Probing the competition between acetate and 2,2′-bipyridine ligands to bind to d-block group 12 metals Do Nascimento Neto, José Antônio; Da Silva, Cameron Capeletti; Ribeiro, Leandro Agustín; Vasconcelos, Géssica Adriana; Gontijo Vaz, Boniek; Ferreira, Vinicius Sousa; Queiroz Júnior, Luiz Henrique Keng; Maia, Lauro June Queiroz; Sarotti, Ariel Marcelo; Martins, Felipe T. Herein, we were interested in probing the competition between 2,2′-bipyridine (2,2′-bipy) and acetate ligands in binding to Zn2+, Cd2+ and Hg2+. We have obtained eight new supramolecular architectures through tuning the proportion of these two ligands. On doubling the acetate availability compared to 2,2′-bipy, complexes with either Zn2+, Cd2+ or Hg2+ were formed with one 2,2′-bipy and two acetate ligands coordinated to the metal center. One water molecule is also coordinated to Zn2+ and Cd2+ in these two complexes, which are reported here for the first time. One 2,2′-bipy is still coordinated to the three metal ions with an acetate excess of 10-times, but another trinuclear Zn2+ complex is formed with two 2,2′-bipy and six acetate ligands (1 : 3 2,2′-bipy : acetate stoichiometry). Upon setting an equimolar ratio of the ligands, the complex [Zn(CH3CO2)(2,2′-bipy)2]+ is formed, while two 2,2′-bipy and two acetate ligands are coordinated to Cd2+, giving rise to a [Cd(CH3CO2)2(2,2′bipy)2] complex. On doubling the 2,2′-bipy availability compared to acetate, the former does not coordinate to Zn2+ and Cd2+, as observed in the acetate salt form of [Zn(2,2′-bipy)3]2+ and in [Cd(2,2′-bipy)3]2+. This last Cd2+ complex did not crystallize, revealing its unfavorable crystallization as an acetate salt form. However, under this last ligand ratio, the persistence of at least one coordinated acetate was observed in the Hg2+ complex with 2 : 1 2,2′-bipy : acetate stoichiometry. Furthermore, there is a cocrystallized 2,2′-bipy in the acetate salt form of [Hg(CH3CO2)(2,2′-bipy)2]+, which is not able to win the competition with acetate for the third coordination site to Hg2+. Even if the 2,2′-bipy amount is 10-times higher than that of acetate in the reaction batch, one acetate remains coordinated to Hg2+. Our crystal form of [Zn(CH3CO2)(2,2′-bipy)2]+ is strongly photoluminescent, with highly efficient emission centered at 356 nm (external and internal quantum yields of 14.2(1)% and 41.3(1)%), whose optical efficiency was rationalized on the basis of time-dependent DFT calculations.

Herbivoría de los insectos específicos Cornops aquaticum (Orthoptera: Acrididae) y Neochetina (Coleoptera: Erirhinidae): comparación entre especies hospederas y periodos de crecimiento de las poblaciones de plantas; Herbivory of specific insects Cornops aquaticum (Orthoptera: Acrididae) and Neochetina (Coleoptera: Erirhinidae): a comparison between host species and growth periods of plant populations Fuentes Rodríguez, Daniela Alejandra; Franceschini, Maria Celeste; Martínez, Fedra Solange; Sosa, Alejandro Joaquín Eichhornia crassipes y Eichhornia azurea son plantas acuáticas con alta biomasa y amplia distribución en humedales del Neotrópico. Estas plantas comparten especies de interés para control biológico como los curculionoideos del género Neochetina y el acridio Cornops aquaticum. Los objetivos del trabajo fueron (1) analizar la herbivoría de insectos específicos en hojas de E. azurea y E. crassipes, en período de crecimiento y decaimiento de las poblaciones de plantas; (2) comparar la herbivoría producida por C. aquaticum en dos especies de plantas hospederas diferentes. Los muestreos se realizaron en dos humedales del Nordeste argentino, en dos fechas distintas, entre enero y febrero de 2006 (periodo de crecimiento) y agosto de 2006 (periodo de decaimiento). En cada fecha de muestreo, se colectaron por triplicado muestras de 10 hojas de individuos diferentes en E. azurea y E. crassipes (N=120 hojas). Se midió herbivoría como área foliar dañada y porcentaje del área foliar dañada por herbívoros. El porcentaje de área foliar dañada por los insectos fue mayor en período de crecimiento que en el decaimiento en las dos especies de hospederas. La herbivoría de C. aquaticum en el periodo de decaimiento alcanzó en promedio 0.44% en E. crassipes y 0.34% en E. azurea, con diferencias significativas entre hospederas; en el periodo de crecimiento el daño producido por este acridio fue significativamente más alto en E. azurea (16.19%) que en E. crassipes ( 6.92%). El área foliar removida por C. aquaticum fue significativamente más baja comparada con el área dañada por las especies de Neochetina sólo en E. crassipes y durante el periodo de decaimiento. La efectividad de la herbivoría varió entre periodos de crecimiento de las poblaciones de plantas, independientemente del recurso alimenticio disponible por las especies hospederas. Los resultados muestran la importancia de contemplar la acción combinada de estos herbívoros como alternativa eficiente para diseñar programas de control biológico de E. crassipes.; Eichhornia crassipes and Eichhornia azurea are common invasive aquatic plants in Neotropical wetlands. These plants share species for their biological control, such as curculionoids of the genus Neochetina and the acridium Cornops aquaticum. In this study the herbivory of these specific insects was analyzed in leaves of E. azurea and E. crassipes, in period of growth and decay of plant populations; likewise, the herbivory of C. aquaticum was compared in both species of plants. Sampling was taken in 2 wetlands in the Argentine northeast, between January and February 2006 (growth period) and August 2006 (period of decay). At each sampling date, leaf samples of E. azurea and E. crassipes were collected. The herbivory was measured as the damaged leaf area and percentage of the leaf area damaged by herbivores. The herbivory was higher in growth period than in the decay in the 2 host species. The herbivory of C. aquaticum in the decay period was 0.34% in E. azurea and 0.44% in E. crassipes; in the growing period the damage caused by this acridium was higher in E. azurea (16.19%) than in E. crassipes (6.92%). During the decay period, only in E. crassipes, the herbivory by C. aquaticum was lower than that of the Neochetina species. The effectiveness of the herbivory varied between periods of population growth of the plants. The results show the importance of considering the combined action of these herbivores in the biological control of these aquatic plants.

Lenguaje y comprensibilidad: Acerca de la traducción del contenido semántico del discurso religioso Scivoletto, Gonzalo Martín Entre las condiciones marco para la realización de un discurso práctico se cuenta la posibilidad de utilizar un lenguaje común o "universalmente comprensible" para todos los afectados que participan del discurso. Esta condición se vuelve más compleja en la medida que los interlocutores provienen de comunidades lingüísticas o formas de vida muy extrañas entre sí. Por lo tanto, el propósito de este trabajo es reflexionar sobre las características y dificultades que tiene la aplicación de la ética del discurso o, más precisamente, la institucionalización del discurso práctico en contextos interculturales complejos o semánticamente densos. Para ello, en el primer punto se presenta a través de un ejemplo -el concepto de mito- la diferencia entre el malentendido conceptual y el desacuerdo (teórico o práctico). En el segundo punto, se analizan dos fragmentos de Habermas para mostrar las dificultades respecto del carácter que tienen las pretensiones de sentido o comprensibilidad y su eventual resolución en un discurso hermenéutico. En el tercer punto, se presentan algunas reflexiones sobre la traducción como un posible criterio para la resolución de disputas de sentido o comprensibilidad -para ello se toma como caso de análisis las intervenciones de Habermas sobre la traducción del lenguaje religioso en la esfera pública.; One of the framework conditions for the realization of a practical discourse is the possibility of using a common or "universally understandable" language for all those involved in the discourse. This condition becomes more complex to the extent that the interlocutors come from linguistic communities or life forms very strange to each other. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to reflect on the characteristics and difficulties of applied discourse ethics or, more precisely, the institutionalization of practical discourses in complex or semantically dense intercultural contexts. First, the difference between conceptual misunderstanding and disagreement (theoretical or practical) is presented through an example - the concept of myth -. In the second point, two fragments of Habermas are analysed to show the difficulties regarding the character that the claims of sense or comprehensibility have and their eventual resolution in a hermeneutical discourse. In the third point, some reflections on translation are presented as a possible criterion for the resolution of claims of meaning or comprehensibility -for this, Habermas's interventions on the translation of religious language in the public sphere are taken as a case of ana

On the Steinmanellidae (Bivalvia: Myophorelloidea); their palaeo-biogeography, evolution and classification Cooper, Michael R.; Leanza, Hector Armando The trigoniid group "Pseudo-Quadratae" was introduced for Cretaceous descendents of Myophorellidae with a convergent resemblance to Tethyan Quadratotrigoniinae (= Quadratae). Subsequently it was made the basis of the subfamily Steinmanellinae, which herein is elevated to family rank. The earliest record of the group is from the Early-Middle Kimmeridgian of the Tethyan Realm (American Province), from where it spread into the Boreal and Gondwanic realms. Steinmanellids rose to dominance in the cool temperate waters of the Andean Province, and the latter represents their centre of diversification. They are absent from the predominantly cold circum-polar waters of Southern and Eastern Gondwana, i.e.the Antarctic and Maorian provinces, as well as from the Australasian Province. The evolution of the group is tracked and two lineages identified, comprising 47 nominal species assigned to 14 genera, 9 of which are new: Stoyanowella, Philippiella, Garatella,Weaverella, Neuquenella, Pseudoyaadia, Popenoella, Louella, and Tashiroella. One lineage (Yaadiinae nov.) migrated northwards from its Tethyan origin into the Cordilleran Province of the Boreal Realm and thence, in the Late Cretaceous, to the Oriental Province, surviving in both biochores into the Maastrichtian. The second lineage, the subfamily Steinmanellinae, appeared in the Early-Middle Kimmeridgian of the American Province, but its centre of diversification was in the Andean Province where it appeared in the Early Tithonian and survived until the Late Hauterivian. From there it migrated eastwards into the Ethiopian Province, reaching as far as India, where it is recorded only from the Late Valanginian and Barremian.

Management of fruit species in urban home gardens of Argentina Atlantic Forest as an influence for landscape domestication Furlan, Violeta; Pochettino, María Lelia; Hilgert, Norma Ines Home gardens are considered germplasm repositories and places for experimentation, thus they are key sites for the domestication of plants. Domestication is considered a constant process that occurs along a continuum from wild to managed to domesticated populations. Management may lead to the modification of populations and in other cases to their distribution, changing population structure in a landscape. Our objective is focused on the management received in home gardens by perennial species of fruits. For this, the management practices applied to native and exotic perennial fruits species by a group of 20 women in the periurban zone of Iguazú, Argentina, were analyzed. In-depth interviews were conducted, as well as guided tours for the recognition and collection of specimens of species and ethnovarieties. Sixty-six fruit species managed in the home gardens were recorded. The predominant families are Rutaceae, Myrtaceae, and Rosaceae. The fruit species with the highest number of associated management practices are pitanga (Eugenia uniflora) and pindó (Syagrus rommanzoffiana). The 10 species with the highest management intensity are (in decreasing order of intensity) banana (Musa x paradisiaca), palta (Persea americana), pitanga (E. uniflora), mango (Mangifera indica), cocú (Allophylus edulis), mamón (Carica papaya), guayaba (Psidium guajava), limón mandarina (Citrus x taitensis), güembé (Philodendron bipinnatifidum), and mandarina (Citrus reticulata). Among the families with the greatest modifications in their distribution, abundance and presence of ethnovarieties in domestic gardens, are the native Myrtaceae and the exotic Rutaceae. The main management practices involved are cultivation, tolerance, transplant and enhancement in decreasing order. It can be concluded that in Iguazú, fruit species management shows both in plant germplasm as in environment a continuum that through tolerance, transplant and cultivation latu sensu has derived in a mosaic of species in different management situations, which in turn are representative of an anthropogenic landscape in constant domestication and change.

T cell leukemia control via Ras-Raf pathway inhibition with peptides Marin, G. H.; Bruzzoni Giovanelli, H.; Schinella, Guillermo Raúl; Piazzon, Margarita Isabel; Duarte, Alejandra Beatriz; Errecalde, J. RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK pathway has been considered a promising target for anticancer therapy. However, tumor cells may develop resistance against such drugs via hyperactivation of N-Ras, which explains why novel therapeut-ic approaches. In this sense, the Institute Curie- Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris 6) designed peptides in order to disturb Ras/Raf interaction which showed pro-apoptotic properties.

A climatology of Rossby wave generation in the middle atmosphere of the Southern Hemisphere from MERRA reanalysis Rodas, Claudio José Francisco; Pulido, Manuel Arturo A climatological characterization of Rossby wave generation events in the middle atmosphere of the Southern Hemisphere is conducted using 20 years of Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) reanalysis. An automatic detection technique of wave generation events is developed and applied to MERRA reanalysis. The Rossby wave generation events with wave period of 1.25 to 5.5 days and zonal wave number from one to three dominate the Eliassen-Palm flux divergence around the stratopause at high latitudes in the examined 20 year period. These produce an eastward forcing of the general circulation between May and mid-August in that region. Afterward from mid-August to the final warming date, Rossby wave generation events are still present but the Eliassen-Palm flux divergence in the polar stratopause is dominated by low-frequency Rossby waves that propagate from the troposphere. The Rossby wave generation events are associated with potential vorticity gradient inversion, and so they are a manifestation of the dominant barotropic/baroclinic unstable modes that grow at the cost of smearing the negative meridional gradient of potential vorticity. The most likely region of wave generation is found between 60° and 80°S and at a height of 0.7 hPa, but events were detected from 40 hPa to 0.3 hPa (which is the top of the examined region). The mean number of events per year is 24, and its mean duration is 3.35 days. The event duration follows an exponential distribution.

La política desde el campo: iniciativas locales y gobierno rural en tiempos reformistas (Santa Fe, virreinato del Río de la Plata a finales del siglo XVIII); Politics from the country: local initiatives and rural government in reformist times (Santa Fe, Vice Royalty of the Río de la Plata in the late eighteenth century) Barriera, Dario Gabriel Este artículo analiza iniciativas locales de un grupo de vecinos rurales en el Río de la Plata para ocuparse de un capítulo ausente en la Real Ordenanza de Intendentes de Buenos Aires (1782): el gobierno de las campañas. El texto plantea que la dicotomía «imposición o resistencias» a los procesos de centralización no agota la paleta de experiencias históricas. Documentando la existencia de una rica vida política en una campaña marginal del virreinato rioplatense durante el último cuarto del siglo XVIII, hace visible el modo en que los procesos territoriales «desde abajo» incidieron en la arquitectura institucional del período.; This article analyses the eforts made by a group of rural residents in Rio de la Plata to provide a missing chapter in the Royal Ordinance of Intendants of Buenos Aires (1782): the government of rural areas. The text posits that the dichotomic view “imposition or resistance” to the processes of centralisation does not do justice to the diferent historical experiences. Documenting the existence of a rich political life in an outlying rural area of the River Plate Viceroyalty during the last quarter of the eighteenth century, it illustrates the way in which territorial processes “from below” infuenced the institutional architecture of the period.

Prostanoides y lecho vascular mesentérico: su implicancia en enfermedades cardiometabólicas Lee, Hyun Jin; Cantú, Silvana María; Donoso, Adriana Susana; Choi, Marcelo Roberto; Peredo, Horacio Angel; Puyó, Ana María Las enfermedades metabólicas como el síndrome metabólico y la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 están estrechamente vinculadas con la hipertensión arterial y constituyen un importante problema de salud pública a nivel mundial. Sin embargo, la relación exacta entre las mismas aún no está completamente dilucidada. El lecho vascular mesentérico constituye una fuente de prostanoides formada por las prostaglandinas (PGs) y tromboxanos (TXs). Estos mediadores lipídicos juegan un importante papel en la regulación del tono vasomotor. Recientemente se ha aumentado el interés en el estudio de la función del lecho mesentérico en estas enfermedades. Alteraciones en la función del tejido adiposo perivascular localizado alrededor de los vasos mesentéricos inducida por alteraciones de la dieta podrían constituir un posible vínculo entre las alteraciones metabólicas y el desarrollo de enfermedades cardiovasculares como la hipertensión arterial. Un estudio realizado por nuestro laboratorio mostró un patrón alterado de la liberación de prostanoides en el lecho vascular mesentérico en un modelo experimental de síndrome metabólico en la rata inducida por una dieta alta en grasa.; Metabolic diseases such as metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus are closely linked to hypertension and constitute a major public health problem worldwide. However, the exact relationship between them is not yet fully understood. The mesenteric vascular bed constitutes a source of prostanoids such as prostaglandins (PGs) and thromboxanes (TXs). These lipid mediators play an important role in the regulation of vasomotor tone. Recently, the interest in the study of mesenteric bed function in these diseases has been aroused. Alterations in the function of perivascular adipose tissue located in the mesenteric vessels induced by dietary alterations could constitute a possible link between metabolic alterations and the development of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension. To address these issues, we present the results of a study of our laboratory showing an altered pattern of prostanoid release in the mesenteric vascular bed in an experimental model of metabolic syndrome in rats induced by a high fat diet.

Científicos Periféricos, entre Ariel y Calibán. Saberes Institucionales y Circuitos de Consagración en Argentina: Las Publicaciones de los Investigadores del CONICET; Científicos periféricos, entre Ariel e Calibán: saberes institucionais e circuitos de consagração nas publicações dos pesquisadores do CONICET na Argentina; Científicos periféricos, entre Ariel e Calibán: Saberes institucionais e circuitos de consagração nas publicações dos pesquisadores do CONICET na Argentina; Savants périphériques entre Ariel et Calibán: Savoirs iinstitutionnels et circuits de consécration en Argentine: Les publications des chercheurs au CONICET Beigel, Maria Fernanda Argentina is a dynamic scientific field, dominantly public, havingwitnessed athree-fold growth in the number of full-time researchers over the past decadeand the repatriation of over one thousand researchers that had emigrated intimes of crisis. Meanwhile, there has been a simultaneous deepening of thepolarization between internationalized scientists and those with a moreendogenous orientation. Although autonomous and heteronymous trendscoexist throughout the field, segmented scientific circuits have beenconsolidated revealing the dispute between two types of prestige: oneinternational and the other local/national. In the first part of this article, Ianalyze the morphology of this double-faceted academic elite, describing itsstyles of production and circulation. In the second part, I focus on theinternationalized profile, by means of an empirical study on the publicationsconsidered to be the ?most relevant? by researchers on the National Scientificand Technical Research Council (CONICET) when seeking for promotion.; Argentina tiene un campo científico dinámico, predominantemente público, que triplicó la cantidad de investigadores full-time en la última década y repatrió más de mil investigadores argentinos que habían emigrado en épocas de crisis. Paralelamente, sin embargo, se profundizó la polarización entre los científicos internacionalizados y los que tienen una orientación más endógena. Aunque conviven tendencias autónomas y heterónomas en todo el campo, se han consolidado circuitos segmentados de consagración que evidencian la disputa entre dos tipos de prestigio: uno internacional versus otro local/nacional. En la primera parte de este artículo analizamos la morfología de esta elite académica bifronte y describimos sus formas de producción y circulación. En la segunda parte, nos concentramos en el perfil internacionalizado, a través de un estudio empírico de las publicaciones “más relevantes” que los investigadores del Consejo de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) eligen para solicitar promoción.; A Argentina possui um campo científico dinâmico, predominantemente público, que triplicou a quantidade de pesquisadores em tempo integral na última década e repatriou mais de mil pesquisadores argentinos que haviam emigrado em épocas de crise. Paralelamente, no entanto, aprofundou-se a polarização entre os cientistas internacionalizados e aqueles de orientação mais endógena. Ainda que tendências autônomas e heterônomas convivam em todo o campo, foram consolidados circuitos segmentados de consagração, os quais evidenciam a disputa entre dois tipos de prestígio: um internacional versus outro local/nacional. Na primeira parte desse artigo, analisamos a morfologia desta elite acadêmica bifronte e descrevemos as suas formas de produção e circulação. Na segunda parte, concentramo-nos no perfil internacionalizado, através de um estudo empírico das publicações “mais relevantes” escolhidas por pesquisadores do Consejo de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) quando se solicita promoção.; L’Argentine dispose d’un domaine scientifique dynamique, majoritairement public, où le nombre de chercheurs à plein temps a triplé au cours de la dernière décennie, grâce notamment au rapatriement de plus d’un millier de chercheurs argentins qui avaient émigré en temps de crise. Parallèlement, la polarisation entre les scientifiques internationalisés et ceux dont l’orientation est plus endogène s’est néanmoins approfondie. Encore que coexistent dans le champ ces tendances autonomes et hétéronomes, des circuits de consécration segmentés se sont toutefois consolidés et démontrent le conflit entre ces deux types de prestige: l’un, international, et l’autre, local/national. Dans la première partie de cet article, nous analyserons la morphologie de cette élite universitaire bicéphale et décrirons ses formes de production et de circulation. Dans la deuxième partie, nous nous concentrons sur le profil internationalisé à travers une étude empirique des publications “les plus important” choisi par les chercheurs du Conseil de recherche scientifique et technique (CONICET) pour appuyer leurs demandes de promotion.

Occurrence of Anastrepha fraterculus and Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Organically Grown Rubus (Rosales: Rosaceae), in Two Contrasting Environments of Northwestern Argentina Funes, Claudia Fernanda; Escobar, Lorena Ines; Meneguzzi, Natalia Gabriela; Ovruski Alderete, Sergio Marcelo; Kirschbaum, Daniel Santiago In Tucumán (northwestern Argentina) during 2013 and 2014, Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) and Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) were found infesting organically grown blackberries in the humid piedmont region (Monte Grande, Famaillá). In 2016, only A. fraterculus was found infesting organically grown blackberries and raspberries in the temperate semiarid region (Tafí del Valle), where studies conducted in prior years showed coexistence of both fruit fly species with prevalence of C. capitata over A. fraterculus, but in other fruit species. In this study, we found that A. fraterculus had a remarkable preference for raspberries over blackberries. These are the first records of fruit fly occurrence in Rubus (Rosales: Rosaceae) in northwestern Argentina and expand the range of host species for fruit flies in the region. Fruit fly infestation levels in blackberries in the humid region were very low, whereas fruit fly infestation in the semiarid region was relatively high. Based on our observations, we hypothesize that spring rains, soil moisture, and relative humidity determine the time of appearance of fruit flies in blackberries in the humid region. Fruit fly abundance should be tracked for several more years to test this hypothesis. In addition, fruit flies were not recovered from fruit samples of the blackberry cultivar Navaho, which is interesting from both an agronomic and scientific perspective.

Grazing increases evapotranspiration without the cost of lowering soil water storages in arid ecosystems Pereyra, Daniel A.; Bucci, Sandra Janet; Arias, Nadia Soledad; Ciano, Nicolás; Cristiano, Piedad María; Goldstein, Guillermo Hernan; Scholz, Fabian Gustavo Grazing is the predominant land use practice in arid environments; however, there are relatively few studies of grazing effects on ecosystem functioning. We assessed the impact of grazing on soil moisture, evapotranspiration (ET), canopy conductance (Gc), and root water uptake in the Patagonian steppe. Studies were done in 3 sites along a gradient of grazing intensity. High grazing intensity increased the soil water storage by 24% and decreased the amount of water extracted from deep layers compared to the low grazing intensity. Grazing affected ET and its partitioning into transpiration (T) and evaporation. High shrub cover and Gc increased ET and T or ET partitioning in the heavily grazed site. Annual ET increased from 78% to 92% of the annual precipitation from the lowest to the highest grazing intensity, respectively. Total T was 21% higher in the highest intensity site compared to the lowest intensity site. Changes in Gc suggest that grazing modified the canopy architecture, and thus the response of vegetation to environmental factors. At the beginning of the growing season when moisture was high, Gc exhibited the highest value in the heavily grazed site, but a strong regulation of water losses was observed under drier conditions. This study emphasizes the need to assess simultaneously multiple factors for understanding regulatory mechanisms of grazing effects on hydrological processes. From a sustainable management point of view, we suggest that increasing the number of water sources, and thus spreading the sheep in a paddock, can enhance the stocking rate while maintaining soil water storage.

Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) is present in human spermatozoa and is related with sperm motility: the use of recombinant FGF2 to improve motile sperm recovery Garbarino Azúa, Darío Jose; Saucedo, Lucia; Giordana, S.; Magri, M.L.; Buffone, Mariano Gabriel; Neuspiller, F.; Vazquez, Monica Hebe; Marin Briggiler, Clara Isabel Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and their receptors (FGFRs) regulate several functions of somatic cells. In a previous work, we reported FGFR expression in human spermatozoa and their involvement in motility. This study aimed to evaluate the presence and localization of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) in human spermatozoa, to determine the relationship of FGF2 levels with conventional semen parameters and to assess the effect of recombinant FGF2 (rFGF2) on sperm recovery in a selection procedure. Western immunoblotting analysis using an antibody against FGF2 revealed an 18-kDa band in sperm protein extracts. The protein was immunolocalized in the sperm flagellum and acrosomal region, as well as in all germ cells. Sperm FGF2 levels, assessed by flow cytometry, showed a positive (p < 0.05) correlation with sperm concentration, motility, total sperm number and total motile cells per ejaculate. Moreover, samples with abnormal motility depicted diminished (p < 0.01) FGF2 levels compared to those with normal motility. Spermatozoa exposed to rFGF2 bound the protein, exhibited higher (p < 0.05) total and motile sperm recoveries, and increased (p < 0.01) kinematic parameters after the swim-up. Findings herein presented lead to consider sperm FGF2 level as a potential marker of sperm quality, and rFGF2 as a supplement for improving sperm recovery in selection techniques.

Economic performance assessment and monitoring in LP-DMC type controller applications Godoy, José Luis; Ferramosca, Antonio; González, Alejandro Hernán One of the main reported problems in petrochemical applications of Linear Programming-Dynamic Matrix Control (LP-DMC) type controllers is their global performance assessment. Since the stationary optimization and dynamic control blocks have not a transparent link between them, it is not easy to find appropriate references to evaluate the overall performance, and more important, to clearly determine the causes of an eventual loss of performance. In this work, the whole LP-DMC problem is analyzed and an off-line underlying optimization problem is defined, whose solution is used as a benchmark for the global closed-loop behaviors study. Based on this idea three global indicators, which evaluate and diagnose poor controller performance, are proposed. The indicators were successfully tested in two case studies: an integrating system and the well-known Shell heavy oil fractionator.

Progesterone administration in planned reproduction of cattle Helbling, Ignacio Marcelo; Luna, Julio Alberto Cattle constitute one of the most widely used species for animal husbandry. The growing demand for products derived from cattle has led to the development of intensive production systems. These systems require planned breeding of the herd to maintain optimal production levels. Planned breeding involves estrous cycle control and artificial insemination to assist reproduction. Estrus control is a hormonal treatment that can be performed by following different protocols with the aim of manipulating the reproductive cycle to synchronize estrus in females. Estrus synchronization presents several advantages mainly related to the avoidance of estrus detection and facilitates overall planning, including logistics of artificial insemination, grazing and specific nutrition programs, calving dates, and vaccination schedules. Progesterone plays a major role in estrus cycle control programs. Progesterone blood level regulates secretion and patterns of different estrus-inducing hormones and controls follicle and corpus luteum growth and development. Hence, one of the most important step for cycle regulation is the control of blood progesterone concentration at required time periods. Typically, the reproductive management strategy includes the administration of an exogenous source of progesterone to the animal, releasing the hormone at controlled rates to maintain the concentration at supraluteal levels for a specific period of time. When delivery is disrupted, progesterone concentration falls below the threshold to subluteal levels, inducing the beginning of a hormonal-regulated mechanism which will lead to the onset of heat and subsequent ovulation. Several technologies have been developed for progesterone administration. The most widespread practice is the use of matrices for sustained administration. These matrices are made of polymeric materials and contain the hormone. These polymeric matrices can be manufactured with different geometric shapes and can be placed in different sites of the animal body. Today, intravaginal administration is the main route of administration. Intravaginal devices made of non-biodegradable polymers are the most widely used systems for synchronization purposes. However, some concerns about the nonbiodegradable materials that make up these intravaginal devices and other related inconveniencies promote new research lines. There is a general trend towards simplifying the administration of progesterone and developing more friendly delivery systems. Strategies include reducing the hormone residue in used devices, reusing devices, the incorporating biodegradable polymeric materials to manufacture the matrices, and simplifying manufacturing processes. In this context, this chapter is intended to point out the importance of both reproduction planning for production animals and the use of progesterone for estrus cycle control, describing its role, advantages and disadvantages of biodegradable and non-biodegradable delivery devices and future trends in the field of progesterone delivery.

Recyclable amitraz-ethylene vinyl acetate strips used for beehives treatment against Varroa destructor Karp, Federico; Luna, Julio Alberto; Mengatto, Luciano Nicolas In this work, a new recyclable ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA)-based strip impregnated with amitraz (AMZ) was prepared, characterized, and evaluated for the treatment of Apis mellifera against Varroa destructor. Bees are important for natural pollination, honey, and related goods production. Varroa destructor is currently considered one of the major pests and important efforts around the world are focused on methods for varroasis treatment. The procedure of strips preparation presented in this work consisted of two steps: impregnation and molding of impregnated pellets. Differential scanning calorimetryand gas chromatography?mass spectrometry analyses confirmed that AMZmolecule resisted the impregnation and molding conditions. The strips were sufficiently strong to resist destruction by the bees. The final infestation was lower in the hives treated with AMZ/EVA strips than in those treated with commercial strips. In order to check the possibility of recycling, strips were cut into little pieces and were subjected to total AMZ extraction. Finally, the fragments were exposed to re-impregnation and molding. The strips prepared after the recycling process presented the same shape and AMZ load than fresh strips.

La fauna menor de sitios arqueológicos del curso inferior del río Colorado (provincia de Buenos Aires) : aspectos tafonómicos y subsistencia de cazadores-recolectores durante el Holoceno medio y tardío Alcaraz, Ana Paula El presente trabajo de tesis tiene como objetivo caracterizar el aprovechamiento de la fauna menor (<15 kg) con el fin de evaluar su contribución en la subsistencia de los grupos cazadores-recolectores que habitaron la transición pampeano-patagónica oriental durante el Holoceno medio y tardío. Para alcanzar este propósito se analizaron los conjuntos faunísticos de tres sitios arqueológicos del área: La Modesta (ca. 5900-5600 años AP), Zoko Andi 1 (ca. 1500-1300; ca. 800-400 años AP) y El Tigre (ca. 900-400 años AP). Los resultados obtenidos muestran que diversas especies de fauna menor fueron aprovechadas por los grupos humanos durante el Holoceno medio y tardío. Asimismo, se detectaron variaciones en la explotación de las mismas lo cual responde a diversos factores, tales como los lugares donde se asientan los grupos, la estacionalidad, la duración de la ocupación, la diversidad de recursos disponibles en el ambiente, las actividades que se llevan a cabo en un determinado espacio y las decisiones humanas. Asimismo, sobre este escenario influyeron cuestiones de muestreo y/o preservación en función de los ambientes geomorfológicos en los que se encuentran emplazados los sitios y los procesos tafonómicos actuantes. Esta información sumada a la ya generada para las especies de tamaño mayor y peces, contribuyó a profundizar en el conocimiento de la interacción entre las diversas taxa y los grupos humanos así como en los cambios en su aprovechamiento a lo largo del Holoceno. En este sentido, los resultados obtenidos permitieron reevaluar ciertos aspectos del modelo de subsistencia propuesto para el área al poner en evidencia que estrategias de subsistencia que hasta el momento se consideraba que tenían lugar recién hacia la parte final del Holoceno tardío se habrían utilizado desde momentos más tempranos. Tal es el caso de la incorporación a la dieta de especies de pequeño tamaño de diversos ambientes y la explotación intensiva de algunas taxa como los ungulados. En síntesis, la información generada permitió lograr una visión más completa de la subsistencia como así también comprender aspectos vinculados con la historia tafonómica de los depósitos.

In silico analysis and effects of environmental salinity in the expression and activity of digestive α-amylase and trypsins from the euryhaline crab Neohelice granulata Asaro, Antonela; Martos Sitcha, Juan Antonio; Martínez Rodríguez, Gonzalo; Mancera, Juan Miguel; Lopez Mañanes, Alejandra Antonia Studies on molecular characteristics and modulation of expression of α-amylase and trypsin in the hepatopancreas of intertidal euryhaline crabs are lacking. In this work, we cloned and studied by in silico approaches the characteristics of cDNA sequences for α-amylase and two trypsins isoforms, as well as the effect of environmental salinity, on gene expression and protein activities in the hepatopancreas of Neohelice granulata (Dana, 1851), which is a good invertebrate model species. The cDNA sequence of α-amylase is 1637 bp long, encoding 459 amino acid residues. Trypsin 1 and 2 are 689 and 1174 bp long, encoding 204 and 151 amino acid residues, respectively. Multiple sequence alignment of deduced protein sequences revealed the presence of conserved motifs found in other invertebrates. In crabs acclimated at 37 psu (hyporegulation), α-amylase mRNA level and total pancreatic amylase activity were higher than at 10 psu (hyperregulation) and 35 psu (osmoconformation). Trypsin 1 mRNA levels increased at 37 psu, while trypsin 2 levels decreased at 10 and 37 psu. Total trypsin activity was similar in all salinities. Our results showed a differential modulation of α-amylase and trypsin expression and total amylase activity by salinity acclimation, suggesting the occurrence of distinct mechanisms of regulation at different levels that could lead to digestive adjustments in relation to hyperregulation and (or) hyporegulation.

Creep and thermal rounding close to the elastic depinning threshold Purrello, Víctor Hugo; Iguain, Jose Luis; Kolton, Alejandro Benedykt; Jagla, Eduardo Alberto We study the slow stochastic dynamics near the depinning threshold of an elastic interface in a random medium by solving a particularly suited model of hopping interacting particles that belongs to the quenched-Edwards-Wilkinson depinning universality class. The model allows us to compare the cases of uniformly activated and Arrhenius activated hops. In the former case, the velocity accurately follows a standard scaling law of the force and noise intensity with the analog of the thermal rounding exponent satisfying a modified "hyperscaling" relation. For the Arrhenius activation, we find, both numerically and analytically, that the standard scaling form fails for any value of the thermal rounding exponent. We propose an alternative scaling incorporating logarithmic corrections that appropriately fits the numerical results. We argue that this anomalous scaling is related to the strong correlation between activated hops that, alternated with deterministic depinning-like avalanches, occur below the depinning threshold. We rationalize the spatiotemporal patterns by making an analogy of the present model in the near-threshold creep regime with some well-known models with extremal dynamics, particularly the Bak-Sneppen model.

Multiple sex chromosome system in penguins (Pygoscelis, Spheniscidae) Gunski, Ricardo José; Delgado Cañedo, Andrés; Del Valle Garnero, Analía; Ledesma, Mario Angel; Coria, Néstor Rubén; Montalti, Diego; Marafiga Degrandi, Tiago Penguins are classified in the order Sphenisciformes into a single family, Spheniscidae. The genus Pygoscelis Wagler, 1832, is composed of three species, Pygoscelis antarcticus Forster, 1781, P. papua Forster, 1781 and P. adeliae Hombron & Jacquinot, 1841. In this work, the objective was to describe and to compare the karyotypes of Pygoscelis penguins contributing genetic information to Sphenisciformes. The metaphases were obtained by lymphocyte culture, and the diploid number and the C-banding pattern were determined. P. antarcticus has 2n = 92, P. papua 2n = 94 and P. adeliae exhibited 2n = 96 in males and 2n = 95 in females. The difference of diploid number in P. adeliae was identified as a multiple sex chromosome system where males have Z1Z1Z2Z2 and females Z1Z2W. The C-banding showed the presence of a heterochromatic block in the long arm of W chromosome and Z2 was almost entirely heterochromatic. The probable origin of a multiple system in P. adeliae was a translocation involving the W chromosome and the chromosome ancestral to Z2. The comparison made possible the identification of a high karyotype homology in Sphenisciformes which can be seen in the conservation of macrochromosomes and in the Z chromosome. The karyotypic divergences in Pygoscelis are restricted to the number of microchromosomes and W, which proved to be highly variable in size and morphology. The data presented in this work corroborate molecular phylogenetic proposals, supporting the monophyletic origin of penguins and intraspecific relations.