HoSeIn: A Workflow for Integrating Various Homology Search Results from Metagenomic and Metatranscriptomic Sequence Datasets Rozadilla, Gastón; Moreiras Clemente, Jorgelina; Mccarthy, Cristina Beryl Data generated by metagenomic and metatranscriptomic experiments is both enormous and inherently noisy. When using taxonomy-dependent alignment-based methods to classify and label reads, the first step consists in performing homology searches against sequence databases. To obtain the most information from the samples, nucleotide sequences are usually compared to various databases (nucleotide and protein) using local sequence aligners such as BLASTN and BLASTX. Nevertheless, the analysis and integration of these results can be problematic because the outputs from these searches usually show inconsistencies, which can be notorious when working with RNA-seq. Moreover, and to the best of our knowledge, existing tools do not criss-cross and integrate information from the different homology searches, but provide the results of each analysis separately. We developed the HoSeIn workflow to intersect the information from these homology searches, and then determine the taxonomic and functional profile of the sample using this integrated information. The workflow is based on the assumption that the sequences that correspond to a certain taxon are composed of:1)sequences that were assigned to the same taxon by both homology searches;2)sequences that were assigned to that taxon by one of the homology searches but returned no hits in the other one.

Rab Proteins: Insights into Intracellular Trafficking in Endometrium Leiva, Natalia Lorena; Nolly, Mariela Beatriz; Ávila Maniero, Mariángeles; Losinno, Antonella Denise; Damiani, Maria Teresa Rab proteins belong to the Ras superfamily of small monomeric GTPases. These G proteins are the main controllers of vesicular transport in every tissue, among them, the endometrium. They are in charge of to the functional subcellular compartmentalization and cargo transport between organelles and the plasma membrane. In turn, intracellular trafficking contributes to endometrial changes during the menstrual cycle, secretion to the uterine fluid, and trophoblast implantation; however, few reports analyze the role of Rab proteins in the uterus. In general, Rab proteins control the release of cytokines, growth factors, enzymes, hormones, cell adhesion molecules, and mucus. Further, the secretion of multiple compounds into the uterine cavity is required for successful implantation. Therefore, alterations in Rab-controlled intracellular transport likely impair secretory processes to the uterine fluid that may correlate with abnormal endometrial development and failed reproductive outcomes. Overall, they could explain recurrent miscarriages, female infertility, and/or assisted reproductive failure. Interestingly, estrogen (E2) and progesterone (P) regulate gene expression of Rab proteins involved in secretory pathways. This review aims to gather information regarding the role of Rab proteins and intracellular trafficking in the endometrium during the different menstrual phases, and in the generation of a receptive stage for embryo implantation, modulated by E2 and P. This knowledge might be useful for the development of novel reproductive therapies that overcome low implantation rates of assisted reproductive procedures.

The Effect of different vitrification and staining protocols on the visibility of the nuclear maturation stage of equine oocytes Pereira, Blasa C.; Ortiz, Isabel; Dorado, Jesús; Diaz Jimenez, Maria; Consuegra, Cesar; Demyda Peyrás, Sebastián; Hidalgo, Manuel In this study, we compared two staining protocols assessing the nuclear chromatin stage of equine oocytes after vitrification using permeable and nonpermeable cryoprotectants. Slaughterhouse-derived oocytes (n = 155) were obtained from a total of 32 mares and in vitro matured in M199 medium for 42 hours at 38.5°C in 5% CO2. In the first experiment, two concentrations of Hoechst 33342 (HO) were tested (10 μg/mL; P1 and 2.5 μg/mL; P2) combined with 50 μg/mL of propidium iodide as staining protocols to evaluate the visibility of matured oocytes (n = 44). In the second experiment, 111 oocytes were evaluated using the staining protocol P2, before (C, control) and after vitrification following a two-step conventional protocol with (15% dimethyl sulfoxide, 15% ethylene glycol, and 0.5 M sucrose; V1) or without (1 M sucrose; V2) using permeable cryoprotectants. Our results showed that P2 provided a higher percentage of oocytes with outstanding visibility of the nuclear chromatin stage (52.17%; P < .05) in comparison with P1 (19.04%). In the second experiment, no cryoprotectant-free vitrified oocytes reached the metaphase II maturation stage. This result was significantly lower (P < .05) than conventional vitrification (15.38%) and both lower in comparison with the nonvitrified control group (42.11%). In conclusion, permeable cryoprotectant-free vitrification of equine oocytes obtained poor results and therefore cannot be considered an alternative to vitrification using permeable cryoprotectants. In addition, a staining protocol with a low concentration of HO is recommended to evaluate the nuclear chromatin stage of equine oocytes after in vitro maturation.

First study of food webs in a large glacial river: the trophic role of invasive trout Tagliaferro, Marina Beatriz; Kelly, Sean P.; Pascual, Miguel Alberto El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la estructura trófica de un gran río de la Patagonia en dos secciones (río arriba y medio) y evaluar la superposición isotópica entre especies nativas e introducidas. Utilizamos análisis de isótopos estables δ15N y δ13C y contenido estomacal. La sección río arriba tuvo una estructura de trama trófica más compleja, con mayor riqueza de macroinvertebrados y peces respecto de la sección media. Los recursos basales dominantes río arriba fueron las algas filamentosas. En esta área, la trucha de lago tuvo la posición trófica más alta entre los peces, aunque, las especies de peces más abundantes fueron las truchas arcoiris. Dependiendo del estadio, la trucha arcoiris cambió su rol de presa a competidor/depredador. En la sección media del río, la base de la trama trófica estuvo dominada por materia orgánica particulada gruesa y la trucha arcoíris adulta fue el depredador tope. Los valores isotópicos variaron entre zonas para invertebrados y peces. Las dos especies nativas e invasoras más abundantes, Puyen y trucha arcoiris, mostraron una separación isotópica en la sección media, pero no en secciones de río arriba. La presencia de peces invasores que ocupan una posición tope en los niveles tróficos puede tener un impacto significativo sobre las poblaciones de peces nativos de gran importancia ecológica en la región; The aim of this study was to determine the food webs structure of a large Patagonian river in two river sections (Upstream and Midstream) and to evaluate isotopic overlap between native and introduced species. We used stable isotope analyses of δ15N and δ13C and stomach content. The Upstream section had a more complex food webs structure with a greater richness of macroinvertebrates and fish species than Midstream. Upstream basal resources were dominated by filamentous algae. Lake Trout were found to have a higher trophic position than all other fish species in that area although, the most abundant fish species, were Rainbow Trout. Depending on the life stage, Rainbow Trout shifted from prey to competitor/predator. In the Midstream section, the base of the food webs was dominated by coarse particulate organic matter, and adult Rainbow Trout had the highest trophic level. Isotopic values changed among macroinvertebrates and fish for both areas. The two most abundant native and invasive species — Puyen and Rainbow Trout — showed an isotopic separation in Midstream but did not in Upstream areas. The presence of invasive fish that occupy top trophic levels can have a significant impact on native fish populations that have great ecological importance in the region.

Configuración y montaje de instrumento para la caracterización magnetoeléctrica de compuestos cerámicos multiferroicos Camargo, Javier Eduardo; Lere, Martin Enrique; Castro, Miriam Susana; Ramajo, Leandro Alfredo Este trabajo presenta la configuración y montaje de un equipo empleado para la cuantificar el coeficiente magnetoeléctrico dinámico (α) de compuestos cerámicos multiferroicos. En particular, se analizan las propiedades magnetoeléctricas de los compuestos de composición Bi0.5(Na0.8K0.2)0.5TiO3-Ni0.5Co0.5Fe2O4 (BNKT-NCF). En el método dinámico, la señal magnetoeléctrica (ME) es registrada midiendo el potencial eléctrico a través de la muestra bajo un campo magnético continuo y variable en presencia de un campo magnético de CA. Los elementos de medición constan de un sistema de polarización (eléctrico y magnético), para polarizar la cerámica magnetoeléctrica, y un lock-in para generar la señal alterna y filtrar el ruido. Además, dada la baja señal ME es necesario un blindaje adecuado y una sección fina de electrodos junto al amplificador tipo lock-in. El rendimiento de los dispositivos fabricados resulta satisfactorio para realizar la medición dinámica del efecto ME para materiales magnetoeléctricos basados en cerámicos multiferroicos.; In the present work, the configuration and assembly of a device used to quantify the dynamic magnetoelectric coefficient (®) of multiferroic lead-free ceramic is analyzed. In particular, the magnetoelectric properties of Bi0,5(Na0,8K0,2)0,5TiO3-Ni0,5Co0,5Fe2O4 (BNKT-NCF) ceramics are studied. In the dynamic method, the magnetoelectric signal (ME) is recorded measuring the electrical potential across the sample under a DC magnetic field in the presence of an AC magnetic field. The measuring elements consist of a polarization system (electric and magnetic), to polarize the magnetoelectric ceramics, and a lock-in to generate the alternating signal and filter out the noise. Besides due to the low ME signal, adequate shielding and a thin electrode section are necessary close to the lock-in amplifier. The performance of the manufactured devices is satisfactory to perform the dynamic measurement of the ME effect for magnetoelectric materials based on multiferroic ceramics.

Low-quality management of Marine Protected Areas in the North-East Atlantic Álvarez-Fernández, Inmaculada; Freire, Juan; Sanchez Carnero, Noela Belen The effectiveness of a marine protected area (MPA) requires adequate management plans (MgPs), good man-agement performance and effective governance. This study diagnosed management quality on 126 MPAs and 57 MgPs in four countries in the NE Atlantic Ocean (France, England, Spain and Portugal) by adapting the MPA Management Effectiveness Assessment Tool to assess management quality, and management effort, strengths and weaknesses. Despite the fact that these MPAs were, in 2013, on average 14-year old, fewer than 30% showed sufficient management capacity, 18% showed operational management, and only 3% showed effective management. Therefore, 70% could be considered unmanaged or “paper” reserves. Among their strengths, MPAs were in general well legislated in the four countries and had operational management bodies in France and England. However three key factors need to be improved in all countries: (i) periodic MgP updated; (ii) periodic MPA monitoring and assessment; and (iii) education and communication activities. Enforcement should be improved in England, France and Portugal; Portugal and Spain also need to improve the management body and England and Portugal the community participation.

Coming to light: First insight into the genetic diversity of Peale's dolphins at a Patagonian MPA Durante, Cristian Alberto; Cunha, Haydée Andrade; Crespo, Enrique Alberto; Loizaga de Castro, Rocio Genetic diversity is a measure of genetic variation among individuals of a species. This variation, a result of mutations and changes in allelic frequencies, can be maintained or not due to the action of other evolutionary forces, namely migration (gene flow), genetic drift, and natural selection (Frankham, Ballou, & Briscoe, 2002). Genetic diversity is the raw matter upon which natural selection operates, providing species with the capacity to cope with habitat changes, i.e., their evolutionary potential (Laikre, 2010). For this reason, the preservation of genetic diversity is considered an essential issue by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (McNeely, Miller, Reid, Mittermeier, & Werner, 1990; Willoughby et al., 2015), and genetic studies provide essential data for the conservation of biodiversity (Laikre, 2010).

First record of clinical coccidiosis (Eimeria ovinoidalis) in adult sheep from northwestern Argentina Olmos, Leandro Hipolito; Colque Caro, Luis Adrián; Avellaneda Cáceres, A.; Medina, D. M.; Sandoval, Gabriela Virginia; Aguirre, Héctor David; Micheloud, Juan Francisco Coccidiosis of sheep is an intestinal infection caused by protozoa of the genus Eimeria. An outbreak of the disease in adult sheep from Salta province, northwestern Argentina, was studied to establish its clinical, epidemiological, pathological and etiological aspects. The affected animals were part of a flock of 20 sheep brought from Formosa province about 10 days before. Most sheep (80% incidence) showed hemorrhagic diarrhea, dehydration and loss of body condition; six of them died and two that became permanently recumbent were euthanized. Three necropsied sheep showed mild mesenteric lymphadenomegaly, diffuse proliferative enteritis in the small and large intestines, and mucosal thickening. Histopathological studies exhibited diffuse proliferative enteritis and presence of structures compatible with intracellular coccidia at different stages of development. Parasitological studies (n = 12) resulted in an average of 16,636.6 (± 15,266.8) Eimeria oocysts per gram of feces (range 1680-46,400). Taxonomy of Eimeria species based on analysis of sporulated oocysts derived from 4 fecal samples (n = 100 oocyst per sample) showed, on average, a high prevalence of E. ovinoidalis (61.5%), followed by E. parva (27.2%), and lower proportions of E. crandallis (5.3%), E. ahsata (3.2%) and E. intricata (2.8%). Clinical and pathological findings confirmed the diagnosis of coccidiosis in the affected sheep; parasitological results showed that E. ovinoidalis was the main species responsible for the clinical signs. Clinical coccidiosis is considered unusual in adult sheep, but the present case shows that under favorable environmental and/or management conditions, this infection may be highly deleterious for adult sheep.

On the catalytic activation of water-soluble NHC-Au(I) complexes by sonication and microwave irradiation: A comparative assessment Fernandez, Gabriela Araceli; Schiel, María Ayelén; Silbestri, Gustavo Fabián Within the realm of sustainable chemistry and increasing demand for eco-compatible methods, this article describes our attempts to activate some water-soluble N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-based gold(I) complexes under two well-known and safe irradiation protocols: microwaves (MW) and ultrasound (US). A textbook reaction, alkyne hydration, was chosen to assess the performance of such activation protocols and their influence on the catalyst's ability to drive the reaction to completion. Reactions can easily be conducted in pure water or aqueous methanol (1:1). We show that sonication significantly enhances this transformation affording the product in higher yields and shorter reaction times than non-assisted reactions in water, while MW energy gives the desire product in quantitative yield in water:methanol after just 1 min.

Los derechos digitales durante la pandemia COVID-19 en Argentina, Brasil y México; Digital rights during COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina, Brazil and Mexico Bizberge, Ana; Segura, Maria Soledad Este artículo estudia estrategias, actores, condiciones y debates sobre los derechos digitales durante la pandemia de COVID-19 en México, Argentina y Brasil. El abordaje teórico es el de la comunicación como un derecho humano fundamental y las políticas de la comunicación. El enfoque metodológico es un análisis comparativo teórico-normativo y socio-político. Los ejes de debate giraron en torno a los derechos digitales de acceso, privacidad y libertad de expresión. Las políticas estatales variaron en función de la orientación política de sus gobernantes, el enfoque de políticas públicas pre-existentes y las adoptadas frente a la COVID-19, y las relaciones de fuerza existentes entre los actores involucrados en cada país. Las empresas desarrollaron estrategias regresivas de las que, en ciertos casos, tuvieron que dar marcha atrás, y algunas progresivas pero excepcionales; la sociedad civil y los organismos internacionales impulsaron soluciones progresivas y de largo plazo.; This article studies strategies, players, conditions and debates on digital rights during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico, Argentina and Brazil. The theoretical approach comes from the studies of communication as a fundamental human right and communication´s policies. The methodological approach proposes a comparative theoretical-normative and socio-political analysis. The lines of debate were the digital rights of access, privacy and freedom of expression. State policies varied depending on the political orientation of their authorities, pre-existing public policies, the specific policies adopted against COVID-19, and the competing forces of the players involved in each country. The companies developed regressive strategies from which, in certain cases, they had to reverse, also implemented some progressive but exceptional measures; while civil society and international organizations promoted progressive and long-term solutions.

Paleolimnological response to climate variability during Late Glacial and Holocene times: A record from Lake Arturo, located in the Fuegian steppe, southern Argentina Fernández, Marilén; Ponce, Juan Federico; Ramón Mercau, María Josefina; Coronato, Andrea Maria Josefa; Laprida, Cecilia; Maidana, Nora Irene; Quiroga, Diego Rubén Andrés; Magneres, Ignacio Last Glacial Maximum and Holocene environmental conditions are reconstructed from a lacustrine core obtained from Lake Arturo, located in the Fuegian steppe of southern Argentina. Proxies include diatoms, ostracods, plants remains, organic matter content and sedimentological studies, and they suggest that Lake Arturo experienced climate-related variations in the water level, hydrological balance and temporal stability throughout the last 23,200 cal yr BP. The Late Glacial period, which ended about 15,400 cal yr BP, is characterized by a few low-diversity diatom assemblages dominated by benthic and small-celled fragilarioid taxa. Between the Pleistocene-Holocene transition and the mid-Holocene, Lake Arturo was a shallow, fresh-to-brackish lake with relatively high organic productivity. Around 6200 cal yr BP, the diatom Surirella tuberosa replaced Thalassiosira patagonica, and diatom species richness fell to its lowest level in the records. Together with the presence of the ostracod Limnocythere rionegroensis, which lives in ephemeral environments, this suggests that the lake was very shallow and experienced negative hydrological balance, with hydrochemical and biological conditions that were similar to those of today. Data from other sites in southern Tierra de Fuego suggest that, around 5000 cal yr BP until 800 cal yr BP the rainfall increased and the temperature decreased as a result of an intensification of the Southern Westerlies. By that time, the Lake Arturo record indicates the existence of an ephemeral, shallow, highly saline water body. This suggests an antiphase response to the atmospheric circulation pattern between the southern humid forest and the northern steppe during the middle to late Holocene.

Chocolates artesanales e identidad territorial en retroalimentación con el destino Bariloche, Argentina; Feedback processes between craft chocolates, territorial identity and the tourist destination of Bariloche, Argentina Colino, Evelyn del Valle; Savarese, Mariana Associated with the rigorous weather of the Patagonian region and with the assistance of European immigrants, artisanal chocolate has become a symbol of Bariloche, the well-known international tourist destination of Argentina. Its production is a tradition transmitted from generation to generation. Today, Bariloche brand is a seal of quality, exclusivity and holds an image associated with the landscape beauties of the environment and even a lifestyle. Local culinary traditions are well recognized, but craft chocolate, -and the popularity achieved by some innovations created by a family of immigrants pioneer in this field-, is possibly the star product of the region. The process by which this product develops a strong territorial identity is particularly striking given that the Patagonian region is not a cocoa producer. However, there are no socio-economic studies on this case so far. From a territorial approach, this research emphasizes the chocolate-territory linkage and the association of this product to the regional tourist system. Based on the first survey carried on in this sector, the production system of Bariloche's artisanal chocolate is analyzed. Its evolution associated with the history of the place, strong profile and the marked heterogeneity between producers, innovation, expansion strategies, main opportunities, restrictions to enhance its competitive and comparative advantages in a globalized market with new demands and preferences.; Asociado a la rigurosidad del clima patagónico y de la mano de inmigrantes europeos, el chocolate artesanal se ha convertido en un símbolo del destino turístico internacional Bariloche y de una tradición que se transmite de generación en generación. Hoy la marca Bariloche es un sello de calidad, exclusividad y detenta una imagen asociada a las bellezas paisajistas del entorno e incluso un estilo de vida. Las tradiciones culinarias del territorio tienen gran reconocimiento en general, pero el chocolate artesanal, -y la popularidad alcanzada por el chocolate en rama, una innovación local creada por una familia de inmigrantes pionera en el rubro-, es posiblemente el producto estrella de la región. El proceso por el cual este producto desarrolla una fuerte identidad territorial resulta particularmente llamativo si se tiene en cuenta que la región de los Andes Patagónicos no es productora de cacao. No obstante, no existen hasta el momento estudios socio-económicos sobre el caso. Desde un enfoque territorial, esta investigación enfatiza el vínculo chocolate-territorio a partir de la asociación del producto al sistema turístico de la región. A partir del primer relevamiento realizado sobre el sector, se analiza la trama productiva del chocolate artesanal barilochense, su evolución asociada a la historia del lugar, el perfil socio-productivo de las empresas y la marcada heterogeneidad entre productores, sus recientes estrategias de innovación y expansión y las principales oportunidades y restricciones para potenciar no sólo sus ventajas comparativas, sino también competitivas en un mercado mundial globalizado con nuevas exigencias y preferencias.

Caracterización de la antena DSA 3 para uso astronómico Sarmiento, Regina; Colazo, Marcelo; Fernandez Lopez, Manuel La antena Deep Space Antenna 3 (DSA 3) instalada en Mendoza es parte de la red de la Agencia Espacial Europea para el seguimiento de naves interplanetarias en el espacio. La Argentina dispone del 10 % del tiempo operativo de esta antena para proyectos nacionales de investigación. A fines de 2017 se realizó en la estación una actualización tecnológica por la que se sustituyeron los equipos de back-end que demandó la necesidad de caracterizar la estación con esta nueva configuración. En este trabajo presentamos los resultados de senda caracterización. Adicionalmente, se trabajó en la generación de los datos de salida en formato astronómico. Este trabajo fue presentado como Tesis para obtener el grado académico de Licenciatura en Astronomía, en la Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata.

Fatty acids and stable isotopes (13C, 15N) in southern right whale Eubalaena australis calves in relation toage and mortality at Peninsula Valdes, Argentina Marón, Carina Flavia; Budge, Suzanne M.; Ward, Robert E.; Valenzuela, Luciano Oscar; Di Martino, Matías; Ricciardi, Marcos; Sironi, Mariano; Uhart, Marcela; Seger, Jon; Rowntree, Victoria J. Baleen whales accumulate fat reserves during the summer to sustain reproduction while fasting in the winter. The southern right whale Eubalaena australis population that calves off Península Valdés, Argentina, experienced high calf mortality events from 2003 to 2013 and poor nutritional states of mothers could be a contributing cause. Previous studies found that the population’s reproductive success is influenced by prey availability. Mothers unable to build sufficient fat reserves or feeding on prey with different nutritional value may fail to meet the demands of lactation. Milk is the only source of nutrients and energy for calves at Valdés, so their fatty acids (FAs) and stable isotopes should reflect their mother’s diet and feeding-ground locations. Here, we compared FA profiles and C and N stable isotopes of dead calves with those of living calves to evaluate the potential impact of maternal nutrition on calf survival. We found no differences in the FA composition of blubber in dead and living calves, indicating similar maternal diets. Likewise, the isotopic values of living and dead calves imply that their mothers had similar foraging ranges. However, FA composition was greatly affected by calf length, indicating effects of calf age and duration of nursing. These findings suggest that mothers of dead calves did not feed on different diets or feeding grounds compared to mothers of living calves. Future research should further assess the overall health and body condition of the Valdés southern right whale calves.

Brucella abortus–infected platelets modulate the activation of neutrophils Trotta, Aldana; Milillo, María Ayelén; Serafino, Agustina; Castillo Montañez, Luis Alejandro; Birnberg Weiss, Federico; Delpino, María Victoria; Giambartolomei, Guillermo Hernan; Fernández, Cecilia Gabriela; Barrionuevo, Paula Brucellosis is a contagious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella. Platelets (PLTs) have been widely involved in the modulation of the immune response. We have previously reported the modulation of Brucella abortus–mediated infection of monocytes. As a result, PLTs cooperate with monocytes and increase their inflammatory capacity, promoting the resolution of the infection. Extending these results, in this study we demonstrate that patients with brucellosis present slightly elevated levels of complexes between PLTs and both monocytes and neutrophils. We then assessed whether PLTs were capable of modulating functional aspects of neutrophils. The presence of PLTs throughout neutrophil infection increased the production of interleukin‐8, CD11b surface expression and reactive oxygen species formation, whereas it decreased the expression of CD62L, indicating an activated status of these cells. We next analyzed whether this modulation was mediated by released factors. To discriminate between these options, neutrophils were treated with supernatants collected from B. abortus–infected PLTs. Our results show that CD11b expression was induced by soluble factors of PLTs but direct contact between cell populations was needed to enhance the respiratory burst. Additionally, B. abortus–infected PLTs recruit polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells to the site of infection. Finally, the presence of PLTs did not modify the initial invasion of PMN cells by B. abortus but improved the control of the infection at extended times. Altogether, our results demonstrate that PLTs interact with neutrophils and promote a proinflammatory phenotype which could also contribute to the resolution of the infection.

A software architecture perspective about Moodle flexibility for supporting empirical research of teaching theories Campo, Marcelo Ricardo; Amandi, Analia Adriana; Biset, Julio César Moodle represents a great contribution to the educational world since it provides an evolving platform for Virtual Learning Management Systems (VLMS) that became a standard de facto for most of the educational institutions around the world. Through the pedagogical functions provided, it collects in the many globally spread out databases a huge amount of information regarding the activities that teachers and students perform during the learning process. This reality makes Moodle a natural choice for conducting experimental research by Artificial Intelligence researchers interested in theories for improving learning and teaching; particularly those related with the controversial learning styles concept. Roughly defined, a learning style intends to be a model of the way and media an apprentice acquires knowledge and hence the way a teacher should present that knowledge to the apprentice matching his/her learning style. Independently of the many controversies (be these scientific, psychological or even ethical) about the soundness and real outcomes that such ideas can bring to improve learning, it’s a worthy intriguing research area for many researchers pursuing the ideal automated teacher: the teachbot dream. Behind this goal we have developed Middle, a Moodle plug-in able to infer the learning style of each student taking a course using an advanced version of a Bayesian network model that we previously tested. Middle intends support personalized teaching based on the Felder-Silverman’s ILS model and has been evaluated through controlled experiments and pilot test in high schools and university courses. Such experiments showed promising results that shed some light on learning styles modeling and its potential outcomes. During the experience we found strong limitations in the Moodle design regarding its supposed flexibility to incorporate new functionalities. From a strict software architecture point of view, we found that such flexibility is far from being enough to easier the implementation of the dynamic computational behavior required to support a teachbot. This made our effort much harder than expected, perhaps because of the illusion induced by the widespread use of Moodle. In this article we present our results and experiences extending Moddle with intelligent behavior from a software architecture point of view, focusing on the lessons learnt in such extension. Our experience indicates that this simplicity is far from being so and hence it is worth to share the limitations and how we overcome them.

Arsenic in Latin America: New findings on source, mobilization and mobility in human environments in 20 countries based on decadal research 2010-2020 Bundschuh, Jochen; Armienta, María Aurora; Morales-Simfors, Nury; Ayaz Alam, Mohammad; López, Dina; Delgado Quezada, Valeria; Dietrich, Sebastián; Schneider, Jerusa; Tapia, Joseline; Sracek, Ondra; Castillo, Elianna; Parra, Lue-Meru Marco; Altamirano Espinoza, Maximina; Guimarães Guilherme, Luiz Roberto; Sosa, Numa Nahuel; Niazi, Khan Niazi; Tomaszewska, Barbara; Lizama Allende, Katherine; Bieger, Klaus; Alonso, David; Brandão, Pedro; Bhattacharya, Prosun; Litter, Marta Irene; Ahmad, Arslan Today (year 2020), the globally recognized problem of arsenic (As) contamination of water resources and other environments at toxic levels has been reported in all of the 20 Latin American countries. The present review indicates that As is prevalent in 200 areas across these countries. Arsenic is naturally released into the environment and mobilized from geogenic sources comprising: (i) volcanic rocks and emissions, the latter being transported over thousands of kilometers from the source, (ii) metallic mineral deposits, which get exposed to human beings and livestock through drinking water or food chain, and (iii) As-rich geothermal fluids ascending from deep geothermal reservoirs contaminate freshwater sources. The challenge for mitigation is increased manifold by mining and related activities, as As from mining sites is transported by rivers over long distances and even reaches and contaminates coastal environments. The recognition of the As problem by the authorities in several countries has led to various actions for remediation, but there is a lack of long-term strategies for such interventions. Often only total As concentration is reported, while data on As sources, mobilization, speciation, mobility and pathways are lacking which is imperative for assessing quality of any water source, i.e. public and private.

Tecnodiplomacia, o cuando la ciencia y la tecnología se convierten en herramientas de paz: El caso de la cooperación nuclear entre Argentina y Brasil en el siglo XX; Technodiplomacy, or when science and technology become tools of peace: The case of nuclear cooperation between Argentina and Brazil in the twentieth century Vera, María Nevia Desde la finalización de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, ciencia y tecnología han comenzado a ocupar un lugar preponderante en la agenda de políticas públicas de los Estados, y a ser consideradas como elementos claves de poder, especialmente la tecnología nuclear. Sin embargo, esta tecnología de usos duales no fue solo fuente de conflicto, sino que fue utilizada muchas veces como elemento de proyección de poder regional y global a través de la diplomacia atómica, práctica perteneciente al fenómeno más amplio conocido como Tecnodiplomacia. El presente artículo propone analizar el rol que la tecnología nuclear jugó en la transformación de relaciones conflictivas entre Argentina y Brasil en vínculos cooperativos estratégicos, durante el siglo XX.; Since the end of World War II, science and technology have begun to have a prominent place in State policies agendas, and to be considered key power elements, especially nuclear technology. Nonetheless, this dual use technology was not perceived only as a source of conflict but also as a key component of global and regional projection through atomic diplomacy, a practice belonging to a wider phenomenon known as technodiplomacy. This article seeks to analyze the role played by nuclear technology in the transformation of conflictive relations between Argentina and Brazil into strategic cooperative links during the twentieth century.

“Adiós querida mía, adiós tesoro”: Las acciones comunicativas de los suicidas apasionados en Buenos Aires durante el último tercio del siglo XIX; "Goodbye my dear, goodbye treasure": The communicative actions of passionate suicides in Buenos Aires during the last third of the 19th century Arroyo, Julián En el presente trabajo abordamos, desde una perspectiva histórica y sociocultural, un conjunto de casos de suicidio ocurridos en la ciudad de Buenos Aires durante el último tercio del siglo XIX, con el fin de analizar las acciones comunicativas llevadas adelante en las narraciones asociadas con pasiones románticas, sentimientos amorosos y conflictos conyugales. En este sentido, nos proponemos mostrar que si bien hubo acciones que buscaban generar dolor y pesar, también había otras que estaban orientadas a preservar la memoria del suicida entre los otros significativos.; In this paper we analyze suicide cases that occurred in the city of Buenos Aires during the last third of the nineteenth century. From a historical and sociocultural perspective, we study communicative actions in stories associated with romantic passions, love feelings and marital conflicts. Our goal is to show that there were actions with the intention of generating pain and sorrow, and there were also other acts to preserve the memory of suicide among their significant others.

La construcción de un accionar colectivo para la generación de proyectos habitacionales: Estudio de caso de una agrupación social en una ciudad media de Argentina; The construction of a collective action for the generation of housing projects: Case study of a social group in an average city in Argentina Girado, Agustina El artículo recupera la experiencia de lucha y de trabajo de una agrupación social abocada a la generación de proyectos habitacionales en una ciudad media de la provincia de Buenos Aires (Argentina). A partir de la misma se reflexiona respecto a los procesos de interacción social en variados espacios -familiares, barriales y organizacionales- así como de las características -estructurales y simbólicas- de la ciudad que habilitaron la generación de un accionar colectivo que resultó estratégico para garantizar el acceso al suelo urbano y la vivienda para vastos sectores sociales. Sumado a ello, se busca dar cuenta del carácter disputado, inacabado, fluido y muchas veces trunco, de los procesos, acciones y experiencias desplegadas por la agrupación en relación con la concreción de ciertos objetivos y de su inscripción en procesos históricos y políticos más globales. Lo desarrollado en el artículo se desprende de una investigación doctoral en Antropología Social que adoptó un enfoque etnográfico para la comprensión de los procesos sociales.; The paper recovers the experience of struggle and work of a social group dedicated to the generation of housing projects in an average city in the province of Buenos Aires (Argentina). From this, it reflects on the processes of social interaction in various spaces -family, neighbourhood and organizational- as well as the characteristics -structural and symbolic- of the city that enabled the generation of a collective action that proved strategic to guarantee access to urban land and housing for vast social sectors. In addition to this, it seeks to account for the disputed, unfinished, fluid and often truncated character, of the processes, actions and experiences displayed by the group in relation to the realization of certain objectives and their registration in more global historical and political processes. What was developed in the article follows a doctoral research in Social Anthropology that adopted an ethnographic approach to understand social processes.