Biofouling is a major vector in the transfer of non-native species around the world. Species can be transported on virtually all submerged areas of ships (e.g. hulls, sea chests, propellers) and so ...antifouling systems are used to reduce fouling. However, with increased regulation of biocides used in antifoulants (e.g. the International Maritime Organization tributyltin ban in 2008), there is a need to find efficient and sustainable alternatives. Here, we tested the hypothesis that short doses of low salinity water could be used to kill fouling species in sea chests. Settlement panels were suspended at 1.5 m depth in a Plymouth marina for 24 months by which time they had developed mature biofouling assemblages. We exposed these panels to three different salinities (7, 20 and 33) for 2 hours using a model sea chest placed in the marina and flushed with freshwater. Fouling organism diversity and abundance were assessed before panels were treated, immediately after treatment, and then 1 week and 1 month later. Some native ascidian Dendrodoa grossularia survived, but all other macrobenthos were killed by the salinity 7 treatment after 1 week. The salinity 20 treatment was not effective at killing the majority of fouling organisms. On the basis of these results, we propose that sea chests be flushed with freshwater for at least 2 hours before ships leave port. This would not cause unnecessary delays or costs and could be a major step forward in improving biosecurity.
This comprehensive overview focuses on the issues presented by the pandemic due to COVID-19, understanding its spread and the wide-ranging effects of government-imposed restrictions. The overview ...examines the utility of autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models, which are often overlooked in pandemic forecasting due to perceived limitations in handling complex and dynamic scenarios. Our work applies ARIMA models to a case study using data from Recife, the capital of Pernambuco, Brazil, collected between March and September 2020. The research provides insights into the implications and adaptability of predictive methods in the context of a global pandemic. The findings highlight the ARIMA models’ strength in generating accurate short-term forecasts, crucial for an immediate response to slow down the disease’s rapid spread. Accurate and timely predictions serve as the basis for evidence-based public health strategies and interventions, greatly assisting in pandemic management. Our model selection involves an automated process optimizing parameters by using autocorrelation and partial autocorrelation plots, as well as various precise measures. The performance of the chosen ARIMA model is confirmed when comparing its forecasts with real data reported after the forecast period. The study successfully forecasts both confirmed and recovered COVID-19 cases across the preventive plan phases in Recife. However, limitations in the model’s performance are observed as forecasts extend into the future. By the end of the study period, the model’s error substantially increased, and it failed to detect the stabilization and deceleration of cases. The research highlights challenges associated with COVID-19 data in Brazil, such as under-reporting and data recording delays. Despite these limitations, the study emphasizes the potential of ARIMA models for short-term pandemic forecasting while emphasizing the need for further research to enhance long-term predictions.
La maternidad es un fenómeno cultural complejo con representaciones socialmente construidas, significados y simbolismos en torno a la mujer. El artículo propone analizar las configuraciones de ...violencia simbólica en la maternidad en mujeres de Lima-Perú. Siguiendo un diseño fenomenológico, se entrevistó 13 mujeres estudiantes universitarias y madres por primera vez. Luego del análisis de las entrevistas, se identificó tres categorías principales: Significados de maternidad; maternidad con decepción, vergüenza y culpa; y primero madre, luego mujer. Los principales resultados indican que los significados de mujer se relacionan a la responsabilidad y dificultad, debido a los cambios corporales y sociales. La culpa surge por las expectativas y exigencia de los otros respecto a la condición materna lo cual genera conflictos emocionales en ellas; la figura paterna instala la vergüenza y decepción en las interacciones con las participantes a partir de construcciones y estereotipos de género; así mismo las participantes perciben que la maternidad ha desplazado el ser mujer dificultando la consolidación de su identidad como tal. Se concluye que las mujeres perciben la maternidad con un sentido de culpa debido al incumplimiento de aquellas acciones validadas en base a estereotipos y concepciones hegemónicas sobre familia, sociedad y roles de esposa y madre.
Extrahepatic tissues which oxidise ketone bodies also have the capacity to accumulate them under particular conditions. We hypothesised that acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) accumulation and altered ...redox status during low-flow ischaemia would support ketone body production in the heart. Combining a Langendorff heart model of low-flow ischaemia/reperfusion with liquid chromatography coupled tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), we show that β-hydroxybutyrate (β-OHB) accumulated in the ischaemic heart to 23.9 nmol/gww and was secreted into the coronary effluent. Sodium oxamate, a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) inhibitor, increased ischaemic β-OHB levels 5.3-fold and slowed contractile recovery. Inhibition of β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA synthase (HMGCS2) with hymeglusin lowered ischaemic β-OHB accumulation by 40%, despite increased flux through succinyl-CoA-3-oxaloacid CoA transferase (SCOT), resulting in greater contractile recovery. Hymeglusin also protected cardiac mitochondrial respiratory capacity during ischaemia/reperfusion. In conclusion, net ketone generation occurs in the heart under conditions of low-flow ischaemia. The process is driven by flux through both HMGCS2 and SCOT, and impacts on cardiac functional recovery from ischaemia/reperfusion.
Abstract The oil spill of unknown origin that hit the Brazilian coast in 2019 led to the first activation of the National Contingency Plan, outside the scope of an exercise. The Brazilian Navy, the ...Environmental Agency and the Oil Agency worked together during the oil spill emergency at the Federal level, as the plan´s Monitoring and Evaluation Group. However, the distinctive characteristics and proportions of the incident demanded unanticipated actions. Therefore, this work aims to analyze the response actions, to evaluate policies and procedures in place and to propose improvements for the future. The paper discusses the anonymous and voluntary feedback from 150 professionals, obtained during the event, through a structured online form. The results of the survey are compared to findings in official documents, especially the Incident´s Final Report, prepared by the Brazilian Navy. The conclusion is that the Incident Command System, used to manage and coordinate clean-up operations, provided a swift and coordinated response as the oil reached the shore of 11 states. In contrast, there is a need to review the legal framework, including the Decree that established the National Contingency Plan, revisit response manuals, improve liaison and enhance communication channels among different authorities in the Brazilian Government.
Understanding disease dynamics is crucial for accurately predicting and effectively managing epidemic outbreaks. Mathematical modeling serves as an essential tool in such understanding. This study ...introduces an advanced susceptible, infected, recovered, and dead (SIRD) model that uniquely considers the evolution of the death parameter, alongside the susceptibility and infection states. This model accommodates the varying environmental factors influencing disease susceptibility. Moreover, our SIRD model introduces fractional changes in death cases, which adds a novel dimension to the traditional counts of susceptible and infected individuals. Given the model’s complexity, we employ the Laplace-Adomian decomposition method. The method allows us to explore various scenarios, including non-fuzzy non-fractional, non-fuzzy fractional, and fuzzy fractional cases. Our methodology enables us to determine the model’s equilibrium positions, compute the basic reproduction number, confirm stability, and provide computational simulations. Our study offers insightful understanding into the dynamics of pandemic diseases and underscores the critical role that mathematical modeling plays in devising effective public health strategies. The ultimate goal is to improve disease management through precise predictions of disease behavior and spread.
In this article, we present a novel methodology for inventory management in the pharmaceutical industry, considering the nature of its supply chain. Traditional inventory models often fail to capture ...the particularities of the pharmaceutical sector, characterized by limited storage space, product degradation, and trade credits. To address these particularities, using fuzzy logic, we propose models that are adaptable to real-world scenarios. The proposed models are designed to reduce total costs for both vendors and clients, a gap not explored in the existing literature. Our methodology employs pentagonal fuzzy number (PFN) arithmetic and Kuhn–Tucker optimization. Additionally, the integration of the naive Bayes (NB) classifier and the use of the Weka artificial intelligence suite increase the effectiveness of our model in complex decision-making environments. A key finding is the high classification accuracy of the model, with the NB classifier correctly categorizing approximately 95.9% of the scenarios, indicating an operational efficiency. This finding is complemented by the model capability to determine the optimal production quantity, considering cost factors related to manufacturing and transportation, which is essential in minimizing overall inventory costs. Our methodology, based on machine learning and fuzzy logic, enhances the inventory management in dynamic sectors like the pharmaceutical industry. While our focus is on a single-product scenario between suppliers and buyers, future research hopes to extend this focus to wider contexts, as epidemic conditions and other applications.
: The work was aimed to determine the chronological sequence of events triggered by a fructose-rich diet (FRD) (10%
/
in the drinking water) in normal rats.
: Serum parameters, liver and islet ...markers of metabolism, inflammation and oxidative stress were determined weekly for 21 days.
: At the end of the first week, rats fed with a FRD showed an early increase in circulating triglycerides, fat liver deposit, and enzymatic activity of liver glucokinase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6P-DH). After two weeks of such a diet, liver glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) activity and liver oxidative stress markers were significantly increased. Liver sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP1c) mRNA also increased in the second week while their target genes fatty acid synthase (FAS) and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPAT) enhanced their expression at the third week. Liver and pancreatic inflammation markers also enhanced their gene expression in the last week of treatment. Whereas both control and FRD rats remained normoglycemic throughout the entire period of treatment, blood insulin levels were significantly higher in FRD animals at the third week, thereby evidencing an insulin-resistant state (higher HOMA-IR, HOMA-B and HIS indexes). Pancreatic islets isolated from rats fed with a FRD for 3 weeks also increased glucose-induced insulin secretion (8.3 and 16.7 mM).
FRD induces asynchronous changes involving early hypertriglyceridemia together with intrahepatic lipid deposit and metabolic disturbances from week one, followed by enhanced liver oxidative stress, liver and pancreas inflammation, pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, and peripheral insulin-resistance registered at the third week. Knowledge of time-course adaptation mechanisms involved in our rat model could be helpful in developing appropriate strategies to prevent the progression from prediabetes to Type 2 diabetes (T2D) triggered by unhealthy diets.
In this study, the extraction of phenolic antioxidants from red corn cob was carried out using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). The solid:liquid ratio and extraction time were evaluated when ...obtaining these bioactive compounds. The total phenolic contents were evaluated using the Folin Ciocalteu method, while the antioxidant activity was measured by ABTS
and DPPH
assays. The amount of phenolic compounds ranged from 215.17 ± 33.49 to 527.33 ± 103.79 GAE mg/100 g and, overall, high solid:liquid ratios and time periods release more phenolic compounds. Moreover, the red corn cob extracts showed higher radical scavenging capacity according to the results obtained using the ABTS
technique compared to the DPPH
test. The coupling of liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry assay allowed the determination of 11 phenolic compounds, including phenolic acids and flavonoids. Thus, our results demonstrated for the first time the potential of red corn cob as a source of bioactive compounds, which might be included in food and pharmacological preparations.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of stocking densities on productive performance of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii in biofloc system. Experimental tanks ...(microcosms) with 0.20 m2 area were used as experimental units. The tanks were connected to two 300 L matrix tanks (macrocosm) with biofloc technology, used as recirculating units. M. rosenbergii juveniles, with an initial weight of 0.315 ± 0.06 g and initial length of 33.34 ± 2.26 mm, was randomly distributed in the experimental tanks at different stocking densities (50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 ind m-2) and reared during 60 days. The total biomass at the end of the experiment was significant higher (P < 0.05) with the use of higher stocking density (250 ind m-2). However, prawns stocked at the density of 50 m-2 showed significant higher (P < 0.05) survival (73%) and significantly lower values (P < 0.05) for feed conversion rate (1.28). The different stocking densities evaluated did not affect the weight and length of prawns. The recommended density for growingM. rosenbergii in the biofloc system is 50 ind m-2.
PDF
