Role of hydroxymethylglutharyl-coenzyme A reductase in the induction of stem-like states in breast cancer Marks, Maria Paula; Giménez, Carla Alejandra; Isaja, Luciana; Vera, Mariana Belén; Borzone, Francisco Raúl; Pereyra Bonnet, Federico Alberto; Romorini, Leonardo; Videla Richardson, Guillermo; Chasseing, Norma Alejandra; Calvo, Juan Carlos; Vellón, Luciano Purpose: De novo synthesis of cholesterol and its rate-limiting enzyme, hydroxymethylglutharyl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR), is deregulated in tumors and critical for tumor cell survival and proliferation. However, the role of HMGCR in the induction and maintenance of stem-like states in tumors remains unclear. Methods: A compiled public database from breast cancer (BC) patients was analyzed with the web application SurvExpress. The web application Cell Miner was used for the analysis of HMGCR expression and statin sensitivity of the NCI-60 cell lines panel. A CRISPR-on system was used to induce HMGCR overexpression in the luminal BC cell line MCF-7 and a lentiviral pLM-OSKM system for the reprogramming of MCF-7 cells. Comparisons were performed by two-tailed unpaired t-test for two groups and one- or two-way ANOVA. Results: Data from BC patients showed that high expression of several members of the mevalonate pathway were associated with lower recurrence-free survival, particularly in hormone-receptor-positive BC. Cell Miner showed that HMGCR is expressed in several BC cancer cell lines, data validated by qRT-PCR in a BC cell lines panel. BC cells showed a subtype-dependent response to statins in silico and in vitro, partially determined by HMGCR. A stem-like phenotype was demonstrated upon HMGCR expression in MCF-7 cells, characterized by expression of the pluripotency markers NANOG, SOX2, increased CD44+/CD24low/-, CD133+ populations and increased mammosphere formation. Pluripotent and cancer stem cell lines showed high expression of HMGCR whereas cell reprogramming of MCF-7 cells did not increase HMGCR expression. Conclusion: HMCGR is associated with lower recurrence-free survival in BC and with stablished stem states.

Hybrid optimization model with Neural Network approach for renewable energy prediction and scheduling in large scale systems Alvarez, Gonzalo Exequiel Climate change demands clean energy solutions, and renewable sources such as solar and wind are prime candidates. However, their variability poses challenges for their integration into large-scale power systems. This paper addresses this issue by proposing a novel hybrid mathematical model. The proposal integrates both fossil and renewable sources, considering real-world constraints such as system demand, reserves, and transmission dynamics. The model combines several approaches. By using a novel block composition technique, the computational complexity is reduced, making the model applicable to large-scale systems. A neural network is also developed to improve the forecasting of renewable energy production, which is crucial for managing its intermittency. The effectiveness of the proposed model is tested by considering the large Argentinean electricity system, demonstrating its practical applicability. The results show that acceptable forecasts can be obtained for the generation and transmission scheduling of the whole system.

EWOCS-I: The catalog of X-ray sources in Westerlund 1 from the Extended Westerlund 1 and 2 Open Clusters Survey Guarcello, Mario Giuseppe; Flaccomio, Ettore; Albacete Colombo, Juan Facundo; Almendros Abad, Víctor; Anastasopoulou, Konstantina; Andersen, M.; Argiroffi, C.; Bayo, Amelia; Bartlett, E.S.; Bastian, N.; De Becker, Michaël; Best, William M. J.; Bonito, R.; Borghese, Alice; Calzetti, D.; Castellanos, R.; Cecchi Pestellini, C.; Clark, J. S.; Clarke, C. J.; Zelati, Francesco Coti; Damiani, Jeremy; Drake, J.J.; Gennaro, Mario; Mapelli, M.; Martinez Galarza, J. R.; Micela, G.; Miceli, M.; Moraux, E.; Winter, A.; Wright, N. J.; Zeidler, Peter Context. With a mass exceeding several 104 M⊙ and a rich and dense population of massive stars, supermassive young star clusters represent the most massive star-forming environment that is dominated by the feedback from massive stars and gravitational interactions among stars. Aims. In this paper we present the Extended Westerlund 1 and 2 Open Clusters Survey (EWOCS) project, which aims to investigate the influence of the starburst environment on the formation of stars and planets, and on the evolution of both low and high mass stars. The primary targets of this project are Westerlund 1 and 2, the closest supermassive star clusters to the Sun. Methods. The project is based primarily on recent observations conducted with the Chandra and JWST observatories. Specifically, the Chandra survey of Westerlund 1 consists of 36 new ACIS-I observations, nearly co-pointed, for a total exposure time of 1 Msec. Additionally, we included 8 archival Chandra/ACIS-S observations. This paper presents the resulting catalog of X-ray sources within and around Westerlund 1. Sources were detected by combining various existing methods, and photon extraction and source validation were carried out using the ACIS-Extract software. Results. The EWOCS X-ray catalog comprises 5963 validated sources out of the 9420 initially provided to ACIS-Extract, reaching a photon flux threshold of approximately 2 × 10−8 photons cm−2 s −1 . The X-ray sources exhibit a highly concentrated spatial distribution, with 1075 sources located within the central 1 arcmin. We have successfully detected X-ray emissions from 126 out of the 166 known massive stars of the cluster, and we have collected over 71 000 photons from the magnetar CXO J164710.20-455217.

Fire Alarm! Gago, Maria Veronica Short Takes: Provocations on Public Feminism, an open-access feature of Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society, offers brief comments from prominent feminists about a book that has shaped popular conversations about feminist issues. Short Takes is part of the Feminist Public Intellectuals Project.

Genome sequencing and analysis of black flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus) reveals new insights into Pleuronectiformes genomic size and structure Villarreal, Fernando Daniel; Burguener, Germán Federico; Sosa, Ezequiel Omar; Stocchi, Nicolas; Somoza, Gustavo Manuel; Turjanski, Adrian; Blanco, Andres; Viñas de Puig, Jordi; Mechaly, Alejandro Black flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus, Pleuronectiformes) is a commercially significant marine fish with promising aquaculture potential in Argentina. Despite extensive studies on Black flounder aquaculture, its limited genetic information available hampers the crucial role genetics plays in the development of this activity.In this study, we first employed Illumina sequencing technology to sequence the entire genome of Black flounder. Utilizing two independent libraries—one from a female and another from a male—with 150 bp paired-end reads, a mean insert length of 350 bp, and over 35 X-fold coverage, we achieved assemblies resulting in a genome size of ~538 Mbp. Analysis of the assemblies revealed that more than 98% of the core genes were present, with more than 78% of them having more than 50% coverage.This indicates a somehow complete and accurate genome at the coding sequence level. This genome contains 25,231 protein-coding genes, 445 tRNAs, 3 rRNAs, and more than 1,500 non-coding RNAs of other types. Black flounder, along with pufferfishes, seahorses, pipefishes, and anabantid fish, displays a smaller genome compared to most other teleost groups. In vertebrates, the number of transposable elements (TEs) is often correlated with genome size. However, it remains unclear whether the sizes of introns and exons also play a role in determining genome size. Hence, to elucidate the potential factors contributing to this reduced genome size, we conducted a comparative genomic analysis between Black flounder and other teleost orders to determine if the small genomic size could be explained by repetitive elements or gene features, including the whole genome genes and introns sizes. We show that the smaller genome size of flounders can be attributed to several factors, including changes in the number of repetitive elements, and decreased gene size, particularly due to lower amount of very large and small introns. Thus, these components appear to be involved in the genome reduction in Black flounder. Despite these insights, the full implications and potential benefits of genome reduction in Black flounder for reproduction and aquaculture remain incompletely understood, necessitating further research.

Una aproximación a la apicultura en clave de género; An approach to beekeeping in a gender key Vázquez, Jimena Soledad; Vázquez, Javier Carlos La apicultura es una actividad con un valor sociocultural, económico y ecológico. En Argentina, el principal producto de la colmena es la miel. La investigación marco pretende la elaboración de un diagnóstico con perspectiva de género sobre la actividad. La complejidad del fenómeno demanda una triangulación de datos cualitativos y cuantitativos. Aquí presentamos los segundos, recabados a través de dos cuestionarios durante cinco meses de trabajo de campo realizado durante el año 2023. Entre los principales resultados podemos mencionar que la apicultura aparece como una actividad masculinizada, aunque hay una participación de mujeres predominantemente en tareas de producción y venta de productos. Es una actividad considerada como vocacional y familiar, manejada en general por dos personas y con bajos niveles de registro sobre la productividad. La mayoría de los/as productores/as no participa de cooperativas apícolas, ni posee salas de extracción de miel propias.; Beekeeping is an activity with sociocultural, economic and ecological value. In Argentina, the main product of the hive is honey. The framework research aims to develop a diagnosis with a gender perspective on the activity. The complexity of the phenomenon demands a triangulation of qualitative and quantitative data. Here we present the latter, collected through two questionnaires during five months of field work carried out during the year 2023. Among the main results we can mention that beekeeping appears as a masculinized activity, although there is predominantly female participation in production tasks. and product sales. It is an activity considered vocational and family, generally managed by two people with low levels of productivity records. The majority of producers do not participate in beekeeping cooperatives, nor do they have their own honey extraction rooms.

Planet formation around intermediate-mass stars. I: different disc evolutionary pathways as a function of stellar mass Ronco, María Paula; Schreiber, Matthias R.; Villaver, E.; Guilera, Octavio Miguel; Miller Bertolami, Marcelo Miguel Context. The study of protoplanetary disc evolution and theories of planet formation has predominantly concentrated on solar- (andlow-) mass stars since they host the majority of confirmed exoplanets. Nevertheless, the confirmation of numerous planets orbitingstars more massive than the Sun (up to ∼3 M⊙) has sparked considerable interest in understanding the mechanisms involved in theirformation, and thus in the evolution of their hosting protoplanetary discs.Aims. We aim to improve our knowledge of the evolution of the gaseous component of protoplanetary discs around intermediate-massstars and to set the stage for future studies of planet formation around them.Methods. We study the long-term evolution of protoplanetary discs affected by viscous accretion and photoevaporation by X-ray andfar-ultraviolet (FUV) photons from the central star around stars in the range of 1–3 M⊙, considering the effects of stellar evolution andsolving the vertical structure equations of the disc. We explore the effect of different values of the viscosity parameter and the initialmass of the disc.Results. We find that the evolutionary pathway of protoplanetary disc dispersal due to photoevaporation depends on the stellar mass.Our simulations reveal four distinct evolutionary pathways for the gas component not reported before that are a consequence of stellarevolution and that likely have a substantial impact on the dust evolution, and thus on planet formation. As the stellar mass increasesfrom one solar mass to ∼1.5–2 M⊙, the evolution of the disc changes from the conventional inside-out clearing, in which X-ray photoevaporation generates inner holes, to a homogeneous disc evolution scenario where both inner and outer discs formed after a gap isopened by photoevaporation vanish over a similar timescale. As the stellar mass continues to increase, reaching ∼2–3 M⊙, we identifya distinct pathway that we refer to as revenant disc evolution. In this scenario, the inner and outer discs reconnect after the gap opened.For the largest masses, we observe outside-in disc dispersal, in which the outer disc dissipates first due to a stronger FUV photoevaporation rate. Revenant disc evolution stands out as it is capable of extending the disc lifespan. Otherwise, the disc dispersal timescaledecreases with increasing stellar mass except for low-viscosity discs

Uso de pantallas y su influencia en la cognición y los hitos del desarrollo motor de infantes mexicanos; Use of screens and their influence on cognition and motor development milestones in Mexican infants Robles Estrada, Erika; del Carpio Ovando, Perla S.; Gago Galvagno, Lucas Gustavo El uso de pantallas está presente a temprana edad. Aunque hay evidencia de los efectos negativos del uso de dispositivos digitales en el desarrollo cognitivo de los niños, su estudio aún es un área emergente en países como México. El objetivo de este artículo fue describir y asociar el uso de pantallas con el lenguaje y los hitos del desarrollo de infantes mexicanos. Participaron 91 cuidadores primarios de infantes entre 12 y 36 meses, de diferentes regiones de México (Medad = 24.14 meses, DE = 8.26, mujer = 39.56%, hombre = 60.44%). Los instrumentos aplicados fueron la Encuesta Permanente de Hogares, Historia Clínica, Cuestionario del Uso de Libros y Pantallas Digitales, Cuestionario de Hitos del Desarrollo e Inventario de Desarrollo Comunicativo II. Los resultados indican que los infantes usan pantallas digitales entre 3 y 4 horas por día. La televisión es la más utilizada, así como el tiempo de uso que se comparte con algún adulto. A medida que aumenta el número de horas frente a las pantallas, la densidad léxica y uso de oraciones es menor. A medida que aumenta el uso de pantallas en el hogar, la adquisición de los hitos del desarrollo motor y del lenguaje es más tardía. Además, cuanto más acompaña un adulto al infante durante el uso de pantallas, hay mayores puntajes en los reportes de densidad léxica y uso de oraciones. Por último, se encontraron modelos generales estadísticamente significativos entre las variables dependientes, que fueron la densidad léxica que explicó el 28.9% de la variabilidad y los hitos del desarrollo motor, explicando el 16.7%. Las variables independientes fueron edad del niño, tiempo de uso y uso compartido. Sin embargo, sólo el uso compartido de pantallas predijo una adquisiciónmás temprana de los hitos del desarrollo motor. Se concluye que el uso de pantallas contribuiría de forma negativa al desarrollo temprano, aunque si hay un adulto acompañando su uso podría generar contribuciones positivas, lo que refuerza los estudios previos y las recomendaciones de aminorar su uso en los primeros años de vida.; The use of screens is present at a young age, however, it is documented that it has negative effects on the cognitive development of infants, although its study is still an emerging area in countries like Mexico, in such a way that the objective of this article was to describe and associate the use of screens with language and developmental milestones of Mexican infants. 91 primary caregivers of infants between 12 and 36 months, from different regions of Mexico participated (Mage = 24.14 months, SD = 8.26, female = 39.56%, male = 60.44%). The instruments applied were the Permanent Household Survey, Clinical History, Questionnaire on the Use of Books and Digital Screens, Questionnaire of Development Milestones and Inventory of Communicative Development II. The results indicate that infants use digital screens between 3 and 4 hours per day, television is the most used, as well as the time of use that is shared with an adult. As the number of hours in front of the screens increases, the lexical density and use of sentences is lower. As the use of screens in the home increases, the acquisition of developmental motor and language milestones is later. When an adult accompanies the infant, there is a higher use of lexical density, and the use of sentences is greater. Finally, general statistically significant models were found between the dependent variables, which were lexical density, which explained 28.9% of the variability, and motor development milestones, explaining 16.7%. The independent variables were child’s age, time of use, and shared use. However, only screen sharing predicted earlier acquisition of motor developmental milestones. It is concluded that the use of screens would contribute negatively to early development, although if there is an adult accompanying their use it could generate positive contributions, which reinforces previous studies and the recommendations to reduce their use in the first years of life.

Acciones e imágenes sobre la pobreza urbana en Buenos Aires y Seattle; Actions and images on urban poverty in Buenos Aires and Seattle Canevaro, Santiago; Viotti, Nicolas; Elwood Faustino, Sarah En el presente artículo analizamos la construcción relacional de la clase media en relación con la pobreza a partir de un trabajo comparativo entre Seattle y Buenos Aires durante el período de recuperación relativa de la crisis socioeconómica de la primera década del milenio. Con la teoría de la pobreza relacional como eje conceptual, entendemos que se reproducen o se desafían subjetividades de clase mediante interacciones que atraviesan o confrontan los límites entre grupos sociales. Y, también, que las relaciones con la pobreza pueden producir lecturas alternativas de la formación de la clase media en Estados Unidos y Argentina.; In this article we analyze the relational construction of the middle class from a comparative study between Seattle and Buenos Aires during the period of relative recovery of the socioeconomic crisis. With the theory of relational poverty as a conceptual axis, we understand that class subjectivities are reproduced or challenged through interactions that cross or confront the boundaries between social groups. Our analysis reveals that poverty is a key point for the formation of middle-class groups in both countries and that poverty can produce alternative readings of the formation of the middle class in the United States and Argentina.

Múltiples caminos a la tesina; Multiple Paths to the Thesis Camou, Antonio; Benitez Larghi, Hector Sebastian; Pinedo, Jerónimo; Di Piero, María Emilia; González Canosa, Mora; Balerdi, Soledad; Busso, Mariana El presente artículo reúne parte de los intercambios que tuvieron lugar en agosto de 2023 en ocasión de la segunda edición de la “Jornadas de tesinas del Departamento de Sociología”, en donde docentes, graduades y estudiantes de la carrera reflexionaron sobre las características de la tesina y las distintas formas de realizarla. El conversatorio titulado “Múltiples caminos a la tesina” fue moderado por Antonio Camou y participaron en calidad de expositoras/es (en orden alfabético): Emilia Di Piero, Jerónimo Pinedo, Mariana Busso, Mora González Canosa, Rodolfo Iuliano, Sebastián Benítez Larghi y Soledad Balerdi.; This paper brings together part of the conversations maintained during August 2023 in the second “Jornada de tesinas del Departamento de Sociología”. The professionals of the Department reflected on the writing of the thesis. It was moderated by Antonio Camou and Emilia Di Piero, Jerónimo Pinedo, Mariana Busso, Mora González Canosa, Rodolfo Iuliano, Sebastián Benítez Larghi and Soledad Balerdi participated.

Greedy-like bases for sequences with gaps Berasategui, Miguel Hernán; Berná, Pablo M. In 2018, Oikhberg introduced and studied variants of the greedy and weak greedy algorithms for sequences with gaps, with a focus on the n-t-quasi-greedy property that is based on them. Building upon this foundation, our current work aims to further investigate these algorithms and bases while introducing new ideas for two primary purposes. First, we aim to prove that for  n with bounded quotient gaps, n-t-quasi-greedy bases are quasi-greedy bases. This generalization extends a previous result to the context of Markushevich bases and, also, completes the answer to a question by Oikhberg. The second objective is to extend certain approximation properties of the greedy algorithm to the context of sequences with gaps and study if there is a relationship between this new extension and the usual convergence.

Concomitant Therapy of Inactivated Enterococcus faecalis CECT7121 with Fluoroquinolones in a Salmonella Enteritidis Murine Sepsis Model Schofs, Laureano; Sparo, Mónica Delfina; García Allende, Natalia; de Yaniz, María Guadalupe; Confalonieri, Alejandra; Sanchez Bruni, Sergio Fabian AbstractOptimization of existing antimicrobial therapies is a strategy proposed for extending antimicrobial activity and delaying resistance development. This study aimed to assess the effect of inactivated E. faecalis CECT7121 (I-EFCECT7121) in a combined therapy with Enrofloxacin or Ciprofloxacin in a S. Enteritidis murine sepsis model. Firstly, dose titration studies were performed to set up: (a) Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) Lethal dose 99 (LD99) and (b) safety of I-EFCECT7121 (c) I-EFCECT7121 dosage scheme. Then, I-EFCECT7121 in combined therapy with 4 doses (5 mg/kg) per 12 h of CFX and EFX in an LD99 BALB/c infection, were evaluated. Survival rate was monitored for 20 days in order to estimate the treatment success. The efficacy of both drugs was improved by combining them with the inactivated bacteria. However, only a significant increase (p < 0.05) was observed after I-EFCECT7121 and CFX combined treatment (40% of survival rate). By contrast, each drug alone achieved a 10% of survival rate. These outcomes showed a potential therapeutic synergism when I-EFCECT7121 was concomitantly given with ciprofloxacin.

Thermal limits along tropical elevational gradients: Poison frog tadpoles show plasticity but maintain divergence across elevation Paez Vacas, Monica Isabel; Funk, W. Chris Temperature is arguably one of the most critical environmental factors impacting organisms at molecular, organismal, and ecological levels. Temperature variation across elevation may cause divergent selection in physiological critical thermal limits (CTMAX and CTMIN). Generally, high elevation populations are predicted to withstand lower environmental temperatures than low elevation populations. Organisms can also exhibit phenotypic plasticity when temperature varies, although theory and empirical evidence suggest that tropical ectotherms have relatively limited ability to acclimate. To study the effect of temperature variation along elevational transects on thermal limits, we measured CTMAX and CTMIN of 934 tadpoles of a poison frog species, Epipedobates anthonyi, along two elevational gradients (200–1700 m asl) in southwestern Ecuador to investigate their thermal tolerance across elevation. We also tested if tadpoles could plastically shift their critical thermal limits in response to exposure to different temperatures representing the range of temperatures they experience in nature (20 °C, 24 °C, and 28 °C). Overall, we found that CTMAX did not change across elevation. In contrast, CTMIN was lower at higher elevations, suggesting that elevational variation in temperature influences this thermal trait. Moreover, all populations shifted their CTMAX and CTMIN according to treatment temperatures, demonstrating an acclimation response. Overall, trends in CTMIN among high, mid, and low elevation populations were maintained despite plastic responses to treatment temperature. These results demonstrate that, for tadpoles of E. anthonyi across tropical elevational gradients, temperature acts as a selective force for CTMIN, even when populations show acclimation abilities in both, CTMAX and CTMIN. Our findings advance our understanding on how environmental variation affects organisms’ evolutionary trajectories and their abilities to persist in a changing climate in a tropical biodiversity hotspot.

Semiclosed multivalued projections Arias, Maria Laura; Contino, Maximiliano; Maestripieri, Alejandra Laura; Marcantognini Palacios, Stefania Alma María A multivalued projection is an idempotent linear relation with invariant domain. We characterize multivalued projections that are operator ranges (called semiclosed) and provide several formulae of them. Moreover, we study the decomposability and continuity of multivalued projections, and describe nilpotent relations.

Primer registro de Promops centralis (Chiroptera, Molossidae) en Misiones, Argentina, a través de métodos acústicos; First records of Promops centralis (Chiroptera, Molossidae) from Misiones, Argentina, thought by acoustic methods Olmedo, María Luz; González Noschese, Camila Sofía; Díaz, María Mónica Se reporta el primer registro de Promops centralis para la provincia de Misiones (Argentina) a partir de métodos bioacústicos, sumando la tercera provincia y dos nuevas ecorregiones a su distribución. Entre octubre del 2021 y octubre del 2022, se realizaron relevamientos acústicos en diferentes localidades en Misiones, utilizando un Echo Meter Touch y un Song Meter Mini Bat, y se obtuvieron ocho registros, el análisis de las llamadas evidenciaron las características típicas de las de P. centralis. Estos registros extienden la distribución de P. centralis aproximadamente 320 km hacia el este en Argentina, contribuyendo a llenar los huecos de información existentes para esta especie en el país.; We report the first record of Promops centralis from Misiones province (Argentina) with acoustic methods, adding the third province and two new ecoregions to its distribution. Between October 2021 and October 2022, acoustic surveys were conducted using an Echo Meter Touch and a Song Meter Mini Bat, eight records were obtained; the analysis of the calls revealed the typical characteristics of those of P. centralis. These records extend the distribution of P. centralis approximately 320 km eastward in Argentina, filling the information gaps on this species in the country.

Genome analysis of three isolates of Stemphylium lycopersici differ in their virulence and sporulation ability: Identification of effectors, pathogenesis and virulence factors Medina, Rocio; Franco, Mario Emilio Ernesto; Bartel, Laura Cecilia; Lucentini, Cesar Gustavo; López Diaz, Silvina M. Y.; Saparrat, Mario Carlos Nazareno; Balatti, Pedro A. Tomato grey leaf spot is a fungal disease that provokes losses in tomato yield. The aimof this work is to analyse genomic differences among three isolates of Stemphylium lycopersici that differ in virulence and sporulation. The bioinformatics analysis led us topredict the identity of putative effectors, pathogenesis and virulence factors. Like thegenome of other necrotrophic pathogens, Stemphylium encodes a wide spectrum ofeffectors, including an ample and diverse array of carbohydrate-degrading enzymes.Interestingly, the number of predicted effectors was unrelated to virulence. Low virulence appeared to be associated with the presence of several double-stranded RNAsfrom viruses as well as cellular processes related to protein degradation, redox anddetoxifying processes and monoterpenes production. This is the first identificationof the potential effectors of tomato–S. lycopersici interaction; nonetheless functionalstudies should be done.

The Fort of “San Simón De La Ramada” (Tucumán, 17th-18th Centuries): Documentary Base for its Archaeological Study Caria, Mario Alejandro The importance of the study of the forts or forts lies inthe fact of being able to understand the role they played in thedifferent war conflicts throughout time and space in the currentArgentine territory. As we know, the border line made up of fortsand reductions, together with the military tactics of attack anddefense, led the colonizing communities to a successful end in thewars they faced, with the indigenous people being harmed. Thissituation would be repeated throughout the Spanish conquest inour territory.

The pharyngeal taste organ of a blood-feeding insect functions in food recognition Ortega Insaurralde, Isabel; Latorre Estivalis, Jose Manuel; Costa da Silva, Andre Luis; Cano, Agustina; Insausti, Teresita C.; Salas Morales, Héctor Luis; Barcelos Pontes, Gina; Berón de Astrada, Martín; Ons, Sheila; DeGennaro, Matthew; Barrozo, Romina Background Obligate blood-feeding insects obtain the nutrients and water necessary to ensure survival from the vertebrate blood. The internal taste sensilla, situated in the pharynx, evaluate the suitability of the ingested food. Here, through multiple approaches, we characterized the pharyngeal organ (PO) of the hematophagous kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus to determine its role in food assessment. The PO, located antero-dorsally in the pharynx, comprises eight taste sensilla that become bathed with the incoming blood. Results We showed that these taste sensilla house gustatory receptor neurons projecting their axons through the labral nerves to reach the subesophageal zone in the brain. We found that these neurons are electrically activated by relevant appetitive and aversive gustatory stimuli such as NaCl, ATP, and caffeine. Using RNA-Seq, we examined the expression of sensory-related gene families in the PO. We identified gustatory receptors, ionotropic receptors, transient receptor potential channels, pickpocket channels, opsins, takeouts, neuropeptide precursors, neuropeptide receptors, and biogenic amine receptors. RNA interference assays demonstrated that the salt-related pickpocket channel Rproppk014276 is required during feeding of an appetitive solution of NaCl and ATP. Conclusions We provide evidence of the role of the pharyngeal organ in food evaluation. This work shows a comprehensive characterization of a pharyngeal taste organ in a hematophagous insect.

Evolutionary model and palaeoenvironmental interpretation of the La Codera archaeological complex (Ebro Basin, NE Spain) Sampietro Vattuone, Maria Marta; Peña Monné, José Luis; Montón Broto, Félix J.; Rodanés Vicente, José María; Alcolea Gracia, Marta; Seguí Barrio, Sofía La Codera archaeological site is one of the most important settlements from the 1st Iron Age in the Ebro valley, dated between ca. 800 795 and ca. 460 cal. BC. The archaeological area also includes other later settlements. We analyzed the geomorphological context of the area by conducting a geoarchaeological survey and sampling. We also completed the evolutionary framework of the settlement, including paleoenvironmental information. Four slope stages (S1–S4) were identified, some of them related to fluvial terraces. Stages S4 and S3 are two old residual slopes dated to the Pleistocene, without evidence of human occupation. Older features related to human occupations are charcoals dated to Chalcolithic times from T2 terraces of La Codera stream. Slope S2 contains archaeological remains from the 1st Iron and Bronze Ages. Therefore, La Codera and its slopes were occupied during the Bronze Age, before Iron Age settlements. Slope S2 formation corresponds to the stable environmental stage known as the Iron Age Cold Epoch, or 2.8 Bond Event, also identified in many areas of the Ebro Depression. This period was followed by an erosive stage after the Roman Epoch (possibly during the 1.4 Bond Event). Later, a new slope (S1) formed, together with a new terrace (T1). This slope includes walls and ceramics from Iberian, Roman, and Medieval times toward the northeast of the settlement. These features make it possible to infer that this last accumulation formed during the cold stages of the LIA.

Programa Federal Equipar Ciencia (2022-2023): ¿Una novedad institucional para la desconcentración territorial de la inversión pública?; Equipar Ciencia Federal Program (2022-2023): An institutional novelty for the territorial deconcentration of public investment?; Programa Federal Equipar Ciência (2022-2023): Uma novidade institucional para a desconcentração territorial do investimento público? Niembro, Andrés Alberto La federalización de la ciencia y la tecnología en Argentina ha ganado impulso con la sanción de la ley 27.614/2021 y la instrumentación, desde 2022, de un programa presupuestario ministerial para tal fin. Este artículo busca evaluar el impacto territorial del Equipar Ciencia, uno de los instrumentos asociados a dicho financiamiento. Para ello, se analizan datos provinciales de las tres principales rondas de adjudicación (junio de 2022-junio de 2023) y se discuten los resultados a la luz de declaraciones de funcionarios y aspectos técnicos de este y otros instrumentos de la política científica. La distribución provincial del Equipar se condice con una lógica de discriminación positiva, atendiendo a las desigualdades de origen y favoreciendo la aprobación de buena parte de las solicitudes de provincias de menor desarrollo relativo, lo contrario a lo que ocurre con los proyectos científicos de la Agencia I+D+i o el ingreso de investigadores al CONICET. Esta disociación no permite una política consistente de desconcentración territorial de la inversión pública. Entre las diversas inercias institucionales, los fondos de federalización y el Equipar continúan siendo gestionados de forma centralizada.; The federalisation of science and technology in Argentina has gained momentum with the enactment of Law 27.614/2021 and the implementation, since 2022, of a ministerial budgetary program for this purpose. This article seeks to assess the territorial impact of Equipar Ciencia, one of the instruments associated with this funding. For this purpose, we analyse provincial data from the three main phases of allocation (June 2022-June 2023) and discuss the results in light of official statements and technical aspects of this and other science policy instruments. The provincial distribution of Equipar is consistent with a logic of positive discrimination, taking into account inequalities of origin and favouring the approval of a significant part of applications from less developed provinces, as opposed to what happens with scientific projects of the I+D+i Agency or the entry of researchers to CONICET. This dissociation does not facilitate a coherent policy of territorial deconcentration of public investment. Among the different institutional resistances, the federalisation funds and Equipar continue to be managed in a centralised manner.; A federalização da ciência e a tecnologia na Argentina ganhou impulso com a sanção da Lei 27.614/2021 e a implementação, desde 2022, de um programa orçamentário ministerial para esse fim. Este artigo procura avaliar o impacto territorial do Equipar Ciência, um dos instrumentos associados ao referido financiamento. Para isso, são analisados os dados provinciais das três principais rondas de repasse (junho 2022-junho 2023) e são discutidos os resultados a luz de declarações de agentes públicos bem como aspectos técnicos deste e outros instrumentos da política científica. A distribuição provincial do Equipar enquadra-se numa lógica de discriminação positiva, tendo em conta as desigualdades de origem e favorecendo a aprovação de boa parte dos pedidos de províncias de menor desenvolvimento relativo, ao contrário do que acontece com os projetos científicos da Agência I+D+i ou o ingresso de pesquisadores no CONICET. Esta dissociação não permite uma política consistente de desconcentração territorial do investimento público. Entre as diversas inércias institucionais, os fundos de federalização e o Equipar continuam a ser geridos de forma centralizada.