Weasel exposure to the anticoagulant rodenticide bromadiolone in agrarian landscapes of southwestern Europe

Bromadiolone is an anticoagulant rodenticide (AR) commonly used as a plant protection product (PPP) against rodent pests in agricultural lands. ARs can be transferred trophically to predators/scavengers when they consume intoxicated live or dead rodents. ARs exposure in weasels Mustela nivalis, small mustelids specialized on rodent predation, is poorly known in southern Europe. Moreover, in this species there is no information on bioaccumulation of AR diastereomers e.g., cis- and trans-bromadiolone. Trans-bromadiolone is more persistent in the rodent liver and thus, is expected to have a greater probability of trophic transfer to predators. Here, we report on bromadiolone occurrence, total concentrations and diastereomers proportions (trans- and cis-bromadiolone) in weasels from Castilla y León (north-western Spain) collected in 2010–2017, where bromadiolone was irregularly applied to control outbreaks of common voles Microtus arvalis mainly with cereal grain bait distributed by the regional government. We also tested variables possibly associated with bromadiolone occurrence and concentration, such as individual features (e.g., sex), spatio-temporal variables (e.g., year), and exposure risk (e.g., vole outbreaks). Overall bromadiolone occurrence in weasels was 22% (n = 32, arithmetic mean of concentration of bromadiolone positives = 0.072 mg/kg). An individual showed signs of bromadiolone intoxication (i.e., evidence of macroscopic hemorrhages or hyperaemia and hepatic bromadiolone concentration > 0.1 mg/kg). All the exposed weasels (n = 7) showed only trans-bromadiolone diastereomer in liver, whilst a single analyzed bait from those applied in Castilla y León contained trans- and cis-bromadiolone at 65/35%. Bromadiolone occurrence and concentration in weasels varied yearly. Occurrence was higher in 2012 (100% of weasels), when bromadiolone was widely distributed, compared to 2016–2017 (2016: 20%; 2017: 8.33%) when bromadiolone was exceptionally permitted. The highest concentrations happened in 2014 and 2017, both years with vole outbreaks. Our findings indicate that specialist rodent predators could be exposed to bromadiolone in areas and periods with bromadiolone treatments against vole outbreaks.Francisco Díaz-Ruiz enjoyed a postdoctoral research contract “Juan de la Cierva” (ref: FJCI-2015-24949) from the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry, and Competitiveness and a postdoctoral contract funded by the University of Málaga through the grants programme ‘Ayudas para la Incorporación de Doctores del I Plan Propio de Investigación de la Universidad de Málaga’ (Call 2020). Julio Domínguez was supported by a predoctoral grant: “Programa Talento Formación” funded by Fondo Social Europeo (FSE) and Castilla La Mancha regional government (JCCM) (ref: SBPLY/16/180501/000205).Peer reviewe

Physics-Based Earthquake Simulations in Slow-Moving Faults: A Case Study From the Eastern Betic Shear Zone (SE Iberian Peninsula)

In regions with slow-moving faults, the incompleteness of earthquake and fault data complicates the study of seismic hazard. The instrumental and historical seismic catalogs cover a short period compared with the long-time interval between major events. Paleoseismic evidence allows us to increase the time frame of actual observations, but data is still scarce and imprecise. Physics-based earthquake simulations overcome the limitations of actual earthquake catalogs and generate long-term synthetic seismicity. The RSQSim earthquake simulator used in our study reproduces the earthquake physical processes based on a 3D fault model that contains the kinematics, the long-term slip rates and the rate-and-state friction properties of the main seismogenic sources of a region. The application of earthquake simulations to the Eastern Betic Shear Zone, a slow fault system at southeastern Spain, allows the compilation of 100 kyr-synthetic catalogs of MW > 4.0 events. Multisection earthquakes and complete ruptures of some faults in this region, preferentially on strike-slip dominant ruptures, are possible according to our simulations. The largest MW > 6.5 events are likely as a result of jumping ruptures between the Carboneras and the Palomares faults, with recurrence times of < 20,000 years; and less frequently between the Alhama de Murcia and the Los Tollos faults. A great variability of interevent times is observed between successive synthetic seismic cycles, in addition to the occurrence of complex co-ruptures between faults. Consequently, the occurrence of larger earthquakes, even MW ≥ 7.0, cannot be ruled out, contrasting with the low to moderate magnitudes recorded in the instrumental and historical earthquake catalog

Revelando la geometría en profundidad de las fallas activas que limitan el valle del Guadalentín mediante sísmica de reflexión de alta resolución: resultados preliminares

[EN]: To produce seismic hazard assessments to the current state-of-the-art, it is essential to characterize the active faults in terms of geometry, interrelation and seismotectonic status. The Guadalentin Depression is the main basin within the Eastern Betic Shear Zone, which corresponds to a NE-SW tectonic corridor bounded by the Carrascoy, Alhama de Murcia and Palomares faults, from north to south. Although a number of active tectonics and paleoseismological studies have been carried out in these faults, almost nothing is known about their geometry at depth. To unveil the deep structure, geometry and upper Neogene deformation history of these faults we have carried out a high-resolution seismic reflection survey. The acquired seismic profiles will allow to improve our understanding of the deep geometry of the known active faults (up to 2 km depth), as well as to identify potential buried branches and will help to reduce the uncertainties in seismic hazard assessment.[ES]: Para producir evaluaciones del peligro sísmico actualizadas al estado del arte actual, es esencial caracterizar las fallas activas de una región en términos de geometría, interrelación y estado sismotectónico. La depresión del Guadalentín es la principal cuenca cuaternaria dentro de la Zona de Cizalla de las Béticas Orientales, la cual corresponde a un corredor tectónico con dirección NE-SW delimitado por las fallas de Carrascoy, Alhama de Murcia y Palomares, de norte a sur. Aunque varios estudios de tectónica activa y paleosismología se han centrado en estas fallas, su geometría en profundidad es bastante incierta. Para revelar la estructura profunda, la geometría y el historial de deformación desde el Neógeno superior de estas fallas, hemos llevado a cabo un estudio de sísmica de reflexión de alta resolución. Los perfiles sísmicos adquiridos permitirán mejorar nuestra comprensión de la geometría profunda de las fallas activas conocidas (hasta 2 km de profundidad), así como identificar posibles ramas ciegas, y ayudarán a reducir las incertidumbres en los cálculos de peligrosidad sísmicaHector Perea es un investigador postdoctoral del programa "Atracción de Talento" en la Universidad Complutense de Madrid financiado por la Comunidad de Madrid (2018-T1/AMB-11039). Paula Herrero y Júlia Molins han estado contratadas por el proyecto UNrIDDLE (2018-T1/AMB-11039). Juan Alcalde ha recibido financiación de las ayudas IJC2018-036074-I financiadas por MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033.Peer reviewe

Evidencias de actividad reciente de la Falla de Guaycume, posible fuente generadora del terremoto destructivo de 1917

Trabajo presentado en el XIII Congreso Geológico de América Central, celebrado en San Salvador (El Salvador) del 5 al 9 de junio de 2017Peer reviewe

Zolmitriptan: A Novel Portal Hypotensive Agent Which Synergizes with Propranolol in Lowering Portal Pressure

Objective: Only a limited proportion of patients needing pharmacological control of portal hypertension are hemodynamic responders to propranolol. Here we analyzed the effects of zolmitriptan on portal pressure and its potential interaction with propranolol. Methods: Zolmitriptan, propranolol or both were tested in two rat models of portal hypertension: common bile duct ligation (CBDL) and CCl4-induced cirrhosis. In these animals we measured different hemodynamic parameters including portal venous pressure, arterial renal flow, portal blood flow and cardiac output. We also studied the changes in superior mesenteric artery perfusion pressure and in arterial wall cAMP levels induced by zolmitriptan, propranolol or both. Moreover, we determined the effect of splanchnic sympathectomy on the response of PVP to zolmitriptan. Results: In both models of portal hypertension zolmitriptan induced a dose-dependent transient descent of portal pressure accompanied by reduction of portal flow with only slight decrease in renal flow. In cirrhotic rats, splanchnic sympathectomy intensified and prolonged zolmitriptan-induced portal pressure descent. Also, propranolol caused more intense and durable portal pressure fall when combined with zolmitriptan. Mesenteric artery perfusion pressure peaked for about 1 min upon zolmitriptan administration but showed no change with propranolol. However propranolol enhanced and prolonged the elevation in mesenteric artery perfusion pressure induced by zolmitriptan. In vitro studies showed that propranolol prevented the inhibitory effects of b2-agonists on zolmitriptan-induced vasoconstriction and the combination of propranolol and zolmitriptan significantly reduced the elevation of cAMP caused by b2-agonists. Conclusion: Zolmitriptan reduces portal hypertension and non-selective beta-blockers can improve this effect. Combinati

Neogene Basin Inversion and Recent Slip Rate Distribution of the Northern Termination of the Alhama de Murcia Fault (Eastern Betic Shear Zone, SE Spain)

The Alhama de Murcia Fault is one of the main active structures of the Eastern Betic Shear Zone (SE Spain), characterized by the presence, along its trace, of Neogene basins developed under Early to Late Miocene extensional tectonics. A dominant NNW‐SSE shortening direction is active from Late Miocene driven by the present‐day plate convergence. We present the structural analysis of the northeastern section of this fault, where reliable estimations of slip rates were unknown due to the lack of geomorphological evidence of recent activity. The recent tectonic evolution and reactivation of the northeastern section is closely related to the Fortuna basin development and tectonic inversion. We approach the structural analysis through the interpretation of seismic reflection profiles, well data, fieldwork and 3D geological modeling. We estimated a maximum long‐term slip‐rate of (0.32 +0.18/‐0.13) mm/yr in the Librilla sector (last 4.8‐7.6 Ma), based on cross‐section restorations and assuming current motion trends from GPS data. According to the results from the cross‐sections restored along the section and a vertical displacement analysis based on a 3D model, the slip‐rate distribution shows a decrease of activity toward the northeastern tip of the studied fault section. This supports a transference of deformation between the Alhama de Murcia Fault and the Carrascoy Fault, which seems to absorb part of the shortening during the Plio‐Quaternary, explaining the lower relief created by the activity of the northeastern section. The slip rates obtained have important implications in seismic hazard assessments and in the distribution of deformation along the region