Andrological characterisation of Chilean purebred stallions

Chilean purebred horses are widely used in Chile for rodeo and farm work. Despite the importance of the breed, systematic studies characterising their andrological variables are lacking, making stallion evaluation and selection difficult. This study aimed to determine whether age and seasonality affect seminal, spermatic, gonadal and endocrine variables of 15 Chilean purebred stallions. The animals were studied over a year and were separated into a young group (n=6) (5 to 12 years) and an aged group (n=9) (13 to 25 years). The variables evaluated were: total seminal volume (mL), free gel seminal volume (mL), sperm concentration(106 x spermatozoa/mL using Spermacue refractometer TM), sperm progressive motility (conventional microscopy (%)), sperm vitality (Eosine-Nigrosine stain (%)) and sperm morphology (Hematoxylin Eosin stain (%)), testicle volume (cm3) (ultrasound Weld 3000V, 5MHz), plasmatic testosterone (ng/mL) and estrogen (pg/mL) concentration determined by radioimmunoassay. To determine the statistical difference and correlation between variables, ANOVA and Pearson’s correlation were used, respectively (P<0.05). Most of the andrological variables were affected by age and season and although not significant, the values obtained were higher in young stallions during summer. Progressive motility (70 ± 12.1 %), sperm normal morphology (90 ± 1.7 %) and plasmatic estrogen (6.49 ± 1.8 pg/mL) reached statistical significance to plasmatic testosterone (0.3 ± 0.08 ng/mL) (P=0.01), sperm concentration (253 ± 59.5 x 106 sperm/mL) (P=0.03) and testicular volume (463.4 ± 90 cm3) (P=0.002) variables. Despite the results, we suggest that all these variables should be considered during stallion selection since andrological variables were neither correlated with testosterone nor the oestrogen plasmatic concentration. The results provide parameters that should be considered during the evaluation and selection of Chilean purebred stallions to avoid the extrapolation of data from other breeds

Multiple and Precessing Collimated Outflows in the Planetary Nebula IC 4634

With its remarkable double-S shape, IC 4634 is an archetype of point-symmetric planetary nebulae (PN). In this paper, we present a detailed study of this PN using archival HST WFPC2 and ground-based narrow-band images to investigate its morphology, and long-slit spectroscopic observations to determine its kinematics and to derive its physical conditions and excitation. The data reveal new structural components, including a distant string of knots distributed along an arc-like feature 40"-60" from the center of the nebula, a skin of enhanced [O III]/H-alpha ratio enveloping the inner shell and the double-S feature, and a triple-shell structure. The spatio-kinematical study also finds an equatorial component of the main nebula that is kinematically independent from the bright inner S-shaped arc. We have investigated in detail the bow shock-like features in IC 4634 and found that their morphological, kinematical and emission properties are consistent with the interaction of a collimated outflow with surrounding material. Indeed, the morphology and kinematics of some of these features can be interpreted using a 3D numerical simulation of a collimated outflow precessing at a moderate, time-dependent velocity. Apparently, IC 4634 has experienced several episodes of point-symmetric ejections oriented at different directions with the outer S-shaped feature being related to an earlier point-symmetric ejection and the outermost arc-like string of knots being the relic of an even much earlier point-symmetric ejection. There is tantalizing evidence that the action of these collimated outflows has also taken part in the shaping of the innermost shell and inner S-shaped arc of IC 4634.Comment: 16 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journa

Characterization of the Adherence of Clostridium difficile Spores: The Integrity of the Outermost Layer Affects Adherence Properties of Spores of the Epidemic Strain R20291 to Components of the Intestinal Mucosa

Indexación: Web of Science.Clostridium difficile is the causative agent of the most frequently reported nosocomial diarrhea worldwide. The high incidence of recurrent infection is the main clinical challenge of C. difficile infections (CBI). Formation of C. difficile spores of the epidemic strain R20291 has been shown to be essential for recurrent infection and transmission of the disease in a mouse model. However, the underlying mechanisms of how these spores persist in the colonic environment remains unclear. In this work, we characterized the adherence properties of epidemic R20291 spores to components of the intestinal mucosa, and we assessed the role of the exosporium integrity in the adherence properties by using cdeC mutant spores with a defective exosporium layer. Our results showed that spores and vegetative cells of the epidemic R20291 strain adhered at high levels to monolayers of Caco-2 cells and mucin. Transmission electron micrographs of Caco-2 cells demonstrated that the hair-like projections on the surface of R20291 spores are in close proximity with the plasma membrane and microvilli of undifferentiated and differentiated monolayers of Caco-2 cells. Competitive-binding assay in differentiated Caco-2 cells suggests that spore-adherence is mediated by specific binding sites. By using spores of a cdeC mutant we demonstrated that the integrity of the exosporium layer determines the affinity of adherence of C. difficile spores to Caco-2 cells and mucin. Binding of fibronectin and vitronectin to the spore surface was concentration-dependent, and depending on the concentration, spore-adherence to Caco-2 cells was enhanced. In the presence of an aberrantly-assembled exosporium (cdeC spores), binding of fibronectin, but not vitronectin, was increased. Notably, independent of the exosporium integrity, only a fraction of the spores had fibronectin and vitronectin molecules binding to their surface. Collectively, these results demonstrate that the integrity of the exosporium layer of strain R20291 contributes to selective spore adherence to components of the intestinal mucosa.http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fcimb.2016.00099/ful

Saturation of a durum wheat genetic map and detection of QTL associated to lipoxygenase activity

Los objetivos de este trabajo fueron la saturación de un mapa genético de trigo candeal y el posterior mapeo de QTL, a fin de identificar regiones genómicas relacionadas con la actividad de lipoxigenasas. También se estimó la utilidad de los marcadores ligados a estas regiones como herramientas de selección de genotipos para mejorar el color de la pasta. Para tal fin se utilizó una población de mapeo obtenida por el método de descendencia de una sola semilla constituida por 83 líneas recombinantes endocriadas (RILs) derivadas del cru­zamiento entre los trigos candeales Kofa y UC1113 (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum). Se mapearon 44 AFLPs, 9 RAPDs, 2 isoenzimas y 1 proteína de reserva sobre un mapa base de 269 marcadores. La longitud total del mapa resultante fue de 1847,4 cM, con una distancia promedio entre pares de marcadores de 5,68 cM. El mapeo por el método de intervalos compuestos (CIM) indicó la presencia de un QTL mayor, en el cromosoma 4B, que explica un 58% de la variación fenotípica de la actividad de lipoxigenasas. La posición más probable del QTL (LOD=19,00) fue obtenida entre los marcadores "ksm62" y "wmc617b". Estos resultados fueron consistentes en dos años y a dos pH diferentes.The aims of this work were (1) the saturation of a linkage map of durum wheat using AFPLs and RAPDs, (2) mapping of QTL related to lipoxygenase activity and (3) estimation of its usefulness in marker-assisted selection to increase pasta colour. A mapping population of 83 recombinant lines (RILs) derived from the cross between durum wheat Kofa and UC1113 (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) was evaluated for lipoxygenase activity during two growing seasons. It was used to generate a genetic map. Forty four AFLPs, 9 RAPDs, 2 isoenzymes and 1 storage protein were mapped onto a previous genetic map consisting on 269 markers. The total length of the map obtained was 1847.4 cM, with an average genetic distance between pairs of markers of 5.68 cM. The com-posite interval mapping (CIM) showed the presence of a major QTL explaining 58% of phenotypic variation in lipoxygenase activity on chromosome 4B. The highest LOD value (LOD=19,00) was obtained between the "ksm62" and "wmc617b" markers. These results were consistent in the two sampling years and at the two pH in which lipoxygenase activity was analyzed.Fil: Picca, Aurora Maria Teresita. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiarida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiarida; ArgentinaFil: Roncallo, Pablo Federico. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiarida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiarida; ArgentinaFil: Carrera, A.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiarida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiarida; ArgentinaFil: Cervigni, Gerardo Domingo Lucio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiarida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiarida; ArgentinaFil: Miranda, R.. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Echenique, Carmen Viviana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiarida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiarida; Argentin

Departamento central : regionalización y políticas para el desarrollo

El estudio tiene por finalidad elaborar una guía de desarrollo productivo y competitivo del departamento Central del Paraguay y sus distritos, con énfasis en la promoción de las micro, pequeñas y medianas empresas y en la generación de empleo. Se buscó determinar cuáles son los factores que obstaculizan o favorecen las capacidades de desarrollo departamental y distrital, que sirvan de insumo para planificar y establecer lineamientos estratégicos de políticas para el desarrollo

Aumento en la eficiencia de remoción de contaminantes mediante un reactor aeróbico modificado a flujo pistón y sedimentador de flujo helicoidal

El presente artículo expone los resultados experimentales de Sedimentadores Sedhelcon (Flujo Helicoidal) y Reactores Flocarrifp (Aerobio Modificado a Flujo Pistón) a escala piloto, donde se observan eficiencias de remoción de contaminantes muy altas, del 80% en SST, y entre 49% al 64% en cuanto a DBO5 para los sedimentadores y para los reactores lo que ofrece una flexibilidad adecuada en los picos de contaminantes, debido a mayor concentración afluente de materia orgánica, nitrógeno total y fósforo total, el sistema presentó remociones simultáneas superiores al 85%, 30% y 70% respectivamente, y en condiciones de baja temperatura del agua.AbstractThis paper presents the experimental results of Settlers Sedhelcon (Helical Flow) and Flocarrifp Reactors (Aerobic Modified to Flow Piston) pilot scale, showing contaminant removal efficiencies very high, 80% in SST, and between 49% to 64% in terms of BOD5 and clarifiers for reactors which offers adequate flexibility contaminant peaks due to the higher influent concentration of organic matter, total nitrogen and total phosphorus removal system simultaneously introduced over 85%, 30% and 70% respectively, and in conditions of low water temperature. Keywords: Nitrogen, phosphorus, treatment, wastewater clarifiers, reactor

Employee Involvement and Job Satisfaction: A Tale of the Millennial Generation

The purpose of this paper is to empirically study the effect of employee involvement in the workplace on job satisfaction for millennial workers in Colombia. Data were obtained from a sample of 2103 millennial employees working in 11 companies of different sectors located in the five main cities of Colombia. Ordered probit models were estimated to study the effect of employee involvement on job satisfaction, in general, and how different forms of participative decision-making in the workplace produce different impacts on individual satisfaction with objective and intrinsic aspects of the job, in particular. The empirical results show that, for millennial workers, there is a positive link between employee involvement and job satisfaction. Moreover, there is a higher positive impact on job satisfaction when millennial workers participate in decisions on general aspects of the company than when they participate in specific decisions such as those concerning teamwork or main tasks at work. Another interesting result is that millennial workers attach high importance to intrinsic aspects of their jobs (such as the possibility to use their knowledge in the work), which may improve their satisfaction in a higher participative environment

An Inventory-Location Modeling Structure for Spare Parts Supply Chain Network Design Problems in Industrial End-User Sites

Traditional literature on Spare Parts Management from industrial end-user sites has not focused on the underlying Supply Chain Network. Thus, this paper analyzes the relevance of integrating Supply Chain Network design with traditional Spare Parts Management. With this aim, the paper proposes a network optimization modeling structure, with simultaneous decisions for warehouse locations and inventory control, allowing to optimize the Spare Parts Supply Chain Network costs.The model is specified for three traditional and commonly used Inventory Control Policies suitable for a variety of Spare Parts (i.e., (s, Q), (R, s, S) and (S-1, S)). The proposed integrated approach yields Spare Parts Supply Chain system performance improvements