Hydrogeochemical and isotopic signature of surface and groundwater in a highly industrialized sector of the Rio de la Plata coastal plain (Argentina)

The coastal plain of the middle estuary of the Río de la Plata is a highly industrialized area and is densely populated by sectors. The main human activity in the sector encompassed between the cities of Ensenada and Berisso is associated with the petrochemical industry. In this work, hydrogeochemical and isotopic characteristics of surface and groundwater in the impacted area are analyzed and the results are contrasted with those obtained in an undisturbed protected area. Major and trace elements were determined using standardized methods while the stable isotopes δ18O y δ2H were analyzed by mass spectroscopy. Human impact is evidenced by the occurrence of large variations in the major chemical composition of water, and also by the elevated concentrations of some trace elements that are not contributed from natural sources. These results may contribute to the understanding of chemical processes and pollutants distribution in highly industrialized coastal plain areas.Centro de Investigaciones Geológica

Efecto del tipo de jaula sobre el comportamiento de conejas

El objetivo de este ensayo fue evaluar el efecto del tipo de jaula (convencional vs. enriquecida) y el estado fisiológico de las conejas (gestación vs. lactación) sobre su comportamiento. Se realizaron grabaciones de 12 conejas multíparas durante 24 h en dos momentos distintos. Los comportamientos observados se clasificaron en tres grupos independientes (localización, locomoción y acciones). Se observó una predominancia clara por el uso del reposapatas (principalmente en la fase de lactación), pero este tiempo disminuyó significativamente en jaulas enriquecidas debido al uso de la plataforma (67,1 vs. 48,2%; Pmenor que0,05). Las conejas permanecieron tumbadas y sentadas el 78,4 y 20,7% del día, respectivamente, sin tener efecto ni el tipo de jaula ni el estado fisiológico. Las conejas se ponían de pie únicamente para comer u oler las heces retenidas sobre la plataforma. Las conejas se mostraron más nerviosas en la fase de lactación tratando de huir de los gazapos, siendo esta huida exitosa cuando las conejas tenían la posibilidad de utilizar la plataforma. Las conejas gestantes estuvieron significativamente más tiempo que las lactantes acicalándose, mordiendo barrotes e interaccionando con las vecinas (Pmenor que0,01; 0,05 y 0,05, respectivamente). Las conejas lactantes dedicaron más tiempo a beber (Pmenor que0,05) que las gestantes. De este trabajo se desprende que el aumento del espacio disponible con la colocación de una plataforma elevada podría ser una buena alternativa para la mejora del bienestar de las conejas, sobre todo en la fase final de la lactación, aunque la retención de heces sobre la plataforma y las deyecciones pueden ocasionar problemas de higiene

Study of Compaction and Ejection of Hydrided-Dehydrided Titanium Powder

Three similar varieties of pure Ti hydride-dehydried (HDH) powders were tested for the understanding of the variables that have an influence on the compaction process of Ti powders. The study shows that small differences in the characteristics of the powders lead to very different behaviours in the compaction stage. Compressibility curves, friction with the die walls and ejection forces are discussed in this study. The results are compared with a commercial iron powder as a reference to complete the discussion, as well as to show the enhancements and modifications that should be performed in Ti powders to design an optimized powder suitable for being pressed in an industrial process.The authors want to acknowledge the contribution and effort of Mr. Paul-Émile Mongeon from Industrial Materials Institute (IMI, Canada), as well as for his teaching and advises during the use of Powder Testing Center located at IMI. Shirley Mercier from IMI and Dr. Begoña Ferrari from Instituto de Cerámica y Vidrio (ICV, Spain), are also acknowledged for their contribution to the experimental work. Authors want to acknowledge Fundación Carlos III and Instituto Álvaro Alonso Barba for the funds supplied during the stay at IMI of P.G. Esteban, and the Spanish Ministry of Education for the funds provided for the research thought the I+D project MAT2006-02458.Publicad

Involvement of PKR and RNase L in translational control and induction of apoptosis after Hepatitis C polyprotein expression from a Vaccinia virus recombinant

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is of growing concern in public health with around 350 million chronically infected individuals worldwide. Although the IFN-α/rivabirin is the only approved therapy with 10–30% clinical efficacy, the protective molecular mechanism involved during the treatment is still unknown. To analyze the effect of HCV polyprotein expression on the antiviral response of the host, we developed a novel vaccinia virus (VV)-based delivery system (VT7-HCV7.9) where structural and nonstructural (except part of NS5B) proteins of HCV ORF from genotype 1b are efficiently expressed and produced, and timely regulated in mammalian cell lines. RESULTS: Regulated transcript production and viral polypeptide processing was demonstrated in various cell lines infected with the recombinant VT7-HCV7.9, indicating that the cellular and viral proteolytic machineries are functional within these cells. The inducible expression of the HCV polyprotein by VV inhibits the synthesis of both host and viral proteins over the time and also induces apoptosis in HeLa and HepG2-infected cells. These effects occur accompanying with the phosphorylation of the translation initiation factor eIF-2α. In cells co-infected with VT7-HCV7.9 and a recombinant VV expressing the dominant negative eIF-2α-S51A mutant in the presence of the inductor isopropyl-thiogalactoside (IPTG), protein synthesis is rescued. The IFN-inducible protein kinase PKR is responsible for the translational block, as demonstrated with PKR-/- and PKR+/+ cell lines. However, apoptosis induced by VT7-HCV7.9 is mediated by the RNase L pathway, in a PKR-independent manner. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate the antiviral relevance of the proteins induced by interferon, PKR and RNase L during expression from a VV recombinant of the HCV polyprotein in human cell lines. HCV polyprotein expression caused a severe cytopathological effect in human cells as a result of inhibition of protein synthesis and apoptosis induction, triggered by the activation of the IFN-induced enzymes PKR and RNase L systems. Thus, the virus-cell system described here highlights the relevance of the IFN system as a protective mechanism against HCV infection

La Zoología en Internet

The main goal of this paper is to facilitate the access of the zoologist to the information online in Internet (mainly through World Wide Web pages). After a presentation of the principal search engines, a number of server address are given for the diferent zoological specialities, from zoological software, data bases, etc. We hope to promote the use of this wealth of information.Se presenta un conjunto de direcciones en Internet (principalmente de páginas World Wide Web), para la búsqueda de documentos y servidores dedicados a la Zoología. Además se hace una referencia exhaustiva a servidores zoológicos por categorías, desde los puramente metodológicos, teóricos, bases de datos, etc. El objetivo es facilitar el uso de esta información online

Dispositivo para el monitoreo y gestión de calidad de la energía

El conocimiento de los niveles de calidad de la potencia eléctrica es una herramienta fundamental para hacer uso eficiente de la energía, tomar decisiones de inversiones en infraestructura, en medidas de seguridad para el personal operativo y protección de los equipos, además de contar con elementos para hacer las exigencias y reclamaciones a las empresas prestadoras del servicio. En este trabajo se presenta el desarrollo de un prototipo funcional de bajo costo que permite medir indicadores de calidad de la potencia y facilitar la gestión de la energía eléctrica para su uso eficiente. Inicialmente se describen los indicadores escogidos, y posteriormente se describe la parte técnica, el desarrollo de software y los resultados de las pruebas realizada

Seasonal variations of the humoral immune parameters of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.).

Seasonal cycles, mainly due to great variations in the light duration and temperature, are important and modulate several aspects of the animal behavior. In the case of poikilotherms animals such as fish this is very relevant. Thus, temperature changes fish immunity and affects disease resistance. We evaluate in this work the season variations of the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) humoral innate parameters focusing on winter months, at which the culture of this specie is more difficult. Our results showed that not all the innate immune parameters are depressed by low temperatures. Moreover, some of them are more dependent than others to the season and both temperature and photoperiod are operating together.Postprint

CUIDADOS DE ENFERMERÍA EN EL PACIENTE SOMETIDO A TRASPLANTE DE MÉDULA.

The aim of this article is to describe what a bone-marrow transplant is, how it is practiced, what possible difficulties may come up throughout the whole process and what our nursing intervention will be. The official definition of the nursing diagnosis of NAIDA connects specifically the diagnosis to the nursing interventions. But, what happens with other clinical situations (those not covered by nursing diagnosis) which need nursing interventions? Where can they fit within the field of clinical practice? In 1983, Carpenito presented a pattern for the practice which describes the clinical perspectives of nurses. The bifocal model about clinical practice identifies the clinical situations where nurses intervene, both as a primary assistant and collaborating with other disciplines. Based on the diagnoses described by L.J. Carpenito, we elaborate the different nursing activities.El objetivo de este artículo es describir qué es el trasplante de médula, cómo se realiza, qué complicaciones médicas pueden surgir a lo largo de todo el proceso y cuál va ser nuestra actuación enfermera. La definición oficial de diagnóstico de enfermería de la NANDA vincula de forma específica el diagnóstico con las intervenciones de enfermería. Pero, ¿qué sucede con otras situaciones clínicas (no cubiertas por los diagnósticos de enfermería) que necesitan intervenciones de enfermería? ¿Dónde pueden encajar en el ámbito de la práctica clínica? En 1983, Carpenito presentó un modelo para la práctica que describe la perspectiva clínica de las enfermeras. El modelo bifocal de práctica clínica identifica las situaciones clínicas en las que intervienen las enfermeras: como asistente primario y en colaboración con otras disciplinas. Basándonos en los diagnósticos descritos por L. J. Carpenito vamos a elaborar también las diferentes actividades de enfermería