Abstract: The primary objective of this research study is to reuse waste concrete discarded from academic teachings and to recycle PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) plastics to make garden planters. An innovative design of concrete curbs is proposed with weights ranging between 15 and 25 kg. Concrete mixtures with different PET additions (0, 0.5, and 1.0%) are characterized experimentally and an analysis of sustainability solution aspects is performed. The results show that discarded concrete can achieve the minimum resistance to compression of 15 MPa for all the mixtures studied. Using this solution, it is estimated that six tons of concrete are reused per year, up to 40 PET bottles per concrete curb are recycled, 40.66 kg of CO2 emissions are avoided annually, and 1,345.40 kWh of energy consumption are saved. It is concluded that the concrete curb mixture developed from recycled materials to make garden planters is an excellent alternative to reduce waste concrete and to recycle PET plastics.

Resumen: El principal objetivo de este estudio es reutilizar el hormigón de desecho de prácticas académicas y plásticos reciclados tipo PET (Polietileno Tereftalato) para la conformación de jardineras. Se propuso un diseño innovador de solerillas con pesos que oscilan entre 15 y 25 kg. Se caracterizan las mezclas de hormigón (0, 0,5 y 1,0% PET) y se hace un análisis de los aspectos de sustentabilidad de la solución. Los resultados indican que es posible alcanzar la resistencia mínima a la compresión de 15 MPa para todas las mezclas estudiadas. Con esta solución, se reutilizan 6 toneladas de hormigón al año, promoviendo el reciclado de hasta 40 botellas PET por solerilla, evitando anualmente la emisión de 40,66 kgCO2 y el consumo energético de 1.345,40 kWh. Se concluye que la solución de elementos prefabricados tipo solerilla para la construcción de jardineras es una alternativa para reducir hormigones en estado fresco que se desechan y para reciclar plástico del tipo PET.

ABSTRACT The drawing of maps of soil quality at a large scale is increasingly being more useful to land planners and stakeholders. Nevertheless, it involves different methodological steps from the description of soil profiles in the field until the regional mapping of integrative soil quality index (IQI) values. The development of proper scoring functions is a paramount task for the calculation of these IQI values since every parameter needs to be standardized accordingly and weighting factors are usually estimated by multivariate techniques. The main goal of this study was to map soil quality in the Spanish region of Extremadura (commonly known by its rangelands called dehesas). To do that, i) we gathered information from 194 soil profiles described throughout the region, ii) we calculated the weighting factors of ten meaningful parameters used as indicators by using multivariate techniques (Principal Component Analysis, PCA; and Analytic Hierarchy Process, AHP), and iii) we developed standard scoring functions (SSFs) that represent the singularity of every variable (less is better, more is better). We established upper and lower limits for standardizing the values of each indicator properly. Regarding weighting factors, soil texture was highlighted by the PCA and nutrients by the AHP. Once IQI values were calculated, two regional maps of soil quality were drawn by using interpolation methods (ordinary kriging). The IQI maps showed remarkable spatial differences in soil quality presumably induced by land management. We conclude this methodology could be useful and we encourage other colleagues to test its effectiveness in places where soil data are available.

We report results of a teaching method applied with the aim that our freshmen students could acquire, in a simple and effective way, knowledge of basic organic chemistry. The educational tools used for the teaching of simple and complex theory concepts are supported by the use of the information and communication technologies (ICT). Visual, in color, didactic material was elaborated in 2D and 3D, as well as games and educational videos, all accessible in electronic format. It was found that, with such approach, consisting of illustrative visual material, the learning experience was enhanced and facilitated. Furthermore, the passing rate and the grades of the students increased. This caused a positive impact over the efficiency of the school program, which showed that the teaching methodology was very useful.

Se presentan resultados de un trabajo docente, efectuado con el objetivo de que nuestros alumnos de primer año de universidad adquirieran, de forma sencilla y efectiva, conocimientos de Química Orgánica básica. Las herramientas educativas utilizadas para la enseñanza de conceptos teóricos simples y complejos, están sustentadas en el uso de las Tecnologías de Información y Comunicación (TICs). Se elaboró material didáctico visual a color en 2D y 3D, juegos y videos educativos, todos accesibles en formato electrónico. Se ha encontrado que con el uso de material visualmente ilustrativo se facilitó y enriqueció el aprendizaje. Como resultado de esto, hubo un incremento en el porcentaje de aprobados y el promedio de las calificaciones. Esto produjo un impacto positivo en la eficiencia terminal del curso por lo que la metodología de enseñanza mostró ser de gran utilidad.

The Chinchilla pluton is a granitic subelipsoidal shaped body that crops out in the central area of the Sierra de Velasco, La Rioja, Argentina, covering an approximate area of 3.75 km². This small body sharply intrudes into Huaco porphyritic granite, or by pegmatoid contacts and in some sectors stockscheider development. Three granite facies were defined based on their textural characteristics, mineral composition and natural radioactitvity. The porphyritic facies presents major areal extent, whereas the equigranular facies and the fine grain boundary facies are poorly represented. All facies have a monzogranitic modal composition. Chemical analysis show high uranium content for all facies, being the equigranular which shows the greatest tenors. This facies is also slightly enriched in alkalis, incompatible elements (F, Rb, Sn and U) and Th/U relations less than 0,8 showing a greater degree of fractionation.

El plutón La Chinchilla es un cuerpo granítico de forma subelipsoidal en planta que aflora en el sector central de la sierra de Velasco, provincia de La Rioja, Argentina, cubriendo un área aproximada de 3,75 km2. Intruye en forma neta al granito porfírico Huaco, o bien mediante contactos pegmatoides y en algunos sectores con desarrollo de stockscheider. Fueron definidas tres facies graníticas en base a sus características texturales, composición mineralógica y radioactividad natural. La facies porfírica de mayor extensión areal, la facies equigranular y la facies de borde de grano fino de escasa representación areal, todas correspondientes modalmente a monzogranitos. Los análisis químicos reflejan contenidos elevados en uranio para todas las facies, siendo la equigranular la que muestra los mayores tenores. Asimismo esta facies se encuentra levemente enriquecida en álcalis, elementos incompatibles (F, Rb, Sn y U) y relaciones Th/U menores a 0,8 evidenciando un mayor grado de fraccionamiento.

The antiviral activity of extracts obtained from Ageratina havanensis (Kunth) R.M.King & H.Rob., Asteraceae, against rabbit vesivirus (RaV) (Caliciviridae) and human herpes simplex viruses type 1 and 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2) (Herpesviridae) were analyzed, and the main metabolites from the most active extract were isolated and characterized. The antiviral properties were investigated by measuring the inhibition of viral-induced cytopathic effect in Vero cells. The strongest inhibitory effects were found for ethyl acetate extract from leaves (SI=5 for RaV and SI=5.4 for HSV-1). The crude ethyl acetate extract was further fractionated by chromatographic methods and the structures of isolated compounds were established through comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, including IR, 2D NMR and MS. Four flavonoids were identified: 5,4'-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone (sakuranetin), 3,5,4'-trihydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone (7-methoxyaromadendrin), 4'-O-β-D-glucosyl-5,3'-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone (4'-O-β-D-glucosyl-7-methoxy-eriodictyol) and 4'-O-β-D-glucosyl-5-hydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone (4'-O-β-D-glucosylsakuranetin). This is the first report on antiviral activity for Ageratina havanensis.