Introduction: Searching for the Natural Origins of Content: Challenging Research Project or Benighted Quest? Hutto, Daniel D.; Satne, Glenda Lucila This paper introduces this special issue which is focused on its target paper - The Natural Origins of Content. The target paper has had a robust and considered set of fifteen replies; a literal A to Z of papers (from Abramova’s to Zawidzki’s). This extended introduction explains the background thinking and challenges that motivated the target article's proposed research programme. It also provides a sneak peak preview and navigational aid to the special issue’s contents. Brief highlights of each commentary are provided and they are grouped together under broad headings. We do not attempt to give detailed replies to these suggestions or answer the various critiques at this stage of the proceedings: that is for future work.

La última xo´on del fin del mundo: Cuerpos, tiempo y espacio en las estéticas descoloniales selknam Bidaseca, Karina Andrea En el campo de la antropología la crisis de la representación marcó cierto escepticismoetnográfico que habilitó nuevos lenguajes de subversión. El tratamiento de la narración visualen la literatura de la teórica feminista y artista vietnamita Trinh T. Minha-ha sobre mundos nooccidentales, es parte de estos nuevos tiempos. En este ensayo deseo reflexionar sobre la vidacotidiana de Lola Kiepja, la última xo´on Selknam de Tierra del Fuego, para proponer unaestética descolonial. Me interesa revisar su relato utilizando las herramientas que provienen delfeminismo negro (tal el concepto de interseccionalidad) y del feminismo descolonial.

Historia del arte y universidad : momentos clave en la Facultad de Filosofía y Letras de la UBA (1915-1986); History of art and university. Key moments in the School of Philosophy and Literature of the University of Buenos Aires (1915-1986) García, Carla Guillermina; Schwartzman, Ana Este artículo recupera los recorridos cardinales de la historia del arte en la Facultad de Filosofía y Letras de la Universidad de Buenos Aires, considerando el período previo a la creación de la carrera específica en el año 1963 y las posteriores instancias de cambios y reajustes de contenidos en relación a contextos políticos concretos e influjos de figuras emergentes. Nuestra principal documentación la constituyen los programas de estudio, que permiten conocer los procesos de selección y abordaje metodológico de los contenidos y temas en el ámbito académico, y señalar los supuestos conceptuales que rigieron en la concepción de la disciplina Historia del Arte desde la Universidad.; This article retrieves the cardinal paths of art history at the School of Philosophy and Literature of the University of Buenos Aires, considering the period before the creation of the specific course in 1963 and the subsequent instances of changes in content and readjustments related to political context and influence of emerging figures. The study programs constitute our main documentation as an analytic tool that allows us to study the selection process and methodological approach of contents and topics in the academic field and point out the conceptual assumptions that ruled over the conception of art history as an academic discipline.

Reflexiones sobre la relación entre la comunidad académica de defensa y el CDS; Reflections on the relationship between the academic defense community and the CDS Vitelli, Marina Gisela El artículo pone en valor el rol de los expertos académicos en las iniciativas de cooperación regional. Si bien el CDS valoriza las instancias de investigación y reflexión sobre conceptos y enfoques de defensa, no incluye de forma apropiada a la comunidad académica de estudios de defensa existente en Sudamérica.; While the South American Defense Council takes seriously the importance of research and discussion on defense policy concepts and approaches, it still does not appropriately include the extensive South American academic community of defense studies. The article highlights the role of academic experts in regional cooperation.

Petrov type of linearly perturbed type-D spacetimes Araneda, Bernardo Gabriel; Dotti, Gustavo Danie We show that a spacetime satisfying the linearized vacuum Einstein equations around a type-D background is generically of type I, and that the splittings of the principal null directions (PNDs) and of the degenerate eigenvalue of the Weyl tensor are non-analytic functions of the perturbation parameter of the metric. This provides a gauge-invariant characterization of the effect of the perturbation on the underlying geometry, without appealing to differential curvature invariants. This is of particular interest for the Schwarzschild solution, for which there are no signatures of the even perturbations on the algebraic curvature invariants. We also show that, unlike the general case, the unstable even modes of the Schwarzschild naked singularity deform the Weyl tensor into a type-II one.

Alternativas del intervencionismo estatal en la agroindustria del azúcar: Argentina y Brasil, 1880-1938; Alternatives of state interventionism in the sugar agroindustry: Argentina and Brazil, 1880-1938 Campi, Daniel Enrique A.; Pinto de Moura Filho, Héctor; Bravo, Maria Celia El texto propone un análisis comparativo de las diversas alternativas de intervención estatal en la agroindustria del azúcar que se implementaron en Brasil y Argentina a partir de la década de 1880. Crisis de sobreproducción, pérdida de competencia en el mercado internacional, conflictos entre diferentes actores y zonas productoras dieron origen a arreglos institucionales en los dos países que perseguían valorizar el producto, conciliar intereses y hacer previsible el comportamiento de un mercado siempre complejo. El análisis se cierra en 1937-1938 con la inauguración de la experiencia del Estado Novo en Brasil, que profundizó el intervencionismo, y el fracaso en la Argentina de un intento de aprobar una ley que habría involucrado de manera decisiva el Estado en el desarrollo azucarero.; This paper proposes a comparative analysis of the various options of State intervention in the sugar agroindustry, which were implemented in Brazil and Argentina beginning in the 1880s. Overproduction crisis, loss of international competitiveness, conflicts among the various actors and production zones, all led to new institutional arrangements in each country, as they sought to increase prices, harmonize interests and bring planning to an always complex market. The analysis closes in 1937-1938 with the start of the Estado Novo experience in Brazil, which increases state intervention, and the failure, in Argentina, of the attempt to approve a law which would involve the State decisively in the development of the sugar industry.

Cognitive impairment and morphological changes in the dorsal hippocampus of very old female rats Morel, Gustavo Ramón; Andersen, Tomas; Pardo, Joaquin; Zuccolilli, Gustavo Oscar; Cambiaggi, Vanina Laura; Hereñú, Claudia Beatriz; Goya, Rodolfo Gustavo The hippocampus, a medial temporal lobe structure necessary for the formation of spatial memory, is particularly affected by both normal and pathologic aging. In previous studies, we observed a significant age-related increase in dopaminergic neuron loss in the hypothalamus and the substantia nigra of female rats, which becomes more conspicuous at extreme ages. Here, we extend our studies by assessing spatial memory in 4-6. month-old (young), 26-month-old (old) and 29-32-month-old (senile) Sprague-Dawley female rats as well as the age-related histopathological changes in their dorsal hippocampus. Age changes in spatial memory performance were assessed with a modified version of the Barnes maze test. We employed two probe trials (PTs), one and five days after training, respectively, in order to evaluate learning ability as well as short-term and longer-term spatial memory retention. A set of relevant hippocampal cell markers was also quantitated in the animals by means of an unbiased stereological approach. The results revealed that old rats perform better than senile rats in acquisition trials and young rats perform better than both aging groups. However, during short-term PT both aging groups showed a preserved spatial memory while in longer-term PT, spatial memory showed deterioration in both aged groups. Morphological analysis showed a marked decrease (94-97%) in doublecortin neuron number in the dentate gyrus in both aged groups and a reduction in glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive cell number in the stratum radiatum of aging rats. Astroglial process length and branching complexity decreased in aged rats. We conclude that while target-seeking activity and learning ability decrease in aged females, spatial memory only declines in the longer-term tests. The reduction in neuroblast number and astroglial arborescence complexity in the dorsal hippocampus are likely to play a role in the cognitive deficits of aging rats.

Effect of early addition of bone morphogenetic protein 5 (BMP5) to embryo culture medium on in vitro development and expression of developmentally important genes in bovine preimplantation embryos Garcia, Elina Vanesa; Miceli, Dora Cristina; Rizo, Gabriela; Valdecantos, Pablo Alberto; Barrera, Antonio Daniel Previous studies have reported that bone morphogenetic protein 5 (BMP5) is differentially expressed in the isthmus of bovine oviducts and it is present in the oviductal fluid. However, the specific action of this factor is unknown. To evaluate whether BMP5 exerts some effect during early bovine embryo development, gene expression of BMP5, BMP receptors, and the effect of exogenous BMP5 on in vitro development and expression of developmentally important genes were assessed. In experiment 1, pools of embryos at two-cell, four-cell, eight-cell, and blastocyst stages, derived from in vitro fertilization, were collected for analysis of BMP5 and BMP receptors (BMPR1A, BMPR1B, and BMPR2) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression. On the basis of previous results, in experiment 2, presumptive zygotes were cultured for the first 48 hours after insemination in CR1aa medium assaying three different treatments: (1) control (CR1aa); (2) vehicle control (CR1aa + 0.04 mM HCl), and (3) BMP5 treatment (CR1aa + 100 ng/mL of BMP5). The cleavage rate was evaluated 48 hours after insemination (Day 2), and then, embryos were transferred to CR1aa + 10% fetal bovine serum. The blastocyst rate was determined on Day 7. In experiment 3, pools of embryos at two-cell, four-cell, eight-cell, and blastocyst stages, derived from control and BMP5-treated groups, were collected for analysis of ID2 (BMP target gene), OCT4, NANOG, and SOX2 (pluripotency genes) mRNA expression. BMP5 transcripts were not detectable in any of the embryonic stages examined, whereas the relative mRNA abundance of the three BMP receptors analyzed was greater in early embryo development stages before maternal?embryonic transition, raising the possibility of a direct effect of exogenous BMPs on the embryo during the first developmental period. Although early addition of 100 ng/mL of BMP5 to the embryo culture medium had no effect on the cleavage rate, a significantly higher proportion of cleaved embryos developed to the blastocyst stage in the BMP5 group. Moreover, reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed a significant increase in the relative abundance of SOX2 in two-cell stage embryos, ID2 and OCT4 in eight-cell stage embryos, and NANOG and OCT4 in blastocysts derived from BMP5-treated embryos. In conclusion, our results report that early addition of BMP5 to the embryo culture medium had a positive effect on the blastocyst rate and affected the relative expression of BMP target and pluripotency genes, suggesting that BMP5 could play an important role in the preimplantation development of bovine embryos.

Draft Genome Sequence of the Entomopathogenic Bacterium Bacillus pumilus 15.1, a Strain Highly Toxic to the Mediterranean Fruit Fly Ceratitis capitata García Ramón, Diana Carolina; Palma, Leopoldo; Berry, Colin; Osuna, Antonio; Vilchez, Susana We present the draft whole-genome sequence of the entomopathogenic Bacillus pumilus 15.1 strain that consists of 3,795,691 bp and 3,776 predicted protein-coding genes. This genome sequence provides the basis for understanding the potential mechanism behind the toxicity and virulence of B. pumilus 15.1 against the Mediterranean fruit fly.

Victimización en la escuela: relación de la crianza y variables funcionales-disfuncionales del desarrollo; Victimization at school: relationship of parenting and functional-dysfunctional developmental variables Samper García, Paula; Mestre Escrivá, Vicenta; Malonda, Elisabet; Mesurado, Maria Belen El presente estudio tiene como principal objetivo analizar elpapel diferencial de la crianza (apoyo y comunicación versus control), devariables funcionales del desarrollo (empatía y mecanismos de afrontamientofuncionales) y las variables disfuncionales (inestabilidad emocional yafrontamiento improductivo) en la victimización ocurrida en el entorno escolar,o por el contrario, con el apego entre pares. Participaron en el estudio418 alumnos, 224 chicas y 194 chicos adolescentes, entre 13 y 14 años,escolarizados en los niveles de 3º y 4º curso de Educación SecundariaObligatoria. Para analizar estas relaciones se llevó a cabo un modelo deecuaciones estructurales EQS. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que losestilos de crianza de apoyo y comunicación versus control negativo estándirectamente relacionados con las variables funcionales y disfuncionales deldesarrollo. El control negativo aparece relacionado con la victimización. Asu vez, las variables funcionales están directamente relacionadas tanto conla victimización como con el apego, mientras que las variables disfuncionalessolo alcanzan una correlación significativa con la victimización. Finalmentese discuten los resultados y sus posibles implicaciones; This study has the aim to analyze the different role of parental styles (affect and communication versus control), of functional developmental variables (empathy and adaptative coping styles) and dysfunctional variables (emotional instability and inefficient coping styles) in school victimization, or conversely with peer attachment. Participants were 418 Spanish adolescents, 224 girls and 194 boys, aged between 13 - 14 years old and attending year 7 and year 8 of secondary school. Structural equation modeling was carried out using the EQS program. Results shows that parenting styles of affect and communication versus negative control are both directly related to functional and dysfunctional developmental variables. Negative control is also directly related to the school victimization. Also, functional variables are directly related to the school victimization and peer attachment, while dysfunctional variables only are related to school victimization. Finally, results and their possible implications are discussed.

Modelos de productividad para procesadores forestales en el noreste argentino; Forestry processors productivity models in northeastern Argentina Hildt, Eduardo; Mac Donagh, Patricio Miguel O presente estudo analisou a performance de três processadores florestais operando em plantações de Pinus taeda no nordeste da Argentina e foi desenvolvido um modelo geral para determinar as características dos equipamentos e combinações de produtos processados que afetam a produtividade e os custos operacionais. Foram avaliados por meio de um estudo de tempos e movimentos, um processador florestal John Deere 2154 D equipado com cabeça Waratah HTH 622B, um processador florestal Caterpillar 320D FM equipado com cabeça Log Max 7000b e uma escavadora John Deere 200D LC equipada com cabeça Log Max 7000c. Os equipamentos operaram realizando corte raso em florestas de 13 anos, com volumes médios variando entre 0,42 e 0,57 m3. Foi analisada a potencia dos equipamentos e o desenvolvimento de combinações de productos: toras trituráveis e toras trituráveis e serráveis. Foi ajustado um modelo de misto de efeitos fixos alcançando um coeficiente de R2 de 0,7. O delineamento florestal afetou positivamente a produtividade efetiva implicando também um aumento no custo de produção. A potência apresentou uma interação com o volume das árvores, afetando a produtividade para volumes a 0,5 m3. O desenvolvimento de varios productos afetou negativamente a produtividade.; This study analyzed the performance of three forest processors working in Pinus taeda clear-cutting of plantations in the Northeast of Argentina and development a general model for determining how the characteristics of machines and the products sorting affected the productivity and cost of the operation. We evaluated, by a time and motion study, a John Deere 2154 D forestry processor equipped with a head Waratah HTH 622B, a Caterpillar 320D FM forestry processor equipped with a head Log Max 7000B and a John Deere 200D LC excavator hybrid processor equipped with a head Log Max 7000C. The machines clearcut a forest plantation of 13 years, with average volumes between 0.42 and 0.57 m3. Analyzed were the influence of the power of the equipment and the development of two product combinations: pulpwood, and pulpwood and saw timber. The general predictive model resulted in a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.7. The forest design positively affected the productivity, also involving an increase in the cost of production. The power provided an interaction with the volume of trees, affecting productivity for larger volumes to 0.5 m3. The development of various products negatively affected productivity.

Movilidad y accesibilidad en el Gran Resistencia: principales problemas y desafíos Alcalá, Laura Inés; Scornik, Marina En los últimos 30 años, el Gran Resistencia se ha consolidado como un área metropolitana íntimamente relacionada con la ciudad de Corrientes, cambiando su escala territorial y la intensidad de las funciones. La movilidad es uno de los indicadores donde se expresa con mayor notoriedad la relación interfuncional que existe entre los municipios que la integran. Al incremento de la movilidad obligada, se suma el problema de la existencia de condiciones desiguales de conectividad y accesibilidad, la presencia de barreras arquitectónicas, la carencia en determinados casos de alternativas de transporte público y el elevado costo general de éste. Estas condiciones, sumadas a la vulnerabilidad económica de una amplia franja de la sociedad, ha propiciado el uso masivo de la motocicleta, agravando los conflictos del tránsito e incrementando los índices de siniestralidad. A pesar de lo expuesto, el Gran Resistencia ofrece condiciones infraestructurales altamente favorables para la reversión de estos problemas como los anchos de calles y avenidas, la regularidad de la macromalla constituida por las avenidas que configuran los bordes de chacra, etc., condiciones topográficas y una escala aún controlada para potenciar el uso masivo del transporte público y el uso de la bicicleta como medio de movilidad alternativo

Abundance, diversity and community characterization of aquatic Coleóptera in a rice field of Northeastern Argentina; Abundancia, diversidad y caracterización de la comunidad de coleópteros acuáticos en una plantación de arroz al noreste de Argentina Gomez Lutz, Maria Constanza; Kehr, Arturo Ignacio; Fernandez, Liliana Alicia Rice fields occupy large areas in Northeastern Argentina, and in Corrientes this widespead activity has become a feature in the landscape, as it is one of the main producing provinces. The aquatic Coleoptera is part of the fauna inhabiting these artificial environments but little is known about this group in irrigated rice fields. The aims of this study were to determine the diversity and species richness of coleopterans in a typical rice field, and to characterize the community of water beetles through different abundance models. For this, samples were collected from an active rice field located in "El Sombrero" town, in Corrientes Province, between November 2011 and April 2012. An entomological net of 30 cm diameter was used, and species richness, diversity and equitability were calculated monthly; besides, the community composition was characterized by means of rank-abundance models. A total of 74 species of aquatic coleopterans were identified. January and February resulted the months with the highest diversity. The aquatic Coleoptera species found in most of the sampled months were adjusted to the logarithmic rank-abundance model. The data suggests that, if it is properly managed, rice cropping in Northeastern Argentina can support a diverse aquatic coleopteran fauna.; Las plantaciones de arroz ocupan grandes áreas en el NE argentino. Corrientes es una de las principales provincias productoras de este cereal y al ser un cultivo extensivo ocupa grandes áreas, las cuales pasan a ser una parte característica del paisaje. Los coleópteros acuáticos forman parte de la fauna que habita en estos ambientes artificiales y poco se sabe de la fauna que habita en ellos. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron determinar la diversidad y la riqueza de especies de coleópteros en un campo típico de arroz, y caracterizar la comunidad de escarabajos de agua a través de los diferentes modelos de abundancia. Para ello, se realizaron muestreos con una red entomológica de 30 cm de diámetro en un campo de arroz ubicada en la localidad "El Sombrero", en la provincia de Corrientes. Las muestras fueron recolectadas entre noviembre 2011 y abril 2012. La riqueza de especies, diversidad y equitatividad para todos los meses muestreados fueron calculadas. La composición de la comunidad se caracterizó por medio de modelos de ranking-abundancia. Se identificaron 74 especies de coleópteros acuáticos. Enero y febrero fueron los meses con mayor diversidad. Las especies de coleópteros acuáticos que se registraron en la mayoría de los meses muestreados se ajustaron al modelo logarítmico. Los datos sugieren que, si se gestiona adecuadamente, los cultivos de arroz en el noreste de Argentina pueden albergar una fauna diversa de coleópteros acuáticos.

A new species and a new record of Anthostomella on Alnus leaf-litter from Argentina Sir, Esteban Benjamin; Romero, Andrea Irene; Hladki, Adriana Ines A study on saprobic fungi occurring on litter of Alnus acuminata from northwestern Argentina yielded an unknown Anthostomella species (described here as Anthostomella saltensis) and the first record of A. scotina for Argentina. A table is provided comparing A. saltensis with similar species.

Can body traits, other than wings, reflect the flight ability of Triatominae bugs? Hernández, María Laura; Dujardin Jean Pierre; Gorla, David Eladio; Catala, Silvia Susana Triatominae insects are vectors for Trypanosoma cruzi, the Chagas disease parasite, and their flying behaviour has epidemiological importance. In Triatominae, the flying capacity shows striking differences among species, but also within species between sexes or individuals. In Triatoma infestans, it has been shown that an important proportion of individuals could have wings but no flying muscles. In other species, no clear relationships could be observed between wing lenght and flying behaviour. If wing presence or size is not a warrant of the flying behaviour, which other parts of the body could be taken as a reliable witness of this important function?

Nanoquasicrystalline al-based matrix/γ-Al2O3 nanocomposites Galano, Marina Lorena; Marsh, A.; Audebert, Fernando Enrique; Xu, W.; Ramundo, Maria Eugenia Quasicrystalline aluminium alloys have been studied in the past years achieving higher strength than commercial Al alloys and retaining high strength at high temperature. In this work a quasicrystalline Al alloy matrix nanocomposite containing nanoceramic particles has been manufactured using ball milling and hot extrusion. For that purpose a nanoquasicrystalline Al–Fe–Cr–Ti alloy was manufactured by powder atomisation. Nanocomposites consisting of a quasicrystalline Al–Fe–Cr–Ti alloy matrix and reinforcement of γ-Al2O3 nano particles were manufactured. The effect of ball milling time on the microstructure and microhardness of the nanocomposite powders was investigated. Bulk materials were produced by consolidation and hot extrusion. The microstructure and microhardness of the extruded materials were characterised. The milling regime behaviour is discussed, and shows three different steps that have a significant effect on the rate of change of uniformity of the reinforcement distribution, matrix microstructure, powder size distribution and its microhardness. No significant decomposition of the quasicrystalline phase occurred over 30 h of milling. Strain increased and the crystallite size of the aluminium phase decreased with milling time, with the Al crystallite size reaching a steady state. Although the quasicrystalline phase decomposed during hot extrusion, the microhardness of the nanocomposite produced is significantly harder (227 ± 3 μHV500) than both the unreinforced quasicrystalline alloy (159 ± 1 μHV500) and crystalline aluminium nanocomposites reported in the literature [1]. Methods and analysis of material behaviour put forward in this work inform further understanding and optimisation of this and other nanocomposite systems containing a metastable microstructure matrix.

Lack of oestrogenic inhibition of the nuclear factor-κB pathway in somatolactotroph tumour cells Eijo Alvarenga, Stella Guadalupe; Gottardo, María Florencia; Jaita, Gabriela Alejandra; Magri, María Laura; Moreno Ayala, Mariela Alejandra; Zarate, Sandra Cristina; Candolfi, Marianela; Pisera, Daniel Alberto; Seilicovich, Adriana Activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB promotes cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis. We have previously shown that oestrogens sensitise normal anterior pituitary cells to the apoptotic effect of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α by inhibiting NF-κB nuclear translocation. In the present study, we examined whether oestrogens also modulate the NF-κB signalling pathway and apoptosis in GH3 cells, a rat somatolactotroph tumour cell line. As determined by Western blotting, 17β-oestradiol (E2) (10−9 m) increased the nuclear concentration of NF-κB/p105, p65 and p50 in GH3 cells. However, E2 did not modify the expression of Bcl-xL, a NF-κB target gene. TNF-α induced apoptosis of GH3 cells incubated in either the presence or absence of E2. Inhibition of the NF-kB pathway using BAY 11-7082 (BAY) (5 μm) decreased the viability of GH3 cells and increased the percentage of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL)-positive GH3 cells. BAY also increased TNF-α-induced apoptosis of GH3 cells, an effect that was further increased by an inhibitor of the c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase pathway, SP600125 (10 μm). We also analysed the role of the NF-κB signalling pathway on proliferation and apoptosis of GH3 tumours in vivo. The administration of BAY to nude mice bearing GH3 tumours increased the number of TUNEL-positive cells and decreased the number of proliferating GH3 cells. These findings suggest that GH3 cells lose their oestrogenic inhibitory action on the NF-κB pathway and that the pro-apoptotic effect of TNF-α on these tumour pituitary cells does not require sensitisation by oestrogens as occurs in normal pituitary cells. NF-κB was required for the survival of GH3 cells, suggesting that pharmacological inhibition of the NF-κB pathway could interfere with pituitary tumour progression.

Functional characterization of mutants affected in the carbonic anhydrase domain of the respiratory complex I in Arabidopsis thaliana Soto, Débora; Cordoba, Juan Pablo; Villarreal, Fernando Daniel; Bartoli, Carlos Guillermo; Schmitz, Jessica; Maurino, Veronica G.; Braun, Hans Peter; Pagnussat, Gabriela Carolina; Zabaleta, Eduardo Julian The NADH–ubiquinone oxidoreductase complex (complex I) (EC 1.6.5.3) is the main entrance site of electrons into the respiratory chain. In a variety of eukaryotic organisms, except animals and fungi (Opisthokonta), it contains an extra domain comprising trimers of putative γ–carbonic anhydrases, named the CA domain, which has been proposed to be essential for assembly of complex I. However, its physiological role in plants is not fully understood. Here, we report that Arabidopsis mutants defective in two CA subunits show an altered photorespiratory phenotype. Mutants grown in ambient air show growth retardation compared to wild–type plants, a feature that is reversed by cultivating plants in a high-CO2 atmosphere. Moreover, under photorespiratory conditions, carbon assimilation is diminished and glycine accumulates, suggesting an imbalance with respect to photorespiration. Additionally, transcript levels of specific CA subunits are reduced in plants grown under non-photorespiratory conditions. Taken together, these results suggest that the CA domain of plant complex I contributes to sustaining efficient photosynthesis under ambient (photorespiratory) conditions.

A revision of Solanum subsection Lathyrocarpum (the S. carolinense Clade) Wahlert, Gregory; Chiarini, Franco Ezequiel; Bohs, Lynn A new taxonomic circumscription of Solanum section Lathyrocarpum is proposed to include 11 species from North and South America. The section is placed in the cosmopolitan S. subgenus Leptostemonum, which contains 350?450 species. As defined here, S. sect. Lathyrocarpum includes all the taxa resolved in the Carolinense clade in previous molecular phylogenetic studies as well as one species not sampled in those analyses. The combination of morphological characters that define the group includes: herbaceous perennial habit with extensive root systems, often with endogenous buds that can sprout, a sparse to dense indumentum of sessile to stalked stellate hairs and tapered prickles, 2- to 3-foliate to plurifoliate sympodial units, extra-axillary inflorescences with 1?20 flowers, a weakly andromonoecious reproductive system, corollas ranging in color from white to lavender, and fruits maturing to yellow or yellowish-orange. Most species in the section have a weedy habit and grow in highly disturbed areas, but four are narrowly distributed. One species, S. carolinense, is a noxious invasive weed that has been inadvertently introduced to many areas around the world. There are a variety of ploidy levels represented in the group (n = 12, 18, 24, and 36). In this work, we present a new circumscription of the section and provide descriptions, distribution maps, preliminary IUCN conservation assessments, and a key to identify the 11 included species. We also designate lectotypes for nine names and select a neotype for S. dimidiatum.

Can accelerometry be used to distinguish between flight types in soaring birds? Williams, H. J.; Shepard, E. L. C.; Duriez, O.; Lambertucci, Sergio Agustin Background: Accelerometry has been used to identify behaviours through the quantification of body posture and motion for a range of species moving in different media. This technique has not been applied to flight behaviours to the same degree, having only been used to distinguish flapping from soaring flight, even though identifying the type of soaring flight could provide important insights into the factors underlying movement paths in soaring birds. This may be due to the complexities of interpreting acceleration data, as movement in the aerial environment may be influenced by phenomena such as centripetal acceleration (pulling-g). This study used high-resolution movement data on the flight of free-living Andean condors (Vultur gryphus) and a captive Eurasian griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) to examine the influence of gravitational, dynamic and centripetal acceleration in different flight types. Flight behaviour was categorised as thermal soaring, slope soaring, gliding and flapping, using changes in altitude and heading from magnetometry data. We examined the ability of the k-nearest neighbour (KNN) algorithm to distinguish between these behaviours using acceleration data alone. Results: Values of the vectorial static body acceleration (VeSBA) suggest that these birds experience relatively little centripetal acceleration in flight, though this varies between flight types. Centripetal acceleration appears to be of most influence during thermal soaring; consequently, it is not possible to derive bank angle from smoothed values of lateral acceleration. In contrast, the smoothed acceleration values in the dorso-ventral axis provide insight into body pitch, which varied linearly with airspeed. Classification of passive flight types via KNN was limited, with low accuracy and precision for soaring and gliding. Conclusion: The importance of soaring was evident in the high proportion of time each bird spent in this flight mode (52.17–84.00 %). Accelerometry alone was limited in its ability to distinguish between passive flight types, though smoothed values in the dorso-ventral axis did vary with airspeed. Other sensors, in particular the magnetometer, provided powerful methods of identifying flight behaviour and these data may be better suited for automated behavioural identification. This should provide further insight into the type and strength of updraughts available to soaring birds.