The impact of social support networks on compliance with hypertensive therapeutic regimens among noninstitutionalized black adults

A conceptual framework based on the Health Belief Model was proposed which identified those factors most significant in the prediction of compliance behavior. The hypothesized model was applied to analyze the effects of sociodemographic characteristics, self-assessed health status, and social support networks on compliance with antihypertensive regimens, focusing on black adults.^ The study population was selected from the National Health and Examination Survey II (NHANES II) which produced a sample of 3,957 eligible persons 35-74 years of age.^ The study addressed the following research questions: (a) what is the relationship between demographic variables and self-assessed health status, (b) what is the relationship between social support network and self-assessed health status, (c) what is the compliance, (d) what factors, e.g., demographic characteristics, social support network, self-assessed health status, are most related to compliance, and (e) does the effect of these factors on compliance differ between black and white adults?^ The results of the study found that blacks: (a) had poorer health than whites, and education and income were significantly related to self-assessed health status, (b) the stronger social support networks of blacks, the better their health status, and (c) older blacks and those in poorer health were more likely to comply with recommended treatment. The hypothesized conceptual model for the prediction of compliance behavior was partially substantiated for both blacks and whites.^ Implications for the application of the conceptual model are also discussed. ^

(Table 4) Mesozoolpankton abundance and biomass and relative percentage of key zooplankton groups along the Bulgarian coast, Black Sea

Results of studies during Project of an international expedition onboard R/V Vladimir Parshin in September-October 2005 are presented. Intensive development of Bacillariophyceae and Dynophyceae was recorded in coastal waters of Bulgaria, Turkey, and in the Danube River delta during period of investigations. Increase in algae population was accompanied by rising of chlorophyll a concentration up to 2.0-5.5 µg/l. In the deep water region it did not exceed 0.5 µg/l. Phytoplankton growth rate in the surface water layer varied from 0.1 to 1.0 1/day. This parameter and NO2+NO3 concentration, as well as the silicon concentration were correlative, as was described by the Michaelis-Menten equation. Phytoplankton growth was affected by basic nutrients. Zooplankton grazing varied from 0.10 to 0.69 1/day and average values in different regions varied by 1.5 times. Microalgae size range is one of major factors of grazing regulation. Rate of phytoplankton consumption was decreasing with increasing the largest diatom Pseudosolenia calcar-avis impact on total biomass of nano- and microphytoplankton.

Geochemical characterization of black shales from the Tarfaya Basin

Organic geochemical and petrological investigations were carried out on Cenomanian/Turonian black shales from three sample sites in the Tarfaya Basin (SW Morocco) to characterize the sedimentary organic matter. These black shales have a variable bulk and molecular geochemical composition reflecting changes in the quantity and quality of the organic matter. High TOC contents (up to 18wt%) and hydrogen indices between 400 and 800 (mgHC/gTOC) indicate hydrogen-rich organic matter (Type I-II kerogen) which qualifies these laminated black shale sequences as excellent oil-prone source rocks. Low Tmax values obtained from Rock-Eval pyrolysis (404-425 MC) confirm an immature to early mature level of thermal maturation. Organic petrological studies indicate that the kerogen is almost entirely composed of bituminite particles. These unstructured organic aggregates were most probably formed by intensive restructuring of labile biopolymers (lipids and/or carbohydrates), with the incorporation of sulphur into the kerogen during early diagenesis. Total lipid analyses performed after desulphurization of the total extract shows that the biomarkers mostly comprise short-chain n-alkanes (C16-C22) and long-chain (C25-C35) n-alkanes with no obvious odd-over-even predominance, together with steranes, hopanoids and acyclic isoprenoids. The presence of isorenieratane derivatives originating from green sulphur bacteria indicates that dissolved sulphide had reached the photic zone at shallow water depths (~100m) during times of deposition. These conditions probably favoured intensive sulphurization of the organic matter. Flash pyrolysis GC-MS analysis of the kerogen indicates the aliphatic nature of the bulk organic carbon. The vast majority of pyrolysis products are sulphur-containing components such as alkylthiophenes, alkenylthiophenes and alkybenzothiophenes. Abundant sulphurization of the Tarfaya Basin kerogen resulted from excess sulphide and metabolizable organic matter combined with a limited availability of iron during early diagenesis. The observed variability in the intensity of OM sulphurization may be attributed to sea level-driven fluctuations in the palaeoenvironment during sedimentation.

(Table 1) Population density and infestation of Paracalanus parvus during the year in the Blue Bay, Black Sea

The life cycle of infusorians belonging to genus Colpoda, dormant cysts of which were found on planktic crustaceans of the Black Sea coastal waters, is described. Population strength of Colpoda is maximum in autumn. The infusorians had no harmful effect on their host. It has been noted that Colpoda enhances decomposition of dead animals.

Rare earth elements of modern seeps from the Gulf of Mexico, the Black Sea, and the Congo Fan

At marine seeps, methane is microbially oxidized resulting in the precipitation of carbonates close to the seafloor. Methane oxidation leads to sulfate depletion in sediment pore water, which induces a change in redox conditions. Rare earth element (REE) patterns of authigenic carbonate phases collected from modern seeps of the Gulf of Mexico, the Black Sea, and the Congo Fan were analyzed. Different carbonate minerals including aragonite and calcite with different crystal habits have been selected for analysis. Total REE content (SumREE) of seep carbonates varies widely, from 0.1 ppm to 42.5 ppm, but a common trend is that the SumREE in microcrystalline phases is higher than that of the associated later phases including micospar, sparite and blocky cement, suggesting that SumREE may be a function of diagenesis. The shale-normalized REE patterns of the seep carbonates often show different Ce anomalies even in samples from a specific site, suggesting that the formation conditions of seep carbonates are variable and complex. Overall, our results show that apart from anoxic, oxic conditions are at least temporarily common in seep environments.

Bivalve mollusks in the sediments of the Anapa Bay Bar (Black Sea) in October 2010

Sandy beaches of the Anapa Bay Bar are a unique natural resource, but they are gradually being degrade under both natural and anthropogenic factors. Emissions of sand and shelly ground from the adjacent sea bottom partly compensate for this process. Concentration of carbonates may reach up to 50% in beach sands, and most of these carbonates are of mollusk origin. The major deposit formation role belongs to the key bivalve species: Chamelea gallina (Linnaeus, 1758). Average biomass of this mollusk species reaches up to 450 g/m**2 at depths 5-10 m. The other two subdominating mollusk species, bivalve Donax trunculus (Linnaeus, 1758) and gastropod Rapana venosa (Valenciennes, 1846), may impact as 16 g/m**2 and 6 g/m**2, respectively. Annually, 350 kg of shelly ground per running meter are newly deposited on the Anapa beach.

(Table 2) Abundance and biomass of zooplankton in the eastern Black Sea in the beginning of September 1996

On the basis of analyses of samples collected in the eastern Black Sea in September 1996 trends of increase in surface zooplankton biomass and general decrease in Mnemiopsis biomass were revealed.

Abundance of macrozooplankton in the north-eastern Black Sea during SESRU02 cruise in September 2008

The SESRU02_macrozooplankton dataset contains data collected in September 2008 at 15 stations located between 37°E and 39.5°E and between 42.4°N and 44.5°N in the north-eastern Black Sea. Samples were collected with a Ring net. Vertical tows of a Ring net, with mouth area 0.5 m**2, mesh size 400?m. Sample was taken from the layer 0-45 m. Towing speed: 0.8m/s. Samples were analyzed on board without preservation. Sampling volume was estimated by multiplying the mouth area by the wire length. The entire sample was analyzed on board. Macrozooplankton species were identified and enumerated.

(Table 2) Abundance and biomass of zooplankton in the eastern Black Sea in the beginning of September 1996

On the basis of analyses of samples collected in the eastern Black Sea in September 1996 trends of increase in surface zooplankton biomass and general decrease in Mnemiopsis biomass were revealed.