Strain energy change to the insertion of inclusions associated to a thermo-mechanical semi-coupled system Giusti, Sebastian Miguel; Novotny, A. A.; Muñoz Rivera, J. E.; Esparta Rodriguez, J. E. The topological derivative measures the sensitivity of a given shape functional with respect to an infinitesimal singular domain perturbation. According to the literature, the topological derivative has been fully developed for a wide range of one single physical phenomenon modeled by partial differential equations. In addition, the topological asymptotic analysis associated to multi-physics problems has been reported in the literature only on the level of mathematical analysis of singularly perturbed geometrical domains. In this work, we present the topological derivative in its closed form for the total potential mechanical energy associated to a thermo-mechanical semi-coupled system, when a small circular inclusion is introduced at an arbitrary point of the domain. In particular, we consider the linear elasticity system (modeled by the Navier equation) coupled with the steady-state heat conduction problem (modeled by the Laplace equation). The mechanical coupling term comes out from the thermal stress induced by the temperature field. Since this term is non-local, we introduce a non-standard adjoint state, which allows to obtain a closed form for the topological derivative. Finally, we provide a full mathematical justification for the derived formulas and develop precise estimates for the remainders of the topological asymptotic expansion.

Cost of reproduction. Changes in metabolism and endosulfan lethality caused by reproductive behavior in Hyalella curvispina (Crustacea: Amphipoda) Negro, Carlos Leandro; Castiglioni, M.; Senkman, Lidia Eloisa; Loteste, Alicia Elena; Collins, Pablo Agustin Biocides are periodically applied in agricultural activities, reaching aquatic systems and acting upon the biota. Amphipods are widely used in toxicity tests because of their sensitivity to a wide range of pollutants. In this work, we report the differential lethality of a widely used pesticide, endosulfan, on the amphipod Hyalella curvispina at two life stages and in three different adult groups, males and females separated by sex and both sexes grouped together. In addition, oxygen consumption of adult groups was determined as a way to estimate the role of behavioral activities and exposure to toxic agents in metabolism shift. Juveniles were as resistant as adults separated by sex. When grouped without sexual differentiation, adults were more sensitive to toxic agents. The oxygen consumption rate was higher when adults were grouped without sexual differentiation in the control group. The exposure to low concentrations causes an increase in oxygen consumption in all the treatments. Sexual behavior could have increased metabolism and sensitivity to endosulfan. Using only juveniles or adults separated by sex in toxicity tests may inaccurately estimate the lethality of biocides, especially in species with constant reproductive activities.

High viral load in the planthopper vector Delphacodes kuscheli (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) is associated with successful transmission of Mal de Río Cuarto virus Argüello Caro, Evangelina Beatriz; Maroniche, Guillermo Andrés; Dumón, Analía Delina; Sagadín, Mónica B.; del Vas, Mariana; Truol, Graciela Ana Delphacodes kuscheli Fennah (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) is the main natural vector of Mal de Rio Cuarto virus (family Reoviridae, genus Fijivirus, MRCV), which infects different gramineae and causes the most important maize (Zea mays L.) disease in Argentina. MRCV—vector interactions usually are studied using different winter cereals as hosts. Under experimental conditions, <50% of D. kuscheli planthoppers fed on a MRCV-infected plant can transmit the virus to wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ). This fact is influenced by insect development stage at acquisition and the latency period. This work describes the relation between transmission efficiency and MRCV accumulation in its planthopper vector. First- and third-instar D. kuscheli nymphs were allowed to feed on MRCV-infected plants, and 9 or 17 d after the acquisition access period (AAP), viral load of transmitting and nontransmitting planthoppers was quantified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The transmitting planthoppers showed significantly higher viral titers than nontransmitting ones, suggesting that successful transmission is positively associated to viral accumulation in the insect. However, planthoppers of the third-instars group did not transmit the virus 9 d after AAP, even when 46% had similar titers to the transmitting insects of the other treatments. These results indicate that additional factors influence MRCV transmission efficiency when acquisition occurs in older planthoppers. This is the first precise quantitative analysis of MRCV in its main vector species and will definitely contribute to better understand planthopper—Fijivirus interactions and its epidemiological implications.

Transcriptional response of bovine monocyte-derived macrophages after the infection with different argentinean mycobacterium bovis Isolates Caimi, Karina Cynthia; Blanco, Federico Carlos; Soria, Marcelo Abel; Bigi, Fabiana Infection of bovines with Mycobacterium bovis causes important financial hardship in many countries presenting also a risk for humans. M. bovis is known to be adapted to survive and thrive within the intramacrophage environment. In spite of its relevance, at present the information about macrophage expression patterns is scarce, particularly regarding the bovine host. In this study, transcriptomic analysis was used to detect genes differentially expressed in macrophages derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells at early stages of infection with two Argentinean strains of M. bovis, a virulent and an attenuated strains. The results showed that the number of differentially expressed genes in the cells infected with the virulent strain (5) was significantly lower than those in the cells infected with the attenuated strain (172). Several genes were more strongly expressed in infected macrophages. Among them, we detected encoding transcription factors, anthrax toxin receptor, cell division and apoptosis regulator, ankyrin proteins, cytoskeleton proteins, protein of cell differentiation, and regulators of endocytic traffic of membrane. Quantitative real-time PCR of a selected group of differentially expressed genes confirmed the microarrays results. Altogether, the present results contribute to understanding the mechanisms involved in the early interaction of M. bovis with the bovine macrophage.

Entre paros y cacerolazos: apuntes sobre la conflictividad social en la Argentina reciente Gamallo, Leandro Anibal En el último Anuario del Conflicto Social (el correspondiente al año 2011), un breve análisis de Massimo Modonesi sobre ?las luchas populares? latinoamericanas advertía sobre la tendencia desmovilizante que azotaba al conjunto de las organizaciones sociales que actuaban en países con ?gobiernos progresistas? y lanzaba, al mismo tiempo, una esperanza sobre los pequeños brotes ?removilizantes? que parecían surgir en dichos países. A partir de una periodización que identificaba un primer momento de quiebre del consenso neoliberal merced a la movilización popular y una posterior institucionalización de cambios progresivos gracias a victorias electorales de ?candidatos, partidos y coaliciones progresistas?, según Modonesi, se estaría produciendo en la actualidad un tercer momento: ?un proceso de disminución de la conflictualidad social y de des-movilización? (2011:253), acompañado de ?una simultánea reactivación del conflicto y de re-movilización cuyas características hay que tratar de distinguir en sus formas incipientes? (Modonesi, 2011:253). El presente trabajo interroga la caracterización del conflicto social durante esta última etapa a partir de una premisa teórica que consideramos fundamental: los análisis sobre conflictividad y movimientos sociales no pueden ignorar la relación entre la contienda social y el orden político que la configura y en el que tienen lugar dichos conflictos. A mitad de camino de los análisis que observan solamente las dinámicas internas de las organizaciones sociales y los factores que promueven la acción colectiva (poniendo el foco solamente sobre la sociedad civil) y aquellas investigaciones que sólo observan las instituciones del sistema político y sus reglas (posando la mirada sólo sobre el Estado), el enfoque desde el cual partimos pretende describir analíticamente los principales conflictos del año 2012 en Argentina a partir de su vínculo con las instituciones y el orden político que los posibilitan y al cual modifican también dinámicamente .

Aportes neurocientíficos sobre interocepción cardíaca, emociones y redes insulares García Cordero, Indira; Couto, Juan Blas Marcos; Ibanez Barassi, Agustín Mariano El estudio de la Ínsula de Reil, ha cobrado un reciente interés por la que fuera un área cerebral poco mencionada en la neurociencia cognitiva moderna. Sucesivas revisiones de trabajos de campos diversos como estudios clínicos, modelos experimentales, y neuroimágenes, han revelado la participación de la ínsula en múltiples tareas cognitivas, afectivas y perceptuales. Un posible marco teórico integrador de estos variados procesos, es la interocepción o censado del estado homeostático y visceral. El procesamiento insular y su comunicación a áreas homólogas motrices como la corteza cingulada anterior (CCA), desencadenaría y regularía comportamientos que entrañan un contenido afectivo-emocional esencial para el mantenimiento de la consciencia corporal a nivel individual. En este artículo, se analiza evidencia que involucra a la interocepción y al procesamiento insular integrativo en el surgimiento de estados emocionales conscientes haciendo especial énfasis en el papel de los estudios de lesiones y el uso de técnicas de conectividad funcional en resonancia magnética funcional (RMf). Además, se revisa la conceptualización de la interocepción cardíaca, su estudio a través de la evaluación de pacientes con patología cerebral vascular isquémica y patología cardíaca en el marco de los de las interacciones corazón-cerebro, nuevo campo de estudio de las neurociencias.; The insula of Reil has recently became an interesting research topic, in despite of its few mention in modern cognitive neuroscience. Several studies in different areas like clinical reports, experimental models and neuroimaging have revealed the role of the insula in cognitive, emotional and visceral perception tasks. In this article, we revise different studies in patients with stroke and cardiac disease regarding cardiac interoception. Particularly, it has been suggested that the insular processing through its connections with the anterior cingulate cortex is required for the representation of the visceral state of the body and critical for the emerging of emotional awareness. Furthermore, evidence from different methodologies such as lesion studies and functional connectivity analysis of magnetic resonance imaging support those hypotheses. We conclude that the understanding of this new field of research in neuroscience, the heart-brain relationships, would highly benefit from the study of insular integration and the arise of conscious emotional states while make emphasis on the convergent use of lesion and functional neuroimaging approaches as a powerful research strategy.

Application of hairy roots for phytoremediation: what makes them an interesting tool for this purpose? Agostini, Elizabeth; Talano, Melina Andrea; González, Paola Solange; Wevar Oller, Ana Laura; Medina, Maria Ines In recent years, hairy roots (HRs) have been successfully used as research tools for screening the potentialities of different plant species to tolerate, accumulate, and/or remove environmental pollutants, such as PCBs, TNT, pharmaceuticals, textile dyes, phenolics, heavy metals, and radionuclides. This is in part due to several advantages of this plant model system and the fact that roots have evolved specific mechanisms to deal with pollutants because they are the first organs to have contact with them. In addition, by using HRs some metabolic pathways and enzymatic catalyzed reactions involved in pollutants detoxification can be elucidated as well as the mechanisms of uptake, transformation, conjugation, and compartmentation of pollutants in vacuoles and/or cell walls, which are important detoxification sites in plants. Plant roots also stimulate the degradation of contaminants by the release of root exudates and oxido-reductive enzymes, such as peroxidases (Px) and laccases, that are associated with the removal of some organic pollutants. HRs are also considered good alternatives as enzyme sources for remediation purposes. Furthermore, application of genetic engineering methods and development of microbe-assisted phytoremediation are feasible strategies to enhance plant capabilities to tolerate, accumulate, and/or metabolize pollutants and, hence, to create or find an appropriate plant system for environmental cleanup. The present review highlights current knowledge, recent progress, areas which need to be explored, and future perspectives related to the application and improvement of the efficiency of HRs for phytoremediation research.

El contexto como factor del aprendizaje autorregulado en la educación superior; Context as a factor of self-regulated learning in higher education; O contexto como fator da aprendizagem autorregulada na educação superior Daura, Florencia Teresita El presente trabajo analiza la influencia que tiene el entorno sobre el desarrollo del aprendizaje autorregulado en los estudiantes universitarios y la responsabilidad que tiene el docente de aprender a enseñar; se describen los resultados de un estudio en curso, obtenidos a partir de la observación de documentos de cátedra y de clases desarrolladas en el programa de Medicina de una universidad privada argentina. Dicho análisis se realizó a partir del modelo ofrecido por la Teoría Fundamentada con el objeto de elaborar un marco teórico que ayude a comprender cómo se desenvuelve el vínculo entre el docente y los estudiantes, cuáles son las estrategias didácticas utilizadas en el aula para favorecer el desarrollo del AAR y qué características tiene el proceso autorregulatorio efectuado por la cátedra. Se llega a la conclusión que tanto el estudiante como el profesor deben reconocer sus posiciones y entender las características del contexto en el que se encuentran para generar un mejor aprendizaje.; This study analyzes the influence that the environment has on developing self-regulated learning in university students as well as the teacher's accountability for learning to teach. It describes the results of an ongoing study, which have been obtained by observing class documents and ongoing classes in the school of Medicine of a private Argentinean university. The analysis was based on the model offered by Grounded Theory Approach; its purpose was to elaborate a theoretical frame than can enhance understanding of how the connection between teacher and student happens, what teaching strategies are used in the classroom to forward the development of AAR and what characteristics the self regulated process undertaken in class have. The study concludes that both student and teacher must acknowledge their positions and understand the characteristics of the context on which they are in order to generate better learning.; O presente trabalho analisa a influência que o contexto tem sobre o desenvolvimento da aprendizagem autorregulada nos estudantes universitários e a responsabilidade que o docente tem de aprender a ensinar; descrevem-se os resultados de um estudo em curso, obtidos a partir da observação de documentos de disciplinas e de aulas desenvolvidas no programa de Medicina de uma universidade particular argentina. Essa análise se realizou a partir do modelo oferecido pela Teoria Fundamentada com o objetivo de elaborar um referencial teórico que ajude a compreender como se desenvolve o vínculo entre o docente e os estudantes, quais são as estratégias didáticas utilizadas na sala de aula para favorecer o desenvolvimento da AAR e que características o processo autorregulatório tem efetuado pela disciplina. Chega-se à conclusão que tanto o estudante quanto o professor devem reconhecer suas posições e entender as características do contexto no qual se encontram para gerar uma melhor aprendizagem.

Regulación, auto-determinación y libertad; Regulation, self-determination and freedom Vázquez, Stella Maris; Daura, Florencia Teresita Se analiza la relación y la distinción entre los conceptos de regulación, autodeterminación y libertad, y se presentan las influencias teóricas que condujeron a su identificación. La cuestión se acota al tratamiento de la teoría de la auto-determinación y la teoría relacional de las necesidades. Se intenta mostrar que la auto-regulación no puede identificarse con la autonomía, ni el concepto de autonomía es sinónimo de auto-determinación, porque la autonomía refiere a la propiedad de la voluntad de ser la fuente de la ley, en sentido kantiano, y el concepto de auto-determinación refiere a la propiedad de la voluntad de ser dominio de sí y del resto de las capacidades. El concepto de auto-regulación tiene su lugar de origen en la biología y luego se aplica, por extensión, al campo de la psicología.; This article presents the analysis of the relation and separation among the concepts regulation, self-determination and freedom, and further approaches to the theoretical influences leading to their identification. This issue is limited by approaching the theory of self-determination and the relational theory of the needs. It is intended to elucidate that neither self-regulation can be identified with the concept autonomy nor autonomy is a synonym of self-determination, because autonomy refers to the faculty of the volition to become the source of law, in the Kantian sense, and selfdetermination is the faculty of volition to become control over self and the other capabilities. The concept self-regulation has its origin in biology and is later applied, by extension, to the field of psychology.

Melatonin may curtail the metabolic syndrome: studies on initial and fully established fructose-induced metabolic syndrome in rats Cardinali, Daniel Pedro; Scacchi Bernasconi, Pablo Antonio; Reynoso, Roxana María; Reyes Toso, Carlos Felipe; Scacchi, Pablo To examine the effect of melatonin given to rats simultaneously with fructose on initial and fully developed metabolic syndrome, male Wistar rats had free access to chow and 5% or 10% fructose drinking solution for 8 weeks. As compared to controls, systolic blood pressure augmented significantly under both treatments whereas excessive body weight was seen in rats receiving the 10% fructose only. Rats drinking 5% fructose showed a greater tolerance to a glucose load while rats having access to a 10% fructose drinking solution exhibited the expected impaired glucose tolerance found in the metabolic syndrome. Circulating triglyceride and low density lipoproteins-cholesterol (LDL-c) concentration augmented significantly in rats showing a fully developed metabolic syndrome only, while high blood cholesterol levels were found at both stages examined. Melatonin (25 μg/mL drinking solution) counteracted the changes in body weight and systolic blood pressure found in rats administered with fructose. Melatonin decreased the abnormal hyperglycemia seen after a glucose load in 10% fructose-treated rats but it did not modify the greater tolerance to glucose observed in animals drinking 5% fructose. Melatonin also counteracted the changes in plasma LDL-c, triglyceride and cholesterol levels and decreased plasma uric acid levels. The results underline a possible therapeutical role of melatonin in the metabolic syndrome, both at initial and established phases.

Collaborater for a car-like vehicle driven by a user with visual inattention Chavez, D.; Slawiñski, Emanuel; Mut, Vicente Antonio This paper proposes a control system applied to a car-like vehicle driven by a user. The controller is designed to mitigate the negative effects produced by possible visual distractions of this user. In addition, the paper proposes to evaluate the user?s visual distraction, defining a vector that has two components: one with respect to the path and the other with respect to the obstacles. These elements can be computed on-line and are associated with two time delays that produce a similar effect of instability on the motion of the vehicle. The proposed scheme considers the distraction in the design through such delays. Finally, experiments using a car simulator are carried out.

New records of species of the family Rhopalidae (Heteroptera) in the province of La Pampa (Argentina) Pall, José Luis María; Quirán, Estela Maris; Coscarón, María del Carmen At the global level are 18 genera that constitute Rhopalidae family in our country are only 5 genera, of which 3 are provided in this contribution to the province of La Pampa. The material comes from the entomological collection of the Museum of La Plata (Argentina) and campaigns conducted by the authors in the province of La Pampa.

New insights into the biogeography of south-western Europe: spatial patterns from vascular plants using cluster analysis and parsimony Moreno Saiz, Juan Carlos; Donato, Mariano Humberto; Katinas, Liliana; Crisci, Jorge Victor; Posadas, Paula Elena Aim: We analysed the distributional pattern of the vascular flora of the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic archipelago using cluster and parsimony methods to delineate a biogeographical scheme for south-western Europe and to compare the results with previous regionalizations. Additionally, we aim to identify areas of endemism. Location: South-western Europe (Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands). Methods: Pattern analysis of a chorological dataset, consisting of the occurrences of 3041 vascular plant species in each of the 50 km × 50 km UTM cells of a grid covering Iberia and the Balearic Islands, was based on cluster analysis (unweighted pair-group method using arithmetic averages; UPGMA) and parsimony analysis of endemicity (PAE). The Jaccard similarity index was used in the UPGMA, and the set of most parsimonious trees from the PAE were summarized in a 75% majority consensus tree. Results: The UPGMA dendrogram delineated two main branches in the study region: (1) an eastern area of six sectors including the Balearic Islands plus those regions of Iberia with basic substrates, and (2) a western area with three sectors comprising the regions with acidic soils. The majority rule consensus tree of 53 most parsimonious trees from PAE showed eight main clades similarly separating eastern Iberia plus the Balearic Islands with their basic substrates, from western Iberia with its acidic and basic substrates; in addition the PAE tree showed some previously undetected chorological patterns. Main conclusions: The use of large and inclusive datasets allows for the recognition of different spatial patterns from those obtained using a limited number of endemic or indicator species. The analyses support some floristic regions previously recognized for Iberia, but not the classic Eurosiberian–Mediterranean division, and some transition territories. Our recognition of 19 areas of endemism consisting of two or more cells and 60 consisting of one cell in south-western Europe is new.

Postcranial skeleton of Cricosaurus araucanensis (Crocodyliformes: Thalattosuchia): morphology and palaeobiological insights Herrera, Laura Yanina; Fernández, Marta Susana; Brandoni, Zulma Nelida The metriorhynchid crocodyliform Cricosaurus araucanensis (Gasparini & Dellapé) has been documented from Tithonian (Upper Jurassic) strata of the Vaca Muerta Formation exposed in the Neuquén Basin, northwest Patagonia, Argentina. Postcranial components of this species were mentioned but not described in the original analysis. Subsequently, other authors described the forelimbs. The postcranial elements of metriorhynchids are poorly documented in comparison with their skulls, but new data from C. araucanensis reveal delayed ossification of the caudal neurocentral sutures indicating skeletal paedomorphosis affecting not only the appendicular skeleton but also the posterior region of the vertebral column. The morphology of the caudal region (transverse processes of the first caudal vertebrae ventrally deflected) and the reduction in the femur of the fourth trochanter suggest a reduction of the hypaxial musculature allowing increased epaxial musculature. This pattern of musculoskeletal arrangement is consistent with the swimming style and propulsion by lateral undulation of the tail, as proposed by previous authors.

Preferences for mode of delivery in nulliparous Argentinean women: a qualitative study Liu, Nancy H.; Mazzoni, Agustina; Zamberlin, Nina; Colomar, Mercedes; Chang, Olivia H.; Arnaud, Lila; Althabe, Fernando; Belizan, Jose BACKGROUND: Over the last three decades, cesarean section (CS) rates have been rising around the world despite no associated improvement in maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. The role of women's preferences for mode of delivery in contributing to the high CS rate remains controversial; however these preferences are difficult to assess, as they are influenced by culture, knowledge of risk and benefits, and personal and social factors. In this qualitative study, our objective was to understand women's preferences and motivational factors for mode of delivery. This information will inform the development and design of an assessment aimed at understanding the role of the women's preferences for mode of delivery. METHODS: We conducted 4 focus group discussions (FGDs) and 12 in-depth interviews with pregnant women in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 4 large non-public and public hospitals. Our sample included 29 nulliparous pregnant women aged 18-35 years old, with single pregnancies over 32 weeks of gestational age, without pregnancies resulting from assisted fertility, without known pre-existing medical illness or diseases diagnosed during pregnancy, without an indication of elective cesarean section, and who are not health professionals. FGDs and interviews followed a pre-designed guide based on the health belief model and social cognitive theory of health decisions and behaviors. RESULTS: Most of the women preferred vaginal delivery (VD) due to cultural, personal, and social factors. VD was viewed as normal, healthy, and a natural rite of passage from womanhood to motherhood. Pain associated with vaginal delivery was viewed positively. In contrast, women viewed CS as a medical decision and often deferred decisions to medical staff in the presence of medical indication. CONCLUSIONS: These findings converge with quantitative and qualitative studies showing that women prefer towards VD for various cultural, personal and social reasons. Actual CS rates appear to diverge from women's preferences and reasons are discussed.

The potential role of epigenetics on multipotent cell differentiation capacity of mesenchymal stromal cells Yannarelli, Gustavo Gabriel; Pacienza, Natalia Alejandra; Cuniberti, Luis Alberto; Medin, Jeffrey; Davies, John; Keating, Armand Human umbilical cord perivascular cells (HUCPVCs) are a readily available source of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) for cell therapy. We were interested in understanding how differences from human bone marrow (BM)-derived MSCs might yield insights into MSC biology. We found that HUCPVCs exhibited increased telomerase activity and longer telomeres compared with BM-MSCs. We also observed enhanced expression of the pluripotency factors OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG in HUCPVCs. The methylation of OCT4 and NANOG promoters was similar in both cell types, indicating that differences in the expression of pluripotency factors between the MSCs were not associated with epigenetic changes. MSC methylation at these loci is greater than reported for embryonic stem cells but less than in dermal fibroblasts, suggesting that multipotentiality of MSCs is epigenetically restricted. These results are consistent with the notion that the MSC population (whether BM- or HUCPV-derived) exhibits higher proliferative capacity and contains more progenitor cells than do dermal fibroblasts.

Mapping perpetrator prosecutions in Latin America Collins, Cath; Balardini, Lorena Soledad; Burt, Jo Marie This collaborative article examines how two academic institutions and one nongovernmental organization cooperated to map recent trial activity for past human rights violations, applying social science techniques to assist survivors’ and relatives’ groups as well as litigators in making informed strategic choices in their interactions with the formal justice system. The article discusses how methodologically rigorous data collection and data requests to public bodies can be used to advance a proaccountability agenda. The authors show how a range of civil society and state actors have changed justice system outcomes in Argentina, Chile and Peru and highlight some lessons learned about engaged, policy-relevant research.

Water state and carbonyl distribution populations in confined regions of lipid bilayers observed by FTIR spectroscopy Disalvo, Edgardo Anibal; Frías, María de los Ángeles It has been suggested that water in confined regions presents different properties than bulk water, mainly because of the changes in water population species that may be induced by the adjacent walls of different polarities in terms of hydrogen bond formation. In this context, it would be expected that lipids in the gel and the fluid states should offer different templates for water organization. The presence of water pockets or defects in lipid bilayers has been proposed to explain the insertion of charged and polar peptides and amino acids in membranes. In this work, we provide direct evidence by means of FTIR spectroscopy that water band profiles are changed whether lipids are in the solid state, in the gel state after heating and cooling across the phase transition, or in the fluid state. The different bands found in each case were assigned to different H-bonded water populations in agreement with the exposure of carbonyl groups.

Anti-inflammatory Activity of Bromelia hieronymi: Comparison with Bromelain Errasti, María Eugenia; Caffini, Nestor Oscar; Pelzer, Lilian Eugenia; Rotelli, Alejandra Ester Some plant proteases (e. g., papain, bromelain, ficin) have been used as anti-inflammatory agents for some years, and especially bromelain is still being used as alternative and/or complementary therapy to glucocorticoids, nonsteroidal antirheumatics, and immunomodulators. Bromelain is an extract rich in cysteine endopeptidases obtained from Ananas comosus. In this study the anti-inflammatory action of a partially purified extract of Bromelia hieronymi fruits, whose main components are cysteine endopeptidases, is presented. Different doses of a partially purified extract of B. hieronymi were assayed on carrageenan-induced and serotonine-induced rat paw edema, as well as in cotton pellet granuloma model. Doses with equal proteolytic activity of the partially purified extract and bromelain showed significantly similar anti-inflammatory responses. Treatment of the partially purified extract and bromelain with E-64 provoked loss of anti-inflammatory activity on carrageenan-induced paw edema, a fact which is consistent with the hypothesis that the proteolytic activity would be responsible for the anti-inflammatory action.

Paleogene calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy for two boreholes in the eastern Austral Basin, Patagonia, Argentina; Nanofósiles calcáreos paleógenos y biostratigrafía para dos pozos en el este de la Cuenca Austral, Patagonia, Argentina Perez Panera, Juan Pablo Calcareous nannofossils from two boreholes (Campo Bola and Sur Río Chico) in the subsurface of eastern Austral Basin, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina, allowed the identification of Early to Middle Paleocene, Early to Middle Eocene and Late Eocene to Early Oligocene assemblages. These assemblages match the formations logged in the boreholes Campo Bola, Man Aike and Río Leona respectively, and represent three paleogene sedimentary cycles within the basin. These results permitted the reinterpretation of previous data from an adjacent borehole (Cerro Redondo). The southern boreholes (Cerro Redondo and Sur Río Chico) yield an Early to Middle Paleocene calcareous nannofossil assemblage and an almost continuous record of nannofossils from Early Eocene to Early Oligocene. A discontinuity is interpreted by the absence of Late Paleocene assemblages. The northern borehole (Campo Bola) yield only late Early Eocene to Early Oligocene assemblages. The data also indicates that the Paleogene beds unconformably overlie Upper Cretaceous strata; Nanofósiles calcáreos paleógenos y biostratigrafía para dos pozos en el este de la Cuenca Austral, Patagonia, Argentina. El estudio de los nanofósiles calcáreos recuperados en muestras de subsuelo de dos pozos de exploración (Campo Bola y Sur Río Chico) en el este de la Cuenca Austral, provincia de Santa Cruz, Argentina, permitió reconocer asociaciones del Paleoceno Temprano a Medio, Eoceno Temprano a Medio y Eoceno Tardío a Oligoceno Temprano. Estas asociaciones son coincidentes con las formaciones atravesadas en los sondeos hechos en Campo Bola, Man Aike y Río Leona, respectivamente, y representan tres ciclos sedimentarios paleógenos dentro de la cuenca. Estos resultados permitieron la reinterpretación de datos previos de un pozo adyacente (Cerro Redondo). Los pozos ubicados al sur (Cerro Redondo y Sur Río Chico) contienen asociaciones de nanofósiles calcáreos del Paleoceno Temprano a Medio y un registro prácticamente continuo de nanofósiles del Eoceno Temprano al Oligoceno Temprano. Se interpreta una discontinuidad por ausencia de asociaciones del Paleoceno Tardío. El pozo ubicado más al norte (Campo Bola) contiene solo asociaciones del Eoceno Temprano tardío al Oligoceno Temprano.