Exploring a range of UK seaweed species for the production of fuels and fertiliser

Displacing crude oil in the fuel industry is vital for ensuring global energy security. Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of macroalgae has been shown to generate bio-crude oils that can potentially be co-refined with mineral crude, or upgraded to hydrocarbon biofuels. HTL utilises water as one of the reactants, and produces four clear product phases which all have economic value and could potentially be used as a basis for a future biorefinery. Alongside the bio-crude oil, these comprise a gas phase (predominantly CO2), a solid residue containing carbon and most of the inorganic material, and a water phase. This contains a range of dissolved elements, including K, Mg, N and P, which are all classed as vital macronutrients for plant growth. The distribution of elements in each of the four phases is highly susceptible to the HTL operating conditions.This project aims to examine a range UK-based macroalgae species to identify a suitable feedstock for a UK HTL biorefinery. HTL reaction conditions were optimised to give maximised bio-crude yields using the brown macroalga Ascophyllum nodosum. Aqueous phase macronutrient content was also considered, with a view to utilise the aqueous phase as an industrial fertiliser. A range of South West UK macroalgae species (belonging to all three major macroalgae classes: green, brown and red) were subsequently screened, with energy and nutrient balances carried out.Ultimately, a biorefinery design incorporating macroalgae cultivation, harvesting and processing will be finalised, and a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) carried out to quantify the system’s overall environmental impact

“So, I told him to look for friends!” Barriers and protecting factors that may facilitate inclusion for children with Language Disorder in everyday social settings:cross-cultural qualitative interviews with parents

Purpose: Although researchers have explored parental perspectives on childhood speech and language disorders, this work has mostly been conducted in English-speaking countries. Little is known about parental experiences across countries. Participation in the COST Action IS1406 ‘Enhancing children’s oral language skills across Europe and beyond’ provided an opportunity to conduct cross-cultural qualitative interviews. The aims were to explore how parents construe inclusion and/or exclusion of their child and how parents involve themselves in order to facilitate inclusion. Method: Parents from nine countries and with a child who had received services for speechlanguage disorder participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews. We used thematic analysis to analyze the data. Results: Two overarching themes were identified: ‘Language disabilities led to social exclusion’ and ‘Promoting pathways to social inclusion’. Two subthemes were identified Interpersonal relationships are important and Deliberate proactiveness as stepping stones for social inclusion. Conclusions: Across countries, parents report that their children’s hidden disability causes misunderstandings that can lead to social exclusion and that they are important advocates for their children. It is important that the voices and experiences of parents of children with developmental disabilities are understood and acknowledged. Parents’ recommendations about how to support social inclusion need to be addressed at all levels of society

EDUCORE project: a clinical trial, randomised by clusters, to assess the effect of a visual learning method on blood pressure control in the primary healthcare setting

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>High blood pressure (HBP) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). European hypertension and cardiology societies as well as expert committees on CVD prevention recommend stratifying cardiovascular risk using the SCORE method, the modification of lifestyles to prevent CVD, and achieving good control over risk factors. The EDUCORE (Education and Coronary Risk Evaluation) project aims to determine whether the use of a cardiovascular risk visual learning method - the EDUCORE method - is more effective than normal clinical practice in improving the control of blood pressure within one year in patients with poorly controlled hypertension but no background of CVD;</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>This work describes a protocol for a clinical trial, randomised by clusters and involving 22 primary healthcare clinics, to test the effectiveness of the EDUCORE method. The number of patients required was 736, all between 40 and 65 years of age (n = 368 in the EDUCORE and control groups), all of whom had been diagnosed with HBP at least one year ago, and all of whom had poorly controlled hypertension (systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic ≥ 90 mmHg). All personnel taking part were explained the trial and trained in its methodology. The EDUCORE method contemplates the visualisation of low risk SCORE scores using images embodying different stages of a high risk action, plus the receipt of a pamphlet explaining how to better maintain cardiac health. The main outcome variable was the control of blood pressure; secondary outcome variables included the SCORE score, therapeutic compliance, quality of life, and total cholesterol level. All outcome variables were measured at the beginning of the experimental period and again at 6 and 12 months. Information on sex, age, educational level, physical activity, body mass index, consumption of medications, change of treatment and blood analysis results was also recorded;</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The EDUCORE method could provide a simple, inexpensive means of improving blood pressure control, and perhaps other health problems, in the primary healthcare setting;</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01155973 [<url>http://ClinicalTrials.gov</url>].</p

Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Evolución de la habilidad competitiva del polen en oxalis alpina, una especie tristílica / tesis que para obtener el grado de Doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas, presenta Fernanda Sofia Baena Díaz ; tutor principal de tesis César Augusto Domínguez Pérez Tejada

. 109 páginas : ilustraciones. Doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 2013 Programa de Posgrado en Ciencias Biológica

Análisis del nivel de satisfacción de los usuarios del servicio de telefonía móvil celular prepago en Cartagena

El sector de las telecomunicaciones en Colombia ha tenido un gran crecimiento en los últimos años, aumentando su participación del PIB. Este sector incluye el mercado de telefonía e internet, siendo éstas las principales. Dentro del segmento de telefonía, se encuentra el de telefonía móvil celular la cual es objeto de estudio del presente documento. En este, encontramos que a su vez hay dos divisiones o ramas, el de la telefonía móvil celular prepago y el de la telefonía móvil celular pospago. Como se indicará en uno de los apartes, en Colombia la mayor proporción de usuarios se encuentra con telefonía móvil prepago, razón por la cual resulta mas significativo estudiar este segmento al ser mucho mas representativo. Con dicho propósito, se ha decidido estudiar los niveles de satisfacción de los usuarios de este tipo de telefonía móvil con el propósito de identificar la percepción y satisfacción de los usuarios sobre este servicio y a partir de ello contar con información concerniente que sirva como fuente de información para la formulación de estrategias y para posteriores investigaciones. Por delimitación de la investigación y en adición con el propósito de realizar investigaciones enfocadas en la ciudad y la región, esta investigación se hará para los usuarios de la ciudad de Cartagena, Bolívar. El presente documento presentará las tendencias a nivel mundial y nacional del sector de telefonía móvil y luego presentará la información relacionada con la realización de las encuestas. Seguidamente se presentarán los niveles de satisfacción encontrados y por último las conclusiones encontradas.Incluye bibliografí

Targeted treatment approaches in refractory germ cell tumors.

Germ cell tumors (GCTs) are the most common type of solid tumor amongst patients between 15 and 35 years of age. They are also one of the types of tumor with the highest cure rate, due to their high sensitivity to cisplatin based chemotherapy. Nonetheless, around 15-20% of metastatic patients will not have curative options after a relapse on the first and second line. This proves that new therapeutic options for these refractory GCTs patients need to be developed. This article offers a bibliographic review of all studies using targeted treatment or immunotherapy for refractory GCTs patients

Climate change, air pollution and extreme events leading to increasing prevalence of allergic respiratory diseases.

International audienceABSTRACT: The prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases has increased dramatically during the past few decades not only in industrialized countries. Urban air pollution from motor vehicles has been indicated as one of the major risk factors responsible for this increase.Although genetic factors are important in the development of asthma and allergic diseases, the rising trend can be explained only in changes occurred in the environment. Despite some differences in the air pollution profile and decreasing trends of some key air pollutants, air quality is an important concern for public health in the cities throughout the world.Due to climate change, air pollution patterns are changing in several urbanized areas of the world, with a significant effect on respiratory health.The observational evidence indicates that recent regional changes in climate, particularly temperature increases, have already affected a diverse set of physical and biological systems in many parts of the world. Associations between thunderstorms and asthma morbidity in pollinosis subjects have been also identified in multiple locations around the world.Allergens patterns are also changing in response to climate change and air pollution can modify the allergenic potential of pollens especially in presence of specific weather conditions.The underlying mechanisms of all these interactions are not well known yet. The consequences on health vary from decreases in lung function to allergic diseases, new onset of diseases, and exacerbation of chronic respiratory diseases.Factor clouding the issue is that laboratory evaluations do not reflect what happens during natural exposition, when atmospheric pollution mixtures in polluted cities are inhaled. In addition, it is important to recall that an individual's response to pollution exposure depends on the source and components of air pollution, as well as meteorological conditions. Indeed, some air pollution-related incidents with asthma aggravation do not depend only on the increased production of air pollution, but rather on atmospheric factors that favour the accumulation of air pollutants at ground level.Considering these aspects governments worldwide and international organizations such as the World Health Organization and the European Union are facing a growing problem of the respiratory effects induced by gaseous and particulate pollutants arising from motor vehicle emissions