727 research outputs found
The Au-Ag (Zn, Pb, Mo, Cu) Sulfuro Vein, La Paloma district, Deseado Massif, Argentina: Geochemical characterization and new insights into the 4D evolution of ore shoots
Unravelling the 3D architecture of ore shoots and its evolution through time, thereby moving towards a 4D understanding of mineralization processes, requires an interdisciplinary approach based on the capability of carrying out extensive trenching and drilling as well as effectively integrating structural and geochemical analyses. Such conditions are offered in La Paloma district of the Deseado Massif, Argentina. Here, eight epithermal Au-Ag veins are hosted in Middle Jurassic volcanic rocks (Bajo Pobre Formation). The Au-Ag (Zn, Pb, Mo and Cu) Sulfuro Vein, representing the main ore body in the district, is a 750 m long, N to NW striking structure extending 230 m at depth. The geometry and distribution of ore shoots within the Sulfuro Vein are controlled by: (i) lithological and structural features, (ii) metal concentration, (iii) temperature of the fluids at the time of ore deposition, and (iv) remobilization processes. The highest values of Au, Ag, Cu, Mo, Pb, Zn and Sb are concentrated at depths between 50 and 100 m.a.s.l., while high Mo values occur also at greater depths in the southern segment of the vein. Molybdenum distribution in shallower sectors of the vein is controlled by its remobilization by later infill stages. The Au, Ag and Cu ore shoots are widely distributed in the southern and central segments of the vein, as are the areas of greater vein thickness. These ore shoots exhibit a sub-horizontal geometry consistent with dominant extensional faulting during mineralization. In the northern segment of the vein, the Au, Ag and Cu ore shoots are discontinuous and small, and show gentle to moderate plunges probably associated with variable fault kinematics and depletion of the fluid in these metals. Ore-shoots of Mo, Pb and Zn display high values along the longitudinal section and sub-horizontal geometry in the central and northern sectors of the vein, with high-grade Mo ore shoots decreasing to the north. The fact that Pb and Zn high grades extend up to the tip of the northern vein segment suggests that these metals continued to precipitate at lower temperatures, favoured by the permeability of the volcaniclastic units. All of the ore shoots exhibit steeper plunges towards the southern termination of the vein. Here, upward fluid flow may have been enhanced by the dilation associated with oblique-slip along the N-S striking segment of the steeply dipping Sulfuro Vein. The geochemical distribution of metals shows a slight vertical zonation and a distinct lateral zonation, which suggest hydrothermal fluids flowed northward from deeper zones in the southern sector of the vein
Subsidies and agricultural productivity in the EU
This paper investigates the relationship between EU agricultural subsidies and agricultural labor productivity growth by estimating a conditional convergence growth model. We use more representative subsidy indicators and a wider coverage (panel data from 213 EU regions over the period 2004\u20132014) than have been used before. We find that, on average, EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) subsidies increase agricultural labor productivity growth, but this aggregate effect hides important heterogeneity of effects of different types of subsidies. The positive effect on productivity comes from decoupled subsidies, that is, Pillar I decoupled payments and some Pillar II payments. Coupled Pillar I subsidies have the opposite effect: they slow down productivity growth
First evidence of protein modulation by polystyrene microplastics in a freshwater biological model
Microplastics (MPs)are now one of the major environmental problems due to the large amount released in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, as well as their diffuse sources and potential impacts on organisms and human health. Still the molecular and cellular targets of microplastics\u2019 toxicity have not yet been identified and their mechanism of actions in aquatic organisms are largely unknown. In order to partially fill this gap, we used a mass spectrometry based functional proteomics to evaluate the modulation of protein profiling in zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha), one of the most useful freshwater biological model. Mussels were exposed for 6 days in static conditions to two different microplastic mixtures, composed by two types of virgin polystyrene microbeads (size = 1 and 10 \u3bcm)each one. The mixture at the lowest concentration contained 5
7 105 MP/L of 1 \u3bcm and 5
7 105 MP/L of 10 \u3bcm, while the higher one was arranged with 2
7 106 MP/L of 1 \u3bcm and 2
7 106 MP/L of 10 \u3bcm. Proteomics\u2019 analyses of gills showed the complete lack of proteins\u2019 modulation after the exposure to the low-concentrated mixture, while even 78 proteins were differentially modulated after the exposure to the high-concentrated one, suggesting the presence of an effect-threshold. The modulated proteins belong to 5 different classes mainly involved in the structure and function of ribosomes, energy metabolism, cellular trafficking, RNA-binding and cytoskeleton, all related to the response against the oxidative stress
Corporate food donations: altruism, strategy or cost saving?
Purpose
This paper is aimed at enhancing our understanding of motives behind corporate giving and finding out whether and when operational efficiency plays a major role in the case of surplus food donations by food supply chain companies.
Design/methodology/approach
A multiple case study methodology has been applied considering a sample of 16 food sector companies operating in Italy. Three cases have been analysed in depth to highlight the contextual factors that make cost savings possible and donations sizeable and regular.
Findings
The results show that the willingness of companies to reduce operational costs plays a relevant role in managerial decisions concerning the recovery and donation of unsold food, although to different degrees across the supply chain stages.
Originality/value
The paper shows that not only strategic and moral motives, but also economic efficiency concern plays an important role in the managerial decision making process pertaining to surplus food donations
Smart Metering, Water Pricing and Social Media to Stimulate Residential Water Efficiency: Opportunities for the SmartH2O Project
Abstract The SmartH2O project aims to provide water utilities, municipalities and citizens with an ICT enabled platform to design, develop and implement better water management policies using innovative metering, social media and pricing mechanisms. This project has as a working hypothesis that high data quality obtained from smart meters and communicable through social media and other forms of interaction could be used to design and implement innovative and effective water pricing policies. Planned case studies in the UK and Switzerland are introduced. We anticipate that SmartH20 research outcomes will be of use to those interested in linking smart metering, social media and smart pricing approaches to achieve more sustainable water management outcomes
Seasonal H1N1 2007 influenza virus infection is associated with elevated preâexposure antibody titers to the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus
AbstractThe new influenza strain detected in humans in April 2009 has caused the first influenza pandemic of the 21st century. A crossâreactive antibody response, in which antibodies against seasonal H1N1 viruses neutralized the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus (2009 pH1N1), was detected among individuals aged >60âyears. However, factors other than age associated with such a crossâreactive antibody response are poorly documented. Our objective was to examine factors potentially associated with elevated preâexposure viroâneutralization and hemagglutinationâinhibition antibody titers against the 2009 pH1N1. We also studied factors associated with antibody titers against the 2007 seasonal H1N1 virus. One hundred subjects participating in an influenza cohort were selected. Sera collected in 2008 were analysed using hemagglutination inhibition and viroâneutralization assays for the 2009 pH1N1 virus and the 2007 seasonal H1N1 virus. Viroâneutralization results were explored using a linear mixedâeffect model and hemagglutinationâinhibition results using linearâregression models for intervalâcensored data. Elevated antibody titers against 2009 pH1N1 were associated with seasonal 2007 H1N1 infection (viroâneutralization, pâ0.006; hemagglutinationâinhibition, pâ0.018). Elevated antibody titers were also associated with age in the viroâneutralization assay (pâ<0.0001). Seasonal 2007 H1N1 infection is an independent predictor of elevated preâexposure antibody titers against 2009 pH1N1 and may have contributed to lowering the burden of the 2009 pH1N1 pandemic
- âŠ