Los depósitos lacustres del Terciario de Bicorp (Valencia)

La Cuenca de Bicorp pertenece al conjunto de cuencas sinorogénicas del Terciario de la província de Valencia. Está emplazada en el sector sur de la zoia de transición entre la cadena  ibérica y las Béticas. La Cuenca de Bicorp es una cuenca continental emplazada sobre un substrato mesozoico formado por materiales triásicos, jurásicos y cretácicos. Sus limites norte y sur son dos fallas normales de orientación ENE-WSW, las cuales actuaron sinsedimentariamente. Los depósitos de la Cuenca de Bicorp tienen un espesor máximo de 450 metros. La base de la serie está formada por materiales de origen aluvial, mientras que el resto lo constituyen facies lacustres. En los depósitos lacustres pueden reconocerse cuatro unidades formadas, desde la base hacia el techo, por: a) margas carbonosas grises, b) calizas laminadas y margas con lignito, c) yesos seleniticos y d) alternancias de calizas y pelitas laminadas bituminosas. De estas unidades la que posee los depósitos de mayor potencia y extensión areal, es la formada por las alternancias de calizas y pelitas bituminosas. Estos son los materiales que caracterizan mejor la serie de la cuenca lacustre de Bicorp. Las alternancias de calizas y pelitas bituminosas están organizadas en secuencias, estrato- y granocrecientes hacia el techo, que se repiten cíclicamente. Cada secuencia está formada por un término superior de calizas y otro inferior de pelitas bituminosas. Las calizas están compuestas, en su mayor parte, por restos esqueléticos de invertebrados acuáticos, y presentan en su techo evidencias de emersión subarea (grietas de desecación, huellas de vertebrados terrestres...). Las pelitas bituminosas se caracterizan por su alto contenido en materia orgánica y por tener una laminación continua milimétrica. Sus características son indicativas de haber sido formadas en un ambiente sin el contenido de oxigeno necesario para permitir la presencia de fauna bentónica en el fondo. En su conjunto, los depósitos de la Cuenca de Bicorp son representativos de un ambiente lacustre salino con unestado permanente de estratificación de sus aguas y con un epilimnion oxigenado y un hipolimnion anóxico

Cauchy-Riemann beams

By using operator techniques, we solve the paraxial wave equation for a field given by the multiplication of a Gaussian function and an entire function. The latter possesses a unique property, being an eigenfunction of the {\it perpendicular} Laplacian with a zero eigenvalue, a consequence of the Cauchy-Riemann equations. We demonstrate, both theoretically and experimentally, the inherent rotation of this field during its propagation. The explanation for these rotations lies in the utilization of the quantum (Bohm) potential. The simplicity of this outcome reveals promising prospects: it enables the analytical deduction of the Fraunhofer or Fresnel diffraction pattern. In essence, this means that obtaining the Fresnel or Fourier transform of a function satisfying the Cauchy-Riemann equations becomes a straightforward task

On-Surface Thermal Stability of a Graphenic Structure Incorporating a Tropone Moiety

On-surface synthesis, complementary to wet chemistry, has been demonstrated to be a valid approach for the synthesis of tailored graphenic nanostructures with atomic precision. Among the different existing strategies used to tune the optoelectronic and magnetic properties of these nanostructures, the introduction of non-hexagonal rings inducing out-of-plane distortions is a promising pathway that has been scarcely explored on surfaces. Here, we demonstrate that non-hexagonal rings, in the form of tropone (cycloheptatrienone) moieties, are thermally transformed into phenyl or cyclopentadienone moieties upon an unprecedented surface-mediated retro–Buchner-type reaction involving a decarbonylation or an intramolecular rearrangement of the CO unit, respectivel

Femtosecond laser microstructuring of zirconia dental implants

This study evaluated the suitability of femtosecond laser for microtexturizing cylindrical zirconia dental implants surface. Sixty-six cylindrical zirconia implants were used and divided into three groups: Control group (with no laser modification), Group A (microgropored texture), and Group B (microgrooved texture). Scanning electron microscopy observation of microgeometries revealed minimal collateral damage of the original surface surrounding the treated areas. Optical interferometric profilometry showed that ultrafast laser ablation increased surface roughness (Ra, Rq, Rz, and Rt) significantly for both textured patterns from 1.2× to 6×-fold when compared with the control group (p Group B 8.4% ± 0.42% > Group A 1.6% ± 0.35%) and aluminum (Control 4.3% ± 0.9% > Group B 2.3% ± 0.3% > Group A 1.16% ± 0.2%) in the laser-treated surfaces (p Group A 1.94% > Group B 1.72%) as the surfaces were processed with ultrashort laser pulses. We concluded that femtosecond laser microstructuring offers an interesting alternative to conventional surface treatments of zirconia implants as a result of its precision and minimal damage of the surrounding areas

LMT/AzTEC observations of Vega

Vega is the prototypical debris disc system. Its architecture has been extensively studied at optical to millimetre wavelengths, revealing a near face-on, broad, and smooth disc with multiple distinct components. Recent millimetre-wavelength observations from ALMA spatially resolved the inner edge of the outer, cold planetesimal belt from the star for the first time. Here we present early science imaging observations of the Vega system with the AzTEC instrument on the 32-m LMT, tracing extended emission from the disc out to 150 au from the star. We compare the observations to three models of the planetesimal belt architecture to better determine the profile of the outer belt. A comparison of these potential architectures for the disc does not significantly differentiate between them with the modelling results being similar in many respects to the previous ALMA analysis, but differing in the slope of the outer region of the disc. The measured flux densities are consistent between the LMT (single dish) and ALMA (interferometric) observations after accounting for the differences in wavelength of observation. The LMT observations suggest the outer slope of the planetesimal belt is steeper than was suggested in the ALMA analysis. This would be consistent with the interferometric observations being mostly blind to structure at the disc outer edges, but the overall low signal to noise of the LMT observations does not definitively resolve the structure of the outer planetesimal belt.FK and JPM acknowledge research support by the Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan under grant MOST107-2119-M-001-031-MY3, and Academia Sinica under grant AS-IA-106-M03. JPM acknowledges research support by the Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan under grant MOST109-2112-M-001-036-MY3. MC thanks Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACyT) for financial support through grant CB-2015-256961

2 deoxy-D-glucose augments the mitochondrial respiratory chain in heart

2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) has recently received emergency approval for the treatment of COVID-19 in India, after a successful clinical trial. SARS-CoV-2 infection of cultured cells is accompanied by elevated glycolysis and decreased mitochondrial function, whereas 2DG represses glycolysis and stimulates respiration, and restricts viral replication. While 2DG has pleiotropic effects on cell metabolism in cultured cells it is not known which of these manifests in vivo. On the other hand, it is known that 2DG given continuously can have severe detrimental effects on the rodent heart. Here, we show that the principal effect of an extended, intermittent 2DG treatment on mice is to augment the mitochondrial respiratory chain proteome in the heart; importantly, this occurs without vacuolization, hypertrophy or fibrosis. The increase in the heart respiratory chain proteome suggests an increase in mitochondrial oxidative capacity, which could compensate for the energy deficit caused by the inhibition of glycolysis. Thus, 2DG in the murine heart appears to induce a metabolic configuration that is the opposite of SARS-CoV-2 infected cells, which could explain the compound's ability to restrict the propagation of the virus to the benefit of patients with COVID-19 disease

A chromosome-level genome assembly enables the identification of the follicule stimulating hormone receptor as the master sex determining gene in the flatfish Solea senegalensis

Sex determination (SD) shows huge variation among fish and a high evolutionary rate, as illustrated by the Pleuronectiformes (flatfishes). This order is characterized by its adaptation to demersal life, compact genomes and diversity of SD mechanisms. Here, we assembled the Solea senegalensis genome, a flatfish of great commercial value, into 82 contigs (614 Mb) combining long- and short-read sequencing, which were next scaffolded using a highly dense genetic map (28,838 markers, 21 linkage groups), representing 98.9% of the assembly. Further, we established the correspondence between the assembly and the 21 chromosomes by using BAC-FISH. Whole genome resequencing of six males and six females enabled the identification of 41 SNP variants in the follicle stimulating hormone receptor (fshr) consistent with an XX / XY SD system. The observed sex association was validated in a broader independent sample, providing a novel molecular sexing tool. Fshr displayed differential gene expression between male and female gonads from 86 days post-fertilization, when the gonad is still an undifferentiated primordium, concomitant with the activation of amh and cyp19a1a, testis and ovary marker genes, respectively, in males and females. The Y-linked fshr allele, which included 24 non-synonymous variants and showed a highly divergent 3D protein structure, was overexpressed in males compared to the X-linked allele at all stages of gonadal differentiation. We hypothesize a mechanism hampering the action of the follicle stimulating hormone driving the undifferentiated gonad toward testis.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

New regulations regarding Postgraduate Medical Training in Spain: perception of the tutor's role in the Murcia Region

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Recently introduced regulatory changes have expanded the Tutor role to include their primary responsibility for Postgraduate Medical Training (PMT). However, accreditation and recognition of that role has been devolved to the autonomic regions. The opinions of the RT may be relevant to future decisions;</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A comprehensive questionnaire, including demographic characteristics, academic and research achievement and personal views about their role, was sent to 201 RTs in the Murcia Region of Spain. The responses are described using median and interquartile ranges (IQR);</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There were 147 replies (response rate 73%), 69% male, mean age 45 ± 7 yrs. RTs perception of the residents' initial knowledge and commitment throughout the program was 5 (IQR 4-6) and 7 (IQR 5-8), respectively. As regards their impact on the PMT program, RTs considered that their own contribution was similar to that of senior residents. RTs perception of how their role was recognised was 5 (IQR 3-6). Only 16% did not encounter difficulties in accessing specific RT training programs. Regarding the RTs view of their various duties, supervision of patient care was accorded the greatest importance (64%) while the satisfactory completion of the PMT program and supervision of day-to-day activities were also considered important (61% and 59% respectively). The main RT requirements were: a greater professional recognition (97%), protected time (95%), specific RT training programs (95%) and financial recognition (86%);</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This comprehensive study, reflecting the feelings of our RTs, provides a useful insight into the reality of their work and the findings ought to be taken into consideration in the imminent definitive regulatory document on PMT.</p