Evolución geológica de las cuencas de antearco del sur de Perú (Moquegua y Camaná-Mollendo): Proveniencia sedimentaria y análisis de facies en rocas cenozoicas

[ESP] Este estudio integra datos sobre proveniencia sedimentaria (dataciones U-Pb y análisis de minerales pesados), análisis de facies sedimentarias y estratigrafía secuencial con el objetivo de establecer patrones de deformación tectónica en términos de levantamiento y exhumación. Este estudio fue realizado en rocas sedimentarias de dos cuencas cenozoicas del antearco del sur de Perú (entre 15° y 18°S). Estas cuencas tienen forma elongada con orientación general ~NO-SE, habiendo una cuenca ubicada en la parte interna del antearco (Cuenca Moquegua), y la otra cuenca posicionada en la parte externa (Cuenca Camaná-Mollendo) encarando al Océano Pacífico. Ambas están separadas por la Cordillera de la Costa y sus sedimentos fluyeron al suroeste. El Grupo Moquegua y la Formación Camaná constituyen el relleno sedimentario de cada cuenca, respectivamente, y ambas unidades litoestratigráficas son equivalentes en cronología (Oligoceno a Plioceno). Aunque la Cordillera de la Costa separa al Grupo Moquegua de la Formación Camaná, estas unidades comparten ciertas similitudes en sus facies y en la proveniencia de sus sedimentos, y son clave para definir sus procesos sedimentarios. Por ejemplo, la Unidad Moquegua C del Grupo Moquegua consiste en depósitos fluviales y lacustres y representa un “Relleno balanceado de cuenca fluviolacustre”. Este concepto sugiere que el ingreso de agua y sedimentos iguala al espacio de acomodación de la Cuenca Moquegua. Sugiere además que proporciones menores de sedimentos drenaron periódicamente a través de la Cordillera de la Costa hacia la Cuenca Camaná-Mollendo, formando parte de la parte inferior de la Fm. Camaná (Unidad Camaná A), tal como lo evidencian sus espectros de minerales pesados. En contraste, la depositación de la Unidad Moquegua D del Grupo Moquegua representó un “Sobre-relleno de cuenca fluvio-lacustre”, el cual excedió el espacio de acomodación de la Cuenca Moquegua y se propagó en grandes volúmenes hasta la Cuenca Camaná-Mollendo, sobrepasando la Cordillera de la Costa y prolongándose como la parte superior de la Fm. Camaná, manteniendo los mismos espectros minerales. Considerando que la Cordillera Occidental y la Cordillera de la Costa ejercieron significante influencia en la sedimentación del antearco, presentamos precisiones sobre sus proporciones de levantamiento. Utilizando termocronología previa, se dedujo que la Cordillera de la Costa se levantó <2.5 km entre el Oligoceno y Mioceno medio, y provocó la depositación de la parte inferior de la Fm. Camaná (Unidad Camaná A). Simultáneamente, la depositación de la Unidad Moquegua C ocurrió debido al levantamiento de la Cordillera Occidental. En el Mioceno superior, la Cordillera Occidental se levantó aún más drásticamente y produjo depositaciones más prolongadas (Unidad Moquegua D y Unidad Camaná B), mientras que la Cordillera de la Costa experimentó menor levantamiento (±0.5 km). Estas declaraciones son consistentes con los conceptos genéticos de un “relleno balanceado” en la Cuenca Moquegua entre el Oligoceno y Mioceno medio y un posterior “sobrerelleno” en la misma cuenca desde el Mioceno superior, afectando a la Cuenca Camaná-Mollendo. Los levantamientos de la Cordillera Occidental y la Cordillera de la Costa ejercieron un control casi exclusivo en la generación de los sedimentos en las cuencas Moquegua y Camaná-Mollendo, mientras que su espacio de acomodación se debió a una evidenciada inestabilidad en el interior del antearco del sur Peruano.[ENG] This study integrates data on sediment provenance (U-Pb dating and heavy mineral analysis), facies analysis and sequence stratigraphy to establish patterns of geodynamic deformation in terms of uplift and exhumation. This study is accomplished on sedimentary rocks deposited in two Cenozoic sedimentary basins within southern Peruvian forearc (15°-18°S). These are ~NW-SE elongated basins; being one located in an internal position called the Moquegua Basin, and the other located in an external position termed Camaná Basin. Both basins are separated by the Coastal Cordillera and their sediments flowed southwestward. Moquegua Group and Camaná Formation form the sedimentary filling of each basin, respectively, and both lithostratigraphic units are equivalent in chronology (Oligocene to Pliocene). Although Coastal Cordillera separates the Moquegua Group and Camaná Fm., both units share some similarities in their facies and sediment provenance, and they are key elements to define sedimentary processes. For instance, Moquegua C Unit of Moquegua Group consists of fluvial and lacustrine deposits which represent a “balanced-fill fluvio-lacustrine basin”. This concept indicates that influx of sediments and water closely equaled accommodation space of the Moquegua Basin. It also suggests that minor proportions of such sediments periodically overflowed Moquegua Basin and drained onto the Camaná-Mollendo Basin through the Coastal Cordillera, and join sediments of lower Camaná Formation, as heavy mineral spectra proves. In contrast, deposits of Moquegua D Unit represent an “over-filled fluvio-lacustrine basin”, which exceeded accommodation space in Moquegua Basin and have prograded onto the Camaná Basin as upper Camaná Formation, keeping the same heavy mineral spectra. Considering that Cordillera Occidental and Coastal Cordillera exerted significant influence on sedimentation, we present precisions on their uplift proportions. By constraining previous thermochronology and sedimentary proxies, Coastal Cordillera uplifted <2.5 km between Oligocene and Middle Miocene. Simultaneously, deposition of Moquegua C Unit occurred due to uplift of Western Cordillera. Around Late Miocene, Western Cordillera has uplifted again, however drastically, and triggered protracted deposition of Moquegua D Unit (and Camaná B Unit), while Coastal Cordillera experimented minor uplift (±0.5 km). These statements are consistent with concepts on genetics of a “balanced basin-fill” of Moquegua Basin between Oligocene and Middle Miocene, and a later “overfilled basin-fill” on the same basin since Late Miocene, affecting Camaná-Mollendo Basin. Uplifts of Western Cordillera and Coastal Cordillera exerted an almost exclusive control on sediment generation on Moquegua and Camaná-Mollendo Basins, while their respective accommodation spaces for sedimentation were given due to instability within forearc of Southern Peru

The Galactic Center as a Dark Matter Gamma-Ray Source

The EGRET telescope has identified a gamma-ray source at the Galactic center. We point out here that the spectral features of this source are compatible with the gamma-ray flux induced by pair annihilations of dark matter weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs). We show that the discrimination between this interpretation and other viable explanations will be possible with GLAST, the next major gamma-ray telescope in space, on the basis of both the spectral and the angular signature of the WIMP-induced component. If, on the other hand, the data will point to an alternative explanation, we prove that there will still be the possibility for GLAST to single out a weaker dark matter source at the Galactic center. The potential of GLAST has been explored both in the context of a generic simplified toy-model for WIMP dark matter, and in a more specific setup, the case of dark matter neutralinos in the minimal supergravity framework. In the latter, we find that even in the case of moderate dark matter densities in the Galactic center region, there are portions of the parameter space which will be probed by GLAST.Comment: 26 pages, 22 eps figures, v2: + 2 new figures, Version accepted by Astroparticle Physic

Genome wide association mapping for agronomic, fruit quality, and root architectural traits in tomato under organic farming conditions

[EN] Background Opportunity and challenges of the agriculture scenario of the next decades will face increasing demand for secure food through approaches able to minimize the input to cultivations. Large panels of tomato varieties represent a valuable resource of traits of interest under sustainable cultivation systems and for genome-wide association studies (GWAS). For mapping loci controlling the variation of agronomic, fruit quality, and root architecture traits, we used a heterogeneous set of 244 traditional and improved tomato accessions grown under organic field trials. Here we report comprehensive phenotyping and GWAS using over 37,300 SNPs obtained through double digest restriction-site associated DNA (dd-RADseq). Results A wide range of phenotypic diversity was observed in the studied collection, with highly significant differences encountered for most traits. A variable level of heritability was observed with values up to 69% for morphological traits while, among agronomic ones, fruit weight showed values above 80%. Genotype by environment analysis highlighted the strongest genotypic effect for aboveground traits compared to root architecture, suggesting that the hypogeal part of tomato plants has been a minor objective for breeding activities. GWAS was performed by a compressed mixed linear model leading to 59 significantly associated loci, allowing the identification of novel genes related to flower and fruit characteristics. Most genomic associations fell into the region surrounding SUN, OVATE, and MYB gene families. Six flower and fruit traits were associated with a single member of the SUN family (SLSUN31) on chromosome 11, in a region involved in the increase of fruit weight, locules number, and fruit fasciation. Furthermore, additional candidate genes for soluble solids content, fruit colour and shape were found near previously reported chromosomal regions, indicating the presence of synergic and multiple linked genes underlying the variation of these traits. Conclusions Results of this study give new hints on the genetic basis of traits in underexplored germplasm grown under organic conditions, providing a framework for the development of markers linked to candidate genes of interest to be used in genomics-assisted breeding in tomato, in particular under low-input and organic cultivation conditions.This research was supported by the European Union Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation program for funding this research under grant agreement No 774244 (Breeding for Resilient, Efficient and Sustainable Organic Vegetable Production; BRESOV) and by 'RGV-FAO'project funded by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. The funding bodies were not involved in the design of the study, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, and in writing the manuscript.Tripodi, P.; Soler Aleixandre, S.; Campanelli, G.; Díez Niclós, MJTDJ.; Esposito, S.; Sestili, S.; Figás-Moreno, MDR.... (2021). Genome wide association mapping for agronomic, fruit quality, and root architectural traits in tomato under organic farming conditions. BMC Plant Biology. 21(1):1-22. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-021-03271-412221

A Dark Matter candidate from Lorentz Invariance in 6 Dimensions

We study the unique 6 dimensional orbifold with chiral fermions where a stable dark matter candidate is present due to Lorentz invariance on the orbifold, with no additional discrete symmetries imposed by hand. We propose a model of Universal Extra Dimensions where a scalar photon of few hundred GeV is a good candidate for dark matter. The spectrum of the model is characteristic of the geometry, and it has clear distinctive features compared to previous models of Kaluza-Klein dark matter. The 5 dimensional limit of this model is the minimal model of natural Kaluza-Klein dark matter. Notwithstanding the low mass range preferred by cosmology, the model will be a challenge for the LHC due to the relatively small splitting between the states in the same KK level.Comment: 37 pages, 6 figure

Four tops on the real projective plane at LHC

We explore the four top signal ttbar ttbar at the 7 TeV Large Hadron Collider as a probe of physics beyond the standard model. Enhancement of the corresponding cross-section with respect to the Standard Model value can probe the electroweak symmetry breaking sector or test extra dimensional models with heavy Kaluza-Klein gluons and quarks. We perform a detailed analysis including background and detector simulation in the specific case of a universal extra-dimensional model with two extra dimensions compactified using the geometry of the real projective plane. For masses around 600 GeV, a discovery is possible for an effective cross section above 210 fb (36 fb) for 1/fb (10/fb) of integrated luminosity. This implies a branching ratio in tops of the (1,1) heavy photon above 13% (5%). Furthermore, the 4-top signal from the (2,0) and (0,2) tiers can be discovered with an integrated luminosity of 3.5/fb. The results of our simulation can be easily adapted to other models since the background processes are identical. Concerning the signal, typical production mechanisms for the ttbar ttbar signal are similar even if cross-section values may vary considerably depending on the model and the spectrum of the new particles.Comment: 26 pages, 4 figures, minor modifications and few references adde

Gaia Early Data Release 3: Structure and properties of the Magellanic Clouds

We compare the Gaia DR2 and Gaia EDR3 performances in the study of the Magellanic Clouds and show the clear improvements in precision and accuracy in the new release. We also show that the systematics still present in the data make the determination of the 3D geometry of the LMC a difficult endeavour; this is at the very limit of the usefulness of the Gaia EDR3 astrometry, but it may become feasible with the use of additional external data. We derive radial and tangential velocity maps and global profiles for the LMC for the several subsamples we defined. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the two planar components of the ordered and random motions are derived for multiple stellar evolutionary phases in a galactic disc outside the Milky Way, showing the differences between younger and older phases. We also analyse the spatial structure and motions in the central region, the bar, and the disc, providing new insights into features and kinematics. Finally, we show that the Gaia EDR3 data allows clearly resolving the Magellanic Bridge, and we trace the density and velocity flow of the stars from the SMC towards the LMC not only globally, but also separately for young and evolved populations. This allows us to confirm an evolved population in the Bridge that is slightly shift from the younger population. Additionally, we were able to study the outskirts of both Magellanic Clouds, in which we detected some well-known features and indications of new ones

GLAST Sensitivity to Point Sources of Dark Matter Annihilation

Abstract. We study the prospects for detecting gamma-rays from point sources of Dark Matter annihilation with the space satellite GLAST. We apply the obtained results to the so-called mini-spikes scenario, where the annihilation signal originates from large Dark Matter overdensities around Intermediate Mass Black Holes. We find that if these objects exist in the Galaxy, not only GLAST should be able to detect them over a timescale as short as 2 months, but in many cases it should be possible to determine with good accuracy the mass of the annihilating Dark Matter particles, while null searches would place stringent constraints on this scenario. Keywords: Dark matter, Gamma rays, Supersymmetry PACS: 95.35.+d, 95.85.Pw, 95.55.Ka, 12.60Jv The space satellite GLAST is expected to play a crucial role in indirect DM searches, thanks both to its ability to perform observations at energy scales comparable to the mass of common DM candidates and to its potential of making deep full-sky maps in gamma-rays, thanks to its large (~ 2.4 sr) field-of-view A theoretically particularly well-motivated type of DM candidate is the neutralino (see In order to study the LAT sensitivity for DM annihilation signals, we perform a 2 months scanning simulation of the gamma-ray sky as it will be observed by this instrument, based on a parametrization of the instrument response The extragalactic diffuse background was simulated by extending the EGRET observations to the LAT energy range. The galactic diffuse background model is implemented in the framework of the GALPROP code for cosmicray propagation and incorporates up-to-date surveys of the interstellar medium, as well as current models for the interstellar radiation field, updated production functions and inverse scattering calculations We divided the sky into regions of about 10 degrees in radius, and in each region we placed one DM source. Then, we considered each source separately and let the flux intensity vary from 1CT 4 to 2 x 1CT 3 ph m~2s _ 1 above 20 MeV. For each intensity, we calculated the significance of the observed signal, given the local background counts, with a maximum likelihood analysis assuming Poisson statistics. By estimating the minimum flux required to discriminate the DM source from the background at a 5&lt;7 level on a grid of points uniformly distributed over the sky, we have obtained the sensitivity map shown i

Adaptive Responses to Nitrogen and Light Supplies of a Local Varieties of Sweet Pepper from the Abruzzo Region, Southern Italy

Local varieties represent a heritage for plant biodiversity and, thanks to their resilience, are characterized by a better adaptation and rusticity to environmental variables. This work reports the morphological and physiological responses of a local ecotype of sweet pepper grown in Southern Italy, i.e., Altino, to N and light supplied at optimal and sub-optimal levels. In 2017, two open-field experiments were set up, comparing increasing N rates (0, 100 and 200 kg N ha−1, 0_N, 100_N and 200_N, respectively) and different percentages of shading and/or manipulations of the transmitted solar radiation, obtained through photoselective nets (red net, RN; black net, BN; unshaded Control). The unfertilized plants reduced growth (by 32% on average, at 83 days after transplanting, DAT), especially in terms of number of leaves, leaf area and effectiveness (chlorophyll content) of photosynthetic apparatus; no differences were recorded among fertilization treatments. On the other hand, the shading avoidance mechanisms resulted in higher biomass partitioned to leaves at the expense of sink organs, the building of more expanse (higher total leaf area) and thinner (higher specific leaf area and lower leaf-cuticular waxes) photosynthetic apparatus, and in a greater concentration of leaf pigments. The effects on yield and fruit quality of Altino ecotype deserve to be further explored