Mutually supportive implementation of the Nagoya Protocol and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture: A workshop for selected countries under the UNDP coordinated project “Strengthening human resources, legal frameworks, and institutionalcapacities to implement the Nagoya Protocol”

Bioversity International, the UNDP-GEF Project “Strengthening human resources, legal frameworks, and institutional capacities to implement the Nagoya Protocol” and the Secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) co-organized a workshop in FAO, Rome, 21-23 November 2017 with the title “Mutually Supportive Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture”. 32 participants from 17 countries participated in the workshop. The main objective was to explore and promote practical approaches and tools to implement both instruments within countries in mutually supportive ways. Legislative, administrative and policy measures were considered by participants. Experts’ presentations were complemented by participatory analyses of practical case studies and hypothetical scenarios where the interface between the Nagoya Protocol and the ITPGRFA can raise legal and procedural issues

Effects of caffeine supplementation on physical performance and mood dimensions in elite and trained-recreational athletes.

Background: Caffeine supplementation (CAFF) has an established ergogenic effect on physical performance and the psychological response to exercise. However, few studies have compared the response to CAFF intake among athletes of different competition level. This study compares the acute effects of CAFF on anaerobic performance, mood and perceived effort in elite and moderately-trained recreational athletes. Methods: Participants for this randomized, controlled, crossover study were 8 elite athletes (in the senior boxing national team) and 10 trained-recreational athletes. Under two experimental conditions, CAFF supplementation (6 mg/kg) or placebo (PLAC), the athletes completed a Wingate test. Subjective exertion during the test was recorded as the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) both at the general level (RPEgeneral) and at the levels muscular (RPEmuscular) and cardiorespiratory (RPEcardio). Before the Wingate test, participants completed the questionnaires Profiles of Moods States (POMS) and Subjective Vitality Scale (SVS). Results: In response to CAFF intake, improvements were noted in Wpeak (11.22 ± 0.65 vs 10.70 ± 0.84; p = 0.003; η2 p =0.44), Wavg (8.75 ± 0.55 vs 8.41 0.46; p = 0.001; η2 p =0.53) and time taken to reach Wpeak (7.56 ± 1.58 vs 9.11 ± 1.53; p < 0.001; η2 p =0.57) both in the elite and trained-recreational athletes. However, only the elite athletes showed significant increases in tension (+ 325%), vigor (+ 31%) and SVS (+ 28%) scores after the intake of CAFF compared to levels recorded under the condition PLAC (p < 0.05). Similarly, levels of vigor after consuming CAFF were significantly higher in the elite than the trained-recreational athletes (+ 5.8%). Conclusions: CAFF supplementation improved anaerobic performance in both the elite and recreational athletes. However, the ergogenic effect of CAFF on several mood dimensions and subjective vitality was greater in the elite athletes.post-print700 K

Efecto de un calendario sobrecargado de partidos sobre el rendimiento físico en el fútbol de élite

El objetivo de este trabajo consiste en analizar el impacto de disputar una alta carga de minutos de competición a lo largo de una temporada sobre el rendimiento físico en el fútbol de elite. La distancia recorrida a distintas velocidades y el porcentaje de tiempo realizando actividades de alta intensidad por 68 jugadores que disputaron la Copa Mundial de Brasil 2014 de la FIFA fueron analizados. Un análisis de cluster clasificó a los jugadoresen tres grupos dependiendo del número de minutos disputados a lo largo de la temporada: alta, media y baja carga de competición. El marcador, el nivel del oponente y el puesto específico de los jugadores se incorporaron en el análisis como variables de control. Los datos fueron analizados mediante de un análisis de regresión lineal. En general, los resultados sugieren que jugar una alta carga de minutos de competición durante la temporada no afecta negativamente al rendimiento físico de los jugadores. Los mediocentros recorrieron una distancia total y a alta intensidad mayor que el resto de puestos específicos (p&lt;0,01), mientras que los defensas centrales cubrieron una distancia significativamente menor que el resto de posiciones (p&lt;0,01). Tener el marcador a favor o en contra y la fortaleza o debilidad del oponente no modificó significativamente el rendimiento físico de los jugadores. Estos resultados podrían ser utilizados por entrenadores y analistas para mejorar el diseño de tareas y la evaluación del rendimiento de los equipos y de los jugadores

Estimates of the sardine spawning stock biomass off the Galician and Cantabrian coasts

From the months of April to May, a simultaneaus daily egg production method and acoustic surveys were carried out off the Ga1ician and Cantabrian shelf waters for the purpose of sardine spawning biomass estimation. These surveys, were coordinated on a temporal-spatial scale using two ships, the R/V "Investigador S." doing the egg survey and R/V "Ignat Pavlyunchenkov", the acoustic tracking. The present document presents the results of sardine biomass estimates from the respective stock evaluation techniques applied: DEPM and acoustics, and analyzes comparatively the results of both approaches

Magnetic fabric from Quaternary volcanic edifices in the extensional Bransfield Basin: Internal structure of Penguin and Bridgeman islands (South Shetlands archipelago, Antarctica)

Studying the magnetic fabric in volcanic edifices, particularly lava flows from recent eruptions, allows us to understand the orientation distribution of the minerals related to the flow direction and properly characterize older and/or eroded flows. In this work, the magnetic fabric from recent (Quaternary) lava flows (slightly inclined in seven sites and plateau lavas in two sites), pyroclastic deposits (two sites from a scoria cone) and volcanic cones, domes and plugs (three sites) from Penguin and Bridgeman islands, located in the Bransfield backarc basin, are presented. The volcanism in the two islands is related to rifting occurring due to the opening of the Bransfield Strait, between the South Shetlands archipelago and the Antarctic Peninsula. The direction of flow of magmatic material is unknown. Rock magnetic analyses, low temperature measurements and electron microscope observations (back-scattered electron imaging and Energy Dispersive X-ray analyses) reveal a Ti-poor magnetite (and maghemite) as the main carrier of the magnetic fabric. Hematite may be present in some samples. Samples from the centre of the lavas reveal a magnetic lineation either parallel or imbricated with respect to the flow plane, whereas in the plateau lavas the magnetic lineation is contained within the subhorizontal plane except in vesicle-rich samples, where imbrication occurs. The magnetic lineation indicates a varied flow direction in Bridgeman Island with respect to the spreading Bransfield Basin axis. The flow direction in the plateau lavas on Penguin Island is deduced from the imbrication of the magnetic fabric in the more vesicular parts, suggesting a SE-NW flow. The volcanic domes are also imbricated with respect to an upward flow, and the bombs show scattered distribution

Hydrographic features and dynamics of blue whiting, mackerel and horse mackerel in the bay of biscay, 1994-1996. A multidisciplinary study on sefos

Hydrographic and climatic conditions have been found to be one of the most important factors that can influence the distnbution and behaviour of adults, juveniles and early stages of fish. This relationship, which has been pointed out by several authors, is also the main objective ofthe SEFOS project, which studies the relationship between the distnbutions and migrations of commercially important fish species and the oceanography of the European shelf edge. Within this framework, the Bay of Biscay presents special oceanographic and climatic conditions that could intluence the aggregations of food and larvae in retention areas throughout this zone, which is one of the most important nursery areas for several fish species and seasonal migrations of blue whiting, horse mackerel and mackerel This paper presents the results of a multidisciplinary study of the relationship between the oceanographic conditions ofthe Bay ofBiscay and the distribution ofboth early stages - eggs and larvae - and adult fish ofhorse mackerel, mackerel and blue whiting for the period 1994-1996

Natural abundance of stable nitrogen isotopes reflect changes in pelagic food webs and mobility of size classes of the north Iberian sardine (Sardina pilchardus)

The natural abundance of stable nitrogen isotopes (δ15N) in sardine (Sardina pilchardus) and plankton was determined from samples collected between 1998 and 2003 in the northwestern shelf of the Iberian Peninsula with the purpose of studying the variability in the trophic position of sardine. Sardines were grouped in three size-length classes (small: 20 cm). Plankton samples were size-fractionated between ca. 0.7 and 2000 μm of individual length. The plankton at the base of the pelagic food web in the western shelf region (Galicia) was more enriched in δ15N than plankton in the northern and eastern region (Mar Cantábrico), likely because of upwelling. Variability in δ15N in sardine was related both to changes in feeding strategies during growth and to the mobility of size classes between adjacent shelf regions. Large sardines showed regional differences in δ15N similar to those of small plankton, suggesting that old specimens remained for long periods in the same region. In contrast, small and medium-sized sardines have similar δ15N values in all regions. We hypothesize that interannual differences in δ15N of sardine are caused mainly by variations in the mobility of large size classes, as the isotopic signature of the small sardines was relatively less variable and suggests low variability in the plankton food web. In turn, such variations would be related to changes in the size of the sardine population in the north Iberian shelf

Knowledge, perceptions, and perspectives of medical students regarding the use of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance: a qualitative research in Galicia, Spain

Antibiotic resistance is a significant public health concern, with numerous studies linking antibiotic consumption to the development of resistance. As medical students will play a pivotal role in prescribing antibiotics, this research aimed to identify their perceptions of current use and factors that could influence future inappropriate use of antibiotics. The study employed a qualitative research approach using Focus Group discussions (FGs) consisting of students from the final theoretical course of the Medicine degree. The FGs were conducted based on a pre-script developed from factors contributing to antibiotic misuse identified in previous studies. All sessions were recorded and transcribed for analysis by two independent researchers, with all participants signing informed consent. Seven focus groups were conducted, with a total of 35 participants. The study identified factors that could influence the future prescription of antibiotics, including the low applicability of knowledge, insecurity, clinical inertia, difficulties in the doctor-patient relationship, unawareness of available updates on the topic, and inability to assess their validity. The students did not perceive antibiotic resistance as a current problem. However, the study found several modifiable factors in medical students that could explain the misuse of antibiotics, and developing specific strategies could help improve their useThis research was supported in part by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) (PI081239, PI09/90609) Spanish State Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation and co-funded by The European Union (ERDF)S

Association between the Mediterranean diet and metabolic syndrome with serum levels of miRNA in morbid obesity

Background: The Mediterranean diet (MD) could be involved in the regulation of different miRNAs related to metabolic syndrome (MS). Methods: We analyzed the serum level of mir-let7a-5p, mir-21, mir-590, mir-107 and mir-192 in patients with morbid obesity and its association with the MD and MS. Results: There is an association between the adherence to MD and higher serum levels of mir-590. Mir-590 was lower in those patients who consumed >2 commercial pastries/week. Mir-let7a was lower in those who consumed ≥1 sweetened drinks, in those who consumed ≥3 pieces of fruit/day and in those who consumed less red than white meat. A lower mir-590 and mir-let7a, and a higher mir-192 level, were found in patients who met the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) criterion of MS. A higher mir-192 was found in those patients who met the triglyceride criterion of MS and in those with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Conclusions: There is an association between specific serum levels of miRNAs and the amount and kind of food intake related to MD. Mir-590 was positively associated with a healthy metabolic profile and type of diet, while mir-192 was positively associated with a worse metabolic profile. These associations could be suggestive of a possible modulation of these miRNAs by food

NaRALap: augmented reality system for navigation in laparoscopic surgery

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11548-011-0579-z.The AR system has a good resolution and currently is used for the placement of the trocars. Possible improvements will be performed to make the system independent of the camera position or to use natural marks. The biomechanical model and the AR algorithms will be combined with a tracker, for tracking the surgical instruments, in order to implement a valid system for liver biopsies. It will take into account the deformation due to the pneumoperitoneum and due to the breath of the patient. To develop the navigator that will guide the laparoscopic interventions, both AR system and biomechanical model will be combined with the laparoscopic camera in order to make an easier environment with only one vision in a 2D monitor.This work has been supported by the project MITYC (ref. TSI020100-2009-189). We would like to express our deep gratitude to the Hospital Clínica Benidorm for its participation in this project.López-Mir, F.; Martínez Martínez, F.; Fuertes Cebrián, JJ.; Lago, MA.; Rupérez Moreno, MJ.; Naranjo Ornedo, V.; Monserrat Aranda, C. (2011). NaRALap: augmented reality system for navigation in laparoscopic surgery. International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery. 6:98-99. https://doi.org/10.0.3.239/s11548-011-0579-zS9899