Influence of Quaternary Benzophenantridine and Protopine Alkaloids on Growth Performance, Dietary Energy, Carcass Traits, Visceral Mass, and Rumen Health in Finishing Ewes under Conditions of Severe Temperature-humidity Index.

Twenty Pelibuey×Katahdin ewes (35±2.3 kg) were used to determine the effects of the consumption of standardized plant extract containing a mixture of quaternary benzophenanthridine alkaloids and protopine alkaloids (QBA+PA) on growth performance, dietary energetics, visceral mass, and ruminal epithelial health in heat-stressed ewes fed with a high-energy corn-based diet. The basal diet (13.9% crude protein and 2.09 Mcal of net energy [NE] of maintenance/kg of dry matter) contained 49.7% starch and 15.3% neutral detergent fiber. Source of QBA+PA was Sangrovit RS (SANG) which contains 3 g of quaternary benzophenathridine and protopine alkaloids per kg of product. Treatments consisted of a daily consumption of 0 or 0.5 g SANG/ewe. Ewes were grouped by weight and assigned to 10 pens (5 pens/treatment), with two ewes per pen. The experimental period lasted 70 days. The mean temperature humidity index during the course of this experiment was 81.7±1.0 (severe heat stress). There were no treatment effects on water intake. Dry matter intake was not affected (p = 0.70) by treatments, but the group fed SANG had a numerically (11.2%) higher gain in comparison to the control group, SANG improved gain efficiency (8.3%, p = 0.04), dietary NE (5.2%, p<0.01) and the observed-to-expected NE (5.9%, p<0.01). Supplemental SANG did not affect (p≥0.12) carcass characteristics, chemical composition of shoulder, and organ weights (g/kg empty body weight) of stomach complex, intestines, and heart/lung. Supplemental SANG decreased liver weight (10.3%, p = 0.02) and increased visceral fat (16.9%, p = 0.02). Rumen epithelium of ewes fed SANG had lower scores for cellular dropsical degeneration (2.08 vs 2.34, p = 0.02), parakeratosis (1.30 vs 1.82, p = 0.03) and neutrophil infiltration (2.08 vs 2.86, p = 0.05) than controls. It is concluded that SANG supplementation helped ameliorate the negative effects of severe heat on growth performance of feedlot ewes fed high-energy corn-based diets. Improvement in energetic efficiency may have been mediated, in part, by anti-inflammatory effects of supplemental SANG and corresponding enhancement of nutrient uptake

Comportamiento fitocenológico de Alliaria Petiolata (M. Bieb.) Caravaca & Grande en el sur de la Península Ibérica

Alliaria petiolata es una especie ampliamente distribuída por el norte de la Península Ibérica y que se enrarece hacia el sur, localizándose entonces en biotopos submediterráneos, generalmente escasos en Andalucía. En este trabajo se aborda el estudio fi tocenológico (fi tosociológico) de A. petiolata en el sur de Andalucía (Málaga y zonas limítrofes). En la provincia de Málaga, A. petiolata aparece en comunidades de pastizal escionitrófi lo bajo bosques como pinsapares (Abies pinsapo), robledales (Quercus pyrenaica) y acerales (Acer monspessulanum). Entre los resultados, se describe una nueva subasociación (Urtico dubiae-Smyrnietum olusatri subass. ranunculetosum blepharicarpi nova) propia hasta el momento del subsector Torcalense (sector Antequerano, provincia Bética, subregión Mediterránea Occidental), caracterizada precisamente por la presencia de A. petiolata. Además se estudia la presencia de esta especie en otras dos asociaciones de pastizales escionitrófi los distribuidos por Andalucía.Alliaria petiolata is widely distributed in the Northern Iberian Peninsula but becomes rare in the south where it appears only in sub-Mediterranean favourable biotopes which are generally scarce in Andalusia. In this paper we deal with the phytosociological study of A. petiolata in southern Andalusia (Malaga province and surroundings). In Malaga province A. petiolata occurs in sciophilous-nitrophilous herbs communities under covering of Abies pinsapo, Quercus pyrenaica or Acer monspessulanum. As a result a new association (Urtico dubiae-Smyrnietum olusatri subass. ranunculetosum blepharicarpi nova) is described from Torcal de Antequera (Antequerano sector, Baetic province, Western Mediterranean subregion), characterised by A. petiolata. Moreover, we have studied the presence of Alliaria in another two sciophilous-nitrophilous associations spread out in Andalusia

Sobre las avellanedas subbéticas con Ulmus Glabra Huds. en las sierras de Cazorla-Segura-Alcaraz, Jaén-Albacete (España)

Se aportan nuevos datos fitosociológicos y florísticos sobre las avellanedas (Geo urbani-Coryletum avellanae) del sector fitogeográfico Subbético (provincia Bética, región Mediterránea). La ubicación de esta asociación edafohidrófila en biotopos con suelos permanentemente húmedos, como es el caso de profundas vaguadas o cañones orientados al norte y con condiciones microclimáticas excepcionales (submediterráneas), posibilita la aparición en el seno de esta comunidad de taxones típicamente eurosiberianos con distribución límite en el sur de España; tal es el caso de Ulmus glabra, Carex sylvatica subsp. sylvatica o Moehringia trinervia. Se defi ne en el seno de esta comunidad una nueva subasociación (Geo urbani-Coryletum avellanae ulmetosum glabrae subass. nova) vinculada con Corylo-Populion, Tilio-Acerion y Fagetalia por la afi nidad fi tosociológica de algunas especies destacables y compartiendo varios taxones con las avellanedas del Sistema Ibérico (Astrantio-Coryletum avellanae). Esta subasociación también representa zonas muy bien conservadas, con especies muy escasas, amenazadas o legalmente protegidas. Se define también otra nueva subasociación en este caso en el seno del aceral bético (Daphno latifoliae-Aceretum granatensis coryletosum avellanae subass. nova) cuyo significado fitogeográfico corresponde al empobrecimiento progresivo de las avellanedas en táxones de Tilio-Acerion, Fagetalia y los más restringidos de Querco-Fagetea al desplazarnos hacia el suroeste en el sector Subbético (subsector Cazorlense), refugiándose el resto de su cortejo florístico en los acerales béticos.New phytosociological and floristic data about hazel forests (Geo urbaniCoryletum avellanae) endemic of the Subbético phytogeographical sector (Bética province, Mediterranean region) are presented. This edaphohygrophilous association develops on the permanently wet soils of the deep ravines and canyons with north exposition and exceptional microclimatic characteristics (submediterranean) of the Subbético supramediterranean bioclimatic belt. These conditions enable Eurosiberian species, very unusual and rare in southern Spain, to appear inside this community: Ulmus glabra, Carex sylvatica subsp. sylvatica or Moehringia trinervia. To point out this kind of vegetation we propose a new subassociation: Geo urbani-Coryletum avellanae ulmetosum glabrae subass. nova, related to Corylo-Populion, Tilio-Acerion and Fagetalia and connected with the hazel forests, Astrantio-Coryletum avellanae, found in the Oroibérica subprovince (Iberian range). The new subassociation represents biotopes inside this plant ecosystem very well preserved. We also propose a new subassociation inside the maple tree forests of the Subbético sector (Daphno latifoliae-Aceretum granatensis coryletosum avellanae subass. nova). We interpreted this syntaxa as an impoverishment of the hazel forests in taxa of Tilio-Acerion, Fagetalia and Querco-Fagetea to the southwest of the Subbético sector, taking refuge its more resistant taxa inside Aceri-Quercion forests

Aportaciones al conocimiento de las comunidades de Pistacia Terenbinthus L. y de Acer Monspessulanum L. en el Sur de la Península Ibérica

Se aportan nuevos datos fitosociológicos sobre los terebintales-cornicabrales béticos, con la propuesta de una nueva asociación (Phillyreo latifoliae-Pistacietum terebinthi ass. nova) que representa a las formaciones de microfanerófitos mediterráneos perennifolios integrados en Quercetalia ilicis pero dominados por algunas especies caducifolias como Pistacia terebinthus. Se define también una nueva subasociación de los quejigares bético-torcalenses (Vinco difformis-Quercetum fagineae aceretosum monspessulani subass. nova) cuyo significado fitocenológico corresponde a un enriquecimiento en especies eurosiberianas y submediterráneas de Quercetalia pubescentis, fundamentalmente debido a un incremento en la altitud y a causa de las condiciones microclimáticas del biotopo en el que se asienta dicha comunidad.Contribution to the noules of the comunities of Pistacia terebinthus and Acer monspessulanum in Southern Iberian Peninsula. New phytosociological data about winter-deciduous pistachio tree forest (Phillyreo latifoliae-Pistacietum terebinthi ass. nova) endemic of the Betica province and Mediterranean region are presented. This new association is formed quantitatively by an evergreen forest; however there might predominate deciduous species such as Pistacia terebinthus. In addition, we propose a new subassociation of maple forest into the Torcalense phytogeographical subsector (Vinco difformis-Quercetum fagineae aceretosum monspessulani subass. nova). This subassociation develops on higher areas with north exposition. These conditions enable eurosiberian and submediterranean species, which belong to the phytosociological order of Quercetalia pubescentis

Las comunidades escionitrófilas de Alliaria petiolata (M. Bieb.) Cavara & Grande en el sur de la Península Ibérica

Las comunidades caracterizadas por Alliaria petiolata en el sur de la Península Ibérica corresponden a la asociación Myrrhoidi nodosae-Alliarietum petiolatae (clase Galio-Urticetea). Dicha asociación presenta su óptimo en la Sierra de Ayllón (Provincia Carpetano-Ibérico-Leonesa), e irradia hacia el suroeste por los sistemas béticos (provincia corológica Bética), cambiando su composición florística y empobreciéndose en esa dirección, siguiendo los distintos sectores fitogeográficos. Estos aspectos son reflejados fielmente por tres subasociaciones y una variante: subass. smyrnietosum perfoliati (subsectores Cazorlense y Alcaracense), subass. nepetosum granatensis (sectores Nevadense y Almijaro-Granatense) y subass. ranunculetosum blepharicarpi comb. nova (subsector Torcalense), que llega de modo finícola como variante supramediterránea con Sysimbrium crassifolium al extremo suroeste de las cordilleras (sector Rondeño). Esta distribución manifiesta una vía migratoria para taxones y sintaxones orófilos y mesófilos por las montañas béticas. Además, Alliaria petiolata, por su propia autoecología, su cortejo florístico y el hábitat que precisa, es un fiel bioindicador de bosques caducifolios, riparios y de abetos, que se pueden considerar hoy día muy singulares por su carácter relicto, submediterráneo o por habitar condiciones ecológicas especiales.Plant communities with Alliaria petiolata (M. Bieb.) Cavara & Grande in the South of the Iberian Peninsula. Plant communities characterized by Alliaria petiolata in the south of de Iberian Peninsula can be included in Myrrhoidi nodosae-Alliarietum petiolatae association (Galio-Urticetea class). This association is located in Ayllon mountains (Carpetano-Ibérico-Leonesa province) and distributed towards the southwest by the Betic mountain ranges (Betic chorological province) varying its floristic composition as the association reaches the different phytogeographical sectors. These aspects are clearly defined by three subassociations and one variant: subass. smyrnietosum perfoliati (Cazorlense and Alcaracense subsectors), subass. nepetosum granatensis (Nevadense y and Almijaro-Granatense sectors) and subass. ranunculetosum blepharicarpi comb. nova (Torcalense subsector) that reaches the southwest limit of Betic ranges as a supramediterranean variant with Sisymbrium crassifolium (Rondeño sector). This distribution may indicate a migratory route for orophyllous and mesophyllous taxa and syntaxa throughout the Betic Mountains. Moreover, Alliaria petiolata is an accurate bioindicator for the undergrowth of deciduous, riparian and mixed Abies pinsapo forests considered actually remarkable because of its relict character, sub-Mediterranean phytogeographical position, or special ecological requirements

Sobre las alisedas nevadenses (Sierra Nevada, Granada-Almería, España)

Se ha realizado un estudio fitosociológico sobre las alisedas (bosques de Alnus glutinosa) en Sierra Nevada (Granada-Almería, España). Para ello, se han recopilado los datos existentes en archivos históricos y en bibliografía, además de reunir inventarios bibliográficos e inventarios propios. La distribución conocida de las alisedas en Sierra Nevada está centrada en dos zonas: en la cara sur los barrancos de Poqueira y Trevélez (Granada) y en la cara norte los afluentes del río Alhama de Lugros (Granada). También existen en la Sierra Nevada almeriense (río Andarax). Tras un análisis detallado de las tablas fitosociológicas, de su fitoecología, composición florística, distribución y estructura, llegamos a la conclusión de que las alisedas de Sierra Nevada constituyen una nueva asociación que denominamos Carici camposii-Alnetum glutinosae ass. nova. Se trata de bosques caducifolios muy desarrollados, con estrato arbóreo, arbustivo y herbáceo, que se desarrollan en tramos riparios con agua permanente, sobre materiales silíceos, en el piso supramediterráneo del sector fitogeográfico Nevadense (provincia Bética). Existe una variante que habita laderas de gran inclinación con suelos rezumantes, donde las alisedas muestran mayor biomasa (altura, cobertura) y aparecen algunas especies fitoindicadoras (Geum urbanum). El análisis de la tabla sintética muestra su clara separación del resto de alisedas sur-ibéricas de Osmundo-Alnion, destacando la ausencia del bioindicador más característico de esa alianza (Osmunda regalis) en la nueva asociación.Alnus glutinosa forests in Sierra Nevada (Granada-Almeria, Spain). A phytosociological survey has been made on Alnus glutinosa forests in Sierra Nevada. Historical and bibliographical data have been compiled as well as published and new phytosociological inventories. The known distribution of Alnus glutinosa forests in Sierra Nevada is concentrated in two main zones: in the southern slope along the rivers Poqueira and Trevélez (Granada) and in the northern slope along the tributaries of the Alhama de Lugros river (Granada). They have been also inventoried in Almeria province (Andarax river). After detailed analysis of phytosociological inventories and tables as well as for the ecology, floristic composition, distribution and forest structure, we conclude that the A. glutinosa forests of Sierra Nevada represent a new association: Carici camposii-Alnetum glutinosae ass. nova. They are well developed forest with trees, shrubs, and grasses strata, appearing in river banks with permanent streams, on siliceous soils in the supramediterranean bioclimatic belt of the Nevadense phytogeographical sector (Betic province). A variant, indicated by Geum urbanum, develops in high incline slopes with permanent wet soils where A. glutinosa forests show the greatest biomass (canopy cover and height of trees). Analysis of synthetic table shows clear division from the rest of the Osmundo-Alnion south-Iberian forests, emphasizing the absence of the main indicator of the alliance (Osmunda regalis) in the new association

A P-Lingua based simulator for tissue P systems

AbstractInvestigations within the field of tissue-like P systems are being conducted, on one hand studying their computational efficiency, and on the other hand exploring the possibilities to use them as a computational modelling framework to biological phenomena.In both cases it is necessary to develop software that provides simulation tools (simulators) for the existing variety of tissue P systems. Such simulators allow us to carry on computations of solutions to computationally hard problems on certain (small) instances. Moreover, they also provide a way to verify tissue-like models for real biological processes, by means of experimental data.The paper presents an extension of P-Lingua (a specification language intended to become a standard for software devoted to P systems), in order to cover the class of tissue-like P systems, that were not considered in the previous release. This extension involves on one hand defining the syntax to be used, and on the other hand introducing a new built-in simulation algorithm that has been added to the core library of P-Lingua

Towards a Programming Language in Cellular Computing

AbstractSeveral solutions to hard numerical problems using P systems have been presented recently, and strong similarities in their designs have been noticed. In this paper we present a new solution, to the Partition problem, via a family of deterministic P systems with active membranes using 2-division. Then, we intend to show that the idea of a cellular programming language is possible (at least for some relevant family of NP-complete problems), indicating some “subroutines” that can be used in a variety of situations and therefore could be useful for designing solutions for new problems in the future

Magnetic behaviour of multisegmented FeCoCu/Cu electrodeposited nanowires

Understanding the magnetic behaviour of multisegmented nanowires (NWs) is a major key for the application of such structures in future devices. In this work, magnetic/non-magnetic arrays of FeCoCu/Cu multilayered NWs electrodeposited in nanoporous alumina templates are studied. Contrarily to most reports on multilayered NWs, the magnetic layer thickness was kept constant (30 nm) and only the non-magnetic layer thickness was changed (0 to 80 nm). This allowed us to tune the interwire and intrawire interactions between the magnetic layers in the NW array creating a three-dimensional (3D) magnetic system without the need to change the template characteristics. Magnetic hysteresis loops, measured with the applied field parallel and perpendicular to the NWs' long axis, showed the effect of the non-magnetic Cu layer on the overall magnetic properties of the NW arrays. In particular, introducing Cu layers along the magnetic NW axis creates domain wall nucleation sites that facilitate the magnetization reversal of the wires, as seen by the decrease in the parallel coercivity and the reduction of the perpendicular saturation field. By further increasing the Cu layer thickness, the interactions between the magnetic segments, both along the NW axis and of neighbouring NWs, decrease, thus rising again the parallel coercivity and the perpendicular saturation field. This work shows how one can easily tune the parallel and perpendicular magnetic properties of a 3D magnetic layer system by adjusting the non-magnetic layer thickness