Allometric shell growth in infaunal burrowing bivalves: Examples of the archiheterodonts Claibornicardia paleopatagonica (Ihering, 1903) and Crassatella kokeni Ihering, 1899

We present two cases of study of ontogenetic allometry in outlines of bivalves using longitudinal data, a rarity among fossils, based on the preserved post-larval record of shells. The examples are two infaunal burrowing bivalves of the southern South America, Claibornicardia paleopatagonica (Archiheterodonta: Carditidae) (early Paleocene) and Crassatella kokeni (Archiheterodonta: Crassatellidae) (late Oligocene-late Miocene). Outline analyses were conducted using a geometric morphometric approach (Elliptic Fourier Analysis), obtaining successive outlines from shells' growth lines, which were used to reconstruct ontogenetic trajectories. In both taxa, ontogenetic changes are characterized by the presence of positive allometry in the extension of posterior end, resulting in elongated adult shells. This particular allometric growth is known in others infaunal burrowing bivalves (Claibornicardia alticostata and some Spissatella species) and the resulting adult morphology is present in representatives of several groups (e.g., Carditidae, Crassatellidae, Veneridae, Trigoniidae). Taxonomic, ecological and evolutionary implications of this allometric growth pattern are discussed.Fil: Perez, Damián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”; ArgentinaFil: Santelli, María Belén. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”; Argentin

Decisiones e impactos ante el avance de malezas resistentes a herbicidas

The objective of the research was to analyse the decisions, knowledge and economic effects that affect agricultural producers due to the advance of weeds resistant to the herbicide glyphosate from the Pehuajó district, Argentina. For this, a descriptive analysis was carried out through interviews with key actors of the regional agricultural sector. The main results indicate differences regarding the decisions made against weeds. Glyphosate sales in the area remained stable. There are no differences between the actors regarding environmental knowledge, or legal aspects of herbicide use. However, the producers have great knowledge about the first aspect but very little about current local legislation. This aspect must be analysed in the future.El objetivo de la investigación fue analizar las decisiones, conocimiento y efectos económicos que repercuten en los productores agropecuarios por el avance de malezas resistentes al herbicida glifosato del partido de Pehuajó, Argentina. Para esto se realizó un análisis descriptivo y empírico mediante entrevistas a actores clave del sector agropecuario regional. Los principales resultados indican diferencias en cuanto a las decisiones que se toman en contra de malezas. La venta de glifosato en la zona se mantuvo estables. No se encuentran diferencias entre los actores sobre los conocimientos ambientales, ni aspectos legales de utilización del herbicida. Pero los productores tienen gran conocimiento sobre el primer aspecto pero muy poco sobre legislación vigente local. Este aspecto debe ser analizado a futuro

Unraveling structure–performance relationships in porphyrin-sensitized TiO2 photocatalysts

Over the years, porphyrins have arisen as exceptional photosensitizers given their ability to act as chlorophyll-mimicking dyes, thus, transferring energy from the light-collecting areas to the reaction centers, as it happens in natural photosynthesis. For this reason, porphyrin-sensitized TiO2-based nanocomposites have been widely exploited in the field of photovoltaics and photocatalysis in order to overcome the well-known limitations of these semiconductors. However, even though both areas of application share some common working principles, the development of solar cells has led the way in what is referred to the continuous improvement of these architectures, particularly regarding the molecular design of these photosynthetic pigments. Yet, those innovations have not been efficiently translated to the field of dye-sensitized photocatalysis. This review aims at filling this gap by performing an in-depth exploration of the most recent advances in the understanding of the role played by the different structural motifs of porphyrins as sensitizers in light-driven TiO2-mediated catalysis. With this goal in mind, the chemical transformations, as well as the reaction conditions under which these dyes must operate, are taken in consideration. The conclusions drawn from this comprehensive analysis offer valuable hints for the implementation of novel porphyrin–TiO2 composites, which may pave the way toward the fabrication of more efficient photocatalysts.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación | Ref. PID2020-113704RB-I00Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431G 2019/06Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431C 2022/24Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431C 2021/4

Comparison of safflower oil extraction kinetics at two characteristic moisture conditions: Statistical analysis of non-linear model parameters

In this study the kinetics of oil extraction from partially dehulled safflower seeds at two moisture conditions (7 and 9% dry basis) was investigated. The extraction essays were performed using a stirred batch system, thermostated at 50 ºC, using n-hexane as solvent. The data obtained were fitted to a modified diffusion model in order to represent the extraction kinetics. The model took into account a washing and a diffusive step. Fitting parameters were compared statistically at both moisture conditions. The oil yield was increased in the extraction time in both cases, although the oil was released at different rates. A comparison of the parameters showed that both the extracted portion in the washing phase and the effective diffusion coefficient were moisture-dependent. The effective diffusivity was 2.81 10-12 and 8.06 10-13 m2 s-1 for a moisture content of 7% and 9%, respectively.Fil: Baumler, Erica Raquel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingenieria Olavarria. Departamento de Ingenieria Quimica; ArgentinaFil: Fernández, María Belén. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingenieria Olavarria. Departamento de Ingenieria Quimica; ArgentinaFil: Nolasco, Susana Maria. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingenieria Olavarria. Departamento de Ingenieria Quimica; ArgentinaFil: Perez, Ethel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingenieria Olavarria. Departamento de Ingenieria Quimica; Argentin

A Study of Excess Savings at the Firm Level in Developed Countries. Three Hypotheses about its Causes

Hallamos una tendencia creciente de la posición financiera neta y una caída dela formación de capital para una muestra de firmas industriales de Alemania,Francia, Italia, Japón y Reino Unido en el período 1997-2011. Ambas tendenciasson robustas en distintas submuestras y ante mediciones alternativas de laformación de capital. Discutimos tres hipótesis que contribuyen a explicar estastendencias, vinculadas al racionamiento financiero, la creciente volatilidad delentorno operativo y la pérdida de dinamismo de los negocios.Fil: Perez Artica, Rodrigo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Investigaciones Económicas y Sociales del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Economía. Instituto de Investigaciones Económicas y Sociales del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Martinez, Lisana Belén. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Investigaciones Económicas y Sociales del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Economía. Instituto de Investigaciones Económicas y Sociales del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Brufman, Leandro. No especifíca

The role of the transcriptional regulator, Tex, under stress conditions in Lactococcus lactis

Motivation:Tex, originally described in Bordetella pertussis, is a regulator involved in a variety of transcriptional processes and conserved in a wide range of bacteria. However, very little is known about its function in Lactococcus lactis. Preliminary proteomic data have shown that Tex is more abundant in a L. lactis ΔftsH mutant (ftsH knock-out) under cell wall stress. FtsH is a membrane protease involved in regulation assuring cellular protein stability under stress conditions. Moreover, based on previous knowledge, L. lactis ΔftsH presents some distinct phenotypes such as lysozyme resistance and NaCl sensitivity. A link is proposed between those phenotypes and the high level of Tex, which might be due to a higher half-life of this protein, as a consequence of the lack of FtsH protease. In order to get insights on the role of Tex in L. lactis, this work tries to answer two main questions: (i) Is the abundance of Tex regulated by FtsH? and (ii) are the higher levels of Tex causing the resistance and sensitivityMethods:The gene coding for Tex was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), with specific primers designed to clone it under both, a constitutive promoter P32 in pMG36e and the nisin inducible promotor Pnis in pNZ8020. Growth of cells with the empty plasmid (pNZ8020) or overexpressing Tex (plasmid pBL95) in GM17Cm medium was measured by OD at 600 nm in a microplate reader. The L. lactis tex knockout is currently being constructed, by cloning a truncated version of tex in pGhost9, a thermo-sensitive plasmid. Experiments to estimate Tex half-life will be carried out using antigen-antibody tagging in the presence or absence of FtsH.Results: It has not been possible to clone tex gene under the constitutive P32 promoter. L. lactis cells carrying pBL95 (tex gene under Pnis) growing in GM17Cm medium show a delayed growth related to the nisin concentration. The higher the concentration used, the slower the growth rate indicating that Tex overexpression might have a deleterious effect. Regarding to the lysozyme resistance and NaCl sensitivity, Tex abundance in ΔftsH might be the cause of those characteristics and experiments are in progress to probe it.Conclusions:Tex functions remain unknown in Lactococcus lactis but constitutive expression and/or too high levels of Tex seem to be deleterious. Further studies are necessary to analyse its role in the generation of new phenotypes and its regulation by FtsH for a better understanding

Tecnología de la fabricación de helados

Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina. Facultad de Industrias Alimentarias. Departamento Académico de Ingeniería de Alimentos y Productos AgropecuariosLos helados son productos que se caracterizan porque tienen un valor agregado para el consumidor debido a la experiencia sensorial que ofrece, las características finales de este producto depende del proceso por el que ha pasado para su obtención; desde las materias primas de la formulación hasta cada una de las etapas del procesamiento tienen un impacto en los atributos sensoriales del producto final. El helado es un producto muy complejo por lo que es muy importante comprender y establecer cuál es la relación y dependencia de los factores y variables que participan en el proceso. En la siguiente monografía se busca explicar cuáles son las diferentes variables que participan para la elaboración de helados y la relación que existen entre ellas para lograr los atributos sensoriales característicos. Asimismo, en base al contexto actual por el que pasa la industria con la próxima implementación de la ley de alimentación saludable se hablara de las nuevas alternativas y tecnologías que se disponen para formular productos con un mejor perfil nutricional sin afectar las características sensoriales que el consumidor espera encontrar.Ice cream are characterized because they have an added value for the consumer due to the sensorial experience that it offers, the final characteristics of this product depends on the process by which it has passed for its obtaining; from the raw materials of the formulation to each of the processing stages have an impact on the sensory attributes of the final product. Ice cream is a very complex product so it is very important to understand and establish what is the relationship and dependence of the factors and variables involved in the process. The following monograph seeks to explain what are the different variables involved in the development of ice cream and the relationship between them to achieve the characteristic sensorial attributes. Also, based on the current context that the industry is going through with the next implementation of the healthy eating law, we will talk about the new alternatives and technologies that are available to formulate products with a better nutritional profile without affecting the sensorial characteristics that the consumer expect to find.Trabajo de suficiencia profesiona

Tenders for institutional communication campaigns in the Spanish autonomous communities: transparency or digital disinformation

With an investment of over 700 million euros, the public sector is the main advertiser in the Spanish market. Altogether, the central, regional, and local governments launch more than 5000 institutional advertising and communication contracts. In Spain, these tenders are governed by Law 9/2017 on Public Sector Contracts and Law 19/2013 on Transparency, Access to Public Information and Good Governance, in compliance with which governments have developed openly accessible websites that provide practical information on the contracts for interested individuals and companies. This paper compares all regional procurement platforms through the study of a hundred institutional communication public contracts launched in 2021, assessing the usefulness of the published content, detecting good practices, and identifying gaps and areas of improvement. The results obtained support the idea that these platforms do not provide exhaustive information on public contracts, which limits their potential as tools aimed at ensuring competition and transparency in public contracts. Based on this last criterion, a ranking is created among the regions analysed.Agencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. PID 2021-124293OBI0

Performance of Green Solvents in the Extraction of Sunflower Oil from Enzyme-Treated Collets

The main goal of this work is to evaluate the extraction of sunflower oil from enzyme-treated collets using ethanol and isopropanol (IPA) as solvents. The sunflower collets are pretreated with the multienzyme complex Viscozyme L prior to solvent extraction by the Soxhlet method. The influence of the moisture content of the collets, pretreatment, processing time, and solvent type on the amount of total extracted material and the oil extraction efficiency is studied. Some quality parameters such as phospholipid content of the oil and chlorogenic acid content of the residual meal are also analyzed. At low moisture content (7%) the solvents exhibit similar oil extraction ability (98–99%), but with increasing moisture the extraction efficiency of ethanol decreases to about 85%, while no significant differences are observed for IPA. The enzymatic treatment increases the extraction efficiency for all times, especially for ethanol. It is observed that IPA is more efficient in the extraction compared to ethanol, and the amount of nonlipid material is reduced by ≈70%. In addition, the oil extracted with IPA have lower phospholipid content and the residual meal presents a higher chlorogenic acid content. Practical Applications:This work would contribute toward the use of green solvents in the extraction of sunflower oil from collets. Ethanol and isopropanol, used as solvents, present attractive advantages, including low toxicity, good operational security, as well as being obtained from a renewable source. The obtained data provide up-to-date information on the use of these alcohols in the extraction of sunflower oil from collets and the influence of operating conditions, such as moisture content, enzymatic pretreatment of the collets, and the extraction time. Information about oil and meal quality is also reported.Fil: Rodriguez, Luciana Marcela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Fernández, María Belén. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería Olavarría. Grupo Tecnologías de Semillas; ArgentinaFil: Perez, Ethel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Crapiste, Guillermo Hector. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; Argentin

Evasion and Immuno-Endocrine Regulation in Parasite Infection: Two Sides of the Same Coin in Chagas Disease?

Chagas disease is a serious illness caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Nearly 30% of chronically infected people develop cardiac, digestive, or mixed alterations, suggesting a broad range of host-parasite interactions that finally impact upon chronic disease outcome. The ability of T. cruzi to persist and cause pathology seems to depend on diverse factors like T. cruzi strains, the infective load and the route of infection, presence of virulence factors, the parasite capacity to avoid protective immune response, the strength and type of host defense mechanisms and the genetic background of the host. The host-parasite interaction is subject to a constant neuro-endocrine regulation that is thought to influence the adaptive immune system, and as the infection proceeds it can lead to a broad range of outcomes, ranging from pathogen elimination to its continued persistence in the host. In this context, T. cruzi evasion strategies and host defense mechanisms can be envisioned as two sides of the same coin, influencing parasite persistence and different outcomes observed in Chagas disease. Understanding how T. cruzi evade host’s innate and adaptive immune response will provide important clues to better dissect mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of Chagas disease.Fil: Morrot, Alexandre. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Villar, Silvina Raquel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: González, Florencia Belén. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Perez, Ana Rosa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario; Argentin