Bone technology in the western pampean region: identifying manufacturing techniques from archaeological and experimental evidence

En este trabajo se presentan los resultados del estudio de huesos vinculados con la tecnología, provenientes del sitio arqueológico Laguna de los Pampas (LLP), localizado en la subregión Pampa Húmeda de Argentina. Los especímenes fueron estudiados aplicando el enfoque tecnológico al análisis de los instrumentos óseos por secuencias de operaciones, en el sentido de cadenas operativas de la manufactura. El objetivo fue identificar el proceso de manufactura de las formas base en el sitio LLP, a través del estudio de los restos arqueológicos, así como de trabajos experimentales. Se reconstruyó la cadena operativa teórica para la manufactura de las formas base en tibias y metapodios de guanaco. En general, los resultados indican que los instrumentos óseos habrían sido confeccionados en el sitio para el caso de la tibia y que este elemento fue seleccionado como núcleo para la obtención de astillas.This paper presents the results of a study of bone specimens related to bone technology from the Laguna de los Pampas (LLP) archaeological site, located in the Humid Pampean subregion in Argentina. The bone tools were analyzed using a technological approach examining sequences of operations, that is, chaìnes opératoires of manufacture. The objective was to identify the manufacturing process of bone tools at the LLP site by analyzing the archaeological remains and through experimental studies. The hypothetical sequences for manufacturing bone tools were reconstructed using the tibia and metapodial bones of guanaco, a native camelid. The results indicate that tibia bone tools were crafted at the LLP site, and that this particular bone was favored as a core for the production of shaft splinters.Fil: Alvarez, María Clara. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano; Argentin

Utilización de Rhea americana (Aves, Rheidae) en el sitio Paso Otero 4 (partido de Necochea, región pampeana)

RESUMEN: Los sitios arqueológicos de la región pampeana presentan bajas proporciones de especímenes de Rhea americana (ñandú), lo cual permitió proponer que este animal fue utilizado por los grupos de cazadores-recolectores que habitaron esta zona como un recurso complementario. En años recientes, el estudio del rol de este taxón en la dieta cobró mayor importancia, debido al desarrollo de nuevas metodologías que permiten estimar el número mínimo de huevos y su afiliación especifica. En el sitio Paso Otero 4 (partido de Necochea) se recuperaron 27 especímenes determinados como restos esqueletarios de Rhea americana, en tanto que 13.741 restos fueron identificados como fragmentos de cáscara de huevo. Se analizaron aspectos tafonómicos, taxonómicos y anatómicos de este conjunto. Además, se estimó el aporte de los huevos a partir de la obtención del número mínimo de estos elementos, obtenido por el pesaje de los fragmentos de cáscara. Los resultados de este sitio y de otras muestras del área permiten proponer que Rhea americana constituyó un recurso complementario, aunque habría tenido una mayor importancia durante el Holoceno temprano. A partir de los análisis realizados, en conjunto con los aspectos eto-ecológicos de Rhea americana, se discute la forma de adquisición de esta especie en el pasado.ABSTRACT: Rhea americana (greater rhea) bone specimens have been registered in low frequencies in the archaeological sites from the pampean region of Argentina. Some researchers have proposed that this bird was used as a complementary resource by hunter-gatherers who inhabited this area. In recent years, with the development of new methodologies that allow the estimation of the minimal number of eggs, as well as the taxonomic identification of fragments, the role of Rhea americana in subsistence studies has gained a new significance. In the Paso Otero 4 archaeological site, 27 skeletal specimens were determined as Rhea americana, and 13,741 as eggshells. Taphonomic, taxonomic, and anatomic aspects of this assemblage were studied. In addition, the importance of eggs was estimated through the calculation of the minimal number of these elements. Results on this site and other assemblages from this area indicate that Rhea americana constituted a complementary resource, although its importance would have been higher during the early Holocene. The rhea acquisition techniques are evaluated considering the results on the fanual analyses together with the etho-ecological characteristics of this bird.Fil: Alvarez, María Clara. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano; Argentin

Can A U.S. Merchandising Franchise Work In Colombia?

Objectives: This research examines the question Can a United States merchandising franchise work appropriately in Colombia? . This becomes an interesting study due to the fact that given the new internationalization of the Colombian economy, diverse opportunities for foreign investment have emerged. Methods A literature review on merchandising and the franchising business is done (1993-1995). Then, four franchisees in South America are interviewed about main issues on the franchising business. Finally, 60 decision-makers involved in the retail business in Colombia are also interviewed to determine if there is a consumer market for the merchandising industry. Results 96.7% of the marketing executives would consider investing in a merchandising plan for their branch network. Out of the 60 interviewees, 51 perceive the use of merchandising in the retail channel as an upstarting trend in Colombia. Recommendations Recommendations are made considering both, the literature review and the interviews. The franchisee should develop a marketing plan for Colombia in which seminars and lectures in reference to merchandising are included. Colombia could be a first step into entering the Latin American market as a whole

Evaluation of phosphate recovery as struvite to avoid uncontrolled phosphorus precipitation in the sludge line. The case of the Alt Maresme Nord WWTP

Aquest projecte avalua la viabilitat tècnica i econòmica de la implantació d'un sistema de recuperació de P es forma d’estruvita a l'EDAR Alt Maresme Nord (AMN), situada a Pineda (Catalunya). A l'EDAR de AMN es registren precipitacions incontrolades de P des de 2016 quan la planta va iniciar la gestió dels fangs produïts en altres cinc instal·lacions d'aigües residuals de la comarca del Maresme. Aquest estudi proposa una modificació de la línia de tractament de fangs i consisteix en la instal·lació de: i) una etapa de elutriació per potenciar l'alliberament de P a la fase líquida dels biosòlids i; ii) una unitat de cristal·lització per recuperar estruvita pura del corrent obtingut enriquit en fosfat i amoni. Per analitzar la viabilitat d'implementar aquesta nova tecnologia, s'han revisat i analitzat profundament estudis recents i prototips ja implementats. A més, s'han realitzat proves al laboratori amb els fangs rebuts a Pineda per proposar l'opció òptima pel que fa a rendiment del procés mantenint les condicions d'operació requerides per produir estruvita. Entre totes les tecnologies de recuperació analitzades, s'ha seleccionat la tecnologia Phosphogreen de la companyia Suez en avaluació en el LIFE ENRICH liderat per Cetaqua. Els resultats indiquen que els fangs que arriben a AMN han de ser sotmesos a una etapa d'hidratació en un tanc de elutriació, seguida d'una etapa d'espessiment per obtenir corrent líquid enriquit en P que finalment s'enviaria a el reactor de cristal·lització per produir estruvita. S'ha estimat que la producció potencial d'estruvita amb la implementació d'aquesta tecnologia seria de fins a 83 tones anuals que suposaria uns ingressos anuals de fins a 29.000 € per l'EDAR del AMN. L'avaluació econòmica demostra que la implementació d'aquest tipus de tecnologia a l'EDAR del AMN és factible i pot aconseguir un període de recuperació de la inversió de menys de 10 anys.Este proyecto evalúa la viabilidad técnica y económica de la implantación de un sistema de recuperación de P como estruvita en la EDAR Alt Maresme Nord (AMN), ubicada en Pineda (Catalunya). En la EDAR de AMN se registran precipitaciones incontroladas de P desde 2016 cuando la planta inició la gestión de los fangos producidos en otras cinco instalaciones de aguas residuales de la comarca del Maresme. Este estudio propone una modificación de la línea de tratamiento de fangos y consiste en la instalación de: i) una etapa de elutriación para potenciar la liberación de P a la fase líquida de los biosólidos y; ii) una unidad de cristalización para recuperar estruvita pura de la corriente obtenida enriquecida en fosfato y amonio. Para analizar la viabilidad de implementar esta nueva tecnología, se han revisado y analizado profundamente estudios recientes y prototipos ya implementados. Además, se han realizado pruebas de laboratorio con los fangos recibidos en Pineda para proponer la opción óptima en cuanto a rendimiento del proceso manteniendo las condiciones de operación requeridas para producir estruvita. Entre todas las tecnologías de recuperación analizadas, se ha seleccionado la tecnología Phosphogreen de la compañía Suez en evaluación en el LIFE ENRICH liderado por Cetaqua. Los resultados indican que los fangos que llegan a AMN deben ser sometidos a una etapa de hidratación en un tanque de elutriación, seguida de una etapa de espesamiento para obtener la corriente líquida enriquecida en P que finalmente se enviaría al reactor de cristalización para producir estruvita. Se ha estimado que la producción potencial de estruvita con la implementación de esta tecnología sería de hasta 83 toneladas anuales que supondría unos ingresos anuales de hasta 29.000 € por la EDAR de AMN. La evaluación económica demuestra que la implementación de este tipo de tecnología en la EDAR de AMN es factible y puede lograr un período de recuperación de la inversión menos de 10 años.Phosphorus (P) is a non-replaceable and finite resource widely used in fertilizer production and nowadays considered as critical raw material at the European Union. High concentrations of phosphorus have been reported in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) streams, making them attractive as a P source. The high concentrations of P and other nutrients at some points of the sludge treatment line (e.g. anaerobic digestion stage), can lead to the uncontrolled precipitation of phosphorus minerals in the sludge line causing damage along the infrastructure. This uncontrolled precipitation phenomena suppose an increase on sludge management costs and a decrease in the overall efficiency of the process. Therefore, apart from the environmental and sustainability benefits that represents the enhance of P recycling by decreasing the dependency on the phosphatic rock deposits, phosphorus recovery in WWTPsrepresents an opportunity to minimize the problems related to uncontrolled precipitations of phosphorus compounds while collecting a recovered material ready to be commercialized in fertilization applications. Among the different options to recover P minerals, struvite (MgNH4PO4·6H2O) crystallization, appears as one of the most promising technologies to recover phosphorus from wastewater. Struvite is a valuable product for the fertilizer industry and can be sold at a profit. This project evaluates the technical and economic feasibility of the implementation of a P-recovery system as struvite in Alt Maresme Nord (AMN) WWTP, located in Pineda (Catalunya). Uncontrolled precipitation of P has been reported in AMN WWTP since 2016 when the plant started with the management of sludges produced in five other wastewater facilities in the Maresme region. This new hub treatment facility was designed and built for the management of the external sludges received from the different wastewater works. This study is proposing a modification of the sludge treatment line and it consists on the installation of: i) an elutriation stage to enhance the P release into the liquid phase from the bio-solids and; ii) a crystallization unit to recover pure struvite from the obtained stream enriched in phosphate and ammonium. In order to analyze the feasibility of implementing this new technology, recent studies and already implemented prototypes have been critically reviewed and analyzed. In addition, laboratory tests have been performed with the sludge received in Pineda to propose the optimumoption in terms of process yield maintaining the required operating conditions to produce struvite. Among all the recovery technologies analyzed, it has been selected the Phosphogreen technology from Suez Company under evaluation in the LIFE ENRICH leaded by Cetaqua. The results indicate that sludges arriving in AMN should be subjected to a hydration stage in an elutriation tank, followed by a thickening stage to obtain the P-enriched liquid stream which would be finally sent to the crystallization reactor to produce struvite. It has been estimated that the potential production of struvite with the implementation of this technology would be up to 83 annual tonnes with operating conditions of pH 8,5 and a magnesium to phosphate molar ratio in the crystallization reactor of 1:1. Struvite sales would suppose an annual income up to 29.000€ for AMN WWTP. The economic assessment demonstrates that the implementation of this kind of technology in AMN WWTP is feasible and can achieve a payback period of less than 10 years.Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::6 - Aigua Neta i Sanejamen

Drying/encapsulation of red wine to produce ingredientes for healthy foods

Epidemiological evidence indicates that moderate consumption of red wine reducesthe incidence of coronary disease, atherosclerosis, and platelet aggregation. Wine is very rich in antioxidant compounds because of their phenolic components.However, many people for ethnic, social or religious reasons do not consume wine. Drying/encapsulation of red wine in the presence of adequate carbohydrates leads to water and more than 99% of alcohol removal; a glassy amorphous microstructure is obtained in which the wine's phenolic compounds are entrapped. The resulting product is a free flowing powder which could be used for the polyphenol enrichment of healthy foods and/or drink powders, as well as in the pharmaceutical industry. The wine industry may take advantage of the dried/encapsulated red wine using as a raw material red wines which have littlecommercial value for different reasons; i.e. poor quality due to raw material, unfavourable climatic conditions, or wines that suffered some alteration during the wine making process. Dry encapsulated wine may be a new alternative to red wines that cannot be sold as such for different reasons, and open new opportunities to diversify wine products.Fil: Alvarez Gaona, Izmari Jasel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina "Santa María de los Buenos Aires"; ArgentinaFil: Rocha Parra, Diego Fernando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina "Santa María de los Buenos Aires"; ArgentinaFil: Zamora, María Clara. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina "Santa María de los Buenos Aires"; ArgentinaFil: Chirife, Jorge. Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina "Santa María de los Buenos Aires"; Argentin

Subject Acquisition for Web-Based Surveys

This article provides a basic report about subject recruitment processes for Web-based surveys. Using data from our ongoing Internet Survey of American Opinion project, two different recruitment techniques (banner advertisement and subscription campaigns) are compared. This comparison, together with a typology of Web-based surveys, provides insight into the validity and generalizability of Internet survey data. The results from this analysis show that, although Internet survey respondents differ demographically from the American population, the relationships among variables are similar across recruitment methods and match those implied by substantive theory. Thus, our research documents the basic methodology of subject acquisition for Web-based surveys, which, as we argue in our conclusion, may soon become the survey interview mode of choice for social scientists

Exploring the genetic and genomic connection underlying neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation and the risk for Parkinson’s disease

Neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA) represents a group of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by abnormal iron accumulation in the brain. In Parkinson’s Disease (PD), iron accumulation is a cardinal feature of degenerating regions in the brain and seems to be a key player in mechanisms that precipitate cell death. The aim of this study was to explore the genetic and genomic connection between NBIA and PD. We screened for known and rare pathogenic mutations in autosomal dominant and recessive genes linked to NBIA in a total of 4481 PD cases and 10,253 controls from the Accelerating Medicines Partnership Parkinsons’ Disease Program and the UKBiobank. We examined whether a genetic burden of NBIA variants contributes to PD risk through single-gene, gene-set, and single-variant association analyses. In addition, we assessed publicly available expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data through Summary-based Mendelian Randomization and conducted transcriptomic analyses in blood of 1886 PD cases and 1285 controls. Out of 29 previously reported NBIA screened coding variants, four were associated with PD risk at a nominal p value < 0.05. No enrichment of heterozygous variants in NBIA-related genes risk was identified in PD cases versus controls. Burden analyses did not reveal a cumulative effect of rare NBIA genetic variation on PD risk. Transcriptomic analyses suggested that DCAF17 is differentially expressed in blood from PD cases and controls. Due to low mutation occurrence in the datasets and lack of replication, our analyses suggest that NBIA and PD may be separate molecular entities.National Institutes of Health (NIH

Diagnóstico de enfermedades del ganado utilizando técnicas moleculares

Las técnicas basadas en la detección del ADN de patógenos significan un gran paso en el diagnóstico rápido y preciso de los agentes causales de las enfermedades infecciosas que afectan al ganado.Fil: Alvarez, Lucía Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Patagonia Norte. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria San Carlos de Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Mignaqui, Ana Clara. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Patagonia Norte. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria San Carlos de Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Robles, Carlos Alejandro. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Patagonia Norte. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria San Carlos de Bariloche; Argentin

Regulatory State and Judicial Decisions in Telecommunications in Mexico

Purpose – To assess the role of the judiciary in defining the Regulatory State and in regulating telecommunications in Mexico after almost 5 years of the creation of an independent regulator for telecommunications and broadcasting (Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones) with authority in antitrust matters. Methodology/approach/design – To identify the most relevant judicial decisions in telecommunications and antitrust matters, research upon the context in which they were adopted, analyze the content of the decisions and identify the impact of such judicial decisions in the construction of the Mexican Regulatory State, and in the law, in regulation/acts of the regulator. Findings – The main findings are that: (1) the Mexican Regulatory State is a reality now, even if it is in its beginnings; (2) Congress is receptive to Judiciary´s decisions; and (3) deference by judiciary to the regulator is not a blank check, even if there are complex technical issues and a discretionary decision. Practical implications – The identification of a Regulatory State in Mexico evidences that there are deep changes in the traditional relationship between Congress and regulators. Also, the deference granted by the courts to regulators must be considered as a consequence of such Regulatory State. Nonetheless and despite the deference to regulators, Judiciary´s role in building the telecommunications and broadcasting sector is paramount, because judicial decisions ultimately define it. Originality/value – Major changes to telecommunications and broadcasting have taken place in Mexico in the last years. Therefore, there has been scarce research and analysis about the new role of regulators, legislators, and judges, in the so called Regulatory State in Mexico. Moreover, the experience of Mexico may be valuable for other scholars which are assessing public policy in their own Latin American countries or in countries with similarities to them

Análisis de los restos faunísticos del sitio Calera (Sierras Bayas, Partido de Olavarría) : Un aporte a su funcionalidad a través del estudio de los mamíferos

El sitio Calera se localiza en las Sierras Bayas, partido de Olavarría. Estaba conformado por una serie de rasgos que se denominaron cubetas (n=4), correspondientes a pozos de dimensiones variables excavados intencionalmente en el sedimento, que contenían una gran cantidad de materiales arqueológicos. Los fechados radiocarbónicos indican que estos materiales fueron introducidos a las cubetas en forma diacrónica entre los 3400 y los 1750 años AP. En este artículo se presentan los resultados del análisis zooarqueológico y tafonómico de una muestra de los restos faunísticos del sitio, consistente en la totalidad de mamíferos medianos y grandes provenientes de uno de los rasgos (cubeta 2). Los objetivos principales son aportar un cuerpo de conocimiento relevante para la comprensión de la funcionalidad del sitio, discutir su historia tafonómica y explorar la utilización dada a los mamíferos. La presencia de una gran cantidad de restos óseos depositada en un rasgo reducido, la estacionalidad acotada de las ocupaciones, el subaprovechamiento de las carcasas de mamíferos y la cantidad significativa de restos de carnívoros permite plantear, en conjunto con otras líneas de evidencia, que Calera constituye un depósito conformado como consecuencia del desarrollo de festines.The site Calera is located in the Sierras Bayas hills, district of Olavarría. Four intentionally excavated pits were found at the site. These pits were holes of different dimensions that were filled up with a wide variety of cultural remains. Results from radiocarbon dating indicate that the material was introduced to the pits in a diachronic way, between 3400 and 1750 years BP. In this paper, results of zooarchaeological and taphonomic analyses of a sample of faunal remains of the site are presented. This sample consists of big and medium mammals specimens from one of the features (pit 2). The main objectives of the study are to contribute to the understanding of the functionality of the site, to discuss the taphonomic history of the site and to explore the possible use given to the mammals. The presence of a large quantity of faunal remains deposited in a pit, the short seasonal occupation of the site, the underutilization of prey carcasses, and the notable quantity of carnivore remains allows to propose, together with other lines of evidence, that the site Calera constitutes a deposit formed as consequence of feasts.Sociedad Argentina de Antropologí