Sexual selection towards a protamine expression ratio optimum in two rodent groups? Arévalo, Lena; Tourmente, Maximiliano; Varea Sánchez, María; Ortiz García, Daniel; Roldan, Eduardo R. S. Post-copulatory sexual selection is thought to influence the evolution of genes involved in reproduction. However, the detection of straightforward effects has been proven difficult due to the complexity and diversity of reproductive landscapes found in different taxa. Here, we compare the possible effect of relative testes mass as a sperm competition proxy on protamine genotype (protamine 1/protamine 2 ratio) and the link to sperm head phenotype in two rodent groups, mice, and voles. In mice, protamine expression ratios were found to increase from low values toward a 1:1 ratio in a positive association with testes mass, and relative sperm head area. In contrast, in voles, decreasing protamine expression ratios were found in species with larger testes but, surprisingly, they range from high values, again toward a 1:1 ratio, and showing a negative correlation with relative sperm head area. Altogether, we found differences in the way protamines seem to be selected and involved in adaptations of the sperm head in voles and mice. However, sexual selection driven by sperm competition seems to exhibit a common evolutionary pattern in both groups toward an equilibrium in the expression of the two protamines.

Culpa antigua y culpa moderna: el análisis kierkegaardiano de la tragedia en O lo uno o lo otro I; Ancient Guilt and Modern Guilt: Kierkegaard´s analysis of tragedy in Either/Or I Rodríguez, Pablo Uriel El presente artículo discute la obra pseudónima de Kierkegaard “El reflejo de lo trágico antiguo en lo trágico moderno”. El joven esteta A traza una distinción entre la “culpa antigua” y la “culpa moderna”. A utiliza esta distinción para formular una potente crítica a la ética moderna. No obstante, dicha polémica contra los conceptos éticos de la Modernidad no implican un retorno a la moralidad trágica antigua.; This paper discusses the Kierkegaard`s pseudonymous work “The Tragic in Ancient Drama Reflected in the Tragic in Modern Drama”. The young aesthete A draws a distinction between “ancient guilt” and “modern guilt”. A uses this distinction to formulate a powerful critique of modern ethics. However, such polemic against modern ethical concepts does not imply a return to ancient tragic morality.

Effects of a Kindergarten Phonological Awareness Intervention on Grade One Reading Achievement Among Spanish-Speaking Children from low-income families; Efectos de un programa de intervención en conciencia Fonológica en Jardín de Infantes sobre el nivel lector en primer grado en niños hispanohablantes de entornos vulnerables Porta, Maria Elsa; Dickinson, David; Ramirez, Gloria Existe escaso conocimiento sobre los efectos de programas de intervención en conciencia fonológica sobre la lecto-escritura en primer grado en niños de habla hispana de entornos vulnerables. Este estudio evalúa los efectos de un programa de intervención en Jardín de Infantes sobre el nivel de lecto-escritura adquirido en primer grado en niños hispanohablantes (N=178) de entornos de bajo nivel socioeconómico de Argentina. El programa de intervención de tres meses de duración que se impartió a comienzos del Jardín de Infantes consistió en 34 lecciones focalizadas en segmentación fonémica, categorización de sonidos, síntesis de sonidos y conocimiento del nombre y sonido de las letras. Se empleó un diseño cuasi-experimental de tipo pre-post con mediciones repetidas. Se obtuvieron mediciones de conciencia fonológica, lectura de palabras y escritura antes e inmediatamente posterior a la intervención, así como también una medición de comprensión lectora al final de primer grado. Los resultados mostraron que la intervención tuvo un efecto significativo sobre la conciencia fonológica, conocimiento del nombre y sonido de las letras, lectura de palabras, escritura y comprensión lectora. Los hallazgos sugieren que una intervención sistemática en conciencia fonológica impartida durante Jardín de Infantes a niños hispanohablantes presenta un impacto positivo sobre la lecto-escritura al final del primer grado.; There is little knowledge about the effects of kindergarten Spanish phonological awareness interventions on literacy outcomes of grade one children from vulnerable environments. To fill this gap, this study evaluates the effects of a kindergarten phonological awareness intervention on grade one literacy skills in Spanish speaking children (N = 178) from low-income neighborhoods in Argentina. The three-month program delivered at the beginning of kindergarten included 34 lessons focused on phoneme segmentation, categorization, and blending, and letter-sound knowledge. Using a pretest-posttest comparison-group design, measures of phonological awareness, word reading, and spelling were collected before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and one year later when children were finishing grade one. In addition, reading comprehension was examined at the end of grade one. Results reveal that the intervention had significant effects on phonological awareness, letter-sound knowledge, word reading, spelling, and reading comprehension. These findings suggest that a systematic, phonological awareness intervention program delivered during kindergarten to native speakers of Spanish has a positive impact on their grade one literacy outcomes.

Genetic features of verotoxigenic Escherichia coli O157:H7 isolated from clinical cases of Argentina and Chile González, Juliana; Cadona, Jimena Soledad; Zotta, Claudio Marcelo; Lavayén, Silvina; Vidal, Roberto; Padola, Nora Lía; Sanso, Andrea Mariel; Bustamante, Ana Victoria We aimed to compare the genetic diversity existing in VTEC O157:H7 strains isolated from cases of human disease from Argentina and Chile. For it, 76 strains were studied in relation to the distribution of genes encoding virulence factors and subtyped by lineage-specific polymorphisms (LSPA-6), and phylogroups assignment. Our results show the almost exclusive circulation of VTEC O157:H7 isolates belonging to lineage I/II, associated with hypervirulent strains, and to the phylogroup E and, on the other hand, genetic diversity present among Argentinean and Chilean strains analyzed, mainly in relation to putative virulence determinants and nle profiles.

Cambio tecnológico, empleo y Formación Profesional: el papel de los actores sectoriales en Argentina Alfredo, Miguel Angel; Granovsky, Pablo; Verchelli, Vanesa El siguiente articulo recoge una serie de reflexiones en torno al impacto del avance tecnológico sobre el empleo, en donde ello implica incluir en el análisis el vínculo intrínseco entre los cambios en los procesos de trabajo y la recalificación de los trabajadores. En este sentido, se parte del supuesto Del desafío que radica en identificar aquellas áreas o campos donde las tecnologías, más que reemplazar puestos de trabajo, se conecten con sistemas complejos de innovación asociados a la incorporación de materiales, herramientas e insumos más sofisticados y a la mejora de las calificaciones de los trabajadores. No obstante, en un contexto de incertidumbre respecto al futuro del trabajo, para evitar un desplazamiento de trabajadores, se deben promover políticas públicas acordes, que contemplen distintos escenarios, que estén diversificadas sectorialmente y mediadas por diferentes instituciones, planteando como horizonte la mejora de los procesos y condiciones. Con un abordaje cualitativo, se concluye que como sostienen los entrevistados, si las políticas públicas acompañan, la tendencia es a una convergencia estructural en cuanto a la mejora en la calidad en productos y procesos, así como en las condiciones de trabajo y la generación de nuevas calificaciones y saberes técnicos.; The following article collects a series of reflections on the impact of technological progress on employment, where this implies including in the analysis the intrinsic link between changes in work processes and the requalification of workers. In this sense, it is assumed that the challenge lies in identifying those areas or fields where technologies, rather than replacing jobs, are connected with complex innovation systems associated withthe incorporation of more sophisticated materials, tools andsupplies and the improvement of workers' qualifications. However, in a context of uncertainty regarding the future of work, in order to avoid displacement of workers, appropriate public policiesmust be promoted, which contemplate different scenarios, which are diversified by sectors and mediated by different institutions, with the horizon of improvement of processes and conditions. With a qualitative approach, it is concluded that, as the interviewees maintain, if public policies accompany, the trend is towards a structural convergence in terms of improving the quality of products and processes, as well as in working conditions and the generation of new qualifications and technical knowledge.; O artigo seguinte recolhe uma série de reflexões sobre o impacto do progresso tecnológico no emprego, onde isso implica incluir na análise a ligação intrínseca entre as mudanças nos processos de trabalho e a requalificação dos trabalhadores. Nesse sentido, asume-se que o desafio está em identificar aquelas áreas ou campos onde as tecnologias, ao invés de substituir empregos, estão conectadas a complexos sistemas de inovação associados à incorporação de materiais, ferramentas e insumos mais sofisticados e a melhoria da qualificação dos trabalhadores. Porém, em um contexto de incertezas quanto ao futuro do trabalho, para evitar o deslocamento de trabalhadores, devem ser promovidas políticas públicas adequadas, que contemplem diversos cenários, diversificados por setores e mediados por diferentes instituições, com o horizonte de melhoria de processos e condições. Com uma abordagem qualitativa, concluise que, como sustentam os entrevistados, se as políticas públicas o acompanharem, a tendência é para uma convergência estrutural em termos de melhoria da qualidade dos produtos e processos, bem como das condições de trabalho e geração de novas qualificações e conhecimentos técnicos.

El rol de los países participantes del Comité de Ayuda al Desarrollo (CAD): Perspectivas para un análisis en el marco de las transformaciones globales; The role of the participant countries of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC): Perspectives for an analysis within the framework of global transformations Abbondanzieri, Camila; Guzman, Maria Florencia La Ayuda Oficial al Desarrollo, como instrumento clave de la cooperación internacional, ha sido fruto de modificaciones desde su institucionalización con el binomio OCDE-CAD en la década de los sesenta. Dichos cambios son parte de las consecuencias de las propias transformaciones del sistema internacional como, por ejemplo, las nuevas configuraciones de poder suscitadas por la proyección internacional de los países emergentes. Esto incentivó a que dicho binomio realice reformas institucionales, específicamente relacionadas a la membresía, a fin de adaptarse al nuevo paradigma de la cooperación internacional y continuar detentando un rol clave como un actor relevante en el área. A partir de estas consideraciones, el presente artículo de investigación pretende analizar las motivaciones que conducen al CAD y a los países participantes a vincularse en un organismo tradicional de la cooperación internacional, como la OCDE y su Comité de Cooperación Internacional. En efecto, se describe el funcionamiento institucional del CAD como organismo hegemónico, representante de los países del Norte en la cooperación internacional, y luego se procederá a explicar el rol de los países que se desempeñan como participantes.; La Ayuda Oficial al Desarrollo, como instrumento clave de la cooperación internacional, ha sido fruto de modificaciones desde su institucionalización con el binomio OCDE-CAD en la década de los sesenta. Dichos cambios son parte de las consecuencias de las propias transformaciones del sistema internacional como, por ejemplo, las nuevas configuraciones de poder suscitadas por la proyección internacional de los países emergentes. Esto incentivó a que dicho binomio realice reformas institucionales, específicamente relacionadas a la membresía, a fin de adaptarse al nuevo paradigma de la cooperación internacional y continuar detentando un rol clave como un actor relevante en el área. A partir de estas consideraciones, el presente artículo de investigación pretende analizar las motivaciones que conducen al CAD y a los países participantes a vincularse en un organismo tradicional de la cooperación internacional, como la OCDE y su Comité de Cooperación Internacional. En efecto, se describe el funcionamiento institucional del CAD como organismo hegemónico, representante de los países del Norte en la cooperación internacional, y luego se procederá a explicar el rol de los países que se desempeñan como participantes.

Caracterización del estado del arte, uso y agregado de valor del recurso hongos comestibles en el sector gastronómico de la cordillera de Chubut Fernández, M. V.; Pildain, María Belén; Barroetaveña, Carolina Los hongos comestibles silvestres constituyen uno de los principales productos forestales no madereros disponibles en la región cordillerana patagónica, lo que los transforma en un recurso productivo atractivo para su aprovechamiento y agregado de valor en el sector gastronómico local, con cualidades para ser considerados como un producto con identidad patagónica. Estos productos pueden resultar de interés para los turistas que arriban a la región, abriendo las puertas al desarrollo del micoturismo y micogastronomía en temporada baja, cuando los hongos fructifican. Con el objetivo de identificar el uso actual que el sector gastronómico realiza de este recurso y la proyección para el desarrollo de nuevos mercados de consumo, se realizó una encuesta semiestructurada dirigida a los responsables del diseño de la carta de restaurantes y casas de comida de Esquel y Trevelin (Chubut). Se encontró que el producto fue incluido en la carta del 61% de los establecimientos y es valorado por su potencial para ser considerado un producto con identidad patagónica. El 60% de los cocineros buscó información acerca del insumo hongos comestibles. Entre los aspectos menos favorables, se detectó que no se aprovecha la diversidad de especies naturalmente disponibles en la región, aunque se conocen algunas de ellas. Los restaurantes presentaron una mayor oferta de hongos en sus cartas respecto a las casas de comida; las especies preferidas son el hongo de pino, el champiñón (cultivado), la morilla, el portobello (cultivado) y el champiñón silvestre. Las especies más utilizadas fueron aquellas que se pueden comprar y también recolectar en la región (hongo de pino y morilla principalmente), en relación con otros más difundidos en el ambiente culinario como el portobello y la gírgola, con excepción del champiñón de París. Los resultados aportaron información para el diseño de futuras actividades de investigación aplicada, de extensión y de políticas públicas que apunten a promover el uso, difusión y agregado de valor de los hongos silvestres comestibles de la Patagonia.; Wild edible mushrooms are one of the main non-wood forest products available in the Andean Patagonian region, being potential productive resources through their use and added value in the local gastronomic sector, with qualities to be considered as products with Patagonian identity. They could be of interest to tourists who arrive in the region, opening the door to the development of mycotourism and mycogastronomy in the low seasons, when fungi fructify. In order to identify the current use that the gastronomic sector makes of this resource and the projection develop new markets, a semi-structured survey was conducted to those responsible for designing restaurants and food houses menus in the cities of Esquel and Trevelin. It was found that the product was included in the menu of 61% of the establishments and was positively valued as a product with Patagonian identity. 60% of chefs had sought information about edible mushrooms. Among the less favorable aspects, it was detected that the diversity of wild mushroom species from the region is not being exploited, although some species are known. The restaurants presented a greater supply of mushrooms in their menus regarding food houses, with pine mushroom, champigñon (cultivated), morilla, portobello (cultivated) and wild champigñon being the preferred species. The most used species were those that can be bought and also collected in the region (mainly pine mushroom and morilla), in relation to others more widespread in the culinary environment such as portobello and girgola, with the exception of white Champignon. The results provided information for the design of future activities of applied research, extension and public policies aimed at promoting the use, dissemination and added value of wild edible mushrooms in Patagonia.

Evaluación de la tendencia de la precipitación en la región pampeana (Argentina) durante el período 1960-2018; Assessment of precipitation trends in pampas region (Argentina) during the period 1960-2018 Ferrelli, Federico; Brendel, Andrea; Piccolo, Maria Cintia; Perillo, Gerardo Miguel E. La Región Pampeana (Argentina) es una de las áreas más productivas del mundo, por ello, el conocimiento de su variabilidad pluviométrica a corto plazo es esencial para orientar políticas destinadas a mejorar la calidad de vida de la población y el ambiente. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar las tendencias de los eventos pluviométricos diarios en la Región Pampeana (Argentina) durante el período 1960-2018. Para ello, se estudiaron series diarias de precipitación de 50 estaciones meteorológicas pertenecientes al Servicio Meteorológico Nacional de Argentina y al Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria de Argentina. Se aplicaron once índices pluviométricos y se calculó su tendencia con el test de Mann-Kendall. Posteriormente, la misma se cuantificó con el estimador de Sen. Los resultados indicaron que la Región Pampeana presenta un patrón espacial heterogéneo caracterizado por un aumento de las precipitaciones de 116 mm/período, una reducción de los días secos consecutivos y un aumento de las tormentas fuertes, muy fuertes y torrenciales. La información proporcionada es esencial para que los actores locales y tomadores de decisiones dado que sirve de base para el diseño de planes de adaptación a las condiciones a las que está expuesta el área de estudio.; Pampas Region (Argentina) is one of the most extensive and productive areas worldwide. Thus, the knowledge about its daily precipitation variability is crucial to guide policies aimed at improving the life-quality and the environment. The objective of this study was to analyze trends of daily rainfall events in Pampas during the period 1960-2018. To do so there were studied information of 50 climatic stations from the Servicio Metetorológico Nacional (Argentina) and Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (Argentina). There were calculated eleven daily events, and there were analyzed their tendency with a Mann-Kendall test. Moreover, the Sen estimator was applied to quantify the changes. Results evidenced the existence of a spatially heterogeneous pattern characterized by the increase of 116 mm /period, a decrease of consecutive dry days and an augmentation of heavy, very heavy and extremely heavy precipitations. These results are essential for stakeholder and decision-makers to design adaptations plans.

Bajo un manto sagrado: Poder, espacio público y organización comunitaria en torno a la fiesta de la Virgen de Copacabana en la ciudad de La Plata; Under a sacred mantle: Power, public space and community organization around the feast of the Virgin of Copacabana in the city of La Plata Romero, Guillermo; Giménez, José Ariel; Passarelli, Ana Milena; Rodrigo, Federico El artículo analiza diferentes modos de intervención y configuración del espacio público a partir de la celebración de la fiesta de la Virgen de Copacabana en un barrio de la ciudad de La Plata. A partir de una exploración de tipo etnográfica, se exploran las significaciones en pugna entre distintos actores que se debaten la potestad para definir sus sentidos legítimos. Al mostrar que dicha festividad opera como un dispositivo constitutivo de la organización socioespacial del barrio, las disputas aquí analizadas trascienden el marco temporal de la fiesta y adquieren mayor espesor simbólico.; The article analyzes different ways of intervention and configuration of the public sphere from the feast of the Virgin of Copacabana in a neighborhood in the city of La Plata. Based on an ethnographic exploration, we reconstruct the conflicting significances between different actors who discuss the power to define their legitimate meanings. By showing that this feast operates as a constitutive device of the socio-spatial organization of the neighborhood, the disputes analyzed here transcend the time frame of the feast and acquire greater symbolic thickness.

Gambeteando la reserva: conflictos ambientales y urbanización de humedales. El caso de la Laguna de Rocha (Buenos Aires, Argentina) Caruso, Sergio Adrian En las últimas décadas los humedales de Argentina se han caracterizado por ser espacios de marcada conflictividad ambiental, en particular sobre aquellos localizados en las inmediaciones del Aglomerado Gran Buenos Aires. Estos sitios que tradicionalmente habían sido urbanizados por los grupos menos beneficiados, en tiempo de neoliberalismo comenzaron a ser valorizados e incorporados al ejido de la ciudad por nuevos actores sociales mejores posicionados en términos socioeconómicos y en el marco de las relaciones de poder. Desde finales de la década de 1990 en adelante, diversas organizaciones civiles, siguiendo los preceptos de la Convención Ramsar, vienen demandando la conservación de los remanentes humedales del aglomerado mediante parques y reservas. Por consiguiente, estas áreas se tornaron en espacios de disputa entre diversos actores sociales con intereses, lógicas y posicionamientos contrapuestos que derivaron en conflictos ambientales. La Laguna de Rocha es un referente empírico de lo hasta aquí señalado. Por tanto, este trabajo tiene por objetivo caracterizar el proceso de urbanización y de conservación de estas tierras inundables haciendo hincapié en el conflicto ambiental relativo a la cesión de terrenos de la Laguna de Rocha declarados por ley como reserva a favor de la Asociación Civil Racing Club.; In recent decades, Argentina’s wetlands have been characterized as areas of marked environmental conflict, particularly those located in the vicinity of the Greater Buenos Aires Agglomerate. These sites, which had traditionally been urbanized by the least favored groups, began to be valued and were incorporated into the city limits during the neoliberal era by new social actors who were better positioned in socioeconomic terms and in the framework of power relationships. From late 1990s, various civic organizations, following the provisions of the Ramsar Convention, have been demanding the conservation of the remaining wetlands through parks and reserves. As a result, these areas became spaces of dispute among different social actors with opposing interests, logics and positioning, which led to environmental conflicts. Laguna de Rocha is an empirical reference of what have been stated above. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to characterize the process of urbanization and conservation of these floodable lands, putting emphasis on the environmental conflict related to the transfer of Laguna de Rocha’s lands, which had been recognized as a nature reserve by law, to the Racing Club Civil Association.

Oculomotor Behaviors and Integrative Memory Functions in the Alzheimer’s Clinical Syndrome Fernández, Gerardo Abel; Parra, Mario A. Background: Biological information drawn from eye-tracking metrics is providing evidence regarding drivers of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease. In particular, pupil size has proved useful to investigate cognitive performance during online activities. Objective: To investigate the oculomotor correlates of impaired performance of patients with mild Alzheimer's Clinical Syndrome (ACS) on a recently developed memory paradigm, namely the Short-Term Memory Binding Test (STMBT). Methods: We assessed a sample of eighteen healthy controls (HC) and eighteen patients with a diagnosis of mild ACS with the STMBT while we recorded their oculomotor behaviors using pupillometry and eye-tracking. Results: As expected, a group (healthy controls versus ACS) by condition (Unbound Colours versus Bound Colours) interaction was found whereby behavioral group differences were paramount in the Bound Colours condition. Healthy controls' pupils dilated significantly more in the Bound Colours than in the Unbound Colours condition, a discrepancy not observed in ACS patients. Furthermore, ROC analysis revealed the abnormal pupil behaviors distinguished ACS patients from healthy controls with values of sensitivity and specify of 100%, thus outperforming both recognition scores and gaze duration. Conclusion: The biological correlates of Short-Term Memory Binding impairments appear to involve a network much wider than we have thought to date, which expands across cortical and subcortical structures. We discuss these findings focusing on their implications for our understanding of neurocognitive phenotypes in the preclinical stages of Alzheimer's disease and potential development of cognitive biomarkers that can support ongoing initiatives to prevent dementia.

Curating the gnomAD database: Report of novel variants in the thyrogobulin gene using in silico bioinformatics algorithms Gomes Pio, Mauricio; Siffo, Sofía; Scheps, Karen; Molina, Maricel Fernanda; Adrover, Ezequiela; Abelleyro, Miguel Martin; Rivolta, Carina Marcela; Targovnik, Hector Manuel Thyroglobulin (TG) is a large glycosylated protein of 2767 amino acids, secreted by the thyrocytes into the follicular lumen. It plays an essential role in the process of thyroid hormone synthesis. TG gene variants lead to permanent congenital hypothyroidism. In the present work, we report a detailed population and bioinformatic prediction analyses of the TG variants indexed in the Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD). The results showed a clear predominance of nonsense variants in the European (Finnish), European (Non-Finnish) and Ashkenazi Jewish ethnic groups, whereas the splice site variants predominate in South Asian and African/African-American populations. In total, 282 novel TG variants were described (47 missense involving the wild-type cysteine residues, 177 missense located in the ChEL domain and 58 splice site variants) which were not reported in the literature and that would have deleterious effects in prediction programs. In the gnomAD population, the estimated prevalence of heterozygous carriers of the potentially damaging variants was 1:320. In conclusion, we provide an updated and curated reference source for the diagnosis of thyroid disease, mainly to congenital hypothyroidism due to TG deficiency. The identification and characterization of TG variants is undoubtedly a valuable approach to study the TG structure/function relations and an important tool for clinical diagnosis and genetic counseling.

Native anurans threatened by the alien tree Ligustrum lucidum in a seasonal subtropical forest Segura, E. M.; Giorgis, Melisa Adriana; Lescano, Julián Norberto Amphibians and anurans in particular are declining globally from diverse and complex causes, with one of the most prevalent being alien species invasion. Alien woody invaders, such as the evergreen Ligustrum lucidum, are deeply transforming native ecosystems worldwide. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of Ligustrum lucidum invasion on native anurans in a seasonal semiarid subtropical forest. Sampling was conducted in streams dominated by L. lucidum forest and streams dominated by native forest. Amphibian species richness and diversity, and community and species abundance were recorded. We characterized invaded and non-invaded streams by measuring biotic and abiotic variables. Invaded streams support only three of the seven species present in non-invaded streams. Species richness in non-invaded streams was twice as high as in invaded streams and community abundance was almost five times greater in the former than in the latter. Invasion by L. lucidum triggers profound changes in vegetation physiognomy and composition of this xerophytic seasonal forest, resulting in dark, unsuitable habitats for several native anurans. In agreement with the few studies focused on the effect of alien woody invaders on amphibians, this study supports that woody alien invasion results in a reduction of native anuran richness and the dominance of a generalist anuran species. This is the first report on the disruptive role of L. lucidum invasion in local anurans diversity and community dynamics.

Evaluation of the MOD16A2 evapotranspiration product in an agricultural area of Argentina, the Pampas region Degano, María Florencia; Rivas, Raúl Eduardo; Carmona, Facundo; Niclòs, Raquel; Sánchez, Juan Manuel The Pampas Region is a big plain of approximately 520,000 km2 in Argentina. It is essential to estimate evapotranspiration (ET) in this region since the primary productivity is directly linked to water availability. Information provided by satellite missions allows monitoring the spatial and temporal variability of ET. In the current study, we evaluated the version 006 of MOD16A2 product (MOD16A2.006) of Potential Evapotranspiration (ETp) and Actual Evapotranspiration (ETa) in Argentinian Pampas Region (APR). MOD16A2.006 product was compared with Crop Evapotranspiration (ETc), calculated with local measurements from the Oficina de Riesgo Agropecuario (ORA), and Crop Coefficient (Kc) data (function of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)) in seven stations in the APR from 2009 to 2018. We evaluated ETa at two temporal scales: accumulated values (mm) per growth stages (soybean crop), and 8-day accumulated values (mm8d−1). The results showed a systematic overestimation around 65% for ETp(MOD16A2.006) (found and eliminated by means of a linear function) and underestimation (in most stations) for ETa(MOD16A2.006) in accumulated values per growth stages. Respect to mm8d−1, no systematic error was observed, but the relationship ETa(ORA) − ETa(MOD16A2.006) for soybean crop behaves similarly throughout APR.

Do frugivores exert selection on fruiting phenology? Potential scenarios across three plant populations of a Neotropical vine, Passiflora caerulea Palacio, Facundo Xavier; Cataudela, Juan Francisco; Montalti, Diego; Ordano, Mariano Andrés Fruiting phenology is a critical aspect of plant fitness, as it is directly linked to the next-generation offspring delivery. Both abiotic and biotic factors presumably exert natural selection on plant phenology. Despite the role of climate in shaping fruiting phenology is well established, whether frugivores exert phenotypic selection on fruiting phenology has not yet been tested. We estimated the regime and magnitude of frugivore-mediated selection on fruiting phenology in three distant (> 500 km) populations of the Blue Passionflower (Passiflora caerulea) along one year. We measured phenological fruit traits (fruiting onset, fruiting peak, length of the fruiting season) and fruit crop size, and used animal fruit removal as a fitness component. We found highly variable fruiting phenologies between populations, yet phenological stages in lower latitudes were longer than in higher latitudes. One population showed a positive relationship between fruiting onset and fruiting peak among individuals, indicating that fruiting later in the season delayed the fruiting peak. Frugivores favored large fruit crop sizes in the three populations and early fruiting onsets in two populations. In two populations, frugivores selected favorable combinations of fruit crop size and fruiting peak (favoring plants with large crops and early fruiting peaks), as well as favorable combinations of fruiting peak and the length of the fruiting season (favoring plants with early fruiting peaks and extended fruiting seasons). Some degree of similarity in selection patterns among populations suggests that, despite strong geographic variation in climate and animal assemblage composition, some level of functional redundancy occurs in terms of phenotypic trait selection. Overall, our results show that fruiting phenology may be a highly variable life-history trait of plant populations, and support the idea that biotic interactors, conditional on heritable traits and selection pressures sustained over time, could potentially shape phenological fruiting characteristics.

Late cenozoic geology and geomorphology of the Laguna de Agnia Area, Argentina Reato, Agustina; Martínez, Oscar Alfredo; Beilinson, Elisa; Cottescu Szeraws, Alexander Nicolas Christian; Barendregt, René W.; Clague, John J. Laguna de Agnia is located within an endorheic basin in arid extra-Andean Patagonia. A variety of erosional and depositional landforms, most of which are relict, are well preserved in the basin. Geological, geomorphological, and sedimentological studies, 14C and 40Ar/39Ar ages, and paleomagnetic data allow us to modify the published interpretation of the late Cenozoic stratigraphy of the area and provide an improved understanding of local landscape evolution, and paleoenvironments and paleoclimates in the region. The basin formed during or before the late Oligocene. Miocene pyroclastic deposits, which are widely distributed in this part of Patagonia, were not found within the basin. However, a bajada sloping down toward the east side of the lake likely dates to the Miocene. Basalt lava flows reached the west margin of the Laguna de Agnia depression 3.39 ± 0.02 Ma. A lacustrine phase is manifest in numerous shorelines and related features east of and above the modern lake. This shoreline system, one of the most extensive in Patagonia, provides evidence for high paleo-lake levels associated with cooler and wetter conditions during the late Pleistocene and even in some periods during the Holocene, when Southern Hemisphere Westerlies were more intense than today.

Unraveling the impact on agronomic traits of the genetic architecture underlying plant-density responses in canola Menendez, Yesica Cristina; Sanchez, Diego Hernan; Snowdon, Rod J.; Rondanini, Deborah Paola; Botto, Javier Francisco Plant density defines vegetative architecture and the competition for light between individuals. Brassica napus (canola, rapeseed) presents a radically different plant architecture compared to traditional crops commonly cultivated at high density, and can act as a model system of indeterminate growth. Using a panel of 152 spring-type accessions and a double-haploid population of 99 lines from a cross between the cultivars Lynx and Monty, we performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping for 12 growth and yield traits at two contrasting plant densities of 15 and 60 plants m-2. The most significant associations were found for time to flowering, biomass at harvest, plant height, silique and seed numbers, and seed yield. These were generally independent of plant density, but some density-dependent associations were found in low-density populations. RNA-seq transcriptomic analysis revealed distinctive latent gene-regulatory responses to simulated shade between Lynx and Monty. Having identified candidate genes within the canola QTLs, we further examined their influence on density responses in Arabidopsis lines mutated in certain homologous genes. The results suggested that TCP1 might promote growth independently of plant density, while HY5 could increase biomass and seed yield specifically at high plant density. For flowering time, the results suggested that PIN genes might accelerate flowering in plant a density-dependent manner whilst FT, HY5, and TCP1 might accelerate it in a density-independent. This work highlights the advantages of using agronomic field experiments together with genetic and transcriptomic approaches to decipher quantitative complex traits that potentially mediate improved crop productivity.

Surface water extent dynamics from three periods of continuous Landsat time series; subregional differences across Argentine plains; Dinámica de aguas superficiales de tres períodos continuos de Landsat; diferencias subregionales en llanunas argentinas Aliaga, Vanina Solange; Piccolo, Maria Cintia; Perillo, Gerardo Miguel E. La Región Pampeana en Argentina es una extensa planicie caracterizada por abundantes lagunas que cumplen numerosas funciones ambientales, ecológicas y sociales. Este estudio tiene como objetivo detectar los cambios plurianuales del área lagunar en esta región durante el período 2001-2009 utilizando la teledetección, incluidos lagos tan pequeños como ≥ 10.000 m2 o 1 ha. Se obtuvieron escenas Landsat de las estaciones húmeda (2008-2009), normal (2006) y seca (2008-2009) y, mediante técnicas de teledetección, se calculó el número y el área de las lagunas. Se estudió su variación espacio-temporal en diferentes períodos climáticos en ocho subregiones singulares. Se analizaron las correlaciones espaciales entre la precipitación anual y el número y el área de los lagos mediante el desarrollo de un Sistema de Información Geográfica (SIG). Durante el período de estudio el área total de lagos en la región pampeana disminuyó en 5.257,39 km2 (62 %), pero cada subregión mostró diferentes respuestas a los eventos climáticos. En siete de ellos, las diferencias entre periodos climáticos resultan estadísticamente significativas (P>0,01). La relación entre la precipitación con el número y área de las lagunas reveló el dominio de asociaciones positivas. Si bien el clima juega un papel dominante en los cambios en las lagunas de planicie, otros factores, como el origen, las características topográficas y edáficas, intensifican o mitigan los cambios en la hidrología superficial.; The Pampean region in Argentina is an extensive plain characterized by abundant shallow lakes that fulfill many environmental, ecological, and social functions. This study aims to detect the multiannual lake area changes in this region during 2001-2009 using remote sensing, including lakes as small as ≥10,000 m2 or 1 ha. Landsat scenes of the wet (2008-2009), normal (2006), and dry (2008-2009) seasons were obtained, and using remote sensing techniques, the number and area of shallow lakes were calculated. The spatiotemporal variation of shallow lakes was studied in different climate periods in eight singular subregions. Spatial associations between annual precipitation and lake number and area were analyzed through the development of a Geographic Information System (GIS) at a subregional scale. During the study period the total lake area in the Pampean region decreased by 5257.39 km2 (62"?%), but each subregion showed different responses to climatic events. In seven of them, the differences between climate periods prove to be statistically significant (P>0.01). The relationship between precipitation and lake number and area revealed the domain of positive association. We conclude that climate factors play a dominant role in lake changes across the Pampean plains. However, other factors such as origin, topographic and edaphic characteristics intensify or mitigate changes in surface hydrology.

Structural and magnetic characterization of BaTiO3–BaFe12O19 bilayer thin films: Interface effects on the magnetic properties of barium hexaferrite layer Zandalazini, Carlos Ivan; Oliva, Marcos Iván; Ferrero, Juan Carlos We report the successful growth of BaFe12O19–BaTiO3 (BaM-BTO) bilayer thin films using pulsed laser deposition, considering different crystallographic textures; BTO on (0001)-BaM and BaM on (100)-BTO. Our study involved the bilayers, the individual ferrite and titanate films, and the targets used in their growth. Raman spectroscopy and X-Ray diffraction were used to examine the structure of BaM-BTO thin films, indicating that there is no formation of impurity phases. The morphological characterization was made by scanning electron microscopy, and the magnetic behaviour was studied using SQUID magnetometry. The spontaneous magnetization, magnetic anisotropy constant, and anisotropy field were determined simultaneously from the magnetic hysteresis loop. In addition, we also studied the influence of different annealing temperatures over the magnetic behaviour of bare BaM and covered with BTO thin film. This allows to discern between the different magnetization reversal processes in bilayer systems, indicating a strong correlation between the anisotropy field and the coercive field, and an unusual linear relation of the anisotropy constant with the spontaneous magnetization. Our results indicate a direct influence of the BTO on the magnetic properties of the BaM phase, which places these composite bilayers as excellent candidates for the development of multifunctional devices.

Sindicatos y acción política en Argentina durante la era ''Cambiemos'' (2015-2019); Trade unions and political action in Argentina during the ''Cambiemos'' era (2015-2019); Sindicatos e ação política na Argentina durante a era ''Cambiemos'' (2015-2019) Senen Gonzalez, Cecilia Irene En este artículo se analizan los recursos movilizados por las organizaciones sindicales y sus posibilidades de revitalización en Argentina desde la asunción del presidente Macri, líder de una alianza de derecha a fines del 2015. El artículo se estructura en tres secciones: la primera desarrolla el enfoque de recursos de poder, la segunda describe el modelo sindical, y la tercera, las movilizaciones e interacciones entre sindicatos, movimientos sociales y partidos políticos durante 2015-2019. Se identifican dos subperíodos, uno de predominio de poder social y el otro de poder asociativo. Concluimos que las movilizaciones y trayectorias de acción colectiva mostraron unidad de acción entre partidos, sindicatos tradicionales como la Confederación General del Trabajo de la República de Argentina (CGT) y la Central de Trabajadores de la Argentina (CTA), y otro colectivo más reciente como la Confederación de Trabajadores de la Economía Popular (CTEP), abriendo el plano político.; This article analyses the resources deployed by trade union organizations and their potential to be revitalized in Argentina since the election of President Macri, the leader of a right-wing alliance at the end of 2015. The article is structured in three sections: the first develops the power resources approach, the second describes the trade union model, and the third, the mobilizations and interactions between trade unions, social movements and political parties during 2015-2019. Two sub-periods are identified, one of social power predominance and the other of associative power. We conclude that the mobilizations and trajectories of collective action showed unity of action between parties, traditional trade unions such as the General Confederation of Labor of the Republic of Argentina (CGT) and the Central de Trabajadores de la Argentina (CTA), and another more recent group such as the Confederation of Workers of the Popular Economy (CTEP). This opened up the political plane.; Este artigo analisa os recursos mobilizados pelas organizações sindicais e suas possibilidades de revitalização na Argentina desde a posse do Presidente Macri, líder de uma aliança de direita no final de 2015. O artigo está estruturado em três seções: a primeira desenvolve a perspectiva de recursos de poder, a segunda descreve o modelo sindical e a terceira, as mobilizações e interações entre sindicatos, movimentos sociais e partidos políticos entre 2015 e 2019. São identificados dois subperíodos, um de predominância do poder social e outro do poder associativo. Concluímos que as mobilizações e trajetórias da ação coletiva mostraram unidade de ação entre partidos, sindicatos tradicionais como a Confederação Geral do Trabalho da República Argentina (CGT) e a Central de Trabalhadores da Argentina (CTA), e outro coletivo mais recente como a Confederação de Trabalhadores da Economia Popular (CTEP), abrindo o plano político.