Palaeoenvironment of Eocene prodelta in Spitsbergen recorded by the trace fossil Phycosiphon incertum

Ichnological, sedimentological and geochemical analyses were conducted on the Eocene Frysjaodden Formation in order to interpret palaeoenvironment prodelta sediments in the Central Basin of Spitsbergen. Phycosiphon incertum is the exclusive ichnotaxon showing differences in size, distribution, abundance and density, and relation to laminated/bioturbated intervals. Large P. incertum mainly occur dispersed, isolated and randomly distributed throughout the weakly laminated/non-laminated intervals. Small P. incertum occur occasionally in patches of several burrows within laminated intervals or as densely packed burrows in thin horizons in laminated intervals or constituting fully bioturbated intervals that are several centimetres thick. Ichnological changes are mainly controlled by oxygenation, although the availability of benthic food cannot be discarded. Changes in oxygenation and rate of sedimentation can be correlated with the registered variations in the Bouma sequence of the distal turbiditic beds within prodeltal shelf sediments.Funding for this research was provided by Project CGL2012-33281 (Secretaría de Estado de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación, Spain), Project RYC-2009-04316 (Ramón y Cajal Programme) and Projects RNM-3715 and RNM-7408 and Research Group RNM-178 (Junta de Andalucía). The authors benefited from a bilateral agreement between the universities of Granada and Oslo, supported by the University of Granada

Evaluation of Chloride Diffusion and Corrosion Resistance in Reinforced Concrete Using Internal Curing and Shrinkage Reducing Admixtures

The properties of high-performance concretes obtained by the internal curing technique were studied in the fresh and hardened states. In some of the concrete mixtures, fine normal weight aggregates were replaced with lightweight aggregates (LWA) at 20 % vol. and ordinary portland cement was replaced by pulverized class F fly ash at 20 % by mass. Additionally, some mixtures were prepared including a shrinkage-reducing admixture, either as part of the mixing water or pre-soaked into the lightweight fine aggregates. The prepared concretes were subjected to degradation tests, such as accelerated carbonation and chloride ion deterioration. In addition, the reinforced concretes were analyzed through electrochemical corrosion tests with the linear polarization resistance technique. It was found that the internally cured concretes presented a mechanical resistance similar to those reported for the reference concretes (conventional concretes), but provided a higher resistance to carbonation, rapid penetration of chloride ions, and a lower chloride ion diffusion coefficient. The reinforcing steel structure in the internally cured concretes showed lower corrosion currents (Icorr) and corrosion potentials (Ecorr) in comparison to the reference concretes. Therefore, the use of the internal curing technique in concretes with pre-soaking in either water or a solution of shrinkage-reducing admixture can be considered as a viable alternative to extend the service life of concrete structures in contact with harmful environments

Proteomic Analysis of the Acidocalcisome, an Organelle Conserved from Bacteria to Human Cells

Acidocalcisomes are acidic organelles present in a diverse range of organisms from bacteria to human cells. In this study acidocalcisomes were purified from the model organism Trypanosoma brucei, and their protein composition was determined by mass spectrometry. The results, along with those that we previously reported, show that acidocalcisomes are rich in pumps and transporters, involved in phosphate and cation homeostasis, and calcium signaling. We validated the acidocalcisome localization of seven new, putative, acidocalcisome proteins (phosphate transporter, vacuolar H+-ATPase subunits a and d, vacuolar iron transporter, zinc transporter, polyamine transporter, and acid phosphatase), confirmed the presence of six previously characterized acidocalcisome proteins, and validated the localization of five novel proteins to different subcellular compartments by expressing them fused to epitope tags in their endogenous loci or by immunofluorescence microscopy with specific antibodies. Knockdown of several newly identified acidocalcisome proteins by RNA interference (RNAi) revealed that they are essential for the survival of the parasites. These results provide a comprehensive insight into the unique composition of acidocalcisomes of T. brucei, an important eukaryotic pathogen, and direct evidence that acidocalcisomes are especially adapted for the accumulation of polyphosphate

Effect of Different Technological Factors on the Gelation of a Low-Lectin Bean Protein Isolate

Gelling ability of a bean protein isolate (BPI) obtained from a naturally low-lectin variety (Phaseolus vulgaris var. Almonga) was analysed. For that purpose differences on gels processing: concentration (14% and 17%), salt addition (0 and 2%), and pH (6.5 –lot A- and 7 –lot B), were studied to obtain suitable colour, mechanical and viscoelastic properties for making appropriate meat and seafood analogues. Gelation at pH 7 at both 14 and 17% BPI concentrations, produced less rigid, more flexible, time-stable and cohesive gel networks. Colour of the resulting gels was white enough to be considered as an adequate base for making plant-based analogues. The content of total galactoside, inositol phosphates and trypsin inhibitors (bioactive compounds) present in one serving (100 g) of these BPI gels were up to 0.80 mg/g, 8.06 mg/g and 239 TIUs, respectively

Endocrine and Metabolic impact of oral ingestion of a carob-pod derived natural syrup containing D-Pinitol: potential use as a novel sweetener in diabetes

The use of added sugars or non-nutritive sweeteners in processed foods and soft drinks are being blamed for multiple complications associated with obesity and diabetes. High fructose content contributes to obesity and liver steatosis, and excessive consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners can generate gut dysbiosis complicating the metabolic control exerted by the liver. Beyond its evolutionary significance in the selection of foods with a high glucose content as an energy source, the fact is that the consumption of sweets produces a hedonic pleasure in our brain. Then, the challenge stands at: how do we control the use of added sugars while providing a safe, palatable, sweet flavour to foods?. The present work explores an alternative approach, in humans and rodents, for sweetening through the use of a simple carob-pod-derived syrup which contains the inositol D-Pinitol. This inositol is known as an insulin sensitizer in muscle capable of keeping glycaemia while avoiding both unnecessary insulin secretion and the conversion of carbohydrates into fat depots .Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

High performance reinforced concrete, corrosion – resistant into aggressive industrial environments

Reinforced concrete structures exposed to aggressive industrial environments suffer different accelerated deterioration mechanisms. In chlor-alkali production plants, the industrial environment contains high concentrations of carbonates and chlorides, damaging the structures and causing constant stoppages and repair processes on the structure of reinforced concrete. In this study, the effect of using internal curing on high performance concrete with low water/binder ratios was studied, implementing pumicite as internal curing agent, chemical additives and replacing Portland cement with pulverized fly ash. Durability measurements conducted were permeability of chloride ions, and carbonation depth under industrial andlaboratory conditions. Results showed that there is a reduction of the aggressive agents transport mechanisms when internal curing is applied. However, measurements at long ages must be done to evaluate the synergistic effect of the agents contained in the industrial environment on the metal reinforcement

Bottom-Water Conditions in a Marine Basin after the Cretaceous–Paleogene Impact Event: Timing the Recovery of Oxygen Levels and Productivity

An ultra-high-resolution analysis of major and trace element contents from the Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary interval in the Caravaca section, southeast Spain, reveals a quick recovery of depositional conditions after the impact event. Enrichment/depletion profiles of redox sensitive elements indicate significant geochemical anomalies just within the boundary ejecta layer, supporting an instantaneous recovery –some 102 years– of pre-impact conditions in terms of oxygenation. Geochemical redox proxies point to oxygen levels comparable to those at the end of the Cretaceous shortly after impact, which is further evidenced by the contemporary macrobenthic colonization of opportunistic tracemakers. Recovery of the oxygen conditions was therefore several orders shorter than traditional proposals (104–105 years), suggesting a probable rapid recovery of deep-sea ecosystems at bottom and in intermediate waters.This research was supported by Projects CGL2009-07603, CGL2008-03007, CGL2012-33281 and CGL2012-32659 (Secretaría de Estado de I+D+I, Spain), Projects RNM-3715 and RNM 05212, and Research Groups RNM-178 and 0179 (Junta de Andalucía)

Anatomy of Heinrich Layer 1 and its role in the last deglaciation

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) core scanning and X-ray computed tomography data were measured every 1 mm to study the structure of Heinrich Event 1 during the last deglaciation at International Ocean Discovery Program Site U1308. Heinrich Layer 1 comprises two distinct layers of ice-rafted detritus (IRD), which are rich in detrital carbonate (DC) and poor in foraminifera. Each DC layer consists of poorly sorted, coarse-grained clasts of IRD embedded in a dense, fine-grained matrix of glacial rock flour that is partially cemented. The radiocarbon ages of foraminifera at the base of the two layers indicate a difference of 1400 14C years, suggesting that they are two distinct events, but the calendar ages depend upon assumptions made for surface reservoir ages. The double peak indicates at least two distinct stages of discharge of the ice streams that drained the Laurentide Ice Sheet through Hudson Strait during HE1 or, alternatively, the discharge of two independent ice streams containing detrital carbonate. Heinrich Event 1.1 was the larger of the two events and began at ~16.2 ka (15.5–17.1 ka) when the polar North Atlantic was already cold and Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) weakened. The younger peak (H1.2) at ~15.1 ka (14.3 to 15.9 ka) was a weaker event than H1.1 that was accompanied by minor cooling. Our results support a complex history for Heinrich Stadial 1 (HS1) with reduction in AMOC during the early part (~20–16.2 ka) possibly driven by melting of European ice sheets, whereas the Laurentide Ice Sheet assumed a greater role during the latter half (~16.2–14.7 ka)