Changes in the feeding ecology of South American sea lions on the southern Brazilian coast over the last two decades of excessive fishing exploration Machado, Rodrigo; Rosa de Oliveira, Larissa; Ott, Paulo Henrique; Denuncio, Pablo Ezequiel; Haimovici, Manuel; Cardoso, Luis Gustavo; Danilewicz, Daniel; Moreno, Ignacio Benites; Borges-Martins, Márcio In the last decades, an increasing fishing effort and a decreasing trend in fish catches have been observed in southern Brazil. Considering that marine mammals and fisheries usually compete for the same resources, it is reasonable to presume that the feeding ecology of these predators is affected by the current scenario. To evaluate this hypothesis, long-term variation in the diet of the South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens) relative to fisheries exploitation was analyzed for two periods (1993–2003 versus 2004–2014). The degree of overlap between the relative biomass of the sea lions’ diet and the target species of six types of local fishery was analyzed. An increase in prey overlap between sea lions and fisheries was observed in the more recent sampling period, along with an increase in prey diversity, richness, and niche breadth of the sea lions’ diet. These results suggest that the overfishing scenario could partly explain the modified feeding ecology of the sea lions. In this context, we recommend a review and better regulation of the current fishing effort in the region, which we believe will be an important step to maintain the fish stocks and minimize the impact of fishing on marine top predators.

Light on the horizon: Current research and future perspectives in flow photochemistry Politano, Fabrizio; Oksdath Mansilla, Gabriela Synthetic organic photochemistry is a powerful tool for creating both natural products and molecules with high structural complexity in a simple way and under mild conditions. However, because of the challenges in scaling-up, it has been difficult to apply a photochemical reaction in an industrial process. Flow chemistry provides an opportunity for better control over the conditions of the reaction and, additionally, improved reaction selectivity and enhanced reproducibility. Taking into account that significant interest has focused on the use of flow photochemistry as a method for the synthesis of heterocycles and its applications in target-oriented synthesis over the past few years, the aim of this review is to highlight recent efforts to apply flow photochemistry methodology to diverse reactions as a greener and more scalable process for the pharmaceutical and fine chemical industries. Additionally, the review highlights future perspectives in the development of scale-up strategies, combining photochemical reactions in the continuous-flow multistep synthesis of organic molecules, which is of interest for scientists and engineers alike.

High Triatoma brasiliensis densities and Trypanosoma cruzi prevalence in domestic and peridomestic habitats in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil: The source for Chagas disease outbreaks? Lilioso, Mauricio; Folly Ramos, Elaine; Rocha, Fabiana Lopes; Rabinovich, Jorge Eduardo; Capdevielle Dulac, Claire; Harry, Myriam; Marcet, Paula Lorena; Costa, Jane; Almeida, Carlos Eduardo A total of 2,431 Triatoma brasiliensis were collected from 39 populations of Paraíba (PB) and Rio Grande do Norte (RN) states, Brazil. In PB, Trypanosoma cruzi infection was not detected in either peridomestic or domestic vector populations. In contrast, in RN, T. brasiliensis was detected with high parasite prevalence in these ecotopes (30.7-40.0%). Moreover, peridomicile insect population densities were more than double the average densities of all other settings evaluated (19.17 versus < 8.94 triatomine/man-hour). Genotyped parasites evidenced a mix of T. cruzi lineages circulating in both peridomestic and sylvatic populations. Although vector control efforts have dramatically decreased Chagas disease transmission to humans, recent outbreaks have been detected in four municipalities of RN state. Our results clearly evidence a worrisome proximity between infected vectors and humans in RN. Indeed, finding of infected T. brasiliensis inside homes is routinely recorded by local vector control surveillance staff around the outbreak area, challenging the current and conventional view that vector transmissions are controlled in northeastern Brazil. This scenario calls for strengthening vector control surveillance and interventions to prevent further Chagas transmission, especially in RN State.

Effect of Prosopis flexuosa spp. as a nurse plant on nutrient content and productivity of Opuntia ellisiana Griffiths Grunwaldt, Josefina María; Guevara, Juan Carlos; Martinez Carretero, Eduardo Enrique; Grunwaldt, Eduardo Guillermo In arid conditions, the low quality of the forage and water shortage could be attenuated by the introduction of Opuntia species. Several plant species grows well under Prosopis canopy, responding to a higher nutrient content in the soil, It was hypothesized that productivity and nutrient content, mainly crude protein (CP), of Opuntia ellisiana planted under Prosopis would be higher than of those planted outside the canopy, and that these parameters would be influenced by the cactus position: north or south from the centre of the tree. Sampling was done in 18 plants under the canopy of Prosopis and 23 outside of it. After one year of the plantation, the totality of cladodes was harvested. The productivityper plantwas 3.1 and 5.7 cladodes and 34.9 and 48.1 g of dry matter (DM), outside and under the canopy, respectively. The bromatological values (%) were moisture: 89.1 and 91.9, organic matter (OM): 76.7 and 79.8, CP: 4.4 and 8.1, acid detergent fiber (ADF):13.7 and 18.2, neutral detergent fiber (NDF): 29.0 and 31.5, K: 3.1 and 3.6, P: 0.07 and 0.11, Ca: 5.5 and 4.4, Na: 0.04 and 0.02, outside and under the canopy, respectively. Crude protein, moisture, OM, ADF, NDF, K, P and productivity per plant were higher under the canopy, whereas Ca and Na values were higher outside the canopy (p<0.05). Magnesium (1.9 and 1.9%) was not affected by the position outside or under the canopy. The northor south orientation did not influence any of the analysed parameters.

Des-privatizar el sentido común sobre la violencia de género. Análisis de casos de femicidio en Córdoba, Argentina Gastiazoro, Maria Eugenia Este trabajo, presenta un panorama sobre la situación del femicidio en Córdoba, Argentina. A partir del análisis cualitativo y cuantitativo de datos obtenidos de informes estadísticos oficiales y sentencias emitidas en las Cámaras Penales de la Provincia de Córdoba en el año 2016, se analiza qué tipo de hechos ocurridos en un contexto de violencia de género se abordan por la justicia, qué víctimas son las que están dentro de las cifras declaradas y cuáles todavía no son abarcadas y quedan por fuera sin encontrarse incluidxs y narradxs. Se observa y concluye que las muertes violentas de mujeres visibilizadas se encuentran reducidas al "sentido común privatizador" de la categoría de femicidio en el marco de vínculos de pareja e intrafamiliares, heterosexuales, dentro de la construcción binaria individual de sujetos víctimas-victimarios.

El Fondo Argentino Sectorial (FONARSEC) informa que se ha prorrogado la fecha límite para la presentación de propuestas de la convocatoria Investigaciones orientadas para satélites mediante Resolución N°459/18.

Síntesis y caracterización de sílices mesoporosas híbridas para ser utilizadas como nuevos adsorbentes en la remoción de metales pesados de matrices acuosas Martin, Pedro Pablo En el presente trabajo se desarrollaron sólidos adsorbentes a base de sílices mesoporosas ordenadas para la eliminación de metales pesados: Zn(II) y Cr(VI), presentes en matrices acuosas mediante procesos de adsorción. Para ello, se sintetizaron sílices mesoporosas ordenadas con estructuras típicas del sistema MCM-41 (Mobil Composition of Matter N. 41) y posteriormente se modificó la superficie interna mediante el anclado de grupos amino y amino-metilo, respectivamente. Los sistemas resultantes fueron caracterizados por XRD a bajos ángulos, adsorción-desorción de N2 a -196 °C, FTIR, XPS, TGA y SEM a fin de establecer sus propiedades texturales y verificar la presencia de los grupos funcionales introducidos para poder correlacionar estos datos con el desempeño como adsorbente. Se estudiaron en detalle las variables que afectan el desempeño de estos adsorbentes: pH, temperatura, tiempo, presencia de otros iones y se determinaron las capacidades máximas de adsorción para cada uno de los dos metales estudiados. Con la premisa de lograr adsorbentes más eficientes se analizó el proceso de desorción y se determinaron las variables operacionales óptimas para poder reutilizar el adsorbente repetidas veces. Se propusieron mecanismos que permitieron explicar el proceso de adsorción tanto para Zn(II) como para Cr(VI) y sobre este último se hizo énfasis en la reducción Cr(VI)/Cr(III) ocurrida durante el proceso de adsorción. El objetivo de emplear estos sistemas mesoporosos ordenados como adsorbentes es el de lograr procesos de adsorción que presenten elevada eficiencia, rápidos, sin restricciones disfuncionales, selectivos y que los mismos puedan ser fácilmente regenerados y reutilizados durante varios ciclos de adsorción-desorción.

The Neotropical genus Hapalotremus Simon, 1903 (Araneae: Theraphosidae), with the description of seven new species and the highest altitude record for the family Ferretti, Nelson Edgardo; Cavallo, Patricio; Chaparro, Juan C.; Ríos Tamayo, Duniesky; Seimon, Tracie A.; West, Rick New specimens of the genus Hapalotremus (Theraphosinae) are revised based on the examination of types and additional material collected in Argentina, Bolivia and Peru. A new generic diagnosis is proposed. New information and illustrations are provided for known species and seven new species were recognized and are newly described and illustrated. Hence, Hapalotremus comprises 10 valid species, distributed along the Andes and Yungas in western South America. All species are keyed and mapped. New taxonomic features are included in the descriptions and the detail of embolus keels morphology and positions are described for the first time for the genus. Information on species habitat is included. The highest altitude record for a Theraphosidae spider, living at 4524 m above sea level, is reported.

Inmunoterapia en cáncer. Perspectivas actuales, desafíos y nuevos horizontes; Immunotherapy in cancer. Current prospects, challenges and new horizons D'alotto Moreno, Tomas; Blidner, Ada Gabriela; Girotti, Maria Romina; Maller, Sebastian Matias; Rabinovich, Gabriel Adrián La activación del sistema inmunológico en pacientes con cáncer ha sido un objetivo histórico en el campo de la oncología. En las últimas décadas, nuestro entendimiento de la respuesta inmunológica antitumoral ha promovido el desarrollo de novedosas estrategias terapéuticas dando como resultado un cambio de paradigma en el tratamiento del cáncer. La utilización de agentes bloqueantes de puntos de chequeo del sistema inmunológico como PD-1/PD-L1 y CTLA-4, de agonistas de moléculas co-estimuladoras como CD137 y OX-40 y la transferencia adoptiva de células T antitumorales modi cadas genéticamente han generado importantes bene cios clínicos, re ejados en respuestas objetivas y duraderas, en enfermos sin tratamientos convencionales disponibles. Sin embargo, un gran número de pacientes no responde a dichas terapias generando resistencia o sufriendo recaídas de la enfermedad debido a la aparición de circuitos inhibitorios o compensatorios. La combinación racional de estrategias terapéuticas permite eliminar mecanismos de resistencia, mientras que la identi cación de biomarcadores predictivos facilita la selección de pacientes respondedores a dichos tratamientos. Recientes ensayos clínicos y estudios pre-clínicos permiten vislumbrar un escenario optimista con importantesdesafíos en la implementación de estrategias de inmunoterapia en cáncer.; Recent under-standing of the mechanisms that control immune system homeostasis and orchestrate antitumor responses has prompted the development of novel immunotherapeutic modalities. These include antibodies that target immune checkpoints such as PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4, agonistic antibodies of costimulatory molecules such as CD137 and OX-40 and the adoptive transfer of genetically-modified antitumor T cells. However, a large number of patients do not respond to these therapies and develop resistance as a result of activation of compensatory circuits. Rational combination of immunotherapeutic modalities will help overcome resistance and will increase the number of patients who will benefit from these treatments. Moreover, identification of predictive biomarkers will allow selection of patients responding to these treatments. Emerging clinical trials and pre-clinical studies have shown exciting results anticipating new horizons in the design and implementation of cancer immunotherapeutic modalities

Prediction of regional agro-industrial wastes characteristics by thermogravimetric analysis to obtain bioenergy using thermal process Saffe Pinto, María Alejandra; Fernandez Brizuela, Anabel Alejandra; Mazza, German Delfor; Rodriguez, Rosa Ana The use of energy from biomass is becoming more common worldwide. This energy source has several benefits that promote its acceptance; it is bio-renewable, non-toxic and biodegradable. To predict its behavior as a fuel during thermal treatment, its characterization is necessary. The experimental determination of ultimate analysis data requires special instrumentation, while proximate analysis data can be obtained easily by using common equipment but, the required time is high. In this work, a methodology is applied based on thermogravimetric analysis, curves deconvolution and empirical correlations for characterizing different regional agro-industrial wastes to determine the high heating value, the contents of moisture, volatiles matter, fixed carbon, ash, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose. The obtained results are similar to those using standard techniques, showing the accuracy of proposed method and its wide application range. This methodology allows to determine the main parameters required for industrial operation in only in one step, saving time.

A singular nitric oxide synthase with a globin domain found in Synechococcus PCC 7335 mobilizes N from arginine to nitrate Correa Aragunde, Maria Natalia; Foresi, Noelia Pamela; del Castello, Fiorella Paola; Lamattina, Lorenzo The enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS) oxidizes L-arginine to NO and citrulline. In this work, we characterise the NOS from the cyanobacteria Synechococcus PCC 7335 (SyNOS). SyNOS possesses a canonical mammalian NOS architecture consisting of oxygenase and reductase domains. In addition, SyNOS possesses an unusual globin domain at the N-terminus. Recombinant SyNOS expressed in bacteria is active, and its activity is suppressed by the NOS inhibitor L-NAME. SyNOS allows E. coli to grow in minimum media containing L-arginine as the sole N source, and has a higher growth rate during N deficiency. SyNOS is expressed in Synechococcus PCC 7335 where NO generation is dependent on L-arginine concentration. The growth of Synechococcus is dramatically inhibited by L-NAME, suggesting that SyNOS is essential for this cyanobacterium. Addition of arginine in Synechococcus increases the phycoerythrin content, an N reservoir. The role of the novel globin domain in SyNOS is discussed as an evolutionary advantage, conferring new functional capabilities for N metabolism.

Cattle decrease plant species diversity in protected humid temperate savanna Batista, William B.; Mochi, Lucia Sol; Biganzoli, Fernando Question: Is domestic cattle an appropriate surrogate for fire in a protected humid temperate savanna? Study area: El Palmar Grande de Colón (31°52' S, 58°17' W), Argentina. Methods: We surveyed dense Butia yatay palm savannas in two neighboring protected areas, El Palmar National Park (EPNP), under cattle exclusion since 1970 with sporadic burning; and La Aurora Wildlife Refuge (LAWR), under moderate cattle density, and not burnt since 1997. In each area, we randomly selected ten dense savanna stands, established 500 m2 plots and undertook floristic survey in spring and summer to produce exhaustive plant-species lists. We statistically compared the two samples in terms of: local and global diversities; compositional heterogeneity among stands; mean similarity to a historical record from the area; overall species composition; and abundance and numbers of species with different growth habits and origins. Results: Differences between our samples are clear-cut. Savannas at EPNP have significantly increased local and global species richness and exhibit decreased similarities with the historical record. They have a novel understory, with significantly increased abundances and species numbers of fire-resistant grassland shrubs and fire-sensitive trees, and a groundcover with significantly increased richness of subshrub and perennial graminoid species. Savannas at LAWR have virtually no woody understory, and exhibit a groundcover dominated by an impoverished suite of perennial grasses, with significantly increased abundances and numbers of annual and of exotic species. Conclusions: Our results suggest that large-scale, long-term cattle exclusion and sporadic fires have resulted in changes in the structure and composition of the savanna vegetation leading to increased plant species diversity. Apparently, conservation of these humid savannas in protected areas requires periodic fire, while domestic cattle are a poor alternative for maintaining their plant species diversity.

Cretaceous intraplate contraction in Southern Patagonia: A far-field response to changing subduction dynamics? Gianni, Guido Martin; Navarrete Granzotto, César Rodrigo; Liendo, Ingrid Florencia; Díaz, Marianela Ximena Yasmin; Gimenez, Mario Ernesto; Encinas, Alfonso; Folguera Telichevsky, Andres The origin, extent, and timing of intraplate contraction in Patagonia are among the least understood geological processes of southern South America. Particularly, the intraplate Deseado fold-thrust belt (FTB), located in the Patagonian broken foreland (47°–48°300 S), is one of the most enigmatic areas. In this belt, time constraints on tectonic events are limited and synorogenic deposits have not been documented so far. Furthermore, the driving mechanism for intraplate contraction remains unknown. In this study, we carried out a structural and sedimentological analysis. We report the first syntectonic deposits in this area in the Baqueró (Aptian) and Chubut (Cenomanian/Campanian) groups and a newly found unit referred to as the Albian beds (109.9 ± 1.5 Ma). Thus, several contractional stages in late Aptian, Albian, and Cenomanian-Campanian are then inferred. We suggest that the Deseado FTB constituted the southernmost expression of the early Patagonian broken foreland in Cretaceous times. Additionally, we analyzed the spatiotemporal magmatic arc behavior as a proxy of dynamic changes in the Andean subduction during determined stages of intraplate contraction. We observe a significant arc broadening from ~121 to 82 Myr and magmatic quiescence after ~67 Ma. This is interpreted as a slab shallowing to flattening process. Far-field tectonic forces would have been produced by increased plate coupling linked to the slab flattening as indirectly indicated by the correlation between Cretaceous arc expansion and intraplate contraction. Finally, the tectonic evolution of the Deseado FTB favors studies supporting inception of Andean shortening since Cretaceous times.

El Fondo para la Investigación Científica y Tecnológica (FONCyT) anuncia los resultados del proceso de adjudicación para la convocatoria RC 2018 mediante Resolución N°035/18.

El Fondo Tecnológico Argentino (FONTAR) anuncia los resultados del proceso de reconsideración para la convocatoria ANR 4800 2017 C2 mediante Resolución de Directorio N°410, 411 y 412/18.

El Fondo Tecnológico Argentino (FONTAR) anuncia los resultados del proceso de evaluación y reconsideración para la convocatoria ANR P+L 2017 C2 mediante Resolución de Directorio N°413, 414 y 419/18.

El Fondo Tecnológico Argentino (FONTAR) anuncia los resultados del proceso de reconsideración para la convocatoria ANR SOCIAL 2017 C2 mediante Resolución de Directorio N°415 y 416/18.

El Fondo Fiduciario de Promoción de la Industria del Software (FONSOFT) anuncia los resultados del proceso de evaluación para las convocatorias ANR Fonsoft 2017 C1 y C2 mediante Resolución de Directorio N°256, 306, 309, 357, 363, 366 y 389/18.

El Fondo Fiduciario de Promoción de la Industria del Software (FONSOFT) anuncia los resultados del proceso de evaluación para la convocatoria Becas Jóvenes Profesionales TIC 2017 mediante Resolución de Directorio N°327, 362, 365 y 387/18.

El Fondo Fiduciario de Promoción de la Industria del Software (FONSOFT) anuncia los resultados del proceso de evaluación y reconsideración de la ventanilla Crédito Exporta 2014 mediante Resolución de Directorio N°305, 390 y 392/18.