On the kinematic evolution of young local associations and the Sco-Cen complex

Context: Over the last decade, several groups of young (mainly low-mass) stars have been discovered in the solar neighbourhood (closer than ~100 pc), thanks to cross-correlation between X-ray, optical spectroscopy and kinematic data. These young local associations -- including an important fraction whose members are Hipparcos stars -- offer insights into the star formation process in low-density environments, shed light on the substellar domain, and could have played an important role in the recent history of the local interstellar medium. Aims: To study the kinematic evolution of young local associations and their relation to other young stellar groups and structures in the local interstellar medium, thus casting new light on recent star formation processes in the solar neighbourhood. Methods: We compiled the data published in the literature for young local associations. Using a realistic Galactic potential we integrated the orbits for these associations and the Sco-Cen complex back in time. Results: Combining these data with the spatial structure of the Local Bubble and the spiral structure of the Galaxy, we propose a recent history of star formation in the solar neighbourhood. We suggest that both the Sco-Cen complex and young local associations originated as a result of the impact of the inner spiral arm shock wave against a giant molecular cloud. The core of the giant molecular cloud formed the Sco-Cen complex, and some small cloudlets in a halo around the giant molecular cloud formed young local associations several million years later. We also propose a supernova in young local associations a few million years ago as the most likely candidate to have reheated the Local Bubble to its present temperature.Comment: 27 pages, 13 figures, 14 tables. Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic

Aproximació al coneixement de la flora liquènica i dels fongs liquenícoles dels altiplans i conques centrals de Catalunya: el sector segàrric

L'estudi del sector segàrric dels altiplans i conques centrals catalanes, una àrea poc explorada des d'un punt de vista liquènic, ha aportat un catàleg de 334 tàxons, dels quals 301 són fongs liquenificats, i 33, fongs liquenícoles. Cal destacar l'aportació de sis nous tàxons per a la península Ibèrica (Acarospora chrysocardia, Diplotomma hedinii, Lecanora barkmanniana, L. farinaria, Lichenostigma subradians i Skyttea hawksworthii). A més, s'incrementa en 14 tàxons la llista de líquens i fongs liquenícoles de Catalunya (Caloplaca lucifuga, Candelariella faginea, Catapyrenium daedalum, Chaenothecopsis viridireagens, Collema fragrans, Lecania spadicea, Lepraria elobata, Lichenostigma gracilis, Lichinella jodopulchra, Muellerella hospitans, Placidium semaforonense, Solenopsora cesatii, Trapeliopsis pseudogranulosa i Xanthoparmelia pokornyi) i 96 tàxons són citacions noves per a les comarques lleidatanes. La composició florística de la zona estudiada se situa a mig camí entre la flora de les zones muntanyoses i de la regió mediterrània, sobretot pel que fa a les formes vitals i al tipus de fotobiont.A lichenological survey of the plateaus and basins of the central part of Catalonia has yielded a catalogue of 334 taxa, 301 of which are lichenized fungi and 33 lichenicolous fungi. Among the quoted species, six taxa are newly reported for the Iberian Peninsula (Acarospora chrysocardia, Diplotomma hedinii, Lecanora barkmanniana, L. farinaria, Lichenostigma subradians and Skyttea hawksworthii). In addition, 14 taxa are added to the current biota of Catalonia (Caloplaca lucifuga, Candelariella faginea, Catapyrenium daedalum, Chaenothecopsis viridireagens, Collema fragrans, Lecania spadicea, Lepraria elobata, Lichenostigma gracilis, Lichinella jodopulchra, Muellerella hospitans, Placidium semaforonense, Solenopsora cesatii, Trapeliopsis pseudogranulosa and Xanthoparmelia pokornyi). 96 taxa are newly reported for the province of Lleida. The floristic analysis of the area reveals that the lichen biota of the area shows a distribution of life forms and type of photobiont with an intermediate position between montane areas and the Mediterranean region.El estudio del sector segárrico de los altiplanos y cuencas centrales catalanas, un área poco explorada desde un punto de vista liquénico, ha aportado un catálogo de 334 taxones, de los que 301 son hongos liquenificados, y 33, hongos liquenícolas. Se destaca la aportación de seis nuevos taxones para la Península Ibérica (Acarospora chrysocardia, Diplotomma hedinii, Lecanora barkmanniana, L. farinaria, Lichenostigma subradians y Skyttea hawksworthii). Además, 14 taxones son nuevas citas para la biota liquènica y fúngica de Cataluña (Caloplaca lucifuga, Candelariella faginea, Catapyrenium daedalum, Chaenothecopsis viridireagens, Collema fragrans, Lecania spadicea, Lepraria elobata, Lichenostigma gracilis, Lichinella jodopulchra, Muellerella hospitans, Placidium semaforonense, Solenopsora cesatii, Trapeliopsis pseudogranulosa y Xanthoparmelia pokornyi) y 96 taxones son nuevas citas para las comarcas leridanas. El análisis de la composición florística sitúa a la flora liquénica de la zona a caballo entre la flora de las zonas de montaña y la región mediterránea, sobretodo por las formas vitales y el tipo de fotobionte presente

Integrating research output in UPC repositories

Introduction In 2007, the Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC) started a strategical Project for the University called DRAC (Descriptor de la Recerca i l'Activitat Academica or Academic Activity and Research Descriptor): the main goal of which was the development of a new information system for managing, evaluating and publishing the research output. The Library participated in the project from the beginning. The other two partners were: OTRDI (the office manager of the research output) and UPCnet as the technological partner. DRAC, the new software, has the following applications: the main one is that academics can develop a curriculum following the national standard for presentation to national and regional administrations. It is also the tool that allows research groups to publish their output on the Internet

Improved culture enrichment broth for isolation of Arcobacter-like species from the marine environment

Arcobacter-like species are found associated with many matrices, including shellfish in marine environments. The culture media and conditions play a major role in the recovery of new Arcobacter-like species. This study was aimed to develop a culture media for isolation and enhanced growth of Arcobacter-like spp. from marine and shellfish matrices. For this purpose, 14 different Arcobacter-like spp. mostly isolated from shellfish, were grown in 24 different formulations of enrichment broths. The enrichment broths consisted of five main groups based on the organic contents (fresh oyster homogenate, lyophilized oyster either alone or in combination with other standard media), combined with artificial seawater (ASW) or 2.5% NaCl. Optical density (OD420nm) measurements after every 24 h were compared with the growth in control media (Arcobacter broth) in parallel. The mean and standard deviation were calculated for each species in each broth and statistical differences (p < 0.05) among broths were calculated by ANOVA. The results indicated that shellfish-associated Arcobacter-like species growth was significantly higher in Arcobacter broth + 50% ASW and the same media supplemented with lyophilized oysters. This is the first study to have used fresh or lyophilized oyster flesh in the enrichment broth for isolation of shellfish-associated Arcobacter-like spp.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A proposed scoring system for assessing the severity of actinic keratosis on the head: actinic keratosis area and severity index

Background: Actinic keratosis (AK) severity is currently evaluated by subjective assessment of patients. Objectives: To develop and perform an initial pilot validation of a new easy-to-use quantitative tool for assessing AK severity on the head. Methods: The actinic keratosis area and severity index (AKASI) for the head was developed based on a review of other severity scoring systems in dermatology, in particular the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI). Initial validation was performed by 13 physicians assessing AK severity in 18 AK patients and two controls using a physician global assessment (PGA) and AKASI. To determine an AKASI score, the head was divided into four regions (scalp, forehead, left/right cheek ear, chin and nose). In each region, the percentage of the area affected by AKs was estimated, and the severities of three clinical signs of AK were assessed: distribution, erythema and thickness. Results: There was a strong correlation between AKASI and PGA scores (Pearson correlation coefficient: 0.86). AKASI was able to discriminate between different PGA categories: mean (SD) AKASI increased from 2.88 (1.18) for ‘light’ to 5.33 (1.48) for ‘moderate’, 8.28 (1.89) for ‘severe’, and 8.73 (3.03) for ‘very severe’ PGA classification. The coefficient of variation for AKASI scores was low and relatively constant across all PGA categories. Conclusions: Actinic keratosis area and severity index is proposed as a new quantitative tool for assessing AK severity on the head. It may be useful in the future evaluation of new AK treatments in clinical studies and the management of AK in daily practice