A three-dimensional spatial characterization of the crossed-hands deficit

To perceive the location of touch in space, we integrate information about skin-location with information about the location of that body part in space. Most research investigating this process of tactile spatial remapping has used the so-called crossed-hands deficit, in which the ability to judge the temporal order of touches on the two hands is impaired when the arms are crossed. This posture induces a conflict between skin-based and tactile external spatial representations, specifically in the left-right dimension. Thus, it is unknown whether touch is affected by posture when spatial relations other than the right-left dimension are available. Here, we tested the extent to which the crossed-hands deficit is a measure of tactile remapping, reflecting tactile encoding in continuous three-dimensional space. Participants judged the temporal order of tactile stimuli presented to crossed and uncrossed hands. The arms were placed at different elevations (up-down dimension; Experiments 1 and 2), or at different distances from the body in the depth plane (near-far dimension; Experiment 3). The crossed-hands deficit was reduced when other sources of spatial information, orthogonal to the left-right dimension, were available. Nonetheless, the deficit persisted in all conditions, even when processing of non-conflicting information was enough to solve the task. Together, these results demonstrate that the processing underlying the crossed-hands deficit is related to the encoding of tactile localization in three-dimensional space, rather than related uniquely to the cost of processing information in the right-left dimension. Furthermore, the persistence of the crossing effect provides evidence for automatic integration of all available information, regardless of whether or not it is conflicting

Spatial remapping of Tactile Events: Assessing the effects of frequent posture changes

During the apparently mindless act of localizing a tactile sensation our brain must realign its initial spatial representation on the skin (somatotopicaly arranged) according to current body posture (arising from proprioception, vision and even audition). We have recently illustrated4 the temporal course of this recoding of tactile space from somatotopic to external coordinates using a crossmodal cueing psychophysical paradigm5,6 where behavioural reactions to visual targets are evaluated as a function of the location of irrelevant tactile cues. We found that the tactile events are initially represented in terms of a fleeting, non-conscious but nevertheless behaviorally consequential somatotopic format, which is quickly replaced by the representations referred to external spatial locations that prevail in our everyday experience. In this addendum, we test the intuition that frequent changes in body posture will make it harder to update the spatial remapping system and thus, produce stronger psychophysical correlates of the initial somatotopically-based spatial representations. Contrary to this expectation, however, we found no evidence for a modulation when preventing adaptation to a body posture

Nuevo método para determinar la proporción de esmectita dioctaédrica en sedimentos y suelos mediante análisis termogravimétrico

1 página, 2 figuras.-- Comunicación presentada en la XXVII Reunión de la Sociedad Española de Mineralogía, celebrada en Jaén entre el 11 y 14 de Septiembre de 2007.Peer reviewe

A conceptual model of tactile processing across body features of size, shape, side, and spatial location

The processing of touch depends of multiple factors, such as the properties of the skin and type of receptors stimulated, as well as features related to the actual configuration and shape of the body itself. A large body of research has focused on the effect that the nature of the stimuli has on tactile processing. Less research, however, has focused on features beyond the nature of the touch. In this review, we focus on some features related to the body that have been investigated for less time and in a more fragmented way. These include the symmetrical quality of the two sides of the body, the postural configuration of the body, as well as the size and shape of different body parts. We will describe what we consider three key aspects: (a) how and at which stages tactile information is integrated between different parts and sides of the body; (b) how tactile signals are integrated with online and stored postural configurations of the body, regarded as priors; (c) and how tactile signals are integrated with representations of body size and shape. Here, we describe how these different body dimensions affect integration of tactile information as well as guide motor behaviour by integrating them in a single model of tactile processing. We review a wide range of neuropsychological, neuroimaging and neurophysiological data and suggest a revised model of tactile integration on the basis of the one proposed previously by Longo and colleagues (2010)

Dynamic tuning of tactile localization to body posture

Localizing touch in space is essential for goal-directed action. Because body posture changes, the brain must transform tactile coordinates from an initial skin-based representation to external space by integrating information about current posture. This process, referred to as tactile remapping, generally results in accurate localization, but accuracy drops when skin-based and external spatial representations of touch are conflicting, e.g., after crossing the limbs. Importantly, frequent experience of such postures can improve localization. This suggests that remapping may not only integrate current sensory input but also prior experience. Here, we demonstrate that this can result in rapid changes in localization performance over the course of few trials. We obtained an implicit measure of tactile localization by studying the perceived temporal order of two touches, one on each hand. Crucially, we varied the number of consecutive trials during which participants held their arms crossed or uncrossed. As expected, accuracy dropped immediately after the arms had been crossed. Importantly, this was followed by a progressive recovery if posture was maintained, despite the absence of performance feedback. Strikingly, a significant improvement was already evident in the localization of the second pair of touches. This rapid improvement required preceding touch in the same posture and did not occur merely as a function of time. Moreover, even touches that were not task relevant led to improved localization of subsequent touch. Our findings show that touches are mapped from skin to external space as a function of recent tactile experience

Evaluación regional de inestabilidades de ladera por efecto sísmico: Mapas de desplazamiento de Newmark para la Cuenca de Lorca (SE España)

El sureste de España está caracterizado por una sismicidad de baja a moderada magnitud. Sin embargo, los terremotos de baja magnitud (Mw=4.0-4.5) pueden producir daños significativos en las edificaciones, así como inestabilidades de ladera (caída de rocas, principalmente). En este trabajo se presenta un mapa de desplazamientos de Newmark para la Cuenca de Lorca considerando diferentes escenarios sísmicos. Para su construcción se ha elaborado un mapa litológico basado en los mapas geológicos del IGME, asignando a cada unidad valores de peso específico, cohesión y ángulo de fricción obtenidos de bibliografía y de ensayos geotécnicos. Estos mapas se combinan con el mapa de pendientes generado a partir de un modelo digital de elevaciones (MDE) para obtener un mapa de factores de seguridad estáticos. Combinando éste con el de pendientes se obtiene el mapa de aceleraciones críticas (ac) que representa la susceptibilidad sísmica al deslizamiento. Se han considerado varios escenarios sísmicos para los que se ha aplicado factores de amplificación del terreno y topográfico para obtener los mapas de aceleración sísmica máxima (PGA). Los desplazamientos de Newmark (DN) se obtienen empleando una ecuación empírica en función del ratio K (ac/PGA). Los mapas obtenidos permiten identificar las áreas de potencial riesgo en la Cuenca de Lorca. En general, las inestabilidades esperables serán de tipo desprendimiento, particularmente caídas de rocas

Lateral variations of pressure-temperature evolution in non-cylindrical orogens and 3-D subduction dynamics: the Betic-Rif Cordillera example

This paper is a contribution of the Orogen project funded by Total, BRGM and CNRS-INSU and it benefited from numerous discussions with the Orogen community. The 40Ar/39Ar facility at ISTO was funded and is supported by the ERC Advanced grant RHEOLITH, the LABEX project VOLTAIRE (ANR-10-LABX-100-01), the Région Centre project ARGON, and the project EQUIPEX PLANEX (ANR-11-EQPX-0036). We would to thank the guest-editor David Pedreira and the two reviewers, Juan Soto and André Michard for a really extensive analysis of our manuscript, which is obviously in better shape now. Special thanks are due to Federico Rossetti who commented on an early version of the manuscript.The long-term Pressure-Temperature-time-deformation (P-T-t-d) evolution of the internal zones of orogens results from complex interactions between the subducting lithosphere, the overriding plate and the intervening asthenosphere. 2-D numerical models successfully reproduce natural P-T-t-d paths, but most orogens are non-cylindrical and the situation is far more complex due to 3-D pre-orogenic inheritance and 3-D subduction dynamics. The Mediterranean orogens are intrinsically non-cylindrical. Their 3-D geometry results from the complex shape of the Eurasian and African margins before convergence and from the dynamics of slab retreat and tearing leading to strongly arcuate belts. More than many other segments, the Betic-Rif belt is archetypal of this behavior. A synthesis of the tectonometamorphic evolution of the Internal Zones, also based on recent findings by our group in the framework of the Orogen Project (Alboran domain, including the Alpujarride-Sebtide and Nevado-Filabride complexes) shows the relations in space and time between tectonic and P-T evolutions. The reinterpretation of the contact between peridotite massifs and Mesozoic sediments as an extensional detachment leads to a discussion of the geodynamic setting and timing of mantle exhumation. Based on new Ar-40/Ar-39 ages in the Alpujarride-Sebtide complex and a discussion of published ages in the Nevado-Filabride complex, we conclude that the age of the HP-LT metamorphism is Eocene in all complexes. A first-order observation is the contrast between the well-preserved Eocene HP-LT blueschists-facies rocks of the eastern Alpujarride-Sebtide Complex and the younger HT-LP conditions reaching partial melting recorded in the Western Alpujarride. We propose a model where the large longitudinal variations in the P-T evolution are mainly due to (i) differences in the timing of subduction and exhumation, (ii) the nature of the subducting lithosphere and (iii) a major change in subduction dynamics at similar to 20 Ma associated with a slab-tearing event. The clustering of radiometric ages obtained with different methods around 20 Ma results from a regional exhumation episode coeval with slab tearing, westward migration of the trench, back-arc extension and thrusting of the whole orogen onto the African and Iberian margins.TotalBRGMCentre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)ERC Advanced grant RHEOLITHLABEX project VOLTAIRE ANR-10-LABX-100-01Region Centre project ARGONproject EQUIPEX PLANEX ANR-11-EQPX-003

Overconsolidated flysch-type clays. Engineering considerations for the Strait of Gibraltar tunnel project

The stress-strain behaviour of 85 overconsolidated clay samples from Campo de Gibraltar Flysch Through Domain (Algeciras Unit, South Spain) is presented and discussed. The samples were identified and classified following ASTM standards while their chemical and mineralogical composition were determined by chemical and X-ray techniques. Several samples were tested under triaxial as well as oedometric conditions. Given the results, a detailed comparison was made between different theoretical constitutive models and real testing data, using the finite-elements method. The comparison indicated a good fit between experimental data and those found with finite-elements modelling when the Hardening Soil constitutive model was used. This model showed a better fit than did the Modified Cam-Clay model (historically used for modelling clayey soils), although the latter fit proved better for lower strain values ([removed]10 página

Estudio preliminar de la estabilidad en condiciones dinámicas del deslizamiento de Bàlitx (Sierra de Tramuntana, Mallorca)

En este trabajo se realiza un estudio preliminar de estabilidad retrospectivo en condiciones dinámicas del deslizamiento de Bàlitx (Mallorca). Este gran movimiento de ladera se localiza en la franja costera del sector central de la Sierra de Tramuntana, en la parte noroccidental de la isla de Mallorca. El área se caracteriza por el predominio de materiales rocosos carbonatados (calizas y dolomías) del Jurásico inferior (Lías) que configuran espectaculares acantilados rocosos de varios centenares de metros de altura. En el caso del deslizamiento de Bàlitx, estos materiales carbonatados se disponen sobre los materiales blandos del Triásico (facies Keuper), constituidos principalmente por margas y arcillas con yesos. Teniendo en cuenta que en la isla de Mallorca existen registros de sismicidad histórica y que, además, presenta una peligrosidad sísmica moderada, el estudio en condiciones dinámicas del deslizamiento de Bàlitx ha permitido confirmar su posible origen sísmico. Se ha estimado que el deslizamiento pudo ser provocado por un terremoto de magnitud moderada a alta (Mw=4.7-6.5) localizado en las inmediaciones del deslizamiento (≤ 20 km). [ABSTRACT]In this work we perform a slope stability back-analysis of the Bàlitx landslide in dynamic conditions. This slope instability is located on the coast of the central sector of the Tramuntana Range, in Majorca Island. This area is characterized by the predominance of Jurassic limestones, on which spectacular cliffs of several hundred metres have been developed. In the Bàlitx landslide, these carbonated materials lie on top of Triassic soft materials (Keuper facies), composed mainly of marls and clays with gypsum. In this work we focus on analyzing the possibility that the Bàlitx landslide was triggered by an earthquake. Majorca Island, although it is considered as a region of low-to-moderate seismic hazard, shows historical damaging earthquakes and Quaternary active faults. We have concluded preliminary that the Bàlitx landslide could have been triggered by a moderate-to-large earthquake (Mw=4.7-6.5) located relatively close to the landslide (≤ 20 km)