The Gulf of Cádiz: thrusting or strike-slip motion?

In the Gulf of Cádiz (SW Iberian Peninsula) the boundary between Eurasia and Nubia plates corresponds to a narrow band well defined by the seismicity, where large earthquakes (M>7.0) may be associated to N-S to NNW-SSE horizontal compression due to the convergence between the two plates. Most of these earthquakes are at shallow depth (less than 40 km), with some foci at intermediate-depth, showing E-W distribution and limited by a narrow band less than 20 km wide that broadens as we move to the Strait of Gibraltar. In this area the lithospheric material is relatively rigid and the stresses are released by larger earthquakes. General tectonic models proposed for the Azores-Tunisia plate boundary explain fairly well the nature of its seismicity and tectonic motions; however, details of some of its aspects are still poorly understood and controversial. Zittelini et al. (2009) has recently proposed for the Gulf of Cádiz, transcurrent-transpressional motion along a long strike slip fault based on multichannel seismic reflection surveys. However, this contradicts the compressional motion and reverse faulting of large 1755 Lisbon earthquake (~Mw9), which generate a large tsunami and the recent moderate (Mw>6.0) in 1964, 2007 and 2009 and large (Mw= 8.0) in 1969 earthquakes occurred in the region. These earthquakes show thrusting motion along E-W faults with the southern block going under, corresponding to horizontal NW-SE compression, and they can be related directly to the plate convergence between Nubia and Iberia. References Zitellini et al., 2009. The quest for the Africa–Eurasia plate boundary west of the Strait of Gibraltar. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 280 (2009) 13–50

Exploring the Consistency of Data Collected in Archaeological Geophysics: A Case Study from the Iron Age Hillfort of Villasviejas del Tamuja (Extremadura, Spain)

Different geophysical methods applied at the settlement of Villasviejas del Tamuja (Botija, Spain) have identified robust anomalies located at the same position, but some anomalies are reflected by only one method. Furthermore, analysing the spatial correlation of these anomalies is of fundamental importance for obtaining a correct archaeological interpretation. In this work, we analysed the main results of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and magnetic gradiometry methods in a particular area of the archaeological site. In this analysis, we performed graphical and numerical spatial correlation analyses of the anomalies and observed strong agreement among the results provided by each method. Certain anomalies were reflected only in the magnetic and ERT studies. The results highlight the importance of applying several geophysical methods and performing spatial correlational analyses. Furthermore, the methodology that we have applied to evaluate the spatial correlation offers interesting results

Geoarcheologicalprospection of megalithic structures using Ground Penetrating Radar (Almendralejo, Spain)

In 1980, in Almendralejo, Spain, it was discovered the Tomb of Huerta Montero, a megalithic funerary monument, the best preserved in the Iberian Peninsula, dating from the Chalcolithic (Copper Age, about 4650 BC). According to the opinion of archaeologists, it is quite probable that there are similar buried monuments in the vicinity of the known tomb. This suspicion led to the geophysical study, carried out with the aim of identifying new structures in the vicinity of the necropolis discovered. The choice of geophysical method it was the GPR, because it is a non-invasive technique, accurate and rapid in its implementation. The results obtained allow us to conclude that there may be a structure of circular shape, with a diameter of about 7 m which may to correspond to a funeral monument as there are a few meters, with a temporal thickness ranging between 13 and 21 ns deep. In the northern part of the structure there are two protrusions that may match an entry in the building or even the rest of the tunnel entrance

Productive performance and carcass characteristics of New Zealand white and California rabbits and their crosses

Objective: Evaluate the growth performance and carcass characteristics as well as the individual and maternal heterosis effects of New Zealand White (NZB), California (CA) rabbits and their crosses. Design/methodology/approach: 450 offspring rabbits, from 48 females mated to 6 stud rabbits, were evaluated, recording the weight and litter size at birth (TCN) and at weaning (TCD), and weight (PMS), gain (GMD), consumption (CMS), and feed conversion (CONV) during 8 weeks post-weaning. The carcass live weight at slaughter, warm carcass weight with head, carcass yield and parts of the carcass were evaluated. Results: Showed differences (p <0.05) in TCN and TCD with values of 10.47 and 9.03 kits, respectively. When NZB was used as the paternal breed, obtaining an individual heterosis of 5.91% for litter size and 12.44% for weaning weight. In the productive performance and carcass characteristics, the superiority of California breed as paternal breed was evidenced, with average values of 36.05 g in GMD and 2.95 kg in CONV. The average individual weight at the end of the fattening, at 70 days of age, was 2.09 kg and the weight of the carcass 1.16 kg. Post-weaning heterosis for the characteristics evaluated during fattening were positive and moderate. Limitations on study/implications: It is necessary to carry out genetic improvement studies, with different crossing systems and to evaluate results based on the productive and reproductive behavior. Findings/conclusions: in reproductive characteristics, when using NZB as paternal breed, the offspring are superior to those obtained from CA; while in the productive variables the offspring from CA show superior results.Objective: Evaluate the growth performance and carcass characteristics as well as the individual and maternal heterosis effects of New Zealand White (NZB), California (CA) rabbits and their crosses.Design/methodology/approach: 450 offspring rabbits, from 48 females mated to 6 stud rabbits, were evaluated, recording the weight (PNC) and litter size at birth (TCN) and at weaning (TCD), as well as, and weight (PMS), weight gain (GMD), consumption (CMS), and feed conversion (CONV) for during 8 weeks post-weaning. The carcass live weight at slaughter, warm carcass weight with head, carcass yield, and carcass parts of the carcass were evaluated.Results: Showed differences (p <0.05) in TCN and TCD with values of 10.47 and 9.03 kits, respectively. When NZB was used as the paternal breed, obtaining an individual heterosis of 5.91% for litter size and 12.44% for weaning weight. In the productive performance and carcass characteristics, the superiority of the California breed as a paternal breed was evidenced, with average values of 36.05 g in GMD and 2.95 kg in CONV. The averageindividual weight at the end of the fattening, at 70 days of age, was 2.09 kg and the weight of the carcass 1.16 kg. Post-weaning heterosis for the characteristics evaluated during fattening was were positive and moderate.Limitations on study/implications: It is necessary to carry out genetic improvement studies, with different crossing systems and to evaluate results based on the productive and reproductive behavior.Findings/conclusions: in reproductive characteristics, when using NZB as apaternal breed, the offspring are superior to those obtained from CA; while inthe productive variables, the offspring from CA show superior results

PRO B: evaluating the effect of an alarm-based patient-reported outcome monitoring compared with usual care in metastatic breast cancer patients—study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Background: Despite the progress of research and treatment for breast cancer, still up to 30% of the patients afflicted will develop distant disease. Elongation of survival and maintaining the quality of life (QoL) become pivotal issues guiding the treatment decisions. One possible approach to optimise survival and QoL is the use of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to timely identify acute disease-related burden. We present the protocol of a trial that investigates the effect of real-time PRO data captured with electronic mobile devices on QoL in female breast cancer patients with metastatic disease. Methods: This study is a randomised, controlled trial with 1:1 randomisation between two arms. A total of 1000 patients will be recruited in 40 selected breast cancer centres. Patients in the intervention arm receive a weekly request via an app to complete the PRO survey. Symptoms will be assessed by study-specific optimised short forms based on the EORTC QLQ-C30 domains using items from the EORTC CAT item banks. In case of deteriorating PRO scores, an alarm is sent to the treating study centre as well as to the PRO B study office. Following the alarm, the treating breast cancer centre is required to contact the patient to inquire about the reported symptoms and to intervene, if necessary. The intervention is not specified and depends on the clinical need determined by the treating physician. Patients in the control arm are prompted by the app every 3 months to participate in the PRO survey, but their response will not trigger an alarm. The primary outcome is the fatigue level 6 months after enrolment. Secondary endpoints include among others hospitalisations, use of rescue services and overall QoL. Discussion: Within the PRO B intervention group, we expect lower fatigue levels 6 months after intervention start, higher levels of QoL, less unplanned hospitalisations and less emergency room visits compared to controls. In case of positive results, our approach would allow a fast and easy transfer into clinical practice due to the use of the already nationwide existing IT infrastructure of the German Cancer Society and the independent certification institute OnkoZert

Consensus on circulatory shock and hemodynamic monitoring. Task force of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine.

OBJECTIVE: Circulatory shock is a life-threatening syndrome resulting in multiorgan failure and a high mortality rate. The aim of this consensus is to provide support to the bedside clinician regarding the diagnosis, management and monitoring of shock. METHODS: The European Society of Intensive Care Medicine invited 12 experts to form a Task Force to update a previous consensus (Antonelli et al.: Intensive Care Med 33:575-590, 2007). The same five questions addressed in the earlier consensus were used as the outline for the literature search and review, with the aim of the Task Force to produce statements based on the available literature and evidence. These questions were: (1) What are the epidemiologic and pathophysiologic features of shock in the intensive care unit ? (2) Should we monitor preload and fluid responsiveness in shock ? (3) How and when should we monitor stroke volume or cardiac output in shock ? (4) What markers of the regional and microcirculation can be monitored, and how can cellular function be assessed in shock ? (5) What is the evidence for using hemodynamic monitoring to direct therapy in shock ? Four types of statements were used: definition, recommendation, best practice and statement of fact. RESULTS: Forty-four statements were made. The main new statements include: (1) statements on individualizing blood pressure targets; (2) statements on the assessment and prediction of fluid responsiveness; (3) statements on the use of echocardiography and hemodynamic monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: This consensus provides 44 statements that can be used at the bedside to diagnose, treat and monitor patients with shock

Rethinking resilience: home gardening, food sharing and everyday resistance

Resilience and food self-provisioning (FSP), terms that until recently were deployed primarily in the study of livelihoods in the Global South, are now attracting attention from alternative food scholarship in the Global North. Drawing on a large-scale survey conducted in the Czech Republic, this article investigates FSP as a social resilience-enhancing set of practices. In addition to the traditional reading of FSP as a passive, defensive and crisis-deflecting form of resilience, this article puts forward an alternative conceptualisation of resilience as a proactive, preventative, future-oriented and transformation-enabling capacity that runs counter to the tenets of neoliberalism

Role of stem cell transplant in CD30+ PTCL following frontline brentuximab vedotin plus CHP or CHOP in ECHELON-2

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) are a heterogeneous group of aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphomas, the majority of which have high relapse rates following standard therapy. Despite use of consolidative stem cell transplant (SCT) following frontline therapy, there remains no consensus on its utility. The double-blind randomized phase 3 ECHELON-2 study (#NCT01777152; clinicaltrials.gov) demonstrated improved progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival with frontline brentuximab vedotin plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone (A+CHP). Herein, we conducted an exploratory subgroups analysis of the impact of consolidative SCT on PFS in patients with previously untreated CD30+ PTCL (ALK- anaplastic large cell lymphoma [ALCL] and non-ALCL) who were in complete response (CR) after frontline treatment with A+CHP or cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone. Median PFS follow-up was 47.57 months. The PFS hazard ratio was 0.36, equating to a 64% reduction in the risk of a PFS event in patients who underwent SCT. The median PFS in patients who underwent SCT was not reached, vs 55.66 months in patients who did not undergo SCT. PFS results favored the use of SCT in both ALK- ALCL and non-ALCL subgroups. These data support the consideration of consolidative SCT in patients with CD30+PTCL who achieve CR following treatment with A+CHP