319 research outputs found
Cheers in UK: How Visible Are Spanish Sparkling Wines on Google.co.uk?
In this chapter, we apply qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques with the aim of measuring the visibility of websites in searches for Spanish cava or sparkling wine made using the UK version of Google. Using the Google Ads Keyword Planner, we retrieved a group of searches in the semantic field of ‘sparkling wines’ and monitored the results. Extraction and also cybermetric analysis of Search Engine Result Pages (SERPs) using SEO techniques were used to calculate the visibility of Spanish cava brands via their own websites and e-commerce websites, whereupon we were able to establish rankings of media, social networks, wine sites and e-commerce websites as well as recommendations for content optimization
Exploring the multi-humped fission barrier of 238U via sub-barrier photofission
The photofission cross-section of 238U was measured at sub-barrier energies
as a function of the gamma-ray energy using, for the first time, a
monochromatic, high-brilliance, Compton-backscattered gamma-ray beam. The
experiment was performed at the High Intensity gamma-ray Source (HIgS) facility
at beam energies between E=4.7 MeV and 6.0 MeV and with ~3% energy resolution.
Indications of transmission resonances have been observed at gamma-ray beam
energies of E=5.1 MeV and 5.6 MeV with moderate amplitudes. The triple-humped
fission barrier parameters of 238U have been determined by fitting EMPIRE-3.1
nuclear reaction code calculations to the experimental photofission cross
section.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure
Effects of Goji berries supplementation on the productive performance of rabbit
Abstract
Recognized by the traditional medicine and recent scientific research studies, Lycium barbarum berries (Goji berries) have beneficial effects on human and animal health. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of Goji berries on the productive performance of rabbits. One month before insemination, 60 New Zealand White does were randomly assigned to one of the following 3 dietary treatments: commercial standard diet (C); C supplemented with 1% Goji berries (LG); and C supplemented with 3% Goji berries (HG). After weaning up to 91 days of age, 15 randomly selected rabbits/group were fed the same diet as the mothers (C, LG, and HG). Non-pregnant and lactating does of C group showed the highest feed intake (P < 0.01), although no significant differences in body weight (BW) were observed between groups. Nutritional treatment did not affect the offspring's feed intake. However, the rabbits fed with Goji supplementation showed not only higher mean BW both during growth (P < 0.001) and at slaughter (P < 0.01), but also better feed conversion ratio (FCR; P < 0.01) than the control group. Rabbits of LG group showed the best performances in the pre-weaning period which was probably related to the highest milk production of the LG does (P < 0.001). Indeed, LG group showed lower pre-weaning mortality (P < 0.05), higher litter size (P < 0.05), and higher litter weight (P < 0.05) at day 18 as well as higher litter size at weaning (P = 0.05) compared to C group. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that a low percentage of dietary supplementation with Goji berry improves both reproductive and productive traits of rabbits. Although further studies are needed, our study paves the way for the use of Goji berries in the rabbit nutrition
In-beam fast-timing measurements in 103,105,107Cd
Fast-timing measurements were performed recently in the region of the
medium-mass 103,105,107Cd isotopes, produced in fusion evaporation reactions.
Emitted gamma-rays were detected by eight HPGe and five LaBr3:Ce detectors
working in coincidence. Results on new and re-evaluated half-lives are
discussed within a systematic of transition rates. The states in
103,105,107Cd are interpreted as arising from a single-particle excitation. The
half-life analysis of the states in 103,105,107Cd shows no change in
the single-particle transition strength as a function of the neutron number
The Prophylactic Use of Bovine Colostrum in a Murine Model of TNBS-Induced Colitis
This study investigated the eects of a short-term administration of bovine colostrum (BC)
in a TNBS model of induced colitis. Colitis was induced by TNBS treatment after seven days of BC (BC
group, n = 12) or saline (control group, n = 12) administration in mice. Clinical signs, histopathological
characteristics, expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines,
and microbial composition were assessed. BC was well tolerated and did not induce any histological
damage or clinical symptoms. After TNBS treatment, the BC group showed a reduction in body
weight (BW) loss compared to Control (p < 0.05). Moreover, expression levels of TLR4 (p < 0.01),
Interleukin-1 (IL-1; p < 0.001), Interleukin-8 (IL-8; p < 0.001), and Interleukin-10 (IL-10; p < 0.001)
were lower in mice administered with BC. Finally, Escherichia coli were higher (p < 0.05), while
Enterococci (p < 0.001), Lactobacillus spp. (p < 0.001), and Bifidobacterium spp. (p < 0.05) were lower in
Control than BC group. This study confirms that pre-treatment with BC modulates the expression of
genes and the count of microbes involved in the etiopathogenesis of colitis
Fast-timing measurements in 95,96Mo
Half-lives of the 19/2+ and 21/2+ states in 95Mo and of the 8+ and 10+ states
in 96Mo were measured. Matrix elements for yrast transitions in 95Mo and 96Mo
are discussed.Comment: Proceedings of XIX International School on Nuclear Physics, Neutron
Physics and Applications, Varna, Bulgaria, 2011, 5 pages, 6 figure
Type-specific herpes simplex virus-1 and herpes simplex virus-2 seroprevalence in Romania: comparison of prevalence and risk factors in women and men
AbstractObjectiveTo determine herpes simplex virus (HSV)-2 and HSV-1 seroprevalence in women and men in Romania.MethodsA cross-sectional seroprevalence survey was conducted between 2004 and 2005 on a total of 1058 women and men representative of the population of Bucharest. All participants were aged 15–44 years and completed a structured questionnaire. A blood sample was collected to detect IgG anti-HSV-1 and HSV-2 serum antibodies using the HerpeSelect ELISA (Focus Diagnostics).ResultsA total of 761 women (median age 29 years) and 297 men (median age 29 years) were included. Overall, HSV-2 seroprevalence (15.2%) increased with age. Among women, HSV-2 seroprevalence increased from 11.0% in 15–19-year-olds to 38.3% in 40–44-year-olds. Among men, seroprevalence increased from 4.0% in 20–24-year-olds to 27.1% in 40–44-year-olds. HSV-2 seroprevalence was significantly higher among women than men (17.0% vs. 10.8%). HSV-1 seropositivity was high (87.2%) in all age groups, with no clear trend by age or by sex. In addition to older age and female sex, risk factors for HSV-2 included greater number of lifetime sexual partners, lower educational attainment, and history of genital vesicles. Lower educational level and rural residence were associated with a higher risk of HSV-1 seropositivity.ConclusionsIn Romania, HSV-2 seroprevalence was higher in women than men, and was within European limits and lower than that in Africa and the USA. In contrast, HSV-1 seroprevalence was generally higher than that previously recorded in similarly aged populations in Western Europe
Search for particle–vibration coupling in 65Cu
The lifetime of the 9/2 + state of 65 Cu, at 2534 keV, has been measured by fast timing techniques, in order to establish wether such state arises from a weak coupling between a p3=2 proton and the 3 octupole vibration at 3.56 MeV in the 64 Ni core. The 65 Cu nucleus was populated by the reaction 7 Li + 64 Ni at 32 MeV, at the Horia Hu- lubei National Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering (NIPNE) in Bucharest, and its -decay was detected by the ROSPHERE array. The measured lifetime coresponds to a B(E3) reduced transition probability to the ground state equal to 8.89 W.u., in agreement with theoretical predictions in the weak coupling limit
Ethical procedures and patient consent differ in Europe
BACKGROUND: Research ethics approvals, procedures and requirements for institutional research ethics committees vary considerably by country and by type of organisation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the requirements and procedures of research ethics committees, details of patient information and informed consent based on a multicentre European trial. DESIGN: Survey of European hospitals participating in the prospective observational study on chronic postsurgical pain (euCPSP) using electronic questionnaires. SETTING: Twenty-four hospitals in 11 European countries. PARTICIPANTS: From the 24 hospitals, 23 local investigators responded; 23 answers were analysed. OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparison of research ethics procedures and committee requirements from the perspective of clinical researchers. Comparison of the institutions' procedures regarding patient information and consent. Description of further details such as costs and the duration of the approval process. RESULTS: The approval process lasted from less than 2 weeks up to more than 2 months with financial fees varying between 0 and 575 €. In 20 hospitals, a patient information sheet of variable length (half page up to two pages) was provided. Requirements for patients' informed consent differed. Written informed consent was mandatory at 12, oral at 10 and no form of consent at one hospital. Details such as enough time for consideration, possibility for withdrawal and risks/benefits of participation were provided in 25 to 30% of the institutions. CONCLUSION: There is a considerable variation in the administrative requirements for approval procedures by research ethics committees in Europe. This results in variation of the extent of information and consent procedures for the patients involved
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