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Argentina
Kinds of Argentina Selected AbstractsREPRODUCTIVE TOURISM IN ARGENTINA: CLINIC ACCREDITATION AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSUMERS, HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND POLICY MAKERSDEVELOPING WORLD BIOETHICS, Issue 2 2010ELISE SMITH ABSTRACT A subcategory of medical tourism, reproductive tourism has been the subject of much public and policy debate in recent years. Specific concerns include: the exploitation of individuals and communities, access to needed health care services, fair allocation of limited resources, and the quality and safety of services provided by private clinics. To date, the focus of attention has been on the thriving medical and reproductive tourism sectors in Asia and Eastern Europe; there has been much less consideration given to more recent ,players' in Latin America, notably fertility clinics in Chile, Brazil, Mexico and Argentina. In this paper, we examine the context-specific ethical and policy implications of private Argentinean fertility clinics that market reproductive services via the internet. Whether or not one agrees that reproductive services should be made available as consumer goods, the fact is that they are provided as such by private clinics around the world. We argue that basic national regulatory mechanisms are required in countries such as Argentina that are marketing fertility services to local and international publics. Specifically, regular oversight of all fertility clinics is essential to ensure that consumer information is accurate and that marketed services are safe and effective. It is in the best interests of consumers, health professionals and policy makers that the reproductive tourism industry adopts safe and responsible medical practices. [source] PERCEPTION OF IRRADIATED FOODS AMONG STUDENTS (SECONDARY, UNIVERSITY [FOOD SCIENCE AND NONFOOD SCIENCE]) AND ADULTS IN ARGENTINAJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESSING AND PRESERVATION, Issue 3 2008ALEJANDRA FLORES ABSTRACT A survey on beliefs and purchase intent of irradiated foods was conducted among 300 Argentine students, covering secondary/high school, food science and nonfood science university, and 100 nonstudent adults. Other factors considered were the type of information provided (introductory, process description and benefits) and the city of residence (small agricultural city and big city). The most important benefits were considered to be microorganism reduction and improved sanitation. On the other hand, insecurity and doubts were the main reasons why respondents would not buy these foods. Only 14% said they would definitely buy irradiated foods. Considering their doubts and insecurities, it is probable that if these respondents see a food labeled as "irradiated," they would not choose to buy it. Within developing countries such as Argentina, the promotion of this technology by government agencies would be very costly, and at present, these costs would not seem to be justified. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The negative perceptions of consumers would hinder the successful implementation of food irradiation. The doubts or insecurities that consumers of developing countries have are similar to those that consumers of developed countries have. Most respondents answered that irradiated foods should be labeled as such. If food irradiation was to be pursued further, the place to start would be in food science curricula as this is the basis of future professionals in charge of researching its use and/or implementing the process. [source] FATTY ACID COMPOSITION AND CONJUGATED LINOLEIC ACID CONTENT OF COW AND GOAT CHEESES FROM NORTHWEST ARGENTINAJOURNAL OF FOOD QUALITY, Issue 3 2009CARINA P. VAN NIEUWENHOVE ABSTRACT In this study, we evaluated chemical characteristics, fatty acid composition and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content of cow and goat cheeses from Northwest Argentina. Similar chemical and fatty acid composition were determined in milk and cheese of both species. Palmitic, oleic and myristic acids were the most abundant fatty acids in dairy products. CLA level averaged 0.85 and 0.96 in milk and 0.76 and 1.04 g/100 g of fatty acids in cheese of cow and goat, respectively. Cis -9,trans -11 was the major isomer present in both species. Significant differences in CLA desaturase activity were observed, showing a value of 0.068 and 0.064 in milk, and 0.077 and 0.071 in cheese of cow and goats, respectively. Good nutritional properties were determined for cheeses of both species, which are fed on natural pasture during spring and summer seasons. Goat's cheese represents a higher source of CLA for human consumers than cow's cheese, offering from 156.6 to 222.6 mg/ 100 g of sample. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The present work shows the fatty acid composition and chemical characteristics of two fresh cheeses manufactured with cow and goat milk. Animals were fed on natural pasture during summer and spring seasons. It is known that pasture increases conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) concentration in milk fat, and the content in cheese is directly related to it. The CLA content of dairy products for the human consumers was analyzed, showing goat cheese with high polyunsaturated fatty acid content, including CLA. Cow and goat fresh cheese offer CLA as many ripening products of different countries, as cheddar or hard cheeses. Lipid composition of food is related to many illnesses, but some compounds are beneficial to human health. The main sources of CLA are milk and cheeses, and in Northwest of Argentina, no data are reported about it, where artisanal cheeses are consumed by the population. Therefore, the atherogenicity index was determined as well. [source] SENSORY CHARACTERIZATION OF VITIS VINIFERA CV. MALBEC WINES FROM SEVEN VITICULTURE REGIONS OF ARGENTINAJOURNAL OF SENSORY STUDIES, Issue 5 2007MARÍA CRISTINA GOLDNER ABSTRACT Fifty-six Malbec wines from seven Argentine viticulture regions (Valles Calchaquíes, Mendoza del Este, Mendoza del Sur, Patagonia, Alto Río Mendoza, Valle de Uco and San Juan), of the 2004 vintage, were evaluated by sensory descriptive analysis using a panel of 10 not-sighted assessors. "Noncommercial" samples were obtained using standardized conditions, not aging and produced with grapes corresponding to each viticulture region. Malbec wines from same regions exhibited particular characteristics. Valles Calchaquíes wines had strong herbal, spicy, sweet pepper aromas and pungency in contrast to San Juan wines that showed fruity, strawberry, honey and citrus aromas. Mendoza del Este and Valle de Uco wines were associated with cooked fruit, raisin, floral and sweetness attributes as opposed to Mendoza del Sur and Patagonia wines which were characterized by sourness, bitterness, persistency and astringency, and not by aroma attributes. Alto Río Mendoza wines were characterized by pungency, sweet pepper and bitterness. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Sensory profiling of "non-commercial" Malbec wines developed in this research could be used as a tool to differentiate and classify Argentine Controlled Denominations of Origin (DOC). Wines with DOC have important value in the market and they are original country representative in the world. The results of this study suggest that Malbec wines from some of the regions located in latitudes 31,33° (San Juan, Mendoza del Este and Valle de Uco; Argentina) were associated with the most desired sensory characteristics. Out of these latitudes, wine-making process would have more importance on Malbec wine quality. [source] DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS, CONSUMER CLUSTERS AND PREFERENCE MAPPING OF COMMERCIAL MAYONNAISE IN ARGENTINAJOURNAL OF SENSORY STUDIES, Issue 4 2002MARÍA JOSÉ SANTA CRUZ ABSTRACT The objectives of the present study were to measure the sensory profile and acceptability of 8 commercial samples of mayonnaise (4 whole fat and 4 low fat) and then to apply preference mapping to address the relationship between the descriptive and acceptability data. A total of 240 consumers were recruited in 3 Argentine cities. In each city 40 young adults and 40 older adults were recruited. Samples differed in their sensory profiles and average acceptabilities. Cluster analysis of consumers showed clear segmentation in appearance, texture, flavor and overall acceptance. Sensory acceptability segmentation was far more pronounced than age or city segmentation. Extended preference mapping showed the sensory descriptors of mayonnaise which drove the acceptability of some of the consumer clusters. [source] TAXONOMY AND ZOOGEOGRAPHY OF THE MESOZOIC CYTHERURID OSTRACODA FROM WEST-CENTRAL ARGENTINAPALAEONTOLOGY, Issue 1 2009SARA C. BALLENT Abstract:, The status of thirty four species of the cytheroidean ostracod family Cytheruridae from the Neuquén Basin, west-central Argentina is reviewed. These species belong to the following nine genera: Eucytherura Müller, ranging in this study from Pliensbachian to Valanginian and represented by fourteen species; Kangarina Coryell and Fields, Aalenian,Bajocian, with a single species; Acrocythere Neale, Hauterivian, one species; Paranotacythere Bassiouni, Berriasian, two species; Procytherura Whatley, Pliensbachian to Hauterivian, twelve species; Cytheropteron Sars, Aalenian,Bajocian, one species: Eocytheropteron Alexander, Hauterivian, one species; Paradoxorhyncha Chapman, Aalenian,Bajocian, one species; and Paracytheridea Müller, Berriasian, one species. Of the three subfamilies of the Cytheruridae, the Cytherurinae, with thirty species are by far the most numerous and abundant throughout the study. The other two subfamilies, the Cytheropterinae are represented by three species and the Paracytherideinae by a single species of the nominative genus. Several of the species are very widely distributed geographically and have, for example, also been recorded from Europe; others indicate close links with South Africa and Australia. The stratigraphical ranges of certain genera have been extended as a result of this study. For example, Kangarina has not previously been recorded below the Cretaceous. The Cytheruridae are clearly the most diverse cytheroidean ostracodes in the Mesozoic of the Neuquén Basin and are more diverse than all other groups of ostracodes combined. Four new species, Eucytherura tessae, Eucytherura yunga, Procytherura amygdala and Eocytheropteron immodicus are described. Eucytherura guillaumeae nom. nov. for Eucytherura tuberculata Brenner and Oertli and Eucytherura paranuda nom. nov. for Eucytherura nuda (Brand) are proposed. [source] ADDITIONAL SPECIMENS OF SUDAMERICID (GONDWANATHERIA) MAMMALS FROM THE EARLY PALEOCENE OF ARGENTINAPALAEONTOLOGY, Issue 5 2008YAMILA GUROVICH Abstract:, The extinct, Cretaceous,Paleogene Gondwanatherians have previously been considered to be early xenarthrans, multituberculates and more recently Mammalia incertae sedis. However, the phylogenetic relationships of Gondwanatheria have yet to be resolved. In this paper, additional dental specimens of the gondwanatherian Sudamerica ameghinoi from the Early Paleocene Salamanca Formation of Argentina are described. These specimens provide additional information on Gondwanatheria affinities, sudamericid morphology and help support earlier hypotheses on Sudamerica dental formula and tooth categories. Sudamericid dental functional morphology and body mass estimates, based on measurements of isolated teeth, are inferred. Dental morphology such as hypsodonty, enamel microstructure and crown features do support a robust clade for Sudamericidae. [source] FRESHWATER ALGAE FROM THE UPPER TRIASSIC CUYANA BASIN OF ARGENTINA: PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONSPALAEONTOLOGY, Issue 6 2006ANA M. ZAVATTIERI Abstract:, Diverse freshwater aquatic palynomorphs are present among rich terrestrial palynofloras from the upper part of the Potrerillos and Cacheuta formations outcropping in the Cuyana Basin at the southern extremity of the Precordillera of Argentina. The Potrerillos/Cacheuta sequence includes fluvial, deltaic and lacustrine facies deposited in the early Late Triassic fault-bounded syn-rift Cacheuta hemigraben. The phytoplankton described and illustrated consist of representatives of colonial chlorococcalean algae belonging to the Hydrodictyaceae (Plaesiodictyon) and Botryococcaceae (Botryococcus), a diverse group of Zygnemataceae zygospores, a freshwater dinoflagellate cyst (Bosedinia) and acritarchs (sphaeromorphs). Zygnematacean zygospores are represented by species of Gelasinicysta?, Lecaniella, Mougeotia, Ovoidites, Peltacystia and Schizocystia. Of these, Gelasinicysta? cuyanensis sp. nov. is newly described. Quantitative analysis of the palynofloras permits interpretation of changes in the local vegetation and phytoplankton communities controlled by changes in environmental setting. Two algal associations are recognized as belonging to different stages in the evolution of the basin. Diverse zygnematacean assemblages along with hydrodictyacean, botryococcacean and leiosphere/sphaeromorph algae are common in fluvial,deltaic environments of the upper part of the Potrerillos Formation and the lowermost part of the Cacheuta Formation. Higher in the sections (in the Cacheuta Formation) Botryococcus dominates, in association with amorphous kerogen, representing deposition in a relatively deep, quiet-water, lacustrine environment where anoxic conditions prevailed. In the Cacheuta hemigraben the lacustrine shales have average TOC values of 4 per cent (locally reaching 20 per cent), with some terrigenous components (Type II/III kerogen), but dominant amorphous, algal-like, organic matter (Type I/II kerogen). Oils derived from these source rocks are predominantly waxy. [source] Premature cessation of breastfeeding in infants: development and evaluation of a predictive model in two Argentinian cohorts: the CLACYD study,, 1993,1999ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 5 2001S Berra The objective of this study was to develop a model to predict premature cessation of breastfeeding of newborns, in order to detect at-risk groups that would benefit from special assistance programmes. The model was constructed using 700 children with a birthweight of 2000 g or more, in 2 representative cohorts in 1993 and 1995 (CLACYD I sample) in Córdoba, Argentina. Data were analysed from 632 of the cases. Mothers were selected during hospital admittance for childbirth and interviewed in their homes at 1 mo and 6 mo. To evaluate the model, an additional sample with similar characteristics was drawn during 1998 (CLACYD II sample). A questionnaire was administered to 347 mothers during the first 24,48 h after birth and a follow-up was completed at 6 mo, with weaning information on 291 cases. Premature cessation of breastfeeding was considered when it occurred prior to 6 mo. A logistic regression model was fitted to predict premature end of breastfeeding, and was applied to the CLACYD II sample. The calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow C statistic) and the discrimination [area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve] of the model were evaluated. The predictive factors of premature end of breastfeeding were: mother breastfed for less than 6 mo [odds ratio (OR) = 1.84,95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26,2.70], breastfeeding of previous child for less than 6 mo (OR = 4.01, 95% CI 2.58,6.20), the condition of the firstborn child (OR = 2.75, 95% CI 1.79,4.21), the first mother-child contact occurring after 90min of life (OR =1.88; 95% CI 1.22,2.91) and having an unplanned pregnancy (OR = 1.50, 95% CI 1.05,2.15). The calibration of the model was acceptable in the CLACYD I sample (p= 0.54), as well as in the CLACYD II sample (p= 0.18). The areas under the ROC curve were 0.72 and 0.68, respectively. Conclusion: A model has been suggested that provides some insight onto background factors for the premature end of breastfeeding. Although some limitations prevent its general use at a population level, it may be a useful tool in the identification of women with a high probability of early weaning. [source] REPRODUCTIVE TOURISM IN ARGENTINA: CLINIC ACCREDITATION AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSUMERS, HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND POLICY MAKERSDEVELOPING WORLD BIOETHICS, Issue 2 2010ELISE SMITH ABSTRACT A subcategory of medical tourism, reproductive tourism has been the subject of much public and policy debate in recent years. Specific concerns include: the exploitation of individuals and communities, access to needed health care services, fair allocation of limited resources, and the quality and safety of services provided by private clinics. To date, the focus of attention has been on the thriving medical and reproductive tourism sectors in Asia and Eastern Europe; there has been much less consideration given to more recent ,players' in Latin America, notably fertility clinics in Chile, Brazil, Mexico and Argentina. In this paper, we examine the context-specific ethical and policy implications of private Argentinean fertility clinics that market reproductive services via the internet. Whether or not one agrees that reproductive services should be made available as consumer goods, the fact is that they are provided as such by private clinics around the world. We argue that basic national regulatory mechanisms are required in countries such as Argentina that are marketing fertility services to local and international publics. Specifically, regular oversight of all fertility clinics is essential to ensure that consumer information is accurate and that marketed services are safe and effective. It is in the best interests of consumers, health professionals and policy makers that the reproductive tourism industry adopts safe and responsible medical practices. [source] World Bank Influence and Institutional Reform in ArgentinaDEVELOPMENT AND CHANGE, Issue 3 2009Maria F. Tuozzo ABSTRACT During the 1990s, reforms concerned with ,good governance' became popular with multilateral and bilateral lenders. This trend was led by the World Bank, which claimed that in order to achieve economic development, institutions mattered. This article looks at governance reforms in Argentina, specifically in the judicial sector, and contends that World Bank involvement affected the nature, reach and depth of these initiatives. The influence of the Bank can be traced through three dimensions that have characterized its approach to institutional reform: donor-driven designs for project reform; reliance on technical approaches; and restricted forms of decision making in project initiatives. Such an approach to institutional change conditioned domestic reform in Argentina and contributed to piecemeal and inadequate initiatives. The author also argues that the Bank's approach in Argentina can be traced to wider strategies that derive from embedded institutional practices and ideological foundations within the institution that throw into question the Bank's capacities to promote such reforms. [source] Agro-Food Preferences in the EU's GSP Scheme: An Analysis of Changes Between 2004 and 2006DEVELOPMENT POLICY REVIEW, Issue 6 2008Federica DeMaria This article examines the extent to which the 2006 revisions to the EU's Generalised System of Preferences improved market-access opportunities for developing-country agro-food exports. It shows that they resulted in only a slight increase in the percentage preferential margin, but that there has been a significant increase in the value of preferential trade and of the preferential margin enjoyed by exporters. This was accompanied by changes in the ranking of beneficiaries. Countries such as China, Brazil, Argentina, India and South Africa maintained their significant shares of GSP agro-food exports, but other countries such as Thailand and Vietnam have now emerged as major GSP beneficiaries. [source] Impact of Supermarkets and Fast,Food Chains on Horticulture Supply Chains in ArgentinaDEVELOPMENT POLICY REVIEW, Issue 4 2002Graciela Ghezán In the 1990s, the supermarket and fast,food sectors grew rapidly in Argentina. Both were dominated by multinational firms, and their growth drove profound change in food market systems and farming. This article analyses the impact of this development on fruit and vegetables supply chains, in particular the way the advent of McDonald's affected the supply chain for frozen French fried potatoes. It shows that there is a tendency for such changes to favour medium and large producers, with evidence of the exclusion of small farmers. [source] Impact of the Rapid Rise of Supermarkets on Dairy Products Systems in ArgentinaDEVELOPMENT POLICY REVIEW, Issue 4 2002Graciela E. Gutman The reconfiguration and consolidation of food retailing in Argentina during the 1990s profoundly changed the marketing system for food and agricultural products. The new commercial requirements and ,rules of the game' imposed by supermarkets on their suppliers have caused a substantial restructuring of supply chains , a process in which some suppliers fail. This article describes the changes in the past decade in the Argentine retail sector, and then focuses on the effects of those changes (and related changes in processing) on milk products supply chains. Its conclusions focus on the challenges specific to small farms and firms in the face of this transformation. [source] From Urban to Rural: Lessons for Microfinance from ArgentinaDEVELOPMENT POLICY REVIEW, Issue 3 2001Mark Schreiner The recent success of microfinance for the urban self-employed contrasts with decades of failure on the part of public development banks for small farmers. This article describes the ways in which rural microfinance organisations have tried to adapt the lessons of urban microfinance to manage the risks and control the costs of the supply of financial services in rural areas. It then asks whether the lessons of urban microfinance are likely to apply in the poorest rural areas of Argentina. The article concludes that microfinance is unlikely to improve access to small loans and small deposits for many of the rural poor in Argentina; distances are too great, farmers too specialised, and wages too high. Improved access depends not on targeting loans by government decree but on strengthening institutions that support financial markets. [source] How Lutherans Read the Bible: A North American and Global ConversationDIALOG, Issue 1 2006By Dennis T. Olson Abstract:, Recent debates and conflicts over the interpretation of the Bible among Lutherans both in the U.S. and in other parts of the world impel us to consider our history in a Lutheran tradition, our present challenges, and an agenda for future directions. This introductory essay briefly introduces some of the distinctive Lutheran emphases in the use of Scripture, provides an overview of the other essays in this issue of Dialog which are largely focused on the North American context, and then offers a sample of what two Lutheran scholars in places other than the U.S. are thinking about their experiences as Lutherans using the Bible in places like Malaysia and Argentina. [source] Where do Swainson's hawks winter?DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS, Issue 5 2008Satellite images used to identify potential habitat ABSTRACT During recent years, predictive modelling techniques have been increasingly used to identify regional patterns of species spatial occurrence, to explore species,habitat relationships and to aid in biodiversity conservation. In the case of birds, predictive modelling has been mainly applied to the study of species with little variable interannual patterns of spatial occurrence (e.g. year-round resident species or migratory species in their breeding grounds showing territorial behaviour). We used predictive models to analyse the factors that determine broad-scale patterns of occurrence and abundance of wintering Swainson's hawks (Buteo swainsoni). This species has been the focus of field monitoring in its wintering ground in Argentina due to massive pesticide poisoning of thousands of individuals during the 1990s, but its unpredictable pattern of spatial distribution and the uncertainty about the current wintering area occupied by hawks led to discontinuing such field monitoring. Data on the presence and abundance of hawks were recorded in 30 × 30 km squares (n = 115) surveyed during three austral summers (2001,03). Sixteen land-use/land-cover, topography, and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) variables were used as predictors to build generalized additive models (GAMs). Both occurrence and abundance models showed a good predictive ability. Land use, altitude, and NDVI during spring previous to the arrival of hawks to wintering areas were good predictors of the distribution of Swainson's hawks in the Argentine pampas, but only land use and NDVI were entered into the model of abundance of the species in the region. The predictive cartography developed from the models allowed us to identify the current wintering area of Swainson's hawks in the Argentine pampas. The highest occurrence probability and relative abundances for the species were predicted for a broad area of south-eastern pampas that has been overlooked so far and where neither field research nor conservation efforts aiming to prevent massive mortalities has been established. [source] Grasshopper (Orthoptera: Acridoidea) species diversity in the Pampas, ArgentinaDIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS, Issue 2 2000María Marta Cigliano Abstract., A study was conducted to describe the major features of geographical and temporal variation in the diversity of grassland grasshopper species (Orthoptera: Acridoidea) in different sites of the Pampas, Argentina. Species richness and relative abundance were assessed at 12 sites in eastern La Pampa and western Buenos Aires provinces, from 1994 through 1999. Mean species richness at the regional level was 10, and 34 grasshopper species were collected throughout of the study. Comparison with grasshopper species diversity from the Great Plains of North America is discussed. An evaluation of the proportions of species in each of the three distribution groups (broad, intermediate and narrow) revealed that, over all sites, broadly distributed species made up 14.7% of species composition and intermediately and narrowly distributed species made up 26.5% and 58.8%, respectively. The three top-ranked species in the studied sites were Dichroplus elongatus, D. pratensis and Staurorhectus longicornis. Results showed that, contrary to what was expected, one of the widely distributed species in the region (i.e. Baeacris punctulatus) does not always constitute one of the most abundant species. Finally, the loss of one of the historically most common species in the Pampas, D. maculipennis, is also discussed. [source] Species richness of marine Bryozoa in the continental shelf and slope off Argentina (south-west Atlantic)DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS, Issue 1 2000Juan López Gappa Abstract., A total of 246 marine bryozoan species was recorded within an area of the south-west Atlantic between 35° and 56°S, and between the coast of Argentina and 50°W. The distribution pattern of benthic stations surveyed during the most important cruises in the area shows that the sampling effort has been biased towards southern shelf areas off Santa Cruz and Tierra del Fuego, as well as around the Malvinas (Falkland) islands. The littoral zone, Patagonian gulfs and the continental shelf off Chubut, Río Negro and Buenos Aires state received less attention, and should be surveyed more intensively in the future. Only 2% of the species can be regarded as non-indigenous, all of them inhabiting biofouling communities in harbour environments. With the exception of some thoroughly surveyed localities, the number of species recorded for different areas of the coast, shelf and slope is estimated to be just a small fraction of the actual number of species present. A distinct diversity gradient was found, with species-rich stations located only in the southern shelf. Highest diversity occurred in shelf areas dominated by coarse sediments, and along a high-productivity shelf-break front. A remarkable decrease in species richness was found in inner and middle shelf areas off Chubut, Río Negro and Buenos Aires state. This pattern may be related to the Pacific origin of the Magellanic fauna, since the diversity of bryozoans is higher in the Pacific than in the Atlantic Ocean. The trend of species richness is, however, overemphasized by the fact that the least diverse faunistic assemblage occurs in areas where surveys have been relatively less frequent. An up-to-date checklist of species recorded for the study area is included. [source] Size at the onset of sexual maturity in the anomuran crab, Aegla uruguayana (Aeglidae)ACTA ZOOLOGICA, Issue 4 2006Verónica E. Viau Abstract The size at maturity was studied in the crab Aegla uruguayana from the Areco River (31°14, S, 59°28, W), Argentina. Size at sexual maturity was determined according to three criteria: morphometric (change in the relative growth of reproductive characters), histological (first maturation of gonads) and functional (capability to mate and carry eggs). Regarding females, morphometric maturity occurred at a carapace length (CL) of 11.50 mm, considering abdomen width as a reproductive character. Gonad maturity of females could be observed at a minimum size ranging from 15 to 17 mm CL. The smallest ovigerous female observed in the field was 15.60 mm CL, although a relevant population incidence of ovigerous females (86.6%) has just been observed at values higher than 17 mm CL. As for males, the relative growth of the left chela length changed at a value of 15.40 mm CL, while morphological changes in sexual tube occurred between CL of 14 and 16 mm. Testicular maturation occurred at a CL ranging from 17 to 19 mm. The smallest size of males having spermatozoids in their vasa deferentia was 18.70 mm CL. The results obtained indicated that, in both sexes, functional maturity occurred after morphometric maturity and at a size similar to that of gonad maturity. Comparing sexes, females acquired sexual maturity (morphometric, gonad and functional maturity) at sizes statistically smaller than those of males. [source] Interannual changes in folivory and bird insectivory along a natural productivity gradient in northern Patagonian forestsECOGRAPHY, Issue 1 2004C. Noemi Mazía Trophic regulation models suggest that the magnitude of herbivory and predation (top-down forces) should vary predictably with habitat productivity. Theory also indicates that temporal abiotic variation and within-trophic level heterogeneity both affect trophic dynamics, but few studies addressed how these factors interact over broad-scale environmental gradients. Here we document herbivory from leaf-feeding insects along a natural rainfall/productivity gradient in Nothofagus pumilio forests of northern Patagonia, Argentina, and evaluate the impact of insectivorous birds on foliar damage experienced by tree saplings at each end of the gradient. The study ran over three years (1997,2000) comprising a severe drought (1998,1999), which allowed us to test how climatic events alter top-down forces. Foliar damage tended to increase towards the xeric, least productive forests. However, we found a predictable change of insect guild prevalence across the forest gradient. Leaf miners accounted for the greater damage recorded in xeric sites, whereas leaf chewers dominated in the more humid and productive forests. Interannual folivory patterns depended strongly on the feeding guild and forest site. Whereas leaf-miner damage decreased during the drought in xeric sites, chewer damage increased after the drought in the wettest site. Excluding birds did not affect leaf damage from miners, but generally increased chewer herbivory on hydric and xeric forest saplings. Indirect effects elicited by bird exclusion became most significant after the drought, when total folivory levels were higher. Thus, interannual abiotic heterogeneity markedly influenced the amount of folivory and strength of top-down control observed across the forest gradient. Moreover, our results suggest that spatial turnovers between major feeding guilds may need be considered to predict the dynamics of insect herbivory along environmental gradients. [source] The value of georeferenced collection records for predicting patterns of mosquito species richness and endemism in the NeotropicsECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 1 2008DESMOND H. FOLEY Abstract 1.,Determining large-scale distribution patterns for mosquitoes could advance knowledge of global mosquito biogeography and inform decisions about where mosquito inventory needs are greatest. 2.,Over 43 000 georeferenced records are presented of identified and vouchered mosquitoes from collections undertaken between 1899 and 1982, from 1853 locations in 42 countries throughout the Neotropics. Of 492 species in the data set, 23% were only recorded from one location, and Anopheles albimanus Wiedemann is the most common species. 3.,A linear log,log species,area relationship was found for mosquito species number and country area. Chile had the lowest relative density of species and Trinidad-Tobago the highest, followed by Panama and French Guiana. 4.,The potential distribution of species was predicted using an Ecological Niche Modelling (ENM) approach. Anopheles species had the largest predicted species ranges, whereas species of Deinocerites and Wyeomyia had the smallest. 5.,Species richness was estimated for 1° grids and by summing predicted presence of species from ENM. These methods both showed areas of high species richness in French Guiana, Panama, Trinidad-Tobago, and Colombia. Potential hotspots in endemicity included unsampled areas in Panama, French Guiana, Colombia, Belize, Venezuela, and Brazil. 6.,Argentina, The Bahamas, Bermuda, Bolivia, Cuba, and Peru were the most under-represented countries in the database compared with known country species occurrence data. Analysis of species accumulation curves suggested patchiness in the distribution of data points, which may affect estimates of species richness. 7.,The data set is a first step towards the development of a global-scale repository of georeferenced mosquito collection records. [source] Chimneys in the desert: industrialization in Argentina during the export boom years, 1870,1930 , Fernando RocchiECONOMIC HISTORY REVIEW, Issue 4 2006Colin M. Lewis No abstract is available for this article. [source] The dimensionality of alcohol use disorders and alcohol consumption in a cross-national perspectiveADDICTION, Issue 2 2010Guilherme Borges ABSTRACT Aims To replicate the finding that there is a single dimension trait in alcohol use disorders and to test whether the usual 5+ drinks for men and 4+ drinks for women and other measures of alcohol consumption help to improve alcohol use disorder criteria in a series of diverse patients from emergency departments (EDs) in four countries. Design Cross-sectional surveys of patients aged 18 years and older that reflected consecutive arrival at the ED. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview Core was used to obtain a diagnosis of DSM-IV alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse; quantity and frequency of drinking and drunkenness as well as usual number of drinks consumed during the last year. Setting Participants were 5195 injured and non-injured patients attending seven EDs in four countries: Argentina, Mexico, Poland and the United States (between 1995,2001). Findings Using exploratory factor analyses alcohol use disorders can be described as a single, unidimensional continuum without any clear-cut distinction between the criteria for dependence and abuse in all sites. Results from item response theory analyses showed that the current DSM-IV criteria tap people in the middle,upper end of the alcohol use disorder continuum. Alcohol consumption (amount and frequency of use) can be used in all EDs with the current DSM-IV diagnostic criteria to help tap the middle,lower part of this continuum. Even though some specific diagnostic criteria and some alcohol consumption variables showed differential item function across sites, test response curves were invariant for ED sites and their inclusion would not impact the final (total) performance of the diagnostic system. Conclusions DSM-IV abuse and dependence form a unidimensional continuum in ED patients regardless of country of survey. Alcohol consumption variables, if added, would help to tap patients with more moderate severity. The DSM diagnostic system for alcohol use disorders showed invariance and performed extremely well in these samples. [source] Political Determinants of Intergovernmental Grants: Evidence From ArgentinaECONOMICS & POLITICS, Issue 3 2001Alberto Porto This paper explores the determinants of federal grants allocation across provincial states in Argentina. Our analysis suggests that the redistributive pattern implicit in the federal system of intergovernmental grants cannot be explained on normative grounds exclusively. In order to understand the rationale behind federal grants distribution, a positive approach could render better results. Specifically, we claim that the distribution of federal grants could be associated with political variables such as the political representation of jurisdictions at Congress. The econometric analysis suggests that the significant disparity observed in the per capita representation across different provinces is an important factor explaining the allocation of those transfers. In this respect, overrepresented provinces, both at the senate and at the lower chamber, have received, on average, higher resources from the national government compared to more populous and less represented states. These results are consistent with those observed in other countries. [source] A tritrophic analysis of host preference and performance in a polyphagous leafminerENTOMOLOGIA EXPERIMENTALIS ET APPLICATA, Issue 2 2006Martín Videla Abstract The optimal oviposition theory predicts that oviposition preferences of phytophagous insects should correlate with host suitability for their offspring. As plant host suitability depends not only on its quality as food, but also on its provision of enemy-free space, we examined the relationship between adult host preference and offspring performance for the leafminer Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) on various host plants, considering also the interaction with natural enemies. Preference and offspring performance were assessed through observational field data and laboratory experiments in central Argentina. Field data suggested a positive host preference , performance linkage, as the leafminer attained larger body size on the crops where it was more abundant. Laboratory trials supported these results: Vicia faba L. (Fabaceae) was the preferred host in the laboratory as well as in the field, performance of L. huidobrensis being also best on this host, with highest survival rates and shortest development time. The actively feeding larval stage showed the largest plant-related effects. Higher overall parasitism rates were found on plants from which smaller leafminers were reared, reinforcing the preference,performance linkage. On the other hand, the main parasitoid Phaedrotoma scabriventris Nixon (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) reached larger body size, and caused higher mortality rates on crops where the leafminer was larger. Changes in abundance of particular parasitoid species could thus modify overall parasitism trends. [source] Effects of crowding on populations of Aedes albifasciatus larvae under laboratory conditionsENTOMOLOGIA EXPERIMENTALIS ET APPLICATA, Issue 2 2000Raquel M. Gleiser Abstract Aedes (Ochlerotatus) albifasciatus (Macquart 1838) (Diptera: Culicidae) is a neotropical flood water mosquito, incriminated as the main vector of the western equine encephalitis virus, and which affects beef and milk production in central Argentina. The short time required to hatch and develop from egg to adult, usually in temporary pools, suggests a strategy which allows for exploitation of transient pools, thus evading predation and interspecific competition. Under these conditions intra specific competition could represent a major density-dependent source of larval mortality, but the relative importance of density-dependent regulation of mosquito populations has generated controversy. Therefore we examined the effects of larval density on basic population characteristics of Ae. albifasciatus in the laboratory. Larvae were obtained by synchronous hatching of eggs laid by field-trapped females. Emerging larvae (L1) were used to build cohorts of different initial densities, kept in plastic trays with 400 ml of distilled water, and food supplied daily during the first 10 days (0.1 g per larvae day,1). Age-specific development time and specific and relative mortality were estimated, and their relation to initial larval density was assessed through linear and non-linear regressions and correlation analysis. First hatching was registered 3 h after flooding the eggs. Higher levels of pre-adult mortality were detected in groups with higher densities. Specific mortality and average time to enter a stage of L1 to L3 could directly be related to initial larval density, but no significant relations were found for L4 and pupae. Results suggest that crowding could be a factor capable of regulating the density of natural populations of Ae. albifasciatus. [source] Content and distribution of arsenic in soils, sediments and groundwater environments of the southern Pampa region, ArgentinaENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY, Issue 6 2006M. del C. Blanco Abstract The health of a large rural population in the southern Pampa (Argentina) is at risk owing to newly detected areas where As-groundwater exceeds 0.01 mg/L standard (WHO (1995) Guidelines for drinking water quality, 2nd edition. pp 43,45). Currently, devitrification of volcanic glass is invoked to interpret the origin of arsenic in the aquifers hosted in a sequence of pampean loess (Plio-Pleistocene) juxtaposed with postpampean loess (Holocene). Our data suggest that arsenic is not specifically associated with volcanic glass and that other minerals contribute to As-release into groundwater. The goals were (1) to understand As-groundwater spatial variability, (2) to explore soils/sediments/water relationships and to identify the probable As-provenance. Comparable As concentrations of the light and the heavy sand fractions suggest that though detrital glass is a major light constituent, other existing primary minerals are As-bearers that contribute to As-release into groundwater. Grouping of materials according to their As-content indicated spatial variability in the sedimentary distribution pattern leading to differences in the frequencies of occurrence of As-bearing minerals. Phreatic waters were Ca + Mg bicarbonate and devoid of As in the intake areas (Ventania System) and Na-carbonate but As-rich towards the discharge (Atlantic coast and local depressions). As-groundwater reflects a patchy distribution within the pampean landscape. A correspondence between As-high groundwater, EC >1 dSm, CO3H,, alkaline pH and a longer water residence time do exist triggering As extraction from the loess sand fraction and desorption from charged fine particles which lead to As-toxicity towards groundwater discharge. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 21: 561,574, 2006. [source] Cytotoxicity and oxidative stress caused by chemicals adsorbed on particulate matter,ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY, Issue 5 2006Andrea Müller Abstract Air particulate matter (PM) and bound chemicals are potential mediators for adverse health effects. The cytotoxicity and changes in energy-providing processes caused by chemical compounds bound to PM of different size fractions were investigated in Tetrahymena pyriformis. The PM samplings were carried out using a high volume cascade impactor (6 size fractions between 10 ,m and less than 0.49 ,m) at three points of La Plata, Argentina: in an industrial area, a traffic-influenced urban area, and a control area. Extracts from respirable particles below 1 ,m initiated the highest cytotoxic effects, demonstrating their higher risk. In contrast, an increase on oxygen consumption was observed especially in tests of extracts from particles less than 1 ,m from urban and industrial areas. The increase on oxygen consumption could be caused by decoupling processes in the respiratory chain. Otherwise the ATP concentration was increased too, even though to a lower extent. The observed imbalance between oxygen consumption and ATP concentration in exposed T. pyriformis cells may be due to oxidative stress, caused by chemical compounds bound to the particles. Owing to the complexity of effects related to PM and their associated chemical compounds, various physiological parameters necessarily need to be investigated to obtain more information about their possible involvement in human relevant pathogenic processes. As shown here, effects on cell proliferation and on energy-providing processes are suitable indicators for the different impact of PM and adsorbed chemicals from various sampling locations. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 21: 457,463, 2006. [source] Occurrence of toxic cyanobacterial blooms in San Roque Reservoir (Córdoba, Argentina): A field and chemometric studyENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY, Issue 3 2003María Valeria Amé Abstract We evaluated the presence of cyanobacterial blooms in San Roque Reservoir (Córdoba, Argentina). Cyanobacterial blooms and water samples were collected over 4 years (1998,2002). We confirmed the presence of microcystin-LR and microcystin-RR in 97% of these blooms. The total amount of microcystin (MC) ranged between 5.8 and 2400.0 ,g g,1 of freeze-dried bloom material. These values suggest that guidelines for safe water consumption and recreational use should be established for this reservoir. Twenty-eight physical and chemical parameters were measured in water samples and evaluated by discriminant analysis (DA). A first DA was used to evaluate the factors promoting cyanobacteria occurrence, identifying nine parameters following three patterns associated with cyanobacterial growth. Inorganic phosphorous was found to promote the presence of blooms, whereas the highest proliferation of cyanobacteria was observed in the presence of smaller amounts of carbonate, bicarbonate, sulfate, and fecal coliform bacteria. The results observed during our fieldwork, analyzed using DA, agreed with the results of other laboratory studies, thus confirming the usefulness of DA to help with the evaluation of a complicated environmental data matrix. A second DA, using only water samples collected during the presence of cyanobacteria blooms, identified another nine parameters. The analysis of these parameters allowed us to identify certain environmental factors that could lead to the dominance of toxic strains, thus increasing the amount of MC. The results showed that, in our case, an increase in the water temperature was associated with higher amounts of MC per dry weight unit, whereas an increase in the concentrations of ammonia,nitrogen and iron were associated with lower amounts of MC, thus disfavoring the dominance of toxic strains. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 18: 192,201, 2003. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||