Transindividual Urbanism: Novel Territories of Digital Participatory Practice

Like an omen, the advent of ubiquitous technologies has carried the general expectation for the emergence of new forms of collective authorship. Drawing on cybernetic theory of communication and on the work of French philosopher Gilbert Simondon, the paper builds an ecological and materialist foundation to ideas of digital participation by presenting a discussion of Simondon’s L’individuation Psychique et Collective (1958). Here, the philosopher describes the individuation of the collective subject as an ontogenetic and metastatic process of psychological and affective events producing the Transindividual, thus offering a biological interpretation of the social process of becoming and a reconceptualization of ideas of knowledge and distribution of information. By opening the digital participatory scholarship to ecological and post-humanist theory, the paper intends to offer a better understanding of the complex nature of collective feedback, creating the potential for the affirmation of novel mediated urban narratives and aesthetics. These ideas are further explored through a design-research practice that uses biometric sensing, live data visualisation and generative design to investigate the aesthetical, technological and cultural dimension of Transindividuality as a model for collective authorship. The paper presents two projects, The HeartBit Walks and Affectual Infrastructures. These were designed as participatory events for larger event series in London, respectively the London Festival of Architecture 2018 and the E17 Art Trail 2019. Developed as a psychogeographic mapping event in Hackney Wick, The HeartBit Walks builds on previous methods developed by artist Christian Nold, investigating the use of biometric sensing (Galvanic Skin Response) and live data-visualisations for urban analysis. GSR information was gathered during short group walks and visualised during in-situ group discussions as situated dynamic animations, exploring the modes of reconfiguration of group knowledge through the experiential act of walking. The results were collected in a rich visual index that by rendering the diverse perspectives with granular definition offers a multi-scalar photography of the pedestrian mobility issues in the area. Drawing on the methods firstly explored in The HeartBit Walks, The Affectual Infrastructures project involved six environmental activists in the collection of environmental sound and GSR data at key locations in East London. The project attempts the detection of common sonic, spatial and emotional connections through the observation of data patterns at group level, exploring the metastatic formation of novel collective environmental awareness and the production of spatial configurations through multi-objective evaluation methods. The results inform a multi-media installation that, working as an adaptive network, releases at intervals the intertwined local sonic recordings, thus materialising for the public the intertwined situated experiences of the activists across space, time and individual identities. Within an ecological angle that places humans and their living and non-living co-species as the network of actors that collaboratively addresses the production of space, the Transindividual Urbanism project proposes biometric sensing as a tool for the systematic deconstruction of the human agency and the reimagination of platforms for group knowledge creation and collaborative decision-making. By constructing open archives of sensual collective knowledge and exploring generative mechanisms of real-time reflexive awareness, the project radically challenges previous conceived ideas of distributed authorship defining new trajectories of operation with the potential for radically reshaping the processes through which culture and places connect locally

Sex chromosome polymorphism in a species of Belostoma (Belostomatidae, Heteroptera)

A population of Belostoma sp. polymorphic for the sex chromosome determining system has been analyzed. The fundamental karyotype of the species is 2n = 16 = 14 + XY (male), and at different times individuals 2n = 17 have been encountered in a low frequency (27% and 16%, respectively). Sex chromosome area measurements confirm that the original X chromosome of the XY system has fragmented into two unequal-sized chromosomes (X1 and X2). At male metaphase II, the sex univalents associate in a pseudotrivalent that can show different arrangements (in a chain, in a double-plate, or in other transitional arrangements). Their frequency varies among individuals. The present polymorphic population represents a direct evidence of a multiple sex chromosome system originating through fragmentation of the single X. The different kinds of arrangement of the three sex chromosomes at male metaphase II, and their frequency within each individual suggest that some forces are acting to achieve a double plate arrangement and a regular meiotic behaviour. The maintenance of the polymorphism during more than three years seems to indicate that the new chromosomal variant is neutral, or even could be selectively advantageous.Fil:Papeschi, A.G. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina

The significance of cytogenetics for the study of karyotype evolution and taxonomy of water bugs (Heteroptera, Belostomatidae) native to Argentina

Male meiosis behaviour and heterochromatin characterization of three big water bug species were studied. Belostoma dentatum (Mayr, 1863), B. elongatum Montandon, 1908 and B. gestroi Montandon, 1903 possess 2n = 26 + X1X2Y (male). In these species, male meiosis is similar to that previously observed in Belostoma Latreille, 1807. In general, autosomal bivalents show a single chiasma terminally located and divide reductionally at anaphase I. On the other hand, sex chromosomes are achiasmatic, behave as univalents and segregate their chromatids equationally at anaphase I. The analysis of heterochromatin distribution and composition revealed a C-positive block at the terminal region of all autosomes in B. dentatum, a Cpositive block at the terminal region and C-positive interstitial dots on all autosomes in B. elongatum, and a little C-positive band at the terminal region of autosomes in B. gestroi. A C-positive band on one bivalent was DAPI negative/CMA3 positive in the three species. The CMA3-bright band, enriched in GC base pairs, was coincident with a NOR detected by FISH. The results obtained support the hypothesis that all species of Belostoma with multiple sex chromosome systems preserve NORs in autosomal bivalents. The karyotype analyses allow the cytogenetic characterization and identification of these species belonging to a difficult taxonomic group. Besides, the cytogenetic characterization will be useful in discussions about evolutionary trends of the genome organization and karyotype evolution in this genus.Fil: Chirino, Monica Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Entomología Aplicada y Forense; ArgentinaFil: Papeschi, Alba Graciela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Bressa, Maria Jose. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires; Argentin

Crystallographic orientation and grain size data obtained by Electron Back Scatter Diffraction (EBSD) on quartz analysed in mylonitic quartzite from the Island of Elba (Italy)

Raw Electron Back Scatter Diffraction (EBSD) data on deformed quartz from a mylonitic quartzite sample of the Calamita Schists (Island of Elba, Italy) is available at https://doi.org/10.17632/8c937t6zs4.32. The investigated sample (IESP3SP78) was collected in quartz-rich outcrops exposed at the Praticciolo Cape and was used to realize an oriented thin section (cut parallel to lineation and perpendicular to foliation). Preliminary investigations were carried out by transmitted-light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), in order to select key areas for EBSD analysis. EBSD mapping was performed on selected areas of deformed quartz, which was the only phase indexed and were processed to derive orientation maps, pole figures, inverse pole figures, misorientation axis distribution in sample and crystal coordinates. While the processed data is available on the original research article (“Fluid-assisted Strain Localization in Quartz at the Brittle/Ductile Transition”; https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GC008270), this contribution is devoted to supply the unprocessed EBSD data, together with a methodological description, aimed to allow the reproduction of the processed dataset. A brief statistical description of the investigated EBSD maps is also available. This data is valuable because it offers grain size and orientation analysis of deformed quartz investigated in a natural study case and the present publication makes it accessible to those working on naturally and experimentally deformed quartz

Karyotype evolution in Aeshna (Aeshnidae, Odonata)

The haploid DNA content of Aeshna confusa (2n = 27, n = 13 + XO, male). A. bonariensis (2n = 26, n = 12 + neo-XY, male) and A. cornigera planaltica (2n = 16, n = 7 + neo-XY, male) has been determined (2.16 ± 0.16 pg, 1.81 ± 0.17 pg, and 2.08 ± 0.08 pg, respectively). Despite the differences in chromosome size and number, differences in DNA content between species are not significant. The karyotypic analysis of Aeshna species leads to the conclusion that fusions between autosomes or autosome and the sex chromosome, are the only chromosome rearrangement that occurred during evolution. In the species here studied, fusions have taken place with a minimal loss of DNA; however, other species of the genus show important differences in genome size, which cannot only be justified by fusion events.Fil:Mola, L.M. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil:Papeschi, A.G. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina

Meiosis in Haematopinus Suis and Menacanthus Stramineus (Phthiraptera, Insecta)

Haemalopinus suis (Anoplura) and Menacanthus stramineus (Mallophaga) have been cytogenetically analyzed. Both species have 2n = 10, holokinetic chromosomes, and achiasmatic male meiosis. Bivalents orientate with their long axis perpendicular to the spindle fibers at melaphase I, and first anaphase is reductional. As in other species of Phthiraptera, male gametogenesis follows a particular pattern: each cell entering meiosis results in a cyst of 64 (in H. suis) and 32 (in M. stramineus) spermatozoa and 64/32 non‐functional cells (=pycnotic nuclei). The results are compared with those previously reported for Phthiraptera, and a new terminology for the different stages of male gametogenesis is proposed. The low chromosome number together with the achiasmatic nature of male meiosis and the mitotic divisions that follow meiosis may restrict the potential for genetic variability. This might be related to the high host specificity of these parasites. Copyright © 1993, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reservedFil:Papeschi, A.G. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina

Oocyst excretion pattern of three intestinal Eimeria species in female rabbits.

Abstract: The dynamic change in faecal Eimeria oocyst excretion was evaluated in 10 naturally infected female rabbits, starting from their weaning at 33 d of age until about 1 mo after their second parturition. Faecal samples collected from examined animals were quali-quantitatively analysed to evaluate presence and number of Eimeria oocysts. In addition, isolated Eimeria oocysts were identified at the species level following sporulation. Animals were found to be infected by Eimeria perforans, Eimeria exigua and Eimeria magna and shed Eimeria oocysts after weaning and after parturition. In particular, at 33 d of age all female rabbits examined were negative, while the discharge of Eimeria oocysts started at 39th day of age and peaked between 46th and 53rd day of age. From 81-109 d of age until the first parturition and from 25 d of age of the litters born at the first parturition to the second parturition, all animals resulted negative. After parturition, Eimeria oocyst output occurred from 6th to 12th day after the first parturition and from 7th to 13th day after the second parturition, while a second period of oocyst excretion was observed from 18th to 24th day after both parturitions. These findings may indicate the existence of a relationship between the periparturient phase and Eimeria oocyst output and suggest an important role of the mothers in transmission of the infection to their litter

Cytogenetic studies in Pentatomidae (Heteroptera): A review

The suborder Heteroptera constitutes one of the most important insect groups because most species are plants feeders and cause damage on many plants of economic importance. One of the most important cytogenetic characteristics of Heteroptera is the holokinetic nature of the chromosomes. One particular feature of some species of Pentatomidae is the regular presence of an abnormal meiosis in one testicular lobe (harlequin lobe). From the 28 species cytogenetically analysed from Argentine material, 21 present the diploid number 2n ¼ 14, four species present a reduced number (2n ¼ 12) and another three species possess an increased diploid number (2n ¼ 16); among all these only three present an harlequin lobe. In the present work, a bibliographic review of the chromosome number and sex determining system of 294 species and subspecies belonging to 121 genera within the subfamilies Asopinae, Discocephalinae, Edessinae, Pentatominae, Phyllocephalinae and Podopinae is presented. The male diploid numbers range from six to 27 with a mode in 14 chromosomes; this last diploid number is present in 85% of the species. The sex chromosome determining system is XY/XX except in three species: Macropygium reticulare (Fabricius, 1803), Rhytidolomia senilis (Say, 1832) and Thyanta calceata (Say, 1832) which present derived sex chromosome systems. Furthermore, the cytogenetic relationships with the other families of Pentatomoidea are discussed