Rapid regional surface uplift of the northern Altiplano plateau revealed by multiproxy paleoclimate reconstruction

The central Altiplano is inferred to have experienced ∼2.5±1km surface uplift between ∼10 and 6 Ma, while the southern Altiplano experienced a similar magnitude of surface uplift that began earlier, between ∼16 and 9 Ma. To properly constrain the along strike timing of the Altiplano plateau surface uplift, it is necessary to know how and when the northernmost part of the Altiplano plateau evolved. We reconstruct the paleoclimate and infer the corresponding paleoelevation from the Miocene–Pliocene deposits of the Descanso–Yauri basin (14–15°S) in the northernmost part of the Altiplano plateau using 4 different proxies, including carbonate clumped isotope composition (i.e., Δ_(47) values), carbonate δ^(18)O_c, leaf wax δD_(wax) and pollen assemblages from paleosol, lacustrine and palustrine carbonates and organic-rich sediments. The isotopic signatures reflect past climate conditions of mean annual air temperature (Δ_(47)) and meteoric water isotope values (δ^(18)O_c, δD_(wax)). Our results show that the northernmost plateau remained at low elevation (0.9±0.8 to 2.1±0.9km) until late Miocene time (∼9 Ma) characterized by ∼15 °C warmer than modern temperature (mean annual air temperature of 23±4°C, 2σ), low elevation vegetation and precipitation signature with reconstructed □ δ^(18)O_(mw) (VSMOW) of −8.3±2.0‰(2σ) from carbonate (δ^(18)O_c) and −8.6±1.8‰(2σ) from leaf wax (δD_(wax)). Modern elevations of 4 km were not reached until 5.4±1.0Ma, as indicated by a negative shift in δD_(wax) (VSMOW) from −143.4±12.8‰(2σ) to −209.2±21.1‰(2σ) between 9.1±0.7 and 5.4±1.0Ma. The timing of surface uplift of the northernmost Altiplano is consistent with the evidence for late Miocene surface uplift of the central Altiplano (16–19°S) between 10 and 6 Ma, and indicates that regional scale uplift in the northern–central plateau significantly postdates the onset of surface uplift in the southern Altiplano (19–22°S) between ∼16 and 9 Ma. These results are consistent with piecemeal removal of the lower dense lithosphere, combined with possible lower/middle crustal flow from south to north in the plateau acting as the main mechanisms for the formation of the Altiplano plateau

La violencia intrafamiliar en contextos de COVID-19: realidades del amparo institucional a sujetos de especial protección en escenarios de emergencia

El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la protección real y efectiva del Estado a las víctimas de violencia intrafamiliar como sujetos de especial protección: mujeres y menores de edad, en contextos de pandemia, tratando de evidenciar la problemática suscitada desde el confinamiento, las medidas de protección tomadas por Estado, y su revisión de control de constitucionalidad, para luego establecer la efectividad de las medidas adoptadas. Esta es una investigación de corte cualitativo con un enfoque hermenéutico, que tiene como propósito describir, comprender e interpretar la realidad, los grupos sociales y los individuos, en el contexto de procesos sociales ‒violencia intrafamiliar, medidas de aislamiento, pandemia del Covid-19, medidas institucionales de atención‒, mediante la interpretación de los fenómenos singulares: teorías, normas jurídicas, decisiones judiciales, decisiones institucionales. Se concluye que si bien las medidas legislativas adoptadas para conjurar la crisis podrían ser un no solo para solucionar el problema propuesto, sino también para corregir los problemas de antaño que acompañan a la institucionalidad, soluciones que van más allá de un planteamiento formalista sin efectividad clara, puesto que no incluye la asignación presupuestal y de capacidades necesaria para atender la crisis

Efecto de la reducción del peso molecular de quitosano obtenido de plumas de pota (Dosidicus gigas) utilizando dos métodos de despolimerización sobre su capacidad antimicrobiana

En esta investigación se obtuvo quitosano de diferente peso molecular (MW), usando ultrasonido con tiempos de exposición de 30, 60 y 90 minutos a una temperatura de 30, 45 y 60 °C, e irradiación ultravioleta (UV) con tiempos de exposición de 1, 2 y 3 minutos en presencia de peróxido de hidrogeno (H2O2) a concentraciones de 1, 2 y 3 %, como métodos de despolimerización del quitosano nativo extraído de la pluma de Dosidicus gigas (pota o calamar gigante), con un grado de desacetilación de 85,5 % y un peso molecular equivalente a 1 0554 78 Da. El tratamiento con ultrasonido a 40 kHz no generó una variación significativa en el Mw del quitosano, sin embargo, en el tratamiento con irradiación UV+H2O2 por 2 y 3 minutos se observó una disminución significativa del Mw hasta 431 536 Da. Se evaluó también la capacidad antimicrobiana (AC) del quitosano con diferente Mw frente a Staphilococus aureus (bacteria Gram positiva) y Klebsiella oxytoca (bacteria Gram negativa). El análisis de la AC refleja que para S. aureus la inhibición es estadísticamente igual, asimismo el quitosano sonicado por 30 minutos a 30 y 45 °C y el quitosano irradiado por 3 minutos con H2O2 al 3 %, generan inhibición significativa frente a K. oxytoca

Rapid regional surface uplift of the northern Altiplano plateau revealed by multiproxy paleoclimate reconstruction

The central Altiplano is inferred to have experienced ∼2.5±1km surface uplift between ∼10 and 6 Ma, while the southern Altiplano experienced a similar magnitude of surface uplift that began earlier, between ∼16 and 9 Ma. To properly constrain the along strike timing of the Altiplano plateau surface uplift, it is necessary to know how and when the northernmost part of the Altiplano plateau evolved. We reconstruct the paleoclimate and infer the corresponding paleoelevation from the Miocene–Pliocene deposits of the Descanso–Yauri basin (14–15°S) in the northernmost part of the Altiplano plateau using 4 different proxies, including carbonate clumped isotope composition (i.e., Δ_(47) values), carbonate δ^(18)O_c, leaf wax δD_(wax) and pollen assemblages from paleosol, lacustrine and palustrine carbonates and organic-rich sediments. The isotopic signatures reflect past climate conditions of mean annual air temperature (Δ_(47)) and meteoric water isotope values (δ^(18)O_c, δD_(wax)). Our results show that the northernmost plateau remained at low elevation (0.9±0.8 to 2.1±0.9km) until late Miocene time (∼9 Ma) characterized by ∼15 °C warmer than modern temperature (mean annual air temperature of 23±4°C, 2σ), low elevation vegetation and precipitation signature with reconstructed □ δ^(18)O_(mw) (VSMOW) of −8.3±2.0‰(2σ) from carbonate (δ^(18)O_c) and −8.6±1.8‰(2σ) from leaf wax (δD_(wax)). Modern elevations of 4 km were not reached until 5.4±1.0Ma, as indicated by a negative shift in δD_(wax) (VSMOW) from −143.4±12.8‰(2σ) to −209.2±21.1‰(2σ) between 9.1±0.7 and 5.4±1.0Ma. The timing of surface uplift of the northernmost Altiplano is consistent with the evidence for late Miocene surface uplift of the central Altiplano (16–19°S) between 10 and 6 Ma, and indicates that regional scale uplift in the northern–central plateau significantly postdates the onset of surface uplift in the southern Altiplano (19–22°S) between ∼16 and 9 Ma. These results are consistent with piecemeal removal of the lower dense lithosphere, combined with possible lower/middle crustal flow from south to north in the plateau acting as the main mechanisms for the formation of the Altiplano plateau

Gene expression profiling in whole blood of patients with coronary artery disease

Owing to the dynamic nature of the transcriptome, gene expression profiling is a promising tool for discovery of disease-related genes and biological pathways. In the present study, we examined gene expression in whole blood of 12 patients with CAD (coronary artery disease) and 12 healthy control subjects. Furthermore, ten patients with CAD underwent whole-blood gene expression analysis before and after the completion of a cardiac rehabilitation programme following surgical coronary revascularization. mRNA and miRNA (microRNA) were isolated for expression profiling. Gene expression analysis identified 365 differentially expressed genes in patients with CAD compared with healthy controls (175 up- and 190 down-regulated in CAD), and 645 in CAD rehabilitation patients (196 up- and 449 down-regulated post-rehabilitation). Biological pathway analysis identified a number of canonical pathways, including oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial function, as being significantly and consistently modulated across the groups. Analysis of miRNA expression revealed a number of differentially expressed miRNAs, including hsa-miR-140-3p (control compared with CAD, P=0.017), hsa-miR-182 (control compared with CAD, P=0.093), hsa-miR-92a and hsa-miR-92b (post- compared with pre-exercise, P<0.01). Global analysis of predicted miRNA targets found significantly reduced expression of genes with target regions compared with those without: hsa-miR-140-3p (P=0.002), hsa-miR-182 (P=0.001), hsa-miR-92a and hsa-miR-92b (P=2.2×10−16). In conclusion, using whole blood as a ‘surrogate tissue’ in patients with CAD, we have identified differentially expressed miRNAs, differentially regulated genes and modulated pathways which warrant further investigation in the setting of cardiovascular function. This approach may represent a novel non-invasive strategy to unravel potentially modifiable pathways and possible therapeutic targets in cardiovascular disease

Common Variation in ISL1 Confers Genetic Susceptibility for Human Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth abnormality and the etiology is unknown in the overwhelming majority of cases. ISLET1 (ISL1) is a transcription factor that marks cardiac progenitor cells and generates diverse multipotent cardiovascular cell lineages. The fundamental role of ISL1 in cardiac morphogenesis makes this an exceptional candidate gene to consider as a cause of complex congenital heart disease. We evaluated whether genetic variation in ISL1 fits the common variant–common disease hypothesis. A 2-stage case-control study examined 27 polymorphisms mapping to the ISL1 locus in 300 patients with complex congenital heart disease and 2,201 healthy pediatric controls. Eight genic and flanking ISL1 SNPs were significantly associated with complex congenital heart disease. A replication study analyzed these candidate SNPs in 1,044 new cases and 3,934 independent controls and confirmed that genetic variation in ISL1 is associated with risk of non-syndromic congenital heart disease. Our results demonstrate that two different ISL1 haplotypes contribute to risk of CHD in white and black/African American populations

Dark sectors 2016 Workshop: community report

This report, based on the Dark Sectors workshop at SLAC in April 2016, summarizes the scientific importance of searches for dark sector dark matter and forces at masses beneath the weak-scale, the status of this broad international field, the important milestones motivating future exploration, and promising experimental opportunities to reach these milestones over the next 5-10 years

The first horse herders and the impact of early Bronze Age steppe expansions into Asia.

The Yamnaya expansions from the western steppe into Europe and Asia during the Early Bronze Age (~3000 BCE) are believed to have brought with them Indo-European languages and possibly horse husbandry. We analyzed 74 ancient whole-genome sequences from across Inner Asia and Anatolia and show that the Botai people associated with the earliest horse husbandry derived from a hunter-gatherer population deeply diverged from the Yamnaya. Our results also suggest distinct migrations bringing West Eurasian ancestry into South Asia before and after, but not at the time of, Yamnaya culture. We find no evidence of steppe ancestry in Bronze Age Anatolia from when Indo-European languages are attested there. Thus, in contrast to Europe, Early Bronze Age Yamnaya-related migrations had limited direct genetic impact in Asia

Challenges and innovations for improving the resilience of European agroforestry systems of high nature and cultural value: a stakeholder perspective

Traditional forms of agroforestry are often recognized as exemplar systems that successfully integrate food production, biodiversity conservation and high cultural values. However many traditional agroforestry systems in Europe are in decline or are threatened and the perspectives of local stakeholders on the production, management, socio-economic, and environmental dimensions of such systems are not fully understood. To fill this gap, we present results of participatory research performed with ten stakeholder groups (SG) across Europe to search for solutions to improve the economic and ecological sustainability of High Nature and Cultural Value agroforestry systems (HNCV agroforestry). Stakeholders included both users and beneficiaries of the HNCV agroforestry. First, SGs held open discussions (227 participants) to identify major challenges for the long-term sustainability of HNCV agroforestry. Challenges were classified into production, management, socio-economic and the environment categories. Second, they responded to structured questionnaires (120 respondents) that explored the positive and negative perceptions of 45 possible attributes of HNCV agroforestry. Third, innovative solutions were identified by individual and group discussions to address the four categories of challenge. Challenges were mostly identified for the management and socio-economic categories, but several challenges concerning production and environment were also pinpointed. Besides, solutions matched poorly with the challenges identified, and, while challenges were at some extent common across countries, solutions to address them were more case-specific. The successful implementation of these solutions requires an in-depth understanding of the diversity of socio-cultural and natural contexts of the HNCV agroforestry systems and building bottom-up proposals and collective actions based on this understanding. The sustainability of HNCV agroforestry would be benefited by providing farmers and managers with a financial advantage from the high nature and cultural value of these systems

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London