Free monadic Tarski and MMI3-algebras

MMI3-algebras are a generalization of the monadic Tarski algebras as defined by A. Monteiro and L. Iturrioz, and a particular case of the MMIn+1-algebras defined by A. Figallo. They can also be seen as monadic three-valued £ukasiewicz algebras without a first element. By using this point of view, and the free monadic extensions, we construct the free MMI3-algebras on a finite number of generators, and indicate the coordinates of the generators. As a byproduct, we also obtain a construction of the free monadic Tarski algebras.Fil: Entizne, Rosana V.. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Matemática; ArgentinaFil: Monteiro, Luiz F.. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Matemática; ArgentinaFil: Savini, Sonia M.. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Matemática; ArgentinaFil: Viglizzo, Ignacio Dario. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Matemática; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca; Argentin

Opportunities for Web-Based Indicators in Environmental Sciences

This paper proposes a set of web-based indicators for quantifying and ranking the relevance of terms related to key-issues in Ecology and Sustainability Science. Search engines that operate in different contexts (e.g. global, social, scientific) are considered as web information carriers (WICs) and are able to analyse; (i) relevance on different levels: global web, individual/personal sphere, on-line news, and culture/science; (ii) time trends of relevance; (iii) relevance of keywords for environmental governance. For the purposes of this study, several indicators and specific indices (relational indices and dynamic indices) were applied to a test-set of 24 keywords. Outputs consistently show that traditional study topics in environmental sciences such as water and air have remained the most quantitatively relevant keywords, while interest in systemic issues (i.e. ecosystem and landscape) has grown over the last 20 years. Nowadays, the relevance of new concepts such as resilience and ecosystem services is increasing, but the actual ability of these concepts to influence environmental governance needs to be further studied and understood. The proposed approach, which is based on intuitive and easily replicable procedures, can support the decision-making processes related to environmental governance

Morphometric analyses of a Pinctada radiata (Leach, 1814)(Bivalvia : Pteriidae) population in the Maltese Islands

Five biometric parameters (shell height, shell length, nacreous height, nacreous width and hinge length) were measured for two populations of Pinctada radiata (Leach, 1814) within shallow coastal waters of the Maltese Islands, in the central Mediterranean Sea, as part of a demographic study of the species. In terms of shell height, both populations consisted mainly of small to moderate individuals. Regression analyses between these parameters were carried out, resulting in moderate to high correlations between all parameters except for hinge length. The study represents the first attempt at morphometric characterization of populations of a non-indigenous bivalve in Maltese coastal waters.peer-reviewe

A family nurse-led intervention for reducing health services’ utilization in individuals with chronic diseases : The ADVICE pilot study

Objectives Intensive health services’ utilization is common in older individuals affected by chronic diseases. This study assessed whether a structured family nurse-led educational intervention would be effective in reducing health services’ use (readmissions and/or emergency service access) among older people affected by chronic conditions. Methods This is a non-randomized before-after pilot study. A sample of 78 patients was recruited from two general practices in Italy and 70 among them were followed for 8 months. Standard home care was provided during the first four months’ period (months 1–4), followed by the educational intervention until the end of the study (months 5–8). The intervention, based on the teach-back method, consisted of by-weekly 60-min home sessions targeting aspects of the disease and its treatment, potential complications, medication adherence, and health behaviours. Rates of health services’ use were collected immediately before (T0), and after the interventions (T1). Differences in utilization rates were examined by the McNemar’s test. Potential factors associated with the risk of health services’ use were explored with a Cox proportional hazard regression model. Results The sample (n = 78) was predominantly female (n = 50, 64.1%), and had a mean age of 76.2 (SD = 4.8) years. Diabetes mellitus was the most frequent disease (n = 27, 34.6%). McNemar’s test indicated a significant reduction in health services’ use at T1 (McNemar χ2 = 28.03, P < 0.001). Cox regressions indicated that time and patient education, as well as their interaction, were the only variables positively associated with the probability of health services’ use. Conclusion A teach-back intervention led by a family nurse practitioner has the potential to reduce health services’ use in older patients with chronic diseases

Procambarus clarkii o gambero rosso della Louisiana

La Terra è un pianeta in continuo movimento e con essa tutte le forme di vita esistenti. In questo libro è racchiuso il concetto di ecobioevoluzione che comprende i tre aspetti fondamentali della vita sulla Terra, ovvero l’ecologia, la biologia e l’evoluzione. Ecobioevoluzione rappresenta la visione olistica, mediante lo studio, la ricerca e l’analisi, dei complessi fenomeni che avvengono negli ecosistemi. Fenomeni di origine sia naturale che artificiale le cui conseguenze e relazioni sono interdipendenti e in continuo divenire

Molecular approaches to bivalve population studies: a review

This paper presents a literature review concerning the importance of molecular approaches in bivalve’s population study. The class Bivalvia counts more than 20,000 species with a wide distribution both in freshwater and marine environment. Given their importance especially in aquaculture as a source of food, they have also a strong economic impact upon human society. This review encompasses best practices in bivalve studies from field sampling to laboratory analyses, addressing questions about molecular methods and tools commonly used by specialized researchers. Molecular tools specifically deals with phylogeography, population genetics, biology, ecology and taxonomy. In all these fields, molecular markers play an important role by completing some unanswered questions such as the role of the bivalves in the ecosystems in relation to anthropogenic and global change issues. Numerous genetic markers were developed for specific problems, thereferore we identify as a major issue the absence of uniform and universally recognized methods. The various sections of the paper emphasize from peer reviewed literature literature which are considered the most useful markers, costs and benefits of different methodology, major gaps of knowledge.in bivalve population studies. By reviewing virtually all genetic markers employed during nearly half a century of bivalve molecular research, in our opinion two are the best option “tools: the mitochondrial COI (cytochrome oxidase subunit I) and nuclear ITS2 (internal transcribed spacer 2)

Bioinvasions as a component of global change in stressed marine ecosystem

Biological invasions in marine environment are the lesser known aspect of global change. However, recent events which occurred in the Mediterranean Sea demonstrate that they represent a serious ecological and economical menace leading to biodiversity loss, ecosystem unbalancing, fishery and tourism impairment. In this paper we review marine bioinvasions using examples taken from the Mediterranean/Black Sea region. Particular attention is given to the environmental status of the receiving area as a fundamental prerequisite for the colonisation success of alien species. The spread of the tropical algae belonging to the genus Caulerpa in the northwestern basin of the Mediterranean Sea has been facilitated by pre-existing conditions of instability of the Posidonia oceanica endemic ecosystem in relation to stress of both natural and anthropogenic origin. Human interventions caused long-term modification in the Black Sea environment, preparing a fertile ground for mass bioinvasion of aquatic nuisance species which, in some cases, altered the original equilibrium of the entire basin. Finally, the Venice lagoon is presented as the third example of an environment subjected to high propagule pressure and anthropogenic forcing and bearing the higher ‘‘diversity’’ of non-indigenous species compared to the other Mediterranean lagoons. Stressed environments are easily colonised by alien species; understanding the links between human and natural disturbance and massive development of non-indigenous species will help prevent marine bioinvasions, that are already favoured by global oceanic trade