Miophasianus and Palaeoperdix (Galliformes, Aves) from three Miocene localities of Spain

The occurrence of two genus of phasianids in some Miocene localities of Spain are reported. The fossil remains from two of the outcrops, Can Mas and Hostalets, were studied long time ago, and it seemed suitable to reconsider their corresponding taxonomical identifications.Este trabajo trata sobre la aparición de dos géneros de Phasianidae en localidades españolas del Mioceno. Los restos fósiles de dos de los yacimientos, Can Mas y Hostalets, fueron estudiados hace mucho tiempo y, en consecuencia, parecía conveniente reconsiderar sus identificaciones taxonómicas

Using Networks To Understand Medical Data: The Case of Class III Malocclusions

A system of elements that interact or regulate each other can be represented by a mathematical object called a network. While network analysis has been successfully applied to high-throughput biological systems, less has been done regarding their application in more applied fields of medicine; here we show an application based on standard medical diagnostic data. We apply network analysis to Class III malocclusion, one of the most difficult to understand and treat orofacial anomaly. We hypothesize that different interactions of the skeletal components can contribute to pathological disequilibrium; in order to test this hypothesis, we apply network analysis to 532 Class III young female patients. The topology of the Class III malocclusion obtained by network analysis shows a strong co-occurrence of abnormal skeletal features. The pattern of these occurrences influences the vertical and horizontal balance of disharmony in skeletal form and position. Patients with more unbalanced orthodontic phenotypes show preponderance of the pathological skeletal nodes and minor relevance of adaptive dentoalveolar equilibrating nodes. Furthermore, by applying Power Graphs analysis we identify some functional modules among orthodontic nodes. These modules correspond to groups of tightly inter-related features and presumably constitute the key regulators of plasticity and the sites of unbalance of the growing dentofacial Class III system. The data of the present study show that, in their most basic abstraction level, the orofacial characteristics can be represented as graphs using nodes to represent orthodontic characteristics, and edges to represent their various types of interactions. The applications of this mathematical model could improve the interpretation of the quantitative, patient-specific information, and help to better targeting therapy. Last but not least, the methodology we have applied in analyzing orthodontic features can be applied easily to other fields of the medical science.</p

Scale dependence of the hydraulic properties of a fractured aquifer estimated using transfer functions

We present an investigation of the scale dependence of hydraulic parameters in fractured media based on the concept of transfer functions (TF). TF methods provide an inexpensive way to perform aquifer parameter estimation, as they relate the fluctuations of an observation time series (hydraulic head fluctuations) to an input function (aquifer recharge) in frequency domain. Fractured media are specially sensitive to this approach as hydraulic parameters are strongly scale-dependent, involving nonstationary statistical distributions. Our study is based on an extensive data set, involving up to 130 measurement points with periodic head measurements that in some cases extend for more than 30 years. For each point, we use a single-porosity and dual-continuum TF formulation to obtain a distribution of transmissivities and storativities in both mobile and immobile domains. Single-porosity TF estimates are compared with data obtained from the interpretation of over 60 hydraulic tests (slug and pumping tests). Results show that the TF is able to estimate the scale dependence of the hydraulic parameters, and it is consistent with the behavior of estimates from traditional hydraulic tests. In addition, the TF approach seems to provide an estimation of the system variance and the extension of the ergodic behavior of the aquifer (estimated in approximately 500 m in the analyzed aquifer). The scale dependence of transmissivity seems to be independent from the adopted formulation (single or dual-continuum), while storativity is more sensitive to the presence of multiple continua

Oral and cephalometric characteristics of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia: Case report

Hypohydrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED) is a genetic disorder that affects the development of ectodermal tissues. This study reports a case of a 5-year-old male patient, with clinical extra and intraoral characteristics of HED. The intraoral clinical examination revealed a generalized absence of teeth, panoramic radiograph revealed the presence of permanent first molars with taurodontism, and confirm the oligodontia. Cephalometric analysis revealed a class III skeletal relationship, due to deficiency in the sagittal development of the maxilla and an anti-clockwise growth tendency. Alterations in craniofacial development require multidisciplinary treatment and long-term follow-up to monitor craniofacial growth.Hypohydrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED) is a genetic disorder that affects the development of ectodermal tissues. This study reports a case of a 5-year-old male patient, with clinical extra and intraoral characteristics of HED. The intraoral clinical examination revealed a generalized absence of teeth, panoramic radiograph revealed the presence of permanent first molars with taurodontism, and confirm the oligodontia. Cephalometric analysis revealed a class III skeletal relationship, due to deficiency in the sagittal development of the maxilla and an anti-clockwise growth tendency. Alterations in craniofacial development require multidisciplinary treatment and long-term follow-up to monitor craniofacial growth

i-Rheo: determining the linear viscoelastic moduli of colloidal dispersions from step-stress measurements

We report on the application of a Fourier transform based method, `i-Rheo', to evaluate the linear viscoelastic moduli of hard-sphere colloidal dispersions, both in the fluid and glass states, from a direct analysis of raw step-stress (creep) experimental data. We corroborate the efficacy of i-Rheo by comparing the outputs of creep tests performed on homogenous complex fluids to conventional dynamic frequency sweeps. A similar approach is adopted for a number of colloidal suspensions over a broad range of volume fractions. For these systems, we test the limits of the method by varying the applied stress across the materials' linear and non-linear viscoelastic regimes, and we show that the best results are achieved for stress values close to the upper limit of the materials' linear viscoelastic regime; where the signal-to-noise ratio is at its highest and the non-linear phenomena have not appeared yet. We record that, the range of accessible frequencies is controlled at the higher end by the relative weight between the inertia of the instrument and the elasticity of the complex material under investigation; whereas, the lowest accessible frequency is dictated by the extent of the materials' linear viscoelastic regime. Nonetheless, despite these constrains, we confirm the effectiveness of i-Rheo for gaining valuable information on the materials' linear viscoelastic properties even from creep ringing data, confirming its potency and general validity as an accurate method for determining the material's rheological behaviour for a variety of complex systems

Material-driven fibronectin assembly for high-efficiency presentation of growth factors

Growth factors (GFs) are powerful signaling molecules with the potential to drive regenerative strategies, including bone repair and vascularization. However, GFs are typically delivered in soluble format at supraphysiological doses because of rapid clearance and limited therapeutic impact. These high doses have serious side effects and are expensive. Although it is well established that GF interactions with extracellular matrix proteins such as fibronectin control GF presentation and activity, a translation-ready approach to unlocking GF potential has not been realized. We demonstrate a simple, robust, and controlled material-based approach to enhance the activity of GFs during tissue healing. The underlying mechanism is based on spontaneous fibrillar organization of fibronectin driven by adsorption onto the polymer poly(ethyl acrylate). Fibrillar fibronectin on this polymer, but not a globular conformation obtained on control polymers, promotes synergistic presentation of integrin-binding sites and bound bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2), which enhances mesenchymal stem cell osteogenesis in vitro and drives full regeneration of a nonhealing bone defect in vivo at low GF concentrations. This simple and translatable technology could unlock the full regenerative potential of GF therapies while improving safety and cost-effectiveness

Axion-like particles and high-energy gamma rays: interconversion revisited

Axion-like particles (ALPs) are hypothetical entities often invoked to solve various problems in particle physics to cosmology. They are one of the most promising candidates to explain the elusive dark matter. A way to search for ALPs is through their effects on photons. In the presence of external magnetic fields, ALPs and photons can convert into one another, leading to measurable signals. In this contribution we present results of Monte Carlo simulations of ALP-photon interconversion in magnetised environments. We focus on high-energy gamma rays with TeV energies travelling over cosmological distances. We include a full treatment of the intergalactic electromagnetic cascades triggered by the gamma rays. Finally, we discuss the impact of this improved treatment of the propagation for current and future ALP searches.Comment: Presented at the 38th International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC2023

Experimental setup and procedure for the measurement of the 7Be(n,p)7Li reaction at n_TOF

Following the completion of the second neutron beam line and the related experimental area (EAR2) at the n_TOF spallation neutron source at CERN, several experiments were planned and performed. The high instantaneous neutron flux available in EAR2 allows to investigate neutron induced reactions with charged particles in the exit channel even employing targets made out of small amounts of short-lived radioactive isotopes. After the successful measurement of the 7Be(n,) cross section, the 7Be(n,p)7Li reaction was studied in order to provide still missing cross section data of relevance for Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN), in an attempt to find a solution to the cosmological Lithium abundance problem. This paper describes the experimental setup employed in such a measurement and its characterization.Séptimo Programa Marco de la Comunidad Europea de la Energía Atómica (Euratom)-Proyecto CHANDA (No. 605203)Narodowe Centrum Nauki (NCN)-UMO-2012/04/M/ST2/00700-UMO-2016/22/M/ST2/00183Croatian Science Foundation-HRZZ 168

First report of Quaternary mammals from the Qalehjough area, Lut Desert, Eastern Iran

Taxonomic study of Quaternary mammal remains from the Qalehjough fossil site, eastern Iran, has resulted in the identification of two mammal orders, Artiodactyla and Perissodactyla, with four families and six taxa. Of particular note was the recovery of Stephanorhinus and a caballoid horse. These remains have provided the first opportunity to examine Late Quaternary faunal assemblages in the northern parts of the Lut Desert, eastern Iran. The Qalehjough faunal assemblage documents some zoogeographic characteristics of the eastern Iranian Plateau, and suggests that palaeoenvironments in this part of Iran during the Pleistocene were more humid and wooded than today. The disappearance of rhinoceroses and caballoid horses from this region is most likely a result of climate change and concomitant habitat loss