Macroalgae for an increasing organic market

The production and consumption of organic food has steadily increased since 1985. It has been given political priority in several Nordic countries. Today, macroalgae play an innovative role in The New Nordic Cuisine: content of the macroalgae make them attractive for consumers concerned about food origin and content. Often these attentive consumers also relate to the organic market

Seaweed - a resource for organic farming

Traditionally, coastal communities worldwide have been using drift seaweed as soil amendment. The fertilizing effect of composted seaweed is dependent on their biochemical composition, mineralization pattern and the synchronization of nutrients with the crops' demand. Seaweed is commercially available, and considered as a resource for organic farming

Integration of an Informatics System in a High Throughput Experimentation. Description of a Global Framework Illustrated Through Several Examples.

International audienceHigh Throughput Experimentation (HTE) is a rapidly expanding field. However, the productivity gains obtained via the synthesis or parallel testing of catalysts may be lost due to poor data management (numerous manual inputs, information difficult to access, etc.). A global framework has then been developed. It includes the HTE pilot plants in the global information system. It produces dedicated computer tools offering spectacular time savings in the operation of HTE units, information storage and rapid extraction of relevant information. To optimize the productivity of engineers, Excel has been included in the system by adding specific features in order to treat it as an industrial tool (development of additional modules, update of modules, etc.). The success obtained by setting up the information system is largely due to the chosen development method. An Agile method (Agile Alliance (2012) http://www.agilealliance.org/the-alliance/)[1] was chosen since close collaboration between the computer specialists and the chemist engineers is essential. Rather than a global and precise description of the framework which might be boring and tedious, the global framework is presented through 3 examples: - scheduling experiments applied to zeolite synthesis; - data management (storage and access); - real application to pilot plant: dedicated interfaces to pilot and supervise HTE pilot plants, comparison of tests runs coming from several pilot plants

Enhanced thermal stability of high-bismuth borate glasses by addition of iron

Glasses with nominal molar composition 20B2O3 – (80-x)Bi2O3 – xFe2O3 (where x = 0–40) were successfully prepared by melt-quenching. These glasses were characterised by multiple techniques including density, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-Ray fluorescence (XRF), Raman, FT-IR and Mössbauer spectroscopies, dilatometry and differential thermal analysis (DTA). Partial replacement of Bi2O3 by Fe2O3 leads to decreasing density and molar volume and a substantial increase in thermal stability, as measured by several parameters, with maximum improvements achieved when x = 10-20. These improvements are accompanied by modest increases in dilatometric softening point. FT-IR and Raman spectra confirm the presence of BO3 and BiO6 structural units in all glasses, with glass structure apparently little affected by Fe2O3. Mössbauer spectroscopy confirms that iron is present partly as 4-fold coordinated Fe3+ in all glasses, with some 5- and / or 6- coordinated Fe3+ sites also present

Seaweed extracts as antimicrobial agents in aquaculture

Author's accepted version (post-print).The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10811-014-0506-0.In the last 20 years, there has been an increasing interest in using various seaweed extracts as prophylactic and/or therapeutic agents in aquaculture. Up until now, most studies on the direct antimicrobial effect of seaweeds have taken place in various parts of Asia, particularly in India. All groups of seaweeds exhibit significant antimicrobial properties against many infectious agents of fish and shrimp, but the genera that appear to exhibit a broader range of antibacterial properties are Asparagopsis spp. (red seaweed) and Sargassum spp. (brown seaweed). The activity can be affected by many factors and the method of extraction is one of the most important ones, as the extracts that are produced using organic solvents appear more efficient. In fish, almost all published information on bacterial pathogens comes from in vitro screenings, where extracts of different seaweed species were tested against many bacterial species. On the other hand, in shrimp, the studies have been focusing on the antimicrobial effects of seaweed extracts mainly against many Vibrio species. Regarding the viral pathogens, in fish, there is only one published study on fish viruses (IHNV and IPNV), while in shrimp there are many studies on WSSV. There are only two published studies on fish parasites (Ichthyophonus hoferi and Neobendenia spp.) and no studies on pathogenic fish and shrimp fungi. Interestingly, there are no published studies on salmons and carps, the main fish species that are extensively farmed. When the antimicrobial properties were studied in vivo, the seaweed extracts were either incorporated directly in the feeds (dry or live) or added directly into the water in which the fish and shrimp were reared. In the last case, the water-soluble antimicrobial seaweed substances affected the communication between the bacterial pathogens, rather than their growth. The development of parasites was also affected. In addition, one study indicated that short-term immersion of shrimp in seaweed extracts appeared to have a therapeutic effect against Vibrio parahaemolyticus. On the other hand, incorporation of the extracts into the feeds appeared to be an effective delivery method for the prevention and treatment of different infectious diseases. Up until now, there are no complete studies on the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of seaweed extracts in fish or shrimp. However, the findings indicate that they can reduce the bacterial load within the tissues. Another issue that has not been examined yet is the applicability of using these extracts on a commercial scale. Currently, the increased extraction cost inhibits the extensive use of these extracts. Other methodologies, such the production of synthetic analogues with similar properties, may decrease the production cost. Based on the published studies, seaweed extracts exhibit promising antimicrobial properties, but further research is needed before the complete potential of seaweed extracts is assessed

Serous cystic neoplasm of the pancreas: A multinational study of 2622 patients under the auspices of the International Association of Pancreatology and European Pancreatic Club (European Study Group on Cystic Tumors of the Pancreas)

OBJECTIVES: Serous cystic neoplasm (SCN) is a cystic neoplasm of the pancreas whose natural history is poorly known. The purpose of the study was to attempt to describe the natural history of SCN, including the specific mortality. DESIGN: Retrospective multinational study including SCN diagnosed between 1990 and 2014. RESULTS: 2622 patients were included. Seventy-four per cent were women, and median age at diagnosis was 58\u2005years (16-99). Patients presented with non-specific abdominal pain (27%), pancreaticobiliary symptoms (9%), diabetes mellitus (5%), other symptoms (4%) and/or were asymptomatic (61%). Fifty-two per cent of patients were operated on during the first year after diagnosis (median size: 40\u2005mm (2-200)), 9% had resection beyond 1\u2005year of follow-up (3\u2005years (1-20), size at diagnosis: 25\u2005mm (4-140)) and 39% had no surgery (3.6\u2005years (1-23), 25.5\u2005mm (1-200)). Surgical indications were (not exclusive) uncertain diagnosis (60%), symptoms (23%), size increase (12%), large size (6%) and adjacent organ compression (5%). In patients followed beyond 1\u2005year (n=1271), size increased in 37% (growth rate: 4\u2005mm/year), was stable in 57% and decreased in 6%. Three serous cystadenocarcinomas were recorded. Postoperative mortality was 0.6% (n=10), and SCN's related mortality was 0.1% (n=1). CONCLUSIONS: After a 3-year follow-up, clinical relevant symptoms occurred in a very small proportion of patients and size slowly increased in less than half. Surgical treatment should be proposed only for diagnosis remaining uncertain after complete workup, significant and related symptoms or exceptionally when exists concern with malignancy. This study supports an initial conservative management in the majority of patients with SCN

Os efeitos da realidade virtual no equilíbrio em utentes com doença de Parkinson: uma revisão bibliográfica

Projeto de Graduação apresentado à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Licenciada em FisioterapiaNos últimos anos, a realidade virtual (RV) tornou-se uma nova ferramenta terapêutica na reabilitação dos distúrbios do equilíbrio na doença de Parkinson. Objetivo: verificar os efeitos da realidade virtual no equilíbrio em utentes com a doença de Parkinson. Metodologia: Para formular o tema de investigação, foi utilizado o método PICO de Paciente Intervenção Comparação Outcome. Foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica nas bases de dados Pubmed, PEDro, LILACS e Science Direct. A pesquisa foi efetuada através das seguintes palavras-chave: parkinson 's disease, Parkinson, virtual reality e balance training com recurso aos operadores da lógica (AND e OR). A qualidade metodológica foi analisada através da escala de PEDro Physiotherapy Evidence Database Scoring Scale. Resultados: Foram incluídos 6 estudos com uma classificação media de 5.83 na classificação de PEDro, num total de 156 participantes. Conclusão: A técnica de realidade virtual parece ter uma influência positiva na reabilitação do equilíbrio em utentes com doença de Parkinson.In recent years, virtual reality (VR) has become a new therapeutic tool in the rehabilitation of balance disorders in Parkinson's disease. Objective : verify the effects of virtual reality on balance in patients with Parkinson's disease. Metodology : To formulate the research topic, the PICO (Patient Intervention Comparison Outcome) method was used. A bibliographical search was conducted in the databases Pubmed, PEDro, LILACS e Science Direct. The search was performed using the following keywords : parkinson 's disease, Parkinson, virtual reality e balance training using the operators of logic (AND and OR). Methodological quality was analysed using the PEDro Physiotherapy Evidence Database Scoring Scale. Results: Six studies with a median PEDro score of 5.83 were included, with a total of 156 participants. Conclusion: The virtual reality technique seems to have a positive influence on balance rehabilitation in patients with Parkinson's disease.N/

Film documentaire en bibliothèque publique : quel avenir ? (Le)

Mémoire de fin d\u27étude du diplôme de conservateur, promotion 22 portant sur la place de la vidéo documentaire dans la politique culturelle des bibliothèques publiques à l\u27heure du numérique

Comparing the primary energy and phosphorus consumption of soybean and seaweed-based aquafeed proteins – A material and substance flow analysis

This study compares the environmental performances of two protein sources for aquafeed production: Brazilian soy protein and Norwegian seaweed protein concentrates. The efficiency and sustainability of these two production systems are assessed using a comparative material and substance flow analysis accounting for the transfers of primary energy and phosphorus. The primary energy and phosphorus demand of 1 t of soy protein concentrate is compared to 2 t seaweed protein concentrate to assess commodities with similar protein contents. The primary energy consumption of the latter protein source (172,133 MJ) is found 11.68 times larger than for the soy-based concentrate (14,733 MJ). However, the seaweed protein energy requirement can be reduced to 34,010 MJ if secondary heat from a local waste incineration plant is used to dry the biomass during the late-spring harvest. The seaweed system outperformed the soy system regarding mineral phosphorus consumption since 1 t of soy protein requires 25.75 kg mineral phosphorus while 2 t of seaweed protein require as little as 0.008 kg input. These results indicate that substituting soy protein with seaweed protein in aquafeed leads to an environmental trade-off. The seaweed value chain produces proteins with near zero mineral phosphorus consumption by using naturally occurring marine phosphorus while the soy value-chain produces proteins for roughly 1/12th of the primary energy required by seaweed. Based on the current production technology, the seaweed value-chain will require extensive innovation and economies of scale to become energy competitive. Further research should investigate the predictive environmental impacts of a fully developed seaweed protein concentrate value-chain and account for the background emissions and multi-functionality in each system.acceptedVersion© 2018. This is the authors’ accepted and refereed manuscript to the article. Locked until 30.7.2020 due to copyright restrictions. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0

Iodine content in bulk biomass of wild-harvested and cultivated edible seaweeds: Inherent variations determine species-specific daily allowable consumption

This study represents a large-scale investigation into iodine contents in three commercially important and edible seaweed species from the North Atlantic: the brown algae Saccharina latissima and Alaria esculenta, and the red alga Palmaria palmata. Variability among and within species were explored in terms of temporal and spatial variations in addition to biomass source. Mean iodine concentration in bulk seaweed biomass was speciesspecific: Saccharina > Alaria > Palmaria. Iodine contents of Saccharina biomass were similar between years and seasons, but varied significantly between sampling locations and biomass sources. In Alaria and Palmaria, none of the independent variables examined contributed significantly to the small variations observed. Our data suggest that all three species are rich sources of iodine, and only 32, 283, or 2149 mg dry weight of unprocessed dry biomass of Saccharina, Alaria, or Palmaria, respectively, meets the recommended daily intake levels for most healthy humans.publishedVersio