Geometric approach to non-relativistic Quantum Dynamics of mixed states

In this paper we propose a geometrization of the non-relativistic quantum mechanics for mixed states. Our geometric approach makes use of the Uhlmann's principal fibre bundle to describe the space of mixed states and as a novelty tool, to define a dynamic-dependent metric tensor on the principal manifold, such that the projection of the geodesic flow to the base manifold gives the temporal evolution predicted by the von Neumann equation. Using that approach we can describe every conserved quantum observable as a Killing vector field, and provide a geometric proof for the Poincare quantum recurrence in a physical system with finite energy levels.Comment: 19 pages, 1 figure. Minor corrections. Accepted to Journal of Mathematical Physic

Revisión de las colecciones de rocas riolíticas catalanas del Museu de Geologia y de la Facultat de Geologia de la Universitat de Barcelona

The Museu de Geologia de Barcelona and the Faculty of Geology of the University of Barcelona own twin collections of rhyolitic volcanic rocks from the Catalonian Pyrenees, permo-carboniferous in age. Samples of these collections are currently exposed in the museum and used for didactic purposes at the university (petrography and hand sample studies). This revision corroborates that the collections have a initial common origin in the San Miguel de la Cámara collection (1934). The university' collection consists of lavic rocks from the Gréixer-Coll de Pi sector, rhyolitic in composition, and with textural evidence (perlitic textures, skeletal phenocrysts, thermal shocked quartz, etc.) of magma-water interaction during the mise-en-place process. Despite of their age these rocks show fine preservation of the original textural features, but they seem unadequate for didactic purposes in introductory courses of petrography because of several facts (peraluminous character expressed in phenocrysts, presence of specific textures of magma-water interaction, advanced stage of devetrification and silicification, etc.). These samples seem more idoneous for advanced didactic purposes (second cycle or PhD level studies). The Museu de Geologia contains two groups of samples: the aforementioned lavic rocks, and pyroclastic rocks from several localities of the catalonian Pyrenees. The pyroclastic rocks offer evidence of their character related to explosive volcanism (shards, pumice, crystal fragments, etc.) but they are deeply transformed and therefore inadequated for didactic purposes. Most of the thin slides are in fact too thick to allow a correct study of pyroclastic textures. The petrographic features allow us to suspect not only rhyolitic terms but also rhyodacitic and dacitic ones. The available data (bibliography and this study) shows some inconsistences in the current interpretation of the lavic silicic rocks. We offer a synthetic tentative explanation that could be tested in future research. Key words: volcanic rock, Upper Paleozoic, Catalonian Pyrenees, rhyolite, subaqueous environment, didactics, Museu de Geologia de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain.El Museu de Geologia de Barcelona y la Facultat de Geologia de la Universitat de Barcelona poseen sendas colecciones 'gemelas' de rocas volcánicas riolíticas de edad permo-carbonífera, procedentes del Pirineo catalán. Algunas muestras forman parte de la exposición permanente del museo y muchas de las de la colección universitaria son utilizadas regularmente en la didáctica de petrología ígnea en la universidad (petrografía y muestras de mano). Esta revisión permite confirmar la inicial procedencia común de ambas colecciones en la inicial de San Miguel de la Cámara (1934). La colección universitaria está constituida por rocas lávicas del sector de Gréixer-Coll de Pi, son riolitas, y presentan evidencias texturales claras de emplazamiento en medio subacuático (texturas perlíticas, fenocristales esqueléticos, fenocristales de cuarzo afectados de choque térmico, etc.). A pesar de su edad presentan un excelente estado de conservación de sus texturas, pero algunas de sus características (carácter peralumínico expresado en los fenocristales, texturas excesivamente específicas de interacción agua-magma, avanzado estado de desvitrificación y silicificación, etc.) desaconsejan su empleo didáctico en cursos introductorios de petrología ígnea y sugieren que su desplazamiento hacia cursos más avanzados (segundo ciclo o doctorado) sería más adecuado. El Museu de Geologia posee dos tipos de muestras: las lávicas antes descritas, y un segundo grupo de tipo piroclástico procedente de diferentes localidades del Pirineo catalán. Las rocas piroclásticas ofrecen evidencias inequívocas de su carácter genético (volcanismo explosivo), tales como presencia de pumitas, shards, fragmentos de cristales, etc. Sin embargo, han sufrido transformaciones importantes que las hacen inadecuadas en usos didácticos. Por otra parte, la mayoría de las láminas estudiadas son excesivamente gruesas, lo que impide un correcto estudio de las texturas piroclásticas. Las características petrográficas sugieren que existen términos riodacíticos y dacíticos además de los riolíticos. Finalmente, el conjunto de datos disponibles al final del estudio muestra que existen inconsistencias en la interpretación comúnmente aceptada para las rocas lávicas. Se ofrece en el trabajo una solución de compromiso compatible con las evidencias conocidas, que debe ser entendida como una hipótesis a corroborar en futuras investigaciones. Palabras clave: roca volcánica, Paleozoico Superior, Pirineo catalán, riolita, ambiente subacuático, didáctica, Museu de Geologia de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona. España

Genomic variation and population structure detected by single nucleotide polymorphism arrays in Corriedale, Merino and Creole sheep.

THE AIM OF THIS STUDY WAS TO INVESTIGATE THE GENETIC DIVERSITY WITHIN AND AMONG THREE BREEDS OF SHEEP: Corriedale, Merino and Creole. Sheep from the three breeds (Merino n = 110, Corriedale n = 108 and Creole n = 10) were genotyped using the Illumina Ovine SNP50 beadchip(®). Genetic diversity was evaluated by comparing the minor allele frequency (MAF) among breeds. Population structure and genetic differentiation were assessed using STRUCTURE software, principal component analysis (PCA) and fixation index (FST). Fixed markers (MAF = 0) that were different among breeds were identified as specific breed markers. Using a subset of 18,181 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), PCA and STUCTURE analysis were able to explain population stratification within breeds. Merino and Corriedale divergent lines showed high levels of polymorphism (89.4% and 86% of polymorphic SNPs, respectively) and moderate genetic differentiation (FST = 0.08) between them. In contrast, Creole had only 69% polymorphic SNPs and showed greater genetic differentiation from the other two breeds (FST = 0.17 for both breeds). Hence, a subset of molecular markers present in the OvineSNP50 is informative enough for breed assignment and population structure analysis of commercial and Creole breeds

Accidental poisoning with Wedelia glauca (“sunchillo”) in a bull confirmed by analysis of rumen content

Wedelia glauca is an invasive, perennial plant of the Asteraceae family native to South America. Its toxicity is attributed to the presence of a hepatotoxic terpenoid known as atractyloside, a powerful inhibitor of cellular respiration and ATP synthesis. Cattle are the most frequently poisoned species, and the course of this poisoning is hyperacute or acute. Occasionally, it is possible to find fragments of plants in the rumen contents and indentify the dermis structure of the plants, as they do not undergo significant changes in spite of the mechanic and enzymatic activities occurring in the rumen. The macroscopic and microscopic anatomopathologic findings of a natural Wedelia glauca poisoning case in a Hereford bull are reported. It was confirmed by micrographic analysis of plant fragments found in the rumen contents and also in bales used to feed those animals

Aplicación para usuarios intolerantes a la fructosa

[EN] La intolerancia a la fructosa, a diferencia de la intolerancia a lactosa o al gluten, no dispone del etiquetado adecuado y específico en los productos comerciales. Por ello, el presente trabajo pretende solventar este problema mediante el desarrollo de una aplicación capaz de, analizando una fotografía de los ingredientes de un producto, indicar si el mismo es adecuado o no para los diferentes niveles de intolerancia a fructosa. Por otra parte, también incluirá un listado de alimentos ordenados por cantidad de fructosa por cada 100 gramos de alimento en el que el usuario pueda buscar directamente un producto (natural o procesado) y comprobar si su composición hace que sea adecuado para la intolerancia a la fructosa o no, indicándose mediante un código de colores tipo semáforo. La aplicación final es capaz de proporcionar una ayuda a usuarios que padezcan este tipo de intolerancia alimentaria, facilitándoles el reconocimiento de aquellos productos que contengan fructosa en alguno de sus ingredientes o edulcorantes, y funcionando con todo tipo de productos, incluso aquellos nuevos que se lancen al mercado.N. Ortigosa agradece el apoyo de la Generalitat Valenciana con el proyecto Prometeo/2017/102 y del MINECO con el proyecto MTM2016-76647-P.Gimeno Tébar, M.; Ortigosa, N. (2020). Aplicación para usuarios intolerantes a la fructosa. Sociedad Española de Ingeniería Biomédica. 125-128. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/178260S12512

Synthesis and stability of Pt3Co and Pt0.7≤X≤1Co films voltammetrically activated in acidic medium for methanol fuel cell application

Pt-Co thin films have been prepared by means of electrodeposition method, due to the interest of this alloy as catalyst in acid fuel cells. As the stability of the catalyst is fundamental to consider its applicability, the behavior of the films as a function of the composition during voltammetry activation in acidic medium has been studied. The Pt3Co films show high stability, maintaining their morphology, X-ray diffraction profile, composition and high surface area, and show good catalytic behaviour for methanol electro-oxidation in acidic medium. However, the Pt0.7≤x≤1Co films present low stability and evolve during the test to flatter films of lower effective area and Pt3Co stoichiometry, by losing cobalt. Only Pt-Co electrodeposited films of defined compositions show the enough stability and properties to be used as good materials for electro-oxidation processes in acidic media

Study of biochemical substrate and role of metalloproteinases in fascia transversalis from hernial processes

The aim of this study was to examine the fascia transversalis (FT) from patients with direct and indirect hernia in an attempt to identify possible differences between each type of hernia. FT samples were obtained from 36 patients presenting inguinal hernia (23 indirect hernia and 13 direct hernia) who underwent surgery. We have analysed the ultrastructure of the fascia surrounding the hernial lesions, the proline and lysine hydroxylation in the tissue, the type I-type III collagen ratio and the presence of metalloproteinases. We have not detected ultrastructural differences in the collagen fibrils from FT in direct and indirect hernias. However, the interfibrillar matrix was more abundant in direct hernias, showing abundant electron-dense particles. No differences in proline hydroxylation were observed between each type of hernia. A small decrease in lysine hydroxylation was detected in patients with direct hernia. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) showed no statistically significant differences in the type I-type III collagen absorbance ratios. Immunohistochemistry revealed no differences in the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1. FT from patients presenting direct hernia showed a very strong staining vs. metalloproteinase-2 when compared with that observed in indirect hernia

Luminescent Bimetallic IrIII /AuI Peptide Bioconjugates as Potential Theranostic Agents

Diverse iridium peptide bioconjugates and the corresponding iridium/gold bimetallic complexes have been synthesized starting from a cyclometallated carboxylic acid substituted IrIII complex [Ir(ppy)2 (Phen-5-COO)] by solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). The selected peptide sequences were an enkephalin derivative Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu together with the propargyl-substituted species Tyr-Gly-Pgl-Phe-Leu to allow gold coordination (Pgl: propyrgyl-glycine, HC=C-Gly), and a specific short peptide, Ala-Cys-Ala-Phen, containing a cysteine residue. Introduction of the gold center has been achieved via a click reaction with the alkynyl group leading to an organometallic Au-C(triazole) species, or by direct coordination to the sulfur atom of the cysteine. The photophysical properties of these species revealed predominantly an emission originating from the Ir complex, using mixed metal-to-ligand and ligand-to-ligand charge transfer excited states of triplet multiplicity. The formation of the peptide bioconjugates caused a systematic redshift of the emission profiles. Lysosomal accumulation was observed for all the complexes, in contrast to the expected mitochondrial accumulation triggered by the gold complexes. Only the cysteine-containing Ir/Au bioconjugate displayed cytotoxic activity. The absence of activity may be related to the lack of endosomal/lysosomal escape for the cationic peptide conjugates. Interestingly, the different coordination sphere of the gold atom may play a crucial role, as the Au-S(cysteine) bond may be more readily cleaved in a biological environment than the Au-C(triazole) bond, and thus the Au fragment could be released from or trapped in the lysosomes, respectively. This work represents a starting point in the development of bimetallic peptide bioconjugates as theranostics and in the knowledge of factors that contribute to anti-proliferative activity

Three-dimensional geometric morphometrics of thorax-pelvis covariation and its potential for predicting the thorax morphology: A case study on Kebara 2 Neandertal

The skeletal torso is a complex structure of outstanding importance in understanding human body shape evolution, but reconstruction usually entails an element of subjectivity as researchers apply their own anatomical expertise to the process. Among different fossil reconstruction methods, 3D geometric morphometric techniques have been increasingly used in the last decades. Two-block partial least squares analysis has shown great potential for predicting missing elements by exploiting the covariation between two structures (blocks) in a reference sample: one block can be predicted from the other one based on the strength of covariation between blocks. The first aim of this study is to test whether this predictive approach can be used for predicting thorax morphologies from pelvis morphologies within adult Homo sapiens reference samples with known covariation between the thorax and the pelvis. The second aim is to apply this method to Kebara 2 Neandertal (Israel, ∼60 ka) to predict its thorax morphology using two different pelvis reconstructions as predictors. We measured 134 true landmarks, 720 curve semilandmarks, and 160 surface semilandmarks on 60 3D virtual torso models segmented from CT scans. We conducted three two-block partial least squares analyses between the thorax (block 1) and the pelvis (block 2) based on the H. sapiens reference samples after performing generalized Procrustes superimposition on each block separately. Comparisons of these predictions in full shape space by means of Procrustes distances show that the male-only predictive model yields the most reliable predictions within modern humans. In addition, Kebara 2 thorax predictions based on this model concur with the thorax morphology proposed for Neandertals. The method presented here does not aim to replace other techniques, but to rather complement them through quantitative prediction of a virtual 'scaffold' to articulate the thoracic fossil elements, thus extending the potential of missing data estimation beyond the methods proposed in previous works