Checklist of the Pleistocene marine molluscs of Praínha and Lagoínhas (Santa Maria Island, Azores).

A critical review of the reported Pleistocene species of and Lagoinhas (Santa Maria Island, Azores) is provided, new data increasing the marine molluscan fauna to 95 taxa (80 Gastropoda and 15 Bivalvia). Six of the reported taxa are considered dubious records (5 Gastropoda, 1 Bivalvia). The stratigraphic sequence of Praia Formosa is composed of two main units, about 2-4 meters above present-day sea level. In the lower unit, Patella ulyssiponensis dominates the fossil assemblage of the basal calcareous conglomerate while Myoforceps arustatus (Dillwyn, 1817) dominates the assemblage associated to a calcareous algae mat. Above a non-depositional hiatus surface, a sandy beach deposit mainly composes the upper unit. Its fossil assemblages are dominated by large amounts of Eruilin castanea (Montagu, 1803) and, in a less extent, Lucinella diwricntn (Linnaeus, 1758) and Ensis minor (Chenu, 1843). The stratigraphic sequence of Lagoinhas, located 7.4 m above present-day sea level, is also composed of two units. A basal conglomerate is fossilized by or passes laterally to a calcareous algae mat, dominated by Myoforceps aristatus and with abundant Calliostoma pecimens. As at Prainha, these lower units are covered by a highly fossiliferous sandy bach deposit, though thinner, in which Ervlie castanea is the dominant species. Some species with Caribbean or West African affinities, the "Strombus bubonius accompanying fauna" (Garcia-Talavera, 1990), were found in the lower layers. The upper layer malacofauna is mainly related to the Mediterranean faunas, similarly to what happens nowadays (Ávila, 2000)

Luria lurida (Gastropoda), a new record for the Pleistocene of Santa Maria, Azores

The cypraeid gastropod Luria lurida (Linnaeus, 1758) is reported for the first time from Pleistocene deposits at the Prainha site, on the island of Santa Maria, Azores archipelago

An upgrade on the rabbit model of anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy: shorter protocol, reduced mortality, and higher incidence of overt dilated cardiomyopathy

Current protocols of anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy in rabbits present with high premature mortality and nephrotoxicity, thus rendering them unsuitable for studies requiring long-term functional evaluation of myocardial function (e.g., stem cell therapy). We compared two previously described protocols to an in-house developed protocol in three groups: Group DOX2 received doxorubicin 2 mg/kg/week (8 weeks); Group DAU3 received daunorubicin 3 mg/kg/week (10 weeks); and Group DAU4 received daunorubicin 4 mg/kg/week (6 weeks). A cohort of rabbits received saline (control). Results of blood tests, cardiac troponin I, echocardiography, and histopathology were analysed. Whilst DOX2 and DAU3 rabbits showed high premature mortality (50% and 33%, resp.), DAU4 rabbits showed 7.6% premature mortality. None of DOX2 rabbits developed overt dilated cardiomyopathy; 66% of DAU3 rabbits developed overt dilated cardiomyopathy and quickly progressed to severe congestive heart failure. Interestingly, 92% of DAU4 rabbits showed overt dilated cardiomyopathy and 67% developed congestive heart failure exhibiting stable disease. DOX2 and DAU3 rabbits showed alterations of renal function, with DAU3 also exhibiting hepatic function compromise. Thus, a shortened protocol of anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy as in DAU4 group results in high incidence of overt dilated cardiomyopathy, which insidiously progressed to congestive heart failure, associated to reduced systemic compromise and very low premature mortality

Analizadores de red de bajo coste

El uso masivo de dispositivos electrónicos, tanto en entornos domésticos como industriales, tiene un impacto directo e inmediato en la creciente y compleja red de distribución eléctrica a la que se conectan. De aquí la necesidad de analizar la calidad de la señal eléctrica y su energía asociada en la propia red e instalaciones afectadas. Por otra parte, la evolución exponencial de microcontroladores y micro PC´S y su aplicación al procesado de señales, convierte a estos dispositivos en candidatos excepcionales para cubrir la mencionada necesidad del análisis de la calidad eléctrica. Esta es justamente la propuesta que se hace en este trabajo. La detección de las perturbaciones eléctricas de mayor incidencia en la calidad de la señal de red se puede realizar de diferentes formas. En este caso, se propone el uso de una potente herramienta matemática como es la Transformada Wavelet (TW), con una contrastada aplicabilidad en este campo. Su traducción a nivel de programación mediante un complejo algoritmo es implementada en dispositivos de bajo coste, particularmente en Arduino y Raspberry Pi. A partir de este algoritmo es posible la detección, análisis y clasificación de distintas perturbaciones eléctricas de forma más intuitiva. Se ha diseñado un sistema capaz de adquirir y analizar la señal de la tensión eléctrica y monitorizar dichos resultados, demostrando la aptitud de estos sistemas de bajo coste para dicho análisis.The massive use of electronic devices, both in domestic and industrial environments, has a direct and immediate impact on the electrical network in which they are connected. This fact generates the need for a power quality analysis in the electrical distribution network and affected installations. On the other hand, the exponential evolution of microcontrollers and micro PC'S and their application to signal processing, makes these devices exceptional candidates to cover the aforementioned power quality analysis. This is precisely the proposal made in this work. The detection of electrical disturbances with greater incidence in power quality can be made in different ways. In this case, the use of a powerful mathematical tool such as the Wavelet Transform (WT), with a proven applicability in this field, is proposed. Its translation at the programming level through a complex algorithm is implemented in low cost devices, particularly in Arduino and Raspberry Pi. From this algorithm it is possible to detect, analyze and classify different electrical disturbances in a more intuitive way. A system capable of acquiring and analyzing the voltage signal, as well as monitoring the results, has been designed, showing the capacity of these low cost devices for such analysis.Plan Propio de la Universidad de Sevilla Proyecto: 2017/0000096

On the use of numerical models to predict/mitigate indoor radon levels in highly contaminated areas

The publication of the EURATOM directive BSS 2013/59 [1] has increased considerably the interest on radon studies in all EU countries. Certainly each member state has to establish a national action plan addressing long-term risks from radon exposures in dwellings, buildings with public access and workplaces for any source of radon ingress, whether from soil, building materials or water. The complexity generated by the number of parameters and processes affecting radon generation in the source, transport in source media, entry into dwellings, and its accumulation in the different rooms of the dwelling, makes the development of numerical models a very challenging exercise that might take also into account that the detailed information of the building-soil interface in an existing dwelling is normally not available. A new project funded by the Spanish Nuclear Safety Board (CSN) started in 2020. Its main goal is to establish and validate a numerical tool to predict and mitigate indoor radon levels in new and existing buildings in general, but paying special attention to the case of areas contaminated due to NORM industrial activities. Such a numerical tool might be of interest for Radiation Protection authorities to manage highly contaminated areas. In particular, 2 different numerical modelling strategies will be adapted to real sites and compared. The RAGENA [2] code, which was developed in the late 90s, will be updated with the last findings from experimental studies. This code allows modelling all radon sources and processes affecting radon accumulation indoors from a dynamic point of view in a very simple way, but lacks from spatial resolution. On the other hand, a CFD (computational fluid dynamics) model recently developed in Spain [3] numerically solves radon transport equation by finite elements with a good spatial resolution. The project focuses also on the experimental characterization of real sites. In this talk we will introduce the project, discuss the main features of both modelling approaches and describe in more detail the current status of the RAGENA code updating

Geology and paleontology of Tresjuncos (Cuenca, Spain), a new diatomaceous deposit with Konservat-Lagerstätte characteristics from the European late Miocene.

Purpose A new Iberian Konservat-Lagersta¨tte discovered in Tresjuncos (Cuenca, Spain) is described and interpreted based on geological and paleontological information. Methods The samples were studied using conventional mineralogical (powder X-ray diffraction), petrographic (optical and scanning electron microscopy) and geochemical (X-ray energy-dispersive spectrometry) techniques. Results Based upon geological context, stratigraphy, lithology, sedimentology and origin of the rocks, we describe and interpret the new fossil site as originated in a lacustrine environment. The micromammals found in the Tresjuncos 1 outcrop suggest that the main site is Turolian in age (uppermost Miocene), continental chronological unit MN13. The fossils are preserved in laminates comprising rhythmic, millimeterscale alternations of diatomites and calcareous diatomites. An analysis of the lake paleobiota includes amphibians, crustaceans, insects, plants, and diatoms. The diatoms are dominated by Cyclotella iris. The whole assemblage is indicative of a planktic community developed in somewhat alkaline waters. An extremely well preserved premetamorphic Pelobates (Pelobatidae) tadpole was discovered; it is remarkable because of its gigantic size. Its digestive tract predominantly contains the rare diatom Navicula halionata var directa, likely associated with the shore vegetation in which it presumably lived and fed. The arthropods form a typical lacustrine aquatic assemblage, lacking fish. This assemblage is made up of small filtering crustaceans and of both predator and nonpredator insects of diverse sizes. Conclusions The available evidence on Tresjuncos shows the extraordinary potential for paleontological information that can be expected from this new Konservat-Lagersta¨tte, which constitutes a significant finding that improves our understanding of continental late Miocene Mediterranean environments

Band structure, superconductivity and polytypism in AuSn4_4

The orthorhombic compound AuSn4 is compositionally similar to the Dirac node arc semimetal PtSn$_4$. AuSn$_4$ is, contrary to PtSn$_4$, superconducting with a critical temperature of T$_c$ = 2.35 K. Recent measurements present indications for quasi two-dimensional superconducting behavior in AuSn$_4$. Here we present measurements of the superconducting density of states and the band structure of AuSn$_4$ through Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) and Angular Resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy (ARPES). The superconducting gap values in different portions of the Fermi surface are spread around {\Delta}0 = 0.4 meV, which is close to but somewhat larger than $\Delta =$ 1.76kBT$_c$ expected from BCS theory. We observe superconducting features in the tunneling conductance at the surface up to temperatures about 20% larger than bulk Tc. The band structure calculated with Density Functional Theory (DFT) follows well the results of ARPES. The crystal structure presents two possible stackings of Sn layers, giving two nearly degenerate polytypes. This makes AuSn$_4$ a rather unique case with a three dimensional electronic band structure but properties ressembling those of low dimensional layered compounds

Complete Genome Sequence of Houston Virus, a Newly Discovered Mosquito-Specific Virus Isolated from Culex quinquefasciatus in Mexico

ABSTRACT We fully sequenced the genome of Houston virus, a recently discovered mosquito-associated virus belonging to the newly established family Mesoniviridae. The isolate was recovered from Culex quinquefasciatus in southern Mexico, which shows that the geographic range of Houston virus is not restricted to the United States in North America

Influence of Obesity and Metabolic Disease on Carotid Atherosclerosis in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease (CordioPrev Study)

Background Recent data suggest that the presence of associated metabolic abnormalities may be important modifiers of the association of obesity with a poorer prognosis in coronary heart disease. We determined the influence of isolated overweight and obesity on carotid intima media thickness (IMT-CC), and also assessed whether this influence was determined by the presence of metabolic abnormalities. Methods 1002 participants from the CordioPrev study were studied at entry. We determined their metabolic phenotypes and performed carotid ultrasound assessment. We evaluated the influence of obesity, overweight and metabolic phenotypes on the IMT-CC. Results Metabolically sick participants (defined by the presence of two or more metabolic abnormalities) showed a greater IMT-CC than metabolically healthy individuals (p = 4 * 10−6). Overweight and normal weight patients who were metabolically healthy showed a lower IMT-CC than the metabolically abnormal groups (all p<0.05). When we evaluated only body weight (without considering metabolic phenotypes), overweight or obese patients did not differsignificantly from normal-weight patients in their IMT-CC (p = 0.077). However, obesity was a determinant of IMT-CC when compared to the composite group of normal weight and overweight patients (all not obese). Conclusions In coronary patients, a metabolically abnormal phenotype is associated with a greater IMTCC, and may be linked to a higher risk of suffering new cardiovascular events. The protection conferred in the IMT-CC by the absence of metabolic abnormality may be blunted by the presence of obesit