Pharmacological inactivation of catsper blocks sperm fertilizing ability independently of the capacitation status of the cells: implications for non-hormonal contraception Curci, Ludmila; Carvajal, Guillermo; Sulzyk, Valeria; Gonzalez, Soledad Natalia; Cuasnicu, Patricia Sara Cation channel of sperm (CatSper), the main sperm-specific Ca2+ channel, plays a key role in mammalian fertilization, and it is essential for male fertility, becoming an attractive target for contraception. Based on this, in the present work, we investigated the effects of CatSper inactivation on in vitro and in vivo sperm fertilizing ability and the mechanisms underlying such effects. Exposure of cauda epididymal mouse sperm to different concentrations (1–20 μM) of the potent CatSper inhibitor HC-056456 (HC) during in vitro capacitation showed no effects on sperm viability but significantly affected Ca2+ entry into the cells, progressive motility, protein tyrosine phosphorylation, induced acrosome reaction, and hyperactivation, as well as the sperm’s ability to in vitro fertilize cumulus oocyte complexes and zona-free eggs. Whereas the presence of HC during gamete coincubation did not affect in vitro fertilization, exposure of either non-capacitating or already capacitated sperm to HC prior to gamete coincubation severely reduced fertilization, indicating that sperm function is affected by HC when the cells are incubated with the drug before sperm–egg interaction. Of note, insemination of HC-treated sperm into the uterus significantly or completely reduced the percentage of oviductal fertilized eggs showing, for the first time, the effects of a CatSper inhibitor on in vivo fertilization. These observations, together with the finding that HC affects sperm fertilizing ability independently of the sperm capacitation status, provide further insights on how CatSper regulates sperm function and represent a solid proof of concept for developing a male/female non-hormonal contraceptive based on the pharmacological blockage of CatSper activity.

Population responses of pest birds across a forest cover gradient in the Chaco ecosystem Verga, Ernesto Gustavo; Huais, Pablo Yair; Herrero, María Lucrecia Industrial agriculture can trigger an increase in abundance of some bird species, promoting the emergence of pests, causing damage to crops and economic loss for farmers. Even though there are different strategies to control pest birds (chemicals, hunting, repellents, etc), in general they are inefficient. Moreover, these strategies can threaten non-target species, and toxic substances can be bioaccumulated in the food chain of wildlife animals. An alternative strategy (or at least complementary) could be the design of agricultural landscapes that balance natural habitats and crop production areas in a way that would not trigger the abundance increases of potential pest birds. We assessed population trends of four bird species (potentially agricultural pests) across a forest cover gradient, and consequently, a gradient of agricultural cover expansion, at a landscape level. The study was conducted in the Chaco forest, one of the most threatened ecosystems worldwide due to agricultural expansion. Studied species were Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata), Spot-winged Pigeon (Patagioenas maculosa), Picazuro Pigeon (Patagioenas picazuro) and Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus), and their populations are often considered as the major pest birds for agriculture in several areas of Argentina and in other countries of South America. Abundances of birds species were measured in focal sites (forest patches) and the percentage of forest cover was estimated within buffers of 2000 m radius surrounding each site. A total of 12 local landscapes were surveyed. Results show that population responses (i.e. changes in abundance) to the gradient of forest cover were idiosyncratic. The main result shows that relative abundance of Eared Dove, the most abundant species, was triggered when landscapes had less than 16% of forest cover: landscapes with low forest cover (less than 10%) contained six times the relative abundance of Eared Dove than landscapes with a high percentage of forest cover (close to 100%). We propose that as pest birds in agroecosystems are a problem at the landscape or regional scale, solutions should be thought at such scale. In this context, landscapes in the region should conserve more than 16% of forest cover to attempt to control one of the most abundant pest bird species of South America.

Business with Purpose and the Purpose of Business Schools: Re-Imagining Capitalism in a Post Pandemic World: A Conversation with Jay Coen Gilbert, Raymond Miles, Christian Felber, Raj Sisodia, Paul Adler, and Charles Wookey Rocha, Hector; Pirson, Michael; Suddaby, Roy The emergence of innovative business models suggests that the foundational assumptions of competitive capitalism are increasingly in doubt. Business schools, however, appear to be followers rather than leaders in this historical moment of social change. While consumers and businesses are experimenting with new models of capitalism, business schools have been slow to change. What role should business schools play in this emerging new era of purpose-driven capitalism and business with purpose? We explore this question in conversation with six global experts, three in academia and three in practice, who are leading this change. The experts conclude that business must serve the needs of humanity rather than the needs of business. Business schools, therefore, need to reduce their emphasis on how to make businesses more rational and efficient and should instead focus on how businesses can help address more fundamental questions of the human condition.

Cdc42 localized in the CatSper signaling complex regulates cAMP‐dependent pathways in mouse sperm Luque, Guillermina Maria; Xu, Xinran; Romarowski, Ana; Gervasi, María G.; Orta, Gerardo; De la Vega Beltrán, José L.; Stival, Cintia Estefanía; Gilio, Nicolás; D'alotto Moreno, Tomas; Krapf, Dario; Visconti, Pablo E.; Krapf, Diego; Darszon, Alberto; Buffone, Mariano Gabriel Sperm acquire the ability to fertilize in a process called capacitation and undergo hyperactivation, a change in the motility pattern, which depends on Ca2+ transport by CatSper channels. CatSper is essential for fertilization and it is subjected to a complex regulation that is not fully understood. Here, we report that similar to CatSper, Cdc42 distribution in the principal piece is confined to four linear domains and this localization is disrupted in CatSper1-null sperm. Cdc42 inhibition impaired CatSper activity and other Ca2+-dependent downstream events resulting in a severe compromise of the sperm fertilizing potential. We also demonstrate that Cdc42 is essential for CatSper function by modulating cAMP production by soluble adenylate cyclase (sAC), providing a new regulatory mechanism for the stimulation of CatSper by the cAMP-dependent pathway. These results reveal a broad mechanistic insight into the regulation of Ca2+ in mammalian sperm, a matter of critical importance in male infertility as well as in contraception.

Descripción de la fauna de mosquitos (díptera culicdae) en el departamento Formosa, provincia de Formosa, República Argentina; Description of the mosquito fauna (Diptera culicidae) in the Department of Formosa, Province of Formosa. Argentine Republic Hoyos, Carlos Blas; Monzon, Carlos Manuel Una gran diversidad de especies ha sido descripta como miembros de la familia Culicidae. Ampliamente distribuidas por todo el mundo es reconocida su importancia, como vectores de diversas enfermedades. En la región del Nordeste Argentino se han producido aportes sistemáticos basados en las características de sus hábitats y la preferencia de sus hospedadores. En la provincia de Formosa se han citado solo 63 especies en contraste con los 94 citadas para la provincia del Chaco y 189 para la provincia de Misiones. El presente trabajo basó su estudio en la composición, abundancia y diversidad de la población de culícidos en el departamento Formosa.; A great diversity of species has been described as members of the family Culicidae. They are widely distributed all over the world and their importance as vectors of several diseases is well known. In the Northeastern region of Argentina, systematic contributions have been made based on their habitat characteristics and host preference. In the province of Formosa only 63 species have been cited in contrast to the 94 cited for the province of Chaco and 189 for the province of Misiones.The present work was based on the composition, abundance and diversity of the culicidae population in the department of Formosa.

Adrenal cortex stimulation with hCG in spayed female dogs with Cushing's syndrome: Is the LH-dependent variant possible? Espiñeira, Ignacio M.; Vidal, Patricia Noemi; Ghersevich, María Carolina; Arias, Elber A. Soler; Bosetti, Fernanda; Blatter, María F. Cabrera; Miceli, Diego Daniel; Castillo, Víctor A. The expression and overexpression of luteinizing hormone (LH) receptors in the canine adrenal gland cortex have been reported. Therefore, it was hypothesized that a LH-dependent form of Cushing´s syndrome (CS) could exist in dogs.

Intratables en pandemia: Cambios y continuidades en el panelismo televisivo Heram, Yamila Tomando como punto de partida la conferencia de prensa del presidente dela nación Alberto Fernández (8 de mayo de 2020) en la que anuncia la continuidad delAislamiento Social Preventivo y Obligatorio (ASPO) por COVID-19 en Argentina, nosproponemos analizar de qué manera el programa de panelismo Intratables cambió en suemisión postconferencia como consecuencia de la relevancia político-social que conllevódicho acontecimiento. El interés por indagar en una emisión postconferencia resulta relevante en la conjunción de dos aspectos centrales: por un lado, las conferencias de prensaen los inicios de la pandemia han acaparado la atención de los medios y las redes sociales,en ellas se anuncian los cambios y continuidades de la cuarentena en sus diferentes fases.Por el otro, indagar en uno de los pocos programas de la televisión que en el horario delprime time se ocupa de la actualidad bajo uno de los géneros más transversales como es elpanelismo, reviste de especial interés en un contexto de crisis sanitaria como el actual enel que el consumo de medios se ha incrementado; Taking as a starting point the press conference of the president of the nation Alberto Fernández (May 8, 2020) in which he announces the continuity of the Preventive and Mandatory Social Isolation due to COVID-19 in Argentina, we propose to analyze what in this way, the Intratables panelism program was reconfigured after this media event. The interest in investigating a post-conference broadcast is relevant in the conjunction of two central aspects: on the one hand, the press conferences at the beginning of the pandemic have captured the attention of the media and social networks, in which the changes are announced and continuities of the quarantine in its different phases. On the other hand, investigating one of the few television programs that in prime time deals with current affairs under one of the most transversal genres such as panelism, is of special interest in a context of health crisis such as the current one in which media consumption has increased.; Tomando como ponto de partida a conferencia do presidente da nação Alberto Fernández (8 de maio de 2020) em que anuncia a continuidade do Isolamento Social Preventivo e Obrigatório devido ao COVID-19 na Argentina, propomos analisar o que desta forma, o programa de painel Intratables foi reconfigurado após este evento de mídia. O interesse em investigar uma transmissão pós-conferência é relevante na conjunção de dois aspectos centrais: por um lado, as entrevistas coletivas no início da pandemia chamaram a atenção da mídia e das redes sociais, nas quais as mudanças são anunciadas e continuidades da quarentena em suas diferentes fases. Por outro lado, a investigação de um dos poucos programas de televisão que em horário nobre trata as notícias sob um dos gêneros mais transversais como o painelismo, é de especial interesse em um contexto de crise de saúde como o atual em que o consumo de mídia aumentou

Eleven years of Toxoplasma gondii serological follow-up in a goat herd and association of toxoplasmosis with reproductive losses Steffen, K.D.; Gos, Maria Laura; Gortari Castillo, Lihuel; Arias, R.O.; Venturini, M.C.; Moré, Gastón Andrés Toxoplasmosis is considered one of the most important causes of abortion in small ruminants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between Toxoplasma gondii antibody titres and reproductive losses over an 11 year period in a goat farm located in Buenos Aires province, Argentina. Blood samples were obtained from 85 goats, representing three breeds, during the last third of gestation (n = 165 gestations), in consecutive pregnancies (2008–2019), and from 51 goats during kidding to analyze seroconversion. Serum was evaluated by IFAT with T. gondii antigen, using 1:100 dilution as the cut-off titre and processed to end titre. An overall reproductive loss of 31% (51/165) was detected, including 16.4% (27/165) abortions and 14.6% (24/165) perinatal deaths. The seropositivity to T. gondii was 100% (85/85) with all animals positive in successive samplings and, therefore, considered chronically infected. Antibody titres showed average values greater than 1100 in each year and breed group. Differences in antibody levels were associated with breed and were lower in those that were predominately Creole and higher in those that were predominately Saanen. Seroconversion was detected in 16.2% (6/37) and 57.1% (8/14) of goats from the Creole and Sannen breed groups, respectively. There were no significant differences in the antibody titre average between goats with reproductive losses and those with healthy kids, although the goats with perinatal deaths had a significantly higher titre average. These results suggest reinfection or reactivation, although no association with reproductive losses was observed. Higher antibody titres were associated with perinatal deaths. The high T. gondii antibody titres in a farm with 100% seroprevalence did not allow for association with reproductive losses, particularly abortion, to be assessed.

Santonian-Campanian continentalization in the Austral-Magallanes basin: regional correlation, provenance and geodynamic setting Ghiglione, Matias; Rocha, Emilio; Raggio, Maria Fernanda; Ramos, Miguel Esteban; Ronda, Gonzalo; Moyano Paz, Damián; Varela, Augusto Nicolas; Valencia, Victor A key event in the paleogeographic evolution of the Austral-Magallanes foreland basin was the Santonian–Maastrichtian continentalization, marked by the appearance of deltaic, fluvial and wetland sequences stacked on top of deep marine deposits. The expanding ecological niche was exploited by theropods and influenced the evolutionary history of dinosaurs. We present new detrital zircon U–Pb geochronological data across this littoral to continental depocenter, in order to provide insights of its age, geographical extension, source regions and geodynamic setting. Littoral sandstones from La Anita Formation yield Maximum Depositional Ages (MDA) between ~86–80 Ma (weighted mean ages), and ~79–78 Ma youngest zircons. Our results are in accordance with a Santonian–Campanian depositional age. The sequence continues with badlands and fluvial systems (Cerro Fortaleza and La Irene Formations), followed by meandering fluvial and lacustrine deposits (Chorrillo Formation). Transgressive marine facies topping the sequence (Calafate Formation) yield a preferred Maastrichtian 69 ± 2 Ma MDA from the youngest zircon. The provenance and tectonic analyses indicate that basin shallowing during Santonian–Campanian times was driven by advance of the orogenic front, which produced the shift from a foredeep setting to a wedge-top depozone. The unroofing of progressively deeper structural levels is registered in the basin fill, which suggests exhumation in the Basement domain during the Santonian–Maastrichtian.

Consequences of Lockdown During COVID-19 Pandemic in Lifestyle and Emotional State of Children in Argentina Fasano, Maria Victoria; Padula, Marcela; Azrak, María Ángeles; Avico, Ana Julia; Sala, Marisa; Andreoli, Maria Florencia The implications of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown measurements and social isolation in children and their parents are still unknown. The aims of this study were to examine the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on emotional state, feelings and lifestyle of children and their parents, to explore the association between parental characteristics and child well-being and to examine whether the impact of lockdown depends on socio-economic status. Parents completed an online survey including data about socio-demographic information, parent and child feelings and lifestyle during lockdown. Logistic regression and correlation analysis were used to establish associations between variables. In total, 814 parents with children between 4 and 11 were included in the study. According to parents, 69.5% of the children showed changes in their emotional state, 55.3% altered their routine and 62.6% showed sleep disorders. Families with lower socio-economic status were more worried about health, shortage of food and household income (p < 0.01). Parent and children concern about food/essential items were highly associated [OR (CI 95%) 13.0 (6.81, 26.5), p < 0.01]. Adverse children’s emotional state was associated with parental feeling of loneliness (r = 0.35) and inversely associated with keeping a routine (r = −0.11). Sleep changes were inversely associated with keeping a routine and having a balcony/garden (r = −0.53 and −0.16). We conclude that lockdown affected emotional state and lifestyle of children and parents, which were strongly related. Routine and positive parental attitude supported children’s well-being. Economic issues were an important concern in families with lower socio-economic status. Our findings can help to promote child health during lockdown.

El trabajo de cuidado no remunerado en Salud en el contexto de América Latina: La centralidad durante la crisis de COVID-19; The unpaid care job in Health in the Latin America context: Its importance during the COVID-19 crisis Pautassi, Laura Cecilia El cuidado en salud asume características específicas, complejas y de alta demanda, que forman parte de un tratamiento médico, de un acto posquirúrgico o del acompañamiento en enfermedades crónicas, discapacidad o afecciones a la salud mental. Estos cuidados, principalmente a cargo de las mujeres, se encuentran invisibilizados y no han sido incorporados por las políticas y acciones estratégicas de salud. La evidencia empírica muestra que brindar cuidados en salud impacta directamente en la autonomía y calidad de vida de las cuidadoras, dado que afecta su salud física y psicológica. En el contexto de la pandemia provocada por la COVID-19, el artículo recorre las principales definiciones del trabajo no remunerado en salud (TnRS). Si bien dicho relevamiento en torno al TnRS es mas amplio (período 2000-2020), el artículo se concentra en el tratamiento de la pandemia en América Latina. La metodología utilizada es de tipo cualitativo, en base a un enfoque de género y de derechos, que permite identificar la estructura de poder asimétrica que requiere ser transformada mediante acciones transversales y en base a la interdependencia de derechos humanos. Las conclusiones presentan aprendizajes y propuestas de políticas públicas para el reconocimiento del TnRS y su necesaria distribución.

Optimal Segmentation of Electrical Distribution Networks Bonetti, Carlos Alberto; Bianchotti, J.D.; Vega, Jorge Ruben; Puccini, Gabriel Darío New ways of generating electricity make possible decentralization of energy sources. This scenario of distributed generation allows efficient management of smaller electricity networks, so called microgrids. Additional advantages include a large reliability and the capability to provide a high quality of service. A strategy to design these microgrids consists on taking advantage of existing distribution network by sectoring the system into a set of microgrids with optimal autonomy. This paper presents a one-step methodology for the optimal design of microgrids based on the virtual segmentation of a distribution system. The proposed method focuses on the optimal allocation and sizing of the distributed generation together with the determination of the virtual cut-set lines to form an optimized set of microgrids. The design methodology was implemented on IEEE 119-bus system, and was also applied to Bella Italia distribution system, a real network located in Santa Fe province, Argentina.

Whey protein hydrolysis with microbial proteases: Determination of kinetic parameters and bioactive properties for different reaction conditions Eberhardt, Agustina; López, Emilse Camila; Marino, Fernanda; Mammarella, Enrique José; Manzo, Ricardo Martín; Sihufe, Guillermo Adrian Whey protein concentrate was enzymatically hydrolysed with the microbial proteases Alcalase® and Flavourzyme® under different experimental conditions. The effect of the reaction variables on the properties of the hydrolysates was evaluated. The pH had a significant effect both on the degree of hydrolysis and on the kinetic parameters. The initial substrate concentration and the enzyme/substrate (E/S) ratio had an influence both on the degree of hydrolysis and on the hydrophobicity index, but not on the bioactive properties of the hydrolysates. The products of hydrolysis obtained with Alcalase® presented the highest degree of hydrolysis, the lowest hydrophobicity index and the best bioactive properties.

Archivo y performance: reflexiones a partir de dos amerindios no descubiertos en buenos aires, de Coco Fusco y Guillermo Gómez-Peña; Archive and performance: reflections on two undiscovered amerindians in buenos aires, by Coco Fusco and Guillermo Gómez-Peña Silva Cantoni, Marcelo Ricardo En el siguiente artículo, proponemos un análisis de la exposición del Malba Dos amerindios no descubiertos en Buenos Aires de Guillermo Gómez-Peña y Coco Fusco1 . Esta exposición fue realizada de manera virtual en el año 2020 (y continúa hasta septiembre de este año) como parte del programa llamado La historia como rumor. El fin del programa es recuperar distintas performances icónicas de América y el Caribe a partir de registros (en fotos, videos o textos), testimonios y comentarios de los distintos participantes y asistentes de la obra artística. En ese marco, Gabriela Rangel (Malba), en colaboración con Sol Henaro (Museo Universitario de Arte Contemporáneo), realizó la curaduría de una exposición de registros y testimonios de la que fue una performance paradigmática, La pareja en la jaula, presentada en la Fundación Banco Patricios en agosto de 1994. Para el análisis que sigue, prestamos especial atención algunas estrategias discursivas desplegadas por los artistas y al procedimiento de montaje que propone la exhibición del Malba, en el cual se busca contraponer la obra de Fusco y Gómez-Peña a nuestra propia historia de colonialismo y zoológicos humanos. Si bien este artículo se inscribe en un proyecto mayor de doctorado, en esta instancia nos enfocamos especialmente en el análisis de algunos de los materiales presentados en la exposición, pero al mismo tiempo recurrimos a un archivo más amplio que reúne ensayos, entrevistas de los artistas y registros audiovisuales de la presentación en Buenos Aires en particular, y de la gira en general. Nuestra investigación apunta a responder qué lecturas de la obra se pueden desplegar en la actualidad en el contexto argentino y cómo interviene en un orden del archivo que responde, a nuestro entender, a regímenes coloniales de poder.; In the following paper, we propose a review and analysis of the Malba exhibition Two undiscovered Amerindians in Buenos Aires by Guillermo Gómez-Peña and Coco Fusco. This exhibition was held virtually in 2020 as part of the program called History as Rumor. The purpose of the program is to recover different iconic performances of Latin America and the Caribbean from records (in photos, videos, or texts), testimonies, and comments of the different participants and assistants of the artistic work. Within this framework, they recovered and mounted an exhibition of one paradigmatic performance, also known as “The couple in the cage”. This action sought to present itself as a critical response to the celebratory context of the so-called “discovery of America”. For the following analysis, we pay special attention to the mounting procedure proposed by the Malba exhibition, which seeks to contrast the work of Fusco and Gómez-Peña with our own history of colonialism and human zoos. Although this work is part of a larger Ph.D. project, in this instance we focus especially on the analysis of some of the materials presented in the exhibition, but at the same time, we draw on a broader archive that brings together essays, interviews with the artists and audiovisual records of the work. Our research aims to answer what readings of the work can be deployed today in the Argentine context and how it intervenes in the order of the archive linked to dominant imaginaries and narratives of the nation.

Learning latent jet structure Dillon, Barry M.; Faroughy, Darius A.; Kamenik, Jernej F.; Szewc, Manuel We summarize our recent work on how to infer on jet formation processes directly from substructure data using generative statistical models. We recount in detail how to cast jet substructure observables’ measurements in terms of Bayesian mixed membership models, in particular Latent Dirichlet Allocation. Using a mixed sample of QCD and boosted tt jet events and focusing on the primary Lund plane observable basis for event measurements, we show how using educated priors on the latent distributions allows to infer on the underlying physical processes in a semi-supervised way.

Nesting biology of two sympatric species of Megachile (Chrysosarus) (Megachilidae) in Argentina Torretta, Juan Pablo; Basilio, Alicia Mabel; Marrero, Hugo Javier Leaf cutter bees (genus Megachile) are a diverse group of pollinators of wild and cultivated plants. Many species nest in pre-existing cavities and use diverse building materials to construct their brood cells. For instance, species of subgenus Chrysosarus add a mud layer between two layers of leaves or petals. We studied similarities and differences in their nesting biology from 13 nests of Megachile (Chrysosarus) concava and 72 nests of Megachile (C.) diversa (Megachilidae) obtained in trap nests in northern Argentina. Females of M. concava used trap nests with higher diameters, shorter length, and built a lower number of brood cells per nest compared to females of M. diversa. In the latter species, the sex ratio was female-biased, but we observed male-biased progeny in shorter trap nests, thus the sex ratio of M. diversa could be context-dependent. Reproductive success was different between species: 40.5% for M. concava and 75.8% for M. diversa, desiccation and/or mold being the principal factor of mortality of immature stages. The attack from parasitic species represented 10.8% for M. concava and only 1.2% for M. diversa. Megachile concava, based on observations of a few nests collected during autumn, could be a bivoltine species and oligolectic of Faboideae, while M. diversa is a partially bivoltine or multivoltine, and polylectic species, with a marked turnover of pollen resource throughout its extensive reproductive season. Differences in the trophic niche and, to a lesser extent, in the inner diameter of trap nests used could allow their coexistence in the studied forests.

Are populations of Polylepis australis locally adapted along their elevation gradient? Marcora, Paula Inés; Tecco, Paula Andrea; Ferrero, María Cecilia; Ferreras, Ana Elisa; Zeballos, Sebastián Rodolfo; Funes, Guillermo; Gurvich, Diego Ezequiel; Arias, Gonzalo; Cáceres, Yolanda; Hensen, Isabell Mountain ecosystems are characterized by steep environmental gradients. Species with broad elevation distribution are exposed to contrasting climatic conditions along their gradients. In response to those changes, species might develop ecotypes adapted to the local climate. Early regeneration is the most critical stage for plant populations and, therefore, withstands strong selection pressures. Previous studies showed a unimodal pattern of intraspecific variability in fitness components among Polylepis australis populations along their elevation gradient in the mountains of central Argentina. Whether this variability is the result of local populations’ adjustments to their respective site remains unknown. We tested the hypothesis that P. australis populations from different elevations would be locally adapted to their local environments, where they would perform better than populations from other elevations (origins). We applied an experimental approach by establishing common gardens at three contrasting elevations. Seeds and saplings of P. australis populations from the low, mid- and high elevation belts of the species distribution gradient (i.e. three origins) were reciprocally sown and transplanted in three elevation sites (low, mid- and high). Seed germination success, sapling growth and mortality were monitored for three years. Our main results show that the origin of populations influenced germination success and sapling growth, whereas sapling mortality was marginally affected. Populations of both elevation extremes seem to be more adjusted to local conditions than the population from the intermediate elevation, probably due to the harsher environmental conditions for plant regeneration typical of the lower and upper elevation belts of semiarid mountains. Finally, our results strongly suggest that temperature rise due to climate change in this mountain area might have negative effects on the regeneration of P. australis populations.

Spaser and optical amplification conditions in graphene-coated active wires Prélat, Leila; Cuevas, Mauro; Passarelli, Nicolás; Bustos Marun, Raul Alberto; Depine, Ricardo Angel This work analyzes the optical properties of a localized surface plasmon (LSP) spaser made of a dielectric active wire coated with a graphene monolayer. Our theoretical results, obtained by using rigorous electromagnetic methods, illustrate the non-radiative transfer between the active medium and the LSPs of graphene. In particular, we focus on the lasing conditions and the tunability of the LSP spaser in two cases: when the wire is made of an infrared/terahertz transparent dielectric material and when it is made of a metal-like material. We analyze the results by comparing them with analytical expressions obtained by using the quasistatic approximation. We show that the studied systems present a high tunability of the spaser resonances with the geometrical parameters as well as with the chemical potential of graphene.

Las Emociones en la Antigüedad: indignación y envidia en Aristóteles y Aristófanes; Emotions in Antiquity: Indignation and Envy in Aristotle and Aristophanes Fernandez, Claudia Nelida El estudio de las emociones en la Antigüedad ha tenido en las última décadas una gran eclosión. En su desarrollo, la propuesta aristotélica de los afectos (páthe) ha recibido una atención especial. En ese marco, se ha observado que la emoción de la ´indignación´, tal como la define el Estagirita (un sentimiento doloroso producido por la percepción de una inmerecida prosperidad, Rh. 1387a8-9) no habría recibido por parte los griegos el nombre que este le asigna (tò nemesân). La objeción se funda, sobre todo, en los testimonios de las oraciones forenses (s. IV a.C.). Nuestra propuesta incorpora el testimonio de la comedia aristofánica a la discusión, ya que la indignación ha sido considerada por muchos (Cooper, Golden, Rosenbloom, entre otros) la emoción típica de la comedia.; The study of emotions in Antiquity has burst in the last decades. In its development, the Aristotelian systematization of affections (πάθη) (“Book II” of his Rhetoric) has received special attention. In this context, it has been noticed that the emotion of ‘indignation’, as it is defined by the Stagirite (a painful feeling produced by the perception of undeserved prosperity, Rhetoric 1387a8-9) would not have been named by the Greeks as he did it (τὸ νεμεσᾶν). The objection is founded, above all, on the testimonies of forensic speeches (4th century BC). Our proposal incorporates the testimony of Aristophanic comedy into the discussion, since indignation has been considered by many (Cooper, Golden, Rosenbloom, among others) the typical emotion of comedy.

Vibrational spectroscopy in catalysis: The power of synergy between theory and experiment Ganduglia Pirovano, M. V.; Lustemberg, Pablo German; Busnengo, Heriberto Fabio; Bosco, Marta Verónica; Bonivardi, Adrian Lionel The complexity of real (powder) catalysts hinders the fundamental understanding of their structure, which is essential to establish the relationship between structure and reactivity. Moreover, the possibility of understanding the mechanism of catalytic reactions depends very much on the chances of isolating intermediates in the study of each step in the catalytic cycle. Understanding catalyst structure and reaction mechanism can be obtained by a reductionist approach consisting in creating and evaluating experimental and theoretical model catalysts that mimic the real ones in their complexity. The feasibility of such an approach to date is undoubtedly due to recent advancements in characterization techniques and theoretical methods. In-situ vibrational spectroscopy offers a very powerful experimental tool box, allowing investigation of catalysts surfaces at the molecular level and reaction intermediates on both real and model catalysts than can help bridge the gap between them. Yet, the interpretation of vibrational spectra is far from trivial and the synergy between theory and experiment is essential to it.