An integrative approach for modeling and simulation of Heterocyst pattern formation in Cyanobacteria strands

A comprehensive approach to cellular differentiation in cyanobacteria is developed. To this aim, the process of heterocyst cell formation is studied under a systems biology point of view. By relying on statistical physics techniques, we translate the essential ingredients and mechanisms of the genetic circuit into a set of differential equations that describes the continuous time evolution of combined nitrogen, PatS, HetR and NtcA concentrations. The detailed analysis of these equations gives insight into the single cell dynamics. On the other hand, the inclusion of diffusion and noisy conditions allows simulating the formation of heterocysts patterns in cyanobacteria strains. The time evolution of relevant component concentrations are calculated allowing for a comparison with experiments. Finally, we discuss the validity and the possible improvements of the model.Comment: 20 pages (including the supporting information), 8 figure

Efectos diferenciales de la tasa de cambio real sobre el comercio internacional en Colombia

Durante el período 2006-2013 Colombia experimentó una de las apreciaciones reales más fuertes del mundo. Durante este mismo período, el volumen de exportaciones manufactureras disminuyó cerca de un 50%, mientras el volumen de importaciones aumentó cerca de la misma cantidad. Este trabajo busca determinar el efecto de la tasa de cambio real sobre los flujos de comercio internacional en el sector manufacturero. Para tal fin, y como principal aporte, se calculan índices de tasa de cambio real (TCR) subsectorial para 19 subsectores manufactureros, teniendo en cuenta la potencial existencia de heterogeneidades entre ellos. Se estiman además las elasticidades precio para exportaciones e importaciones usando los índices de tasa de cambio real bilateral y subsectorial. Los resultados indican la existencia de importantes diferencias entre el comportamiento de la TCR entre subsectores, y que estas diferencias explican el comportamiento de las exportaciones en los distintos sectores manufactureros, aunque los resultados no son tan claros para el caso de las importaciones. Éstos resultados sugieren que los hacedores de política deberían tener en cuenta los efectos diferenciales de sus políticas sobre el desempeño manufacturero cuando estas afectan la TCR.During the 2006-2013 period, Colombia experienced on the strongest appreciations in the world. During this same period, the volume of manufacturing exports fell nearly 50%, while the volume if imports rose in the same quantity. This work aims to determine the effect of the real exchange rate on the flow of international commerce in the manufacturing sector. For this end, and as a main approach, sub-sectoral real exchange rate indices are calculated for 19 manufacturing subsectors, noting the potential existence of heterogeneities between them. The price elasticities for exports and imports are also estimated using the bilateral and sub-sectoral real exchange rate index. The results indicate the existence of important differences between the behavior of the real exchange rate between subsectors, and that these differences explain the behavior of exports in the different manufacturing sectors, although the results are not so clear for the case of imports. These results suggest that policymakers should consider the differential effects of their policies on manufacturing performance when they affect the real exchange rate

Bio-adhesives from soy protein concentrate and montmorillonite: Rheological and thermal behaviour

The incorporation of different amounts of montmorillonite (MMT) to soy protein concentrate (SPC) was used to improve the performance of the bio-nano-adhesive obtained. X-Ray diffraction, rheology, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electronic microscopy were carried out to characterize the adhesives, and dry and wet strength was used to determine the adhesion strength. In the rheological measurement, the incorporation of up to 3 wt% of MMT did not modify the consistency index values of the SPC, while an increase in the flow consistency index for higher concentrations can be observed due to a strong interaction between MMT and the protein. Besides, the flow point values increase four times with respect to the value obtained for SPC alone. The decomposition temperature of SPC increases with the addition of MMT, which provides a tortuous pathway that obstructs the diffusion of volatile products out of the bio-nano-adhesive. Further addition beyond 5 wt% led to the formation of agglomerates, as verified by SEM. Moreover, the roughness of the fractured surface of the matrix can explain the decrease of the net adhesion of the nano-particles to the SPC suspensions.Fil: Bacigalupe, Alejandro. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial - Caucho; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental; ArgentinaFil: Fernández Solarte, Alejandra María. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Tecnología de Recursos Minerales y Cerámica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Tecnología de Recursos Minerales y Cerámica; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez, Mariela Alejandra. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Tecnología de Recursos Minerales y Cerámica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Tecnología de Recursos Minerales y Cerámica; ArgentinaFil: Torres Sanchez, Rosa Maria. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Tecnología de Recursos Minerales y Cerámica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Tecnología de Recursos Minerales y Cerámica; ArgentinaFil: Eisenberg, Patricia. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial. Centro de Plástico; ArgentinaFil: Escobar, Mariano Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial - Caucho; Argentin

Clay Minerals and Clay Mineral Water Dispersions — Properties and Applications

This chapter deals with the properties and applications of clay mineral water dispersions and clay minerals as flame retardant additives for polymers. Clay minerals, such as kaolinites, micas, and smectites, are the basic constituents of clay raw materials, which are classically employed in the ceramic industry to produce porcelain, fine ceramics, coarse ceramics, cements, electro-ceramics, tiles and refractories. These products are mainly used in sectors of economic importance, such as agriculture, civil engineering, and environment. A direct method to prepare clay mineral polymer composites is through dispersion in water. Water dispersions of clay exhibit some interesting flow phenomena such as yield stress; i.e., the material behaves as a solid until a critical force applied on the material forces it to flow. Water dispersions of clay have also been reported to be used to prepare materials with enhanced flame-retardant properties such as leather. On the other hand, direct melt compounding of clay mineral with different polymers as the composite matrix (HIPS, PP, and HDPE) to prepare a number of polymer composites with flame-retardant properties has also been reported

Ovulatory and embryonic response to recombinant bovine somatotropin in goats super ovulated with FSHp

Artículo científico publicado en revista indizada.El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar el efecto de la somatotropina bovina recombinante (rBST) en la actividad ovárica, cantidad y calidad de embriones transferibles en cabras durante el anestro estacional. Se utilizaron 30 cabras multíparas sincronizadas con protocolo corto de CIDR y superovuladas con FSHp, asignadas a tres tratamientos (n = 10): T1 = control, sin rBST, T2 = 100 mg rBST y T3 = 200 mg rBST. Las variables cuantitativas se analizaron mediante prueba de Kruskal-Wallis; el porcentaje de estro y de embriones recuperados, mediante prueba de Chi - cuadrada. Las cabras del T3 tuvieron mayor número de CL, seguidas del T2 (p = 0.002). El número de embriones recuperados y de blastocitos fue mayor en T3 (p = 0.001). El número de mórulas fue mayor en T1 (p = 0.001). La aplicación de rBST al inicio del estro incrementa la actividad ovárica y la cantidad de embriones transferibles en cabras

Income and inequality levels in Colombia: An econometric study by department

The purpose of this paper is to analyze theoreti-cally and empirically the link between growth and income inequality in Colombia by regions. Economic heterogeneities and socioeconomic indi-cators are considered in the inquiry of that rela-tion. Per capita household income by department is considered as a reference of microeconomic welfare, Gini coefficient and Theil index are es-timated as inequality indicators, the period from 2002 to 2016 is studied, and different econometric specifications are estimated to check consistency and robustness in the results. According with the estimations, the link between growth and income inequality in Colombia, at regional level, is not plain to understand because the results change depend on specification and methodology estimated.En esta investigación se tiene como propósito analizar conceptual y empíricamente el vínculo entre el crecimiento y la desigualdad del ingreso en Colombia a nivel departamental, destacándose las heterogeneidades económicas y los indicadores socioeconómicos que pueden estar articulados con esta relación. Se toma como referencia el promedio del ingreso per cápita familiar por departamento, y el coeficiente de Gini y el índice de Theil como indicadores de desigualdad. El estudio se realiza para el periodo 2002-2016, y se estiman diferentes metodologías econométricas buscando verificar la consistencia o inconsistencia de la relación y su robustez. En las estimaciones realizadas se evidenció que en Colombia a nivel departamental el vínculo entre crecimiento y desigualdad del ingreso no es claro, y los resultados varían dependiendo de la especificación del modelo y la metodología utilizada

The reinsertion of controlled internal drug release devices in goats does not increase the pregnancy rate after short oestrus synchronization protocol at the beginning of the breeding season

Trabajo de investigación cuya temática es la sincronización del estro en ovejas de pelo.This study aimed to evaluate the effect of reinserting controlled internal drug release (CIDR) devices after fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) on pregnancy rates in goats. Oestrus was synchronized with a short (5 days) CIDR protocol, and FTAI was conducted 54 hours after CIDR removal. According to the reinsertion of CIDR after FTAI, goats were assigned to three treatments: G0 control group (n = 29), no CIDR reinsertion; G7 group (n = 27), CIDR reinserted 7 days; G14 group (n = 29), CIDR reinserted 14 days. Blood samples were collected to determine progesterone levels. Oestrus appearance (92.9%), interval of CIDR removal to oestrus (IRE = 34.1 ± 1.1 hours), interval of oestrus onset to artificial insemination (IEAI = 20.2 ± 1.0 hours), mean duration of oestrus (38.4 ± 1.4 hours), and pregnancy rates (61.0%) were similar (P > .05) among groups. Progesterone concentrations were higher (P  .05) for all groups. In conclusion, reinsertion of CIDR for 7 or 14 days after a short oestrus synchronization protocol and FTAI did not increase the overall pregnancy rate of goats

Effectiveness of Blood Flow Restriction on Functionality, Quality of Life and Pain in Patients with Neuromusculoskeletal Pathologies: A Systematic Review

Background: Blood flow restriction is characterized as a method used during exercise at low loads of around 20–40% of a repetition maximum, or at a low-moderate intensity of aerobic exercise, in which cuffs that occlude the proximal part of the extremities can partially reduce arterial flow and fully restrict the venous flow of the musculature in order to achieve the same benefits as high-load exercise. Objective: The main objective of this systematic literature review was to analyze the effects of BFR intervention on pain, functionality, and quality of life in subjects with neuromusculoskeletal pathologies. Methods: The search to carry out was performed in PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE, PEDro, CINHAL, SPORTDiscus, Trip Medical Database, and Scopus: “kaatsu” OR “ischemic training” OR “blood flow restriction” OR “occlusion resistance training” OR “vascular occlusion” OR “vascular restriction”. Results: After identifying 486 papers and eliminating 175 of them due to duplication and 261 after reading the title and abstract, 50 papers were selected. Of all the selected articles, 28 were excluded for not presenting a score equal to or higher than 6 points on the PEDro scale and 8 for not analyzing the target outcome variables. Finally, 14 papers were selected for this systematic review. Conclusions: The data collected indicate that the blood flow restriction tool is a therapeutic alternative due to its effectiveness under different exercise modalities. The benefits found include decreases in pain thresholds and improvement in the functionality and quality of life of the neuro-musculoskeletal patient during the first six weeks. However, the results provided by this tool are still not clear for medium- and long-term interventions.Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málag

Propuesta Estratégica de Mejora en la Implementación de los Estándares Mínimos del Sistema de Gestión de la Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo (SG-SST) en la empresa PET del Caribe para el primer semestre del 2019.

Mejorar la gestión de los temas sobre la (SG-SST) en la empresa Pet del Caribe, desarrollando un plan de mejoramiento que genere insumos y orientación en la implementación de un plan de acción que a fecha 15 de junio de 2019 pueda y/o subsanar los riesgos identificados en la empresa de estudio.Improve the management of the issues on the (SG-SST) in the company Pet of the Caribbean, developing an improvement plan that generates inputs and guidance in the implementation of an action plan that as of June 15, 2019 can and / or correct the risks identified in the study company

Spanish Questionnaires for the Assessment of Pelvic Floor Dysfunctions in Women: A Systematic Review of the Structural Characteristics and Psychometric Properties

Background: Pelvic floor dysfunctions affect a third of the adult female population, including a large number of clinical conditions, which can be evaluated through validated questionnaires that inform us of the status and perception of women both objectively and subjectively. The main objective of this study was to review and explain the topics of the validated questionnaires in Spanish on pelvic floor dysfunctions and to review their psychometric properties. Methods: A systematic review was carried out in the PUBMED and WOS databases. The keywords used were in PUBMED: ((((((((“Fecal Incontinence” [Mesh]) OR “Urinary Incontinence” [Mesh]) OR “Pelvic Organ Prolapse” [Mesh]) OR “Pelvic Floor Disorders” [Mesh]) OR “Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological” [Mesh]) OR “Pelvic Girdle Pain” [Mesh]) OR “sexual function” [Title/Abstract]) OR “Prolapse” [Title/Abstract]) AND “Surveys and Questionnaires” [Mesh] AND “Validation” [Title/Abstract] combined with the Boolean operators “AND”/“OR”. In contrast, in WOS, a segregated search was carried out with each of the terms of pelvic floor dysfunction together with “Validation” and “Surveys and Questionnaires”. All articles published up to 19 November 2021 were considered. Methodological quality was assessed with the COSMIN scale. Results: A total of 687 articles were identified, of which 13 were included. The evaluated questionnaires and the structural characteristics and psychometric properties of each of them were collected. Conclusion: The Spanish versions of the questionnaires show good basic structural and psychometric characteristics for the evaluation of patients with pelvic floor dysfunctions and that they resemble other versions of the same questionnaire published in other languages