Seismicity and regional tectonics of the Estremadura, Southwestern Portugal

The RESTE Project was an integrated geophysical-geological study of the Estremadura, southwestern Portugal. The core of the programme consisted of the acquisition and analysis of microearthquake data. This was complemented by an investigation of the structural evolution of the sedimentary basins of the Estremadura. The geological evolution of the Lusitanian Basin was strongly marked by the reactivation of Palaeozoic basement faults, in response to a sequence of tectonic events: opening of the Central Atlantic, opening of the North Atlantic and Alpine convergence between Africa and Eurasia. The current tectonics are regarded as a subdued continuation of the Miocene deformation (Betic Orogeny), and the "tectonic memory" revealed by the Lusitanian and Lower Tagus Basins is explored to characterize the current tectonic processes. Strike-slip tectonics are identified as a dominant feature of several stages of the evolution of the basins, with particular relevance during the Miocene. The technique of "backstripping" is applied to well data, to constrain the history of vertical movement in the basins. This analysis highlighted the pre mature truncation, in the Late Jurassic, of a normal passive-margin evolution. Tectonic unstability caused the structural inversion of areas within the basins, and seems to have inhibited the predictable thermal subsidence. The rifting process, initially taking place at the Lusitanian Basin, jumped westwards in the Late Jurassic. Crustal underplating and the activity of transfer faults are in-voked as possible explanations for the subsequent deformation of the aborted rift. An upper-plate margin configuration is in good agreement with several observations. The tendency for structural inversion continued throughout theCretaceous, and with the onset of the Alpine convergence in the Turonian the control of the tectonic activity seems to have switched from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. This reinforced the tectonic unstability, marked by magmatic activity and by a regional upwarp that was to last until the Eocene. Of particular interest was the behaviour, during the Late Cretaceous, of the Setúbal Peninsula sub-basin, which seems to have tilted towards the NW as a block, with a hinge line along the present Lower Tagus Valley. When sedimentation was resumed in the Eocene, a pattern of differential vertical movement was established, with some areas continuing to undergo inversion while nearby areas subsided. This pattern characterized the Cainozoic evolution of the basins, and probably still applies to the neotectonic deformation. The activity of strike-slip basement faults, reactivated under the compressive regime caused by the Afro-Eurasian conver-gence, is proposed as the best explanation for the Miocene deformation, with particular relevance for the Lower Tagus Valley. The RESTE Microearthquake Survey is described, and the data acquired with the RESTE network are analysed. The local earthquakes are accurately located, and focal mechanism solutions are obtained for some of them. This information is used to discuss a neotectonic model for the Lower Tagus Valley. In view of their small magnitudes (l.1< M(_L) < 3.8), the focal mechanisms of these events cannot be interpreted directly in terms of the current tectonics. Such small events are usually local readjustments to previous episodes of deformation. However, such features as the along-strike reversal of the polarity of vertical motion or the coexistence at the same region of different types of source mechanism are diagnostic of strike-slip deformation. This model was supported by the occurrence of a macroearthquake (M(_D)=3.8) with an interpreted source mechanism of sinistral strike-slip. The alignment of four hypocentres along the direction of the Lower Tagus Valley, with a compatible orientation of the interpreted nodal planes, supports the existence of a crustal fracture associated with the Valley. The hypocentral depths of the recorded events reach 20 km, showing that the basement faults responsible for the seismicity affect at least the entire upper crust. Since the limited existing data suggest a high level of heat flow in the Lusitanian Basin, the depths reached by the microearthquakes may indicate an abnormally thick seismogenic layer. An investigation of the broad velocity structure of the lithosphere underneath the RESTE Network using the technique of teleseismic tomographic inversion suggested a correlation between Moho undulations and the inversion of areas of the Lusitanian Basin, and this may indicate that the controlling faults cut the entire crust. In order to provide a rationale for the intraplate seismicity of western Portugal, the neotectonics of Iberia are discussed, and a new kinematic model, centred on the idea of continental extrusion, is proposed. According to the model, a continental block formed by Iberia and northern Morocco is being pushed west wards by the convergence between Africa and Eurasia. The resistance offered by the oceanic parts of the plates varies across the East Azores Transform, leading to dextral shear in the Betic Range. The regional stress field induced by the continental convergence can explain the reactivation, in a simple-shear regime, of basement faults of Hercynian orientation, in particular that proposed for the Lower Tagus Valley

Impacts of artificial light at night in marine ecosystems—A review

The globally widespread adoption of Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) began in the mid-20th century. Yet, it is only in the last decade that a renewed research focus has emerged into its impacts on ecological and biological processes in the marine environment that are guided by natural intensities, moon phase, natural light and dark cycles and daily light spectra alterations. The field has diversified rapidly from one restricted to impacts on a handful of vertebrates, to one in which impacts have been quantified across a broad array of marine and coastal habitats and species. Here, we review the current understanding of ALAN impacts in diverse marine ecosystems. The review presents the current state of knowledge across key marine and coastal ecosystems (sandy and rocky shores, coral reefs and pelagic) and taxa (birds and sea turtles), introducing how ALAN can mask seabird and sea turtle navigation, cause changes in animals predation patterns and failure of coral spawning synchronization, as well as inhibition of zooplankton Diel Vertical Migration. Mitigation measures are recommended, however, while strategies for mitigation were easily identified, barriers to implementation are poorly understood. Finally, we point out knowledge gaps that if addressed would aid in the prediction and mitigation of ALAN impacts in the marine realm

Major discrepancy between clinical diagnosis of death and anatomopathological findings in adolescents with chronic diseases during 18-years

Objectives: To evaluate the inconsistency between clinical diagnosis of death and autopsy findings in adolescents with chronic diseases. Methods: A cross-sectional study including a sample of adolescents’ autopsies who died in a pediatric and adolescent tertiary hospital over&nbsp;18&nbsp;consecutive years. During this period, there were n&nbsp;=&nbsp;2912 deaths, and n&nbsp;=&nbsp;581/2912(20%) occurred in adolescents. Of these, n&nbsp;=&nbsp;85/581(15%) underwent autopsies and were analyzed. Further results were divided into two groups: Goldman classes&nbsp;I&nbsp;or&nbsp;II (high disagreement between main clinical diagnosis of death and anatomopathological findings, n&nbsp;=&nbsp;26) and Goldman classes&nbsp;III, IV or&nbsp;V (low or no disagreement between these two parameters, n&nbsp;=&nbsp;59). Results: Median age at death (13.5&nbsp;[10‒19] vs. 13&nbsp;[10‒19] years, p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.495) and disease duration (22&nbsp;[0‒164]&nbsp;vs.&nbsp;20&nbsp;[0‒200] months, p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.931), and frequencies for males (58%&nbsp;vs.&nbsp;44%, p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.247) were similar between class I/II&nbsp;vs.&nbsp;class&nbsp;III/IV/V. The frequency of pneumonia (73%&nbsp;vs.&nbsp;48%, p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.029), pulmonary abscess (12%&nbsp;vs.&nbsp;0%, p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.026), as well as isolation of yeast (27%&nbsp;vs.&nbsp;5%, p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.008), and virus (15%&nbsp;vs.&nbsp;2%, p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.029) identified in the autopsy, were significantly higher in adolescents with Goldman class&nbsp;I/II compared to those with Goldman class&nbsp;III/IV/V. In contrast, cerebral edema was significantly lower in adolescents of the first group (4%&nbsp;vs.&nbsp;25%, p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.018). Conclusion: This study showed that&nbsp;30% of the adolescents with chronic diseases had major discrepancies between clinical diagnosis of death and autopsy findings. Pneumonia, pulmonary abscess, as well as isolation of yeast and virus were more frequently identified at autopsy findings in the groups with major discrepancies

Spatial rigid-multi-body systems with lubricated spherical clearance joints : modeling and simulation

The dynamic modeling and simulation of spatial rigid-multi-body systems with lubricated spherical joints is the main purpose of the present work. This issue is of paramount importance in the analysis and design of realistic multibody mechanical systems undergoing spatial motion. When the spherical clearance joint is modeled as dry contact; i.e., when there is no lubricant between the mechanical elements which constitute the joint, a body-to-body (typically metal-to-metal) contact takes place. The joint reaction forces in this case are evaluated through a Hertzian-based contact law. A hysteretic damping factor is included in the dry contact force model to account for the energy dissipation during the contact process. The presence of a fluid lubricant avoids the direct metal-to-metal contact. In this situation, the squeeze film action, due to the relative approaching motion between the mechanical joint elements, is considered utilizing the lubrication theory associated with the spherical bearings. In both cases, the intra-joint reaction forces are evaluated as functions of the geometrical, kinematical and physical characteristics of the spherical joint. These forces are then incorporated into a standard formulation of the system’s governing equations of motion as generalized external forces. A spatial four bar mechanism that includes a spherical clearance joint is considered here as example. The computational simulations are carried out with and without the fluid lubricant, and the results are compared with those obtained when the system is modeled with perfect joints only. From the general results it is observed that the system’s performance with lubricant effect presents fewer peaks in the kinematic and dynamic outputs, when compared with those from the dry contact joint model.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans – anteaters, sloths, and armadillos – have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with 24 domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, ten anteaters, and six sloths. Our dataset includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data-paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the south of the USA, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to its austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n=5,941), and Cyclopes sp. has the fewest (n=240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n=11,588), and the least recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n=33). With regards to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n=962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n=12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other datasets of Neotropical Series which will become available very soon (i.e. Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans dataset