Lab-made biosilica (SiO) nanoparticles were obtained from waste biomass (rice husks) and used as eco-friendly fillers in the production of nickel matrix composite films via the co-electrodeposition technique. The produced biosilica nanoparticles were characterized using XRD, FTIR, and FE-SEM/EDS. Amorphous nano-sized biosilica particles with a high SiO content were obtained.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicroorganisms are present everywhere and can influence a variety of processes. In agriculture and husbandry, the level of microbial activity can be crucial information, yet the methods for determining microbial activity are usually very long, complex, and costly. In this work, a novel and easy-to-use method, already in use for determining soil microbial activity, named Fertimetro was tested as a fast and cheap solution for measuring microbial activity in silages, in vitro rumen fluids, and manure and slurry.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Weeds represent a great constraint for agricultural production due to their remarkable adaptability and their ability to compete with crops. Climate change exacerbates the abiotic stresses that plants encounter. Therefore, studying plant responses to adverse conditions is extremely important.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis work highlights the potential for the synthesis of new PtSnZn catalysts with enhanced efficiency and durability for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) in low-temperature fuel cells. In this research, PtZn and PtSnZn nanoparticles deposited on high surface area Vulcan XC-72R Carbon support were created by a microwave-assisted polyol method. The electrochemical performances of synthesized catalysts were analyzed by cyclic voltammetry and by the electrooxidation of adsorbed CO and the chronoamperometric method.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Medical emergencies and on-going medical conditions on board may seriously impair seafarers' health and safety, and also negatively impact on future work prospects for seafarers. When a seafarer gets ill or injured on a ship, medical treatment often relies on the competences on his colleagues on board. The aim of this project was to establish a consensus-based minimum standard for medical education for seafarers, in order to ensure competency for adequate management of ill-health on board.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWeeds can be one of the most severe threats to crop production, especially when they are widespread and highly adaptable. Part of the adaptive strategy of plants is the ability to germinate in different conditions. Germination is the first developmental phase of plant life and is fundamental for its establishment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFField management practices can alter the physical and chemical properties of the soil, also causing changes to the seed bank. Alterations can also occur to the soil microbial community, which in turn can increase or diminish the process of weed seed decay. In this research, the issue of seed degradation was studied in an undisturbed and a no-till soil, trying not only to uncover where seeds are more degraded, but also to investigate the microbial activities that could be involved in this process.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe safety and health of sailors offshore is of major concern. World Sailing (WS) and International Maritime Health Association (IMHA) are taking seriously the potential dangers to the safety and health at sea. By the nature of their sport, the sailors racing in offshore racing environment can be exposed to injuries and other health problems that can endanger their lives.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: European Higher Education institutions are expected to adopt a three-cycle system of Bachelor, Master and Doctor degrees as part of the Bologna Process. Tuning methodology was previously used by the MEDINE Thematic Network to gain consensus on core learning outcomes (LO) for primary medical degrees (Master of Medicine) across Europe.
Aims: The current study, undertaken by the MEDINE2 Thematic Network, sought to explore stakeholder opinions on core LO for Bachelor of Medicine degrees.
Background: Piracy has been threatening international sea trade and creating risk for crews and passengers worldwide. The problem is largely confined to the Somalia coast, West Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia. The targets are merchant ships, cruising yachts, and passenger ships with several thousand people on board.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSeafaring as an occupation possesses a special blend of conditions that is strongly influencing the spread of HIV and is making prevention programs difficult to succeed. Actual prevention programs in the shipping industry are not showing success. Social partners are in a unique position to promote prevention efforts, particularly in relation to changing attitudes and behaviours through the provision of information and education, and in addressing socio-economic factors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground/aim: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of periodontal tissues with consequential is bone loss as a result of host immunological reactions caused by periopathogens. The aim of the study was to investigate if there is a correlation between clinical parameters and the presence of two most aggressive periopathogens (Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans--Aa and Porphyromonas gingivalis--Pg) in patients with progressive periodontal lesions.
Methods: A total of 34 systemic healthy people, 23 to 70 years old, were included in the study.
Aviat Space Environ Med
February 2009
Introduction: Members of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) use various criteria to control flight crew scheduling and rest periods with the intention of reducing fatigue and thus improving airline safety. Comparison of these rules across nations may allow future harmonization of the criteria.
Methods: The regulations of 10 ICAO member states were compiled to determine the factors used by each to control scheduling.
Objective: To investigate the clinical and bacteriological efficacy of 5- and 7-day pefloxacin therapy in patients with acute infectious diarrhoea.
Patients And Study Design: Eighty-two adult patients with acute infectious diarrhoea were randomly divided into three groups: group 1 (n = 20) received 5 days of treatment with pefloxacin, group 2 (n = 27) was assigned to a 7-day pefloxacin protocol, and group 3 (n = 35) was treated symptomatically. The daily dose of pefloxacin was 400mg orally.
Background: Developments of new, ultra-light diagnostic ultrasound systems (UTS) and modern satellite telecommunication networks are opening new potential applications for diagnostic sonography. One such area is maritime medicine. It is our belief that ship officers can be trained to use diagnostic ultrasound systems with the aim to generate ultrasound images of sufficient quality to be interpreted by medical professionals qualified to read sonograms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Seafaring is a global profession and seafarers have their second home on board and live there for several months at a time.
Aim: To assess self-rated health status and the main characteristics of seafarers' working conditions.
Methods: Questionnaire study concerning the most recent tour of duty.