Response of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) to organic fertilizer in northern Belize

Among the most productive activities in northern Belize is sugar cane; as a result, it is a livelihood and income base for many Belizeans who depend on it. However, the low productivity has been an important factor since it has limited the production yield due to high costs of inputs such as synthetic chemical fertilizers, pesticides, among others. Also, due to its intensive application, it has caused a problem in sustainability between the soil, crops and the environment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of sugarcane to organic fertilization in northern Belize. The work consisted of a completely randomized experimental design of 10 treatments, made up of the control (without fertilization), synthetic chemical fertilization, bokashi, bovine biol, and their combinations. The variables evaluated were: Diameter, longitude, and stem weight, maturity index, number of dry leaves, weight of dry leaves, green tops, plant weight and plant longitude. The treatment that obtained the best result was treatment ten (T10, 3 t edaphic bokashi + 2 % foliar biol). It also obtained the highest yield of tons per hectare (t ha-1) with 330; likewise, higher maturity index with 89.9 %.Objective: To provide an ecological alternative for sugarcane producers in northern Belize evaluating the response of the crop to organic fertilizer (bovine biol and bokashi). Design/Methodology/Approach: Ten treatments with different doses and combinations of bokashi and bovine manure-based biol were applied in a crop of the sugarcane variety B79-474 in the northern region of Belize. Results: The combination of 3 t ha-1 of bokashi applied to the soil and 2% biol applied to the leaves recorded the best sugarcane yields, with an average weight of 2.0 kg per processable stalk. Study Limitations/Implications: Bokashi production involves the use of large amounts of manure, which are difficult to transport and handle with simple tools. Findings/Conclusions: The sugarcane variety B79-474 had a positive response to organic fertilizer (average yield: 2.0 kg per stalk and 330 t ha-1 of cane), applying 3 t ha-1 of bokashi to the soil and 2 % biol to the leaves

Bone regeneration in the posterior sector of the atrophic inferior jawbone with non reabsorbing membrane technique

Objetivo: Evaluar la capacidad regenerativa ósea de una técnica de regeneración lateral destinada a modificar el ancho de un reborde mandibular atrófico con material de relleno y cobertura con membrana y analizar el éxito de la oseointegración de los implantes dentales colocados en esa zona. Material y Métodos: Se trataron 10 pacientes parcialmente desdentados en el sector posterior del maxilar inferior. Se efectuaron procedimientos de regeneración lateral con membrana no reabsorbible de politetrafluoretileno no expandido de alta densidad y material de relleno como un aloinjerto de hueso desmineralizado y su variante mineralizada. Los rebordes regenerados fueron intervenidos entre 5 a 6 meses después de la regeneración. El ancho del reborde se valoró mediante la utilización de un calibre en dos puntos del área del reborde alveolar. Se colocaron un total de 30 implantes de un diámetro de entre 3,3 a 4,1 mm y de longitud de entre 8 a 10 mm y se analizó la estabilidad ósea cervical alrededor de los mismos mediante un estudio radiográfico a 1, 2 y 3 años. Resultados: Los resultados mostraron un aumento del ancho del reborde alveolar con una media 6,5 ± 0,13 mm contra un ancho previo a la regeneración de 1,90 ± 0,12 mm. Asimismo, la regeneración obtenida permitió, en todos los casos, la colocación de implantes con una posición adecuada en el sentido vestíbulo lingual del reborde y su rehabilitación protética. Al evaluar la estabilidad ósea cervical alrededor de los implantes observamos que en el transcurso de los 3 años se observó que la perdida ósea no es significativa. Conclusión: Esta técnica de regeneración ósea lateral mostró previsibilidad en los resultados al observarse un aumento del ancho del reborde alveolar y la posibilidad de colocación de implantes y rehabilitación de los sectores afectados.Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the regenerative bone capacity of a lateral regeneration technique used to modify the width of an atrophic jaw with filling material and membrane cover and to analyze the success of the dental implant bone integration placed in the area. Material and Methods: 10 patients, partially toothless, were treated in their inferior jawbone sector. Lateral regeneration procedures were carried out with non reabsorbing membrane of high density non-expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and filling material such as a desmineralized and mineralized bone allograft. The regenerated borders were intervened between 5 and 6 months after regeneration. The jaw width was calculated by means of a caliber in two points of the alveolar border area. A total of 30 implants having a 3,3 to 4,1 mm diameter and 8 to 10 mm length were placed and the cervical bone stability around them were analyzed by means of a radiographic study after 1, 2 and 3 years. Results: The results showed an increase in the alveolar border width of 6,5 ± 0,13 mm average compared to the 1,90 ± 0,12 mm width previous to regeneration. Besides, the regeneration obtained allowed, in all cases, the implants placement with an adequate position in the lingual vestibule direction of the border and its protetic rehabilitation. When evaluating the cervical bone stability around the implants, it was observed that after three years the bone loss was not significant. Conclusion: This lateral bone regeneration showed predictability in the results when observing an increase in the alveolar border width and the possibility of implant placement and rehabilitation of the affected sectors

Determination of the mechanical properties of anterior column units and functional spinal units of the l3-l4 lumbar porcine segment

Porcine specimens have proven to be an excellent option for experimental studies of the spine, due to the anatomically and biomechanically similarities with that of the human; however, there are differences that should be taken into account when comparing both specimens. The objective of this study is to determine the stiffness coefficient of the L3-L4 lumbar porcine segment by means of axial compression tests performed on Anterior Column Units (ACU’s) and Functional Spinal Units (FSU’s), in order to compare the results obtained with the information found in the literature for the human case. The results showed that the FSU's support approximately 22% more load compared to ACU's, which approximates to the 18% found for the human case. It can be concluded that characteristics such as the vertebrae morphometry has a direct impact on the mechanical properties of the ACU’s and the FSU’s

Assessing sea grass meadows condition at “El Río” Special Area of Conservation off “La Graciosa e Islotes del Norte de Lanzarote” Marine Reserve

Cymodosea nodosa meadows, known as ‘sebadales’ or ‘manchones’ at Canary Islands, represent EUNIS habitat type code A5.5311, called Macaronesian Cymodocea beds. As it’s described at European Union Habitats Directive (92/43/CEE) Annex 1, sea grass meadows belong to 1110 Sandbanks which are slightly covered by seawater all the time, within Natura 2000 Network. Several ‘sebadales’ throughout the archipelago are included in this Network as Special Areas of Conservation. Cymodosea nodosa is regionally included within the Canary Islands Protected Species List (Ley 4/2010), as a species ‘of interest to ecosystems of Canary Islands”, is usually found at a narrow depth range (10 to 20 m of depth) and, on the whole, best structured meadows are settled at sheltered bays, away from wave and current beating, flimsier at exposed areas. Deeper meadows are also sparser, being C. nodosa replaced by green algae Caulerpa prolifera and Caulerpa racemosa, although mixed algae-sea grass meadows are often found at different depths. The project Assessment of marine flora (‘sebadal’, ma¨erl, ‘mujo’) of ‘La Graciosa e Islotes del Norte de Lanzarote’ Marine Reserve, funded by ‘Viceconsejer´ıa de Pesca y Aguas de la Consejer´ıa de Agricultura, Ganader´ıa, Pesca y Aguas’, Canary Islands Government, has had the aim of assessing sea grass meadows condition and distribution at ‘El R´ıo’ Natura 2000 Network Special Area of Conservation, the channel between La Graciosa and Lanzarote. ‘LA GRACIOSA 1311’ cruise was performed within the framework of the project. First of all previous information on sea grass shallow distribution (up to a depth of 20 m) in the study area was reviewed. Afterwards, a tugged underwater video camera was used onboard of the Marine Reserve Surveillance Vessel to update cartographic info performing a grid of sampling stations, covering previously known distribution limits and verifying current presence/absence data and density. Furthermore, population parameters were obtained in order to assess ‘sebadal’ condition. Fixed stations were selected in regards to this process, and methodology applied on them was as follows: five radial arranged transects were performed, identifying fragmentation (it estimates meadow continuity regarding observed cover), density (mean value of several shoots number counts with 20 x 20 cm grids placed every 2 m), height (mean value in cm of 10 independent samples by transect) and fish and macroinvertebrate species richness for each transect. Graphic picture of sea grass density was made depending on two levels: low density level transects ( 10 shoots/grid ( 50 shoots/m2) and medium density level transects ( 10 shoots/grid ( 50 shoots/m2). Main study result is an estimate for the study region (‘El R´ıo’) and time of year of Cymodocea nodosa population total distribution cover which comes to 1.640.076 m2, including a higher density ‘sebadal’ of 178.256 m2

Vascular cognitive disorders and depression after first-ever stroke : the fogarty-Mexico stroke cohort

Q2Q1Artículo original284-289Background and Purpose: Stroke is the major cause of vascular behavior and cognitive disorders worldwide. In developing countries, there is a dearth of information regarding the public health magnitude of stroke. The aim of the Fogarty- Mexico cohort was to assess the prevalence of vascular behavioral and cognitive disorders, ranging from mild vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) to vascular dementia (VaD), in a cohort of acute first-ever symptomatic stroke patients in Mexico. Methods: A total of 165 consecutive, firstever stroke patients admitted to the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery in Mexico City, were included in the cohort. Patients were eligible if they had an ischemic stroke, primary intracerebral hemorrhage, or cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). Stroke diagnosis required the presence of an acute focal deficit lasting more than 24 h, confirmed by a corresponding lesion on CT/MRI. Stroke severity was established with the NIH Stroke Scale. The pre-stroke functional status was determined by the IQCODE. Three months after the occurrence of stroke, 110 survivor patients returned for follow-up and were able to undergo functional outcome (modified Rankin scale, Barthel index), along with neurological, psychiatric, neuropsychological, laboratory, and imaging assessments. We compared depression, demographic, and clinical and imaging features between patients with and without dementia, and between patients with VCI and those with intact cognition. Results: Of the 110 patients (62% men, mean age 56 ± 17.8, education 7.7 ± 5.2 years) 93 (84%) had ischemic strokes, 14 (13%) intracerebral hemorrhage, and 3 (3%) CVT. The main risk factors were hypertension (50%), smoking (40%), hypercholesterolemia (29%), hyperhomocysteinemia (24%), and diabetes (22%). Clinical and neuropsychological evaluations demonstrated post-stroke depression in 56%, VCI in 41%, and VaD in 12%; 17% of the latter had pre-stroke functional impairment (IQCODE >3.5). Cognitive deficits included executive function in 69%, verbal memory in 49%, language in 38%, perception in 36%, and attention in 38%. Executive dysfunction occurred in 36% of non-demented subjects, 65% of them with mild-moderate deficits in daily living activities. Female gender (p ≤ 0.054) older age (mean age 65.6 years vs. 49.3, p < 0.001), diabetes (p ≤ 0.004), illiteracy and lower education (p ≤ 0.001), and PSD (p = 0.03) were significantly higher in VCI-VaD compared with cognitively intact post-stroke subjects. We could not demonstrate an association with lesion site and distribution of the cognitive deficits. Conclusions: The Fogarty-Mexico cohort recruited relatively young acute stroke patients, compared with other Mexican stroke cohorts. PSD and VCI occurred frequently but prevalence of VaD (12%) was lower than expected. A high prevalence of treatable stroke risk factors suggests that preventive interventions are advisable

Effects of the anthropogenics pressures (marine litter) on the coastal ecosystems of the Marine Reserve “Isla de La Graciosa e islotes del norte de Lanzarote”

The European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC) considers marine litter as one of its environmental descriptors, requiring the development and standardization of criteria and methodologies for its use to test the good environmental status of marine conditions. The assessment of the impact caused by litter accumulation in the shoreline lacked specific monitoring planning and had not been systematically performed to date in Canary Islands. During the project ”Evaluation of the effect of the anthropogenic pressures (marine litter in beaches and alteration of shallow seabed by boats anchoring) on the coastal ecosystems of the “Marine Reserve of Isla de La Graciosa e islotes del norte de Lanzarote (MRLG)” developed with the financial help of the Canary Islands Government (Council of Agriculture, Ranching, Fishing and Waters), two surveys were carried out, ”LA GRACIOSA 1310” and “LA GRACIOSA 1311”, both developed at MRLG and its vicinities. The aim has been to depict MRLG shoreline and to locate marine litter accumulation points the most, contributing with some tools to assess and manage the coastal ecosystems of the marine reserve. Total shoreline sampled at both surveys together was 38326 m, 1834 m at Alegranza, 1366 m at Monta˜na Clara, 24656 m at La Graciosa Island, and the rest, 10470 m, at the Lanzarote’s shoreline portion bathed by MRLG waters. Shoreline sampling was made qualitatively sorting the sampling stations, according to litter presence and distribution, by means of a upward numerical coding related to the type of waste or garbage found. Moreover, each station was additionally depicted according to the type of substrate as well as to the prevailing type of waste, defining what we named “transects”. To validate methodology to European standards, a more exhaustive experimental sampling was made in four transects identified as high density or high concentration of marine litter, following guidelines of a method developed for OSPAR maritime area during the first half of 2000 decade (OSPAR, 2007). It involves evaluating the possibilities and needs of adjustment of this methodology to the particular conditions of our region (Gonz´alez, et al., 2013 a and b). As preliminary results, the spatial distribution of garbage coastal accumulation will be shown in a cartographic base, expressed as relative abundance by island, according to a 4 degrees scale (no litter, low, medium and high litter presence) and according to the dominant kind of garbage in each transect. An example with one of the most densely occupied with trash transects is shown to illustrate a sampling method without the requirement of trash collection. This method uses a sampling unit of 1x1 m grid, divided in 10x10 cm subgrids. This grid is set parallel to sampling direction repeatedly. Distance between grids is determined by a randomizing software. Sampling direction zigzags from sea border to beach back shore, making 45° degrees angles. Subgrids occupied by trash are counted once the grid is set. Waste is depict and identified following a guide developed for this purpose by OSPAR in 2010

Análisis de sistemas binarios con período variable

Estarnos llevando a cabo un monitoreo fotomètrico de una muestra de sistemas binarios eclipsantes con período variable, considerados preliminarmente como semiseparados o en contacto, a fin de determinar sus parámetros astrofísicos fundamentales y caracterizar la interacción entre sus componentes. En este trabajo presentamos las curvas de luz de cuatro sistemas y el modelado de dos de ellas. Verificamos que la fotometría obtenida es adecuada para los objetivos del proyecto. Conjuntamente presentamos la primera clasificación espectral de siete de estos sistemas.We are conducting a photometric monitoring of a sample of eclipsing binary systems with variable periods, preliminarly considered as semidetached or in contact. We aim at determining the fundamental astrophysical parameters of these objects and at characterizing the interactions between their components. In this work we present the light curves of four systems and the modeling of two of them. The photometry has revealed to be adequate for the project purposes. We also report the first spectral classification of seven systems from the sample.Facultad de Ciencias ExactasInstituto de Astrofísica de La Plat