Space and time in the parietal cortex: fMRI Evidence for a meural asymmetry

How are space and time related in the brain? This study contrasts two proposals that make different predictions about the interaction between spatial and temporal magnitudes. Whereas ATOM implies that space and time are symmetrically related, Metaphor Theory claims they are asymmetrically related. Here we investigated whether space and time activate the same neural structures in the inferior parietal cortex (IPC) and whether the activation is symmetric or asymmetric across domains. We measured participants’ neural activity while they made temporal and spatial judgments on the same visual stimuli. The behavioral results replicated earlier observations of a space-time asymmetry: Temporal judgments were more strongly influenced by irrelevant spatial information than vice versa. The BOLD fMRI data indicated that space and time activated overlapping clusters in the IPC and that, consistent with Metaphor Theory, this activation was asymmetric: The shared region of IPC was activated more strongly during temporal judgments than during spatial judgments. We consider three possible interpretations of this neural asymmetry, based on 3 possible functions of IPC

Early Cretaceous chalks from the North Sea giving evidence for global change

Among calcareous nannofossils, important primary producers in Jurassic and Cretaceous oceans, nannoconids were carbonate rock-forming organisms. During the late Barremian and early Aptian (~126 to 122 million years ago), nannoconids went through a crisis culminating during the Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a. Here we present nannofossil and geochemical data from a section of early Barremian-early Aptian age from the North Sea, recording the earliest chalks ever known in the Boreal Realm. These middle-late Barremian chalks were generated by blooming of endemic nannoconids under relative warm and arid conditions. A subsequent decrease of nannoconids in the latest Barremian coincides with increased nutrient and clay input. This nannoconid decline, also detected at low latitudes, was associated with the Ontong Java Plateau emplacement. We conclude that nannoconids were rock forming also at high latitudes, under clear and oligotrophic waters. Their decline was related to increased continental runoff under reinforced greenhouse conditions

Escobajos de la vid como fuente de compuestos fenólicos con propiedades antioxidantes

Winemaking industry generates considerable amounts of bunch stems that are usually wasted despite their potential value as source of bioactive compounds. Phenolic profiles and antioxidant capacity (AC) of bunch stem extracts from eight grape varieties of Vitis vinifera L. were determined. Sixteen phenolic compounds (PC) were quantified by high performance-liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). The maximum concentrations corresponded to the flavanols (+)-catechin (6462 μg g-1 DW) and procyanidin B1 (1987 μg g-1 DW), followed by the hydroxycinnamic acid caftaric acid (2967 μg g-1 DW). Naringin, myricetin and OH-tyrosol were identified for the first time in grape bunch stems. Total phenolic content (TPC) of extracts, assessed as gallic acid equivalents (GAE), ranged between 47 and 125 mg GAE g-1 DW. The AC of extracts was appraised by ORAC, ABTS and DPPH assays, with a good correlation between TPC and AC when measured by ABTS and DPPH (r ≥ 0.92), while for ORAC the correlation was lower (r ≤ 0.41). Samples of cv. Malbec, the most representative variety of Argentina, presented the highest contents in PC, particularly flavanols. The results showed that grape bunch stems may be an inexpensive, sustainable and high value source of bioactive compounds as functional ingredients.La industria vitivinícola genera cantidades considerables de escobajo que generalmente se desperdician a pesar de su valor potencial como fuente de compuestos bioactivos. En este trabajo se determinaron los perfiles fenólicos y capacidad antioxidantes (CA) de extractos de escobajo de ocho variedades diferentes de Vitis vinífera L. Se cuantificaron 16 compuestos fenólicos (PC) utilizando cromatografía líquida de alta resolución acoplada a detector de arreglo de diodos (HPLC-DAD). Las concentraciones más elevadas obtenidas correspondieron a los flavanoles (+)-catequina (6462 μg g-1 peso seco) y procianidina B1 (1987 μg g-1 peso seco), seguido del ácido caftárico (2967 μg g-1 peso seco). La naringenina, miricetina y OH-tirosol fueron identificados por primera vez en escobajos. El contenido total de compuestos fenólicos (TPC) de los extractos determinado con equivalentes de ácido gálico (GAE) presentó valores entre 47 y 125 mg GAE g-1 peso seco. La CA de los extractos fue determinada mediante las técnicas ORAC, ABTS y DPPH, evidenciando una buena correlación entre TPC y la CA medida mediante ABTS y DPPH (r ≥ 0,92), mientras que para ORAC la correlación fue más baja (r ≤ 0,41). La muestra de variedad más representativa de Argentina, cv. Malbec, presentó los mayores niveles de PC, particularmente flavanoles. Los resultados evidencian que los escobajos pueden ser una fuente económica, sostenible y de alto valor de compuestos bioactivos para su utilización como ingredientes funcionales.Fil: Ferreyra, Susana Gisela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: Bottini, Ambrosio Rubén. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza; Argentina. Universidad "Juan Agustín Maza"; ArgentinaFil: Fontana, Ariel Ramón. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza; Argentin

Effect of Industrial Heat Treatment and Barrel Finishing on the Mechanical Performance of Ti6Al4V Processed by Selective Laser Melting

Additive manufacturing is now capable of delivering high-quality, complex-shaped metallic components. The titanium alloy Ti6Al4V is an example of a printable metal being broadly used for advanced structural applications. A sound characterization of static mechanical properties of additively manufactured material is crucial for its proper application, and here specifically for Ti6Al4V. This includes a complete understanding of the influence of postprocess treatment on the material behavior, which has not been reached yet. In the present paper, the postprocess effects of surface finish and heat treatment on the mechanical performance of Ti6Al4V after selective laser melting were investigated. Some samples were subjected to barrel finishing at two different intensities, while different sets of specimens underwent several thermal cycles. As a reference, a control group of specimens was included, which did not undergo any postprocessing. The treatments were selected to be effective and easy to perform, being suitable for real industrial applications. Tensile tests were performed on all the samples, to obtain yield stress, ultimate tensile strength and elongation at fracture. The area reduction of the barrel-finished samples, after being tested, was measured by using a 3D scanner, as a further indication of ductility. Experimental results are reported and discussed, highlighting the effect of postprocessing treatments on the mechanical response. We then propose the optimal postprocessing procedure to enhance ductility without compromising strength, for structures manufactured from Ti6Al4V with selective laser melting

Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza (IBAM). The tenth birthday of a research envision with international impact but strongly involved with the territory

At the beginning of the 2000’ a small group of researchers belonging to the Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias (FCA), began meeting regularly with colleagues from other institutions in a sort of "scientific club" then called Centro de Biología Vegetal de  endoza (CEBIVEM). The aim of this group was to carry on seminars to discuss the advances either of the CEBIVEM members and/or the state of arts in some specific subjects related to plant biology and associated organisms. From the beginning, the holistic vision of plants and their environment was clear.At the beginning of the 2000’ a small group of researchers belonging to the Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias (FCA), began meeting regularly with colleagues from other institutions in a sort of "scientific club" then called Centro de Biología Vegetal de  endoza (CEBIVEM). The aim of this group was to carry on seminars to discuss the advances either of the CEBIVEM members and/or the state of arts in some specific subjects related to plant biology and associated organisms. From the beginning, the holistic vision of plants and their environment was clear

Effect of stress and methylmercury exposure on song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) energy balance.

Mercury is an endocrine disruptor well known for its deleterious impacts on wildlife and humans but its effects on songbirds’ populations still require more investigation. In their natural habitat, birds face multiple stressors (e.g. predation, food unpredictability, inclement weather) in addition to pollutants. However the accumulated effects of both stress and pollutants are rarely studied. Such co-occurring pressures may synergistically increase risk for birds as both stress and mercury exposure may disrupt energy acquisition and/or allocation. My project aims to determine the interactive effects of stress and mercury exposure on songbird energy balance. Adults’ song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) were captured and assigned to one of four environmentally relevant treatments: control, stressed only, mercury exposed only, and both stress with mercury exposure. The exposure lasted three months with an additional three months of post-exposure monitoring. I monitored the birds’ minimal energy expenditure (BMR) and maximum metabolic rate (MMR). The preliminary results show that birds only stressed had a lower BMR than others, but the effect disappear after 3 months post-exposure, while birds under both MeHg and stress tend to have a higher MMR than control birds. A reduced BMR may imply a lower energy supply for daily needs while a higher MMR could indicate an uncontrolled energy loss during activities, reducing the possibility to put this energy elsewhere (e.g. growth, immunity, reproduction). Thus because BMR or MMR disruption could affect bird survival, more studies are necessary to understand the effects of co-occurring stressor and contaminant when assessing potential hazard for wildlife

Using investor-state dispute settlement to enforce investor obligations

IIAs generally establish obligations for host countries only. Foreign investors may claim for measures taken against a related local company, yet they are not liable for breaches of obligations by this company. This Perspective suggests that IIAs may be used to enforce obligations binding upon the local investment vehicle