ACTH regulation of mitochondrial acyl-CoA thioesterase activity in Y1 adrenocortical tumour cells Castilla Lozano, Maria del Rocio; Maloberti, Paula Mariana; Mendez, Carlos Fernando; Paz, Cristina del Valle; Podesta, Ernesto Jorge We have previously purified and cloned a phosphoprotein, Arachidonic acid-Related Thioesterase Involved in Steroidogenesis (ARTISt), involved in steroid synthesis through Arachidonic Acid (AA) release. Arachidonic acid-related thioesterase involved in steroidogenesis resulted to be a member of a new family of acyl-CoA thioesterases. The protein was identified by its biocapacity to increase mitochondrial steroidogenesis in a cell free bioassay. In the present study we measure the activity of ARTISt using arachidonoyl-CoA (AA-CoA) as substrate. We demonstrate that ACTH significantly stimulates endogenous mitochondrial thioesterase activity as early as 5 min after ACTH stimulation of Y1 cells. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), an inhibitor of AA release known to affect steroidogenesis, affects the in vitro activity of recombinant ARTISt and also the endogenous mitochondrial acyl-CoA thioesterases. ACTH activation of the enzyme protected ARTISt to the inhibitory effect of NDGA. These results show that an enzyme that release AA from AA-CoA can be regulated in intact cells by steroidogenic hormones.

Telomerase as a cancer target. Development of new molecules Mengual Gómez, Diego Luis; Armando, Romina Gabriela; Cerrudo, Carolina Susana; Ghiringhelli, Pablo Daniel; Gomez, Daniel Eduardo Telomeres are the terminal part of the chromosome containing a long repetitive and non-codifying sequence that has as function protecting the chromosomes. In normal cells, telomeres lost part of such repetitive sequence in each mitosis, until telomeres reach a critical point, triggering at that time senescence and cell death. However, in most of tumor cells in each cell division a part of the telomere is lost, however the appearance of an enzyme called telomerase synthetize the segment that just has been lost, therefore conferring to tumor cells the immortality hallmark. Telomerase is significantly overexpressed in 80?95% of all malignant tumors, being present at low levels in few normal cells, mostly stem cells. Due to these characteristics, telomerase has become an attractive target for new and more effective anticancer agents. The capability of inhibiting telomerase in tumor cells should lead to telomere shortening, senescence and apoptosis. In this work, we analyze the different strategies for telomerase inhibition, either in development, preclinical or clinical stages taking into account their strong points and their caveats. We covered strategies such as nucleosides analogs, oligonucleotides, small molecule inhibitors, G-quadruplex stabilizers, immunotherapy, gene therapy, molecules that affect the telomere/telomerase associated proteins, agents from microbial sources, among others, providing a balanced evaluation of the status of the inhibitors of this powerful target together with an analysis of the challenges ahead.

Antiphospholipid antibodies impact the protein C (PC) pathway behavior Gennari, Laura C.; Blanco, Alicia N.; Alberto, Maria Fabiana; Grosso, Silvia H.; Peirano, Andrea A.; Lazzari, María Ángela Antiphospholipid antibodies may interfere with the PC pathway, displaying a resistance to the activated PC (resistant phenotype). This effect was evaluated by the APCR and the ProCG systems in 36 lupus anticoagulant samples, yielding abnormal results in 47% of APCRoriginal, 17% of APCRmodified, and 22% of ProCG test. ProCG values correlated with APCRoriginal but not with APCRmodified. Most of lupus anticoagulants affecting the PC pathway showed abnormal APCRoriginal results but not abnormal ProCG values. The different behavior between both systems may be due to the heterogeneity of the antibodies or could be attributed to the fact that, in the ProCG, a PC activator is added, while the APCR employs already activated exogenous PC.

Computer aided model analysis and dynamic simulation of a wastewater treatment plant Mussati, Miguel Ceferino; Gernaey, Krist; Gani, Rafiqul; Jørgensen, Sten A nitrogen removal benchmark was analyzed using the Activated Sludge Models No. 1 (ASM1) and No. 3 (ASM3) in order to establish a basis for designing an experimental comparison of the two model types. Differences in steady state effluent concentrations predicted by both models could to a large extent be explained by different model concepts. The steady state system performance was analyzed by evaluating the Monod factor values, and through a sensitivity analysis of the kinetic model parameters. Both methods complement each other. Analysis of the Monod factor values can lead to determination of parameters to be estimated during model calibration. The steady state system response to manipulation of the potential actuators for control was evaluated via a sensitivity analysis. The concept of relative sensitivity was introduced to compare the relative effect of each actuator in both models. The negative relative sensitivities of X S to four of the five control handles analyzed imply an opposite response of both models, which can be important for control structure design. The analysis of the process behavior to different disturbances showed different dynamics of both models. ASM3 simulation results are easier to interpret because the model structure is more transparent, mainly due to the simpler cell decay model principle considered in ASM3. An inverse response was obtained for the return sludge and nitrate recycle flow rate, indicating that multivariable control design is required.

Brain somatostatin receptors are up-regulated in somatostatin-deficient mice Ramírez, José L.; Mouchantaf, Rania; Kumar, Ujendra; Otero Corchon, Veronica; Rubinstein, Marcelo; Low, Malcolm J.; Patel, Yogesh C. The peptide somatostatin (SST) is widely synthesized in the brain and periphery and acts through a family of five receptors (SSTR1-5) to exert numerous effects. A gene product related to SST, cortistatin (CST), also interacts with SSTR1-5. Here we have investigated the regulation of SSTR1-5 and of CST in SST knockout (SSTKO) mice. The five SSTRs were quantitated individually by subtype-selective binding analysis, by immunocytochemistry, and by mRNA measurement and showed, in the brain of SSTKO mice, up-regulation of subtypes 1, 2, 4, and 5, and down-regulation of SSTR3. Peripheral tissues displayed both subtype- and tissue-specific changes in SSTR1-5 mRNA levels of expression. Lack of SST did not up-regulate normal CST expression in brain nor did it induce its expression in the periphery. SST-like immunoreactivity, however, was induced in the proximal midgut in SSTKO animals, suggesting intestinal expression of a novel SST-like gene.

Nicotinic receptor M3 transmembrane domain: Position 8′ contributes to channel gating de Rosa, Maria Jose; Rayes, Diego Hernán; Spitzmaul, Guillermo Federico; Bouzat, Cecilia Beatriz The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is a pentamer of homologous subunits with composition α2βεδ in adult muscle. Each subunit contains four transmembrane domains (M1-M4). Position 8′ of the M3 domain is phenylalanine in all heteromeric α subunits, whereas it is a hydrophobic nonaromatic residue in non-α subunits. Given this peculiar conservation pattern, we studied its contribution to muscle nAChR activation by combining mutagenesis with single-channel kinetic analysis. Construction of nAChRs carrying different numbers of phenylalanine residues at 8′ reveals that the mean open time decreases as a function of the number of phenylalanine residues. Thus, all subunits contribute through this position independently and additively to the channel closing rate. The impairment of channel opening increases when the number of phenylalanine residues at 8′ increases from two (wild-type nAChR) to five. The gating equilibrium constant of the latter mutant nAChR is 13-fold lower than that of the wild-type nAChR. The replacement of αF8′, βL8′, δV8′ and εV8′ by a series of hydrophobic amino acids reveals that the structural bases of the observed kinetic effects are nonequivalent among subunits. In the α subunit, hydrophobic amino acids at 8′ lead to prolonged channel lifetimes, whereas they lead either to normal kinetics (δ and ε subunits) or impaired channel gating (β subunit) in the non-α subunits. The overall results indicate that 8′ positions of the M3 domains of all subunits contribute to channel gating.

Detailed structure of configuration space and its importance on ergodic separation of ±J Ising lattices Vogel, Eugenio E.; Ramirez Pastor, Antonio Jose; Nieto Quintas, Felix Daniel A complete and exact characterization of the configuration space of 2-D ±J Ising lattices is performed. A new algorithm is introduced here representing advantages for reaching all states for small samples and doing a non-biased sampling of ground states for larger samples. We report efficient procedures to find all ground states grouped in local ensembles of ground states (LEGs) and also a convenient way of storing and comparing states. Properties of such LEGs differ from some approximate descriptions reported in the literature. The onset of lattice size dependence of properties is discussed. Four different ways of performing ergodic separation are used to calculate order parameters. The most significant way of doing ergodic separation requires previous classification of states in LEGs.

Misiones "ad gentes": Manuales misioneros salesianos para la evangelización de la Patagonia (1910-1924) Nicoletti, Maria Andrea Nos proponemos en este trabajo analizar cómo, a través de un escrito inédito del padre Domenico Milanesio (1843-1922) a modo de reglamento misionero, se desprendieron las directivas y manuales de misión a través de los cuales se llevó a cabo la evangelización “ad gentes” de los Salesianos en la Patagonia. Uno de sus protagonistas volcó a través de sus conocimientos teóricos, pero fundamentalmente por su experiencia de misión, las características que debía tener un misionero que decidiera evangelizar en los territorios del sur. Escrito en medio de un vertiginoso período de misiones y del afianzamiento de la obra de la Congregación salesiana (1880-1934)1, analizaremos cómo se desprendieron de este primer manual, los marcos reglamentarios para la Patagonia que siguieron durante las dos inspectorías sucesivas de los padres Giuseppe Maria Vespignani (1909-1911, Inspectoría San Francisco de Sales) y Luigi Pedemonte (1911-1924, Inspectoría San Francisco Javier) respectivamente, en medio de una crisis ocasionada por la falta de personal y de reorganización de los centros de misión. Los documentos centrales que analizaremos a lo largo de este trabajo son: el reglamento misionero escrito por padre Milanesio en 1810, el Reglamento para las misiones escrito por el padre Vespignani en 1914 y, finalmente, la reunión con los misioneros y el padre Pedemonte en 1914. Complementariamente contamos con la documentación original del Archivo histórico de las Misiones salesianas de la Patagonia Norte, Bahía Blanca, que contiene la mayor parte de los escritos de Domenico Milanesio, complementado con los epistolarios de los padres Vespignani y Pedemonte en los Archivos Centrales salesianos de Buenos Aires y Roma.

Bird-like fossil footprints from the Late Triassic Melchor, Ricardo Nestor; de Valais, Silvina; Genise, Jorge Fernando The study of fossilized footprints and tracks of dinosaurs and other vertebrates has provided insight into the origin, evolution and extinction of several major groups and their behaviour; it has also been an important complement to their body fossil record1-4. The known history of birds starts in the Late Jurassic epoch (around 150 Myr ago) with the record of Archaeopteryx5, whereas the coelurosaurian ancestors of the birds date back to the Early Jurassic6. The hind limbs of Late Triassic epoch theropods lack osteological evidence for an avian reversed hallux and also display other functional differences from birds7. Previous references to suggested Late Triassic to Early Jurassic bird-like footprints have been reinterpreted as produced by non-avian dinosaurs having a high angle between digits II and IV8, 9 and in all cases their avian affinities have been challenged10. Here we describe well-preserved and abundant footprints with clearly avian characters from a Late Triassic redbed sequence of Argentina11, 12, at least 55 Myr before the first known skeletal record of birds. These footprints document the activities, in an environment interpreted as small ponds associated with ephemeral rivers, of an unknown group of Late Triassic theropods having some avian characters.

Estimation of Weibull parameters for the flexural strength of PMMA-based bone cements Riccardi, Carmen Cristina; Vallo, Claudia Ines The wide scatter of data observed in the strength of bone cements based on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) can be described properly by the two-parameter Weibull function. However, the statistical character of the distribution leads to an uncertainty in the parameters evaluated from a limited number of experiments. This study is concerned with the analysis of the methods of estimation as well as sample size on the estimates of the Weibull parameters. The maximum likelihood method, moments method, and linear regression method were studied. Monte Carlo simulations were carried out in order to assess the influence of the number of specimens tested on the Weibull parameters calculated by the different methods. The number of specimens tested displayed a large influence upon the calculated Weibull modulus. By applying weighing factors to the linear regression method, the standard deviation of Weibull parameters decreased significantly. As a compromise between minimizing both the dispersion of the evaluation method and the experimental effort, the use is suggested of the linear regression method with a minimum number of 20 specimens in a nonweighted analysis and 10 in a weighted analysis.

Symptoms of eutrophication in intertidal macroalgal assemblages of Nuevo Gulf (Patagonia, Argentina) Díaz, P.; López Gappa, Juan José; Piriz, Maria Luz The city of Puerto Madryn, located within a section of Nuevo Gulf (Patagonia, Argentina) known as Nueva Bay, can be regarded as an important centre of anthropogenic impact. Intertidal assemblages of macroalgae were studied in order to analyse whether eutrophication symptoms could be detected in the benthos. Three rocky shores showing similar characteristics were selected. One of these was located near the sewage outfall of the city of Puerto Madryn. Two control shores were chosen approximately 30 km northwards and southwards of the latter. Four seasonal surveys were performed between June 1998 and April 1999. Biomass data of 35 macroalgal species were analysed by diversity and evenness indices, non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling, and the ANOSIM permutation test. Species responsible for the differences between shores were identified by the SIMPER routine. The macroalgal assemblage of the impacted site was significantly different from those of the two control shores throughout the year. Ulva rigida, Corallina officinalis and Ralfsia sp. were the species mostly responsible for these differences. Results indicate that the impacted shore showed signs consistent with an intermediate degree of eutrophication, particularly the increased abundance of the opportunist green alga Ulva rigida.

Lithium and KB-R7943 effects on mechanics and energetics of rat heart muscle Bonazzola, Patricia; Egido, P.; Marengo, Fernando Diego; Savio Galimberti, E.; Ponce Hornos, Jorge Emilio The role of calcium influx on energy expenditure during cardiac contraction was studied. For this purpose; the described ability of lithium and KB-R 7943 (KBR) to diminish Ca entry through Na-Ca exchanger (Ponce-Hornos & Langer, J Mol Cell Cardiol 1980, 12, 1367, Satoh et al., Circulation 2000, 101, 1441) were used. In isolated contractions (contractions elicited after at least 5 min of rest) LiCl 45 mmol L -1 decreased pressure developed and pressure-time integral from 42.3 ± 2.7 and 14.5 ± 1.2 to 32.1 ± 3.4 mN mm -2 and 8.3 ± 0.9 mN mm -2 s, respectively. A similar effect was observed in regular contractions (at 0.16 Hz stimulation). The presence of KBR (5 μmol L -1) in the perfusate induced a slight but not significant decrease in pressure developed and pressure-time integral in steady-state contractions. As it was previously described, the heat involved in a heart muscle contraction can be decomposed into several components (H 1, H 2, H 3 and H 4), but only one (H 3) was associated with force generation. While H 3 decreased with lithium in both types of contractions, H 3/PtI ratio remained unaltered, indicating that the economy for pressure maintenance was unaffected. To further investigate the role of Ca entry on force development, a condition in which the contraction is mainly dependent on extracellular calcium was studied. An 'extra' stimulus applied 200 ms after the regular one in a muscle stimulated at 0.16 Hz induces a contraction with this characteristic (Marengo et al., Am J Physiol 1999, 276, H309). Lithium induced a strong decrease in pressure-time integral and H 3 associated with this contraction (43 and 45%, respectively) with no change in H 3/PtI ratio. Lithium also reduced (53%) an energy component (H 2) associated with Ca cycling. The use of KBR showed qualitatively similar results [i.e. a 33% reduction in pressure-time integral associated with the extrasystole (ES) with no changes in H 3/PtI ratio and a 30% reduction in) the H 2 component]. Li and KBR effects appear to be additive and in the presence of 45 mmol L -1 Li and 5 μmol L -1 KBR the extrasystole was abolished in 77%. Lithium and KBR effects particularly for the extrasystole can be explained through the inhibition of Ca entry via Na-Ca exchange giving support to the participation of the Na-Ca exchanger in the Ca influx from the extracellular space. In addition, the results also suggest the possibility of an effect of Li on an additional Ca sensitive locus (different than the Na-Ca exchanger). In this connection, in isolated contractions lithium decreased the energy release fraction related to mitochondrial processes (H 4) increasing the economy of the overall cardiac contraction.

The Magnetic Helicity Injected by Shearing Motions Démoulin, Pascal; Mandrini, Cristina Hemilse; van Driel Gesztelyi, Lidia; Lopez Fuentes, Marcelo Claudio; Aulanier, G. Photospheric shearing motions are one of the possible ways to inject magnetic helicity into the corona. We explore their efficiency as a function of their particular properties and those of the magnetic field configuration. Based on the work of M. A. Berger, we separate the helicity injection into two terms: twist and writhe. For shearing motions concentrated between the centers of two magnetic polarities the helicity injected by twist and writhe add up, while for spatially more extended shearing motions, such as differential rotation, twist and writhe helicity have opposite signs and partially cancel. This implies that the amount of injected helicity can change in sign with time even if the shear velocity is time independent. We confirm the amount of helicity injected by differential rotation in a bipole in the two particular cases studied by DeVore (2000), and further explore the parameter space on which this injection depends. For a given latitude, tilt and magnetic flux, the generation of helicity is slightly more efficient in young active regions than in decayed ones (up to a factor 2). The helicity injection is mostly affected by the tilt of the AR with respect to the solar equator. The total helicity injected by shearing motions, with both spatial and temporal coherence, is at most equivalent to that of a twisted flux tube having the same magnetic flux and a number of turns of 0.3. In the solar case, where the motions have not such global coherence, the injection of helicity is expected to be much smaller, while for differential rotation this maximum value reduces to 0.2 turns. We conclude that shearing motions are a relatively inefficient way to bring magnetic helicity into the corona (compared to the helicity carried by a significantly twisted flux tube).

Characterization of FeMCM-41 and FeZSM-5 catalysts to styrene production Bispo, J. R. C.; Oliveira, A. C.; Corrêa, M. L. S.; Fierro, J. L. G.; Marchetti, Sergio Gustavo; Rangel, Maria do Carmo FeMCM-41 and FeZSM-5 catalysts have been prepared and tested in the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to produce styrene. These new catalytic systems have high specific areas and can stabilize the trivalent state of iron. It was found that the FeZSM-5 catalysts are more active and selective than the FeMCM-41 ones and this behavior is explained in terms of the higher amount of the active oxidation state (Fe 3+) on the catalyst surface. These catalysts also result more active and selective than Fe203 (hematite) and are less toxic than the chromium-containing commercial catalysts used for this purpose.

Cold season synoptic scale waves over Subtropical South America Vera, Carolina Susana; Viglirarolo, Paula K.; Berbery, Ernesto Hugo The most active winter synoptic-scale wave patterns over South America are identified using an extended empirical orthogonal function (EEOF) technique and are physically diagnosed using composite methods. Results show that the leading modes of short timescale variability propagate along two main paths: over the subtropical jet latitudes (;308S) and over the subpolar jet latitudes (;608S). This research focuses on the subtropical mode and its evolution over South America. The observed structure of the systems associated with the subtropical mode resembles that of midlatitude baroclinic waves. Both cyclonic and anticyclonic perturbations display significant modifications in their threedimensional structure as they evolve over extratropical and subtropical South America. While the upper-level perturbations are mostly unaffected when moving eastward, the lower-level perturbations advance following the shape of the Andes Mountains and exhibit an abrupt equatorward migration at the lee side of the mountains. As a result of such detachment, smaller eddy heat fluxes are observed in the vicinity of the orography and consequently a weaker eddy baroclinic growth is observed. Once the upper-level system is on the lee side, the perturbations acquire a more typical baroclinic wave structure and low-level intensification of the system occurs. The latter is largest around 1000 km east of the orography, where enhanced moisture transports from tropical latitudes along the eastern portion of the low-level cyclone favor precipitation occurrence over southeastern South America. Those precipitation processes seem to provide a diabatic source of energy that further contributes to the strengthening of the low-level cyclone. In addition, an intensification of the cyclone once over the ocean was found in 60% of the situations considered, which is consistent with previous research suggesting an additional source of moisture and heat flux due to the warm waters of the Brazil Current.

LS 5039: A runaway microquasar ejected from the galactic plane Ribó, Marc; Paredes, Josep Maria; Romero, Gustavo Esteban; Benaglia, Paula; Martí, Josep; Fors, O.; García Sánchez, J. We have compiled optical and radio astrometric data of the microquasar LS 5039 and derived its proper motion. This, together with the distance and radial velocity of the system, allows us to state that this source is escaping from its own regional standard of rest, with a total systemic velocity of about 150 km/s and a component perpendicular to the galactic plane larger than 100 km/s. This is probably the result of an acceleration obtained during the supernova event that created the compact object in this binary system. We have computed the trajectory of LS 5039 in the past, and searched for OB associations and supernova remnants in its path. In particular, we have studied the possible association between LS 5039 and the supernova remnant G016.8-01.1, which, despite our efforts, remains dubious. We have also discovered and studied an HI cavity in the ISM, which could have been created by the stellar wind of LS 5039 or by the progenitor of the compact object in the system. Finally, in the symmetric supernova explosion scenario, we estimate that at least 17 solar masses were lost in order to produce the high eccentricity observed. Such a mass loss could also explain the observed runaway velocity of the microquasar.

Multilayer adsorption with multisite occupancy: An improved isotherm for surface characterization Riccardo, Jose Luis; Ramirez Pastor, Antonio Jose; Romá, Federico José In this work, an improved solution for multilayer adsorption of linear species is presented. The particular case of multilayer dimer adsorption is dealt with in detail, and a new adsorption isotherm is obtained for determination of surface area and adsorption energy from experiments. From the comparison between the new isotherm and the standard Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) formalism, it arises that the monolayer volume, vm (or the surface area, A), can be up to 1.5 times larger than the one from the BET model. The proposed model is simple and easy to apply in practice and leads to new values of surface area and adsorption heat. Physically, these advantages are a consequence of properly considering the configurational entropy of the adsorbate.

Educar a la mujer en la Patagonia: las Hijas de María Auxiliadora y las imágenes femeninas (1880-1934) Nicoletti, Maria Andrea Nos proponemos analizar las imágenes femeninas a través del rol misionero y educativo de las Hijas de María Auxiliadora que fueron misioneras en la Patagonia desde 1880, en la formación de jóvenes en Junín de los Andes y en su relación con las indígenas en Tierra del Fuego. Como aporte a la historia del género, la imagen de la mujer en la Patagonia de fines del siglo XIX y XX es en general desconocida y poco investigada, fundamentalmente en relación a la construcción cultural del rol femenino en la historia de la educación que llevaron a cabo las religiosas como docentes y misioneras. A lo largo de este trabajo intentaremos analizar cómo las Hermanas no sólo generaron su propia imagen femenina, sino que la proyectaron en la formación y educación de niñas y mujeres, tanto migrantes como indígenas, que vivieron en una conflictiva sociedad de frontera como la patagónica.; L’articolo affronta lo studio dell’immagine della donna nelle fonti edite e inedite che si riferiscono al ruolo educativo-missionario delle Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice che operarono in Patagonia dal 1880 sia nella formazione di giovani donne a Junín de los Andes, sia nelle loro relazioni con le donne indigene della Terra del Fuoco. L’immagine della donna nella Patagonia di fine secolo XIX e inizio del XX è in genere poco conosciuta e non adeguatamente studiata, soprattutto per quanto riguarda il contributo dato dalle religiose educatrici e missionarie alla promozione delle donne. L’articolo, che può offrire un significativo apporto alla storia di genere, evidenzia non solo l’autocoscienza femminile delle religiose, ma anche la proiezione di tale autocoscienza nell’educazione di bambine e ragazze tanto immigrate che indigene che vissero in una zona di frontiera non priva di conflitti quale quella della Patagonia.; The article deals with a study of the image of woman in published and unpublished works on the role of the FMA as educators and missionaries in Patagonia (where they have worked since 1880) in the formation of young women in Junín de los Andes as well as in their rapport with the native women of the “Tierra del Fuego”. Not much is known about the image of woman in Patagonia at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th. Neither is it a topic that has been studied in depth, especially the contribution of women religious educators and missionaries to the upliftment of women. The article, which can offer a significant contribution to gender history, highlights not only the self-awareness of religious sisters as women, but also how they projected it in the education of the immigrant and native girls of Patagonia, a frontier land not without its share of conflicts.; L’article affronte l’étude de l’image de la femme présente dans les sources éditées et inédites se référant au rôle éducatif et missionnaire des Filles de Marie Auxiliatrice qui ont travaillé à la Patagonie à partir de 1880 tant au niveau de la formation des jeunes filles à Junin de los Andes, que dans leurs relations avec les femmes indigènes de la Terre de Feu. L’image de la femme de la Patagonie de la fin du XIXème siècle et du début du XXème est en général peu connue et étudiée d’une façon inadéquate, surtout en ce qui concerne l’apport des religieuses éducatrices et missionnaires à la promotion des femmes L’article, pouvant être considéré une contribution significative à l’histoire du genre, met en relief non seulement l’auto conscience féminine des religieuses, mais aussi la projection de cette auto conscience dans l’éducation des enfants et des jeunes filles immigrées et indigènes de cette zone de frontière souvent en conflits.; Artykuł poswiecony jest badaniu zagadnienia obrazu kobiety jaki wyłania sie ze zródeł, zarówno tych wydanych juz drukiem jak i tych jeszcze nie opublikowanych, dotycza cych roli wychowawczo-ewangelizacyjnej Córek Maryi Wspomozycielki, działaja˛cych od 1880 roku w Patagonii, i zaangazowanych tak w dzieło formacji młodych kobiet w Junin de los Andes, jak i w nawiazywanie relacji z tubylczymi kobietami na Ziemi Ognistej. Ogólnie rzecz biorac, obraz patagonskiej kobiety z przełomu XIX i XX wieku, jest mało znany i nie zawsze pogłebiany od strony metodologicznej w odpowiedni sposób, szczególnie jezeli chodzi o wkład, jakie w promocje kobiety włozyły zakonnice-wychowawczynie i misjonarki. Artykuł, który moze byc znaczacym wkładem w poznanie historii kobiet jako kobiet, podkresla nie tylko samoswiadomosc kobieca konsekrowanych kobiet, ale przekazywanie tej samoswiadomosci poprzez sztuke wychowania równiez dziewczetom, pochodzacym zarówno z rodzin emigrantów jak i rodzin tubylczych, osiedlonych na tych przygranicznych i konfliktowych terytoriach jakimi była ówczesna Patagonia.

Surface roughness dependence of noncollinear phase matching Martínez Matos, Óscar; Torchia, Gustavo Adrian; Vaveliuk, Pablo; Bilmes, Gabriel Mario; Tocho, Jorge Omar Spontaneous noncollinear second harmonic generation in potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) crystals was studied theoretically and experimentally as a function of the scattering centres on the surface of the crystal. A model that explains the main features of the second harmonic generated beam was developed in terms of the surface roughness defined by the size of the dispersing grains. It predicts, for the first time, the intensity distribution of the hollow cones obtained in noncollinear phase matching.

Unique effects of different fatty acid species on the physical properties of the Torpedo acetylcholine receptor membrane Antollini, Silvia Susana; Barrantes, Francisco Jose To study the effects produced by free fatty acids (FFA) on the biophysical properties of Torpedo marmorata nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-rich native membranes and to investigate the topology of their binding site(s), fluorescence measurements were carried out using the fluorescent probe Laurdan (6-dodecanoyl-2-(dimethyl-amino) naphthalene) and ADIFAB, an Acrylodan-derivatized intestinal fatty acid-binding protein. The generalized polarization (GP) of the former probe was used to learn about the physical state of the membrane upon FFA binding. Saturated FFA induced a slight increase in GP, whereas cis-unsaturated fatty acids decreased GP. Double bond isomerism could also be distinguished; oleic acid (18:1cis) induced a net disordering effect, whereas elaidic acid (18:1trans) produced no changes in GP. The changes in the efficiency of the Förster energy transfer from the protein to Laurdan brought about by addition of FFA, together with the distances involved in this process, indicate that all FFA studied share a common site at the lipid-protein interface. However, despite being located at the same site, each class of FFA differs in its effect on the physical properties of the membrane. These data lead us to suggest that it is the direct action of FFA at the lipid-protein interface, displacing essential lipids from their sites rather than changes in bulk properties such as membrane fluidity that accounts for the effect of FFA on the acetylcholine receptor membrane.