600 research outputs found
Obsah ĹživĂn a profil mastnĂ˝ch kyselĂn v rĂ´znych druhoch olejnĂn
The aim of this study was to determine nutrients content of 4 oilseeds (sunflower, soybean, flaxseed and rapessed) and fatty acid profile of oils obtained from the seeds. Dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), nitrogen free extract (NFE) and fat content of the seeds were determined by standard laboratory methods and procedures. Significant (P<0.05) differences in composition of all the analyzed seeds were found. Fatty acid profile analysis was performed using the Agilent 6890 A GC machine. The analyzed oils mainly composed of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), with the exception of rapeseed oil which primarily contained monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). Flaxseed oil has significantly (P<0.05) proven to be the richest in PUFA content (76.46%), but on the other hand it contained the least amount of MUFA (13.47%). The saturated fatty acid (SFA) content, except for soybean oil, was below 10%. The most optimal ratio between n-6 and n-3 unsaturated fatty acids (USFA) was found in rapeseed oil (2.22:1). From the fatty acid profile of analyzed oils significant (P<0.05) differences in the content of palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, arachidic, eicosenoic, behenic and lignoceric acids were detected.CieÄžom prĂĄce bolo analyzovaĹĽ obsah ĹživĂn rĂ´znych semien olejnĂn (slneÄnicovĂ˝ch, sĂłjovĂ˝ch, ÄžanovĂ˝ch a repkovĂ˝ch) a profil mastnĂ˝ch kyselĂn rastlinnĂ˝ch olejov zĂskanĂ˝ch z tĂ˝chto semien. AnalĂ˝za obsahu sledovanĂ˝ch ĹživĂn v semenĂĄch olejnĂn (suĹĄina, dusĂkatĂŠ lĂĄtky, bezdusĂkatĂŠ lĂĄtky výżaĹžkovĂŠ a tuk) bola vykonanĂĄ prostrednĂctvom ĹĄtandardnĂ˝ch laboratĂłrnych metĂłd a postupov. Zistili sa preukaznĂŠ (P<0.05) rozdiely v zloĹženĂ vĹĄetkĂ˝ch analyzovanĂ˝ch semien. AnalĂ˝za profilu mastnĂ˝ch kyselĂn bola vykonanĂĄ pomocou zariadenia Agilent 6890 A GC. AnalyzovanĂŠ oleje pozostĂĄvali hlavne z polynenasĂ˝tenĂ˝ch mastnĂ˝ch kyselĂn (PUFA), s vĂ˝nimkou repkovĂŠho oleja, ktorĂ˝ obsahoval najmä mononenasĂ˝tenĂŠ mastnĂŠ kyseliny (MUFA). Ä˝anovĂ˝ olej bol preukazne (P<0.05) najbohatĹĄĂ na obsah PUFA (76.46%), ale na druhej strane obsahoval najmenĹĄie mnoĹžstvo MUFA (13.47%). Obsah nasĂ˝tenĂ˝ch mastnĂ˝ch kyselĂn (SFA), s vĂ˝nimkou sĂłjovĂŠho oleja, bol niŞťà ako 10%. NajoptimĂĄlnejĹĄĂ pomer medzi n-6 a n-3 nenasĂ˝tenĂ˝mi mastnĂ˝mi kyselinami (USFA) sa zistil v repkovom oleji (2.22:1). V profile mastnĂ˝ch kyselĂn analyzovanĂ˝ch olejov sa zistili preukaznĂŠ (P<0,05) rozdiely v obsahu kyseliny palmitovej, steĂĄrovej, olejovej, linolovej, arachidĂłnovej, eikosaĂŠnovej, behĂŠnovej a lignocerovej
Tarmo: A Framework for Parallelized Bounded Model Checking
This paper investigates approaches to parallelizing Bounded Model Checking
(BMC) for shared memory environments as well as for clusters of workstations.
We present a generic framework for parallelized BMC named Tarmo. Our framework
can be used with any incremental SAT encoding for BMC but for the results in
this paper we use only the current state-of-the-art encoding for full PLTL.
Using this encoding allows us to check both safety and liveness properties,
contrary to an earlier work on distributing BMC that is limited to safety
properties only.
Despite our focus on BMC after it has been translated to SAT, existing
distributed SAT solvers are not well suited for our application. This is
because solving a BMC problem is not solving a set of independent SAT instances
but rather involves solving multiple related SAT instances, encoded
incrementally, where the satisfiability of each instance corresponds to the
existence of a counterexample of a specific length. Our framework includes a
generic architecture for a shared clause database that allows easy clause
sharing between SAT solver threads solving various such instances.
We present extensive experimental results obtained with multiple variants of
our Tarmo implementation. Our shared memory variants have a significantly
better performance than conventional single threaded approaches, which is a
result that many users can benefit from as multi-core and multi-processor
technology is widely available. Furthermore we demonstrate that our framework
can be deployed in a typical cluster of workstations, where several multi-core
machines are connected by a network
Cardioâhepatic syndrome in patients undergoing mitral valve transcatheter edgeâtoâedge repair
Aims
The impact of the cardio-hepatic syndrome (CHS) on outcomes in patients undergoing mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER) for relevant mitral regurgitation (MR) is unknown. The objectives of this study were three-fold: (i) to characterize the pattern of hepatic impairment, (ii) to investigate the prognostic value of CHS, and (iii) to evaluate the changes in hepatic function after M-TEER.
Methods and results
Hepatic impairment was quantified by laboratory parameters of liver function. In accordance with existing literature, two types of CHS were distinguished: ischaemic type I CHS (elevation of both transaminases) and cholestatic type II CHS (elevation of two out of three parameters of hepatic cholestasis). The impact of CHS on 2-year mortality was evaluated using a Cox model. The change in hepatic function after M-TEER was assessed by laboratory testing at follow-up. We analysed 1083 patients who underwent M-TEER for relevant primary or secondary MR at four European centres between 2008 and 2019. Ischaemic type I and cholestatic type II CHS were observed in 11.1% and 23.0% of patients, respectively. Predictors for 2-year all-cause mortality differed by MR aetiology. While in primary MR cholestatic type II CHS was independently associated with 2-year mortality, ischaemic CHS type I was an independent mortality predictor in secondary MR patients. At follow-up, patients with MR reduction â¤2+ (obtained in 90.7% of patients) presented with improved parameters of hepatic function (median reduction of 0.2âmg/dl, 0.2âU/L and 21âU/L for bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase, respectively, pâ<â0.01).
Conclusions
The CHS is frequently observed in patients undergoing M-TEER and significantly impairs 2-year survival. Successful M-TEER may have beneficial effects on CHS
Changes in biodiversity and trade-offs among ecosystem services, stakeholders, and components of well-being: the contribution of the International Long-Term Ecological Research network (ILTER) to Programme on Ecosystem Change and Society (PECS)
The International Long-Term Ecological Research (ILTER) network comprises > 600 scientific groups conducting site-based research within 40 countries. Its mission includes improving the understanding of global ecosystems and informs solutions to current and future environmental problems at the global scales. The ILTER network covers a wide range of social-ecological conditions and is aligned with the Programme on Ecosystem Change and Society (PECS) goals and approach. Our aim is to examine and develop the conceptual basis for proposed collaboration between ILTER and PECS. We describe how a coordinated effort of several contrasting LTER site-based research groups contributes to the understanding of how policies and technologies drive either toward or away from the sustainable delivery of ecosystem services. This effort is based on three tenets: transdisciplinary research; cross-scale interactions and subsequent dynamics; and an ecological stewardship orientation. The overarching goal is to design management practices taking into account trade-offs between using and conserving ecosystems toward more sustainable solutions. To that end, we propose a conceptual approach linking ecosystem integrity, ecosystem services, and stakeholder well-being, and as a way to analyze trade-offs among ecosystem services inherent in diverse management options. We also outline our methodological approach that includes: (i) monitoring and synthesis activities following spatial and temporal trends and changes on each site and by documenting cross-scale interactions; (ii) developing analytical tools for integration; (iii) promoting trans-site comparison; and (iv) developing conceptual tools to design adequate policies and management interventions to deal with trade-offs. Finally, we highlight the heterogeneity in the social-ecological setting encountered in a subset of 15 ILTER sites. These study cases are diverse enough to provide a broad cross-section of contrasting ecosystems with different policy and management drivers of ecosystem conversion; distinct trends of biodiversity change; different stakeholdersâ preferences for ecosystem services; and diverse components of well-being issues
Understanding the socio-economic causes of deforestation: a global perspective
IntroductionThis paper investigates the links between deforestation and key economic, social, environmental, and geographical variables. We focus on per capita GDP, total forest cover, and the population across a diverse sample of countries from five continents for the last three decades.MethodsThis study utilizes a regression model using panel data to show the impact of key economic, and social variables on deforestation. Also, set of dummy variables is introduced in the paper. To enable the investigation, we use a set of dummies to capture their influence. The random effect specifications are used in this investigation. The research focuses on a period ranging from 1990 to 2020.ResultsResults show how different socio-economic variables influence deforestation. For example, disruptive events like the COVID-19 pandemic and the financial crisis had a negative effect on forest area development across all models. GDP per capita has different impact depending on the size of a country. Former colonies seem to have more deforestation.ConclusionsThe global environmental challenges posed by human activities and their impact on the state of forest have become increasingly evident. It is necessary to undertake policy and governance reforms to establish a solid legal framework, strengthen enforcement mechanisms, and foster transparency and accountability. The promotion of sustainable agriculture and agroforestry practices can substantially alleviate pressure on forests. Furthermore, it is necessary to mitigate disruptive events like pandemics by establishing specific strategies and creating contingency plans
The discovery of Stromatolites developing at 3570 m above sea level in a high-altitude volcanic lake Socompa, Argentinean Andes
We describe stromatolites forming at an altitude of 3570 m at the shore of a volcanic lake Socompa, Argentinean Andes. The water at the site of stromatolites formation is alkaline, hypersaline, rich in inorganic nutrients, very rich in arsenic, and warm (20-24°C) due to a hydrothermal input. The stromatolites do not lithify, but form broad, rounded and low-domed bioherms dominated by diatom frustules and aragonite micro-crystals agglutinated by extracellular substances. In comparison to other modern stromatolites, they harbour an atypical microbial community characterized by highly abundant representatives of Deinococcus-Thermus, Rhodobacteraceae, Desulfobacterales and Spirochaetes. Additionally, a high proportion of the sequences that could not be classified at phylum level showed less than 80% identity to the best hit in the NCBI database, suggesting the presence of novel distant lineages. The primary production in the stromatolites is generally high and likely dominated by Microcoleus sp. Through negative phototaxis, the location of these cyanobacteria in the stromatolites is controlled by UV light, which greatly influences their photosynthetic activity. Diatoms, dominated by Amphora sp., are abundant in the anoxic, sulfidic and essentially dark parts of the stromatolites. Although their origin in the stromatolites is unclear, they are possibly an important source of anaerobically degraded organic matter that induces in situ aragonite precipitation. To the best of our knowledge, this is so far the highest altitude with documented actively forming stromatolites. Their generally rich, diverse and to a large extent novel microbial community likely harbours valuable genetic and proteomic reserves, and thus deserves active protection. Furthermore, since the stromatolites flourish in an environment characterized by a multitude of extremes, including high exposure to UV radiation, they can be an excellent model system for studying microbial adaptations under conditions that, at least in part, resemble those during the early phase of life evolution on Earth.Instituto de Biotecnologia y Biologia Molecular (IBBM
Patient-reported outcomes with lanreotide Autogel/Depot for carcinoid syndrome: An international observational study
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Lanreotide Autogel/Depot effectively controls symptoms in patients with carcinoid syndrome associated with neuroendocrine tumours. Data on patient-reported outcomes are sparse.
AIM:
To evaluate the effect of lanreotide on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) with carcinoid syndrome.
METHODS:
This was an international, open-label, observational study of adults with neuroendocrine tumours and history of diarrhoea, receiving lanreotide for >3 months for relief of carcinoid syndrome symptoms. The primary PRO measure was satisfaction with diarrhoea control. Secondary PRO measures included severity, change in symptoms and impact on daily life of diarrhoea; and patient satisfaction with flushing control.
RESULTS:
Of 273 patients enrolled, 76% were 'completely' or 'rather' satisfied with diarrhoea control; 79% reported improvement in diarrhoea with lanreotide. The proportion of patients with 'mild', 'minimal', or 'no diarrhoea' increased from 33% before treatment to 75% during treatment; 75% were unconcerned about the impact of diarrhoea on daily life. Satisfaction with flushing control amongst patients with significant flushing at treatment initiation was 73%.
CONCLUSIONS:
Lanreotide treatment was associated with improvements in symptoms as well as a range of PROs in patients with neuroendocrine tumours and carcinoid syndrome (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01234168)
Feedback by massive stars and the emergence of superbubbles. II. X-ray properties
This article has an erratum M. Krause, et al., âFeedback by massive stars and the emergence of superbubbles. II. X-ray propertiesâ, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Vol. 566, June 2014. This version of record is available online at: https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/abs/2014/06/aa23871-14/aa23871-14.html Reproduced with Permission from Astronomy and Astrophysics, Š ESO 2014.Context. In a previous paper we investigated the energy transfer of massive stars to the interstellar medium (ISM) as a function of time and the geometrical configuration of three massive stars via 3D-mesh-refining hydrodynamics simulations, following the complete evolution of the massive stars and their supernovaewith the exception of non-thermal processes. Aims. To compare our results against observations we derivethermalX-ray properties of the ISM from our simulations and compare them to observations of superbubbles in general, to the well-studied nearby Orion-Eridanus superbubble and to the diffuse soft X-ray emission of nearby galaxies. Methods. We analysed our ISM simulation results with the help of spectra for plasma temperatures between 0.1 and 10 keV and computed the spectral evolution and the spatio-temporal distribution of the hot gas. Results. Despite significant input of high-temperature gas from supernovae and fast stellar winds, the resultingthermalX-ray spectra are generally very soft, with most of the emission well below 1 keV. We show that this is due to mixing triggered by resolved hydrodynamic instabilities. Supernovae enhance the X-ray luminosity of a superbubble by 1â2 orders of magnitude for a time span of about 0.1 Myr; which is longer if a supernova occurs in a larger superbubble and shorter in higher energy bands. Peak superbubble luminosities of the order of 1036 erg s-1 are reproduced well. The strong decay of the X-ray luminosity is due to bubble expansion, hydrodynamic instabilities related to the acceleration of the superbubbleâs shell thanks to the sudden energy input, and subsequent mixing. We also find global oscillations of our simulated superbubbles, which produce spatial variations of the X-ray spectrum, similar to what we see in the Orion-Eridanus cavity. We calculated the fraction of energy emitted in X-rays and find that with a value of a few times 10-4, it is about a factor of ten below the measurements for nearby galaxies. Conclusions. Our models explain the observed soft spectra and peak X-ray luminosities of individual superbubbles. Each supernova event inside a superbubble produces a fairly similar heating-entrainment-cooling sequence, and the energy content of superbubbles is always determined by a specific fraction of the energy released by one supernova. For a given superbubble, soft X-rays trace the internal energy content well with moderate scatter. Some mechanism seems to delay the energy loss in real superbubbles compared to our simulations. Alternatively, some mechanism other thanthermal emission ofsuperbubbles may contribute to the soft X-ray luminosity of star-forming galaxies.Peer reviewe
Meta-analysis of multidecadal biodiversity trends in Europe
Local biodiversity trends over time are likely to be decoupled from global trends, as local processes may compensate or counteract global change. We analyze 161 long-term biological time series (15-91 years) collected across Europe, using a comprehensive dataset comprising similar to 6,200 marine, freshwater and terrestrial taxa. We test whether (i) local long-term biodiversity trends are consistent among biogeoregions, realms and taxonomic groups, and (ii) changes in biodiversity correlate with regional climate and local conditions. Our results reveal that local trends of abundance, richness and diversity differ among biogeoregions, realms and taxonomic groups, demonstrating that biodiversity changes at local scale are often complex and cannot be easily generalized. However, we find increases in richness and abundance with increasing temperature and naturalness as well as a clear spatial pattern in changes in community composition (i.e. temporal taxonomic turnover) in most biogeoregions of Northern and Eastern Europe. The global biodiversity decline might conceal complex local and group-specific trends. Here the authors report a quantitative synthesis of longterm biodiversity trends across Europe, showing how, despite overall increase in biodiversity metric and stability in abundance, trends differ between regions, ecosystem types, and taxa.peerReviewe
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