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Social theory faces new challenges as society changes. The question is not only if social theory can keep up with –and account for– social transformations, but also if it can avail of social changes (in this case, the current dominance of digital media) in order to reinvent itself. The most attracting features of modern digital resources, such as Big Data, lies on their tools of analysis. But it just might be that the most promising contribution to social theory resides in the epistemological foundations backing these developments and the conceptual tools they can offer to rephrase epistemological issues. In this sense, the function debuggers play with regard to their target programs could shed new light not only on the process of knowledge formation, but also on the process of theory-improvement/ updating. The present contribution intends to show how theory-debugging might work, by taking the sociology of Niklas Luhmann as a target program to be debugged by fractal geometry with the goal of delivering an enhanced version of system theory. It concludes by arguing for the plausibility of describing communication as a natural fractal susceptible of being modelled by some kind of fractal set, and for how communication media are responsible for the fractal structure of communication along sociocultural evolution.

Chronic inflammatory liver disease with an acute deterioration of liver function is named acute-on-chronic inflammation and could be regulated by the metabolic impairments related to the liver dysfunction. In this way, the experimental cholestasis model is excellent for studying metabolism in both types of inflammatory responses. Along the evolution of this model, the rats develop biliary fibrosis and an acute-on-chronic decompensation. The acute decompensation of the liver disease is associated with encephalopathy, ascites, acute renal failure, an acute phase response and a splanchnic increase of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. This multiorgan inflammatory dysfunction is mainly associated with a splanchnic and systemic metabolic switch with dedifferentiation of the epithelial, endothelial and mesothelial splanchnic barriers. Furthermore, a splanchnic infiltration by mast cells occurs, which suggests that these cells could carry out a compensatory metabolic role, especially through the modulation of hepatic and extrahepatic mitochondrial-peroxisome crosstalk. For this reason, we propose the hypothesis that mastocytosis in the acute-on-chronic hepatic insufficiency could represent the development of a survival metabolic mechanisms that mitigates the noxious effect of the hepatic functional deficit. A better understanding the pathophysiological response of the mast cells in liver insufficiency and portal hypertension would help to find new pathways for decreasing the high morbidity and mortality rate of these patients.

We propose that the circulatory impairments produced, in both portal hypertension and liver cirrhosis, to a certain degree resemble those characterizing prenatal life in the fetus. In fact, the left-right circulatory syndrome is common in cirrhotic patients and in the fetus. Thus, in patients with portal hypertension and chronic liver failure, the re-expression of a blood circulation comparable to fetal circulation is associated with the development of similar amniotic functions, i.e., ascites production and placenta functions, and portal vascular enteropathy. Therefore, these re-expressed embryonic functions are extra-embryonic and responsible for prenatal trophism and development.

Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) are useful to diagnose neurologic and genetic disorders in cattle but normal parameters and its application to detect changes in hearing are not demonstrated. The aims of this study were to develop a protocol for obtaining BAEP in Holstein calves and to establish the normal parameters of peak latencies, interpeak latencies (IPL) and waveforms of BAEP in this species. Ten male Holstein calves, aged 2.5 months and weighting 90.7 ± 4.0 kg were used. All animals were previously sedated with 0.08 mg/kg xylazine hydrochloride administered intramuscularly. The BAEP analysis was recorded using the IHS SmartEP-ASSR program connected with electrode needles placed on the standardized locations of the animal's head. Monoaurally presented broadband click stimuli (0.1 ms) were used for BAEP stimulation, with contralateral masking of 30 dB SPL. Stimuli were presented at a rate of 35.5 pulses per second (PPS) and evoked responses were collected and averaged 450–1500 times for each sound intensity. Earphones were inserted into the ear canal to present the acoustic stimulus and to attenuate environmental noise. Peak latencies, IPL, waveforms and auditory thresholds were recorded and analyzed in the right ear and were like those described in previous papers in adult male bulls. Auditory thresholds obtained in all animals were 33 ± 1.5 dB SPL. Peak latencies were 1.4 ± 0.07 ms (Peak I), 2.4 ± 0.10 ms (Peak II), 3.3 ± 0.10 ms (Peak III), 4.4 ± 0.19 ms (Peak IV) and 5.6 ± 0.28 ms (Peak V). IPL were 1.9 ± 0.12 ms (IPL I-III), 4.1 ± 0.29 ms (IPL I-V), 2.2 ± 0.19 ms (IPL II-V) and 2.2 ± 0.19 ms (IPL III-V). Brainstem auditory evoked potentials are a minimally-invasive method to evaluate level of audition in Holstein calves. In addition, BAEP is a method that can be applied in young calves and it would work on-farm to select the animals with better conditions.

Mangrove ecosystems represent one of the most effective natural environments for fixing and storing carbon (C). Mangroves also offer significant co-benefits, serving as nurseries for marine species, providing nutrients and food to support marine ecosystems, and stabilizing coastlines from erosion and extreme events. Given these considerations, mangrove afforestation and associated C sequestration has gained considerable attention as a nature-based solution to climate adaptation (e.g., protect against more frequent storm surges) and mitigation (e.g. offsetting other C-producing activities). To advance our understanding and description of these important ecosystems, we leverage Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2 satellite data to provide a current assessment of mangrove extent within the Red Sea region and also explore the effect of spatial resolution on mapping accuracy. We establish that Sentinel-2 provides a more precise spatial record of extent and subsequently use these data together with a maximum entropy (MaxEnt) modeling approach to: i) map the distribution of Red Sea mangrove systems, and ii) identify potential areas for future afforestation. From these current and potential mangrove distribution maps, we then estimate the carbon sequestration rate for the Red Sea (as well as for each bordering country) using a meta-analysis of sequestration values surveyed from the available literature. For the mangrove classification, we obtained mapping accuracies of 98 %, with a total Red Sea mangrove extent estimated at approximately 175 km

Tourists nowadays rely predominantly on the Internet for their travel decision-making and for purchasing travel products. Given this, websites have become the most important medium to induce positive affect towards a destination, through safe and satisfactory online experiences. However, some travelers are still reluctant to purchase travel products online due to perceived risk. The aim of this study is to explore whether consumer satisfaction during online browsing, consumer risk perception online, and perceived usability of the travel website can predict consumers’ affect towards a travel destination. A website promoting a fictional travel destination was used for data-collection purposes. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the validity and reliability of user satisfaction, perceived risk online, perceived website usability, and affect towards a travel destination, while a regression model was employed to explore the predictive power of these constructs on users’ emotional response towards the target destination displayed on the website. Results show that a higher level of consumer satisfaction with the online browsing experience and greater perceived website usability generate positive affect towards a travel destination. In the conclusions section, the practical implications of these findings are discussed in relation to destination marketing and branding.

The study explores the moderating effect of individuals’ cultural values on the users’ online experiences with the tourism destination presented online. The moderating effect of uncertainty avoidance (UA), individualism (IND) and long-term orientation (LTO) on the interrelationships within the proposed model are explored. A bespoke experimental tourism destination website is designed for the study and an online survey is conducted to capture cultural variations between Spanish and British Internet users. The findings indicate that the relationships in the proposed model are significant and moderated by users’ cultural values, specifically uncertainty avoidance, individualism and time orientation.

13 páginas, 2 tablas, 7 figuras., Neospora caninum is one of the main causes of abortion in cattle, and recent studies have highlighted its relevance as an abortifacient in small ruminants. Vaccines or drugs for the control of neosporosis are lacking. Bumped kinase inhibitors (BKIs), which are ATP-competitive inhibitors of calcium dependent protein kinase 1 (CDPK1), were shown to be highly efficacious against several apicomplexan parasites in vitro and in laboratory animal models. We here present the pharmacokinetics, safety and efficacy of BKI-1553 in pregnant ewes and foetuses using a pregnant sheep model of N. caninum infection. BKI-1553 showed exposure in pregnant ewes with trough concentrations of approximately 4 mu M, and of 1 mu M in foetuses. Subcutaneous BKI-1553 administration increased rectal temperatures shortly after treatment, and resulted in dermal nodules triggering a slight monocytosis after repeated doses at short intervals. BKI-1553 treatment decreased fever in infected pregnant ewes already after two applications, resulted in a 37-50% reduction in foetal mortality, and modulated immune responses; IFN. levels were increased early after infection and IgG levels were reduced subsequently. N. caninum was abundantly found in placental tissues; however, parasite detection in foetal brain tissue decreased from 94% in the infected/untreated group to 69-71% in the treated groups. In summary, BKI-1553 confers partial protection against abortion in a ruminant experimental model of N. caninum infection during pregnancy. In addition, reduced parasite detection, parasite load and lesions in foetal brains were observed., We gratefully acknowledge Jacobo Sampere from the SALUVETgroup (Complutense University of Madrid, Spain), Teresa Navarro andJosé María González (University of Zaragoza, Spain), Isabel Ayala,Lucas Troya, Clara Colmenero, Dolores González, Natalia Peral,Verónica Pérez, Ignacio Gómez and Isabel Santiago from the Clinical Veterinary Hospital (Complutense University of Madrid, Spain) for their excellent technical assistance, and also Rama Subba Rao Vidadala and Dustin Maly (Department of Chemistry, University of Washington) fortheir assistance in further purification of the study drug. The AnimalExperimentation Service (SEA) at the University of Zaragoza is ac-knowledged for providing their facilities to carry out the reproduction programme. Roberto Sánchez Sánchez is supported by a fellowship from the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports (MECD), asa part of the Program of Training of University Teaching Staff (FPU,grant number FPU13/03438). Patricia Vázquez has a Juan de la Cierva-Formación post-doctoral contract (FJCI-2014-20982) from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO). Andrew Hemphill is supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation grant(No. 310030 165782). This work was supported by the Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD (grants R01 AI111341 and R01 HD 080670), the U.S. Department of Agriculture(grant 2014-67015-22106) and the Community of Madrid, Spain(PLATESA, S2013/ABI2906).

9 páginas, 4 figuras, 1 tabla., Bovine besnoitiosis, caused by the apicomplexan Besnoitia besnoiti, is a chronic and debilitating disease characterized by cutaneous and systemic manifestations that primarily affects adult beef cattle. Previous studies have reported that clinical besnoitiosisis is rare in calves. However, we isolated B. besnoiti from a chronically infected calf for the first time. The identity of the Besnoitia species was determined after parasite isolation and molecular genotyping. According to the results obtained in vitro the new isolate, named as Bb-Spain3, was characterized in a reproducible in vitro model and was categorized as a low invader and low prolific isolate with a slower lytic cycle compared to Bb-Spain 1 isolate. Specific traits that differentiate isolates obtained from adult animals from those infecting calves were not found. Next, we described the first case report of chronic besnoitiosis in a female calf less than 6 months-old with a low body condition. The disease was confirmed by the presence of specific anti-B. besnoiti antibodies and parasite detection in the skin. At post-mortem examination, tissue samples were collected for histological, immunohistochemical and molecular analyses. DNA-parasite was detected in 31 different calf's tissues, being the most highly parasitized tissues the skin and the respiratory and reproductive tracts. In addition, the parasite was also present in heart, eyes, lymph nodes and brain. The high parasite load, a wide intra-organic parasite distribution and the presence of both viable and degenerated cysts, were indicative of a rapid progression of the disease. This case report underlines the need to include the inspection of young animals in besnoitiosis control., This study was financed by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (AGL2013-46442-R), CYTED (The-matic Network 113RT0469 Protozoovac) and by the Community of Madrid (PLATESA S20137ABI-2906). Carlos Diezma-Díaz was financially supported through a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (BES-2014-069839), and Alejandro Jiménez-Meléndez was supported through a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports (grant no. FPU 13/05481). M. Fernández is the recipient of a predoctoral contract from the “Junta de Castilla y León”, partially funded by the European Social Fund (European Union).We acknowledge the veterinarians Félix J. Díaz Gómez and Arturo Francisco González and the farmer for the help in samplings and data collection. Finally, we wish also to acknowledge Javier Moreno Gonzalo and Vanessa Navarro Lozano for their excellent technical assistance.

To establish a set of recommendations for the management of patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who cannot be treated with methotrexate (MTX) due to contraindications, drug toxicity or lack of adherence, and to establish therapeutic strategies more effective and safer in these RA patients. A qualitative analysis of the scientific evidence available to June 2015. The 2-round Delphi technique of consensus was used to collect and establish expert opinion based on the participants’ clinical experience when only low quality evidence was available. A total of 18 recommendations were developed for the management of this patient profile. Fourteen of these recommendations were related to drug safety aspects. Recommendations on contraindication and toxicity of MTX have been updated. The experts recommend the use of biological monotherapy, a preferred treatment option, in patients whose profiles reveal a contraindication, intolerance or circumstances that prevent us against the use of MTX. There is some high-quality scientific evidence that supports contraindication and establishes certain conditions of MTX use in RA patients with specific clinical profiles.

To establish a set of recommendations for the management of patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who cannot be treated with methotrexate (MTX) due to contraindications, drug toxicity or lack of adherence, and to establish therapeutic strategies more effective and safer in these RA patients. A qualitative analysis of the scientific evidence available to June 2015. The 2-round Delphi technique of consensus was used to collect and establish expert opinion based on the participants' clinical experience when only low quality evidence was available. A total of eighteen recommendations were developed for the management of this patient profile. Fourteen of these recommendations were related to drug safety aspects. Recommendations on contraindication and toxicity of MTX have been updated. The experts recommend the use of biological monotherapy, a preferred treatment option, in patients whose profiles reveal a contraindication, intolerance or circumstances that prevent us against the use of MTX. There is some high-quality scientific evidence that supports contraindication and establishes certain conditions of MTX use in RA patients with specific clinical profiles.

Landslides are geomorphological processes that consist in the mobilization of ground, rocks, debris, and mud downslope that cause local erosion problems. The eroded materials can be transported downstream, which implies an additional environmental risk that might lead to catastrophic and significant economic and human losses. Rainfall is usually the main triggering factor for landslides occurrence, but there are other factors such as previous weathering activity, topography, soil properties and vegetation which also play a key role. These drivers have been deeply studied in humid regions, but little is known about the factors controlling landslide incidence in arid and semi-arid environments. The aim of this work was to identify the incidence of landslides in a semiarid badlands system in the SE of the Iberian Peninsula to identify key drivers of this process and to develop a predictive landslide susceptibility model. To do this we built a landslide inventory after an unusual rainy period (five consecutive rainy days representing about 50% of mean annual rainfall in the area). Then, a photogrammetric UAV-based flight allowed us to estimate the total extent of identified landslides, as well as, vegetation coverage distribution and several topographic attributes that were known to influence landslide formation. Our results prove that vegetation cover plays a key role in the occurrence of landslides during prolonged periods of consecutive large amount and low intensity rains. Vegetation in the area is mainly dominated by small shrubs and grasses that prevent water erosion and infiltrated run-on water from upstream areas during most rainfalls. However, most dominant species are characterized by shallow root systems that tramp and increase soil water storage mainly in the upper soil layer but do not retain soil further than surface layers. During prolonged very high magnitude and low intensity rainfalls, such as these studied here, water accumulated in the first 30–50 cm of soil until saturation occurs, favor landslide formation. Topographic variables such as elevation, slope gradient and aspect are also of paramount importance controlling landslide incidence, with most landslides occurring in intermediate parts of steep N and N–W hillslopes. Finally, by combining topographical attributes and the vegetation map obtained from the low cost UAV flight it was possible to developed a non-parametric multivariable model that accurately predicted landslide occurrence during prolonged periods of low intensity rainfall by providing a landslide susceptibility map. This low cost method can be extrapolated to other environments with similar characteristics to foresee these processes. A prevention method as the one developed in this work is key for a correct management with areas with high risk of occurrence of landslides.

Superficial nerves can be visualized through ultrasonography in the cattle and facilitate local anesthetic disposition around nerve structures. Expected advantages include a higher successful rate of nerve block improving the degree and duration of the block. Among others, conduction nerves of clinical interest in cattle include the paravertebral nerves, nerves of the epidural space, the brachial plexus, and the sciatic and femoral nerves, and nerves of the head.

Statistical quality control (SQC) is used by companies and industries for many reasons. For example, the process capability of machines is an important aspect of SQC, which consists in evaluating the ability of a production process to perform with the required specifications. In other words, the process capability measures the ability of a process of producing acceptable products according to the established specifications. The most common indicator used to measure the process capability is the process capability index, which depends on the process standard deviation. In practice, the standard deviation is unknown, and the process capability index is thus estimated by using an estimator of the process standard deviation. In this paper, we describe the most common estimators of the process standard deviation, and define the corresponding estimators of the process capability index. A bound for the bias ratio of the various estimators is obtained. Monte Carlo simulation studies are carried out to analyze the empirical performance of the various estimators of the process capability index. Empirical results indicate that biases can be obtained, specially in the presence of small samples. We also observe that the estimators of the process capability index based on sample ranges are less accurate than the alternative estimators.

Early in vivo diagnosis of bovine besnoitiosis is crucial for the success of control programmes. However, diagnosis in acutely infected animals is hindered by the low sensitivity of the available serological tools. In this study, a novel ELISA to detect specific anti-Besnoitia besnoiti IgM antibodies was developed. The usefulness of this tool together with an avidity ELISA were studied with a well-coded sera panel from experimentally and naturally infected cattle. First, the kinetics of specific IgM levels were determined in experimentally infected calves during the acute and chronic infection. Next, IgM levels were determined in naturally infected cattle with either acute or chronic infection. Finally, the IgG avidity index was monitored in both experimentally and naturally infected cattle. Specific IgM antibodies were detected prior to specific IgG antibodies (7-19 days vs. 17-26 days post-infection). A prompt IgM response was associated with the end of the febrile stage in experimentally infected calves. Naturally and experimentally infected animals with acute clinical signs tested IgM-positive but IgG-negative, followed by IgG seroconversion 2-3 weeks later. Chronically infected cattle developed both IgM and IgG specific antibodies. Moreover, a progressive increase in the avidity index (AI) was observed in all experimentally infected calves during the course of the experimental trials. However, a low AI coincided with visible tissue cysts. Low avidity values were also detected when naturally infected cattle with acute clinical signs seroconverted, in contrast to a high AI detected in chronically infected cattle. In summary, IgM and avidity ELISAs improved the early in vivo diagnosis of bovine besnoitiosis. IgM-positive but IgG-negative results were indicative of an acute infection, whereas IgG positive results accompanied by low avidity values confirmed a recent infection.

This study aimed to describe a suitable acoustic window to facilitate access to the sciatic and femoral nerves in calves and to study the effects of their blockade with local anaesthetics. The neuroanatomical and ultrasound (US) study was performed on the cadavers of 10 calves, and the effects of 2% lidocaine with epinephrine (0.2 mL/kg) were determined in five healthy calves. The sciatic nerve in the cadavers was easily visualised as a hyperechoic band distal to the femoral greater trochanter and caudal to the femoral shaft. The femoral nerve in the cadavers was not easily identified, and was visualised as a hyperechoic oval structure situated immediately medial to the psoas major muscle and lateral to the femoral artery. The sciatic nerve was stained by methylene blue, injected under US guidance, in 9/10 cases, and the femoral nerve was stained in 6/10 cases. Sciatic nerve blockade under US guidance produced adduction of the limb with metatarsophalangeal joint flexion, while the femoral nerve blockade produced reduced weight bearing. The sciatic nerve blockade produced a reduced response to the noxious stimulus, mainly in the phalanges, proximal and distal metatarsus, tarsus and tibia and, following the femoral nerve blockade, in the medial subarea of the femur. However, femoral nerve blockade produced a more variable degree of blockade. In conclusion, US -guided anaesthetic blockade of the sciatic nerve in calves may be considered for surgery in the distal pelvic limb, although further studies are necessary to determine its clinical application.

Summary Background Arm hemiparesis secondary to stroke is common and disabling. We aimed to assess whether robotic training of an affected arm with ARMin—an exoskeleton robot that allows task-specific training in three dimensions—reduces motor impairment more effectively than does conventional therapy. Methods In a prospective, multicentre, parallel-group randomised trial, we enrolled patients who had had motor impairment for more than 6 months and moderate-to-severe arm paresis after a cerebrovascular accident who met our eligibility criteria from four centres in Switzerland. Eligible patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive robotic or conventional therapy using a centre-stratified randomisation procedure. For both groups, therapy was given for at least 45 min three times a week for 8 weeks (total 24 sessions). The primary outcome was change in score on the arm (upper extremity) section of the Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA-UE). Assessors tested patients immediately before therapy, after 4 weeks of therapy, at the end of therapy, and 16 weeks and 34 weeks after start of therapy. Assessors were masked to treatment allocation, but patients, therapists, and data analysts were unmasked. Analyses were by modified intention to treat. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00719433. Findings Between May 4, 2009, and Sept 3, 2012, 143 individuals were tested for eligibility, of whom 77 were eligible and agreed to participate. 38 patients assigned to robotic therapy and 35 assigned to conventional therapy were included in analyses. Patients assigned to robotic therapy had significantly greater improvements in motor function in the affected arm over the course of the study as measured by FMA-UE than did those assigned to conventional therapy ( F =4·1, p=0·041; mean difference in score 0·78 points, 95% CI 0·03–1·53). No serious adverse events related to the study occurred. Interpretation Neurorehabilitation therapy including task-oriented training with an exoskeleton robot can enhance improvement of motor function in a chronically impaired paretic arm after stroke more effectively than conventional therapy. However, the absolute difference between effects of robotic and conventional therapy in our study was small and of weak significance, which leaves the clinical relevance in question. Funding Swiss National Science Foundation and Bangerter-Rhyner Stiftung.

Background and Aim To investigate whether rosuvastatin can improve insulin sensitivity in overweight rats having a high fat diet (HFD). The potential mechanisms involved in this action were evaluated, including SIRT-1, other factors involved in glucose metabolism and stress signaling pathways. Methods and Results Male Wistar rats (n = 30) were divided into three groups: (i) rats fed a standard diet (3.5% fat); (ii) rats fed a HFD (33.5% fat); and (iii) rats fed a HFD and treated with rosuvastatin (15 mg/kg/day). Evolution: 7 weeks. HFD rats showed increased body, epididymal and lumbar adipose tissue weights. Plasma levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL, glucose and insulin and leptin/adiponectin ratio were higher in HFD rats, and rosuvastatin treatment reduced them. SIRT-1, p53, PGC-1α, PPAR-γ and GLUT-4 protein levels in white adipose tissue (WAT) were lower, and JNK was higher in HFD rats compared to controls. Rosuvastatin treatment normalized expression of these mediators. Endothelium-dependent relaxation was reduced in mesenteric rings from HFD rats compared to controls and rosuvastatin enhanced it in HFD rats. Conclusion Rosuvastatin treatment reduced insulin resistance without affecting body weight or WAT loss in HFD rats. Reduction of leptin and JNK, and enhancement of SIRT-1, p53, PGC-1α, PPAR-γ and GLUT-4 expression in WAT could contribute to insulin sensitization. Normalization of SIRT-1 expression in WAT could be considered a key novel mechanism that aids in explaining the beneficial effects of rosuvastatin on the amelioration of glucose metabolism and the arrangement of multiple signaling pathways participating in insulin resistance in overweight HFD rats.

Due to the demographic and social changes that have taken place in recent years, Spanish society is undergoing a progressive ageing process, with increasing numbers of dependent people thus requiring long-term care. The main purpose of the present paper is to analyze the challenges inherent in managing these healthcare services. We start by examining the last ‘Survey on Disability, Personal Autonomy and Dependency’ conducted by the National Institute of Statistics and the ‘Dependency Law’, which constitutes the greatest breakthrough there has been in the field of social protection in Spain in recent decades. As w ell as studying the participation of the General State Administration and the Regional Autonomous Communities, we highlight the cooperation, coordination and financial support demanded of these government entities. Effective management is only possible if this commitment is fulfilled, based on identifying current needs and establishing appropriate action towards the achievement of well-defined healthcare goals.

During the last decade education systems have been undergoing a long process of restructuring from a model of educational management that was deeply rooted in the past to a strategic management model that is focused on the future. The present stud y aims to make a contribution in this direction. Firstly, we review the current scenario of change, and explore sustainable improvement in education as priority objective in educational management, making it clear that the most significant changes a re those that are focused on improvement and on the educational establishment itself. Secondly, after finding that at both national and international level there is a growing consensus in the research about the existence of certain key elements that are necessary in order to achieve this improvement – these being strategic educational management and effective educational leadership – we describe the distinctive characteristics and the main components of this type of management in education. The paper ends with several implications for improving educational practice. In particular, some basic competences for the professionalization of educational management are outlined.

The immobilisation and anaesthesia of free-ranging cattle requires the administration of appropriate drugs in small volume via rifle or dart. The objective of this randomised controlled study was to test the capacity of a concentrated combination of tiletamine–zolazepam (TZ), ketamine (K) and detomidine (D) (TZKD) to immobilise/anaesthetise calves. Following administration of low, medium and high doses of TZKD to six healthy animals IM, the time-of-onset and duration of anaesthesia were recorded, in addition to standard cardio-respiratory parameters. Two noxious stimuli were applied to assess the analgesic effect of the combination. TZKD produced a dose-dependent anaesthetic action associated with respiratory depression and moderate hypoxaemia. Total recumbency lasted from 1 h (with low dose) to 2 h (with medium and high doses). The findings indicate that TZKD induces anaesthesia in calves, suitable not only for animal immobilisation, but also to carry out minor surgical procedures with or without additional local analgesia. Respiratory depression was the most severe side-effect and careful patient monitoring is recommended when using this drug combination.

This study analyzed the effect of aldosterone (0.05mg/kg per day, 3 weeks) on vasoconstriction induced by noradrenaline in mesenteric resistance arteries from WKY rats and SHR. Contraction to noradrenaline was measured in mesenteric resistance arteries from untreated and aldosterone-treatedrats from both strains. Participation of nitric oxide (NO), superoxide anions, thromboxane A(2) (TxA(2)) and prostacyclin in this response was determined. 6-keto-prostaglandin (PG)F1alpha and thromboxane B(2) (TxB(2)) releases were determined by enzyme immunoassay. NO and superoxide anion release were also determined by fluorescence and chemiluminiscence, respectively. Aldosterone did not modify noradrenaline-induced contraction in either strain. In mesenteric resistance arteries from both aldosterone-treated groups, endothelium removal or preincubation with NO synthesis inhibitor L-NAME increased the noradrenaline-induced contraction, while incubation with the superoxide anion scavenger tempol decreased it. Preincubation with either the COX-1/2 or COX-2 inhibitor (indomethacin and NS-398, respectively) decreased the noradrenaline contraction in aldosterone-treated animals, while this response was not modified by COX-1 inhibitor SC-560. TxA(2) synthesis inhibitor (furegrelate), or TxA2 receptor antagonist (SQ 29 548) also decreased the noradrenaline contraction in aldosterone-treated animals. In untreated SHR, but not WKY rats, this response was increased by L-NAME, and reduced by tempol, indomethacin, NS-398 or SQ 29 548. Aldosterone treatment did not modify NO or TxB(2) release, but it did increase superoxide anion and 6-keto-PGF(1alpha) release in mesenteric resistance arteries from both strains. In conclusion, chronic aldosterone treatment reduces smooth muscle contraction to alpha-adrenergic stimuli, producing a new balance in the release of endothelium-derived prostanoids and NO.

ATP-dependent potassium (K ATP ) channels are the target of multiple vasoactive factors and drugs. Changes in the functional role of ATP-dependent (K ATP ) potassium channels in hypertension are controversial. The aim of the present study was to analyze the possible changes of ATP-sensitive potassium channels (K ATP ) expression and function during hypertension. For this purpose, we used endothelium-denuded aorta segments from Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) to analyze the 1) expression of K ATP subunits Kir6.1, Kir6.2 and SUR2B by immunohistochemistry and Western blot, 2) the K ATP currents recorded in the whole cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique and 3) the vasodilator response to the K ATP channel openers, pinacidil and cromakalim. Kir6.1 and SUR2B were expressed in the medial layer of the aorta from WKY rats and SHR rats, while Kir6.2 was not detected in aorta from either strain. Kir6.1 and SUR2B expression were decreased in hypertension. However, the vasodilator responses of pinacidil and cromakalim were similar in WKY rats and SHR rats. Moreover, pinacidil induced increase in K + currents was also similar in WKY rats and SHR rats and also similarly inhibited by glybenclamide. Our data demonstrate for the first time direct evidence of decreased aortic Kir6.1/SUR2B subunit expression in hypertension, but preserved functional responses to K ATP channel openers.

Clasicamente, la artrosis (OA) no ha sido considerada una artropatia inflamatoria por la escasez de neutrofilos en el liquido sinovial y la ausencia de manifestaciones sistemicas de inflamacion. Ademas, las caracteristicas del cartilago articular (avascular, alinfatico y aneural) impiden cumplir los signos clasicos de la inflamacion (enrojecimiento, hinchazon, calor y dolor). Sin embargo, gracias a los avances en biologia molecular y celular, son multiples los estudios que demuestran que diversos mediadores proinflamatorios, como las citocinas interleucina 1b y factor de necrosis tumoral a, pueden ser importantes en el desarrollo de esta enfermedad. Asi, la estimulacion de condrocitos, unico representante del cartilago articular y por ello principal encargado de mantener la matriz extracelular del cartilago, con estas citocinas proinflamatorias incrementa la produccion de las metaloproteasas, enzimas proteoliticas clave en la degradacion irreversible de la arquitectura articular normal. Tambien inhiben la sintesis de proteoglucanos y colageno tipo II, estimulan la produccion de especies reactivas de oxigeno como el oxido nitrico e incrementan la produccion de prostaglandina E2. Asimismo, es evidente que los efectos de la inflamacion sinovial favorecen la desregulacion en la funcion del condrocito y la perdida del equilibrio entre las actividades anabolicas y catabolicas del condrocito, imprescindibles para mantener la integridad articular normal.

Objective We analysed the effect of aldosterone on calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) mediated vasodilation in noradrenaline precontracted endothelium denuded mesenteric arteries segments from Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and the effect of aldosterone on calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CL receptor) and receptor activity modifying protein 1 (RAMP1) expression in endothelium-denuded mesenteric arteries from SHR rats. Results CGRP 0.1 nM–0.1 μM induced a concentration-dependent relaxation that was enhanced by aldosterone 1 μM in SHR only. Incubation with RU 486 10 μM significantly reduced the enhancement of CGRP-relaxation produced by aldosterone in SHR. CL receptor expression was not modified in either strain, while RAMP1 expression was enhanced in SHR by aldosterone 1 μM 120 min and 0.1 μM 120 min. This up-regulation of RAMP1 was prevented by RU 486 10 μM. Conclusions Aldosterone, through glucocorticoid receptor activation, increases the vasodilatory effect of CGRP in SHR mesenteric arteries, which seems to be mediated by increased RAMP1 expression.

In this work wo present a hierarchical algorithm to evaluate the configuration space of a mobile robot. It is based on convolution of discrete functions that represents the workspace and the robot to obtain a function that represents the C-space. An important aspect is that the representation of discrete functions is made by hierarchical data structures, so the information is highly compact, and high dimensions or/and resolutions workspaces can be considered. It is important to highlight that no only hierarchical data structures are used to the representation, but no other intermediate structures are used for the representation in the algorithm execution. Also, as the algorithm is hierarchical, calculations at high resolutions are performed only in those regions where it is necessary.

Hyperthyroidism is one of the most common endocrinology disorders. Treatment can be either pharmacological, surgical or using radioactive iodine. In Europe methimazole is the antithyroid drug of choice because it can be administered in a single daily dose and has a lower risk of adverse reactions. Around 5% of patients taking thionamides can present any of their side effects, which are usually mild. Liver toxicity due to thionamides is very rare, and severe due to propylthiouracil. We present a clinical case of a cholestatic jaundice and acute toxic hepatitis due to methimazole and a cross-reaction with propylthiouracil. Based on this case a review is presented.

A fungal infection in the right eye after retina detachment on an immunocompetent patient is reported. After surgery, she developed an infection that was empirically treated with antibiotics and corticoids. Later the patient developed another retina and choroid detachment. The infection evolved to endophthalmitis and a sample was sent to the microbiology laboratory, where Aspergillus fumigatus was isolated. In spite of treatment with intravenous and intravitreous amphotericin B, the eye was eventually removed by enucleation.