Controlled release of antibiotics from photopolymerized hydrogels: Kinetics and microbiological studies Gallastegui, Antonela; Spesia, Mariana Belen; Dell'Erba, Ignacio Esteban; Chesta, Carlos Alberto; Previtali, Carlos Mario; Palacios, Rodrigo Emiliano; Gomez, María Lorena The development of convenient synthetic methods and improved materials for the production of high load-capacity and biocompatible drug delivery systems is a challenging task with important implications in health sciences. In this work, acrylamide/2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate and N-isopropylacrylamide/2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate hydrogels were synthesized by photopolymerization using energy-efficient green-LEDs. A functionalized silsesquioxane was used as both crosslinker and co-initiator for the photopolymerization. The hybrid organic-inorganic nature of the silsesquioxane improved the resulting hydrogels´ properties increasing their swelling capacity and biocompatibility. Additionally, the mild conditions used during the photopolymerization allowed the synthesis of hydrogels in the presence of antibiotics yielding high load-capacity materials in which the drug preserves its molecular structure and antimicrobial activity (as confirmed by HPLC and microbiological assays). The materials were characterized by FTIR, DSC and SEM. Additionally, the kinetics of gels´ swelling and drug release were studied under physiological conditions (pH 7.4 and 37 °C). The results demonstrate how hydrogel composition affects the antibiotics-release kinetics. The final drug release percentage increased with increasing molar fraction of acrylamide or N-isopropylacrylamide and in most cases exceeded 85%. Finally, the antibacterial effect of loaded gels was characterized using a number of assays against Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria. The observed antibacterial effect correlated well with swelling and drug release results. Furthermore, gels are not toxic for isolated erythrocytes as demonstrated by haemolytic tests. Overall, our results indicate that the produced hydrogels are promising materials to develop controlled drug-delivery devices such as capsules, dermatological patches and others.

Landscape use by two opossums is shaped by habitat preferences rather than by competitive interactions Cruz, María Paula; Iezzi, María Eugenia; de Angelo, Carlos Daniel; Varela, Diego Martin; Di Bitetti, Mario Santiago Given the phylogenetic proximity and similar morphology of opossums (Didelphis spp.), they are good models to study factors that facilitate or impede coexistence of syntopic species and to better understand how landscape changes affect species distributions and habitat use. For this purpose, we used single-species and two-species occupancy models using records of D. albiventris, considered the dominant species, and D. aurita from a camera-trap survey conducted in an agricultural and conservation landscape in the Atlantic Forest of Argentina. We evaluated which factors determined the probability of species occurrence: habitat preferences or interspecific relationships. We also estimated the overlap in daily activity patterns between species, and evaluated changes in D. aurita activity in response to the occupancy probability of D. albiventris. Didelphis aurita had higher occupancy probabilities in the continuous native forest, whereas D. albiventris had higher occupancy probabilities in fragmented forests with less complex and more open vegetation structure, and greater proximity to buildings. Both opossums were almost absent in pine plantations. Results of the co-occurrence models and the overlap in diel activity suggest that D. aurita is not avoiding D. albiventris. Occurrences of these two opossums most probably reflect different adaptations by each species to different habitats, and competitive interactions seem to play a minor role in shaping their current distributions. Didelphis albiventris may be replacing D. aurita mainly as a result of changing environmental conditions, which become unfavorable to the latter but promote the creation of new habitat for the former.; Debido a su proximidad filogenetica y sus similitudes morfologicas, las zarigueyas (Didelphis spp.) son buenos modelos para estudiar los factores que facilitan o impiden la coexistencia de especies sintopicas, asi como para comprender como los cambios en el paisaje afectan la distribucion de dichas especies y su uso del habitat. Para ello utilizamos modelos de ocupacion de una y de dos especies, tomando en cuenta los registros de D. albiventris, considerada la especie dominante, y D. aurita. Estos registros se obtuvieron mediante un estudio con cámaras trampa realizado en un paisaje agricola y de conservacion en el Bosque Atlantico de Argentina. Nosotros analizamos que factores determinan la probabilidad de ocurrencia de las especies, como las preferencias de habitat o las relaciones interespecificas, tambien estimamos la superposicion de los patrones de actividad diaria entre las dos especies, y evaluamos los cambios en la actividad de D. aurita en respuesta a la probabilidad de ocupacion de D. albiventris. D. aurita tuvo una mayor probabilidad de ocupacion en el bosque nativo continuo y D. albiventris una mayor probabilidad de ocupacion en bosques fragmentados, proximos a edificaciones y con una estructura de la vegetacion menos compleja. Ambas zarigueyas estuvieron casi ausentes en las plantaciones de pino. Los resultados de los modelos de co-ocurrencia y de superposicion de los patrones de actividad sugieren que D. aurita no estaria evitando a D. albiventris. La ocurrencia de estas dos especies probablemente refleja diferentes adaptaciones de cada una de ellas a los diferentes habitats, de igual forma las interacciones competitivas parecen afectar en menor grado sus distribuciones actuales. Didelphis albiventris parece estar reemplazando a D. aurita en el Bosque Atlantico, principalmente como resultado de cambios en las condiciones del paisaje, que se vuelven desfavorables y promueven la creacion de un nuevo habitat para D. albiventris.

Bacterial RNA Contributes to the Down-Modulation of MHC-II Expression on Monocytes/Macrophages Diminishing CD4+ T Cell Responses Milillo, María Ayelén; Trotta, Aldana; Serafino, Agustina; Marin Franco, Jose Luis; Marinho, Fábio A. V.; Alcain, Julieta María; Genoula, Melanie; Balboa, Luciana; Costa Oliveira, Sergio; Giambartolomei, Guillermo Hernan; Barrionuevo, Paula Brucella abortus, the causative agent of brucellosis, displays many resources to evade T cell responses conducive to persist inside the host. Our laboratory has previously showed that infection of human monocytes with B. abortus down-modulates the IFN-γ-induced MHC-II expression. Brucella outer membrane lipoproteins are structural components involved in this phenomenon. Moreover, IL-6 is the soluble factor that mediated MHC-II down-regulation. Yet, the MHC-II down-regulation exerted by lipoproteins was less marked than the one observed as consequence of infection. This led us to postulate that there should be other components associated with viable bacteria that may act together with lipoproteins in order to diminish MHC-II. Our group has recently demonstrated that B. abortus RNA (PAMP related to pathogens' viability or vita-PAMP) is involved in MHC-I down-regulation. Therefore, in this study we investigated if B. abortus RNA could be contributing to the down-regulation of MHC-II. This PAMP significantly down-modulated the IFN-γ-induced MHC-II surface expression on THP-1 cells as well as in primary human monocytes and murine bone marrow macrophages. The expression of other molecules up-regulated by IFN-γ (such as co-stimulatory molecules) was stimulated on monocytes treated with B. abortus RNA. This result shows that this PAMP does not alter all IFN-γ-induced molecules globally. We also showed that other bacterial and parasitic RNAs caused MHC-II surface expression down-modulation indicating that this phenomenon is not restricted to B. abortus. Moreover, completely degraded RNA was also able to reproduce the phenomenon. MHC-II down-regulation on monocytes treated with RNA and L-Omp19 (a prototypical lipoprotein of B. abortus) was more pronounced than in monocytes stimulated with both components separately. We also demonstrated that B. abortus RNA along with its lipoproteins decrease MHC-II surface expression predominantly by a mechanism of inhibition of MHC-II expression. Regarding the signaling pathway, we demonstrated that IL-6 is a soluble factor implicated in B. abortus RNA and lipoproteins-triggered MHC-II surface down-regulation. Finally, CD4+ T cells functionality was affected as macrophages treated with these components showed lower antigen presentation capacity. Therefore, B. abortus RNA and lipoproteins are two PAMPs that contribute to MHC-II down-regulation on monocytes/macrophages diminishing CD4+ T cell responses.

Does social status matter for resource distribution?; ¿La jerarquía social es importante para la distribución de los recursos?; A hierarquia social é importante para a distribuição dos recursos? Mola, Débora Jeanette; Godoy, Juan Carlos; Reyna, Cecilia Los recursos son usualmente distribuidos de manera inequitativa en función del estatus social (ES) de las personas, razón por la cual diversos investigadores utilizan experimentos para explicar el rol del ES en las decisiones económicas; sin embargo, las diversas formas de inducir el ES han generado resultados contradictorios. En el presente trabajo se investigó el efecto del ES en la distribución de los recursos monetarios en estudiantes de 18 a 25 años de la ciudad de Córdoba, Argentina, por medio de tres experimentos con diseños experimentales mixtos. Específicamente, se evaluaron distintas técnicas para manipular el ES y su efecto en las decisiones económicas: en el Experimento 1 se comparó el efecto de dos técnicas de manipulación del ES en las decisiones del Juego del Ultimátum (JU) y del Dictador (JD); en el Experimento 2 se analizó el efecto del ES en los mismos juegos, incluyendo la orientación de valores sociales (SVO) y el estatus social subjetivo (SES) como covariables; y en el Experimento 3 se indagó el rol del ES, de la SVO y del ESS en el JD y en el Dictador de Tomar (JDT). En los tres experimentos se observó que el ES no tuvo efecto en las decisiones de los juegos. No obstante, se evidenció mayor rechazo (Exp. 1: p < .001, n2 p = .72; Exp. 2: p < .001, n2 p = .65) y valencia negativa para las ofertas injustas que para las justas (Exp. 2: p < .001). Además, se encontró que a mayor prosocialidad, mayor cantidad ofertada en el JD (Exp. 2: p < .05), y que en el JDT se ofrece más dinero que en el JD (Exp. 3: p = .01). Los resultados observados evidencian que el efecto del ES en las respuestas comportamentales no es robusto, por lo que se destaca la importancia de continuar investigando su rol en dichas decisiones.; Resources are distributed unequally depending to the social status (SS) of people. Researchers have often used experiments to explain the role of SS in economic decisions. However, the diverse ways of inducing SS has produced contradictory results. In this study, we investigated the effect of SS on the distribution of monetary resources in students aged 18 to 25 years from Córdoba (Argentina). We conducted three experiments using mixed factorial designs. We evaluated different ways of inducing SS and the effect on decisions in different games. In Experiment 1, we compared the effect of two SS inductions on Ultimatum (UG) and Dictator Game (DG) decisions. In Experiment 2, we analyzed the effect of SS in the same games including Social Value Orientation (SVO) and Subjective Social Status (SSS) as covariates. In Experiment 3, we examined the role of SS, SVO and SSS in the DG and the Dictator Game Taking (DGT). In the three experiments, we did not find that SS had effect on decisions. However, we observed more rejection (Exp. 1: p < .001, n2p =.72; Exp. 2: p < .001, n2p = .65) and negative valence for unfair than fair offers (Exp. 2: p < .001). Also, pro-social individuals made fairer offers in the DG (Exp. 2: p < .05) and participants offered more money in the DGT than in the DG (Exp. 3: p = .01). Those findings showed that the effect of SS on behavioral responses is not robust, which highlights the need to have new experimental evidence to investigate its role. Key words: Social Hierarchy, Social Status, Economic Games, Effect Framing, Social Value Orientation, Subjective Social Status.; Os recursos são normalmente distribuídos de maneira desigual em função do status social (SS) das pessoas, razão pela qual diversos pesquisadores utilizam experimentos para explicar o papel do SS nas decisões econômicas. No entanto, as diversas formas de induzir o SS geraram resultados contraditórios. No presente trabalho, investigou-se o efeito do SS na distribuição dos recursos monetários em estudantes de 18 a 25 anos da cidade de Córdoba, na Argentina, por meio de três experimentos com desenhos experimentais mistos. Especificamente, foram avaliadas diferentes técnicas para manipular o SS e seu efeito nas decisões econômicas: no Experimento 1 comparou-se o efeito de duas técnicas de manipulação do SS nas decisões do Jogo do Ultimato (JU) e do Ditador (JD); no Experimento 2 analisou-se o efeito do SS nos mesmos jogos, incluindo a orientação de valores sociais (SVO) e o status social subjetivo (SES) como covariáveis e, no Experimento 3, indagou-se o papel do SS, da SVO e do SES no JD e no Ditador de Tomar (do inglês, Dictator Taking Game). Nos três experimentos observou-se que o SS não teve efeito nas decisões dos jogos. Não obstante, evidenciou-se maior rejeição (Exp. 1: p < .001, n2 p = .72; Exp. 2: p < .001, n2 p = .65) e valência negativa para as ofertas injustas do que para as justas (Exp. 2: p < .001). Além disso, descobriu-se que quanto maior a pró-socialidade, maior a quantidade ofertada no JD (Exp. 2: p < .05) e que no JDT se oferece mais dinheiro do que no JD (Exp. 3: p = .01). Os resultados observados evidenciam que o efeito do SS nas respostas comportamentais não é robusto, por isso se destaca a importância de continuar investigando seu papel em tais decisões.

Nondestructive high-throughput screening of nanopore geometry in porous membranes by imbibition Cencha, Luisa Guadalupe; Huber, Patrick; Kappl, Michael; Floudas, George; Steinhart, Martin; Berli, Claudio Luis Alberto; Urteaga, Raul A fluid dynamic model for imbibition into closed-end, axisymmetric pores having diameters that change as a function of the pore depth is presented. Despite the fact that liquid invasion into nonbranched closed-end pores is characterized by a wealth of different transient and/or metastable nonequilibrium stages related to precursor film formation, we show that a simple hydraulic model accounting for geometry- and air compression-induced deviations from classical Lucas-Washburn dynamics precisely describes the imbibition dynamics except at the late stage. The model was validated by laser interferometry experiments with submillisecond temporal resolution. Imbibition of three simple liquids (isopropanol, ethanol, and hexane) into self-ordered anodic alumina membranes containing arrays of parallel closed-end nanopores characterized by slight conicity was studied. The model provides an improved description of nanoscale fluid dynamics and allows geometric characterization of nanoporous membranes by their imbibition kinetics accounting for the back pressure of the compressed gas. Thus, a precise calibration of porous membranes with simple liquids becomes possible, and changes in the mean pore diameter as a function of the pore depth can be assessed.

A Simulation-Based Tool to Support Decision-Making in Logistics Design of a Can Packaging Line Achkar, Victoria Gabriela; Bär, Valentina; Cornú, Franco; Mendez, Carlos Alberto This study proposes an advanced discrete-event simulation-based tool to support decision-making in the internal logistic design of a packaging line of a multinational brewery company. The selected software, Simio, allows emulating, advising and predicting the behavior of complex real-world systems. The simulation model provides a 3D interface that facilitates verification and validation. In this work, the designed model is used to understand the dynamic interactions between multiple factors and performance measures including both material-handling and inventory systems and to define necessary quantities and/or capacities of resources for a future can packaging line. Based on the proposed model, a what-if analysis is performed to determine inventory threshold values and other critical variables in order to optimize the configuration of internal logistics in potential scenarios.

Curing process of benzoxazine systems. An experimental and theoretical study Gilbert, Elangeni Ana; Forchetti Casarino, Agustin; Juan Ignacio Pesoa; Berkenwald, Emilio; Spontón, Marisa Elisabet; Estenoz, Diana Alejandra A mathematical model that simulates the curing process of benzoxazine (Bz) systems is presented. The model predicts the conversion, gel point and Tg along the curing process, and considers the diffusional limitations to mass transfer due to the increase in the system viscosity along the process. This model can be used to select an appropriate combination of time and temperature in order to obtain a material with pre-specified properties. The theoretical parameters were adjusted with experimental data: conversion, weight-average molecular weight, weight fraction of solubles and Tg. The Bz based on bisphenol A and aniline (BzBA) was used to adjust the model. The curing kinetic of this Bz was followed by FTIR, SEC and DSC, considering five different curing conditions. A very good agreement between experimental and simulated values was ob-served, even when curing is carried out under different temperatures profiles.

Conspecific leaf litter and root competition inhibits shrub emergence in the Patagonian steppe Campanella, María Victoria; Bisigato, Alejandro Jorge A critical stage in the establishment of new individuals is seedling emergence and litter is a main factor affecting this stage. Recent research found that adults of Chuquiraga avellanedae are overdispersed. Among several mechanisms, this patternmight be due to the negative influences of adults on seedlings through root competition. We performed field and glasshouse experiments to evaluate (i) the effects of C. avellanedae leaf litter and root presence on the emergence of conspecific seedlings, and (ii) the effects of leaf litter type (C. avellanedae litter, inert litter, no litter) and seed burial depth (seed at the surface or buried) on the emergence of C. avellanedae and Nassella tenuis (dominant grass) seedlings. The field experiment demonstrated root competition from adult plants on shrub seedlings, reducing seedling emergence. However, the effect of root competition did not differ between microsites (under-shrubs vs. between-shrubs). We dismiss the effect of allelopathy because inert litter (i.e., plastic leaves) had the same negative effect as C. avellanedae litter, indicating a mechanical effect. The glasshouse experiment revealed a species-specific response of seedling emergence. C. avellanedae litter limits the emergence of conspecific seedlings but was neutral with regard to the emergence of grass seedlings (N. tenuis). No differences in root competition between microsites and reduction of shrub seedlings by litter suggest that the over-dispersed pattern found for C. avellanedae is caused, at least partially, by litter effects on seedling emergence.

Dispositivo publicitario y desarrollistas urbanos; Advertising device and urban developers Castro, Julián Francisco; Vaccaro, Natalia Desirée En este artículo, proponemos un abordaje sociosemiótico de las producciones de sentido del sector autodenominados “Desarrollistas Urbanos” de la ciudad de Córdoba. En un contexto de ocupación clasista del espacio, favorecido por las nuevas formas de intervención en la ciudad, el sector privado se convierte en un actor de peso en las disputas en torno a la producción de ciudad y los modos deseables de habitarla. Proponemos leer estos discursos en el marco de una política urbana, propia de las sociedades contemporáneas, orientada hacia la producción de experiencias. Manantiales de Edisur, ubicado en la zona sudoeste de la ciudad, con una extensión de 10 km2 y variada oferta de estilos habitacionales, es un caso paradigmático. Nos interesa reconstruir algunos elementos del dispositivo publicitario (Boito, Espoz y Michelazzo, 2015) que el Grupo Edisur despliega para promocionar su proyecto. Nuestro estudio discurrirá sobre un corpus construido en torno a las plataformas virtuales, específicamente, el segmento “Manantiales” de su página web, su landing page y la revista digital “Manantiales”. Pretendemos que el análisis nos permita evidenciar el sistema de evaluación social imperante (Medvedev y Bajtín, 1993) sobre lo que puede/debe o no hacerse en el espacio de la ciudad y quiénes pueden/deben hacerlo y por qué.; In this article, we propose a sociosemiotic approach to the self-described productions of the sector called "Urban Developers" of the city of Córdoba. In a context of classist occupation of space, favored by new forms of intervention in the city, the private sector becomes a major player in the disputes surrounding the production of cities and the desirable ways of inhabiting them. We propose to read these discourses within the framework of an urban policy, typical of contemporary societies, oriented towards the production of experiences. The Edisur Manantiales, located in the southwest area of the city, with an extension of 10 km2 and a varied offer of housing styles, is a paradigmatic case. We are interested in reconstructing some elements of the advertising device (Boito, Espoz y Michelazzo, 2015) that the Edisur Group deploys in order to promote its project. Our study will be based on a corpus built around virtual platforms, specifically, the "Manantiales" segment of its website, its landing page and the digital magazine "Manantiales". We intend that the analysis allows us to show the prevailing social evaluation system (Medvedev y Bajtin, 1993) about what can / should not be done in the city space and who can / should do it and why.

La Capilla "Inmaculada Concepción" y el entramado de poder en el Bariloche de las primeras décadas del siglo XX; The "Immaculate Conception" Chapel and the network of power in Bariloche during the first decades of the 20th century Nicoletti, Maria Andrea Este trabajo se centra en la conformación del primer grupo católico alrededor de la construcción de la capilla "Inmaculada Concepción" en Bariloche (1907), como un espacio de visibilización de poder económico y prestigio social. Las comisiones fundadoras de la capilla estuvieron conformadas por miembros de la empresa Chile Argentina, vecinos representativos de la incipiente población urbana de San Carlos y misioneros de la Congregación salesiana provenientes de la misión fundada en Junín de los Andes en 1892. La capilla resulta el símbolo de los orígenes católicos del poblado vinculados a la élite urbana que operó como matriz identitaria de la ciudad, distribuyendo poder y creando territorialidad. El territorio religioso superpone construcciones que lo amplían y atraviesan por medio de un complejo entramado de poder, a través de escalas que funcionan como construcciones y expresiones de los procesos sociales. Esta propuesta se enmarca en los estudios que combinan religión, poder y territorio y tiene por objeto analizar la territorialización de espacio este espacio singular como proceso comunal a través de dos agencias que construye poder: los Salesianos y la comisión protemplo para la construcción de la capilla conformada por los ?vecinos caracterizados?. Proponemos para el análisis de fuentes documentales escritas, conceptualizaciones provenientes de la geografía crítica acerca del proceso de territorialización y específicamente de geografía de la religión, que se complementan con categorías de procesos sociales en la conformación de agencias en el territorio. En primer lugar, daremos cuenta de la creación de un territorio católico en un espacio binacional a través de la territorialización de la agencia salesiana y la conformación social, política y económica del incipiente poblado de Bariloche. En el segundo apartado nos focalizaremos en la capilla ?Inmaculada Concepción?, a través del entramado de poder de las agencias en el territorio: el Estado territoriano, sus representantes y fuerzas del orden, la Iglesia católica y la Congregación salesiana, las comisiones protemplo y la empresa Chile Argentina a la que pertenecían la mayoría de sus miembros; This work is about the formation of the first Catholic group around the construction of the chapel "Inmaculada Concepción" in Bariloche (1907), as a space for the visibility of economic power and social prestige. The founding commissions of the chapel were formed by members of the company Chile Argentina, representing neighbors of the incipient urban population of San Carlos and missionaries of the Salesian Congregation coming from the mission founded in Junín de los Andes in 1892. The chapel is the symbol of the Catholic origins of the town linked to the urban elite that operated as the identity matrix of the city, distributing power and creating territoriality. The religious territory superimposes power constructions that expand and cross it through scales that function as constructions and expressions of social processes. This proposal is framed in studies that combine religion, power and territory and aims to analyze the spatialization of space this singular space as a communal process through two agencies that build power: the Salesians and the pro-temple commission for the construction of the chapel conformed by the "characterized neighbors". We propose for the analysis of written documentary sources, conceptualizations coming from the critical geography about the process of territorialization and specifically about the geography of religion, which are complemented with categories of social processes in the conformation of agencies in the territory. In the first place, we will give an account of the creation of a Catholic territory in a binational space through the territorialization of the Salesian agency and the social, political and economic conformation of the incipient town of Bariloche. In the second section, we will focus on the chapel "Immaculate Conception", through the framework of power agencies in the territory: the territorial State, its representatives and law enforcement, the Catholic Church and the Salesian Congregation, the Pro Temple commissions and the company Chile Argentina to which the majority of its members belonged.

Antagonistic effects of a native apple snail on other snails and macroinvertebrates in Southern Pampas waterbodies: a mesocosm approach Maldonado, Mara Anahí; Manara, Enzo; Martín, Pablo Rafael Macroinvertebrates represent an important component of communities and trophic webs of freshwater ecosystems. Pomacea canaliculata (family Ampullariidae), an invasive apple snail native to the Pampas ecoregion, acts as a voracious grazer and plays a structuring role on submerged macrophytes that serve as food, habitat or foraging ground for many macroinvertebrates. Laboratory studies show that P. canaliculata can also act as a competitor or predator of other macroinvertebrates. Using a mesocosm approach, we sought to investigate if this species of apple snail affects other freshwater snails (Chilina parchappii, Heleobia parchappii, Biomphalaria peregrina and Melanoides tuberculata) as well as other macroinvertebrates and if consumption of submerged macrophytes and detritus mediates these effects. After twelve weeks we estimated in mesocosms with and without apple snails the abundance of snails and macroinvertebrates through samples taken separately from sediment and from macrophytes. We also estimated the coverage and biomass of macrophytes and the detritus biomass. Significantly lower abundance occurred in mesocosms with apple snails for all snail species and representative macroinvertebrates (i.e., Hirudinea, Ephemeroptera, Chironomidae and Odonata). Mesocosms with apple snails also resulted in lower total abundance of macroinvertebrates. We speculate that the negative effects of P. canaliculata on most other snails and macroinvertebrates living on macrophytes relates to their grazing on detritus and macrophytes. In contrast, the density of snails and macroinvertebrates in the samples from sediments were not affected by P. canaliculata. One snail species and Ephemeroptera were negatively affected by mechanisms not related to the reduction in macrophyte biomass and detritus. A decrease in the microhabitats provided by macrophytes probably mediated the negative effects on Odonata nymphs. The reduction in the abundances of snails and macroinvertebrates caused by P. canaliculata may have cascading effects on higher trophic levels in waterbodies from Southern Pampas but also in invaded regions.

A data-driven scheduling approach to smart manufacturing Rossit, Daniel Alejandro; Tohmé, Fernando Abel; Frutos, Mariano Traditional methods of scheduling are mostly based on the use of pieces of information directly related to the performance of schedules, as for instance processing times, delivery dates, etc., assuming that the production system is operating normally. In the case of malfunctions, the literature concentrates on the ensuing corrective operations, like scheduling with machine breakdowns or under remanufacturing considerations. These event-driven approaches are mainly used in dynamic scheduling or rescheduling systems. Unlike those, Smart Manufacturing and Industry 4.0 production environments integrate the physical and decision-making aspects of manufacturing processes in order to achieve their decentralization and autonomy. On these grounds we propose a data-driven architecture for scheduling, in which the system has real time access to data. Then, scheduling decisions can be made ahead of time, on the basis of more information. This promising approach is based on the architecture of cyber-physical systems, with a data-driven engine that uses, in particular, Big Data techniques to extract vital information for Industry 4.0 systems.

Improving genetic analysis of corymbia citriodora subsp. variegata with single- And multiple-trait spatial-competition models Hernández, Mariano Agustín; López, Juan Adolfo; Cappa, Eduardo Pablo Environmental heterogeneity and/or genetic and environmental competition were quantified on two growth traits, diameter at breast height and total height, and wood density in a progeny trial of Corymbia citriodora subsp. variegata. Three single-trait mixed models with random spatial and/or competition effects were compared to a standard analysis by analyzing fit, dispersion parameters, accuracy of breeding values, genetic gains, and ranking of trees. In addition, a multiple-trait spatial-competition model was fitted to estimate correlations among direct and indirect additive genetic effects, and to explore relations between traits. Single-trait analyses with spatial and/or competition effects outperformed the standard model. However, the performance of these models depended on the sensitivity of each trait to detect each effect. Direct-indirect genetic correlations from the multiple-trait spatial-competition model showed inverse and strong relations among growth traits and wood density, suggesting that growth traits can be affected by competition and environmental heterogeneity, but also wood density might be influenced by these effects. The approach proposed was useful to improve the genetic analysis of the species as well as to gain an understanding of the genetic relations between traits under the influence of environmental heterogeneity and competition.

3D models related to the publication: New information on the braincase and endocranial morphology of the Late Triassic neotheropod Zupaysaurus rougieri using Computed Tomography data Paulina Carabajal, Ariana; Ezcurra, Martin Daniel; Novas, Fernando Emilio The present 3D Dataset contains the 3D models analyzed in the following publication: Paulina-Carabajal, A., Ezcurra, M., Novas, F., 2019. New information on the braincase and endocranial morphology of the Late Triassic neotheropod Zupaysaurus rougieri using Computed Tomography data.

Petrografía, geoquímica y estratigrafía ígnea del cuerpo intrusivo Escuela Las Pircas, Sierra Grande de San Luis, Argentina; Petrography, geochemistry and igneous stratigraphy of the Escuela Las Pircas intrusion, Sierra Grande de San Luis, Argentina Cacace, Francisco Esteban; Ferracutti, Gabriela Roxana; Ntaflos, Theodoros; Asiain, Lucia Montserrat; Bjerg, Ernesto Alfredo Escuela Las Pircas es un cuerpo intrusivo máfico-ultramáfico situado en el sector sur de la faja de rocas máficas-ultramáficas La Jovita-Las Águilas, la cual se extiende aproximadamente 100 km con rumbo NNE, con un ancho que oscila entre 3 y 5 km, y se halla emplazada en el faldeo oriental de la sierra Grande de San Luis. Los cuerpos máficos-ultramáficos que constituyen esta faja son de gran interés por ser intrusiones de tipo estratificadas portadoras de una mineralización de sulfuros de Fe-Ni-Cu-Co y minerales del grupo del platino. Las variaciones modales y geoquímicas exhibidas por el cuerpo intrusivo Escuela Las Pircas, permiten definir en éste cuatro unidades estratigráficas: unidad hornblendítica piroxénica con plagioclasa, unidad ortopiroxenítica hornblendífera con plagioclasa, unidad norítica hornblendífera inferior y unidad norítica hornblendífera superior. Estas unidades constituyen una secuencia de niveles máficos y ultramáficos intercalados, los cuales conforman la porción superior de la serie estratificada. Los resultados de los análisis de química de roca total y mineral permitieron establecer que todas las unidades definidas corresponderían a una misma secuencia magmática, en la cual las diferencias mineralógicas y geoquímicas entre las distintas unidades habrían sido controladas principalmente por variaciones en las tasas de nucleación y crecimiento cristalino. Asimismo, los resultados de los análisis petrográficos y químicos permitieron inferir que las unidades definidas en el cuerpo intrusivo Escuelas Las Pircas y las correspondientes a la Serie Estratificada del cuerpo intrusivo Virorco corresponderían a una misma secuencia estratigráfica ígnea, donde las unidades del cuerpo intrusivo Escuela Las Pircas representan el mayor grado de evolución.; Escuela Las Pircas is a mafic-ultramafic intrusion located in the southern sector of La Jovita-Las Águilas mafic-ultramafic belt, which is a 3 to 5 km wide and 100 km long NNE trending belt located along the Eastern slope of the Sierra Grande de San Luis. The mafic-ultramafic bodies of this belt are of great interest since they are layered intrusions which carry an associated mineralization of Fe-Ni-Cu-Co sulfides and platinum group minerals. Modal and cryptic layering identified in Escuela Las Pircas intrusion allows the definition of four stratigraphic units: Plagioclase-bearing pyroxene hornblendite unit, plagioclase-bearing hornblende orthopyroxenite unit, lower hornblende norite unit and upper hornblende norite unit. Their petrographic features would suggest their belonging to the upper portion of the layered series. Bulk-rock and mineral chemistry results indicated that all the units of Escuela Las Pircas intrusion correspond to the same magmatic sequence, in which mineralogical and geochemical differences would have been mainly controlled by nucleation and crystal growth rate variations. Furthermore, petrographic and chemistry analysis indicate that the units defined in Escuela Las Pircas and in those from Virorco Layered Series respond to the same stratigraphic igneous sequence, being Escuela Las Pircas units those that represent the higher degree of evolution.

Políticas sociales y emociones en el siglo XXI: reflexiones sobre el miedo en las poblaciones destinatarias de programas sociales; Social Policies and Emotions in the 21st Century: reflections on fear in the target populations of social programs Cena, Rebeca Beatriz El objetivo de este escrito es analizar un tipo particular de políticas sociales desde la sociología de los cuerpos/emociones. Se trabaja con una serie de entrevistas realizadas a la población destinataria de los denominados Programas de Transferencias Condicionadas de Ingresos en tres centros urbanos de la provincia de Córdoba (Villa María, San Francisco y ciudad de Córdoba). El miedo emerge como una emoción susceptible de rastrear en las narraciones vinculadas a las políticas sociales en relación a las condiciones de producción y reproducción de la vida de la población entrevistada. Se concluye que el reciente campo de análisis de las políticas sociales desde los cuerpos/emociones constituye una potencialidad para el diseño, ejecución y/o evaluación de las políticas públicas.; The objective of this paper is analize a particular type of social policies from the sociology of bodies / emotions: Cash Conditional Programs in the urban centers of the province of C rdoba (Villa Mar a, San Francisco and city of C rdoba). Fear emerges as an emotion that can be traced in the narrations linked to social policies in relation to the conditions of production and reproduction of the life of the interviewed population. It is concluded that the recent field of analysis of the social policies of bodies / emotions is a potential for the design, execution and / or evaluation of policies publics.

Pertussis in Latin America: Recent epidemiological data presented at the 2017 Global Pertussis Initiative meeting Hozbor, Daniela Flavia; Ulloa Gutierrez, Rolando; Marino, Cristina; Wirsing von König, Carl Heinz; Tan, Tina; Forsyth, Kevin The Global Pertussis Initiative (GPI) is an expert scientific forum that publishes consensus recommendations for pertussis monitoring, prevention, and treatment across many regions of the world. Here, we report on the regional 2017 GPI meeting on the Americas, focusing on Latin America. Information on current pertussis epidemiology, surveillance, vaccine strategies, diagnostic capabilities, disease awareness, and major local obstacles was presented by researchers from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Pertussis outbreaks have occurred during the last decade in the majority of participant countries and have been followed by improvements in surveillance. In the countries that introduced maternal immunization during pregnancy, a reduction in the infant case fatality rate has been detected. All countries need to maintain and improve pertussis surveillance to reach primary vaccination coverage >90%. Moreover, countries without maternal immunization programs should strongly consider them.

Proteomic Analysis of Rhizobium favelukesii LPU83 in Response to Acid Stress Nilsson, Juliet Fernanda; Castellani, Lucas Gabriel; Draghi, Walter Omar; Pérez Giménez, Julieta; Torres Tejerizo, Gonzalo Arturo; Pistorio, Mariano Acid soils constitute a severe problem for leguminous crops mainly through a disturbance in rhizobium-legume interactions. Rhizobium favelukesii - an acid-tolerant rhizobium able to nodulate alfalfa - is highly competitive for nodule occupation under acid conditions but inefficient for biologic nitrogen fixation. In this work, we obtained a general description of the acid-stress response of R. favelukesii LPU83 by means of proteomics by comparing the total proteome profiles in the presence or absence of acid stress by nanoflow ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Thus, a total of 336 proteins were identified with a significant differential expression, 136 of which species were significantly overexpressed and 200 underexpressed in acidity. An in silico functional characterization with those respective proteins revealed a complex and pleiotropic response by these rhizobia involving components of oxidative phosphorylation, glutamate metabolism, and peptidoglycan biosynthesis, among other pathways. Furthermore, a lower permeability was evidenced in the acid-stressed cells along with several overexpressed proteins related to γ-aminobutyric acid metabolism, such as the gene product of livK, which gene was mutated. This mutant exhibited an acid-sensitive phenotype in agreement with the proteomics results. We conclude that both the γ-aminobutyric acid metabolism and a modified cellular envelope could be relevant to acid tolerance in R. favelukesii.

Exploring the Smart City Indexes and the Role of Macro Factors for Measuring Cities Smartness Alderete, Maria Veronica The main objective of this paper is to discuss the key factors involved in the defnition of smart city indexes. Although recent literature has explored the smart city subject, it is of concern if macro ICT factors should also be considered for assessing the technological innovation of a city. To achieve this goal, frstly a literature review of smart city is provided. An analysis of the smart city concept together with a theoretical framework based on the knowledge society and the Quintuple Helix innovation model are included. Secondly, the study analyzes some smart city cases in developed and developing countries. Thirdly, it describes, criticizes and compares some well-known smart city indexes. Lastly, the empirical literature is explored to detect if there are studies proposing changes in smart city indexes or methodologies to consider the macro level variables. It results that cities at the top of the indexes rankings are from developed countries. On the other side, most cities at the bottom of the ranking are from developing or not developed countries. As a result, it is addressed that the ICT development of Smart Cities depends both on the cities’ characteristics and features, and on macro-technological factors. Secondly, there is a scarce number of papers in the subject including macro or country factors, and most of them are revisions of the literature or case studies. There is a lack of studies discussing the indexes’ methodologies. This paper provides some guidelines to build one.

Impact of chemical modifications in pilot-scale isolated sorghum starch and commercial cassava starch Palavecino, Pablo Martín; Penci, Maria Cecilia; Ribotta, Pablo Daniel The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of different chemical modification methods on starch from different botanical sources. Brown and white sorghum starch was isolated throughout a time saving process and avoiding the use of dangerous compounds. Brown and white sorghum and commercial cassava starch were treated using acetic acid, acetic anhydride and octanoyl chloride. Its chemical, morphological and thermal characterization was afterwards carried out. The modifications reduced amylose content and increased damaged starch. Both acetylation and acid treatment produced no significant changes in the size and shape of granules; yet, they increased superficial pores. SEM observations supported the results, indicating that octanoyl modification causes a partial destruction of the granule structure. Thus, particle size distribution changes significantly. Crystallinity degree decreased with all the modifications. However, the effect was more pronounced in octanoyl esterification. In general, modifications increase the water absorption of the native starch but no considerable effect was found over oil absorption, and gelatinization parameters were significantly altered as a result of modifications. Starch from these subtilized sources was successfully modified, which could arouse interest in its industrial production.