Tensor products of partial algebras

In this paper we introduce the tensor product of partial algebras w.r.t. a quasi-primtive class of partial algebras, and we prove some of its main properties. This construction generalizes the well-known tensor product of total algebras w.r.t. varieties

Consumption patterns: A proposed model for measurement of solution palatability in pigs

In animal production, the palatability of feeds or solutions has typically been inferred from measurements of preference or acceptance. However, laboratory studies in rats have demonstrated that palatability quantified through the analysis of the microstructure of licking can dissociate from simple measures of consumption. The aim of this study was to evaluate palatability in pigs by using consumption patterns. Pigs (n = 24) were exposed (in pairs, with video recording) to different sucrose solutions (0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32%) over 7 consecutive 10-min tests (1 concentration/d). Total consumption, number of consumption approaches (A), and real consumption time (RCT) were measured. Palatability was estimated through consumption pattern (RCT/A), analogous to the licks/bout measure used in rats. Data was analyzed by sucrose concentration. Spearman correlation coefficients were estimated between the logarithm of sucrose concentration and total consumption, A, RCT, and RCT/A. Total consumption and RCT showed inverted U functions relative to sucrose concentration. Consumption pattern (RCT/A) presented a dose effect (P < 0.005) and positive correlations with sucrose concentration (R = 0.23, P = 0.034). As with rats, consumption pattern could represent an interesting and novel measure of feeding behavior, reflecting palatability in pigs

Història Natural del Migjorn de Menorca

Abstract not availabl

Technical note: Comparison of automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) to assess bacterial diversity in the rumen of sheep

The aim of this study was to compare automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) techniques to assess bacterial diversity in the rumen of sheep. Sheep were fed 2 diets with 70% of either alfalfa hay or grass hay, and the solid (SOL) and liquid (LIQ) phases of the rumen were sampled immediately before feeding (0 h) and at 4 and 8 h postfeeding. Both techniques detected similar differences between forages, with alfalfa hay promoting greater (P 0.05) over the postfeeding period were detected by DGGE. The ARISA technique showed lower (P 0.05) in bacterial diversity between both rumen phases were detected by DGGE. Under the conditions of this study, the DGGE was not sensitive enough to detect some changes in ruminal bacterial communities, and therefore ARISA was considered more accurate for assessing bacterial diversity of ruminal samples. The results highlight the influence of the fingerprinting technique used to draw conclusions on factors affecting ruminal bacterial diversity

Introducción a la Geografía Física de Menorca

Abstract not availabl

Estructura europea para la supervisión y el seguimiento de hábitats: aproximación metodológica para España

There is a well defined policy requirement for a practical and reproducible procedure for surveillance and monitoring of habitats in Spain that can subsequently be fitted into a European framework. Any such procedure also needs to incorporate records of the Spanish habitat classification. A procedure is described that will satisfy those requirements and has been field tested both in Spain and in Europe. Rigorous rules and training are required; otherwise changes from baseline records cannot reliably be separated from background noise. The procedure uses the classical plant life forms long used in biogeography and is based on their statistical relationship with the environment. This relationship has been validated statistically and the procedure has also been tested in the field in all European environmental zones and widely in Spain. 130 General Habitat Categories are defined and these are enhanced in the field by recording environmental, site and management qualities to produce a flexible database that can then be interrogated. The rules for mapping the habitats mean that they can be used for descriptive purposes or for monitoring. In conjunction with stratification and subsequent sampling, national estimates of stock and change can then be produced. Finally, based on the previous experience of SISPARES, a methodological scheme is proposed for adapting the approach to Spain. The proposal will allow links to be made between European scale surveillance and monitoring to those already obtained for Spain.en Espa&ntilde;a pol&iacute;ticas bien definidas que demandan procedimientos pr&aacute;cticos y reproducibles para llevar a cabo la supervisi&oacute;n y seguimiento de los h&aacute;bitats, de modo que subsecuentemente puedan ajustarse al marco Europeo. Cualquier procedimiento de estas caracter&iacute;sticas necesita poder incorporar datos registrados de la clasificaci&oacute;n espa&ntilde;ola de h&aacute;bitats. Aqu&iacute; se describe un procedimiento que satisface dichos requisitos y que ha sido probado tanto en Espa&ntilde;a como en el resto de Europa. El m&eacute;todo exige reglas rigurosas y entrenamiento de campo; si no los cambios en los registros b&aacute;sicos no se podr&aacute;n separar de manera fiable de los errores subjetivos cometidos durante la toma de datos. El procedimiento utiliza las cl&aacute;sicas formas de vida, ampliamente utilizadas en estudios biogeogr&aacute;ficos y est&aacute; basado en sus relaciones con el medio ambiente. Esta relaci&oacute;n ha sido validada estad&iacute;sticamente y el procedimiento ha sido probado en el campo en todas las zonas ambientales de Europa. En Espa&ntilde;a, se han definido 130 Categor&iacute;as Generales de H&aacute;bitats y se han verificado en el campo mediante el registro de atributos ambientales, estacionales y de manejo, de forma que puedan ser incluidas en una base de datos suficientemente flexible. Las directrices para la cartograf&iacute;a de h&aacute;bitats posibilitan su uso descriptivo y permiten su seguimiento. Al mismo tiempo, con la estratificaci&oacute;n y subsecuente muestreo, es posible hacer estimaciones nacionales de existencias y de cambios Finalmente, basados en las experiencias previas de SISPARES, se propone un esquema metodol&oacute;gico para adaptar BIOHAB a Espa&ntilde;a. La propuesta permitir&aacute; conectar los resultados a escala Europea de supervisi&oacute;n y seguimiento con los obtenidos a escala espa&ntilde;ola

Perlecan-Induced Suppression of Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation Is Mediated Through Increased Activity of the Tumor Suppressor PTEN

We were interested in the elucidation of the interaction between the heparan sulfate proteoglycan, perlecan, and PTEN in the regulation of vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) growth. We verified serum-stimulated DNA synthesis, and Akt and FAK phosphorylation were significantly reduced in SMCs overexpressing wild-type PTEN. Our previous studies showed perlecan is a potent inhibitor of serum-stimulated SMC growth. We report in the present study, compared with SMCs plated on fibronectin, serum-stimulated SMCs plated on perlecan exhibited increased PTEN activity, decreased FAK and Akt activities, and high levels of p27, consistent with SMC growth arrest. Adenoviral-mediated overexpression of constitutively active Akt reversed perlecan-induced SMC growth arrest while morpholino antisense-mediated loss of endogenous PTEN resulted in increased growth and phosphorylation of FAK and Akt of SMCs on perlecan. Immunohistochemical and Western analyses of balloon-injured rat carotid artery tissues showed a transient increase in phosphoPTEN (inactive) after injury, correlating to high rates of neointimal cell replication; phosphoPTEN was largely limited to actively replicating SMCs. Similarly, in the developing rat aorta, we found increased PTEN activity associated with increased perlecan deposition and decreased SMC replication rates. However, significantly decreased PTEN activity was detected in aortas of perlecan-deficient mouse embryos, consistent with SMC hyperplasia observed in these animals, compared with E17.5 heterozygous controls that produce abundant amounts of perlecan at this developmental time point. Our data show PTEN is a potent endogenously produced inhibitor of SMC growth and increased PTEN activity mediates perlecan-induced suppression of SMC proliferation.Costell Rossello, M.Mercedes, [email protected]

Valoración fisiológica del ejercicio físico en medicina del trabajo

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