Depredación de Liolaemus multimaculatus (Squamata; Liolaemidae) por Bothrops ammodytoides (Squamata: Viperidae) en dunas costeras de Pehuen-Co, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Tettamanti, Germán; Domínguez, Ana María; Vera, David Gustavo; Di Pietro, Diego Omar; Velasco, Melina Alicia; Kacoliris, Federico Pablo Primer registro de depredación de Liolaemus multimaculatus por Bothrops ammodytoides. Este registro representa el segundo evento de depredación documentado para L. multimaculatus y contribuye al conocimiento de la historia natural de L. multimaculatus y de B. ammodytoides.; We present the first record of predation of Liolaemus multimaculatus by Bothrops ammodytoides. This record represents the second predation event documented for L. multimaculatus, and contributes to the knowledge of the natural history of L. multimaculatus and B. ammodytoides.

Subjective Media Quality Recovery From Noisy Raw Opinion Scores: A Non-Parametric Perspective Altieri, Andrés Oscar; Tiotsop, Lohic Fotio; Valenzise, Giuseppe This paper focuses on the challenge of accurately estimating the subjective quality of multimedia content from noisy opinion scores gathered from end-users. State-of-the-art methods rely on parametric statistical models to capture the subject´s scoring behavior and recover quality estimates. However, these approaches have limitations, as they often require restrictive assumptions to achieve numerical stability during parameter estimation, leading to a lack of robustness when the modeling hypotheses do not fit the data. To overcome these limitations, we propose a paradigm shift towards non-parametric statistical methods. Specifically, we introduce a threefold contribution: i) in contrast to the prevailing approach in subjective quality recovery assuming a parametric score distribution, we propose a non parametric approach that guarantees greater accuracy by measuring reliability per subject and per stimulus, overcoming the limits of existing approaches that measure only per subject reliability; ii) we propose ESQR, a non-parametric algorithm for subjective quality recovery, demonstrating experimentally that it has higher robustness to noise compared to numerous state-of-the-art algorithms, thanks to the weaker assumptions made on data compared to parametric approaches; iii) the proposed approach is theoretically grounded, i.e., we define a non-parametric statistic and prove mathematically that it provides a measure of score reliability. The code to run ESQR and reproduce the results in this paper is made freely available at: http://media.polito.it/ESQR.

Effects of the mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist eplerenone in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis Alvarez Quintero, Guido S.; Lima, Analia Ethel; Roig, Paulina; Meyer, Maria; de Nicola, Alejandro Federico; de Kloet, Ron; Garay, Laura Ines There is growing evidence indicating that mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) expression influences a wide variety of functions in metabolic and immune response. The present study explored if antagonism of the MR reduces neuroinflammation in the spinal cord of mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Eplerenone (EPLE) (100 mg/kg dissolved in 30% 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin) was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) daily from EAE induction (day 0) until sacrificed on day 17 post-induction. The MR blocker (a) significantly decreased the inflammatory parameters TLR4, MYD88, IL-1β, and iNOS mRNAs; (b) attenuated HMGB1, NLRP3, TGF-β mRNAs, microglia, and aquaporin4 immunoreaction without modifying GFAP. Serum IL-1β was also decreased in the EAE+EPLE group. Moreover, EPLE treatment prevented demyelination and improved clinical signs of EAE mice. Interestingly, MR was decreased and GR remained unchanged in EAE mice while EPLE treatment restored MR expression, suggesting that a dysbalanced MR/GR was associated with the development of neuroinflammation. Our results indicated that MR blockage with EPLE attenuated inflammation-related spinal cord pathology in the EAE mouse model of Multiple Sclerosis, supporting a novel therapeutic approach for immune-related diseases.

Biodiversity-production feedback effects lead to intensification traps in agricultural landscapes Burian, Alfred; Kremen, Claire; Wu, James Shyan Tau; Beckmann, Michael; Bulling, Mark; Garibaldi, Lucas Alejandro; Krisztin, Tamás; Mehrabi, Zia; Ramankutty, Navin; Seppelt, Ralf Intensive agriculture with high reliance on pesticides and fertilizers constitutes a major strategy for ‘feeding the world’. However, such conventional intensification is linked to diminishing returns and can result in ‘intensification traps’ – production declines triggered by the negative feedback of biodiversity loss at high input levels. We developed a novel framework that integrates biodiversity in crop-yield assessments to evaluate risk and magnitude of intensification traps. Simulations grounded in literature reviews demonstrated that intensification traps emerge in most agricultural landscapes (73%), but rarely in major calorie production systems. Small reductions in maximal production by just 5–10% could be frequently transmitted into substantial biodiversity gains, resulting in small-loss large-gain trade-offs prevailing in landscapes with and without intensification traps. However, systematic sensitivity analyses revealed a strong context-dependence complicating the identification of optimal management practices at the field level. Hence, management safety margins need to be considered to prevent the double loss of biodiversity and food security linked to intensification traps.

Homicidios en ciudades del sur de Sudamérica: Desigualdades educativas y fluctuaciones económicas; Homicides in southern South American cities: Educational inequalities and economic fluctuations; Homicídios em cidades do sul da América do Sul: Desigualdades educacionais e flutuações econômicas Leveau, Carlos Marcelo Se sabe poco sobre cómo las fluctuaciones económicas afectan las desigualdades educativas en homicidios en países latinoamericanos. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron (a) analizar las variaciones temporales de las desigualdades relativas educacionales de la mortalidad por homicidio, y (b) comparar estas desigualdades entre años de crecimiento económico y años de recesión en ciudades del sur sudamericano durante el período 2000-2019. Se utilizaron datos de siete áreas urbanas, en tres países del Cono Sur Sudamericano: Mendoza y Rosario (Argentina); Belo Horizonte, Curitiba, Rio de Janeiro y São Paulo (Brasil); y Santiago (Chile). Se estimaron modelos de Poisson, utilizando como variables explicativas la edad, sexo, año, ciudad de residencia, año de expansión o recesión económica y nivel educativo. Encontramos diferencias marcadas en la evolución temporal de las tasas de homicidio entre las siete ciudades, aunque siempre las poblaciones de nivel educativo bajo fueron las más vulnerables. Las cuatro ciudades de Brasil, analizadas en conjunto, tuvieron desigualdades educativas relativas de homicidios mayores en años de recesión económica, con respecto a años de crecimiento económico. Por un lado, el uso de la fuerza indiscriminado por parte del Estado enfocado hacia grupos criminales parece haber llevado a una creciente desigualdad social de la mortalidad por homicidio. Por el otro, en un contexto de fragmentación criminal y crisis económica se podrían agravar estas desigualdades a través de mayores disputas territoriales entre grupos criminales.; Information on how economic fluctuations affect educational inequalities in homicides in Latin America is scarce. This study aimed to: (a) analyze the temporal variations of educational inequalities related to homicide mortality and (b) compare these inequalities between years of economic growth and recession in southern South America cities from 2000 to 2019. Data from seven urban areas in three countries in the Southern Cone of South America were used: Mendoza and Rosario (Argentina); Belo Horizonte, Curitiba, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo (Brazil); and Santiago (Chile). Poisson models were estimated by using age, sex, city of residence, year of economic growth or recession, and schooling level as explanatory variables. Results showed significant differences in the temporal evolution of homicide rates in the seven cities, although populations with a low schooling level always showed the most vulnerability. The four Brazilian cities, analyzed together, showed greater educational inequalities related to homicides in years of economic recession when compared to those of economic growth. On the one hand, the indiscriminate use of force by the State against criminal groups seems to increase social inequality in homicide mortality. On the other hand, criminal fragmentation and economic crisis can exacerbate these inequalities by increasing territorial disputes between criminal groups.; São escassas as informações sobre como as flutuações econômicas afetam as desigualdades educacionais em homicídios na América Latina. Os objetivos deste estudo foram: (a) analisar as variações temporais das desigualdades educacionais relacionadas à mortalidade por homicídio, e (b) comparar essas desigualdades entre os anos de crescimento econômico e os anos de recessão nas cidades do sul da América do Sul no período de 2000 a 2019. Foram utilizados dados de sete áreas urbanas, em três países do Cone Sul da América do Sul: Mendoza e Rosário (Argentina); Belo Horizonte, Curitiba, Rio de Janeiro e São Paulo (Brasil); e Santiago (Chile). Os modelos de Poisson foram estimados utilizando como variáveis explicativas a idade, sexo, ano, cidade de residência, ano de expansão ou recessão econômica e nível de escolaridade. Os resultados mostraram diferenças significativas na evolução temporal das taxas de homicídio entre as sete cidades, apesar de que as populações com baixo nível de escolaridade sempre foram as mais vulneráveis. As quatro cidades brasileiras, analisadas em conjunto, apresentaram maiores desigualdades educacionais relacionadas a homicídios em anos de recessão econômica em relação aos anos de crescimento econômico. Por um lado, o uso indiscriminado da força pelo Estado contra grupos criminosos parece ter levado ao aumento da desigualdade social na mortalidade por homicídio. Por outro lado, em um contexto de fragmentação criminal e crise econômica, essas desigualdades podem ser exacerbadas pelo aumento das disputas territoriais entre grupos criminosos.

¿Cómo evaluar las contribuciones de la investigación científica? Medir y jerarquizar la movilización del conocimiento en las trayectorias de postulantes a Ingreso a Carrera (CIC) en CONICET; How to evaluate the contributions of scientific research? Measuring and hierarchizing knowledge mobilization in the trajectories of applicants to Scientific Researcher Career (cic) at conicet; Como avaliar as contribuições da pesquisa científica? Medir e priorizar a mobilização do conhecimento nas trajetórias dos candidatos ao ingresso na Carreira de Pesquisador Científico (CIC) do CONICET Alonso, Mauro; Naidorf, Clara Judith En este trabajo nos enfocamos en la evaluación científica y analizamos las formas efectivas y las posibles de jerarquizar la movilización del conocimiento. Entonces, nos preguntamos: ¿cómo se miden las actividades de transferencia y/o movilización de conocimiento? y ¿qué peso tienen estas actividades sobre el total del quehacer investigativo legítimo a la hora de la evaluación? Tomando como base empírica un corpus de grillas de evaluación del Consejo de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) de Argentina del año 2020 con el que fueron evaluados los candidatos a ingreso a la Carrera de Investigador Científico (CIC) de cuatro comisiones de evaluación –Física, Biología, Ciencias Sociales y Desarrollo Tecnológico y Social–, el objetivo es mostrar comparativamente el peso relativo que cada comisión le asigna a las diferentes dimensiones con las que se evalúa la trayectoria científico-tecnológica de un postulante, haciendo énfasis en las formas que adopta la evaluación de la movilización del conocimiento. El trabajo muestra que el problema de la medición se presenta en dos niveles y problematiza sus implicancias: primero, el bajo peso relativo de este tipo de actividades en la evaluación global de una trayectoria y, en segundo lugar, la dificultad para poder definir qué se entiende o se reconoce como legítimo a la hora de evaluar la movilización del conocimiento.; In this paper we focus on scientific evaluation and analyze the effective and possible ways of hierarchizing knowledge mobilization. Then, we ask ourselves: How are knowledge transfer and/or mobilization activities measured, and what weight do these activities have over the total of legitimate research work at the time of evaluation? Taking as an empirical basis a corpus of evaluation grids of the Scientific and Technical Research Council (conicet) of Argentina from the year 2020 with which candidates for admission to the Scientific Researcher Career (cic) of four evaluation commissions were assessed: Physics, Biology, Social Sciences and Technological and Social Development, the objective is to show in a comparative way the relative weight that each commission assigns to the different dimensions with which the scientific-technological trajectory of an applicant is evaluated, emphasizing the forms adopted by the evaluation of knowledge mobilization. The article shows that the problem of measurement occurs at two levels and problematizes its implications: firstly, the low relative weight of this type of activities in the overall evaluation of a career and, secondly, the difficulty in defining what is understood or recognized as legitimate when evaluating the mobilization of knowledge.; Neste trabalho focamos na avaliação científica e analisamos as formas eficazes e possíveis de priorizar a mobilização do conhecimento. Então nos perguntamos: como são medidas as atividades de transferência e/ou mobilização de conhecimento? E que peso têm estas atividades no total do trabalho investigativo legítimo no momento da avaliação? Tomando como base empírica um corpus de grades de avaliação do Conselho de Pesquisa Científica e Técnica (conicet) da Argentina do ano 2020 com as quais foram avaliados os candidatos ao ingresso na Carreira de Pesquisador Científico (cic) de quatro comissões de avaliação –Física. Biologia, Ciências Sociais e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico e Social–, o objetivo é mostrar comparativamente o peso relativo que cada comissão atribui às diferentes dimensões com que é avaliada a trajetória científico-tecnológica de um candidato, enfatizando as formas que adota na avaliação do conhecimento mobilização. O trabalho mostra que o problema da medição ocorre a dois níveis e problematiza as suas implicações: primeiro, o peso relativo baixo deste tipo de atividades na avaliação global de uma trajetória e, segundo, a dificuldade em definir o que é entendido ou reconhecido como legítimo. ao avaliar a mobilização do conhecimento.

Bullying en adolescentes argentinos: Recomendaciones para su evaluación e intervención Resett, Santiago Alejandro El bullying es una agresión intencional reiterada y con un desbalance de poder físico y/o mental entre quien lo sufre y quien lo realiza. Esta conducta es un importante factor de riesgo para la salud mental de los adolescentes a nivel psicológico, social y físico. A nivel de la Argentina, como de otras naciones de la América Latina, todavía es mucho lo que falta investigar, mayormente a nivel de intervenciones científicas para su prevención. El presente estudio llevó a cabo una revisión de lo investigado en la temática a nivel teórico, como en los instrumentos científicos para su evaluación. También se aportan aspectos a considerar a la hora de evaluar esta problemática. Por otra parte, se delinean recomendaciones para su prevención en nuestro contexto. Cómo conclusión se puntualiza cómo deberían seguir los futuros estudios del tema en nuestro país, en donde los estudios son escasos y necesarios.

Unravelling the genetic mechanisms and paleoenvironmental controls of early Cretaceous Oyster Mass occurrences (OMOs), Neuquén Basin, west-central Argentina Toscano, Agustina Gabriela; Lazo, Dario Gustavo; Schwarz, Ernesto Lower Valanginian oyster mass occurrences (OMOs) from the Neuqu en Basin of Argentina are analyzed using a multidisciplinary approach, including the description of their sedimentological signature and stratigraphic contacts, assessment of taphonomical attributes, and paleontological and paleoecologicalcharacteristics. These OMOs present a wide distribution in the study area, with lateral continuity for at least 2.5 km and up to 12 m thick. They occur within a single stratigraphic interval, constrained in terms of sequence stratigraphy and biostratigraphy. Three stacked tabular OMOs separated by mudstone levels were recorded in all the studied localities. The associated lithofacies point to a mainly outer ramp paleoenvironment, below storm wave base and occasionally disturbed by exceptional, distal storm flows.Internally, the OMOs share a common vertical trend characterized, from base to top, by a gradual increase in oyster abundance and a transition from mainly reclining, disarticulated oysters to articulated, cementing oysters conforming build-ups. Hence, a mainly biogenic origin is proposed, with autobiostromes grading vertically to bioherms. This vertical trend was interpreted in terms of development stages, namely, colonization, expansion, climax and extinction, which were in turn related to specifi paleoenvironmental controls. Particularly, the OMOs establishment and development were associated to low sedimentation rates, salinity fluctuations and high nutrient input as a result of high primary productivity.At a larger scale, the overall paleoenvironmental conditions and subtropical geographical position of the basin were detrimental for most reef builders typical of the Cretaceous period (e.g., corals, sponges, rudists), and could have favored oyster proliferation and OMOs development instead.

Effects of urbanization-related disturbances on macroinvertebrate communities in a Patagonian river system: insights from a functional approach Williams Subiza, Emilio Adolfo; Brand, Cecilia; Assef, Yanina Andrea; Grech, Marta Gladys; Miserendino, Maria Laura The expansion of urban areas has led to land-use changes that affect aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem processes through several ways, such as increased runoff, water pollution, habitat homogenization, and disturbance of the natural flow. It is well known that urbanization induces profound changes in freshwater macroinvertebrate communities, but relatively few studies have approached this topic using trait-based methods. This severely limits our ability to monitor and predict potential alterations of ecosystem processes. We here provide empirical evidence about the effects of urbanization-related changes on the trait composition and functional diversity of freshwater macroinvertebrates from Patagonia (Argentina). Macroinvertebrate sampling and environmental characterization were carried out in 13 study sites distributed across three water courses in the Futaleufú river basin. We found changes in environmental conditions over the urban impact gradient, in turn accompanied by variation in functional diversity and trait composition of aquatic macroinvertebrates. Specifically, we detected lower functional diversity in urban and post-urban reaches, mainly attributed to shifts in the distribution of taxa within the functional space, rather to the extirpation of functionally distinct taxa located at the edges of it (i.e., func- tional evenness and dispersion decreased, but functional richness remained constant). We also found signs of functional homogenization at the most impaired sites, where gatherers and tegument-breathing taxa dominated. These changes were mainly explained by conductivity, biological oxygen demand, and oxygen levels in the water column.

Study of the properties of a composite material Fe78Si9B13 / GNP in an epoxy matrix Pagnola, Marcelo Rubén; Useche, Jairo; Faig, Javier Alejandro; Ferrari, Sergio; Martinez Garcia, Ricardo This study investigates the properties of a composite material obtained by mixing Fe78Si9B13 metallic powders (at %) with graphene nanoplates (GNP) in an epoxy matrix. Four composite types were created with GNP weight proportions of 0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5%. The composites were embedded in transparent epoxy with weight proportions of 10%, 15%, and 20%, and then filled into 7 x 20 mm cylindrical probes. Twelve samples were prepared, and another 12 samples were subjected to a longitudinal magnetic field of 1 kG. All samples were tested with a Universal Testing Machine (Model WDW 10E) up to a maximum force of 20 kN. The experiment recorded deformation (∆H) vs. load force. Most samples showed a maximum compression resistance of 390 MPa, except for a few that did not exceed 100 MPa. The magnetically oriented samples showed a greater elastic limit in the range of 200 to 270 MPa. Optical microscopy was used to observe the ordering of the particles after the application of the magnetic field. Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction were used to characterize the structure of the composite components. A vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) was used to characterize the magnetic behavior of the metallic powders in the composite.

Primeras miradas: Victoria Ocampo como escritora y gestora cultural en la prensa de los años veinte; First Looks: Victoria Ocampo as a Writer and Cultural Manager in the Press of the 1920s González, María Soledad Este artículo se propone indagar, desde la disciplina histórica, los primeros pasos de Victoria Ocampo en la esfera pública a partir de la articulación entre escritura y gestión y, las tempranas recepciones que suscitó en la prensa. Desde la recuperación de algunas notas periodísticas de la época, pasajes de Testimonios y de “Viraje”, cuarto volumen de su Autobiografía, junto a ciertas entradas en su correspondencia, se intenta dialogar con el contexto de los años veinte en el escenario nacional y transnacional.; This article aims to investigate, from the field of historical discipline, the first steps of Victoria Ocampo in the public sphere based on the articulation of writing and management and the early receptions it aroused in the press. From the recovery of some journalistic notes of the time, passages from Testimonies and “Viraje”, the fourth volume of his Autobiography, together with certain entries in his correspondence, attempts to dialogue with the context of the 1920s on the national and transnational stage.

Afectados Ambientales y el Conflicto por los “Basurales Petroleros” en la Provincia de Neuquén, Argentina Acacio, Juan Antonio El avance de la frontera hidrocarburífera en Argentina se expresa, desde el año 2013, en el desarrollo de la actividad para extraer hidrocarburos no convencionales mediante la técnica de la fractura hidráulica, o fracking. Esta actividad cobró relevancia en Neuquén, donde el sector petrolero tiene centralidad en la economía y permea en la vida política, social y cultural de la provincia. Con el inicio de la explotación se desarrollaron en varios puntos de la provincia conflictos de distinta intensidad debido a los impactos ambientales, en la salud y en la alteración de la vida cotidiana de distintos grupos sociales que esta actividad genera. El presente trabajo analiza, desde una perspectiva sociológica cualitativa, y de la mano de los aportes de la ecología política, el conflicto y el proceso organizativo de afectados ambientales que generó la expansión de las plantas de tratamiento de los desechos de la industria hidrocarburífera en la periferia de la ciudad de Neuquén.

Spatial modeling tool to assess and rank peri-urban land use in an agricultural region of the Midwestern United States Agost, Lisandro; Velázquez, Guillermo Ángel America is the continent with the largest area of genetically modified crops, the United States being the leading producer. Numerous studies show a panorama of potential exposure from agricultural pesticide use for this types of crops near to cities across a vast region of the United States. For the reasons mentioned above, we have chosen to investigate the following issues in this study: How does the implementation of an indexbased spatial modeling tool effectively rank the proximity of peri-urban crops, and what factors impact its effectiveness across diverse peri-urban agricultural landscapes? To address these questions, the research employs the Crop Proximity Index (CPI) model in various cities across the Midwest region of the United States. Six hundred and seventy cities in the state of Iowa were selected, and their peripheries were analysed using weighted perimeter rings, from 0 to 2000 m. The Crop Proximity Index was used to simulate a model of proximity to crops by considering the spatial quantification occupied by agriculture, forest cover, shrubs, pastures and buffer zones. This index varies from 0 to 1 and serves to rank the cities under study. It was estimated that a Crop Proximity Index equal to or >0.8 is a good approximation to a model with less proximity of crops and that only 62 cities (9%) meet this condition. Some 457 cities (68%) have CPIs equal to or <0.5 due to the large areas of crops and the low peripheral forest levels. The CPI is an index that makes it possible to obtain vital exploratory data in order to focus on future research that would determine how the proximity of agro-industrial crops has possible negative consequences for the environment and human health in greater detail.

Conversación pública sobre vacunas en la pandemia de covid-19 en Argentina, 2021–2022; Public conversation on vaccines during the covid-19 pandemic in Argentina, 2021–2022 Demonte, Flavia Carolina; Bruno, Daniela; Lozano, Leandro; Mena, Maria Florencia; Pereira, Andrés Ante la caída de las coberturas vacunales y la circulación informativa sobre salud, las conversaciones en el entorno público/mediático digital constituyen un ámbito de estudio relevante para el campo de la comunicación en salud. A través de un estudio cualitativo, basado en el análisis de publicaciones del gobierno, la prensa digital y las redes sociales, caracterizamos la conversación pública sobre vacunas –en términos de temas, momentos, ejes y encuadres en Argentina en el período 2020-2021– signada por el debate sobre las vacunas covid-19. Los resultados muestran que la conversación pública se centralizó en la vacunación contra el covid-19, se estructuró en dos momentos diferenciados (producción de vacunas y campaña de vacunación) y bajo encuadres morales sustentados en la vacunación como práctica de cuidado y la ciencia como voz autorizada. En simultáneo, las dudas sobre la seguridad y eficacia de las vacunas estructuraron argumentos de reticencia vacunal, que entendemos como parte de prácticas extendidas, asociadas con las desconfianzas hacia las instituciones y reinterpretaciones del conocimiento científico y del cuidado.; In the face of declining vaccination coverage and the dissemination of health-related information, conversations in the public/mediatic digital sphere constitute a relevant study area for the field of health communication. Through a qualitative study based on the analysis of government publications, digital press, and social media, we characterize the public conversation on vaccines – in terms of topics, moments, axes, and framings in Argentina during the 2020-2021 period – marked by the debate on covid-19 vaccines. The results show that public conversation focused on covid-19 vaccination, structured in two distinct moments (vaccine production and vaccination campaign), and under moral framings grounded in vaccination as a care practice and science as an authoritative voice. Simultaneously, doubts about the safety and efficacy of vaccines shaped arguments of vaccine hesitancy, which we understand as part of extended practices associated with distrust towards institutions and reinterpretations of scientific knowledge and care.

Conversación pública sobre vacunas en la pandemia de covid-19 en Argentina, 2021–2022; Public conversation on vaccines during the covid-19 pandemic in Argentina, 2021–2022 Demonte, Flavia Carolina; Bruno, Daniela; Lozano, Leandro; Mena, Maria Florencia; Pereira, Andrés Ante la caída de las coberturas vacunales y la circulación informativa sobre salud, las conversaciones en el entorno público/mediático digital constituyen un ámbito de estudio relevante para el campo de la comunicación en salud. A través de un estudio cualitativo, basado en el análisis de publicaciones del gobierno, la prensa digital y las redes sociales, caracterizamos la conversación pública sobre vacunas –en términos de temas, momentos, ejes y encuadres en Argentina en el período 2020-2021– signada por el debate sobre las vacunas covid-19. Los resultados muestran que la conversación pública se centralizó en la vacunación contra el covid-19, se estructuró en dos momentos diferenciados (producción de vacunas y campaña de vacunación) y bajo encuadres morales sustentados en la vacunación como práctica de cuidado y la ciencia como voz autorizada. En simultáneo, las dudas sobre la seguridad y eficacia de las vacunas estructuraron argumentos de reticencia vacunal, que entendemos como parte de prácticas extendidas, asociadas con las desconfianzas hacia las instituciones y reinterpretaciones del conocimiento científico y del cuidado.; In the face of declining vaccination coverage and the dissemination of health-related information, conversations in the public/mediatic digital sphere constitute a relevant study area for the field of health communication. Through a qualitative study based on the analysis of government publications, digital press, and social media, we characterize the public conversation on vaccines – in terms of topics, moments, axes, and framings in Argentina during the 2020-2021 period – marked by the debate on covid-19 vaccines. The results show that public conversation focused on covid-19 vaccination, structured in two distinct moments (vaccine production and vaccination campaign), and under moral framings grounded in vaccination as a care practice and science as an authoritative voice. Simultaneously, doubts about the safety and efficacy of vaccines shaped arguments of vaccine hesitancy, which we understand as part of extended practices associated with distrust towards institutions and reinterpretations of scientific knowledge and care.

An animal model for the study of binge-like eating episodes preceded by frustration events in females and non-food deprived animals Serafini, Matías; Cuenya, Lucas Introduction: Previous data from our laboratory show that frustration events could function as an important factor in the etiology and maintenance of the binge-like eating episodes. However, in previous experiments, male Wistar rats deprived of food were used. This reduced the external validity of the phenomenon as an animal model of binge-eating episodes since they are more prevalent in women and can occur without prior energy deficit. Objective: To explore the presence of increased intake after a previous frustration event in two new experimental conditions: male rats without food deprivation (experiment 1) and female rats with food deprivation at 83% of their ad libitum weight (experiment 2). Method: The animals had access to a 32% sweetened solution during five daily trials of five minutes each. During the trials 6, 8 and 10, half of the animals received the reinforcer normally, and the other half after a delay of 10 min. In the trials 7, 9 and 11 all animals received the reward without prior delay. Results: The model was replicated in the two experiments. Discussion: These data generalize our previous observations to two novel conditions, one sexual and the other motivational, which results in an increase in its external validity.

An animal model for the study of binge-like eating episodes preceded by frustration events in females and non-food deprived animals Serafini, Matías; Cuenya, Lucas Introduction: Previous data from our laboratory show that frustration events could function as an important factor in the etiology and maintenance of the binge-like eating episodes. However, in previous experiments, male Wistar rats deprived of food were used. This reduced the external validity of the phenomenon as an animal model of binge-eating episodes since they are more prevalent in women and can occur without prior energy deficit. Objective: To explore the presence of increased intake after a previous frustration event in two new experimental conditions: male rats without food deprivation (experiment 1) and female rats with food deprivation at 83% of their ad libitum weight (experiment 2). Method: The animals had access to a 32% sweetened solution during five daily trials of five minutes each. During the trials 6, 8 and 10, half of the animals received the reinforcer normally, and the other half after a delay of 10 min. In the trials 7, 9 and 11 all animals received the reward without prior delay. Results: The model was replicated in the two experiments. Discussion: These data generalize our previous observations to two novel conditions, one sexual and the other motivational, which results in an increase in its external validity.

Evaluating the climatic suitability of Engytatus passionarius Minghetti et al. (Heteroptera, Miridae) as a biological control agent of the invasive stinking passion flower Passiflora foetida L. in Australia through ecological niche models Minghetti, Eugenia; Dellapé, Pablo Matías; Maestro, Mariano; Montemayor Borsinger, Sara Itzel Passiflora foetida is a climbing vine, native to the Neotropical Region that is causing major economic and ecological damage in Australia, where it is rapidly spreading. Traditional control options, such as cutting, manual uprooting, and herbicide applications are only effective for local management. Currently, the plant bug Engytatus passionarius is the most promising biological control agent. Specificity tests performed in its native range in Argentina suggest it is highly specific to the plant, and it has not been observed in the field associated with other plants. As climate determines the establishment of insects, knowing if the environmental conditions suit their requirements is key to introducing a species in a region. Also, an overlap between the climatic niches of species is an indicator of similar requirements. To explore the possibilities of a successful establishment of E. passionarius in Australia, ecological niche models (ENM) were built for the plant bug and for the vine and their overlap was measured. The ENM projected to Australia recognized suitable environmental conditions for the establishment of E. passionarius in several regions where P. foetida is present, both for current and future scenarios. Moreover, the niche of the plant bug is almost completely overlapped with that of the vine. All the aforementioned evidence seems to indicate that E. passionarius has a good chance to become an effective biological control agent of P. foetida.

Impact of vineyards on habitat's thermal conditions and functional traits of a lizard in the central Monte Desert, Argentina Méndez Osorio, Yamila Gimena; Gómez Alés, Carlos Rodrigo; Avellá Machado, Elín Araceli; Acosta, Juan Carlos Vegetation modulates the spatial arrangement of microclimates and changes in land cover due to agriculturalactivities alter thermal landscapes. Lizard body temperature is strongly influenced by the thermal quality of theenvironment at the microhabitat level and land management for agriculture in arid environments can reduce thethermal quality of a species’ habitat. Our objective was to evaluate if there are variations in the thermal biologyand thermal quality of the habitat in Liolaemus darwinii, at a site modified by vineyards and in a natural habitat inthe central Monte Desert, Argentina. Our findings indicate that vineyard-induced habitat modifications have animpact on operative temperatures and the thermal quality of the environment. This variability, in turn, is likelyto bring about changes in locomotor performance traits and thermoregulatory strategies of Liolaemus darwinii.Our conclusion highlights the efficient thermoregulatory capabilities of L. darwinii across both sites. Furthermore,we propose that the analysis of changes in thermal landscapes, habitat thermal quality, and their correlation withorganisms’ thermal traits can serve as a practical tool for assessing the impact of agricultural activities in aridenvironments. Additionally, it aids in the development of conservation strategies that promote the preservationof neighboring native vegetation.

Genetic study in Argentinian patients with clinical Long QT Syndrome diagnosis Dionisio, Leonardo Raul; Stupniki, Sofia; Aztiria, Eugenio Manuel; Rias, Ezequiel Ignacio; Dye, Leandro; Onetto, Leonardo; Gregorietti, Franco; Keegan, Roberto; Spitzmaul, Guillermo Federico Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) is a genetic cardiac condition in which varying degrees of severity and treatment response. Three are primarily affected by mutations that cause cardiac ion channel dysfunction. In Argentina, most of the LQTS diagnoses are made by clinical examination and ECG analysis. In this study, we evaluated a group of individuals to correlate their clinical diagnosis of LQTS with genetic variations. Using gDNA isolation, PCR, and exome sequencing, we screened the coding sequences of the KCNQ1, KCNH2, and SCN5A genes. We identified several changes in these genes, most of them previously described in the literature, but also a novel variation. We found an alteration in the sequence of KCNQ1 exon 16 which did not allow us to amplify it. This is the first analysis of genetic variations in LQTS in Argentina conducted by a national research laboratory. The combination of the detected variations may explain the prolongation of the QT interval observed in the ECG of some of the individuals and may help to improve the treatment making it more rational as well as provide genetic counselling to first-degree relatives