On the Behavior of the Geomagnetic Field During the Miocene

Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Geology, Department of Earth and Environmental SciencesThis study comprises 118 discrete volcanic flows from the Miocene in the eastern Columbia River Basalt Group (CRBG) with the aim of testing the distributions of geomagnetic field directions as predicted by several geomagnetic field models. This is important because little is known empiri- cally about the behavior of the geomagnetic field prior to the last 5 million years. The results of this study will allow us not only to extend the temporal coverage of the geomagnetic field models, but also point to potential improvements to these models. The rock magnetic analysis of the samples for this collection shows that the primary magnetic directions are uniformly carried by titano-magnetite. Thus, the magnetic behavior of the samples reflects the magnetic field and not aspects of the mag- netic mineralogy. To reduce systematic bias, the sites were analyzed as ungrouped and grouped site directions, where flows with similar directions within the 95% confidence interval were combined. Further- more, they were analyzed with visual inspection, 45°, and Vandamme (1994) cutoff criteria. The overall formation mean of these six scenarios shows that the paleomagnetic directions of the flows are southerly and up and northerly and down. For example, in the case of grouped sites with the Vandamme cutoff, the normal (Dec: 7.1, Inc: 60.5, k: 29.4, 95: 4.1), and reverse (Dec: 177.6, Inc: -59.6, k: 15.7, 95: 5.6) means depict this general behavior. For reference, the local inclination of the geocentric co-axial dipole field is about 64. Furthermore, deviating directions are also pre- sent, possibly due to excursions as part of secular variation, or as intermediate transitions between reversed and normal polarity intervals. No new rock ages were necessary for this study since the CRBG has undergone extensive geochronological analysis with high-quality, reproducible results. Additionally, integrating the Miocene ages of the flows and their corresponding paleomagnetic di- rections allows us to observe the evolution of the paleosecular variation (PSV) through the Neogene, because it can be compared with the published characteristics of the geomagnetic field in the last 5 million years. Our elongation results coincide with those predicted from the TK03.GAD (Tauxe & Kent, 2004) model, but not the CJ98.GAD (Constable & Johnson, 1998) model. However, when comparing our dispersion results, we find that they do not conform to the TK03.GAD, CJ98.GAD, and CP88.GAD (Constable & Parker, 1988) models, which underpredict the dispersion values. Thus, this suggests that, although the geomagnetic parameters in general agree with these models, they require some refinement to accommodate the differences during the Miocene.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/92475/1/Dominguez_Ada_MS_2012.pd

Análisis del sector cafetero en Colombia y la volatilidad de los precios en el periodo de enero a mayo del 2011

El café como modelo a seguir de la eficiente estabilidad económica y transformación de las zonas que se encuentran en su entorno, donde influyen muchos factores que en sí; ayudan a mejorar la calidad de vida de la población caficultora. La importancia del café radica en su gusto, sabor y comportamiento en el mercado con una inversión riesgosa, y más alternativa a lo orgánico, ya que con esto se ofrece un producto de mejor calidad en el mercado y su precio no es tan volátil, y que por su forma de ser orgánica lo aleja de los productos químicos y es más apetecible en el mercado. Pues la volatilidad del mercado del café depende de la variación en dicho mercado, la certidumbre que genera y el riesgo en que se compromete las empresas exportadoras a través del monitoreo de las variaciones de los precios de la libra de café por dólar, con una garantía y un margen de mantenimiento, debidamente legalizado en la cámara de compensación

Support for an “A‐type” Pangea reconstruction from high‐fidelity Late Permian and Early to Middle Triassic paleomagnetic data from Argentina

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/94802/1/jgrb16956-sup-0006-fs04.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/94802/2/jgrb16956-sup-0005-fs03.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/94802/3/jgrb16956.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/94802/4/jgrb16956-sup-0008-fs06.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/94802/5/jgrb16956-sup-0004-fs02.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/94802/6/jgrb16956-sup-0007-fs05.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/94802/7/jgrb16956-sup-0003-fs01.pd

La cobertura arbórea en un sistema silvopastoril del Chaco y su contribución diferencial al suelo

En la región chaqueña la tecnología denominada rolado selectivo de baja intensidad (RBI) y siembra de Panicum maximum permite controlar las especies leñosas e incrementar la productividad forrajera. Está poco esclarecido el efecto que tendrían estas prácticas en el suelo. El objetivo fue evaluar el impacto de la transformación de bosques nativos a sistemas silvopastoriles sobre las fracciones de carbono, nitrógeno y respiración del suelo. Los tratamientos fueron bosque nativo como testigo (T) y un sistema silvopastoril implementado mediante rolado y siembra simultánea de Panicum maximum cv gatton panic (RBI). El factor co- bertura estuvo representado por suelo sin cobertura arbórea (D), bajo cobertura de Aspidosperma quebracho blanco (Qb) y bajo cobertura de Ziziphus mistol (M). El RBI mantiene las reservas de carbono del suelo y la cobertura arbórea nativa reviste vital importancia en la conservación de la materia orgánica y en el mantenimiento de la actividad microbiana. El contenido de car- bono, nitrógeno y la actividad microbiana del suelo está en función de la cobertura ya que los niveles de COS, COP, NT y RE son menores en el suelo sin cobertura arbórea, intermedios bajo Aspidosperma quebracho blanco y mayores bajo el dosel de Ziziphus mistol por el mayor aporte de residuos por parte de esta última especie. El efecto conjunto de una perturbación mínima y gran ingreso de residuos orgánicos frescos determina mejores condiciones para el funcionamiento de los microorganismos heterótrofos, con efectos positivos en el almacenamiento de C en el horizonte superficial. Este trabajo demuestra que el RBI con siembra de Panicum maximum cv gatton panic no afecta la calidad del suelo en la región chaqueña.In the Chaco region, the technology called low intensity roller chopping (RBI) and planting of Panicum maximum allows control of woody species and increase forage production. It is unclear the effects of these practices on soil features. The objective of this work was to evaluate the impact of the conversion of native forest to silvpastoral systems on soil carbon fractions, soil nitrogen, and soil respiration. Treatments were native forest considered as control (T); (RBI) silvopastoral system with low intensity roller chopping and planting of Panicum maximum cv gatton panic. Cover factors were (D) soil without tree cover (Qb) soil under the cover of Aspidosperma quebracho blanco and (M) soil under cover of Ziziphus mistol. RBI maintained carbon stocks of soil and native tree cover was important in preserving soil organic matter and microbial activity. Soil carbon, soil nitrogen and soil microbial activity was a function of tree cover and levels COS, COP, NT and RE were lower in soil without tree cover, intermediate under cover of Aspidosperma quebracho blanco and higher under the canopy of Ziziphus mistol because of the increased supply of litter by the later specie. The combined effect of a large input of organic litter and minimal disturbance determined best conditions for the functionality of heterotrophic microorganisms, with positive effects on C storage in the topsoil. Thus, it is shown that rolling and planting of Panicum maximum cv Gatton panic did not affect the quality of a soil in the Chaco regionEEA Santiago del EsteroFil: Silberman, Juan Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero. Facultad de Agronomía y Agroindustrias; ArgentinaFil: Anriquez, Analia Liliana. Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero. Facultad de Agronomía y Agroindustrias; ArgentinaFil: Dominguez Nuñez, Jose Alfonso. Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería de Montes, Forestal y del Medio Natural; EspañaFil: Kunst, Carlos Roberto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santiago del Estero; ArgentinaFil: Albanesi de Garay, Ada Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

The ∼270 Ma palaeolatitude of Baltica and its significance for Pangea models

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/86901/1/j.1365-246X.2011.05061.x.pd

CCHD Screening Implementation Efforts in Latin American Countries by the Ibero American Society of Neonatology (SIBEN).

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is among the four most common causes of infant mortality in Latin America. Pulse oximetry screening (POS) is useful for early diagnosis and improved outcomes of critical CHD. Here, we describe POS implementation efforts in Latin American countries guided and/or coordinated by the Ibero American Society of Neonatology (SIBEN), as well as the unique challenges that are faced for universal implementation. SIBEN collaborates to improve the neonatal quality of care and outcomes. A few years ago, a Clinical Consensus on POS was finalized. Since then, we have participated in 12 Latin American countries to educate neonatal nurses and neonatologists on POS and to help with its implementation. The findings reveal that despite wide disparities in care that exist between and within countries, and the difficulties and challenges in implementing POS, significant progress has been made. We conclude that universal POS is not easy to implement in Latin America but, when executed, has not only been of significant value for babies with CHD, but also for many with other hypoxemic conditions. The successful and universal implementation of POS in the future is essential for reducing the mortality associated with CHD and other hypoxemic conditions and will ultimately lead to the survival of many more Latin American babies. POS saves newborns' lives in Latin America

Determinants of cognitive performance and decline in 20 diverse ethno-regional groups: A COSMIC collaboration cohort study.

BACKGROUND: With no effective treatments for cognitive decline or dementia, improving the evidence base for modifiable risk factors is a research priority. This study investigated associations between risk factors and late-life cognitive decline on a global scale, including comparisons between ethno-regional groups. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We harmonized longitudinal data from 20 population-based cohorts from 15 countries over 5 continents, including 48,522 individuals (58.4% women) aged 54-105 (mean = 72.7) years and without dementia at baseline. Studies had 2-15 years of follow-up. The risk factors investigated were age, sex, education, alcohol consumption, anxiety, apolipoprotein E ε4 allele (APOE*4) status, atrial fibrillation, blood pressure and pulse pressure, body mass index, cardiovascular disease, depression, diabetes, self-rated health, high cholesterol, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, physical activity, smoking, and history of stroke. Associations with risk factors were determined for a global cognitive composite outcome (memory, language, processing speed, and executive functioning tests) and Mini-Mental State Examination score. Individual participant data meta-analyses of multivariable linear mixed model results pooled across cohorts revealed that for at least 1 cognitive outcome, age (B = -0.1, SE = 0.01), APOE*4 carriage (B = -0.31, SE = 0.11), depression (B = -0.11, SE = 0.06), diabetes (B = -0.23, SE = 0.10), current smoking (B = -0.20, SE = 0.08), and history of stroke (B = -0.22, SE = 0.09) were independently associated with poorer cognitive performance (p < 0.05 for all), and higher levels of education (B = 0.12, SE = 0.02) and vigorous physical activity (B = 0.17, SE = 0.06) were associated with better performance (p < 0.01 for both). Age (B = -0.07, SE = 0.01), APOE*4 carriage (B = -0.41, SE = 0.18), and diabetes (B = -0.18, SE = 0.10) were independently associated with faster cognitive decline (p < 0.05 for all). Different effects between Asian people and white people included stronger associations for Asian people between ever smoking and poorer cognition (group by risk factor interaction: B = -0.24, SE = 0.12), and between diabetes and cognitive decline (B = -0.66, SE = 0.27; p < 0.05 for both). Limitations of our study include a loss or distortion of risk factor data with harmonization, and not investigating factors at midlife. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that education, smoking, physical activity, diabetes, and stroke are all modifiable factors associated with cognitive decline. If these factors are determined to be causal, controlling them could minimize worldwide levels of cognitive decline. However, any global prevention strategy may need to consider ethno-regional differences

Familial hypercholesterolaemia in children and adolescents from 48 countries: a cross-sectional study

Background: Approximately 450 000 children are born with familial hypercholesterolaemia worldwide every year, yet only 2·1% of adults with familial hypercholesterolaemia were diagnosed before age 18 years via current diagnostic approaches, which are derived from observations in adults. We aimed to characterise children and adolescents with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HeFH) and understand current approaches to the identification and management of familial hypercholesterolaemia to inform future public health strategies. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, we assessed children and adolescents younger than 18 years with a clinical or genetic diagnosis of HeFH at the time of entry into the Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Studies Collaboration (FHSC) registry between Oct 1, 2015, and Jan 31, 2021. Data in the registry were collected from 55 regional or national registries in 48 countries. Diagnoses relying on self-reported history of familial hypercholesterolaemia and suspected secondary hypercholesterolaemia were excluded from the registry; people with untreated LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) of at least 13·0 mmol/L were excluded from this study. Data were assessed overall and by WHO region, World Bank country income status, age, diagnostic criteria, and index-case status. The main outcome of this study was to assess current identification and management of children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia. Findings: Of 63 093 individuals in the FHSC registry, 11 848 (18·8%) were children or adolescents younger than 18 years with HeFH and were included in this study; 5756 (50·2%) of 11 476 included individuals were female and 5720 (49·8%) were male. Sex data were missing for 372 (3·1%) of 11 848 individuals. Median age at registry entry was 9·6 years (IQR 5·8-13·2). 10 099 (89·9%) of 11 235 included individuals had a final genetically confirmed diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolaemia and 1136 (10·1%) had a clinical diagnosis. Genetically confirmed diagnosis data or clinical diagnosis data were missing for 613 (5·2%) of 11 848 individuals. Genetic diagnosis was more common in children and adolescents from high-income countries (9427 [92·4%] of 10 202) than in children and adolescents from non-high-income countries (199 [48·0%] of 415). 3414 (31·6%) of 10 804 children or adolescents were index cases. Familial-hypercholesterolaemia-related physical signs, cardiovascular risk factors, and cardiovascular disease were uncommon, but were more common in non-high-income countries. 7557 (72·4%) of 10 428 included children or adolescents were not taking lipid-lowering medication (LLM) and had a median LDL-C of 5·00 mmol/L (IQR 4·05-6·08). Compared with genetic diagnosis, the use of unadapted clinical criteria intended for use in adults and reliant on more extreme phenotypes could result in 50-75% of children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia not being identified. Interpretation: Clinical characteristics observed in adults with familial hypercholesterolaemia are uncommon in children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia, hence detection in this age group relies on measurement of LDL-C and genetic confirmation. Where genetic testing is unavailable, increased availability and use of LDL-C measurements in the first few years of life could help reduce the current gap between prevalence and detection, enabling increased use of combination LLM to reach recommended LDL-C targets early in life

Differential cross section measurements for the production of a W boson in association with jets in proton–proton collisions at √s = 7 TeV

Measurements are reported of differential cross sections for the production of a W boson, which decays into a muon and a neutrino, in association with jets, as a function of several variables, including the transverse momenta (pT) and pseudorapidities of the four leading jets, the scalar sum of jet transverse momenta (HT), and the difference in azimuthal angle between the directions of each jet and the muon. The data sample of pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV was collected with the CMS detector at the LHC and corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 5.0 fb[superscript −1]. The measured cross sections are compared to predictions from Monte Carlo generators, MadGraph + pythia and sherpa, and to next-to-leading-order calculations from BlackHat + sherpa. The differential cross sections are found to be in agreement with the predictions, apart from the pT distributions of the leading jets at high pT values, the distributions of the HT at high-HT and low jet multiplicity, and the distribution of the difference in azimuthal angle between the leading jet and the muon at low values.United States. Dept. of EnergyNational Science Foundation (U.S.)Alfred P. Sloan Foundatio