-afternoon and early evening' v. Pattern 2 - 'Late afternoon', was not associated with weight status (0·95 (0·65, 1·38)). A daily EI pattern with more and even %TEI peaks at earlier daytime periods, rather than fewer and higher, may be negatively associated with overweight or obesity amongst this population whereas the identified PA patterns might have no relationship.

Introduction and purpose: Problematic gaming patterns have been associated with mental disorders and an un-healthy lifestyle pattern characterized by poor physical activity, nutritional habits, and sleep patterns. Thus, our objective was to characterize highly engaged Portuguese gamers by assessing the prevalence of these health issues and patterns, including Internet Gaming Disorder. Methods: A sample of 235 gamers (83.3% male) recruited online (through mailing list and social media) participated in online questionnaires to assess sociodemographic and health information, gaming and nutritional habits, physical activity patterns, sleep hygiene, and mental health. Results: The highly engaged gamers showed a mean playing time of 3.5 h/day (SD = 2.1) and 5.5 h/day (SD = 3.0) in other screen-related activities. Most of the players reported not consuming snacks while gaming. Physical activity practice was observed in 63.8% of the players. Most of the participants (66.3%) reported poor sleep quality and a "moderately and definitely evening" chronotype (60.4%). Gamers showed low scores of IGD, with only three reported cases, and half of the gamers reporting good psychological well-being. The mean of BSI scores was 1.6 (SD = 0.6), close to the cut-off point of 1.7. Conclusions: Poor sleep quality was observed in Portuguese gamers. Despite this, gamers seem to display a healthy lifestyle consisting of regular physical activity, a healthy diet during gaming time, and an unproblematic gaming behavior, as well as an emotionally healthy profile and state of well-being. Future studies should conduct a more thorough analysis of these variables and further explore possible correlations.

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant ability and the chemical composition of apolar and polar extractives from Douglas-fir bark, cork and phloem, establishing a possible correlation with the structural variation along the tree stem and geographic location. Douglas-fir bark extractives’ composition were analyzed at three stem heights in trees from two locations. Cork and phloem extracts’ composition were analyzed in samples collected at stem base. Extractives content in Douglas-fir bark varied between 14 and 31% and polar extractives (11–29%) were dominant over non-polar. Lipophilic extracts were mainly composed of terpenoids, representing 27–77% of all compounds, highlighted by callitrisic acid (11–34%). Sterols were also abundant (6–45%), with β-sitosterol representing 7–33% of all compounds. Alkanoic acids were present in smaller amounts. Ethanol–water extracts showed high phenolic (562–762 mg GAE/g extract), flavonoid and condensed tannins contents (399–683 mg CE/g extract and 120–262 mg CE/g of extract), high scavenging (IC50 2.8 µg extract/mL) and reducing (12 mM Fe2+/g extract) abilities. Cork had high phenolic (819 mg GAE/g extract) and flavonoid contents (524 mg CE/g extract) and high antioxidant capacity (1080 mg TEAC/g extract). Detailed knowledge of Douglas-fir extracts demonstrates their potential as a source of fine chemicals towards different applications.

Reversible electronic energy transfer (homo-FRET) in cyclic multichromophoric systems is studied for sets of n identical fluorophores arranged in regular polygons (triangle, square, pentagon, etc.). A general analytic expression for the anisotropy decay is obtained for a regular polygon of any order, under the assumptions of isotropic interaction and nearest-neighbor FRET. A graphical way of connecting the decay form and polygon geometry based on the Frost circle is also presented. The consequences of the relaxation of these assumptions on the anisotropy decay are also discussed and analyzed in detail for the heptagon.

Different biomass fractions of Cistus ladanifer and solid residues from essential oil distilleries were structurally and chemically evaluated. The C. ladanifer biomass fractions showed chemical differences mainly related to extractives (e.g., 10.8% and 53.7% in stems and leaves) and lignin (e.g., 21.2% and 15.4% in stems and leaves). The distillery residues were characterized by 41.5% extractives and 19.3% lignin, and polysaccharide glucose 51.7% and xylose 24.9% of total monosaccharides. The polar extracts had a high content of phenolics and revealed high antioxidant activity (IC50 3.2 μg/mL and 4.7 μg/mL in stems and cysts extracts). The lignin structure showed a predominance of S units in the stem (H:G:S of 1:25:50) and a balanced proportion of H, G, and S units in leaves (H:G:S of 1:1.4:1). The characteristics of C. ladanifer biomass allow several routes of valorization. The high extractive contents point out to the potential use as a source of phytochemicals by applying extraction procedures, while the remaining lignocellulosic material after extraction may be directed towards lignin and carbohydrates applications. The use of C. ladanifer biomass for an extractives-lignocellulosic-based biorefinery therefore represents a potential valorization that may contribute to additional revenue for the present essential oil distilleries.

Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is a valuable conifer timber species. It has a thick bark with a high proportion of cork in the rhytidome that allows considering its recovery. This study focuses on the characterization of the bark features and their variation with cambial age along the stem using samples of 20 trees from two sites in Portugal at harvest for the sawmilling industry. The morphology and anatomical features of bark were examined including a detailed analysis of the arrangement of tissues, cell biometry, tissue proportion of the phloem, and the development of the rhytidome. Bark structure varied within the tree with cambial age at various height levels, and differences concerned mostly the rhytidome and periderm development, tissue morphology and disarray in the non-conducting phloem. A relationship between cell dimension, proportion of tissues in the phloem and age was observed; the effect of stem height position was statistically significant for sieve cell length, fiber–sclereid length and wall thickness with a decrease from the base to the top. The rhytidome thickness increased with cambial age: At the stem base (45–50 years of cambial age), the bark includes a rhytidome of about 3 cm thickness corresponding to 84% of the bark, with 5–8 periderms, containing nearly 50% of cork. The cork cells were thin-walled and oriented in radial rows, and the occurrence of thick-walled lignified cells was associated with the increments of the phellem layer. In the youngest periderm, the occurrence of phellem cells with empty lumens and thin suberized walls started at 25–30 years of cambial age. The results show that trees with 45–50 years of age and their logs up to 5 m of height may be suitable for bark and cork exploitation.

The chemical composition and anatomy of the woody follicles of the hakea fruits are characterized here for the first time, aiming at an appraisal of their potential valorization. Hakea sericea Schrader is a woody shrub with evergreen needle-like leaves and fruits composed of woody follicles that surround the seed. The woody follicles have two dehiscent valves containing a primary and a secondary wood growth distinguished by dark and pale color respectively. H. sericea was introduced as an ornamental and hedge plant but it became a major problem due to its invasive character. The woody follicles of the hakea fruits had the following chemical composition (dry mass): ash 1.1%, total extractives 7.4% mainly corresponding to polar compounds soluble in ethanol and water, lignin 29.0% and 62.6% polysaccharides. The polysaccharides showed a predominance of xylose (43.2% of total monosaccharides) and glucose (40.5%). The mineral composition of the hakea fruit contains substantial amounts of potassium. The main lipophilic extractives are bilobol derivatives (23.9–41.8% of the extract), alkanols (15.5–26.5%) and saturated alkanoic acids (10.6–13.1%). The ethanol–water H. sericea fruit extract contains total phenolics (186.3 mg GAE/g extract), flavonoids (67.7 mg CE/g extract) and condensed tannins (84.9 mg CE/g extract). The antioxidant activity was weak compared to known antioxidants (271.7 mg Trolox/g extract). H. sericea fruits fracture easily with predominance of larger particles and little formation of fines (5.8% of the total mass). The chemical characterization of different granulometric fractions showed that extractives were present preferentially in the finest fractions, particularly with enrichment in ethanol soluble compounds, with the exception of bilobol derivatives that were present in higher amounts in fines. Most promising valorization routes for the hakea fruits include a fractionation process for hemicelluloses to yield potentially valuable xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) and the recovery of bilobol derivatives from the lipophilic extract given the potential application of these compounds in medicine.

The shells of three important food nuts, walnut, almond, and pine nut, were studied in view of valorization as residues. The shells differed chemically: walnut shells had 10.6% extractives, 30.1% lignin, and 49.7% polysaccharides; almond shells 5.7% extractives, 28.9% lignin, and 56.1% polysaccharides; and pine nut shells 4.5% extractives, 40.5% lignin, and 48.7% polysaccharides. The polysaccharide composition also differed, e.g., glucose/xylose ratio of 1.12, 0.94, and 2.29 for walnut, almond, and pine nut shells, respectively. Walnut and almond shells have a SG lignin (S/G 1.6 and 1.0, respectively) and pine nut shell a G lignin. The lipophilic extracts contained mostly saturated and unsaturated alkanoic acids. The ethanol-water extracts contained total phenolics, flavonoids, and condensed tannins. The antioxidant activity was moderate (IC50 15.2, 7.9, and 8.2 μg/mL for walnut, almond, and pine nut). The three nut shells fractured easily with little formation of fines.

The chemical composition of Douglas-fir bark was analyzed at three stem height levels of trees with different ages from two geographical locations. Cork and phloem in the bark's rhytidome were analyzed separately at stem bottom: extractives (49.8% and 17.0%, respectively), suberin (30.1% in cork) and hemicelluloses, namely arabinose content (25.3% and. 4.8% of all monomers, respectively). Suberin composition includes ,-alkanoic diacids (38.6%), -hydroxyalkanoic acids (25.6%), alkanoic acids (18.2%), alkanols (2.2%), and aromatics (8.8%). Bark's chemical composition is age-related, namely regarding suberin content: at 45, 30 and, 17years of age, bark contained respectively 25.4%, 2.6%, and 0.9% of suberin; 24.5%, 33.9%, and 29.8% of lignin; and 29.4%, 20.6%, and 25.7% of extractives. This difference is due to the small number of periderms and low cork content in barks with 30 or less years. When aiming at a cork-targeted valorization, the lower stem parts of mature Douglas-fir trees should be considered while the high content of polar extractives at all stem heights allows an overall potential valorization.

Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is one of the best timber conifers providing long sawnwood components. Original from North America, it has been planted in Europe on approximately 550 thousand ha. Twenty Douglas-fir trees growing in two sites in Portugal were studied regarding ring analysis, heartwood, sapwood and bark development, and taper. The radial growth rate was 7.1 and 6.6 mm year−1 at stem base for 45- and 50-year-old trees, respectively, in the two sites. Initial growth rate was slower, increasing until about 20 years and decreasing afterwards. Heartwood proportion represented on average 49% of the cross section in the lower part of the stem and decreased upwards. Heartwood formation was estimated to start at a cambial age of 8–9 years and increasing by 0.7–0.9 rings year−1. Sapwood width was on average 75 mm at stem base, decreasing upwards. Bark was 26–27 mm thick at stem base, where it represented 15% of the cross-sectional area and decreased to 3–5 mm at the top. Stemwood and heartwood tapers were on average 15 mm m−1 in the lower stem part and 21 and 18 mm m−1, respectively, in the upper part. Douglas-fir showed a good potential for the mountain areas of Portugal, and under the silvicultural conditions of both stands the trees presented ring homogeneity, small conicity and low taper suitable for long wood components.

Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) is one of the best conifer timber species. Its bark contains a substantial proportion of cork that may have a valorization potential, given adequate structural and cellular features. This study was made here on bark samples from mature trees from the north and central mountains of Portugal. The area proportion of cork was determined by image analysis, the cork tissue was observed with electron scanning microscopy (SEM) and cell dimensions measured. The cork is not continuous within the rhytidome, and the layers are interspersed with phloem regions. The cork layers are not continuous along the tangential or axial directions. Older trees contain on average a thicker rhytidome and a higher proportion of cork. The cork tissue was characterized by the presence of extensive areas of cells that are crushed or completely collapsed, making up a compressed and very compact structure with patches of uncompressed cork. The compression occurs in the radial direction and is clearly observed in transverse and radial sections. In the uncompressed regions the majority of the cork cells are hexagonal and pentagonal prisms stacked base-to-base and aligned in the radial direction in parallel rows. On average, the prism height and base area are 55 mu m and 1388 mu m2,respectively, with a 1.3 mu m cell wall thickness. To obtain pure cork fractions from Douglas-fir bark, trituration and fractionation processes are needed. Also the use of Douglas-fir cork as a cellular material will be restricted by the extensive cell compression. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The chemical composition and the anatomy of Copaifera langsdorffii bark are reported here for the first time by studying trees grown in a native forest area in the Amazon region, Brazil. The bark is thin, dark reddish brown, and exfoliates in irregular flakes. It is very dense, showing highly lignified cells and abundant sclereids, and cellular fillings of phenolic nature. It includes a poorly developed rhytidome and a periderm with thin- and thick-walled phellem cells. The mean chemical composition was: ash 3.7%, total extractives 21.3%, mainly corresponding to polar compounds soluble in ethanol and water, suberin 0.8%, and lignin 36.6%. The polysaccharides showed a predominance of glucose and xylose (66.4% and 23.5% of total monosaccharides, respectively). The ethanol-water bark extract had a high content in phenolics: total phenolics 589.2 mg gallic acid/g extract, flavonoids 441.9 mg catechin/g extract, and tannins 54.8 mg catechin/g extract. The antioxidant activity was high, comparable to known antioxidant reference compounds: 720.3 mg Trolox per g of extract or 92.1 mg Trolox per g of bark. After bark grinding, the finest fraction was enriched in polar extractives (40.6%). C. langsdorffii bark is a potential source of functional extractives, therefore representing a valorization of the residual bark obtained during the industrial tree processing for timber.

Teak ( Tectona grandis L. f.) is an important native species of Southeast Asia, producing an excellent quality wood with high demand in the world market contributing positively to development and economic growth of the countries. There are few published studies on the anatomical variability of teak wood from East Timor. The wood anatomical characterization and its within-tree variation were studied in three axial and radial positions of trees from an unmanaged pure stand. The wood is semi-ring-porous to ring-porous. The vessels are solitary and grouped, with 206 and 89 µm diameter (earlywood and latewood) and 259 µm length. Axial parenchyma is paratracheal unilateral and marginal. Rays are homocellular and heterocellular, varying between 241 and 1293 µm in height. Fibers, the most abundant tissue (52 %), had a mean fiber length, width and wall thickness of 1.15 mm, 28 and 6 µm, respectively. The anatomical features of teak wood differ from those reported for other origins in considerably smaller vessels and thicker walled fibers. Longitudinal variation showed a decrease of vessel area, fiber size, and an increase of vessel frequency, parenchyma and ray proportions towards the top of the tree. Radially vessel size, fiber length and wall thickness tended to increase with cambial age.

Aim of the study: This paper aims to valorize the wood of Quercus faginea Lam. for high quality end uses (e.g. furniture) by studying growth and quality properties using mature trees. Age trends in tree-ring width and wood density are shown and the main factors responsible for variations in tree-ring width and wood density within and between trees are investigated. Area of study: The study site is in the center of Portugal within the natural species distribution area.Material and methods: Radial samples from ten mature trees were collected at 6 heights (from base to 9.7 m) and prepared for X-ray microdensity.Main results: Wood density showed high values, ranging from 0.868 g/cm3 to 0.957 g/cm3. Wood density decreased from pith to bark and with stem height. Cambial age showed a linear relationship with wood density and most of the variation in wood is explained by age. Intra-ring and axial within-tree homogeneity was good.Research highlights: Mature trees of Q. faginea showed high wood density and a high potential for high quality end uses, comparable to other oaks. Wood density is influenced by cambial age and tree-ring width. Wood quality may be improved by tree growth rates adjustment e.g. through an adequate tree stand density (e.g. thinning operations).

High-value exploitation of endogenous forest species may help in fighting the threat to their sustainability, as is the case for Quercus faginea Lam. (Portuguese oak) for which research is underway to determine the wood potential for high-quality products. Ring widths were measured in 20 trees in two sites in Portugal and within-tree heartwood and sapwood development was determined. The wood shows distinct ring porosity. The mean annual radial growth at dbh was 2.3 and 1.0 mm for the two sites, respectively. Ring width decreased with cambial age, ie 3.1 ± 1.2 mm in the first 10 rings to 1.3 ± 0.8 mm at around 40 yr (site 1). Ring width decreased axially from the tree base upward but the variation was small. The trees showed a relatively high proportion of heartwood, ie 60-70% heartwood for 20-25 cm wood diameters that decreased with height, and followed the stem profile. Heartwood diameter was modeled as a function of stem diameter, to be used for heartwood estimation in standing trees. Sapwood width was relatively constant. Overall the stem quality was found to be good for production of solid wood products regarding ring and heartwood features.

Teak (Tectona grandis) is one of the most valuable timbers in international trade and an important species for tropical forestry. Teak is found on the island of East Timor but no information is available on teak growth from this region. A pure stand planted in 1940-50 in the North of East Timor and left unmanaged was studied. Fifteen trees were sampled in October-November 2003 and stem discs taken at three height levels of its height (1.7m, 9.5m and 18.7m), and cores were collected at DBH. Transverse surfaces of the discs and cores were polished for ring identification. Core cross sections were first digitized and disc cross sections were observed under the microscope. Three randomly selected radii were analyzed in each disc. Ring width measurement and ring counting were done using image analysis software. The distinction between heartwood and sapwood was performed macroscopically by colour difference, and heartwood radius and sapwood width were measured. The relationship between stem and heartwood radius was studied for each disc and heartwood percentage by radius was determined. Radial ring width curves are presented for the different axial positions within the stem, and ring width variability was analyzed. Growth rates were calculated and age-radius relationships were estimated using cumulative growth curves. Growth rings were large and well defined in the juvenile phase, reflecting the specie's fast-growing character. The year-to-year variation of ring width showed a similar pattern among trees. Mean ring width ranged between 4.3-7.3mm for the first 20 years and 3.3-5.1mm for 30 to 45 years. Pith eccentricity was evident in the lower part of the stem and ring wedging occurred. On average, heartwood represented 84% of the radius and sapwood contained 6 to 11 rings. The age-related variation of ring width and the occurrence in the lower part of the tree stems of eccentricity and wedging rings, highlights the importance of appropriate stand management, particularly regarding basal density distribution over time, whenever optimized timber production is envisaged.