Meatpacking workers\u27 perceptions of working conditions, psychological contracts and organizational justice

What are Latino immigrants’ beliefs about the obligations of their employers in the meatpacking industry? How fairly do they feel they are treated as workers? This study explores these questions in the context of U.S. meatpacking history and theories of psychological contract and organizational justice. Perceptions of informational justice, interpersonal justice, procedural justice, safety, satisfaction, and psychological contract of 429 line workers in five Nebraska communities were assessed. Differences by union status, gender, and work site were explored. Evidence of low procedural justice and high injury rates confirm reports of dangerous working conditions for both men and women. Advantages of union membership were found for some measures of justice. Similarly, working conditions and perceived fairness differed by work site. Findings provide a rare glimpse into the perceptions of these Latino immigrant workers. Survey measures of organizational justice can benefit workers and the industry in clarifying rights and contracts

Cranial morphology of the late Oligocene Patagonian notohippid Rhynchippus equinus Ameghino, 1897 (Mammalia, Notoungulata) with emphases in basicranial and auditory region

"Notohippidae" is a probably paraphyletic family of medium sized notoungulates with complete dentition and early tendency to hypsodonty. They have been recorded from early Eocene to early Miocene, being particularly diverse by the late Oligocene. Although Rhynchippus equinus Ameghino is one of the most frequent notohippids in the fossil record, there are scarce data about cranial osteology other than the classical descriptions which date back to the early last century. In this context, we describe the exceptionally preserved specimen MPEF PV 695 (based on CT scanning technique and 3D reconstruction) with the aim of improving our knowledge of the species, especially regarding auditory region (petrosal, tympanic and surrounding elements), sphenoidal and occipital complexes. Besides a modular description of the whole skull, osteological correlates identified on the basicranium are used to infer some soft-tissue elements, especially those associated with vessels that supply the head, mainly intracranially. One of the most informative elements was the petrosal bone, whose general morphology matches that expected for a toxodont. The endocranial surface, together with the surrounding parietal, basisphenoid, occipital, and squamosal, enabled us to propose the location and communication of main venous sinuses of the lateral head wall (temporal, inferior and sigmoid sinuses), whereas the tympanic aspect and the identification of a posterior carotid artery canal provided strong evidence in support of an intratympanic course of the internal carotid artery, a controversial issue among notoungulates. Regarding the arrangement of tympanic and paratympanic spaces, the preservation of the specimen allowed us to appreciate the three connected spaces that constitute a heavily pneumatized middle ear; the epitympanic sinus, the tympanic cavity itself, and the ventral expansion of the tympanic cavity through the notably inflated bullae. We hope this study stimulates further inquires and provides potentially informative data for future research involving other representatives of the order.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Invisible & Voiceless: Latinos in Council Bluffs Iowa

While Latino immigrant workers in Council Bluffs, Iowa have contributed significantly to the Iowa and Nebraska economies, they remain virtually invisible and lack a voice in the city’s key venues and institutions – this according to a new report being released by the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) Office of Latino/Latin American Studies (OLLAS) and funded in part by the Iowa West Foundation. The report, titled “Invisible & Voiceless” combines data from the 2010 Census with 26 interviews with members of Council Bluffs’ civic, government, education, religious, non-profit and business communities as well as Latino voices gathered at interviews and a small number of Spanish-language workshops and focus groups

Modulation of Fatty Acids and Interleukin-6 in Glioma Cells by South American Tea Extracts and their Phenolic Compounds

[EN] Dietary phenolic compounds are plant metabolites with beneficial effects on the central nervous system. Thus, our aim was to identify anti-inflammatory compounds from South American plants on glia, which regulates neuro-immune response. The compounds were extracted from Lantana grisebachii (LG), Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco (AQB), and Ilex paraguariensis (IP) teas and identified by HPLC-DAD-MS. Extracts (0–200 mg/ml) were tested on human T98-G and rat C6 glioma lines. Cellular viability (by the resazurin assay), fatty acid profile (by gas chromatography) and proinflammatory interleukin-6 release (IL-6 by ELISA) were determined. Data were analyzed by partial least-square regression to discriminate bioactive compounds. Twenty-one compounds were determined in LG, mainly iridoids, which were linked to v-3 and v-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, but not to IL-6 release. Thirty-one compounds were found in AQB, mostly hydroxybenzoic derivatives, which were positively related to IL-6 release. Twenty-three compounds were identified in IP, including caffeoylquinic derivatives and mainly chlorogenic acid. They increased the v-7 palmitoleic fatty acid, which was related to IL-6 decrease. These results enhances phytochemical knowledge of widely available plants, and suggest the lipid-related anti-inflammatory activity of IP phenolic compounds, which give nutritional relevance to the tea

Cranial morphology of the late Oligocene Patagonian notohippid Rhynchippus equinus Ameghino, 1897 (Mammalia, Notoungulata) with emphases in basicranial and auditory region

"Notohippidae" is a probably paraphyletic family of medium sized notoungulates with complete dentition and early tendency to hypsodonty. They have been recorded from early Eocene to early Miocene, being particularly diverse by the late Oligocene. Although Rhynchippus equinus Ameghino is one of the most frequent notohippids in the fossil record, there are scarce data about cranial osteology other than the classical descriptions which date back to the early last century. In this context, we describe the exceptionally preserved specimen MPEF PV 695 (based on CT scanning technique and 3D reconstruction) with the aim of improving our knowledge of the species, especially regarding auditory region (petrosal, tympanic and surrounding elements), sphenoidal and occipital complexes. Besides a modular description of the whole skull, osteological correlates identified on the basicranium are used to infer some soft-tissue elements, especially those associated with vessels that supply the head, mainly intracranially. One of the most informative elements was the petrosal bone, whose general morphology matches that expected for a toxodont. The endocranial surface, together with the surrounding parietal, basisphenoid, occipital, and squamosal, enabled us to propose the location and communication of main venous sinuses of the lateral head wall (temporal, inferior and sigmoid sinuses), whereas the tympanic aspect and the identification of a posterior carotid artery canal provided strong evidence in support of an intratympanic course of the internal carotid artery, a controversial issue among notoungulates. Regarding the arrangement of tympanic and paratympanic spaces, the preservation of the specimen allowed us to appreciate the three connected spaces that constitute a heavily pneumatized middle ear; the epitympanic sinus, the tympanic cavity itself, and the ventral expansion of the tympanic cavity through the notably inflated bullae. We hope this study stimulates further inquires and provides potentially informative data for future research involving other representatives of the order.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Considering plant functional connectivity in landscape conservation and restoration management

Landscape connectivity has traditionally been studied for animal species rather than for plants, especially under a multispecies approach. However, connectivity can be equally critical for both fauna and flora and, thus, an essential point in the selection of key management areas and measures. This paper explores a spatially explicit framework to assess the contribution of habitat patches in the conservation and enhancement of plant functional connectivity and habitat availability in a multispecies context. It relies on graph theory and a habitat availability index and differentiates between two management scenarios: (i) conservation; and (ii) restoration, by considering current and potential species distribution based on species distribution models together with a vegetation survey. The results mapped at high spatial resolution priority target areas to apply management measures. We found that intervening in a small proportion of the study area may lead to double the average overall landscape connectivity of the studied species. This study aimed at proposing an innovative methodology that allows studying connectivity for multiple plant species at landscape scale while integrating their individual characteristics. The proposed framework is a step toward incorporating connectivity concerns into plant biodiversity management, based on a better understanding of landscape structure and functionality. Here, we illustrated its significant potential for local conservation and restoration planning and resource optimizatio

Spatially-nested hierarchical species distribution models to overcome niche truncation in national-scale studies

Spatial truncation in species distribution models (SDMs) might cause niche trunca-tion and model transferability issues, particularly when extrapolating models to non-analog environmental conditions. While broad calibration extents reduce truncationissues, they usually overlook local ecological factors driving species distributions at finerresolution. Spatially-nested hierarchical SDMs (HSDMs) address truncation by merg-ing (a) a global model calibrated with broadly extended, yet typically low-resolution,basic, and imprecise data; and (b) a regional model calibrated with spatially restrictedbut more precise and reliable data. This study aimed to examine HSDMs’ efficacy toovercome spatial truncation in national-scale studies. We compared two hierarchicalstrategies (‘covariate’, which uses the global model output as a covariate for the regionalmodel, and ‘multiply’, which calculates the geometric mean of the global and regionalmodels) and a non-hierarchical strategy. The three strategies were compared in terms ofniche truncation, environmental extrapolation, model performance, species’ predicteddistributions and shifts, and trends in species richness. We examined the consistencyof the results over two study areas (Spain and Switzerland), 108 tree species, and fourfuture climate scenarios. Only the non-hierarchical strategy was susceptible to nichetruncation, and environmental extrapolation issues. Hierarchical strategies, particu-larly the ‘covariate’ one, presented greater model accuracy than non-hierarchical strate-gies. The non-hierarchical strategy predicted the highest overall values and the lowestdecreases over time in species distribution ranges and richness. Differences betweenstrategies were more evident in Switzerland, which was more affected by niche trunca-tion issues. Spain was more negatively affected by climate change and environmen-tal extrapolation. The ‘covariate’ strategy exhibited higher model performance thanthe ‘multiply’ one. However, uncertainties regarding model temporal transferabilityadvocate for adopting and further examining multiple hierarchical approaches. Thisresearch underscores the importance of adopting spatially-nested hierarchical SDMsgiven the compromised reliability of non-hierarchical approaches due to niche trunca-tion and extrapolation issuesPID2021-124187NB-I00, TED2021-129589B-I0

The role of neuropeptides in regulating ecdysis and reproduction in the hemimetabolous insect Rhodnius prolixus

In ecdysozoan animals, moulting entails the production of a new exoskeleton and shedding of the old one during ecdysis. It is induced by a pulse of ecdysone that regulates the expression of different hormonal receptors and activates a peptide-mediated signalling cascade. In Holometabola, the peptidergic cascade regulating ecdysis has been well described. However, very little functional information regarding the neuroendocrine regulation of ecdysis is available for Hemimetabola, which display an incomplete metamorphosis. We use Rhodnius prolixus as a convenient experimental model to test two hypotheses: (1) the role of neuropeptides that regulate ecdysis in Holometabola is conserved in hemimetabolous insects; and (2) the neuropeptides regulating ecdysis play a role in the regulation of female reproduction during the adult stage. The RNA interference-mediated reduction of ecdysis triggering hormone (ETH) mRNA levels in fourth-instar nymphs resulted in lethality at the expected time of ecdysis. Unlike in holometabolous insects, knockdown of eth and orcokinin isoform A (oka) did not affect oviposition in adult females, pointing to a different endocrine regulation of ovary maturation. However, eth knockdown prevented egg hatching. The blockage of egg hatching appears to be a consequence of embryonic ecdysis failure. Most of the first-instar nymphs hatched from the eggs laid by females injected with dsRNA for eclosion hormone (dsEH), crustacean cardioactive peptide (dsCCAP) and dsOKA died at the expected time of ecdysis, indicating the crucial involvement of these genes in post-embryonic development. No phenotypes were observed upon corazonin (cz) knockdown in nymphs or adult females. The results are relevant for evolutionary entomology and could reveal targets for neuropeptide-based pest control tools.Fil: Sterkel, Marcos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Endocrinología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Centro de Endocrinología Experimental y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Volonté, Mariano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Endocrinología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Centro de Endocrinología Experimental y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Albornoz, Maximiliano Gastón. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Endocrinología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Centro de Endocrinología Experimental y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Wulff, Juan Pedro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Endocrinología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Centro de Endocrinología Experimental y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Sanchez Matias, Mariana del Huerto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Terán, Paula Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Ajmat, María Teresa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Ons, Sheila. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Endocrinología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Centro de Endocrinología Experimental y Aplicada; Argentin

Ceramic Tile Murals in the subways of Buenos Aires

Ceramic Tile Murals in the subways of Buenos Aires. Director: María Garriga [email protected] UNA - National University of Arts. Visual Arts. Fire Arts Orientation. Department of Visual Arts "Prilidiano Pueyrredón". Research and Graduate Department. Research work about the tangible cultural heritage – supported by documentation files – of the ceramic tile murals housed in Buenos Aires subway lines. And in particular, what has been accomplished by teams formed by UNA ceramic teachers, hired by Metrovías, within the cultural project Subte Vive (The Subway is Alive), for the execution of large-scale murals based on paintings and designs of local contemporary artists. These murals were installed in many stations of the subway system, shaping an “open museum”. Such murals project began in 1997 and ended at the end of the 2011.Murales Cerámicos en los Subtes de Buenos Aires. Dir María Garriga [email protected] Universidad Nacional de las Artes UNA Departamento de Artes Visuales “Prilidiano Pueyrredón”. Secretaría de Investigación y Posgrado. Trabajo de investigación sobre el patrimonio cultural tangible, con archivo de la documentación, de los murales cerámicos emplazados en las líneas de subtes de Buenos Aires. Y en particular lo realizado por los equipos de ceramistas, docentes del UNA, contratados por Metrovías, dentro proyecto cultural Subte Vive, para la realización de murales a gran escala instalados en diferentes estaciones del subte, dando forma a un museo abierto. El proyecto de realización de los murales se inició en 1997 y finalizó a fines del 2011