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Neutron scattering techniques and neutron applications in general are powerful and well-established tools for research in science and technology. However, those are highly intensity-limited techniques and the need to reduce the neutron loses between their source to detection is then an imperative endeavor. In particular, great effort has been devoted to the development of efficient ways to transport and guide neutron beams, as well as to reduce the flux leakage in the non-emitting sides of moderator systems. In this work we investigate and confirm by calculation in a real material the great quality of diamond nanoparticles as reflector for ultra-cold and very-cold neutrons, and propose the use of Magnesium Hydride at a low temperature as a very good reflector for cold neutrons

Rodolfo Kusch pertenece a esa generación de pensadores argentinos —y latinoamericanos— que se atrevió a abordar filosóficamente el problema de lo humano desde el pensamiento popular de nuestro subcontinente. Estas páginas proponen una breve presentación de su recuperación filosófica del saber contenido en los símbolos religiosos populares y del modo en que estos operan, centrándose en el análisis de dos obras tempranas: América profunda y El pensamiento indígena y popular en América . En estos escritos, Kusch elabora una primera aproximación al símbolo religioso popular como puesta en juego de una determinada configuración de la totalidad, es decir, de un horizonte de ultimidad en que se despliegan y reúnen las posibilidades de la existencia: el mundo, el dios y el hombre aparecen —en el mutuo darse de su “mero estar”— como el así , la ira y la indigencia.

El autor analiza en este artículo el influjo del Papa Inocencio III en la consecución de la visctoria cristiana en la batalla de Las Navas de Tolosa y la proyección que tomó en España en las ideas de batalla y reconquista. Los elementos esenciales fueron: reforma de la Iglesia, el estableciemiento de la Paz y la propagación del cristianismo.

Electroejaculation (EE) is stressful and probably painful; thus the administration of anaesthesia is recommended to decrease those negative effects. However, anaesthesia has a direct risk of provoking death, but sedation is less risky than anaesthesia. At the same time, α 2-adrenergic agonists may improve semen quality. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare the physiological and behavioural responses indicative of stress and possibly pain, and the semen quality in electroejaculated untreated, anaesthetised or sedated goat bucks. Semen was collected from eight bucks using three different procedures in all them (EE in untreated bucks, EE under sedation or EE under general anaesthesia). The number of vocalizations during EE and the behavioural pattern before and after procedures were recorded. Pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score was also determined during EE. Rectal temperature, heart rate, serum cortisol concentration, biochemical and haematological parameters were measured before and after each procedure, and sperm characteristics were determined. Bucks vocalised more often when untreated than sedated or anaesthetised (P <0.02). The pain VAS score was greater when bucks were untreated than sedated or anaesthetised (P <0.002). The rectal temperature, heart rate, total protein, albumin and haemoglobin concentrations were greater when bucks were untreated than anaesthetised or sedated (P <0.02). Serum cortisol increased after EE (P =0.0006), without differences between procedures. The frequency and duration of lying down after EE were greater when bucks were anaesthetised than sedated or untreated (P <0.05), and were also greater when bucks were sedated than untreated (P <0.05). The number of times that the animal tried to stand up after EE was greater when bucks were anaesthetised than sedated or untreated (P <0.02). The sperm mass motility was greater when bucks were anaesthetised or sedated than when they were untreated (P =0.048). When animals were sedated, the ejaculate contained more spermatozoa with functional plasma membrane (P =0.03) and morphologically normal (P =0.05) than when they were untreated. In conclusion, general anaesthesia and sedation decreased the stress and probably the pain response provoked by EE and especially sedation improved the quality of the semen collected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine if the absence of the mother during rearing has long-term effects on sexual behaviour and physiological reproductive parameters of adult rams. Two groups of rams were: (1) artificially reared, separated from their dams 24 to 36 h after birth (Week 0) and fed using sheep milk until 10 weeks of age (group AR, n = 14); and (2) reared by their dams until 10 weeks of age (group DR, n = 13). Sexual behaviour (tests of 20 min) and physiological reproductive parameters were analysed separately for the non-breeding (Weeks 42 to 64) and the breeding (Weeks 66 to 90) seasons. Body weight, scrotal circumference, gonado-somatic index, testosterone concentrations or sperm parameters were similar in both rearing conditions (AR v. DR) in both seasons. During the non-breeding season AR rams displayed fewer ano-genital sniffings (AR: 4.2 ± 0.4 v. DR: 5.3 ± 0.4, P = 0.04) and matings (AR: 1.2 ± 0.2 v. DR: 1.8 ± 0.2, P = 0.002) than DR rams. During the breeding season AR rams displayed fewer ano-genital sniffings (AR: 4.3 ± 0.5 v. DR: 5.7 ± 0.5, P = 0.005), flehmen (AR: 0.7 ± 0.2 v. DR: 1.1 ± 0.2, P = 0.03), mount attempts (AR: 1.4 ± 0.2 v. DR: 2.1 ± 0.2, P = 0.04), and tended to mount less frequently (AR: 6.6 ± 0.9 v. DR: 8.8 ± 0.9, P = 0.08) than DR rams. In conclusion, the absence of the mother during the rearing period negatively affected display of sexual behaviour towards oestrous ewes during a rams adult life in both breeding and non-breeding seasons. However, it did not affect testis size, testosterone secretion or sperm variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine which behaviours were provoked in lambs in response to the separation from their dams or to the changes associated with feeding and separation from adults at weaning. Fourteen lambs were separated from their dams at 24-36 h after birth and artificially reared (AR) in presence of four adult ewes, while another 13 lambs remained with their dams from birth (DR). At 75 days of age on average (day 0) DR lambs were separated from their dams and AR lambs no longer received sheep's milk and were separated from adults. Behaviours were recorded every 10 min (6 h per day) from day -3 to day 4. We observed an increase (p < 0.05) in pacing behaviour, as well as in the frequency in which lambs were observed vocalizing, walking and staying under shade, and a decrease (p < 0.05) in the frequency of grazing in the DR group in comparison to AR at weaning, but there were no differences in body weight gain from day -4 to day 5 after weaning. Additionally, we observed a decrease in the frequency in which lambs were observed standing and grazing (p < 0.05), and an increase in vocalizing and staying under shade (p < 0.05) in group AR at weaning in comparison to the previous days. Therefore, it was concluded that although some specific behaviours as pacing or vocalizing were clearly related with the separation from the mother at weaning, the change of food and separation from adults must be also considered as an important stressor in grazing lambs at weaning. In addition, the provision of shade when grazing is also important for lambs at the time of weaning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abrupt weaning, a usual management in sheep productive systems, may provoke behavioural and physiological responses indicative of stress in ewes and lambs. Progesterone (P4) has anxiolytic and sedative effects through the union of its metabolites that contain 3α-hydroxyl group to the γ-aminobutyricacidA receptor. Our first aim was to determine whether P4 administration reduces the behavioural and physiological responses of ewes to abrupt weaning of lambs. A complementary aim was to determine whether P4 treatment affects the milk yield and composition of ewes, and the BW of their lambs. In experiment 1, seven ewes received P4 treatment for 32 days (group E1-P4), and eight ewes remained as an untreated control group (group E1-C). BW of the lambs was recorded during P4 treatment. Lambs were weaned at 59 days (Day 0 = weaning). The main behaviours of the ewes before and after weaning were recorded using 10 min scan sampling. The ewes’ serum total protein, albumin and globulin concentrations were measured before and after weaning of the lambs. In experiment 2, milk yield and composition were determined in two different groups of six ewes treated with P4 (group E2-P4) for 16 days and in five untreated controls (group E2-C). The BW of lambs increased with time (P = 0.001) in both groups and did not differ. The percentage of observations in which the ewes were seen pacing on Day 0 was greater in the E1-C group than in the E1-P4 group (P = 0.0007). Similarly, the percentage of observations in which the ewes were recorded vocalizing on Day 0 was greater in the E1-C group than in the E1-P4 group (P = 0.04). The percentage of observations in which E1-C ewes were recorded lying did not change from Days 0 to 1; however, it increased in E1-P4 ewes. Total serum protein concentration did not change in E1-P4 ewes from Days 0 to 3, although a decrease was seen in E1-C ewes (P = 0.04). Serum globulin concentration was greater in E1-P4 ewes on Day 3 than in E1-C ewes (P = 0.0008). In experiment 2, there were no differences between E2-P4 and E2-C ewes in terms of milk yield, protein, fat and lactose content. Progesterone administration reduced the behavioural and physiological responses of ewes to abrupt weaning of lambs, and this effect was not mediated by changes in milk yield and composition, or by lambs’ BW. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article presents a study which determined whether carnitine acetyltransferase (CAT) helps in the carbohydrate oxidation in the heart through the use of the metabolic tracer hyperpolarized [2-13C]pyruvate with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). It cites that the CAT catalyzes the reversible conversion of acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) into acetylcarnitine. CAT is an enzyme seen in cardiac mitochondria that is stimulated by acetyl-CoA and carnitine.

The metabolic profile of Odontesthes bonariensis and its global response to the insecticide cypermethrin were studied using HPLC–MS-based metabolomics. Three experiments using either juveniles or adults of O. bonariensis were performed by exposing fish (6, 24, or 96h) to sublethal concentrations of cypermethrin (5 or 10μg/L). Metabolic profiling was performed on either whole bile or aqueous and organic extracts. Chromatography was performed using a C18 column and an ACN/H2O mobile phase. Electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) interfaces were used in positive and negative modes. Full scan MS data were processed using the XCMS software, log-transformed, and analyzed using either regression analysis or principal component analysis (PCA). The highest amount of information (1163 peaks) was yielded by analyzing the whole bile with the ESI(−) interface. Complementary information, useful for metabolite confirmation, was obtained from the aqueous and organic extracts and using the ESI(+) and APCI interfaces. The bile metabolic profile of O. bonariensis was characterized by some abundant metabolite ions corresponding with taurine conjugated bile acids, which were useful as reference peaks. A characteristic global metabolic response to cypermethrin was identified in the bile of O. bonariensis. A ten-fold or higher variation in abundance was observed in the whole bile of exposed fish for a small group of peaks (32), and these peaks corresponded to an even smaller number of metabolites (nineteen). Both regression analysis and PCA were useful in identifying those peaks, better explaining differences between exposed and control groups, but slight differences were suggested by each of those methods. Using unsupervised PCA scores, we were able to distinguish organisms from each treatment on the basis of the metabolic changes induced by the cypermethrin, this variability being explained mainly by only one principal component (PC3, 17.7 percent total variance). Two cypermethrin metabolites were identified as major contributors within the augmented peaks: the known glucuronide of 4′-hydroxy–cypermethrin and the sulfate of 4′-hydroxycypermethrin, not previously reported in fish bile. The HPLC–MS-based metabolomic approach demonstrated to be a powerful ecotoxicological tool for identifying biological responses to pollutants, discovering new metabolic pathways and proposing specific biomarkers using non model organisms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study presents survey data assessing the civic and place engagement of Latino residents of three inner-ring Latino neighborhoods in Phoenix. Miami, and Chicago. We utilize a Latino/a Studies-inspired conceptual framework to assess the civic and place engagement of Latinos on its own terms, rather than as in-transition toward a mainstream or as a variation of Black American patterns of engagement. Although we find levels of sociability and trust to be uniformly high in our study neighborhoods, these social capital building blocks do not necessarily translate into civic and place engagement. Rather, we find civic and place engagement to be high in Pilsen, low in Little Havana, and mixed in Garfield. We conclude by suggesting that Latino/a civic and place engagement is predicated on the full cultural citizenship of Latinos; in addition, we suggest that Latino cultural citizenship is a notion that must become more attentive to place-based differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a study which evaluated the individual milk components of two pure goat milk breeds, frequently raised in commercial Uruguayan dairy farms. The study estimated the relationship between goat milk composition and individual laboratory cheese yield (ILCY). It showed the coefficients of correlation between milk components, casein fractions and individual laboratory cheese yield. It noted that the high variability found between goat breeds and also within the same breed could be used in future selection plans targeting different uses of milk and value-added-products.

Cryptococcus neoformans is one of the most important human fungal pathogens; however, no new therapies have been developed in over 50 years. Fungicidal activity is crucially important for an effective anticryptococal agent and, therefore, we screened 361,675 molecules against C. neoformans using an adenylate kinase release assay that specifically detects fungicidal activity. A set of secondary assays narrowed the set of hits to molecules that interfere with fungal cell wall integrity and identified three benzothioureas with low in vitro mammalian toxicity and good in vitro anticryptococcal (minimum inhibitory concentration = 4 μg/mL). This scaffold inhibits signaling through the cell wall integrity MAP kinase cascade. Structure–activity studies indicate that the thiocarbonyl moiety is crucial for activity. Genetic and biochemical data suggest that benzothioureas inhibit signaling upstream of the kinase cascade. Thus, the benzothioureas appear to be a promising new scaffold for further exploration in the search for new anticryptococcal agents.

Two experiments were conducted to study the effect of the stage of a spontaneous estrus cycle on milk yield and constituents [somatic cell count (SCC), fat, protein, caseins, lactose, and urea content] and on estrogen receptor-α (ERα) and progesterone receptor (PR) immunostaining in the mammary gland. In experiment I, the major components of milk and SCC were monitored weekly in 80 lactating Saanen goats for 6 wk, whereas detection of estrus was daily. In experiment II, milk samples were collected daily for SCC determination during 1 spontaneous estrus (d 0) until the second spontaneous estrus in 14 Saanen goats. The day of the estrous cycle was confirmed by plasma progesterone and 17 β-estradiol levels. Immunoreactivity of ERα and PR was analyzed in mammary gland samples of 8 Saanen goats (d 0, n = 4; d 10, n = 4) and the number of positive nuclei and intensity of the staining were evaluated in 1,000 cells. In experiment I, milk casein and protein percentages were significantly affected by the stage of estrous cycle; during proestrus and estrus, these variables were higher (3.32 ± 0.06 and 4.44 ± 0.08) than during metestrus (3.03 ± 0.07 and 4.07 ± 0.10), but not higher than during diestrus (3.23 ± 0.06 and 4.35 ± 0.09, respectively). In experiment II, daily measurement of SCC revealed higher levels at estrus (7,195 ± 672 x 10³ cells/mL) and a decline toward the luteal phase (1,694 ± 672 ± 10³ cells/mL). Estrogen receptor-α and PR immunostaining were exclusively detected on epithelial cells. The percentage of positive nuclei to ERn was higher on d 0 than on d 10 (75.4 ± 8.8 vs. 68.3 ± 8.8%), but no change was observed for PR (4.0 ± 0.3 vs. 3.5 ± 0.4%). The average immunostaining intensity for both receptors was greater on d 0 than on d 10 (ERα: 1.44 ± 0.02 vs. 1.35 ± 0.02; PR: 0.079 ± 0.008 vs. 0.057 ± 0.008). The high SCC at estrus in experiment II was associated with high plasma estradiol and low progesterone, suggesting that the increased SCC could be brought about by the estrogen-induced proliferation and exfoliation of epithelial cells. In addition, this action may be supported by the higher sensitivity to estrogens (ERα content) found at d 0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to determine how the social competition for an oestrous ewe affects the sexual behaviour and the endocrine response in two groups of rams, one reared by their mothers and another artificially reared. Thus, we compared the sexual behaviour and testosterone and cortisol changes in each group of rams in competitive and non-competitive tests, both during the first and second breeding seasons. Two groups of rams were: 1) artificially reared lambs, separated from their dams 24-36 h after birth (Week 0) and artificially fed with sheep milk until 10 weeks of age (group AR, n = 14); and 2) lambs reared by their dams until 10 weeks of age (group DR, n = 13). Rams were subjected to non-competitive and competitive tests for an oestrous ewe during their first and second breeding seasons, when they were 8 and 20 months old, respectively. Sexual behaviours toward an oestrous ewe were recorded during 20 min and the testosterone and cortisol concentrations were determined in serum samples collected immediately before the test, and 20, 40 and 60 min after it. During the first breeding season, the number of flehmen decreased in DR rams, and the number of flehmen and ano-genital sniffings also decreased in DR rams, but the frequency of some copulatory behaviours increased (matings and ejaculation/total mounts in DR rams, and total mounts in AR rams) in competitive tests. During the second breeding season, competition caused a decrease in the number of all the recorded behaviours (courtship and copulation) with the exception of flehmen in AR rams; however, in DR rams only the number of the copulatory behaviours decreased under competition. Competition did not affect the endocrine response during the first breeding season. During the second breeding season, while testosterone concentrations were greater in non-competitive than in competitive tests at 60 min (P = 0.0008) in AR rams, in DR rams it tended to be greater (P = 0.09). Competition did not affect cortisol concentrations in any group or season, but in all tests the concentrations increased at the end of the test (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the lack of the mother during rearing negatively affected the sexual motivation and the testosterone response of rams to oestrous ewes in competitive tests, effects that were more evident when adults. Neither the absence of the mother during rearing nor competition for oestrous ewes affected the stress response (evidenced by increase in cortisol concentration) in rams during both seasons., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Electroejaculation procedures (EEPs) provoke stress; nevertheless, ejaculation produces physiological changes similar as those usually used to measure stress responses. The application of EEP to animals that cannot ejaculate-as ewes-may be useful to discriminate the responses induced by ejaculation from those provoked by EEP. The aim was to determine the stress response to EEP in rams and ewes. The EEPs were applied to 10 rams and 10 ewes during the non-breeding season, and the number of vocalizations, the heart rate, rectal temperature, serum cortisol concentration, biochemical and haematological parameters were measured. Overall, EEP provoked increases in cortisol concentration, glycaemia, rectal temperature and concentration of creatine kinase (all them: p < .0001) as well as relative concentration of granulocytes (p = .003) and absolute granulocyte concentration (p = .0002) in both, rams and ewes. Heart rate, relative concentration of lymphocytes (p = .001), haematocrit (p = .02) and haemoglobin (p = .045) decreased in animals from both genders after EEP. Besides, cortisol (p < .0001), rectal temperature (p = .002) and glycaemia (p = .001) were greater in ewes than rams, and creatine kinase also tended to be greater in ewes than rams (p = .054). On the other hand, the number of animals that vocalized (p = .006), white blood cells (p = .02) and absolute lymphocytes (p = .02) were greater in rams than ewes. The general trends show a similar pattern of stress responses in animals from both genders. Therefore, we concluded that ejaculation does not contribute to the stress response provoked by the EEP. This procedure also provokes muscular damage and probably pain., (© 2017 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

The aim of this study was to characterize the vocalizations produced during electroejaculation under general anaesthesia in pampas deer males and to determine whether the characteristics of those vocalizations differ in adult and young pampas deer males. Electroejaculation was applied to 13 adults (AM) and 13 young (YM) males under general anaesthesia. Vocalizations were digitally recorded, and the number and duration of vocalizations, the latency in relation to each voltage, the total time vocalizing, and the structure of the fundamental frequency (F0) [initial frequency (F(start)), maximal frequency (F(max)), minimal frequency (F(min)) and final frequency (F(end))] were analysed. No male vocalized with 0 V; the number of animals that vocalized increased at 2 and 3 V and increased again at 4, 5 and 6 V (p < 0.05). The latency time from the beginning of each series (each voltage) decreased until 4 V (p < 0.01). The number of vocalizations/voltage increased from 4 V (p < 0.05). The length of each vocalization and the total time during which animals vocalized were greater in YM than AM (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01, respectively). Similarly, the fundamental frequencies were higher in YM than AM (p ≤ 0.05). Overall, we concluded that the vocalizations emitted during electroejaculation in pampas deer under general anaesthesia are related to the voltage applied during the process. Young males vocalize more time, probably due to a greater sensibility to the electric stimulation. The differences in the characteristics of the vocalizations between adult and young males may be related to the anatomic differences in the neck of adult or young males., (© 2015 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

The aim of this study was to characterize changes in physiological and biochemical parameters during electroejaculation (EE) under general anaesthesia in adult and yearling pampas deer males (Ozotoceros bezoarticus). The relation between heart rate, pulse rate, respiratory rate and oximetry with EE voltages was studied. The changes in cortisol, alkaline phosphatase, creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase and rectal temperature were determined before and after electroejaculation (BEE and AEE). Heart rate and pulse rate values increased during EE, with a greater increase in heart rate in adults (p < 0.01). Respiratory rate and SpO(2) were not affected by EE or category. The rectal temperature decreased in adults and yearlings during EE (p = 0.0001). Alkaline phosphatase, creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase concentrations increased AEE (p < 0.001, p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). Alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase concentrations were greater in young than in adult males (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the EE under general anaesthesia in the pampas deer provoked increases in heart and pulse rates, as well as in creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase concentrations, and a decrease in rectal temperature in both categories. Oximetry values were especially low during the procedure. Heart rate increase was greater in adult males, and alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase concentrations were greater in yearlings., (© 2011 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

Electroejaculation (EE) is a technique widely used to collect semen in ruminants, which produces a stress response with negative effects on animal welfare. The aim of this paper was to characterize the stress response during conventional EE in rams that have been frequently electroejaculated. Blood samples were collected since 20 min before and until 120 min after electroejaculating 10 rams. Electroejaculation affected hormone concentration, as cortisol increased, and testosterone decreased after EE. Heart and respiratory rate increased 10 min after EE. Several blood parameters, such as glycaemia, an increase in total protein and creatine kinase concentrations and a decrease in haematocrit, haemoglobin, red blood cell and alkaline phosphatase concentrations. The rams vocalized 13.8 ± 2.4 times, and the largest length of vocalizations during EE was associated with the numbers of pulses in which the rams ejaculated. In this paper, we provide a complete characterization of the stress response to EE in rams. We showed that although rams have been frequently electroejaculated, an important stress response including changes in respiratory rate, testosterone concentrations, haematological and biochemical parameters were observed, besides the changes in cortisol concentrations and heart rate, suggesting that rams were not habituated to EE. In addition, we described the main parameters of vocalizations and its relation with the moment of EE. The information displayed on the frequent use of EE in the rams should be considered in relation to the welfare implications., (© 2010 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)