Las estatuillas cerámicas en la vida de las poblaciones prehispánicas de las selvas subtropicales meridionales del Noroeste Argentino

In recent years a number of figurines has been recorded in archaeological sites located in forest environments of the southern portion of the province of Tucuman, specifically at Yánima and Escaba. From biographical analysis of these objects, through technological and stylistic research, and evaluation of their contexts of discovery, we explore ways of processing and deposition spaces at the intra-site to discuss and rethink the functionality of these figurines. From the results obtained, it is suggested that, in the social evolution of these pre-Hispanic populations located chronologically between ca. AP 1500-800, these objects could be used for various purposes, depending on the scope of use, the figure represented and the agent who used them.En años recientes se registraron un conjunto de estatuillas en sitios arqueológicos ubicados en ambientes selváticos de la porción meridional de la provincia de Tucumán, específicamente en las localidades de Escaba y Yánima. A partir del análisis biográfico de estos objetos, mediante estudios tecnológicos y estilísticos, y la evaluación de sus contextos de hallazgo, se exploran los modos de elaboración y los espacios de depósito a nivel intra-sitio para discutir y replantear la funcionalidad de las estatuillas. A partir de los resultados obtenidos proponemos que en el devenir social de estas poblaciones prehispánicas, ubicadas cronológicamente entre ca. 1500-800 AP, estos objetos pudieron ser utilizados con diversos fines, dependiendo del ámbito de uso, de la figura representada y del agente que las utilizaba

Ceramic figurines in the life of prehispanic occupations in southern subtropical forests of northwestern Argentina

En años recientes se registraron un conjunto de estatuillas en sitios arqueológicos ubicados en ambientes selváticos de la porción meridional de la provincia de Tucumán, específicamente en las localidades de Escaba y Yánima. A partir del análisis biográfico de estos objetos, mediante estudios tecnológicos y estilísticos, y la evaluación de sus contextos de hallazgo, se exploran los modos de elaboración y los espacios de depósito a nivel intra-sitio para discutir y replantear la funcionalidad de las estatuillas. A partir de los resultados obtenidos proponemos que en el devenir social de estas poblaciones prehispánicas, ubicadas cronológicamente entre ca. 1500-800 AP, estos objetos pudieron ser utilizados con diversos fines, dependiendo del ámbito de uso, de la figura representada y del agente que las utilizaba.In recent years a number of figurines has been recorded in archaeological sites located in forest environments of the southern portion of the province of Tucuman, specifically at Yánima and Escaba. From biographical analysis of these objects, through technological and stylistic research, and evaluation of their contexts of discovery, we explore ways of processing and deposition spaces at the intra-site to discuss and rethink the functionality of these figurines. From the results obtained, it is suggested that, in the social evolution of these pre-Hispanic populations located chronologically between ca. AP 1500-800, these objects could be used for various purposes, depending on the scope of use, the figure represented and the agent who used them.Fil: Miguez, Gabriel Eduardo. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. Instituto de Arqueología y Museo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Caria, Mario Alejandro. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Cs.naturales E Instituto Miguel Lillo. Instituto de Geociencias y Medio Ambiente; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Pantorrilla Rivas, Martín Miguel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Estudios Sociales; Argentin

Computational chemical analysis of unconjugated bilirubin anions and insights into pKa values clarification

The pKa, the negative logarithm of the acid dissociation equilibrium constant, of the carboxylic acid groups of unconjugated bilirubin in water is a discussed issue because there are quite different experimental values reported. Using quantum mechanical calculations we have studied the conformational behavior of unconjugated bilirubin species (in gas phase and in solution modeled implicitly and explicitly) to provide evidence that may clarify pKa values because of its pathophysiological relevance. Our results show that rotation of carboxylate group, which is not restricted, settles it in a suitable place to establish stronger interactions that stabilizes the monoanion and the dianion to be properly solvated, demonstrating that the rationalization used to justify the high pKa values of unconjugated bilirubin is inappropriate. Furthermore, low unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) pKa values were estimated from a linear regression analysis.Centro de Química Inorgánic

Nuevos registros de garrapatas (Acari: Ixodidae) asociadas a roedores sigmodontinos en Chubut, Argentina

Se reportan nuevos hallazgos de garrapatas obtenidas de roedores capturados en sitios cercanos a Cholila (42º31‟S, 71º27‟O, provincia del Chubut (Argentina). Se registraron las siguientes asociaciones parásito-hospedador: Oligoryzomys longicaudatus: 1 larva de Amblyomma tigrinum, 1 hembra de Ixodes sigelos, 2 ninfas de I. sigelos; Reithrodon auritus: 1 hembra de I. sigelos; Loxodontomys micropus: 1 ninfa de I. sigelos; Chelemys macronyx: 7 larvas de I. sigelos. Ixodes sigelos no ha sido reportada previamente en C. macronyx, así como tampoco A. tigrinum sobre O. longicaudatus. Estos resultados brindan nueva evidencia del rol fundamental que cumplen los roedores en el ciclo biológico de algunas garrapatas presentes en la Argentina.We report new findings of ticks from rodents trapped at different sites near Cholila (42º31‟S, 71º27‟W), Chubut Province (Argentina). The following host-parasite associations were recorded: Oligoryzomys longicaudatus: 1 larva of Amblyomma tigrinum, 1 female of Ixodes sigelos, 2 nymphs of I. sigelos; Reithrodon auritus: 1 female of I. sigelos; Loxodontomys micropus: 1 nymph of I. sigelos; Chelemys macronyx: 7 larvae of I. sigelos. Ixodes sigelos has not been previously reported on C. macronyx as well as not A. tigrinum on O. longicaudatus. These results provide new evidence about the fundamental role of rodents in the life cycle of some ticks present in Argentina.Asociación Parasitológica ArgentinaFacultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Mesenchymal stem cell therapy facilitates donor lung preservation by reducing oxidative damage during ischemia

Lung transplantation is a lifesaving therapy for people living with severe, life-threatening lung disease. The high mortality rate among patients awaiting transplantation is mainly due to the low percentage of lungs that are deemed acceptable for implantation. Thus, the current shortage of lung donors may be significantly reduced by implementing different therapeutic strategies which facilitate both organ preservation and recovery. Here, we studied whether the anti-inflammatory effect of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HUCPVCs) increases lung availability by improving organ preservation. We developed a lung preservation rat model that mimics the different stages by which donor organs must undergo before implantation. The therapeutic schema was as follows: cardiac arrest, warm ischemia (2h at room temperature), cold ischemia (1.5h at 4°C, with Perfadex), and normothermic lung perfusion with ventilation (Steen solution, 1h). After 1h of warm ischemia, HUCPVCs (1x106 cells) or vehicle were infused via the pulmonary artery. Physiologic data (pressure-volume curves) were acquired right after the cardiac arrest and at the end of the perfusion. Interestingly, although lung edema did not change among groups, lung compliance dropped a 34% in the HUCPVCs-treated group, while the vehicle group showed a stronger reduction (69%, p<0.0001). Histologic assessment demonstrated less overall inflammation in HUCPVCs-treated lungs. In addition, MPO activity, a neutrophil marker, was reduced by 41% compared with vehicle (p<0.01). MSCs therapy significantly decreased tissue oxidative damage by controlling reactive oxygen species production. Accordingly, catalase and superoxide dismutase enzyme activities remained at baseline levels. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that the anti-inflammatory effect of MSCs protects donor lungs against ischemic injury and postulate MSCs therapy as a novel tool for organ preservation.Fil: Pacienza, Natalia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Santa Cruz, Diego Mario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Malvicini, Ricardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Robledo, Oscar. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Lemus Larralde, Gastón. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Bertolotti, Alejandro Mario. Fundación Favaloro; ArgentinaFil: Marcos, Martín. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Yannarelli, Gustavo Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería; Argentin

Lipid alterations in lipid rafts from alzheimer's disease human brain cortex

Lipid rafts are membrane microdomains intimately associated with cell signaling. These biochemical microstructures are characterized by their high contents of sphingolipids, cholesterol and saturated fatty acids and a reduced content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Here, we have purified lipid rafts of human frontal brain cortex from normal and Alzheimer's disease (AD) and characterized their biochemical lipid composition. The results revealed that lipid rafts from AD brains exhibit aberrant lipid profiles compared to healthy brains. In particular, lipid rafts from AD brains displayed abnormally low levels of n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA, mainly 22:6n-3, docosahexaenoic acid) and monoenes (mainly 18:1n-9, oleic acid), as well as reduced unsaturation and peroxidability indexes. Also, multiple relationships between phospholipids and fatty acids were altered in AD lipid rafts. Importantly, no changes were observed in the mole percentage of lipid classes and fatty acids in rafts from normal brains throughout the lifespan (24-85 years). These indications point to the existence of homeostatic mechanisms preserving lipid raft status in normal frontal cortex. The disruption of such mechanisms in AD brains leads to a considerable increase in lipid raft order and viscosity, which may explain the alterations in lipid raft signaling observed in AD

Thermal and catalytic pyrolysis of a real mixture of post-consumer plastic waste: An analysis of the gasoline-range product

In this work, the thermal and catalytic pyrolysis of different types of plastic waste and a real mixture were investigated in a fixed-bed reactor over different catalysts (CaO, MgO, HY, HZSM-5). Important differences in gas, liquid, and solid yields were found as a function of polymer type. The highest gas yield was obtained with expanded polystyrene (52.3%), and the maximum oil production with high-impact polystyrene (55.5%), while polypropylene film led to the highest char release (17.5%). Regarding the composition of the liquid oil, high-impact polystyrene showed the highest yield of gasoline-range product (426 g per kg of pyrolyzed plastic), mainly composed of aromatics compounds (90%). The addition of catalysts increased the gas yield to the detriment of the oil produced. The effect was more evident for zeolite-type catalysts, i.e., the gas yield raised from 43.3 (non-catalytic) to 51.5% (HZSM-5). Low influence on the oil composition, i.e., gasoline-range product, was detected. This can be explained by the fast deactivation of catalysts because of coke deposition. Only an increase in the fraction of gasoline in liquid oil was observed when low-cost catalysts (CaO and MgO) were used, without significant changes in the composition of this product

Recovery, separation and production of fuel, plastic and aluminum from the Tetra PAK waste to hydrothermal and pyrolysis processes

The establishment of a method of separation of materials from Tetra Pak waste to obtain products for use as raw material, fuel or other purposes was investigated in this study. First, the feasibility of hydrothermal treatment for the production of a solid fuel (hydrochar) and solid fraction formed by polyethylene and aluminum, called composite was analyzed. The results indicated that hydrothermal treatment performed at 240 ◦C yield the formation of hydrochar with good properties for its use as fuel and a composite of polyethylene and aluminum. The best conversion and separation of the cardboard and polyethylene/aluminum were obtained using 120 min as operating time. Then, the recovery of the aluminum fraction from the composite by using spent olive oil waste was studied. A partial separation of the composite layers (polyethylene and aluminum) was accomplished with improved aluminum purity for higher operating temperatures. Finally, the operating conditions of the pyrolysis process for the production of a solid (char) and high purity composite (aluminum) were optimized. The characterization results indicated that both char and aluminum resulting from the pyrolysis of the Tetra Pak at 400 ◦C still have a significant amount of polyethylene while higher purity levels of aluminum can be obtained at temperatures equal of higher than 500 ◦C

Characterization of liquid fraction obtained from pyrolysis of post- consumer mixed plastic waste: A comparing between measured and calculated parameters

This work has received funds from the Universidad de Granada/CBUA project PID2019-108826RB-I00/SRA (State Research Agency) /10.13039/501100011033.In this study, thermal pyrolysis of a real mixture of plastic wastes collected from municipal solid waste of Granada (Spain) was performed to obtain a liquid oil. The goals of the present study were: 1) identify the optimal conditions to obtain maximum yields of the liquid fraction, 2) experimentally measure basic characteristic parameters of pyrolytic oils, 3) use correlations or equations used in the hydrocarbon industry to estimate the measured properties, 4) make a comparison between the measured and calculated properties by predictive mathematical expressions, 5) develop new correlations for estimating pyrolytic oil properties. As main results, the optimal temperature to obtain maximum yield of liquid fraction was 500 °C. The physical and chemical properties of pyrolytic oils changed as temperature increased due to the presence of hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions. Also, the approximation of the chromatography data allowed to determine, by simulated distillation, the potential fuel yields that will be obtained if processed as synthetic crude in an atmospheric tower and a vacuum tower. Finally, two novel modified equations were proposed to estimate the specific gravity and refractive index parameter for pyrolytic oils.Universidad de Granada/CBUA project (State Research Agency) PID2019-108826RB-I00/SR

Inventario de las reservas de carbono orgánico del suelo de plantaciones forestales de Argentina

Este documento surge a partir de la información presentada en el Informe: Estimación de las reservas de carbono orgánico del suelo con plantaciones forestales y otros usos de la tierra, en distintas regiones de Argentina. En el reporte nacional se puede obtener un detalle de la metodología de relevamiento, regiones, estrategia de trabajo, análisis de datos y resultados en relación la comparación entre usos de la tierra. Aquí se pretende dar una dimensión territorial de las reservas de COS en los primeros 30 cm de suelos con plantaciones forestales.Fil: Gyenge, Javier. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce. Agencia de Extensión Rural Tandil; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible Balcarce; Argentina.Fil: Gatica, Gabriel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce. Agencia de Extensión Rural Tandil; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible Balcarce; Argentina.Fil: Lupi, Ana Maria. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Suelos; ArgentinaFil: Sandoval, Martín. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales. Laboratorio de Investigación de Sistemas Ecológicos y Ambientales; Argentina.Fil: Gaute, Matías. Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganadería y Pesca. Dirección Nacional de Desarrollo Foresto Industrial. Área SIG e Inventario Forestal; Argentina