Garlic nieve INTA : plant density and nitrogen fertigation

Se estudió el efecto de tres densidades de plantación (20 (D20), 30 (D30) y 40 (D40) plantas m-2) y cinco dosis de fertilización nitrogenada (0 (N0), 75 (N75), 150 (N150), 225 (N225) y 300 (N300) kg de N ha-1), sobre el rendimiento y la calidad de ajo (Allium sativum L.) de la cultivar Nieve INTA (tipo blanco), bajo riego por goteo. Se realizó un ensayo en el INTA La Consulta, Mendoza, Argentina, en un suelo Torrifluvente típico franco arenoso profundo (Soil Taxonomy). Se utilizaron cintas de riego por goteo T-Tape 508-30, colocadas en el medio de la cama de plantación con un caudal de 2.7 L m-1 h-1. El máximo rendimiento (13 t ha-1) de ajo seco y limpio se logró con una densidad de plantación de 40 plantas m-2 y con dosis de 225 kg N ha-1. Las relaciones halladas entre los rendimientos de bulbos y las dosis de nitrógeno de 0, 75, 150, 225 y 300 kg N ha-1 fueron de tipo cuadrático (P < 0.001), con r2= 0.89; 0.91 y 0.84 para D 20, D30 y D40, respectivamente. Se encontró diferencias significativas (P < 0.05), con respecto a rendimiento, entre líneas externas e internas de la cama de plantación en la densidad de 40 000 plantas ha-1. La línea externa rindió más que la interna. Los porcentajes en peso de bulbos comerciales (C5+C6+C7) sobre el total de bulbos cosechados para las densidades D20, D30 y D40 fueron de 80.1 %; 66.7 % y 56.1 %, respectivamente.The yield and the quality of garlic (Allium sativum L.) cv. Nieve INTA under different densities (20 (D20), 30 (D30) and 40 (D40) plants m-2) and doses of nitrogen fertilization (0 (N0), 75 (N75), 150 (N150), 225 (N225) and 300 (N300) kg of N ha-1) was evaluated under drip irrigation. The experiment was conducted at La Consulta Experimental Station on a Torrifluvent typic deep sandy loam soil (Soil Taxonomy). The trial was conducted using drip irrigation with a T-Tape 508-30, in the middle of the sowing bed with a volume of 2.7 L m-1 h-1. The highest yield (13 t ha-1) was obtained with a density of plantation of 40 plants m-2 and with rate of 225 kg N ha-1. The total yields were adjusted to nitrogen rates by a quadratic model highly significant (P < 0.001) with r2= 0.89; 0.91 and 0.84 for D20, D30 and D40, respectively. There were significant differences between yields of internal and external lines on D40. The percentages of commercial bulbs (C5+C6+C7) with respect to total yield, were 80.1%, 66.7% and 56.1% for D20, D30 y D40 respectively.Fil: Lipinski, Víctor M..Fil: Gaviola, Silvia. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Ingeniería Agrícol

Drift routes of Cape hake eggs and larvae in the southern Benguela Current system

The aim of this study was to combine observed circulation pattern with data on distribution of hake eggs and larvae in the southern Benguela from a survey in September/October 2005 to investigate drift routes of hake eggs and larvae. Genetic information enabled species-specific information about drift routes of the two hake species (Merluccius capensis and M. paradoxus) to be established. The results showed that both species were transported from spawning areas to nursery areas in the jet current, but differential cross-shelf distribution would most likely lead to species-specific drift routes which could explain why the two species seem to have different nursery areas

The Tabby cat locus maps to feline chromosome B1.

The Tabby markings of the domestic cat are unique coat patterns for which no causative candidate gene has been inferred from other mammals. In this study, a genome scan was performed on a large pedigree of cats that segregated for Tabby coat markings, specifically for the Abyssinian (Ta-) and blotched (tbtb) phenotypes. There was linkage between the Tabby locus and eight markers on cat chromosome B1. The most significant linkage was between marker FCA700 and Tabby (Z = 7.56, theta = 0.03). Two additional markers in the region supported linkage, although not with significant LOD scores. Pairwise analysis of the markers supported the published genetic map of the cat, although additional meioses are required to refine the region. The linked markers cover a 17-cM region and flank an evolutionary breakpoint, suggesting that the Tabby gene has a homologue on either human chromosome 4 or 8. Alternatively, Tabby could be a unique locus in cats

Experimental evidence on promotion of electric and improved biomass cookstoves.

Improved cookstoves (ICS) can deliver "triple wins" by improving household health, local environments, and global climate. Yet their potential is in doubt because of low and slow diffusion, likely because of constraints imposed by differences in culture, geography, institutions, and missing markets. We offer insights about this challenge based on a multiyear, multiphase study with nearly 1,000 households in the Indian Himalayas. In phase I, we combined desk reviews, simulations, and focus groups to diagnose barriers to ICS adoption. In phase II, we implemented a set of pilots to simulate a mature market and designed an intervention that upgraded the supply chain (combining marketing and home delivery), provided rebates and financing to lower income and liquidity constraints, and allowed households a choice among ICS. In phase III, we used findings from these pilots to implement a field experiment to rigorously test whether this combination of upgraded supply and demand promotion stimulates adoption. The experiment showed that, compared with zero purchase in control villages, over half of intervention households bought an ICS, although demand was highly price-sensitive. Demand was at least twice as high for electric stoves relative to biomass ICS. Even among households that received a negligible price discount, the upgraded supply chain alone induced a 28 percentage-point increase in ICS ownership. Although the bundled intervention is resource-intensive, the full costs are lower than the social benefits of ICS promotion. Our findings suggest that market analysis, robust supply chains, and price discounts are critical for ICS diffusion

Live imaging and single-cell analysis reveal differential dynamics of autophagy and apoptosis

Autophagy is induced by many cytotoxic stimuli but it is often unclear whether, under specific conditions, autophagy plays a prosurvival or a prodeath role. To answer this critical question we developed a novel methodology that employs automated live microscopy and image analysis to measure autophagy and apoptosis simultaneously in single cells. We used this approach to perform a systems-level analysis of pathway dynamics for both autophagy and apoptosis. We found that induction of autophagy in response to different stimuli is uniformly unimodal; in contrast, cells induce apoptosis in an all-or-none bimodal fashion. By tracking the fate of single cells we found that autophagy precedes apoptosis, and that within the same population apoptosis is delayed in cells that mount a stronger autophagy response. Inhibition of autophagy by knocking down ATG5 promoted apoptosis, thus confirming that autophagy plays a protective role. We anticipate that our single-cell approach will be a powerful tool for gaining a quantitative understanding of the complex regulation of autophagy, its influence on cell fate decisions and its relationship with other cellular pathways

Cartography interpreted of soil : San Carlos, Mendoza (Argentina)

El objetivo del trabajo fue generar mapas y asociarlos a bases de datos digitales donde se puedan consultar, en forma automatizada y eficiente, preguntas temáticas y por localización. No importa la cartografía en sí misma, sino el análisis, la interpretación y el establecimiento de indicadores de aptitudes edáficas a partir de información geográfica sistematizada. La Información básica es confiable y posee la máxima integridad. Con IDRISI se realizó, con las bandas 5, 4 Y 3 una composición en falso color. Se elaboraron mapas digitalizados de clasificación no supervisada de cobertura del suelo. Se confeccionó, en Access, una base de datos con 26 registros de determinaciones edáficas. Se exportó esta información temática a IDRISI versión 2.0. Con IDRISI se cartografiaron diferentes campos de la base de datos, lo que estableció distintas zonas pilotos en las que se realizó análisis espacial. De estos análisis se crearon mapas temáticos en formato digital. Con otra base de datos reales de 20 registros se convalidaron los resultados de las cartografías realizadas. El trabajo expresa una visión general real de las características edáficas superficiales más importantes y las cartografías cas realizadas tienen valor práctico al establecer indicadores que sirven para quienes tengan conocimientos edafológicos medios.The objective of the work is to generate maps and to associate them to digital databases. Where the databas es are immediately available and thematic and localization questions can be consulted in automated, efficient and effective formo The basis is not only the cartography by itself but also to analyse, to interpret, to create knowledge, to set indicators of edaphic aptitudes, starting from the data and systematized geographical information. The basic information is reliable and it possesses the maximum integrity. With IDRISI a composition in false color, with the bands 5, 4 and 3 was carried out. Digitized maps of not supervised classification of covering of the soil were elaborated. In Access a database with 26 registrations of edaphic determinations was created. Thematic information was exported to IDRIS1 version 2:0. In IDRISI different fields of the database were established different control areas in those that space analyses was carried out. From these analyses thematic maps were created in digital formato With another database of 20 registrations, the results of temáti¬ the carried out cartographies was authenticated. The work expresses a general vision of the most important characteristic of surface soil and the thematic cartographies carried out have an important practical value, specially for those who have average edaphic knowledge.Fil: Perez Valenzuela, Benjamín R.. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias AgrariasFil: De Cara, Daniel E. . Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias AgrariasFil: Lipinski, Víctor M. . Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agraria

Future challenges in cephalopod research

We thank Anto´nio M. de Frias Martins, past President of the Unitas Malacologica and Peter Marko, President of the American Malacological Society for organizing the 2013 World Congress of Malacology, and the Cephalopod International Advisory Committee for endorsing a symposium held in honour of Malcolm R. Clarke. In particular, we would like to thank the many professional staff from the University of the Azores for their hospitality, organization, troubleshooting and warm welcome to the Azores. We also thank Malcolm Clarke’s widow, Dorothy, his daughter Zoe¨, Jose´ N. Gomes-Pereira and numerous colleagues and friends of Malcolm’s from around the world for joining us at Ponta Delgada. We are grateful to Lyndsey Claro (Princeton University Press) for granting copyright permissions.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Magnetic translation groups in an n-dimensional torus

A charged particle in a uniform magnetic field in a two-dimensional torus has a discrete noncommutative translation symmetry instead of a continuous commutative translation symmetry. We study topology and symmetry of a particle in a magnetic field in a torus of arbitrary dimensions. The magnetic translation group (MTG) is defined as a group of translations that leave the gauge field invariant. We show that the MTG on an n-dimensional torus is isomorphic to a central extension of a cyclic group Z_{nu_1} x ... x Z_{nu_{2l}} x T^m by U(1) with 2l+m=n. We construct and classify irreducible unitary representations of the MTG on a three-torus and apply the representation theory to three examples. We shortly describe a representation theory for a general n-torus. The MTG on an n-torus can be regarded as a generalization of the so-called noncommutative torus.Comment: 29 pages, LaTeX2e, title changed, re-organized, to be published in Journal of Mathematical Physic

Ajo selenizado: ¿un alimento funcional futuro o actual?

In the last years, functional foods have awakened consumer, scientific and business interest. A commonly found vegetable in such kind of foods includes garlic (Allium sativum). By its ability for selenium (Se) bio-accumulation, garlic can turn into an attractive option of selenized food. Selenium is an essential micronutrient for many organisms including plants, animals, and humans. It is an important trace element due to its antioxidant properties and plays a main role in prevention of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Nowadays, there is an increasing interest in the study of Se speciation due to the different roles that each species manifests in toxicological and nutrition fields. However, Se exhibits a narrow interval between toxicity and essentiality, which is puzzling toxicologists and alarming nutritionists and legislators. In the present review, an overview on the development of selenized garlic studies and its potential implementation in Argentine production is exposed. The development of novel foods with added value such us selenized garlic could be an attractive alternative for local market. Moreover, it becomes a good offering for factory owners, considering that Mendoza represents about 85% of total garlic production in the country.En los últimos años, los alimentos funcionales han despertado el interés de consumidores, científicos y empresarios. El ajo (Allium sativum) puede ser un ejemplo de ello. Gracias a su capacidad de bioacumular selenio (Se), dicha hortaliza puede convertirse en una atractiva opción de alimento enriquecido con Se. El Se es un micronutriente esencial para numerosos organismos, incluyendo plantas, animales y humanos. Este micronutriente es de gran importancia debido a sus propiedades antioxidantes, y actúa, en consecuencia, como protector de numerosas enfermedades, tales como cáncer y problemas cardiovasculares. Actualmente, existe un mayor interés en el estudio de especiación de Se debido a los distintos roles que cada especie manifiesta en los campos nutricionales y toxicológicos. Sin embargo, las concentraciones de Se poseen un estrecho intervalo entre toxicidad y esencialidad, desconcertando a toxicólogos y alarmando a nutricionistas y legisladores. En este trabajo, se presenta un panorama del grado de avance sobre el estudio de fortificación de ajo con Se y sus perspectivas de aplicación en el sistema productivo de la República Argentina. Este tipo de producción, con un significativo valor agregado, representa una atractiva oportunidad de mercado para la provincia de Mendoza, considerando además que la misma posee cerca del 85% de la producción nacional.Fil: Escudero, Leticia B.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y TécnicasFil: Monasterio, Romina P.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y TécnicasFil: Lipinski, Víctor M.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (Argentina)Fil: Filippini, María Flavia. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Ingeniería AgrícolaFil: Wuilloud, Rodolfo Germán. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnica

FSHD myoblasts fail to downregulate intermediate filament protein vimentin during myogenic differentiation.

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is an autosomal dominant hereditary neuromuscular disorder. The clinical features of FSHD include weakness of the facial and shoulder girdle muscles followed by wasting of skeletal muscles of the pelvic girdle and lower extremities. Although FSHD myoblasts grown in vitro can be induced to differentiate into myotubes by serum starvation, the resulting FSHD myotubes have been shown previously to be morphologically abnormal. Aim. In order to find the cause of morphological anomalies of FSHD myotubes we compared in vitro myogenic differentiation of normal and FSHD myoblasts at the protein level. Methods. We induced myogenic differentiation of normal and FSHD myoblasts by serum starvation. We then compared protein extracts from proliferating myoblasts and differentiated myotubes using SDS-PAGE followed by mass spectrometry identification of differentially expressed proteins. Results. We demonstrated that the expression of vimentin was elevated at the protein and mRNA levels in FSHD myotubes as compared to normal myotubes. Conclusions. We demonstrate for the first time that in contrast to normal myoblasts, FSHD myoblasts fail to downregulate vimentin after induction of in vitro myogenic differentiation. We suggest that vimentin could be an easily detectable marker of FSHD myotube