Concentration of current-use pesticides in frogs from the Pampa region and correlation of a mixture toxicity index with biological effects Brodeur, Julie Céline; Damonte, Maria Jimena; Rojas, Dante Emanuel; Cristos, Diego Sebastián; Vargas, Claudia Vanesa; Poliserpi, Maria Belen; Andriulo, Adrian Enrique Contamination with current-use pesticides is frequently mentioned as a key factor in global amphibian declines although a limited number of studies have examined the mixture of pesticides accumulated by free-living frogs. This study examined the presence of 46 different pesticide residues in the muscle and kidney tissues of two frog species living in close association with row crops in the Pampa region of Argentina: The terrestrial Leptodactylus latinasus and the semi-aquatic Leptodactylus latrans. A total of 20 different pesticides were identified in frog tissues; chlorpyrifos-methyl, pirimiphos-methyl and acetochlor being the most frequently detected molecules. Overall, one or more pesticide residues (up to 12 in a single frog) were detected in 40–57 % of L. latrans. L. latinasus was found to present more pesticide detections than L. latrans. Interestingly, frog sampled in a natural reserve where no pesticides are applied presented an equivalent frequency of detections as frogs living near a crop. In L. latrans, the calculation of a pesticide toxicity index (PTI) permitted to highlight the existence of a strong positive correlation between PTI and liver GSH contents of females whereas, in males, PTI was negatively correlated with the perimeter of testicular seminiferous tubules. Males also presented near significant negative correlations between PTI and both body condition and the scaled fat index. These results indicate that frogs inhabiting agricultural regions are exposed to a complex and diffuse contamination by pesticide mixtures which is likely responsible for a number of biological effects that may be relevant at the population level.

Metabolic adaptations in an endocrine-related breast cancer mouse model unveil potential markers of tumor response to hormonal therapy Araújo, Rita; Fabris, Victoria Teresa; Lamb, Caroline Ana; Lanari, Claudia Lee Malvina; Helguero, Luisa Alejandra; Gil, Ana M. Breast cancer (BC) is the most common type of cancer in women and, in most cases, it is hormone-dependent (HD), thus relying on ovarian hormone activation of intracellular receptors to stimulate tumor growth. Endocrine therapy (ET) aimed at preventing hormone receptor activation is the primary treatment strategy, however, about half of the patients, develop resistance in time. This involves the development of hormone independent tumors that initially are ET-responsive (HI), which may subsequently become resistant (HIR). The mechanisms that promote the conversion of HI to HIR tumors are varied and not completely understood. The aim of this work was to characterize the metabolic adaptations accompanying this conversion through the analysis of the polar metabolomes of tumor tissue and non-compromised mammary gland from mice implanted subcutaneously with HD, HI and HIR tumors from a medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA)-induced BC mouse model. This was carried out by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of tissue polar extracts and data mining through multivariate and univariate statistical analysis. Initial results unveiled marked changes between global tumor profiles and non-compromised mammary gland tissues, as expected. More importantly, specific metabolic signatures were found to accompany progression from HD, through HI and to HIR tumors, impacting on amino acids, nucleotides, membrane percursors and metabolites related to oxidative stress protection mechanisms. For each transition, sets of polar metabolites are advanced as potential markers of progression, including acquisition of resistance to ET. Putative biochemical interpretation of such signatures are proposed and discussed.

Serendipity and adaptation in New World marsupial evolution Martin, Gabriel Mario; Brand, Cecilia; Monjeau, Jorge Adrian This is the frst study analyzing the distribution of New World marsupials and their relationship to climatic zones on a continental scale. We describe the distribution at diferent taxonomic categories (order, subfamily, tribe, genus) and their presence within climates, and discuss these patterns considering two diferent processes: serendipity or adaptation (i.e., a serendipitous process afects a taxon older than the climate it inhabits, or afects a taxon younger than the climate it inhabits but without the evolution of new traits; an adaptation process afects a taxon in a climate with the evolution of new traits). Living Didelphimorphia included the highest richness and least functional redundancy in Tropical climates at the four taxonomic categories studied; living Paucituberculata was mostly represented in Temperate climates, and living Microbiotheria was exclusively represented in Temperate climates. The most restrictive climates grouped generalized forms (e.g., scansorial animalivores) with a high order richness, but high functional redundancy and low richness for all the other taxonomic categories (i.e., subfamily, tribe, genus). Also, climates which favor complex habitats (e.g., tropical, subtropical and temperate forests) have a higher richness and functional redundancy, while simple habitats resulting from drier and/or colder climates have less specialized forms, albeit taxonomically singular (e.g., Lestodelphys, Chacodelphys, Caenolestes). Highly seasonal climates grouped generalized taxa with high functional redundancy, and convergent adaptations (e.g., caudal fat storage, torpor or hibernation), while stable climates over long periods of time, acted as diversifcation centers for New World marsupials, especially Didelphimorphia.

Brechas y concentración de la información: un estudio sobre agendas, encuadres y consumos de noticias sobre vacunas en el marco del Covid-19 en la Argentina; News Gap and media concentration: a study about agendas, frames and news consumption on vaccines during Covid-19 in Argentina Zunino, Esteban El presente trabajo analiza las agendas mediáticas sobre el proceso de vacunación contra el Covid-19 en los principales medios digitales de la Argentina y el consumo de esas noticias en la red social Facebook, la de mayor penetración a nivel global. A partir de un análisis de contenido sobre las noticias más relevantes sobre el tema en los diarios digitales y sobre las que mayor nivel de involucramiento generaron en los usuarios determinó: 1) la composición temática de ambas agendas; 2) la presencia de actores y puntos de vista en las noticias; 3) los atributos afectivos predominantes en el tratamiento informativo y en la agenda de los públicos; y 4) los encuadres que moldearon la información en cada una de las plataformas. Los resultados evidencian la existencia de brechas entre la oferta informativa y el consumo de noticias, en un marco de una fuerte concentración de las lecturas entre las principales empresas mediáticas del país.; This paper analyzes the media agendas on the vaccination process against Covid-19 in the main digital media in Argentina and the consumption of these news on Facebook, the main world´s social network. From a content analysis on the most relevant news in digital media on the subject and on those with the highest level of engagement, it was intended to determine: 1) the thematic composition of both agendas; 2) the differential presence of actors and points of view in the news; 3) the predominant affective attributes in the media treatment and in the public agenda; and 4) the frames that shaped the information in each of the platforms. The results show the existence of news gaps in terms of topics and frames, in a context of a heavily concentrated media environment.

COVID-19 in Latin America: The effects of an unprecedented crisis on employment and income Beccaria, Luis Alberto; Bertranou, Fabio; Maurizio, Roxana del Luján América Latina experimentó durante 2020 una crisis laboral sin precedentes como consecuencia de la pandemia por COVID-19. Este artículo analiza los impactos de la pandemia sobre la dinámica del empleo y los ingresos, y las políticas implementadas por los países de la región. Se observa una drástica contracción del empleo, de las horas trabajadas y de los ingresos como consecuencia de la fuerte reducción del nivel de actividad económica. Estos impactos han sido desigualadores y el sendero de recuperación está siendo acompañado de una amplificación de brechas laborales y de ingresos entre los diferentes grupos de población.

Functional Microbes and Their Incorporation into Foods and Food Supplements: Probiotics and Postbiotics Puntillo, Melisa Anahí; Segli, Julio Franco; Champagne, Claude; Raymond, Yves; Vinderola, Celso Gabriel Life expectancy has dramatically increased over the past 200 years, butmodern life factors such as environmental exposure, antibiotic overuse,C-section deliveries, limited breast-feeding, and diets poor in fibers andmicrobes could be associated with the rise of noncommunicable diseasessuch as overweight, obesity, diabetes, food allergies, and colorectal canceras well as other conditions such as mental disorders. Microbial interventionsthat range from transplanting a whole undefined microbial community froma healthy gut to an ill one, e.g., so-called fecal microbiota transplantationor vaginal seeding, to the administration of selected well-characterizedmicrobes, either live (probiotics) or not (postbiotics), with efficacy demonstrated in clinical trials, may be effective tools to treat or prevent acute andchronic diseases that humans still face, enhancing the quality of life.

Kinship and post-marital residence in native populations of the South American Chaco Varela, Hector Hugo; Cocilovo, Jose Alberto; Valdano, Silvia The genetic structure, kinship and type of post-marital residence are studied in four native groups of the Gran Chaco, through the analysis of somatometric traits. The sample used was published by Lehmann-Nitsche (1907) and is represented by 158 individuals of both sexes. To meet the objectives, methods and techniques of multivariate statistics and population genetics of quantitative traits were applied. The results show a genetic divergence (FST) of 0.047, a greater kinship between chorote and mataco, a significant isolation of the chiriguano, an important interaction of the chorote with the rest of the groups, a greater regional mobility of males than of the women, and a matrilocal or bilocal post-marital residence system.

On regular graphs equienergetic with their complements Podesta, Ricardo Alberto; Videla Guzman, Denis Eduardo We give necessary and sufficient conditions on the parameters of a regular graph Γ (with or without loops) such that (Formula presented.). We study complementary equienergetic cubic graphs obtaining classifications up to isomorphisms for connected cubic graphs with single loops (5 non-isospectral pairs) and connected integral cubic graphs without loops ((Formula presented.) or (Formula presented.)). Then we show that, up to complements, the only bipartite regular graphs equienergetic and non-isospectral with their complements are the crown graphs (Formula presented.) or (Formula presented.). Next, for the family of strongly regular graphs Γ we characterize all possible parameters (Formula presented.) such that (Formula presented.). Furthermore, using this, we prove that a strongly regular graph is equienergetic to its complement if and only if it is either a conference graph or else it is a pseudo Latin square graph (i.e. has OA parameters). We also characterize all complementary equienergetic pairs of graphs of type (Formula presented.), (Formula presented.) and (Formula presented.) in Cameron's hierarchy (the cases (Formula presented.) in the non-bipartite case and (Formula presented.) are still open). Finally, we consider unitary Cayley graphs over rings (Formula presented.). We show that if R is a finite Artinian ring with an even number of local factors, then (Formula presented.) is complementary equienergetic if and only if (Formula presented.) is the product of 2 finite fields.

Duplex coatings of cerium and epoxy modified with polypyrrole and silver nanoparticles formed onto AZ91D Mg alloy; Recubrimientos dobles de cerio y epoxi modificados con polipirrol y nanopartículas de plata formados sobre la aleación de Mg AZ91D Loperena, Ana Paula; Lehr, Ivana Leticia; González, María Belén; Brugnoni, Lorena Inés; Saidman, Silvana Beatriz Due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability and mechanical characteristics similar to those of human bone, Mg alloys are a promising alternative as materials for the fabrication of temporary implants. However, its high rate of degradation in a physiological environment prevents their use in these applications. In order to increase the corrosion resistance of the Mg AZ91D alloy in a simulated physiological environment, double cerium and modified epoxy coatings were generated. As a first step, polypyrrole (PPy) modified with silver nanoparticles was chemically synthesized from pyrrole (Py), Ag-NO3 and Ce(SO4)2. Two sizes of nanoparticles were synthesized by varying the concentration of AgNO3 used for the synthesis of the powders. It was verified that the compounds have bactericidal properties against the Gram negative Escherichia coli (E. coli). From these results, a duplex coating was formed onto the AZ91D Mg alloy and then it was modified with the synthesized powders. The coating consisted of an inner cerium-based film and an epoxy film on top, 1 wt.% of the bactericidal composites was added to the resin before its application. Electrochemical analysis as anodic polarization, Tafel polarization curves, variation of the open circuit potential (OCP) and electrochemical impedance spec-troscopy (EIS) verified that the modified coatings were able to protect the alloy against corrosion in simulated physiological solution. The attained protection degree is attributed to the anticorrosive properties of both films and to the presence of polypyrrole (PPy) in the composite, which contributes to maintain the alloy in the passive state. At the same time, the addition of the composite confers antibacterial properties to the coating, which were evaluated through the Kirby-Bauer technique against bacteria E. coli.

Trophic ecology of the yellowfin notothen, Patagonotothen guntheri (Norman, 1937) at the Marine Protected Area Namuncurá-Burdwood Bank, Argentina Covatti Ale, Marina; Fischer, Luciana Stefania; Deli Antoni, Mariana Yanel; Díaz de Astarloa, Juan Martín; Delpiani, Gabriela Elina The yellowfin notothen Patagonotothen guntheri is an important fish species in the Marine Protected Area Namuncurá-Burdwood Bank (MPAN-BB) due to its high abundance and significant ecological role. Thus, diet composition and feeding habits were analyzed. To fulfill this purpose, percentage frequency of occurrence, prey-specific abundance, and prey-specific index of relative importance (%PSIRI) were calculated. Generalized linear models were built for the defined prey categories to assess changes in feeding associated with total length, sex, depth, and zone of capture. Two hundred fifty-two specimens were sampled (69–256 mm total length), of which 186 contained food (73.41%). According to PSIRI, ophiuroids (23.28%), unidentified polychaetes (17.92%), and Munida gregaria (12.73%) were the main prey items. However, yellowfin notothen showed variations in diet composition according to their length and the depth of capture. The consumption of decapods and other invertebrates increased with depth, while the ingestion of ophiuroids decreased. Also, the number of polychaetes was higher in the stomach content of larger specimens. The present work provides the first description and analysis of P. guntheri trophic ecology in the MPAN-BB, concluding that it is a species with a generalist diet, which feeds on a great diversity of both benthic and pelagic organisms depending on availability.

Persian Walnut (Juglans regia L.) Bud Dormancy Dynamics in Northern Patagonia, Argentina del Barrio, Ricardo Alfredo; Orioli, Gustavo Adolfo; Brendel, Andrea Soledad; Lindström, Lilia Ivone; Pellegrini, Cecilia; Campoy, José Antonio Temperate deciduous fruit trees survive winter temperatures by entering a dormant phase in their aerial meristematic organs. Release from bud dormancy occurs after chill requirements (CR) have been satisfied, whereas bud burst/flowering follows heat requirement (HR) fulfillment. The physiological basis behind these metrics remains elusive. In this study, we are presenting the first multidisciplinary dormancy progression analysis in northern Patagonia, linking (1) forcing/field phenology, (2) bud anatomical development, and (3) soluble sugar (sucrose, glucose, and fructose) dynamics in Juglans regia L. CR and HR were determined for ‘Chandler’ and ‘Franquette,’ two walnut cultivars with markedly different CR, in artificial chill/forced heat trials (three seasons) and in-field chill/forced heat tests (five seasons) using excised twigs either with or without apical buds (non-decapitated and decapitated). The soluble sugar dynamics of ‘Chandler’ (high-performance liquid chromatography) and the anatomical changes of the buds (light microscopy) of the two cultivars were analyzed during endo-ecodormancy progression in one and two seasons, respectively. The CR defined by artificial chill tests proved to be an overestimation compared to the field determinations. Moreover, HR was the main driver in the phenology dynamics, as expected for a high-chill region. ‘Chandler’ showed an average of 10.3 field chill portions (CP) and 2,163 Growing Degree Hours (GDH°C) less than ‘Franquette’ for dormancy release and bud burst, respectively. These results were consistent with the transition of the shoot apex from the vegetative to the reproductive phase and the soluble sugar profile. The decrease in sucrose between 15 and 30 days after CR fulfillment could be a reliable biological marker for endodormancy release in walnut, while the increase in fructose and glucose is likely an osmolyte and cellulosic carbon source in pre-sprouting. In addition, we discuss the effect of paradormancy thanks to our apical bud experiment (with or without). Our results improve the current understanding of endo-ecodormancy progression in walnut and provide insightful results for walnut production (i.e., cultivation practices such as pruning) as well as for further application in dormancy modeling, to infer the ideotypes that should be bred for future climate conditions.

Consumo de información en redes sociales en tiempos de pandemia: Evidencias del caso argentino; Information consumption on social networks in times of a pandemic: Evidence from the Argentine case; Consumo de informações nas redes sociais em tempos de pandemia: Provas do caso argentino Zunino, Esteban; Kessler, Gabriel; Vommaro, Gabriel Alejandro Este artículo estudia los contenidos de la información más consumida por parte de las/los usuarios/as de Facebook en Argentina, en el contexto de la pandemia por COVID-19. Se indagan: 1) los asuntos que mayor nivel de involucramiento generaron en esa red social; 2) la procedencia de las piezas informativas más relevantes; y 3) el tipo de encuadres que predominaron en el tratamiento de los diferentes problemas. Mostramos, primero, que el COVID-19 adquirió mayor relevancia que el resto de los asuntos en Facebook, aunque el nivel de involucramiento de las/ los usuarios/as sobre el tema se relacionó con la ocurrencia de diferentes eventos críticos asociados a la pandemia. Segundo, que las noticias más relevantes provinieron de medios de comunicación con marcas consolidadas, por lo que la lectura de información en la red social estuvo concentrada. Por último, que la proximidad geográfica, el conflicto, el interés humano y los rasgos afectivos explícitos en los posteos informativos constituyen rasgos de la información que explican su relevancia en la red social. El estudio consiste en un análisis de los contenidos informativos que mayor nivel de involucramiento alcanzaron (likes, comments y shares) en Facebook entre enero de 2020 y junio de 2021.; Este artigo estuda o conteúdo das informações mais consumidas pelos usuários do Facebook na Argentina, no contexto da pandemia de COVID-19. São investigados: 1) as questões que geraram o maior grau de envolvimento naquela rede social; 2) a origem das informações mais relevantes; e 3) o tipo de ambiente que predominou no tratamento dos diferentes problemas. Mostramos, em primeiro lugar, que o COVID-19 adquiriu maior relevância do que os demais problemas do Facebook, embora o nível de envolvimento dos usuários sobre o assunto estivesse relacionado à ocorrência de diversos eventos críticos associados à pandemia. Em segundo lugar, que as notícias mais relevantes vieram da mídia com marcas consolidadas, então concentrouse a leitura de informações na rede social. Por fim, que proximidade geográfica, conflito, interesse humano e traços afetivos explícitos nas postagens de notícias constituem características da informação que explicam sua relevância na rede social. O estudo consiste na análise do conteúdo informativo que atingiu o maior nível de engajamento no Facebook entre janeiro de 2020 e junho de 2021.; This article studies the contents of the most consumed information by Facebook users in Argentina, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. We investigate: 1) the issues that generated the highest level of engagement in this social media; 2) the origin of the most relevant pieces of information; and 3) the type of framing that predominated in the treatment of topics associated with the pandemic. We show, first, that COVID-19 acquired greater relevance than the other issues on Facebook, although the level of engagement of users on the subject was related to several critical events associated with the pandemic. Second, the most releant news came from media outlets with consolidated brands, so that news consumption on the social media was concentrated. Finally, geographic proximity, conflict, human interest and explicit affective features in the posts are features of the news that explain its relevance in the social media. The study consists in analyzing the news content that achieved the highest level of engagement (likes, comments and shares) on Facebook between January 2020 and June 2021.

La ciencia jurídica en la enseñanza del derecho Richter, Anna Erna Marianne Una de las preguntas más desconcertantes que se nos puede hacer a quienes investigamos y escribimos sobre el derecho es la pregunta por la utilidad de la ciencia jurídica. Más allá del disfrute personal de obtener conocimiento y agrandar las bibliotecas jurídicas con artículos que llevan nuestros nombres, ¿cuál es el aporte que brinda esta tarea a la comunidad jurídica y a toda la sociedad? En este trabajo intentaré argumentar que lacienciajurídica, y con ello la dogmática penal, no solo brinda un servicio importante a la sociedad, sino también que esa tarea requiere de un tipo de enseñanza jurídica específica, que se podría llamar el método de casos. Para ello presentaré primero algunas observaciones sobre las posibles tareas de la ciencia jurídica y, segundo, analizaré qué tipo de formación se requiere para realizar tales tareas. En un tercer punto me ocuparé de algunos desafíos pendientes respecto de la investigación y enseñanza jurídica que todavía no parecen recibir la atención que merecen.; One of the most perplexing questions that can be asked of those of us who research and write about the law is the question of the usefulness of legal scholarship. Beyond the personal pleasure of gaining knowledge and adding to law libraries with articles bearing our names, what contribution does it make to the legal profession and to society as a whole? In this paper I will try to argue that legal scholarship, and with it criminal law theory, not only provides an important service to society, but also that this task requires a particular kind of legal teaching, which could be called the case method. To this end, I will first make some remarks about the possible tasks of legal scholarship, and secondly, I will analyse what kind of training is required to carry out such tasks. Thirdly, I will address some outstanding challenges to legal research and teaching that still do not seem to receive the attention they deserve.

Binding of the angiogenic/senescence inducer CCN1/CYR61 to integrin α6β1 drives endocrine resistance in breast cancer cells Espinoza, Ingrid; Yang, Lin; Steen, Travis Vander; Vellón, Luciano; Cuyàs, Elisabet; Verdura, Sara; Lau, Lester; Menendez, Javier A.; Lupu, Ruth CCN1/CYR61 promotes angiogenesis, tumor growth and chemoresistance by binding to its integrin receptor αvβ3 in endothelial and breast cancer (BC) cells. CCN1 controls also tissue regeneration by engaging its integrin receptorα6β1 to induce fibroblast senescence. Here, we explored if the ability of CCN1 to drive an endocrine resistancephenotype in estrogen receptor-positive BC cells relies on interactions with either αvβ3 or α6β1. First, we tookadvantage of site-specific mutagenesis abolishing the CCN1 receptor-binding sites to αvβ3 and α6β1 to determine theintegrin partner responsible for CCN1-driven endocrine resistance. Second, we explored a putative nuclear role ofCCN1 in regulating ERα-driven transcriptional responses. Retroviral forced expression of a CCN1 derivative with asingle amino acid change (D125A) that abrogates binding to αvβ3 partially phenocopied the endocrine resistancephenotype induced upon overexpression of wild-type (WT) CCN1. Forced expression of the CCN1 mutant TM,which abrogates all the T1, H1, and H2 binding sites to α6β1, failed to bypass the estrogen requirement foranchorage-independent growth or to promote resistance to tamoxifen. Wild-type CCN1 promoted estradiol-independent transcriptional activity of ERα and enhanced ERα agonist response to tamoxifen. The α6β1-binding-defective TM-CCN1 mutant lost the ERα co-activator-like behavior of WT-CCN1. Co-immunoprecipitation assaysrevealed a direct interaction between endogenous CCN1 and ERα, and in vitro approaches confirmed the ability ofrecombinant CCN1 to bind ERα. CCN1 signaling via α6β1, but not via αvβ3, drives an endocrine resistance phenotypethat involves a direct binding of CCN1 to ERα to regulate itstranscriptional activity in ER+ BC cells.

Broadly neutralizing antibodies overcome SARS-CoV-2 Omicron antigenic shift Cameroni, Elisabetta; Bowen, John E.; Rosen, Laura E.; Saliba, Christian; Zepeda, Samantha K.; Culap, Katja; Pinto, Dora; VanBlargan, Laura A.; De Marco, Anna; di Iulio, Julia; Zatta, Fabrizia; Kaiser, Hannah; Noack, Julia; Farhat, Nisar; Czudnochowski, Nadine; Havenar Daughton, Colin; Sprouse, Kaitlin R.; Dillen, Josh R.; Powell, Abigail E.; Chen, Alex; Maher, Cyrus; Yin, Li; Sun, David; Soriaga, Leah; Bassi, Jessica; Silacci Fregni, Chiara; Gustafsson, Claes; Franko, Nicholas M.; Logue, Jenni; Geffner, Jorge Raúl The recently emerged SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant encodes 37 amino acid substitutions in the spike protein, 15 of which are in the receptor-binding domain (RBD), thereby raising concerns about the effectiveness of available vaccines and antibody-based therapeutics. Here we show that the Omicron RBD binds to human ACE2 with enhanced affinity, relative to the Wuhan-Hu-1 RBD, and binds to mouse ACE2. Marked reductions in neutralizing activity were observed against Omicron compared to the ancestral pseudovirus in plasma from convalescent individuals and from individuals who had been vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2, but this loss was less pronounced after a third dose of vaccine. Most monoclonal antibodies that are directed against the receptor-binding motif lost in vitro neutralizing activity against Omicron, with only 3 out of 29 monoclonal antibodies retaining unaltered potency, including the ACE2-mimicking S2K146 antibody1. Furthermore, a fraction of broadly neutralizing sarbecovirus monoclonal antibodies neutralized Omicron through recognition of antigenic sites outside the receptor-binding motif, including sotrovimab2, S2X2593 and S2H974. The magnitude of Omicron-mediated immune evasion marks a major antigenic shift in SARS-CoV-2. Broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies that recognize RBD epitopes that are conserved among SARS-CoV-2 variants and other sarbecoviruses may prove key to controlling the ongoing pandemic and future zoonotic spillovers.

Feeding strategies and ageing time alter calpain system proteins activities and meat quality of Braford steers Coria, Maria Sumampa; Pighín, Darío Gabriel; Grigioni, Gabriela Maria; Palma, Gustavo Adolfo Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ageing and feeding strategies on the calpain protease system and meat quality traits in Braford steers. Methods: Thirty Braford steers were employed; 15 animals were supplemented with corn silage during finishing and 15 were kept only on pasture. Meat quality traits and calpain system protein activity were evaluated in longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) steaks aged for 2, 7, 14, and 21 days. Results: Aged meat showed higher pH and calcium content, while Warner Bratzler shear force (WBSF) decreased to day 21. No interaction between ageing and diet was seen for quality traits. Steers finished with corn silage showed higher values of water holding capacity, WBSF and free calcium, and lower values of pH and cooking loss. Calpain and calpastatin activities decreased with ageing. Finishing steers on pasture produced higher values of calpains and lower values of calpastatin activities. The higher values of calpain 1 activity were observed in muscles aged 2 days from pasture finished animals, and the lower activity of the inhibitor in the 21 days aged samples of the same group. Conclusion: These results suggest a diet by ageing interaction in calpains and calpastatin and this interaction impact in Warner Bratzler Shear Force in Braford LTL muscle.

Evaluación de Arundo Donax L. como biocombustible para la producción de energía térmica; Evaluation of Arundo Donax L. as a biofuel for thermal energy production Pereyra Müller, Nahuel; Manzur, Alejandra Marisa; Santalla, Estela Mercedes; Córdoba, Verónica Elizabeth Se estudió el comportamiento de Arundo donax L., cultivo perenne conocido como caña de Castilla, que puede crecer en una amplia variedad de suelos, como potencial biocombustible para uso directo como fuente de energía térmica. Se determinó contenido de humedad, cenizas, sólidos volátiles, composición química y elemental y poder calorífico utilizando técnicas estándares sobre muestras de fardos de biomasa. Se evaluó el comportamiento térmico a partir de la combustión directa en equipo convencional de uso doméstico. Se analizó la eficiencia del proceso a partir de la prueba de ebullición del agua y se midieron las emisiones gaseosas en forma comparativa con otras biomasas convencionales. Los resultados del estudio indicaron que Arundo donax L. presenta un poder calorífico superior de 19,1 MJ/kg y una composición elemental con más de 45% de carbono. El test de ebullición de agua mostró para esta biomasa el menor tiempo (28 min) y consumo de combustible (1119 g/L) y la mayor velocidad de combustión (90,2 g/min) respecto a otras biomasas convencionales, mientras que el perfil de gases de combustión reveló emisiones de CO2 similares a pellets y leña (2,2%), porcentaje de CO inferior a marlos, aunque algo inestable en el tiempo y baja emisión de NOx (22,5 ppm).; The behavior of Arundo donax L., a perennial crop known as Caña de Castilla, which can grow in a wide variety of soils, was studied as a potential biofuel for direct use as a source of thermal energy. Moisture content, ash, volatile solids, chemical and elemental composition and calorific value were determined using standard techniques on samples of biomass bales. The thermal behavior was evaluated from direct combustion in conventional equipment for domestic use. The efficiency of the process was evaluated from the Water Boiling Test and the gaseous emissions from combustion were measured in comparison with other conventional biomass. The results of the study indicated that Arundo donax L. has a higher calorific value of 19.1 MJ/kg and an elemental composition with more than 45% carbon. The Water Boiling Test showed the shortest time (28 min) and fuel consumption (1119 g / L) and the highest combustion rate (90.2 g/min) compared to other conventional biomass, while the combustion gas profile showed CO2 emissions similar to pellets and firewood (2.2%), lower percentage of CO than marlos, although somewhat unstable over time, and low NOx emissions (22.5 ppm).

Defining multiple inhabitations of a cave environment using interdisciplinary archaeometry: the ‘Christmas Cave’ of the Wadi en-Nar/Nahal Qidron, West of the Dead Sea Rasmussen, Kaare Lund; van der Plicht, Johannes; Degano, Ilaria; Modugno, Francesca; Colombini, Maria Perla; de la Fuente, Guillermo Adrian; Delbey, Thomas; Frumkin, Amos; Davidovich, Uri; Porat, Roi; Shamir, Orit; Sukenik, Naama; Doudna, Greg; Taylor, Joan; Popović, Mladen The present study reports a series of interdisciplinary archaeometrical analyses of objects found in the Christmas Cave, which was discovered by John Allegro and his team in 1960 on the West Bank of the Dead Sea and assumed to be inhabited only in the Chalcolithic era and by Jewish refugees of the second century CE, at the end of the Bar Kokhba Revolt. Like many other Judaean desert caves, there was an abundance of organic material, especially textiles, surviving in the dry environment. In the absence of clear stratigraphy and even a proper publication of the finds, the present study shows how archaeometry can provide important insights. We analysed food crusts on ceramics by gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (GC–MS), made petrographic descriptions to estimated provenance of the ceramics, produced new radiocarbon dates from organic material and thermoluminescence (TL) dates from the pottery. It appears from the data that the Christmas Cave has been briefly inhabited or visited intermittently over a very long time, starting ca. 4000 BCE (the Chalcolithic period), and extending all the way to the Medieval period, even though there is also a concentration of dates near the period of the Bar Kokhba Revolt (132–136 CE). We argue, through a detailed analysis of the radiometric and TL-datings and by the artefactual evidence, that there was likely another refuge episode connected with the First Jewish Revolt during which people fled to this cave. However, we see no material connection to Qumran and nearby caves. Overall, our study demonstrates the importance of archaeometric studies in cave environments where stratigraphy is veritably absent.

In silico Analysis of the Entire P. glaucum Genome Identifies Regulatory Genes of the bZIP Family Modulated in Response Pathways to Water Stress Garay Farías, Laura Beatriz; Litwiñiuk, Sergio Leandro; Rojas, Cristian Antonio The literature reviewed places P. glaucum as a cereal characterized by its nutritional quality and high tolerance to drought stress. However, very little is known about the fine mechanism it uses in response to water stress. To try to clarify this point, we carried out an analysis of the modulation of the expression of regulatory genes of the FT bZIP family. A full genome screening of P. glaucum identified 52 putative FT bZIPs, identifying 9 FT PgbZIP differentially expressed under water stress conditions filtered from RNA-seq data from a Transcriptome deposited at the NCBI. The promoter regions of these genes presented multiple elements or cis ABREs and DRE motifs, thus suggesting their double modulated participation in the slow or adaptive response and in the rapid response of this cereal to water stress. The findings of this study provide complementary data for the understanding of the mechanism behind the adaptation of P. glaucum under water stress, and may be relevant for molecular applications of potential crops.

Consumers’ Opinion and Perception toward a Convenience Food through Projective Techniques Abalos, Rosa Ana; Naef, Elisa Fernanda; Aviles, Maria Victoria; Gómez, María Beatriz Convenience food cooked by sous vide has been developing in the field of high cuisine and restaurants. In this paper the perception of Argentinian consumers of a convenience food cooked by sous vide was explored through the use of projective techniques. The results demonstrated that good taste and convenience were the principal positive characteristics that promoted the intent to purchase a convenience food cooked by sous vide, whereas mistrust and lack of knowledge of the preparation and composition of the product discouraged the consumption.