Search

The integration of satellite telemetry, remotely sensed environmental data, and habitat/environmental modelling has provided for a growing understanding of spatial and temporal ecology of species of conservation concern. The Republic of Cape Verde comprises the only substantial rookery for the loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta in the eastern Atlantic. A size related dichotomy in adult foraging patterns has previously been revealed for adult sea turtles from this population with a proportion of adults foraging neritically, whilst the majority forage oceanically. Here we describe observed habitat use and employ ecological niche modelling to identify suitable foraging habitats for animals utilising these two distinct behavioural strategies. We also investigate how these predicted habitat niches may alter under the influence of climate change induced oceanic temperature rises. We further contextualise our niche models with fisheries catch data and knowledge of fisheries ‘hotspots’ to infer threat from fisheries interaction to this population, for animals employing both strategies. Our analysis revealed repeated use of coincident oceanic habitat, over multiple seasons, by all smaller loggerhead turtles, whilst larger neritic foraging turtles occupied continental shelf waters. Modelled habitat niches were spatially distinct, and under the influence of predicted sea surface temperature rises, there was further spatial divergence of suitable habitats. Analysis of fisheries catch data highlighted that the observed and modelled habitats for oceanic and neritic loggerhead turtles could extensively interact with intensive fisheries activity within oceanic and continental shelf waters of northwest Africa. We suggest that the development and enforcement of sustainable management strategies, specifically multi-national fisheries policy, may begin to address some of these issues; however, these must be flexible and adaptive to accommodate potential range shift for this species.

New geochemical and geochronological data obtained from metabasites intrusive into pre-Floian metasedimentary and metaigneous rocks of the Spanish Central System (Revenga and El Caloco sectors) represent a complex pre-Variscan magmatic event. Analysed samples exhibit tholeiitic affinity but relatively high incompatible element contents. These rocks can be distinguished from similar tholeiitic SCS metabasites because they represent more primitive liquids with higher metal (Cr, Ni) and LILE contents and display a slightly enriched isotopic (Sr, Nd) composition. These data point to the involvement of several mantle sources including lithospheric sections with a crustal imprint. Two samples yield Ordovician U–Pb zircon intrusion ages of 473.1 (+ 3.8/− 6.8) and 453.3 ± 4.6 Ma. This episode of basic magmatism is not coetaneous with the abundant Cambrian–Ordovician felsic orthogneisses of the Central Iberian Zone and likely represents a rifting context (Rheic Ocean opening) which started about 477 Ma. A comparison with Lower to Middle Paleozoic magmatic rocks from other west European terranes implies a heterogeneous evolution from the Ediacaran to Middle Paleozoic in the northern margin of Gondwana. While western terranes (e.g., Armorican Massif, Saxo–Thuringian Zone, Ossa–Morena Zone) display monotonous shelf sedimentation and magmatic quiescence from the Upper Ordovician to Variscan collision, eastern terranes (e.g., Central Iberian Zone, Corsica–Sardinia, Alps, Pyrenees) exhibit magmatism of contrasting geochemical affinity, including basic alkaline and tholeiitic series, indicative of a more complex tectonic evolution., This work is included in the objectives of, and supported by the CGL2016-78796 project of the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad of Spain and the A Santander-UCM project PR26/16-20294.

The frequency-modulated continuous-wave reflectometer on LTX (Lithium Tokamak Experiment) and the data analysis methods used for determining electron density profiles are described. The diagnostic uses a frequency range of 13.1–33.5 GHz, for covering a density range of 0.21–1.4×1013 cm−3 (in O-mode polarization) with a time resolution down to 8 μs. The design of the diagnostic incorporates the concept of an “optimized” source frequency sweep, which minimizes the large variation in the intermediate frequency signal due to a long dispersive transmission line. The quality of the raw data is dictated by the tuning characteristics of the microwave sources, as well as the group delay ripple in the transmission lines, which can generate higher-order nonlinearities in the frequency sweep. Both effects are evaluated for our diagnostic and best practices are presented for minimizing “artifacts” generated in the signals. The quality of the reconstructed profiles is also improved using two additional data analysis me...

Background: Differentiated thyroid cancer (TC) is the most common endocrine cancer. Fish can be an important source of iodine and other micronutrients and contaminants that may affect the thyroid gland and TC risk. Objective: We prospectively evaluated the relations between the consumption of total fish and different fish types and shellfish and TC risk in the EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition) study. Methods: EPIC is a cohort of > 500,000 men and women, mostly aged 35-70 y, who were recruited in 10 European countries. After a mean follow-up of 14 y, 748 primary differentiated TC cases were diagnosed; 666 were in women and 601 were papillary TC. Data on intakes of lean fish, fatty fish, fish products, and shellfish were collected by using countryspecific validated dietary questionnaires at recruitment. Multivariable Cox regression was used to calculate HRs and 95% CIs adjusted for many potential confounders, including dietary and nondietary factors. Results: No significant association was observed between total fish consumption and differentiated TC risk for the highest compared with the lowest quartile (HR: 1.03; 95% CI: 0.81, 1.32; P-trend = 0.67). Likewise, no significant association was observed with the intake of any specific type of fish, fish product, or shellfish. No significant heterogeneity was found by TC subtype (papillary or follicular tumors), by sex, or between countries with low and high TC incidence. Conclusion: This large study shows that the intake of fish and shellfish was not associated with differentiated TC risk in Europe, a region in which iodine deficiency or excess is rare. © 2017 American Society for Nutrition.

Adequate intake of copper and zinc, two essential micronutrients, are important for antioxidant functions. Their imbalance may have implications for development of diseases like colorectal cancer (CRC), where oxidative stress is thought to be etiologically involved. As evidence from prospective epidemiologic studies is lacking, we conducted a case-control study nested within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort to investigate the association between circulating levels of copper and zinc, and their calculated ratio, with risk of CRC development. Copper and zinc levels were measured by reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometer in 966 cases and 966 matched controls. Multivariable adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using conditional logistic regression and are presented for the fifth versus first quintile. Higher circulating concentration of copper was associated with a raised CRC risk (OR = 1.50; 95% CI: 1.06, 2.13; P-trend = 0.02) whereas an inverse association with cancer risk was observed for higher zinc levels (OR = 0.65; 95% CI: 0.43, 0.97; P-trend = 0.07). Consequently, the ratio of copper/zinc was positively associated with CRC (OR = 1.70; 95% CI: 1.20, 2.40; P-trend = 0.0005). In subgroup analyses by follow-up time, the associations remained statistically significant only in those diagnosed within 2 years of blood collection. In conclusion, these data suggest that copper or copper levels in relation to zinc (copper to zinc ratio) become imbalanced in the process of CRC development. Mechanistic studies into the underlying mechanisms of regulation and action are required to further examine a possible role for higher copper and copper/zinc ratio levels in CRC development and progression. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fidaxomicin in the real-life clinical setting. This was a retrospective cohort of patients with Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) treated with fidaxomicin in 20 Spanish hospitals between July 2013 and July 2014. Clinical cure, 30-day recurrence, 30-day mortality, sustained cure, and factors associated with the failure to achieve sustained cure were analyzed. Of the 72 patients in the cohort 41 (56.9 %) had a fatal underlying disease. There were 44 (61.1 %) recurrent episodes and 26 cases (36.1 %) with a history of multiple recurrences. Most episodes were severe (26, 36 %) or severe-complicated (14, 19.4 %). Clinical cure rate was 90.3 %, recurrence rate was 16.7 % and three patients (4.2 %) died during the follow-up period. Sustained cure was achieved in 52 cases (72.2 %). Adverse events were reported in five cases (6.9 %). Factors associated with the lack of sustained cure were cardiovascular comorbidity (OR 11.4; 95 %CI 1.9-67.8), acute kidney failure (OR 7.4; 95 %CI 1.3-43.1), concomitant systemic antibiotic treatment (OR 6.2; 95 %CI 1.1-36.8), and C-reactive protein value at diagnosis (OR 1.2 for each 1 mg/dl increase; 95 %CI 1.03-1.3). Fidaxomicin is an effective and well tolerable treatment for severe CDI and for cases with elevated recurrence risk.

High-density micron-sized particle aerosols might form the basis for a number of applications in which a material target with a particular shape might be quickly ionized to form a cylindrical or sheet shaped plasma. A simple experimental device was built in order to study the properties of high-density aerosol focusing for 1 μm silica spheres. Preliminary results recover previous findings on aerodynamic focusing at low densities. At higher densities, it is demonstrated that the focusing properties change in a way which is consistent with a density dependent Stokes number.

Three distinct S-type peraluminous granitoid types have been identified within the Variscan Montes de Toledo batholith, located in the Central Iberian Zone (SW European Variscides): type-1, extremely high peraluminous restite-rich granitoids; type-2, highly peraluminous restite-bearing granitoids; and type-3, moderately peraluminous granitoids with mafic microgranular enclaves. Type-1 and type-2 granitoids are restricted to the western part of the batholith, whereas type-3 granites are mostly restricted to the eastern segment. There is a sequential youngering of emplacement age from type-1 (late-tectonic) to type-2 and type-3 granitoids (post-tectonic), extending the timing of the batholith formation for about 19 Ma between 316 and 297 Ma. Although the degree of peraluminousity of the different series could be related to different partial melting conditions or to the variable entrainment of restitic components (including the peritectic mineral assemblage of the melting reactions), whole-rock geochemical signatures and isotope zircon composition of the peraluminous granitoid types suggest contribution of different crustal sources. There is no evidence for the direct mantle-derived material contribution in the genesis of these peraluminous melts. Type-1 and type-2 granitoids contain mostly Archean to Neoproterozoic inherited zircons, whereas type-3 granites show preferentially Neoproterozoic (up to late Cryogenian) and Ordovician inheritance. The wide range of initial Hf isotope composition, ranging to highly radiogenic values (ƐHf up to + 10), of Neoproterozoic zircon inheritances in type-1 and type-2 granitoids suggests derivation from heterogeneous Neoproterozoic metasedimentary sources composed of both juveline and recycled crustal materials, similar in composition to the host Schist–Greywacke Complex metasediments. Trace-element modelling clearly suggests the involvement of metasediments similar to those mentioned from the southern part of the Central Iberian Zone. Nevertheless, the highly negative initial Nd isotopic signature measured in some type-1 granitoids (ƐNd300 up to − 9.4) also suggests a contribution of more mature metasedimentary sequences, such as those described in the northern Central Iberian Zone. On the contrary, the high Ca, Na and Sr bulk-rock contents in type-3 granitoids, together with the presence of Ordovician magmatic inherited zircons, and the absence of inheritances older than Cryogenian ages, suggest the involvement of a metaigneous protolith. This conclusion is also supported by the similar mean whole-rock ƐNd300 isotopic values, TDM ages, ƐHf isotope zircon composition and trace-element modelling of type-3 granitoids when compared to data from outcropping augen orthogneisses from Central Spain. The estimated crystallisation temperatures for the granitoids from the Montes de Toledo batholith (750°–880 °C) suggest that the partial melting of the crustal protoliths could be induced by the own heat generated by the thickening of a highly radiogenic crust, such is that from central Spain. Our results not only indicate that the implication of metasedimentary and/or metaigneous sources contributes to enhance geochemical and isotopic differences in S-type peraluminous granitoid series in intracontinental orogenic settings, but also fractional crystallisation processes are responsible for the geochemical variability through the evolution of these felsic magmas.

Neoproterozoic metasedimentary units from central Spain and the northern Central Iberian Zone (CIZ) show distinctive geochemical signatures with respect to the Schist-Greywacke Complex, which is dominant in the southwestern part of the CIZ. Significant differences occur in major and trace element composition and initial Nd isotope ratios, which cannot be explained in terms of metamorphic grade and/or anatexis in some layers of these metasedimentary sequences. ɛNd540 values from metapelites of central Spain range from −5.6 to −10.4 whereas those from the Schist-Greywacke Complex span a narrower and higher range of −0.8 to −3.1. This difference suggests different source regions. The presence of two contrasting Early Ordovician magmatic belts in both subzones reinforces the idea of different Precambrian basement terranes in the CIZ. These data are crucial for pre-Variscan paleogeographic reconstructions of the westernmost European terranes and for checking the validity of current subdivisions of the Iberian Massif.

The Lithium Tokamak eXperiment (LTX) is a spherical tokamak with the unique capability of studying the low-recycling regime by coating nearly 90% of the first wall with lithium in either solid or liquid form. Several grams of lithium are evaporated onto the plasma-facing side of the first wall. Without lithium coatings, the plasma discharge is limited to less than 5 ms and only 10 kA of plasma current, and the first wall acts as a particle source. With cold lithium coatings, plasma discharges last up to 20 ms with plasma currents up to 70 kA. The lithium coating provides a low-recycling first wall condition for the plasma and higher fueling rates are required to realize plasma densities similar to that of pre-lithium walls. Traditional puff fueling, supersonic gas injection, and molecular cluster injection (MCI) are used. Liquid lithium experiments will begin in 2012.

We show that four-dimensional Riemannian manifolds which satisfy the Rakic duality principle are Osserman (i.e. the eigenvalues of the Jacobi operator are constant). Thus, since it was proved in Rakic (1999) [9] that Osserman manifolds satisfy the Rakic duality principle, both conditions are equivalent.

The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a catheter-related bloodstream infection (CR BSI) reduction programme and healthcare workers' compliance with recommendations. A 3-year surveillance programme of CR BSIs in all hospital settings was implemented. As part of the programme, there was a direct observation of insertion and maintenance of central venous catheters (CVCs) to determine performance. A total of 38 education courses were held over the study period and feedback reports with the results of surveillance and recommendations were delivered to healthcare workers every 6 months. A total of 6722 short-term CVCs were inserted in 4982 patients for 58 763 catheter-days. Improvements of compliance with hand hygiene was verified at the insertion (87·1–100%, P < 0·001) and maintenance (51·1–72·1%, P = 0·029) of CVCs; and the use of chlorhexidine for skin disinfection was implemented at insertion (35·7–65·4%, P < 0·001) and maintenance (33·3–45·9%, P < 0·197) of CVCs. There were 266 CR BSI incidents recorded with an annual incidence density of 5·75/1000 catheter-days in the first year, 4·38 in the second year [rate ratio (RR) 0·76, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·57–1·01] and 3·46 in the third year (RR 0·60, 95% CI 0·44–0·81). The education programme clearly improved compliance with recommendations for CVC handling, and was effective in reducing the burden of CR BSIs. The programme was supported by the Carlos III Health Institute, Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain (grant no. PI080881). Additional support was provided by the Foundation for Research of the General University Hospital of Alicante, Spain (grant nos. PC-06/2009, C-07/2010, C-04/2011).

The main Chilean scallop production turned from fisheries to aquaculture during the 1990s, with a very rapid growth, which reached its maximum in 2004. Chile during that time was the third largest scallop producer worldwide. During the time as one of the leading scallop aquaculture producers, research flourished as well as various engineering aspects to aid this growing industry. Re-circulating aquaculture as well genetic research started targeting the main Chilean scallop species, Argopecten purpuratus , the northern scallop. Also, environmental studies pointing towards comparisons between natural versus cultured populations were performed, management of natural beds became attractive, as well as comparative studies of the presence and intensity of biofouling and potential harmful parasites and/or bacteria. Research has done little with regard to diversification of products, and scallops were mainly sold fresh or quick frozen. This boom lasted only close to two decades, and in the last years the production dropped steadily, with Chile being replaced by Peru, who produces the same species. The scallop aquaculture industry has diminished from a peak of over 26,000 mt production of A. purpuratus , to barely reaching 5000 mt now. The other exploited two scallop species are distributed in southern Chile, Zygochlamys patagonica and Chlamys vitrea . These species were never produced through aquaculture, and landings have been constant over the years with no large increases or declines.

The rapid pace of evolution in domino, or cascade-based transformations has revolutionized the practice of chemical synthesis for the creation of natural products, designed molecules, and pharmaceuticals. "Science of Synthesis: Applications of Domino Transformations in Organic Synthesis" explores the topic thoroughly and systematically, serving as the basis for practical applications and future research. The 2-volume set presents the cutting-edge in terms of design, strategy, and experimental procedures, leading to multiple events being accomplished within a single reaction vessel. The content is organized by the core type of reaction used to initiate the event, be it a pericyclic reaction, a metal-mediated transformation, radical chemistry, or an acid-induced cascade among many others. Volume 2 covers pericyclic reactions (Diels-Alder, sigmatropic shifts, ene reactions), dearomatizations, and additions to C-O/C-N multiple bonds.

The so-called cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome is basically due to a lack of cerebral autoregulation, inability to control the restoring of flow after revascularisation surgery. It present clinically as intense migraine, epileptic seizures, or neurological focality. It may even progress to an intracerebral haemorrhage. It usually appears a few days after surgery. We present the case of a patient subjected to a carotid endarterectomy, who had an epileptic episode in the late post-operative period. We attributed a cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome as the most likely cause. Knowledge of this syndrome may help to correctly orientate and treat the neurological complications that appear after this type of surgery.

Oxygen consumption rates (mg O 2 /kg fish/min; OC) of juvenile palm fish (average weight 420 g) were determined for temperatures of 14 and 18 °C. Three replicates of two tanks rearing fish at a density of 24 kg/m 3 were used to measure OC at 34 ppt working as open respirometers in a recirculating system under farm-like conditions. The fish were fed commercial dry pelleted feeds at a ratio of 1% of total biomass. Oxygen consumption rates were determined by mass balance calculations. The OC increased from 1.6 to 2.4 g O 2 /kg fish/day as temperature increased from 14 to 18 °C. The determination of oxygen consumption by palm fish in farm-like conditions provides valuable information on the oxygen requirement of these fish in an aquacultural setting. This bioengineering information can be used for designing and sizing a rearing facility for the intensive culture of palm fish.

Nineteen different steroid-degrading bacteria were isolated from soil samples by using selective media containing either cholesterol or deoxycholate as sole carbon source. Strains that assimilated cholesterol (17 COL strains) were gram-positive, belonging to the genera Gordonia, Tsukamurella, and Rhodococcus, and grew on media containing other steroids but were unable to use deoxycholate as sole carbon source. Surprisingly, some of the COL strains unable to grow using deoxycholate as sole carbon source were able to catabolize other bile salts (e.g., cholate). Conversely, strains able to grow using deoxycholate as the sole carbon source (two DOC isolates) were gram-negative, belonging to the genus Pseudomonas, and were unable to catabolize cholesterol and other sterols. COL and DOC were included into the corresponding taxonomic groups based on their morphology (cells and colonies), metabolic properties (kind of substrates that support bacterial growth), and genetic sequences (16S rDNA and rpoB). Additionally, different DOC21 Tn5 insertion mutants have been obtained. These mutants have been classified into two different groups: (1) those affected in the catabolism of bile salts but that, as wild type, can grow in other steroids and (2) those unable to grow in media containing any of the steroids tested. The identification of the insertion point of Tn5 in one of the mutants belonging to the second group (DOC21 Mut1) revealed that the gene knocked-out encodes an A-ring meta-cleavage dioxygenase needed for steroid catabolism.

SUMMARYGenetic diversity of Trypanosoma cruzi may play a role in pathogenesis of Chagas disease forms. Natural populations are classified into 6 Discrete Typing Units (DTUs) Tc I-VI with taxonomical status. This study aimed to identify T. cruzi DTUs in bloodstream and tissue samples of Argentinean patients with Chagas disease. PCR-based strategies allowed DTU identification in 256 clinical samples from 239 Argentinean patients. Tc V prevailed in blood from both asymptomatic and symptomatic cases and Tc I was more frequent in bloodstream, cardiac tissues and chagoma samples from immunosuppressed patients. Tc II and VI were identified in a minority of cases, while Tc III and Tc IV were not detected in the studied population. Interestingly, Tc I and Tc II/VI sequences were amplified from the same skin biopsy slice from a kidney transplant patient suffering Chagas disease reactivation. Further data also revealed the occurrence of mixed DTU populations in the human chronic infection. In conclusion, our findings provide evidence of the complexity of the dynamics of T. cruzi diversity in the natural history of human Chagas disease and allege the pathogenic role of DTUs I, II, V and VI in the studied population.

Nitrogenous compounds can be toxic to aquatic animals, especially when they are reared for production purposes at high stocking densities. Seriolella violacea is a pelagic fish, native from the easterly South Pacific Ocean. This species has shown desirable behavioral and metabolic characteristics under captivity conditions, which leaded the Marine Fish Laboratory from the UCN to increase its efforts on the research and development to validate S. violacea as a new aquaculture option. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine the excretion rates of palm fish juveniles weighing 300–500 g at two different temperatures: 14 °C and 18 °C. Total ammonia as nitrogen (TAN) excreted was 4.4 ± 0.9 and 7.1 ± 1.9 mg TAN/kg fish/h for 14 °C and 18 °C respectively. The experiments were carried out in a recirculating system operating as a farm-like situation. Tests were performed in 1000 L rearing tanks operating as open respirometers. The results of the present study indicate that TAN excretion rates on S. violacea juveniles, is temperature dependent. Data obtained in these experiments are valuable information for the engineering design of land based aquaculture systems for palm fish.

Larvae of the northern Chilean scallop Argopecten purpuratus (Lamarck, 1819) can be produced in hatcheries in closed aquaculture systems (CAS), and then early juveniles transferred to the sea for further grow-out. A new scallop mass production method from larvae to early juveniles that applies recirculation aquaculture system (RAS) technology has been developed at Universidad Catolica del Norte. RASs might lose water by evaporation, which increases salinity. Water temperature will increase as well if it is not controlled. An experiment was performed to determine the effect of varying salinity and temperature over water quality parameters and scallop physiological processes. Feeding behavior of A. purpuratus was determined under CAS with daily water exchange for hatchery-produced juvenile scallops (mean shell height, 26.5 mm; SD, 1.9) reared at salinities of 34, 38, and 42 g/L, and temperatures at 16°C and 22°C. Weight-specific filtration rates (WFRs) were analyzed at day 12 and again at day 55. Scallops were fed Isochrysis galbana and Chaetoceros calcitrans (ratio, 1:1). Results shows that WFRs analyzed for a 24 h period had a tendency to be lower at 0 h than at 24 h, for both temperatures; WFRs were higher at 22°C than at 16°C. A significant positive regression was also found between final WFR and total ammonia nitrogen (both NH3-N and NH4 +-N) levels. Results presented here should be interpreted with caution outside the shell height range of 26.5 ± 1.9 mm. These results are applicable to the management of A. purpuratus under controlled conditions, such as a RAS. Fil: Soria, Rodrigo Gaspar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Nacional Patagónico; Argentina. Universidad Catolica del Norte; Chile Fil: Merino, Germán. Universidad Catolica del Norte; Chile. Comisión Nacional de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica. Centro de Investigación Regional. Centro de Estudios en Zonas Áridas; Chile Fil: Uribe, Eduardo. Universidad Catolica del Norte; Chile Fil: Von Brand, Elisabeth. Universidad Catolica del Norte; Chile

Diel oxygen consumption patterns were determined in this study for California halibut ( Paralichthys californicus ) 3.2, 4.4, 6.2, 7.5, 9.2, 11.8, 12.8 and 14.2 g and between 110.5, 113.8, 115.7, 117.9, 120.1, 126.5, 132.4, 140.6, and 165.6 g held under farm-like conditions. The concept farm-like refers to a fish rearing condition as close as possible to a farming operation in terms of density, loading, and daily management. Open respirometries were performed in culture raceways during 24 h cycles while fish were growing from 3.2 g up to 165.6 g to determine hourly oxygen consumption rates by mass balance calculations. Fish were offered feed continuously during 12 h (within the 16 h light phase) resulting in maximum daily oxygen consumption rates that were between 1.2 and 1.5 times the mean daily values. A typical diel oxygen consumption pattern of the smaller group of fish tested (range between 3.2 and 14.2 g) had a peak during the feeding period, and relatively low and falling oxygen consumption after feeding was stopped. Oxygen consumption of the larger group of fish (range between 110.5 and 165.6 g) showed a less marked diel variation and did not change significantly after feed was distributed. In conclusion, diel oxygen consumption rates for California halibut reported here are key bioengineering parameters to be used when designing and sizing a rearing facility for the intensive culture of California halibut.

The λ ≈ 1 mm (f = 288 GHz) interferometer for the Lithium Tokamak Experiment-β (LTX-β) will use a chirped-frequency source and a centerstack-mounted retro-reflector mirror to provide electron line density measurements along a single radial chord at the midplane. The interferometer is unique in the use of a single source (narrow-band chirped-frequency interferometry) and a single beam splitter for separating and recombining the probe and reference beams. The current work provides a documentation of the interferometry hardware and evaluates the capabilities of the system as a far-forward collective scattering diagnostic. As such, the current optical setup is estimated to have a detection range of 0.4 ≲ k⊥ ≲ 1.7 cm-1, while an improved layout will extend the upper k⊥ limit to ∼3 cm-1. Measurements with the diagnostic on LTX are presented, showing interferometry results and scattered signal data. These diagnostics are expected to provide routine measurements on LTX-β for high frequency coherent density oscillations (e.g., Alfvenic modes during neutral beam injection) as well as for broadband turbulence.

Fish oxygen requirement is a fundamental variable of aquaculture system design and management, as it is the basis for determining water flow rates for sustaining stock. A study on oxygen consumption of California halibut ( Paralichthys californicus ) between 3.2 and 165.6 g was conducted in small raceways (2.41 m long, 0.28 m wide, and 0.22 m high; operational water depth between 0.05 and 0.10 m with a quiescent zone 19 cm long in the effluent section) working as open respirometers in a recirculating system under farm-like conditions. The fish were fed commercial dry pelleted feeds at a ratio of ∼0.70–3.00% of body weight (BW) and stocked at densities between 94% and 316% percent coverage area (PCA). Oxygen consumption rates were determined by mass balance calculations. The mean and maximum oxygen consumption rates (g O 2 /kg fish/day) for juvenile California halibut under the conditions tested can be expressed by M day = 15.077 W −0.2452 and M day = 17.266 W −0.2033 , respectively, where W is fish weight in grams. The determination of oxygen consumption by California halibut in farm-like conditions provides valuable information on the oxygen requirement of these fish in an aquacultural setting. This information can be used for designing and sizing a rearing facility for the intensive culture of California halibut.

The application of dental cleft sealant in the infant population is an efficient measure in the prevention of occlusal caries and has been adopted by the Program of Infant Dental Attention (Programa de Atención Dental Infantil-PADI) in Navarra. It involves placing a polymerizable resin over the furrows and clefts of the recently emerged and healthy molars. The high levels of retention of the sealant make it possible to preserve the teeth from caries, contributing to a reduction in their incidence. The present descriptive study aims to gain knowledge of and evaluate the permanence of the sealants three years after their application. The work was carried out in 1996 in the Oral Health Service of Navarra on a sample of 160 boys and girls out of a total of 1,372 aged between 16 and 17 years in the Pamplona and Estella health area, who had been treated with cleft sealant at the age of 13-14 years. We found that after 3 years there was retention of the cleft sealant in 39% of those implanted (30% with partial retention and 9% total). In the rest of the sealants (61%) retention was nil. These results differ from those described in other studies in which the percentage of retention is higher. This leads us to affirm the need for revising and improving the technique of application and for carrying out prospective studies for subsequent checks to determine the causes of low retention.

In the design and optimization of aquaculture water recirculation and treatment technologies, it is important to know the nitrogen excretion rates of the fish being cultured. Rates of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) and urea-N excretion were measured for California halibut of 4.2, 7.2, 10.4, 20.1, 112 and 199 g mean mass. The fish were fed with a feed of a size-appropriate pellet containing 43–45% protein continuously over 12 h during the light hours (photoperiod of 16 h daylight and 8 h dark). Feeding was started 2 h into the light period after the tanks had been cleaned and routine water analyses had been made. Daily average TAN excretion rates ranged from 4.3 to 8.5 mg TAN/g feed, and urea-N excretion rates ranged from 0.8 to 1.8 mg urea-N/g feed. Corresponding values relative to fish mass were between 91 and 113 mg TAN/kg fish d and between 13 and 20 mg urea-N/kg fish d. Peaks of TAN excretion occurred 4–6 h after feeding had started and 6–10 h after conclusion for the 4–20 g fish. Corresponding values for the 112 and 199 g fish were 10–12 h after feeding had started and 8–10 h after feeding ended. Some minor fluctuations in the urea excretion rates were noted, but there were no consistent peaks. TAN excretion accounted for 81.6 to 88.1% of the total daily urea-N plus TAN excretion by California halibut with the balance consisting of urea-N excretion. Although urea-N makes up a relatively small portion of the total daily nitrogen excretion by California halibut, there were times during the day during when the hourly urea-N excretion rate was similar to or larger than the corresponding TAN excretion rate. All excretion measurements were made under farm-like conditions with fish reared in a marine recirculating system.

The rate of water renewal in fish tanks is biologically important in land-based aquaculture systems as it affects many of the water quality limiting factors for fish production. Current water velocity, a factor closely related to water flow rate, can significantly affect fish performance in culture tanks. A study was carried out to test the effect of three relative water velocities of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 body lengths per second (bl/s) on the growth of California halibut (Paralichthys californicus) juveniles over 10 weeks of culture. Nine rectangular tanks were used in this experiment to provide the velocities to be tested, which were stocked with 15 fish each. Weaned California halibut 90 days post hatch (dph), 5.4 cm average total length, and 1.53 g average wet weight were used for this study. All fish were sampled every other week to record their biomass and morphometric data. This research has shown that California halibut juveniles can be raised between 0.5 and 1.5 bl/s without affecting their survival. However, California halibut juveniles grew faster and made more efficient use of the feed provided at 0.5 and 1.0 bl/s than at 1.5 bl/s. Moreover, it was determined that maximum fish growth was achieved for velocities up to 1.0 bl/s.

Argopecten purpuratus can be cultivated using Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) as a method to increase production. In order to determine physiological response of A . purpuratus under different salinities and temperature conditions, two groups of juvenile scallops (small: h = 6.5 mm and large: h = 25.5 mm) were acclimated and close-cultured at salinities of 34, 38, and 42 g/l, at 16 and 22 °C and fed on Isochrysis galbana and Chaetoceros calcitrans . Survival, shell growth and scope for growth were determined at the end of the trials. Survival showed an inverse relationship with temperature and ammonia levels. In small scallops an increase in salinity at 16 °C increased survival. However, this relationship was not evident at 22 °C. On the other hand, salinity did not affect survival of large juveniles. Small juveniles had a lower survival (approximately 40%) than larger scallops (up to 85%) throughout the trials. Oxygen consumption was not affected by salinity. Small scallops showed similar oxygen consumption at 16 and 22 °C but in large juveniles higher values were registered at 22 °C. In large juveniles routine consumption at 16 °C was higher (up to 35%) than standard consumption. This pattern was not evident at 22 °C, suggesting that oxygen demand is higher regardless of feeding condition. NH 4 + –N excretion rate is inversely related to salinity. Only small juveniles showed a higher NH 4 + –N excretion rate at 22 °C. Scope for growth was positive in all treatments, although the upper limit of salinity should not be based only in this index. Higher scope for growth values at 38 and 42 g/l was related with a reduction in ammonia excretion and high absorption efficiency. In addition, an increase in salinity produced a reduction in NH 3 –N proportion and under hypersaline conditions scallops tended to decrease excretion as a way of osmoconformation. This explains our findings of higher survival rates at higher salinities. Even though the scope for growth is positive at 42 g/l, the osmotic stress reduces the survival chances. The data obtained can be considered useful information for A . purpuratus culture under controlled conditions.

The settling velocity of solids settled within California halibut ( Paralichthys californicus ) culture vessels was determined in the present study. Data were gathered for fish between 0.17 and 108 g wet mass. Three commercial diets were used in this study: Nippai “Ambrose 600” ® for fish from 0.17 to 0.7 g; BioKyowa 1000 ® for fish from 1.5 to 3.0 g; BioKyowa 2000 ® for fish from 6 to 40 g; EWOS 2 ® for fish from 10 to 20 g; and EWOS 3 ® for fish from 35 to 110 g. A top-loading settling column was used to characterize the settling properties of the solids. Settling velocities were found to vary among feeds used regardless of fish size. Average settling velocities were 1.7 cm/s for Nippai™ 600, 2.2 cm/s for BioKyowa™ 1000, 4.4 cm/s for BioKyowa™ 2000, 1.7 cm/s for EWOS™ 2, and 2.0 cm/s for EWOS 3. The measurements indicate that solids produced by feeding fish with BioKyowa™ pellets had the fastest settling velocity among the diets tested. The settling velocity curves obtained in this research contain valuable information that can be used to select appropriate devices for the removal of solids.

Realizamos un estudio retrospectivo de cinco casos diagnosticados de endocarditis neumococica en nuestro hospital entre 2000 y 2005. Se trata de tres mujeres y dos varones con edades entre 13 y 76 anos. La mayoria tuvieron afectadas las valvulas izquierdas y presentaron enfermedades predisponentes. Todos los pacientes presentaron enfermedad neumococica a distancia en forma de embolismo o metastasis septica. En dos pacientes se llevo a cabo cirugia cardiaca con exito y en otro se desestimo por la mala situacion clinica, siendo el unico caso que fallecio.

Summary Marine turtles undergo dramatic ontogenic changes in body size and behavior, with the loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta caretta , typically switching from an initial oceanic juvenile stage to one in the neritic, where maturation is reached and breeding migrations are subsequently undertaken every 2–3 years [1–3]. Using satellite tracking, we investigated the migratory movements of adult females from one of the world's largest nesting aggregations at Cape Verde, West Africa. In direct contrast with the accepted life-history model for this species [4], results reveal two distinct adult foraging strategies that appear to be linked to body size. The larger turtles (n = 3) foraged in coastal waters, whereas smaller individuals (n = 7) foraged oceanically. The conservation implications of these findings are profound, with the population compartmentalized into habitats that may be differentially impacted by fishery threats in what is a global fishing hotspot [5]. Although the protection of discrete areas containing coastal individuals may be attainable, the more numerous pelagic individuals are widely dispersed with individuals roaming over more than half a million square kilometers. Therefore, mitigation of fisheries by-catch for sea turtles in the east Atlantic will likely require complex and regionally tailored actions to account for this dichotomous behavior.

In contrast to freshwater aquaculture and the culture of anadromous species such as salmon, marine fish culture is in its infancy. The small larval size of many marine species presents significant challenges to culture, however, these highly valuable fish offer considerable promise for aquaculture. A particularly attractive group for marine aquaculture is the flatfish. The California halibut, Paralichthys californicus, with a range in nature from Washington State south to Baja California Sur, Mexico is one such species. With the goal of enhancing the fishery for this species, a hatchery program was developed over a decade ago. The hatchery at Redondo Beach, California, maintains a group of adults that routinely spawn throughout most of each year. Further development of routine culture and juvenile growout techniques ultimately aimed at commercial aquaculture was initiated last year with support from the California Sea Grant College Program. Profitable commercial ventures culturing various flatfis...

Morphological development, allometric growth and behaviour of hatchery-reared California halibut Paralichthys californicus were studied from hatching to metamorphosis (42 days post hatch, dph) at 187° C. Mean standard length (LS) of larvae and juveniles increased from 2.1 mm at hatching to 10.5 mm at metamorphosis with the increase in length being approximately linear. Stages of morphological development were described using the alphabetic staging (A–I) used for other flatfish species. Organogenesis and differentiation were more rapid and complex in yolk-sac (hatching, stage A–3 dph, stage B), preflexion (3–19 dph, stages B–C), and flexion larvae (from 20 to 23 dph, stages D–E), as larvae developed most of their sensory, feeding, respiratory and swimming systems. After notochord flexion at 24–25 dph (stage F), most morphological changes were related to the progressive transformation from a bilateral symmetrical larva to an asymmetrical benthic juvenile (42 dph, stages G–I).

Victor Klemperer (1881-1960) reunió en lti. Notizbuch eines Philologen sus ideas sobre el uso manipulador y propagandista que del idioma alemán se hiciera durante el Tercer Reich. En esta obra Klemperer examinó los cambios sutiles pero manifiestos, operados en el lenguaje en conjunto, así como en términos específicos, durante la época de referencia. Este trabajo introductorio estudia algunas características de la traducción al castellano (2001) de LTI por Adan Kovacsics, quien se decide mayormente por la variante de traducción conocida como «expuesta». Nos concentramos por igual en los aspectos culturales y en los lingüísticos. Repasamos, entre otros aspectos relevantes, la traducción del lenguaje figurado, la intensificación y atenuación del original, y la transferencia/ presencia de la ironía en la traducción.

High edge electron temperatures (200 eV or greater) have been measured at the wall-limited plasma boundary in the Lithium Tokamak Experiment (LTX). Flat electron temperature profiles are a long-predicted consequence of low recycling boundary conditions. Plasma density in the outer scrape-off layer is very low, 2–3 × 1017 m−3, consistent with a low recycling metallic lithium boundary. Despite the high edge temperature, the core impurity content is low. Zeff is estimated to be ∼1.2, with a very modest contribution (

Sulfluramid (N-ethylperfluorooctane sulfonamide) is a highly effective insecticide for controlling ants. It is usually incorporated into orange pellets at a concentration of 0.3%, in combination with 4 to 6% soybean oil. The objective of the present study was to develop a capillary gas chromatography method for the quantitative analysis of sulfluramid and its isomers in orange pellet baits with the addition of 1,2,4,5-tetramethylbenzene as the internal standard. The proposed method proved to be rapid and reliable for the analysis of sulfluramid and its isomers in both raw material and baits. The experimental protocol, the conditions, and the equipment for analysis, as well as the recovery studies, are presented and discussed.

Scallop aquaculture has a 20-y-old history in Coquimbo, Chile. At the beginning develop and introduce on industrial level the culture techniques was the main goal, but in recent years research to improve the broodstock quality has been introduced. Development of non destructive procedures to determine gonadal ripeness were necessary. The use of magnetic resonance imaging proved to be an interesting tool to view the internal anatomy of the Chilean scallop Argopecten purpuratus (Lamarck 1819) without any harmful side effect. A central groove located in the middle of the adductor muscle, became visible using MRI, and could possibly be related to the haemolymphatic circulation system.

A sensitive method is presented for the determination of the synthetic antioxidant butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) based on the dansylation process of the phenolic hydroxy group. The fluorescence developed can be measured directly without previous extraction or chromatographic separation of the labelled fluorescent compound. It is shown the effect of numerous experimental variables affecting the fluorescence intensity and the signal-to-noise ratio of the dansyl derivative. The compound was determined over the range 0.05–5 μg ml −1 , with a relative S.D. of 3.8% (300 ng ml −1 ) and a detection limit of 52 ng ml −1 . The selectivity conferred by the dansylation reaction has permitted to avoid the interference of normally accompanying antioxidants, such as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), due to steric impediment. The stability of the DNS-derivative is well suited for the analysis of different foodstuffs.

La fistula colovesical es la mas frecuente de las fistulas vesico-intestinales, y dentro de estas la mas prevalente es la vesico-sigmoidea. La diverticulitis es su causa mas comun en nuestro medio, llegando a ocasionar aproximadamente la mitad de los casos. En la literatura se recogen diversos metodos diagnosticos de fistula colovesical, siendo la tomografia computarizada y la cistoscopia los mas rentables. Presentamos la iconografia de dos casos de fistula vesicosigmoidea secundaria a diverticulitis diagnosticados en nuestro hospital mediante tomografia computarizada helicoidal, y revisamos los hallazgos clinicos y radiologicos de esta entidad.

In this paper, it is presented an automated classification based on S-transform as feature extraction tool and Decision Tree as algorithm classifier. The signals generated according to mathematical models, including complex disturbances, have been used to design and test this approach, where noise is added to the signals from 40dB to 20dB. Finally, several disturbances, simple and complex, have been considered to test the implemented system. Evaluation results verifying the accuracy of the proposed method are presented.

Vitamin D is thought to play a role in glucose homeostasis and beta cell function. Our aim was to examine the impact of plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] upon in vivo insulin sensitivity and beta cell function in HIV-infected male patients without diabetes.A cross-sectional study was carried out involving a cohort of HIV-infected patients undergoing regular assessment in a tertiary hospital. Eighty-nine patients [mean (± standard deviation) age 42 ± 8 years] were included in the study: 14 patients were antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve, while 75 were on ART. Vitamin D insufficiency (VDI) was defined as 25(OH)D 75 nmol/L; insulin sensitivity was determined using a 2-h continuous infusion of glucose model assessment with homeostasis (CIGMA-HOMA), using the trapezoidal model to calculate the incremental insulin and glucose areas under the curve (AUCins and AUGglu, respectively). Beta cell function was assessed using the disposition index (DI). Abdominal visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and hepatic triglyceride content (HTGC) were measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 1-H magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed.VDI was associated with insulin resistance (IR), as indicated by a higher CIGMA-HOMA index (odds ratio 1.1) [1.01-1.2]. This association was independent of the main confounders, such as age, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stage, ART, lipodystrophy, body mass index, VAT:subcutaneous adipose tissue ratio and HTGC, as confirmed by multivariate analysis (B = 12.3; P = 0.01; r² = 0.7). IR in patients with VDI was compensated by an increase in insulin response. However, beta cell function was lower in the VDI subpopulation (33% decrease in DI).VDI in nondiabetic HIV-positive male patients is associated with impaired insulin sensitivity and a decrease in pancreatic beta cell function.

In Corrientes (Argentina), from January 2004 to April 2005, fecal samples from under 5 years-old children with acute diarrhea were collected; the stool samples were cultured onto selective media, and those colonies suspected to be Salmonella, Vibrio, Aeromonas, Shigella, or Escherichia coli O157 were identified. The antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed by the disk diffusion method. Among 590 samples, the 7.7% were positive (Salmonella spp 32.6% and Shigella spp 67.4%). Of 31 Shigella isolates, 81% were S. flexneri, and 19% were S. sonnei. S. flexneri serotype 2 was the more frequent. S. flexneri strains showed higher multidrug resistance than S. sonnei strains. Among the Salmonella enterica serotypes, S. typhimurium and S. newport were the most frequent. Two isolates of Salmonella presented with multidrug resistance. This paper was a contribution to the knowledge of bacterial gastroenteritis etiology in our region and it called the attention to the emergence of multidrug-resistant enteropathogenic strains.

Without genetic variation, species cannot cope with changing environments, and evolution does not proceed. In endangered species, adaptive potential may be eroded by decreased population sizes and processes that further reduce gene flow such as philopatry and local adaptations. Here, we focused on the philopatric and endangered loggerhead sea turtle ( Caretta caretta ) nesting in Cape Verde as a model system to investigate the link between adaptive potential and philopatry. We produced a dataset of three complementary genomic regions to investigate female philopatric behaviour (mitochondrial DNA), male-mediated gene flow (microsatellites) and adaptive potential (major histocompatibility complex, MHC). Results revealed genetically distinct nesting colonies, indicating remarkably small-scale philopatric behaviour of females. Furthermore, these colonies also harboured local pools of MHC alleles, especially at the margins of the population's distribution, which are therefore important reserves of additional diversity for the population. Meanwhile, directional male-mediated gene flow from the margins of distribution sustains the adaptive potential for the entire rookery. We therefore present the first evidence for a positive association between philopatry and locally adapted genomic regions. Contrary to expectation, we propose that philopatry conserves a high adaptive potential at the margins of a distribution, while asymmetric gene flow maintains genetic connectivity with the rest of the population.