Micro and nanoparticles of native and modified cassava starches as carriers of the antimicrobial potassium sorbat Alzate Calderón, Paola Carolina; Zalduendo, María Mercedes; Gerschenson, Lia Noemi; Flores, Silvia Karina Cross-linked and/or acetylated cassava starches were synthesized and characterized. The acetylation increased the water retention capacity and the solubility in water while the higher level of cross-linking produced the opposite effect on starch. Native (NCS) and acetylated cassava starches (ACS) were used to generate starch micro- and nanoparticles by the dialysis technique.The nanoparticle fraction was around 1.8 g 100 g1 and 12 g 100 g1 (starch dry basis) for NCS and ACS, respectively. The nanoparticle sizes were around 23?255nm with zeta potential extending from 4 to 44mV, while the microscopic fractions ranged 5?87mm. In addition, the capacity of particles to support potassium sorbate (KS) was tested. NCS and ACS particles supported a similar quantity of KS (1400 ppm) and the presence of antimicrobial decreased the particle size for NCS. The precipitation in ethanol technique was also used to generate microparticles where the particles generated from acetylated starches were smaller (8?58mm) than those from native ones (30?227 mm). The KS content that these particles could incorporate was around 2020 ppm. The applied technique modulated the average dimension of the particles obtained, as well as the antimicrobial retention capacity. These innovative materials could bepotentially helpful for shelf life extension by the contribution to the KS stabilization to be incorporated in the bulk of food products.

Análisis polínico de mieles inmaduras en el sector oeste de las yungas de Jujuy (Argentina) Méndez, Magalí Verónica; Sánchez, Ana Carina; Flores, Fabio Fernando; Lupo, Liliana Concepcion Con el objetivo de conocer los recursos nectaríferos utilizados por Apis mellifera L. en el sector oeste de las Yungas, se examinaron 14 muestras de miel inmadura y dos de miel madura correspondientes a los períodos apícolas 2011?2012 y 2012?2013, pertenecientes a un apiario de la localidad de Tilquiza (Jujuy). Las muestras fueron procesadas de acuerdo a las técnicas melisopalinológicas convencionales con posterior acetólisis. Se identificaron un total de 53 tipos polínicos pertenecientes a 31 familias botánicas, siendo las familias con mayor riqueza polínica Asteraceae y Fabaceae. Se identificaron como recursos dominantes a Crinodendron tucumanum en setiembre de 2011, Blepharocalyx salicifolius en noviembre y diciembre de 2011 y al tipo Scutia/Condalia en octubre de 2012. Como aportes secundarios se registraron a Allophylus edulis, Zanthoxylum, Parapiptadenia excelsa, Baccharis, Gnaphalium, Eucalyptus y tipo Cissus, destacándose la influencia de la flora nativa de las Yungas. A partir de este estudio se pudo conocer la dinámica del ingreso de néctar a la colmena y valorar aquellos recursos que no se encuentran presentes en las mieles maduras y que son de importancia para el desarrollo de la colmena.

Memorias y usos públicos del pasado en torno a la "lucha antisubversiva": Notas sobre Carlos Sacheri y Jordán Bruno Genta; Memories and public uses of the past throughout the “antisubversive struggle”: Notes about Carlos Sacheri and Jordán Bruno Genta Cersósimo, Facundo En 1974 fueron asesinados en la vía pública Jordán Bruno Genta y Carlos Alberto Sacheri. Para la época ambos intelectuales eran referentes de sectores nacionalistas y católicos que en el convulsionado escenario político argentino promovieron la necesidad de la “lucha antisubversiva”. A partir de reconstruir los diversos usos públicos de los que fueron objeto luego de sus asesinatos, el presente artículo estudia el proceso de elaboración de las memorias alternativas que buscaron legitimar la actuación represiva de las Fuerzas Armadas tras el retorno de la democracia en 1983. Al final del artículo también se reflexionará acerca del lugar del historiador al momento abordar aquellos fragmentos del pasado marcados por la violencia política, y que fueron recortados y descontextualizados para ser utilizados en los combates memoriales analizados.; In 1974 where murdered in the public space Jordan Bruno Genta y Carlos Alberto Sacheri. By the time both intelectuals were an important reference of nationalists and catholic groups that, in the agitated political scenario of Argentina, promoted the need of an “antisubversive struggle”. As from the reconstruction of the different public wich they were subject, the present article studies the process of elaboration of alternative memories wich seek to legitimate the repressive action of the Armed Forces after the return of Democracy at 1983. At the closing of the article is also a reflection about the role of the historian at the moment of analyze those fragments of the past signed by the political violence, wich were trimmed and decontextualized to be used in the memorial combats analyzed.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Relaxation Studies in Shale Ramia, Maximo Elias; Martín, C. A. The present work involves a comprehensive experimental study of proton (1 H) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) transversal relaxation in shale. The sample studied belongs to the “Vaca Muerta” formation of the Neuquén basin, Argentina. The results show that the relaxation process is governed by anomalous diffusion processes in micro-pores. These processes result from the combination of interactions between the liquid molecules and the pore walls, whose structure is characterized by both large tortuosity and abundance of paramagnetic impurities, giving rise to local strong time-dependent magnetic field gradients. In addition, a simultaneous experimental method of data fitting is presented which allows processing all the relaxation profiles within a single time domain. Thus, yielding results univocally related to the complete set of relaxation data.

The UVB1 Vitamin D Analogue Inhibits Colorectal Carcinoma Progression Ferronato, María Julia; Alonso, Eliana Noelia; Gandini, Norberto Ariel; Fermento, María Eugenia; Villegas, María Emilia; Quevedo, Mario Alfredo; Arevalo, Julian; López Romero, Alejandro; Rivadulla, Marcos Lois; Gómez, Generosa; Fall, Yagamare; Facchinetti, Maria Marta; Curino, Alejandro Carlos Vitamin D has been shown to display a wide variety of antitumour effects, but their therapeutic use is limited by its severe side effects. We have designed and synthesized a Gemini vitamin D analogue of calcitriol (UVB1) which has shown to display antineoplastic effects on different cancer cell lines without causing hypercalcemia. The aim of this work has been to investigate, by employing in silico, in vitro, and in vivo assays, whether UVB1 inhibits human colorectal carcinoma progression. We demonstrated that UVB1 induces apoptotic cell death and retards cellular migration and invasion of HCT116 colorectal carcinoma cells. Moreover, the analogue reduced the tumour volume in vivo, and modulated the expression of Bax, E-cadherin and nuclear β-catenin in tumour animal tissues without producing toxic effects. In silico analysis showed that UVB1 exhibits greater affinity for the ligand binding domain of vitamin D receptor than calcitriol, and that several characteristics in the three-dimensional conformation of VDR may influence the biological effects. These results demonstrate that the Gemini vitamin D analogue affects the growth of the colorectal cancer and suggest that UVB1 is a potential chemotherapeutic agent for treatment of this disease.

Fever-range hyperthermia improves the anti-apoptotic effect induced by low pH on human neutrophils promoting a proangiogenic profile Erra Diaz, Fernando Alberto; Dantas, Ezequiel Carlos; Cabrera, Maia Diana Eliana; Arriola Benitez, Paula Constanza; Delpino, María Victoria; Duette, Gabriel; Rubione, Julia; Sanjuan, Norberto Aníbal; Trevani, Analía Silvina; Geffner, Jorge Raúl Neutrophils have the shortest lifespan among leukocytes and usually die via apoptosis, limiting their deleterious potential. However, this tightly regulated cell death program can be modulated by pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), danger-associated molecular pattern (DAMPs), and inflammatory cytokines. We have previously reported that low pH, a hallmark of inflammatory processes and solid tumors, moderately delays neutrophil apoptosis. Here we show that fever-range hyperthermia accelerates the rate of neutrophil apoptosis at neutral pH but markedly increases neutrophil survival induced by low pH. Interestingly, an opposite effect was observed in lymphocytes; hyperthermia plus low pH prevents lymphocyte activation and promotes the death of lymphocytes and lymphoid cell lines. Analysis of the mechanisms through which hyperthermia plus low pH increased neutrophil survival revealed that hyperthermia further decreases cytosolic pH induced by extracellular acidosis. The fact that two Na+/H+ exchanger inhibitors, 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl) amiloride (EIPA) and amiloride, reproduced the effects induced by hyperthermia suggested that it prolongs neutrophil survival by inhibiting the Na+/H+ antiporter. The neutrophil anti-apoptotic effect induced by PAMPs, DAMPs, and inflammatory cytokines usually leads to the preservation of the major neutrophil effector functions such as phagocytosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. In contrast, our data revealed that the anti-apoptotic effect induced by low pH and hyperthermia induced a functional profile characterized by a low phagocytic activity, an impairment in ROS production and a high ability to suppress T-cell activation and to produce the angiogenic factors VEGF, IL-8, and the matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9). These results suggest that acting together fever and local acidosis might drive the differentiation of neutrophils into a profile able to promote both cancer progression and tissue repair during the late phase of inflammation, two processes that are strongly dependent on the local production of angiogenic factors by infiltrating immune cells.

Very fast dissolving acid carboxymethylcellulose-rifampicin matrix: development and solid-state characterization Luciani Giacobbe, Laura Carolina; Ramírez Rigo, María Veronica; Garro Linck, Yamila; Monti, Gustavo Alberto; Manzo, Ruben Hilario; Olivera, Maria Eugenia One of the main obstacles to the successful treatment of tuberculosis is the poor and variable oral bioavailability of rifampicin (RIF), which is mainly due to its low hydrophilicity and dissolution rate. The aim of this work was to obtain a hydrophilic new material that allows a very fast dissolution rate of RIF and therefore is potentially useful in the development of oral solid dosage forms. The acid form of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) was co-processed with RIF by solvent impregnation to obtain CMC-RIF powder, which was characterized by polarized optical microscopy, powder x-ray diffraction, DSC-TGA, hot stage microscopy, 13C and 15N solid-state NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy. In addition, the CMC-RIF matrices were subjected to water uptake and dissolution studies to assess hydrophilicity and release kinetics. CMC-RIF is a crystalline solid dispersion. Solid-state characterization indicated that no ionic interaction occurred between the components, but RIF crystallized as a zwitterion over the surface of CMC, which drastically increased the hydrophilicity of the solid. The CMC-RIF matrices significantly improved the water uptake of RIF and disintegrated in a very short period immediately releasing RIF. As CMC improves the hydrophilicity and delivery properties of RIF, CMC-RIF is very useful in the design of oral solid dosage forms with very fast dissolution of RIF, either alone or in combination with other antitubercular drugs.

Kinetic of the thermal decomposition of disubstituted tetroxanes Bordón, Alexander Germán; Pila, Andrea Natalia; Jorge, María Cristina; Jorge, Lilian Cristina; Profeta, Mariela Inés; Romero, Jorge Marcelo; Jorge, Nelly Lidia The thermal decomposition of diphenyl diperoxide (DFT) and dibutanal diperoxide (DPG) were investigated over the temperature range 130 to 166°C. They were found to be first order with a high degree of conversion (60%). Arrhenius parameters were calculated: activation energy, 108 kJ mol-1 and pre-exponential factor, 6.5 109 s -1 for DFT and 80.8 kJ mol-1 and pre-exponential factor, 1.8 109 s - 1 for DPG. The principle decomposition products were aldehyde (about 1.9 mole per mole DFT and 2.0 mole per mole DPG) and oxygen molecule. All observations were interpreted in terms of decomposition pathways initiated by O-O homolysis. The corresponding activation parameters for the reaction of DFT in methanol (ΔH0# = 103.8 ± 3.3 kJ mol-1 ; ΔS0# = -69.9 ± 7.5 J mol-1 K -1 ; ΔG0# = 133.1 ± 3.3 kJ mol-1) were compared with values obtained for PDG thermolysis in the same solvents (ΔH0# = 75.4 ± 2.9 kJ mol-1 ; ΔS0# = -189.2 ± 2.5 J mol-1 K -1 ; ΔG0# = 157.4 ± 2.9 kJ mol-1). Furthermore, the pertinent substituent effect on the peroxidic bond strength of those molecules in solution was evaluated.

Simple and ecofriendly synthesis of dihydropyrimidinones (thiones), dihydropyridines, and pyridines using 3-formylchromones as substrates assisted by a recyclable Preyssler heteropolyacid Sanchez, Laura Mabel; Pasquale, Gustavo Antonio; Sathicq, Angel Gabriel; Ruiz, Diego Manuel; Jios, Jorge Luis; Ferreira de Souza, Andrea L.; Romanelli, Gustavo Pablo Several dihydropyrimidinones/thiones, 1,4-dihydropyridines, and pyridine derivatives were prepared in very good yields and purity values. The corresponding reactions were carried out by employing a bulk Preyssler heteropolyacid H14[NaP5W29MoO110] as an efficient and recyclable catalyst. The preparation of pyridine derivatives was carried out not through a usual procedure, i.e., the opening of the γ-pyrone ring of 3-formylchromone. In general, reactions took place in solvent-free conditions at 80°C during short reaction times.

Particle filter and approximation error model for state estimation in hyperthermia Lamien, Bernard; Orlande, Helcio Rangel Barreto; Elicabe, Guillermo Enrique This work deals with numerical simulation of a hyperthermia treatment of skin cancer as a state estimation problem, where uncertainties in the evolution and measurement models, as well as in the measured data, are accounted for. A reduced model is adopted, based on a coarse mesh for the solution of the partial differential equations that describe the physical problem, in order to expedite the solution of the state estimation problem with a particle filter algorithm within the Bayesian framework of statistics. The so-called approximation error model (AEM) is used in order to statistically compensate for model reduction effects. The Liu and West algorithm of the particle filter, together with the AEM, is shown to provide accurate estimates for the temperature and model parameters in a multilayered region containing a tumor loaded with nanoparticles. Simulated transient temperature measurements from one sensor are used in the analysis.

Predictores de la Participación Política Multidimensional: El aporte explicativo de las actitudes ideológicas, los valores y variables psicopolíticas; Political Participation: Discriminant contribution of ideological attitudes, values and socio-psychological variables Sorribas, Patricia Mariel; Brussino, Silvina Alejandra El presente trabajo identifica variables que discriminan entre las personas que participan y quienes no participan políticamente, considerando dimensiones electorales y no electorales de la participación política en Córdoba, Argentina. Se realizó un estudio por encuesta en una muestra representativa de la población (N=450). El análisis discriminante permitió reconocer el aporte del autoritarismo de derecha (RWA), colectivismo, colectivismo político, interés político y eficacia política participativa, a dicha diferenciación en dos dimensiones de la participación: electoral-de campaña y de contacto con organizaciones y referentes políticos. Estos resultados evidencian la relación del RWA con otros comportamientos políticos diferenciados de las preferencias partidarias y comprueban la relación de diferentes valores y de una medida participativa de la eficacia política con amplios repertorios participativos. Palabras clave: participación política, autoritarismo de derecha, orientación a la dominancia social, colectivismo e individualismo, eficacia política participativa. ; This paper identifies variables that discriminate between participants and non-participants considering electoral and non-electoral dimensions of political participation in Córdoba, Argentina. A study was conducted by survey on a representative sample of the population (N = 450). The discriminant analysis allowed recognizing the contribution of right-wing authoritarianism (RWA), collectivism, political collectivism, political interest and of participatory measure of "political efficacy", to such differentiation in two dimensions of participation: Electoral-campaign and contact with organizations and political figures. These results show the relationship of RWA with different political behavior of party preferences; and verify the relationship of different values a nd a participatory measure of "political efficacy" with broad participation repertoires.

Geochemical and isotopic features of a confined aquifer system of marine origin, pampean plain of Córdoba, Argentina Maldonado, Marina Luciana; Cabrera, Adriana; Blarasin, Mónica Teresa In Córdoba province (Argentina), people use groundwater from Confined Aquifers Systems (CASs)for different activities. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out comprehensive studies for the planning of a more sustainable use considering that groundwater renewal times can be of several thousands of years. The objective of this research is to evaluate geochemical and isotopic features of groundwater from a confined aquifer system made up by marine sediments in the central Pampean plain (Argentina). This CAS is multilayered and formed by thin (5 m) sand-pebble lenses of variable extension and clay deposits, linked to the Neogene period. These layers are situated at different depths (between 230-300 m) and are represented by fossiliferous sands interbedded with very thick greenish clay sediments. The marine CAS is characterized by fresh-brackish groundwater that evolves from bicarbonate to sulfate sodium type in the flow direction. The interpretations made from 2H, 18O and 3H results suggest that groundwater is old. The 14C age for C CAS (10,800 BP) indicates groundwater recharged during Holocene cold periods during the last glaciation.

Retrato de un plan de beca doctoral: El uso variable de locuciones preposicionales en géneros académicos: "en relación con", "con relación a" y "en relación a" Giammarini, Gabriela Luján Narración sobre el plan de Beca Doctoral.

Polite interactions with robots Benotti, Luciana; Blackburn, Patrick We sketch an inference architecture that permits linguistic aspects of politeness to be interpreted; we do so by applying the ideas of politeness theory to the SCARE corpus of task-oriented dialogues, a type of dialogue of particular relevance to robotics. The fragment of the SCARE corpus we analyzed contains 77 uses of politeness strategies: our inference architecture covers 58 of them using classical AI planning techniques; the remainder require other forms of means-ends inference. So by the end of the paper we will have discussed in some detail how to interpret automatically different forms of politeness - but should we do so? We conclude with some brief remarks on the issues involved.

Estructura imaginativo-pasional de la naturaleza humana y economía en David Hume Carrión, Gonzalo En este trabajo se tratará de mostrar que la compresión imaginativo-pasional de la naturaleza humana articulada por David Hume, conlleva una reformulación epistemológica y práctica que permite, a su vez, entender mejor su concepción de la economía como ciencia. En primer lugar, se analizarán algunas de las funciones de la imaginación en el conocimiento y de las pasiones en la acción humana, destacando sus múltiples interrelaciones tanto a nivel individual como social. A partir de este enfoque se presentará una reinterpretación de algunos de los tópicos de la economía humeana.; This paper will attempt to show that the imaginative-passional comprehension of human nature articulated by David Hume entails an epistemological and practical reformulation that allows, in turn, to better understand his conception of economics as a science. First, it will analyse some of the functions of imagination in knowledge and those of passions in human action, highlighting its many interrelationships, both individually and socially. From this approach, it will put forward a reinterpretation of some topics of Humean economics.

Movimientismo estatal: poder, legitimidad y territorio en 360º; State movementism: power, legitimacy and territory on a 360 degree perspective Maldonado, Martín Alejandro El Movimientismo Estatal es un conjunto de acuerdos políticos, arreglos institucionales, políticas públicas y programas sociales con el que los Estados y los gobiernos latinoamericanos están intentando renovar la legitimidad de su poder político y administrativo sobre el territorio con base en una nueva relación con la segunda generación de movimientos sociales. El Movimientismo Estatal es una reacción tardía a los cambios que estos últimos vienen proponiendo en la región hace más de 30 años. Gobiernos del más amplio espectro ideológico (neoliberales y de la nueva izquierda latinoamericana) están utilizando una nueva y diversa caja de herramientas de gestión del territorio que incluye creación de nuevos movimientos, co-gestión de políticas públicas, articulaciones en programas de gobierno y otras innovaciones tecnológicas y de gestión, en lo que constituye una nueva perspectiva de 360 grados en la relación entre Estado, nuevos movimientos sociales y territorio.; States and governments across the region renew the legitimacy of their power and their governmental capacities using a new ensemble of political alliances, institutional arrangements, public policies and social programs named here State movementism. It constitutes a new type of relationship between the public sector and the organized civil society, as a consequence of a delayed reaction of the public sector to the changes that new social movements have been putting forward for almost three decades. Neoliberal administrations as well as center-to-left governments are using a diverse toolbox for territorial policies, programmatic and technological tools with a 360 degree perspective to recreate the relationship between the state and the second generation of social movements.

Políticas públicas y empresas recuperadas por sus obreros en Argentina: un análisis del Programa de Trabajo Autogestionado 2004-2012; Public policies and companies recovered by their workers in Argentina: analysis of the Worker Self-management Program 2004-2012 Hudson, Juan Pablo El objetivo principal de este artículo es analizar la compleja relación entre las empresas recuperadas por sus obreros y el Estado en la Argentina durante la última década. Para cumplir con este plan, exploraré la evolución de las políticas públicas implementadas por el Ministerio de Trabajo, Empleo y Seguridad Social para estas experiencias autogestionarias. Una conclusión fundamental del estudio realizado señala que los gobiernos desde 2003, luego de la grave crisis social, política y económica causada por la aplicación sistemática de políticas neoliberales, requirieron una progresiva incorporación de las formas autoorganizativas creadas y consolidadas por movimientos sociales de base, como lo son las empresas recuperadas.; This article explores the complex relationship between the companies recovered by their workers in Argentina and the state during the last decade through an analysis of the evolution of Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security policies regarding these self-management experiences. A central conclusion of this study is that Argentine governments since 2003, after the serious social, political and economic crises resulting from the systematic application of neoliberal policies, had to progressively incorporate the various forms of selforganization that were created and consolidated by social movements such as the recovered companies.

Survival in export markets Albornoz, Facundo; Fanelli, Sebastián; Hallak, Juan Carlos This paper explores the determinants of firm survival in export markets. We build an exporter dynamics model where firms need to pay market-specific sunk and fixed costs to operate abroad and where firm export profitability in each foreign market follows a geometric Brownian motion. Firms also differ ex ante by a constant market-specific profitability shifter. We derive the probability of export survival upon entry in a market and show that it increases with the ratio of sunk to fixed costs and is insensitive to the profitability shifters. Also, we show that the survival probability is unaffected by fixed costs if sunk costs are zero. We take the model to the data using firm-level Argentine export information. We find that survival rates decrease with distance, which the model rationalizes with sunk costs that increase with distance proportionally less than fixed costs. Estimated sunk costs are small. In fact, a counterfactual exercise shows that removing those costs increases aggregate exports by less than 1.5%. Finally, we also find that survival increases with a firm's export experience. Analogously to distance, the model's implication of this empirical result is that experience reduces sunk costs proportionally less than fixed costs.

Perfiles de organizaciones positivas. Análisis de características percibidas según variables individuales, organizacionales y de resultado; Positive organization profiles. Analysis of perceived characteristics according to individual, organizational, and outcome variables Lupano Perugini, Maria Laura; Castro Solano, Alejandro En el presente estudio se analizan perfiles de organizaciones a partir de las percepciones de empleados/as con respecto a las características de sus lugares de trabajo. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 459 empleados/as argentinos (232 hombres); edad promedio: 36,3 años (DT = 11,7); pertenecientes a empresas públicas (17,2%, n = 79) y privadas (82,6%, n = 379). La mayoría residía en ciudad de Buenos Aires y alrededores (96,5%, n = 443). Para la recogida de datos se empleó un protocolo en el que se solicitaba que se enunciasen características positivas y negativas que asocian a la organización en la que trabajan. Se efectuó un análisis de contenido de las respuestas dadas por los participantes dando lugar a diferentes categorías de características (p.e., clima laboral, compromiso, valores). A posteriori, mediante diferentes análisis de correspondencias múltiples se generaron perfiles diferenciales según variables individuales (p.e., sexo, edad, personal a cargo), organizacionales (p.e., tamaño, tipo y tipología) y de resultado (p.e., desempeño y satisfacción laboral). Uno de los perfiles más destacados mostró asociaciones entre la percepción de características positivas como valores y obtención de resultados con altos niveles de satisfacción y desempeño individual/ organizacional.; This study analysed the profiles of organizations based on employee perceptions of their workplace. The sample consisted of 459 Argentinian employees (232 men; average age, 36.3 years (SD = 11.7)). The participants worked for public companies (17.2%, n = 79) or private companies (82.6%, n = 379). Most of them lived in Buenos Aires and surrounding areas (96.5%, n = 443). A protocol was used for data collection, in which the participants were asked to report positive and negative characteristics associated with their organization. A content analysis of the answers given by the participants was performed, from which different categories of characteristics were derived (e.g., work climate, commitment, values). Several multiple correspondence analyses were conducted to generate profiles according to individual variables (i.e., gender, age, and position), organizational variables (i.e., size, typology, and type), and outcome variables (i.e., performance and job satisfaction). One of the most significant profiles showed associations between the perception of positive characteristics, such as values and outcomes, and high levels of satisfaction and individual/organizational performance.

Micro-environmental changes induced by shape and size of forest openings: Effects on Austrocedrus chilensis and Nothofagus dombeyi seedlings performance in a Pinus contorta plantation of Patagonia, Argentina Pafundi, Leticia; Urretavizcaya, María Florencia; Defossé, Guillermo Emilio Aim of the study: to analyze, within a Pinus contorta plantation, the effects of artificially created small rectangular and small medium circular canopy gaps on: i) photosynthetic active radiation (PAR), and soil temperature and moisture, and ii) survival and growth of planted Austrocedrus chilensis and Nothofagus dombeyi seedlings, species which formerly composed the natural forest of the area. Study area: A 2 ha stand of a Pinus contorta stand in Los Alerces National Park, Argentina (42°43’S, 71°43’W, 490 m.a.s.l.). Material and methods: The Pinus contorta stand was 25 yr old, 22 m height and 26 cm DBH, presenting 1000 trees ha-1 of density and 53 m2 ha-1 of basal area. In 2009, rectangular and circular gaps were created within the stand and then seedlings were planted. During two growing seasons (2010-2011 and 2011-2012), PAR, soil temperature and moisture were measured in gaps and understory (control), and seedling survival and growth in gaps. Main results: During both seasons, soil temperature did not differ among gaps and control, whereas PAR and soil moisture were lower in control than in gaps. Seedling survival was high in all gaps regardless of species and season. Seedlings showed higher diameter growth in rectangular than in circular gaps. Research highlights: Austrocedrus chilensis and N. dombeyi seedlings survival is high and their growth slightly affected, when planted in differently-sized canopy gaps within a Pinus contorta plantation in Patagonia. However, other gap sizes and stand densities should be tested before recommending which one shows better results for reconverting monocultures into former native forests.