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Can quality be considered a strategic conduct that improves the competitiveness of companies within the markets of their interest, according to the Theory of Industrial Organization? In order to answer this question, a systematic review was made of publications in research indexing databases, in English, Spanish, and other languages, with dates ranging from the beginning of the 20th century to the end of the second decade of the 21st century. It was possible to establish a theoretical-conceptual approach that combines analytical theoretical structures typical of microeconomics and industrial engineering, as a contribution and complement to current research, and shows new strategies of competitiveness and fields of research/application for business and regional development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Research of the University of Quindio / Revista de Investigaciones Universidad del Quindio is the property of Journal of Research of the University of Quindio and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Microbial inoculants are a suitable alternative for counteracting the adverse environmental effects of synthetic agrochemicals due to their capacity for promoting plant growth and increasing crop yield in an ecologically sustainable manner. To benefit from these advantages, microbial inoculants production must offer products of high quality and low cost using environmentally sustainable sources that provide rich nutrients for microbial and plant growth. In this study, we assess the production of cytokinins by the rhizobacteria strains DSC1 (Bacillus licheniformis), DSC21 (Brevibacillus laterosporus) and DCR11 (Azotobacter vinelandii) in nine culture media that contains agro-industrial residues. We identified three culture media (medium B, C and D) that promote rhizobacteria growth and phytohormone production. The fermented rhizobacteria products were inoculated at different doses (0 mL, 2 mL, 4 mL, and 6 mL) in white yam apical cuttings under net house conditions. 2 mL-1 of DSC1 B. licheniformis increased fresh storage root biomass by 31.67% and 22.22% of the aerial dry weight. Fresh aerial biomass was increased by 33.22% by DCR11 A. vinelandii in doses of 6 mL-1, increasing the production of photosynthetic pigments by 7.36%. We demonstrated that inoculation of white yam plants with fermented products from agroindustrial residues has the potential to increase plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to characterize production dynamics and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 61 dairy farms in five regions in Honduras. Farm data were collected through individual surveys during the initial and final phases (IP; FP). Using Microsoft Excel®, data was incorporated into the global livestock environmental assessment model-interactive (GLEAM-i, FAO) life cycle framework to estimate annual emissions of methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2) at the farm system level. Animal emissions (GHG/animal) were derived in Excel® from the GLEAM-i predictions. Together, farms during the IP emitted 25.038 t CO2 equivalent (CO2-eq) while these emissions were 10,5% lower in the FP. Emissions of GHG/animal (2,85 ± 0,08 t CO2-eq) and GHG/kg of milk protein (96,91 ± 4,50 kg CO2-eq) during the IP were 13% and 21% lower in the FP, respectively. Methane and N2O emission values (52,82 ± 1,64 vs. 2,66 ± 0,10 kg/animal) were 13% and 17% higher in the IP than in FP. The South- Central region emitted the lowest amount of CH4 and N2O (42,95 ± 2,37 kg/animal vs. 1,82 ± 0,15 kg/animal) while 27% lower GHG/kg milk protein was observed between the IP and FP of the Western and Northern regions. It was concluded that the used methodology identified productive and environmental impacts derived from implemented technical interventions in dairy production systems in Honduras. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de la Academia Colombiana de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales is the property of Academia Colombiana de Ciencias Exactas, Fisicas y Naturales and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: The International Diabetes Federation estimates that approximately 25% of the world's population suffers from metabolic syndrome (MS). Furthermore, it has been estimated that people with MS had an increase in mortality associated with cardiovascular diseases and the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). It is interesting to mention that the presence of subclinical hypothyroidism (CAH) has been evidenced in the population with MS and there are numerous studies that link the pathophysiology of MS with CAH. The prevalence of CAH is 17.1% nationwide, according to the Chilean Society of Endocrinology and Diabetes (SOCHED). General objective: To evaluate the prevalence of CAH in the Chilean population with MS based on the National Health Survey (ENS) 2016-2017. Materials and methods: The ENS 2016-2017 was used, being an observational study with a cross-sectional design to choose a sample of 500 participants ≥ 20 years with MS, thyroid stimulating hormones (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) tests. Results: In Chile, the ENS 2016-2017 reported that the metabolic syndrome (MS) reached a prevalence of 40.1%. The prevalence of CAH in subjects with MS was 24%. The results of this study show that the majority of the participants with MS and CAH were women, being 72.5%. Conclusions: It is essential to promote the routine taking of thyroid exams in female patients with MS due to the high prevalence between both diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The worldwide contingency for COVID-19 disease has caused substantial changes in the lifestyle of the population, modifying consumption habits, and perceptions of individuals. In the case of young people, the pandemic has revealed problems, needs, and challenges related to health, violence, education, and employment. Method: The objective of this study is to identify the perceptions of the young population aged 16 to 29 years in the city of Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico, during the health contingency of the COVID-19 disease generated by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. The sample consists of 1386 cases, collected from May to July. The stratified sampling by quotas was used to ensure the representation of the entire young population in the metropolitan area of the municipality. The measurement instrument consists of 48 questions divided into 5 elements: Perception of contingency, Physical and Mental Health, Education, Employment, and Consumption Habits. Results: In the study, 847 women and 539 men participated, being 61.1% of feminine gender and 38.9% masculine individuals; 84.9% of the participating individuals declared to pass the contingency with family members. The marital status of the participants is 87.7% single, 6.3% married, and 7.9% in concubinage. 20.6% of the respondents declared to be in charge of children, and 18.3% to be in charge of people over 65 years old. 65.9% of the participants declared to stay at home and only leave for specific situations; On the other hand, government official press conferences and social networks, followed by open and pay-tv have been the most used media to be informed. There is a strong interest in receiving information about COVID-19 and psychological care, as well as receiving consultations and medicines at home, also the main concerns of young people are the family and personal financial aspects. Areas affected by young people highlighted job stability, job opportunities, and are feared that school cycles will not be completed satisfactorily. Discussion or Conclusion: The main findings of this study are that the young population of the city seeks official information from the Ministry of Health through electronic means, as well as consuming information such as government conferences. In the health section, the youths have declared substantial changes in their physical and mental health, related to confinement and physical distance measures. In the education section, the participants mentioned a decrease interest in academic issues and a considerable increase in the academic load. In the employment section, the youths declared changes in the way of working, using digital tools, reducing time in the workplace. Finally, an increase in frequency and quantity consumed of alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and other psychotropic substances is declared, in addition to the time of browsing on social networks and the Internet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Nutrición Clínica y Dietética Hospitalaria is the property of Sociedad Espanola de Dietetica y Ciencias de la Alimentacion and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Boletín Geológico y Minero is the property of Instituto Tecnologico Geominero De Espana and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Entre Ciencia e Ingeniería is the property of Entre Ciencia e Ingenieria and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Ortopédica Mexicana is the property of Sociedad Mexicana de Ortopedia, AC and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper presents a general review of the use of plastic and lignocellulosic waste in the production of Wood Plastic Composites (WPC). Wood-Plastic Composites are proposed as a solution to the growing generation of waste. Different mixtures of polymer matrices (plastics) and vegetable reinforcements (lignocellulosic residues) have been evaluated for the WPC production. The mixing of this type of raw material is mainly done using three types of technologies: extrusion, injection and compression molding. It was found that changes in the mechanical properties of the final product depend on the raw material type, the particle size and the fiber proportion used, as well as the addition of binding agents. In the same way, variations in the water absorption capacity, densification and thermal stability of the final compound are reported to increase the amount of fiber in the mixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The free-living or associative rhizobacteria promote plant growth, fix nitrogen and synthesize phytohormones. The combination of these mechanisms contributes to improve the efficiency in the use of nitrogen fertilizers and increase the productivity of crops. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of Azotobacter vinelandii DVS9 and Pseudomonas denitrificans DVS10 under different levels of nitrogen chemical fertilization (50% and 75%) on the yield and nutritional quality of the tubers of Dioscorea rotundata. The study was conducted in the municipality of Morindó, Córdoba (Colombia), using a completely randomized experimental design with an increased factorial arrangement 3x2 + 2, with 3 repetitions. The results obtained indicate that the inoculation of the strain Pseudomonas denitrificans DVS10 reduced the nitrogen fertilization by 25%, the cultivation of yam hawthorn, likewise, this bacterium produced significant increases in the protein and crude fiber contents of the tuber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Ortopédica Mexicana is the property of Sociedad Mexicana de Ortopedia, AC and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

BACKGROUND: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune pathology of multifactorial etiology where multiple organ involvement occurs. OBJECTIVE: To establish the main characteristics of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus treated at Internal Medicine service, their causes of entering, degree of disease activity and evolution posterior to hospitalization. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A descriptive and retrospective study of patients diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus admitted during the period from January 1st 2013 to June 30 2016 at the Internal Medicine Service of the Hospital Universitario de Tegucigalpa, Honduras. RESULTS: We studied 78 female and 5 male patients, establishing a ratio of approximately 16:1, the average hospital admission per patient was 1.19. We found an average MEX-SLEDAI of activity at the entrance of 7.5 ± 4.6 points. The average hospital stay was 12.4 ± 11.7 days, in 61% of cases duration of more than 7 days was presented, in this group an average value of lupus activity of 8.5 ± 4.4 points was found. The most frequent cause of hospital admission was the activity of the disease (58%), followed by infectious processes (24%). CONCLUSIONS: Systemic lupus erythematosus is commonly diagnosed in young female patients, but when it occurs in male patients, the disease activity is usually more severe. Lupic activity was the main cause of hospitalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To solve complex and difficult problems of modern society, engineers must develop or potentiate their logical-interpretative and abstractive capacity. This is because in their practice must analyze, understand, model and communicate those problems, which are mental activities and practices in which the logical reasoning plays an essential role. However, in general terms, the mathematical principles and operation software tools dominate exclusively the training of engineers, built for performances and present solutions. This article is analyzed and supports the need to include logic in the curricula of engineering disciplines (real engineering), so that professionals can present reliable solutions to real problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tolosa-Hunt syndrome is an uncommon idiopathic granulomatous disorder in pediatric age. It is characterized by affecting the cavernous sinus, compromising cranial nerves III, IV and VI and the first and second branches of the trigeminal nerve. We present the case of an adolescent, 16 years of age, who was diagnosed with Tolosa-Hunt syndrome following infectious disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Agro Productividad is the property of Colegio de Postgraduados and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Resumen Objetivo Estudiar el impacto clínico en el manejo de los pacientes de la 18 F-fluorocolina ( 18 F-COL) en la recurrencia de neoplasias cerebrales primarias. Material y métodos Se estudió prospectivamente a 21 pacientes con sospecha de recidiva de neoplasia cerebral primaria mediante PET/TC cerebral con 18 F-COL en uso compasivo. La distribución por patología de los pacientes estudiados fue: 3 astrocitomas grado ii , 3 astrocitomas grado iii , un oligodendroglioma grado ii , 3 oligodendrogliomas grado iii , un oligoastrocitoma grado iii , 4 glioblastomas multiformes, una gliomatosis cerebri y 5 meningiomas. Se consideraron positivos los estudios en los que había una captación visualmente significativa respecto al fondo del parénquima cerebral. Resultados Diecisiete de los pacientes fueron positivos, comprobándose dicho resultado por histología (10 de ellos) o seguimiento clínico y por neuroimagen, sin hallarse falsos positivos o negativos. El índice target to backgroud ratio medio para los positivos fue de 8,02 y para los negativos de 0,94, lo que representa una diferencia significativa (p = 0,003). Conclusión La PET/TC con 18 F-COL presenta resultados alentadores en la valoración de pacientes con sospecha de recidiva. Aim To study the usefulness of 18 F-fluorocholine (FCH) in detecting the recurrence of primary brain tumours. Material and methods A prospective study was conducted on brain PET/CT with FCH for compassionate use in 21 patients with suspected recurrence of a primary brain tumour. The distribution by pathology was: three grade ii astrocytomas, three grade iii astrocytomas, one grade ii oligodendroglioma, three grade iii oligodendrogliomas, one grade iii oligoastrocytoma, four glioblastoma multiform, one gliomatosis cerebri, and five meningiomas. Studies in which there was a visually significant uptake in the brain parenchyma were classified as positive. Results A total of 17 patients were classified as positive, with the results being confirmed by histology (10 cases) or clinical follow-up and imaging, with no false positives or negatives. The mean SUVmax for positive patients was 8.02 and 0.94 for the negative ones, which was significantly different ( P =.003) Conclusion PET/CT with FCH shows encouraging results in the evaluation of patients with suspected recurrence of primary brain neoplasms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The teaching and learning process has been transformed in different disciplines. All the same, didactic strategies for engineering have been created. For the Industrial Engineering case, there is concern about the way in which these strategies, accompanied by different didactic techniques, are currently being articulated in the training process. This paper exposes different didactics that are being used in Colombian Industrial Engineering teaching, analyzing its impact on engineering students' performance, and show specific application cases in two Industrial Engineering areas: Quality Control and Operations Research. Some reflections about how to integrate different didactic techniques into curricular development are shown, considering the author's experience, and identifying the techniques that generate a positive impact in students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Agro Productividad is the property of Colegio de Postgraduados and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Agro Productividad is the property of Colegio de Postgraduados and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Agro Productividad is the property of Colegio de Postgraduados and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Agro Productividad is the property of Colegio de Postgraduados and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article defines concepts that are associated to quality, productivity and competitiveness, and proposes a standardized measuring way of the productivity within processes. It explains the factors and guidelines of quality that permit an organization to evolve through different phases of quality, in order to increase productivity and competitiveness facing the domestic and international markets. It establishes tools, factors and guidelines of quality applied by micro, small and medium enterprises of the metalworking sector in Pereira and Dosquebradas, and the quality phase in which they are currently. It explores the voluntary and regulatory conditions that the market and the national government require to products and companies of the industrial sector under study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Agro Productividad is the property of Colegio de Postgraduados and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Agro Productividad is the property of Colegio de Postgraduados and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Iberoamericana de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y el Deporte is the property of Revista Iberoamericana de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y el Deporte and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Andaluza de Medicina del Deporte is the property of Centro Andaluza de Medicina del Deporte and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Agro Productividad is the property of Colegio de Postgraduados and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

If I hear, I forget; if I see, I remember; if I do, I learn (Chinese Proverb). This paper includes a classroom dynamic ludic based on activities like microworlds and how they are important for the social construction of knowledge and for the student learning. It proposes a pedagogical tool that complements traditional teaching methodology currently used in the classrooms of Colombian Universities, applying the methodology proposed by GEIO's researching group for the course called Engineering of Methods for the Industrial Engineering Faculty at Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira. It develops qualitative analysis tools such as Grounded Theory in order to interpret the results of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To analyze data collected through a questionnaire properly evaluated, on the characterization of pig production units nontraditional small scale multivariate techniques were used that reduced the number of variables and obtain three major components that explain 65.60 % of the variability of the units : one component explains 34.50% regarding ecological conditions, the two component explains 16.29% of the variability with respect to the producer and three- explains 14.79% compared to the productive aspects of it. We obtained three factors: environment (34.42%), production unit (21.12%) and producer (15.41%) accounting for 70.90% of the behavior of the units mentioned. The main components were used for cluster analysis, obtaining four groups with less than 85% similarity: in the first group of six units the similarity was 77% on handling of pigs, agroecological and production aspects, the second group consists of five units with 78% similarity in highlighting the productive, the third group consists of three units with similarity of 63% compared to production areas and the fourth group represented by six units with 62% similarity over technical assistance, an intermediate group with 24 units behave independently in less than 60% similarity to each other. However, there are three different units in this group for its productive, technical assistance and implementation of the training provided in the same. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista ANACEM is the property of Asociacion Nacional Cientifica de Estudiantes de Medicina de Chile and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Entre Ciencia e Ingeniería is the property of Entre Ciencia e Ingenieria and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The progress made in recent decades in the development of sensors and actuators go hand in hand with advances in materials science, particularly with the ferroelectric materials. Those having large piezoelectric constants and large electromechanical coupling factors. Therefore, it is very important improve the production process and also to make investigations about appropriate physical properties of these materials for technological development. The piezoelectric properties of ferroelectric ceramics of lead zirconate titanate were investigated in room temperature, in the monoclinic phase [Pb(Zr0.52, Ti0.48)O3] and tetragonal phase [Pb(Zr0.50, Ti0.50)O3], and doped with different concentrations of iso-valent (SrO) and hetero-valent (Fe2O3) elements. A strong dependence of the piezoelectric properties with the symmetry and the relative concentration of dopants were observed. The results are discussed in terms of defect formation via doping, and the interaction of them with ferroelectric domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To evaluate two methods for extracting DNA from Listeria monocytogenes from artificially contaminated food samples. Materials and methods. The effects of different extraction methods on pure cultures of L. monocytogenes. The best performing methods were evaluated in artificially contaminated samples of meat products (ham, sausage and chorizo). To assess the quality of the extracted DNA, DNA concentration and A260/A280 ratio were determined, and the hlyA gene of L. monocytogenes was amplified by PCR. Results. The methods with organic solvents and with PBS+Tween 20 allowed to obtain more DNA (40 and 50 mg, respectively). In food samples, DNA was obtained with higher purity through the organic solvent method (p<0.005), but the method with PBS+Tween 20 resulted in higher concentration. hlyA gene amplification in samples contaminated with 1 to 105 CFU /ml was obtained through both methods of DNA extraction. The composition of the food did not affect the PCR reaction in DNA samples obtained by the two extraction methods. Conclusions. Regardless of the extraction method used, the detection of hlyA gene of L. monocytogenes in food contaminated samples with 1 to 105 CFU / ml was achieved. However, for use as a routine diagnostic method, the method with PBS + Tween 20 is a better option for DNA extraction, as a method of easy application, low cost and good performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Toxicología is the property of Asociacion Espanola de Toxicologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: To assess the changes in the treatment of distal radius fractures that have occurred in recent years at our center. To analyze the changes that have occurred and their possible causes. Material and methods: We analyzed the hospital admission data from our center, both total admissions and those due to distal radius fractures. Surgical activity records show the evolution of the surgical treatment of distal radius fractures throughout time. Using the data from 2 research works done at our center we assessed the radiological and functional results obtained with an external fixator and nails and with buttress plates. We reviewed the updated bibliography trying to identify new evidence leading to treatment changes. Results: Objective evidence shows a marked evolution towards the use of open reduction and internal fixation to treat distal radius fractures. We did not identify data in our studies that show poor results with the use of external fixators and nails or a clear superiority of the open reduction methods. These data are not available in the current bibliography. Conclusion: The treatment of distal radius fractures is being modified. This change is not based on contrasted clinical or bibliographic data. We need to ask whether this is due to commercial pressure or to a perception of surgeons that is yet to be proven in quality studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proline, glicine betaíne and total soluble protein contents were determined in 12 Cuban wheat varieties, of T. aestivum and T. durum species, growing under saline conditions. Thus, two experimental variants were conducted based on a concentrated nutrient solution. The first treatment became salty with NaCl to an electric conductivity of 8 dS.m-1 and the control treatment without applying NaCl. This test was performed under hidropony conditions and treatments were applied from sowing time until 45 days after seed germination, when determinations were recorded. Data obtained in the control and stress treatments were compared by t-student test for 5 and 1 % significant levels. As a result, an important increment of proline content was obtained in most varieties, the accumulation in foliage being bigger than in roots. Glicine betaíne content was highly significant just in wheat varieties of T. durum species. Total soluble protein content showed a rather variable behaviour, even among varieties from the same species; that is why it was not considered an efficient indicator of salinity tolerance. The varieties Cuba- C-204, INIFAT RM-36, INIFAT RM-37 and INIFAT RM-26 showed the highest proline accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the study of the following soil profiles:calcaric mollic Cambisol, calcaric vertic Cambisol and ochric calcaric lithic Cambisol, under different managements -from permanent and natural conditions until soils with a high degradation as a result of the anthropic influence on agriculture-, a biological characterization was carried out by measuring the indicators of AMF native spore counting, endophyte weight, visual density, infection percentage and glomalin (GRSP) content. An arrow relationship was observed between soil degradation and edaphic mycorrhizal biodiversity; the highest values were recorded in the best preserved soils, with a progressive decrease towards the most degraded ones due to the anthropic influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, one of the main worldwide problems is the fact related to soil classification and its correlation with the others currently existing, in order to create a universal language, which is a very important aspect on soil preservation and management. Our country is not free from it, since there are serious problems when our soils are characterized and mainly classified, mostly in agriculture. Having in mind what was said above and based on a study through establishing a reference sector and the combined application of a geographical information system, they proceeded to determine soil characterization, classification and distribution in "La Rosita" farm, located at the East of Havana City, as well as soil surface (ha) and the percentage occupied inside the estate. A soil map was devised, where soils were classified until species level, resulting that the main groups present were: Cambisols, Vertisols and Phaeozems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]