Insects found in birds’ nests from Argentina. Pseudoseisura lophotes Reichenbach, 1853 and Anumbius annumbi (Vieillot, 1817) (Aves: Furnariidae), hosts of Triatoma platensis Neiva, 1913 (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) Turienzo, Paola Noemí; Di Iorio, Osvaldo Rubén The insect fauna of the nests of Pseudoseisura lophotes (Reichenbach, 1853) (Aves: Furnariidae) from Argentina was investigated. A total of 110 species (68 identified to species, 22 identified to genus, 20 identified to family) in 40 families of 10 orders of insects was found in these nests. Triatoma platensis Neiva, 1913 (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) was found again in nests of P. lophotes, corroborating after 73 years the first observations made by Mazza in 1936. The occurrence of the insects in nests of P. lophotes is compared with the previously known insect fauna in nests of A. annumbi, Furnarius rufus (Furnariidae), and Myiopsitta monachus (Psittacidae). The insect fauna in additional nests of Anumbius annumbi from the same and/or different localities is given, and used in comparisons. The first occurrence of Cuterebridae (Diptera) in birds’ nests, their pupae as the overwintering stage, and the second simultaneous infestation by two species of Philornis (Diptera: Muscidae) on the same nestlings are presented. Other simultaneous infestations of different hematophagous arthropods (Hemiptera: Cimidae; Reduviidae: Triatominae, and Acari: Argasidae) are remarked and discussed.

Screen-printed electrodes for electroanalytical sensing, of chromium VI in strong acid media Miscoria, Silvia Alejandra; Jacq, C.; Maeder, T.; Negri, Ricardo Martin Simple, low-cost and acid-resistant carbon-based screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) addressed to detection of hexavalent chromium species, Cr(VI), in sulfuric acid at pH about 1, were prepared and characterized. Working and counter electrodes were prepared jointly on the same substrate in a single strip (working-counter electrodes pair). The batch printing process allowed obtaining many working-counter electrode pairs in a unique step. The developed working electrodes are comprised of several layers deposited on an alumina substrate: (1) bottom silver conductor, (2) dense organic–graphite composite conductor, (3) active layer consisting of a porous organic–graphite composite which contains a Cr(III) ionophore for testing Cr(III) obtained after reducing Cr(VI), and (4) an insulating and protective dielectric. All materials except the bottom Ag conductor were made on an organic matrix based on a thermoplastic polymer, polyvinylbutyral (PVB). The amperometric determination of Cr(VI) species at pH 1 was performed over a wide concentration range (dynamic range 3 μM–40 mM). The range for linear amperometric response is 3 μM–10 mM, with sensitivity about 0.08 mA mM−1. The sensitivity is improved in comparison with previously developed sensors, while keeping a low limit of detection (LOD about 1 μM). The response of the sensors are not interfered by the presence of Cr(III) in the solution, although the sensor can detect local formation of Cr(III) at the electrode surface after the reduction of Cr(VI) when diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid (DTPA), a complexing agent for Cr(III) is incorporated into the pastes.

Protein Antigens Increase the Protective Efficacy of a Capsule-Based Vaccine against Staphylococcus aureus in a Rat Model of Osteomyelitis Lattar, Santiago Martín; Noto Llana, Mariangeles; Denoël, Philippe; Germain, Sophie; Buzzola, Fernanda Roxana; Lee, Jean C.; Sordelli, Daniel Oscar Staphylococcus aureus is an invasive bacterial pathogen, and antibiotic resistance has impeded adequate control of infections caused by this microbe. Moreover, efforts to prevent human infections with single-component S. aureus vaccines have failed. In this study, we evaluated the protective efficacy in rats of vaccines containing both S. aureus capsular polysaccharides (CPs) and proteins. The serotypes 5 CP (CP5) and 8 CP (CP8) were conjugated to tetanus toxoid and administered to rats alone or together with domain A of clumping factor A (ClfA) or genetically detoxified alpha-toxin (dHla). The vaccines were delivered according to a preventive or a therapeutic regimen, and their protective efficacy was evaluated in a rat model of osteomyelitis. Addition of dHla (but not ClfA) to the CP5 or CP8 vaccine induced reductions in bacterial load and bone morphological changes compared with immunization with either conjugate vaccine alone. Both the prophylactic and therapeutic regimens were protective. Immunization with dHla together with a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine used as a control did not reduce staphylococcal osteomyelitis. The emergence of unencapsulated or small-colony variants during infection was negligible and similar for all of the vaccine groups. In conclusion, addition of dHla to a CP5 or CP8 conjugate vaccine enhanced its efficacy against S. aureus osteomyelitis, indicating that the inclusion of multiple antigens will likely enhance the efficacy of vaccines against both chronic and acute forms of staphylococcal disease.

Core promoter: A critical region where the hepatitis B virus makes decisions Quarleri, Jorge Fabian The core promoter (CP) of the viral genome plays an important role for hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication as it directs initiation of transcription for the synthesis of both the precore and pregenomic (pg) RNAs. The CP consists of the upper regulatory region and the basal core promoter (BCP). The CP overlaps with the 3’-end of the X open reading frames and the 5’-end of the precore region, and contains cis-acting elements that can independently direct transcription of the precore mRNA and pgRNA. Its transcription regulation is under strict control of viral and cellular factors. Even though this regulatory region exhibits high sequence conservation, when variations appear, they may contribute to the persistence of HBV within the host, leading to chronic infection and cirrhosis, and eventually, hepatocellular carcinoma. Among CP sequence variations, those occurring at BCP may dysregulate viral gene expression with emphasis in the hepatitis B e antigen, and contribute to disease progression. In this review these molecular aspects and pathologic topics of core promoter are deeply evaluated.

Density Functional Theory study of the hydrogen storage in a vacancy zone of an iron-nickel cell Canto, G.; Salazar Ehuan, I.; González Sánchez, J.; Tapia, A.; Quijano, R.; Simonetti, Sandra Isabel Calculations using the SIESTA code have been performed to study the location of one and two hydrogens in a vacancy zone of a Fe50Ni50 cell. H debilitates the original metal–metal bonds by forming strong interactions with the metallic matrix. The Fe–H interaction is stronger than the Ni–H interaction. The H–metal exchange contributes to this process. After first H atom adsorption, the strength of the nearest Fe–Fe, Fe–Ni and Ni–Ni bonds decreases to about 89%, 15% and 1%, respectively. Then, the Fe–Fe bond is the most affected. The adsorption of an additional H atom modified the metal–metal strength in a lesser percent. Then, no additional decohesion is observed in the metallic bonds when two H atoms are present but in this case more metallic bonds are affected. The H–H interaction is small; an H2 molecule is not formed in the vacancy zone of the Fe50Ni50 cell.

Crisis y venta de grandes empresas en Argentina en los años noventa: el caso de Alpargatas; Crisis and Sale of Large Companies in Argentina in the 90s: the Alpargatas Case; Crise et vente de grandes entreprises en argentine dans les années 1990: le cas de Alpargatas; Crise e venda de grandes empresas na argentina nos anos noventa: o caso de Alpargatas Perez Artica, Rodrigo Un intenso proceso de extranjerización de grandes empresas ha tenido lugar en Argentina desde 1990. Este artículo analiza el caso de la desnacionalización de la empresa Alpargatas, ocurrida en 1999. se concluye que la interrupción en el acceso a crédito local e internacional, la recesión doméstica e internacional y la agudización de la competencia en los años finales de la década cumplieron un papel determinante en la extranjerización. Las ventajas comerciales y financieras con que dicha firma contó al principio de la década no alcanzaron para evitar su crisis.; A sharp process of denationalization of large firms has taken place in Argentina since 1990. This paper analyses the case of the denationalization of the firm Alpargatas, occurred in 1999. It concludes that the interruption of access to foreign and domestic credit, the local economic recession and the exacerbation of competence that occurred in the final years of the decade, played a key role in determining the lost of national control over the firm. The commercial and financial advantages that the firm exerted at the beginning of the decade were not enough to avoid its crisis.; Un intense processus de dénationalisation (dans le sens de passé en mains étrangères) des grandes entreprises a eu lieu en Argentine depuis 1990. Cet article analyse le cas de la dénationalisation (en 1999) de l'entreprise Alpargatas. Nous concluons que l'interruption de l'accés au crédit local et international, la récession domestique et internationale et l'intensification de la concurrence à la fin de cette décennie ont joué un rôle décisif pour la dénationalisation. Les avantages commerciaux et financiers dont cette firme avait bénéficié au début de la décennie n'ont pas suffi pour lui éviter la crise.; Um intenso processo de "estrangeirização" de grandes empresas aconteceu na Argentina desde 1990. Este artigo analisa o caso da desnacionalização da empresa Alpargatas, ocorrida em 1999. Conclui-se que a interrupção no acesso a crédito local e internacional, a recessão interna e internacional e o aprofundamento da competência nos anos finais da década tiveram um papel determinante na "estrangeirização". As vantagens comerciais e financeiras com que essa firma contou no início da década não foram suficientes para evitar a sua crise.

Discursos de lo social en problemáticas ambientales: Agua y minería en el centro-oeste argentino Saldi, Leticia; Wagner, Lucrecia Soledad; Escolar, Diego Since the nineteenth century, in the province of Mendoza (Argentina) state policies favored the centralization and distribution of water to benefit  irrigation oasis and the wine industry, controlled by the political elite and European immigrants. Such distribution was legitimized by arguments that posited an environmental rationality supposedly scientific and universal care associated subsequent water and nature.Since the recent conflict megamineros project installation would be sources of exploitation and water pollution on a large scale, we analyze the state conceptions of socio-environmental relations, contradictions and political effects on both social distribution of resources and in environmental configuration itself. We conclude that the State Mendoza challenges the nature according to their potential exchange value, under the rhetorical appeal to technical efficiency, development, modernization and consensus at the expense of social and cultural rights.; En la provincia de Mendoza (Argentina) las políticas estatales favorecieron desde el siglo XIX la centralización y distribución de agua en beneficio de los oasis de riego y la actividad vitivinícola, controlada por la elite política e inmigrantes europeos. Tal distribución fue legitimada por argumentos que postularon una racionalidad ambiental supuestamente científica y universal, ulteriormente asociada al cuidado del agua y la naturaleza. A partir del reciente conflicto por la instalación de proyectos megamineros que serían fuentes de explotación y contaminación del agua en gran escala, analizamos las concepciones estatales sobre las relaciones socio-ambientales, sus contradicciones y efectos tanto en las políticas de distribución social de recursos como en la propia configuración ambiental. Concluimos que el Estado mendocino interpela a la naturaleza según su potencial valor de cambio, bajo la apelación retórica a la eficiencia técnica, el desarrollo, la modernización y el consenso, en detrimento de derechos sociales y culturales.

Assessing degradation of abandoned farmlands for conservation of the monte desert biome in Argentina Yanelli, Florencia A.; Tabeni, Maria Solana; Mastrantonio, Leandro Eloy; Vezzani, Nazareth Land abandonment is a major issue worldwide. In Argentina, the Monte Desert is the most arid rangeland, where the traditional conservation practices are based on successional management of areas excluded to disturbances or abandoned. Some areas subjected to this kind of management may be too degraded, and thus require active restoration. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess whether passive succession-based management is a suitable approach by evaluating the status of land degradation in a protected area after 17–41 years of farming abandonment. Soil traits and plant growth forms were quantified and compared between sites according to time since abandonment and former land use (cultivation and grazing). Two variables were calculated using the CORINE-CEC method, i.e., potential (PSER) and actual (ASER) soil erosion risk. PSER indicates the erosion risk when no vegetation is present, while ASER includes the protective role of vegetation cover. Results showed that land use history had no significant effect on plant growth forms or soil traits (p > 0.05). After more than 25 years since abandonment of farming activities, soil conditions and vegetation cover had improved, thus having a lower ASER. Nevertheless, the present soil physical crusts may have delayed the full development of vegetation, enhancing erosion processes. Overall, this study indicates that succession-based management may not be the best practice in terms of conservation. Therefore, any effort for conservation in the Monte Desert should contemplate the current status of land degradation and potential vegetation recovery.

Prey composition of Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus cassini) preying upon a mixed-species seabird colony in Argentine Patagonia; Composición de la dieta de Halcones Peregrinos (Falco peregrinus cassini) depredando en una colonia mixta de aves marinas en la Patagonia Argentina García, Germán Oscar; Bó, Maria Susana; Yorio, Pablo Martin Predation is one of the main factors determining breeding strategies in many seabird species (Lack 1968, Burger & Gochfeld 1994, Gaston 2004). Among avian predators, raptors such as eagles, owls and falcons regularly prey on seabird adults and offspring (Paine et al. 1990, Holt 1994, Hayward et al. 2010). The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) has a cosmopolitan distribution (White et al. 2002), and is regularly found along coastal areas of Argentine Patagonia which are characterized by large seabird breeding assemblages (Yorio et al. 1999). Peregrine Falcons from coastal populations in the Northern Hemisphere have been shown to be important predators of seabirds (Ratcliffe 1980, Paine et al. 1990, Velarde 1993), but very little is known on the contribution of seabird prey to Peregrine Falcon diet in coastal Argentina. Few studies have quantified their diet in Patagonia, and they indicate that prey composition may vary depending on location (Ellis et al. 2002, Santillán et al. 2010). Our goal was to determine the prey composition and contribution of seabirds to the diet of a pair of Peregrine Falcons breeding near a mixed-species seabird colony on the coast of Argentine Patagonia.

Preparation and characterization of polymorphs of the glucocorticoid deflazacort Kassuha, Diego Enrique; Aiassa, Virginia; Bruno, Flavia Paola; Cuadra, Gabriel R.; Sperandeo, Norma Rebeca The polymorphism of new and old active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) is of great importance due to performance, stability and processability aspects. The objective of this study was to investigate the polymorphism of deflazacort (DEF), a glucocorticoid discovered >40 years ago, since this phenomenon has not been previously investigated for this API. Using different methods for solid form screening, it was determined for the first time that DEF is able to exist as three forms: a crystalline (DEF-1); a hydrated X-ray amorphous (DEF-t-bw) and an anhydrous amorphous phase (DEF-g) obtained from manually grinding DEF-1. The in vitro and in vivo dissolution rates (DRs) of DEF-1 and DEF-t-bw, which were measured using the rotating disk method in water at 37 °C and the pellet implantation technique in rats, respectively, indicated that DEF-t-bw exhibited slightly faster in vitro and in vivo DRs than those of the crystalline form, but the values were not significantly different. In addition, it was determined that DEF-t-bw devitrifies to DEF-1 by the effect of pressure, humidity and heat. It was concluded that DEF is glucorticoid with low tendency to exhibit different crystalline forms and that DEF-t-bw has no advantages over DEF-1 in terms of solubility, DRs and solid-state stability.

Rheological and barrier properties of nanocomposites of HDPE and exfoliated Montmorillonite Horst, María Fernanda; Quinzani, Lidia Maria; Failla, Marcelo Daniel Polyethylene (PE) / clay nanocomposites were prepared by melt mixing using polyethylene grafted with maleic anhydride (PEg) as compatibilizer. Concentrations between 2 and 15 wt% of an organophilic montmorillonite (MMT) and concentration ratios of 1:1, 2:1 and 3:1 of PEg/MMT were employed. The materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetry. The SEM images show that the presence of PEg gives place to a large degree of exfoliation at all clay concentrations. For 5 wt% MMT, the best degree of exfoliation is obtained for a 2:1 ratio of PEg/MMT. This ratio also gives place to the largest increase of the elastic modulus, mainly at low frequencies, with respect to that of the corresponding matrix. As the clay concentration increases, for a 2:1 ratio of PEg/MMT, the dynamic moduli increases showing pseudo solid-like behavior at clay concentrations higher than 8 wt%. Moreover, the nanocomposites show rheological properties that are affected by annealing at 200°C signaling further exfoliation or improved platelet and tactoid distributions. The oxygen permeability of PE gradually decreases with clay concentration, reaching a maximum reduction of ~30% for 15 wt% MMT.

Comisión Universitaria sobre Discapacidad: una experiencia de gestión en la Universidad Nacional de La Plata; University commission on Disability: management experience at the National University of La Plata Castignani, María Laura; Hanlon, Paula; Lujan, María; Katz, Sandra Lea; Peiró, Mabel La Comisión Universitaria sobre Discapacidad de la UNLP, fue gestada hace más de trece años con el fin de lograr la plena inclusión en el sistema universitario, que todos puedan ingresar y transitar la universidad para estudiar, trabajar y participar de las diversas propuestas que la misma genera. Este trabajo pretende transmitir el camino transitado por la Comisión: sus acciones pasadas más relevantes, su experiencia de gestión, sus objetivos y ejes de trabajo, así como también aquellas acciones que se encuentran en proceso de implementación. El trabajo interdisciplinario es el que da sustento a nuestras prácticas y las jerarquiza. La Comisión está convencida que la temática necesita del aporte permanentemente de todos los claustros universitarios: docentes, no docentes y alumnos; atravesar todas las áreas de acción: docencia, extensión e investigación, promoviendo la reflexión y una actitud proactiva que favorezca el acceso a la Universidad y la erradicación de todo tipo de discriminación.

Variación morfológica craneana en Caiman (Alligatoridae, Caimaninae): estudio morfogeométrico de la ontogenia de las especies Caiman latirostris y Caiman yacare; Cranial morphological variation in caiman (Alligatoridae, Caimaninae): a geometric morphometrics study of the ontogeny in the species Caiman latirostris and Caiman yacare Fernandez Blanco, María Victoria; Cassini, Guillermo Hernán; Bona, Paula Presentamos el primer estudio sobre la disparidad craneana en C. yacare y C. latirostris utilizando un análisis de morfometría geométrica en dos dimensiones. Se fotografiaron cráneos de distintos estadios ontogenéticos en vista dorsal y palatal. Se establecieron 28 landmarks en vista dorsal y 27 en vista palatal y se digitalizaron usando TPSUtil y TPSDig. Para el análisis se utilizó Morpho J. Para evaluar el cambio de forma en cada especie se realizó una regresión de las coordenadas de landmarks contra el logaritmo del centroide. Se compararon las trayectorias ontogenéticas y se hizo un análisis de componentes principales para identificar los componentes de variación. En vista dorsal no hubo diferencias entre las trayectorias ontogenéticas; sí en vista ventral. Los especímenes se separaron en relación al primer componente principal. En vista dorsal, respecto de C. latirostris, C. yacare presenta un cráneo y hocico alargado y angosto, órbitas angostas, gran concavidad del borde lateral a la altura de la sutura maxilo-yugal y menor concavidad del borde posterior de la tabla craneana. En vista ventral, C. yacare presenta un cráneo, hocico, alas pterigoideas y fenestras suborbitarias alargados y angostos y un desplazamiento medial del contacto cuadrado/cuadrado-yugal y del contacto anterolateral entre maxilares y palatinos.; We present the first study about the cranial disparity in C. yacare and C. latirostris using a two-dimensional geometric morphometric analysis. Skulls of different ontogenetic stages were photographed in dorsal and palatal views. For this study, 28 landmarks in dorsal view and 27 in palatal view were established and digitized using TPSUtil and TPSDig. MorphoJ was used for the analysis. To evaluate the change of shape in each species a regression with the landmarks coordinates against the logarithm of centroid size was performed. Ontogenetic trajectories were compared and a principal component analysis was done to identify the components of variation. Differences in ontogenetic trajectories were only observed in ventral view. The specimens were separated in relation to the first principal component. In dorsal view, in contrast with C. latirostris, C. yacare presents an elongated and narrow snout and skull, narrow orbits, a great concavity in the lateral margin of the skull at the level of the maxillar-jugal contact and a lower concavity of the rear edge of the cranial table. In ventral view, C. yacare presents an elongated and narrow skull, snout, pterygoid wings and suborbital fenestra and a medial displacement of the quadrate/quadrate-jugal contact and the anterolateral contact between maxillar and palatine.

El público opina: estudio acerca de la exhibición de restos humanos en el Museo de La Plata; The visitors opine: study about human remains exhibition in the Museo de La Plata Reca, María Marta; Sardi, Marina Laura; Canzani, Ana Inés; Domínguez, María Cecilia Luz La exhibición de restos humanos es un tema controvertido. Cuestiones de índole política, ética y científica unidas a la sensibilidad que acompaña el tratamiento de estos temas genera posiciones encontradas. En este trabajo se evaluaron las opiniones de los visitantes en torno a la exhibición de restos humanos, tomando como referente la exhibición permanente “Ser y Pertenecer: un recorrido por la evolución humana” del Museo de La Plata, inaugurada en el año 2009. Se realizó una encuesta semi-estructurada a 200 individuos en la que se indaga acerca de su perfil sociodemográfico, sus motivaciones y expectativas de la visita, así como sus opiniones acerca de las políticas institucionales de exhibición de restos humanos. Sobre los datos se aplicaron análisis estadísticos (t de Student, Tablas de Contingencia y Prueba de Bondad de Ajuste). Los resultados indicaron que los visitantes mayoritariamente tienen preferencia por la observación de restos humanos, pero paradójicamente acuerdan con la decisión institucional de no exhibir restos de origen americano. Se espera que el estudio contribuya al diseño de una política institucional en materia de exhibiciones que otorgue un lugar significativo a los estudios de público.; The exhibition of human remains is a controversial subject. Political, ethical and scientific aspects, with the sensitivity are together involved in the debate of this subject, producing contentious positions. In this study, we evaluated visitors’ opinions about the exhibition of human remains, considering as reference the permanent exhibition “Being and Belonging: a tour to human evolution”, opened in 2009 at the Museo de La Plata. Two hundred people were surveyed through a semi-structured questionnaire, which focuses on socio-demographic aspects, motivations and expectations for visiting the exhibition and their opinions about the institutional policies of human remains exhibition. The information was analyzed by statistical methods (Student’s t test, Tables of Contingency and Goodness of Fit). Results indicate that most of the visitors like to observe human remains; however, most of the visitors as well agree with the institutional decision of not to exhibit human remains of American origin. It is expected that this study contributes to develop institutional policies about exhibitions that consider the visitor and its studies as a relevant participant.

An experimental and DFT study of a disulfide-linked Schiff base: Synthesis, characterization and crystal structure of bis (3-methoxy-salicylidene-2-aminophenyl) disulfide in its anhydrous and monohydrate forms Ferraresi Curotto, Verónica; Echeverría, Gustavo Alberto; Piro, Oscar Enrique; Pis Diez, Reinaldo; Gonzalez Baro, Ana Cecilia A detailed structural and spectroscopic study of the disulfide Schiff base obtained from condensation of 2-aminothiophenol and o-vanillin is reported. It includes the analyses of the anhydrous and monohydrate forms of the title compound. Structures of both solids were resolved by X-ray diffraction methods. A comparison between experimental and theoretical results is presented. The conformational space was searched and geometries were optimized both in gas phase and including solvent effects. Vibrational (IR and Raman) and electronic spectra were measured and assigned with the help of computational methods based on the Density Functional Theory. Calculated MEP-derived atomic charges were calculated to predict coordination sites for metal complexes formation.

Demographic and breeding performance of a new kelp gull Larus dominicanus colony in Patagonia, Argentina; Demografía y desempeño de la reproducción en una nueva colonia de gaviota cocinera Larus Dominicanus en la Patagonia, Argentina Lisnizer, Nora; Garcia Borboroglu, Jorge Pablo; Yorio, Pablo Martin Understanding the processes involved in the establishment and persistence of new seabird colonies is important for improving conservation and management strategies. Over the past few decades, kelp gull Larus dominicanus numbers have increased in Patagonia, Argentina, and new colonies have been reported. We studied a recently established colony to analyze aspects of its population dynamics and breeding biology. The number of breeding pairs at Punta Loma increased from 13 to 233 in the seven years after the colony was established (2004-2011) and number of chicks fledged per nest was low (<1 chick per nest) compared to that of other old-established kelp gull colonies in the region. Modelled estimates of abundance assuming closed population dynamics for the Punta Loma colony were lower than observed (70% lower or more), suggesting that the observed growth cannot be explained by local productivity alone. Immigration from other colonies was likely the main factor responsible for the observed growth, being considerably higher than local recruitment. This study constitutes the first characterization of demographic processes occurring during the initial years since colony establishment in kelp gulls. Main findings include rapid population growth driven by immigration and poor breeding performance potentially linked to a high proportion of young breeders. Our results highlight the key role of source-sink dynamics on the growth and persistence of new seabird colonies.; La comprensión de los procesos involucrados en el establecimiento y la persistencia de nuevas colonias de aves marinas es importante para mejorar las estrategias de manejo y conservación. Durante las últimas décadas, los números de gaviota cocinera Larus dominicanus en Patagonia, Argentina, se han incrementado y se han formado nuevas colonias. Estudiamos una colonia establecida recientemente para analizar aspectos de su dinámica poblacional y biología de reproducción. El número de parejas reproductoras en Punta Loma se incrementó de 13 a 233 en los siete años posteriores al establecimiento de la colonia (2004–2011) y el número de pollos independizados por nido fue bajo (< 1 pollo por nido) en comparación a otras colonias más antiguas de la región. Las estimaciones de abundancia obtenidas de un modelo que asume una dinámica poblacional cerrada para la colonia de Punta Loma fueron menores que las observadas (70% menores o más), sugiriendo que el crecimiento observado no puede ser explicado únicamente por productividad local. La inmigración desde otras colonias fue posiblemente el principal factor responsable del crecimiento observado, siendo considerablemente mayor al reclutamiento local. Este estudio constituye la primera caracterización de los procesos demográficos que ocurren durante los primeros años desde el establecimiento de una colonia en gaviotas cocineras. Los principales resultados incluyen un rápido crecimiento poblacional favorecido por la inmigración y un pobre rendimiento reproductivo potencialmente asociado a una elevada proporción de reproductores jóvenes. Nuestros resultados resaltan el papel clave de la dinámica de tipo fuente-sumidero en el crecimiento y persistencia de colonias nuevas de aves marinas.

A conceptual model and technological support for organizational knowledge management Ale, Mariel Alejandra; Toledo, Carlos Manuel; Chiotti, Omar Juan Alfredo; Galli, Maria Rosa Knowledge Management (KM) models proposed in the literature do not take into account all necessary aspects for effective knowledge management. First, to address this issue, this paper presents a set of requirements that any KM model or initiative should take into account to cover all aspects implied in knowing processes. These requirements were identified through a critical and evolutionary analysis of KM. Second; the paper presents a new distributed KM Conceptual Model whose building blocks are the knowledge activities involved in knowing processes. These activities are: knowledge creation, knowledge sharing, and knowledge representation and retrieval. This model provides a holistic view of KM whose purpose is helping managers understand the scope of this initiative, and supplying a guide for research and implementation in organizations. In this sense, the model presents KM as a highly social rather than technological process. Third; the paper briefly describes an architecture to provide a technological support for knowledge representation and retrieval activities of the proposed KM Conceptual Model. This architecture allows implementing a distributed organizational memory that helps to represent the knowledge context through an ontological model, providing a local perspective of each knowledge domain within the organization. Strategies for knowledge annotation, knowledge retrieval, and ontology evolution are briefly described and results of preliminary performance analysis are shown. Finally; based on the available literature, a comparative analysis of different KM models shows their adequacy for previously presented requirements.

Two new species of Nyctelia Latreille (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from Argentinean Patagonia with zoogeographical and ecological remarks Flores, Gustavo Ernesto; Cheli, German Horacio Two new species of the genus Nyctelia Latreille (Pimeliinae: Nycteliini) from Argentinean Patagonia, N. sulcogranata sp. nov. and N. recteplicata sp. nov. , are described. Distributional maps, habitus, photographs and illustrations of genitalic features for these two new species are included, with comparisons to other known species of the genus. A discussion is presented on distributional habitat records and biogeography.

Comparación urbano-rural de parámetros meteorológicos en la ciudad de Tandil, Argentina Picone, Natasha; Campo, Alicia María En la ciudad de Tandil se encuentran en desarrollo estudios para conocer el clima urbano de la misma y este trabajo cubre algunos de los aspectos del mismo. El objetivo principal es realizar una comparación urbano-rural de ocho parámetros meteorológicos en un año (julio de 2010-junio de 2011). Para ello se utilizaron datos meteorológicos obtenidos de la estación meteorológica Tandil del Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (datos rurales) y de una estación meteorológica automática que pertenece al CIG (datos urbanos). A partir de la comparación se observó una clara influencia urbana sobre todos los parámetros analizados en un año marcado por el efecto Niña.; In Tandil city are taking place several studies to learn about its urban climate, this work is part of them. The main objective is to compare urban - rural differences in eight meteorological parameters during a year (July 2010 - June 2011). There where use weather data from Tandil meteorological station of the Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (rural data) and from an automatic meteorological station (urban data). As a result of the comparison the urban influence was detected in all the parameters analyzed during a year with Niña effect.

El migrante en Argentina y el acceso a sus derechos: un breve recorrido por las normas, las políticas y sus historias; The migrant in Argentina and the access to their rights: a brief overview of the rules, the policies and their stories Gómez, Abigail Gabriela; Piana, Ricardo Sebastián Diariamente llegan a Argentina inmigrantes provenientes de países vecinos, con deficiencias para acceder a sus derechos en su país de origen. El Estado argentino debió realizar diversas medidas para protegerlos, sancionando normativa acorde a la incorporación de los Tratados y Pactos internacionales y realizando políticas y acciones públicas en clave de derechos humanos. Simultáneamente se pueden observar obstáculos a la hora de acceder efectivamente a esos derechos en pie de igualdad con los ciudadanos. Resulta pertinente analizar cómo estas personas ven satisfechos sus derechos al llegar al país utilizando, como estrategia metodológica, un estudio etnográfico. El análisis se dividirá en dos partes; se describirá cuáles son las herramientas con las que cuentan los migrantes a la hora de intentar acceder a esos derechos humanos básicos y se conocerá, mediante el análisis de fallos judiciales, entrevistas y documentos de ONGs abocadas a la temática, si efectivamente se cumple con la satisfacción de esos derechos. Como resultado se evidencia que si bien los inmigrantes encuentran en Argentina el acceso gratuito a las prestaciones que en sus países les es difícil alcanzar, existen insuficiencias cuantitativas y cualitativas de los servicios del Estado argentino, especialmente en el sistema sanitario y educativo.; Argentina receives immigrants from neighboring countries with serious deficiencies as regards their rights. The Argentinean government had to implement different policies to protect them, incorporating international treaties on human rights in their internal legal system and making public policies. Simultaneously, obstacles can be observed, when having access to these rights on an equal condition with Argentinean citizens. It is pertinent to analyze this situation using a methodological tool like an ethnographic study. The analysis will be divided into two parts, on the one hand, the migrant’s tools to have access to these basic human rights will be described, and on the other hand, it will be analyzed through court decisions, interviews and NGOs documents, if those rights are indeed satisfied. As a result, it is evident that while immigrants in Argentina have free access to benefits which in their countries are difficult to achieve, there are, still quantitative and qualitative inefficiencies, especially in health and education.