Site-occupancy modelling: A new approach to assess sensitivity of indicator species Cortelezzi, Agustina; Armendáriz, Laura Cecilia; Simoy, Maria Veronica; Marinelli, Claudia Beatriz; Cepeda, Rosana Esther; Rodrigues Capitulo, Alberto; Berkunsky, Igor One of the most challenging aspects of quality indices has been to compile reliable measures of the species’ sensitivity to various magnitudes and different kinds of ecosystem attributes. Occupancy modelling has become increasingly useful to ecologists because provides a flexible framework to estimate the habitat use as a function of site information. We modelled occupancy of oligochaete species from physicochemical variables of Pampean streams; and we described the change in occupancy along the gradient of each explanatory physicochemical variable. We proposed three phases (resistance, tolerance and extinction) to describe the sensitivity of the species in terms of occupancy. Seventeen of the 33 taxa of oligochaetes were enough abundant to be modeled. In eight species, we obtained a total of 11 different models including physicochemical covariates. Occupancy was explained by conductivity in four species, by dissolved oxygen in three species, and by nutrients in four species. The analysis of phases (resistance, tolerance and extinction) to describe the sensitivity of the species in terms of occupancy, offers a new methodology to understand how the species behave along a stressor gradient. Detailed descriptions of sensitivity of these local species, will helps ecologists to generate more accurate biotic indices.

Solution Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate in an Ionic Liquid Employing Cyclic Multifunctional Initiators Delgado Rodríguez, Karla; Acuña, Pablo; Enríquez Medrano, Francisco J.; Barreto, Gastón Pablo; Morales, Graciela 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIM][BF4]) was used as a solvent during the methyl methacrylate polymerization, in a temperature range of 110 to 130°C, employing two multifunctional cyclic peroxides as initiators, the pinacolone diperoxide and the diethylketone triperoxide, and results were compared with those obtained in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as a solvent under the same reaction conditions. The polymerization rate was approximately four times faster in [BMIM][BF4] than in DMF, and this behavior is supported by the higher decomposition rate constants calculated for both initiators in pure ionic liquid in comparison with those calculated in DMF. The average molecular weights values were nearly three times lower in DMF than in the ionic liquid, and this is explained by the reduction in the propagation activation energy in the presence of the ionic liquid.

An easy, cheap, and versatile method to trap turtles, with calibrated sampling effort Semeñiuk, María Belén; Alcalde, Leandro; Sanchez, Rocio Maria; Cassano, María Julia A novel method (hookless trot line) to trap freshwater turtles in aquatic environments from the Pampas region on southern South America is presented. Cost, functioning, effectiveness, biases, maintenance, and constraints of the hookless trot line are analyzed compared to three other methods (two variants of funnel traps and a trawl net) commonly used in studies dealing with freshwater turtle ecology. Fieldwork was carried out from 2005-2015 in streams that drain the northeast of Buenos Aires province, Argentina. The beef-baited, single-mouthed funnel trap with drift fences was the method that captured the most turtles. It was closely followed by the hookless trot line, whereas the other two methods obtained a small portion of captures. Nevertheless, we conclude that the best method to trap turtles in the region was the hookless trot line because it adapts to a wide range of environments, does not injure the turtles, is easy to build and transport, requires little maintenance, and its materials are cheaper and more durable than those of the other methods. Further, a calibration for the trot line is provided in order to minimize effort and maximize captures: in cost/benefit terms, the best result was achieved by employing 1 bait/1.5 m of shoreline.

A short FE implementation for a 2d homogeneous Dirichlet problem of a fractional Laplacian Acosta Rodriguez, Gabriel; Mastroberti Bersetche, Francisco Vicente; Borthagaray Peradotto, Juan Pablo In Acosta etal. (2017), a complete n-dimensional finite element analysis of the homogeneous Dirichlet problem associated to a fractional Laplacian was presented. Here we provide a comprehensive and simple 2D MATLAB ® finite element code for such a problem. The code is accompanied with a basic discussion of the theory relevant in the context. The main program is written in about 80 lines and can be easily modified to deal with other kernels as well as with time dependent problems. The present work fills a gap by providing an input for a large number of mathematicians and scientists interested in numerical approximations of solutions of a large variety of problems involving nonlocal phenomena in two-dimensional space.

LigQ: A Webserver to Select and Prepare Ligands for Virtual Screening Radusky, Leandro Gabriel; Ruiz Carmona, Sergio; Modenutti, Carlos Pablo; Barril, Xavier; Turjanski, Adrian; Marti, Marcelo Adrian Virtual screening is a powerful methodology to search for new small molecule inhibitors against a desired molecular target. Usually, it involves evaluating thousands of compounds (derived from large databases) in order to select a set of potential binders that will be tested in the wet-lab. The number of tested compounds is directly proportional to the cost, and thus, the best possible set of ligands is the one with the highest number of true binders, for the smallest possible compound set size. Therefore, methods that are able to trim down large universal data sets enriching them in potential binders are highly appreciated. Here we present LigQ, a free webserver that is able to (i) determine best structure and ligand binding pocket for a desired protein, (ii) find known binders, as well as potential ligands known to bind to similar protein domains, (iii) most importantly, select a small set of commercial compounds enriched in potential binders, and (iv) prepare them for virtual screening. LigQ was tested with several proteins, showing an impressive capacity to retrieve true ligands from large data sets, achieving enrichment factors of over 10%. LigQ is available at http://ligq.qb.fcen.uba.ar/.

Phylogeographic history of Patagonian lizards of the Liolaemus elongatus complex (Iguania: Liolaemini) based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences Medina, Cintia Débora; Avila, Luciano Javier; Sites, Jack Walter; Morando, Mariana In this study, we present a phylogeographic analysis of a group of lizards distributed in north-western Patagonia, the Liolaemus elongatus complex. We sequenced 581 individuals for one mitochondrial gene (cytochrome-b), and for a subset, we sequenced another mitochondrial gene (12S rRNA) and two nuclear genes: kinesin family member 24 (KIF24) and the anonymous nuclear locus LDAB1D. We estimated gene trees, mitochondrial and nuclear haploytpe networks, standard molecular diversity indices, genetic distances between lineages and Bayesian skyline plots. Our results provide evidence for recognition of seven species previously described within the L. elongatus complex: Liolaemus antumalguen, Liolaemus chillanensis, Liolaemus carlosgarini, Liolaemus burmeisteri, Liolaemus smaug, Liolaemus elongatus and Liolaemus crandalli, but we did not find sufficient evidence to support Liolaemus choique, Liolaemus shitan or Liolaemus sp. 6 as distinct species. We identified four candidate species (Liolaemus sp. 1, Liolaemus sp. 2, Liolaemus sp. 3 and Liolaemus sp. 7), and we discuss evolutionary processes that may have contributed to the origin of these lineages and their taxonomic and conservation implications.

Una apuesta por la vida: ética y estética en formas colectivo solidarias; Uma aposta pela vida: ética e estética em formas coletivo solidárias; A proposal for life: ethics and aesthetics in collective-solidarity forms Heras Monner Sans, Ana Ines; Miano, María Amalia; Pagotto, María Alejandra El artículo se inscribe en una investigación etnográfica realizada en Argentina con organizaciones orientadas por la autonomía como proyecto. Desde el marco conceptual del análisis institucional y las economías comunitarias, presenta una metodología que permite analizar prácticas, discursos y significados en tres experiencias autogestionarias. Analiza los modos que asumen el trabajo, la propiedad y la subjetividad en estas experiencias y concluye que: 1) su quehacer funda una propuesta ética y estética ligada al sostenimiento y disfrute de la vida y 2) sus formas de producir la existencia interpelan los sentidos del capitalismo actual.; O artigo se inscreve numa pesquisa etnográfica realizada na Argentina com organizações orientadas pela autonomia como projeto. Desde o marco conceitual da análise institucional e das economias comunitárias, apresenta uma metodologia que permite analisar práticas, discursos e significados em três experiências autogestionárias. Analisa os aspectos que o trabalho assume, a propriedade e a subjetividade nessas experiências e conclui que: 1) seu quefazer estabelece uma proposta ética e estética ligada ao sustento e gozo da vida e 2) suas formas de produzir a existência interpelam os sentidos do capitalismo atual.; The article is part of an ethnographic research carried out in Argentina within autonomy-oriented organizations. From the conceptual framework of institutional analysis and community economies, the article presents a methodology working towards the analysis of social practices, discourses and meanings in three self-managed experiences. It examines how communities view work, property and subjectivity in such experiences and concludes that: 1) their work states an ethical and aesthetic proposal linked to life sustenance and enjoyment and 2) their ways of existence question the current forms of capitalism.

Diabetes primary prevention program: new insights from data analysis of recruitment period Gagliardino, Juan Jose; Elgart, Jorge Federico; Bourgeois, Marcelo Javier; Etchegoyen, Graciela Susana; Fantuzzi, Gabriel; Ré, Matias; Ricart, Juan P.; García, Silvia; Giampieri, Cecilia; Gonzalez, Lorena; Suárez Crivaro, Florencia; Kronsbein, Peter; Angelini, Julieta M.; Martinez, Camilo; Martinez, Jorge; Ricart, Alberto; Spinedi, Eduardo Julio Primary Prevention of Diabetes Program in Buenos Aires Province evaluates the effectiveness of adopting healthy lifestyle to prevent type 2 diabetes (T2D) in people at high risk of developing it. We aimed to present preliminary data analysis of FINDRISC and laboratory measurements taken during recruitment of people for the Primary Prevention of Diabetes Program in Buenos Aires Province in the cities of La Plata, Berisso, and Ensenada, Argentina.

The anti-corrosion performance of water-borne paints in long term tests Roselli, Sol Natacha; Romagnoli, Roberto; Deya, Marta Cecilia One of the most inexpensive and effective method to protect steel against corrosion is paints containing active pigments. The traditional way to test these coatings performance is by accelerated tests (exposition to salt spray and/or humidity chambers) and electrochemical tests (corrosion potential, ionic resistance and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy). However, these tests give incomplete information if the results are not correlated to outdoor or service tests. The aim of this work was to evaluate water-borne epoxy anticorrosion paints containing different commercial phosphate pigments. The paints were exposed to a semi-industrial atmosphere for 7 years. Electrochemical tests and accelerated assays were also done in order to find a correlation between laboratory and service tests. The results obtained showed no correlation between those from pigment suspensions and those from painted panels, as it seemed that paint performance is highly dependent on the resin. The pigments zinc iron phosphate and zinc aluminium phosphate performed poorly in pigment suspensions. However, the coatings containing them exhibited the highest ionic resistance, the lowest film capacitance and gave the better results in outdoor tests. Results in outdoor exposure tests correlated with those from impedance measurements.

Resistencia Concomitante Antitumoral: un posible mecanismo de control de las metástasis Ruggiero, Raul Alejandro En mayo de 1978, cuando ingresé en la Sección Leucemia Experimental de la Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires, ciertamente no imaginé que, 39 años después, iba a estar en este mismo sitio trabajando y escribiendo este artículo. Para algunos, tal vez para muchos, la permanencia por un tiempo tan prolongado en un mismo lugar de trabajo es un signo de estancamiento.

Effect of operational parameters and Pd/In catalyst in the reduction of nitrate using copper electrode Beltrame, Thiago Favarini; Coelho, Vanessa; Marder, Luciano; Ferreira, Jane Zoppas; Marchesini, Fernanda Albana; Bernardes, Andrea Moura Water with high concentration of nitrate may cause damage to health and to the environment. This study investigated how concentration, current density, flow, pH, the use of Pd/In catalyst and operating mode (constant current density and constant cell potential) have an influence in the electrochemical reduction of nitrate and in the formation of gaseous compounds using copper electrode. Experiments were performed in two-compartment electrolytic cells separated by a cationic membrane with nitrate model solutions prepared as a surrogate of concentrated brines from membrane desalination plants. The results show that the electroreduction process has potential for reduction of nitrate and that it is influenced by the operational conditions. The best conditions found for the treatment - with satisfactory reduction of nitrate, formation of compounds and reproducibility - were at nitrate concentrations of 600 and 1000 mg.L-1, current density of 1.1 mA.cm-2 and without pH control, since in these conditions the production of gaseous compounds is higher than the production of nitrite. When Pd/In catalyst was used, the nitrate reduction was 50% after 6 hours of experiment and the predominant product were gaseous compounds. When compared to the experiment without the catalyst, the arrangement with Pd/In was the most efficient one.

Psychology's contributions to extension: state of the art and calls to action Landini, Fernando Pablo; Olivera Méndez, Alejandra; De Hegedüs, Pedro Several psychosocial processes are embedded in the practice of extension. However, there is no Journal of Extension article that systematically addresses how psychology can contribute to the field. Research conducted recently in Latin America addresses this issue and is applicable to those working in U.S. Cooperative Extension. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of possible contributions psychology can make to U.S. Cooperative Extension. These contributions are presented in the context of seven aspects of extension practice that have strong psychological components. Calls to action are presented as well. Essentially, extensión organizations need to acknowledge the potentiality of psychology and invite psychologists to be part of their programs and research.

Rol de los psicólogos en la extensión rural desde el punto de vista de los extensionistas del noreste argentino; Expected role of psychologists in rural extension in the Argentine Northeast; Papel esperado dos psicólogos na extensão rural no noreste argentino Landini, Fernando Pablo La extensión rural es una práctica compleja que involucra asistencia técnica y asesoría a productores y a otros actores rurales con el fin de que éstos puedan fortalecer su producción y sus dinámicas organizativas y comerciales. Vista así, resulta claro que la extensión rural es una práctica interdisciplinaria que requiere contribuciones de las diferentes ciencias sociales. En consecuencia, puede afirmarse que la psicología posee una importante potencialidad para contribuir a la extensión rural. No obstante, se observa que sus contribuciones al área han sido escasas. Así, buscando comprender el rol potencial de los psicólogos en la extensión rural se realizó una investigación cualitativa, de carácter exploratorio-descriptivo centrada en la realización de 40 entrevistas a extensionistas del noreste argentino. Las entrevistas fueron grabadas y luego analizadas siguiendo los principios de la teoría fundamentada, utilizando el software Atlas Ti. Se concluye que la mayor parte de los extensionistas consideran que la psicología podría contribuir a su labor, aún sin poder clarificar sus especificidades. Se destaca la posibilidad de contribuir al manejo de grupos, a la gestión de conflictos y a la comprensión de los productores.; Rural extension is a complex practice that involves the provision of technical assistance and advisory services to farmers and other rural actors with the aim of improving agricultural production as well as organizational and commercial dynamics. Thus, it is clear that rural extension as an interdisciplinary practice that requires contributions from different social sciences. In consequence, it can be argued that psycholog y has a great potential to contribute to rural extension. Nonetheless, it has been mentioned that its contributions to the topic have been scarce. Aiming to understand the potential role of psychologists in the context of rural extension

GeRNet: A Gene Regulatory Network Tool Dussaut, Julieta Sol; Gallo, Cristian Andrés; Cravero, Fiorella; Martínez, María Jimena; Carballido, Jessica Andrea; Ponzoni, Ignacio Gene regulatory networks (GRNs) are crucial in every process of life since they govern the majority of the molecular processes. Therefore, the task of assembling these networks is highly important. In particular, the so called model-free ap-proaches have an advantage modeling the complexities of dynamic molecular networks, since most of the gene networks are hard to be mapped with accuracy by any other mathematical model. A highly abstract model-free approach, called rule-based approach, offers several advantages performing data-driven analysis; such as the requirement of the least amount of data. They also have an important ability to perform inferences: its simplicity allows the inference of large size mod-els with a higher speed of analysis. However, regarding these techniques, the re-construction of the relational structure of the network is partial, hence incomplete, for an effective biological analysis. This situation motivated us to explore the possibility of hybridizing with other approaches, such as biclustering techniques. This led to incorporate a biclustering tool that finds new relations between these nodes of the GRN. In this work we present a new software, called GeRNeT that integrates the algorithms of GRNCOP2 and BiHEA along a set of tools for interactive visualization, statistical analysis and ontological enrichment of the resulting GRNs. In this regard, results associated with Alzheimer disease datasets are pre-sented that show the usefulness of integrating both bioinformatics tools.

Retazos de anécdotas: pensando nuestras acciones, construyendo nuestra(s) historia(s); Scraps of stories: thinking our actions building our history(s) Anzorena, Claudia Cecilia En este artículo compartimos algunos hitos en la historia de la Campaña Nacional por el Derecho al Aborto Legal, Seguro y Gratuito, como parte de la lucha por el derecho al aborto en Argentina. Relata, desde un saber situado, en qué consiste esta Campaña, sus raíces en el XVIII Encuentro Nacional de Mujeres (Rosario, 2003), la reunión de constitución realizada en Córdoba en 2005 y acciones desarrolladas en Mendoza. Esta Campaña, ha motorizado una gran cantidad de procesos que muestran los avances logrados y los desafíos que se presentan en vistas de la legalización y despenalización (legal y social) del aborto en Argentina; In this article we share some of the highlights in the history of the Campaña Nacional por el Derecho al Aborto Legal, Seguro y Gratuito [National Campaign for the Right to Free, Safe and Legal Abortion] as a part of the struggle for abortion rights in Argentina. We describe – from a situated knowledge - the goals of this Campaña, its origins in the XVIII Encuentro Nacional de Mujeres (Rosario, 2003), the foundational meeting held in Córdoba in 2005 and actions undertaken in Mendoza. This Campaign has propelled a vast quantity of processes that reflect the advances attained and the challenges that must be faced in order to achieve the legalization and the legal and social depenalization of abortion in Argentina.

The Kinase Fyn As a Novel Intermediate in l-DOPA-Induced Dyskinesia in Parkinson’s Disease Sanz Blasco, Sara Isabel; Bordone, Melina Paula; Damianich, Ana; Gomez, Gimena; Bernardi, Maria Alejandra; Isaja, Luciana; Taravini, Irene Rita Eloisa; Hanger, Diane P.; Avale, Maria Elena; Gershanik, Oscar Samuel; Ferrario, Juan Esteban Dopamine replacement therapy with l-DOPA is the treatment of choice for Parkinson’s disease; however, its long-term use is frequently associated with l-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID). Many molecules have been implicated in the development of LID, and several of these have been proposed as potential therapeutic targets. However, to date, none of these molecules have demonstrated full clinical efficacy, either because they lie downstream of dopaminergic signaling, or due to adverse side effects. Therefore, discovering new strategies to reduce LID in Parkinson’s disease remains a major challenge. Here, we have explored the tyrosine kinase Fyn, as a novel intermediate molecule in the development of LID. Fyn, a member of the Src kinase family, is located in the postsynaptic density, where it regulates phosphorylation of the NR2B subunit of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in response to dopamine D1 receptor stimulation. We have used Fyn knockout and wild-type mice, lesioned with 6-hydroxydopamine and chronically treated with l-DOPA, to investigate the role of Fyn in the induction of LID. We found that mice lacking Fyn displayed reduced LID, ΔFosB accumulation and NR2B phosphorylation compared to wild-type control mice. Pre-administration of saracatinib (AZD0530), an inhibitor of Fyn activity, also significantly reduced LID in dyskinetic wild-type mice. These results support that Fyn has a critical role in the molecular pathways affected during the development of LID and identify Fyn as a novel potential therapeutic target for the management of dyskinesia in Parkinson’s disease.

Caracterización métrica y morfológica de las cuentas provenientes del área costera norpatagónica: Río Negro, Argentina; Metric and morphometric characterization of beads from coastal North Patagonia, Río Negro, Argentina Cardillo, Marcelo En este trabajo se analizan las cuentas malacológicas y líticas recuperadas en el Golfo San Matías, costa de Río Negro (Argentina), empleando métodos cualitativos y cuantitativos. Con este fin se combinan técnicas de análisis métricos con morfometría geométrica (análisis de Fourier elíptico), con el objetivo de lograr una descripción más detallada de la variabilidad del diseño. Los resultados obtenidos señalan algunas diferencias en la forma y tamaño vinculadas a las materias primas utilizadas para su confección. Por último, se discuten las razones de estas diferencias y en particular, el peso potencial de las propiedades físico mecánicas así como la elección de las formas base empleadas en la elaboración de dichos objetos ornamentales.; In this paper, we analyze shell and stone beads recovered from the San Matías Gulf, Río Negro coast (Argentina), using qualitative and quantitative methods. To this end, metric and geometric morphometric (elliptic Fourier analysis) techniques were combined, thereby achieving a more detailed description of design variability. The results show some differences in the shape and size related to raw materials used in these items manufacture. Finally, the causes of observed differences are discussed, with special focus on the weight of the mechanical and physical properties of raw materials used in the preparation of such ornamental objects.

Tankyrase inhibition regulates corpus luteum development and luteal function in gonadotropin-treated rats Accialini, Paula Lucia; Irusta, Griselda; Bechis, Andrés; Bas, Diana Ester; Parborell, Maria Fernanda Agustina; Abramovich, Dalhia Nurit; Tesone, Marta Tankyrases are physiological regulators of Axin, a protein involved in several cellular processes, including Wnt signaling. Here, we investigated the effect of a specific Tankyrase inhibitor (XAV939) in follicular-luteal dynamics, and its possible relationship with ovarian vascular development. Studies were designed to analyze the effect of intrabursa administration of XAV939 in gonadotropin-treated prepubertal rats. In particular, we examined follicle and corpus luteum development, steroidogenesis, angiogenic markers, and apoptotic parameters. We found that in vivo inhibition of Wnt signaling impaired corpus luteum development, with a decrease in the number of corpora lutea balanced by a high number of cysts; decreased circulating progesterone levels, likely due to a decrease in Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein content in the corpus luteum; and increased pro-apoptotic parameters. In addition, Extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation, Vascular endothelium growth factor 120 content, and endothelial cell area were diminished in corpora lutea of inhibitor-treated ovaries. Thus, Wnt/β-catenin signaling appears to participate in the regulation of corpus luteum development and luteal cell function.

Volatile organic compounds from the interaction between Fusarium verticillioides and maize kernels as a natural repellents of Sitophilus zeamais Usseglio, Virginia Lara; Pizzolitto, Romina Paola; Rodriguez, Carolina; Zunino, María Paula; Zygadlo, Julio Alberto; Areco, Vanessa Andrea; Dambolena, José Sebastián Maize kernels are exposed to Sitophilus zeamais attack and Fusarium verticillioides infestation duringstorage, which can result in product deterioration and economic losses. The objective of this study was toevaluate the involvement of the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emitted by the fungi-corn system ingrain-insect interactions. Volatiles emitted by healthy maize kernels were different from those emittedby fungal infected kernels, with the latter being enriched by alcohols, ketones and sesquiterpenes, whichwere considered early indicators of fungal contamination. The results demonstrated that the kernelsexposed to the fungal VOCs and their pure compounds (1-octen-3-ol and 3-octanol) were less attractiveand less damaged by S. zeamais than controls. In addition to compound adsorption, other processes mayhave caused the protective effect of exposed kernels against insect damage. This is the first contributionof the role of the fungal volatiles on the behavior of S. zeamais, and could provide an importantcontribution to the conservation of stored grains and pest management and an early indicator of fungalcontamination.

Strongly misaligned triple system in SR 24 revealed by ALMA Fernandez Lopez, Manuel; Zapata, L. A.; Gabbasov, R. We report the detection of the 1.3 mm continuum and the molecular emission of the disks of the young triple system SR24 by analyzing ALMA (The Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimter Array) subarcsecond archival observations. We estimate the mass of the disks (0.025 M ⊙ and 4 × 10‑5 M ⊕ for SR24S and SR24N, respectively) and the dynamical mass of the protostars (1.5 M ⊙ and 1.1 M ⊙). A kinematic model of the SR24S disk to fit its C18O (2-1) emission allows us to develop an observational method to determine the tilt of a rotating and accreting disk. We derive the size, inclination, position angle, and sense of rotation of each disk, finding that they are strongly misaligned (108^circ ) and possibly rotate in opposite directions as seen from Earth, in projection. We compare the ALMA observations with 12CO SMA archival observations, which are more sensitive to extended structures. We find three extended structures and estimate their masses: a molecular bridge joining the disks of the system, a molecular gas reservoir associated with SR24N, and a gas streamer associated with SR24S. Finally, we discuss the possible origin of the misaligned SR24 system, concluding that a closer inspection of the northern gas reservoir is needed to better understand it.