Cap rock efficiency of geothermal systems in fold-and-thrust belts: Evidence from paleo-thermal and structural analyses in Rosario de La Frontera geothermal area (NW Argentina)

Cap rock characterization of geothermal systems is often neglected despite fracturing may reduce its efficiency and favours fluid migration. We investigated the siliciclastic cap rock of Rosario de La Frontera geothermal system (NW Argentina) in order to assess its quality as a function of fracture patterns and related thermal alteration. Paleothermal investigations (XRD on fine-grained fraction of sediments, organic matter optical analysis and fluid inclusions on veins) and 1D thermal modelling allowed us to distinguish the thermal fingerprint associated to sedimentary burial from that related to fluid migration. The geothermal system is hosted in a Neogene N-S anticline dissected by high angle NNW- and ENE-striking faults. Its cap rock can be grouped into two quality categories: • rocks acting as good insulators, deformed by NNW–SSE and E–W shear fractures, NNE-SSW gypsum- and N-S-striking calcite-filled veins that developed during the initial stage of anticline growth. Maximum paleo-temperatures (< 60 °C) were experienced during deposition to folding phases.• rocks acting as bad insulators, deformed by NNW-SSE fault planes and NNW- and WNW-striking sets of fractures associated to late transpressive kinematics. Maximum paleo-temperatures higher than about 115 °C are linked to fluid migration from the reservoir to surface (with a reservoir top at maximum depths of 2.5 km) along fault damage zones.This multi-method approach turned out to be particularly useful to trace the main pathways of hot fluids and can be applied in blind geothermal systems where either subsurface data are scarce or surface thermal anomalies are lacking.Fil: Maffucci, R.. Universita Degli Studi Della Tuscia; Italia. Universita Degli Studi Roma Tre; ItaliaFil: Corrado, Sveva. Universita Degli Studi Roma Tre; ItaliaFil: Aldega, L.. Instituto de Investigaciones Universitarias Roma la Sapienza; ItaliaFil: Bigi, S.. Instituto de Investigaciones Universitarias Roma la Sapienza; ItaliaFil: Chiodi, Agostina Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Investigaciones en Energía no Convencional. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Departamento de Física. Instituto de Investigaciones en Energía no Convencional; ArgentinaFil: Di Paolo, L.. Eni E&P Division; ItaliaFil: Giordano, G.. Universita Degli Studi Roma Tre; ItaliaFil: Invernizzi, C.. Universita Degli Di Camerino; Itali

Theoretical drives about advertising and propaganda in brazilian thesis and dissertations: fertile signs of an underprivileged field

No campo da Comunicação, a pesquisa sobre publicidade e propaganda possui um desenvolvimento tardio e, nesse processo, o papel da teoria é central visto que ela configura, tensiona e caracteriza o objeto de conhecimento. Nesta investigação, o objetivo O objetivo da pesquisa é identificar, nas teses e dissertações sobre publicidade e propaganda apresentadas nos Programas de Pós-Graduação em Comunicação brasileiros em 2019, as principais abordagens teóricas adotadas e a forma pela qual as teorias específicas da comunicação persuasiva são acionadas nos estudos. Discute-se o campo científico da Comunicação, a historicidade das pesquisas na área e os principais conceitos e perspectivas para refletir a publicidade atual. A metodologia da pesquisa é descritiva, de caráter quali-quantitativo, combinando técnicas de pesquisa bibliográfica e análise documental. O corpus é composto por pesquisas brasileiras. recentes sobre publicidade e propaganda, mapeadas entre as teses e dissertações produzidas nos 47 programas de pós-graduação em comunicação no Brasil, em 2019 (dados disponíveis na produção da pesquisa, em 2020). Os resultados apontam a escassez de pesquisas sobre o tema, contemplado em apenas 40 das 766 teses e dissertações concluídas naquele ano no campo da Comunicação. Apesar desse caráter incipiente, observa-se em uma significativa parte dos trabalhos uma preocupação com a instância teórica da pesquisa, seja propondo-se a operacionalizar e aprimorar conceitos já existentes, ou ainda propondo novas noções. Além da natural apropriação de conceitos de áreas circundantes, destaca-se a circulação intensa de conceitos específicos sobre publicidade e propaganda, desenvolvidos recentemente por pesquisadores brasileiros da área, oportunizando o frutífero avanço do campo como espaço de produção coletiva do conhecimento.In the Communication field, research on advertising and propaganda has a late development. The theory’s role is central to this process, as a practice that shapes, stresses and characterize advertising as an object of knowledge. In this investigation, the objective is to identify, in thesis and dissertations about advertising and propaganda presented in the graduate programs in Communication in Brazil in 2019, the main theoretical approaches adopted and the way that persuasive Communication’ specific theories are driven in the studies. The discussion goes by the scientific field of Communication, the historicity of the research and the main concepts and perspectives to reflect current advertising. The research methodology is descriptive, of a qualitative and quantitative nature, with a combination of bibliographic research and documentary analysis. The sources onsist of recent Brazilian research of advertising and propaganda, mapped between the theses and dissertations produced in the 47 graduate programs in Communication in Brazil, in 2019 (data available in the production of the research, in 2020). The results indicate the lack of researches about the subject, covered in only 40 of the 766 theses and dissertations concluded that year in the Communication’s field. Despite this incipient character, a significant part of the research shows a concern with the theoretical instance, whether proposing to operationalize and improve already existing concepts, or even proposing new notions. In addition to the natural appropriation of concepts from other areas, the intense circulation of specific concepts about advertising and propaganda, recently developed by Brazilian researchers in the area, highlights the fruitful advancement of the field as a space for the collective production of knowledge

Acionamentos teóricos sobre publicidade e propaganda nas teses e dissertações brasileiras:: indícios férteis em um campo marginal

In the Communication field, research on advertising and propaganda has a late development. The theory's role is central to this process, as a practice that shapes, stresses and characterize advertising as an object of knowledge. In this investigation, the objective is to identify, in academic researches of advertising and propaganda, the main theoretical approaches adopted and the way that persuasive Communication' specific theories are driven in the studies. The discussion goes by the scientific field of Communication, the historicity of the research and the main concepts and perspectives to reflect current advertising. The research methodology is descriptive, of a qualitative and quantitative nature, with a combination of bibliographic research and documentary analysis. The sources consist of recent Brazilian research of advertising and propaganda, mapped between the theses and dissertations produced in the 47 graduate programs in Communication in Brazil, in 2019 (data available in the production of the research, in 2020). The results indicate the lack of researches about the subject, covered in only 40 of the 766 theses and dissertations concluded that year in the Communication's field. Despite this incipient character, a significant part of the research shows a concern with the theoretical instance, whether proposing to operationalize and improve already existing concepts, or even proposing new notions. In addition to the natural appropriation of concepts from other areas, the intense circulation of specific concepts about advertising and propaganda, recently developed by Brazilian researchers in the area, highlights the fruitful advancement of the field as a space for the collective production of knowledge.No campo da Comunicação, a pesquisa sobre publicidade e propaganda possui um desenvolvimento tardio e, nesse processo, o papel da teoria é central visto que ela configura, tensiona e caracteriza o objeto de conhecimento. Nesta investigação, o objetivo O objetivo da pesquisa é identificar, nas teses e dissertações sobre publicidade e propaganda apresentadas nos Programas de Pós-Graduação em Comunicação brasileiros em 2019, as principais abordagens teóricas adotadas e a forma pela qual as teorias específicas da comunicação persuasiva são acionadas nos estudos. Discute-se o campo científico da Comunicação, a historicidade das pesquisas na área e os principais conceitos e perspectivas para refletir a publicidade atual. A metodologia da pesquisa é descritiva, de caráter quali-quantitativo, combinando técnicas de pesquisa bibliográfica e análise documental. O corpus é composto por pesquisas brasileiras. recentes sobre publicidade e propaganda, mapeadas entre as teses e dissertações produzidas nos 47 programas de pós-graduação em comunicação no Brasil, em 2019 (dados disponíveis na produção da pesquisa, em 2020). Os resultados apontam a escassez de pesquisas sobre o tema, contemplado em apenas 40 das 766 teses e dissertações concluídas naquele ano no campo da Comunicação. Apesar desse caráter incipiente, observa-se em uma significativa parte dos trabalhos uma preocupação com a instância teórica da pesquisa, seja propondo-se a operacionalizar e aprimorar conceitos já existentes, ou ainda propondo novas noções. Além da natural apropriação de conceitos de áreas circundantes, destaca-se a circulação intensa de conceitos específicos sobre publicidade e propaganda, desenvolvidos recentemente por pesquisadores brasileiros da área, oportunizando o frutífero avanço do campo como espaço de produção coletiva do conhecimento

Differentiating Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome from recurrent optic neuritis: a case report and review of the literature concerning Hispanic patients

Abstract Background First recognized at the beginning of twentieth century and named after three authors who independently described some affected patients, Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome is a rare multisystemic autoimmune disease targeting melanin-containing tissues of the eye, meninges, inner ear and skin. It predominantly affects Asian people, but also people with darker skin pigmentation such as Native Americans and Hispanics (Mestizos), whose ancestors moved from Asia across the Bering strait to North America and further down to Central and South America. Heterogenous presentation is observed, especially among different ethnic groups. Here we describe the case of an Hispanic South American patient presenting with multiple visual relapses and thus mimicking recurrent optic neuritis; we provide insights into the differential diagnosis and a brief review of the literature concerning the epidemiology of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome in Hispanic patients compared with other ethnic groups. Case presentation A 34-year-old Ecuadorian woman presented over years with multiple relapses involving the visual system. She was investigated in both neurologic and ophthalmic clinical settings. Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging, cerebrospinal fluid examination, Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography and Fluorescein Angiography were performed. She was misdiagnosed first as an optic neuritis pointing to a demyelinating disorder, then as a posterior scleritis. Due to the protean manifestations of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome and the incomplete clinical presentation at the beginning, the right diagnosis was made only at a later disease stage using retrospective criteria. Conclusions Hispanic patients often present without extraocular symptoms in early phases of the disease and they have globally lower rates of intertegumentary signs compared to Asian patients. The diagnosis of a multisystemic disease such as Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome is a challenge involving specialists operating in different medical fields; especially in urban multiethnic populations, rare etiologies of common symptoms have to be taken into account when performing a differential diagnosis

Genetic diversification of an invasive honey bee ectoparasite across sympatric and allopatric host populations

Invasive parasites are major threats to biodiversity. The honey bee ectoparasite, Varroa destructor, has shifted host and spread almost globally several decades ago. This pest is generally considered to be the main global threat to Western honey bees, Apis mellifera, although the damages it causes are not equivalent in all its new host’s populations. Due to the high virulence of this parasite and the viruses it vectors, beekeepers generally rely on acaricide treatments to keep their colonies alive. However, some populations of A. mellifera can survive without anthropogenic mite control, through the expression of diverse resistance and tolerance traits. Such surviving colonies are currently found throughout the globe, with the biggest populations being found in Sub- Saharan Africa and Latin America. Recently, genetic differences between mite populations infesting surviving and treated A. mellifera colonies in Europe were found, suggesting that adaptations of honey bees drive mite evolution. Yet, the prevalence of such co-evolutionary adaptations in other invasive populations of V. destructor remain unknown. Using the previous data from Europe and novel genetic data from V. destructor populations in South America and Africa, we here investigated whether mites display signs of adaptations to different host populations of diverse origins and undergoing differing management. Our results show that, contrary to the differences previously documented in Europe, mites infesting treated and untreated honey bee populations in Africa and South America are genetically similar. However, strong levels of genetic differentiation were found when comparing mites across continents, suggesting ongoing allopatric speciation despite a recent spread from genetically homogenous lineages. This study provides novel insights into the co-evolution of V. destructor and A. mellifera, and confirms that these species are ideal to investigate coevolution in newly established host- parasite systems.Agencia Nacional de Investigación e InnovaciónPrograma ECOS-Su

Genetic diversification of an invasive honey bee ectoparasite across sympatric and allopatric host populations.

Invasive parasites are major threats to biodiversity. The honey bee ectoparasite, Varroa destructor, has shifted host and spread almost globally several decades ago. This pest is generally considered to be the main global threat to Western honey bees, Apis mellifera, although the damages it causes are not equivalent in all its new host's populations. Due to the high virulence of this parasite and the viruses it vectors, beekeepers generally rely on acaricide treatments to keep their colonies alive. However, some populations of A. mellifera can survive without anthropogenic mite control, through the expression of diverse resistance and tolerance traits. Such surviving colonies are currently found throughout the globe, with the biggest populations being found in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. Recently, genetic differences between mite populations infesting surviving and treated A. mellifera colonies in Europe were found, suggesting that adaptations of honey bees drive mite evolution. Yet, the prevalence of such co-evolutionary adaptations in other invasive populations of V. destructor remain unknown. Using the previous data from Europe and novel genetic data from V. destructor populations in South America and Africa, we here investigated whether mites display signs of adaptations to different host populations of diverse origins and undergoing differing management. Our results show that, contrary to the differences previously documented in Europe, mites infesting treated and untreated honey bee populations in Africa and South America are genetically similar. However, strong levels of genetic differentiation were found when comparing mites across continents, suggesting ongoing allopatric speciation despite a recent spread from genetically homogenous lineages. This study provides novel insights into the co-evolution of V. destructor and A. mellifera, and confirms that these species are ideal to investigate coevolution in newly established host-parasite systems

Brain Abnormalities in Individuals with a Desire for a Healthy Limb Amputation: Somatosensory, Motoric or Both? A Task-Based fMRI Verdict

Body integrity dysphoria (BID), a long-lasting desire for the amputation of physically healthy limbs, is associated with reduced fMRI resting-state functional connectivity of somatosensory cortices. Here, we used fMRI to evaluate whether these findings could be replicated and expanded using a task-based paradigm. We measured brain activations during somatosensory stimulation and motor tasks for each of the four limbs in ten individuals with a life-long desire for the amputation of the left leg and fourteen controls. For the left leg, BID individuals had reduced brain activation in the right superior parietal lobule for somatosensory stimulation and in the right paracentral lobule for the motor task, areas where we previously found reduced resting-state functional connectivity. In addition, for somatosensory stimulation only, we found a robust reduction in activation of somatosensory areas SII bilaterally, mostly regardless of the stimulated body part. Areas SII were regions of convergent activations for signals from all four limbs in controls to a significantly greater extent than in subjects with BID. We conclude that BID is associated with altered integration of somatosensory and, to a lesser extent, motor signals, involving limb-specific cortical maps and brain regions where the first integration of body-related signals is achieved through convergence

Downregulation of hepatic stem cell factor by Vivo-Morpholino treatment inhibits mast cell migration and decreases biliary damage/senescence and liver fibrosis in Mdr2−/− mice

Introduction Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is characterized by increased mast cell (MC) infiltration, biliary damage and hepatic fibrosis. Cholangiocytes secrete stem cell factor (SCF), which is a chemoattractant for c-kit expressed on MCs. We aimed to determine if blocking SCF inhibits MC migration, biliary damage and hepatic fibrosis. Methods FVB/NJ and Mdr2−/− mice were treated with Mismatch or SCF Vivo-Morpholinos. We measured (i) SCF expression and secretion; (ii) hepatic damage; (iii) MC migration/activation and histamine signaling; (iv) ductular reaction and biliary senescence; and (v) hepatic fibrosis. In human PSC patients, SCF expression and secretion were measured. In vitro, cholangiocytes were evaluated for SCF expression and secretion. Biliary proliferation/senescence was measured in cholangiocytes pretreated with 0.1% BSA or the SCF inhibitor, ISK03. Cultured HSCs were stimulated with cholangiocyte supernatant and activation measured. MC migration was determined with cholangiocytes pretreated with BSA or ISK03 loaded into the bottom of Boyden chambers and MCs into top chamber. Results Biliary SCF expression and SCF serum levels increase in human PSC. Cholangiocytes, but not hepatocytes, from SCF Mismatch Mdr2−/− mice have increased SCF expression and secretion. Inhibition of SCF in Mdr2−/− mice reduced (i) hepatic damage; (ii) MC migration; (iii) histamine and SCF serum levels; and (iv) ductular reaction/biliary senescence/hepatic fibrosis. In vitro, cholangiocytes express and secrete SCF. Blocking biliary SCF decreased MC migration, biliary proliferation/senescence, and HSC activation. Conclusion Cholangiocytes secrete increased levels of SCF inducing MC migration, contributing to biliary damage/hepatic fibrosis. Targeting MC infiltration may be an option to ameliorate PSC progression

Mutations of the Mitochondrial-tRNA Modifier MTO1 Cause Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Lactic Acidosis

Dysfunction of mitochondrial respiration is an increasingly recognized cause of isolated hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. To gain insight into the genetic origin of this condition, we used next-generation exome sequencing to identify mutations in MTO1, which encodes mitochondrial translation optimization 1. Two affected siblings carried a maternal c.1858dup (p.Arg620Lysfs∗8) frameshift and a paternal c.1282G>A (p.Ala428Thr) missense mutation. A third unrelated individual was homozygous for the latter change. In both humans and yeast, MTO1 increases the accuracy and efficiency of mtDNA translation by catalyzing the 5-carboxymethylaminomethylation of the wobble uridine base in three mitochondrial tRNAs (mt-tRNAs). Accordingly, mutant muscle and fibroblasts showed variably combined reduction in mtDNA-dependent respiratory chain activities. Reduced respiration in mutant cells was corrected by expressing a wild-type MTO1 cDNA. Conversely, defective respiration of a yeast mto1Δ strain failed to be corrected by an Mto1Pro622∗ variant, equivalent to human MTO1Arg620Lysfs∗8, whereas incomplete correction was achieved by an Mto1Ala431Thr variant, corresponding to human MTO1Ala428Thr. The respiratory yeast phenotype was dramatically worsened in stress conditions and in the presence of a paromomycin-resistant (PR) mitochondrial rRNA mutation. Lastly, in vivo mtDNA translation was impaired in the mutant yeast strains

Sickle cell maculopathy : identification of systemic risk factors, and microstructural analysis of individual retinal layers of the macula

PURPOSE:To identify systemic risk factors for sickle cell maculopathy, and to analyze the microstructure of the macula of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) patients by using automated segmentation of individual retinal layers. METHODS: Thirty consecutive patients with SCD and 30 matched controls underwent spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and automated thickness measurement for each retinal layer; thicknesses for SCD patients were then compared to normal controls. Demographic data, systemic data, and lab results were collected for each SCD patient; multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify potential risk factors for sickle cell maculopathy. RESULTS: Ongoing chelation treatment (p = 0.0187) was the most predictive factor for the presence of sickle cell maculopathy; the odds were 94.2% lower when chelation was present. HbF level tended to influence sickle cell maculopathy (p = 0.0775); the odds decreased by 12.9% when HbF increased by 1%. Sickle cell maculopathy was detected in 43% of SCD patients as patchy areas of retinal thinning on SD-OCT thickness map, mostly located temporally to the macula, especially in eyes with more advanced forms of sickle cell retinopathy (p = 0.003). In comparison to controls, SCD patients had a subtle thinning of the overall macula and temporal retina compared to controls (most p<0.0001), involving inner and outer retinal layers. Thickening of the retinal pigment epithelium was also detected in SCD eyes (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Chronic chelation therapy and, potentially, high levels of HbF are possible protective factors for the presence of sickle cell maculopathy, especially for patients with more advanced forms of sickle cell retinopathy. A subtle thinning of the overall macula occurs in SCD patients and involves multiple retinal layers, suggesting that ischemic vasculopathy may happen in both superficial and deep capillary plexi. Thinning of the outer retinal layers suggests that an ischemic insult of the choriocapillaris may also occur in SCD patients