Developmental programming: Prenatal androgen excess disrupts ovarian steroid receptor balance Ortega, Hugo Hector; Salvetti, Natalia Raquel; Padmanabhan, Vasantha Steroid hormones play an important role in reproduction and the receptors through which they signal change in a developmental time, follicle stage, and cell-specific manner. Disruption in steroid receptor expression affects follicle formation and differentiation. In this study, using prenatal testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-treated female sheep as model systems, we tested the hypothesis that prenatal androgen excess disrupts the developmental ontogeny of ovarian steroid receptor protein expression. Pregnant Suffolk ewes were injected twice weekly with T propionate or DHT propionate (a non-aromatizable androgen) in cottonseed oil from days 30 to 90 of gestation. Changes in ovarian estrogen receptors (ER; ESR1, ESR2), androgen receptor (AR) and progesterone receptor (PGR) proteins were determined at fetal (days 90 and 140), postpubertal (10 months), and adult (21 months; only prenatal T-treated sheep studied) ages by immunohistochemistry. Prenatal T and DHT treatment induced selective increase in AR but not ER or PGR expression in the stroma and granulosa cells of fetal days 90 and 140 ovaries. An increase in ESR1 and decrease in ESR2 immunostaining coupled with increased AR expression were evident in granulosa cells of antral follicles of 10- and 21-month-old prenatal T but not DHT-treated females (analyzed only at 10 months). These findings provide evidence that an early increase in ovarian AR is the first step in the altered ovarian developmental trajectory of prenatal T-treated females, and manifestations of postnatal ovarian dysfunction are likely facilitated via altered equilibrium of antral follicular granulosa cell ER/AR protein expression.

O consumo como investimento: a teoria do capital humano e o capital humano como ethos; Consumption as investment: The theory of human capital and human capital as ethos Lopez Ruiz, Osvaldo Javier O artigo propõe discutir a diluição da fronteira conceitual entre ´consumo´ e ´investimento´, argumentado que ela é uma peça fundamental para a compreensão do capitalismo na sua etapa atual e dos valores que orientam a sociedade contemporânea. Conceitos cunhados pela teoria do capital humano – teoria econômica dos anos 1960 – são difundidos hoje como valores que orientam a conduta dos indivíduos. Produz-se, assim, um deslocamento conceitual-valorativo do consumo para o investimento que permite inusitadas formas de ´postergar satisfações consumindo agora´. A área difusa que é criada entre ´consumo´ e ´investimento´ ajuda a entender como a ética protestante do trabalho é reeditada numa ´ética do trabalho empresarial´, isto é, do trabalho entendido em termos de ´empreendimento´ individual.; This paper discusses the dilution of the conceptual border between “consumption” and “investment.” We argue that it is a key element for the understanding of capitalism in its current stage and the values guiding contemporary society. Some concepts created by Human Capital Theory – an economic theory from the 1960s – are widely viewed today as values that guide the behavior of individuals. This yields to a conceptual–axiological shift from consumption to investment that allows unusual forms of “delaying satisfaction by consuming now.” The diffuse area that is created between “consumption” and “investment” helps to understand how the Protestant work ethic is recreated as an “ethic of entrepreneurial work,” that is, of work understood in terms of “individual enterprise”.

Calificación visual a campo de la calidad estructural de Argiudoles bajo diferentes sistemas de manejo Imhoff, Silvia del Carmen; Imvinkelried, Horacio Omar; Tormena, Ca.; Pires Da Silva, A. RESUMEN El método de Calificación Visual a Campo de la estructura (Cvc), que permite obtener un indicador semi-cuantitativo de la calidad estructural del suelo, se caracteriza por ser simple de realizar, efectivo y de bajo costo. El objetivo de este trabajo fue aplicar la metodología Cvc y verificar su eficacia para identificar diferentes condiciones estructurales en relación a indicadores acreditados de calidad de suelo. El método fue aplicado en un Argiudol, en lotes que se encuentran con agricultura continua en siembra directa y con rotación ganadera-agrícola en labranza tradicional. Al momento del muestreo los lotes estaban con trigo y alfalfa. En cada lote se obtuvieron 10 muestras de suelo con pala plana (bloques) y se determinó la calidad estructural de cada una. A partir de estos datos se obtuvo el indicador Cvc para cada sistema. Simultáneamente se efectuaron a campo medidas de resistencia a la penetración (RP) y humedad volumétrica del suelo (q). Los resultados de Cvc y RP corregida por la covariable q  indicaron que existen diferencias significativas entre sistemas en la calidad estructural del suelo, siendo mejor en el que se encuentra en rotación ganadera-agrícola. Esas diferencias son ocasionadas por la presencia de capas con diferentes tipos de estructura, espesor y presencia de raíces. Se concluye que el método Cvc fue útil para evaluar rápidamente la calidad estructural del suelo.

Weak type (1,1) of maximal operators on metric measure spaces Carena, Marilina A discretization method for the study of the weak type (1,1) for the maximal  of a sequence of convolution operators on  R^n has been introduced by Miguel de Guzmán and Teresa Carrillo,  by replacing the integrable functions by finite sums of Dirac deltas. Trying to extend the above mentioned result to integral operators defined on metric measure spaces, a general setting containing at once continuous, discrete and mixed contexts, a caveat comes from the result in  "On restricted weak type (1,1); the discrete case" (Akcoglu M.; Baxter J.; Bellow A.; Jones R., Israel J. Math. 124 (2001), 285--297). There a sequence of convolution operators in $ell^1(Z)$ is constructed  such that the maximal operator is of restricted weak type (1,1), or equivalently of weak type (1,1) over finite sums of Dirac deltas, but not of weak type (1,1). The purpose of this note is twofold. First we prove that, in a general metric measure space with a measure that is absolutely continuous with respect to some doubling measure, the weak type (1,1) of the maximal operator associated  to a given sequence of integral operators is equivalent to the weak type (1,1) over linear combinations of Dirac deltas with positive integer coefficients. Second, for the  non-atomic case we obtain as a corollary that any  of these weak type properties is equivalent to the weak type (1,1) over finite sums of Dirac deltas supported at different points.

Hepatic 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 involvement in alterations of glucose metabolism produced by acidotic stress in rat Altuna, Maria Eugenia; Mazzetti, Marta Blanca; Rago Ferrón, Luciana; San Martín De Viale, L. C.; Damasco, Maria Cristina 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSDs) enzymes regulate the activity of glucocorticoids in target organs. HSD1, one of the two existing isoforms, locates mainly in CNS, liver and adipose tissue. HSD1 is involved in the pathogenesis of diseases such as obesity, insulin resistance, arterial hypertension and the Metabolic Syndrome. The stress produced by HC1 overload triggers metabolic acidosis and increases liver HSD1 activity associated with increased phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, a regulatory enzyme of gluconeogenesis that is activated by glucocorticoids, with increased glycaemia and glycogen breakdown. The aim of this study was to analyze whether the metabolic modifications triggered by HC1 stress are due to increased liver HSD1 activity. Glycyrrhetinic acid, a potent HDS inhibitor, was administered subcutaneously (20 mg/ml) to stressed and unstressed four months old male Sprague Dawley rats to investigate changes in liver HSD1, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PECPK) and glycogen phosphorylase activities and plasma glucose levels. It was observed that all these parameters increased in stressed animals, but that treatment with glycyrrhetinic acid significantly reduced their levels. In conclusion, our results demonstrate the involvement of HSD1 in stress induced carbohydrate disturbances and could contribute to the impact of HSD1 inhibitors on carbohydrate metabolism and its relevance in the study of Metabolic Syndrome Disorder and non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Inhibition of HIV-1 Replication in Human Monocyte-Derived Macrophages by Parasite Trypanosoma cruzi Andreani, Guadalupe; Celentano Stanic, Ana Maria Luisa Micaela; Solana, Maria Elisa; Cazorla, Silvia Ines; Malchiodi, Emilio Luis; Martinez Peralta, Liliana A.; Dolcini, Guillermina Laura Background: Cells of monocyte/macrophage lineage are one of the major targets of HIV-1 infection and serve as reservoirs for viral persistence in vivo. These cells are also the target of the protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, being one of the most important endemic protozoonoses in Latin America. It has been demonstrated in vitro that co-infection with other pathogens can modulate HIV replication. However, no studies at cellular level have suggested an interaction between T. cruzi and HIV-1 to date. Methodology/Principal Findings: By using a fully replicative wild-type virus, our study showed that T. cruzi inhibits HIV-1 antigen production by nearly 100% (p,0.001) in monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM). In different infection schemes with luciferase-reporter VSV-G or BaL pseudotyped HIV-1 and trypomastigotes, T. cruzi induced a significant reduction of luciferase level for both pseudotypes in all the infection schemes (p,0.001), T. cruzi-HIV (.99%) being stronger than HIV-T.cruzi (,90% for BaL and ,85% for VSV-G) infection. In MDM with established HIV-1 infection, T. cruzi significantly inhibited luciferate activity (p,0.01). By quantifying R-U5 and U5-gag transcripts by real time PCR, our study showed the expression of both transcripts significantly diminished in the presence of trypomastigotes (p,0.05). Thus, T. cruzi inhibits viral postintegration steps, early post-entry steps and entry into MDM. Trypomastigotes also caused a ,60-70% decrease of surface CCR5 expression on MDM. Multiplication of T. cruzi inside the MDM does not seem to be required for inhibiting HIV-1 replication since soluble factors secreted by trypomastigotes have shown similar effects. Moreover, the major parasite antigen cruzipain, which is secreted by the trypomastigote form, was able to inhibit viral production in MDM over 90% (p,0.01). Conclusions/Significance: Our study showed that T. cruzi inhibits HIV-1 replication at several replication stages in macrophages, a major cell target for both pathogens.

Threshold wind velocity as an index of soil susceptibility to wind erosion under variable climatic conditions de Oro, Laura Andrea; Buschiazzo, Daniel Eduardo Wind erosion starts when the threshold wind velocity (μ t ) is exceeded. We evaluated the sensitivity of μ t to determine the wind erosion susceptibility of soils under variable climatic conditions. Three years field data were used to calculate μ t by means of the equation μ t = ū - σ Φ -1 (γ), where ū is the mean wind speed (m s -1 ), σ the ū standard deviation (m s -1 ), γ the saltation activity and Φ the standard normal distribution function of γ. Saltation activity was measured with a piezoelectric sensor (Sensit). Results showed that ū of the whole studied period (3.41 ms -1 ) was lower than μ t (7.53 ms -1 ), therefore, wind erosion was produced mainly by wind gusts. The μ t values ordered in the sequence: Winter (6.10 ms -1 ) < Spring (8.22ms -1 ) = Summer (8.28 m s -1 ) < Autumn (26.48 m s -1 ). Higher μ t values were related to higher air humidity and lower wind speeds and temperatures. The μ t values did not agree with the erosion amounts of each season, which ordered as follows: Summer (12.88 t ha -1 ) > Spring (3.11 t ha -1 ) = Winter (0.17 t ha -1 ) = Autumn (no erosion). Low μ t and erosion amounts of Winter were produced by a scarce number of gusts during eroding storms. We concluded that μ t is useful as an index of soil susceptibility to wind erosion of different climatic periods. The use of a unique μ t value in wind erosion prediction models can lead to erroneous wind erosion calculations.

Spongeliomorpha in nonmarine settings: An ichnotaxonomic approach Melchor, Ricardo Nestor; Bromley, Richard G.; Bedatou, Emilio The authors revise the occurrences of burrow networks with striated walls having dominantly transverse to oblique striae, which have been assigned to the ichnogenera Spongeliomorpha Saporta, 1887, and Steinichnus Bromley & Asgaard, 1979. The taxonomic status of the ichnogenus Steinichnus Bromley & Asgaard, 1979 is examined and it is suggested that this ichnogenus is a subjective junior synonym of Spongeliomorpha Saporta, 1887. Spongeliomorpha is best reserved for an unlined network of burrows having distinct surface ridges or grooves of different orientation and massive filling. The diagnosis of Spongeliomorpha is emended accordingly and the proposed ichnospecies revised for consistency with the diagnostic features of the ichnogenus. Spongeliomorpha milfordensis Metz, 1993a is considered a subjective junior synonym of Spongeliomorpha carlsbergi (Bromley & Asgaard, 1979) after a visual comparison and statistical analysis of the angle of striation with respect to the burrow midline in the type material. Nevertheless, the use of statistical techniques is not advocated for distinction of ichnotaxa, but may support observations. Spongeliomorpha carlsbergi is considered as an indicator of nonmarine settings and was probably produced by burrowing insects. Proposed ichnospecies of Spongeliomorpha that fit the emended diagnosis include S. sudolica (Zarczny, 1878); S. iberica Saporta, 1887; S. sicula DAlessandro & Bromley, 1995; S. chevronensis Muiz & Mayoral, 2001; and Spongeliomorpha isp. nov. aff. sicula Lewy & Goldring, 2006.

Delimitación de unidades geomorfológicas mediante la aplicación de técnicas de procesamiento digital de imágenes y SIG: Área no irrigada del departamento de Lavalle, Mendoza; Delimitation of geomorphological units by applying techniques of digital image processing and GIS. Non-irrigated area: Lavalle, Mendoza Rubio, María Cecilia; Soria, Nelson Dario; Salomón, Mario; Abraham, Elena Maria El objetivo de este trabajo consiste en la delimitación, a escala 1:100.000, de las principales unidades morfogenéticas y, a un mayor el nivel de detalle, de las geoformas dominantes del área no irrigada, departamento de Lavalle. Esto se realiza a partir del análisis geoespacial, que incluye el procesamiento digital de imágenes satelitales y la utilización de Sistemas de Información Geográfica. En constante interacción con las técnicas de geoprocesamiento, se trabaja con información de campo obtenida en el área de estudio. A partir de la aplicación del método de relevamiento integral del paisaje se generan bases de datos temáticas y espaciales que permiten validar los resultados obtenidos en laboratorio para delimitar las formas del relieve. Se definieron las principales unidades morfoestructurales y las geoformas de acuerdo a su morfogénesis. Se toma como base el mapa geomorfológico de Mendoza (Abraham, 2000), ajustado espacialmente y ampliado temáticamente sobre las fuentes cartográficas y temáticas generadas por LaDyOT-IADIZA (2004-2009). El trabajo constituye una contribución metodológica a métodos de procesamiento telemétrico y digital a partir de trabajos de campo y análisis interpretativo de carácter analógico, en tanto los productos obtenidos permiten lograr información geoespacial estructurada en el ámbito de los SIG para diversos fines.; The aim of this work was the definition, scale 1:100000, of the major morphogenetic units, and increased the level of detail, the dominant landforms of the area not irrigated Lavalle Department. This has been based on geospatial analysis, which includes the digital processing of satellite images and the use of Geographic Information Systems. In constant interaction with the application of geo-processing techniques, we worked with the information obtained from field analysis in the study area. Since the method of survey of the landscape were generated thematic databases and space to validate the laboratory results when defining the geoforms. Thus, the main units were defined morphostructural units and landforms according to their morphogenesis. It was derived from the geomorphologic map of the province of Mendoza (Abraham, 2000). The same was adjusted spatially and thematically expanded on the basis of cartographic and thematic sources generated LaDyOT-IADIZA (2004-2009). The work is a methodological contribution to processing methods and digital telemetry from fieldwork and interpretive analysis of a similar nature. While the products obtained can achieve structured geospatial information in the field of GIS for various purposes.

Food Habits of Wild Silky Anteaters ( Cyclopes didactylus ) of São Luis do Maranhão, Brazil Miranda, Flávia; Veloso, Roberto; Superina, Mariella; Zara, Fernando José None of the four extant anteater species is currently considered to be threatened with extinction (IUCN, 2007; Aguiar and Fonseca, 2008). However, the destruction and fragmentation of their habitat is advancing swiftly throughout their common distribution, and may already have caused local extinctions (Fonseca and Aguiar, 2004; Fallabrino and Castiñeira, 2006). Similarly, fragmentation may expose wild populations to new parasites and infectious diseases, while also increasing the risk of transmission between human and animal populations (Aguirre et al., 2002).

Effect of zinc on DNA integrity of cumulus cells during oocyte in vitro maturation Picco, Sebastian Julio; Seoane, Analia Isabel; Anchordoquy, Juan Mateo; Anchordoquy, Juan Patricio; Rosa, D.; Fazzio, Luis Emilio; Mattioli, Guillermo Alberto; Furnus, Cecilia Cristina El zinc es un micronutriente cuya deficiencia afecta no solo la expresión génica, sino también una variedad de funciones celulares con consecuencias directas en la salud animal. Poco se conoce acerca del rol del zinc en la performance reproductiva de los bovinos, especialmente en relación con la maduración de los ovocitos. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar la integridad del ADN de en células del cúmulus de bovinos, cultivadas con diferentes concentraciones de zinc adicionadas a el medio de cultivo de maduración in Vitro de ovocitos. Para ello, los complejos cúmulos-ovocitos obtenidos en frigoríficos fueron cultivados en Medios para Maduración in Vitro, conteniendo 30 (G1), 70 (G2), 110 (G3) y 150 (G4) µg/dl de zinc. Al finalizar la maduración, las células del cúmulos fueron procesadas para realizar el ensayo cometa. Los resultados obtenidos con dicho ensayo mostraron una disminución significativa en el porcentaje de células con migración del ADN, de alrededor del 40% en G1 y G2 hasta alrededor de 20% en G3 y G4 (p< 0,05). La intensidad del daño en el ADN fue significativamente mayor en G1 y G2 que en G3 y G4 (p< 0,05). Considerando la estrecha relación existente entre los complejos ovocito-células del cúmulus y el subsecuente desarrollo embrionario, es posible inferir que diferentes niveles de Zinc durante la MIV pueden tener consecuencias en el desarrollo embrionario temprano.; Zinc is an essential trace element. It has been known that a non adequate level of zinc can alter not only gene expression but also a variety of cellular functions with severe consequences on animal health. Little is known about the role of zinc on the reproductive performance of bovines, especially in oocyte maturation. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact of different zinc concentrations added to culture medium, on the DNA integrity of bovine cumulus cells during in vitro maturation of oocytes. Cumulus-oocyte coplexes obtained from an abattoir were cultured in IVM mediums containing 30 (G1), 70 (G2), 110 (G3) and 150 (G4) µg/dl. At the end of IVM, cumulus cells were processed for Comet Assay. Result obtained with the comet assay shows a significant decrease in the percentage of cell with DNA migration from around 40% in G1 and G2 to 20% in G3 and G4 (p< 0,05). The intensity of DNA damage (DDV) was higher in G1 and G2 and significant different with G3 and G4 (p< 0,05). Taken into account, the relationship between in vitro maturation of cumulus cells oocytes complexes (COCs) and subsequent embryo development, it might be possible that different levels on Zinc concentration during IVM have consequences on early embryo development.

In vitro amplification of BVDV field strains isolated in Argentina: effect of cell line and culture conditions Odeón, Anselmo Carlos; Leunda, Maria Rosa; Faverin, Claudia; Boynak, Natalia; Vena, M. M.; Zabal, O. The aim of this work was to study the in vitro amplification of BVDV (Pestivirus, Flaviridae) field isolates from Argentina in MDBK, BoTur and BHK-21 continuous cell lines. Field isolates 99/134 (mucosal disease), 00/693 (mucosal disease), 04P7016 (respiratory disease) and 04/89 (mucosal disease), genotype 1b, were used and compared with the Singer and NADL reference strains, genotype 1a. Additionally, cell lines derived from explants of bovine testis (RD-420), bovine uterus (NCL-1) and porcine kidney (PKZ) were tested as alternative substrates for BVDV propagation in vitro. The effect of cell line, harvest time and infection protocol was evaluated. The viral titers observed depended on the virus and harvest time but not on the infection protocol. We found that MDBK and BoTur cell lines were susceptible to the infection whereas BHK-21 and PKZ were not. NADL viral titers, 00/693 and 04/89, increased from 24 to 48 h p.i. in BoTur cells and then reached a plateau, whereas those of 99/134 and 04P7016 remained constant between 24 and 72 h p.i. BVDV Singer, on the other hand, presented a maximum titer at 24 h p.i. and then decreased. BVDV-NADL titers increased in MDBK and NCL-1 but not in RD-420 between 24 and 48 h p.i., and then decreased at 72 h p.i. These facts lead us to conclude that neither the subgenotypes (1a, 1b) nor the clinical symptoms of the animal from the virus had been isolated seem to affect the virus cell line kinetics of viral replication in vitro. On the other hand, the most homogenous behavior, the most similar replication curves, and highest titers observed in MDBK and NCL-1 seem to indicate that these lines are generally more susceptible to BVDV replication.; The aim of this work was to study the in vitro amplification of BVDV (Pestivirus, Flaviridae) field isolates from Argentina in MDBK, BoTur and BHK-21 continuous cell lines. Field isolates 99/134 (mucosal disease), 00/693 (mucosal disease), 04P7016 (respiratory disease) and 04/89 (mucosal disease), genotype 1b, were used and compared with the Singer and NADL reference strains, genotype 1a. Additionally, cell lines derived from explants of bovine testis (RD420), bovine uterus (NCL-1) and porcine kidney (PKZ) were tested as alternative substrates for BVDV propagation in vitro. The effect of cell line, harvest time and infection protocol was evaluated. The viral titers observed depended on the virus and harvest time but not on the infection protocol. We found that MDBK and BoTur cell lines were susceptible to the infection whereas BHK-21 and PKZ were not. NADL viral titers, 00/693 and 04/89, increased from 24 to 48 h p.i. in BoTur cells and then reached a plateau, whereas those of 99/134 and 04P7016 remained constant between 24 and 72 h p.i. BVDV Singer, on the other hand, presented a maximum titer at 24 h p.i. and then decreased. BVDV-NADL titers increased in MDBK and NCL-1 but not in RD-420 between 24 and 48 h p.i., and then decreased at 72 h p.i. These facts lead us to conclude that neither the subgenotypes (1a, 1b) nor the clinical symptoms of the animal from the virus had been isolated seem to affect the virus cell line kinetics of viral replication in vitro. On the other hand, the most homogenous behavior, the most similar replication curves, and highest titers observed in MDBK and NCL-1 seem to indicate that these lines are generally more susceptible to BVDV replication.

Study of the distribution of dichlorobenzenes in sediment and water of Suquía River basin (Córdoba-Argentina) by an optimised SPME-GC-MS procedure Monferran, Magdalena Victoria; Cortina, Pablo Ramiro; Santiago, Ana Noemi; Wunderlin, Daniel Alberto Three dichlorobenzene isomers (DCBs) were monitored in water and sediment from the Suquía River basin by Solid Phase Microextraction (HS-SPME), coupled to Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). DCBs were not detected in water or sediments corresponding to the upper basin. Pollution with DCBs became evident when the river flows through small cities. As expected, Córdoba city causes the most severe pollution, presenting up to 764.7 μg kg-1 DW DCBs in the sediment of urban areas. Results show that DCBs mainly originate in domestic activities, reaching the river by non-point sources such as urban run-off or sewage discharge, resulting in a widespread distribution in the basin. The high level of DCBs found in sediments involves absorption of these xenobiotics in the natural organic matter of sediments. This organic layer could be responsible for transporting DCBs downstream from their discharge, thus spreading the pollution throughout the basin.

El análisis de narrativas en Etnobotánica: el "yuchán" (Ceiba chodatii, Bombacaceae) en el discurso de los wichís del Chaco Semiárido salteño, Argentina; Narrative analysis in ethnobotanical investigations: the “yuchán” (Ceiba chodatii, Bombacaceae) in the oral discourse of the Wichí of the Semiarid Chaco in Salta province, Argentina Suarez, Maria Eugenia Se presenta un estudio de caso referido a un árbol característico de los bosques chaqueños, el "yuchán" (Ceiba chodatii, Bombacaceae), a fin de ilustrar la importancia del análisis de narrativas vernáculas para la investigación etnobotánica. Se trabajó articulando dos enfoques teórico-metódológicos: por un lado, se estudiaron los roles, usos y significados de la planta en el contexto sociocultural wichí desde una perspectiva etnobotánica; por otro, se analizaron tres discursos orales en base a métodos propios de disciplinas como la antropología sociocultural y lingüística, la etnografía del habla y la folklorística. Además de corroborar y profundizar los resultados que surgen de los datos etnobotánicos, el análisis de las narrativas aportó nueva y valiosa información. El conjunto de los resultados obtenidos demuestran que el estudio detallado de las narrativas locales es de suma importancia para cualquier investigación etnobotánica. Los aportes que brinda posibilitan una interpretación cabal de los datos etnobotánicos recopilados y una comprensión acabada de los saberes, creencias y significados de los diversos lugares y elementos del cosmos. En este marco, el trabajo con encuestas abiertas, el conocimiento de los entrevistados y su contexto sociocultural y el registro minucioso de los recursos expresivos utilizados en las conversaciones devienen cruciales.; Narrative analysis in ethnobotanical investigations: the “yuchán” (Ceiba chodatii, Bombacaceae) in the oral discourse of the Wichí of the Semiarid Chaco in Salta province, Argentina. This article is a case study of the “yuchán” (Ceiba chodatii, Bombacaceae), a typical tree of the Chaco forest, and it illustrates the importance of analyzing vernacular narratives in ethnobotanical research. Two theoretical-methodological approaches were combined: firstly, the roles, uses and meanings of this plant in the Wichí socio-cultural context were studied from an ethnobotanical perspective; then, three oral discourses were examined using methods borrowed from disciplines such as linguistic and sociocultural anthropology, linguistic ethnography and folkloristics. Apart from corroborating and looking more deeply at the results that emerge from the ethnobotanical data, the analysis of the narratives provided new and valuable information. As a whole, the results of this study prove that a detailed examination of local discourses is very important for any ethnobotanical investigation. The contributions that it offers make for a detailed interpretation of the ethnobotanical data compiled and a complete comprehension of the knowledge, beliefs and meanings regarding the different places and elements of the cosmos. In this framework, working with open-ended questions, knowing our interviewees and their socio-cultural context and meticulously recording the expressive resources used in the conversations become crucial.

La simbología prehispánica e histórica del noroeste argentino y su relación con los cambios paleoambientales; Pre-hispanic and historical simbology of Northweastern Argentina and its connection with paleoambientales Caria, Mario Alejandro; Gómez Augier, Julián Patricio Se vincula el estudio de los cambios del ambiente en el pasado con aquellos operados en los sistemas simbólicos y de creencias observables a través del registro arqueológico y geológico. Esta perspectiva constituye una nueva línea de análisis que no ha sido tenida en cuenta en los estudios paleoambientales y de orden simbólico en la región árida del Noroeste Argentino.; Past environmental changes and symbolic system modi. cation studies, visible through archaeological and geological records, are entailed. This perspective is a new analysis approach that has not been taken into account previously for symbolic and palaeoenvironmental researches in the arid region of Northwestern Argentina

3D density model of the Central Andes Prezzi, Claudia Beatriz; Götze, Hans Jürgen; Schmidt, Sabine We developed a 3D density model of the continental crust, the subducted plate and the upper mantle of the Central Andes between 20-29°S and 74-61°W through the forward modelling of Bouguer anomaly. The goal of this contribution is to gain insight on the lithospheric structure integrating the available information (geophysical, geologic, petrologic, and geochemical) in a single model. The geometry of our model is defined and constrained by hypocentre location, reflection and refraction on and offshore seismic lines, travel time and attenuation tomography, receiver function analysis, magnetotelluric studies, thermal models and balanced structural cross-sections. The densities allocated to the different bodies are calculated considering petrologic and geochemical data and pressure and temperature conditions. The model consists of 31 parallel E-W vertical planes, where the continental crust comprises distinct bodies, which represent the different morphotectonic units of the Central Andes. We include a partial melting zone at midcrustal depths under the Altiplano-Puna (low-velocity zone) and consider the presence of a rheologically strong block beneath the Salar de Atacama basin, according to recent seismic studies. Contour maps of the depth of the continental Moho, the thickness of the lower crust and the depth to the bottom of the lithosphere below South America are produced. The possible percentage of partial melt in the Central Andes low-velocity zone is estimated. The residual anomaly is calculated by subtracting from the Bouguer anomaly the gravimetric effect of the modelled subducted slab and of the modelled Moho. Isostatic anomalies are calculated from regional and local isostatic Mohos calculated with and without internal loads, derived from our gravity model, which are then compared to the modelled continental Moho. This study contributes to a more detailed knowledge of the lithospheric structure of this region of the Andes and provides an integrated 3D density model, which may be used by the geoscientific community as a tool that can help to understand and interpret the geodynamic features and processes acting along the Central Andes.

Home range size and overlap in Liolaemus multimaculatus (Squamata: Liolamidae) in pampean coastal dunes of Argentina Kacoliris, Federico Pablo; Williams, Jorge Daniel; Ruiz de Arcaute, Celeste; Cassino, Carla Corina The home range is the space used by individuals to carry out their life cycles. The Sand dune lizard (Liolaemus multimaculatus) is a vulnerable species, endemic to the pampas coasts of Buenos Aires and Río Negro Provinces in Argentina. The aim of this work was to assess home range size and overlap of the Sand dune lizard. The study was carried out at Mar Chiquita Provincial Reserve. Home range and overlap were calculated using the minimum convex polygon method. The mean ± SD home range size for all individuals was 45.90 ± 74.37 m2 and no differences were observed between males and females (p = 0.49). However, an analysis without outlier individuals showed more accurate values for females (21.31 ± 17.59 m2) and males (33.52 ± 24.62 m2), and differences between sex were observed (p = 0.04). The relationship between body size and home range size was not significant (p = 0.41). Home range overlap was high (22 to 58%; Fig. 2) and did not show differences between males and females (p > 0.05 in all cases). Our results showed some similarities with the Brazilian sand lizard (Liolaemus lutzae) in which home range value is only up to 1.5 units higher than in L. multimaculatus. Further studies about this species? social system are necessary to understand the observed patterns.

Mechanical properties of polypropylene/clay nanocomposites: Effect of clay content, polymer/clay compatibility, and processing conditions Tarapow, J. A.; Bernal, Celina Raquel; Alvarez, Vera Alejandra In this work, polypropylene/clay nanocomposites with 0.5, 1, 3, and 5 wt % of montmorillonite (MMT) (unmodified clay) were prepared by intensive mixing at 50 rpm and 10 min of mixing. For the highest clay content (5 wt %), the initial materials or the processing conditions were changed to study their independent effect. On one hand, 10 wt % of PP‐graft‐MA (PP‐g‐MA) was incorporated or MMT was replaced by organomodified clays (C10A and C30B). On the other side, for the initial system, the speed of rotation (100 and 150 rpm) and the mixing time (5 and 15 min) were altered. In all cases, the state of the clay inside the matrix (DRX), the degree of dispersion in the micro (SEM) and nano (TEM) scales, and the rheological and mechanical properties were analyzed. It was found that the stiffness increased with clay content, whereas tensile and impact strength did not significantly change. Although intercalated structures were observed in the composites with unmodified clay, in the composites with modified clay or PP‐g‐MA, improved dispersion of clay in PP was found. The mechanical properties increased accordingly. The degree of dispersion of the filler in the matrix appeared to be unaffected by the changes in the processing conditions introduced. Finally, the elastic modulus was modeled by using an effective filler‐parameter model based on Halpin–Tsai equations, which also allowed estimating the relative degree of dispersion.

4'-[2-(2-Ethoxy-ethoxy)eth-oxy]-bi-phenyl-4-carboxylic acid: Correlation between its crystalline and smectic phases Montani, Rosana Silvia; Garay, Raúl Oscar; Cukiernik, Fabio Daniel; Garland, Maria T.; Baggio, Ricardo Fortunato The crystal structure of the dimeric title compound, C19H 22O5H, is dominated by a head-to-head hydrogen-bonding inter-action between centrosymmetrically related carboxyl groups in each monomer. The result is a dimeric axis of unusual length (ca 34 Å), but still shorter than what could be expected for a fully extended chain, owing to two turning points in the oligo-eth-oxy ends. This allows for an explanation of the structure of the smectic mesophase exhibited by this compound and at the same time fully validates former geometric estimations based on PM3 calculations. © 2009 International Union of Crystallography.

Elimination of dyes from aqueous solutions using iron oxides and chitosan as adsorbents: a comparative study Pirillo, Silvina; Pedroni, Viviana Isabel; Rueda, Elsa Haydee; Ferreira, María Luján This work investigates the adsorption of Alizarin, Eriochrome Blue Black R and Fluorescein using chitosan, goethite and magnetite as adsorbents. For Alizarin, the best adsorbent is chitosan with a Langmuir parameter of 15.8 mmol dye/g adsorbent. For Eriochrome Blue Black R only 1.94 mmol dye/g chitosan is adsorbed. Langmuir parameters for the Alizarin adsorption on both iron oxides display one or two orders of magnitude lower than for chitosan and two orders of magnitude lower in the case of Eriochrome Blue Black R. Fluorescein does not adsorb in appreciable amounts on chitosan and it presents the lower affinity on the iron oxides.