Paula A. Lopes, and Narcisa M. Bandarra, and Susana V. Martins, and Joana Martinho, and Cristina M. Alfaia, and Marta S. Madeira, and Carlos Cardoso, and Cláudia Afonso, and Maria C. Paulo, and Rui M. A. Pinto, and José L. Guil-Guerrero, and José A. M. Prates

Abstract Background To overcome the current overexploitation of fish rich in n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA), microalgae have become a promising marine lipid source. The purpose of this study was to assess eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3), isolated or combined from distinct marine origins, on the promotion of neuroprotective effects. Methods The experiment lasted for 10 weeks and involved 32 Wistar rats, divided into 4 diets (n = 8)...

Abid Ali Ansari

Plants are the producers of all autotrophic ecosystems’ and are the base of the food chain taking energy from the sun and converting it into food for all other organisms through photosynthesis. Plants grow in certain places and seasons when the environmental factors are suitable for their germination, growth and developments that influence their diversity. Environmental factors can include abiotic factors such as temperature, light, moisture, soil nutrients; or biotic factors like competition fr...

Ronaldo Angelini, and Filomena Vaz-Velho

Information on the mean trophic level of fishery landings in Angola and the output from a preliminary Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) model were used to examine the dynamics of the Angolan marine ecosystem. Results were compared with the nearby Namibian and South African ecosystems, which share some of the exploited fish populations. The results show that: (i) The mean trophic level of Angola’s fish landings has not decreased over the years; (ii) There are significant correlations between the landings...

Wilfried Klingert, and Jörg Peter, and Christian Thiel, and Karolin Thiel, and Wolfgang Rosenstiel, and Kathrin Klingert, and Christian Grasshoff, and Alfred Königsrainer, and Martin Schenk

Abstract Background Automated systems are available in various application areas all over the world for the purpose of reducing workload and increasing safety. However, such support systems that would aid caregivers are still lacking in the medical sector. With respect to workload and safety, especially, the intensive care unit appears to be an important and challenging application field. Whereas many closed-loop subsystems for single applications already exist, no comprehensive system covering ...

Amreeta Dhanoa, and Sharifah Syed Hassan, and Nowrozy Kamar Jahan, and Daniel D. Reidpath, and Quek Kia Fatt, and Mohtar Pungut Ahmad, and Cheong Yuet Meng, and Lau Wee Ming, and Anuar Zaini Zain, and Maude Elvira Phipps, and Iekhsan Othman, and Aman Bin Rabu, and Rowther Sirajudeen, and Ahmad Abdul Basitz Ahmad Fatan, and Faidzal Adlee Ghafar, and Hamdan Bin Ahmad, and Pascale Allotey

Abstract Background The frequency and magnitude of dengue epidemics continue to increase exponentially in Malaysia, with a shift in the age range predominance toward adults and an expansion to rural areas. Despite this, information pertaining to the extent of transmission of dengue virus (DENV) in the rural community is lacking. This community-based pilot study was conducted to establish DENV seroprevalence amongst healthy adults in a rural district in Southern Malaysia, and to identify influenc...

Duoquan Wang, and Prosper Chaki, and Yeromin Mlacha, and Tegemeo Gavana, and Mihayo Gabriel Michael, and Rashid Khatibu, and Jun Feng, and Zheng-Bin Zhou, and Kang-Ming Lin, and Shang Xia, and He Yan, and Deus Ishengoma, and Susan Rumisha, and Sigbert Mkude, and Renata Mandike, and Frank Chacky, and Charles Dismasi, and Salim Abdulla, and Honorati Masanja, and Ning Xiao, and Xiao-Nong Zhou

Abstract Background During the past six decades, remarkable success on malaria control has been made in China. The major experience could be shared with other malaria endemic countries including Tanzania with high malaria burden. Especially, China’s 1–3-7 model for malaria elimination is one of the most important refined experiences from many years’ efforts and key innovation measures for malaria elimination in China. Methods The China-UK-Tanzania pilot project on malaria control was implemented...

J. P. Egerton, and A. F. Johnson, and J. Turner, and L. LeVay, and I. Mascareñas-Osorio, and O. Aburto-Oropeza

Abstract Hydroacoustic technologies are widely used in fisheries research but few studies have used them to examine the effects of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). We evaluate the efficacy of hydroacoustics to examine the effects of closure to fishing and habitat type on fish populations in the Cabo Pulmo National Park (CPNP), Mexico, and compare these methods to Underwater Visual Censuses (UVC). Fish density, biomass and size were all significantly higher inside the CPNP (299%, 144% and 52% respe...

Seiji Watanabe, and Toshiaki Takahashi, and Jun Takeba, and Hiromasa Miura

Abstract Background We conducted a questionnaire survey of shipyard workers to identify difficulties experienced due to orthopedic or musculoskeletal disorders. Methods The subjects were 375 workers (male, 361; female, 14) who worked for a single shipbuilding company. Questionnaire items covered the working environment, including work environment, working posture, and the weight of objects that the subject dealt with, as well as physical and lifestyle characteristics, namely smoking habits, drin...

Robert Fleischmann, and Steffi Traenkner, and Antje Kraft, and Sein Schmidt, and Stephan J. Schreiber, and Stephan A. Brandt

Abstract Background Pathophysiological concepts in delirium are not sufficient to define objective biomarkers suited to improve clinical approaches. Advances in neuroimaging have revalued electroencephalography (EEG) as a tool to assess oscillatory network activity in neuropsychiatric disease. Yet, research in the field is limited to small populations and largely confined to postoperative delirium, which impedes generalizability of findings and planning of prospective studies in other population...

Carlos Ruiz-Guerra, and Diana Eusse-González, and Cesar Arango

We identified 83 species of birds in the flooded savannas of Meta and Casanare (Colombia) states during July and November 2012 and March and April 2013. We added four species to the checklist of birds of the Colombian Orinoco Basin. In both the rainy and dry seasons, wading birds had the largest number of species and individuals. Most species congregated and bred during the rainy season and abundance of aquatic birds varied according to the season. We also identified six sites that harbored the ...

Beatriz H. Mojica-Figueroa, and John Jairo Díaz-Olarte

Between february and december of 2011 the fish communities of the ciénaga de Paredes, were studied by four samples in periods contrasting climates, station 1, corresponding to the inlet of the pipe Peruétano (BCP), station 2, Swamp Center (CC) and station 3, the mouth of the creek Gómez (DQG).They were captured 762 individuals, the 67%, 28%, and 4% corresponded to the orders Characiformes, Siluriformes and Perciformes respectively, the remaining 1% corresponds to the orders of Gymnotiformes and ...

Yingguang Wang

This paper proposes a novel method for efficient prediction of joint distributions of heights and periods of nonlinear ocean waves. The proposed novel method utilizes a transformed linear simulation which is based on a Hermite transformation model where the transformation is chosen to be a monotonic cubic polynomial, calibrated such that the first four moments of the transformed model match the moments of the true process. This proposed novel method is utilized to predict the joint distributions...

Zhanyang Chen, and Hongbin Gui, and Pingsha Dong, and Changli Yu

Investigation of hydroelastic responses of high-speed vessels in irregular sea state is of major interest in naval applications. A three dimensional nonlinear time-domain hydroelastic method in oblique irregular waves is developed, in which the nonlinear hydrostatic restoring force caused by instantaneous wetted surface and slamming force are considered. In order to solve the two technical problems caused by irregular sea state, the time-domain retardation function and Proportional, Integral and...

Kang Liu, and Guoming Chen, and Gaogeng Zhu, and Jingyu Zhu

Marine production strings are continuously affected by unstable internal fluid during operation. In this paper, the structural governing equation for marine production string self-induced vibration is constructed. A finite element analysis model is established based on Euler-Bernoulli theory and solved by the Newmark method. Furthermore, based on reliability theory, a self-design procedure is developed to determine the operability envelope for marine production string self-induced vibration. Cas...

Xiangkun Meng, and Guoming Chen, and Gaogeng Zhu, and Yuan Zhu

On offshore platforms, oil and gas leaks are apt to be the initial events of major accidents that may result in significant loss of life and property damage. To prevent accidents induced by leakage, it is vital to perform a case-specific and accurate risk assessment. This paper presents an integrated method of Ddynamic Qquantitative Rrisk Aassessment (DQRA)—using the Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL)-Bayesian Network (BN)—for evaluation of the system vulnerabilities and p...

Mark H. Myers, and Alessandro Iannaccone, and Gavin M. Bidelman

Abstract Background In this study, we examined audiovisual (AV) processing in normal and visually impaired individuals who exhibit partial loss of vision due to inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs). Methods Two groups were analyzed for this pilot study: Group 1 was composed of IRD participants: two with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (RP), two with autosomal recessive cone-rod dystrophy (CORD), and two with the related complex disorder, Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS); Group 2 was composed ...

Soo-Hyun Paik, and Mi Ran Choi, and Su Min Kwak, and Sol Hee Bang, and Ji-Won Chun, and Jin-Young Kim, and Jihye Choi, and Hyun Cho, and Jo-Eun Jeong, and Dai-Jin Kim

Abstract Background Though Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is considered to share similar genetic vulnerability with substance addictions, little has been explored about the role of the genetic variants on IGD. This pilot study was designed to investigate the association of the Taq1A polymorphism of the ankyrin repeat and kinase domain containing 1 (ANKK1) gene and C957T and − 141C of the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) with IGD and their role on the personality and temperament traits in IGD among ad...

Jacques Isabelle, and Al Dahouk Sascha, and Djønne Berit, and Ramisse Françoise, and Tryland Morten, and Foster Geoffrey, and Le Flèche Philippe, and Maquart Marianne, and Neubauer Heinrich, and Walravens Karl, and Godfroid Jacques, and Cloeckaert Axel, and Vergnaud Gilles

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Since 1994, <it>Brucella </it>strains have been isolated from a wide range of marine mammals. They are currently recognized as two new <it>Brucella </it>species, <it>B. pinnipedialis </it>for the pinniped isolates and <it>B. ceti </it>for the cetacean isolates in agreement with host preference and specific phenotypic and molecular markers. In order to investigate the genetic relationships within the marine mammal <it>Brucella </it>isolates and with reference ...

Castillo Nieves, and García-García Patricia, and Rivero Antonio, and Jiménez-Sosa Alejandro, and Macía Manuel, and Getino María, and Méndez María, and García-Pérez Javier, and Navarro-González Juan F

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Predialysis hemoglobin (Hb) may overestimate the true erithropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) requeriments. We tested whether predialysis Hb is a reliable predictor of the postdialysis level to better control ESA dosage, and evaluated the relation between ESA, Hb and cardiovascular events (CVE).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Cohort study including 67 stable hemodialysis patients. Pre- and post-dialysis Hb concentrations were measured, and ESA doses were calculated. A...

Antequera Desiree, and Bermejo-Pareja Felix, and Vargas Teo, and Molina Jose A, and Carro Eva

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Simple, non-invasive tests for early detection of degenerative dementia by use of biomarkers are urgently required. However, up to the present, no validated extracerebral diagnostic markers for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer disease (AD) are available. The clinical diagnosis of probable AD is made with around 90% accuracy using modern clinical, neuropsychological and imaging methods. A biochemical marker that would support the clinical diagnosis and disting...

FILIPO ERNESTO BURGOS GUZMÁN

Güntekin Doğan, and Ömer Osman Ertan

Abstract In this study, we aimed to determine the basic food components, fatty acids and amino acids, and variations in these components with months in goldband goatfish (Upeneus moluccensis) that fishing from Gulf of Antalya. As a result of the analyzes, the crude fat values were determined between 1.43 and 3.78%, and the crude protein values were determined between 20.79 and 22.16%. The most abundant fatty acids were determined: palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), palmitoleic acid (C1...

Grant Brydon JB, and Akl Elie A, and Guyatt Gordon H, and Montori Victor M, and Schünemann Holger J

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Decision aids (DA) are tools designed to help patients make specific and deliberative choices among disease management options. DAs can improve the quality of decision-making and reduce decisional conflict. An area not covered by a DA is the decision of a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to use inhaled steroids which requires balancing the benefits and downsides of therapy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We developed a DA for COPD patients con...

Opacic Milorad, and Radić Davor, and Brinar Marko, and Cukovic-Cavka Silvija, and Rustemovic Nadan, and Ostojic Rajko, and Vucelic Boris

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Using standard diagnostic algorithms it is not always possible to establish the correct phenotype of inflammatory bowel disease which is essential for therapeutical decisions. Endoscopic ultrasound elastography is a new endoscopic procedure which can differentiate the stiffness of normal and pathological tissue by ultrasound. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the role of transrectal ultrasound elastography in distiction between Crohn's disease and ulcerative...

Sonesson Anna K

<p>Abstract</p> <p>A within-family marker-assisted selection scheme was designed for typical aquaculture breeding schemes, where most traits are recorded on sibs of the candidates. Here, sibs of candidates were tested for the trait and genotyped to establish genetic marker effects on the trait. BLUP breeding values were calculated, including information of the markers (MAS) or not (NONMAS). These breeding values were identical for all family members in the NONMAS schemes, but differed between fa...

Bensley James, and Harding Richard, and Corrigan Nick

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cigarette smoking prevalence among gay men is twice that of population levels. A pilot community-level intervention was developed and evaluated aiming to meet UK Government cessation and cancer prevention targets.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Four 7-week withdrawal-oriented treatment groups combined nicotine replacement therapy with peer support. Self-report and carbon monoxide register data were collected at baseline and 7 weeks. N = 98 gay men were recruited throu...

Lessard Martin R, and Meade Maureen O, and Burns Karen EA, and Keenan Sean P, and Lellouche Francois

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Weaning is the process during which mechanical ventilation is withdrawn and the work of breathing is transferred from the ventilator back to the patient. Prolonged weaning is associated with development of ventilator-related complications and longer stays in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Computerized or Automated Weaning is a novel weaning strategy that continuously measures and adapts ventilator support (by frequently measuring and averaging three breathing...

Fostier Alexis, and Bonnet Emilie, and Bobe Julien

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The preservation of fish egg quality after ovulation-control protocols is a major issue for the development of specific biotechnological processes (e.g. nuclear transfer). Depending on the species, it is often necessary to control the timing of ovulation or induce the ovulatory process. The hormonal or photoperiodic control of ovulation can induce specific egg quality defects that have been thoroughly studied. In contrast, the impact on the egg transcriptome ...

O. Crabeck, and R. Galley, and B. Delille, and B. Else, and N.-X. Geilfus, and M. Lemes, and M. Des Roches, and P. Francus, and J.-L. Tison, and S. Rysgaard

Although the presence of a gas phase in sea ice creates the potential for gas exchange with the atmosphere, the distribution of gas bubbles and transport of gases within the sea ice are still poorly understood. Currently no straightforward technique exists to measure the vertical distribution of air volume fraction in sea ice. Here, we present a new fast and non-destructive X-ray computed tomography technique to quantify the air volume fraction and produce separate images of air volume inclusion...

Renu Mittal, and Anil Khurana, and M S Ghosh, and Ramesh Bawaskar, and Divya Taneja, and Sandhya Kashyap, and Raj K Manchanda

Background and Aim: Nonerosive gastroesophageal reflux disease or nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) is characterized by troublesome reflux-related symptoms in the absence of esophageal erosions/breaks at conventional endoscopy. There are a number of medicines cited in homoeopathic literature which can be used for treatment of symptoms such as heartburn and regurgitation. A pilot study was undertaken to explore usefulness of homoeopathic medicines in treatment of NERD. Methodology: In this study, ...

Ali Ulaş, and F. Ozan Düzbastılar, and Altan Lök, and Cengiz Metin

Alcaide ML, and Rodriguez VJ, and Fischl MA, and Jones DL, and Weiss SM

Maria L Alcaide,1 Violeta J Rodriguez,2 Margaret A Fischl,1 Deborah L Jones,2 Stephen M Weiss2 1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 2Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA Abstract: Intravaginal practices (IVPs), include intravaginal cleansing (cleansing the inside of the vagina) or intravaginal insertion of products for hygiene, health or sexuality reaso...

M. Staal, and R. Thar, and M. Kühl, and M. C. M. van Loosdrecht, and G. Wolf, and J. F. C. de Brouwer, and J. W. Rijstenbil

Natural phototrophic biofilms are influenced by a broad array of abiotic and biotic factors and vary over temporal and spatial scales. Different developmental stages can be distinguished and growth rates will vary due to the thickening of the biofilm, which is expected to lead to a limitation of light or mass transport. This study shows that variation in CO_2(aq) availability leads to a fractionation shift and thereby affects &amp;delta;¹³C signatures during biofilm developm...

Rodrigo Mendes Gandra

Utilizando um cenário como estudo de caso, objetiva-se explorar o impacto econômico da Lei que rege a cobrança da Participação Especial (PE) pela Agência Nacional do Petróleo (ANP) sobre a decisão de investimento em projetos situados exclusivamente em campos gigantes de petróleo no Brasil. Embora este seja um exercício indutivo sem maiores pretensões, ele pode ser tomado como representativo para retratar a realidade das grandes empresas que têm em seu portfolio oportunidades de desenvolvimento d...

J. Karvonen

An algorithm for computing ice drift from pairs of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images covering a common area has been developed at FMI. The algorithm has been developed based on the C-band SAR data over the Baltic Sea. It is based on phase correlation in two scales (coarse and fine) with some additional constraints. The algorithm has been running operationally in the Baltic Sea from the beginning of 2011, using Radarsat-1 ScanSAR wide mode and Envisat ASAR wide swath mode data. The resulting ...

Diana BOŽIĆ, and Kristijan ROGIĆ, and Ratko STANKOVIĆ

Understanding organisational risks makes possible to control them and to change them into organisational strengths. Being known as “measure of uncertainty” in the business process, the risk is the uncertainty of achieving the organizational objectives. It may involve positive or negative consequences. There is a level of uncertainty in every supply chain while operating transportation and warehousing, positioning on the market, developing customer support, reducing cycle times or cutting costs. ...

Lis Bach, and Laura Ferguson, and Vilhelm Feltelius, and Jens Sondergaard

Objective: To evaluate the potential local benthic biomonitor organism, Orchomenella pinguis (O. pinguis), for mining contamination by addressing accumulation and toxicity of mining related metals in this arctic marine amphipod. Methods: A toxicity study exposed O. pinguis to four commonly occurring heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Zn and Pb) associated to the mining industry in Greenland using: 1) a 5-day water-only bioassay; 2) a water-only bioassay evaluating the response between metal accumula...

Phillips Ruth B, and Bakke Hege G, and Reid Linda, and Cooper Glenn A, and Beetz-Sargent Marianne, and Grimholt Unni, and Harstad Håvard, and Lukacs Morten F, and Miller Kristina M, and Davidson William S, and Koop Ben F

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We have previously identified associations between major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and resistance towards bacterial and viral pathogens in Atlantic salmon. To evaluate if only MHC or also closely linked genes contributed to the observed resistance we ventured into sequencing of the duplicated MHC class I regions of Atlantic salmon.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Nine BACs covering more than 500 kb of the two duplicated MHC class I regions of Atlantic sa...

Juliana V. Rangel, and Rosângela E.S. Araújo, and Cinthia G. Casotti, and Larissa C. Costa, and Walace P. Kiffer Jr., and Marcelo S. Moretti

<p>The presence of canopy cover may influence the amount of organic detritus and stored water in bromeliad tanks and, consequently, the colonization of these ecosystems by aquatic invertebrates. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of canopy cover on the colonization of the tank-bromeliad<em> Aechmea lingulata </em>in the restinga, an ecosystem composed of a variety of plant communities in the sandy coastal plains of Brazil. We hypothesized that the taxonomic composition of inverte...

NEAGU Ionuţ Dragoş

The article presents the risk management analysis of Deepwater Horizon drilling rig into the context of international trend in exploiting oil and gas reserves in high water depth. Legislation influence in oil and gas industry and competent on site risk management entities added value for maintaining risk as low as possible considering development of offshore industry are also presented.

Steve Goodacre, and Andy Irving, and Richard Wilson, and Daniel Beever, and Kirsty Challen

Background: Research needs to be undertaken rapidly in the event of an influenza pandemic to develop and evaluate triage methods for people presenting to the emergency department with suspected pandemic influenza. Objectives: We aimed to pilot a research study to be undertaken in a pandemic to identify the most accurate triage method for patients presenting to the emergency department with suspected pandemic influenza. The objectives of the pilot study were to develop a standardised clinical ass...

Tashlykova Natalya Aleksandrovna

Shallow coastal areas are exposed by human influence to the greatest extent and act as a barrier between the catchment area and pelagic areas of reservoirs. Hydrobiological examination of Lake Arakhley was carried out in spring and summer 2017. As a result, taxonomic structure that dominates the complex, ecological characteristics and quantity of phytoplankton of the coastal and central part of the lake were studied. It was established that phytoplankton of the lake has 97 taxa below genus. The ...

Matthew Cox, and Catherine O’Connor, and Katie Biggs, and Daniel Hind, and Oscar Bortolami, and Matthew Franklin, and Barbara Collins, and Stephen Walters, and Allan Wailoo, and Julie Channell, and Paul Albert, and Ursula Freeman, and Stephen Bourke, and Michael Steiner, and Jon Miles, and Tom O’Brien, and David McWilliams, and Terry Schofield, and John O’Reilly, and Rodney Hughes

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects > 3 million people in the UK. Acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) are the second most common reason for emergency hospital admission in the UK. Pulmonary rehabilitation is usual care for stable COPD but there is little evidence for early pulmonary rehabilitation (EPR) following AECOPD, either in hospital or immediately post discharge. Objective: To assess the feasibility of recruiting patients, collecting data and delivering EPR t...

Suzanne H Richards, and John L Campbell, and Christopher Dickens, and Rob Anderson, and Manish Gandhi, and Andy Gibson, and David Kessler, and Luke Knight, and Willem Kuyken, and David A Richards, and Rod S Taylor, and Katrina Turner, and Obioha C Ukoumunne, and Antoinette Davey, and Fiona C Warren, and Rachel E Winder, and Christine A Wright

Background: Around 19% of people screened by UK cardiac rehabilitation programmes report having moderate or severe symptoms of depression. These individuals are at an increased risk of cardiac mortality and morbidity, reduced quality of life and increased use of health resources compared with their non-depressed counterparts. Maximising psychological health is a goal of cardiac rehabilitation, but psychological care is patchy. Objective(s): To examine the feasibility and acceptability of embeddi...

Kaitlin Siou, and Sharon L. Walmsley, and Kellie E. Murphy, and Janet Raboud, and Mona Loutfy, and Mark H. Yudin, and Michael Silverman, and Noor N. Ladhani, and Eszter Papp, and Lena Serghides

Thiago Rodrigues dos Santos, and Carla Ferragut

ABSTRACT Periphyton has a strong relationship with aquatic macrophytes, which are key components of spatial heterogeneity in the littoral zone. We evaluated the relationship between the community structure of periphytic algae on Utricularia foliosa and macrophyte richness and coverage and limnological variables in a shallow reservoir. Water sampling for physical, chemical and biological analyses was performed at sites with contrasting macrophyte coverage and richness in each of the four main sea...

H. D. Pereira, and I. V. A. Fiorini, and R. G. Von Pinho, and F. R. Resende, and E. L. Resende, and C. S. Pereira

Interest in natural products that increase the productive efficiency of plants together with low environmental impact is growing in agriculture. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of leaf spraying of a natural biostimulant extracted from the seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum on maize crop. Two experiments were set up under field conditions in the 2013/2014 crop season. The treatments: 1) control, without application of the product; 2) 300 mL ha-1 of the commercial product in the V8...

Johnels Bo, and Sunnerhagen Katharina S, and Murphy Margit, and Willén Carin

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Development of reliable and objective evaluation methods is required, particularly for natural and goal-oriented upper-extremity tasks. Three-dimensional imaging measurement techniques have turned out to be a powerful tool for a quantitative and qualitative assessment of multijoint movements. The purpose of this study was to develop and test a method of three-dimensional motion analysis for the activity "drinking from a glass" and describe the drinking task w...

Polz Martin F, and Berman-Frank Ilana, and Yogev Tali, and Kirkup Benjamin C, and Man-Aharonovich Dikla, and Tzahor Shani, and Béjà Oded, and Mandel-Gutfreund Yael

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cyanobacteria of the genera <it>Synechococcus </it>and <it>Prochlorococcus </it>play a key role in marine photosynthesis, which contributes to the global carbon cycle and to the world oxygen supply. Recently, genes encoding the photosystem II reaction center (<it>psbA </it>and <it>psbD</it>) were found in cyanophage genomes. This phenomenon suggested that the horizontal transfer of these genes may be involved in increasing phage fitness. To date, a very small...

Justin Shenje, and Rachel P. Lai, and Ian L. Ross, and Bongani M. Mayosi, and Robert J. Wilkinson, and Mpiko Ntsekhe, and Katalin A. Wilkinson

Background: Pericardial disorders are a common cause of heart disease, and the most common cause of pericarditis in developing countries is tuberculous (TB) pericarditis. It has been shown that prednisolone added to standard anti-TB therapy leads to a lower rate of constrictive pericarditis. We conducted a pilot study to evaluate the effect of adjunctive prednisolone treatment on the concentration of inflammatory markers in pericardial tuberculosis, in order to inform immunological mechanisms at...