Tertiary remagnetization of Paleozoic rocks from the Eastern Cordillera and sub-Andean Belt of Bolivia

Paleomagnetic samples were collected from 98 sedimentary horizons in eight different Devonian to Permian sedimentary units at eight localities in the Eastern Cordillera and the sub-Andean Belt of Bolivia. For 77 sites, thermal demagnetization allowed determination of a characteristic magnetization (ChRM) with site-mean 95% confidence limit, α95, ≤15°. The ChRM is carried predominantly or entirely by hematite. Fold and reversal tests from two of the sampled localities indicate that the characteristic magnetization is synfolding, likely acquired during the earliest stages of deformation. Additionally, a modified conglomerate test at one locality and the nearly uniform direction of ChRM across the Devonian to Permian age units clearly reveals the secondary nature of the characteristic magnetization. Finally, the ChRM directions are discordant from any expected Paleozoic directions. Paleomagnetic poles calculated from the ChRM directions fall near the Cenozoic portion of the apparent polar wander path for South America. We interpret these observations to indicate widespread chemical remagnetization of these Paleozoic strata during, but prior to completion of, Cenozoic Andean folding

Synovial cysts of the temporomandibular joint: an immunohistochemical characterization and literature review.

Synovial cysts of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are very rare, and to date, only 12 cases of a synovial cyst in the TMJ region have been reported in the literature. In this paper, we present the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of one such lesion affecting a 48-year-old woman, presented with a mass in the left preauricular region.We describe the usefulness of immunohistochemical analysis for recognizing the synovial lining, which allowed for clear differentiation between ganglion and synovial cysts. Immunohistochemical analyses can be used to diagnose synovial cysts with certainty; however, using at least two markers is advisable to distinguish the two existing synovial cell subtypes. Our findings indicate that synovial cysts of TMJ possess an internal lining dominated by type B (fibroblast-like) synoviocytes

Geostatistical radar-raingauge combination with nonparametric correlograms: methodological considerations and application in Switzerland

Modelling spatial covariance is an essential part of all geostatistical methods. Traditionally, parametric semivariogram models are fit from available data. More recently, it has been suggested to use nonparametric correlograms obtained from spatially complete data fields. Here, both estimation techniques are compared. Nonparametric correlograms are shown to have a substantial negative bias. Nonetheless, when combined with the sample variance of the spatial field under consideration, they yield an estimate of the semivariogram that is unbiased for small lag distances. This justifies the use of this estimation technique in geostatistical applications. Various formulations of geostatistical combination (Kriging) methods are used here for the construction of hourly precipitation grids for Switzerland based on data from a sparse realtime network of raingauges and from a spatially complete radar composite. Two variants of Ordinary Kriging (OK) are used to interpolate the sparse gauge observations. In both OK variants, the radar data are only used to determine the semivariogram model. One variant relies on a traditional parametric semivariogram estimate, whereas the other variant uses the nonparametric correlogram. The variants are tested for three cases and the impact of the semivariogram model on the Kriging prediction is illustrated. For the three test cases, the method using nonparametric correlograms performs equally well or better than the traditional method, and at the same time offers great practical advantages. Furthermore, two variants of Kriging with external drift (KED) are tested, both of which use the radar data to estimate nonparametric correlograms, and as the external drift variable. The first KED variant has been used previously for geostatistical radar-raingauge merging in Catalonia (Spain). The second variant is newly proposed here and is an extension of the first. Both variants are evaluated for the three test cases as well as an extended evaluation period. It is found that both methods yield merged fields of better quality than the original radar field or fields obtained by OK of gauge data. The newly suggested KED formulation is shown to be beneficial, in particular in mountainous regions where the quality of the Swiss radar composite is comparatively low. An analysis of the Kriging variances shows that none of the methods tested here provides a satisfactory uncertainty estimate. A suitable variable transformation is expected to improve this

Criteri topologici per l'ottimizzazione sicura di reazioni potenzialmente fuggitive

In this work, optimization procedures, particurarly suitable for potentially runaway reactions carried out in indirectly cooled semibatch reactors operated in isoperibolic temperature control mode, have been developed. Such optimization procedures based on a particular criterion, referred to as "topological", in order tio select a set of operating conditions which is able of ensuring both process thermochemical stability and high productivity and selectivity with respect the desired product. This topological approach has been validated both experimentally and theoretically by studing kinetic schemes characterized by different complexity degrees. As an example, the relevant case study of the free radical emulsion polymerization of vinyl acetate has been analyzed and reported

LaeA and VeA are involved in growth morphology, asexual development, and mycotoxin production in Alternaria alternata

Alternaria alternata is a common filamentous fungus that contaminates various fruits, grains and vegetables causing important economic losses to farmers and the food industry. A. alternata is a mycotoxigenic mould, which may jeopardize human and animal health. Two of the most common A. alternata mycotoxins found in food and feed are alternariol and alternariol monomethyl ether. In this study we examined the role of LaeA and VeA, two regulatory proteins belonging to the velvet family, which have been described to be involved in several functions in many fungi including secondary metabolism. We found that deletion of laeA and veA genes, respectively, greatly reduced sporulation and strongly compromised mycotoxin production, both in vitro or during pathogenesis of tomato fruits. We have also studied how the loss of laeA and veA may affect expression of genes related to alternariol and alternariol monomethyl ether biosynthesis (pksJ and altR), and to melanin biosynthesis (cmrA, pksA).We are also grateful to the Catalonian Government (XaRTA-Reference Network on Food Technology) for their financial support. N. Estiarte thanks the Secretaria de Universitats i Recerca del Departament d'Economia i Coneixement of the Generalitat de Catalunya for the pre-doctoral grant (FI-DGR 2013)

Biotrickling filtration of isopropanol under intermittent loading conditions

This paper investigates the removal of isopropanol by gas phase biotrickling filtration. Two plastic packing materials, one structured and one random, have been evaluated in terms of oxygen mass transfer and isopropanol removal efficiency (RE). Oxygen mass transfer experiments were performed at gas velocities of 104 and 312 m h-1 and liquid velocities between 3 and 33 m h-1. Both materials showed similar mass transfer coefficients up to liquid velocities of 15 m h-1. At greater liquid velocities, the structured packing exhibited greater oxygen mass transfer coefficients. Biotrickling filtration experiments were carried out at inlet loads (IL) from 20 to 65 g C m-3 h -1 and empty bed residence times (EBRT) from 15 14 to 160 s. To simulate typical industrial emissions, intermittent isopropanol loading (16 h/day, 5 16 day/week) and intermittent spraying frequency (15 min/1.5 hours) were applied. Maximum elimination capacity (EC) of 51 g C m-3 h -1 has been obtained for the random packing (IL of 65 g C m-3 h -1 17 , EBRT of 18 50 s). The decrease in irrigation frequency to 15 min every 3 hours caused a decrease in the outlet emissions from 86 to 59 mg C Nm-3 (inlet of 500 mg C Nm-3). The expansion of spraying to night and weekend periods promoted the degradation of the isopropanol accumulated in the water tank during the day, reaching effluent concentrations as low as 44 mg C Nm-3. After a 7 week starvation period, theperformance was recovered in less than 10 days, proving the robustness of the proces

Removal of a mixture of oxygenated VOCs in a biotrickling filter

[Abstract] Laboratory scale-studies on the biodegradation of a 1:1:1 wt mixture of three oxygenated volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ethanol, ethyl acetate and methyl-ethyl ketone (MEK) in a biotrickling filter were carried out using two identically sized columns, filled with different polypropylene rings. The reactors were seeded with a two-month preconditioned culture from activated sludge. The performance of the biotrickling filters was examined for a continuous period of 4 months at VOC concentration from 125 mg-C/m3 to 550 mg-C/m3 and at gas flow rates of around 1.0 m3/h, 2.0 m3/h and 4.6 m3/h, which correspond to gas empty bed residence times (EBRT) of 68 s, 33 s and 16 s, respectively. Similar performance was obtained for both supports. Intermittent flow rate of trickling liquid was shown as beneficial to improve the removal efficiency of the system. A stratification in the substrate consumption was observed from gas composition profiles, with MEK % in the emission greater than 78%. Continuous VOC feeding resulted in an excessive accumulation of biomass and high pressure drop was developed in less than 20-30 days of operation. Intermittent VOC loading with night and weekend feed cut-off periods passing dried air, but without water addition, was shown as a successful operational mode to control the biofilm thickness. In this case, operation at high inlet loads was extended for more than 50 days maintaining high removal efficiencies and low pressure drops

Q fever mimicking herpetic encephalitis

We describe a patient with temporal lobe encephalitis associated with primary Coxiella burnetii infection who lsresented with CT and MRI findings suggestive of herpes simplex encephaktis and an initial improvement during treatment with acyclovir. Q fever should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients whose manifestations suggest herpes encephalitis