Trayectoria de la territorialidad ganadera campesina y conflictos socioambientales por los servicios ecosistémicos del Chaco Árido (Argentina)

Ponencia presentada en el XXIX Congreso ALAS. Santiago, Chile, 30 de septiembre al 4 de octubre de 2013Se analizan desde una perspectiva sociohistórica las estrategias campesinas de apropiación de los servicios ecosistémicos del Chaco Árido en el Oeste de Córdoba (Argentina). Se identifican tres etapas: i) Primero, en la época Colonial, predominó la cría extensiva de caprinos y un aprovechamiento diversificado del ecosistema para la subsistencia campesina; ii) Luego, a finales del siglo XIX, se inicia la explotación forestal para madera, leña y carbón; iii) Finalmente, a fines del siglo XX, avanza la explotación ganadera bovina y empresarial. Las dos últimas etapas implican un uso intensivo del ecosistema por parte de actores empresariales y la conversión del capital natural en capital económico, en detrimento de la capricultura, principal estrategia campesina de supervivencia. Se concluye que las tensiones entre lógicas divergentes de uso y valoración de los SE explican los conflictos socioambientales presentes en el territorio.Fil: Silvetti, Felicitas M. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias. Departamento de Desarrollo Rural; Argentina

Construir un diagnóstico agroecológico multidimensional. Un gran desafío para extensionistas

En la zona central de la provincia de Córdoba tiene lugar un proceso de transición agroecológica en sistemas de producción de hortalizas desde 2009. Para el equipo extensionista que acompaña el proceso de diálogo horizontal, la capacidad de construcción colectiva de un diagnóstico sociotécnico constituye un gran desafío por la multidimensionalidad que implica el enfoque agroecológico. En este marco se reflexiona sobre las dificultades para desarrollar herramientas conceptuales y metodológicas que cuestionen prácticas y representaciones sociales, tanto en el campo académico como en el saber-hacer cotidiano, incorporando los conflictos de visiones/intereses que ello involucra. A ello se suma la necesidad de un marco institucional para garantizar la continuidad y riqueza del diagnóstico, iniciando en la formación de grado de futuros profesionales.In the central area of the province of Córdoba, an agroecological transition process has taken place in the vegetable production systems since 2009. For the outreach team which accompanies the process of horizontal dialogue, the collective construction capacity of a sociotechnical diagnosis represents a great challenge due to the multidimensionality involved in the agroecological approach. In this framework, we reflect on the difficulties in developing conceptual and methodological tools that question social practices and representations, both in the academic field and in the daily know-how, incorporating the conflicts of visions / interests that this involves. In addition, there exists the need for an institutional framework to guarantee the continuity and richness of the diagnosis, particularly when training undergraduates and future professionals.publishedVersionFil: Silvetti, Felicitas. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; Argentina.Fil: Ferrer, Guillermo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; Argentina

The sensor-based biomechanical risk assessment at the base of the need for revising of standards for human ergonomics

Due to the epochal changes introduced by “Industry 4.0”, it is getting harder to apply the varying approaches for biomechanical risk assessment of manual handling tasks used to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMDs) considered within the International Standards for ergonomics. In fact, the innovative human–robot collaboration (HRC) systems are widening the number of work motor tasks that cannot be assessed. On the other hand, new sensor-based tools for biomechanical risk assessment could be used for both quantitative “direct instrumental evaluations” and “rating of standard methods”, allowing certain improvements over traditional methods. In this light, this Letter aims at detecting the need for revising the standards for human ergonomics and biomechanical risk assessment by analyzing the WMDs prevalence and incidence; additionally, the strengths and weaknesses of traditional methods listed within the International Standards for manual handling activities and the next challenges needed for their revision are considered. As a representative example, the discussion is referred to the lifting of heavy loads where the revision should include the use of sensor-based tools for biomechanical risk assessment during lifting performed with the use of exoskeletons, by more than one person (team lifting) and when the traditional methods cannot be applied. The wearability of sensing and feedback sensors in addition to human augmentation technologies allows for increasing workers’ awareness about possible risks and enhance the effectiveness and safety during the execution of in many manual handling activities

Left ventricular (LV) pacing in newborns and infants. Echo assessment of LV systolic function and synchrony at 5-year follow-up

Background: Small retrospective studies reported that left ventricular (LV) pacing is likely to preserve LV function in children with isolated congenital complete atrioventricular block (CCAVB). The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate LV contractility and synchrony in a cohort of neonates/infants at pacemaker implantation and follow-up. Methods: Patients with CCAVB who underwent LV pacing were evaluated with electrocardiogram and echocardiogram in a single-center, prospective study. Data were collected at implantation, at 1-month and every year of follow-up, up to 5 years. LV ventricular dimensions (diameters and volumes), systolic function (ejection fraction [EF] and global longitudinal strain [GLS]), and synchrony were evaluated. Data are reported as median (25th-75th centiles). Results: Twenty consecutive patients with CCAVB underwent pacemaker implantation (12 single-chamber pacemaker [VVIR] and eight dual-chamber pacemaker [DDD]) with epicardial leads: 17 on the LV apex and three on the free wall. Age at implantation was 0.3 months (1 day-4.5 months). Patients showed good clinical status, normal LV dimensions, preserved systolic function, and synchrony at 60 (30-60) months follow-up. EF increased to normal values in patients with preimplantation EF <50%. Presence of antibodies and pacing mode (DDD vs VVIR) had no impact on the outcome. Conclusions: LV pacing preserved LV systolic function and synchrony in neonates and infants with CCAVB at 5-year follow-up. LV EF improved in patients with low preimplantation EF. Pacing mode or the presence of autoantibodies did not demonstrated an impact on LV contractility and synchrony

Proteolytic Activity and Production of γ-Aminobutyric Acid by Streptococcus thermophilus Cultivated in Microfiltered Pasteurized Milk

A set of 191 strains of Streptococcus thermophilus were preliminarily screened for the presence of the genes codifying for cell envelope-associated proteinase (prtS) and for glutamate decarboxylase (gadB) responsible for \u3b3-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production. The growth and proteolytic activity of the gadB-positive strains (9 presenting the prtS gene and 11 lacking it) were studied in microfiltered pasteurized milk. Degradation of both caseins (capillary electrophoresis) and soluble nitrogen fractions (HPLC) and changes in the profile of free amino acids (FAAs; ion-exchange chromatography) were evaluated at inoculation and after 6 and 24 h of incubation at 41 \ub0C. None of the strains was capable of hydrolyzing caseins and \u3b2-lactoglobulin, and only two hydrolyzed part of \u3b1-lactalbumin, these proteins being present in their native states in pasteurized milk. Contrarily, most strains were able to hydrolyze peptones and peptides. For initial growth, most strains relied on the FAAs present in milk, whereas, after 6 h, prtS+ strains released variable amounts of FAA. One prtS+ strain expressed a PrtS- phenotype, and two prtS- strains showed a rather intense proteolytic activity. Only five strains (all prtS+) produced GABA, in variable quantities (up to 100 mg/L) and at different rates, depending on the acidification strength. Addition of glutamate did not induce production of GABA in nonproducing strains that, however, unexpectedly were shown to adopt the degradation of arginine into citrulline and ornithine as an alternative acid resistance system and likely as a source of ATP

Evaluation of microbial consortia and chemical changes in spontaneous maize bran fermentation

Sustainable exploitation of agro-industrial by-products has attracted great interest in cereal bran valorization. In this research, a polyphasic approach has been carried out to characterize maize bran at microbiological and chemical level during a sourdough like fermentation process, in order to enhance its technological and nutritional properties. Autochthonous microbiota was isolated at different refreshment steps and subjected to identification and molecular characterization. Fermentation was characterized by a rapid increase in lactic acid bacteria and yeasts, with a co-dominance, at the initial stage, of Weissella spp., Pediococcus spp. and Wickerhamomyces anomalus. At the end of the fermentation, a natural selection was produced, with the prevalence of Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis and Kazachstania unispora. This is the first time that a specific association between LAB and yeasts is reported, during the maize bran fermentation process. Enzymatic activities related to this microbial consortium promoted a \u201cdestructuration\u201d of the fiber fraction, an increase in soluble dietary fiber and a reduction of phytic acid content. Our data also evidenced a noticeable increment in ferulic acid. The results obtained indicate that fermentation processes represent an efficient biotechnological approach to increase nutritional and functional potential of maize bran. Moreover, the characterization of microbiota involved in natural fermentation process will allow the selection of specific biotypes, with appropriate metabolic and enzymatic activities, to conduct \u201ctailored\u201d fermentation processes and improve brans or whole-meal flours from both nutritional and technological points of view

Concurrent chemoradiation in anal cancer patients delivered with bone marrow-sparing imrt: Final results of a prospective phase ii trial

We investigated the role of the selective avoidance of haematopoietically active pelvic bone marrow (BM), with a targeted intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) approach, to reduce acute hematologic toxicity (HT) in anal cancer patients undergoing concurrent chemo-radiation. We designed a one-armed two-stage Simon’s design study to test the hypothesis that BM-sparing IMRT would improve by 20% the rate of G0–G2 (vs. G3–G4) HT, from 42% of RTOG 0529 historical data to 62% (α = 0.05; β = 0.20). A minimum of 21/39 (54%) with G0–G2 toxicity represented the threshold for the fulfilment of the criteria to define this approach as ‘promising’. We employed18 FDG-PET to identify active BM within the pelvis. Acute HT was assessed via weekly blood counts and scored as per the Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Effects version 4.0. From December 2017 to October 2020, we enrolled 39 patients. Maximum observed acute HT comprised 20% rate of ≥G3 leukopenia and 11% rate of ≥G3 thrombocytopenia. Overall, 11 out of 39 treated patients (28%) experienced ≥G3 acute HT. Conversely, in 28 patients (72%) G0–G2 HT events were observed, above the threshold set. Hence,18 FDG-PET-guided BM-sparing IMRT was able to reduce acute HT in this clinical setting