The Farallon-Aluk ridge collision with South America: Implications for the geochemical changes of slab window magmas from fore- to back-arc

The collision of a divergent ocean ridge may evolve into two end cases: in the continuity of ocean-floor subduction, or in the detachment of the subducted plate. The northern Patagonia active plate margin has the unique situation that in Cenozoic time it has been subjected to two divergent ridge collisions, each one representing one of the end members. The Neogene Antarctica-Nazca divergent ridge collision evolved as a continuous ocean-floor subduction system, promoting a magmatic hiatus at the arc axis, the obduction of part of the ridge ocean-floor in the fore-arc, and basaltic volcanism in the back-arc. In contrast, the Paleogene Farallon-Aluk divergent ridge collision evolved into a transform margin, with the detachment and sinking of the Aluk plate and the development of a large slab window. As in the previous case, this collision promoted a magmatic hiatus at the arc axis, but the tectono-magmatic scenario changed to postorogenic synextensional volcanism that spread to the former fore-arc (basalt, andesite, rhyolite) and former back-arc (bimodal ignimbrite flare-up, basalt). Geochemistry of this slab window synextensional volcanism shows more MORB-like basalts towards the former fore-arc, and MORB-OIB-like basalts towards the former back-arc. Instead, an isolated undeformable crustal block in the former back-arc, with an "epeirogenic" response to the slab window and extensional regime, was covered by OIB-type basalts after uplift. Major elements show that slab window basalts reach TiO2 values up to 3 wt%, as compared with the top value of 1.5 wt% of arc magmas. Besides, the MgO with respect to (FeOt + Al2O3) ratio helps to distinguish slab window magma changes from the former fore-arc to the former back-arc and also with respect to the "epeirogenic" block. Higher contents of HFS elements such as Nb and Ta also help to distinguish this slab window from arc magmas and also, to distinguish slab window magma changes from the former fore-arc to the former back-arc and "epeirogenic" block settings. The isotope compositions of slab window magmatism show a disparate coeval array from MORB to crustal sources, interpreted as a consequence of the lack of protracted storage and homogenization due to the extensional setting.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

LDR brachytherapy offers superior tumor control to single-fraction HDR prostate brachytherapy: A prospective study

[Purpose]: To compare the clinical outcomes of single-fraction high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy and single-fraction low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy as the sole treatment for primary prostate cancer. [Material and Methods]: A quasi-randomized study that allocated, from March 2008 to February 2012, 129 low and intermediate risk prostate cancer patients to one single-fraction HDR of 19 Gy (61 patients) or to a 145 Gy 125I LDR permanent implant (68 patients. Biochemical relapse-free survival (bRFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression analysis. [Results]: After a median follow-up of 72 months in the HDR group, 26 patients relapsed, and after a median follow-up of 84 months in the LDR group, 7 patients relapsed (p < 0.0001). The 5-year bRFS was significantly better for the LDR group than for the HDR group (93.7% and 61.1%, respectively) (p < 0.0001). The 5-year OS also was significantly better in the LDR group (95.5% vs. 89.9%) (p = 0.0436). [Conclusions]: Permanent LDR prostate implant brachytherapy offers better clinical outcomes than single-fraction HDR for prostate cancer.Peer reviewe

The Farallon-Aluk ridge collision with South America: Implications for the geochemical changes of slab window magmas from fore- to back-arc

The collision of a divergent ocean ridge may evolve into two end cases: in the continuity of ocean-floor subduction, or in the detachment of the subducted plate. The northern Patagonia active plate margin has the unique situation that in Cenozoic time it has been subjected to two divergent ridge collisions, each one representing one of the end members. The Neogene Antarctica-Nazca divergent ridge collision evolved as a continuous ocean-floor subduction system, promoting a magmatic hiatus at the arc axis, the obduction of part of the ridge ocean-floor in the fore-arc, and basaltic volcanism in the back-arc. In contrast, the Paleogene Farallon-Aluk divergent ridge collision evolved into a transform margin, with the detachment and sinking of the Aluk plate and the development of a large slab window. As in the previous case, this collision promoted a magmatic hiatus at the arc axis, but the tectono-magmatic scenario changed to postorogenic synextensional volcanism that spread to the former fore-arc (basalt, andesite, rhyolite) and former back-arc (bimodal ignimbrite flare-up, basalt). Geochemistry of this slab window synextensional volcanism shows more MORB-like basalts towards the former fore-arc, and MORB-OIB-like basalts towards the former back-arc. Instead, an isolated undeformable crustal block in the former back-arc, with an "epeirogenic" response to the slab window and extensional regime, was covered by OIB-type basalts after uplift. Major elements show that slab window basalts reach TiO2 values up to 3 wt%, as compared with the top value of 1.5 wt% of arc magmas. Besides, the MgO with respect to (FeOt + Al2O3) ratio helps to distinguish slab window magma changes from the former fore-arc to the former back-arc and also with respect to the "epeirogenic" block. Higher contents of HFS elements such as Nb and Ta also help to distinguish this slab window from arc magmas and also, to distinguish slab window magma changes from the former fore-arc to the former back-arc and "epeirogenic" block settings. The isotope compositions of slab window magmatism show a disparate coeval array from MORB to crustal sources, interpreted as a consequence of the lack of protracted storage and homogenization due to the extensional setting.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

The GOGREEN survey : Internal dynamics of clusters of galaxies at redshift 0.9-1.4

Context. The study of galaxy cluster mass profiles (M(r)) provides constraints on the nature of dark matter and on physical processes affecting the mass distribution. The study of galaxy cluster velocity anisotropy profiles (beta (r)) informs the orbits of galaxies in clusters, which are related to their evolution. The combination of mass profiles and velocity anisotropy profiles allows us to determine the pseudo phase-space density profiles (Q(r)); numerical simulations predict that these profiles follow a simple power law in cluster-centric distance.Aims. We determine the mass, velocity anisotropy, and pseudo phase-space density profiles of clusters of galaxies at the highest redshifts investigated in detail to date.Methods. We exploited the combination of the GOGREEN and GCLASS spectroscopic data-sets for 14 clusters with mass M-200 >= 10(14) M-circle dot at redshifts 0.9 = 10(9.5) M-circle dot. We used the MAMPOSSt method to constrain several M(r) and beta (r) models, and we then inverted the Jeans equation to determine the ensemble cluster beta (r) in a non-parametric way. Finally, we combined the results of the M(r) and beta (r) analysis to determine Q(r) for the ensemble cluster.Results. The concentration c(200) of the ensemble cluster mass profile is in excellent agreement with predictions from Lambda cold dark matter (Lambda CDM) cosmological numerical simulations, and with previous determinations for clusters of similar mass and at similar redshifts, obtained from gravitational lensing and X-ray data. We see no significant difference between the total mass density and either the galaxy number density distributions or the stellar mass distribution. Star-forming galaxies are spatially significantly less concentrated than quiescent galaxies. The orbits of cluster galaxies are isotropic near the center and more radial outside. Star-forming galaxies and galaxies of low stellar mass tend to move on more radially elongated orbits than quiescent galaxies and galaxies of high stellar mass. The profile Q(r), determined using either the total mass or the number density profile, is very close to the power-law behavior predicted by numerical simulations.Conclusions. The internal dynamics of clusters at the highest redshift probed in detail to date are very similar to those of lower-redshift clusters, and in excellent agreement with predictions of numerical simulations. The clusters in our sample have already reached a high degree of dynamical relaxation.Peer reviewe

Evaluating the utility of combining high resolution thermal, multispectral and 3D imagery from unmanned aerial vehicles to monitor water stress in vineyards

30 Pág.Purpose: High resolution imagery from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has been established as an important source of information to perform precise irrigation practices, notably relevant for high value crops often present in semi-arid regions such as vineyards. Many studies have shown the utility of thermal infrared (TIR) sensors to estimate canopy temperature to inform on vine physiological status, while visible-near infrared (VNIR) imagery and 3D point clouds derived from red–green–blue (RGB) photogrammetry have also shown great promise to better monitor within-field canopy traits to support agronomic practices. Indeed, grapevines react to water stress through a series of physiological and growth responses, which may occur at different spatio-temporal scales. As such, this study aimed to evaluate the application of TIR, VNIR and RGB sensors onboard UAVs to track vine water stress over various phenological periods in an experimental vineyard imposed with three different irrigation regimes. Methods: A total of twelve UAV overpasses were performed in 2022 and 2023 where in situ physiological proxies, such as stomatal conductance (gs), leaf (Ψleaf) and stem (Ψstem) water potential, and canopy traits, such as LAI, were collected during each UAV overpass. Linear and non-linear models were trained and evaluated against in-situ measurements. Results: Results revealed the importance of TIR variables to estimate physiological proxies (gs, Ψleaf, Ψstem) while VNIR and 3D variables were critical to estimate LAI. Both VNIR and 3D variables were largely uncorrelated to water stress proxies and demonstrated less importance in the trained empirical models. However, models using all three variable types (TIR, VNIR, 3D) were consistently the most effective to track water stress, highlighting the advantage of combining vine characteristics related to physiology, structure and growth to monitor vegetation water status throughout the vine growth period. Conclusion: This study highlights the utility of combining such UAV-based variables to establish empirical models that correlated well with field-level water stress proxies, demonstrating large potential to support agronomic practices or even to be ingested in physically-based models to estimate vine water demand and transpiration.This research was supported by the DATI project (PCI2021-121932) from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (AEI/https://doi.org/10.13039/501100011033) and the PRIMA EU program. This work was also supported by the EO4WUE research project (TED2021-129814B-I00) funded by MCIN/AEI/https://doi.org/10.13039/501100011033 and by the European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR. The authors VBL and IBS were financed by the grant FJC2021-047273-I and FJC2021-047687-1, respectively, funded by MCIN/AEI/https://doi.org/10.13039/501100011033 and European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR, while the authors GMR has been a beneficiary of a FPI fellowship by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Professional Training (PRE2018-083227).Peer reviewe

Evolution of Microscopic Localization in Graphene in a Magnetic Field from Scattering Resonances to Quantum Dots

Graphene is a unique two-dimensional material with rich new physics and great promise for applications in electronic devices. Physical phenomena such as the half-integer quantum Hall effect and high carrier mobility are critically dependent on interactions with impurities/substrates and localization of Dirac fermions in realistic devices. We microscopically study these interactions using scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) of exfoliated graphene on a SiO2 substrate in an applied magnetic field. The magnetic field strongly affects the electronic behavior of the graphene; the states condense into welldefined Landau levels with a dramatic change in the character of localization. In zero magnetic field, we detect weakly localized states created by the substrate induced disorder potential. In strong magnetic field, the two-dimensional electron gas breaks into a network of interacting quantum dots formed at the potential hills and valleys of the disorder potential. Our results demonstrate how graphene properties are perturbed by the disorder potential; a finding that is essential for both the physics and applications of graphene.Comment: to be published in Nature Physic

PDE 7 Inhibitors: New Potential Drugs for the Therapy of Spinal Cord Injury

BACKGROUND: Primary traumatic mechanical injury to the spinal cord (SCI) causes the death of a number of neurons that to date can neither be recovered nor regenerated. During the last years our group has been involved in the design, synthesis and evaluation of PDE7 inhibitors as new innovative drugs for several neurological disorders. Our working hypothesis is based on two different facts. Firstly, neuroinflammation is modulated by cAMP levels, thus the key role for phosphodiesterases (PDEs), which hydrolyze cAMP, is undoubtedly demonstrated. On the other hand, PDE7 is expressed simultaneously on leukocytes and on the brain, highlighting the potential crucial role of PDE7 as drug target for neuroinflammation. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Here we present two chemically diverse families of PDE7 inhibitors, designed using computational techniques such as virtual screening and neuronal networks. We report their biological profile and their efficacy in an experimental SCI model induced by the application of vascular clips (force of 24 g) to the dura via a four-level T5-T8 laminectomy. We have selected two candidates, namely S14 and VP1.15, as PDE7 inhibitors. These compounds increase cAMP production both in macrophage and neuronal cell lines. Regarding drug-like properties, compounds were able to cross the blood brain barrier using parallel artificial membranes (PAMPA) methodology. SCI in mice resulted in severe trauma characterized by edema, neutrophil infiltration, and production of a range of inflammatory mediators, tissue damage, and apoptosis. Treatment of the mice with S14 and VP1.15, two PDE7 inhibitors, significantly reduced the degree of spinal cord inflammation, tissue injury (histological score), and TNF-α, IL-6, COX-2 and iNOS expression. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: All these data together led us to propose PDE7 inhibitors, and specifically S14 and VP1.15, as potential drug candidates to be further studied for the treatment of SCI

Estudio del consumo latinoamericano de frutas y hortalizas locales "Km 0"

La Horticultura, con sus diferentes disciplinas (Horticultura/Olericultura, Fruticultura, Aromáticas-Medicinales y Floricultura), ha cobrado mayor relevancia, a partir de la pandemia por Covid-19, con una mayor valoración de los productos provenientes de cadenas cortas. El objetivo fue evaluar el grado de conocimiento, comportamiento y preferencias de los consumidores latinoamericanos, respecto de la inocuidad, calidad y origen de las frutas y hortalizas (FyH) de cercanía producidas y consumidas en un radio no mayor a 100 Km, diferenciadas con el logo “Km 0”. Se generó una encuesta on line (GoogleForms): Estudio sobre la producción y el consumo latinoamericano de frutas y hortalizas "Km 0",en el marco de vínculos interinstitucionales (UNCPBA, UNMDP, UNSL, UCA e INTA Área CERBAS, de Argentina; UdelaR, Uruguay; UNAL y UniSalle, Colombia; BUAP, México; UFRRJ, Brasil), del 09/03/2022 al 12/07/2022. Los principales temas fueron: Grado de conocimiento de la categoría FyH “Km 0”; Ventajas percibidas; Predisposición a consumirlas y a adquirirlas; Grado de valoración del etiquetado “Km 0”; y de Campañas de difusión; Lugares de compra y cambios desde la pandemia; Valoración de disponer de listados de productores locales de FyH “Km 0”; Conocimiento del lugar de producción, de las FyH y valoración del impulso a las producciones locales; Conocimiento de las BPA; Alimentos adquiridos y Valoración del origen de las FyH consumidas. Las encuestas respondidas fueron 1127. Se detectó desconocimiento de la categoría “Km 0” (60%), bajo consumo de FyH (17% consume 5 ≥ porciones/día) aunque una elevada valoración de FyH en la dieta (80%). Se evidenció la necesidad de capacitaciones y difusión permanente, de la producción y consumo de FyH inocuas y de calidad, en cantidad y diversidad. La pandemia resultó un punto de inflexión a partir del cual los consumidores tomaron conciencia de la importancia del origen de los productos consumidos, prefiriendo FyH locales.Fil: Castagnino, Ana Maria. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Universidad Católica Argentina; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnolológico Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Biotecnología. Laboratorio de Biología Funcional y Biotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Díaz, K. E.. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Marina, Javier Alejandro. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Fernándes, C.. Universidade Federal Rural Do Rio de Janeiro (ufrrj);Fil: Díaz, H. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Bazán, P.. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Rogers, William John. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnolológico Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Biotecnología. Laboratorio de Biología Funcional y Biotecnología; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Rubel, Irene Albertina. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Otaño, Ana Clara. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Fasciglione, Gabriela. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Sur. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Marín Castro, M. A.. Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla; MéxicoFil: Reina, R.. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Galizio, R.. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Cendón, M. L.. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Sur. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Zanelli, G.. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Miranda Lasprilla, D.. Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Sede Bogotá; ColombiaFil: Chaparro, G. M. P.. Universidad de la Salle;Fil: Pérez, E. R.. Universidad Católica Argentina; ArgentinaFil: Yommi, A.. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Sur. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Bastien, E.. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; Argentin