Mineralizations (Sn, W, Au) and structural control in the West of Salamanca and Zamora

[Resumen] Se analizan los controles estructurales en la ubicación de yacimientos de Sn, W y Au en la zona de trabajo. Se han' realizado estudios con técnicas de sensores remotos (fotografías aéreas e imágenes de satélite) y métodos tradicionales de campo y gabinete (cartografía geológico-minera, reconocimiento de indicios mineros y análisis estructural), comprobándose la gran utilidad de las primeras para la selección rápida y económica de áreas con mineralizaciones de oro y potencial econ6mico.[Abstract] Structural controls were analized in the area of work for location of Sn, Wand Au deposits. Studies have been realized with techniques of remote sensing (Aerial Photographs and Satellite Imagery) and traditional field and office methods (geological-mining mapping, recognition of mining occurences and structural analysis). With these methods, specially with the help of remote sensing, the use of quick and economic selection of areas with gold mineralization and economic potential was proofed

Local covariant quantum field theory over spectral geometries

A framework which combines ideas from Connes' noncommutative geometry, or spectral geometry, with recent ideas on generally covariant quantum field theory, is proposed in the present work. A certain type of spectral geometries modelling (possibly noncommutative) globally hyperbolic spacetimes is introduced in terms of so-called globally hyperbolic spectral triples. The concept is further generalized to a category of globally hyperbolic spectral geometries whose morphisms describe the generalization of isometric embeddings. Then a local generally covariant quantum field theory is introduced as a covariant functor between such a category of globally hyperbolic spectral geometries and the category of involutive algebras (or *-algebras). Thus, a local covariant quantum field theory over spectral geometries assigns quantum fields not just to a single noncommutative geometry (or noncommutative spacetime), but simultaneously to ``all'' spectral geometries, while respecting the covariance principle demanding that quantum field theories over isomorphic spectral geometries should also be isomorphic. It is suggested that in a quantum theory of gravity a particular class of globally hyperbolic spectral geometries is selected through a dynamical coupling of geometry and matter compatible with the covariance principle.Comment: 21 pages, 2 figure

Does the crossed-limb deficit affect the uncrossed portions of limbs?

When locating touch we remap its location from skin-based to external coordinates as a function of body posture. While remapping is thought to occur whenever there is tactile input, research has focused on a special case, the crossed-hands deficit, where tactile localization is impaired when the limbs are crossed, as compared to uncrossed. To date, these studies have always stimulated portions of the limbs that are crossed, such as a finger of each hand. It is therefore unknown whether the deficit induced by arm crossing is specific to the crossed portion of the limb or affects the limb as a whole. In Experiments 1 and 2, we stimulated the shoulders and elbows and found that tactile localization, measured with temporal order judgments, was unaffected by crossing the forearms. In Experiment 3, a crossed-limbs deficit was observed for touches on a single skin location when that location was distal – but not proximal – to the crossing point of the arms. In Experiment 4, we found a similar crossed-limbs deficit irrespective of how far distally to the crossing point touch was applied. Together, these results demonstrate that crossing the limbs affects tactile perception only distal to the point of crossing. The process of remapping tactile events does not take into account the endpoint location of the limb, but an extremely precise metric description of the touch relative to the configuration of both arms

Mesoscopic Model for Free Energy Landscape Analysis of DNA sequences

A mesoscopic model which allows us to identify and quantify the strength of binding sites in DNA sequences is proposed. The model is based on the Peyrard-Bishop-Dauxois model for the DNA chain coupled to a Brownian particle which explores the sequence interacting more importantly with open base pairs of the DNA chain. We apply the model to promoter sequences of different organisms. The free energy landscape obtained for these promoters shows a complex structure that is strongly connected to their biological behavior. The analysis method used is able to quantify free energy differences of sites within genome sequences.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, 1 tabl

A new calibration guideline for worm and worm-gear rolling testers

The evaluation and calibration of gear testers are considered as a key point to ensure the obtained results in gear metrology. Although ISO TC 60 working group has developed standards in this regard, the fact is that for the time being, there are not specific international standards for gear rolling tests. In this work, a periodical calibration guideline for gear rolling testers, particularly for worm gear transmission, is proposed, allowing the reduction of possible error sources in the measurement process. A series of tasks distributed over time are suggested in this work to maintain the accuracy of the gear rolling test machines

Improved understanding of drought controls on seasonal variation in Mediterranean forest canopy CO₂ and water fluxes through combined in situ measurements and ecosystem modelling

Water stress is a defining characteristic of Mediterranean ecosystems, and is likely to become more severe in the coming decades. Simulation models are key tools for making predictions, but our current understanding of how soil moisture controls ecosystem functioning is not sufficient to adequately constrain parameterisations. <br><br> Canopy-scale flux data from four forest ecosystems with Mediterranean-type climates were used in order to analyse the physiological controls on carbon and water flues through the year. Significant non-stomatal limitations on photosynthesis were detected, along with lesser changes in the conductance-assimilation relationship. New model parameterisations were derived and implemented in two contrasting modelling approaches. <br><br> The effectiveness of two models, one a dynamic global vegetation model ("ORCHIDEE"), and the other a forest growth model particularly developed for Mediterranean simulations ("GOTILWA+"), was assessed and modelled canopy responses to seasonal changes in soil moisture were analysed in comparison with in situ flux measurements. <br><br> In contrast to commonly held assumptions, we find that changing the ratio of conductance to assimilation under natural, seasonally-developing, soil moisture stress is not sufficient to reproduce forest canopy CO₂ and water fluxes. However, accurate predictions of both CO₂ and water fluxes under all soil moisture levels encountered in the field are obtained if photosynthetic capacity is assumed to vary with soil moisture. This new parameterisation has important consequences for simulated responses of carbon and water fluxes to seasonal soil moisture stress, and should greatly improve our ability to anticipate future impacts of climate changes on the functioning of ecosystems in Mediterranean-type climates

Strong HI Lyman-α\alpha variations from the 11 Gyr-old host star Kepler-444: a planetary origin ?

Kepler-444 provides a unique opportunity to probe the atmospheric composition and evolution of a compact system of exoplanets smaller than the Earth. Five planets transit this bright K star at close orbital distances, but they are too small for their putative lower atmosphere to be probed at optical/infrared wavelengths. We used the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph instrument onboard the Hubble Space Telescope to search for the signature of the planet's upper atmospheres at six independent epochs in the Ly-$\alpha$ line. We detect significant flux variations during the transits of both Kepler-444e and f (~20%), and also at a time when none of the known planets was transiting (~40%). Variability in the transition region and corona of the host star might be the source of these variations. Yet, their amplitude over short time scales (~2-3 hours) is surprisingly strong for this old (11.2+-1.0Gyr) and apparently quiet main-sequence star. Alternatively, we show that the in-transits variations could be explained by absorption from neutral hydrogen exospheres trailing the two outer planets (Kepler-444e and f). They would have to contain substantial amounts of water to replenish such hydrogen exospheres, which would reveal them as the first confirmed ocean-planets. The out-of-transit variations, however, would require the presence of a yet-undetected Kepler-444g at larger orbital distance, casting doubt on the planetary origin scenario. Using HARPS-N observations in the sodium doublet, we derived the properties of two Interstellar Medium clouds along the line-of-sight toward Kepler-444. This allowed us to reconstruct the stellar Ly-$\alpha$ line profile and to estimate the XUV irradiation from the star, which would still allow for a moderate mass loss from the outer planets after 11.2Gyr. Follow-up of the system at XUV wavelengths will be required to assess this tantalizing possibility.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A Name of the system added to the title in most recent versio

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and soot formation in the pyrolysis of the butanol isomers

The formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and soot from the pyrolysis of the four butanol isomers: 1-butanol, 2-butanol, iso-butanol and tert-butanol, at three reaction temperatures (1275, 1375 and 1475 K) has been studied. The identification and quantification of the sixteen PAHs, classified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as priority pollutants, were done using the gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) technique. The soot formed was collected at the reactor outlet. Light gases formed were also quantified. The harmful potential of the PAHs through the benzoa]pyrene equivalent, Ba]P-eq amount, has been evaluated. The main results show that the highest formation of light gases was obtained from the pyrolysis of iso-butanol at 1275 K. The formation of H2 increases significantly as the temperature increases, following the Hydrogen abstraction carbon addition (HACA) route that leads to form PAHs which subsequently form soot. The tendency to soot formation, under the experimental conditions of the present study, is ranked as follows: tert-butanol, 2-butanol, 1-butanol and iso-butanol. The highest PAHs amount and the highest toxic potential, expressed as Ba]P-eq amount, were found in the pyrolysis of all butanol isomers at 1275 K

Toxoplasma gondii in Spanish commercial dry-cured meat products

Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii, the transmission of which has usually been attributed to ingestion of undercooked or raw meat. Epidemiological studies also mention cured meat products as a potential risk factor for acquiring toxoplasmosis. With the aim of contributing to the risk assessment process, 552 samples of commercial dry-cured hams/shoulders and dry-cured sausages of different trademarks from different localities in Spain were randomly purchased for analysis. These were, specifically, 311 dry-cured hams/shoulders and 241 dry-cured sausages (76 samples of chorizo, 75 samples of fuet/longaniza, and 90 samples of salchichón). Additionally, data featured on labels of each meat product were gathered with the purpose of studying the influence of curing time and salt content, among other parameters, on the viability of Toxoplasma. Real-time polymerase chain reaction technique (qPCR) was performed to detect T. gondii DNA in the samples, and infectivity was determined by mouse bioassay of positive qPCR samples. The presence of T. gondii was detected in 57 samples (10.3%), with a parasite load between 28.05 and 35.66 Ct. Bioassay test showed that 47 out of the 57 meat products in which the parasite has been detected produced mice seropositive response (IFA), which represents 8.5 of the total number of samples analyzed. Of those samples, DNA of Toxoplasma gondii in mice brain was detected in 6 meat products, indicating its viability (1.1%). Ct values obtained by qPCR in the brains of seropositive mice ranged from 33.10 to 36.04. According to product type, the parasite was viable in 3 dry-cured ham/shoulder samples and in 3 salchichón samples. Statistical analysis showed that none of the variables under consideration detailed on the meat product labels had a significant influence on the viability of the parasite. In conclusion, we found a low prevalence of the infective forms of Toxoplasma gondii in cured meat products, although the risk for consumers cannot be completely excluded. However, scientific monitoring of commercial meat products continues to be necessary in order to provide data for risk assessment of Toxoplasma gondii through the meat industry's Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP-based self-control system). In order to ensure that consumers can make a safe choice among these ready-to-eat products, it is important for food labels to include information on those parameters which are relevant for the survival of the parasite, such as curing times, or freezing treatment of meat used as an ingredient

Dirac field on Moyal-Minkowski spacetime and non-commutative potential scattering

The quantized free Dirac field is considered on Minkowski spacetime (of general dimension). The Dirac field is coupled to an external scalar potential whose support is finite in time and which acts by a Moyal-deformed multiplication with respect to the spatial variables. The Moyal-deformed multiplication corresponds to the product of the algebra of a Moyal plane described in the setting of spectral geometry. It will be explained how this leads to an interpretation of the Dirac field as a quantum field theory on Moyal-deformed Minkowski spacetime (with commutative time) in a setting of Lorentzian spectral geometries of which some basic aspects will be sketched. The scattering transformation will be shown to be unitarily implementable in the canonical vacuum representation of the Dirac field. Furthermore, it will be indicated how the functional derivatives of the ensuing unitary scattering operators with respect to the strength of the non-commutative potential induce, in the spirit of Bogoliubov's formula, quantum field operators (corresponding to observables) depending on the elements of the non-commutative algebra of Moyal-Minkowski spacetime.Comment: 60 pages, 1 figur