Influence of SiO2 Nanoparticles Extracted from Biomass on the Properties of Electrodeposited Ni Matrix Composite Films on Si(100) Substrate.

Lab-made biosilica (SiO2) 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 SiO2 content were obtained. Various current regimes of electrodeposition, such as direct current (DC), pulsating current (PC), and reversing current (RC) regimes, were applied for the fabrication of Ni and Ni/SiO2 films from a sulfamate electrolyte. Ni films electrodeposited with or without 1.0 wt.% biosilica nanoparticles in the electrolyte were characterized using FE-SEM/EDS (morphology/elemental analyses, roundness), AFM (roughness), Vickers microindentation (microhardness), and sheet resistance. Due to the incorporation of SiO2 nanoparticles, the Ni/SiO2 films were coarser than those obtained from the pure sulfamate electrolyte. The addition of SiO2 to the sulfamate electrolyte also caused an increase in the roughness and electrical conductivity of the Ni films. The surface roughness values of the Ni/SiO2 films were approximately 44.0%, 48.8%, and 68.3% larger than those obtained for the pure Ni films produced using the DC, PC, and RC regimes, respectively. The microhardness of the Ni and Ni/SiO2 films was assessed using the Chen-Gao (C-G) composite hardness model, and it was shown that the obtained Ni/SiO2 films had a higher hardness than the pure Ni films. Depending on the applied electrodeposition regime, the hardness of the Ni films increased from 29.1% for the Ni/SiO2 films obtained using the PC regime to 95.5% for those obtained using the RC regime, reaching the maximal value of 6.880 GPa for the Ni/SiO2 films produced using the RC regime.

Method to evaluate the microbial degradation activity in silage, cow rumen with in vitro test, and in manure and slurry.

Microorganisms 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. The method was adjusted for the specific conditions of the new testing environments. The results indicate that this method is adequate for measuring cellulolytic microbial activity in vitro rumen fluids, with a coefficient of repeatability (RT%) 92.2 at 24 h and 87.5 at 48 h, and also for cellulolytic microbial activity measures in manure RT% 39.0. While, due to the specific conditions in silages and slurry, this method is less adequate for measuring cellulolytic microbial activity in these environments. This work demonstrates that Fertimetro method can be used in different environments as an easy and cheaper alternative for measuring microbial activity, especially if the interest is only in quantifying the microbial activity and not in knowing the microbial species.1.Fertimetro is an easy-to-use and not costly method to evaluate microbial activity in different environments.2.This method is very adequate for measuring cellulolytic microbial activity in vitro rumen fluids and manure.

Effects of the salinity-temperature interaction on seed germination and early seedling development: a comparative study of crop and weed species.

BACKGROUND: 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. Here, the response to saline stress at different temperatures of three weed species (Chenopodium album, Echinochloa crus-galli and Portulaca oleracea) and three crops (maize, soybean and rice) was investigated. RESULTS: The germination percentage of soybean notably decreased as salinity and low temperatures increased. In contrast, maize and rice consistently maintained a high germination percentage, particularly when subjected to low salinity levels. Regarding weed species, the germination percentage of C. album was not significantly affected by salinity, but it decreased in E. crus-galli and P. oleracea with increasing salinity. The mean germination time for all species increased with salinity, especially at lower temperatures. This effect was most pronounced for soybean and E. crus-galli. C. album exhibited significant reduction in stem growth with high salinity and high temperatures, while in E. crus-galli stem growth was less reduced under similar conditions. CONCLUSION: This study showed that successful germination under saline stress did not ensure successful early development and emphasizes the species-specific nature of the temperature-salinity interaction, perhaps influenced by intraspecific variability. Increasing salinity levels negatively impacted germination and seedling growth in most species, yet higher temperatures partially alleviated these effects.

Design of Pt-Sn-Zn Nanomaterials for Successful Methanol Electrooxidation Reaction.

This 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. The physicochemical properties of obtained catalysts were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric (TGA) analysis, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The obtained findings showed the successful synthesis of platinum-based catalysts. It was established that PtSnZn/C and PtZn/C catalysts have high electrocatalytic performance in methanol oxidation reactions. Catalysts stability tests were obtained by chronoamperometry. Stability tests also confirmed decreased poisoning and indicated improved stability and better tolerance to CO-like intermediate species. According to activity and stability measurements, the PtSnZn/C catalyst possesses the best electrochemical properties for the methanol oxidation reaction. The observed great electrocatalytic activity in the methanol oxidation reaction of synthesized catalysts can be attributed to the beneficial effects of microwave synthesis and the well-balanced addition of alloying metals in PtSnZn/C catalysts.

Medical training of seafarers: International Maritime Health Foundation (IMHF) Expert Panel Consensus Statement.

BACKGROUND: 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. MATERIALS AND METHODS: International Maritime Health Foundation (IMHF) conducted a workshop on medical training of seafarers. A research-based approach to gain consensus on core learning outcomes/competences developed by the Tuning Project, has been used. This method was used by Tuning (Medicine) to gain consensus on core learning outcomes for primary medical degrees (Master of Medicine) across Europe. RESULTS: The result of the project is a set of learning outcomes/competences in medical training for merchant seafarers. CONCLUSIONS: The project resulted in a set of learning outcomes/competences on medical training of the seafarers that will be submitted to the relevant bodies of International Maritime Organization (IMO) in the process of the development of model courses 1.13, 1.14 and 1.15.

Germination Response of Datura stramonium L. to Different pH and Salinity Levels under Different Temperature Conditions.

Weeds 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. In this work, the germination of two populations of Datura stramonium L. at two different sites in Croatia (one cropped, the other non-agricultural) was tested under a wide range of salinity stress, 4, 8, 12, and 16 dS/m, and pH stress, values 1-9, at two temperature ranges of 15-25 °C and 18-30 °C. The results show that this species can tolerate high salinity, with a high number of seeds germinating, even under the highest level of saline stress and especially at higher temperatures: 21.7% of seeds germinated at 15-25 °C and 51.2% at 18-30 °C. D. stramonium also appears to be quite acid tolerant, with a significant reduction in germination only at pH 2, and no germination only at pH 1. Germination was always higher at higher temperatures, independently of abiotic stress. Although there were some differences between the two populations in the final germination percentages, they were similar in their responses to the abiotic stresses.

Weed Seed Decay in No-Till Field and Planted Riparian Buffer Zone.

Field 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. Six different weed species, commonly found in northern Italy, were used: Abutilon theopharsti, Alopecurus myosuroides, Amaranthus retroflexus, Digitaria sanguinalis, Portulaca oleracea and Sorghum halepense. Seed decay was tested in two different sites, a no-till field and the adjacent buffer zone. Soil microbial activity was also measured using the Fertimetro, an approach based on the degradation of cotton and silk threads buried in the soil for one week. Degradation of the buried seeds was higher in the no-till field soil than in the buffer strip for all the studied species as was the microbial cellulolytic activity. Even though the buffer strip soil is an undisturbed habitat and resulted as having higher organic matter, the no-till soil conditions appeared more unfavourable to seed viability. Our findings suggest that no-till management can improve weed seed suppression in the soil. Moreover, cellulolytic microorganisms play an important role in seedbank longevity, so cellulolytic activity surveys could be used as an early monitoring bioindicator for weed seed suppression in soil.

A Medical Support in Offshore Racing - Workshop on Medical Support for Offshore Yacht Races, Telemedical Advice Service (TMAS), 1-2 December 2018, London, United Kingdom.

The 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. Being aware of the potential dangers caused by the distance from onshore health facilities and lack of professional help on board, IMHA and WS decided to support the activities that are leading to the enhancement of safety and health protection on board. With common initiative, joint Workgroup on Medical Support in Offshore Racing has been formed and the series of workshop organised. The WS/IMHA Workgroup on Medical Support for Offshore Yacht Races previously reached consensus on the common competences and learning outcomes for medical training for offshore racing. In addition, the Workgroup has also set standards for required medical kit inventory for yachts par- ticipating in the various categories of offshore yacht races. Documents were both approved by WS Medical Commission and the IMHA Board. Fourth workshop on Medical Support for Offshore Yacht Races was held in London, United Kingdom, 1-2 December 2018 and workgroup reached consensus on the standards for availability of Telemedical Advice Services (TMAS) for the various categories of offshore yacht races held under the authority of WS. This position paper sets out how the TMAS should be integrated with the practical usage of medicines and medical equipment on board offshore racing yachts. In addition, this position paper also sets out how the level of medical training integrates with appropriate use of the TMAS. Overall, the three WS/IMHA position papers on the triad of medical inventories, medical training and TMAS, are aimed at providing the best possible medical care on offshore racing yachts, by fully integrating each part of the triad of medical support.

A Medical Support in Offshore Racing - Workshop on Medical Kit Inventory in Offshore Yacht Racing, 12-13 May 2017, Lorient, France.

No abstract.

Report of the MEDINE2 Bachelor of Medicine (Bologna First Cycle) tuning project.

BACKGROUND: 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. METHOD: Key stakeholders were invited to indicate, on a Likert scale, to what extent they thought students should have achieved each of the Master of Medicine LO upon successful completion of the first three years of university education in medicine (Bachelor of Medicine). RESULTS: There were 560 responses to the online survey, representing medical students, academics, graduates, employers, patients, and virtually all EU countries. There was broad consensus between respondents that all LO previously defined for primary medical degrees should be achieved to some extent by the end of the first three years. CONCLUSIONS: The findings promote integration of undergraduate medical curricula, and also offer a common framework and terminology for discussing what a European Bachelor of Medicine graduate can and cannot do, promoting mobility, graduate employability and patient safety.

Piracy on the high seas-threats to travelers' health.

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. Such attacks can result in loss of lives, short- and long-term health problems, and can further be complicated by the consequences of hostage situations on shore. The purpose of this article is to present the problem of piracy, its relevance to the field of travel medicine, and help travel medicine practitioners to deal with its specifics before, during, and after attack. METHODS: Comprehensive literature research was done and published data from 2002 until 2012 from the International Chamber of Commerce specialized division-International Maritime Bureau (IMB)-on 3,806 attacks and 7,635 incidents involving human victims are analyzed. Available occupational health data in merchant marine and epidemiological data acquired on board cruise ships were used to estimate the health risks. RESULTS: From 2002 until 2012, 3,806 ships were attacked including 82 yachts and 13 passenger ships. A number of reported piracy attacks worldwide continued to threaten security and lives on sea. In 2012, 297 incidents of piracy and armed robbery were reported, a total of 585 crew members were taken hostage, 26 kidnapped, and 6 killed as a direct result of the incident.(1) CONCLUSION: The risk of being injured or killed by pirates on board cruise ships is actually very low. Piracy on the world's seas is in decline and remains a reasonably localized issue. While this improvement is a result of continued efforts of international naval forces, that protection is only partial and fails to suppress piracy completely. Piracy still presents significant threat to international travel, and future involvement of travel medicine practitioners in providing advice to travelers to piracy regions or victims of piracy is expected.

AIDS prophylaxis--achievements due to appropriate strategies.

Seafaring 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. Together with major international organizations they have created an initiative named "Global Partnership on HIV and Mobile Workers in the Maritime Sector", designed to be a project that is realistic, achievable, and focused on prevention among seafarers whose sustainability will be created through linking organizations with a long-term commitment and integration in the lives of seafarers with intergovernmental organizations. This new global prevention programme aims to address this challenge by making a series of interventions along the route of their migration. The identified problems of HIV prevention in the shipping industry addressed in its design are presented together with its structure and aims.

[Association between clinical parameters and the presence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis in patients with progressive periodontal lesions].

BACKGROUND/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. The patients were clinically and radiologically examined, and after that, the representative pocket with greatest pocket depth was chosen and the sample was collected from that place. The measured clinic parameters were: gingival index, index of gingival bleeding, pocket depth and plaque indices. The multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method was used for detection of periopathogens. After obtaining results, appropriate statistical tests were used to correlate the clinical and microbiological results. RESULTS: Aa and Pg were detected in the same percentage of samples. Aa and Pg were detected in 35.29% samples alone, and in 29.41% both were detected. The values of measured clinical parameters did not show a statistical significance between the groups. In analysis of correlations among clinical parameters inside the groups, a statistical significance was found only between gingival and plaque index in the group with Aa. CONCLUSION: Clinical course of periodontitis in the developed stage does not differ in relation to the presence of different periopathogens as the major inductors of immunologically guided destructive processes.

Civil aviation rules on crew flight time, flight duty, and rest: comparison of 10 ICAO member states.

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. RESULTS: We identified 12 factors that are used by member states in their regulations; specific nations use 4-7 of these factors. The most frequently used criteria and the number of states using them include Duty Time (N = 8), Crew Augmentation (N = 8), Night Flight (N = 7), Number of Flight Segments (pairs of takeoffs and landings--T/L) (N = 6), Flight Range (N = 6), Flight Time (N = 5), and Number of Crew (N = 5). All 10 states have established limits on Flight Time and/or Duty Time, and 6 have requirements related to Previous Rest and/or Night Sleep. Seven member states undertake regulation of Night Flying, but they vary in defining "night" and the maximum permissible duration of night duty. All states limit flying hours on a monthly and yearly basis, but the specified limits vary. DISCUSSION: Although the 10 states in this study have common aims and premises for regulating crew duty, their regulations diverge with respect to details, using different tools in an effort to prevent the occurrence of excessive fatigue in aircrew members.