Synthesizing Field and Experimental Observations to Investigate the Behavior of Pyroclastic Density Currents

One of the major hazards associated with volcanic eruptions are pyroclastic density currents (PDCs), which are fast-moving volcanic avalanches consisting of ash, boulders, and gas. Because of their unpredictability, studying PDCs in real time is dangerous and difficult. Therefore, we investigate the deposits produced by PDCs and use granular flow experiments to simulate PDCs in the laboratory. The experimental results allow us to understand sediment transport and erosional processes at small scales, and then we can extrapolate those results to natural PDCs. By better understanding what controls PDC behavior, we hope to ultimately improve risk assessment for these dangerous flows

Diversity of Cardiologic Issues in a Contemporary Cohort of Women With Breast Cancer

Background: Women with breast cancer (BC) represent a special population particularly exposed to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. However, cardiologic assessment in BC is mostly limited to detection of left ventricular dysfunction cardiotoxicity (LVD-CTX) due to anticancer treatments. Our aim was to comprehensively investigate CV profile and events in a contemporary BC cohort. Methods and Results: Records of BC patients referred for a Cardio-Oncologic evaluation before starting anticancer treatments, between 2016 and 2019, were retrospectively reviewed (n = 508). Information regarding prevalence and control of CV risk factors, and novel CVD diagnoses were extracted. Occurrence of LVD-CTX, CV events other than LVD-CTX and mortality was assessed. Mean age of study population was 64 ± 13 years; 287 patients were scheduled to receive anthracycline and 165 anti-HER2 therapy. Overall, 53% of BC women had ≥2 CV risk factors, and 67% had at least one of arterial hypertension, dyslipidaemia or diabetes mellitus not adequately controlled. Eighteen (4%) patients were diagnosed a previously unknown CVD. Over a mean follow-up of 2.5 ± 1 years, 3% of BC patients developed LVD-CTX, 2% suffered from other CV events and 11% died. CV risk factors were not associated with LVD-CTX, except for family history of CAD. On the contrary, patients with other CV events exhibited a worse CV profile. Those who died more commonly experienced CV events other than LVD-CTX (p = 0.02). Conclusions: BC women show a suboptimal CV risk profile and are at risk of CV events not limited to LVD-CTX. A baseline Cardio-Oncologic evaluation was instrumental to implement CV prevention and to optimize CV therapies

2'-Deoxy-2'-fluorouridine-5'-triphosphates: a possible substrate for E. coli RNA polymerase.

dUflTP was tested as substrate in the E. coli RNA polymerase system using poly(dAT) as template. dUflTP could replace UTP when Mn++ was utilized as divalent cation instead of Mg++. The level of transcription with the fluoro analog was then 55% of that with UTP

Reconstrucci\uf3n del evento eruptivo asociado al emplazamiento del flujo pirocl\ue1stico El Refugio hace 13 ka, volc\ue1n Nevado de Toluca (M\ue9xico)

The Nevado de Toluca is a quiescent volcano located in the central sector of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, 80 km southwest of Mexico City. The activity began ca. 2.6 Ma ago, with andesitic to dacitic lava flows and domes that lasted until 1.15 Ma. During the last 42 ka, the volcano has been characterized by different eruptive styles, including fi ve dome collapses dated at 37, 32, 28, 26, and 13 ka and five plinian eruptions at 42 ka, 36 ka, 21.7 ka, 12.1 ka and 10.5 ka. The 13 ka dome destruction is the youngest event of this type, and originated a 0.11 km3 block-andash flow deposit on the northeastern sector of the volcano, here named El Refugio flow. The deposit consists of two facies: channel-like, up to 10 m thick, monolithologic, that is composed of up to fi ve units, with decimetric dacitic clasts set in a sandy matrix; and a lateral facies that consists of a gray, sandy horizon,up to 4 m thick. A 30 cm-thick surge layer lies down at the base of the sequence. The main component is a dacitic lava, with variable degree of vesciculation, with mineral association of Pl-Hbl-Opx. Stratigraphic and petrographic features indicate that the dome was quickly extruded on the summit of the volcano, and its collapse was accompanied by an explosive component. The magmatic process that probably triggered the eruption was an overheating of the magma chamber that induced a self-mixing mechanism yielding to an overpressurization of the system. Finally, the identifi cation of an explosive component associated with dome destruction events at Nevado de Toluca volcano clearly indicate the high risk that a future event with such characteristics can represent for populated areas around the volcano

The Need for Cardiovascular Risk Factor Prevention in Cardio-Oncology

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