Determinación e incidencia del fondo geoquímico de las pizarras areniscosas del Tremadociense sobre las concentraciones minerales. Zócalo de la rama sur de la Ibérica. (Prov. de Soria y Zaragoza)

The metallogenic study carried out in the upper formations of the Tremadocian on the occidental branch of the bedrock of the Iberian Range, has allowed us to classify as sinsedimentary - epigenetic many of the mineral occurrences of Pb, Cu, Zn, Ag and Sb present. As these occurrences are associated with the sandy shales ("micropsammofilitas-psammitas"), their geochemical background (in Pb, Cu, Zn, Ag and Sb) could be determined as well as their infIuence on the concentration of minerals present. The elements, were anaIysed in more than 240 sandy shales fram: La Alameda (Soria); Embid de Ariza, Bubierca and Pardos (Zaragoza). The background on these clements was shown to be higher than that of the sandstones; compared with the shales, the concentration of Pb and Zn was slightly higher (16-25 p.p.m. and 92-115 p.p.m. respectively) and substantially so in the case of Ag (0.31-0.77 p.p.m.) and Sb (6-15 p.p.m.). The concentration of Cu was the same. The Iines of regression corroborate the evidence of the metallogenic studies. The geochemical metallotect, together with the tectonic and stratigraphical metallotects represent necessary, but not sufficient conditions to justify the mineral concentrations in La Alameda and Bubierca; we must also employ the paleogeographical metallotect resulting in the formation of shallow.El estudio metalogénico realizado en las formaciones superiores dcl Tremadociense, pertenecientes a la rama occidental del zócalo de la Cordillera Ibérica, ha permitido clasificar, como sinsedimentarios-epigenéticos a muchos de los indicios minerales de Pb, Cu, Zn, Ag y Sb. Al ir ligados cstos últimos a pizarras areniscosas (micropsammofilitas-psammitas) se ha determinado el fondo geoquímico (en Pb, Cu, Zn, Ag y Sb) en ellas y la incidencia que tiene sobre las concentraciones minerales. Se analizan estos elementos en más de 240 pizarras arcniscosas procedentes de: La Alameda (Soria); Embid de Ariza, Bubierca y Pardos (Zaragoza). El fondo obtenido para estos elementos es superior al que corresponde a las areniscas; respecto a las pizarras. el fondo es ligeramente superior para el Pb (16-25 p.p.m.) y el Zn (92-115 p.p.m.); muy superior para la Ag (0.31-0.77 p.p.m.) y el Sb (6-15 p.p.m.) y ligeramente del mismo orden para el Cu. Las rectas de regresión confirman los estudios metalogénicos. El metalotecto geoquímico, junto con los metaloctectos tectónico y litoestratigráfico, constitiyen condiciones necesarias para justificar las concentraciones minerales en La Alameda y Bubierca pero no suficientes. debiendo invocar además el metalotecto paleogeográfico relacionado con la formación de un alta fondo

Chapter 7 : Use of Assessments to Inform Educational Policies in French-Speaking Belgium

In French-speaking Belgium, the national assessments developed only lately, and there are not yet national assessments developed by professionals that can be used to evaluate trends. Therefore, the only tools available to rigorously evaluate trends are international assessments. French-speaking Belgium has participated in international assessments since the early 1970s and their results are highly valued by policy-makers. Their level of awareness of the strengths and weaknesses of the education system can be considered as good. However, until recently, the impact of international assessments on education policies has been limited. Only scattered initiatives have been taken. From 2014, an extremely ambitious plan called Pacte pour un enseignement d’excellence has been launched. The Pact tackles most of the systemic weaknesses of the education system in FS Belgium and addresses at the same time structural change (lowering grade repetition, moving to a comprehensive lower secondary education), curricular changes and governance in a long-term perspective. A significant reform of the system of national assessments is currently under discussion

Understanding how space travel affects the female reproductive system to the Moon and beyond

As the space industry grows exponentially and aspirations for space travel expand, we are entering a new era where we will very likely become an interplanetary species. Although reproduction is an essential human function and necessary for species survival, we have remarkably little knowledge regarding the impact of space travel on the female reproductive system. The effects of spaceflight on human reproductive potential, fertility, implantation and subsequent pregnancy resulting in a healthy live birth must be considered before planning prolonged spaceflight missions and the colonization of planets. In this review, we explore what is known and what remains to be learned about the effects of space travel on female reproductive endocrinology. We also delve deeper into reproductive endocrinology and discuss normal physiologic mechanisms at the molecular level to have a better understanding of how it may change during spaceflight. The rigors of spaceflight including radiation, gravitational stressors, and circadian rhythm changes could potentially affect ovulation, fertilization, endometrial receptivity, preimplantation embryo development, embryo implantation, placentation, and pregnancy. Thus, we will examine what is known about spaceflight effects on the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis, ovarian folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis, early embryogenesis, endometrial receptivity, and pregnancy. We further discuss the recent advances in reproductive endocrinology and future research platforms. Establishing a better understanding of the effect of space travel on female reproductive health, as well as developing countermeasures to mitigate adverse effects, are decisive components of our species’ successful transition to an interplanetary one

The comutation of Linking Errors

peer reviewe

Impact of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the efficiency of enhanced recovery programmes after colorectal surgery: a retrospective study of the GRACE database.

peer reviewed[en] BACKGROUND: Multimodal analgesia is considered a key element of enhanced recovery programmes (ERPs) after colorectal surgery. We investigated the effects of NSAIDs, a major component of multimodal analgesia on adherence to ERP, incidence of postoperative complications, and length of hospital stay (LOS). METHODS: This was a retrospective study of the GRACE database that included 8611 patients scheduled for colorectal surgery with an ERP between February 2016 and November 2019. Primary endpoints were adherence to the postoperative protocol, the rate and type of postoperative complications, and LOS. Data are median [IQR] and number (per cent). Multivariate models were used to assess the effects of NSAIDs on these variables taking into account potential confounding factors. RESULTS: Data from 8258 patients were analysed and classified into four groups according to whether NSAIDs had been given intra- and/or postoperatively or not at all; 4578 patients were given NSAIDs intra- and/or postoperatively and 3680 patients received no NSAIDs. Use of NSAIDs was significantly (P<0.001) associated with improved adherence to the postoperative protocol (4.0 [3.0-4.0] vs. 3.0 [2.0-4.0] items), a reduced incidence of complications (21.1% vs. 29.2%), and a shortened LOS (5.0 [3.0-7.0] vs. 6.0 [4.0-9.0] days) compared to the no-NSAIDs group. Multivariate analyses adjusted for the confounding factors confirmed a significant (P<0.001) beneficial impact of NSAIDs on these three primary endpoints. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that perioperative NSAID use results in better adherence to the postoperative protocol, fewer postoperative in-hospital complications, and shorter LOS after colorectal surgery

Myostatin: a Circulating Biomarker Correlating with Disease in Myotubular Myopathy Mice and Patients.

Myotubular myopathy, also called X-linked centronuclear myopathy (XL-CNM), is a severe congenital disease targeted for therapeutic trials. To date, biomarkers to monitor disease progression and therapy efficacy are lacking. The Mtm1 (-/y) mouse is a faithful model for XL-CNM, due to myotubularin 1 (MTM1) loss-of-function mutations. Using both an unbiased approach (RNA sequencing [RNA-seq]) and a directed approach (qRT-PCR and protein level), we identified decreased Mstn levels in Mtm1 (-/y) muscle, leading to low levels of myostatin in muscle and plasma. Myostatin (Mstn or growth differentiation factor 8 [Gdf8]) is a protein released by myocytes and inhibiting muscle growth and differentiation. Decreasing Dnm2 by genetic cross with Dnm2 (+/-) mice or by antisense oligonucleotides blocked or postponed disease progression and resulted in an increase in circulating myostatin. In addition, plasma myostatin levels inversely correlated with disease severity and with Dnm2 mRNA levels in muscles. Altered Mstn levels were associated with a generalized disruption of the myostatin pathway. Importantly, in two different forms of CNMs we identified reduced circulating myostatin levels in plasma from patients. This provides evidence of a blood-based biomarker that may be used to monitor disease state in XL-CNM mice and patients and supports monitoring circulating myostatin during clinical trials for myotubular myopathy