Skin Topography Analysis for Forensic Application

Skin topography analysis, especially fingerprinting, has been used with high levels of success in forensic studies to identify individuals. Since fingerprints are not always left at crime scenes, we investigate the potential utility of prints left from other anatomical sites as a means of identifying their subject. An image processing and pattern recognition code is used to identify key features in images of skin topography of the mid-anterior forearms, back of the hands, and underneath the wrists over a 1-2 month period. These features are then analyzed to determine if topographical features in skin other than fingerprints remain the same over time. Preliminary evidence indicates skin topography, not just fingerprints, stays consistent over time, suggesting that topographical skin prints from multiple regions of the body can be useful for forensic identification of individuals at crime scenes. A larger study including multiple subjects, however, is needed to verify these findings.https://orb.binghamton.edu/research_days_posters_2023/1083/thumbnail.jp

A comparative study between a brain Na+,K+-ATPase inhibitor (endobain E) and ascorbic acid

In the search of Na+,K+-ATPase modulators, we have reported the isolation by gel filtration and HPLC of a brain fraction, termed endobain E, which highly inhibits Na+,K+-ATPase activity. In the present study we compared some properties of endobain E with those of ascorbic acid. Kinetic experiments assaying synaptosomal membrane K+-p-nitrophenylphosphatase (K+p-NPPase) activity in the presence of endobain E or ascorbic acid showed that in neither case did enzyme inhibition prove competitive in nature versus K+ or p-NPP concentration. At pH 5.0, endobain E and ascorbic acid maximal UV absorbance was 266 and 258 nm, respectively; alkalinization to pH 14.0 led to absorption drop and shift for endobain E but to absorbance disappearance for ascorbic acid. After cysteine treatment, endobain E absorbance decreased, whereas that of ascorbic acid remained unaltered; iodine treatment led to absorbance drop and shift for endobain E but to absorbance disappearance for ascorbic acid. HPLC analysis of endobain E disclosed the presence of two components: one eluting with retention time and UV spectrum indistinguishable from those of ascorbic acid and a second, as yet unidentified, both exerting Na+,K+-ATPase inhibition.Fil: Rodriguez, Georgina Emma. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; ArgentinaFil: Herbin, T.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; ArgentinaFil: Peña, Clara. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; Argentin

Is it time to change the way we detect Alzheimer’s disease and monitor its progression? Towards affordable and theory-driven approaches from cognitive neurosciences

A large proportion of people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease (AD) worldwide are not receiving a timely diagnosis. The tools currently used to detect AD and monitor its progression are not sensitive to the preclinical stages and lack specificity for correctdiagnosis. Available biomarkers show acceptable levels of sensitivity but remain littlespecific and not accessible to everyone. We embrace the view that enhancing cognitive assessment of AD should be a research priority. This Perspective paper focuses on issues which, to our view, have been preventing cognitive tests from meeting outstanding needs in the early of detection, monitoring, and treatment development of AD dementia.We first outline the limitations of current diagnostic procedures both theoretically and practically. We then provide a rationale for theory-driven cognitive approaches which would allow mapping assessment tools to specific neuropathological stages of the neurodegenerative course of AD. Finally, we propose research strategies that would help test a hypothesis which, though launched five years ago, remains untested.That is: “Which memory system is impaired first in Alzheimer’s disease?

El rol de los científicos en la interface hombre-naturaleza en las áreas protegidas MaB

According to the theory of social metabolisms, human-nature interaction can generate “waste” that can act as environmental passives. The impact of scientists’ interaction with nature during their field researches is rarely ever discussed on literature. In this paper, we evaluate the externalities produced by scientific research on fauna based on a zoning system of a Man and Biosphere Reserve (MaB) in order to determine incompatibilities. We assume that the MaB zoning systems could prevent the generation of this type of waste done by scientists. We systematized all documents referred to Ñacuñán MaB Reserve in Argentina (60 years of records) and created a digital library. Afterward, we spatialized the investigations related to fauna and contrasted them with the current zoning system. The results showed that most of the researches were manipulatives and were conducted at the transition zone, followed by the northern core zone. Scientists do not always respect the activities allowed by zone. Sampling sites are frequently selected according to the proximity of their accommodation rather than to the permitted activities. Therefore, it is necessary to formulate new policies to avoid scientists’ liabilities and to encourage the build of knowledge and research on less studied zones, to promote conservation and sustainable development of MaB reserves.Según la teoría de los metabolismos sociales, la interacción humano-naturaleza puede generar “residuos” que pueden actuar como pasivos ambientales. El impacto de los científicos que interactúan con la naturaleza en sus investigaciones de campo, raramente es discutido en la literatura. En este artículo, evaluamos las externalidades producidas por los científicos en sus investigaciones sobre fauna en función del sistema de zonificación de las Reservas del Hombre y la Biosfera (MaB) con el objetivo de determinar incompatibilidades. Suponemos que los sistemas de zonificación de MaB podrían evitar la generación de este tipo de residuos por parte de los científicos. Para ello se sistematizaron todos los documentos referidos a la Reserva MaB Ñacuñán en Argentina (más de 60 años de registros) y se creó una biblioteca digital. Luego espacializamos las investigaciones referidas a fauna y se contrastaron con el sistema de zonificación actual. Los resultados mostraron que la mayor parte de las investigaciones fueron manipulativas y se localizaron en la zona de transición, seguida de la zona del núcleo norte. Los científicos no siempre respetaron las actividades permitidas por zona, seleccionando sus sitios de muestro en función de la proximidad a su alojamiento. Por ello es necesario formular políticas para evitar las responsabilidades de los científicos y para orientar la generación de conocimientos en las zonas menos estudiadas a efectos de promover la conservación y el desarrollo sustentable de las Reservas MaB.Fil: López, Luciana. Universidad Champagnat; ArgentinaFil: Rubio, María Clara. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez, Maria Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas; Argentin

16S rRNA gene amplicon dataset of prokaryotic communities from a subantarctic marine ecosystem: Ushuaia Bay and surrounding waters

We provide a 16S rRNA gene dataset of prokaryotic assemblages of a subantarctic marine ecosystem. Samples were collected at 2 stations (one near Ushuaia Bay and the other close to Bridges islands in the Beagle Channel). At each station, 2 depths (subsurface and bottom waters) were sampled in february, march, may and september during 2018, giving a total of 10 samples. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing (V4 hypervariable region) was performed with the Illumina MiSeq platform. A total of 1116 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were recovered from the dataset. The sequences were taxonomically assigned to Alphaproteobacteria (23 ± 2%, mean ± standard error), Gammaproteobacteria (17 ± 1.5%), Flavobacteriia (8 ± 2%), Deltaproteobacteria (3.7 ± 0.5%), Acidimicrobiia (1.7 ± 0.1%), Planctomycetia (1.9 ± 0.4%), and AB16 group (1.7 ± 0.3%). Sequences affiliated with Archaea were abundant, reaching one third of analyzed sequences, mainly Thaumarchaeota (22 ± 3%), and Thermoplasmata (10 ± 1%). Together, sequences assigned to all these groups accounted for more than 90% of the sequences. This dataset constitutes a valuable resource for future scientific research aiming to unveil the role of these communities in ecosystem services such as carbon and nutrient cycling, and pollutants degradation. This will turn into benefits for future environmental monitoring and preservation actions, considering the tangible heritage of Ushuaia Bay and surrounding waters.Fil: Rodriguez Florez, Clara Natalia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Malits, Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Lozada, Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto de Biología de Organismos Marinos; Argentin

Scanning electron microscopy assessment of the Descemet membrane interface during DMEK graft preparation

Abstract We set out to determine microscopic characteristics of the Descemet membrane interface during Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) graft preparation. Ten corneas were partially prepared, preserving half of the Descemet membrane attached to the stroma to enable visualisation of the Descemet-stroma interface. This tissue was prepared for viewing with a scanning electron microscope. The Descemet-stroma interface was categorised into three regions: centre, mid-periphery and periphery. We classified adhesions in these regions as either minor thread-like adhesions or major bridge-like adhesions with stromal detachments. We found a region-specific differentiation of the Descemet-stroma morphology. The presence of minor (P = 0,0001) and major (P = 0,0001) adhesions at the explored regions of the Descemet-stroma interface were found to be statistically significant. Fibrotic linear adhesions were predominant in the centre and mid-periphery, whereas the larger bridge-like adhesions were found mainly in the periphery. In addition, we observed a positive correlation between the size of the adhesions and the presence of ruptures in the underlying stromal bed. Viewing of the Descemet-stroma interface with electron microscopy reveals morphological differences between the centre of a graft and its periphery. These findings are of potential clinical relevance in terms of developing a better understanding of tissue behaviour during graft preparation

The Multiple Correspondence Analysis Method and Brain Functional Connectivity: Its Application to the Study of the Non-linear Relationships of Motor Cortex and Basal Ganglia

The complexity of basal ganglia (BG) interactions is often condensed into simple models mainly based on animal data and that present BG in closed-loop cortico-subcortical circuits of excitatory/inhibitory pathways which analyze the incoming cortical data and return the processed information to the cortex. This study was aimed at identifying functional relationships in the BG motor-loop of 24 healthy-subjects who provided written, informed consent and whose BOLD-activity was recorded by MRI methods. The analysis of the functional interaction between these centers by correlation techniques and multiple linear regression showed non-linear relationships which cannot be suitably addressed with these methods. The multiple correspondence analysis (MCA), an unsupervised multivariable procedure which can identify non-linear interactions, was used to study the functional connectivity of BG when subjects were at rest. Linear methods showed different functional interactions expected according to current BG models. MCA showed additional functional interactions which were not evident when using lineal methods. Seven functional configurations of BG were identified with MCA, two involving the primary motor and somatosensory cortex, one involving the deepest BG (external-internal globus pallidum, subthalamic nucleus and substantia nigral), one with the input-output BG centers (putamen and motor thalamus), two linking the input-output centers with other BG (external pallidum and subthalamic nucleus), and one linking the external pallidum and the substantia nigral. The results provide evidence that the non-linear MCA and linear methods are complementary and should be best used in conjunction to more fully understand the nature of functional connectivity of brain centers

Fomentando la creatividad e imaginación a través de la literatura infantil en los niños y niñas del grado segundo de la fundación Canaán de Cartagena

Link del drive https://unadvirtualedu-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/ciacunar_unadvirtual_edu_co/EnKrhhG5wXRFnccRx2OkPakBawxVGkISzeir2FzeihS-XA?e=s6bXv7 Link de sustentation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjjpP8PDlcwEsta propuesta pedagógica se basó en la imaginación y creatividad de los niños, niñas y docente, para una mejor comprensión de la lectora y sobre todo que ellos se motiven a la lectura. Con este resalto lo importante que es contribuir al desarrollo de la creatividad e imaginación en ellos, permitiéndoles así expresarse desde sus capacidades, y brindándoles diversidad de elementos o situaciones que estimulen su imaginación, permitiéndoles descubrir y explorar sus habilidades de creatividad, fortaleciendo a su vez, la seguridad y confianza para dejar fluir ideas, e imaginación. La propuesta resalta la importancia de trabajar con actividades pedagógicas a través de una secuencia didáctica que les permitió a los niños y niñas disfrutar de lecturas innovadoras, es decir, que ellos puedan a través de la literatura explorar su imaginación y creatividad, estas actividades programadas que se enfocan en construir espacios significativos, donde los niños y niñas lograron una interacción y el desarrollo de las actividades, permitiendo desarrollar vínculos educativos, dinámicos y lúdicos para una convivencia sana en su desarrollo. En estas actividades el resultado fue positivo, porque se logró que los niños y niñas se interesaran más en la literatura infantil y que ellos disfrutaran de estos espacios pedagógicos para desarrollar su creatividad e imaginación, y dejar en ellos semillas para ser personas competentes, en un ámbito educativo, por tal motivo es necesario desarrollar la creatividad de los niños y niñas través de la lectura de cuentos infantiles que ayuden y motiven a los niños a ser más creativos y autónomos.This pedagogical proposal was based on the imagination and creativity of the children and the teacher, for a better understanding of the reader and above all that they are motivated to read. With this highlight how important it is to contribute to the development of creativity and imagination in them, thus allowing them to express themselves from their abilities, and providing them with a diversity of elements or situations that stimulate their imagination, allowing them to discover and explore their creativity skills, in turn strengthening, the security and confidence to let ideas and imagination flow. The proposal highlights the importance of working with pedagogical activities through a didactic sequence that allowed the boys and girls to enjoy innovative readings, that is, that they can explore their imagination and creativity through literature, these programmed activities that They focus on building significant spaces, where the boys and girls achieved interaction and the development of activities, allowing the development of educational, dynamic and playful links for a healthy coexistence in their development. In these activities, the result was positive, because it was possible for the boys and girls to be more interested in children's literature and for them to enjoy these pedagogical spaces to develop their creativity and imagination, and leave in them the seeds to be competent people, in a educational field, for this reason it is necessary to develop the creativity of children through the reading of children's stories that help and motivate children to be more creative and autonomous