4,352 research outputs found

    Keeping watch over Colombia’s slumbering volcanoes

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    The Volcanological and Seismological Observatories of Manizales, Pasto and Popayan (Colombian Geological Survey) monitor and study the active volcanoes of Colombia using seismological, geodetic, geochemical and other techniques. Since 2009, permanent GNSS stations have been installed to complement classical geodetic measurements (e.g., tilt, EDM). At the moment, there are a total of 20 GNSS stations installed at Nevado del Ruiz, Cerro Machín, Puracé and Galeras volcanoes. Nevado del Ruiz has remained the most dynamic of the active Colombian volcanoes since its tragic eruption of 13 November 1985. The most significant deformation occurred between 2007 and 2012, when inflation, associated with magma migration and several small to moderate explosive eruptions in 2012 (VEI less or equal to 3), was observed. Galeras has experienced more than 25 moderate Vulcanian eruptions (VEI less or equal to 3) since 1989. In particular, the deformation network detected significant signals associated with magma migration and the extrusion of lava domes in 1991, 2005, 2008 and 2012. Puracé volcano has been the site of more than 10 minor eruptive episodes (VEI=2) in the past century, most recently in 1977. Monitoring of this volcano started in 1994. Unrest at Puracé since that time has been characterized by significant increases in seismic activity but with little or no deformation. We employ GAMIT/GLOBK to process GPS data from the monitoring network with support from the Volcano Disaster Assistance Program (U.S. Geological Survey). Additionally, differential processing is carried out using the commercial package Trimble 4D Control. Preliminary results for 2012 show no significant deformation at Puracé and Galeras volcanoes. On the other hand, the time series from Nevado del Ruiz shows a minor inflation (2-4 cm/yr) associated with the eruptive activity of 2012

    Mitochondrial Dna Replacement Versus Nuclear Dna Persistence

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    In this paper we consider two populations whose generations are not overlapping and whose size is large. The number of males and females in both populations is constant. Any generation is replaced by a new one and any individual has two parents for what concerns nuclear DNA and a single one (the mother) for what concerns mtDNA. Moreover, at any generation some individuals migrate from the first population to the second. In a finite random time TT, the mtDNA of the second population is completely replaced by the mtDNA of the first. In the same time, the nuclear DNA is not completely replaced and a fraction FF of the ancient nuclear DNA persists. We compute both TT and FF. Since this study shows that complete replacement of mtDNA in a population is compatible with the persistence of a large fraction of nuclear DNA, it may have some relevance for the Out of Africa/Multiregional debate in Paleoanthropology

    Effects of atomic interactions on the resonant tunneling of sodium condensates

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    4noWe investigate the influence of atomic interactions on the tunnelling of sodium condensates across a spatially oscillating optical barrier. In the limit of very fast barrier oscillations, in which resonant tunnelling via a metastable state takes place, the interactions affect the position and lineshape of the transmission peak. We anticipate that the possibility of modulating the interactions in a tunnelling condensate can be exploited to achieve nonlinear effects such as optical limiting and bistability.openopenD. EMBRIACO; M. L. CHIOFALO; M. ARTONI; AND G. C. LA ROCCAD., Embriaco; M. L., Chiofalo; Artoni, Maurizio; AND G. C., LA ROCC

    A Fully Differential Digital CMOS Pulse UWB Generator

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    A new fully-digital CMOS pulse generator for impulse-radio Ultra-Wide-Band (UWB) systems is presented. First, the shape of the pulse which best fits the FCC regulation in the 3.1-5 GHz sub-band of the entire 3.1-10.6 GHz UWB bandwidth is derived and approximated using rectangular digital pulses. In particular, the number and width of pulses that approximate an ideal template is found through an ad-hoc optimization methodology. Then a fully differential digital CMOS circuit that synthesizes the pulse sequence is conceived and its functionality demonstrated through post-layout simulations. The results show a very good agreement with the FCC requirements and a low power consumptio

    Brain mapping in a patient with congenital blindness – A case for multimodal approaches

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    Recent advances in basic neuroscience research across a wide range of methodologies have contributed significantly to our understanding of human cortical electrophysiology and functional brain imaging. Translation of this research into clinical neurosurgery has opened doors for advanced mapping of functionality that previously was prohibitively difficult, if not impossible. Here we present the case of a unique individual with congenital blindness and medically refractory epilepsy who underwent neurosurgical treatment of her seizures. Pre-operative evaluation presented the challenge of accurately and robustly mapping the cerebral cortex for an individual with a high probability of significant cortical re-organization. Additionally, a blind individual has unique priorities in one's ability to read Braille by touch and sense the environment primarily by sound than the non-vision impaired person. For these reasons we employed additional measures to map sensory, motor, speech, language, and auditory perception by employing a number of cortical electrophysiologic mapping and functional magnetic resonance imaging methods. Our data show promising results in the application of these adjunctive methods in the pre-operative mapping of otherwise difficult to localize, and highly variable, functional cortical areas

    Perfluorooctanoic acid alters progesterone activity in human endometrial cells and induces reproductive alterations in young women

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    Female fecundity is finely regulated by hormonal signaling, representing a potential target for endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Among the chemicals of most concern are the perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), widely used in consumer goods, that are associated with adverse effects on reproductive health. In this context, the endometrium clearly represents an important fertility determining factor. The aim of this study was to investigate PFAS interference on hormonal endometrial regulation. This study was performed within a screening protocol to evaluate reproductive health in high schools. We studied a cohort of 146 exposed females aged 18\u201321 from the Veneto region in Italy, one of the four areas worldwide heavily polluted with PFAS, and 1080 non-exposed controls. In experiments on Ishikawa cells included UV\u2013Vis spectroscopy, microarray analysis and qPCR. We report a significant dysregulation of the genetic cascade leading to embryo implantation and endometrial receptivity. The most differentially-expressed genes upon PFOA coincubation were ITGB8, KLF5, WNT11, SULT1E1, ALPPL2 and G0S2 (all p < 0.01). By qPCR, we confirmed an antagonistic effect of PFOA on all these genes, which was reversed at higher progesterone levels. Molecular interference of PFOA on progesterone was confirmed by an increase in the intensity of absorption spectra at 250 nm in a dose-dependent manner, but not in the presence of \u3b2-estradiol. Age at menarche (+164 days, p = 0.006) and the frequency of girls with irregular periods (29.5% vs 21.5%, p = 0.022) were significantly higher in the exposed group. Our results are indicative of endocrine-disrupting activity of PFAS on progesterone-mediated endometrial function

    Prevalence and genotyping of human isolates of Giardia duodenalis from Albania

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    Microscopical and PCR-based techniques were performed in order to investigate the prevalence of infection and the genotypes of Giardia duodenalis from 125 stool samples collected from children living in the urban and the rural areas of Tirana (Albania) and hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis. 7 out of 125 samples resulted positive for Giardia at the microscopic examination (5.6%). In 50 selected samples including the 7 samples positive for Giardia by microscopy, 3 and 15 additional positive samples were detected by immunofluorescence and PCR, respectively. Seasonality appeared as an important parameter to be evaluated in order to better understand the prevalence of infection. Sequence analysis revealed both human Assemblage A and B. This result represents the first data on G. duodenalis genotypes in Albania. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

    Extreme events assessment methodology as a tool for engineering adaptation measures – case study of North Coast of Sao Paulo State (SP)

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    The North Coastal Region of the State of SĂŁo Paulo, which comprises the Municipalities of Caraguatatuba, SĂŁo SebastiĂŁo, Ilhabela and Ubatuba, is one of the Brazilian areas most prone to flooding and debris flow deposition, owing to hydrological extreme rainfall events, usually coupled with extreme tidal levels. The catastrophic scene of the city of Caraguatatuba March 18, 1967, resulting from one of the most serious natural disasters in Brazil, fosters discussions about probabilities of heavy rainfall-caused events and subsequent rise in the sea level in coastal areas. The research is founded on an innovative methodology based on the analysis of past rainfall and tidal station data, complemented with debris flow measurements and coupled with FLO-2D hydrodinamical model. The analysis involved meteorological, hydraulic, geotechnical and statistical knowledge areas applied to the region of the North coastal zone of the State of SĂŁo Paulo (Brazil). The obtained results are a good predictor of the probability of occurrence of certain types of heavy rainfall-caused events such as flooding or debris flow, coupled with a corresponding increase in tidal levels. These practical results are intended to be used for urban planning, designs of macrodrainage, fluvial, maritime projects and debris flow retention structures

    Metrology part 1:definition of quality criteria

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    Any measurement is always afflicted with some degree of uncertainty. A correct understanding of the different types of uncertainty, their naming, and their definition is of crucial importance for an appropriate use of measuring instruments. However, in perioperative and intensive care medicine, the metrological requirements for measuring instruments are poorly defined and often used spuriously. The correct use of metrological terms is also of crucial importance in validation studies. The European Union published a new directive on medical devices, mentioning that in the case of devices with a measuring function, the notified body is involved in all aspects relating to the conformity of the device with the metrological requirements. It is therefore the task of the scientific societies to establish the standards in their area of expertise. Adopting the same understandings and definitions among clinicians and scientists is obviously the first step. In this metrologic review (part 1), we list and explain the most important terms defined by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures regarding quantities and units, properties of measurements, devices for measurement, properties of measuring devices, and measurement standards, with specific examples from perioperative and intensive care medicine

    Metrology part 2:Procedures for the validation of major measurement quality criteria and measuring instrument properties

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    A measurement is always afflicted with some degree of uncertainty. A correct understanding of the different types of uncertainty, their naming, and their definition is of crucial importance for an appropriate use of the measuring instruments. However, in perioperative and intensive care medicine, the metrological requirements for measuring instruments are poorly defined and often used spuriously. The correct use of metrological terms is also of crucial importance in validation studies. The European Union published a new directive on medical devices, mentioning that in the case of devices with a measuring function, the notified body is involved in all aspects relating to the conformity of the device with the metrological requirements. It is therefore the task of scientific societies to establish the standards in their area of expertise. After adopting the same understandings and definitions (part 1), the different procedures for the validation of major quality criteria of measuring devices must be consensually established. In this metrologic review (part 2), we review the terms and definitions of validation, some basic processes leading to the display of an indication from a physiologic signal, and procedures for the validation of measuring instrument properties, with specific focus on perioperative and intensive care medicine including appropriate examples
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