The Gulf of Cádiz: thrusting or strike-slip motion?

In the Gulf of Cádiz (SW Iberian Peninsula) the boundary between Eurasia and Nubia plates corresponds to a narrow band well defined by the seismicity, where large earthquakes (M>7.0) may be associated to N-S to NNW-SSE horizontal compression due to the convergence between the two plates. Most of these earthquakes are at shallow depth (less than 40 km), with some foci at intermediate-depth, showing E-W distribution and limited by a narrow band less than 20 km wide that broadens as we move to the Strait of Gibraltar. In this area the lithospheric material is relatively rigid and the stresses are released by larger earthquakes. General tectonic models proposed for the Azores-Tunisia plate boundary explain fairly well the nature of its seismicity and tectonic motions; however, details of some of its aspects are still poorly understood and controversial. Zittelini et al. (2009) has recently proposed for the Gulf of Cádiz, transcurrent-transpressional motion along a long strike slip fault based on multichannel seismic reflection surveys. However, this contradicts the compressional motion and reverse faulting of large 1755 Lisbon earthquake (~Mw9), which generate a large tsunami and the recent moderate (Mw>6.0) in 1964, 2007 and 2009 and large (Mw= 8.0) in 1969 earthquakes occurred in the region. These earthquakes show thrusting motion along E-W faults with the southern block going under, corresponding to horizontal NW-SE compression, and they can be related directly to the plate convergence between Nubia and Iberia. References Zitellini et al., 2009. The quest for the Africa–Eurasia plate boundary west of the Strait of Gibraltar. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 280 (2009) 13–50

Stable isotopes as ecological tracers: an efficient method for assessing the contribution of multiple sources to mixtures

Stable isotopes are increasingly being used as tracers of ecological processes potentially providing relevant information to environmental management issues. An application of the methodology consists in relating the stable isotopic composition of a sample mixture to that of sources. The number of stable isotopes, however, is usually lower than that of potential sources existing in an ecosystem, which creates mathematical difficulties in correctly tracing sources. We discuss a linear programming model which efficiently derives information on the contribution of sources to mixtures for any number of stable isotopes and any number of sources by addressing multiple sources simultaneously. The model identifies which sources are present in all, present in a subset of the samples or absent from all samples simultaneously and calculates minimum and maximum values of each source in the mixtures. We illustrate the model using a data set consisting of the isotopic signatures of different plant sources ingested by primary consumers in tropical riverine habitat in Asia. The model discussed may contribute to extend the scope of stable isotopes methodology to a range of new problems dealing with multiple sources and multiple tracers. For instance, in food web studies, if particular organic matter sources disappear or decrease in availability (e.g. climate change scenarios) the model allows simulation of alternative diets of the consumers providing potentially relevant information for managers and decision makers

Prototype implementation of a smart locker

Smart lockers are intelligent storage units that are increasingly being adopted to help solving the last mile problem. This paper focuses on the concept of an individual smart locker that can be installed at the entrance of a residential house. First, the operational principle and advantages of this concept are discussed. Then, the design, development and implementation of a functional prototype is demonstrated. The prototype was submitted to tests and can be used as a proof of concept.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Characteristic Time and Maximum Mixedness: Single Mode Gaussian States in Dissipative Channels

We derive an upper limit for the mixedness of single bosonic mode gaussian states propagating in dissipative channels. It is a function of the initial squeezing and temperature of the channel only. Moreover the time at which von Neumann's entropy reaches its maximum value coincides with that of complete loss of coherence, thus defining a quantum-classical transition.Comment: Accepted versio

Critical temperature of the superfluid transition in bose liquids

A phenomenological criterion for the superfluid transition is proposed, which is similar to the Lindemann criterion for the crystal melting. Then we derive a new formula for the critical temperature, relating $T_{\lambda}$ to the mean kinetic energy per particle above the transition. The suppression of the critical temperature in a sufficiently dense liquid is described as a result of the quantum decoherence phenomenon. The theory can account for the observed dependence of $T_{\lambda}$ on density in liquid helium and results in an estimate $T_{\lambda} \sim 1.1$ K for molecular hydrogen.Comment: 4 pages, 1 fi

Drought-induced embolism in current-year shoots of two Mediterranean evergreen oaks

threatened by the increasing water deficits related to climate change. To contribute to the understanding of the capacity of these oaks to withstand severe drought we assessed the vulnerability to xylem embolism and the anatomical traits in current-year shoots. Data were collected in mature trees at two sites, in central/ coastal and southern/inland Portugal. In situ safety margins to hydraulic failure were evaluated from long-term predawn and midday leaf water potential records. Results showed that xylem vulnerability to embolism was similar in Q. ilex and Q. suber. The 50% loss in hydraulic conductivity (Wxyl,50PLC) was observed at xylem water potentials of 2.9 and 3.2 MPa in shoots of Q. suber and Q. ilex, respectively. Values of mean vessel diameter of Q. suber shoots at both sites suggest an intra-species adaptation to the local water availability, with larger vessels at the more mesic site. In situ hydraulic safety margins observed in shoots showed that, even during the driest periods, both oaks lived comfortably above the most critical embolism thresholds. However, the hydraulic safety margins were narrower in the driest site. Results are relevant to the understanding of survival, growth, and functional behaviour of evergreen oaks in Mediterranean climates, under recurrent/seasonal drought condition

Topografía Infraclavicular De Los Fascículos Del Plexo Braquial En Diferentes Posiciones Del Miembro Superior

Brachial plexus neuropathies are common complaints among patients seen at orthopedic clinics. The causes range from traumatic to occupational factors and symptoms include paresthesia, paresis, and functional disability of the upper limb. Treatment can be surgical or conservative, but detailed knowledge of the brachial plexus is required in both cases to avoid iatrogenic injuries and to facilitate anesthetic block, preventing possible vascular punctures. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the topography of the infraclavicular brachial plexus fascicles in different upper limb positions adopted during some clinical procedures. A formalin-preserved, adult, male cadaver was used. The infraclavicular and axillary regions were dissected and the distance of the brachial plexus fascicles from adjacent bone structures was measured. No anatomical variation in the formation of the brachial plexus was observed. The metric relationships between the brachial plexus and adjacent bone prominences differed depending on the degree of shoulder abduction. Detailed knowledge of the infraclavicular topography of neurovascular structures helps with the diagnosis and especially with the choice of conservative or surgical treatment of brachial plexus neuropathies. © 2016, Universidad de la Frontera. All rights reserved.3431063106

Quantization of the Damped Harmonic Oscillator Revisited

We return to the description of the damped harmonic oscillator by means of a closed quantum theory with a general assessment of previous works, in particular the Bateman-Caldirola-Kanai model and a new model recently proposed by one of the authors. We show the local equivalence between the two models and argue that latter has better high energy behavior and is naturally connected to existing open-quantum-systems approaches.Comment: 16 page