The use of Algae in the Mediterranean Research Paper

The use of Algae in the Mediterranean - Research Paper Example Biodiesel is produced from oils and fats of animals and vegetables such as sunflower oil, palm oil, jatropha as well as algae. Sustainability of feedstock could be ensured in the case of algae fuel due to fast growth of algae. Development of technology for manufacturing biofuel using algae at lower cost and higher productivity assumes importance in this backdrop. High initial investment is an important barrier to the growth in this industry. This is expected to come down in the future through R&D efforts in the industry with the active support of governments and research institutions. Climate in Mediterranean and other sub-tropical countries is suitable for growing algae for producing algae based biofuels. Since the country of Cyprus is surrounded by sea with good port facilities, growing marine algae for producing biodiesel and the by-products based on this type of algae is considered. Also, increase in demand and good prices for the by-products and can reduce the overall cost of pr oduction of algae biofuels to make it more competitive in the markets. Conservation of natural resources Depleting fossil fuel sources of energy and growth in energy consumption over years cause serious threat to energy security of the world in the future. According to Scot et al. (277) â€Å"Microalgae offer great potential for exploitation, including the production of biodiesel, but the process is still some way from being carbon neutral or commercially viable. Part of the problem is that there is little established background knowledge in the area.† For achieving the desired progress in this area for the purpose of conservation of fossil fuels and for mitigating the effects of climate change, concerted efforts for the development of this industry on international scale is very important. McDonald (2012) stated that Biologists at US San Diego have made researches to establish that marine algae can be just as capable as fresh water algae in producing biodiesel. According to Kothari and Gujral (272) biofuels derived from algae and microalgae or genetically modified algae and genetically modified co-cultures of Shewanella and Synechococcus have been commercialized. It is further pointed out that algae fuel yields considerably more energy than fossil fuels and biofuels under development include Cellulosic ethanol, Algae fuel, BioDME, Fischer-Tropsch diesel, DMF, bio-hydrogen and biohydrogen diesel. The superior fuel efficiency of algae fuel compared to fossil fuel has been proved in driving Algaeus, a modified Toyota Prius car. "It got 147 miles per gallon in the city," says  Fuel  director Josh Tickell of the converted to plug-in  Prius hybrid  that he drove on a mix of battery power and algae fuel blended with conventional gasoline. (Biello) Project profile In a project for producing algae fuel several factors have to be taken into account such as capital investment involved, availability of suitable space for growing algae for the project, envi ronmental clearances by the local bodies and the governments, infrastructural facilities available, growth, research and development in the industry, marketability of the products and availability of managerial skills and skilled labor. The country of Cyprus is considered ideal for the project to grow marine algae for various reasons. The government of Cyprus has taken initiatives for development of microalgae as an alternative fuel by partnering with leading institution in the region. â€Å"To foster the development

Schizophrenia Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Schizophrenia - Research Paper Example Background In this article, the objective was to examine the impacts of using antipsychotic medication to treat individuals with early episode schizophrenia illness. Wu et al. (2005) unfold schizophrenia as a persistent, severe, poorly understood, and debilitating psychotic illness that undoubtedly involves several disorders. The stamp schizophrenia symptoms are psychotic indicators such as delusions and auditory hallucinations. Impaired disturbances or cognition in information handing is not a highly vivid schizophrenia symptom although it can be highly disturbing. For the individuals suffering from schizophrenia, Wu et al. (2005) study has unfolded lower rates of marriage, employment, and independent lifestyle in comparison to the normal people. A neuroimaging statistics collected by Bola et al. (2011) has confirmed anatomical abnormalities that include ventricles enlargement and reduction in the volume of the brain in the medial chronological areas. These observations are of great er study interest than clinical use. The hippocampus is a cortical, minute, supposedly seahorse-shaped brain part curled within the temporal lobe medial edge. Functionally, hippocampus is a limbic system part when processing of the emptions takes place. In the hippocampus, the episodic or declarative memories are formed (memories of events and facts). The Alzheimer diseases (the memory problem preeminent disease) usually affect this hippocampus. A study by Haraldsson et al. (2011) examined the children suffering from schizophrenia as well as their healthy controls and siblings. At the onset of the study, the average age was approximated to be 12 years. The illness hippocampal volume was observed to be less in comparison to that of the siblings and controls and recorded a steady decrease over the 12 follow-up years, although this decrease was not at an increasing rate. For the children suffering from schizophrenia, antipsychotic medications were administered. From the study, Haraldss on et al. (2011) observed a high likelihood of hippocampal volume deficit because of the illness. Therefore, the volume deficit was not linked to utilization of antipsychotic prescription. Additional interests have also evaluated the various connections with the brain as opposed to specifically examining one brain part. Indeed, the neuropsychology reveal impaired processing of information as a result of Schizophrenia. From medical researches, anatomic abnormalities are observed in limbic and neocortical regions network. Method Search Strategy In this study, the Cochrane Schizophrenia group record was examined together with references of the studies that were included. For more data, the authors of some relevant studies were contacted to provide with further statistics. Criteria of selection Randomized experimental trials were included with numerous second-episode and first-episode acute schizophrenia gamut disorders linking the early antipsychotic medication treatment with psychosoc ial, milieu, or placebo treatment. Data collection and analysis Working individually, the records from 18 studies were critically assessed. Out of these records, six were observed to meet toe inclusion standards. When possible, the risk ratios were calculated as well as their degree of confidence at 95% for the weighted mean differences and dichotomous