Improving the water resistance of epoxy–anhydride matrices by the incorporation of bentonite Capiel, Guillermina; Uicich, Julieta; Alvarez, Vera Alejandra; Montemartini, Pablo Ezequiel Epoxy-anhydride based polymers are commonly used as a matrix in pipeline systemsexposed to water during their in-service life. Water absorption at moderatetemperatures and/or at long exposure times could lead to irreversible hydrolysisreaction decreasing considerably the polymer overall performance. A strategy toenhance the barrier properties of epoxy resins is to add nano-fillers to traditional matrices. In this work, we added bentonite and chemically modified bentonite to this purpose. Water absorption of the resulting materials at three different temperatures (22°C, 80 °C and 93 °C) was studied and simultaneously, the evolution during the immersion tests of glass transition temperature and flexural modulus was recorded.Long-term gravimetric results showed that composites with chemically modified bentonite produce a delay on the hydrolysis of epoxy-anhydride matrix, which is a relevant result, due to the tough application and uses of the system, from the technological point of view.

Spatial and temporal variation in volatile composition suggests olfactory division of labor within the trap flowers of Aristolochia gigantea Martin, Kyle R.; More, Marcela; Hipólito, Juliana; Charlemagne, Shaniece; Schlumpberger, Boris O.; Raguso, Robert A. The olfactory components of floral advertisement can be complex, often showing dynamic patterns of emission and chemical composition that may reflect diverse functions related to pollination. In this study we investigated the spatial and temporal variation of volatile production in the distinctive kettle trap flowers of the Neotropical pipevine Aristolochia gigantea (Aristolochiaceae). These flowers show unusual complexity in scent chemistry and floral morphology in addition to conspicuous changes in scent at distinct stages during floral ontogeny. In this study, volatiles were collected from separate stages in development (bud, female, male, wilted flower), and from different functional units (limb, black ring, yellow disk, utricle, nectary) within each stage. Our results document a strikingly complex and dynamic floral scent composition for A. gigantea. Female stage floral emissions are dominated by sweet lemon-scented citronella-like compounds including (E)- and (Z)-citral, citronellol and citronellal, and at the same time include smaller amounts of pungent, brood-site associated volatiles such as dimethyl disulfide, 2-heptanone, and 3-methyl-1-butanol. Volatile emissions plummet one day later in male stage flowers, except for increased production of monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids, including a burst of linalool within the floral chamber. Volatiles emitted from wilted flowers resemble the vegetative background as soon as 48 h post anthesis. Multidimensional scaling revealed unexpected differentiation of volatile emissions across spatial units of the complex flower (e.g. within vs. outside of the trap), as well as at different stages of sexual expression as flowers matured. These results suggest that protogynous kettle trap flowers or inflorescences utilize a chemical division of labor, in concert with visual and tactile cues, to choreograph pollinator behavior such that female and male floral functions are optimized.

El Fondo Tecnológico Argentino (FONTAR) anuncia los resultados del proceso de evaluación para la ventanilla ASIS - TECi mediante Resolución de Directorio N°31 y 217/17.

Model selection: Using information measures from ordinal symbolic analysis to select model sub-grid scale parameterizations Pulido, Manuel Arturo; Rosso, Osvaldo A. The use of information measures for model selection in geophysical models with subgrid parameterizations is examined.} Although the resolved dynamical equations of atmospheric or oceanic global numerical models are well established, the development and evaluation of parameterizations that represent subgrid-scale effects  pose a big challenge. For climate studies, the parameters or parameterizations are usually selected according to a root-mean-square error criterion, that measures the differences between the model state evolution and observations along the trajectory. However, inaccurate initial conditions and systematic model errors contaminate root-mean-square error measures. In this work, information theory quantifiers, in particular Shannon entropy, statistical complexity and Jensen-Shannon divergence, are evaluated as measures of the model dynamics. An ordinal analysis is conducted using the Bandt-Pompe symbolic data reduction in the signals. The proposed ordinal information measures are examined in the two-scale Lorenz´96 system. By comparing the two-scale Lorenz´96 system signals with a one-scale Lorenz´96 system with deterministic and stochastic parameterizations, we show that information measures are able to select the correct model and to distinguish the parameterizations including the degree of stochasticity that results in the closest model dynamics to the two-scale Lorenz´96 system.

Draft genome sequence of lactobacillus curvatus FLEC03, a meat-borne isolate from beef carpaccio packaged in a modified atmosphere Teran, Lucrecia Cecilia; Coeuret, Gwendoline; Raya, Raul Ricardo; Champomier-Vergès, Marie-Christine; Chaillou, Stéphane In this study, we present the draft genome sequence for Lactobacillus curvatus FLEC03. This strain was isolated from beef carpaccio packaged in a modified atmosphere. The draft genome will contribute to understanding the role of L. curvatus strains in food products (fermentation, biopreservation, or spoilage) through comparative genomics with other strains.

El Fondo Tecnológico Argentino (FONTAR) anuncia el resultados del procesos de reconsideración para la Convocatorias ANR Social 2016 C2 mediante Resolución de Directorio 309, 310/17 con fecha 28 de junio de 2017.

El Fondo Tecnológico Argentino (FONTAR) anuncia el resultado del proceso de evaluación para la Convocatorias ANR TEC 2016 C2 mediante Resolución de Directorio 318/17 con fecha 28 de junio de 2017.

Alternative splicing switches: Important players in cell differentiation Fiszbein, Ana; Kornblihtt, Alberto Rodolfo Alternative splicing (AS) greatly expands the coding capacities of genomes by allowing the generation of multiple mature mRNAs from a limited number of genes. Although the massive switch in AS profiles that often accompanies variations in gene expression patterns occurring during cell differentiation has been characterized for a variety of models, their causes and mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we integrate foundational and recent studies indicating the AS switches that govern the processes of cell fate determination. We include some distinct AS events in pluripotent cells and somatic reprogramming and discuss new progresses on alternative isoform expression in adipogenesis, myogenic differentiation and stimulation of immune cells. Finally, we cover novel insights on AS mechanisms during neuronal differentiation, paying special attention to the role of chromatin structure.

Marcadores moleculares de la progresión tumoral asociados a cadherina epitelial en cáncer de próstata y de vejiga Mencucci, Maria Victoria Cadherina Epitelial (CadE) es una glicoproteína transmembrana que cumple un rol fundamental en la adhesión intercelular. La pérdida de CadE es clave en la Transición Epitelio Mensenquimal (TEM); las células pierden capacidad adhesiva y ganan comportamiento mótil e invasivo, posibilitando la progresión tumoral a través de la invasión local de los tejidos y la metástasis a distancia.En el Cáncer de Próstata (CP) y el Cáncer de Vejiga (CV) se han reportado alteraciones en la expresión/función(es) de CadE y de otras moléculas relacionadas a la TEM, pero los estudios no son concluyentes. Asimismo, existen moléculas relacionadas a CadE y a la progresión y agresividad tumoral que aún no han sido estudiadas en estos tumores. Específicamente, Disadherina (Dys) se ha encontrado sobreexpresada en numerosos tumores sólidos y asociada a la metástasis, no habiendo antecedentes en CP. Asimismo, Efrina-B1 ha sido relacionada a la desregulación de B-catenina y la agresividad tumoral, pero no hay antecedentes de su expresión en CV. El presente estudio ha caracterizado la expresión de CadE y otros marcadores de la TEM en CP y CV. Asimismo, por primera vez describe la expresión de Dys en CP y Efrina-B1 en CV y las asocia a la progresión y agresividad tumoral de estos tumores.

Dinámicas de construcción de subjetividades políticas y epistémicas en dispositivos pedagógicos de formación política. Un estudio en movimientos populares multisectoriales del Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires (2011-2015) Palumbo, María Mercedes La Tesis Doctoral denominada "Dinámicas de construcción de subjetividades políticas y epistémicas en dispositivos de formación política. Un estudio en movimientos populares multisectoriales en el Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires (2011-2015)" se propuso interpretar las dinámicas de construcción de subjetividades políticas y epistémicas en dispositivos pedagógicos de formación política destinados a militantes de base en movimientos populares multisectoriales pertenecientes al Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires en el período 2011-2015. Por un lado, se exploraron los procesos de construcción de subjetividades epistémicas en relación a los saberes y conocimientos (la trama epistémica) en circulación en los talleres de formación, los sujetos portadores de saberes y conocimientos y las tensiones en torno a la visibilización, socialización, resignificación y diálogo de saberes al interior de los dispositivos de formación política. Por otro lado, se indagaron las dinámicas de construcción de subjetividades políticas en cuanto a los relatos sobre los tránsitos subjetivos operados en las prácticas políticas cotidianos y el reforzamiento en el marco de los talleres del saber hablar y el poner el cuerpo en tanto habilidades políticas centrales para las prácticas políticas. Finalmente, se abordó el carácter multisectorial de los movimientos populares expresado en los talleres como un aspecto clave en cuanto potencia y tensiona las dinámicas de construcción de subjetividades políticas y epistémicas.

El FONSOFT presentó instrumentos de financiamiento en el marco de una jornada de difusión realizada en la sede de la Secretaría de Estado de Innovación y Desarrollo Tecnológico, en la ciudad de San Miguel de Tucumán.

El fondo orientado a mejorar la competitividad de las empresas a través de la innovación tecnológica brindó charlas de difusión de sus líneas de financiamiento en ambas provincias del noroeste argentino.

Cohesive Properties of Cu-X and Ni-X (In, Sn) Intermetallics: Ab Initio Systematics, Correlations and “Universality” Features Bertoldi, Dalía Surena; Ramos, Susana Beatriz; Gonzalez Lemus, Nasly Vanessa; Fernandez Guillermet, Armando Jorge This paper reports an analysis of the systematics of cohesive properties and equation-of-state parameters for a large number of stable, metastable and hypothetical binary MeaXb type phases formed by Me = Cu, Ni with X = In, Sn. To this aim, an ab initio database previously developed by the authors using spin polarized density-functional-theory calculations, using the VASP code, is adopted. The work involves the volume (V0), Wigner–Seitz radius, bulk modulus (B0) and cohesive energy (Ecoh) of the phases. At the outset of the paper it is shown that these properties can be studied as functions of the average group number (AGN), i.e., the weighted average of the number of valence electrons involved in the VASP calculations. Moreover, the cohesive energy density (CED), defined as Ecoh/V0, is shown to correlate very well with the AGN variable and with B0. These striking regularities are given two complementary interpretations. First, a general microscopic picture of the variations of cohesion is developed by studying the evolution of the contributions of the d- and p-electrons to their electronic density of states. In this way the effects of the hybridization of d- and p-electrons, and the filling up of bonding and anti-bonding states is highlighted. Next, a thermodynamic analysis based on the classical approach developed by Rose, Ferrante, Smith and collaborators is performed. It is concluded that the correlation involving CED and B0 is a manifestation of a significant degree of “universality” in the variation of the cohesive properties with the Wigner–Seitz radius of these compounds.

El Fondo para la Investigación Científica y Tecnológica (FONCyT) informa la apertura de una nueva ventanilla permanente "PICT START UP" cuyo objetivo es promover la transformación de los conocimientos y habilidades acumuladas por un grupo de investigación, en nuevas competencias tecnológicas aplicables en el mercado de productos, procesos o servicios, para los cuales exista una demanda social o un mercado comprobable.

La Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica, a través del Fondo Argentino Sectorial (FONARSEC), detalla el listado de postulantes admitidos en la convocatoria Pasantías Internacionales GTEC 2017. Los mismos serán contactados a la brevedad y serán notificados de la próxima instancia de evaluación que consiste en una entrevista personal.

El Fondo para la Investigación Científica y Tecnológica (FONCyT) anuncia la Prorroga para la convocatoria mediante Disposición Administrativa N°17.

Intramyocardial gene silencing by interfering RNA Brea, María Soledad; Morgan, Patricio Eduardo; Perez, Nestor Gustavo RNAi is a widely used methodology for gene silencing. The action mechanism of siRNA molecules has been well studiedin recent years, and the technique has been optimized in terms of safety and effectiveness. Cardiovascular diseases havea high incidence in the current population, and despite of the extensive research, safe and efficient therapeutics have notyet been found, which is reflected by 17.1 million people who die each year for this cause. In this context, siRNAs arebeing considered a therapeutic tool to regulate the expression of genes involved in the generation of these pathologies.The efficacy of siRNAs entry to cardiomyocytes, the safety of the delivery process and the degree of silencing achievedare main aspects before consider it as a cardiovascular disease therapy. Presently, we will give a brief outline of thecurrent understanding of the RNAi mechanism and the delivery system to the heart. We describe the use of lentivirus fora functional silencing of cardiac proteins in the study of a pathophysiological process, the slow force response to cardiacstretch.

El Fondo Tecnológico Argentino (FONTAR) anuncia el resultados del proceso de evaluación para la ventanilla A-TECi mediante Resolución de Directorio N°294/17. con fecha 08 de junio.

El Fondo Tecnológico Argentino participó de un encuentro de difusión de fuentes de financiamiento que reunió a más de un centenar de cooperativas prestadoras del servicio de distribución eléctrica en Buenos Aires.

El Fondo Tecnológico Argentino (FONTAR) anuncia los resultados de los procesos de evaluación y reconsideración para las Convocatorias ANR 3500 2016 C1, C2 y C3 mediante Resolución de Directorio N°290,291,292,293 y 298/17 . con fecha 08 de junio.