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This text discusses the European system in the modern age, describing the concept of ‘state’ as an object bounded by property rights and its owner’s jurisdiction. In order to maintain the state, it was necessary to keep the inhabitants in a state of submission, through either persuasion or force. State policy consisted in preserving the possessions of the state, improving and increasing it, combining statecraft with the subjects and concert with other state-holders. States were not autonomous units, but domains, and state affairs concerned ways of increasing or maintaining their ownership. When two princes married, they united their states and created a new political and institutional framework, with each spouse taking on the conflicts and alliances of his or her partner, creating entirely new situations. Each peace treaty or alliance was solidly sealed with a dynastic union, as can be seen in the example of the rise of the House of Habsburg, which became the first European power after integrating the inheritances of three great lineages: the Austrian Habsburgs, who contributed fiefdoms and states in Central and Eastern Europe, the House of Burgundy, who contributed states in France and the Low Countries, and the House of Trastámara, who contributed the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the impact of bovine serum albumin (BSA) inclusion in the thawing extender on boar sperm quality. Thawing protocols in sperm cryopreservation are vital, yet underexplored. It has been determined that BSA can interact with membranes, stabilizing them and preventing damage during the freezing process, for this reason it could also have a beneficial effect during thawing. Our study explores modifications in the conventional Beltsville thawing solution, incorporating BSA at different concentrations (0.005, 0.01, 0.025 and 0.050 g/mL), and evaluating the sperm quality after up to 150 min post‐thawing incubation (37°C). All BSA concentrations preserved plasma membrane and acrosome integrity, relative to control (BSA absence). In addition, 0.025 g/mL BSA group preserves acrosome integrity over time without compromising motility or kinetic parameters. Our study suggests that BSA inclusion in thawing extenders should be considered as an additive for improving post‐thaw boar sperm quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Predicting which patients with prodromal AD (pAD) will imminently convert to dementia may be paramount in a memory clinical setting, especially with potential disease-modifying therapies on the horizon. Objective: To explore a practical tool for this prediction, combining cognitive tests and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers. Methods: We designed a longitudinal prospective, observational, and multicenter study, enrolling patients with pAD. Inclusion criteria comprised memory complaints, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of≥22, memory impairment as indicated by the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test with Immediate Recall (FCSRT + IR) and/or TMA-93, Clinical Dementia Rating-Global Score (CDR-GS) of 0.5, and positive CSF Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio (<0.095, Euroimmun). The primary outcome was the conversion to dementia (CDR-GS≥1) within the first year of follow-up, referred to as "short-term conversion". A multiple regression logistic model was adopted to design the "Predict Short-Term Conversion" (PSTC) score. Results: Between 2020 and 2022, 83 patients were recruited. The median age was 74, with 49.4% being women. Twenty-five (30.1%) patients were classified as short-term converters. The PSTC score incorporated baseline scores on MMSE (≤24 = 3, >24 = 0) and FCSRT + IR Total Recall (≤14 = 4, >14 = 0), and CSF neurofilament light chains (NfLs) concentrations (β=0.001299). The PSTC score demonstrated an area under the curve of 0.78 (95% CI: 0.67-0.90, p < 0.001), with a cutoff value of 5.14 presenting 76% sensitivity and 80% specificity. Conclusions: The PSTC score, comprising two relatively brief cognitive test scores and NfLs CSF concentrations, could be useful for predicting short-term converters among patients diagnosed with pAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On October 18, 2019, Chile experienced the most important social upheaval since the country regained democracy in the late 1980s. The "Social Outbreak" surprised economic and political elites and seemed paradoxical to the international community who had often praised Chile as a model of successful development. In this paper, we used structural-demographic theory to analyze the interaction between the overproduction of elites and the stagnation in the relative income of the population as the underlying structural cause of Chilean political instability. This theory was able to predict the three most significant instances of political tension in the recent history of Chile: the crisis of the late 1960s that culminated in the coup d'état of 1973, popular mobilizations during the 1980s, and the recent student mobilizations and social upheaval. Our results suggest that, at least during the period 1938–2019, Chilean sociopolitical dynamics is determined by the same structural drivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first part of this paper explains the praxeological interpretation of the noological concept of act. The second part describes Antonio González Fernández's criticisms of that notion. His objection consists in pointing out that acts cannot be considered real things, but only the arising of these. From this observation on noology, González Fernández not only gives rise to his praxeology (also known as hiparqueology), but also his philosophical system begins to be questioned for not explaining what acts are, in the world of facts, beyond the assumption that they are there, despite being invisible. In the third and last section, some hypotheses are presented to address objections to the praxeological concept of act, such as the one mentioned above and the apparent circularities and possible contradictions within the praxeological system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: It remains unclear whether the prolonged preservation of cells, such as sperm, in liquid nitrogen (LN2) leads to their deterioration over time. In this study, we investigated whether the conservation of Iberian pig semen for ten years results in a decline in quality and whether the evaporation of LN2 from the tanks between refills could be a contributing factor. Furthermore, the only way to improve already-frozen samples is to implement specific thawing protocols. Thus, our findings suggest that only samples consistently submerged in LN2 benefit the most from the application of thawing protocols, such as rapid thawing at 70 °C for 8 s. While partial conservation in LN2 and LN2 vapors does not result in a loss of quality over time, it does cause damage that thawing protocols cannot mitigate. This finding suggests that, independently of the lack of the effect of the level of storage in the tank, careful handling and optimization of thawing protocols are essential for the quality preservation of the cryopreserved sperm samples. The conservation of genetic resources in pig breeds, notably the Iberian pig, is crucial for genetic improvement and sustainable production. Prolonged storage in liquid nitrogen (LN2) is recognized for preserving genetic diversity, but potential adverse effects on seminal quality remain debated. This study aims to assess the impact of ten years of storage at different LN2 levels and to optimize thawing protocols for Iberian pig sperm. Sperm samples from 53 boars were cryopreserved and stored at varying LN2 levels and, a decade later, the samples were thawed at 37 °C for 20 s or at 70 °C for 8 s. Sperm motility, membrane integrity, acrosome status, and DNA fragmentation were evaluated in year 0 and year 10. Overall, no significant differences were observed in post-thaw sperm quality between storage levels in year 0 or year 10. But thawing at 70 °C 8 s showed significant improvements, particularly in samples that were always stored in LN2, in all analyzed parameters except fragmentation, which was not affected by cryostorage. This study suggests that the long-term preservation of Iberian pig sperm does not affect quality over time, regardless of whether the samples were fully submerged in LN2. Furthermore, it is determined that thawing at 70 °C for 8 s maximizes post-thaw sperm quality, especially in those samples stored constantly submerged in LN2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: In-stent reocclusion after endovascular therapy has a negative impact on outcomes in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to tandem lesions (TL). Optimal antiplatelet therapy approach in these patients to avoid in-stent reocclusion is yet to be elucidated. Aims: To assess efficacy and safety of intravenous tirofiban versus intravenous aspirin in patients undergoing MT plus carotid stenting in the setting of AIS due to TL. Sample size estimates: Two hundred forty patients will be enrolled, 120 in every treatment arm. Methods and design: A multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled (aspirin group), assessor-blinded clinical trial will be conducted. Patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria will be randomized at MT onset to the experimental or control group (1:1). Intravenous aspirin will be administered at a 500-mg single dose and tirofiban at a 500-mcg bolus followed by a 200-mcg/h infusion during the first 24 h. All patients will be followed for up to 3 months. Study outcomes: Primary efficacy outcome will be the proportion of patients with carotid in-stent thrombosis within the first 24 h after MT. Primary safety outcome will be the rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Discussion: This will be the first clinical trial to assess the best antiplatelet therapy to avoid in-stent thrombosis after MT in patients with TL. Trial registration: The trial is registered as NCT05225961. February, 7th, 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Count Duke of Olivares was aware that the «valimiento» was an unpopular figure in Spanish opinion. Thanks to a group of writers in his service, he managed to dignify this figure by entering into (controversy with his detractors. Prominent among these authors was Francesco Lanario, a Neapolitan historian who served him effectively until the «Valido» dispensed with his services because he did not understand what was to be contained in a reatise on Patience that he had commissioned from him. In deciding to suppress the paronage of certain writers, the Count-Duke was very attentive to the «opinion of the world», to public opinion, to being an object of ridicule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study highlights the need for complex socio-environmental approaches to livestock production that contribute to regional food security. For this purpose, the socio-environmental dynamics of swine production in peasant farms in two municipalities of Valle del Cauca were characterized as a measure that contributes a perspective of analysis to elements of regional food securitySixty-foufarms were selected to determine water management, residuals elements, offensive odors and socioeconomic aspects. The data were processed through SAS® software. As results, the volume, quality and use of water for production, the destination of excreta, productive orientation, farm size, animal population, feeding, technical assistance, technology used in waste management and marketing were the aspects that most influenced the production systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study uses different feature selection methods in the field of business failure prediction and tests the capability of Genetic Programming (GP) as an appropriate classifier in this field. The prediction models categorize the insolvency/non-insolvency of a firm one year in advance from a large set of financial ratios. Different selection strategies based on two evolutionary algorithms were used to reduce the dimensionality of the financial features considered. The first method considers the combination between the global search provided by an evolutionary algorithm (differential evolution) with a simple classifier, together with the possible use of classical filters in a first step of feature selection. Secondly, genetic programming is used as a feature selector. In addition, these selection approaches will be compared when GP is used exclusively as a classifier. The results show that, when using GP as a classifier method, the proposed selection method with GP stands out from the rest. Moreover, the use of GP as a classifier improves the results with respect to other classifier methods. This shows an added value to the use of GP in this field, in addition to the interpretability of GP prediction models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mountain-based tourism has been established in multiple ways, and a ski resort is just one of them. Most European snow tourism research has focused on the Alps, where a French Alpine model of generations of ski resorts, which uses the differential urban development of each generation as a marker, has been developed academically. This model has been used as a framework for this study with the goal of positioning Manzaneda within it. However, Manzaneda is the only winter resort in Galicia (Spain), and with more than 50 years of history, it seems to have had a controversial, problematic, and ambiguous development. This article also looks into the management, the effects of climate change, and the future visions of the winter resort by its main actors and local population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main cation/calcium channel of spermatozoa (CatSper), first identified in 2001, has been thoroughly studied to elucidate its composition and function, while its distribution among species and sperm sources is yet incomplete. CatSper is composed of several subunits that build a pore-forming calcium channel, mainly activated in vivo in ejaculated sperm cells by intracellular alkalinization and progesterone, as suggested by the in vitro examinations. The CatSper channel relevance is dual: to maintain sperm homeostasis (alongside the plethora of membrane channels present) as well as being involved in pre-fertilization events, such as sperm capacitation, hyperactivation of sperm motility and the acrosome reaction, with remarkable species differences. Interestingly, the observed variations in CatSper localization in the plasma membrane seem to depend on the source of the sperm cells explored (i.e., epididymal or ejaculated, immature or mature, processed or not), the method used for examination and, particularly, on the specificity of the antibodies employed. In addition, despite multiple findings showing the relevance of CatSper in fertilization, few studies have studied CatSper as a biomarker to fine-tune diagnosis of sub-fertility in livestock or even consider its potential to control fertilization in plague animals, a more ethically defensible strategy than implicating CatSper to pharmacologically modify male-related fertility control in humans, pets or wild animals. This review describes inter- and intra-species differences in the localization, structure and function of the CatSper channel, calling for caution when considering its potential manipulation for fertility control or improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benzophenones (BPs) are one of the most widely used UV-filters and previous flow cytometric studies have shown that these aquatic emerging pollutants alter the physiology of the freshwater microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. In order to obtain a more detailed study of the different cellular metabolic pathways affected, changes caused by BPs in the transcriptome of C. reinhardtii were investigated using RNA-Seq analysis after 24 h of exposure. Each benzophenone at its corresponding 96 h-EC50 value for growth provoked alterations in the gene expression of this microalga, although BP-3-exposed cells showed a higher number of differentially expressed genes than cells exposed to BP-4. GO enrichment analyses suggested that both compounds affected the same cellular metabolic pathways. Transcripts encoding for light-harvesting and chlorophyll-binding proteins were highly reduced. In addition, an overexpression of genes related to amino acid catabolism was also detected, suggesting that C. reinhardtii cells oxidize amino acids to obtain energy when photosynthesis was damaged by the pollutants. Regarding the oxidative damage provoked by the contaminants, genes encoding main antioxidant enzymes and involved in glutathione-associated metabolism were upregulated. Moreover, sulphur metabolism could have some relevance to explain the mechanism of action of BP-4 and its lower toxicity on microalgae, since the sulfonic acid group is the major structural difference between both BPs. Obtained results suggest that photosynthesis was impaired on cells exposed to the UV-filters, leading microalgae to obtain energy via a heterotrophic metabolism to survive. Thus, the occurrence of these sunscreens in freshwater ecosystems could trigger a worrying reduction in global CO2 fixation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes the relationship between the technocrats of the River Meta Navigability Project and the Achagua indigenous community in Colombia. The importance of the Achagua's participation in co-directing the project to ensure the survival of the river and future generations is highlighted. The article examines the impact of neoliberal techniques on the daily life of the Achagua people and how it seeks to impose itself as the only valid way of proceeding. Other anthropological studies that explore the meaning of rivers for different societies are also mentioned. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: the process of medical care for patients with complex haemorrhagic trauma in the province of Sancti Spíritus shows insufficiencies in the uniformity of the use of the clinical method in a structured way based on the diagnosis and treatment of these patients. Objective: to design a Clinical Practice Guide for in-hospital emergency medical care for patients with complex haemorrhagic trauma. Methods: an investigation was carried out that corresponds to the type of researchdevelopment, multistage, with a mixed approach, in the province of Sancti Spíritus from 2012 to 2019. Results: methodological insufficiencies were detected in the medical care process of patients with haemorrhagic complex trauma. A clinical practice guide was prepared and executed that allowed the structuring of theoretical, clinical and investigative elements to evaluate this type of patients. Conclusions: the clinical practice guideline proved to be relevant, feasible and effective; it made possible a first approach to Cuban patients with complex haemorrhagic trauma and allowed raising the level of knowledge of doctors about this condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epiretinal membrane (ERM) formation is a known postoperative complication following retinal detachment (RD) repair surgery. Prophylactic peeling of the internal limiting membrane (ILM) during surgery has been shown to reduce the risk of developing postoperative ERM formation. Some baseline characteristics and degrees of surgical complexity may act as risk factors for ERM development. In this review we aimed to investigate the benefit of ILM peeling in patients without significant proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) who underwent pars plana vitrectomy for RD repair. A literature search using PubMed and various keywords retrieved relevant papers from which data were extracted and analyzed. Finally, the results of 12 observational studies (3420 eyes) were summarized. ILM peeling significantly reduced the risk of postoperative ERM formation (RR = 0.12, 95% CI 0.05–0.28). The groups did not differ in final visual acuity (SMD 0.14 logMAR (95% CI − 0.03–0.31)). The risk of RD recurrence (RR = 0.51, 95% CI 0.28–0.94) and the need for secondary ERM surgery (RR = 0.05, 95% CI 0.02–0.17) were also higher in the non-ILM peeling groups. In summary, although prophylactic ILM peeling appears to reduce the rate of postoperative ERM, this benefit does not translate into consistent visual recovery across studies and potential complications must be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastrointestinal endoscopy is a complex procedure requiring the mastery of several competencies and skills. This procedure is in increasing demand, but there exist important management and ethical issues regarding the training of new endoscopists. Nowadays, this requires the direct involvement of real patients and a high chance of the endoscopists themselves suffering from musculoskeletal conditions. Colonoscopy quantification can be useful for improving these two issues. This paper reviews the literature regarding efforts to quantify gastrointestinal procedures and focuses on the capture of hand and finger kinematics. Current technologies to support the capture of data from hand and finger movements are analyzed and tested, considering smart gloves and vision-based solutions. Manus VR Prime II and Stretch Sense MoCap reveal the main problems with smart gloves related to the adaptation of the gloves to different hand sizes and comfortability. Regarding vision-based solutions, Vero Vicon cameras show the main problem in gastrointestinal procedure scenarios: occlusion. In both cases, calibration and data interoperability are also key issues that limit possible applications. In conclusion, new advances are needed to quantify hand and finger kinematics in an appropriate way to support further developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces a novel solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation forecasting method for residential installations, focusing on the direct radiation parameter. It has been rigorously compared against four established methods: Linear Regression (Alt1), Gradient Boosting (Alt2), Gradient Boosting with Lags (Alt3), and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) Network (Alt4). Alt1 utilizes a simple linear equation, while Alt2 employs ensemble learning with decision trees. Alt3 leverages past 24-h PV generation data, and Alt4 utilizes specialized recurrent neural networks to address challenges of long-term dependencies in time series forecasting. The proposed method showed better performance in 2022, with a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.1490 kW and a Coverage Probability (CP) of 91.55 %, demonstrating its reliability and consistency in forecasting. Additionally, it obtained an Average Width of Intervals (AWI) of 0.3365 kW. Furthermore, the method significantly boosted solar energy utilization in a residential case, increasing average solar panel generation by 61.33 kWh/year and reducing the average price by 0.0188 €/kWh. These results highlight its effectiveness in enhancing self-consumption and cutting energy costs, presenting a precise and user-friendly forecasting tool for the solar energy sector. Particularly advantageous for residential use, it facilitates optimized solar energy utilization, contributing to the transition towards sustainable energy practices. • A novel single-parameter PV forecasting method has been developed. • The PV forecasting method based on direct radiation shows accurate results. • The algorithm enhances solar self-consumption in homes. • Solar energy interval predictions with low error and high Coverage Probability. • PV forecasts with low width of prediction intervals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Compare the impact of an aerated beverage on the surface microhardness of three nanofilled composite resins (Filtek Z250 XT, Filtek Z350 XT and Tetric N - Ceram) evaluated in-vitro. Materials and Methods: This study was applied, analytical, experimental and longitudinal. 48 cylinders (16 cylinders per evaluated composite resin) of 6mm x 4mm, were made, which divided into two subgroups of 8 cylinders; and stored in physiological serum. These were submitted to the effect of Coca-Cola for 10 minutes per day and stored in physiological serum until the next immersion (24 hours); for 7 days. Data analysis was performed using Stata ® 12 Software. The ANOVA means test was applied. Results: Displayed that the Filtek Z250 XT had a higher surface microhardness value, before (72.93 HV ±4.62) and after the erosive challenge (62.65 HV ±3.42); while Tetric N - Ceram was the resin with the lowest microhardness value, such before (41.16 ± 0.72) and after (37.55 ± 1.03) exposure to Coca - Cola. Conclusions: the carbonated drink had impacted in different measures on the surface microhardness of the evaluated composite resins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal‐free borylative cyclization of biphenyl‐embedded 1,3,5‐trien‐7‐ynes in the presence of simple and inexpensive BCl3 provided synthetically useful borylated building blocks. The outcome of the process depends on the reaction temperature, with borylated phenanthrenes obtained at 60 °C and phenanthrene‐fused borylated cyclobutanes formed at 0 °C. Based on DFT calculations, a mechanism for these novel transformations has been proposed, which involves an uncommon skeletal rearrangement, including migration of a methyl group and alkyne fragmentation, unprecedented in BCl3‐promoted cyclization reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal‐free borylative cyclization of biphenyl‐embedded 1,3,5‐trien‐7‐ynes in the presence of simple and inexpensive BCl3 provided synthetically useful borylated building blocks. The outcome of the process depends on the reaction temperature, with borylated phenanthrenes obtained at 60 °C and phenanthrene‐fused borylated cyclobutanes formed at 0 °C. Based on DFT calculations, a mechanism for these novel transformations has been proposed, which involves an uncommon skeletal rearrangement, including migration of a methyl group and alkyne fragmentation, unprecedented in BCl3‐promoted cyclization reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores a case of secondary syphilis in a 5-year-old boy, who presented with non-scarring bitemporal alopecia. The patient also had mucosal involvement, including oral mucosa and perianal lesions. The diagnosis was confirmed through serological testing, and treatment with penicillin resulted in improvement of the alopecia and complete resolution of the mucosal lesions. The article emphasizes the importance of early recognition and multidisciplinary management of secondary syphilis in children, as well as the need for healthcare professionals to be aware of the diverse range of clinical presentations. It also discusses the challenges of managing infantile sexual abuse and the involvement of legal authorities to protect those affected. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Biliary tree cysts (BTCs) represent an either localized or multifocal abnormal dilatation of the biliary tree, which entails an increased risk of acute cholangitis and cholangiocarcinoma (2.5%-16%). Its incidence in Western countries is ∼1/100.000-1/150.000, being more frequent in Asia (1/1.000). These cysts are usually classified according to Todani classification, which is based on site and morphology of cysts. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective multicentric descriptive study of patients surgically treated for BTCs. From 2005 to 2018, 25 cases were collected between Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau (Barcelona, Spain) and Ospedale San Paolo (Savona, Italy). Clinical presentation was characterized by abdominal pain, jaundice, fever, and sometimes weight loss. Eight patients presented Todani type I, 1 patient Todani type II, 3 patients Todani III, 1 patient Todani type IV, and 12 patients Todani type V. Results: Among the 25 surgically treated patients, 12 patients underwent liver resection, 7 patients underwent resection of the extrahepatic biliary tree, 3 patients underwent BTC removal through a duodenotomy, 1 patient underwent resection of the extrahepatic biliary tree and liver resection, and 2 patients underwent pancreatoduodenectomy. Overall 30-day morbidity rate was 20%, and 90-day mortality was 0%. Pathologic examination confirmed diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma in 5 patients (20%). After a median follow-up of 59 months, 20 patients are alive and in good conditions, whereas 50% of patients with cholangiocarcinoma died for disease progression. Conclusions: Surgical treatment for BTCs is associated with acceptable postoperative outcomes, with moderate morbidity and null mortality rates. Moreover, the risk of developing cholangiocarcinoma is still high that prompts surgical treatment once diagnosis is made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Although alcohol cessation is the only effective treatment for alcohol-related liver disease, few data exist concerning its influence on the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to evaluate the effect of alcohol abstinence on the incidence of HCC in patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis. METHODS: We studied 727 patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis (247 with compensated disease and 480 with previous decompensation) who were included in a surveillance program for the early detection of HCC and prospectively followed. Baseline clinical and biological parameters and alcohol consumption during follow-up were recorded. Abstinence was defined as the absence of any alcohol use. RESULTS: During follow-up (median 54 months), 354 patients (48.7%) remained abstinent and 104 developed HCC (2.3 per 100 person-years). Factors independently associated with the risk of HCC among patients with previous decompensationwere age, male gender, and aspartate aminotransferase, whereas abstinence was not linked to a reduced risk (hazard ratio 0.95; 95% confidence interval 0.59-1.52). However, among patients without previous decompensation, prothrombin activity and abstinence were independently associated with the risk of HCC. Abstinent patients had a significant decrease in the risk of developing tumor (hazard ratio 0.35; 95% confidence interval 0.13-0.94). These results did not change after applying a competing risk analysis where death and liver transplantation were considered as competing events. DISCUSSION: Alcohol abstinence reduced the risk of HCC in patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis, but only in those without a history of decompensated disease. This finding emphasizes the need for an early diagnosis of alcohol-related liver disease and for implementing strategies leading to an increase in the rate of achieving and maintaining abstinence among this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2003, some forest nurseries in the country have been using substrates with fresh sawdust from pine and fir. Due to the availability of sawdust from a greater variety of species, this study proposed the hypothesis that substrates with fresh sawdust from broadleaf trees are suitable for producing Pinus patula plants with a quality similar to that produced in substrates with sawdust from pine or fir species. To test it, the objective was to evaluate the growth of P. patula seedlings in polystyrene trays filled with substrates with 60% fresh sawdust of the 11 main timber forest species (conifers and broadleaf trees) that are used in central and south-eastern México. The sawdust used was of the species: Abies religiosa, Hevea brasiliensis, Gmelina arborea, Mangifera indica, Pinus ayacahuite, Pinus montezumae, Pinus patula, Pinus teocote, Quercus laurina, Quercus rugosa and Tectona grandis. The polystyrene trays (77 cavities, 170 cm³ each) were filled with a substrate mixture of sawdust (60%), composted pine bark, perlite and vermiculite (20, 10 and 10%). Fertilizers were added to each tray filling mixture: Multicote® 18-6-12 and 12-24-12 (N-P2O5-K2O) 8 months of controlled-release (4 g L-1 each) and Micromax® (1 g L-1). The experimental design was completely randomized and included 11 treatments and four replicates. At seven months, there were differences (p≤0.05) by treatment in diameter, height, dry weights, sturdiness quotient and Dickson's quality indexes, and in the leaf concentration of N, K, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and B. With all substrates, Dickson's quality indexes ≥0.47; diameters ≥4 mm and heights 20 to 30 cm were obtained, except with that of M. indica. N and P concentrations were ≥1.3 and 0.20%, except in plants grown in H. brasiliensis and M. indica substrates. Concentrations of K, Mg, Ca, Zn and B were lower than the recommended values in all treatments. The plant produced in the substrate with P. ayacahuite sawdust developed the best morphological and nutrient concentration variables, while the lowest values were observed in the plant grown in M. indica substrate. This is attributed respectively, to the lower and higher content of salts and phenols in the sawdust of those two species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient olefin aziridination has been achieved with a tris(triazolyl)methane copper catalyst supported onto polystyrene. Aryl, alkyl and methoxycarbonyl‐substituted olefins are converted into N‐tosylaziridines in good to high yields. The solid catalyst is readily separated by filtration and recycled, allowing its reuse with no significant loss of the catalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Edmund Husserl tried to exclude metaphysical assumptions and rely on what is given in immediate experience, in order to search for a first and indubitable truth on which to base ulterior, theoretical truths. But, in the second phase of his thought, he abandoned that path to use, without thematizing it, René Descartes's subjectivist principle. To redirect phenomenology to the original project of going to things themselves, eliminating assumptions and relying on immediate experience, Spanish philosopher Antonio González Fernández proposes praxeology. This approach replaces the concept of subject, which considers the human being as a thinking thing, with that of person, understood as an incarnated act. This anthropological definition, consistent with the theological vision of the human being as image and likeness of God, enables ethical guidelines for actions in favor of de-objectifying and dignifying the human being and taking care of nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on dimensionality reduction by variable selection in business failure prediction models. A new method of dimensionality reduction by variable selection using Genetic Programming is proposed, which takes into account the relative frequency of occurrence of the explanatory variables in the evolved solutions, as well as the statistical relevance of that frequency. For a better evaluation of the proposed method and its comparison with other well-tested and widely used variable selection methods, the prediction of business failure in three temporal horizons (1, 5 and 9 years prior to failure) is considered. Additionally, a comparison of the sets of variables selected with different feature selection methods is performed, also considering different classifiers in the comparison, among which Genetic Programming is included as a classifier. The results indicate that the proposed method (using Genetic Programming as a variable selection method) is superior to the most tested and widely used methods analyzed, and this superiority increases if Genetic Programming is also used as a classification method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nucleic acids help clarify variation in species richness of insects having different metamorphosis modes, a biological conundrum. Here we analyse nucleic acid contents of 639 specimens of aquatic insects collected from four high mountain streams of Sierra Nevada in southern Spain to test whether the allocation to RNA or DNA content differs during ontogeny between juvenile insects undergoing direct (hemimetabolous) or indirect (holometabolous) metamorphosis. The results show that RNA content as a function of body mass was negatively correlated to insect body length in four out of six and three out of six of the holometabolan and hemimetabolan taxa, respectively. Although no significant differences in RNA content were found between holometabolans and hemimetabolans, the significant interaction between body length and metamorphosis mode for RNA and RNA:DNA indicates a strong ontogenetic component to RNA allocation. In addition, our finding of lower DNA content in holometabolans relative to hemimetabolans agree with the analysis of empirical genome data in aquatic and terrestrial insects, and extend to this class of arthropods the "growth rate-genome size-nutrient limitation" hypothesis that differences in allocation between RNA and DNA may reflect fundamental evolutionary trade-off of life-history strategies associated with high growth rates (and RNA content) in holometabolans at the expense of diminished genome sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For years, metal–nitrene-transfer reactions have been mainly directed toward C=C bond aziridination or C–H bond amidation reactions. In the last decade, multiple efforts have been made to develop new synthetic approaches to expand the applicability of this powerful tool, resulting in the synthesis of complex structures from relatively simple starting materials. Here, we present our contributions to the area with several novel and, to some degree, unexpected transformations developed by our research group. The catalysts for these nitrene-transfer reactions are copper or silver complexes bearing hydrotrispyrazolyl (scorpionate) ligands. These transformations have contributed to an expansion of the scope of organic compounds accessible by nitrene-transfer reactions and to an understanding of the reactivity of metallonitrene species toward the oxidation of less-explored organic substrates. 1 Introduction 2 Synthesis of 1,2-Dihydropyridines from Furans 3 Regio- and Stereoselective Aziridination of Dienes 4 Chemoselective Synthesis of Aminimides from Amines 5 Synthesis of Sulfinamides and Isothiazoles from Alkynes 6 Formation of Azetidines and Methylene Aziridines from Allenes 7 Conclusion [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diversity at the local scale is determined by different, and often interacting factors. One factor that is suggested to be important in determining community structure is productivity, which is related to diversity. Though this relationship might depend on different factors, a hump-shaped, U-shaped or positive linear relationship seems to be frequent at the local scale. On the other hand, the concept of metacommunity considers how several communities are linked through dispersal. Here, we experimentally assessed how primary producer biomass and dispersal barriers drive diversity at the local scale in Mediterranean streams. We did this by creating a reach scale study system that resembled a metacommunity. We found that higher primary producer biomass promotes a saturating relationship with diversity. However, we did not detect any effect of the dispersal barriers on the responses. Thus, our results show that, at the local scale, patch primary producer biomass plays a more important role in determining the community structure and colonization than dispersal barriers. In the framework of metacommunity theory, our study system can be explained by combining assumptions of the "Mass-Effects" and the "Species-Sorting" archetypes, supporting a non-exclusive view of these hypotheses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sperm chromatin structure provides valuable information for the prediction of male fertility and can be altered during different procedures. Previous studies have shown that sperm chromatin condensation decreased during in vitro capacitation. Moreover, cryopreservation can affect sperm DNA integrity and chromatin compaction. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate dynamic modifications produced in the chromatin structure of ram spermatozoa during in vitro capacitation before and after cryopreservation. Materials and methods: Chromatin decondensation (AB+), DNA methylation, DNA fragmentation index (%DFI) and high DNA stainability (HDS) were evaluated in fresh and frozen‐thawed ram spermatozoa incubated under capacitating (CAP) conditions at 1, 5, 15, 30, 60, 120, 180 and 240 minutes and under non‐capacitating (NC) conditions at 0, 15 and 240 minutes. Results: Incubation in NC conditions did not induce significant changes in chromatin condensation (P >.05; AB + and HDS). However, incubation of fresh and cryopreserved ram spermatozoa under CAP conditions significantly increased chromatin decondensation (P <.05), reaching the highest percentage of AB + and HDS from 180 to 240 minutes in fresh samples and from 5 to 30 minutes in cryopreserved samples. Both variables (HDS and AB+) were positively correlated with tyrosine phosphorylation, total motility, progressive motility, curvilinear velocity and amplitude of lateral head displacement, as well as between them under CAP conditions in fresh and cryopreserved spermatozoa. DNA methylation significantly increased in cryopreserved spermatozoa (P <.05), but only after extended incubation under CAP conditions (60‐240 minutes), while the %DFI, albeit higher in cryopreserved samples, remained constant under CAP and NC conditions in both types of sample (P >.05). Discussion and conclusions: Our results suggest that sperm chromatin condensation decreased progressively during in vitro capacitation of ram spermatozoa, while sperm DNA integrity remained intact. Such changes in chromatin condensation appeared faster after sperm cryopreservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today's world is concerned about its body image and health. Thus, food sector has been obliged to provide its products with a detailed labelling that, sometimes, could be misleading. This work is aimed at determining what consumers look for, why and if they are really conscious of what they buy. To do so, both a qualitative and a quantitative methodology have been used through an in-depth guided interview. The results show that, in general, labelling and publicity play an important role when choosing the products that are consumed in the context of 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants grown in trays develop spiraling lateral roots that affect their later growth. The objective of the study was to evaluate root morphology and growth of Pinus patula Schiede ex Schltdl. et Cham. produced in three types of trays with 170 cm3 cavities. Two trays were plastic and one polystyrene, with and without copper coating to prune the plant root. The hypothesis was that the plant produced in trays with 7% Cu(OH)2 coating would have better root growth than those produced without coating when transplanted to larger containers. The experimental design was completely randomized with a factorial array of 3 × 2 (three types of tray, with and without Cu coating) and four replications per treatment. An additional treatment, a tray designed to airprune roots, was included to compare the two types of pruning. Statistical differences between treatments were detected with an ANOVA, using the GLM procedure and the Tukey test for comparison of means (p£0.05). After nine months in the nursery, plants produced in trays with copper coating and those designed for air root pruning developed fewer spiraling lateral roots than those produced in the same trays without this treatment or design (0.1 vs. 3.3 and 0.2 vs. 3.5). Root growth potential test was conducted in 13.2-L pots for 1.5 months. Plants whose roots were pruned, by effect of copper and air, developed higher monthly relative root growth rates than plants whose roots had not been pruned: horizontal (0.28 vs. 0.15 and 0.18 vs. 0.12 g g-1 per month) and total root growth (0.37 vs. 0.29 and 0.30 vs. 0.25 g g-1 per month). Plants produced in polystyrene trays had better morphological and root quality traits than plants grown in plastic trays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is some controversy about the value of fetal MRI in prenatal diagnosis, and most of the studies examine its accuracy in central nervous system (CNS) pathology. The objective of this retrospective study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy and usefulness of fetal MRI in the prenatal diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) pathology and non-CNS pathology. Patients referred to the Radiology Department between 2007 and 2018 for a fetal MRI after detection of an anomaly in the fetal ultrasound, a high-risk pregnancy, or an inconclusive fetal ultrasound (n = 623) were included in the study. Postnatal diagnosis was used to assess the diagnostic accuracy of MRI. Fetal MRI was considered to provide additional information over fetal ultrasound when findings of the fetal MRI were not detected in the fetal ultrasound or when established a pathological condition that was not detected in the fetal ultrasound. Fetal MRI provided useful information for the perinatal management and prognosis over fetal ultrasound when findings of the fetal MRI changed the postnatal prognosis, leaded to the decision to legally terminate the pregnancy, changed prenatal or postnatal follow-up, or helped in the planning of prenatal or postnatal treatment. Fetal MRI offered an accurate diagnosis in 97% of cases (compared to 90.4% of fetal ultrasound; p < 0.001). Concordance between fetal ultrasound and fetal MRI was 92.1%. Fetal MRI provided additional information over fetal ultrasound in 23.1% of cases. In 11.6% of cases, the information was useful for the perinatal management and prognosis. In 45 cases (7.2%), fetal MRI was the only accurate diagnosis. In conclusion, fetal MRI has a superior diagnostic accuracy, especially in CNS pathology, and provides additional useful information in CNS, thoracic, and abdominal pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic flow intermittency is considered a severe disturbance for benthic macroinvertebrates with largely unknown impacts on the organization of benthic communities and their food webs. We analysed the community composition (as taxonomic composition and relative abundance of taxa) and food webs of the macroinvertebrates inhabiting the pools and riffles of two Mediterranean streams with contrasting perennial and anthropogenic intermittent flow regimes. Our analyses comprised monthly measurements in two pools and two riffles of the community composition, food‐web topology (the pattern in which specific links are arranged within the network) and food‐web complexity indexes (the number of nodes and links regardless of their identity or arrangement) over 1 year. The food webs revealed a significant annual variation in size, complexity, and diversity within pools and under perennial flow (e.g., number of nodes, number of links, link density). Multivariate analysis showed strong differences in the composition and relative abundance of taxa and food‐web topology of assemblages inhabiting pools and riffles. However, differences between communities inhabiting pools and riffles varied during the year; periods of great similarity were followed by periods in which communities were very different. This annual sequence of differences between pools and riffles was compressed under the anthropogenic flow intermittency regime. The anthropogenic intermittent flow studied here might represent a moderate stressor for Mediterranean communities well‐adapted to dry conditions. Still, the reported deviation of the community composition and food‐web topology from the reference status reflect the detrimental effect of this stressor on the benthic community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introducción: El envejecimiento poblacional es una realidad que caracteriza a las sociedades contemporáneas y Cuba no escapa de esa situación. El Municipio Playa ocupa el décimo cuarto lugar de los más envejecidos del país. Objetivo: Analizar la situación que presenta el envejecimiento en Municipio Playa de la Provincia de La Habana y el grado de implementacion de las políticas públicas establecidas. Métodos: Se realizó el análisis documental de la información sobre el envejecimiento poblacional del municipio Playa aportado por la Oficina Nacional de Estadística e Información, el Consejo de la Administración, las direcciones municipales de Salud Pública, Cultura y Deporte Consejo de la Administración. Se realizaron visitas a los hogares de ancianos, casas de abuelo, así como a otras instituciones de la salud, cultura y deporte. Se entrevistaron funcionarios de esas instituciones y se realizaron grupos focales con los trabajadores y abuelos. Resultados: El Municipio Playa presenta un índice de envejecimiento del 23,6 ocupando la décimo cuarta posición. Los resultados de los indicadores del adulto mayor reflejan que existen 2710 ancianos solos, 6 831 ancianas frágiles, 1 759 ancianos en estado de necesidad. Conclusiones: Se requiere aumentar a nivel territorial la voluntad política para atender el envejecimiento poblacional. Introduction: Population aging is a reality that characterizes contemporary societies and Cuba does not escape this situation. The Playa Municipality occupies the fourteenth place of the oldest in the country. Objective: To analyze the situation of aging in the Playa Municipality of the Havana Province and the degree of implementation of the established public policies. Methods: A documentary analysis of the information on the population aging of the Playa municipality was carried out, provided by the National Office of Statistics and Information, the Administration Council, the municipal directorates of Public Health, Culture and Sports Administration Council. Visits were made to nursing homes, grandparents' homes, as well as to other health, cultural and sports institutions. Officials from these institutions were interviewed and focus groups were held with workers and grandparents. Results: The Playa Municipality presents an aging index of 23.6, occupying the fourteenth position. The results of the indicators for the elderly reflect that there are 2,710 elderly alone, 6,831 frail elderly women, and 1,759 elderly in need. Conclusions: It is necessary to increase the political will at the territorial level to attend to population aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The catalytic functionalization of pyrroles by incorporation of a nitrene group is reported. The Cα‐H bond of 1H‐pyrrole is amidated upon the formal insertion of the NTs (Ts=p‐toluenesulfonyl) group catalyzed by TpBr3Cu(NCMe) (TpBr3=hydrotris(3,4,5‐tribromo‐pyrazolyl)borate). N‐substituted pyrroles also verify the same transformation. The mechanism proposal is similar to that previously described for benzene amidation with the same catalyst and PhI=NTs, which takes place through aziridine formation, ring opening and 1,2‐hydrogen shift. A cascade reaction involving the coupling of 2,5‐dimethylfuran, 1,2,3‐trimethyl‐pyrrole and a nitrene NTs group is also described, leading to a 1,2‐dihydropyridine‐imine compound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes the reading of "The Recovery of San Salvador de Bahía", proposing a correspondence between the historical moment of 1625 and that of 1633, when the paintings of the Hall of the Kingdoms were commissioned. The event had a fundamental role in the construction of a project of Monarchy that needed a common enemy to build solidarity between the kingdoms. With the unity of the crowns of Portugal and Castile not well established, Olivares would use the campaigns of Brazil to exalt this necessary cooperation, not only for the common defence, but also to develop the project of the Catholic or Universal Monarchy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detection of metastases in patients with a diagnosis of uveal melanoma (UM) is a controversial issue. While only 1% of the patients have detectable metastases at the time of diagnosis, up to 30% of them will develop liver metastases within 5 years of treatment. UM spreads hematogenously, therefore, blood biomarkers may be helpful for prognosis and monitoring the disease progression. Despite the great progress achieved thanks to the genetic analysis of UM biopsies, this is an invasive technique and is limited by the heterogeneity of the tumor. The present review considers the current understanding in the field regarding biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of UM and its metastasis, primarily to the liver. General covered topics include non-conventional markers such as proteins previously identified in cutaneous melanoma and UM cell lines, circulating tumor cells, microRNAs (miRNA), and circulating DNA, and how each may be critical in the development of novel blood biomarkers for UM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food-grade titanium dioxide (E171) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are common food additives for human consumption. We examined multi-organ toxicity of both compounds on Wistar rats orally exposed for 90 days. Rats were divided into three groups: (1) control (saline solution), (2) E171-exposed, and (3) ZnO NPs-exposed. Histological examination was performed with hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Ceramide (Cer), 3-nitrotyrosine (NT), and lysosome-associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP-2) were detected by immunofluorescence. Relevant histological changes were observed: disorganization, inflammatory cell infiltration, and mitochondrial damage. Increased levels of Cer, NT, and LAMP-2 were observed in the liver, kidney, and brain of E171- and ZnO NPs-exposed rats, and in rat hearts exposed to ZnO NPs. E171 up-regulated Cer and NT levels in the aorta and heart, while ZnO NPs up-regulated them in the aorta. Both NPs increased LAMP-2 expression in the intestine. In conclusion, chronic oral exposure to metallic NPs causes multi-organ injury, reflecting how these food additives pose a threat to human health. Our results suggest how complex interplay between ROS, Cer, LAMP-2, and NT may modulate organ function during NP damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to compare the ability of sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA®) and Sperm‐Ovis‐Halomax® to detect DNA fragmentation in frozen‐thawed ram spermatozoa incubated under capacitating conditions in synthetic oviductal fluid (SOF) supplemented with oestrous sheep serum (SOF‐ESS) at multiple time points (0–240 min). Incubation in SOF‐ESS had no significant effects on SCSA® parameters while the percentage of spermatozoa with fragmented DNA measured by Sperm‐Ovis‐Halomax® increased after 180 min of incubation. In addition, no correlation or agreement was found between the techniques, suggesting that SCSA® and Sperm‐Ovis‐Halomax® may quantify different types of DNA damage in ram spermatozoa under these experimental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In today's society, people's use of technological devices does not seem intentional, but directed by the device itself. As this situation is common, this article seeks to answer the question of whether technological devices guide human actions. A qualitative approach methodological framework is used, starting with a review of the background represented by the positions of John Searle, Martin Heidegger and Bruno Latour. Afterwards, the fundamental bibliography of Antonio González-Fernández is reviewed in order to select some praxeological premises, and to establish a position on the matter, based on the concept of reality, which he calls alterity, related to technological devices, inasmuch as they are real things that can orient human actions. The results show that technological devices do not direct human actions, a matter that corresponds to the structures of praxis known as action and activity. Thus, the praxeological posture is neither mere intentionalism nor pure mastery of the technique, much less a synthesis of both positions. Rather, the coexistence of human intentionality and the influence of the technological devices may be proposed, which, as something real, affects human beings and forces them to respond to their real presence. In this way, the most important philosophical implication consists in deriving a praxeological position that overcomes the limitations of its predecessors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional feeding groups (FFGs) have been used over recent decades to classify aquatic insects according to their trophic resources and the mechanisms used to acquire them. Nonetheless, the classification of a taxon into an FFG is often based on its membership of a genus or family rather than on species level information. This extrapolation of the FFG membership of one taxon to the remaining taxa within a group has led to misconceptions and erroneous conclusions.This study aimed to determine the amount of variation in FFG membership within species among seasons and locations and whether this was related to resource availability. For this purpose, we sampled over two seasons (autumn and spring) at three altitudes in each of four basins, measuring the main trophic resources available for aquatic insects and collecting representatives of taxa traditionally assigned to each of the main FFGs. Based on analyses of the diet of multiple individuals in each location and season, we calculated the percentage belonging to each FFG.Diets differed widely among taxa, and within taxa they often varied significantly between sites in the same season and at the same site between different seasons. Species' diets could also differ between different river basins when specimens were collected at the same altitude and season. In some cases, although the primary food source remained the same, the contribution from a secondary source varied between sites. Although availability of the three main trophic resources (epilithic algae, fine and coarse particulate organic matter) differed among sites, we found no association overall between the availability of these resources and insect diets.Our results agree with several recent studies that show that the diets of stream invertebrates vary widely in space and time, potentially indicative of widespread omnivory/opportunistic feeding. This makes classifying taxa into particular FFGs without collection of dietary data, or by assigning one FFG to a taxon across all places and times, fraught with potential errors. These have possible repercussions for ecological studies related to matter cycles or food webs, amongst other issues. Some stream insects are consistently predaceous or have piercing mouthparts that constrain their diet. However, it appears increasingly likely that the majority of taxa, formerly labelled as scraper, shredder, and collector–gatherer or filterer, should be regarded as feeding on a range of sources and not routinely assigned into distinct FFGs (in the absence of local dietary data). We suggest researchers classify stream insect taxa as omnivores unless there are local data that show otherwise, or the taxa are obligate predators, feed by piercing or are otherwise physiologically constrained to a particular diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • A new method for the estimation of NRTL binary interaction parameters from liquid-liquid equilibrium data. • The method improves the phase stability of the solutions found. • The problem formulated can be solved in conventional mathematical computing software. Abstract Fitting liquid-liquid equilibrium (LLE) data to common thermodynamic models (NRTL, UNIQUAC...) has been proved in the past to be a non trivial task. Many times it leads to inconsistent solutions where the Gibbs stability criteria is not satisfied. In this work, a simplified parameter estimation problem is formulated where the Gibbs stability criteria and the minimization of experimental and calculated phase composition distances, are simultaneously applied. This formulation is intended to be implemented in general mathematical computing software. Five isothermal ternary systems are studied and the obtained NRTL binary interaction parameters are compared with both existing published parameters and those obtained from commercial data regression tools. Results show that the combination of the proposed problem formulation with commercial non-linear programming solvers improves the quality of the ternary fittings obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study is to experimentally assess the possible effect of macroinvertebrate predators on the decomposition rate of leaves in a Mediterranean stream and to analyze the pattern of colonization by macroinvertebrates of the litter bags through time. We designed a factorial experiment with three types of litter bags (allowing the entrance of no macroinvertebrates, only small macroinvertebrates and small and large, top‐predators, macroinvertebrates). We measured the percentage of ash‐free dry mass remaining after 15, 30, and 45 days, as well as the macroinvertebrate community composition of the two types of litter bags where they were allowed to enter. We did not find differences in the ash‐free dry mass remaining between the two types that allowed the entrance of macroinvertebrates. The diversity of the community colonizing each type of litter bag was always relatively high and changed significantly with time and, in some cases, with the exclosure treatment studied. These results show the absence of important top‐down control of macroinvertebrates and particularly in those involved in the leaf decomposition in the food web of this Mediterranean stream that could have repercussions on the leaf decomposition process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters of somatic cell score (SCS) and fat plus protein yield (FPY) using repeatability (RM) and random regression (RRM) models in Florida goats. The data consisted of 340,654 test-day controls of the first three lactations, and the pedigree contained 36,144 animals. Covariance components were estimated with a bivariate RM and RRM using the REML approach. Both models included as fixed effects the combination of herd and control date, litter size, kidding number and lactation length, and as random effects, the additive genetic and permanent environmental effects. A variation in the shape of the genetic parameters along the lactation curve was observed for both traits, and h2 oscillated between 0.272 and 0.279 for SCS and 0.099 and 0.138 for FPY. The genetic correlation between SCS and FPY was negative and medium (−0.304 to −0.477), indicating that a low-SCS EBV is associated with a genetic predisposition to high FPY production. Our results showed that given the magnitude of h2 for SCS and its rg with FPY, the SCS could be used as a selection criterion to increase resistance to mastitis, thus obtaining an improved dairy and cheese aptitude in this breed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identification of refugia from climate change is increasingly considered important for biodiversity conservation, but the distribution of putative refugia may vary across alternative climate scenarios, impeding conservation decision‐making. Based on 117 plant species representative of ecoregions within south‐eastern Australia, we provide a case study identifying in situ refugia across a spectrum of plausible future climates. We define in situ refugia as areas that currently contain populations of the target species, and are projected to remain climatically suitable in the future. Refugia were identified across scenarios describing futures that are, relative to 1990–2009, warmer and wetter, warmer/drier, hotter/wetter, and hotter with little precipitation change. Despite substantial variation in the spatial extent and longevity of climate refugia across species, ecoregions and climate scenarios, clear patterns emerged. By 2070, refugia for species in 1) deserts and xeric shrublands; 2) mediterranean forests, woodlands and shrublands; and 3) temperate and tropical grasslands are likely to be least extensive under a hotter/wetter future. Conversely, wetter conditions may lead to broader refugia for species in temperate forests. We identified areas of congruence where high richness refugia (refugia for ≥ 50% of representative species) were projected to occur irrespective of the climate scenario. These regions therefore appear robust to uncertainty about climate change, presenting clear targets for conservation attention. Our approach provides valuable information for decision‐makers, enabling them to identify and visualise the spatial arrangement of refugia under contrasting scenarios of environmental change. This reveals management options in the context of climate uncertainty and facilitates informed prioritisation of conservation resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In Spain, the religious pluralism can became a challenge to healthcare professionals in their role of providing coherent care and attention that respects the beliefs and values of usersen. Objective: The objective of this study is to know the influence of religiosity / spirituality on behavior patterns in relation to lifestyles: healthy and unhealthy habits. Methodology: Systematic literature review published between 2012-2017 and it searched in databases: SCOPUS, PUBMED, LILACS and WOS. Results: The 22 selected articles showed a direct relationship between the level of religiosity and the follow-up of healthy behaviors in general, as well as the protective character of the life styles in the appearance of diseases. Also, a low consumption of toxic substances was observed in people with greater religious participation. Conclusion: It can be affirmed that the affiliation to a religion does imply the realization of behavioral patterns that are usually beneficial to health. In addition, non-religious individuals with high levels of spirituality are also likely to engage in healthier behaviors than those with poorer levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Exploiting the fact that natural languages are complex systems, the present exploratory article proposes a direct method based on frequency distributions that may be useful when making a decision on the status of problematic phonemes, an open problem in linguistics. The main notion is that natural languages, which can be considered from a complex outlook as information processing machines, and which somehow manage to set appropriate levels of redundancy, already "made the choice" whether a linguistic unit is a phoneme or not, and this would be reflected in a greater smoothness in a frequency versus rank graph. For the particular case we chose to study, we conclude that it is reasonable to consider the Spanish semiconsonant /w/ as a separate phoneme from its vowel counterpart /u/, on the one hand, and possibly also the semiconsonant /j/ as a separate phoneme from its vowel counterpart /i/, on the other. As language has been so central a topic in the study of complexity, this discussion grants us, in addition, an opportunity to gain insight into emerging properties in the broader complex systems debate. Highlights • Complexity ideas can help determine whether a linguistic unit is a phoneme or not. • Decidability in phonology can be reduced to mere frequency counting. • Natural languages evolve their phoneme inventory to set adequate redundancy levels. • Languages are information-processing machines that generate smooth distributions. • Frequency versus rank graphs hold the clue for phoneme number determination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]