Effects of Net Depth Reduction to Bigeye Tuna (Thunnus obesus) Catch

Analysis on the catch of Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) from purse seine and ring nets of various net depths was conducted to assess the effect of reducing net depth as a compatible measure the Philippines has implemented and reducing the catch of Bigeye in its internal waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The study was based on observer reports from ring net and purse seine fishing vessels operating in internal waters and EEZ as well as from group seine operations in the high seas pocket 1. Nets were classed by depth to determine and compare variations on the catch of Bigeye, catch rates and relative proportion, species composition, and fishing grounds. Results indicated that the catch of Bigeye is correlated with the depth of net, with a significantly higher catch of Bigeye in deeper nets. The result of the study is consistent with other studies elsewhere, and in consonance with the implementation of Fisheries Administrative Order 236 limiting the depth to 115 fathoms for ring net and purse seine operating in Philippine internal waters and the EEZ as a compatible measure to reduce the catch of Bigeye

A retinal code for motion along the gravitational and body axes

Self-motion triggers complementary visual and vestibular reflexes supporting image-stabilization and balance. Translation through space produces one global pattern of retinal image motion (optic flow), rotation another. We examined the direction preferences of direction-sensitive ganglion cells (DSGCs) in flattened mouse retinas in vitro. Here we show that for each subtype of DSGC, direction preference varies topographically so as to align with specific translatory optic flow fields, creating a neural ensemble tuned for a specific direction of motion through space. Four cardinal translatory directions are represented, aligned with two axes of high adaptive relevance: the body and gravitational axes. One subtype maximizes its output when the mouse advances, others when it retreats, rises or falls. Two classes of DSGCs, namely, ON-DSGCs and ON-OFF-DSGCs, share the same spatial geometry but weight the four channels differently. Each subtype ensemble is also tuned for rotation. The relative activation of DSGC channels uniquely encodes every translation and rotation. Although retinal and vestibular systems both encode translatory and rotatory self-motion, their coordinate systems differ

Multi-messenger observations of a binary neutron star merger

On 2017 August 17 a binary neutron star coalescence candidate (later designated GW170817) with merger time 12:41:04 UTC was observed through gravitational waves by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. The Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor independently detected a gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) with a time delay of ~1.7 s with respect to the merger time. From the gravitational-wave signal, the source was initially localized to a sky region of 31 deg2 at a luminosity distance of 40+8-8 Mpc and with component masses consistent with neutron stars. The component masses were later measured to be in the range 0.86 to 2.26 Mo. An extensive observing campaign was launched across the electromagnetic spectrum leading to the discovery of a bright optical transient (SSS17a, now with the IAU identification of AT 2017gfo) in NGC 4993 (at ~40 Mpc) less than 11 hours after the merger by the One- Meter, Two Hemisphere (1M2H) team using the 1 m Swope Telescope. The optical transient was independently detected by multiple teams within an hour. Subsequent observations targeted the object and its environment. Early ultraviolet observations revealed a blue transient that faded within 48 hours. Optical and infrared observations showed a redward evolution over ~10 days. Following early non-detections, X-ray and radio emission were discovered at the transient’s position ~9 and ~16 days, respectively, after the merger. Both the X-ray and radio emission likely arise from a physical process that is distinct from the one that generates the UV/optical/near-infrared emission. No ultra-high-energy gamma-rays and no neutrino candidates consistent with the source were found in follow-up searches. These observations support the hypothesis that GW170817 was produced by the merger of two neutron stars in NGC4993 followed by a short gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) and a kilonova/macronova powered by the radioactive decay of r-process nuclei synthesized in the ejecta

Aportes teóricos e metodológicos decoloniais: o caso da disciplina “Pensamento Negro Contemporâneo”

O artigo objetiva apresentar a experiência teórico-metodológica da disciplina Pensamento Negro Contemporâneo, ofertada no âmbito do Decanato de Extensão da Universidade de Brasília cujo objetivo é valorizar e revisitar os saberes de pensadores (as) negros (as) na academia e fora dela. Essa experiência apresenta-se como uma verdadeira artesania prática de valorização da pluralidade e da geopolítica de saberesproduzidos no Sul. O artigo articula produções resultantes da disciplina como um estudo de caso, e coteja exemplos das mesmas para aprofundamento empírico da análise. Conclui que, ao trabalhar com epistemologias inclusivas e reveladoras da pluralidade de saberes da Maioria Minorizada, proporciona-se uma maior inserção e facilitação do acesso ao saber plural dos discentes envolvidos no projeto, eliminando a exclusão acadêmica por não se reconhecerem nas abordagens lineares e verticalizadas das pedagogias conservadoras

Tegumentary leishmaniasis and coinfections other than HIV

<div><p>Background</p><p>Tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) is a disease of skin and/or mucosal tissues caused by <i>Leishmania</i> parasites. TL patients may concurrently carry other pathogens, which may influence the clinical outcome of TL.</p><p>Methodology and principal findings</p><p>This review focuses on the frequency of TL coinfections in human populations, interactions between <i>Leishmania</i> and other pathogens in animal models and human subjects, and implications of TL coinfections for clinical practice. For the purpose of this review, TL is defined as all forms of cutaneous (localised, disseminated, or diffuse) and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection, superinfection with skin bacteria, and skin manifestations of visceral leishmaniasis are not included. We searched MEDLINE and other databases and included 73 records: 21 experimental studies in animals and 52 studies about human subjects (mainly cross-sectional and case studies). Several reports describe the frequency of <i>Trypanosoma cruzi</i> coinfection in TL patients in Argentina (about 41%) and the frequency of helminthiasis in TL patients in Brazil (15% to 88%). Different hypotheses have been explored about mechanisms of interaction between different microorganisms, but no clear answers emerge. Such interactions may involve innate immunity coupled with regulatory networks that affect quality and quantity of acquired immune responses. Diagnostic problems may occur when concurrent infections cause similar lesions (e.g., TL and leprosy), when different pathogens are present in the same lesions (e.g., <i>Leishmania</i> and <i>Sporothrix schenckii</i>), or when similarities between phylogenetically close pathogens affect accuracy of diagnostic tests (e.g., serology for leishmaniasis and Chagas disease). Some coinfections (e.g., helminthiasis) appear to reduce the effectiveness of antileishmanial treatment, and drug combinations may cause cumulative adverse effects.</p><p>Conclusions and significance</p><p>In patients with TL, coinfection is frequent, it can lead to diagnostic errors and delays, and it can influence the effectiveness and safety of treatment. More research is needed to unravel how coinfections interfere with the pathogenesis of TL.</p></div

Laparoscopy in management of appendicitis in high-, middle-, and low-income countries: a multicenter, prospective, cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Appendicitis is the most common abdominal surgical emergency worldwide. Differences between high- and low-income settings in the availability of laparoscopic appendectomy, alternative management choices, and outcomes are poorly described. The aim was to identify variation in surgical management and outcomes of appendicitis within low-, middle-, and high-Human Development Index (HDI) countries worldwide. METHODS: This is a multicenter, international prospective cohort study. Consecutive sampling of patients undergoing emergency appendectomy over 6 months was conducted. Follow-up lasted 30 days. RESULTS: 4546 patients from 52 countries underwent appendectomy (2499 high-, 1540 middle-, and 507 low-HDI groups). Surgical site infection (SSI) rates were higher in low-HDI (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.33-4.99, p = 0.005) but not middle-HDI countries (OR 1.38, 95% CI 0.76-2.52, p = 0.291), compared with high-HDI countries after adjustment. A laparoscopic approach was common in high-HDI countries (1693/2499, 67.7%), but infrequent in low-HDI (41/507, 8.1%) and middle-HDI (132/1540, 8.6%) groups. After accounting for case-mix, laparoscopy was still associated with fewer overall complications (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.42-0.71, p < 0.001) and SSIs (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.14-0.33, p < 0.001). In propensity-score matched groups within low-/middle-HDI countries, laparoscopy was still associated with fewer overall complications (OR 0.23 95% CI 0.11-0.44) and SSI (OR 0.21 95% CI 0.09-0.45). CONCLUSION: A laparoscopic approach is associated with better outcomes and availability appears to differ by country HDI. Despite the profound clinical, operational, and financial barriers to its widespread introduction, laparoscopy could significantly improve outcomes for patients in low-resource environments. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02179112

Childhood trauma, BDNF Val66Met and subclinical psychotic experiences. Attempt at replication in two independent samples

Childhood trauma exposure is a robust environmental risk factor for psychosis. However, not all exposed individuals develop psychotic symptoms later in life. The Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism (rs6265) has been suggested to moderate the psychosis-inducing effects of childhood trauma in clinical and nonclinical samples. Our study aimed to explore the interaction effect between childhood trauma and the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism on subclinical psychotic experiences (PEs). This was explored in two nonclinical independent samples: an undergraduate and technical-training school student sample (n = 808, sample 1) and a female twin sample (n = 621, sample 2). Results showed that childhood trauma was strongly associated with positive and negative PEs in nonclinical individuals. A BDNF Val66Met x childhood trauma effect on positive PEs was observed in both samples. These results were discordant in terms of risk allele: while in sample 1 Val allele carriers, especially males, were more vulnerable to the effects of childhood trauma regarding PEs, in sample 2 Met carriers presented higher PEs scores when exposed to childhood trauma, compared with Val carriers. Moreover, in sample 2, a significant interaction was also found in relation to negative PEs. Our study partially replicates previous findings and suggests that some individuals are more prone to develop PEs following childhood trauma because of a complex combination of multiple factors. Further studies including genetic, environmental and epigenetic factors may provide insights in this field

Plan de negocio para determinar la viabilidad de constituir una empresa de dise?o y fabricaci?n de m?quinas trituradoras de Cizalla

Nuestra tesis, enfocada en la fabricaci?n de maquinaria industrial, aspira a ser una buena opci?n manufacturera que brinde: valor agregado a la materia prima, genere empleo y sobretodo que beneficie a la sociedad y al medio ambiente. Para ello, hemos identificado un problema de com?n denominador a nivel mundial, la excesiva generaci?n de residuos s?lidos, en contraparte hemos revisado soluciones para corregir y/o aliviar esta situaci?n, eligiendo la m?quina trituradora de cizalla como la opci?n m?s amigable y confiable para reducir el tama?o de los residuos s?lidos, cualquiera sea su origen. Para el Estudio de Mercado, ten?amos que estudiar el proceso de gesti?n de residuos s?lidos en Lima Metropolitana; y elegir certeramente nuestra posible cartera de clientes, en algunos casos ideando estrategias para crear la demanda la cual era nula. Estimada la demanda, ideamos el Plan de Marketing que haga atractivo y sostenible nuestro Plan de Negocio y en funci?n a ello creamos nuestro Plan de Operaciones, considerando proveedores, procesos, costos y legislaci?n vigente. Finalmente nuestro Plan Financiero reflej? que nuestra idea de negocio s? era rentable y atractiva. Esperamos que esta Tesis sea de gu?a para futuras ideas de negocios en nuestra incipiente industria manufacturera peruana