Herramienta web para post-análisis de simulaciones de dinámica molecular Borgna, Karina Giselle; Fernández, María Laura; Risk, Marcelo En este trabajo se busca desarrollar una aplicación web interactiva y personalizada que permita analizar resultados generados mediante simulaciones de dinámica molecular. Con esta herramienta se pretende analizar las propiedades cada átomo o molécula de manera individual o conjunta a partir de una trayectoria, permitiendo segmentaciones tridimensionales que el usuario puede personalizar, así como análisis estadísticos no disponibles en las aplicaciones de post análisis que brindan los paquetes de dinámica molecular. Una herramienta de estas características es de gran ayuda en el estudio de los datos obtenidos permitiendo al usuario proponer el análisis o representación de los mismos que considere necesarios. Para este trabajo, como ejemplo, se tomaron datos generados por el programa Gromacs y fueron incorporados a una base de datos desarrollada en un entorno web. Se seleccionaron simulaciones de una bicapa lipídica expuesta a un campo eléctrico por el gran costo computacional que presenta de modo de generar una aplicación que pueda ser capaz de analizar datos independientemente de la demanda que éstos requieran. El sitio web se desarrolló con el framework Django, el cual permite utilizar Python, mientras que la base de datos se implementó en PostgreSQL. Se obtuvo una aplicación web que permite cargar datos de una trayectoria y generar un análisis estadístico, así como gráficos y representaciones espaciales. Se propone generar modelos 3D que permitan estimar superficie o volumen de la selección de átomos que el usuario considere necesarios.; This work tries to develop a customized interactive web application that allows to analyze results obtained by molecular dynamics simulations. A tool of these characteristics is a great help in the analysis of the data obtained because allows customizing the analysis or representation of the data. For this study data were generated by the program Gromacs and were incorporated into a database developed in a web environment. For this work we selected a simulation of a lipid bilayer exposed to an electric field because of the great computational cost in order to generate an application that analyze data regardless of demand that these require. The website was developed using the Django framework, which allows to use Python, while the database was implemented using PostgreSQL. We obtained a web application that allows loading data from a trajectory and generating statistical analysis, graphics and spatial representations. The strength of this application is that it allows to follow each molecule individually but generates individual results and also by groups.

Glutathione S-transferase P1 mRNA expression in plasma cell disorders and its correlation with polymorphic variants and clinical outcome Stella, Flavia; Weich, Natalia; Panero, Julieta; Fantl, Dorotea Beatriz; Schutz, Natalia; Fundia, Ariela Freya; Slavutsky, Irma Rosa BACKGROUND: Glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) is an important phase II enzyme involved in detoxification of carcinogens. GSTP1 gene overexpression has been observed in a variety of human cancers but there are no studies in plasma cell disorders. The aim of this study was to examine GSTP1 mRNA expression level in multiple myeloma (MM) and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). In addition, we have determined GSTP1 polymorphic variants in order to estimate MM risk and their relationship with the expression level. Results were also correlated with laboratory parameters and clinical outcome. METHODS: Bone marrow mononuclear cells from 125 patients with plasma cell disorders were studied. Peripheral blood samples of 110 age and sex matched healthy controls were also evaluated. Real-Time Quantitative RT-PCR and PCR-RFLP assays were used. RESULTS: Upregulation of GSTP1 was observed in 37.7% MM and in 22.6% MGUS patients. A significant increase of GSTP1 expression in MM with respect to MGUS was detected (p=0.0427). Most MM patients that achieved complete remission had low transcription levels (77.8%) compared to those who did not reach this condition (44.4%) (p=0.0347). GSTP1 heterozygous carriers showed reduced expression compared to those with homozygous wild type genotype (p=0.0135). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest, for the first time, a role for GSTP1 expression in development and/or progression of plasma cell disorders, and a probable influence of functional capacity of the enzyme on clinical outcome. These results and those of the literature support GSTP1 as an interesting tumor marker and a potential therapeutic target.

Intraspecific isotopic niche variation in broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) Marques, Thiago S.; Lara, Neliton R. F.; Bassetti, Luís A. B.; Piña, Carlos Ignacio; Camargo, Plínio B.; Verdade, Luciano M. Strategies to minimise intraspecific competition are common in wild animals. For example, individuals may exploit food resources at different levels of the food chain. Analyses of stable isotopes are particularly useful for confirming variations in an intraspecific niche because the chemical composition of animals tends to reflect both the food consumed and the habitats occupied by the species. However, studies using this methodology to investigate neotropical crocodilians are scarce. This study aimed to verify the existence of ontogenetic and sexual niche variation in broad-snouted caiman in a silvicultural landscape in Brazil through the use of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes. The isotopic ratios of carbon and nitrogen were determined in claw samples collected from 24 juveniles, 8 adults, and 16 hatchlings of C. latirostris. We identified a discrete ontogenetic variation in the isotopic niche and sexual difference only for juveniles. These results may indicate differences in the exploitation resources and a consequent reduction in competition between age classes.

Positive selection in Nucleoporins challenges constraints on early expressed genes in Drosophila development Mensch, Julian; Serra, François; Lavagnino, Nicolas Jose; Dopazo, Hernán Javier; Hasson, Esteban Ruben Developmental conservation among related species is a common generalization known as von Baer’s third law and implies that early stages of development are the most refractory to change. The “hourglass model” is an alternative view that proposes that middle stages are the most constrained during development. To investigate this issue, we undertook a genomic approach and provide insights into how natural selection operates on genes expressed during the first 24 h of Drosophila ontogeny in the six species of the melanogaster group for which whole genome sequences are available. Having studied the rate of evolution of more than 2,000 developmental genes,ourresults showed differential selective pressures atdifferentmoments ofembryogenesis. In manyDrosophila species, early zygotic genes evolved slower than maternal genes indicating that mid-embryogenesis is the stage most refractory to evolutionary change. Interestingly, positively selected genes were found in all embryonic stages even during the period with the highest developmental constraint, emphasizing that positive selection and negative selection are not mutually exclusive as it is often mistakenly considered. Among the fastest evolving genes, we identified a network of nucleoporins (Nups) as part of the maternal transcriptome. Specifically, the acceleration of Nups was driven by positive selection only in the more recently diverged species. BecausemanyNupsareinvolvedinhybridincompatibilitiesbetweenspeciesoftheDrosophilamelanogastersubgroup,ourresultslink rapid evolution of early developmental genes with reproductive isolation. In summary, our study revealed that even within functional groups of genes evolving under strong negative selection many positively selected genes could be recognized. Understanding these exceptions to the broad evolutionary conservation of early expressed developmental genes can shed light into relevant processes driving the evolution of species divergence.

Estudio de la transferencia de agua durante la deshidratación osmótica de zanahoria Della Rocca, Patricia A.; Roche, Luis Alberto; Mascheroni, Rodolfo Horacio Se estudió la cinética de deshidratación y la ganancia de sólidos de cubos de zanahoria en solución de sacarosa y sal a una temperatura de 40 °C. Se aplicaron modelos empíricos para describir el proceso de transferencia de agua desde el alimento hacia la solución como los de Azuara, Page y uno teórico, basado en la segunda ley de difusión de Fick, el modelo de Crank. Todos ajustaron los datos experimentales de manera satisfactoria, siendo los dos primeros los que presentaron un mejor ajuste. Se estimó el coeficiente de difusión efectiva del agua y el valor obtenido fue de aproximadamente 1,5x10-9 m2 /s, similar a los hallados en la literatura en condiciones análogas.; The osmotic dehydration kinetic and the solid uptake of carrots cubes in a sucrose-salt solution at a temperature of 40 °C were studied. Empiric models were applied to describe the process of water transfer from the product to the solution. All the models: Azuara, Page and Crank adjust the experimental data in a satisfactory way, being the two first models which adjust better. The water diffusion effective coefficient was estimated and the value obtained was 1,5x 10-9 m2 /s, similar to that found in the literature in analogous conditions.

Siloxanes synthesized “in situ” by sol–gel process for fire control in wood of Araucaria angustifolia Giudice, Carlos Alberto; Alfieri, Paula V.; Canosa, Guadalupe Panels of Araucaria angustifolia were chemically modified with alkoxysilanes, hydrolyzed and condensed “in situ” by the sol–gel process. Alkoxysilanes selected were aminopropyl methyldiethoxysilane (A), aminopropyl triethoxysilane (B) and a mixture of both (C). Ethanol was used as solvent in 4/1 ethanol/ alkoxide molar ratio. The pH was adjusted to alkaline value for controlling the kinetic of hydrolysis– condensation reactions. Impregnation process was carried out at 45–50 1C in an autoclave, controlling the operating conditions for achieving different weight gains. Laboratory tests were carried out in Two-Foot Tunnel (flame spread index, panel consumption and smoke density) and in TGA detector (mass loss). The performance in laboratory tests can be explicated according the reactivity of the alkoxides. The results support the conclusion that the best fireproof efficiency was observed in woods treated with the alkoxide B, followed by those modified with the mixture C and the alkoxide A, in this order; the results also indicates that as weight gain increased the performance of impregnants against fire.

Quantum Phase Transition Between One-channel and Two-channel Kondo Polarons Rincón, Julián ; Garcia, Daniel Julio; Hallberg, Karen Astrid; Vojta, Matthias For a mobile spin-1/2 impurity, coupled antiferromagnetically to a one-dimensional gas of fermions, perturbative ideas have been used to argue in favor of two-channel Kondo behavior of the impurity spin. Here we combine general considerations and extensive numerical simulations to show that the problem displays a novel quantum phase transition between two-channel and one-channel Kondo screening upon increasing the Kondo coupling. We construct a ground-state phase diagram and discuss the various nontrivial crossovers as well as possible experimental realizations.

Modeling dynamic interactions in supply chains using agent-based simulations Dorigatti, Mariana Carolina; Chiotti, Omar Juan Alfredo; Salomone, Hector Enrique In this work, we present preliminary results of our research on the construction of an agent-based simulation framework suitable to support the analysis of complex supply chain interactions as the one required for the performance assessment in collaborative supply chains. In particular, we focus in the modeling of dynamic interactions through agent-to-agent message communication avoiding predefined supply chain network structures. For defining the internal structure of agents, we explore the application of the SCOR reference model to bring a business process perspective and adopt the requirement of making explicit separation of the execution and control and decision making processes.

Nuclear quantum effects on the structure and the dynamics of [H2O]8 at low temperatures Videla, Pablo Ernesto; Rossky, Peter J.; Laria, Daniel Hector We use ring-polymer-molecular-dynamics (RPMD) techniques and the semi-empirical q-TIP4P/F water model to investigate the relationship between hydrogen bond connectivity and the charac- teristics of nuclear position fluctuations, including explicit incorporation of quantum effects, for the energetically low lying isomers of the prototype cluster [H2O]8 at T = 50 K and at 150 K. Our results reveal that tunneling and zero-point energy effects lead to sensible increments in the magnitudes of the fluctuations of intra and intermolecular distances. The degree of proton spatial delocalization is found to map logically with the hydrogen-bond connectivity pattern of the cluster. Dangling hydro- gen bonds exhibit the largest extent of spatial delocalization and participate in shorter intramolecular O-H bonds. Combined effects from quantum and polarization fluctuations on the resulting individ- ual dipole moments are also examined. From the dynamical side, we analyze the characteristics of the infrared absorption spectrum. The incorporation of nuclear quantum fluctuations promotes red shifts and sensible broadening relative to the classical profile, bringing the simulation results in much more satisfactory agreement with direct experimental information in the mid and high fre- quency range of the stretching band. While RPMD predictions overestimate the peak position of the low frequency shoulder, the overall agreement with that reported using an accurate, parame- terized, many-body potential is reasonable, and far superior to that one obtains by implementing a partially adiabatic centroid molecular dynamics approach. Quantum effects on the collective dynam- ics, as reported by instantaneous normal modes, are also discussed

Reino Fungi: morfologías y estructuras de los hongos Kuhar, José Francisco; Castiglia, Valeria Carolina; Papinutti, Victor Leandro

Development of a novel methodology for cryopreservation of melanoma cells applied to CSF470 therapeutic vaccine Tapia, Ivana Jaqueline; Aris, Mariana; Arriaga, Juan Martín; Blanco, Paula A.; Mazzobre, Maria Florencia; Vega, Julio; Mordoh, Jose; Barrio, Maria Marcela CSF470 vaccine is a mixture of four lethally irradiated melanoma cell lines, administered with BCG and GM-CSF, which is currently being tested in a Phase II/III Clinical trial in stage II/III melanoma patients. To prepare vaccine doses, irradiated melanoma cell lines are frozen using dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO) and stored in liquid nitrogen (liqN2). Prior to inoculation, doses must be thawed, washed to remove Me2SO and suspended for clinical administration. Avoiding the use of Me2SO and storage in liqN2 would allow future freeze-drying of CSF470 vaccine to facilitate pharmaceutical production and distribution. We worked on the development of an alternative cryopreservation methodology while keeping the vaccine’s biological and immunogenic properties. We tested different freezing media containing trehalose suitable to remain as excipients in a freeze-dried product, to cryopreserve melanoma cells either before or after gamma irradiation. Melanoma cells incorporated trehalose after 5 h incubation at 37 °C by fluid-phase endocytosis, reaching an intracellular concentration that varied between 70–140 mM depending on the cell line. Optimal freezing conditions were 0.2 M trehalose and 30 mg/ml human serum albumin, at −84 °C. Vaccine doses could be frozen in trehalose at −84 °C for at least four months keeping their cellular integrity, antigen expression and apoptosis/necrosis profile after gamma-irradiation as compared to Me2SO control. Non-irradiated melanoma cell lines also showed comparable proliferative capacity after both cryopreservation procedures. Trehalose-freezing medium allowed us to cryopreserve melanoma cells, either alive or after gamma irradiation, at −84 °C avoiding the use of Me2SO and liqN2 storage. These cryopreservation conditions could be suitable for future freeze-drying of CSF470 vaccine.

La interacción entre las instituciones y la producción cinematográfica y de contenidos para TV en Córdoba Motta, Jorge; Morero, Hernan; Mohaded, Nicolás Mariano El objetivo del presente trabajo es estudiar la manera en que en los últimos años se ha dado el proceso de interacción entre las instituciones y las productoras audiovisuales y cinematográficas de la ciudad de Córdoba, afectando el grado de desarrollo de las competencias locales. El análisis se basa en un estudio exploratorio cualitativo centrado en entrevistas a productoras de cine y/o TV; y en entrevistas a diversos informantes clave del sector. El estudio revela que el desempeño reciente ha sido acompañado por la emergencia de una importante serie de instancias colectivas e institucionales de sostenimiento, creación y fortalecimiento de competencias.; This paper focuses on the interaction between institutions and media production in terms of the development of local production in Cordoba City (Argentina). The analysis is based on a qualitative exploratory approach that focuses on interviews to film and television producers as well as to other key sector informants. The paper reveals the recent emergence of significant collective and institutional actions that support, create, and strengthen local production.

Geografía: desarrollo local y regional Conte, Analia Silvia El propósito que plantea este editorial es mostrar cómo, una serie de tendencias geográficas, históricas, políticas, económicas y hasta epistemológicas, han convergido durante los últimos años para construir un nuevo paradigma del desarrollo, de suma importancia para la geografía y para su intervención en lo que respecta al territorio. La necesidad de insertar el desarrollo local en el marco territorial regional, nacional y supranacional puede obtener de la acción profesional de los geógrafos, una contribución fundamental.

Lista de sírfidos afidófagos y primeros registros de Pseudodoros clavatus y Eupeodes rojasi (Diptera: Syrphidae), potenciales agentes de control biológico en la provincia de Mendoza, Argentina; List of aphidophagous sirfids and new records of Pseudodoros clavatus and Eupeodes rojasi (Diptera: Syrphidae), potential agents for biological control from Mendoza, Argentina López García, Guillermo Pablo; Maza, Noelia This scientific note reports the first faunistic list of aphidophagous sirfids from Mendoza and new records of Pseudodoros clavatus Fabricius and Eupeodes rojasi Marnef, potential agents for biological control.

Mathematical modeling and simulation of soluble protein extraction during leaching process in surimi elaboration Reinheimer, Maria Agustina; Medina, J. R.; Scenna, Nicolas Jose; Mussati, Sergio Fabian; Freyre, M.; Perez, Gustavo Alberto This work presents a mathematical model to simulate the extraction process of soluble protein from sábalo (Prochilodus platensis) during the surimi elaboration. The mathematical model consists of both partial differential and algebraic equations. Central finite difference method and the explicit scheme were applied to discretize the partial differential equation. The resulting model was implemented into the optimization environment General Algebraic Modeling System (GAMS). Experimental data obtained from laboratory scale using sábalo as raw material, was used to verify the output results of the proposed model. A good agreement between experimental and simulated extraction yields was obtained (R2 = 0.9552). Once validated, the model was used to investigate the influence of several parameters such as, particle?s diameter, volume fraction of the solvent, residence time and agitation velocity on the extraction efficiency. The results are presented and discussed through different case studies.

The formin FHOD1 and the small GTPase Rac1 promote vaccinia virus actin-based motility Alvarez, Diego Ezequiel; Agaisse, Herve Vaccinia virus dissemination relies on the N-WASP– ARP2/3 pathway, which mediates actin tail formation underneath cell-associated extracellular viruses (CEVs). Here, we uncover a previously unappreciated role for the formin FHOD1 and the small GTPase Rac1 in vaccinia actin tail formation. FHOD1 depletion decreased the number of CEVs forming actin tails and impaired the elongation rate of the formed actin tails. Recruitment of FHOD1 to actin tails relied on its GTPase binding domain in addition to its FH2 domain. In agreement with previous studies showing that FHOD1 is activated by the small GTPase Rac1, Rac1 was enriched and activated at the membrane surrounding actin tails. Rac1 depletion or expression of dominant-negative Rac1 phenocopied the effects of FHOD1 depletion and impaired the recruitment of FHOD1 to actin tails. FHOD1 overexpression rescued the actin tail formation defects observed in cells overexpressing dominant-negative Rac1. Altogether, our results indicate that, to display robust actin-based motility, vaccinia virus integrates the activity of the N-WASP– ARP2/3 and Rac1–FHOD1 pathways.

Thermodynamic model for process design, simulation and optimization in the production of biodiesel Cotabarren, Natalia Soledad; Hegel, Pablo Ezequiel; Pereda, Selva The separation processes of the biodiesel production process require thermodynamic models able to correlate and predict the phase equilibria of mixtures at different stages of the process. Moreover, some units like those in the glycerol washing sector, require high accuracy due to their sensitivity to the components distribution coefficients. In this work, the Group Contribution Equation of State (GCA-EoS) is applied to model several systems of importance in this field. The mixtures evaluated can be highly non-ideal, especially in the last purification steps where polar compounds are infinitely diluted in biodiesel. Experimental VLE and LLE data were satisfactorily correlated and predicted with a single set of interaction parameters, using a simplified version of the association contribution of the model. In this way GCA-EoS can be used for the whole process with a faster convergence of simulated units in comparison with the case of considering the rigorous association model. Furthermore, considering that GCA-EoS is a group contribution model, biodiesel production from different raw material, i.e soy, palm or canola oil, can be predicted without requiring new parameters adjustment. The prediction model can be applied to the design, simulation and optimization of the production and purification sections.

Desde la investigación a la extensión en la construcción colectiva de políticas públicas en educación rural; From research to extension, in the collective construction of public policies in rural education Cragnolino, Elisa Rita; Delprato, María Fernanda; Brumat, María Rosa; Caciorgna, Laura; Ominetti, Laura María; Piccioni, Andrea La intención de este artículo es recuperar los procesos extensionistas desarrollados desde el Programa de Investigaciones “Educación en espacios sociales rurales y educación básica de jóvenes y adultos”, radicado en el Centro de Investigaciones María Saleme de Burnichon de la Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades de la UNC. Nos referiremos en particular, al acompañamiento que estamos realizando al Movimiento Campesino de Córdoba (MCC) en la propuesta de construir escuelas de nivel medio para jóvenes y adultos del norte y noroeste de la provincia. El proyecto presentado al Ministerio de Educación, en forma conjunta con la Secretaría de Extensión Universitaria de la UNC, propone la creación de escuelas de nivel medio, de gestión pública, cogestionadas con las familias de las comunidades y con una modalidad de alternancia. La referencia a este proceso de acompañamiento al MCC nos permitirá abordar la manera en que fuimos construyendo la relación entre investigación-extensión y las perspectivas teóricas y metodológicas desde las que trabajamos. Recuperaremos el camino que hicimos, y que aún estamos recorriendo, en la propuesta de construir espacios educativos alternativos para las familias campesinas. En esta construcción intentamos ser coherentes con una manera de entender a la educación, a las responsabilidades del Estado, al lugar de la universidad pública y al modo en que consideramos a las políticas educativas y la posibilidad de construirlas colectivamente.; The purpose of this article is to recover the extension processes developed from the Research Program: “Education in Rural Social Environments and Basic Education for Young People and Adults”, based on the María Saleme de Burnichon Research Center of the School of Philosophy and Humanities, at the National University of Cordoba. We specifically refer to our support of the Movimiento Campesino de Córdoba (MCC) [Cordoba Peasant Movement] in the proposal to build mid-level schools for young people and adults from the North and Northwest of the province. The project submitted to the Ministry of Education, together with the Secretary for the University Extension Program of the UNC, proposes the creation of state-run mid-level schools, co-managed by the families in the community on a rotational basis. Referring to this process to support the MCC will allow us to approach the manner in which we built the relationship between research-extension, and the theoretical and methodological perspectives we applied in our work. We will recover the path we built, and that we are still travelling, in the proposal to build alternative educational areas for the peasant families. In this construction, we will try to be coherent with a way of understanding education, the State’s responsibilities, the public university’s place, and the manner in which we consider educational policies, as well as the possibility of building them collectively.

Genome Sequence of the Melanin-Producing Extremophile Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. pectinolytica Strain 34melT Pavan, María Elisa; Pavan, Esteban E.; López, Nancy Irene; Levin, Laura Noemí; Pettinari, María Julia The genome of Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. pectinolytica strain 34melT, isolated from a heavily polluted river, contains several genomic islands and putative virulence genes. The identification of genes involved in resistance to different kinds of stress sheds light on the mechanisms used by this strain to thrive in an extreme environment.

Progressive external ophthalmoplegia (PEO) due to a mutation in the C10orf2 (PEO1) gene mimicking a myasthenic crisis Gonzalez Moron, Dolores; Bueri, José; Kauffman, Marcelo Andres We described a case of a patient with autosomal dominant progressive external ophthalmoplegia (PEO) who presented with the acute onset dysphagia, quadriparesis, ptosis and respiratory insufficiency following a cardiac procedure and mimicking a myasthenic crisis. A pathogenic mutation in the C10orf2 (PEO1) gene was confirmed. The unusual presentation of our patient contributes to expand the clinical phenotype of PEO1 mutations and reinforces the need to consider mitochondrial myopathy as differential diagnosis of myasthenia gravis even in the case of acute onset symptoms.