The granites of Galicia used as industrial rock

[Resumen] Se han estudiado todos los tipos de rocas graníticas de la Comunidad Autónoma de Galicia para su utilización como roca industrial: áridos y piedra natural. El mercado de los áridos y la industria de la Piedra Natural son dos subsectores mineros de primer orden, tanto en Galicia como en el resto de España, con producciones globales en granitoides de 10 Mt (millones de toneladas) y un valor anual cercano a los 31.000 Mpts (millones de pesetas) para Galicia. Los tipos litológicos beneficiados son: granitoides inhomogéneos, granitos de dos micas, granitos biot1ticos y ortogneises, cuyas diferencias petrológicas, texturales y mineralógicas van a condicionar su nivel de calidad en uno y otro mercado.[Abstract] We have studied aH the types of granitic rocks of the region of Galicia, for their use as an industrial rock in aggregates and natural stone. The aggregate market and the natural stone industry are very important mining subsection, as much in Galicia as in the rest of Spain, with general granite productions of 10 Mt (millions of tonnes) and 31.000 Mpts (miHions of pesetas) as the annual value in Galicia. The types of mining rocks are: inhomogeneous granite, two mica granite, biotite granite and granite gneiss, whose petrological, textural and mineralogical differences determine their quality level in both uses

Fundamental parameters of the massive eclipsing binary HM1 8

We present a comprehensive study of the massive binary system HM1 8, based on multi-epoch high-resolution spectroscopy, V-band photometry, and archival X-ray data. Spectra from the OWN Survey, a high-resolution optical monitoring of Southern O and WN stars, are used to analyse the spectral morphology and perform quantitative spectroscopic analysis of both stellar components. The primary and secondary components are classified as O4.5 IV(f) and O9.7 V, respectively. From a radial velocity (RV) study, we derived a set of orbital parameters for the system. We found an eccentric orbit (e = 0.14 ± 0.01) with a period of P = 5.87820 ± 0.00008 d. Through the simultaneous analysis of the RVs and the V-band light curve, we derived an orbital inclination of 70.0° ± 2.0 and stellar masses of Ma=33.6+1.4−1.2 M⊙ for the primary, and Mb=17.7+0.5−0.7 M⊙ for the secondary. The components show projected rotational velocities vasin i = 105 ± 14 km s−1 and vbsin i = 82 ± 15 km s−1, respectively. A tidal evolution analysis is also performed and found to be in agreement with the orbital characteristics. Finally, the available X-ray observations show no evidence of a colliding winds region; therefore, the X-ray emission is attributed to stellar winds.Fil: Rodríguez, C. L.. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Ferrero, G. A.. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Benvenuto, Omar Gustavo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Gamen, Roberto Claudio. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Morrell, Nidia Irene. Carnegie Institution For Science; ChileFil: Barbá, Rodolfo. Universidad de La Serena; ChileFil: Arias, J.. Universidad de La Serena; ChileFil: Massey, P.. Department Of Astronomy And Planetary Science; Estados Unidos. Lowell Observatory; Estados Unido

Geoheritage as an educational resource and educational resources as heritage

El presente trabajo muestra una compilación de experiencias didácticas que emplean el patrimonio geológico como herramienta pedagógica en la enseñanza de las materias relacionadas con las Ciencias de la Tierra. El objetivo de todas ellas es acercar al alumnado al conocimiento y comprensión de los procesos que acontecen en nuestro planeta, con la finalidad de lograr un acercamiento y sensibilización hacia los mismos. Las seis propuestas seleccionadas presentan variedad en cuanto al contexto territorial de desarrollo de las actividades, a los contenidos y niveles trabajados (desde Enseñanza Secundaria hasta estudios universitarios) y a las metodologías utilizadas para la transmisión de dichos contenidos. Dentro de esta diversidad pueden distinguirse dos grupos de actividades diferentes. El primero de ellos se basa en el desarrollo de experiencias pedagógicas en localidades cuyas características geológicas resultan modélicas, únicas y/o espectaculares. Por el contrario, el segundo conjunto de actividades se centra en el trabajo de los recursos geológicos presentes en el entorno próximo del centro educativo. En ellas se explota su valor patrimonial, es decir, su potencial didáctico para abordar el estudio de la historia geológica del territorio. A través de las actividades incluidas en este compendio, se evidencia la validez de ambos tipos de aproximaciones y, al mismo tiempo, se debaten y realzan algunas de las virtudes más destacables de cada una de ellas. De esta manera, este catálogo podría resultar útil e inspirador para posibles planteamientos futuros.This manuscript presents a compilation of didactic experiences, which address the teaching of Earth Sciences through the knowledge of geological heritage. The aim of these proposals is to promote students’ comprehension of the Earth processes so that they may develop a positive attitude towards them. The six activities chosen offer a catalogue with a variety of sites, methodologies, contents and levels. Within this variety, the activities shown can be gathered into two separate groups. On the one hand, the first group collects experiences, which use geological heritage, i.e., the experiences are developed in places whose geological content is exemplary, unique and/or spectacular. On the other hand, the second group is focused on the geologic resources in the neighborhood of the school. These sites have heritage value, that is, an educational value for studying the geologic history of their territory. The activities drawn together show that both viewpoints are useful, and the benefits of each are pointed out. Consequently, this catalogue might be useful and inspiring for forthcoming attempts in this field

A new spectroscopic analysis of the massive O + O type binary HD 54662 AB

HD 54662 AB is one of the three O + OB binaries known so far with orbital period longer than 1000 d, offering the opportunity to test scenarios of massive star formation and models of single stellar evolution. Here, we present a detailed study of this system based on new high-resolution spectra and data. A disentangling method is used to recover the individual spectra of the primary and secondary components, which are classified as O6.5 V(n)z and O7.5 Vz, respectively. Combining radial velocity measurements and astrometric data, a new absolute orbit with a period of 2113 ± 9 d and an eccentricity of 0.062 ± 0.008 is determined, confirming previous findings. However, absolute masses of 23.8 ± 1.1 M for the primary and 20.3 ± 1.1 M for the secondary are obtained, differing from previous determinations but in reasonable agreement with the spectral types of the stars. Primary and secondary components show remarkably different projected rotational velocities (160 and 40 km s−1 , respectively), which is probably related to the formation process of the binary. Contrary to previously interpretations, the star with broader spectral features is the most massive object in the system. Stellar and wind parameters of both stars are derived through quantitative spectroscopic analysis of the disentangled spectra using FASTWIND models, and they are consistent with the current calibrations for O-type stars. Evolutionary masses and ages are also computed with the BONNSAI tool. Ages below 2.5 Ma are obtained, in agreement with the youth expected from their Vz nature.Fil: Barba, Rodolfo Héctor. Universidad de La Serena; ChileFil: Sabín Sanjulián, C. Universidad de La Serena; ChileFil: Arias, J. I.. Universidad de La Serena; ChileFil: Gamen, Roberto Claudio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Morrell, Nidia Irene. Observatorio Las Campanas, Carnegie Institution; ChileFil: Ferrero, G. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Maíz Apellániz, Jesús. Csic-Inta. Centro de Astrobiología; EspañaFil: Putkuri, C.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Simón Díaz, S.. Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias; EspañaFil: Boyajian, T. S.. Louisiana State University; Estados UnidosFil: Fullerton, A. W.. Space Telescope Science Institute; Estados UnidosFil: McSwain, M. V.. Lehigh University; Estados Unido

Innate recognition of bacteria in human milk is mediated by a milk-derived highly expressed pattern recognition receptor, soluble CD14.

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Two Novel Point Mutations in Clinical Staphylococcus aureus Reduce Linezolid Susceptibility and Switch on the Stringent Response to Promote Persistent Infection

Staphylococcus aureus frequently invades the human bloodstream, leading to life threatening bacteremia and often secondary foci of infection. Failure of antibiotic therapy to eradicate infection is frequently described; in some cases associated with altered S. aureus antimicrobial resistance or the small colony variant (SCV) phenotype. Newer antimicrobials, such as linezolid, remain the last available therapy for some patients with multi-resistant S. aureus infections. Using comparative and functional genomics we investigated the molecular determinants of resistance and SCV formation in sequential S. aureus isolates from a patient who had a persistent and recurrent S. aureus infection, after failed therapy with multiple antimicrobials, including linezolid. Two point mutations in key staphylococcal genes dramatically affected clinical behaviour of the bacterium, altering virulence and antimicrobial resistance. Most strikingly, a single nucleotide substitution in relA (SACOL1689) reduced RelA hydrolase activity and caused accumulation of the intracellular signalling molecule guanosine 3′, 5′-bis(diphosphate) (ppGpp) and permanent activation of the stringent response, which has not previously been reported in S. aureus. Using the clinical isolate and a defined mutant with an identical relA mutation, we demonstrate for the first time the impact of an active stringent response in S. aureus, which was associated with reduced growth, and attenuated virulence in the Galleria mellonella model. In addition, a mutation in rlmN (SACOL1230), encoding a ribosomal methyltransferase that methylates 23S rRNA at position A2503, caused a reduction in linezolid susceptibility. These results reinforce the exquisite adaptability of S. aureus and show how subtle molecular changes cause major alterations in bacterial behaviour, as well as highlighting potential weaknesses of current antibiotic treatment regimens

Recovery of dialysis patients with COVID-19 : health outcomes 3 months after diagnosis in ERACODA

Background. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related short-term mortality is high in dialysis patients, but longer-term outcomes are largely unknown. We therefore assessed patient recovery in a large cohort of dialysis patients 3 months after their COVID-19 diagnosis. Methods. We analyzed data on dialysis patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from 1 February 2020 to 31 March 2021 from the European Renal Association COVID-19 Database (ERACODA). The outcomes studied were patient survival, residence and functional and mental health status (estimated by their treating physician) 3 months after COVID-19 diagnosis. Complete follow-up data were available for 854 surviving patients. Patient characteristics associated with recovery were analyzed using logistic regression. Results. In 2449 hemodialysis patients (mean ± SD age 67.5 ± 14.4 years, 62% male), survival probabilities at 3 months after COVID-19 diagnosis were 90% for nonhospitalized patients (n = 1087), 73% for patients admitted to the hospital but not to an intensive care unit (ICU) (n = 1165) and 40% for those admitted to an ICU (n = 197). Patient survival hardly decreased between 28 days and 3 months after COVID-19 diagnosis. At 3 months, 87% functioned at their pre-existent functional and 94% at their pre-existent mental level. Only few of the surviving patients were still admitted to the hospital (0.8-6.3%) or a nursing home (∼5%). A higher age and frailty score at presentation and ICU admission were associated with worse functional outcome. Conclusions. Mortality between 28 days and 3 months after COVID-19 diagnosis was low and the majority of patients who survived COVID-19 recovered to their pre-existent functional and mental health level at 3 months after diagnosis