Cooperation, collective action, and the archeology of large-scale societies

Archeologists investigating the emergence of large-scale societies in the past have renewed interest in examining the dynamics of cooperation as a means of understanding societal change and organizational variability within human groups over time. Unlike earlier approaches to these issues, which used models designated voluntaristic or managerial, contemporary research articulates more explicitly with frameworks for cooperation and collective action used in other fields, thereby facilitating empirical testing through better definition of the costs, benefits, and social mechanisms associated with success or failure in coordinated group action. Current scholarship is nevertheless bifurcated along lines of epistemology and scale, which is understandable but problematic for forging a broader, more transdisciplinary field of cooperation studies. Here, we point to some areas of potential overlap by reviewing archeological research that places the dynamics of social cooperation and competition in the foreground of the emergence of large-scale societies, which we define as those having larger populations, greater concentrations of political power, and higher degrees of social inequality. We focus on key issues involving the communal-resource management of subsistence and other economic goods, as well as the revenue flows that undergird political institutions. Drawing on archeological cases from across the globe, with greater detail from our area of expertise in Mesoamerica, we offer suggestions for strengthening analytical methods and generating more transdisciplinary research programs that address human societies across scalar and temporal spectra

Minimal set of generators of controllability space for singular linear dynamical systems

Due to the significant role played by singular systems in the form E ¿ x ( t ) = Ax ( t ) , on mathematical modeling of science and engineering problems; in the last years recent years its interest in the descriptive analysis of its structural and dynamic properties. However, much less effort has been devoted to studying the exact con- trollability by measuring the minimum set of controls needed to direct the entire system E ¿ x ( t ) = Ax ( t ) to any desired state. In this work, we focus the study on obtaining the set of all matrices B with a minimal number of columns, by making the singular system E ¿ x ( t ) = Ax ( t ) + Bu ( t ) controllable.Postprint (author's final draft

Computing, a powerful tool for improving the parameters simulation quality in flood prediction

Floods have caused widespread damage throughout the world. Modelling and simulation provide solutions and tools which enable us to forecast and make necessary steps toward prevention. One problem that must be handled by physical systems simulators is the parameters uncertainty and their impact on output results, causing prediction errors. In this paper, we address input parameter uncertainty toward providing a methodology to tune a flood simulator and achieve lower error between simulated and observed results. The tuning methodology, through a parametric simulation technique, implements a first stage to find an adjusted set of critical parameters which will be used to validate the predictive capability of the simulator in order to reduce the disagreement between observed data and simulated results. We concentrate our experiments in three significant monitoring stations, located at the lower basin of the Paraná River in Argentina, and the percentage of improvement over the original simulator values ranges from 33 to 60%.Facultad de Informátic

Diagnóstico de comunicación externa del Centro de Difusión e Investigación de Literatura Infantil y Juvenil (CEDILIJ)

Trabajo Final para optar al grado académico de Licenciatura en Comunicación Social, Universidad Nacional de CórdobaEsta investigación está orientada a desarrollar un diagnóstico de la comunicación externa del Centro de Difusión e Investigación de Literatura Infantil y Juvenil, de la ciudad de Córdoba. Dicho trabajo se lleva a cabo desde una perspectiva cualitativa, pero también adopta la técnica cuantitativa realizando una triangulación que permite un abordaje más completo del objeto de estudio. Además, el trabajo tiene un alcance exploratorio-descriptivo ya que se dirige a indagar en los procesos comunicacionales externos que se evidencian en la organización. El trabajo de campo comprende el período de junio a septiembre del año 2020 y además, todos aquellos documentos de los cuales se obtuvo información para construir la evidencia empírica. Para su realización se llevaron a cabo entrevistas a diferentes integrantes del centro, encuestas a la comisión directiva, sus socios o participantes de actividades y a su público potencial. También se realizó una observación sobre sus herramientas de comunicación externa, como el blog, Instagram, Facebook, boletín de difusión y su canal de Youtube. Finalmente, se llevó a cabo un análisis de los datos relevados que permitieron arribar a conclusiones que orientarán las líneas de acción futuras para transitar de la situación inicial a la ideal, teniendo en cuenta los conceptos de los autores trabajados.Fil: García, Angeles. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias de la Comunicación; Argentina.Fil: Re, Camila. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias de la Comunicación; Argentina.Fil: Molina Cortes Funes, María Constanza. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias de la Comunicación; Argentina

Characterization of the Taenia spp HDP2 sequence and development of a novel PCR-based assay for discrimination of Taenia saginata from Taenia asiatica

A previously described Taenia saginata HDP2 DNA sequence, a 4-kb polymorphic fragment, was previously used as the basis for developing PCR diagnostic protocols for the species-specific discrimination of T. saginata from T. solium and for the differentiation of T. saginata from T. asiatica. The latter was shown subsequently to lack the required specificity, so we undertook genetic studies of the HDP2 sequence from T. saginata and T. asiatica to determine why, and to develop a novel HDP2-PCR protocol for the simultaneous unambiguous identification of human taeniids. Sequencing and further analysis of the HDP2 DNA fragments of 19 Asiatic isolates of T. saginata and T. asiatica indicated that the HDP2 sequences of both species exhibited clear genomic variability, due to polymorphic variable fragments, that could correspond to the non-transcribed region of ribosomal DNA. This newly observed polymorphism allowed us to develop a novel, reproducible and reliable HDP2-PCR protocol which permitted the simultaneous discrimination of all T. saginata and T. asiatica isolates examined. This species-specific identification was based on, and facilitated by, the clear size difference in amplicon profiles generated: fragments of 1300 bp, 600 bp and 300 bp were produced for T. asiatica, amplicons of 1300 bp and 300 bp being obtained for T. saginata. Control T. solium samples produced one amplicon of 600 bp with the HDP2-PCR protocol. The assay has the potential to prove useful as a diagnostic tool in areas such as South East Asia where T. saginata, T. asiatica and T. solium coexist

Transporte y destino de residuos sólidos flotantes en la desembocadura del río matanza-riachuelo

La presencia de residuos sólidos flotantes (RSF) en ríos y arroyos urbanos impacta sobre los distintos usos, capacidades hidráulicas, calidad del agua y condiciones estéticas. En la Cuenca Matanza-Riachuelo (CMR), el transporte y destino de RSF puede perjudicar el normal funcionamiento de obras de infraestructura y elementos de observación y control ubicados en cercanías de la desembocadura en el Río de la Plata. En esta zona se encuentra implementado un sistema de limpieza de espejo de agua basado en la ubicación estratégica de barreras de retención. Ante la ocurrencia de precipitaciones significativas, estas barreras pueden colapsar permitiendo movilizar clusters de RSF cuyo destino puede resultar perjudicial. La hidrodinámica en esta zona está asociada a las condiciones hidrológicas de la CMR y a la dinámica del Río de la Plata. Para estudiarla en detalle se utilizó la combinación de dos modelos numéricos: 1) un modelo hidrológico-hidráulico de la CMR; 2) un modelo hidrodinámico del Río de la Plata Interior. Se presentan en este trabajo los resultados referidos a la evaluación de tiempos de concentración de la cuenca y los caminos de los RSF siguiendo partículas a partir de ensayos de rotura instantánea de barreras de retención.Fil: Mariano Re. Laboratorio de Hidráulica, Instituto Nacional del Agua (INA), Buenos Aires, Argentina.Fil: Pablo E. García. Laboratorio de Hidráulica, Instituto Nacional del Agua (INA), Buenos Aires, Argentina.Fil: Emilio Lecertua. Laboratorio de Hidráulica, Instituto Nacional del Agua (INA), Buenos Aires, Argentina.Fil: Ángel N. Menéndez. Laboratorio de Hidráulica, Instituto Nacional del Agua (INA), Buenos Aires, Argentina

Application of a dual mechanistic approach to support bilastine dose selection for older adults

The objective of this study was to evaluate bilastine dosing recommendations in older adults and overcome the limitation of insufficient data from phase I studies in this underrepresented population. This was achieved by integrating bilastine physicochemical, in vitro and in vivo data in young adults and the effect of aging in the pharmacology by means of two alternative approaches: a physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model and a semi-mechanistic population pharmacokinetic (Senescence) model. Intestinal apical efflux and basolateral influx transporters were needed in the PBPK model to capture the observations from young adults after single i.v. (10 mg) and p.o. (20 mg) doses, supporting the hypothesis of involvement of gut transporters on secretion. The model was then used to extrapolate the pharmacokinetics (PKs) to elderly subjects considering their specific physiology. Additionally, the Senescence model was develop starting from a published population PK) model, previously applied for pediatrics, and incorporating declining functions on different physiological systems and changes in body composition with aging. Both models were qualified using observed data in a small group of young elderlies (N = 16, mean age = 68.69 years). The PBPK model was further used to evaluate the dose in older subjects (mean age = 80 years) via simulation. The PBPK model supported the hypothesis that basolateral influx and apical efflux transporters are involved in bilastine PK. Both, PBPK and Senescence models indicated that a 20 mg q.d. dose is safe and effective for geriatrics of any age. This approach provides an alternative to generate supplementary data to inform dosing recommendations in under-represented groups in clinical trials.The authors would like to acknowledge financial support from grant 00102201/INNO- 20f171110 from the INNOGLOBAL program of the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI) from the Spanish Ministry of Economy Industry and Competitiveness

Optimizing CIGB-300 intralesional delivery in locally advanced cervical cancer

Background:We conducted a phase 1 trial in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer by injecting 0.5 ml of the CK2-antagonist CIGB-300 in two different sites on tumours to assess tumour uptake, safety, pharmacodynamic activity and identify the recommended dose.Methods:Fourteen patients were treated with intralesional injections containing 35 or 70 mg of CIGB-300 in three alternate cycles of three consecutive days each before standard chemoradiotherapy. Tumour uptake was determined using 99 Tc-radiolabelled peptide. In situ B23/nucleophosmin was determined by immunohistochemistry.Results:Maximum tumour uptake for CIGB-300 70-mg dose was significantly higher than the one observed for 35 mg: 16.1±8.9 vs 31.3±12.9 mg (P=0.01). Both, AUC 24h and biological half-life were also significantly higher using 70 mg of CIGB-300 (P<0.001). Unincorporated CIGB-300 diffused rapidly to blood and was mainly distributed towards kidneys, and marginally in liver, lungs, heart and spleen. There was no DLT and moderate allergic-like reactions were the most common systemic side effect with strong correlation between unincorporated CIGB-300 and histamine levels in blood. CIGB-300, 70 mg, downregulated B23/nucleophosmin (P=0.03) in tumour specimens.Conclusion:Intralesional injections of 70 mg CIGB-300 in two sites (0.5 ml per injection) and this treatment plan are recommended to be evaluated in phase 2 studies.Fil: Sarduy, M. R.. Medical-surgical Research Center; CubaFil: García, I.. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; CubaFil: Coca, M. A.. Clinical Investigation Center; CubaFil: Perera, A.. Clinical Investigation Center; CubaFil: Torres, L. A.. Clinical Investigation Center; CubaFil: Valenzuela, C. M.. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; CubaFil: Baladrón, I.. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; CubaFil: Solares, M.. Hospital Materno Ramón González Coro; CubaFil: Reyes, V.. Center For Genetic Engineering And Biotechnology Havana; CubaFil: Hernández, I.. Isotope Center; CubaFil: Perera, Y.. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; CubaFil: Martínez, Y. M.. Medical-surgical Research Center; CubaFil: Molina, L.. Medical-surgical Research Center; CubaFil: González, Y. M.. Medical-surgical Research Center; CubaFil: Ancízar, J. A.. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; CubaFil: Prats, A.. Clinical Investigation Center; CubaFil: González, L.. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; CubaFil: Casacó, C. A.. Clinical Investigation Center; CubaFil: Acevedo, B. E.. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; CubaFil: López Saura, P. A.. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; CubaFil: Alonso, Daniel Fernando. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes; ArgentinaFil: Gómez, R.. Elea Laboratories; ArgentinaFil: Perea Rodríguez, S. E.. Center For Genetic Engineering And Biotechnology Havana; Cuba. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; Cub