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Abstract Spatio-temporal variation in phytoplankton community dynamics in a temporarily open/closed Swarnamukhi river estuary (SRE), located on the South East coast of India was investigated and correlated to that of the adjacent coastal waters. Understanding the seasonal variability of the phytoplankton community and influencing factors are essential to predicting their impact on fisheries as the river and coastal region serve as the main source of income for the local fishing communities. Downstream before the river meets the sea, an arm of the Buckingham Canal (BC), carrying anthropogenic inputs empties into the Swarnamukhi River (SR1). The impact of anthropogenic effects on the phytoplankton community at BC was compared to other estuarine stations SR2 (upstream), SR1 (downstream), SRM (river mouth) and coastal station (CS). In BC station, harmful algal blooms (HABs) of Chaetoceros decipiens (2940 × 103 cells L−1) and Oscillatoria sp. (1619 × 103 cells L−1) were found during the southwest monsoon and winter monsoon, respectively. These HABs can be linked to the anthropogenic input of increased nutrients and trace metals. The HABs of Oscillatoria sp. were shown to be induced by elevated concentrations of nitrate (10.18 µM) and Ni (3.0 ppm) compared to ambient, while the HABs of C. decipiens were caused by elevated concentrations of silicate (50.35 µM), nitrite (2.1 µM), and phosphate (4.37 µM). Elevated nutrients and metal concentration from the aquaculture farms, and other anthropogenic inputs could be one of the prime reasons for the recorded bloom events at BC station. During this period, observed bloom species density was found low at other estuarine stations and absent at CS. The formation of bloom events during the closure of the river mouth could be a major threat to the coastal ecosystem when it opens. During the Osillatoria sp. bloom, both the Cu and Ni levels were higher at BC. The elevated concentration of nutrients and metals could potentially affect the coastal ecosystem and in turn fisheries sector in the tropical coastal ecosystem.

Abstract Introduction While numerous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been conducted in the field of trauma, a substantial portion of them are yielding negative results. One potential contributing factor to this trend could be the lack of agreement regarding the chosen definitions across different trials. The primary objective was to identify the terminology and definitions utilized for the characterization of multiple trauma patients within randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods A systematic review of the literature was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE and clinicaltrials.gov between January 1, 2002, and July 31, 2022. RCTs or RTCs protocols were eligible if they included multiple trauma patients. The terms employed to characterize patient populations were identified, and the corresponding definitions for these terms were extracted. The subsequent impact on the population recruited was then documented to expose clinical heterogeneity. Results Fifty RCTs were included, and 12 different terms identified. Among these terms, the most frequently used were “multiple trauma” (n = 21, 42%), "severe trauma" (n = 8, 16%), "major trauma" (n = 4, 8%), and trauma with hemorrhagic shock" (n = 4, 8%). Only 62% of RCTs (n = 31) provided a definition for the terms used, resulting a total of 21 different definitions. These definitions primarily relied on the injury severity score (ISS) (n = 15, 30%), displaying an important underlying heterogeneity. The choice of the terms had an impact on the study population, affecting both the ISS and in-hospital mortality. Eleven protocols were included, featuring five different terms, with "severe trauma" being the most frequent, occurring six times (55%). Conclusion This systematic review uncovers an important heterogeneity both in the terms and in the definitions employed to recruit trauma patients within RCTs. These findings underscore the imperative of promoting the use of a unique and consistent definition.

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the heterogeneity in the definition of delirium in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) included in meta-analyses of delirium in intensive care units (ICUs) and to explore whether intervention effect depends on the definition used. Methods We searched PubMed for meta-analyses including RCTs evaluating prevention or treatment strategies of delirium in ICU. The definition of delirium was collected from RCTs and classified as validated (DSM criteria, CAM-ICU, ICDSC, NEECHAM, DRS-R98) or non-validated (non-validated scales, set of symptoms, physician appreciation or not reported). We conducted a meta-epidemiological analysis to compare intervention effects between trials using or not a validated definition by a two-step method as primary analysis and a multilevel model as secondary analysis. A ratio of odds ratios (ROR)

Abstract Background Fetal radiation exposure in pregnant women with trauma is a concern. The purpose of this study was to evaluate fetal radiation exposure with regard to the type of injury assessment performed. Methods It is a multicentre observational study. The cohort study included all pregnant women suspected of severe traumatic injury in the participating centres of a national trauma research network. The primary outcome was the cumulative radiation dose (mGy) received by the fetus with respect to the type of injury assessment initiated by the physician in charge of the pregnant patient. Secondary outcomes were maternal and fetal morbi-mortality, the incidence of haemorrhagic shock and the physicians’ imaging assessment with consideration of their medical specialty. Results Fifty-four pregnant women were admitted for potential major trauma between September 2011 and December 2019 in the 21 participating centres. The median gestational age was 22 weeks [12–30]. 78% of women (n = 42) underwent WBCT. The remaining patients underwent radiographs, ultrasound or selective CT scans based on clinical examination. The median fetal radiation doses were 38 mGy [23–63] and 0 mGy [0–1]. Maternal mortality (6%) was lower than fetal mortality (17%). Two women (out of 3 maternal deaths) and 7 fetuses (out of 9 fetal deaths) died within the first 24 h following trauma. Conclusions Immediate WBCT for initial injury assessment in pregnant women with trauma was associated with a fetal radiation dose below the 100 mGy threshold. Among the selected population with either a stable status with a moderate and nonthreatening injury pattern or isolated penetrating trauma, a selective strategy seemed safe in experienced centres.

Abstract Background To accelerate the diagnosis and treatment of trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC), viscoelastic haemostatic assays (VHA) are increasingly used worldwide, although their value is still debated, with a recent randomised trial showing no improvement in outcome. The objective of this retrospective study was to compare 2 cohorts of injured patients in which TIC was managed with either a VHA-based algorithm or a conventional coagulation test (CCT)-based algorithm. Methods Data were retrieved from 2 registries and patients were included in the study if they received at least 1 unit of red blood cell in the first 24 h after admission. A propensity score, including sex, age, blunt vs. penetrating, systolic blood pressure, GCS, ISS and head AIS, admission lactate and PTratio, tranexamic acid administration, was then constructed. Primary outcome was the proportion of subjects who were alive and free of massive transfusion (MT) at 24 h after injury. We also compared the cost for blood products and coagulation factors. Results From 2012 to 2019, 7250 patients were admitted in the 2 trauma centres, and among these 624 were included in the study (CCT group: 380; VHA group: 244). After propensity score matching, 215 patients remained in each study group without any significant difference in demographics, vital signs, injury severity, or laboratory analysis. At 24 h, more patients were alive and free of MT in the VHA group (162 patients, 75%) as compared to the CCT group (112 patients, 52%; p

Construction materials derived from agro-industrial waste are increasingly attractive in the building sector, due to their sustainability and lower environmental impact. Hence, in recent years worldwide the amount of research and publications tending to the development of materials that take advantage of residues from agro-industrial activities has increased. The role of thermal insultation materials in the building envelope is significant, especially in hot-humid region. This study presents the manufacturing and evaluation of a cellulose and rice husk-based insulation material, as a proposal for the reuse of materials considered as value-added waste, such as recycled paper and rice husks. Boards and test specimens were elaborated, as well as mechanical and thermal tests. The material was evaluated by means of thermal tests, in accordance with ASTM C177, to measure the thermal conductivity. Tensile and compressive strength tests were performed, based on ASTM C209 and ASTM C39 Standard, respectively. According to the results obtained, the material shows a thermal coefficient of 0.04 W/m∙K which corresponds to a material with the potential to thermally insulate an enclosure. Maximum stresses were obtained for the 3 compositions in average for a range between 1.31 and 1.76 MPa. Ultimate compressive strength obtained was between 20.19 and 21.23 MPa. The proposed material is presented as a sustainable alternative, which can be used in the field of environmentally friendly buildings, which contribute to reducing the carbon footprint, by energy savings.

Numerous researchers have proposed phase change materials (PCMs) as an alternative for increasing the autonomy of solar water heaters (SWHs). Many studies have considered SWHs with PCMs in three main configurations: PCMs inside the solar thermal collector, inside a coupled heat storage unit, and within the water storage tank. A wide range of topics has been explored within studies assessing SWHs with PCMs in recent years, including but not limited to enhancement techniques for improving heat transfer, optimization strategies, economic factors, weather exposure on performance, and the application of design methodologies. This article reviews and discusses recent work on these trending topics, identifies research opportunities, and suggests promising research efforts toward more mature SWHs with PCM technology, focusing on long-term performance, scalability, economic, and technical feasibility.

Abstract Plasticizers increase the flexibility of plastics. As environmental leachates they lead to increased water and soil pollution, as well as to serious harm to human health. This study was set out to explore various web applications to predict the toxicological properties of plasticizers. Web-based tools (e.g., BOILED-Egg, LAZAR, PROTOX-II, CarcinoPred-EL) and VEGA were accessed via an 5th–10th generation computer in order to obtain toxicological predictions. Based on the LAZAR mutagenicity assessment was only bisphenol F predicted as mutagenic. The BBP and DBP in RF; DEHP in RF and XGBoost; DNOP in RF and XGBoost models were predicted as carcinogenic in the CarcinoPred-EL web application. From the bee predictive model (KNN/IRFMN) BPF, di-n-propyl phthalate, diallyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, and diisohexyl phthalate were predicted as strong bee toxicants. Acute toxicity for fish using the model Sarpy/IRFMN predicted 19 plasticizers as strong toxicants with LC50 values of less than 1 mg/L. This study also considered plasticizer effects on gastrointestinal absorption and other toxicological endpoints.

Abstract Background Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has different phenotypes and distinct short-term outcomes. Patients with non-focal ARDS have a higher short-term mortality than focal ones. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the morphological phenotypes of ARDS on long-term outcomes. Methods This was a secondary analysis of the LIVE study, a prospective, randomised control trial, assessing the usefulness of a personalised ventilator setting according to lung morphology in moderate-to-severe ARDS. ARDS was classified as focal (consolidations only in the infero-posterior part of the lungs) or non-focal. Outcomes were assessed using mortality and functional scores for quality of life at the 1-year follow-up. Results A total of 124 focal ARDS and 236 non-focal ARDS cases were included. The 1-year mortality was higher for non-focal ARDS than for focal ARDS (37% vs. 24%, p = 0.012). Non-focal ARDS (hazard ratio, 3.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.80–6.59; p

Abstract Background There are limited data to detail the perioperative anesthetic management and the incidence of postoperative respiratory complications among patients requiring an anesthetic procedure while being SARS-CoV-2 positive or suspected. Methods An observational multicenter cohort study was performed including consecutive patients who were SARS-CoV-2 confirmed or suspected and who underwent scheduled and emergency anesthesia between March 17 and May 26, 2020. Results A total of 187 patients underwent anesthesia with SARS-CoV-2 confirmed or suspected, with ultimately 135 (72.2%) patients positive and 52 (27.8%) negative. The median SOFA score was 2 [0; 5], and the median ARISCAT score was 49 [36; 67]. The major respiratory complications rate was 48.7% (n = 91) with 40.4% (n = 21) and 51.9% (n = 70) in the SARS-CoV-2–negative and –positive groups, respectively (p = 0.21). Among both positive and negative groups, patients with a high ARISCAT risk score (> 44) had a higher risk of presenting major respiratory complications (p

Background:. To assess the completeness of the collection of patient-important outcomes and the mismatch between outcomes measured in research and patients’ important issues after trauma. Summary Background Data:. To date, severe trauma has mainly been assessed using in-hospital mortality. Yet, with 80 to 90% survivors discharged from hospital, it is critical to assess the collection of patient important long-term outcomes of trauma. Methods:. Mixed methods study combining a systematic review of outcomes and their comparison with domains elicited by patients during a qualitative study. We searched Medline, EMBASE and clinicaltrials.gov from January 1, 2014 to September 30, 2019 and extracted all outcomes from reports including severe trauma. We compared these outcomes with 97 domains that matter to trauma survivors identified in a previous qualitative study. We defined as patient-important outcome as the 10 most frequently elicited domains in the qualitative study. We assessed the number of domains captured in each report to illustrate the completeness of the collection of patient-important outcomes. We also assessed the mismatch between outcomes collected and what matters to patients. Findings:. Among the 116 reports included in the systematic review, we identified 403 outcomes collected with 154 unique measurements tools. Beside mortality, measurement tools most frequently used were the Glasgow Outcome Scale (31.0%, n=36), questions on patients’ return to work (20,7%, n=24) and the EQ-5D (19.0%, n=22). The comparison between the outcomes identified in the systematic review and the domains from the qualitative study found that 10.3% (n=12) reports did not collect any patient-important domains and one collected all 10 patient-important domains. By examining each of the 10 patient-important domains, none was collected in more than 72% of reports and only five were among the ten most frequently measured domains in studies. Conclusion:. The completeness of the collection of the long-term patient-important outcomes after trauma can be improved. There was a mismatch between the domains used in the literature and those considered important by patients during a qualitative study.

Abstract Background During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the French Government imposed various containment strategies, such as severe lockdown (SL) or moderate lockdown (ML). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of both strategies on severe trauma admissions and ICU capacity in Ile-de-France region (Paris Area). Main text We conducted a multicenter cohort-based observational study from 1stJanuary 2017 to 31th December 2020, including all consecutive trauma patients admitted to the trauma centers of Ile-de-France region participating in the national registry (Traumabase®). Two periods were defined, the “non-pandemic period” (NPP) from 2017 to 2019, and the “pandemic period” (PP) concerning those admitted in 2020. The number of ICU beds released during 2020 pandemic period (overall period, SL and ML) was estimated by multiplying difference in trauma admissions by the median length of stay during the same week of pandemic period (ICU day-beds in 2020). A 15% yearly reduction of trauma patients was observed during the PP, associated with the release of 6422 ICU day-beds in 2020. During SL and ML, the observed decrease in trauma admission was respectively 49 and 39% compared with similar dates of the NPP. The number of beds released was 1531 days-beds in SL and 679 day-beds in ML. Those reductions respectively accounted for 4.5 and 6.0% of the overall ICU admission for COVID-19 in Ile-de-France. Conclusion The lockdown strategies during pandemic resulted in a reduction of severe trauma admissions. In addition to the social distancing effect, lockdown strategies freed up an important number of ICU beds in trauma centers, available for severe COVID-19 patients.

Abstract Background Emerging evidence suggests that the reallocation of health care resources during the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacts health care system. This study describes the epidemiology and the outcome of major trauma patients admitted to centers in France during the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods This retrospective observational study included all consecutive trauma patients aged 15 years and older admitted into 15 centers contributing to the TraumaBase® registry during the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in France. This COVID-19 trauma cohort was compared to historical cohorts (2017–2019). Results Over a 4 years-study period, 5762 patients were admitted between the first week of February and mid-June. This cohort was split between patients admitted during the first 2020 pandemic wave in France (pandemic period, 1314 patients) and those admitted during the corresponding period in the three previous years (2017–2019, 4448 patients). Trauma patient demographics changed substantially during the pandemic especially during the lockdown period, with an observed reduction in both the absolute numbers and proportion exposed to road traffic accidents and subsequently admitted to traumacenters (348 annually 2017–2019 [55.4% of trauma admissions] vs 143 [36.8%] in 2020 p

Multidrug-resistant strains (MDRs) are becoming a major concern in a variety of settings, including water treatment and the medical industry. Well-dispersed catalysts such as BiPO4, ZnO nanoparticles (NPs), and different ratios of BiPO4/ZnO nanocomposites (NCs) were synthesized through hydrothermal treatments. The morphological behavior of the prepared catalysts was characterized using XRD, Raman spectra, PL, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-DRS), SEM, EDX, and Fe-SEM. MDRs were isolated and identified by the 16s rDNA technique as belonging to B. flexus, B. filamentosus, P. stutzeri, and A. baumannii. The antibacterial activity against MDRs and the photocatalytic methylene blue (MB) dye degradation activity of the synthesized NPs and NCs were studied. The results demonstrate that the prepared BiPO4/ZnO-NCs (B1Z4-75:300; NCs-4) caused a maximum growth inhibition of 20 mm against A. baumannii and a minimum growth inhibition of 12 mm against B. filamentosus at 80 μg mL−1 concentrations of the NPs and NCs. Thus, NCs-4 might be a suitable alternative to further explore and develop as an antibacterial agent. The obtained results statistically justified the data (p ≤ 0.05) via one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). According to the results of the antibacterial and photocatalytic study, we selected the best bimetallic NCs-4 for the photoexcited antibacterial effect of MDRs, including Gram ve+ and Gram ve− strains, via UV light irradiation. The flower-like NCs-4 composites showed more effectiveness than those of BiPO4, ZnO, and other ratios of NCs. The results encourage the development of flower-like NCs-4 to enhance the photocatalytic antibacterial technique for water purification.

El obtener el mayor provecho de la energía en un sistema es un campo prioritario en el mundo de la ingeniería. Identificamos la posibilidad de aprovechar la energía liberada en el sistema de suspensión de medios de transporte terrestre y transformarla en forma de energía eléctrica. En este artículo se presentan resultados experimentales de la generación eléctrica al aprovechar las vibraciones de la suspensión de una bicicleta por medio del uso de un generador eléctrico lineal. Se propone un diseño y prototipo para acoplar el generador eléctrico lineal a bicicletas como un accesorio. Se construye el generador eléctrico lineal y el acople para realizarle pruebas previniendo obtener “efecto fin” en el voltaje generado. Finalmente, se extraen los datos experimentales de generación eléctrica y se encuentran resultados similares a las expectativas planteadas en un análisis teórico. Dichos resultados pueden ser utilizados para identificar posibles aplicaciones.

Abstract Background Pneumonia is a frequent complication in patients undergoing heart transplantation (HTx) that increases morbidity and mortality in this population. Nevertheless, the risk factors for postoperative pneumonia (POP) are still unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive risk factors for POP in HTx recipients. Methods In this retrospective study, all patients undergoing HTx between January 2014 and December 2015 were included. All cases of POP occurring until hospital discharge were investigated. The study aimed to determine risk factors using univariate and multivariate Cox regression models. Data are expressed in Odds Ratio [95% CI]. P

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are increasingly causing morbidity and mortality; thus, drugs with multifunctional efficacy against MRSA are needed. We extracted a novel compound from the halophilic Pseudomonas aeruginosa using an ethyl acetate (HPAEtOAcE). followed by purification and structure elucidation through HPLC, LCMS, and 1H and 13C NMR, revealing the novel 5-(1H-indol-3-yl)-4-pentyl-1,3-oxazole-2-carboxylic acid (Compound 1). Molecular docking of the compound against the MRSA PS (pantothenate synthetase) protein was confirmed using the CDOCKER algorithm in BDS software with specific binding to the amino acids Arg (B:188) and Lys (B:150) through covalent hydrogen bonding. Molecular dynamic simulation of RMSD revealed that the compound–protein complex was stabilized. The proficient bioactivities against MRSA were attained by the HPAEtOAcE, including MIC and MBCs, which were 0.64 and 1.24 µg/mL, respectively; 100% biomass inhibition and 99.84% biofilm inhibition were observed with decayed effects by CLSM and SEM at 48 h. The hla, IrgA, and SpA MRSA genes were downregulated in RT-PCR. Non-hemolytic and antioxidant potential in the DPPH assay were observed at 10 mg/mL and IC50 29.75 ± 0.38 by the HPAEtOAcE. In vitro growth inhibition assays on MRSA were strongly supported by in silico molecular docking; Lipinski’s rule on drug-likeness and ADMET toxicity prediction indicated the nontoxic nature of compound.

Los lodos orgánicos son el desecho sólido de las plantas de tratamiento de aguas residuales (PTAR). Actualmente, la PTAR de la ciudad de Panamá vierte al relleno sanitario Cerro Patacón 70 Tm/día de este. La carbonización de estos residuos en un gasificador de flujo ascendente se presenta como una alternativa para el aprovechamiento de estos en aplicaciones agrícolas. El biocarbón obtenido podría mejorar las características fisicoquímicas del suelo, ya que en el país 27 % de estos se encuentran degradados. Este estudio tiene como objetivo evaluar la carbonización de lodos orgánicos para su utilización en los suelos. Se pudo identificar que los lodos orgánicos solos no se lograron carbonizar, debido al poco material volátil que poseen. Se observó que al agregar 25 % de cascarilla de arroz, se aportó materia volátil para que las reacciones exotérmicas liberaran suficiente energía para la carbonización de los residuos orgánicos. El proceso de carbonización presentó una productividad promedio de 46.83 wt%. La caracterización mostró el aumento de nutrientes esenciales en el carbón, como calcio, fósforo y potasio. Sin embargo, el nitrógeno, carbono y materia orgánica disminuyeron. Los resultados de este estudio demostraron que una mezcla carbonizada de lodos orgánicos y cascarilla de arroz podría contribuir a mejorar las propiedades del suelo.

This research addressed a need for technical evaluation of the oceanic scenario of Panama for the use of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC). Its bathymetry and location can potentially lead to the exploitation of OTEC, diversifying the energy matrix and helping achieve sustainability. Nevertheless, site selection for OTEC can be a complex task since it involves various alternatives, with different quantitative and qualitative criteria, which may conflict in some cases. Optimization and multiple criteria (MCD) methods have been used lately to address these issues; however, their use is still limited. Here, Analytic Hierarchical Analysis (AHP) is proposed as a MCD method for site selection. Six sites of interest were considered as the alternatives for a plant installment. These sites were chosen, excluding the environmentally and aboriginal protected areas. The quantitative criteria considered were surface and deep-water temperatures, coastline distance, gross and net efficiency. Those variables related to the efficiency, such as the water temperatures, can be considered the most influential, leading to Punta Burica, located on Panama’s Pacific coast, as the best option (96.17%).

Microbial pathogens that cause severe infections and are resistant to drugs are simultaneously becoming more active. This urgently calls for novel effective antibiotics. Organisms from extreme environments are known to synthesize novel bioprospecting molecules for biomedical applications due to their peculiar characteristics of growth and physiological conditions. Antimicrobial developments from hypersaline environments, such as lagoons, estuaries, and salterns, accommodate several halophilic microbes. Salinity is a distinctive environmental factor that continuously promotes the metabolic adaptation and flexibility of halophilic microbes for their survival at minimum nutritional requirements. A genetic adaptation to extreme solar radiation, ionic strength, and desiccation makes them promising candidates for drug discovery. More microbiota identified via sequencing and ‘omics’ approaches signify the hypersaline environments where compounds are produced. Microbial genera such as Bacillus, Actinobacteria, Halorubrum and Aspergillus are producing a substantial number of antimicrobial compounds. Several strategies were applied for producing novel antimicrobials from halophiles including a consortia approach. Promising results indicate that halophilic microbes can be utilised as prolific sources of bioactive metabolites with pharmaceutical potentialto expand natural product research towards diverse phylogenetic microbial groups which inhabit salterns. The present study reviews interesting antimicrobial compounds retrieved from microbial sources of various saltern environments, with a discussion of their potency in providing novel drugs against clinically drug-resistant microbes.

Los aislantes térmicos suelen ser costosos y muchos no son amigables con la naturaleza. Este proyecto se basa en la creación de un aislante térmico a partir de residuos orgánicos. La producción de arroz en Panamá supera los seis millones de quintales al año, lo que hace que en los vertederos el aumento de residuos orgánicos sea considerable. La cascarilla de arroz es el componente principal de la mezcla para crear un aislante térmico. El propósito del proyecto es crear un compuesto que disminuya la volatilidad de la cascarilla de arroz sin perjudicar la conductividad térmica de la propia cascarilla. Se necesita que el compuesto sea flexible y resistente una vez se haya secado. Como parte del desarrollo del aislante, se mezclaron compuestos orgánicos como palma pita y almidón de yuca y se realizaron diversas pruebas en un laboratorio. Entre estas se incluyeron medición de la capacidad de encenderse y determinación de coeficiente de conductividad térmica.

Extreme environments are hostile for most organisms, but such habitats represent suitable settings to be inhabited by specialized microorganisms. A marine shallow-water hydrothermal vent field is located offshore in northeast Taiwan, near the shallow shore of the southeast of Kueishantao Island (121°55′ E, 24°50′ N). Research on extremophilic microorganisms makes use of the biotechnological potential associated with such microorganisms and their cellular products. With the notion that extremophiles are capable of surviving in extreme environments, it is assumed that their metabolites are adapted to function optimally under such conditions. As extremophiles, they need specific culture conditions, and only a fraction of species from the original samples are recovered in culture. We used different non-selective and selective media to isolate bacterial species associated with the hydrothermal vent crab Xenograpsus testudinatus and the sediments of its habitat. The highest number of colonies was obtained from Zobell marine agar plates with an overall number of 29 genetically distinct isolates. 16sRNA gene sequencing using the Sanger sequencing method revealed that most of the bacterial species belonged to the phylum Firmicutes and the class Bacilli. The present study indicates that hydrothermal vent bacteria and their secondary metabolites may play an important role for the reconstruction of the evolutionary history of the phylum Procaryota.

This study examined the interrelationship of race and socioeconomic status (SES) upon infant birthweight at the individual and neighborhood levels within a Midwestern US county marked by high Black infant mortality. The study conducted a multi-level analysis utilizing individual birth records and census tract datasets from 2010, linked through a spatial join with ArcGIS 10.0. The maternal population of 2861 Black and White women delivering infants in 2010, residing in 57 census tracts within the county, constituted the study samples. The main outcome was infant birthweight. The predictors, race and SES were dichotomized into Black and White, low-SES and higher-SES, at both the individual and census tract levels. A two-part Bayesian model demonstrated that individual-level race and SES were more influential birthweight predictors than community-level factors. Specifically, Black women had 1.6 higher odds of delivering a low birthweight (LBW) infant than White women, and low-SES women had 1.7 higher odds of delivering a LBW infant than higher-SES women. Moderate support was found for a three-way interaction between individual-level race, SES and community-level race, such that Black women achieved equity with White women (4.0% Black LBW and 4.1% White LBW) when they each had higher-SES and lived in a racially congruous neighborhood (e.g., Black women lived in disproportionately Black neighborhood and White women lived in disproportionately White neighborhood). In sharp contrast, Black women with higher-SES who lived in a racially incongruous neighborhood (e.g., disproportionately White) had the worst outcomes (14.5% LBW). Demonstrating the layered influence of personal and community circumstances upon health, in a community with substantial racial disparities, personal race and SES independently contribute to birth outcomes, while environmental context, specifically neighborhood racial congruity, is associated with mitigated health risk. Keywords: Birth outcomes, Low birthweight, Racial disparity, Race, Socioeconomic status, Income, Neighborhood racial density, Racial congruity, United States

Partial shading of a PV module has received much attention over the past few years, as it results in uneven cell power generation, compromising a PV system performance. Full uniform shading of a PV module has not received as much attention. This article correlates the percentage of full uniform shading of a given PV module within a controlled environment to its output power. The percentage of full uniform shading provided by shade nets was firstly determined. These shade nets are then used to cover a specific PV module (experimental system), while an identical PV module remains totally unshaded (control system). Increasing percentages of full uniform shading negatively affected the direct beam component in a linear way. Decreasing the light intensity falling on the PV model exhibited a linear increase in the percentage of output power reduction of the PV module. This is observed in that a shade net providing 36% of full uniform shading resulted in a 56% output power reduction, while a 63% full uniform shading net yielded 82% power reduction. These results hold a strong promise to improve current simulation modules that focus on determining the output power of a given PV array under specific environmental conditions or for specialised geographical locations.

Abstract Background Marek's disease (MD) is a T-cell lymphoma of chickens caused by the Marek's disease virus (MDV), an oncogenic avian herpesvirus. MD is a major cause of economic loss to the poultry industry and the most serious and persistent infectious disease concern. A full-sib intercross population, consisting of five independent families was generated by crossing and repeated intercrossing of two partially inbred commercial White Leghorn layer lines known to differ in genetic resistance to MD. At the F6 generation, a total of 1615 chicks were produced (98 to 248 per family) and phenotyped for MD resistance measured as survival time in days after challenge with a very virulent plus (vv+) strain of MDV. Results QTL affecting MD resistance were identified by selective DNA pooling using a panel of 15 SNPs and 217 microsatellite markers. Since MHC blood type (BT) is known to affect MD resistance, a total of 18 independent pool pairs were constructed according to family × BT combination, with some combinations represented twice for technical reasons. Twenty-one QTL regions (QTLR) affecting post-challenge survival time were identified, distributed among 11 chromosomes (GGA1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 15, 18, 26 and Z), with about two-thirds of the MD resistance alleles derived from the more MD resistant parental line. Eight of the QTLR associated with MD resistance, were previously identified in a backcross (BC) mapping study with the same parental lines. Of these, 7 originated from the more resistant line, and one from the less resistant line. Conclusion There was considerable evidence suggesting that MD resistance alleles tend to be recessive. The width of the QTLR for these QTL appeared to be reduced about two-fold in the F6 as compared to that found in the previous BC study. These results provide a firm basis for high-resolution linkage disequilibrium mapping and positional cloning of the resistance genes.