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We analyze the Sommerfeld solution to the stationary diffraction by a half‐plane. We prove that this solution is the limiting amplitude for time‐dependent scattering of incident plane waves with a broad class of the profile functions. We also show that this solution is the asymptotics of the limiting amplitudes of solutions to time‐dependent scattering problem with narrow wedges when the angle of the wedge tends to zero. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imidazolinone resistance found in a wild sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) population was successfully transferred to a cultivated inbred line developing 'Imisun' sunflowers. Genetic regulation of this trait has been reported to involve two genes: Imr1, an allelic variant of ahasl1 locus that codes for acetohydroxyacid synthase catalytic subunit, and the modifier Imr2, whose identity remains unknown, but it could be related to non-target-site resistance such as xenobiotic metabolism. The aim of the present study was to characterize the gene expression of resistant and susceptible sunflower lines in response to imazethapyr herbicide by complementary DNA amplified fragment-length polymorphism (cDNA-AFLP). Three assays were performed to determine (i) optimal herbicide treatment concentration, (ii) duration of herbicide treatment, and (iii) in vitro acetohydroxyacid synthase activity to assess enzyme inhibition levels. An important number of genes related to metabolism of xenobiotics and stress was found: cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, UDP-glucuronosyl/UDPglucosyltransferases, glycosyltransferases, and ATP-binding cassette transporters, among others. These results suggest that non-targetsite resistance mechanisms may contribute to herbicide resistance in Imisun sunflower and could be related to the modifier gene Imr2. Using cDNA-AFLP, we were able to detect candidate detoxification-related genes potentially involved in imidazolinone resistance in sunflower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intensity of annual Spanish influenza activity is currently estimated from historical data of the Spanish Influenza Sentinel Surveillance System (SISSS) using qualitative indicators from the European Influenza Surveillance Network. However, these indicators are subjective, based on qualitative comparison with historical data of influenza-like illness rates. This pilot study assesses the implementation of Moving Epidemic Method (MEM) intensity levels during the 2014–2015 influenza season within the 17 sentinel networks covered by SISSS, comparing them to historically reported indicators. Intensity levels reported and those obtained with MEM at the epidemic peak of the influenza wave, and at national and regional levels did not show statistical difference (P = 0·74, Wilcoxon signed-rank test), suggesting that the implementation of MEM would have limited disrupting effects on the dynamic of notification within the surveillance system. MEM allows objective influenza surveillance monitoring and standardization of criteria for comparing the intensity of influenza epidemics in regions in Spain. Following this pilot study, MEM has been adopted to harmonize the reporting of intensity levels of influenza activity in Spain, starting in the 2015–2016 season. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Copyright of Medicina Interna de Mexico is the property of Colegio de Medicina Interna de Mexico and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We prove that the solution of the scattering problem of pulses constructed by Keller and Blank in 1951 coincides with the solution obtained by the method of complex characteristics. The method was developed by Komech and Merzon in 2006-2007. Its main advantage is that it provides the existence and uniqueness of solutions in suitable functional classes, and the limiting amplitude principle. On the other hand, the uniqueness in the Keller-Blank approach was not studied before. Our result means that the Keller-Blank solution belongs to our functional classes. We prove the coincidence for DD and NN-boundary conditions. Moreover, we obtain the solution for the DN-case. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Pediátrica Española is the property of Ediciones Mayo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract: Omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) provide significant health benefits and this has led to an increased consumption as dietary supplements. Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA are found in animals, transgenic plants, fungi and many microorganisms but are typically extracted from fatty fish, putting additional pressures on global fish stocks. As primary producers, many marine microalgae are rich in EPA (C20:5) and DHA (C22:6) and present a promising source of omega-3 fatty acids. Several heterotrophic microalgae have been used as biofactories for omega-3 fatty acids commercially, but a strong interest in autotrophic microalgae has emerged in recent years as microalgae are being developed as biofuel crops. This paper provides an overview of microalgal biotechnology and production platforms for the development of omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. It refers to implications in current biotechnological uses of microalgae as aquaculture feed and future biofuel crops and explores potential applications of metabolic engineering and selective breeding to accumulate large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids in autotrophic microalgae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With 2 figures The development of imidazolinone (IMI) resistant sunflower cultivars represents a great advantage in controlling weeds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of sunflower genotypes to the presence of IMIs in a soil‐less bioassay. Six genotypes differing in IMI resistance were planted in pots filled with perlite and watered with different imazapyr doses. Differences among resistant, intermediate and susceptible genotypes were observed 8–15 days after planting. The susceptible genotype showed stunted plantlets. The intermediate genotypes developed reduced lateral roots when exposed to imazapyr. The resistant inbred line was only affected at the highest herbicide concentrations. Differences in aerial growth were also observed among genotypes. The bioassay described in this study is a rapid, simple and cost‐effective method for early screening herbicide resistant genotypes. This diagnostic test could be a useful tool when breeding for IMI resistance in sunflower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Helia is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Health system delay (HSD) is an important issue in tuberculosis (TB) control. This report investigates HSD and associated factors in a cohort of Spanish culture-confirmed TB patients. Methods: Data were collected from clinical records. Using logistic regression with two different cut-off points to define HSD (median and 75th percentile), adjusted odds ratios were used to estimate the association between HSD and different variables. Results: A total of 5184 culture-confirmed TB cases were included. Median and 75th percentile HSD were 6 and 25 days respectively. HSD significantly greater than the median was associated with: age > 44 years, past or present intravenous drug use, diagnosis at a primary-care centre, prior preventive therapy, positive histology, request for drug-sensitivity testing, presence of silicosis or neoplasia in addition to TB, presence of non-TB related symptoms, and gastrointestinal site. HSD greater than the 75th percentile was related to the same variables, with the exception of diagnosis at a primary-care centre, positive histology, silicosis, non-TB-related symptoms and gastrointestinal site, for which the association disappeared; in contrast, an association with female gender emerged. Conclusion: Despite free health care being universally available in Spain, there are some groups of TB patients whose treatment is unduly delayed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Spontaneous reporting is the most common method used in pharmacovigilance and the best one to generate signals on new or rare adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Under-reporting is a major drawback of this system. The objective of this study was to quantify the extent of under-reporting in general practice and to assess the factors which influence it. Methods: Details of ADRs collected through a short intensive survey were compared with primary care spontaneous reports received by the Castilla y Leon Regional Pharmacovigilance Centre during a 12-month reference period. The survey was undertaken by a random sample of 146 general practitioners (GPs), providing care to 149 487 people. The pharmacovigilance centre received reports concerning the whole regional population (2.5 million) covered by primary health care. The under-reporting coefficient ( U) was estimated as the ratio between the number of effects observed by physicians in the survey and those spontaneously reported to the pharmacovigilance centre. Results: The overall under-reporting rate was 1144 [95% confidence interval (CI): 928–1409]. Under-reporting was greater for psychiatric (2119; 945–4752) and gastrointestinal (1946; 1424–2659) disorders. Severe effects were more reported ( U=605; 151–2431) than moderate (863; 473–1575) and mild (1209; 973–1503) ones. The under-reporting rate was lower for drugs recently marketed (706; 406–1230) and slightly lower for unlabelled effects (1031; 641–1657). Conclusion: The under-reporting rate of ADRs is considerable, though not homogeneous for the different cases. This should be taken into account when comparing adverse effects (AEs) for different drugs. Under-reporting seems to be positively selective, as it involves mainly the less severe and better-known effects, preserving the value of spontaneous reporting for signal detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Boletín Médico del Hospital Infantil de México is the property of Publicidad Permanyer SLU and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)