ABSTRACT Dogs are considered to be the main domestic reservoir associated with the transmission of Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi to humans in endemic areas of visceral leishmaniasis in America. However, little is known about the role of canines as a source of infection in endemic areas of nonulcerated cutaneous leishmaniasis (NUCL). Therefore, the objective of the present study was to investigate the role of dogs as a possible reservoir of the parasite in Southern Honduras. Dogs (n = 107) living with individuals affected by NUCL were clinically examined and biological material was collected for parasitological and immunological diagnosis. Most animals showed a healthy appearance and a few presented slight weight loss (64%), alopecia (7%), onychogryphosis (5%) and skin lesions (1%). The overall seroprevalence of Leishmania infection based on the DDP ® quick test and/or in-house ELISA serological test was 41%. The presence of the parasite’s DNA was confirmed in 94% of the dogs; however, the average parasite load in the buffy coat was low at 6.09 parasites/µL, ranging between 0.221 and 50.2. The skin of seropositive dogs examined by histopathology using paraffin sections stained by hematoxylin and immunohistochemistry did not show cutaneous lesions or parasite amastigotes. Based on the absence of parasites in the skin and the low parasite load detected in the buffy coat, it seems that the dog does not represent a good source of infection for the vector in the endemic area of NUCL transmission in Southern Honduras. Other domestic and/or wild animals should be investigated.

ABSTRACT The optic nerve sheath ultrasonography is a non-invasive method for monitoring intracranial pressure. It has been used in multiple neurocritical pathologies, including the complicated infection of the central nervous system. The case of a 47-year-old female patient is presented; she was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit after presenting progression to comatose state secondary to bacterial meningoencephalitis. On admission, bilateral arreactive mydriasis, partial absence of brainstem reflexes and bradycardia are confirmed. Given the clinical suspicion of intracranial hypertension, ultrasonography of the optic nerve sheath diameter in the axial plane is indicated. Three measurements were made for each eye, showing a value of 6.3, 6.6 and 6.00 in the right eye, and 6.8, 6.6 and 6.8 in the left one (biocular average: 6.5 mm). With this measurement the suspected diagnosis was completed. This technique represents a secure and non-invasive procedure. Its use completes the data collected in the clinical examination. The universally accepted cut-off point for diagnosis is 5.0 mm or more for an intracranial pressure value of > 20 mmHg.

RESUMEN La ultrasonografía del diámetro de la vaina del nervio óptico es un método no invasivo para monitorizar la presión intracraneal. Se ha utilizado en múltiples patologías neurocríticas, incluyendo la infección complicada del sistema nervioso central. Se presenta el caso de una paciente femenina de 47 años, quien ingresó en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos luego de presentar progresión al estado comatoso secundario a cuadro de meningoencefalitis bacteriana. Al ingreso se constata midriasis bilateral arreactiva, ausencia parcial de reflejos del tallo encefálico y bradicardia. Ante la sospecha clínica de hipertensión intracraneal, se indica ultrasonografía del diámetro de la vaina del nervio óptico en plano axial. Se realizaron tres mediciones para cada ojo, mostrando un valor de 6,3, 6,6 y 6,00 mm en ojo derecho, y 6,8, 6,6 y 6,8 mm en el izquierdo (promedio biocular: 6,5 mm). Con esta medición se complementó el diagnóstico sospechado. Esta técnica representa un proceder seguro y no invasivo. Su uso completa los datos recogidos en el examen clínico. El punto de corte universalmente aceptado para el diagnóstico es de 5,0 mm o más para un valor de presión intracraneal > 20 mmHg.

ABSTRACT Introduction. In the last decade High-Speed Machining has been of special interest to the academic and industrial sectors. Its influence on the performance of machining by chip removal allows a high value of removed metal and a good surface finish. Goals. This work shows the determination of technological indicators and cutting parameters in High-Speed Machining in steels with the combined use of experimental methods, numerical simulation and Artificial Intelligence. Methods. Experimental tests were carried out in High-Speed Machining of various types of steels, using various cutting tools and processing conditions. Mathematical statistical methods were used for correlation analyzes, experimental conditions were simulated by the Finite Elements Method and through Artificial Intelligence tools, combined predictive models were obtained. Results. New criteria were defined for the study of the machinability of steels that allow evaluating their performance; mathematical correlation models were obtained between the fundamental variables of High-Speed Machining of steels by experimental methods; numerical models were obtained by Finite Element Analysis that complement the experimental tests; the prediction of technological indicators was defined and implemented using Artificial Intelligence tools.

RESUMEN Introducción: En la última década el maquinado de alta velocidad ha sido de especial interés para los sectores académico e industrial. Su influencia en el desempeño del mecanizado por arranque de virutas permite un alto valor de metal removido y un buen acabado superficial. Objetivos: en este trabajo se muestra la determinación de indicadores tecnológicos y parámetros de corte en el maquinado de alta velocidad en aceros con la utilización combinada de métodos experimentales, de simulación numérica y de inteligencia artificial. Métodos: se realizaron ensayos experimentales en el maquinado de alta velocidad de varios tipos de aceros, utilizando diversas herramientas de corte y condiciones de elaboración. Se utilizaron métodos estadísticos matemáticos para los análisis de correlación, se simularon por el método de los elementos finitos las condiciones experimentales y a través de herramientas de inteligencia artificial, se obtuvieron modelos predictivos combinados. Resultados: se definieron nuevos criterios para el estudio de la maquinabilidad de aceros que permitan evaluar su desempeño; se obtuvieron modelos matemáticos de correlación entre las variables fundamentales del maquinado de alta velocidad de aceros por métodos experimentales; se obtuvieron modelos numéricos por el método de elementos finitos que complementan los ensayos experimentales; y se definió e implementó mediante herramientas de inteligencia artificial, la predicción de indicadores tecnológicos.

Abstract Background Skin lesions of patients affected by non-ulcerated cutaneous leishmaniasis (NUCL) caused by L. (L.) infantum chagasi are characterized by lymphohistiocytic inflammatory infiltrate associated with epithelioid granuloma and scarce parasitism. However, the in situ cellular immune response of these patients is unclear. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to characterize the cellular immune response in the skin lesions of patients affected by NUCL. Methods Twenty biopsies were processed by immunohistochemistry using primary antibodies to T lymphocytes (CD4, CD8), NK cells, B lymphocytes, macrophages, nitric oxide synthase and interferon-gamma. Results Immunohistochemistry revealed higher expression of all cellular types and molecules (IFN-γ, iNOS) in the dermis of diseased skin compared to the skin of healthy individuals (p < 0.05). Morphometric analysis performed in the skin lesions sections showed the predominance of CD8+ T lymphocytes in the mononuclear infiltrate, followed by macrophages, mostly iNOS+, a response that could be mediated by IFN-γ. Conclusion Our study improves knowledge of the cellular immune response in non-ulcerated or atypical cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. (L.) infantum chagasi in Central America and pointed to the pivotal participation of CD8+ T lymphocytes in the host defense mechanisms against the parasite in patients with NUCL.

Abstract This article estimates the specific energy consumption in high-speed dry turning of AISI 1045 steel, using neural networks. Various artificial neural network architectures of the multilayer perceptron type were used to establish the relationships between the parameters of the cutting regime and the technological indices of machining. The following were considered as input values for the neural network models: the cutting speed, the test duration, the machining time, the number of passes and the position of the cutting tool on the specimen. The selected neural network model was the best, based on the mean square error and the regression coefficient R2, reflecting good precision in the approximation. The results showed a good level of reliability in predicting specific energy consumption under various machining conditions.

Resumen En el presente artículo se estimó el consumo específico de energía en el torneado de alta velocidad en seco del acero AISI 1045, utilizando redes neuronales. Se utilizaron varias arquitecturas de redes neuronales artificiales del tipo perceptrón multicapa, para establecer las relaciones entre los parámetros del régimen de corte y los índices tecnológicos de mecanizado. Se consideraron como magnitudes para la entrada de los modelos de redes neuronales, las siguientes: la velocidad de corte, la duración de la prueba, el tiempo de maquinado, el número de pasadas y la posición de la herramienta de corte sobre la probeta. El modelo de red neuronal seleccionado fue el mejor, según el error cuadrático medio y el coeficiente de regresión R2, reflejando una buena precisión en la aproximación. Los resultados evidenciaron un buen nivel de fiabilidad en la predicción del consumo específico de energía bajo diversas condiciones de mecanizado.

Although Leishmania infantum is well-known as the aethiological agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), in some Central American countries it may cause atypical non-ulcerated cutaneous leishmaniasis (NUCL). However, the mechanisms favoring its establishment in the skin are still unknown. Lipophosphoglycan (LPG) is the major Leishmania multivirulence factor involved in parasite-host interaction. In the case of viscerotropic L. infantum, it causes an immunosuppression during the interaction with macrophages. Here, we investigated the biochemical and functional roles of LPGs from four dermotropic L. infantum strains from Honduras during in vitro interaction with murine macrophages. LPGs were extracted, purified and their repeat units analysed. They did not have side chains consisting of Gal(β1,4)Man(α1)-PO4 common to all LPGs. Peritoneal macrophages from BALB/c and C57BL/6 were exposed to LPG for nitric oxide (NO) and cytokine (TNF-α and, IL-6) production. LPGs from dermotropic strains from Honduras triggered higher NO and cytokine levels compared to those from viscerotropic strains. In conclusion, LPGs from dermotropic strains are devoid of side-chains and exhibit high pro-inflammatory activity.

ABSTRACT The main goal of this manuscript is to introduce a discrete dynamical system defined by symmetric matrices and a real parameter. By construction, we rediscovery the Power Iteration Method from the Projected Gradient Method. Convergence of the discrete dynamical system solution is established. Finally, we consider two applications, the first one consists in find a solution of non linear equation problem and the other one consists in verifies the optimality conditions when we solve quadratic optimization problems over linear equality constraints.

ABSTRACT The effect of Azofert® on the induction of tolerance of bean varieties to water deficit was evaluated. The experiment was developed during the period 2013-2014 at the Cooperative for Credits and Services Strengthened "Roberto Aguilar", Bayamo municipality, Granma, Cuba. Varieties CC-25-9R and Tomeguín-93 were used, which were applied four treatments, consisting of normal irrigation conditions throughout the crop cycle and conditions of water deficit at the beginning of flowering, formation and filling of the pods. In each case Azofert® was applied, with a dose of 200 mL per 50 kg of seed at the time of planting and as controls treatments were used without the application of this product. A randomized block design was used according to divided plots and four replicates. Ten plants were selected at random for each treatment to evaluate pod length (cm), pod width (mm), pod diameter (cm), number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pods, number of seeds per plant, weight of seeds per plant (g), weight of 100 seeds (g), as well as yield (t ha-1). The results showed the significant effect of Azofert ® in increasing tolerance to the water deficit of the studied varieties

RESUMEN Se evaluó el efecto del Azofert® en la inducción de la tolerancia de variedades de frijol al déficit hídrico. El experimento se desarrolló durante el período 2013-2014 en la CCSF (Cooperativa de Créditos y Servicios Fortalecida) "Roberto Aguilar", municipio Bayamo, provincia Granma, Cuba. Se utilizaron las variedades CC-25-9R y Tomeguín-93 a las cuales se le aplicaron cuatro tratamientos, consistentes en condiciones normales de riego durante todo el ciclo del cultivo y condiciones de déficit hídrico al inicio de la floración, formación y llenado de las vainas. En cada caso se aplicó Azofert®,con una dosis 200 mL por cada 50 kg de semilla en el momento de la siembra y como controles se utilizaron tratamientos sin la aplicación de este producto. Se utilizó un diseño de bloques al azar con arreglo a parcelas divididas y cuatro réplicas. Se seleccionaron 10 plantas al azar por cada tratamiento para evaluar longitud de las vainas (cm), ancho de las vainas (mm), diámetro de las vainas (cm), número de vainas por plantas, número de semillas por vainas, número de semillas por plantas, peso de las semillas por planta (g), peso de 100 semillas (g) y rendimiento (t ha-1). Los resultados mostraron el efecto significativo del Azofert® en el incremento de la tolerancia al déficit hídrico de las variedades estudiadas

ResumenEfecto de la distancia de siembra en variables morfoagronómicas de moringa ( Moringa oleifera ). El objetivo del estudio fue determinar el efecto de cinco distancias de siembra en variables morfoagronómicas de Moringa oleifera Lam. El trabajo se realizó en áreas del Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias “Jorge Dimitrov”, del municipio Bayamo, provincia Granma, Cuba, en el periodo noviembre-febrero de 2014-2015, respectivamente. Se utilizó un diseño de bloques al azar con tres repeticiones. Se evaluaron cinco tratamientos consistentes en las distancias de siembra, el corte se efectuó a 10 cm sobre el nivel del suelo cada quince días. Se encontraron efectos significativos (p<0,05) entre los tratamientos, la altura de las plantas y el número de rebrotes/plantas, donde las distancias de siembra incrementaron significativamente el número de rebrotes/plantas (p<0,05), con promedios de cinco y tres en la mayor y menor distancia de siembra respectivamente. Las distancias de siembra utilizadas influyeron en los indicadores morfoagronómicos de la Moringa oleifera vc. Súper Genium. El rendimiento de biomasa disminuyó significativamente (p<0,05) con el aumento de la distancia de siembra desde 7 t/ha con el tratamiento 10 cm x 10 cm, hasta 2 t/ha con 20 cm x 20 cm.

AbstractEffect of planting distance in morphoagronomic variables moringa ( Moringa oleifera ) . The aim of this study was to determine the effect of five planting distances in morphoagronomic variables of Moringa oleifera Lam. The work was conducted in areas of the Agricultural Research Institute “Jorge Dimitrov”, the municipality Bayamo, Granma province, Cuba, on the period from November to February of 2014-2015, respectively. A design of randomized blocks with three replications was used. Five treatments were evaluated with consistent planting distances; the cut was made at 10 cm above the floor every fortnight. Significant effects (p<0.05) between treatments, plant height and number of shoots/plants where planting distances significantly increased the number of bolters/plants (p<0.05) were found with averages of five and three in the major and minor planting distance respectively. Planting distances used influenced the morphoagronomic indicators of Moringa oleifera vc. Super Genium. Biomass yield decreased significantly (p<0.05) with increasing distance from planting 7 t/ha with the 10 cm x 10 cm, up to 2 t/ha with 20 cm x 20 cm treatment.

The response of 15 bean cultivars the hydric defficit tolerance was evaluated in an experiment carried out between the years 2012-2013 at CCSF “Roberto Aguilar”, Bayamo municipality, Granma province, Cuba. Two treatments were used: cultivars of bean under watering and cultivars of bean low drought, distributed in a random block design. Ten plants were selected at random from each treatment where indicators were evaluated: number of sheaths for plants, weight of the sheaths (g), lenght of the sheaths (cm) and wide of the sheaths (mm). Also to determine the tolerance the following indexes were evaluated: yield losses (YL), geometrical mean productivity (GMP), mean productivity (MP), relative efficiency index (REI), drought tolerant tndex (DTI), stability yield index (SYI), susceptibility drought index (SDI), harmonic mean (HM) and tolerance (T). The results showed that the soil hydric defficits evaluated have an influence (p≤0,05), in the behavior of the cultivars, where CC-25-9R variety showed the most tolerant hydric defficit, while Tomeguín-93 was the most susceptible variety

Se evaluaron 15 cultivares de frijol para determinar la tolerancia al déficit hídrico en un experimento que se desarrolló en el período 2012-2013 en la CCSF “Roberto Aguilar”, municipio Bayamo, provincia Granma, Cuba. Se emplearon dos tratamientos: cultivares de frijol bajo riego y cultivares de frijol bajo sequía, distribuidos en un diseño de bloque al azar. Se seleccionaron diez plantas al azar en cada tratamiento donde se evaluaron los siguientes indicadores: número de vainas por plantas, peso de las vainas (g), longitud de las vainas (cm) y ancho de las vainas (mm). Además, para determinar la tolerancia se evaluaron los siguientes índices: pérdida del rendimiento (PR), productividad media geométrica (PMG), productividad media (PM), índice de eficiencia relativa (IER), índice de tolerancia a la sequía (ITS), índice de rendimiento (IY), índice de estabilidad del rendimiento (IEY), índice de susceptibilidad a la sequía (ISS), media harmónica (MH) y tolerancia (TOL). Los resultados mostraron que el déficit de humedad evaluado, influyó significativamente (p≤ 0,05), en el comportamiento de los cultivares donde la variedad CC-25-9R mostró mayor tolerancia al déficit hídrico mientras que la variedad Tomeguín-93 fue la más susceptible

In this work, we study coerciveness notions and their implications to existence conditions. We start with the presentation of classical ideas of coerciveness in the framework of Optimization Theory, and, then, using a classical technical result, introduced by Ky Fan in 1961, we extend these ideas first to Optimization Problems and then to Equilibrium Problems. We point out the importance of related conditions to the introduced coerciveness notion in order to obtain existence results for Equilibrium Problems, without using monotonicity or generalized monotonicity assumptions.

An epidemiological and descriptive study was conducted aimed at knowing the drinking behavior of 159 patients over 15 from 2 family physicians, offices of the"Reina" Polyclinic in Centro Habana during 1996. These individuals were surveyed and it was found that 49 % were heavy drinkers and 35.2 % social drinkers. 94.2 % of the surveyed population drink alcohol and they began to do it when they were between 15 and 30 years old. The psychosocial motives of those patients with an abnormal drinking behavior were the following: to drink as an entertaintment medium in their free time, to drink because of their jobs, and to drink to reduce the daily tension and to face problems. This study allowed to recommend the education of the population in connection with the harmful effect of alcohol and with the adoption of healthy life styles

Se realiza un estudio epidemiológico descriptivo con el objetivo de conocer el comportamiento ante la ingestión de bebidas alcohólicas de 159 pacientes mayores de 15 años de dos consultorios del médico de la familia del policlínico "Reina" de Centro Habana durante el año 1996. Utilizamos la técnica de la encuesta y encontramos que en los pacientes estudiados el 49 % son bebedores problemas y el 35,2 % son bebedores sociales. El 94,2 % de la población encuestada ingiere bebidas alcohólicas y la edad de comienzo de ingestión de bebidas alcohólicas que se reportó con mayor frecuencia fue entre 15 y 30 años. Las motivaciones psicosociales de los pacientes que presentaron una conducta anormal ante el consumo de bebidas alcohólicas fueron: ingerir alcohol como medio de diversión en la utilización del tiempo libre, consumirlo por encontrarse vinculado con su trabajo y tomar bebidas alcohólicas para aliviar las tensiones diarias y enfrentar los problemas. Dicho estudio permitió recomendar la educación de la población de los efectos nocivos del alcohol y la adopción de estilos de vida saludables