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Pakistan is an agricultural country and fisheries play a very important role in the economic development of the country. Different diseases are prevalent in Pakistani fish but information related to the causative agents is not well-known. Keeping in view the significance of bacterial pathogens as the causative agents of multiple fish diseases, the present study was conducted for identification, characterization and analysis of virulence genes of Aeromonas spp. isolated from diseased fishes. A total of fifty fish samples having multiple clinical indications were collected from different fish farms of district Kasur, Punjab Pakistan. For isolation of Aeromonas spp. samples were enriched and inoculated on Aeromonas isolation medium. Isolates were identified and characterized by different biochemical tests, Analytical Profile Index (API) 20E kit and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assays. All isolates were screened for three putative virulence genes including aerolysin (aer), haemolysin (hyl) and heat labile cytotonic enterotoxin (alt). Seven isolates of Aeromonas (A.) hydrophila were retrieved and identified based on API 20E. These isolates were further confirmed as A. hydrophila on the basis of PCR assays. Three isolates were detected positive for the presence of virulence genes (alt and hyl). Whereas aerolysin (aer) gene was not present in any of A. hydrophila isolates. The present study confirmed A. hydrophila as the causative agent of epizootic ulcerative syndrome and motile Aeromonas septicemia in fish farms of district Kasur, Punjab Pakistan. Moreover, detection of two virulence genes (alt and hyl) in A. hydrophila isolates is a threat for fish consumers of study area. Resumo O Paquistão é um país agrícola, onde a pesca desempenha um papel muito importante para o desenvolvimento econômico. Diferentes doenças são prevalentes em peixes do Paquistão, mas as informações relacionadas aos agentes causadores não são bem conhecidas. Tendo em vista a importância dos patógenos bacterianos como agentes causadores de múltiplas doenças em peixes, o presente estudo foi conduzido para identificação, caracterização e análise de genes de virulência de isolados de Aeromonas spp. de peixes doentes. Foram coletadas 50 amostras de peixes com múltiplas indicações clínicas em diferentes fazendas do distrito de Kasur, Punjab, Paquistão. Para isolar Aeromonas spp., as amostras foram enriquecidas e inoculadas em meio de isolamento. Os isolados foram identificados e caracterizados por diferentes testes bioquímicos, kit Analytical Profile Index (API) 20E, e ensaios de reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR). Todos os isolados foram selecionados para três genes de virulência putativos, incluindo aerolisina (aer), hemolisina (hyl) e enterotoxina citotônica termolábil (alt). Sete isolados de Aeromonas hydrophila foram recuperados e identificados com base no API 20E. Esses isolados foram posteriormente confirmados como A. hydrophila de acordo com ensaios de PCR. Três isolados indicaram a presença de genes de virulência (alt e hyl), enquanto o gene aerolisina (aer) não esteve presente em nenhum dos isolados de A. hydrophila. O presente estudo confirmou A. hydrophila como o agente causador da síndrome ulcerativa epizoótica e septicemia móvel por Aeromonas em fazendas de peixes, no distrito de Kasur, Punjab, Paquistão. Além disso, a detecção de dois genes de virulência (alt e hyl) em isolados de A. hydrophila é uma ameaça para os consumidores de peixes da área de estudo.

Cereals are grasses (a monocot family Poaceae, also known as Gramineae) cultivated widely for their grains used in human and animal consumption. From ancient times, cereals have played an important role in world agriculture and nowadays their significance is illustrated by the overall production of 2.996 million tons being harvested globally in 2020 (FAOSTAT, 2021). The most important staple cereal crops are wheat, rice, maize, sorghum, barley, oats, and millet. However, wheat, rice, and maize together comprise at least 75% of the world’s grain production, with 761, 757, and 1.162 million tons harvested in 2020, respectively. Rice, sorghum, millet, and wheat are widely produced in Asia; corn and sorghum in America; and barley, rye, and oats in Europe. These three continents produce together 80% of the world’s cereal grains. Cereals are a pivotal nutrient source in both developed and developing countries since their grains contain major nutritional and energy sources (proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, amino acids, fibers) as well as micronutrients (vitamins, magnesium, and zinc) (O’Neil et al., 2010; Papanikolaou & Fulgoni, 2017). However, the utilization pattern of these cereal grains differs. In developed countries, more than 70% of total cereal production is fed to the animals, whereas in underdeveloped countries, 68%–98% of the cereal production is used for human consumption.

Background: The objective of the study is to assess the performance of the Food Safety Management System (FSMS) among powdered beverage manufacturers using Food Safety Management System Diagnostic Tools (FSMS-DI) and Microbial Assessment Scheme (MAS). Methods: FSMS-DI was used to evaluate the context factors, core control and core assurance activities of five powdered beverage manufacturers with different types of FSMS certification. Manufacturer A is not certified with any FSMS, while manufacturers B, C, D and E are complied with MeSTI, GMP, HACCP and ISO 22000, respectively. For MAS, samples were collected from the selected critical sampling locations of two manufacturers who complied FSMS with the least (manufacturer B) and the most stringent (manufacturer E) requirements. The samples consisted of two different types of powdered beverage products were analysed for total plate count (TPC), Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, yeast and mould count (YMC). Results: The food safety (FS) output of powdered beverages for manufacturer E was better (overall score of 3) than manufacturer B (overall score of 2–3). Manufacturer E was able to achieve their FS objectives. The FSMS activities of manufacturer C, D and E were better (overall score of 2–3) than manufacturer A and B (overall score of 1–2). Conclusion: The study demonstrated that FSMS-DI and MAS can be used to differentiate the FSMS performance of powdered beverage manufacturers with different types of FSMS certification. Higher scores of FSMS activities obtained by the manufacturer who complied with stringent FSMS certifications contributed to better microbiological safety performance of powdered beverages.

Maturity date (MD) represents a key trait in peach given the relatively short shelf-life of peach, and the selection of cultivars with varying MD to cover and possibly extend the marketing season constitutes a key target for varietal innovation. A number of studies have identified different QTLs associated to this trait, mainly in the Linkage Groups (LG) 2, 4 and 6; and in particular, a region within LG4 was ascertained as strongly associated with harvesting time in different segregating populations. The evaluation of the association of such diagnostic markers in a wider germplasm collection would provide the breeder interesting information in selecting the best candidate for the desired ripening period and in the early identification and selection of progenies carrying the wanted trait in their breeding programs. We thus performed a comparative study using a candidate marker mapping in LG4 in order to assess its predictive power in a pool of peach and nectarine cultivars inclusive of traditional and modern germplasm to ease the early identification and selection of desired ripening genotypes in breeding programs.

This paper presents the results on the study of melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) gene polymorphisms in sheep of the Karachai breed. AA, AG, and GG genotypes were determined to have allele frequencies of 47%, 37%, and 16%, respectively, indicating that allele A and the homozygous AA genotype occurred the most frequently. Analysis of the meat productivity of sheep, with respect to the MC4R genotype, showed a higher slaughter yield in sheep with the AA genotype compared to those with either the GG or AG genotypes. The variability at these loci provides a basis for controlling the meat productivity of sheep in the Karachai sheep population; therefore, this polymorphism should be monitored and melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) gene selection considered in pedigree farms.

Angiotensin‐converting enzyme‐2 (ACE2) and Mas receptor are the major components of the ACE2/Ang 1‐7/Mas axis and have been shown to play a protective role in hypertension and hypertensive nephropathy individually. However, the effects of dual deficiency of ACE2 and Mas (ACE2/Mas) on Ang II‐induced hypertensive nephropathy remain unexplored, which was investigated in this study in a mouse model of hypertension induced in either ACE2 knockout (KO) or Mas KO mice and in double ACE2/Mas KO mice by subcutaneously chronic infusion of Ang II. Compared with wild‐type (WT) animals, mice lacking either ACE2 or Mas significantly increased blood pressure over 7‐28 days following a chronic Ang II infusion (P

This article presents a personal and critical review of the history of the malate–aspartate shuttle (MAS), starting in 1962 and ending in 2020. The MAS was initially proposed as a route for the oxidation of cytosolic NADH by the mitochondria in Ehrlich ascites cell tumor lacking other routes, and to explain the need for a mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase (glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase 2 [GOT2]). The MAS was soon adopted in the field as a major pathway for NADH oxidation in mammalian tissues, such as liver and heart, even though the energetics of the MAS remained a mystery. Only in the 1970s, LaNoue and coworkers discovered that the efflux of aspartate from mitochondria, an essential step in the MAS, is dependent on the proton‐motive force generated by the respiratory chain: for every aspartate effluxed, mitochondria take up one glutamate and one proton. This makes the MAS in practice uni‐directional toward oxidation of cytosolic NADH, and explains why the free NADH/NAD ratio is much higher in the mitochondria than in the cytosol. The MAS is still a very active field of research. Most recently, the focus has been on the role of the MAS in tumors, on cells with defects in mitochondria and on inborn errors in the MAS. The year 2019 saw the discovery of two new inborn errors in the MAS, deficiencies in malate dehydrogenase 1 and in aspartate transaminase 2 (GOT2). This illustrates the vitality of ongoing MAS research.

Abstract In this paper, different aspects concerning anisotropy in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy have been reviewed. In particular, the relevant theory has been presented, showing how anisotropy stems from the dependence of internal nuclear spin interactions on the molecular orientation with respect to the external magnetic field direction. The consequences of anisotropy in the use of NMR spectroscopy have been critically discussed: on one side, the availability of very detailed structural and dynamic information, and on the other side, the loss of spectral resolution. The experiments used to measure the anisotropic properties in solid and soft materials, where, in contrast to liquids, such properties are not averaged out by the molecular tumbling, have been described. Such experiments can be based either on static low-resolution techniques or on one- and two-dimensional pulse sequences exploiting Magic Angle Spinning (MAS). Examples of applications of NMR spectroscopy have been shown, which exploit anisotropy to obtain important physico-chemical information on several categories of systems, including pharmaceuticals, inorganic materials, polymers, liquid crystals, and self-assembling amphiphiles in water. Solid-state NMR spectroscopy can be considered, nowadays, one of the most powerful characterization techniques for all kinds of solid, either amorphous or crystalline, and semi-solid systems for the obtainment of both structural and dynamic properties on a molecular and supra-molecular scale. Graphic abstract

S’han fet nombrosos estudis sobre el rol rellevant dels hereus en el desenvolupament econòmic dels masos i el rol de les dones en la gestió de la llar i en l’educació dels fi lls i les filles, però no s’ha analitzat sufi cientment quins eren els reptes que tenien les dones quan es feien càrrec de l’explotació d’un mas. En una societat en què es prioritzaven els homes en la transmissió de l’herència i les fi lles eren vistes com la darrera solució, l’única situació en què les dones podien dirigir el seu propi patrimoni o gestionar el del marit en usdefruit, o totes dues coses alhora, era quan quedaven vídues i no es tornaven a casar. Aquest article es proposa analitzar el cas de Maria Muntaner i Ardèvol, de Porrera, una dona que hagué d’enfrontar-se des de ben petita a les difi cultats derivades de la seva condició d’òrfena, primer, de pubilla, després, i de vídua amb una fi lla, fi nalment. La seva fi gura permet estudiar les estratègies que va seguir per sobreviure a les diferents situacions vitals i preservar el seu patrimoni i el de la seva fi lla, i alhora ens facilita indagar en quins moments la seva condició de dona li va comportar difi cultats addicionals., A number of studies have been published on the role male heirs played in the economic development of the country villas referred to as masos in Catalonia, and much has also been written on the role of women in managing domestic affairs in these houses and raising children. However, there has been little analysis of the challenged faced by those women who took charge of the economic activities at these estates. In a society in which men took precedence in the transmission of inheritances and daughters were seen as the heiresses of last resort, the only women who were only able to manage their own wealth or exercise the right of usufruct over their husbands’ property were widows who had not remarried. This article examines the case of Maria Muntaner Domènech, from Porrera, a women who was an orphan at a very young age, then an heiress and finally a widow with a daughter. Her story sheds lights on the strategies a woman could use to survive the sort of difficulties she faced throughout her life, all while preserving her property for herself and her daughter. The text will also take a close look at the moments in her life when being a woman caused her additional difficulties.

This paper presents a novel approach for automated analysis of process models discovered using process mining techniques. Process mining explores underlying processes hidden in the event data generated by various devices. Our proposed Inductive machine learning method was used to build business process models based on actual event log data obtained from a hotel's Property Management System (PMS). The PMS can be considered as a Multi Agent System (MAS) because it is integrated with a variety of external systems and IoT devices. Collected event log combines data on guests stay recorded by hotel staff, as well as data streams captured from telephone exchange and other external IoT devices. Next, we performed automated analysis of the discovered process models using formal methods. Spin model checker was used to simulate process model executions and automatically verify the process model. We proposed an algorithm for the automatic transformation of the discovered process model into a verification model. Additionally, we developed a generator of positive and negative examples. In the verification stage, we have also used Linear temporal logic (LTL) to define requested system specifications. We find that the analysis results will be well suited for process model repair., 12 pages, 13 figures and 3 tables, published in Automatika, vol. 61, no. 2, pp.312-324, 2020

Powdery mildew induced by Blumeria graminis f. sp. Tritici (Bgt) has a devastating impact on global wheat yield and quality. Host resistance is the most effective and economical means to control this disease. In this study, Heng 4568, an elite wheat cultivar, shows high resistance to 12 Bgt isolates from different regions in China at the seedling stage. Genetic analysis demonstrates that the powdery mildew resistance in Heng 4568 is conferred by a single dominant locus, temporarily designated PmH4568. Furthermore, PmH4568 is mapped to the reported Pm2 interval on chromosome 5DS with five Pm2 linked markers and flanked by the markers Bwm20 and Bwm21 with a genetic distance of 0.3 and 0.6 cM, respectively. To further investigate the relationship between PmH4568 and Pm2, the diagnostic marker Pm2b-map-3 of Pm2 is used to genotype the F2:3 population derived from the cross Heng 4568 × Daimai 2173. Notably, there is no recombination found, indicating that PmH4568 is also probably a Pm2 allele. In addition, five closely linked markers as well as one diagnostic marker are successfully developed and tested in 16 wheat cultivars from different agro-ecological areas in China, which have potential applications in molecular breeding by marker-assisted selection.

Los sistemas de fabricación convencionales se encuentran inmersos en una transición hacia un modelo de producción más flexible, capaz de hacer frente a las demandas actuales del mercado. En este nuevo modelo de producción, los Vehículos Autónomos de Transporte (AGV) juegan un papel fundamental para dotar a la industria de dos características clave para lograr la plena flexibilidad: conectividad y descentralización. La investigación en el área del transporte autónomo se ha centrado, principalmente, en el diseño de algoritmos y en el desarrollo de herramientas de ingeniería y librerías para la integración de componentes. Sin embargo, no se ha prestado tanta atención a las necesidades de interacción (conectividad) que surgen entre los AGV y otros activos de fabricación en entornos distribuidos y cambiantes como los que presentan los Sistemas de Fabricación Avanzada o Sistemas de Fabricación Flexible (FMS). En este sentido, la revisión de la literatura refleja que dichos requisitos de conectividad entre activos robóticos y no robóticos carecen de soporte por parte de los principales frameworks robóticos. A esta problemática, se le suma la necesidad de dotar de inteligencia distribuida (descentralización) a los activos de fabricación para que puedan realizar tareas de forma autónoma (e.g., la navegación) y resolver conflictos de forma colaborativa (e.g., negociación y toma distribuida de decisiones), aspecto, este último, que es objeto de estudio actualmente. Los sistemas multiagente han demostrado ser adecuados para satisfacer los requisitos de conectividad y descentralización de los activos de fabricación en diferentes entornos industriales, hasta el punto de que el concepto de Agente Industrial se concibe como una implementación del concepto de Componente I4.0 (una particularización del concepto de Sistema Ciberfísico alineado con la arquitectura de referencia RAMI 4.0) mediante agentes. Así, existe una línea de investigación dedicada a la aplicación de la tecnología de agentes en frameworks robóticos. Este este contexto, este trabajo contribuye a la integración de AGV como Agentes Industriales dentro FlexManSys, una plataforma de gestión de aplicaciones de fabricación desarrollada por el grupo de investigación GCIS de la UPV/EHU. Esta integración consta de la definición de una interfaz, a nivel de operación, en ROS para el AGV; la provisión de mecanismos para el intercambio de datos entre el activo y su agente asociado; y la definición de una interfaz, a nivel de servicio, en el agente para la gestión virtual del AGV (concepto de Asset Administration Shell de RAMI 4.0). Además, como parte de las pruebas de concepto, se describe la puesta en marcha un sistema de navegación autónomo basado en técnicas SLAM en un robot Turtlebot2. Ohiko fabrikazio sistemak ekoizpen eredu malguago baterako trantsizioan murgilduta daude, merkatuaren egungo eskaerei aurre egiteko gai dena. Ekoizpen eredu berri horretan, garraio ibilgailu autonomoek (AGV) funtsezko zeregina dute industrian erabateko malgutasuna lortzeko funtsezko diren bi ezaugarri lortzeko: konektibitatea eta deszentralizazioa. Garraio autonomoaren arloko ikerketa, batez ere, algoritmoen diseinuan eta osagaiak integratzeko ingeniaritzako tresnen eta liburutegien garapenean oinarritu da. Hala ere, Fabrikazio Sistema Aurreratuek bereizten dituzten ingurune banatu eta aldakorretan, AGVen eta beste fabrikazio aktibo batzuren artean sortzen diren elkarrekintza-premiei (konektibitatea) ez zaie arreta handirik jarri. Alde horretatik, literaturaren berrikuspenak aktibo robotikoen eta ez-robotikoen arteko konektibitate-baldintza horiek framework robotiko nagusien aldetik euskarririk ez dutela erakusten du. Arazo horri, fabrikazio aktiboei adimen banatua (deszentralizazioa) emateko beharra gehitu behar zaio, zereginak modu autonomoan egin ahal izateko (adibidez, nabigazioa) eta gatazkak elkarlanean konpondu ahal izateko (adibidez, negoziazioa eta erabakiak modu banatuan hartzea). Azken alderdi hori gaur egun aztergai da. Agente anitzeko sistemek fabrikazio aktiboen konektibitate eta deszentralizazio baldintzak hainbat industria ingurunetan betetzeko egokiak direla erakutsi dute; izan ere, Industria Agentearen kontzeptua I4.0 Osagaia kontzeptuaren (RAMI 4.0 erreferentziazko arkitekturarekin lerrokatuta dagoen Sistema Ziberfisikoaren kontzeptua, alegia) agente bidezko inplementazio gisa ulertzen da. Horrela, framework robotikoetan agenteen teknologia aplikatzeari buruzko ikerketa lerro bat dago. Testuinguru honetan, lan honek AGVak industria agente gisa FlexManSys-en (UPV/EHUko GCIS ikerketa taldeak fabrikazio-aplikazioak kudeatzeko garatu duen plataforma) integratu daitezala laguntzen du. Integrazio honek honako alderdi hauek biltzen ditu: AGVaren eragiketa mailako interfaze baten definizioa ROSen; aktiboaren eta hari lotutako agentearen artean datuak trukatzeko mekanismoen hornidura; eta agentean zerbitzu mailako interfaze baten definizioa AGVaren kudeaketa birtualerako (RAMI 4.0ren Asset Administration Shell kontzeptua). Gainera, kontzeptu-proben barruan, TurtleBot2 robot batean SLAM tekniketan oinarritutako nabigazio sistema autonomoaren martxan jartzea deskribatzen da. Conventional manufacturing systems are transitioning towards a more flexible production, capable of heading-on current market demands. Within this new model of production and manufacturing, Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) play a crucial role in giving actual industry two fundamental characteristics in flexible manufacturing systems: Connectivity and Decentralization. Research in the autonomous transport subject has focused mainly on the designing of algorithms and development of tools and software libraries for the integration of multiple components. Nevertheless, researchers have omitted the interaction necessities (connectivity) that come up among AGVs and other fabrication assets in distributed and volatile workspaces such as Advanced Fabrication Systems or Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS). On this matter, the state of the art reflects that those requirements of connectivity between robotic and non-robotic assets lack support from principal robotic frameworks. Multi-agent systems have proved to be suitable for the requirements of connectivity and decentralization of the manufacturing assets in different industrial environments. Hence, the concept of "Industrial Agent" is known as an implementation of the concept of "I4.0 Component" (a particularization of a Cypher-physical System in accordance with the RAMI 4.0 reference architecture.) among software agents. Thus, there is a line of research focused on the development of agent technologies in robotic frameworks. All in all, this project contributes to the integration of AGVs as Industrial Agents within FlexManSys, a management platform of manufacturing applications developed by the research group GCIS from the UPV/EHU. This integration is formed by the definition of an interface, at an operative level, carried out with ROS for the AGV; the designing of communication protocols and mechanisms for the exchange of data and information between the asset and its associated agent; and the definition of an interface, in a service level, within the agent for the virtual management of the AGV (concept of Asset Administration Shell from RAMI 4.0 architecture). Besides, among the concept validation checks, the launch and start-up of an autonomous navigation system based on SLAM techniques in a Turtlebot2 robot are described.

L’article aborda la configuració històrica del paisatge rural alcoià partint d’alguns conceptes bàsics sobre l’agricultura preindustrial i la seua evolució tècnica. S’insisteix en la complementarietat dels masos i les hortes periurbanes. Es planteja un esquema dels canvis en el model agrari al llarg de l’època moderna. Finalment, després d’aproximar-se a l’evolució del segle XIX, es proposen, com a conclusió, algunes línies de recerca. El artículo aborda la configuración histórica del paisaje rural de Alcoi partiendo de algunos conceptos básicos sobre la agricultura preindustrial y su evolución técnica. Se insiste en la complementariedad de los masos y las huertas periurbanas. Se plantea un esquema de los cambios en el modelo agrario a lo largo de la época moderna. Finalmente, tras aproximarse a la evolución del siglo XIX, se proponen, como conclusión, algunas líneas de investigación. The article deals with the historical configuration of the rural landscape of Alcoi using some basic concepts about preindustrial agriculture and its technical evolution. Emphasis is placed on the complementarity of the masos and the peri-urban irrigated farmland. A scheme of the changes in the agrarian model throughout the early modern period is presented. Finally, after approaching the 19th century evolution, some lines of research are proposed as a conclusion.

The formation of high-performance teams has been a constant challenge for organizations, which despite considering human capital as one of the most important resources, it still lacks the means to allow them to have a better understanding of several factors that influence the formation of these teams. In this sense, studies also demonstrate that teamwork has a significant impact on the results presented by organizations, in which human behavior is highlighted as one of the main aspects to be considered in the building of work teams. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator seeks to classify the behavioral preferences of individuals around eight characteristics, which grouped as dichotomies, describe different psychological types. With it, researchers have sought to expand the ability to understand the human factor, using strategies with multiagent systems that, through experiments and simulations, using computer resources, enable the development of artificial agents that simulate human actions. In this work, we present an overview of the research approaches that use MBTI to model agents, aiming at providing a better knowledge of human behavior. Additionally, we make a preliminary discussion of how these results could be explored in order to advance the studies of psychological factors' influence in organizations' work teams formation.

Kualitas sebuah negara dapat dilihat dari beberapa faktor salah satunya pendidikan. Dalam pendidikan ini perlu adanya pembiayaan, pembiayaan ini agar lebih mudah perlu adanya administrasi keuangan. Dalam administrasi keuangan perlu adanya seorang bendahara yang bertugas mencatat pemasukan dan pengeluaran.Tujuan penulisan artikel ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengertian dari administrasi keuangan, sumber pembiayaan pembiayaan pada satuan pendidikan, pengelola keuangan sekolah, proses administrasi keuangan sekolah, peran guru dalam administrasi keuangan sekolah. Administrasi keuangan sekolah adalah langkah pengolahan keuangan sekolah mulai dari penerimaan sampai dengan bagaimana mempertanggungjawabkan keuangan yang digunakan secara obyektif dan sistematis. Langkah tersebut sangat penting sekali diperhatikan, karena masalah pembiayaan adalah menjadi sarana vital bagi mati hidupnya suatu organisasi.

espanolEn el trabajo se analizan las politicas industriales en Bolivia durante los sucesivos Gobiernos del MAS (2006-2019). En concreto, se centra en la dimension institucional de las politicas industriales y en la hipotesis de que los problemas de orden institucional han sido un factor determinante de la incapacidad del nuevo modelo de traducir sus politicas en transformaciones estructurales de la economia productiva. Para ello, se articula un analisis en cuatro niveles de la politica industrial: normativo-estrategico, institucional, politicas sectoriales e instrumentos-incentivos. En el analisis, se muestra que existen diversos fallos de diseno e implementacion a nivel institucional (priorizacion de los sectores primarios, ausencia de colaboraciones publico-privadas, solapamientos normati- vos, limitadas capacidades burocraticas o ausencia de un sistema de innovacion tecnologica, entre otros), que han imposibilitado la industrializacion y el cambio estructural en Bolivia. EnglishIn the paper, it is analysed the industrial policies in Bolivia during the successive governments of the MAS party (2006-2019). Specifically, it is focused on the institutional dimension of industrial policies and on the hypothesis that institutional problems have been a determining factor in the inability of the new model to translate its policies into structural transformations of the productive economy. For this, an analysis is articulated in four levels of industrial policy: normative-strategic, institutional, sectoral policies, and instruments-incentives. In the analysis, it is showed that there are various design and implementation failures at the institutional level (prioritization of primary sectors, absence of public-private partnerships, regulatory overlaps, limited bureaucratic capabilities, or absence of a technological innovation system, among others), that have made it impossible to industrialization and structural change in Bolivia.

Molecules : a journal of synthetic chemistry and natural product chemistry 26(21), 6690 (2021). doi:10.3390/molecules26216690 special issue: "Special Issue "Advances in NMR and MRI of Materials" / Special Issue Editor: Prof. Dr. Igor Ser��a, Guest Editor", Published by MDPI, Basel

Rice is one of the most important food crops in the world and is of vital importance to many countries. Various diseases caused by fungi, bacteria and viruses constantly threaten rice plants and cause yield losses. Bacterial leaf streak disease (BLS) caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc) is one of the most devastating rice diseases. However, most modern rice varieties are susceptible to BLS. In this study, we applied the QTL-seq approach using an F2 population derived from the cross between IR62266 and Homcholasit (HSC) to rapidly identify the quantitative trait loci (QTL) that confers resistance to BLS caused by a Thai Xoc isolate, SP7-5. The results showed that a single genomic region at the beginning of chromosome 5 was highly associated with resistance to BLS. The gene xa5 was considered a potential candidate gene in this region since most associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were within this gene. A Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR (KASP) marker was developed based on two consecutive functional SNPs in xa5 and validated in six F2 populations inoculated with another Thai Xoc isolate, 2NY2-2. The phenotypic variance explained by this marker (PVE) ranged from 59.04% to 70.84% in the six populations. These findings indicate that xa5 is a viable candidate gene for BLS resistance and may help in breeding programs for BLS resistance.

A nonlinear consensus model is assigned to resolve the consensus problem of multi-agent systems (MAS). Other studies have constructed consensus systems based on low-complexity computation linear equations or complex nonlinear equations. Linear equations are less efficient in reaching a consensus due to their slow computation process, where nonlinear equations are more efficient. The three major challenges in designing nonlinear consensus equations are: building a system of nonlinear equations that have solution, easy to calculate, and less time consuming. This study aims to create a consensus system that is nonlinear and easy to calculate. According to our survey, the DeGroot model (DGM) of 1974 is a linear model and the first effect consensus model with a flexible computation process for finite nodes. We examine if raising the exponential level for the initial cases of agents allows the system to achieve a consensus and move the DGM to a nonlinear level. The results show that by raising the exponent, the DGM is able to reach a consensus. The consensus of the DGM reaches a certain positive value that depends on the initial states of the agents and the transition matrix, whereas the consensus of the proposed exponential DGM (EDGM) reaches zero with a flexible and unrestricted matrix. Moreover, EDGM is a nonlinear model and reaches the consensus faster than the DGM linear model. The results are supported by theoretical evidence and numerical analysis.

The difficulties in quantitatively modeling the temperature dependence of spin–lattice relaxation in a model isotope-enriched peptide are explored as a prelude to obtaining dynamics parameters for motions in proteins from such measurements. The degree to which this can be handled by adding spin diffusion to a bath in standard rate matrix relaxation theory is studied using a small tri-peptide model system, glycyl–alanyl-leucine (GAL). We observe in this molecule that the relaxation of backbone carbons CO and Cα is not dominated by local fluctuations of the 13C–1H dipolar couplings, but rather by 13C–13C spin diffusion to nearby methyl relaxation sinks. A treatment of the methyl relaxation itself, which ignores 13C–13C spin diffusion effects back to the otherwise slowly relaxing bath, provides poor agreement between theory and experimental data obtained for the temperature dependence of the methyl relaxation rates. Closed form approximate spectral densities and relaxation rates for a methyl group during magic angle spinning are obtained to compute the needed transition rates. These average computed rates, in conjunction with an extended form of the Solomon equations, are found to adequately model the temperature dependence of the methyl relaxation rates when spin diffusion is included. The barrier to rotation for the alanine methyl in GAL is determined to be 3.5 kcal mol−1. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s10858-019-00261-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Telerehabilitation in older adults is most needed in the patient environments, rather than in formal ambulatories or hospitals. Supporting such practices brings significant advantages to patients, their family, formal and informal caregivers, clinicians, and researchers. This paper presents a focus group with experts in physiotherapy and telerehabilitation, debating on the requirements, current techniques and technologies developed to facilitate and enhance the effectiveness of telerehabilitation, and the still open challenges. Particular emphasis is given to (i) the body-parts requiring the most rehabilitation, (ii) the typical environments, initial causes, and general conditions, (iii) the values and parameters to be observed, (iv) common errors and limitations of current practices and technological solutions, and (v) the envisioned and desired technological support. Consequently, it has been performed a systematic review of the state of the art, investigating what types of systems and support currently cope with telerehabilitation practices and possible matches with the outcomes of the focus group. Technological solutions based on video analysis, wearable devices, robotic support, distributed sensing, and gamified telerehabilitation are examined. Particular emphasis is given to solutions implementing agent-based approaches, analyzing and discussing strength, limitations, and future challenges. By doing so, it has been possible to relate functional requirements expressed by professional physiotherapists and researchers, with the need for extending multi-agent systems (MAS) peculiarities at the sensing level in wearable solutions establishing new research challenges. In particular, to be employed in safety-critical cyber-physical scenarios with user-sensor and sensor-sensor interactions, MAS are requested to handle timing constraints, scarcity of resources and new communication means, crucial to providing real-time feedback and coaching. Therefore, MAS pillars such as the negotiation protocol and the agent's internal scheduler have been investigated, proposing solutions to achieve the aforementioned real-time compliance.

Native angiotensin-(1-7) exerts many therapeutic effects. However, it is rapidly degraded by ACE and other peptidases. This drawback is largely eliminated for lanthionine-stabilized angiotensin-(1-7), termed cAng-(1-7), which is fully resistant to ACE and has strongly increased resistance to other peptidases. Goal of the present study was to test whether cAng-(1-7) has therapeutic activity in diabetes mouse models: in a multiple low dose streptozotocin-induced model of type I diabetes and / or in a db/db model of type II diabetes. In the type I diabetes model cAng-(1-7) caused in an increase in the insulin level of 133% in week 4 (p

Ebola virus disease (EVD) is associated with elevated cytokine levels, and hypercytokinemia is more pronounced in fatal cases. This type of hyperinflammatory state is reminiscent of 2 rheumatologic disorders known as macrophage activation syndrome and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, which are characterized by macrophage and T-cell activation. An evaluation of 2 cohorts of patients with EVD revealed that a marker of macrophage activation (sCD163) but not T-cell activation (sCD25) was associated with severe and fatal EVD. Furthermore, substantial immunoreactivity of host tissues to a CD163-specific antibody, predominantly in areas of extensive immunostaining for Ebola virus antigens, was observed in fatal cases. These data suggest that host macrophage activation contributes to EVD pathogenesis and that directed antiinflammatory therapies could be beneficial in the treatment of EVD.

Rice production is often affected by biotic and abiotic stressors. The breeding of resistant cultivars is a cost-cutting and environmentally friendly strategy to maintain a sustainable high production level. An elite water-saving and drought-resistant rice (WDR), Hanhui3, is susceptible to blast and bacterial blight (BB). This study was conducted to introgress three resistance genes (Pi2, xa5, and Xa23) for blast and BB into Hanhui3, using marker-assisted selection (MAS) for the foreground selection and a whole-genome single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array for the background selection. As revealed by the whole-genome SNP array, the recurrent parent genome (RPG) recovery of the improved NIL was 94.2%. The resistance levels to blast and BB of the improved NIL and its derived hybrids were higher than that of the controls. In addition, the improved NIL and its derived hybrids retained the desired agronomic traits from Hanhui3, such as yield. The improved NIL could be useful to enhance resistance against biotic stressors and produce stable grain yields in Oryza sativa subspecies indica rice breeding programs.

Multi-agent systems and especially unmanned vehicles, are a crucial part of the solution to a lot of real world problems, making essential the improvement of task allocation techniques. In this review, we present the main techniques used for task allocation algorithms, categorising them based on the techniques used, focusing mainly on recent works. We also analyse these methods, focusing mainly on their complexity, optimality and scalability. We also refer to common communication schemes used in task allocation methods, as well as to the role of uncertainty in task allocation. Finally, we compare them based on the above criteria, trying to find gaps in the literature and to propose the most promising ones.

After peripheral nervous injuries several modifications cellular and molecular develop to promote axonal regeneration. The axons, disconnected from their cell bodies, suffer from Wallerian degeneration. Products of this degeneration are eliminated by Schwann cells and macrophages. In the CNS, in the cell bodies, changes called plastic responses of the neuron and glia occurs in the spinal cord, highlighting the astrocytes plays an important role in this plasticity. Studies have shown that Angiotensin-(1-7), a System Renin-Angiotensin metabolite, participates in actions involving central behavioral aspects, learning and memory, by influencing the neuroplasticity. In this sense, the present work investigated the functional recovery after peripheral lesion of the sciatic nerve in rodents treated with the Ang-(1-7). For that, we procedured with the nerve crushing injury, with preservation of the epineurium. During two weeks after injury, was carried out to test the functional index of the sciatic nerve that evaluates the footprint during gait of the animals. In addition, the nerve was assessed axonal regeneration and the activity of Schwann cells by immunohistochemistry for neurofilament and S-100. In front of these results, we believe that treatment with Ang-(1-7) interferes negatively, possibly, delaying the responses of Schwann cells, which reflects a less axonal organization together with a slower return of nerve function. The lumbar spinal cords, where are the neuronal cell bodies that had their axons injured, were also stained with GFAP, synaptophysin and Mas antisera, for assessing, respectively, the astroglial activity, synaptic density and the Ang-(1-7) receptor. The treatment with Ang-(1-7) showed, in the spinal cord, reduction of the astrocytic activity and lower synaptic density after injury. Also, it was observed that the expression of Mas is changed by axonal injury, but treatment with Ang-(1-7) reduces this expression after injury by comparing the control animals with the treated animals. In this way, we can conclude that the treatment with Ang-(1-7) can influence the peripheral and central responses after nerve injury, apparently influencing the glial cells responsible, at least in part, by neuroinflammation reaction that occurs after axonal damage. Após lesões nervosas periféricas, diversas modificações celulares e moleculares se desenvolvem para promover a regeneração axonal. Os axônios, desconectados dos seus respectivos corpos celulares, sofrem degeneração Walleriana. Produtos dessa degeneração são eliminados por células de Schwann e macrófagos. No SNC, os corpos celulares sofrem alterações denominadas respostas plásticas do neurônio e da glia, destacando-se o astrócito que apresenta importante papel nessa plasticidade. Estudos mostram que a Angiotensina-(1-7), um metabólito do Sistema Renina-Angiotensina, participa em ações centrais envolvendo aspectos comportamentais, aprendizado e memória, influenciando na neuroplasticidade. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho investigou a recuperação funcional após lesão periférica do nervo isquiático em roedores tratados com a Ang-(1-7). Para tanto, realizou-se a lesão nervosa por esmagamento do nervo com preservação do epineuro. Durante duas semanas após lesão, foi realizado o teste do índice funcional do nervo isquiático que avalia a impressão plantar durante a marcha dos animais. Além disso, no nervo avaliou-se a regeneração axonal e a atividade das células de Schwann através de imunohistoquímica para neurofilamento e S-100. Diante dos resultados dessas técnicas consideramos que o tratamento com Ang-(1-7) interfere negativamente, possivelmente, atrasando as respostas das células de Schwann o que reflete uma menor organização axonal juntamente com um retorno funcional mais lento. As medulas lombares, onde se encontram os corpos neuronais que tiveram seus axônios lesados, também foram imunomarcados com GFAP, sinaptofisina e Mas, para avaliarmos respectivamente a atividade astroglial, a densidade sináptica e o receptor de Ang-(1-7). O tratamento com Ang-(1-7) mostrou na medula redução da atividade dos astrócitos e menor densidade sináptica após lesão. Ainda, foi observado que a expressão de Mas é alterada pela lesão axonal, mas o tratamento com Ang-(1-7) reduz essa expressão após duas semanas da lesão comparando-se os animais controles com os tratados. Dessa maneira, podemos concluir que o tratamento com Ang-(1-7) pode influenciar as respostas periféricas e centrais após lesão nervosa, aparentemente influenciando as células gliais responsáveis, pelo menos em parte, pela reação neuroinflamatória que ocorre diante do comprometimento axonal. Mestre em Biologia Celular e Estrutural Aplicadas

We review our recent paper which resolves the long-standing dilemma of the location and nature of the six-fold coordinated aluminum in calcium aluminate silicate hydrate (C-A-S-H) samples. First principles calculations predict that at high Ca:Si and H2O ratios, aluminum is incorporated into the bridging sites of the linear silicate chains and that the stable coordination number is six. We confirm this hypothesis experimentally by one- and two-dimensional dynamic nuclear polarization enhanced 27 Al and 29 Si solid-state NMR experiments in which we correlate the distinctive six-fold coordinated aluminum NMR signal at 5 ppm to 29 Si NMR signals from silicates in C-A-S-H.

Background Maize rough dwarf disease (MRDD), a widespread disease caused by four pathogenic viruses, severely reduces maize yield and grain quality. Resistance against MRDD is a complex trait that controlled by many quantitative trait loci (QTL) and easily influenced by environmental conditions. So far, many studies have reported numbers of resistant QTL, however, only one QTL have been cloned, so it is especially important to map and clone more genes that confer resistance to MRDD. Results In the study, a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) qMrdd2, which confers resistance to MRDD, was identified and fine mapped. qMrdd2, located on chromosome 2, was consistently identified in a 15-Mb interval between the simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers D184 and D1600 by using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a cross between resistant (“80007”) and susceptible (“80044”) inbred lines. Using a recombinant-derived progeny test strategy, qMrdd2 was delineated to an interval of 577 kb flanked by markers N31 and N42. We further demonstrated that qMrdd2 is an incompletely dominant resistance locus for MRDD that reduced the disease severity index by 20.4%. Conclusions A major resistance QTL (qMrdd2) have been identified and successfully refined into 577 kb region. This locus will be valuable for improving maize variety resistance to MRDD via marker-assisted selection (MAS).

Marker-assisted selection aims to improve quantitative traits in Eucalyptus, and molecular markers allow the identification of (the expression) of challenging alleles. Aiming to overcome this challenge our work presents a systematic review of the use of marker-assisted selection and candidate proteins to identify markers associated with traits of Eucalyptus. The research carried out a prospection of content obtained by keywords in the scientific databases Scopus and Web of Science. The bibliographic data generated was imported using the Bibliometrix package in R software. The nucleic acid sequences were prospected in the Genetic Sequence Database – GenBank. The proteins were prospected in UNIPROT and the 3D structures were obtained at the Swiss Bioinformatics Institute - SIB. The prospection resulted in 63 scientific articles after duplicates were removed, from 41 journals, with an average publication of 12.4 articles per year and an average of 25.2 citations per document. China and Brazil stand out in the number of publications. RAPD technique was the most used in studies to obtain alleles with traits of interest in Eucalyptus. The ISSR and SSR markers were highlighted for studies on genotype resistance. The sequences associated with resistance to galling organisms in Eucalyptus are related to TAC1 transcription regulatory proteins, mediator 2; zinc finger protein 11, associated with the expressed genes TAC1, At5g64680, and ZFP11. La selección asistida por marcadores tiene como objetivo mejorar los rasgos cuantitativos en Eucalyptus, y los marcadores moleculares permiten la identificación (la expresión) de alelos desafiantes. Con el objetivo de superar este desafío, nuestro trabajo presenta una revisión sistemática en el uso de selección asistida por marcadores y proteínas candidatas para identificar marcadores asociados con rasgos de Eucalyptus. La investigación se llevó a cabo una prospección de contenido obtenido por palabras clave en las bases de datos científicas Scopus y Web of Science. Los datos bibliográficos generados fueron importados utilizando el paquete Bibliometrix en el software R. Las secuencias de ácidos nucleicos fueron prospectadas en la Base de Datos de Secuencias Genéticas – GenBank. Las proteínas fueron prospectadas en UNIPROT y las estructuras 3D fueron obtenidas en el Swiss Bioinformatics Institute - SIB. La prospección resultó en 63 artículos científicos después de la eliminación de duplicados, de 41 revistas, con una publicación promedio de 12,4 artículos por año y un promedio de 25,2 citas por documento. China y Brasil se destacan en el número de publicaciones. La técnica RAPD fue la más utilizada en los estudios para obtener alelos con caracteres de interés en Eucalyptus. Se destacaron los marcadores ISSR y SSR para estudios de resistencia de genotipos. Las secuencias asociadas con la resistencia a los organismos irritantes en Eucalyptus están relacionadas con las proteínas reguladoras de la transcripción TAC1, mediador 2; proteína con dedos de zinc 11, asociada con los genes expresados TAC1, At5g64680 y ZFP11. A seleção assistida por marcadores visa melhorar características quantitativas em Eucalyptus, e marcadores moleculares permitem a localização de alelos com expressão de difícil identificação. Assim, apresenta-se uma revisão sistemática de artigos científicos relacionados ao uso de seleção assistida por marcadores e realiza-se a prospecção de proteínas candidatas a marcadores associados a características de interesse econômico em espécies do gênero Eucalyptus. A pesquisa foi realizada a partir da prospecção de conteúdos obtidos por palavras-chaves nas bases científicas Scopus e Web of Science. Os dados bibliográficos gerados foram importados utilizando o pacote Bibliometrix no software R. As sequências de ácidos nucleicos foram prospectadas no Genetic Sequence Database – GenBank, e as proteínas foram prospectadas no UNIPROT, e no Instituto Suíço de Bioinformática - SIB foram obtidas as estruturas 3D das proteínas. Foram prospectados 74 artigos científicos, dos quais foram retiradas as duplicatas, totalizando 63 documentos de 41 revistas, com publicação média de 12,4 artigos por ano e média de 25,2 citações por documento. A China e o Brasil se destacam em número de publicações. A técnica de RAPD foi a mais utilizada em estudos para obtenção de alelos com características de interesse em Eucalyptus. Os marcadores ISSR e SSR foram destaques para genótipos resistentes a pragas e doenças. As sequências associadas a resistência a organismos galhadores em Eucalyptus estão relacionadas a proteínas reguladoras de transcrição TAC1, proteínas associadas ao mediador 2, proteína de dedo de zinco 11, as quais estão associadas aos genes expressos TAC1, At5g64680 e ZFP11.

The cultivated strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) is an octoploid species (2n = 8x = 56), appreciated widely for its fruit. There have been very few studies on fruit quality traits, which are known to be mostly polygenic and environmentally dependent. To identify higher genetic variability, two non-related populations were genotyped: an F1 population cross between ‘FC50’ and ‘FD54’ and an F2 population cross between ‘Camarosa’ and ‘Dover’, hybridizing both with IStraw35k and IStraw90k SNP arrays, respectively. The F1 genetic map was constructed with 14595 SNPs and the F2 map with 7977 SNPs. High collinearity was observed when comparing one genetic map with the other and on comparing both with the octoploid genome. To assess fruit variability, both populations were phenotyped for shape, firmness, taste and other fruit traits over the 2016−2019 period. With QTL analyses, 33 stable QTLs were mapped in the ‘FC50xFD54’ population, and three hotspot regions were found for shape traits in LG3A, LG4D and LG6D. In the ‘21AF’ population, only eight stable QTLs were detected. Despite that, two major and stable QTLs were mapped in the same interval of confidence for both populations. A shared fruit shape ratio QTL which explained around 25 % of trait variance was mapped in LG3A, and a shared firmness QTL explaining 26.9 % of trait variance in LG7C. For the first time, two QTLs were discovered in LG3A and LG4A for a phenotype neck without achenes. When analysing two different mapping populations, in addition to finding specific QTL regions for the studied traits, a narrowing down of the interval of confidence for the shared QTLs is achieved. As a result of this study, a new set of SNPs for fruit firmness and shape is now available for use in MAS in strawberry breeding programs., PR was supported by a PhD grant CPD2015-0185 from MINECO (FPI-INIA). This work was supported by grant RTA2013-00010-00-00 from FEDER/Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades – Agencia Estatal de Investigación and by the CERCA Programme / Generalitat de Catalunya. We acknowledge financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation-State Research Agency (AEI), through the “Severo Ochoa Programme for Centres of Excellence in R&D”SEV‐2015‐0533 and CEX2019-000902-S.

L’estudi descriu el procés històric i cronològic d’unes propietats agrícoles grans, per al que és la comarca del Vallès Occidental, que s’anomenen torres, segons les dues accepcions d’estructura defensiva vertical, i de segona residència, i també segons l’accepció d’època moderna de gran finca amb casal, propietat d’amos forans. Els seus orígens es remunten a domus medievals i alous del segle xi. Coincideixen territorialment amb part dels termes d’algunes de les vil·les dels segles x i xi. Tot i les transformacions i la disgregació de la propietat aloera, un nombre significatiu d’aquestes finques continuaran poc alterades, pel que fa a l’extensió de les terres pròpies, fins al segle xix, situades enmig del paisatge de masos, parròquies i castells de plana., The study describes the historical and chronological development of large agricultural properties, such as in the region of Vallès Occidental, which are called torres — towers — according to the two meanings of the word: a vertical defensive structure, and a second home; the term in the Modern era is also accepted to mean a large estate with a house, owned by foreigners. These date back to the medieval domus and allods of the 11th century, and coincide territorially with elements of some 10th and 11th-century villas. Despite the transfor mations and disintegration of the allodiums, a significant number of these estates remained largely unaltered, in terms of the boundaries of their lands, until the 19th century, set among the landscape of farmhouses, parishes, and castles.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has rapidly spread across the world since its first emergence in China in late 2019. It is a major public health concern with no effective treatct 3ments. The immunopathology of SARS-CoV-2 is associated with an excessive inflammatory response. Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is also associated with the severity of the disease in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. Neopterin is a macrophage activation marker produced by monocytes and macrophages upon activation by interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). Neopterin is a well-established marker in a variety of diseases, and recent evidence indicates that it could be helpful in early prediction of the severity of COVID-19 disease and serve as a prognostic marker. Here, we outline the role of macrophage activation syndrome in the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 and suggest that neopterin could be used as a biomarker for progression of COVID-19.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text., Objectives CARE Dose 4D modulates mAs through several mechanisms according to patient size and shape, whilst maintaining user-defined reference image quality on Siemens Symbia single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)-computed tomography (CT) systems. A 20 kg child reference was used in child protocols prior to software version VB10 and a 75 kg adult thereafter. Quality reference mAs conversion factors are estimated for delivering equivalent mAs to children between two comparable SPECT-CT systems using adult and child references for topogram-based patient-size-related dose level adaptations. Methods A child phantom was scanned using child protocols on a Siemens Symbia T16 (child reference) and a Siemens Symbia Intevo Bold (adult reference). On each system, scans of the thorax, abdomen and pelvis were acquired with arms up and down, at 80 and 110 kVp. Quality reference mAs settings of 10–50 were used on the Symbia T16 and 40–200 on the Symbia Intevo Bold. These data were used to propose quality reference mAs (adult/child reference) conversion factors according to scan range, arm position and tube voltage. Results Quality reference mAs for child protocols using the adult reference should multiply the child quality reference mAs by the following factors, to give comparable delivered mAs: arms up 80 kV: 3.8 (thorax), 3.8 (abdomen), 4.3 (pelvis); arms up at 110 kV: 3.8 (thorax), 4.1 (abdomen), 4.6 (pelvis); arms down at 80 kV: 4.0 (thorax), 3.7 (abdomen), 3.9 (pelvis); arms down at 110 kV: 4.3 (thorax), 4.0 (abdomen), 4.2 (pelvis). Conclusion Conversion factors for child to adult dose modulation references are proposed, allowing comparable delivered mAs to a child. Video abstract: http://links.lww.com/NMC/A178

Precisely when the success of artificial intelligence (AI) sub-symbolic techniques makes them be identified with the whole AI by many non-computer-scientists and non-technical media, symbolic approaches are getting more and more attention as those that could make AI amenable to human understanding. Given the recurring cycles in the AI history, we expect that a revamp of technologies often tagged as “classical AI”—in particular, logic-based ones—will take place in the next few years. On the other hand, agents and multi-agent systems (MAS) have been at the core of the design of intelligent systems since their very beginning, and their long-term connection with logic-based technologies, which characterised their early days, might open new ways to engineer explainable intelligent systems. This is why understanding the current status of logic-based technologies for MAS is nowadays of paramount importance. Accordingly, this paper aims at providing a comprehensive view of those technologies by making them the subject of a systematic literature review (SLR). The resulting technologies are discussed and evaluated from two different perspectives: the MAS and the logic-based ones.

[EN] The sintering, crystallization and mechanical behavior of three glass compositions in the SiO-AlO-MgO/ZnO system were investigated. Partial substitution of MgO by ZnO causes a decrease in T, a slight increase in the crystallization temperature and improves sinterability. Cordierite and enstatite were crystallized in bulk glasses heat treated at 1000 °C. Addition of ZnO resulted in the crystallization of cordierite, willemite and gahnite for the heat treated bulk glasses and cristobalite, enstatite, gahnite and willemite for the sintered glass powders. The first phase to crystallize is the β-quartz solid solution at 850−900 °C for all compositions. The glass and glass-ceramic with ZnO had the lowest hardness and elastic modulus. There was no variation of fracture strength with composition. The glass-ceramic with ZnO had a similar wear resistance in comparison to the composition with higher MgO content., The authors acknowledge the financial support from CAPES PDSE (grant n°88881.132583/2016-01), FINEP, CNPq, Fundação Araucária, UGF from Brazil for funding laboratory infrastructure and are thankful to ICV-Madrid-Spain and C-LABMU/UEPG for the use of the characterization facilities

In addition to the classic, endocrine renin-angiotensin system, local renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been documented in many tissues and organs, including the ovaries. The localization and functional activity of the two opposing axes of the system, viz. ACE1/Ang II/AT1 and ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/MAS1, differs between animal species and varied according to the stage of follicle development. It appears that the angiotensin peptides and their receptors participate in reproductive processes such as folliculogenesis, steroidogenesis, oocyte maturation, and ovulation. In addition, changes in the constituent compounds of local RAS may contribute to pathological conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, and ovarian cancer. This review article examines the expression, localization, metabolism, and activity of individual elements of the ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/MAS1 axis in the ovaries of various animal species. The manuscript also presents the relationship between the secretion of gonadotropins and sex hormones and expression of Ang-(1-7) and MAS1 receptors. It also summarizes current knowledge regarding the positive and negative impact of ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/MAS1 axis on ovarian function.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life-threatening condition caused by overproduction of inflammatory cytokines and overactivation of macrophages that can progress to multiorgan dysfunction and failure. Although there are guidelines that attempt to recognize the condition in its early stage, diagnosis can be very challenging due to heterogeneous presentations of HLH. Symptoms and clinical findings include fever, neurologic complaints, respiratory issues, liver dysfunction, cytopenias, amongst others most of which are not specific to HLH. In addition, response to treatment can be highly variable, necessitating an individualized treatment plan based on the presentation. We present a case of a 21-year-old female with a history of biopsy-proven inflammatory myositis on azathioprine and prednisone who presented with fever, hypotension, and pancytopenia. Additional imaging studies showed multiorgan involvement, including pneumonia, pyelonephritis, and splenomegaly. A bone marrow biopsy of her iliac crest showed hemophagocytosis and the infectious workup confirmed cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, which led to the diagnosis of CMV-induced HLH. She was treated initially with anakinra for macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) in addition to dexamethasone and ganciclovir. Unfortunately, she did not respond to anakinra and was subsequently switched to etoposide with dexamethasone and valganciclovir, which subsequently helped our patient to recover clinically. Our case highlights the challenging nature of HLH and the importance of early detection and a personalized treatment plan in achieving optimal outcomes in patients with HLH.

Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) suffer from a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that results from the body's immune system targeting healthy tissues which causes damage to various organ systems. Patients with lupus are still in need of effective therapies to treat this complex, multi-system disease. Because polymorphisms in ACE are associated with the activity of SLE and lupus nephritis and based on well-documented renal-protective effects of Renin Angiotensin System (RAS)-modifying therapies, ACE-I are now widely used in patients with SLE with significant efficacy. Our research explores alternate ways of modifying the RAS as a potential for systemic therapeutic benefit in the MRL-lpr mouse model of SLE. These therapeutics include; angiotensin (1-7) [A(1-7)], Nor-Leu-3 Angiotensin (1-7) (NorLeu), Losartan (ARB), and Lisinopril (ACE-I). Daily systemic treatment with all of these RAS-modifying therapies significantly reduced the onset and intensity in rash formation and swelling of the paw. Further, histology showed a corresponding decrease in hyperkeratosis and acanthosis in skin sections. Important immunological parameters such as decreased circulating anti-dsDNA antibodies, lymph node size, and T cell activation were observed. As expected, the development of glomerular pathologies was also attenuated by RAS-modifying therapy. Improved number and health of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), as well as reduction in oxidative stress and inflammation may be contributing to the reduction in SLE pathologies. Several studies have already characterized the protective role of ACE-I and ARBs in mouse models of SLE, here we focus on the protective arm of RAS. A(1-7) in particular demonstrates several protective effects that go beyond those seen with ACE-Is and ARBs; an important finding considering that ACE-Is and ARBs are teratogenic and can cause hypotension in this population. These results offer a foundation for further pharmaceutical development of RAS-modifying therapies, that target the protective arm, as novel SLE therapeutics that do not rely on suppressing the immune system.

The 8029AB line is a dominant genic male sterility (DGMS) two-type line in Brassica napus L., which can be used in a three-line approach for the seed production of rapeseed hybrids. Genetic analyses have demonstrated that the sterility of 8029A is controlled by a single dominant nuclear gene (BnMS5e) interacting with one recessive gene (BnMS5c). Six pairs of penta-primer amplification refractory mutation system (PARMS) markers were designed according to the sequence of BnMS5a, BnMS5c and BnMS5e. Two pairs of these PARMS markers were successfully identified and validated. The PARMS markers MS5-1Fc/MS5-1Ft/MS5-1R12 could distinguish BnMS5c from BnMS5a/BnMS5e, and the PARMS markers MS5-2Ft/MS5-2Fa/MS5-1R12 could genotype BnMS5a and BnMS5c/BnMS5e. The combination of these two pairs of PARMS markers could be used to identify the presence or absence of BnMS5a/BnMS5c/BnMS5e effectively. Consequently, marker-assisted selection can be carried out in the early generation to shorten the breeding period and improve the breeding efficiency.

DNA markers have potential to improve the efficiency of conventional plant breeding via marker-assisted selection (MAS). Therefore, MAS can be very effective in pistachio to eliminate undesirable progenies at early stage which can save time, cost, labor, and land. This study aimed to develop sex-linked single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for MAS, to understand sex determination system and to determine the position of sex locus in pistachio. Eight male and eight female F1 progenies from 'Siirt' × 'Bagyolu' cross, along with the parents, were subjected to RAD (restriction site-associated DNA) sequencing and 38 SNP loci were detected as putative sex-associated ones in pistachio. Validation was performed by SNaPshot minisequencing analysis in mature F1 progenies and in a wide germplasm collection. Seventeen loci successfully distinguished sex in pistachio. To ascertain cost-effective application of markers in a breeding program, high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis was performed; and 10 markers were found to perfectly separate sexes in pistachio. Because of the female heterogamety in all sex-linked SNP loci, pistachio has a ZZ/ZW sex determination system. The sex locus and sex-linked SNP markers were co-segregated in the center of the chromosome at a distance of 30.8 and 31.3 cm, respectively. This study presents sex-linked markers for MAS as well as valuable information about the sex chromosome and sex locus position in pistachio. © 2018 ISHS. Firat University Scientific Research Projects Management Unit This project was supported by the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (Project No. TAGEM/ ???ARGE/ ??I at the Republic ofe yTuMrkinistry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, and the Çukurova University Scientific Research Projects Unit (Project No: FDK- ??? ?- ??? ?? FBA- ?? ? ?- ??? ? and FBA- ??? ?- ? ? ? ?).

Pistachio production in Turkey has been increasing year by year. However, the main cultivars such as 'Uzun' and 'Kirmizi' have strong tendency to alternate bearing with small size nuts and low splitting rates. Therefore, we aimed to develop new pistachio cultivars that have low tendency to alternate bearing, large nuts with high splitting percentages. Pistachio has a dioecious character and a very long juvenility period that limits its breeding. Recently, novel sex-linked markers were demonstrated to distinguish sex in pistachio at seedling stage in pistachio. Therefore, we aimed to use those markers for marker-assisted breeding (MAB) in pistachio in the new cultivar breeding program. A total of about 15,000 F1 progenies were obtained from 45 combinations together with about 500 backcrosses and about 500 pseudo F2 progenies). About 7,500 male progenies were discarded by marker assisted selection. The breeding orchard was established with female progenies together with adequate number of pollinators in December, 2017. MAB provided almost two times more female progenies in the breeding orchard that will serve more chance to breed new female pistachio cultivars along with keeping the land and resources for 20-25 years. © 2018 ISHS. This project was supported by the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (Project No. TAGEM/ ???ARGE/ ??I at the Republic ofe yTuMrkinistry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock.

International audience; Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) has emerged as a dominant architecture for interoperability between applications, by using a weak-coupled model based on the flexibility provided by Web Services, which has led to a wide range of applications, what is known as cloud computing. On the other hand, Multi-Agent System (MAS) is widely used in the industry, because it provides an appropriate solution to complex problems, in a proactive and intelligent way. Specifically, Intelligent Environments (Smart City, Smart Classroom, Cyber Physical System, and Smart Factory, among others) obtain great benefits by using both architectures, because MAS endows intelligence to the environment, while SOA enables users to interact with cloud services, which improve the capabilities of the devices deployed in the environment. Additionally, the fog computing paradigm extends the cloud computing paradigm to be closer to the things that produce and act on the intelligent environment, allowing to deal with issues like mobility, real time, low latency, geo-localization, among other aspects. In this sense, in this article we present a middleware, which not only is capable of allowing MAS and SOA to communicate in a bidirectional and transparent way, but also, it uses the fog computing paradigm autonomously, according to the context and to the system load factor. Additionally, we analyze the performance of the incorporation of the fog-computing paradigm in our middleware and compare it with other works.

Resumen SOA (Service Oriented Architecture) ha emergido como una arquitectura dominante para la interoperabilidad entre aplicaciones, por medio de un modelo de acoplamiento débil basado en la flexibilidad que proveen los servicios web, esto ha dado lugar a una amplia gama de aplicaciones, en lo que se conoce hoy en día como computación en la nube. Por otro lado, los MAS (Multiagent System, por sus siglas en inglés) son usados ampliamente en la industria, ya que brindan soluciones apropiadas a problemas complejos, de forma proactiva e inteligente. En particular, los Ambientes Inteligentes (AmI) educativos se benefician de estás dos arquitecturas, ya que por un lado los MAS dotan al AmI de inteligencia, mientras que SOA permite a los usuarios interactuar con servicios académicos en la nube. El propósito de este artículo es proponer una arquitectura de integración bidireccional SOA-MAS para AmI educativos. La solución propuesta aprovecha las ventajas de ambas tecnologías (SOA-MAS), y resuelve problemas de integración planteados en investigaciones previas. Abstract Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) has emerged as the dominant architecture for interoperability between applications, by using a weak-coupled model, based on the flexibility provided by Web Services, which has led to a wide range of applications, in what is known as cloud computing. On the other hand, Multiagent System (MAS) is widely used in the industry, because it provides an appropriate solution to complex problems in a proactive and intelligent way. Specifically, the Educational Smart Environments (AmI) obtain great benefits by using both architectures, because MAS endows intelligence to the environment, while SOA enables users to interact with academic services in the cloud. The purpose of this article is to propose an architecture for bidirectional integration SOA-MAS to be used on educational AmI. The proposed solution allows taking advantages of both architectures, and solves integration problems raised in previous researches.

El artículo pretende examinar el fenómeno del clientelismo en los gobiernos del Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS) en la Bolivia actual (2006-2015), como una herramienta de cooptación y neutralización de los movimientos sociales. Se analizará el contexto socio-histórico del fenómeno clientelista en Bolivia, tomando en cuenta las determinaciones culturales. Por lo cual el clientelismo boliviano se inscribirá en el concepto local del “llunk’u” o “llunkerío”, relacionado con el mundo aymara-quechua. Se mostrarán los mecanismos estructurales del poder político en Bolivia que llevan al clientelismo y paternalismo estatal y sus consecuencias para la autonomía de los movimientos sociales y la calidad de la vida política del país.

Increasing the resistance of varieties to diseases and pests is a priority in potato breeding. Many potato varieties created in the Leningrad Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture “Belogorka” are multi-species hybrids possessing complex resistance to the most spread pathogens in combination with a high plasticity, which determined their zoning in many regions of the Russian Federation. Potato varieties and hybrids created in different periods of time in this institute and in the Ltd Breeding company “LiGa” were included in marker-assisted selection with 22 markers of 14 R genes conferring extreme resistance to viruses PVY and PVX, resistance to cyst nematodes Globodera pallida (patotypes Pa2, Pa3) and G. rostochiensis (pathotype Ro1) and resistance to late blight. The data of molecular screening were compared with the results of the State Test of Varieties for Disease Resistance, as well as with other published sources. Markers of sterile and fertile cytoplasm types were also used in the study. Based on the results of molecular screening, varieties and hybrids with different combinations of markers of R genes conferring resistance to the most harmful pathogens (Ry sto , Ry-f sto , Rx1, Rx2, Gro1-4, H1, Gpa2, R1, R3a, Rpi-blb1, Rpi-sto1) were detected. Among them, genotypes with sterile D-, T-, W/gamma cytoplasmic types were selected. Analysis of their pollen fertility, crossability and pedigree data showed that breeders succeed in obtaining fertile forms with the D- and T-types of cytoplasm carrying genetic material of Mexican polyploid species Solanum stoloniferum and S. demissum. The information about the presence of markers of R genes and about cytoplasm types of hybrids and varieties will allow an effective implementation of further breeding programs for resistance to a complex of pathogens, including pyramiding of R genes. The data of molecular screening made it possible to specify the pedigrees of several varieties and hybrids that have been created over several decades.

This is a report covering the 5th Annual Martial Arts Studies Conference, held in Orange, California (USA) on May 23-24, 2019. There were a total of six parallel sessions comprised of 44 presentations. Although the conference theme was “martial arts, culture, and politics,” the thematic organization extended beyond this premise to all aspects of martial arts as a field of investigation. As a whole, the conference was impressively orchestrated and quite well attended by representatives from around the world and is notable as the first official Martial Arts Studies Research Network event to take place in North America.