Magnetotelluric Imaging of the Lithosphere Across the Variscan Orogen (Iberian Autochthonous Domain, NW Iberia)

A new magnetotelluric (MT) survey comprising 17 MT soundings throughout a 30 km long N30°W transect in the Iberian autochthons domain of NW Iberia (Central Iberian Zone) is presented. The 2-D inversion model shows the resistivity structure of the continental crust up to 10 km depth, heretofore unavailable for this region of the Variscan Orogen. The MT model reveals a wavy structure separating a conductive upper layer underlain by a resistive layer, thus picturing the two main tectonic blocks of a large-scale D2 extensional shear zone (i.e., Pinhel shear zone). The upper layer represents a lower grade metamorphic domain that includes graphite-rich rocks. The lower layer consists of high-grade metamorphic rocks that experienced partial melting and are associated with granites (more resistive) emplaced during crustal thinning. The wavy structure is the result of superimposed crustal shortening responsible for the development of large-scale D3 folds (e.g., Marofa synform), later deflected and refolded by a D4 strike-slip shear zone (i.e., Juzbado-Penalva do Castelo shear zone). The later contribution to the final structure of the crust is marked by the intrusion of postkinematic granitic rocks and the propagation of steeply dipping brittle fault zones. Our study demonstrates that MT imaging is a powerful tool to understand complex crustal structures of ancient orogens in order to design future prospecting surveys for mineral deposits of economic interest

End-on PEGylation of heparin: Effect on anticoagulant activity and complexation with protamine

Supplementary data to this article can be found online at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.125957.Heparin is the most common anticoagulant used in clinical practice but shows some downsides such as short half- life (for the high molecular weight heparin) and secondary effects. On the other hand, its low molecular weight analogue cannot be neutralized with protamine, and therefore cannot be used in some treatments. To address these issues, we conjugated polyethylene glycol (PEG) to heparin reducing end (end-on) via oxime ligation and studied the interactions of the conjugate (Hep-b-PEG) with antithrombin III (AT) and protamine. Isothermal titration calorimetry showed that Hep-b-PEG maintains the affinity to AT. Dynamic light scattering demonstrated that the Hep-b-PEG formed colloidal stable nanocomplexes with protamine instead of large multi-molecular aggregates, associated with heparin side effects. The in vitro (human plasma) and in vivo experiments (Sprague Dawley rats) evidenced an extended half-life and higher anticoagulant activity of the conjugate when compared to unmodified heparin.  The authors thank INNO Laboratório Veterinário for the measurements of in vivo coagulation times, Raul Pacheco for discussions about the ITC results, Teresa Oliveira for her help in the in vivo experiments and Ramón Rail for his help in the 3D structures of Fig. 1, Fig. 4. We thank funding provided by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (PTDC/QUI-POL/28117/2017 and CEECIND/00814/2017). África González-Fernández thanks Xunta de Galicia (Grupo de Referencia competitiva, GRC-ED431C 2020/02) 2020-2023

Estimating the time-dependent performance of nanocatalysts in fuel cells based on a cost-normalization approach

CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESResearchers have developed new catalysts for fuel cells (FC), whose performances are compared after applying different normalization procedures. However, there is not a standard procedure. The current produced from CO electrooxidation was compared for Pt4271119801988CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESCONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPES454516/2014-2SEM INFORMAÇÃOThe authors acknowledge financial assistance from CNPq (grant No. 454516/2014-2), FUNDECT (grant No. 026/2015), CAPES and FINE

A molecular line scan in the Hubble Deep Field North

We present a molecular line scan in the Hubble Deep Field North (HDF-N) that covers the entire 3mm window (79-115 GHz) using the IRAM Plateau de Bure Interferometer. Our CO redshift coverage spans z2. We reach a CO detection limit that is deep enough to detect essentially all z>1 CO lines reported in the literature so far. We have developed and applied different line searching algorithms, resulting in the discovery of 17 line candidates. We estimate that the rate of false positive line detections is ~2/17. We identify optical/NIR counterparts from the deep ancillary database of the HDF-N for seven of these candidates and investigate their available SEDs. Two secure CO detections in our scan are identified with star-forming galaxies at z=1.784 and at z=2.047. These galaxies have colors consistent with the `BzK' color selection and they show relatively bright CO emission compared with galaxies of similar dust continuum luminosity. We also detect two spectral lines in the submillimeter galaxy HDF850.1 at z=5.183. We consider an additional 9 line candidates as high quality. Our observations also provide a deep 3mm continuum map (1-sigma noise level = 8.6 μJy/beam). Via a stacking approach, we find that optical/MIR bright galaxies contribute only to <50% of the SFR density at 1<z<3, unless high dust temperatures are invoked. The present study represents a first, fundamental step towards an unbiased census of molecular gas in `normal' galaxies at high-z, a crucial goal of extragalactic astronomy in the ALMA era

PAMAM dendrimers functionalised with an anti-TNF α antibody and chondroitin sulphate for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

"Available online 6 January 2021"Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease characterised by joint synovial inflammation, along with cartilage and bone tissue destruction. Dendrimers can offer new opportunities as drug delivery systems of molecules of interest. Herein we aimed to develop poly(amidoamine) dendrimers (PAMAM), functionalised with chondroitin sulphate (CS), lined with anti-TNF α antibodies (Abs) to provide anti-inflammatory properties. Physicochemical characterisation demonstrated that anti-TNFα Abs-CS/PAMAM dendrimer NPs were successfully produced. The in vitro studies revealed that CS/PAMAM dendrimer NPs did not affect the ATDC5 and THP-1 cell lines' metabolic activity and proliferation, presenting good cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility. Moreover, anti-TNFα Abs-CS/PAMAM dendrimer NPs showed suitable TNF α capture capacity, making them appealing for new immunotherapies in RA patients.The authors thank the financial support under the Norte2020 project (“NORTE-08-5369-FSE-000044”) and BD/137726/2018/J6 21340zkMF. The FCT distinction attributed to J. M. O. under the Investigator FCT program (number IF/01285/2015) is also greatly acknowledged. C. G. also wished to acknowledge FCT for supporting her research (No. SFRH/BPD/94277/2013). RS and AG-F thank Xunta de Galicia (Grupo de Referencia Competitiva, ED431C 2016041) and Centro de Investigaciones Biom ́edicas (CINBIO), Vigo, Spain, for sup-porting their research

COMPORTAMENTOS DA FAMILIA DIANTE DO DIAGNÓSTICODE CÂNCER DE MAMA

The breast cancer always causes negative feelings in the woman and her relatives, such as, fear, sadness and pessimism. This study was aimed to know the family’s behavior up to the problem of breast cancer diagnosis; verify the confrontation mechanisms utilized; and identify the family contribution in the recuperation of the woman. It’s an exploratory study with 15 relatives of mastectomies women. The dates were collected through semi-structured interviews and organized by the content analysis. The fear was present among the relatives, during the cancer discovery and surgery news. It was noticed some deficiency in the orientations to the relatives, who were many times without having contact concerning to the treatment. So, they generally showed an ineffective behavior. The breast cancer and the consequent mastectomy caused a great impact in the family, extended to friends.El cáncer de mama acostumbra a generar sentimientos de miedo, tristeza y negación en la mujer y en los familiares. El objetivo fue analizar el comportamiento de la familia frente al diagnóstico de cáncer de mama. Estudio descriptivo con 15 familiares de mujeres mastectomizadas. Datos colectados a través de entrevistas semi-estructuradas y organizados para el análisis de contenido. El miedo estuvo presente entre los familiares durante el descubrimiento del cáncer y frente a la noticia de la cirugía. Percibimos deficiencias en las orientaciones a los familiares, muchas veces dejados de lado en el tratamiento. Estos manifestaron, generalmente, comportamientos ineficaces. El cáncer de mama y la consiguiente mastectomía ocasionan impacto en la familia, extendiéndose a los amigos.O câncer de mama costuma gerar sentimentos de medo, tristeza e negação na mulher, e nos familiares. Objetivamos conhecer os comportamentos de familiares de mulheres mastectomizadas frente al diagnóstico de câncer de mama; verificar os mecanismos de enfrentamento utilizados pelos mesmos; e identificar a contribuição da família na recuperação da mulher. Estudo exploratório, com abordagem qualitativa, realizado com 15 familiares de mulheres mastectomizadas. Dados coletados através de entrevista semi-estruturada e organizados pela análise de conteúdo. O medo esteve presente entre os familiares, durante a descoberta do câncer e notícia da cirurgia. Identificamos deficiência nas orientações aos familiares, muitas vezes deixados de lado no tratamento. Estes manifestaram, geralmente, comportamentos ineficazes. O câncer de mama e a conseqüente mastectomia ocasionam impacto na família, estendendo-se aos amigos

Reusing risk-aware stochastic abstract policies in robotic navigation learning

In this paper we improve learning performance of a risk-aware robot facing navigation tasks by employing transfer learning; that is, we use information from a previously solved task to accelerate learning in a new task. To do so, we transfer risk-aware memoryless stochastic abstract policies into a new task. We show how to incorporate risk-awareness into robotic navigation tasks, in particular when tasks are modeled as stochastic shortest path problems. We then show how to use a modified policy iteration algorithm, called AbsProb-PI, to obtain risk-neutral and risk-prone memoryless stochastic abstract policies. Finally, we propose a method that combines abstract policies, and show how to use the combined policy in a new navigation task. Experiments validate our proposals and show that one can find effective abstract policies that can improve robot behavior in navigation problem

Compilation of parameterized seismogenic sources in Iberia for the SHARE European-scale seismic source model.

Abstract: SHARE (Seismic Hazard Harmonization in Europe) is an EC-funded project (FP7) that aims to evaluate European seismic hazards using an integrated, standardized approach. In the context of SHARE, we are compiling a fully-parameterized active fault database for Iberia and the nearby offshore region. The principal goal of this initiative is for fault sources in the Iberian region to be represented in SHARE and incorporated into the source model that will be used to produce seismic hazard maps at the European scale. The SHARE project relies heavily on input from many regional experts throughout the Euro-Mediterranean region. At the SHARE regional meeting for Iberia, the 2010 Working Group on Iberian Seismogenic Sources (WGISS) was established; these researchers are contributing to this large effort by providing their data to the Iberian regional integrators in a standardized format. The development of the SHARE Iberian active fault database is occurring in parallel with IBERFAULT, another ongoing effort to compile a database of active faults in the Iberian region. The SHARE Iberian active fault database synthesizes a wide range of geological and geophysical observations on active seismogenic sources, and incorporates existing compilations (e.g., Cabral, 1995; Silva et al., 2008), original data contributed directly from researchers, data compiled from the literature, parameters estimated using empirical and analytical relationships, and, where necessary, parameters derived using expert judgment. The Iberian seismogenic source model derived for SHARE will be the first regional-scale source model for Iberia that includes fault data and follows an internationally standardized approach (Basili et al., 2008; 2009). This model can be used in both seismic hazard and risk analyses and will be appropriate for use in Iberian- and European-scale assessments

Large-area synthesis of ferromagnetic Fe5−x_{5-x}GeTe2_{2}/graphene van der Waals heterostructures with Curie temperature above room temperature

Van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures combining layered ferromagnets and other two-dimensional (2D) crystals are promising building blocks for the realization of ultra-compact devices with integrated magnetic, electronic and optical functionalities. Their implementation in various technologies depends strongly on the development of a bottom-up scalable synthesis approach allowing to realize highly uniform heterostructures with well-defined interfaces between different 2D layered materials. It also requires that each material component of the heterostructure remains functional, which ideally includes ferromagnetic order above room temperature for 2D ferromagnets. Here, we demonstrate large-area growth of Fe$_{5-x}$GeTe$_{2}$/graphene heterostructures achieved by vdW epitaxy of Fe$_{5-x}$GeTe$_{2}$ on epitaxial graphene. Structural characterization confirmed the realization of a continuous vdW heterostructure film with a sharp interface between Fe$_{5-x}$GeTe$_{2}$ and graphene. Magnetic and transport studies revealed that the ferromagnetic order persists well above 300 K with a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. In addition, epitaxial graphene on SiC(0001) continues to exhibit a high electronic quality. These results represent an important advance beyond non-scalable flake exfoliation and stacking methods, thus marking a crucial step toward the implementation of ferromagnetic 2D materials in practical applications

Using a 3-tier Training Model for Effective Exchange of Good Practices in as ERASMUS+ Project

VISIR+ is an Erasmus+ project that aims to develop educational modules for electric and electronic circuits theory and practice following an enquiry-based teaching and learning methodology. The project has installed five new VISIR remote labs in Higher Education Institutions located in Argentina and Brazil, to allow students doing more experiments and hence acquire better experimental skills, through a combination of traditional (hands-on), remote and virtual laboratories. A key aspect for the success of this project was to motivate and train teachers in the underpinning educational methodology. As such, VISIR+ adopted a 3-tier training process to effectively support the use of VISIR in the Institutions that received it. This process is based on the “train the trainer” approach, which required the participating partner institutions to identify and engage a number of associated partners, interested in using their newly installed remote lab. To measure the quality of the training process, the same satisfaction questionnaire was used in all training actions. This paper presents a detailed description of the training actions along with the analysis of the satisfaction questionnaire results. Major conclusions are that the quality level of the training process remained practically the same across all training actions and that trainees sometimes considered the practical use of the VISIR remote lab as difficult, irrespectively of where and when the training action took place.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio