Estrogens receptors, nuclear coactivator 1 and ligand-dependent corepressor expression are altered early during induced ovarian follicular persistence in dairy cattle Notaro, Ulises Sebastián; Huber, Emilia; Stassi, Antonela Florencia; Ormaechea, Nadia Estefanía; Chiaraviglio, Juan Alberto; Baravalle, María Eugenia; Ortega, Hugo Hector; Rey, Florencia; Salvetti, Natalia Raquel Failure of ovulation can lead to follicular persistence, one of the main components of the pathogenesis of cystic ovarian disease (COD) in dairy cattle. Follicular persistence causes the permanence of a functional follicular structure in the ovary, which alters the cyclicity of the female and causes infertility. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression of estrogen receptors (ESR) 1 and 2, and the coregulatory proteins NCOA1, NRIP1 and LCOR by immunohistochemistry, in antral and preovulatory/persistent follicles in a model of follicular persistence induced by low levels of progesterone, to detect incipient changes during COD development, on the expected day of ovulation (P0) and after 5 (P5), 10 (P10) and 15 (P15) days of follicular persistence. Twenty-five Holstein cows were used, which were distributed in 5 groups: control group (n = 5), group P0 (n = 5), group P5 (n = 5), group P10 (n = 5), group P15 (n = 5). ESR1 expression was lower in antral follicles of the P5 (theca), P10 and P15 (theca and granulosa) groups relative to the control group (p < 0.05), and also lower in granulosa cells of persistent follicles of the P5, P10 and P15 groups than in dominant follicles of the control group (p < 0.05), without differences in theca cells. ESR2 expression showed no differences between groups. The ESR1:ESR2 balance favored ESR2 expression along the development of persistent follicles, as from 5 days of persistence (p < 0.05). NCOA1 expression was higher in granulosa cells of both antral and persistent follicles from the P0 group relative to the P5 and P10 groups, but showed no differences with the control and P15 groups (p < 0.05). Theca cells of antral and persistent follicles showed higher expression in the P0 and P15 groups in relation to the control, P5 and P10 groups (p < 0.05). No differences were detected for NRIP1 in antral, dominant and persistent follicles between groups. LCOR expression showed a decrease in granulosa cells of antral follicles from all persistence groups relative to the control group (p < 0.05). In theca cells, antral follicles of the P10 group showed lower LCOR expression than the control group (p < 0.05). LCOR expression was similar for dominant and persistent follicles. Considering that the ESR1:ESR2 balance favored ESR2 expression along the development of persistent follicles, as well as the decreased LCOR and NCOA1 expression, we may assume that, at the early stages of persistence, there is a negative regulation of ESR transcription. This coincides with the effects of estrogens through ESR on proliferation and apoptosis among other processes that favor follicular persistence. The results obtained provide relevant information in the knowledge of local events during the development of follicular persistence that could explain the failures in the reversion of the disease through hormonal treatments and the high recurrence rates reported for COD. In addition, it contributes to the study and identification of possible therapeutic targets, for the design of new treatments.

Harmonic almost complex structures on almost abelian Lie groups and solvmanifolds Andrada, Adrián Marcelo; Tolcachier, Alejandro An almost abelian Lie group is a solvable Lie group with a codimension one normal abelian subgroup. We characterize almost Hermitian structures on almost abelian Lie groups where the almost complex structure is harmonic with respect to the Hermitian metric. Also, we adapt the Gray–Hervella classification of almost Hermitian structures to the family of almost abelian Lie groups. We provide several examples of harmonic almost complex structures in different Gray–Hervella classes on some associated compact almost abelian solvmanifolds.

Desarrollo de herramientas cuantitativas para asistir en la toma de decisiones médicas relacionadas a discapacidades motrices Catalfamo Formento, Paola Andrea Lucia; Bonell, Claudia Edith; Aldonate, Julio Alberto; Barrera, Verónica; Cherniz, Analía Soledad; Dutto, Cecar; García Añino, Eloisa; Merino, Gabriela Alejandra; Muñoz Larrosa, Eugenia Soledad; Ravera, Emiliano Pablo; Riveras, Mauricio Se define como discapacidad motriz a la disminución total o parcial de la movilidad en uno o más miembros del cuerpo. Las personas realizan tratamientos de rehabilitación motriz para su reinserción activa a la sociedad. Para evaluar el resultado de los tratamientos se requieren de herramientas objetivas, confiables, reproducibles y tecno-lógicamente accesibles para las instituciones de salud de la región. El objetivo de este trabajo fue desarrollar herramientas cuantitativas de la ingeniería que cumplan con estos requisitos.Para ello se estudiaron herramientas de análisis del movimiento humano, tales como parámetros espacio-temporales, despeje mínimo del pie, índices de gasto energético y método de análisis de presiones plantares. Además, para facilitar la implementación de herramientas en los ámbitos clínicos, se desarrollaron softwares que permiten el cálculo automático de los parámetros. Finalmente, se diseñaron e implementaron protocolos de análisis del movimiento humano en centros regionales dedicados a la rehabilitación motriz.Los resultados de este proyecto muestran que es posible desarrollar herramientas basadas en la cuantificación de parámetros biomecánicos y fisiológicos, provistas desde los distintos campos de la ingeniería biomédica, que resultan objetivas, confiables, reproducibles y tecnológicamente accesibles para las instituciones de salud de la región.

Redes de conocimiento en relación a agendas endógenas como alternativa a la tensión internacional-local; Knowledge networks in relation to endogenous agendas as an alternative to international-local tension Oregioni, María Soledad; Avondet, Laura; Durán, María Sol La ciencia y la tecnología han ganado relevancia en las agendas de política pública en la medida en que se las reconoce como componentes imprescindibles de cualquier estrategia que pretenda hacer frente a «desafíos actuales», muchos de los cuales son definidos como tales por los países del Norte global. Posicionadas desde el Sur global, y bajo el entendimiento de la no neutralidad de los conocimientos, indagamos sobre dinámicas de producción de conocimiento y nos cuestionamos si las temáticas en agenda responden a problemáticas situadas. El presente trabajo muestra cómo, a partir de la identificación de una problemática concreta –la producción de cannabis medicinal– fue posible generar redes de cooperación sur-sur formales e informales, integradas por diferentes actores (territoriales e inter-nacionales) en las que se habilitaron nuevas dinámicas de producción de conocimiento a partir de la convergencia de diferentes tipos de saberes y actores. Específicamente, se analizó como caso de estudio la producción de conocimiento sobre cannabis medicinal en la Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNICEN). Los resultados de la investigación permiten entender a la universidad como un actor fundamental en la producción de conocimiento y nos muestran cómo, a partir de una de sus funciones, la extensión, es posible crear nuevas dinámicas integrales de internacionalización en producción de conocimiento, destacando la importancia de las redes de cooperación sur-sur a la hora de dar respuesta a la tensión internacional-local en producción de conocimiento.; Science and technology have gained relevance in public policy agendas to the extent that they are recognized as essential components of any strategy that seeks to face «current challenges», many of which are defined as such by the countries of the global north. Positioned from the global South, and under the understanding of the non-neutrality of knowledge, we investigate the dynamics of knowledge production and question whether the topics on the agenda respond to situated problems. This paper shows how, based on the identification of a specific problem –the production of medical cannabis– it was possible to generate formal and informal South-South cooperation networks, made up of different actors (territorial and international) in which new dynamics of knowledge production from the convergence of different types of knowledge and actors. Specifically, the production of knowledge on medicinal cannabis at the National University of the Center of the Province of Buenos Aires (UNICEN) was analyzed as a case study. The results of the research allow us to understand the university as a fundamental actor in the production of knowledge; and they show us how from one of its functions, extension, it is possible to create new integral dynamics of internationalization in knowledge production, highlighting the importance of South-South cooperation networks when responding to tension international-local knowledge production.

How effective is camera trapping in monitoring grassland species in the southern Pampas ecoregion?; ¿Qué tan efectivo es el fototrampeo para el monitoreo de especies de pastizal en el sur de la ecorregión Pampas? Trofino Falasco, Clara; Simoy, Maria Veronica; Aranguren, Maria Florencia; Pizzarello, María Gimena; Cortelezzi, Agustina; Vera, David Gustavo; Simoy, Mario Ignacio; Marinelli, Claudia Beatriz; Cepeda, Rosana Esther; Di Giacomo, Adrian Santiago; Berkunsky, Igor We assessed the efficiency of camera trapping in monitoring bird and mammal species in the grasslands of Tandilia Mountains by calculating the naïve occupancy, capture rate, and time to the first detection for each species. We compared the observed richness with the reported richness from online databases. We performed species accumulation curves to estimate the sampling effort necessary to detect bird and mammal species. We detected 50 bird and 15 mammal species. The top 5 bird species (Chalk-browed Mockingbird, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Rufous Hornero, Great Pampa-Finch, and Spotted Nothura) accounted for 48% of all detected individual birds, with naïve occupancy of 21-25% and mean times for the first detection between 6 and 9 days. The top 5 mammal species (Pampas fox, large hairy armadillo, European hare, Molina’s hog-nosed skunk, and Geoffroy’s cat) accounted for 81% of all detected individual mammals, with naïve occupancy of 32-77% and mean times for the first detection between 4 and 7 days. A sampling effort of 2 weeks was the optimal balance between effort and result qualities. We detected all the reported richness of mammals and half of the reported grassland-associated birds. We provide valuable information for future grassland species monitoring with camera trapping in Neotropical grasslands.; Evaluamos la eficiencia del fototrampeo para monitorear aves y mamíferos en pastizales del sistema de Tandilia mediante la ocupación naïve, tasa de captura y tiempo hasta la primera detección de cada especie. Comparamos la riqueza observada con aquella reportada en bases de datos en línea. Realizamos curvas de acumulación de especies para estimar el esfuerzo de muestreo necesario para detectar la riqueza de especies. Detectamos 50 especies de aves y 15 de mamíferos. Las principales especies de aves (calandria común, chingolo, hornero, verdón e inambú campestre) representaron 48% de todas las detecciones de este grupo, con una ocupación naïve de 21-25% y tiempos promedios hasta la primera detección de entre 6 y 9 días. Las principales especies de mamíferos (zorro pampeano, peludo, liebre europea, zorrino y gato montés) contituyeron 81% de las detecciones de este grupo, con una ocupación naïve de 32- 77% y tiempos promedios hasta la primera detección de entre 4 y 7 días. Un muestreo de 2 semanas fue el balance óptimo entre esfuerzo y calidad de los resultados. Se detectó toda la riqueza reportada de mamíferos y la mitad de las aves asociadas a pastizales. Brindamos información valiosa para futuros monitoreos con fototrampeo en pastizales neotropicales.

Prediction of the physico-chemical properties of vegetable oils using optimal non-linear polynomials Alviso, Dario; Aguerre, Horacio Javier; Nigro, Norberto Marcelo; Artana, Guillermo Osvaldo Vegetable oils (VOs) comprise 90%–98% triglycerides (three fatty acids esters and glycerol), with trace amounts of mono-glycerides and di-glycerides. The content of glycerides in VOs can vary depending on the specific type of oil, the processing methods used, and other factors such as the cultivar and harvest date. VOs have been examined for usage in different applications due to their physicochemical properties, including stationary engines, big ships, and Diesel engines of low and medium speed. There are around 350 VOs that have the potential to be used as fuel sources, the vast majority of which have yet to have their physicochemical properties investigated. Regression models based purely on VOs fatty acid content are beneficial in this context. This study conducts a regression analysis of VOs density (DE), kinematic viscosity (KV), flash point (FP), and low and high heating values (LHV and HHV) as a function of their fatty acids. Several experimental databases were selected, including the values of VOs fatty acid composition and physico-chemical properties. Optimal non-linear polynomials were chosen for the regression procedure. Scheffé polynomials offer different fitting alternatives to adjust the VOs experimental databases using their five main fatty acids: from simple linear polynomials (including five terms) to full cubic polynomials (including 35 terms). The polynomials are validated by showing how well their results correspond with the experimental databases. The standard error values for the proposed full polynomials concerning the databases for DE, KV, FP, LHV, and HHV are 0.70%, 7.79%, 7.86%, 1.66%, and 0.19%, respectively.

Abordaje de la figura de Joaquín Víctor González a partir del análisis del patrimonio histórico cultural de la finca Samay Huasi (Chilecito, La Rioja); Approach to the Figure of Joaquín Víctor González from the Analysis of the Historical Cultural Heritage of the Samay Huasi Farm (Chilecito, La Rioja) Oliva, Camila; Sempe, Maria Carlota; Oliva, Fernando Walter Pablo A partir del estudio del patrimonio histórico y cultural de la Finca Samay Huasi -localizada en el distrito de San Miguel, municipalidad de Chilecito, La Rioja- analizamos la figura de Joaquín Víctor González, ilustre político, jurista educador y masón, cuyo accionar impactó profundamente en la conformación moderna de las instituciones del Estado argentino. Para ello partimos del estudio del patrimonio histórico y cultural de la Finca Samay Huasi propiedad de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata, ubicada en el distrito de San Miguel del departamento Chilecito, La Rioja. Los bienes culturales presentes en la misma poseen un importante valor patrimonial, material e inmaterial, sobre cuyos significados ahondamos en este escrito, para lo cual relevamos monumentos, placas y soportes conmemorativos emplazados en el predio, considerados como soportes de su memoria e identidad. Aquí presentamos su análisis y el de su obra escrita, así como los homenajes y artículos que trataron su figura, realizados por sus contemporáneos y generaciones posteriores. Su finca Samay Huasi, donada en vida a la Universidad Nacional de La Plata representa un patrimonio histórico, administrado por esta institución desde 1941. Esperamos que los resultados aquí expuestos aporten a la puesta en valor del patrimonio existente en la finca y a la apropiación de ese conocimiento por parte de la comunidad local.; From the study of the cultural historical heritage of Finca Samay Huasi, in the district of San Miguel, municipality of Chilecito, La Rioja, we analyze the figure of Joaquin Victor Gonzalez, illustrious politician, jurist, educator and freemason, whose actions profoundly affected the modern conformation of the institutions of the Argentine State. For this, we start from the study of the historical and cultural heritage of the Samay Huasi Farm owned by the National University of La Plata, located in the district of San Miguel of the Chilecito department, La Rioja. The cultural goods present in it have an important patrimonial, material and intangible value, on whose meanings we delve into in this writing, for which we relieve monuments, plaques and commemorative supports located on the property, considered as supports of their memory and identity. Here we present his analysis and that of his written work, as well as the tributes and articles that dealt with his figure, made by his contemporaries and later generations. His farm Samay Huasi, donated in life to the National University of La Plata represents a historical heritage, administered by this institution since 1941. We hope that the results presented here will contribute to the enhancement of the existing heritage on the farm and the appropriation of that knowledge by the local community.

Alteración térmica de artefactos líticos durante el Holoceno medio: Análisis de los conjuntos de Casa del Minero 1, Meseta Central de Santa Cruz; Thermal alteration of lithic artifacts during the middle Holocene: Analyses of the assemblages from Casa del Minero 1, Central Plateau of Santa Cruz Frank, Ariel David En este trabajo analizo los conjuntos líticos termoalterados de la unidad 3 superior de Casa del Minero 1 (Santa Cruz, Argentina), correspondiente al Holoceno medio. Investigo si se aplicó tratamiento térmico durante talla lítica y comparo los hallazgos con aquellos de los componentes finipleistocénicos del sitio. También estudio si otros procesos termoalteraron los conjuntos. Para ello, analizo la ubicación de los indicadores de termoalteración dentro de cada pieza, las características tecnomorfológicas de los artefactos y su distribución en la cueva.Los resultados indican que se aplicó el tratamiento térmico previo al retoque, durante la formatización final de instrumentos. Este procedimiento tendría características distintas a lo registrado para los componentes finipleistocénicos en términos de tipo de materia prima empleada y secuencias operativas en las cuales se implementó, con un uso menos frecuente que en momentos previos. Por otro lado, un grupo de artefactos pudo dañarse térmicamente por la acción de fuegos encendidos con posterioridad a la ocupación o bien por la caída accidental en fogones. No obstante, distintos procesos postdepositacionales habrían alterado la distribución de los restos y/o la conservación de las estructuras de combustión.; In this paper I study the thermally modified lithic assemblages from stratigraphic unit Upper 3, Casa del Minero 1 site (Santa Cruz, Argentina) which dates to the middle Holocene. I analyze if heat treatment was applied during flintknapping, and I compare the results with those obtained from the final Pleistocene layers of the site. I also study if other thermal processes have altered the assemblages. To achieve these goals, I analyze the location of thermal alteration traits within each artifact, the techno-morphological characteristics of the archaeological remains and their distribution within the cave. Results show that heat treatment was applied during the final shaping of tools, before retouch. This procedure had different characteristics to what has been recorded for the final Pleistocene layers, in terms of the kind of raw material used and the chaine operatoire in which it was applied. Furthermore, the use of heat treatment was less frequent during the middle Holocene. Apart from that, a group of artifacts could have become thermally damaged due to the action of fires lit after the occupation or else due to the accidental fall of lithics inside the hearths. However, different post-depositional processes might have modified the distribution of the remains and/or the conservation of the combustion structures.

Electrochemical studies on β-carbolines alkaloids: Kinetics of irreversible oxidation processes Madriz Ruiz, Lorean Mercedes; Cabrerizo, Franco Martín; Vargas Balda, Ronald Eduardo The comprehension of the kinetic processes involved in redox reactions with alkaloids such as β-carbolines (βCs) is crucial to unveil differences in the reactivity of these substances. To this end, electrochemical studies on a screen-printed carbon electrode were conducted, revealing the irreversible nature of the process associated with the first oxidation step of norharmane (nHo), harmine (Ha), harmaline (Hlina), harmol (Hol), and harmalol (Hlol). Results from chronoamperometric (CA) studies indicated that in all cases, the oxidation follows a first order reaction. Additionally, cyclic voltammetry (CV) enabled the estimation of the number of electrons transferred (n) as well as the charge transfer coefficient (αa). Finally, square wave voltammetry (SWV) allowed the investigation of the irreversible nature of the oxidative transformations, determining the oxidation potential (EOx) values, and elucidating of the dependency of the frequency-normalized peak current (ip/f) with the frequency (f). For the first time, the rate constant (k) for the selected βCs was determined from the maximum observed in the ip/f vs. f plot. By correlating Ln(k) with EOx values, a linear free energy relationship that show the relevance of molecular structure in reaction pathways was revealed, which constitutes the novelty of this work. These findings are discussed in the context of other redox processes involving βC alkaloids.

First identification of plant remains in earthen architecture of Argentina: constructive and domestic archaeological data from early colonial contexts (16th and 17th centuries) Castillón, Vanina Gisele; Lopez, María Laura; Igareta, Ana Teresa; Capparelli, Aylen This paper analyses, from an archaeological and ethnobotanical perspective, the botanical remains recovered from earthen architecture of Ibatín and Esteco I/II sites, ruins of the first cities established and depopulated in North-western Argentina along the Spanish advance during the 16th and 17th centuries. Sampling procedure, processing of the sediments and identification of botanical macro and microremains, predominantly opal silica phytoliths, were carried out on the basis of standard methodology to identify botanical remains. Diatoms and microcharcoals were also recorded. Additionally, ethnobotanical research was conducted in order to obtain data from local inhabitants related to traditional earth construction techniques and vegetable fibres used in the process. The integration of the results obtained from both approaches allowed us to generate some proposals regarding the techniques for obtaining and using the plants used in the construction activity and associated practices in the region during the colonial period.

Meat Quality Traits in Beef from Heifers: Effect of including Distiller Grains in Finishing Pasture-Based Diets Merayo, Manuela; Pighín, Darío Gabriel; Cunzolo, Sebastian Abel; Veggetti, Mariela Iris; Soteras, Trinidad; Chamorro, Veronica Celeste; Pazos, Adriana Alejandra; Grigioni, Gabriela Maria Distiller grains (DG), which are the by-product from the bioethanol industry, represent an interesting alternative as animal feedstock. To our knowledge, little information is available on the inclusion of DG on the quality of meat from pasture-fed heifers. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of DG inclusion in pasture-based systems on the main meat quality attributes of Charolais x Aberdeen Angus heifers. For this purpose, meat from heifers fed with a pasture-based diet without supplementation (P) or with 0.75% of live weight DG supplementation (PDG; DG plus dry-rolled corn, 50:50) or with 0.75% of live weight dry-rolled corn supplementation (PRC) was evaluated. Physical (pH, WHC, color, texture), sensory and nutritional (fat content, fatty acid, and amino acid profile) attributes were evaluated in beef samples. No effect of supplementation was observed on meat pH or color (p > 0.05). Meat from PDG heifers showed higher values of WBSF than meat from P heifers (p = 0.039). However, the overall tenderness evaluated by trained panelists showed no differences due to supplementation (p > 0.05). Our results indicate that the inclusion of DG as a partial corn-replacement supplementation for heifers under grazing represents a strategic tool not only related to meat quality, but also as an alternative to reduce food–feed competition.

Population genetic analyses reveal host association and genetically distinct populations of social parasite Solenopsis daguerrei (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Dekovich, Allyson; Ryan, Sean; Bouwma, Andrew; Calcaterra, Luis Alberto; Silvestre, Rogerio; Staton, Margaret; Shoemaker, DeWayne Inquiline ant social parasites exploit other ant species for their reproductive benefit because they do not possess a worker caste. Due to their relative rarity in nature, the biology and natural history of inquilines are largely unknown. Likewise, not much research exists that details the close relationship between inquilines and their host(s), and how each organism influences the genetic structure of the other. Here, we conducted a comparative population genetics study to assess patterns of genetic structure within and among populations of inquiline Solenopsis daguerrei and its known fire ant hosts, which includes invasive Solenopsis invicta. Using nuclear and mitochondrial markers, we show that four genetically distinct groups of S. daguerrei likely exist, each with different degrees of host association. Consistent with previous inferences of the inquiline lifestyle, we find that inbreeding is common in S. daguerrei, presumably a result of intranidal mating and restricted dispersal. Results from this study, specifically host association patterns, may inform future biological control strategies to mitigate invasive S. invicta populations.

Uso de fototerapia LED para el tratamiento de heridas: amputación en ciervo Axis hembra Vieta, Cecilia; Rivulgo, Virginia Margarita; Sanchez Bruni, Sergio Fabian; Dángelo, Cristian; Lester, Marcelo Fabian; Rosatti, Juan José; Brusco, Jose; García, Jorge El uso de fuentes de luz de radiaciones no ionizantes como Light Emiting Diode (LED) para el tratamiento y el alivio del dolor e inflamación, se conoce como Fototerapia o Fotobiomodulación. La Fototerapia de LEDs de alta potencia instantánea, se genera por la estimulación del diodo semiconductor que produce una luz de muy baja potencia de emisión (1-5 mWatt). Los equipos de LEDs de alta potencia instantánea tienen mayor profundidad de penetración (véase fig. 1) que los LEDs comunes (acción más superficial). Las luces LED se utilizan con una longitud de onda que van desde los 380 a 436 nm (luz violeta), 436 a 495 nm (luz azul), 495 a 566 nm (luz verde), 566 a 589 nm (luz amarilla), 589 a 627 nm (luz naranja), 627 a 780 (luz roja), 770a 940 nm (luz infrarroja). Las mismas son responsables de diversas acciones sobre la célula, incluyendo su permeabilidad, su estimulación de mitocondrias, la síntesis de ATP y sobre proteínas como colágeno y elastina. (McGowan y Goff, 2016;Millis y Levine, 2014; Russel, 2005). A su vez, está documentado que además de acelerar el proceso de cicatrización de heridas, poseen efecto antimicrobiano, antiinflamatorio y analgésico, dependiendo de la longitud de onda utilizada (Tomazoni et al., 2017; Redondo y Sthepens, 2019). Desafortunadamente, al presente hay pocos estudios experimentales en especies superiores sobre los efectos favorables de fototerapia LED en el proceso de cicatrización de heridas (Dall-algon et al. 2009, Farouk et al. 2003, Meyer et al. 2010, Channal, et al., 2008; Deland et al., 2007).

Reducción de Sodio en Quesos Cremosos: Diseño del Proceso de Salado mediante Simulación Computacional Gill, Tomás Ramón; Lanteri, Mario Nicolas; Lespinard, Alejandro Rafael La alta ingesta de sal se asocia con un mayor riesgo de hipertensión arterial y enfermedades cardiovasculares. Los alimentos ricos en sodio, como los lácteos y embutidos, contribuyen significativamente a esta ingesta, lo que resalta la necesidad de reducir el contenido de sal durante su procesamiento. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar y diseñar el proceso de salado para quesos cremosos (con humedad del 53% p/p) con concentración estándar de sal (1,2 g/100 g de queso) y versiones reducidas en sodio (0,6 g/100 g de queso). Para lograr este objetivo, se desarrolló un modelo de simulación computacional 3D para predecir la difusión de NaCl en una horma de queso (dimensiones: 0,22 m x 0,22 m x 0,07 m) durante el proceso de salado a diferentes temperaturas (6, 12 y 18°C). El modelo de simulación se basó en la Segunda Ley de Fick y se resolvió numéricamente mediante el Método de Elementos Finitos, utilizando el software COMSOL Multiphysics. Los coeficientes de difusión empleados en el modelo se obtuvieron a partir de estudios previos y variaron según la temperatura, siendo de 3,14x10-10m²s-1 a 6°C, 5,47x10-10 m²s-1 a 12°C y 9,81x10-10 m²s-1 a 18°C. Las simulaciones permitieron predecir la distribución y contenidos medios de sal durante el salado a las diferentes condiciones. Con estos resultados, se determinaron los tiempos de salado necesarios para alcanzar una concentración de sal objetivo. Estos tiempos resultaron ser de 195, 100 y 60 minutos a 6, 12 y 18°C, respectivamente, para los quesos con concentración estándar de sal, mientras que, para los quesos reducidos en sodio, los tiempos fueron de 45, 25 y 15 minutos, respectivamente. El modelo desarrollado demostró ser efectivo para calcular los tiempos de salado a diferentes temperaturas. Además, se observó una reducción significativa del tiempo de salado al aumentar la temperatura y al reducir la concentración de NaCl en un 50%. Los resultados de este estudio serán de gran utilidad para optimizar la producción de quesos cremosos de manera más eficiente y saludable, contribuyendo así a la reducción del riesgo de enfermedades cardiovasculares asociadas con el alto consumo de sodio.

Frailty status improvement after kidney transplantation Aroca Martinez, Gustavo; Hernandez Agudelo, Sandra; Castro Hernández, Christian; Cabarcas Barbosa, Omar; Terrasa, Sergio Adrian; González Torres, Henry J.; Cadena Bonfanti, Andrés; Musso, Carlos Introduction: Frailty is a clinical syndrome characterized by a decrease in strength, resistance and body physiological condition, making the individual more vulnerable, and increasing his/her risk of dependence and death. Kidney transplant (KT) is currently the best end-stage renal disease therapeutic alternative for certain individuals. Frailty status occurs in approximately 20% of KT patients. Thus, it was evaluated if there would be any change in frailty status level in a population of adult patients on chronic HD after receiving KT. Material and method: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a population of adult hemodialysis patients (n: 57), with the objective of evaluating if there was a significant change in their clinical frailty score (CFS) after 6 months of KT. For the statistical analysis, the Student’s t-test, and the test of statistical significance between two proportions were applied. Results: Mean CFS before KT was 4 (vulnerable), and after KT was 3 (robust). CFS value was significantly lower after KT (p value < 0.01). Conclusion: A significant improvement was found between pre- and post-transplant clinical frailty scores in hemodialysis adult patients.

Evidence of biotic interactions through shell repair on Early Cretaceous gastropods from west-central Argentina Cataldo, Cecilia Soledad; Luci, Leticia; Fernández, Diana Elizabeth; Andrada, Alejandra Mariel; Lazo, Dario Gustavo; Aguirre Urreta, María Beatriz Evidence of durophagous predatory behavior on benthic invertebrates in the Upper JurassiceLower Cretaceous of the Neuquen Basin is scarce, despite the abundant record of potential predators. Herein, we document shell repair in one gastropod from lower Barremian marginal-marine deposits in northern Neuquen Basin, Argentina. This is the first report of shell repair on Early Cretaceous gastropods from Argentina and of shell repair frequencies from the Lower Cretaceous. Paleoanculosa macrochilinoides shells from three sections of the La Tosca Member (Huitrín Formation) in Mendoza province were studied. We described and interpreted the repaired breakage, calculated repair frequencies which were compared among localities, tested for geographic differences in size distribution of total samples and of repaired vs. undamaged shells, and assessed whether this species reached a size refuge. Studied shell repair consists of fractures cutting through growth lines roughly diagonally, from suture to suture, and near the aperture, thus representing apertural damage. Given its stereotypical nature, the damage represents the record of a biotic interaction, likely sublethal predation, instead of diagenetic compaction or damage by physical disturbance. Repair frequencies are low, indicating that shell architecture made P. macrochilinoides susceptible to lethal predatory attacks, or else that there were few predator-prey encounters. There are no major geographic differences regarding repair frequency, size distribution, and preservation. Likely, P. macrochilinoides did not reach a size refuge. This study provides evidence from both a time slice and geographic area with scarce data on crushing predation and from an inbetween phase within the Mesozoic Marine Revolution.

Evidence of drilling predation in oysters from the Lower Cretaceous of the Neuquén Basin (Argentina) and its implications for Mesozoic predation trends Toscano, Agustina Gabriela; Cataldo, Cecilia Soledad; Luci, Leticia; Lazo, Dario Gustavo The study of trace fossils recorded on organic substrata is vital to the understanding of past biotic interactions. Here, oyster valves with circular holes are reported from the Lower Cretaceous (Berriasian to lower Valanginian) strata of the Neuquén Basin. From a total of 1318 oyster specimens, 17 valves presented 19 of these traces, which were studied to determine their origin, frequency and whether taxon, size and/or site selectivity existed. The studied traces, identified as Oichnus isp. (O. paraboloides in three cases), were recorded on four oyster species belonging to three genera: Aetostreon, Ceratostreon, and Nanogyra. Boring frequency was low (maximum = 0.103), and although traces were recorded exclusively on oysters, no taxon selectivity was found. No differences were found between the size of bored versus intact valves. The traces, although mostly recorded on left valves, showed a random distribution within valves, indicating no size or site selectivity. Hole morphology, absence of attachment scars and multiple holes point to a predatory origin. The lack of stereotypy indicates a generalist or facultative producer. Similar traces are usually ascribed to gastropod producers (i.e., naticids or muricids), but the gastropods co-occurring with the studied oysters lack any extant relative with a drilling apparatus. Hence, the producer remains unknown. This record contributes to the filling of the so-called early Mesozoic gap in drilling predation evolutionary history, during which two predation trends seem to have co-occurred: a background type of predation, carried out by generalists or facultative predators, and the rise of highly specialized predators, associated with the emergence of naticids and muricids.

Bovine infectious abortion: A systematic review and meta-analysis Hecker, Yanina Paola; González Ortega, Sara; Cano, Santiago; Ortega Mora, Luis Miguel; Horcajo, Pilar The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to identify the main infectious agents related to bovine abortion worldwide in the period between 2000 and 2022. First, we investigated the global prevalence of infectious agents related to bovine abortion. For this analysis, only 27 articles detected of a wide panel of agents were included. The random effects model revealed that the estimated prevalence of the abortifacient agents in bovine abortion was 45.7%.The heterogeneity among studies was high, but Egger’s test showed that there was no publication bias, even though the total number of samples analyzed in these articles was variable. There was no significant effect of the year of the study publication on the estimated prevalence, although an increasing trend was observed over time, possibly due to the implementation of new diagnostictechniques. Then, we analyzed the prevalence of the main transmissible agents in bovine abortion. For this analysis, 76 studies that analyzed 19,070 cases were included. Some infectious agent was detected in 7,319 specimens, and a final diagnosis was reached in 3,977 of these, when both the infectious agent and compatible histopathological changes were detected. We found that Neosporacaninum was the most detected agent (22.2%), followed by opportunistic bacteria (21.4%), Chlamydiaceae family (10.9%) and Coxiella burnetii (9.5%). Regarding viral agents, bovine herpes virus type 1 and bovine viral diarrhea displayed similar prevalence rates (approximately 5%). After considering the description of specific histopathological changes, our analyzes showed that N. caninum was a confirmed cause of abortion in 16.7% of the analyzed cases, followed byopportunistic bacteria (12.6%) and Chlamydia spp. (6.8%); however, C. burnetii was only confirmed as a cause of abortion in 1.1% of the cases. For all agents, the heterogeneity among studies was high, and the subgroup analyzes discarded the diagnostic method as the cause of such heterogeneity. This study provides knowledge about the global prevalence of the different infectious agents related to bovine abortion, the most coming of which is N. caninum. In addition, this review reveals the existing deficiencies in the diagnosis of bovine abortion that must be addressed in the future.

Perspectives from the 2022 cohort of the American Chemical Society Summer School on Green Chemistry & Sustainable Energy Saraf, Mohit; Roy, Monika A.; Yarur Villanueva, Francisco; Kundu, Anirban; Tran, Hung-Vu; Ghosh, Moumita; Ezenwa, Sopuruchukwu; Gastelu, Gabriela; Prebihalo, Emily A.; Cala Gómez, Luis Javier; Cleary, Scott R.; Devineni, Geetesh; Lee, Gahyun Annie; Umenweke, Great C.; Koby, Ross F.; Nixon, Rachel; Voutchkova, Adelina; Moores, Audrey The field of chemistry is uniquely equipped to solve many current and impending global challenges; however, minimizing potential negative impacts on the environment, society, and the economy requires a holistic approach to developing new processes and chemicals. For this reason, there is an urgent need to incorporate green chemistry and systems thinking into chemistry-based disciplines so that the most sustainable, least toxic, and least resource-intensive research directions and methods are prioritized. The next generation of researchers and instructors is poised to implement these approaches; however, most graduate curricula do not include coursework on green chemistry and systems thinking. Every year, the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute hosts the Summer School on Green Chemistry & Sustainable Energy for early career researchers to learn about green chemistry and systems thinking approaches for tackling sustainability goals. In this Perspective, 2022 summer school participants highlight sustainability challenges in their own work that can be addressed using the skills and knowledge acquired at the summer school, including in carbon capture, organic pharmaceutical synthesis, nanomaterial synthesis, catalysis, and other areas. In addition, how green chemistry can meet practical needs in industry settings and be infused in education and government policy is discussed.

Producción de Agregados Porosos Livianos En la región de Olavarría, centro de la provincia de Buenos Aires, se cuenta con un amplio stock de lutitas, obtenido del destape de las canteras de caliza utilizada para la elaboración del clinker Portland. Las lutitas están compuestas principalmente por cuarzo y los minerales arcillosos illita y clorita, siendo una materia prima con potencial para producir agregados porosos. El objetivo de esta línea de investigación es caracterizar las lutitas y evaluar su uso como materia prima en la elaboración de agregados porosos livianos, con y sin la incorporación de agentes formadores de poros. Los agregados porosos presentan un elevado aislamiento térmico, son ignífugos y absorben el sonido, lo que permite su aplicación en diversas áreas de la construcción.