Parallel factor analysis of 4.2K excitation-emission matrices for the direct determination of dibenzopyrene isomers in coal-tar samples with a cryogenic fiber optic probe coupled to a commercial spectrofluorimeter Moore, Anthony F. T.; Goicoechea, Hector Casimiro; Barbosa, Fernando Jr.; Campiglia, Andres D. Several studies have shown high concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in living spaces and soil adjacent to parking lots sealed with coal-tar-based products. Recent attention has been paid to the presence of seven PAHs in coal-tar samples ? namely, benz[a]anthracene, benzo[k]-fluoranthene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, chrysene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene ? and their association to significant increases in estimated excess lifetime cancer risk for nearby residents. Herein, we present an analytical approach to screen the presence of five highly toxic, high-molecular weight PAHs (HMW-PAHs) in coal-tar samples. These include dibenzo[a,l]pyrene, dibenzo[a,i]pyrene, dibenzo[a,e]pyrene, dibnezo[a,h]pyrene and naphtho[2,3-a]pyrene. Their direct analysis ? no without chromatographic separation ? - in a reference coal-tar sample is made possible with the combination of excitation-emission matrices (EEMs) and parallel-factor analysis (PARAFAC). EEMs are recorded at 4.2 K with the aid of a cryogenic fiber optic probe and a commercial spectrofluorimeter. The simplicity of the experimental procedure and the excellent analytical figures of merit demonstrate the screening potential of this environmentally friendly approach for the routine analysis of numerous coal-tar samples.

Role of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in the transcriptional regulation of brain ABC transporters during acute acetaminophen (APAP) intoxication in mice Ghanem, Carolina Inés; Rudraiah, Swetha; Bataille, Amy M.; Vigo, María B.; Goedken, Michael J.; Manautou, José E. Changes in expression of liver ABC transporters have been described during acute APAP intoxication. However, the effect of APAP on brain ABC transporters is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of APAP on brain ABC transporters expression and the role of the oxidative stress sensor Nrf2. Male C57BL/6J mice were administered APAP (400 mg/kg) for analysis of brain mRNA and protein expression of Mrp1-6, Bcrp and P-gp. The results show induction of P-gp, Mrp2 and Mrp4 proteins, with no changes in Bcrp, Mrp1 or Mrp5-6. The protein values were accompanied by corresponding changes in mRNA levels. Additionally, brain Nrf2 nuclear translocation and expression of two Nrf2 target genes, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (Nqo1) and Hemoxygenase 1 (Ho-1), was evaluated at 6, 12 and 24 h after APAP treatment. Nrf2 nuclear content increased by 58% at 12 h after APAP along with significant increments in mRNA and protein expression of Nqo1 and Ho-1. Furthermore, APAP treated Nrf2 knockout mice did not increase mRNA or protein expression of Mrp2 and Mrp4 as observed in wildtypes. In contrast, P-gp induction by APAP was observed in both genotypes. In conclusion, acute APAP intoxication induces protein expression of brain P-gp, Mrp2 and Mrp4. This study also suggests that brain changes in Mrp2 and Mrp4 expression may be due to in situ Nrf2 activation by APAP, while P-gp induction is independent of Nrf2 function. The functional consequences of these changes in brain ABC transporters by APAP deserve further attention.

Formas de adhesión al Islam en Argentina: conversión, tradición, elección, reasunción y tránsito intra-islámico; Forms of adhesion to Islam in Argentina: conversion, tradition, choice, return to religion and intra-Islamic transit Montenegro, Silvia Maria En Argentina, como en otros países de América Latina, el Islam llega como religión de inmigrantes, principalmente sirios y libaneses, entre finales del siglo XIX y las primeras décadas del Siglo XX. En la historia de su presencia local es posible reconocer tres etapas que implican distintos momentos de institucionalización, diversificación, visibilidad y negociación de reconocimiento en el espacio nacional. Actualmente la religión musulmana se configura como una opción en un campo religioso plural y cada vez más, aunque en grado diverso, las comunidades cuentan en su membresía tanto con musulmanes de origen como con convertidos. Este artículo enfoca la adhesión al Islam como un proceso dinámico, que incluye pertenencias por conversión, tradición, elección, retorno e itinerancias intra-islámicas entre nacidos musulmanes. Desde un abordaje etnográfico tendremos en cuenta trayectorias individuales de conversos y musulmanes de origen, estableciendo un diálogo crítico con la literatura específica sobre conversión al Islam. Este trabajo también problematiza la dicotomía convertidos/nacidos musulmanes, en pos de lograr una comprensión más amplia de las dinámicas de la adhesión al Islam.; As in other Latin American countries, Muslim presence in Argentina traces its origin to Arab migration waves in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century; most of these immigrants came from Lebanon and Syria. We can identify three historical periods; each of these stages involves different degrees of institutionalization, diversification, visibility and negotiation of recognition in the national arena. Currently, Islam is one of the religious options available in a plural religious field and, increasingly, the communities are composed of Muslim Arab descendants and converts. This paper analyze the adhesion to Islam as a dynamic process that includes conversion, tradition, return to religion and intra-Islamic transit among Muslim descendants. Using an ethnographic approach I will examine individual trajectories of converts and Muslim descendants, on the basis of these analyses I will try to establish a critical dialogue with the literature on conversion to Islam. This article also problematizes the converts/Muslim descendants’ dichotomy in order to arrive at a more comprehensive understanding of the dynamic of adhesion to Islam.

Política y sociabilidad barrial: la memoria en torno a las “veladas socialistas” en el Barrio de La Estación de Tandil durante el período de entreguerras Barandiaran, Luciano Oscar; Silva, Ana Cecilia Este artículo se inscribe en el marco de un proceso de activación patrimonial impulsado por una asamblea vecinal del Barrio de La Estación de la localidad bonaerense de Tandil. A inicios de 2013, un grupo de vecinos y vecinas, ante la “pérdida” de la fisonomía identitaria barrial a manos de la “especulación inmobiliaria”, presentó al Concejo Deliberante un petitorio proponiendo la declaración de un Área de Protección Histórica sobre 40 manzanas lindantes a la Estación de Trenes; zona que “vincula gran parte de la historia de la ciudad como son el trabajo, la cultura, las luchas sindicales y la historia del gremio ferroviario”. Aquí se analiza la construcción de la memoria colectiva en vinculación con la identidad barrial, para lo cual estudiamos la significación presente de algunas prácticas sociales de antiguos vecinos y vecinas del barrio, en especial las “veladas” organizadas por el Partido Socialista, partido político con fuerte arraigo en el mencionado barrio en las décadas de 1920 a 1940. Para ello, partimos de la puesta en diálogo de las fuentes periodísticas de la época que se han conservado, con los testimonios de los actores sociales que participan en la re-creación y significación presente de aquellas prácticas.

Chlorogenic acid biosynthesis appears linked with suberin production in potato tuber (Solanum tuberosum) Valiñas, Matías Ariel; Lanteri, Maria Luciana; Ten Have, Arjen; Andreu, Adriana Balbina Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a good source of dietary antioxidants. Chlorogenic acid (CGA) and caffeic acid (CA) are the most abundant phenolic acid antioxidants in potato and are formed by the phenylpropanoid pathway. A number of CGA biosynthetic routes that involve hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA quinate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (HQT) and/or hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA shikimate/quinate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (HCT) have been proposed, but little is known about their path in potato. CA production requires a caffeoyl shikimate esterase (CSE), and CA serves as a substrate of lignin precursor ferulic acid via the action of caffeic/5-hydroxyferulic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT I). CGA is precursor of caffeoyl-CoA and, via caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase (CCoAOMT), of feruloyl-CoA. Feruloyl-CoA is required for lignin and suberin biosynthesis, crucial for tuber development. Here, metabolite and transcript levels of the mentioned and related enzymes, such as cinnamate 4-hydroxylase (C4H), were determined in the flesh and skin of fresh and stored tubers. Metabolite and transcript levels were higher in skin than in flesh, irrespective of storage. CGA and CA production appear to occur via p-coumaroyl-CoA, using HQT and CSE, respectively. HCT is likely involved in CGA remobilization toward suberin. The strong correlation between CGA and CA, the correspondence with C4H, HQT, CCoAOMT2, and CSE, and the negative correlation of HCT and COMT I in potato tubers suggest a major flux toward suberin.

Charge coupled devices for detection of coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering Fernández Moroni, Guillermo; Estrada, Juan; Paolini, Eduardo Emilio; Cancelo, Gustavo Indalecio Eugenio; Tiffemberg, Javier; Molina, Jorge In this article the feasibility of using charge coupled devices (CCD) to detect low-energy neutrinos through their coherent scattering with nuclei is analyzed. The detection of neutrinos through this standard model process has been elusive because of the small energy deposited in such interaction. Typical particle detectors have thresholds of a few keV, and most of the energy deposition expected from coherent scattering is well below this level. The CCD detectors discussed in this paper can operate at a threshold of approximately 30 eV, making them ideal for observing this signal. On a CCD array of 500 g located next to a power nuclear reactor the number of coherent scattering events expected is about 3000 events/year. Our results shows that a detection with a confidence level of 99% can be reached within 16 days of continuous operation; with the current 52 g detector prototype this time lapse extends to five months.

Alpha-Synuclein Levels in Blood Plasma Decline with Healthy Aging Koehler, Niklas K. U.; Stransky, Elle; Meyer, Mirjam; Gaertner, Susanne; Shing, Mona; Schnaidt, Martina; Celej, Maria Soledad; Jovin, Thomas M.; Leyhe, Thomas; Laske, Christoph ; Batra, Anil; Buchkremer, Gerhard; Fallgatter, Andreas J.; Wernet, Dorothee; Richartz Salzburger, Elke There is unequivocal evidence that alpha-synuclein plays a pivotal pathophysiological role in neurodegenerative diseases, and in particular in synucleinopathies. These disorders present with a variable extent of cognitive impairment and alpha-synuclein is being explored as a biomarker in CSF, blood serum and plasma. Considering key events of aging that include proteostasis, alpha-synuclein may not only be useful as a marker for differential diagnosis but also for aging per se. To explore this hypothesis, we developed a highly specific ELISA to measure alpha-synuclein. In healthy males plasma alpha-synuclein levels correlated strongly with age, revealing much lower concentrations in older (avg. 58.1 years) compared to younger (avg. 27.6 years) individuals. This difference between the age groups was enhanced after acidification of the plasmas (p<0.0001), possibly reflecting a decrease of alpha-synuclein-antibody complexes or chaperone activity in older individuals. Our results support the concept that alpha-synuclein homeostasis may be impaired early on, possibly due to disturbance of the proteostasis network, a key component of healthy aging. Thus, alpha-synuclein may be a novel biomarker of aging, a factor that should be considered when analyzing its presence in biological specimens.

Imagen, texto y artefacto. La fotografía etnográfica del Gran Chaco argentino en publicaciones impresas contemporáneas Reyero, Alejandra Paola Yanina El artículo analiza -en clave hermenéutica- el uso de la fotografía etnográfica de la región argentina del Gran Chaco en los libros Tierra Adentro (2006) y Pobladores del horizonte. Pueblos wichí y chorote hoy (2010). Nuestra hipótesis sostiene que la incorporación de la fotografía etnográfica en el contexto editorial de estas publicaciones abre un espacio de disenso (Rancière, 2011) respecto de los usos y sentidos tradicionales. Las imágenes dejan entrever una participación activa de los retratados en la instancia de captura, y de este modo se alejan de viejos estereotipos de representación. No obstante, las relaciones entre las imágenes y los textos que las acompañan en las publicaciones, reactualiza el exotismo de antaño.

Morgana acts as an oncosuppressor in chronic myeloid leukemia Di Savino, Augusta; Panuzzo, Cristina; Rocca, Stefania; Familiari, Ubaldo; Piazza, Rocco; Crivellaro, Sabrina; Carrà, Giovanna; Ferretti, Roberta; Fusella, Federica; Giugliano, Emilia; Camporeale, Annalisa; Franco, Irene; Miniscalco, Barbara; Cutrin, Juan Carlos; Turco, Emilia; Silengo, Lorenzo; Hirsch, Emilio; Rege Cambrin, Giovanna; Gambacorti Passerin, Carlo; Pandolfi, Pier Paolo; Papotti, Mauro; Saglio, Giuseppe; Tarone, Guido; Morotti, Alessandro; Brancaccio, Mara We recently described morgana as an essential protein able to regulate centrosome du- plication and genomic stability, by inhibiting ROCK. Here we show that morgana 1/2 mice spontaneously develop a lethal myeloproliferative disease resembling human atypical chronic myeloid leukemia (aCML), preceded by ROCK hyperactivation, centrosome am- plification, and cytogenetic abnormalities in the bone marrow (BM). Moreover, we found that morgana is underexpressed in the BM of patients affected by atypical CML, a disorder of poorly understood molecular basis, characterized by nonrecurrent cytogenetic abnormalities. Morgana is also underexpressed in the BM of a portion of patients affected by Philadelphia-positive CML (Ph1 CML) caused by the BCR-ABL oncogene, and in this condition, morgana underexpression predicts a worse response to imatinib, the standard treatment for Ph1 CML. Thus, morgana acts as an oncosuppressor with different modalities: (1) Morgana underexpression induces centrosome amplifi- cation and cytogenetic abnormalities, and (2) in Ph1 CML, it synergizes with BCR-ABL signaling, reducing the efficacy of imatinib treatment. Importantly, ROCK inhibitionin the BM of patients underexpressing morgana restored the efficacy of imatinib to induce apoptosis, suggesting that ROCK inhibitors, combined with imatinib treatment, can overcome suboptimal responses in patients in which morgana is underex- pressed.

A set of ontology design patterns for reengineering SBVR statements into OWL/SWRL ontologies Reynares, Emiliano; Galli, Maria Rosa; Caliusco, Maria Laura The interest in the use of ontologies for creating more intelligent and effective enterprise information systems has increased considerably in recent years. The most critical aspects during the development of these systems are: (1) to identify the ontology concepts and (2) to make explicit the business rules by means of the ontology axioms. In order to address these issues, mappings of business rules expressions to ontology statements based on different languages were proposed. Despite the efforts made in this area, some work remain to be done. This work presents a set of ontology design patterns providing a way to obtain an OWL/SWRL ontology by applying metamodel transformation rules over the SBVR specification of a business domain. Patterns are rooted in the structural specification of the standards, providing a set of mappings readily usable for business people or developers concerned with the implementation of a mapping tool. Moreover, translations from SBVR to SWRL language are presented in order to fill the gap in the expressive power of SBVR and OWL. The theoretical expressions of patterns are illustrated by means of an example depicting the core structure of a fictitious company.

Reproductive biology and energy allocation of the sea star Cosmasterias lurida (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from the Beagle Channel, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina Cossi, Paula Fanny; Boy, Claudia Clementina; Giménez, Juliana; Perez, Analia Fernanda Seasonal fluctuations in environmental factors at high-latitude marine regions have a strong influence on the reproductive cycles of echinoderms. The purposes of this study on a population of Cosmasterias lurida in the Beagle Channel are to describe the reproductive cycle through histological analyses, to characterize the pattern of gonad and somatic indices, to determine the energy content of different organs and their temporal variation and to establish the pattern of energy allocation. During the study period, from August 2010 to June 2011, four seasonal samplings were performed in the subtidal zone of Ushuaia Bay. Indices (gonad, pyloric caeca and stomach), gonadal histology, organic matter and calorimetric measurements were determined. Gametogenesis begins in February and continues until June when oocyte size increases. The gonadal maximum development and gamete releasing take place between August and December. Temporal variation of energetic reserves in gonads occurs through the variation in gonad mass, with a GI major peak and energy content during August. Stomach and pyloric caeca show their maximum energy accumulation during June, while decrease of organic matter of the body wall takes place from August to December. The population of C. lurida from Beagle Channel suggests an annual reproductive cycle with two maturation events and the influence of water temperature on maturation and releasing of gametes. Different patterns of energy allocation to gonads between sexes were observed, with a greater energy investment in females than in males. Pyloric caeca, stomach and body wall were proposed as energy reservoirs for gonadal maturation and spawning.

La inducción de E2F1 y E2F2 en respuesta al daño al ADN preserva la estabilidad genómica en células neuronales; E2F1 and E2F2 induction in response to DNA damage preserves genomic stability in neuronal cells Castillo, Daniela Susana Agentes genotóxicos endógenos y exógenos amenazan continuamente la integridad de la estructura molecular del ADN. Dentro del sistema nervioso, respuestas apropiadas al daño al ADN son requeridas para mantener la homeostasis celular y prevenir enfermedades. Dado que las neuronas maduras son células post-mitóticas altamente diferenciadas que no pueden ser reemplazadas -en su gran mayoría- en caso de trauma o enfermedad, las mismas han seleccionado mecanismos para defender la integridad de su genoma, por ende asegurando su longevidad y funcionalidad de cara a dichas amenazas. Defectos en la respuesta al daño al ADN en células neuronales están comúnmente asociados a neurodegeneración. La identificación de factores neuroprotectores y de supervivencia neuronal es clave para la comprensión de la progresión de desórdenes neurodegenerativos y para el establecimiento de terapias para menguar las consecuencias neurológicas de tales enfermedades. La familia de factores de transcripción E2F fue originalmente involucrada en el desempeño de un rol crítico en el control del ciclo celular. Evidencias han dejado en claro que -dado a su plasticidad funcional- estos factores participan en la regulación de una plétora de procesos biológicos, que incluyen la respuesta celular al daño al ADN. El principal objetivo de este trabajo consistió en estudiar la participación de los miembros de la familia de factores de transcripción E2F en el mantenimiento de la integridad genómica en células neuronales, y evaluar su potencial papel como factores neuroprotectores.En esta tesis se demostró que E2F1 y E2F2, el último específicamente en células neuronales, son inducidos transcripcionalmente en respuesta al daño al ADN. Este mecanismo novedoso, el cual es común a la respuesta a diversos agentes genotóxicos y el cual se encuentra conservado en distintas especies, contribuye al incremento de los niveles proteicos de E2F1 y E2F2 como consecuencia de síntesis proteica de novo. Asimismo, se observó que E2F2 es estabilizado tempranamente por un mecanismo post-traduccional luego de injuria genotóxica al igual que fue reportado previamente para E2F1. Por lo tanto, existen dos mecanismos consecutivos en el tiempo que conducen al aumento de E2F1 y E2F2 luego de daño al ADN: la estabilización proteica por modificaciones post-traduccionales de la proteína E2F ya sintetizada, seguida de la inducción transcripcional del gen E2F y la consecuente síntesis proteica de novo. De esta manera, los factores E2F1 y E2F2 inducidos por daño al ADN contribuyen al mantenimiento de la integridad genómica y a la resistencia a la injuria genotóxica al promover la reparación del ADN, conllevando a una reducida respuesta apoptótica y a una incrementada supervivencia celular. Dichas respuestas las llevan a cabo al ejercer dos papeles diferentes. Primero, mediante un rol transcripcional que implica la expresión de genes que favorecen la supervivencia en respuesta al daño al ADN. Segundo, a través de un rol no-transcripcional, localizándose en sitios de lesión al ADN y promoviendo el reclutamiento de factores de reparación y proteínas remodeladoras de la cromatina.En resumen, las evidencias presentadas en este trabajo establecen a E2F1 y E2F2 como factores neuroprotectores implicados en el mantenimiento de la estabilidad genómica en células neuronales en respuesta a injuria genotóxica. Es importante enfatizar que se demostró por primera vez que E2F2 es inducido por estrés genotóxico y que cumple un rol crítico en la respuesta al daño al ADN.; Endogenous and exogenous genotoxic agents continuously threat the integrity of the molecular structure of DNA. Within the nervous system, appropriate responses to DNA damage are required to maintain cellular homeostasis and prevent disease. Since mature neurons are highly differentiated post-mitotic cells that cannot entirely be replaced after disease or trauma, they have evolved mechanisms to defend their genome integrity, hence ensuring their longevity and functionality in the face of these threats. Defects in the DNA damage response in neurons are commonly associated to neurodegeneration. The identification of neuroprotective and prosurvival factors is key to the understanding of neurodegenerative disorders progression and the establishment of therapies to ameliorate the neurological consequences of these diseases. The E2F family of transcription factors was originally described to play a pivotal role in cell cycle control. It has become clear that –due to their functional plasticity– they participate in the regulation of a plethora of biological processes, including the cellular response to DNA damage. The main aim of the present study consisted in studying the participation of the members of the E2F family of transcripction factors in the maintenance of genomic integrity in neuronal cells, and to evaluate their potential role as neuroprotective factors. In this thesis it was shown that E2F1 and E2F2, the latter specifically in neuronal cells, are transcriptionally induced in response to DNA damage. This novel mechanism, which is general to the response to different genotoxic agents and is conserved amongst diverse species, leads to increased E2F1 and E2F2 protein levels as a consequence of de novo protein synthesis. Besides, it was demonstrated that E2F2 is early stabilized by a posttranslational mechanism upon genotoxic injury as it was previously reported for E2F1. Therefore, there are two consecutive mechanisms that lead to the upregulation of E2F1 and E2F2 following DNA damage: the posttranslational modifications of the already synthesized E2F and consequent protein stabilization, followed by E2F transcriptional gene induction and de novo protein synthesis. The resulting E2F1 and E2F2 act to promote DNA repair, leading to a reduced apoptotic response and an increased cell survival capability, thereby conferring resistance to genotoxic insult and cooperating in the maintenance of the genome integrity. These responses are performed by E2F1 and E2F2 through two different roles. First, a transcriptional function involving the expression of prosurvival genes in response to DNA damage. Second, a nontranscriptional role in which these E2Fs localize to sites of DNA lesion upon genotoxic stress, and promote the recruitment of DNA repair factors and chromatin modifying enzymes. In summary, the evidence presented in this work establishes E2F1 and E2F2 as neuroprotective factors implicated in the maintenance of genomic stability in neuronal cells in response to genotoxic injury. It should be emphasized that it was shown for the first time that E2F2 is upregulated following genotoxic stress and plays a critical role in the DNA damage response.

Thermoplastic starch plasticized with alginate-glycerol mixtures:Melt-processing evaluation and film properties Lopez, Olivia Valeria; Ninago, Mario Daniel; Lencina, María Malvina Soledad; García, Maria Alejandra; Andreucetti, Noemi Amalia; Ciolino, Andrés Eduardo; Villar, Marcelo Armando Corn starch melt-processing in the presence of a commonly used plasticizer mixture (water/glycerol)and a non-conventional alternative (alginate/glycerol) was evaluated. All assayed formulations weresuccessfully processed by melt-mixing and injected in circular probes. It was determined that all samples presented a typical viscoelastic behavior, observing a decrease in storage and loss modulus withwater and alginate concentration, which facilitated samples processability. Concerning to thermal sta-bility, it was not affected neither for water nor alginate presence. From injected probes, flexible filmswere obtained by thermo-compression. Films with the highest assayed water content presented a stickyappearance, whereas those containing alginate were non-tacky. Plasticizing action of water and alginatewas evidenced by the occurrence of homogeneous fracture surfaces, without the presence of unmeltedstarch granules. Besides, the shift of glass transition temperature to lower values also corroborated theplasticizing effect of both additives. In conclusion, obtained results demonstrated the well-plasticizingaction of sodium alginate on starch matrix, turning this additive into a promissory alternative to replacewater during melt-processing of thermoplastic corn-starch.

Evaluación de respuesta sísmica de estructuras masivas fundadas superficialmente Trono, Adriano; Pinto, Federico; Prato, Carlos Alberto La Central Nuclear de embalse se encuentra actualmente en proceso de renovación de licencia operativa, por lo que se requiere la disposición de material irradiado en estructuras de almacenamiento denominadas Retube Canisters. Estas estructuras masivas se encuentran fundadas superficialmente, siendo el evento controlante el sismo de diseño establecido mediante un estudio probabilístico realizado para el sitio de emplazamiento. Las demandas sísmicas son caracterizadas mediante un espectro de riesgo uniforme a nivel de afloramiento rocoso. De esta manera, la verificación sísmica considera la amplificación del depósito de suelos y la interacción dinámica suelo estructura. Se realizan dos tipos de análisis de respuesta estructural: análisis de integración en el tiempo y método modal espectral. El análisis de integración en el tiempo considera acelerogramas reales escalados mediante componentes sintéticas para el ajuste espectral, mientras que la superposición espectral se realiza considerando modos complejos obtenidos mediante la formulación en espacio de estado desarrollada por Villaverde y Newmark y mediante modos reales considerando el concepto de amortiguamiento equivalente propuesto por Biggs y Roesset. El presente trabajo describe la aplicación de los distintos métodos de análisis y realiza una evaluación crítica de los resultados obtenidos en relación a las demandas de diseño.; The Embalse Nuclear Power Plant is currently undergoing a license extension process, for which irradiated materials to be discarded are to be disposed of at large storage structures, referred to as Retube Canisters. These massive structures bear on foundation slabs, the controlling design event being a design earthquake, defined by means of a site-specific Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment. The seismic demands are defined in terms of a Uniform Hazard Spectrum at an equivalent rock outcrop. Hence, the seismic verification considers the amplification of the soil deposit, as well as the dynamic soil-structure interaction. Two types of analyses are performed: time integration and spectral superposition. The time integration analysis considers seismic records scaled by means of synthetic components in order to match the design spectrum, whereas the modal superposition considers complex modes derived by means of the space-state formulation developed by Villaverde and Newmark and by means of undamped modes considering the concept of equivalent damping proposed by Biggs and Roesset. The paper describes the application of the different techniques and performs a comparison of the foundation demands obtained.

Evaluation of pH-sensitive poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate) copolymers as drug delivery systems for potential applications in ophthalmic therapies Faccia, Paula Andrea; Pardini, Francisco Martín; Amalvy, Javier Smart polymers like pH sensitive systems can improve different pharmacological treatment. In this work the behavior of copolymers containing 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) with different proportions of 2-(diisopropylamino) ethyl methacrylate (DPA) and different amounts of cross-linker agent, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) are evaluated as pH-sensitive drug delivery systems for potential application in ophthalmic therapies. A detailed characterization of the pH-responsive behavior was performed by swelling studies and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Drug loading and release studies at different pH values were evaluated using Rhodamine 6G (Rh6G) as a model drug. The interaction between Rh6G and hydrogels was studied by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that the presence of DPA in the copolymers confers pH-responsive properties to the polymer, as noted in swelling and SEM studies, when the pH decreases below 7.40 the swelling degree increases and a porous morphology is observed. The apparent pKa of copolymers was estimated between 6.80 and 7.17 depending on the composition. The amount of Rh6G loaded depends mainly on the medium pH and the interaction between the drug and the copolymers, observed by SEM and FTIR spectrum. The release of Rh6G of copolymers p(HEMA/DPA) show a normal Fickian or anomalous diffusion behavior at different pH values, depending on the HEMA/DPA ratio.

Quantifying higher-order correlations in a neuronal pool Montangie, Lisandro; Montani, Fernando Fabián Recent experiments involving a relatively large population of neurons have shown a very significant amount of higher-order correlations. However, little is known of how these affect the integration and firing behavior of a population of neurons beyond the second order statistics. To investigate how higher-order inputs statistics can shape beyond pairwise spike correlations and affect information coding in the brain, we consider a neuronal pool where each neuron fires stochastically. We develop a simple mathematically tractable model that makes it feasible to account for higher-order spike correlations in a neuronal pool with highly interconnected common inputs beyond second order statistics. In our model, correlations between neurons appear from q-Gaussian inputs into threshold neurons. The approach constitutes the natural extension of the Dichotomized Gaussian model, where the inputs to the model are just Gaussian distributed and therefore have no input interactions beyond second order. We obtain an exact analytical expression for the joint distribution of firing, quantifying the degree of higher-order spike correlations, truly emphasizing the functional aspects of higher-order statistics, as we account for beyond second order inputs correlations seen by each neuron within the pool. We determine how higher-order correlations depend on the interaction structure of the input, showing that the joint distribution of firing is skewed as the parameter q increases inducing larger excursions of synchronized spikes. We show how input nonlinearities can shape higher-order correlations and enhance coding performance by neural populations.

La familia Cactaceae en Argentina: patrones de diversidad y prioridades políticas para su conservación; The Cactaceae family in Argentina: diversity patterns and political priorities for their conservation Ortega Baes, Francisco Pablo; Godinez Álvarez, Héctor; Sajama, Modesto Jesus; Gorostiague, Pablo; Sühring, Silvia Susana; Galíndez, Guadalupe; Bravo, Silvia Alejandra; Lopez Spahr, Diego; Alonso Pedano, Mariana Inés; Lindow López, Lucía Teresa; Barrionuevo, Andrea Mariel; Sosa, Cecilia Ines; Curti, Ramiro Nestor; Juárez, Alejandra En este trabajo se utilizó la riqueza de especies y el endemismo de las especies de cactáceas argentinas para seleccionar las provincias con la mayor prioridad para la conservación de esta familia de plantas en el país. Además, se evaluó el papel de la diversidad de cactáceas como sustitutos de la diversidad de plantas dicotiledóneas de Argentina. La riqueza de especies (número de especies) y el endemismo (número de especies endémicas) fueron determinadas para cada una de las 24 provincias de Argentina. Un total de 15 provincias fueron seleccionadas como prioritarias con base en todas las especies de cactáceas y 14 con base en las especies endémicas. La provincia de Salta presenta la mayor riqueza de especies y endemismo. Las especies endémicas son un buen sustituto de la diversidad de cactáceas. De igual manera, las cactáceas son un buen sustituto de la diversidad de las plantas dicotiledóneas.; The Cactaceae family in Argentina: diversity patterns and political priorities for their conservation. In this paper we used species richness and endemism of Argentine cacti to select those provinces with highest priority for the conservation of this plant family in the country. The role of cactus diversity as a surrogate for dicot diversity was further analyzed. Species richness (number of species) and endemism (number of endemic species) were determined for each of the 24 provinces of Argentina. Fifteen provinces were selected as priority based on the number of species and 14 provinces were selected based on the number of endemic species. Salta province presents the highest species richness and endemism. Endemic species are a good surrogate for cactus diversity. Similarly, cactus diversity is a good surrogate for dicot diversity.

Calix[4]arene amine modified silica: From fundamentals to new recyclable materials for the removal of chlorophenoxy acids from water Danil De Namor, Angela F.; Zvietcovich Guerra, Jorge A.; Villanueva Salas, Jose A.; Piro, Oscar Enrique; Webb, Oliver A.; El Gamouz, Abdelaziz; Hamdan, Weam Abou; Castellano, Eduardo E. Two molecular receptors based on calix[4]arenes and their interaction with chlorophenoxy acid herbicides in solution and in the solid state have been investigated. From 1H NMR studies it is shown that the conformational changes of the receptor are directly related to the acid strength of the herbicide. Conductance data show that the interaction takes place through a proton transfer reaction from the herbicide to the receptor. This is also reflected in the solid state (X-ray crystallography). Based on these fundamental studies, these receptors were immobilised by grafting them into a silica based solid support. The extracting properties of calix[4]arene modified silica for these pollutants were investigated as a function of the pH of the aqueous solution and the capacities of these materials to remove these pollutants are reported. Titration calorimetry is for the first time explored to determine the factors (kinetics, mass/solution ratio and temperature) contributing to the optimal removal of herbicides from water. These materials can be easily recycled via a pH switching mechanism. After several recycling processes the extraction capacity of these materials remains at the level of 80-90% of the original value.

Palaeoenvironmental scenarios and lithic technology of the first human occupations in the Argentine Dry Puna Hoguin, Rodolphe; Oxman, Brenda The aim of this research is to contribute to the discussion of environmental scenarios and evaluate in this context lithic technical strategies developed by hunter-gatherer groups during the process of settlement of the area. The Andean paleoenvironmental knowledge supports the view that during the early Holocene (10,500-8000 14CBP, uncal.) the environmental conditions were more humid than at present, which would have produced both an extension of wetlands and an expansion of Andean grassland. However, the results of pollen analysis in this locality show that these changes were not synchronous. Certain localities may have retained humid conditions ca. 700014CB.P according to the Pastos Chicos record and 760014CB.P in the Lapao record. Thus, the reduction of the distance between the productive patches would have favored a strategy of highly mobile small groups of hunter-gatherers, allowing the supply of raw materials from long distances, and favoring individual learning, a flexible operational chain, and low technical investment. The Early Holocene is very heterogeneous with numerous environmental and technological changes.

Is sensory-specific satiety for a bitter-sweet infusion modulated by context? Garcia Burgos, David; Secchiari, Florencia; Calviño, Amalia Mirta The sensory-affective attributes of beverages have an important influence on a given intake and successive consumptions because of sensory-specific satiety (SSS; defined as a decrease in pleasantness ratings of a food eaten relative to uneaten foods). No studies have, however, investigated how multiple sessions of SSS for familiar drinks over a period of several days up to a week may change their pleasantness and how these hedonic-related judgments are affected by the context during SSS testing. With twenty-six participants, the present study explored the medium lasting and contextual effects of repeated SSS sessions for a bitter-sweet infusion on olfactory and flavour pleasantness over the course of three exposures in either a laboratory or a cafeteria setting. The results showed olfactory and flavour SSS for the infusion following each consumption in both the artificial and the natural setting. More interestingly, despite the failure to detect medium-term SSS (i.e., a greater decrease in pleasantness ratings of a food eaten relative to uneaten foods after repeated SSS sessions over several days as compared to the first SSS session), a contextual modulation of olfactory SSS was observed with a lesser overall magnitude in the cafeteria compared to the laboratory setting. To the best of our knowledge, the impact of eating location on the development of satiation and the differential contextual sensitivity of SSS for orthonasal odours and flavours has not been reported previously. The implications of potential environmental control of SSS are considered in this study.