Relational databases as a massive information source for defeasible argumentation Deagustini, Cristhian Ariel David; Fulladoza Dalibón, Santiago Emanuel; Gottifredi, Sebastián; Falappa, Marcelo Alejandro; Chesñevar, Carlos Iván; Simari, Guillermo Ricardo Argumentation provides a sophisticated yet powerful mechanism for the formalization of commonsense reasoning in knowledge-based systems, with application in many areas of Artificial Intelligence. Nowadays, most argumentation systems build their arguments on the basis of a single, fixed knowledge base, often under the form of a logic program as in Defeasible Logic Programming or in Assumption-Based Argumentation. Currently, adding new information to such programs requires a manual encoding, which is not feasible for many real-world environments which involve large amounts of data, usually conceptualized as relational databases. This paper presents a novel approach to compute arguments from premises obtained from relational databases, identifying several relevant aspects. In our setting, different databases can be updated by external, independent applications, leading to changes in the spectrum of available arguments. We present algorithms for integrating a database management system with an argument-based inference engine. Empirical results and running-time analysis associated with our approach show that it provides a powerful alternative for efficiently achieving massive argumentation, taking advantage of modern DBMS technologies. We contend that our proposal is significant for developing new architectures for knowledge-based applications, such as Decision Support Systems and Recommender Systems, using argumentation as the underlying inference model.

Mode I stress intensity factor for cracked thin-walled composite beams Dotti, Franco Ezequiel; Cortínez, Víctor Hugo; Reguera, Florencia In this paper, we present an analytical method to determine the mode I stress intensity factor for thin-walled beams made of laminated composites. The technique relies on the concept of crack surface widening energy release rate, which is expressed in terms of the G* integral and thin-walled beam theory. In the vicinity of the crack tip, a solution of the G* integral is obtained employing stress and displacement fields derived for materials with general orthotropy. The effect of warping is taken into account. This is a common feature in thin-walled beams which cannot be neglected, especially when flexural-torsional loads are present.The model shows a good agreement with finite element results. It is shown that, although the approaches developed for isotropic materials may be useful in the treatment of orthotropic problems, they may not yield good results for some typical lamination sequences.

Evaluation of biofilm-forming capacity of Moraxella bovis, the primary causative agent of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis Prieto, Claudia Inés; Serra, Diego Omar; Martina, Pablo F.; Jacobs, Melisa; Bosch, María Alejandra; Yantorno, Osvaldo Miguel The difficulties in preventing and treating infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) and the consequent impact on the cattle industry worldwide emphasize the need to better understand this infectious process along with the biology of Moraxella bovis, its primary causative agent. Although there is increasing evidence that bacterial biofilms participate in a variety of ocular infections by direct biofilm formation on the surfaces of the eye, IBK has not been considered as a biofilm-based disease so far, and even more, no information is currently available regarding the ability of M. bovis to adopt a biofilm lifestyle. In the present research, we demonstrated the capacity of M. bovis clinical isolates and reference strains to form biofilms on different abiotic surfaces and culture conditions, and provided qualitative and quantitative information on the biofilm growth and architecture of mature biofilms. In addition, our data indicated that the type IV pili play a critical role in the biofilm formation in vitro. Most significantly, we proved that through exposure to MgCl2 type IV pili are removed from the cell surface, not only preventing M. bovis biofilm formation but also disassembling preformed biofilms. These results could constitute a new approach in the understanding of M. bovis colonization process in cattle eye and/or nasal cavity, and may aid in the development of future antimicrobial strategies for the control of IBK. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

La importancia de la aplicación de las buenas prácticas agrícolas y del Derecho Ambiental en el recurso del agua Minaverry, Clara María; Gally de Minaverry, Teresa Adela La creciente implementación de sistemas para el control, el aseguramiento, o la planificación de calidad evidencian que ésta se ha convertido en un arma competitiva de importancia para las organizaciones modernas.

SEPT10 expression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Correlation with clinical and biological prognostic factors Travella, Ana Carolina; Panero, Julieta; Stanganelli, Carmen Graciela; Bezares, Raimundo F.; Slavutsky, Irma Rosa Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by a highly variable clinical course. Microarray studies allowed highlight genes differentially expressed in this pathology. In this study, we have evaluated the prognostic significance of SEPT10 expression in CLL patients. Results were correlated with immunoglobulin heavy-chain variable (IGHV) genes mutational status, genomic rearrangements and clinical parameters. SEPT10 mRNA levels were determined by quantitative real-time PCR in 70 newly diagnosed CLL patients consecutively referred to our Institution. A wide heterogeneity for SEPT10 expression was found. Gene upregulation was observed in 18.5% of cases. The univariate analysis showed a positive association between gen expression and platelet count (p < 0.0001) and a negative correlation with hemoglobin levels (p = 0.0094). Although no significant differences were observed, mean treatment free survival was shorter in patients with high expression (31 months) with respect to those with low mRNA levels (72 months). Cases with abnormal karyotypes had increased expression compared to those with normal karyotypes and no association between gene expression and FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) risk groups and IGHV mutational status was found. Cases using IGHV3-23 gene rearrangement had low SEPT10 expression. Our results showed an association between SEPT10 expression and features of adverse outcome but without independent prognostic value. The study of SEPT10 expression may be important for a better understanding of disease heterogeneity, adding further information to those provided by established prognostic factors.

Supermartensitic stainless steel deposits: shielding gas and post-weld heat treatment: detailed are the results as CO2 content in the shielding gas increased, plus the postweld heat treatment utilized in this work Zappa Maidana, Norberto Sebastián; Svoboda, Hernán Gabriel; Surian, Estela Silvia Welding supermartensitic stainless steel plays a crucial role in structural components, influencing their toughness and resistance to sulfide stress cracking. Postweld heat treatment (PWHT) adjusts the final properties of the weldments, bearing on microstructural evolution. The objective of this work was to study the effects of different shielding gas mixtures and PWHT on supermartensitic stainless steel allweld-metal properties. Three all-weld-metal test coupons were prepared according to standard ANSI/AWS A5.22:95, Specification for Stainless Steel Electrodes for Flux Cored Arc Welding and Stainless Steel Flux Cored Rods for Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, using a 1.2-mm-diameter tubular, metal-cored wire under Ar-5% He, Ar-2% CO2, and Ar-18% CO2 gas shielding mixtures in the flat position with a nominal heat input of 1 kJ mm–1. The PWHT used was 650°C for 15 min. All-weld metal chemical composition analysis, metallurgical characterization, hardness and tensile property measurements, and Charpy V-notch tests were carried out. It was found that as CO2 increased in the shielding gas C, O, and N contents increased as well as mechanical properties varied; hardness and ultimate tensile strength increased, and toughness decreased. The PWHT improved toughness. Technological property of the consumable was also studied.

La transmisión textual de la traducción de la Divina Comedia (1515): ¿del impreso al manuscrito?; The textual transmission of the Castilian translation of the Divine Comedy (1515): From print to manuscript? Hamlin, Cinthia Maria El texto de la primera traducción impresa de la Divina Comedia (Burgos, 1515) se conserva sólo en un manuscrito (HSA, B2183), considerado hasta ahora el texto de base que se usó en la imprenta. Este tema ha sido poco discutido, tal vez por la falta de un estudio minucioso que aborde el manuscrito y los problemas de su transmisión textual. En el presente trabajo, intentaremos problematizar la relación de filiación que se ha dado por sentada entre el testimonio manuscrito y el impreso, a través de un cotejo que se enfocará especialmente en los versos enmendados y en las variantes tanto léxicas como sintagmáticas.

Onset of deep drainage and salt mobilization following forest clearing and cultivation in the Chaco plains (Argentina) Amdam, Laura; Aragón, Myriam Roxana; Jobbagy Gampel, Esteban Gabriel; Volante, Jose; Paruelo, José Semiarid sedimentary plains occupied by dry forest ecosystems often display low groundwater recharge rates and accumulation of salts in the soil profile. The transformation of these natural systems to rain-fed agriculture has led to raising water tables and a slow, but steady, process of groundwater and soil salinization in vast areas of Australia. In the semiarid plains of Chaco (central South America), unprecedented deforestation rates are taken place. Based on deep soil sampling (0–6 m) in seven paired stands under natural dry forest, rain-fed agriculture and pasture, with different age of clearance (>30 years, 20 and 3 years) in Salta, Argentina, we provide evidence of groundwater recharge increase and onset of salt mobilization in areas where forests were replaced by annual croplands. Soils with higher water and lower chloride content are evidence of deep percolation and salt leaching. In Salta, stands subject to 30 years of rain-fed cultivation had profiles with 30–46% higher moisture content and 94% lower chloride stocks compared to dry forest (0.05 6 0.04 kg/m2 versus 0.77 6 0.4 kg/m2 ). Estimates of groundwater recharge based on the displacement of chloride peaks suggested values of 27–87 mm yr1 for agricultural soybean stands, and 10.4 mm yr1 for pastures. While hydrological shifts in the regional groundwater system are poorly monitored and understood, our findings show that it is potentially sensitive to land use changes and to salinization processes.

Environmental Activism: relationship with psycho-social and psycho-political variables among activists and non-activists from Argentina; Activismo ambiental: relación con variables psicosociales y psicopolíticas en activistas y no activistas de Argentina Imhoff, Débora Soledad; Gariglio, Cecilia; Ponce, Valeria; Diaz, Bruno; Pilatti, Angelina This work is framed within the field of Political and Environmental Psychology. It aimed to analyse environmental activism as a pro-environmental behaviour and as a type of political participation within socio-environmental organizations. Specifically, it was interesting to analyse the differences between a group of activists and a group of non-activists in terms of certain psycho-social (environmental risk perception, environmental concern, social values and knowledge about environmental problems) and psycho-political variables (individual political participation and political ideology). 401 young and adult citizens from the city of Córdoba (Argentina) participated in the study (54.6% female), of which 86.3% were non-activists. In order to achieve the goals of our research, we carried out a correlational study. With a view to finding possible differences between the activist and non-activist groups we applied an ANOVA and a Chi Square analysis to the psycho-social and psycho-political variables. Results show differential psycho-social and psycho-political profiles between activists and non-activists.; El trabajo se enmarca dentro del campo de la Psicología Política y la Psicología Ambiental. Tuvo como objetivo analizar el activismo ambiental como comportamiento proambiental y forma de participación política en el marco de organizaciones socioambientales. Puntualmente, interesó analizar diferencias entre un grupo de activistas y uno de no activistas en función de variables psicosociales (percepción de riesgo ambiental, preocupación ambiental, actitudes ambientales, valores sociales y conocimiento sobre problemáticas ambientales) y psicopolíticas (participación política individual e ideología política). Participaron 401 jóvenes y adultos (54,6% mujeres) de la ciudad de Córdoba (Argentina), de los cuales el 86.3% eran no activistas. Para alcanzar los objetivos propuestos se optó por un esquema de investigación correlacional. Así, para valorar la existencia de posibles diferencias entre los grupos de activistas y no activistas se aplicó un análisis de varianza y el estadístico Chi cuadrado sobre los indicadores de variables psicosociales y psicopolíticas involucradas. Los resultados permitieron corroborar perfiles psico-sociales y psico-políticos diferenciales entre activistas y no activistas.

Los aniversarios del 24 de marzo en Clarín: de la celebración al amargo recuerdo (1977-1983) Iturralde, Micaela Los medios de comunicación masiva ocupan un lugar destacado en nuestras sociedades. Como productores y difusores de determinadas representaciones acerca del presente y del pasado, intervienen en el espacio público, en tanto actores centrales en las dinámicas de poder. En los conflictos entre interpretaciones del pasado que emergen de los procesos de construcción social de la memoria colectiva, consideramos que los medios de comunicación, lejos de ser un mero registro neutral de memorias en pugna, constituyen productores de primer orden que participan en la elaboración, legitimación y puesta en circulación de algunos relatos sobre otros. Partiendo de dicha premisa, el presente trabajo se propone revisar algunos aspectos de la relación entre medios de comunicación y memoria, a partir del análisis del tratamiento otorgado por el diario Clarín en sus editoriales a los aniversarios del golpe de Estado del 24 de marzo de 1976, y de los cambios en el modo en que el diario “conmemoró” esa fecha entre 1977 y 1983. Se considera que la acción narradora de este medio de prensa le permitió elaborar interpretaciones del acontecimiento que se modificaron en función de la coyuntura en la que se insertaba el aniversario, las relaciones entre el matutino y las autoridades castrenses, y la necesidad de mantener el contrato de lectura con sus lectores.

Ver/saber: una reflexión sobre la construcción de conocimiento a partir del trabajo con imágenes en la formación docente; To see / To know: a reflection on the construction of knowledge through images in teacher training Palmero, Paula Mariana El presente artículo pretende aportar algunas pistas respecto de las particularidades que adquiere el trabajo con la producción audiovisual en los procesos de formación de docente. En la primera parte se desarrollan algunos conceptos teóricos que se retoman luego para abordar el análisis de los Diseños Curriculares para el Profesorado de Educación Primaria de la Provincia de Córdoba. Posteriormente, se revisa un conjunto de propuestas áulicas producidas por docentes en Trayectos de Acompañamiento curricular sobre la temática en Institutos de Formación Docente de la provincia de Córdoba. A partir de esta aproximación se propone una reflexión final respecto del trabajo con imágenes en los procesos de formación docente ponderando las potencialidades y poniendo en tensión la compleja relación entre el ver y el saber.; This paper aims to provide some clues regarding the particularities that working with audiovisual production acquires in teacher training. In the first part, the article develops theoretical concepts which address the analysis of curricular designs for teachers of elementary education in the province of Córdoba. Subsequently, it revises a set of proposals produced by teachers taking part in a program of curriculum development on the subject in institutes of teacher training in the province of Cordoba. Finally, we propose a final reflection on the work with images in teacher training process, measuring its potential and putting in tension the complex relationship between seeing and knowing.

De novo assembly and characterization of leaf transcriptome for the development of functional molecular markers of the extremophile multipurpose tree species Prosopis alba Torales, Susana; Rivarola, Maximo Lisandro; Pomponio, María Florencia; González, Sergio Alberto; Acuña, Cintia Vanesa; Fernández, Paula del Carmen; López Lauenstein, Diego; Verga, Aníbal Ramón; Hopp, Horacio Esteban; Paniego, Norma Beatriz; Marcucci Poltri, Susana Noemí Background: Prosopis alba (Fabaceae) is an important native tree adapted to arid and semiarid regions of north-western Argentina which is of great value as multipurpose species. Despite its importance, the genomic resources currently available for the entire Prosopis genus are still limited. Here we describe the development of a leaf transcriptome and the identification of new molecular markers that could support functional genetic studies in natural and domesticated populations of this genus. Results: Next generation DNA pyrosequencing technology applied to P. alba transcripts produced a total of 1,103,231 raw reads with an average length of 421 bp. De novo assembling generated a set of 15,814 isotigs and 71,101 non-assembled sequences (singletons) with an average of 991 bp and 288 bp respectively. A total of 39,000 unique singletons were identified after clustering natural and artificial duplicates from pyrosequencing reads. Regarding the non-redundant sequences or unigenes, 22,095 out of 54,814 were successfully annotated with Gene Ontology terms. Moreover, simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were searched, resulting in 5,992 and 6,236 markers, respectively, throughout the genome. For the validation of the the predicted SSR markers, a subset of 87 SSRs selected through functional annotation evidence was successfully amplified from six DNA samples of seedlings. From this analysis, 11 of these 87 SSRs were identified as polymorphic. Additionally, another set of 123 nuclear polymorphic SSRs were determined in silico, of which 50% have the probability of being effectively polymorphic. Conclusions: This study generated a successful global analysis of the P. alba leaf transcriptome after bioinformatic and wet laboratory validations of RNA-Seq data. The limited set of molecular markers currently available will be significantly increased with the thousands of new markers that were identified in this study. This information will strongly contribute to genomics resources for P. alba functional analysis and genetics. Finally, it will also potentially contribute to the development of population-based genome studies in the genera.

Massive depletion of bovine leukemia virus proviral clones located in genomic transcriptionally active sites during primary infection Gillet, Nicolas A.; Gutiérrez, Gerónimo; Rodriguez, Sabrina M.; de Brogniez, Alix; Renotte, Nathelie; Alvarez, Irene; Trono, Karina Gabriela; Willems, Luc Deltaretroviruses such as human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) and bovine leukemia virus (BLV) induce a persistent infection that remains generally asymptomatic but can also lead to leukemia or lymphoma. These viruses replicate by infecting new lymphocytes (i.e. the infectious cycle) or via clonal expansion of the infected cells (mitotic cycle). The relative importance of these two cycles in viral replication varies during infection. The majority of infected clones are created early before the onset of an efficient immune response. Later on, the main replication route is mitotic expansion of pre-existing infected clones. Due to the paucity of available samples and for ethical reasons, only scarce data is available on early infection by HTLV-1. Therefore, we addressed this question in a comparative BLV model. We used high-throughput sequencing to map and quantify the insertion sites of the provirus in order to monitor the clonality of the BLV-infected cells population (i.e. the number of distinct clones and abundance of each clone). We found that BLV propagation shifts from cell neoinfection to clonal proliferation in about 2 months from inoculation. Initially, BLV proviral integration significantly favors transcribed regions of the genome. Negative selection then eliminates 97% of the clones detected at seroconversion and disfavors BLV-infected cells carrying a provirus located close to a promoter or a gene. Nevertheless, among the surviving proviruses, clone abundance positively correlates with proximity of the provirus to a transcribed region. Two opposite forces thus operate during primary infection and dictate the fate of long term clonal composition: (1) initial integration inside genes or promoters and (2) host negative selection disfavoring proviruses located next to transcribed regions. The result of this initial response will contribute to the proviral load set point value as clonal abundance will benefit from carrying a provirus in transcribed regions.

A lattice gas of prime numbers and the Riemann Hypothesis Vericat, Fernando In recent years, there has been some interest in applying ideas and methods taken from Physics in order to approach several challenging mathematical problems, particularly the Riemann Hypothesis. Most of these kinds of contributions are suggested by some quantum statistical physics problems or by questions originated in chaos theory. In this article, we show that the real part of the non-trivial zeros of the Riemann zeta function extremizes the grand potential corresponding to a simple model of one-dimensional classical lattice gas, the critical point being located at 1/2 as the Riemann Hypothesis claims.

Determination of hydration properties and thermal behavior of Paecilomyces variotii by differential scanning calorimetry Canel, Romina Soledad; Ludemann, Vanesa; De la Osa, O.; Wagner, Jorge Ricardo Due to the structure and the composition of Paecilomyces variotii, the mycelia of this fungus could have potential applications as ingredients in wettable foods. For this use, drying could be employed, justifying the study of thermal behavior of P. variotii. The objectives of this work were to perform a study of thermal behavior of P. variotii isolates, to evaluate the hydration properties of these mycelia and to analyze the effect of different technological parameters on the latter properties. Wet cultures exhibited a wide endothermic transition, with mean values of peak temperature of 61°C and denaturation enthalpy of 4 J/g dry matter. Ini tial (50°C) and final (80°C) temperatures of the endothermic transition were used to dry the mycelia. Freeze drying was also assayed. For all dried mycelia, a decrease in denaturation enthalpy between 40 and 50% was observed for drying at 50°C and freezedrying, and a drastic decrease of almost 100% for drying at 80°C. According to the hydration properties, wet mycelia exhibited water holding capacity (WHC) value of 45 g water/g dry matter. Significant differences among dried mycelia, resulting WHC values in order: 50°C > freezedried > 80°C (p < 0.05) were revealed for each P. variotii strain. Fungi obtained by drying at 50 C and by freezedrying, showed a rapid water absorption (t1/2 < 0.1 min). Ionic strength, pH and particle size of dried mycelia influenced the hydration properties.

Estacionalidad reproductiva en animales domésticos. nuevas perspectivas en el gato (Felis silvestris catus); Seasonality of reproduction in domestic animals: new perspectives in domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) Nuñez Favre, Romina de Los Angeles; Bonaura, María Candela; García Mitacek, María Carla; Stornelli, María Cecilia; Stornelli, María Alejandra; de la Sota, Rodolfo Luzbel Algunas especies de animales como los pequeños rumiantes y algunos roedores presentan un período de reposo sexual estacional de duración e intensidad variable. Esta estacionalidad está directamente relacionada con las horas luz diarias (fotoperiodo) a las que se hallan sometidos los animales y se evidencia en las localizaciones geográficas en las que existen marcadas variaciones en la duración del día durante el año. En el caso de los pequeños rumiantes, ambos sexos tienen una actividad sexual mínima en primavera-verano y máxima en otoño-invierno. En el felino doméstico (Felis silvestris catus) la estacionalidad ovulatoria y estral de la hembra se halla bien documentada y ocurre durante los días que presentan más de 12 horas de luz (primavera-verano). Sin embargo la estacionalidad reproductiva del gato ha sido definida recientemente. El presente trabajo tiene como finalidad revisar los estudios existentes en relación a la influencia del fotoperiodo natural y manejo artificial del mismo sobre la actividad reproductiva en diferentes especies con especial énfasis en el gato doméstico.; Some domestic and wild animals have seasonal reproduction performance due to photoperiod. This seasonality is observed in geographic locations where large differences between hours of light during the year are present and occurs as an adaptation to annual changes in the habitat. Small ruminants have sexual activity during fall and winter ceasing during spring and summer. In the domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus) the queen has ovarian activity during the long days of spring and summer (> 12 h light) ceasing during short days of fall and winter. However, seasonality in the male has been recently defined. The aim of this study was to present a review about natural and artificial photoperiod changes over reproductive activity in different species with special emphasis in the domestic cat.

Reconstructing native american migrations from whole-genome and whole-exome data Gravel, Simon; Zakharia, Fouad; Moreno Estrada, Andrés; Byrnes, Jake B.; Muzzio, Marina; Rodriguez Flores, Juan L.; Kenny, Eimear E.; Gignoux, Christopher R.; Maples, Brian K.; Guiblet, Wilfried; Dutil, Julie; Via, Marc; Sandoval, Karla; Bedoya, Gabriel; Oleksyk, Taras K.; Ruiz Linares, Andres; Burchard, Esteban G.; Martinez Cruzado, Juan Carlos; Bustamante, Carlos; The 1000 Genomes Project There is great scientific and popular interest in understanding the genetic history of populations in the Americas. We wish to understand when different regions of the continent were inhabited, where settlers came from, and how current inhabitants relate genetically to earlier populations. Recent studies unraveled parts of the genetic history of the continent using genotyping arrays and uniparental markers. The 1000 Genomes Project provides a unique opportunity for improving our understanding of population genetic history by providing over a hundred sequenced low coverage genomes and exomes from Colombian (CLM), Mexican-American (MXL), and Puerto Rican (PUR) populations. Here, we explore the genomic contributions of African, European, and especially Native American ancestry to these populations. Estimated Native American ancestry is in MXL, in CLM, and in PUR. Native American ancestry in PUR is most closely related to populations surrounding the Orinoco River basin, confirming the Southern America ancestry of the Taíno people of the Caribbean. We present new methods to estimate the allele frequencies in the Native American fraction of the populations, and model their distribution using a demographic model for three ancestral Native American populations. These ancestral populations likely split in close succession: the most likely scenario, based on a peopling of the Americas thousand years ago (kya), supports that the MXL Ancestors split kya, with a subsequent split of the ancestors to CLM and PUR kya. The model also features effective populations of in Mexico, in Colombia, and in Puerto Rico. Modeling Identity-by-descent (IBD) and ancestry tract length, we show that post-contact populations also differ markedly in their effective sizes and migration patterns, with Puerto Rico showing the smallest effective size and the earlier migration from Europe. Finally, we compare IBD and ancestry assignments to find evidence for relatedness among European founders to the three populations.

Prácticas de manejo de los suelos agrícolas como una estrategia de reducción de emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero de los biocombustibles Piastrellini, Roxana; Arena, Alejandro Pablo; Civit, Bárbara María El objetivo del presente estudio es cuantificar la reducción de emisiones GEI resultantes de la implementación de diferentes prácticas agrícolas en el cultivo de soja destinada a la producción de biodiesel en la Argentina. Para ello se estimó el stock de C orgánico y las emisiones de N2O de suelos agrícolas para 5 escenarios de manejo, siguiendo las Directrices del IPCC (2006). Posteriormente se calcularon las emisiones totales de GEI utilizando como indicador el Potencial de Calentamiento Global (IPCC, 2007). Los resultados obtenidos muestran que la implementación de la siembra directa genera una reducción de emisiones del 23% en comparación con la labranza convencional. Así mismo, la adopción de un sistema de riego suplementario y las fertilizaciones adicionales generan importantes variaciones en los resultados. Se sugiere, por tanto, considerar la gestión del suelo como una oportunidad para disminuir las emisiones GEI de los cultivos bioenergéticos.; The aim of this study is to quantify GHG emission reductions resulting from the implementation of different agricultural practices in growing soybeans for the production of biodiesel in the Argentina. We estimated the stock of organic C and N2O emissions from agricultural soils for five management scenarios, following the IPCC Guidelines (2006). Then we calculated the total greenhouse gas emissions as indicator Global Warming Potential (IPCC, 2007). The results show that the implementation of conservation tillage practices generates an emission reduction of 23% compared to conventional tillage. Furthermore, the adoption of supplementary irrigation and additional fertilizations generate significant variations in the results. It is suggested, therefore, to consider land management as an opportunity to reduce GHG emissions from bioenergy crops.

Organic anion transporter 5 renal expression and urinary excretion in rats with vascular calcification Hazelhoff, Maria Herminia; Bulacio, Romina Paula; Torres, Adriana Monica It has been described renal damage in rats with vascular calcification. The organic anion transporter 5 (Oat5) is only expressed in kidney, and its urinary excretion was proposed as potential early biomarker of renal injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Oat5 renal expression and its urinary excretion in an experimental model of vascular calcification in comparison with traditional markers of renal injury. Vascular calcification was obtained by the administration of an overdose of vitamin D3 (300,000 IU/kg, b.w., i.m.) to male Wistar rats. Oat5 urinary abundance was evaluated by Western blotting. Traditional markers of renal injury, such as creatinine and urea plasma levels, urinary protein levels, and urinary alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity, were determined using commercial kits. Histology was assessed by hematoxylin/eosin staining. Oat5 renal expression was evaluated by Western blotting and by immunohistochemistry. An increased expression of Oat5 in renal homogenates, in apical membranes, and in its urinary excretion was observed in rats with vascular calcification. The traditional parameters used to evaluate renal function were not modified, with the exception of histology. It is possible to postulate the urinary excretion of Oat5 as a potential noninvasive biomarker of renal injury associated with vascular calcification.

Integrated scheduling of resource-constrained flexible manufacturing systems using constraint programming Novas, Juan Matias; Henning, Gabriela Patricia This contribution presents a novel approach to address the scheduling of resource-constrained flexible manufacturing systems (FMSs). It deals with several critical features that are present in many FMS environments in an integrated way. The proposal consists in a constraint programming (CP) formulation that simultaneously takes into account the following sub-problems: (i) machine loading, (ii) manufacturing activities scheduling, (iii) part routing, (iv) machine buffer scheduling, (v) tool planning and allocation, and (vi) AGV scheduling, considering both the loaded and the empty movements of the device. Before introducing the model, this work points out the problems that might appear when all these issues are not concurrently taken into account. Then, the FMS scheduling model is presented and later assessed through several case-studies. The proposed CP approach has been tested by resorting to problems that consider dissimilar number of parts, operations per part, and tool copies, as well as different AGV speeds. The various examples demonstrate the importance of having an integrated formulation and show the important errors that can occur when critical issues such as AGV empty movements are neglected.