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Functional Vegetable-Based Sausages for Consumption by Children

The dislike food preferences that children registered regarding vegetables and fish compromise the exposure to those iodine sources and may contribute to cause a nutritional deficiency in this micronutrient, causing serious damage of the brain and the central nervous system. Functional foods are becoming well-established in the market, focused on by an adult consumer more interested in healthy eating habits but without the motivation to optimize natural food preparation or to promote a wide variety of food in their diet. This article presents evidence of a new functional product concept, 100% vegetable, fermented soya based and salted by a red algae, that was approved by 900 parents who chose the sensorial features: distinctive aroma (57.9%), soft texture (38.4%), sausage shape (21%) and attractive color (77.9%). Three different varieties were developed: carrot (50% w/w), sugar-beet (50% w/w) and tomato (40% w/w) mini sausages, with tofu (20% w/w) and 0.8 % (w/w) of seaweed, reflecting trends that the younger consumer demands. The sensorial tests performed, after quality control assays, received very satisfactory acceptance by the potential buyer. Full Paper Link: http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=5818&utm_campaign=tumblr&utm_medium=lc

#nutrition #sausage

How Many Electrodes Are Really Needed for EEG-Based Mobile Brain Imaging?

A noninvasive method for imaging the human brain during mobile activities could have far reaching benefits for studies of human motor control, for research and treatment of neurological disabilities, and for brain-controlled powered prosthetic limbs or orthoses. Several recent studies have demonstrated that electroencephalography (EEG) can be used to image the brain during locomotion provided that signal processing techniques, such as independent Component Analysis (ICA), are used to parse electrocortical activity from artifact contaminated EEG. However, these studies used high-density 256-channel EEG sensor arrays, which are likely too time-consuming to setup in a clinical or field setting. Therefore, it is important to evaluate how reducing the number of EEG channel signals affects the electrocortical source signals that can be parsed from EEG recorded during standing and walking while concurrently performing a visual oddball discrimination task. Specifically, we computed temporal and spatial correlations between electrocortical sources parsed from high-density EEG and electrocortical sources parsed from reduced-channel subsets of the original high-density EEG. For this task, our results indicate that on average an EEG montage with as few as 35 channels may be sufficient to record the two most dominate electrocortical sources (temporal and spatial R2 > 0.9). Correlations for additional electrocortical sources decreased linearly such that the least dominant sources extracted from the 35 channel dataset had temporal and spatial correlations of approximately 0.7. This suggests that for certain applications the number of EEG sensors used for mobile brain imaging could be vastly reduced, but researchers and clinicians must consider the expected distribution of relevant electrocortical sources when determining the number of EEG sensors necessary for a particular application. Full Paper Link: http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=22107&utm_campaign=tumblr&utm_medium=lc

#neuroscience #EEG #brain

Pyroclastic Flow from Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat: Solid Block Model

The solid block model is applied to describe the motion of the pyroclastic flow under the joint action of gravity and Coulomb friction. Special attention is paid to characteristics of the pyroclastic flow generated by Montserrat volcano in likely directions. The critical friction angle of the flow propagation is evaluated empirically. Characteristic parameters of the pyroclastic flow (travel time and impact velocity) are well approximated by linear regressions. Proposed estimations of the parameters of pyroclastic flow are useful for the rough and express evaluation of its characteristics. Full Paper Link: http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=6844&utm_campaign=tumblr&utm_medium=lc

#geoscience #volcano

Exercise Frequency, High Activation Positive Affect, and Psychological Well-Being: Beyond Age, Gender, and Occupation

Regular physical exercise contributes to marked reductions in psychosocial stress, the enhancing of posi- tive affect and well-being. However, affect can be measured as high (e.g., engaged) or low (e.g., content) activation affect. To ascertain further these interactions, we examined the relationship between exercise frequency (i.e., how often an individual engages in physical activities) and affect and Psychological Well-Being (PWB). We investigate this relationship in the context of individuals’ gender, age, psycho- somatic symptoms (i.e., headaches, pain in shoulders, neck or other parts of the body), sleeping problems, smoking habits, and Body Mass Index (BMI). Moreover, we also investigate if the relationship between exercise frequency and affect differs depending on the dimension of affect (low or high activation). In Study 1 (N = 635), 2 (N = 311), and 3 (N = 135) high activation positive affect (PA) predicted frequently exercising, while high activation negative affect (NA) predicted being less physically active. Moreover, high activation PA was negatively related to smoking habits and to how often the participant had sleeping problems. Finally, the relationship between frequently exercising and high activation affect was still pre- sent when controlling for age, occupation and gender. Moreover, in Study 2, high activation PA remained strongly related to exercise frequency even when we controlled for BMI. In Study 3, frequent physical ac- tivity was also related to PWB. In Study 4, participants (N = 150) self-reported low activation affect. All findings in regard to exercise frequency were replicated, with the exception of the relationship to affect. Psychological resources (i.e., PWB), the frequent experience of PA, together with the infrequent experi- ence of NA may provide for the facilitation of an exercise regime and healthy behavior. Thus, regular physical exercise remains as a health-ensuring necessity over age, gender, and occupation. Nevertheless, high activation positive affect should be in focus. Full Paper Link: http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=18412&utm_campaign=tumblr&utm_medium=lc

#psychology #exercise

Natural Products for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

In the past decade, there has been an increase in the use of natural products in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Several agents, such as guar gum, magnesium, oat bran, blond psyllium, and soy, have shown efficacy for treatment of T2DM. Objective: To review the scientific literature to identify effects of natural products (i.e., dietary supplements) for the treatment of T2DM. Methods: A search of Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database was performed to identify natural products advocated for the treatment of T2DM. Natural products categorized as both “possibly effective” and “likely safe” (guar gum, magnesium, oat bran, blond psyllium, and soy) were selected for review. A MEDLINE (1950-March 2013) literature review was performed. Articles published within the last ten years (January 2003-March 2013) and pertinent articles published prior to 2003 were included in this review. Diabetes prevention studies were not selected for this review. Conclusions: Based on the published information, there is little evidence to support the use of herbal products for the treatment of T2DM. Some agents may be useful as adjunctive therapy; however, patients should be encouraged to speak with their health care practitioner before starting or stopping any herbal products. Full Paper Link: http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=45849&utm_campaign=tumblr&utm_medium=lc

#diabetes #treatment

Heidegger: Being and Time and the Care for the Self

The secret of Being and Time and of its constant cultural and philosophical presence lies in its unusual hermeneutical richness. Being and Time becomes, so to speak, a precise seismometer capable of detecting the slips and falls of the contemporary era with surprising accuracy. It offers us an exact scan of the ethical and moral conscience of our time. Being and Time does not develop a philosophical theory among others, rather it faces the challenge of thoroughly reflecting upon the dilemma that is constantly present in philosophy, namely the question of human being and its relation to being in general. From this point of view, I would like to consider the possibility of reading this fundamental work of Heidegger as an ethics of the care, that is, as book that promotes a cultivation of the self and the other. Full Paper Link: http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=32154&utm_campaign=tumblr&utm_medium=lc

#philosophy #self

Efficiency of microsatellite isolation from orchids via next generation sequencing

Microsatellites, or simple sequence repeats (SSRs), are highly polymorphic, co-dominant genetic markers commonly used for population genetics analyses although de novo development of species specific microsatellites is cost-and time-intensive. Orchidaceae is one of the most species-rich families of angiosperms with more than 30,000 species estimated. Despite its high species-diversity, microsatellites are available only for a few species and all were developed by only using Sanger sequencing methods. For the first time in orchids, we used 454 GS-FLX sequencing to isolate microsatellites in two species (Cypripedium kentuckiense and Pogonia ophioglossoides), and report preliminary results of the study. From 1/16th plate that was subjected to sequencing, 32,665 reads were generated, from which 15,473 fragments contained at least one SSR. We selected 20,697 SSRs representing di-, tri-, and tetra-nucleotides. While 3,674 microsatellites had flanking regions on both sides, useable primer pairs could be designed for 255 SSRs. The mean numbers of reads, SSRs, and SSR-containing reads useful for primer design estimated for other 15 orchid species using Sanger sequencing method were 166, 78 and 31, respectively. Results demonstrate that the efficiency of microsatellite isolation in orchids is substantially higher with 454 GS-FLX sequencing technique in comparison to the Sanger sequencing methods.

Full Paper Link:

http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=26308&utm_campaign=tumblr&utm_medium=lc

#genetics #microsatellite #orchid

Climate change and the conservation of marmots

Conservation of marmots, large ground-dwelling squirrels restricted to the northern hemisphere, was impacted by direct human activity through hunting or modifying ecosystem dynamics. Regulating human activities reduced the threat of extinction. Climate change, an indirect human impact, threatens marmot survival through global warming and extreme weather events. Most marmot species occupy a harsh environment characterized by a short growing season and a long, cold season without food. Marmots cope with seasonality by hibernating. Their large size increases the efficiency of fat accumulation and its use as the sole energy source during hibernation. Marmot physiology is highly adapted to coping with low environmental temperatures; they are stressed by high heat loads. Global warming since the last ice age reduced the geographic distribution of some of the 15 species of marmots. Recent warming resulted in a movement upslope of their lower elevation boundary. This process likely will continue because warming is associated with drier unpalatable vegetation. Drought reduces reproduction and increases mortality; thus decreased summer rainfall in the montane environments where marmots live may cause local extinction. Snow cover, a major environmental factor, is essential to insulate hibernation burrows from low, stressful temperatures. However, prolonged vernal snow cover reduces reproduction and increases mortality. Montane areas currently lacking marmot populations because vernal snow cover persists beyond the time that marmots must begin foraging may become colonized if warming causes earlier snow melt. This benefit will be short-lived because decreased precipitation likely will result in unpalatable vegetation. Although some marmot populations are physiologically adapted to a warmer climate, global warming will increase too rapidly for any significant evolutionary response to dryness. The species that live in high, alpine meadows where tree and shrub invasions occur are most threatened with extinction. Captive breeding can preserve marmot species in the shortrun, but is impractical over the long-term. Widespread species are unlikely to be endangered in the foreseeable future, but local, low elevation populations will be lost. Full Paper Link: http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=32011&utm_campaign=tumblr&utm_medium=lc

#climate change #conservation #marmots

State of Air Quality in Malawi

Air pollution in Malawi is recognized as one of the key environmental issues. Out of nine key issues it is ranked eighth on priority issues. This has led to lagging behind in terms of research and reporting on the issue. However, the Malawi Government has made strides in implementing policies, acts and programs that are directly or indirectly concerned with the improvement and abatement of air quality to meet the millennium development goals (MDGs) especially goal number 7. The inventories and studies show that air quality in Malawi is still good, but future anticipated air quality problems are cause for worry such as impact on human health, global climate change and ozone depletion. Trends in consumption of ozone depleting substances (ODS) show a remarkable drive towards total reduction. Emissions standards are in place in line with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Recommendations on how to deal with air quality issues have been proposed in the national state of environmental report (NSOER) in that: 1) there is a need for an operational framework for climate change programs in Malawi and; 2) there is a need to unify climate change policies dealing with enforcement of ODS phasing out, alternative energy sources, emissions from vehicles and industries, and institutional and human resource capacity.

Full Paper Link:

http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=40195&utm_campaign=tumblr&utm_medium=lc

#air pollution #quality

Tumor Resistance to Molecularly Targeted Agents

Despite the development of new targeted cancer therapies, primary and secondary tumors continue to be a leading cause of suffering and mortality worldwide. The complexity and heterogeneity of malignancies ultimately result in tumor resistance to therapies, such as EGFR inhibitiors, anti-angiogenesis agents, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors. An example of targeted therapies for renal cell carcinoma is presented, including the SAE profile and efficacy of 6 targeted agents. Although survival is improved, resistance and an increased side effect profile diminish the benefits of these agents. New agents are needed which are pathway independent and which can overcome tumor resistance without adding to the side effect profile of current therapies. Full Paper Link: http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=5809&utm_campaign=tumblr&utm_medium=lc

#cancer #therapy

Language Genesis

Language is a specifically human mental function, although some neurobiological adaptations associated with communication can be found in other primates, in other mammalian orders, and even in other kinds of animals (evolutionary trend). Exposure to language is necessary for its acquisition (culture), there are specific alleles of some genes for human language (gene), and the brain circuits for language are mainly lateralized towards the left hemisphere (brain lateralization). However, some data suggest that the crucial factor for human verbal language, which originates in childhood in both, ontogeny and phylogeny, must be of motivational nature, and have at least the same importance as other genetic, brain or cultural factors. So, this article proposes that language was promoted by the building of love, and that it was maintained by hominid women as proto-language during some hundreds of thousands years through the maternal-filial interaction, until the first permanent settlements of the current human species, between 40,000-10,000 years ago. Also, that it was then when the woman transmitted speech to the man (it is further suggested that this may have been the Original Sin of the biblical Genesis), signalizing this transmission with the beginning of the symbolic thought, thus promoting the first artistic displays, like sculptures, painting or music, which were associated with the expansion of love and speech to the relationship between the sexes, with the consequent diversification of languages, mainly in the last 10,000 to 5,000 years. Love caused and causes human speech in both, phylogeny and ontogeny. Full Paper Link: http://www.scirp.org/Journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=55222&utm_campaign=tumblr&utm_medium=lc

#anthorology #language

Fair Plan 6: Quo Vadis the 80%-Emission-Reduction-By-2050 Plan?

In our Fair Plan 5 paper, we compared the CO2 emissions of the 80%-Emission-Reduction-By-2050 (80/50) Plan with the CO2 emissions of our Fair Plan to Safeguard Earth’s Climate. We found that the 80/50 Plan reduced CO2 emissions more rapidly than necessary to achieve the principal objective of the Fair Plan: to keep Global Warming (GW) within the 2℃ (3.6℉) limit adopted by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) “to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system”. Here, we ask the “What If” question: “What would the GW of the 80/50 Plan be post 2100 if its CO2 emissions post 2100 were kept at their 2100 value?” We find that although the GW of the 80/50 Plan decreases slightly over part of the 21st century, it does not remain constant thereafter. Rather, the GW of the 80/50 Plan begins to increase in 2088, exceeds that of the Fair Plan beginning in 2230, exceeds the 2℃ (3.6℉) limit of the UNFCCC in 2596, and ends the millennium at 2.7℃ (4.8℉). Thus, not only does the 80/50 Plan phase out humanity’s CO2 emissions faster than necessary to fulfill the UNFCCC constraint, it also fails that constraint if its CO2 emissions post 2100 are kept at their 2100 value. Accordingly, we believe that the Fair Plan to Safeguard Earth’s Climate is superior to the 80/50 Plan. Full Paper Link: http://www.scirp.org/Journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=56032&utm_campaign=tumblr&utm_medium=lc

#climate change #global warming

Combined Ang-2 and VEGF Targeting Therapies in Renal Cell Carcinoma

Angiogenesis, the growth of new vessels from pre-existing ones, is an important feature of tumor growth that has been exploited as a therapeutic target in oncology. Given its key role in facilitating blood vessel sprouting, VEGF has been a major focus of anti-angiogenic strategies, but the observation of resistance in some clinical trials utilizing such agents has led to a search for new or complementary targets in angiogenesis process. The Angiopoietin/Tie2 pathway and in particular the Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) ligand which is critically involved in the destabilization of normal vasculature, has been identified as one such target. The current study investigated the potential benefits of combining an Ang-2 targeted therapy with small molecule VEGF targeted agents (Sunitinib, Cediranib) in a human renal cell carcinoma model. The results showed that while both Ang-2 and VEGF interference on their own impaired tumor growth and new blood vessel formation, the combination of agents that targeted both pathways resulted in significantly superior anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic effects. Full Paper Link: http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=37424&utm_campaign=tumblr&utm_medium=lc

#cancer #renal #therapy

Antioxidant Activity of Grape Stems (Vitis vinifera). A Preliminary Assessment of Crude Extracts

The antioxidant activity of 80% ethanol and 70% acetone extracts of stems from red and white grapes (Vitis vinifera) used in wine industry were evaluated to determine their feasibility as natural antioxidants. The results showed that all grape stem extracts were rich in total polyphenolic compounds and flavanols and had clear antioxidant activities. The free radical-scavenging capacity of the extracts was determined using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) method. The extracts obtained from red grape stem present EC50 values of 0.14 g dm/g DPPH (acetone extract) and 0.20 g dm/g DPPH (ethanol extract) while the extracts obtained from white grape stem present EC50 values of 0.26 g dm/g DPPH (acetone extract) and 0.37 g dm/g DPPH (ethanol extract). There are significant correlations between the total content of polyphenols and the antioxidant activity (R2 = 0.9352) and between the flavanols content and the antioxidant activity (R2 = 0.9404) of the grape stem extracts obtained. Full Paper Link: http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=18495&utm_campaign=tumblr&utm_medium=lc

#nutrition #grape

Study on the Recycling and Treatment of WEEE in China

This paper investigates the regulations, recycling and treatment of WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) in China. An online survey about Chinese households’ treatment of WEEE is conducted. Optimization models are used to compare the performances of WEEE treatment in two different recycling networks. In the first network, WEEE is collected and sent by recycling stations to licensed WEEE recycling and treatment centers for testing and dismantling. In the second network, WEEE are tested and dismantled at small recycling workshops in residential districts, and then parts/components that require further processing are sent to licensed WEEE recycling and treatment centers. The performances of the two networks are analyzed with linear programming models. The results indicate that the second model is more effective with lower cost and higher recycling efficiency. Full Paper Link: http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=22410&utm_campaign=tumblr&utm_medium=lc

#environment #weee #recycling

UAV Thermal Infrared Remote Sensing of an Italian Mud Volcano

Extreme environments like active volcanoes exhibit many difficulties in being studied by in situ techniques. For example, during eruptions, summit areas are very hard to be accessed because of logistics problems and/or volcanic hazards. The use of remote sensing techniques in the last 20 years by satellite or airborne platforms has proven their capabilities in mapping and monitoring the evolution of volcanic activity. This approach has become increasingly important, as much interest is actually focused on understanding precursory signals to volcanic eruptions. In this work we verify the use of cutting-edge technology like unmanned flying system thermally equipped for volcanic applications. We present the results of a flight test performed by INGV in collaboration with the University of Bologna (Aerospace Division) by using a multi-rotor aircraft in a hexacopter configuration. The experiment was realized in radio controlled mode to overcome many regulation problems which, especially in Italy, limit the use of this system in autonomous mode. The overall goal was not only qualitative but also quantitative oriented. The system flew above an Italian mud volcano, named Le Salinelle, located on the lower South West flank of Mt. Etna volcano, which was chosen as representative site, providing not only a discrimination between hot and cold areas, but also the corresponding temperature values. The in-flight measurements have been cross-validated with contemporaneous in-situ acquisition of thermal data and from independent measurements of mud/water temperature. Full Paper Link: http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=41248&utm_campaign=tumblr&utm_medium=lc

#remote sensing #volcano

Effects of Anesthesia on Effective Connectivity in the Brain

The brain constitutes a formidably complicated structural network. There are three main types of connectivity used to describe neuronal networks, which reflect three parallel levels of investigation: anatomical connectivity, functional connectivity and effective connectivity. Effective connectivity indicates the direct influence that a node exerts on another, and in the context of neuronal circuits, a causal relationship between the activities of two nodes. Since its definition, effective connectivity analysis has been used to describe causal relationship across multiple spatial scales in PET imaging, fMRI, electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG), single-unit, and local field potential. There are diverse literatures which probe the anesthetized state using effective connectivity analysis over the past two decades. The examination of effective connectivity in the anesthetized state is of relevance to both anesthesiologists and neuroscientists, as it has the potential to elucidate still unclear mechanisms of anesthesia while offering insight into intrinsic functional activity in the brain. The present review attempts to examine, elucidate, and integrate the insight that effective connectivity analysis of the anesthetized state has generated thus far. Full Paper Link: http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=56040&utm_campaign=tumblr&utm_medium=lc

#neuroscience #anesthesia #barin

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