Patrimonio geológico

Little development has research in Geological Sciences, in our country and particularly in the province of Buenos Aires, had in connection with the sites which require special preservation and protection. However, there are many sites named by geological bibliography which should be valued and preserved as Geological Heritage. The Geological Heritage is just one more element of the natural heritage, and is a big part of our natural inheritance. At the 1972 UNESCO Conference in Paris on the protection of the world cultural and natural heritage, some countries began doing research to get to know, protect and value geological sites, which is undoubtedly a significant resource as well as a key tool for the tourist development of a territory. Making inventories, filing all the information necessary for description, and collecting data of interest so as to keep the inventories updated, all become indispensable to have a thorough knowledge of the geological wealth of an area. The files' designs bear some problems, in some cases, in connection with being too subjective and synthetic, and, in others, too detailed and rigorous.En las investigaciones en Ciencias Geológicas, en nuestro país y en especial en la Provincia de Buenos Aires, ha sido escaso el desarrollo relacionado con los sitios que requieran una preservación y protección especial. Sin embargo, son abundantes los sitios conocidos y nombrados en la bibliografía geológica que es necesario valorar y preservar como Patrimonio Geológico. El Patrimonio Geológico es un elemento más del patrimonio natural y constituye una parte importante de nuestra herencia natural. En la Conferencia de París auspiciada por la UNESCO en 1972 sobre la protección del patrimonio mundial, cultural y natural, algunos países pusieron en marcha investigaciones dirigidas hacia el conocimiento, su protección y la puesta en valor, lo cual resulta un recurso de indudable significación y una pieza clave para el desarrollo turístico de un territorio. Para conocer en forma exhaustiva el patrimonio geológico de un área es indispensable realizar inventarios, archivar la información necesaria para su descripción y poder recoger datos de interés para mantener actualizados los inventarios. Los diseños de las fichas presentan inconvenientes que se relacionan, en algunos casos, con que son muy sintéticas y demasiado subjetivas, y en otros, muy detalladas y rigurosas

Exploring Interferometric Realms: Modeling and Imaging of Stars, and Optical Test Bench Simulations

High-resolution interferometric imaging is currently the most accurate technique to image the surfaces of stars. However, optical interferometric imaging is a difficult ill-posed problem where a handful of imaging codes are able to find a solution, especially in three dimensions. We present the development of a 3D interferometric image reconstruction code, which has the capabilities to model/image the surfaces of spherical, spheroid, and Roche objects. We apply our open source code to two different data sets. The first application is for the RS CVn variable, lambda Andromedae, using archival interferometric data from the CHARA Array obtained with the MIRC instrument at two different epochs to better understand the evolution of its surface features. We are able to obtain precise measurements of its physical parameters as well as images of its surface detailing large-scale magnetic spots. Our results show that the reconstructed images of lambda Andromedae have starspots that seem to favor certain northern latitudes with very minimal to no spot activity in the southern latitudes, indicative of a non-solar dynamo. The second application is for the rapidly rotating star, Alderamin, with data obtained from CHARA with the MIRC-X instrument to continue unveiling the complexities of the internal mechanisms of rapid rotation. We present our preliminary imaging results, which show a slightly lower angular velocity compared to previous works along with a weak limb-darkening. These new results provide a quantitative result for limb-darkening for rapid rotators, which has not been explored before. In addition to our rapid rotator imaging, we integrate new a gravity darkening law, which will serve as improved initial parameter estimates for future imaging campaigns. To complement future imaging campaigns, we present preliminary results for a novel multi-beam atmospheric turbulence simulator that can be used to study free-space beam propagation. This latter project will serve as the groundwork for having movable telescopes at interferometric arrays, such as the CHARA Array, which will provide more (u,v) coverage and ultimately improve the quality of interferometric imaging. We use our simulator to investigate beam combination under severe ground layer turbulence conditions

Dynamic simulation of a modular flotation plant

The aim if this thesis work is to develop a dynamic simulator tool of a modular flotation plant with the final purpose of the simulator to be used as a training tool for operators. The thesis report describes basic theory about froth flotation process, process modelling, automated control and the development process of the final simulator tool. The simula-tor tool was developed for Outotec Oy® Finland based on their designs and calculations. The simulator was developed with the aid of three different programs: HSC Sim 9, SIE-MENS PCS 7, Virtual Experience Manager and Virtual Experience Client. HSC Sim per-forms dynamic simulation of the flotation process. SIEMENS PCS is the Distributed Control System (D.C.S.) where the automated control, the human machine interface and the instrumentation are created. The final training platform development and training exercise creation was done using Virtual Experience Manager. Virtual Experience Client was used to activate the training simulator tool. The final version of the training simulator was capable of simulating the required flota-tion flowsheet with the input ore-feed. It can be used as a base platform on which further development regarding instrumentation, flotation circuit and mineral processing can be modified to fit different configurations as required. Further development of the simula-tor requires improvement on the capabilities of the programs used for the development

A study of co-movements between USA and Latin American stock markets: a cross-bicorrelations perspective

In this paper we use the Brooks and Hinich cross-bicorrelation test in order to uncover nonlinear dependence periods between USA Standard and Poor 500 (SP500), used as benchmark, and six Latin American stock markets indexes: Mexico (BMV), Brazil (BOVESPA), Chile (IPSA), Colombia (COLCAP), Peru (IGBVL) and Argentina (MERVAL). We have found windows of nonlinear dependence and co-movement between the SP500 and the Latin American stock markets, some of which coincide with periods of crisis, giving way to a possible contagion or interdependence interpretation.Comment: Working paper, 9 page

HIV Vaccines: Progress, Limitations and a CRISPR/Cas9 Vaccine

ABSTRACT: The HIV-1 pandemic continues to thrive due to ineffective HIV-1 vaccines. Historically, the world’s most infectious diseases, such as polio and smallpox, have been eradicated or have come close to eradication due to the advent of effective vaccines. Highly active antiretroviral therapy is able to delay the onset of AIDS but can neither rid the body of HIV-1 proviral DNA nor prevent further transmission. A prophylactic vaccine that prevents the various mechanisms HIV-1 has to evade and attack our immune system is needed to end the HIV-1 pandemic. Recent advances in engineered nuclease systems, like the CRISPR/Cas9 system, have given rise to novel gene editing treatment options for HIV-1. In this proposed study, the CRISPR/Cas9 system was used alongside the ALVAC vaccine to determine whether the vaccine combination can effectively cleave HIV-1 DNA and prevent HIV-1 infection in mouse epithelial cells in the cervix in-vivo. This vaccine not only has the potential to immunize individuals but can also have therapeutic effects. It is hypothesized that the CRISPR/Cas9 plasmid will be successfully expressed inside most, if not all, cervical epithelial cells and the subsequent Cas9/gRNA activity will cleave all HIV-1 DNA encountered

Medical-Legal Partnerships to Support Continuity of Care for Immigrants Impacted by HIV: Lessons Learned from California.

The United States (US) has experienced a surge of anti-immigrant policies and rhetoric, raising concerns about the influence on health outcomes for immigrants living in the US. We conducted qualitative interviews (n = 20) with health care and social service providers, attorneys, and legal/policy experts in California to understand how agencies were maintaining access to HIV care and prevention for immigrant clients. We conducted a thematic analysis to describe the role of medical-legal partnerships (MLPs) and document best practices. Informants reported high demand for legal services. Referrals were facilitated by case managers, medical providers, and pre-existing relationships between clinics and legal agencies. Informants identified a need for additional funding and further guidance on screening for and supporting patients with legal needs. MLPs have the capacity to create sustainable, efficient, comprehensive structural changes that minimize barriers to HIV prevention and treatment and improve health outcomes among immigrant populations

Efecto de la defoliación post-quema sobre el crecimiento de dos gramíneas nativas en el Caldenal, Argentina

El crecimiento en los pastizales naturales semiáridos puede ser afectado por la longitud de tiempo que el pastoreo es excluido durante el período de regeneración post-fuego. El objetivo de este trabajo a campo fue estudiar el efecto de la defoliación post-fuego en diferentes estados fenológicos: vegetativo (defoliación temprana) y elongación de entrenudos (defoliación tardía) sobre el crecimiento de Piptochaetium napostaense y Poa ligularis, dos gramíneas nativas perennes muy importantes en la región semiárida templada central de Argentina (Caldenal). En general, los tratamientos de defoliación post-quema no afectaron el número de hojas verdes en las macollas de P. napostaense. La defoliación temprana después del tratamiento de fuego generalmente redujo el número de hojas verdes en las macollas de P. ligularis con respecto a las plantas control. Contrariamente, la defoliación tardía usualmente incrementó el número de hojas verdes en las macollas de P. ligularis. Sin embargo, en ambos casos, muy pocas de las diferencias detectadas fueron significativas (p0,05) a aquellas de las plantas no defoliadas. Inmediatamente después de los tratamientos de defoliación temprana y tardía, las tasas de crecimiento relativas de la altura y la longitud verde total de las macollas de las plantas de ambas especies fueron reducidas (p0.05) than values on non-defoliated plants, respectively. Immediately after early- and late-season defoliation treatments, relative growth rates for tiller height and total green length were reduced (p<0.05) on plants of both species with respect to control plants. Our results suggest that a one-year-period without severe defoliations after fire would be at least necessary for not risking the persistence of these perennial grasses in the Caldenal community.Fil: Pelaez, Daniel Valerio. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; ArgentinaFil: Boo, Roberto Miguel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; Argentina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Mayor, M. D.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; Argentina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Elia, Omar Raul. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; ArgentinaFil: Martinez, S. A.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; Argentina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentin

Study and prediction of the mechanical performance of a nanotube-reinforced composite

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been regarded as ideal reinforcements for high-performance composites. A key factor for the reinforcement efficiency is the interface bonding between the CNTs and the matrix. This paper presents a new constitutive model to predict the mechanical performance of composites made with CNTs. The model takes into account explicitly the performance of the interface between the matrix and the CNTs. The formulation developed is based in the mixing theory. It divides the composite in matrix and in a new material result of coupling the CNTs with the interface. The relation defined between interface and CNTs assumes that the load is transferred to the nanotubes along their ends and that in the central part the CNTs can develop their full strength. The composite non-linear behavior results from the non-linearities of its constituents. In case of interface damage, it also becomes non-linear the law defined to couple the interface with the CNTs. After describing the formulation, it is validated studying the elastic response of several composites made with different types of CNTs reinforcements. The non-linear behavior provided by the formulation is also studied. In both cases the numerical results are compared with experimental data showing good agreement

Characterization of abiotic coaditions affecting vegetation distribution in the river plate coastal plain, Argentina

The river Plate coastal plain is located in northeastern Buenos Aires province, where geological events such as sea transgressions and regressions in the Holocene have produced a stratigraphic column with marine-estuarine, fluviatile and continental sediments, as well as a variety of landforms and soils. The aim of this paper is to describe these different coastal settings and their influence in the distribution of plant communities