Time Synchronization in Limited Resources Wireless Devices

This article deals with implementation of a time distribution protocol among limited resources wireless sensor devices. This type of protocol aims to distribute the same time reference among two or more devices within a network. Timestamps on measures help to relate them on causality studies. The PTP protocol defined at IEEE 1588-2008 is used, with little adaptations, to synchronize and tune software clocks inside the target boards of the Texas Instruments  ez430-RF2480ZigBee kit. Initially only synchronization was done, but it was verified the need to implement clock tuning. The devices clocks can be synchronized and tuned, even in heavily limited resources devices

Cenozoic seismic stratigraphy and tectonic evolution of the Algarve margin (offshore Portugal, southwestern Iberian Peninsula)

The Cenozoic seismic stratigraphy and tectonic evolution of the Algarve margin (southwestern border of the Iberian Peninsula) are documented from multichannel seismic reflection data, isochron and time-structure maps.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V6M-4KJV3F0-1/1/141771fd1c5ee441b6f226a499be5e2

Testosterone and Vascular Function in Aging

Androgen receptors are widely distributed in several tissues, including vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Through classic cytosolic androgen receptors or membrane receptors, testosterone induces genomic and non-genomic effects, respectively. Testosterone interferes with the vascular function by increasing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and arterial thickness. Experimental evidence indicates that sex steroid hormones, such as testosterone modulate the synthesis and bioavailability of NO and, consequently, endothelial function, which is key for a healthy vasculature. Of interest, aging itself is accompanied by endothelial and vascular smooth muscle dysfunction. Aging-associated decline of testosterone levels is accompanied by age-related diseases, such as metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, indicating that very low levels of androgens may contribute to cardiovascular dysfunction observed in these age-related disorders or, in other words, that testosterone may have beneficial effects in the cardiovascular system. However, testosterone seems to play a negative role in the severity of renal disease. In this mini-review, we briefly comment on the interplay between aging and testosterone levels, the vascular actions of testosterone and its implications for vascular aging. Renal effects of testosterone and the use of testosterone to prevent vascular dysfunction in elderly are also addressed

Bacterioplankton Community Shifts during a Spring Bloom of Aphanizomenon gracile and Sphaerospermopsis aphanizomenoides at a Temperate Shallow Lake

Climate change is enhancing the frequency of cyanobacterial blooms not only during summer but also in spring and autumn, leading to increased ecological impacts. The bacterioplankton community composition (BCC), in particular, is deeply affected by these blooms, although at the same time BCC can also play important roles in blooms’ dynamics. However, more information is still needed regarding BCC during species-specific cyanobacterial blooms. The goal of this study was to assess BCC succession in a hypereutrophic shallow lake (Vela Lake, Portugal) during a warm spring using a metagenomic approach to provide a glimpse of the changes these communities experience during the dominance of Aphanizomenon-like bloom-forming species. BCC shifts were studied using 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding and multivariate analyses. A total of 875 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were retrieved from samples. In early spring, the dominant taxa belonged to Proteobacteria (mainly Alphaproteobacteria—Rickettsiales) and Bacteroidetes (Saprospirales, Flavobacteriales and Sphingobacteriales). However, at the end of May, a bloom co-dominated by cyanobacterial populations of Aphanizomenon gracile, Sphaerospermopsis aphanizomenoides and Synechococcus sp. developed and persisted until the end of spring. This led to a major BCC shift favouring the prevalence of Alphaproteobacteria (Rickettsiales and also Rhizobiales, Caulobacteriales and Rhodospirillales) and Bacteroidetes (Saprospirales, followed by Flavobacteriales and Sphingobacteriales). These results contribute to the knowledge of BCC dynamics during species-specific cyanobacterial blooms, showing that BCC is strongly affected (directly or indirectly) by Aphanizomenon-Sphaerospermopsis blooms.publishe

Vitamin D deficiency and acute respiratory infections among brazilian children

The prescription of antibiotics worldwide remains large, especially in children. The lack of accurate diagnoses leads to overuse of these drugs, increasing bacterial resistance. A large number of studies have shown that another important factor in the onset of upper respiratory infections (URI) is inadequate intake of nutrients for these children, especially vitamins A, C and D. This study aimed to understand the use of antibiotics and the profile of nutrient intake in children diagnosed with URI. During 12 months, a survey (24 h dietary recall) was applied in 131 parents of children using antibiotics. The results showed antibiotic prescriptions for viral infections (37 %), pointing out incorrect prescriptions. The presence of URI was directly related to the lack of intake of vitamins, especially A and D. Countries with poor sources of these vitamins (fish oil), in regular diet, should increase the dietary supplementation of vitamins to diminish the appearance of URIs.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Genetics of tibia bone properties of crossbred commercial laying hens in different housing systems

Osteoporosis and bone fractures are a severe problem for the welfare of laying hens, with genetics and environment, such as housing system, each making substantial contributions to bone strength. In this work, we performed genetic analyses of bone strength, bone mineral density, and bone composition, as well as body weight, in 860 commercial crossbred laying hens from 2 different companies, kept in either furnished cages or floor pens. We compared bone traits between housing systems and crossbreds and performed a genome-wide association study of bone properties and body weight. As expected, the 2 housing systems produced a large difference in bone strength, with layers housed in floor pens having stronger bones. These differences were accompanied by differences in bone geometry, mineralization, and chemical composition. Genome scans either combining or independently analyzing the 2 housing systems revealed no genome-wide significant loci for bone breaking strength. We detected 3 loci for body weight that were shared between the housing systems on chromosomes 4, 6, and 27 (either genome-wide significant or suggestive) and these coincide with associations for bone length. In summary, we found substantial differences in bone strength, content, and composition between hens kept in floor pens and furnished cages that could be attributed to greater physical activity in pen housing. We found little evidence for large-effect loci for bone strength in commercial crossbred hens, consistent with a highly polygenic architecture for bone strength in the production environment. The lack of consistent genetic associations between housing systems in combination with the differences in bone phenotypes could be due to gene-by-environment interactions with housing system or a lack of power to detect shared associations for bone strength