Análisis participativo de las dinámicas socio-ecológicas de la cuenca Perico-Manantiales

The socio-ecological system of the Jujuy Model Forest territory is analyzed within the framework of conceptual models, constructed using the participatory method PARDI (Problem, Actors, Resources, Dynamics, Interactions). Two principal models focus on water quality and availability in two areas: an upstream Catchment zone and a downstream Irrigation zone. Socio-ecological dynamics there are linked to diverse processes: social (population increase, immigration and urbanization), ecological (state of the upper basin and land use downstream) and economic (development models, prices and market fluctuations). Four complementary sub-models account for: pollution, erosion, sedimentation and deforestation, highlighting the central role of these processes for water quality and availability in the future. In the Catchment zone, water is first of all affected by the state of its sources (Rio Grande and Perico rivers, rainfall). The demand for drinking water to supply the municipalities and agricultural activities in the downstream zone put pressure on its availability. The water from the catchment basins also plays a central role in fishing, tourism, agriculture and livestock activities located nearby. In the Irrigation zone, water serves two main uses: as drinking (domestic) water for residents and as irrigation water, mainly in tobacco and sugarcane production. In both areas, water quality is decreasing because of pollution, classified as either solid (garbage), biological (sewage, animal waste) or chemical (agricultural inputs and industrial chemicals). In the long term, current dynamics can have strong impacts on public health, the desirability of the area for tourism and its economy. Local responses include: improvements to the efficiency of the irrigation system and other hydro-infrastructure, environmental awareness, and alternative development models adapted to a sustainable management. With a view to future planning, we identify decision rules that modify local actors’ practices in the context of climate change.Se analiza el sistema socio-ecológico conformado por el Bosque Modelo Jujuy en Argentina, a través de la construcción participativa de modelos conceptuales por el método PARDI (Problema, Actores, Dinámica e Interacciones). Dos modelos enfocados sobre la calidad y cantidad del agua representan dos zonas principales: la Zona de los Diques y la Zona de Riego. Las dinámicas socio-ecológicas allí son vinculados a diversos procesos sociales (aumento de la población, inmigración y urbanización), ecológicos (estado de la cuenca alta y uso de la tierra río abajo), y económicos (modelos de desarrollo, fluctuaciones de precios y mercados). Presentamos cuatro sub-modelos de: contaminación, erosión, sedimentación y deforestación, por el rol central de esos procesos en la calidad y disponibilidad del agua al futuro. En la zona de los diques, el agua depende primero del estado de sus fuentes (Río Grande, Río Perico, lluvias). La demanda de agua potable para las municipalidades y la producción agrícola en la zona abajo ejercen presión sobre la disponibilidad de agua. El agua de los diques, juega igualmente un rol central en las actividades de pesca, turismo, agricultura y ganado en su entorno. En la zona de riego, el agua está compartida entre agua potable y agua para riego, del tabaco y de la caña de azúcar principalmente. En ambos zonas, la calidad del agua está bajando a causa de su contaminación: solida (basura), biológica (cloacas, desechos de animales), y química (agroquímicos, químicos industriales). Al largo plazo, identificamos fuertes impactos potenciales de las dinámicas actuales sobre la salud pública, lo atractivo turístico de la zona y su economía. Varias respuestas se presentan: mejoras en la eficiencia del sistema de riego y otras infraestructuras hídricas; conciencia ambiental; modelos de desarrollo alternativos adaptados a un manejo sostenible. Para la planificación al futuro, identificamos las reglas de decisión que están modificando las prácticas de los actores en el contexto del cambio climático

Utilization of centrate for the production of the marine microalgae Nannochloropsis gaditana

In this paper, the production of the microalga Nannochloropsis gaditana using centrate from the anaerobic digestion of treated urban wastewater is studied. For this, semicontinuous cultures were performed indoors at laboratory scale, under controlled conditions, supplying seawater with different centrate percentages from a real wastewater treatment plant as the culture medium. It was demonstrated that N. gaditana can be produced using solely centrate as the nutrient source but only at percentages below 50%. Above this level, inhibition is caused by an excess of ammonia, thus reducing productivity. In the 30-50% centrate range, biomass productivity was 0.4 g·l-1·day-1, equal to that measured when using Algal culture medium. Moreover, the biochemical composition of the biomass was also equal to that measured when using Algal culture medium, with the protein content in the 30-40%d.wt. range; whereas the lipid content ranged from 20 to 25%d.wt. Under these conditions, phosphorus depuration from the culture medium was in the 80-90% range while nitrogen depuration was only between 20 and 40%, indicating an excess of nitrogen in the centrate with respect to phosphorus. In spite of this phosphorus limitation, in the optimal centrate range (30-50% in the culture medium), the cells performed under optimal conditions, removing up to 35 mgN·l-1·day-1 and 5.7 mgP·l-1·day-1, with quantum yield values measuring 1.0-1.3 g·E-1. By supplying additional phosphorus, it was possible to enhance productivity and increase nitrate and phosphorus depuration to over 80%. The use of centrate is confirmed as a useful method for reducing microalgae production costs while also increasing process sustainability, especially when using biomass for bioenergy applications

The chacoan fauna of Cordoba (Argentina) affected by the agricultural transformation of the habitat

En el Chaco cordobés la agricultura intensiva ha simplificado el hábitat y empobrecido la biodiversidad. El Departamento Totoral en el centro provincial, consiste en una matriz agrícola con escasos relictos de bosque. La incidencia de la transformación agrícola del hábitat sobre atributos de las comunidades de vertebrados, se estudió en remanentes de vegetación nativa con distinta condición y forma (hábitat cuadrangular HC y alongado HA). La estructura del hábitat, aún con influencia climática, fue más completa en el primero; en HA se comprobó ausencia de estratos superiores a 7 m, arbustización y aumento de suelo desnudo. Se anotó un total de 109 especies; durante el período húmedo hubo mayor número de especies y abundancia de individuos. Las alteraciones del hábitat favorecieron especies de distribución amplia, de agrosistemas, y empobrecimiento faunístico general. La avifauna mostró reemplazo estacional de especies, no así la herpeto y mastofauna, comunidades más permanentes. La estructura gremial presentó mayoría de insectívoros. La diversidad de herpetofauna fue mayor en la época húmeda, en micromamíferos no mostró diferencia estacional y la de avifauna fue varios órdenes mayor en ambas estaciones. La distribución de la herpetofauna y mastofauna en el hábitat se relacionó principalmente con buena cobertura gramíneo-herbácea, y la de aves con los estratos altos del bosque. Las variables del hábitat perturbadas por presión humana inciden sobre los valores de importancia de las especies, las fluctuaciones estacionales, los movimientos espaciales y favorece a ciertos grupos. Los relictos de vegetación nativa revisten importancia para preservación y restauración de la fauna regional.Intensive agriculture has simplified the Chaco habitat and impoverished its biodiversity, in Córdoba, Argentina. Thus, the district of Totoral in the provincial core has become a cultivated matrix with very few relicts of native forest. The impact of agricultural transformation of the habitat, on vertebrate communities attributes, was studied in remnants of native vegetation with different condition and shape (quadrangular HC, and elongated HA). Habitat structure was more complete in the first one, even considering climatic influence; while in HA strata higher than 7 m were missing, and bare soil and shrub thicket were increased. A total of 109 species was scored. Species and individuals were more abundant during the wet period. Alterations of habitat favored: species of wide distribution, species tolerant to agro-systems conditions, and a general faunal impoverishment. Birds showed seasonal species replacement, but not in more permanent herpetological and mammalian communities. The guild structure presented most insectivores. During wet season herpetological specific diversity was higher, but in mammals it showed no seasonal difference, whereas in birds it was several orders higher in both seasons. The distribution of the herpetic and mammal communities in the habitat was mainly associated with coverage of herbaceous layer, while distribution of bird communities was related mostly to higher forest strata. Human pressures disturbing habitat characteristics in the Cordoban Chaco, affect important parameters and seasonal fluctuations of species, their spatial movements, as well as favor certain vertebrate groups. Forest remnants are essential for preservation and restoration of the regional fauna.Fil: Cebollada Pütz, Cintia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Ecología y Recursos Naturales Renovables; ArgentinaFil: Basso, Mariana Lucía. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Ecología y Recursos Naturales Renovables; ArgentinaFil: Ruiz de Los Llanos, Estefanía. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Ecología y Recursos Naturales Renovables; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Kufner, Maura Beatriz. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Ecología y Recursos Naturales Renovables; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

The chacoan fauna of Cordoba (Argentina) affected by the agricultural transformation of the habitat

En el Chaco cordobés la agricultura intensiva ha simplificado el hábitat y empobrecido la biodiversidad. El Departamento Totoral en el centro provincial, consiste en una matriz agrícola con escasos relictos de bosque. La incidencia de la transformación agrícola del hábitat sobre atributos de las comunidades de vertebrados, se estudió en remanentes de vegetación nativa con distinta condición y forma (hábitat cuadrangular HC y alongado HA). La estructura del hábitat, aún con influencia climática, fue más completa en el primero; en HA se comprobó ausencia de estratos superiores a 7 m, arbustización y aumento de suelo desnudo. Se anotó un total de 109 especies; durante el período húmedo hubo mayor número de especies y abundancia de individuos. Las alteraciones del hábitat favorecieron especies de distribución amplia, de agrosistemas, y empobrecimiento faunístico general. La avifauna mostró reemplazo estacional de especies, no así la herpeto y mastofauna, comunidades más permanentes. La estructura gremial presentó mayoría de insectívoros. La diversidad de herpetofauna fue mayor en la época húmeda, en micromamíferos no mostró diferencia estacional y la de avifauna fue varios órdenes mayor en ambas estaciones. La distribución de la herpetofauna y mastofauna en el hábitat se relacionó principalmente con buena cobertura gramíneo-herbácea, y la de aves con los estratos altos del bosque. Las variables del hábitat perturbadas por presión humana inciden sobre los valores de importancia de las especies, las fluctuaciones estacionales, los movimientos espaciales y favorece a ciertos grupos. Los relictos de vegetación nativa revisten importancia para preservación y restauración de la fauna regional.Intensive agriculture has simplified the Chaco habitat and impoverished its biodiversity, in Córdoba, Argentina. Thus, the district of Totoral in the provincial core has become a cultivated matrix with very few relicts of native forest. The impact of agricultural transformation of the habitat, on vertebrate communities attributes, was studied in remnants of native vegetation with different condition and shape (quadrangular HC, and elongated HA). Habitat structure was more complete in the first one, even considering climatic influence; while in HA strata higher than 7 m were missing, and bare soil and shrub thicket were increased. A total of 109 species was scored. Species and individuals were more abundant during the wet period. Alterations of habitat favored: species of wide distribution, species tolerant to agro-systems conditions, and a general faunal impoverishment. Birds showed seasonal species replacement, but not in more permanent herpetological and mammalian communities. The guild structure presented most insectivores. During wet season herpetological specific diversity was higher, but in mammals it showed no seasonal difference, whereas in birds it was several orders higher in both seasons. The distribution of the herpetic and mammal communities in the habitat was mainly associated with coverage of herbaceous layer, while distribution of bird communities was related mostly to higher forest strata. Human pressures disturbing habitat characteristics in the Cordoban Chaco, affect important parameters and seasonal fluctuations of species, their spatial movements, as well as favor certain vertebrate groups. Forest remnants are essential for preservation and restoration of the regional fauna.Fil: Cebollada Pütz, Cintia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Ecología y Recursos Naturales Renovables; ArgentinaFil: Basso, Mariana Lucía. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Ecología y Recursos Naturales Renovables; ArgentinaFil: Ruiz de Los Llanos, Estefanía. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Ecología y Recursos Naturales Renovables; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Kufner, Maura Beatriz. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Ecología y Recursos Naturales Renovables; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Agente inteligente para la identificación automática de perfiles de usuarios de turismo

El dominio de turismo es un ambiente muy dinámico, los productos (paquetes turísticos) cambian continuamente, como así también los intereses de los clientes (turistas). Por ejemplo, las preferencias sobre un tipo de lectura son más estables y constantes que las preferencias sobre las visitas turísticas. Las diferentes fuentes de información para poder predecir preferencias más completas, como así también la consideración de múltiples variables para poder realizar las recomendaciones, son los temas centrales a los que apunta el proyecto. En este aspecto el proyecto permitirá el desarrollo e implementación de innovadoras tecnologías de software aplicables al turismo regional que ayudará a mejorar la efectividad de los sitios web locales en cuanto a la atracción de turistas. La incorporación de diferentes fuentes de información del turista y los métodos y técnicas para su recuperación incrementaría la precisión de las recomendaciones. Recomendaciones más precisas incrementa la satisfacción del turista, ocasionando la fidelidad del turista e incrementando la popularidad del sitio web permitiendo una más amplia difusión del turismo local y promoción del patrimonio local. Como así también permitirá definir paquetes turísticos en función de la caracterización del perfil dinámico del turista que se obtendrá a partir de la interacción del turista con los sitios web.Eje: Agentes y Sistemas InteligentesRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Neutrophil infiltration regulates clock-gene expression to organize daily hepatic metabolism.

Liver metabolism follows diurnal fluctuations through the modulation of molecular clock genes. Disruption of this molecular clock can result in metabolic disease but its potential regulation by immune cells remains unexplored. Here, we demonstrated that in steady state, neutrophils infiltrated the mouse liver following a circadian pattern and regulated hepatocyte clock-genes by neutrophil elastase (NE) secretion. NE signals through c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibiting fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and activating Bmal1 expression in the hepatocyte. Interestingly, mice with neutropenia, defective neutrophil infiltration or lacking elastase were protected against steatosis correlating with lower JNK activation, reduced Bmal1 and increased FGF21 expression, together with decreased lipogenesis in the liver. Lastly, using a cohort of human samples we found a direct correlation between JNK activation, NE levels and Bmal1 expression in the liver. This study demonstrates that neutrophils contribute to the maintenance of daily hepatic homeostasis through the regulation of the NE/JNK/Bmal1 axis.BGT and MC were fellows of the FPI: Severo Ochoa CNIC program (SVP-2013–067639) and (BES-2017–079711) respectively. IN was funded by EFSD/Lilly grants (2017 and 2019), the CNIC IPP FP7 Marie Curie Programme (PCOFUND-2012–600396), EFSD Rising Star award (2019), JDC-2018-Incorporación (MIN/JDC1802). T-L was a Juan de la Cierva fellow (JCI2011–11623). C.F has a Sara Borrell contract (CD19/00078). RJD is an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. This work was funded by the following grants to GS: funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement n˚ ERC 260464, EFSD/Lilly European Diabetes Research Programme Dr Sabio, 2017 Leonardo Grant for Researchers and Cultural Creators, BBVA Foundation (Investigadores-BBVA-2017) IN[17] _BBM_BAS_0066, MINECO-FEDER SAF2016-79126-R and PID2019-104399RB-I00 , EUIN201785875, Comunidad de Madrid IMMUNOTHERCAN-CM S2010/BMD-2326 and B2017/BMD-3733 and Fundación AECC AECC PROYE19047SABI and AECC: INVES20026LEIV to ML. MM was funded by ISCIII and FEDER PI16/01548 and Junta de Castilla y León GRS 1362/A/16 and INT/M/17/17 and JL-T by Junta de Castilla y León GRS 1356/A/16 and GRS 1587/A/17. The study was additionally funded by MEIC grants to ML (MINECO-FEDER-SAF2015-74112-JIN) AT-L (MINECO-FEDERSAF2014-61233-JIN), RJD: Grant DK R01 DK107220 from the National Institutes of Health. AH: (SAF2015-65607-R). The CNIC is supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MCNU) and the Pro CNIC Foundation, and is a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence (SEV-2015–0505).S

ANGPTL-4 is Associated with Obesity and Lipid Profile in Children and Adolescents

Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL-4) regulates lipidic metabolism and affects energy homeostasis. However, its function in children with obesity remains unknown. We investigated plasma ANGPTL-4 levels in children and its relationship with body mass index (BMI) and different lipidic parameters such as free fatty acids (FFA). Plasma ANGPTL-4 levels were analyzed in two different cohorts. In the first cohort (n = 150, age 3–17 years), which included children with normal weight or obesity, we performed a cross-sectional study. In the second cohort, which included only children with obesity (n = 20, age 5–18 years) followed up for two years after an intervention for weight loss, in which we performed a longitudinal study measuring ANGPTL-4 before and after BMI-loss. In the cross-sectional study, circulating ANGPTL-4 levels were lower in children with obesity than in those with normal weight. Moreover, ANGPTL-4 presented a negative correlation with BMI, waist circumference, weight, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA index), triglycerides, and leptin, and a positive correlation with FFA and vitamin-D. In the longitudinal study, the percent change in plasma ANGPTL-4 was correlated with the percent change in FFA, total-cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. This study reveals a significant association of ANGPTL-4 with pediatric obesity and plasma lipid profileThis research was funded by INSTITUTO DE SALUD CARLOS III cofounded by FEDER, grants number PI18/00998, PI15/01272, PI11/02042, PI16/01301, and PI16/00871, and FUNDACIÓN MUTUA MADRILEÑAS

Methionine adenosyltransferase 1a antisense oligonucleotides activate the liver-brown adipose tissue axis preventing obesity and associated hepatosteatosis

Altered methionine metabolism is associated with weight gain in obesity. The methionine adenosyltransferase (MAT), catalyzing the first reaction of the methionine cycle, plays an important role regulating lipid metabolism. However, its role in obesity, when a plethora of metabolic diseases occurs, is still unknown. By using antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) and genetic depletion of Mat1a, here, we demonstrate that Mat1a deficiency in diet-induce obese or genetically obese mice prevented and reversed obesity and obesity-associated insulin resistance and hepatosteatosis by increasing energy expenditure in a hepatocyte FGF21 dependent fashion. The increased NRF2-mediated FGF21 secretion induced by targeting Mat1a, mobilized plasma lipids towards the BAT to be catabolized, induced thermogenesis and reduced body weight, inhibiting hepatic de novo lipogenesis. The beneficial effects of Mat1a ASO were abolished following FGF21 depletion in hepatocytes. Thus, targeting Mat1a activates the liver-BAT axis by increasing NRF2-mediated FGF21 secretion, which prevents obesity, insulin resistance and hepatosteatosis. High methionine and S-adenosylmethionine serum levels are related with obesity. Here the authors show that knockdown of methionine adenosyltransferase by using antisense oligonucleotides provides beneficial effects in obesity and comorbidities.This work was supported by Ayudas para apoyar grupos de investigacion del sistema Universitario Vasco (IT971-16) and MCIU/AEI/FEDER, UE (RTI2018-095134-B-100) (to P.A.), (RTI2018-099413-B-I00 and RED2018-102379-T) (to R.N.), PID2020119486RB-100 (to M.V.R.) and (RTI2018-096759-A-100) (to T.C.D). EFSD/Lilly European Diabetes Research Program, MICIU (PID2019-104399RB-I00), Fundacion AECC PROYE19047SABI, and Comunidad de Madrid IMMUNOTHERCAN-CM B2017/BMD-3733 (to G.S.). La CAIXA Foundation LCF/PR/HP17/52190004, MINECO-FEDER SAF2017-87301-R, AYUDAS FUNDACION BBVA A EQUIPOS DE INVESTIGACION CIENTIFICA UMBRELLA 2018 and AECC Scientific Foundation, grant name: Rare Cancers 2017 (to M.L.M.-C.). AECC Scientific Foundation (to T.C.D.). Xunta de Galicia 2020-PG015 (to R.N.) Gilead Sciences International Research Scholars Program in Liver Disease (to M.V.R.). Personal fellows: E.P.F. was awarded with Juan de la Cierva-Formacion, FJC2018-035449-I. C.F. was awarded with Sara Borrell (CD19/00078). CIC bioGUNE thanks MCIU for the Severo Ochoa Excellence Accreditation (SEV-2016-0644). The authors thank Dr. Manuel Lafitas laboratory (Getxo, Bizkaia, Spain) for his valuable help in the analysis of biochemical parameters