Geochemistry of basement basaltic rocks of ODP Hole 131-808C

Major- and trace-element analyses, mineral chemistry, and Sr-Nd isotopic determinations were obtained on representative igneous rocks drilled from the Nankai accretionary complex (Site 808) during Ocean Drilling Program Leg 131. For the first time, the oceanic basement of the subducting plate below an accretionary prism has been reached. The Nankai Trough basement was encountered at a depth of 1289.9 mbsf and a total of 37.1 m of igneous rocks, middle Miocene (15.6 Ma) in age, was penetrated. Two main lithological units have been distinguished from the top downward; sill-like rocks (Unit I: Cores 105, 106, 107) and pillow lavas (Unit II: Core 108). Basalts are predominantly nonvesicular, hypocrystalline, aphyric to slightly phyric with intersertal to intergranular textures. Alteration is generally slight to moderate. All the basaltic rocks are cut by ramifying veins of varying widths. Secondary mineral assemblages (including vein fillings) are typical of submarine alteration and zeolite to low greenschist facies metamorphism. The order of crystallization of primary minerals is: olivine, plagioclase, clinopyroxene. This, together with mineral chemistry, characterized by forsteritic olivine (Fo 84-85), highly anorthitic Plagioclase (up to An 90), and in particular the composition of clinopyroxene, are typical of normal mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB). In terms of Zr/Y (2.9-3.8) and Zr/Nb (21-58), all the analyzed samples plot in the normal MORB field. The chondrite-normalized REE patterns confirm the close affinity with normal MORB type (LaN/SmN: 0.6-0.8). Note that such magmatism does not reveal any evidence of subduction-related geochemical components. The 87Sr/86Sr isotopic ratios range from 0.70339 in pillow lavas to 0.70317 in the least-altered basalts of sill units (ratios reduced to 0.70265-0.70271 by HC1 2.5 N hot leaching), whereas 143Nd/144Nd ratios are 0.51314-0.51326. These values conform with those of normal MORB. Stratigraphy, petrography, and geochemistry of the basaltic rocks recovered at Site 808 appear very similar to those from the Shikoku Basin basement (particularly Sites 442 and 443, DSDP Leg 58), analogously identified as normal MORB.

Sea surface temperature and primary productivity reconstruction of sediment core SO130-275KL from the northeastern Arabian Sea during the late Holocene

Variability in the oceanic environment of the Arabian Sea region is strongly influenced by the seasonal monsoon cycle of alternating wind directions. Prominent and well studied is the summer monsoon, but much less is known about late Holocene changes in winter monsoon strength with winds from the northeast that drive convective mixing and high surface ocean productivity in the northeastern Arabian Sea. To establish a high-resolution record of winter monsoon variability for the late Holocene, we analyzed alkenone-derived sea surface temperature (SST) variations and proxies of primary productivity (organic carbon and d15N) in a well-laminated sediment core from the Pakistan continental margin. Weak winter monsoon intensities off Pakistan are indicated from 400 B.C. to 250 A.D. by reduced productivity and relatively high SST. At about 250 A.D., the intensity of the winter monsoon increased off Pakistan as indicated by a trend to lower SST. We infer that monsoon conditions were relatively unstable from ~500 to 1300 A.D., because primary production and SST were highly variable. Declining SST and elevated biological production from 1400 to 1900 A.D. suggest invigorated convective winter mixing by strengthening winter monsoon circulation, most likely a regional expression of colder climate conditions during the Little Ice Age on the Northern Hemisphere. The comparison of winter monsoon intensity with records of summer monsoon intensity suggests that an inverse relationship between summer and winter monsoon strength exists in the Asian monsoon system during the late Holocene, effected by shifts in the Intertropical Convergence Zone.

Systematics of African Amphicyonidae, with descriptions of new material from Napak (Uganda) and Grillental (Namibia)

The Early Miocene Napak XV locality (ca 20.5 Ma), Uganda, has yielded an interesting assemblage of fossils, including the very well represented amphicyonid Hecubides euryodon. The remarkable find of a nearly complete mandible, unfortunately with poorly preserved dentition, together with new dental remains allow us to obtain a better idea about the morphology and variability of this species. Additionally, we describe a newly discovered mandible of Hecubides euryodon from the Grillental-VI locality (Sperrgebiet, Namibia), which is the most complete and diagnostic Amphicyonidae material found in this area. Comparisons with Cynelos lemanensis from Saint Gérand le Pouy (France), the type locality, and with an updated sample of the species of amphicyonids described in Africa leads us to validate the genus Hecubides. Hecubides would be phylogenetically related to the medium and large size species of Amphicyonidae from Africa, most of them now grouped into the genera Afrocyon and Myacyon, both endemic to this continent.

Social economy, youth and employment

Organizations of the Social Economy in Spain accounted for 13% of employment and 12% of GDP in 2013, according to the Spanish Confederation fo Social Economy. Also, according to various institutions and studies, the role of Social Economy has become relevant due to they represent a model promoting the creation of collective business projects with greater sustainability and potential than models of individual self-employment. However, despite all this, there are few academic studies or sectoral reports analyzing employment in this sector, especially in the case of youth employment. This study aims to fill this gap in the literature analyzing the scared available data in order to show the numbers and characteristics of youth employment in this sector. Results show the weight of youth employment in the Social Economy is higher than the economy overall.

Quintus Curtius before his sources: the episode of Alexander and the Scythians on the Tanais

Quintus Curtius found in his sources a speech where a Scythian censured Alexander, followed by the King’s reply. Curtius drastically abridged this second discourse in order to highlight the criticism of the Macedonian. The Scythian’s words have a striking rhetorical language and some allusions taken from Greek literature, in addition to possible indirect references to Caligula. Curtius declares that he follows his source word-for-word aiming to justify these inconsistencies, but also trying to hide the manipulations he has done to achieve his own narrative purposes.

"Sub Tiberio quies"? Judaea’s Political Situation under the Prefects (6-41 c.e.), between Reality and Ideology

Deeply conflicting views on the political situation of Judaea under the Roman prefects (6-41 c.e.) have been offered. According to some scholars, this was a period of persistent political unrest and agitation, whilst according to a widespread view it was a quiescent period of political calm (reflected in Tacitus’ phrase sub Tiberio quies). The present article critically examines again the main available sources –particularly Josephus, the canonical Gospels and Tacitus– in order to offer a more reliable historical reconstruction. The conclusions drawn by this survey calls into question some widespread and insufficiently nuanced views on the period. This, in turn, allows a reflection on the non-epistemic factors which might contribute to explain the origin of such views.

Los emigrantes en las áreas mineras y las ciudades de Hispania: religión, identidades y difusión cultural

En el presente artículo analizamos los desplazamientos de cultos indígenas hispanos desde distintas áreas de la Península Ibérica hacia los principales lugares de inmigración en Hispania: las áreas mineras y las ciudades. Proponemos que estos grupos de emigrantes rendían culto en su nueva residencia a las deidades que veneraban en sus regiones de procedencia como un medio de preservar su cohesión social y su identidad cultural. La dureza de la vida laboral en las áreas mineras reforzaba la necesidad de fortalecer los lazos culturales.

Estimación de la edad gestacional utilizando medidas ecosonográficas no convencionales

De manera convencional para la estimación de la edad gestacional se utilizan las mediciones fetales: diámetro biparietal (DBP), circunferencia cefálica (CC), circunferencia abdominal (CA), longitud del fémur (LF). Estas mediciones sufren la influencia de distintos factores como los trastornos del crecimiento, el oligohidramnios, y el encajamiento de la cabeza fetal, haciéndolas no adecuadas la estimación de la edad gestacional. Si deseamos estimar la edad gestacional en estas circunstancias, debemos utilizar mediciones que no se alteren o se alteren muy poco con los trastornos del crecimiento, como el diámetro cerebeloso, la longitud del húmero, y la longitud del fémur. Debido a que los modelos que mejor reflejan el crecimiento de las mediciones ecográficas: cerebelo fetal, diámetro bi-ocular, longitud del húmero y longitud del fémur no son lineales, debemos construir los Modelos Estadísticos para estimar la edad gestacional, con Regresión no Lineal. Los Modelos de Regresión obtenidas cumplen con las metas propuestas: 1.- Valores de r en un rango de 0,9 a 0,99 2.- Coeficientes (b, c, d, n) sean distintos de 0 .- El análisis anova nos da F con valores significativos. Todos los coeficientes tienen T y P, significativos. Estas ecuaciones son útiles desde la semana 14 a la semana 40, y en las siguientes situaciones clínicas: 1.- Fetos con restricción del crecimiento 2.- Fetos en posición occipito posterior 3.- Cabeza fetal encajada

Civita Castellana (VT). Indagini archeologiche di emergenza nel suburbio di Falerii Veteres

In 2013 the works for the construction of the new sewerage network in Civita Castellana have allowed to find a stretch of ancient road paved in via Roma in the suburb of Falerii Veteres. The street was not yet known by archaeologists. It is characterized by a pavement with small lava stones. We know that the Roman conquest of 241 B.C. entailed the abandonment of the Faliscan city and the foundation elsewhere of a new town, called Falerii Novi. However this new discovery joins to other known archaeological evidence documenting the continuity of attendance after this date both the sanctuaries - frequented until the end of II - beginning of I century B.C.- and Falerii Veteres plateau, on which there arose a small Roman burial ground. These testimonies are certainly evidence of the frequenting of the site (although limited) even after the conquest by Rome. A subsequent earthy street with edges in tuff blocks has overlapped on the ancient street: it probably was made when the eastern access to Civita Castellana was built, under the pontificate of Pope Pius VI.

Crime and prejudice: The influence of appearance on blame amongst perpetrators and victims

Stereotypes based on characteristics such as age, race, and gender influence opinions in a criminal context. Yet, to date research has largely assessed whether perpetrators, rather than victims, are judged differently. Furthermore, although facial features can be a source of unconscious bias, research has failed to assess whether perceptions based on facial features affect the criminal context. To better understand the relationship between stereotypic facial features and gender, and whether this varies across perpetrators and victims, participants were asked to answer questions about an aggravated assault scenario after viewing an image of a person described as the victim or the alleged perpetrator. Images varied in gender and in presence or absence of tattoos or gothic makeup. Participants sympathized with the victim regardless of gender, but discrepancies were stronger if the victim was female than male. Neutral and tattooed faces were judged more harshly than faces with gothic makeup, regardless of gender.

Analyse des signaux radars polarimétriques en bandes C et L pour le suivi de l'humidité du sol de sites forestiers

Résumé : Dans les couverts forestiers, le suivi de l’humidité du sol permet de prévenir plusieurs désastres tels que la paludification, les incendies et les inondations. Comme ce paramètre est très dynamique dans l’espace et dans le temps, son estimation à grande échelle présente un grand défi, d’où le recours à la télédétection radar. Le capteur radar à synthèse d’ouverture (RSO) est couramment utilisé grâce à sa vaste couverture et sa résolution spatiale élevée. Contrairement aux sols nus et aux zones agricoles, le suivi de l’humidité du sol en zone forestière est très peu étudié à cause de la complexité des processus de diffusion dans ce type de milieu. En effet, la forte atténuation de la contribution du sol par la végétation et la forte contribution de volume issue de la végétation réduisent énormément la sensibilité du signal radar à l’humidité du sol. Des études portées sur des couverts forestiers ont montré que le signal radar en bande C provient principalement de la couche supérieure et sature vite avec la densité de la végétation. Cependant, très peu d’études ont exploré le potentiel des paramètres polarimétriques, dérivés d’un capteur polarimétrique comme RADARSAT-2, pour suivre l’humidité du sol sur les couverts forestiers. L’effet du couvert végétal est moins important avec la bande L en raison de son importante profondeur de pénétration qui permet de mieux informer sur l’humidité du sol. L’objectif principal de ce projet est de suivre l’humidité du sol à partir de données radar entièrement polarimétriques en bandes C et L sur des sites forestiers. Les données utilisées sont celles de la campagne terrain Soil Moisture Active Passive Validation EXperiment 2012 (SMAPVEX12) tenue du 6 juin au 17 juillet 2012 au Manitoba (Canada). Quatre sites forestiers de feuillus ont été échantillonnés. L’espèce majoritaire présente est le peuplier faux-tremble. Les données utilisées incluent des mesures de l’humidité du sol, de la rugosité de surface du sol, des caractéristiques des sites forestiers (arbres, sous-bois, litières…) et des données radar entièrement polarimétriques aéroportées et satellitaires acquises respectivement, en bande L (UAVSAR) à 30˚ et 40˚ et en bande C (RADARSAT-2) entre 20˚ et 30˚. Plusieurs paramètres polarimétriques ont été dérivés des données UAVSAR et RADARSAT-2 : les coefficients de corrélation (ρHHVV, φHHVV, etc); la hauteur du socle; l’entropie (H), l’anisotropie (A) et l’angle alpha extraits de la décomposition de Cloude-Pottier; les puissances de diffusion de surface (Ps), de double bond (Pd) extraites de la décomposition de Freeman-Durden, etc. Des relations entre les données radar (coefficients de rétrodiffusion multifréquences et multipolarisations (linéaires et circulaires) et les paramètres polarimétriques) et l’humidité du sol ont été développées et analysées. Les résultats ont montré que 1) En bande L, plusieurs paramètres optimaux permettent le suivi de l’humidité du sol en zone forestière avec un coefficient de corrélation significatif (p-value < 0,05): σ[indice supérieur 0] linéaire et σ[indice supérieur 0] circulaire (le coefficient de corrélation, r, varie entre 0,60 et 0,96), Ps (r entre 0,59 et 0,84), Pd (r entre 0,6 et 0,82), ρHHHV_30˚, ρVVHV_30˚, φHHHV_30˚ and φHHVV_30˚ (r entre 0,56 et 0,81) alors qu’en bande C, ils sont réduits à φHHHV, φVVHV et φHHVV (r est autour de 0,90). 2) En bande L, les paramètres polarimétriques n’ont pas montré de valeur ajoutée par rapport aux signaux conventionnels multipolarisés d’amplitude, pour le suivi de l’humidité du sol sur les sites forestiers. En revanche, en bande C, certains paramètres polarimétriques ont montré de meilleures relations significatives avec l’humidité du sol que les signaux conventionnels multipolarisés d’amplitude.

Análisis económico de los bienes baldíos en Colombia

En este estudio se pretende exponer la situación actual de los derechos de propiedad de los bienes inmuebles rurales, principalmente bienes baldíos. Se parte de la base de los regímenes que han existido, sus principales características, su estado actual, la productividad económica de los mismos en determinadas regiones de Colombia, su seguridad jurídica y se planteará una propuesta de mejoramiento que podría obtener mejores resultados, tanto sociales como económicos, soportado en la experiencia del autor y en los diversos estudios que se han efectuado sobre el tema a nivel mundial.

A new approach for computing a flood vulnerability index using cluster analysis

A Flood Vulnerability Index (FloodVI) was developed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and a new aggregation method based on Cluster Analysis (CA). PCA simplifies a large number of variables into a few uncorrelated factors representing the social, economic, physical and environmental dimensions of vulnerability. CA groups areas that have the same characteristics in terms of vulnerability into vulnerability classes. The grouping of the areas determines their classification contrary to other aggregation methods in which the areas' classification determines their grouping. While other aggregation methods distribute the areas into classes, in an artificial manner, by imposing a certain probability for an area to belong to a certain class, as determined by the assumption that the aggregation measure used is normally distributed, CA does not constrain the distribution of the areas by the classes. FloodVI was designed at the neighbourhood level and was applied to the Portuguese municipality of Vila Nova de Gaia where several flood events have taken place in the recent past. The FloodVI sensitivity was assessed using three different aggregation methods: the sum of component scores, the first component score and the weighted sum of component scores. The results highlight the sensitivity of the FloodVI to different aggregation methods. Both sum of component scores and weighted sum of component scores have shown similar results. The first component score aggregation method classifies almost all areas as having medium vulnerability and finally the results obtained using the CA show a distinct differentiation of the vulnerability where hot spots can be clearly identified. The information provided by records of previous flood events corroborate the results obtained with CA, because the inundated areas with greater damages are those that are identified as high and very high vulnerability areas by CA. This supports the fact that CA provides a reliable FloodVI.

Physicochemical and antioxidant properties of the pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.) almond oil obtained by handmade and cold-pressed processes.

Abstract: The aim of this study is to characterize physical and chemically and determine the antioxidant capacity of pequi almond oils (PAO) extracted by handmade and by cold-pressing. Both oils showed good quality by acid, peroxide and thiobarbituric acid values. The fatty acid (FA) profile showed a significant presence of monounsaturated FA, mainly oleic acid (53.48 to 55.41%); saturated FA, such as palmitic acid (33.30 to 35.89 %); and polyunsaturated FA (PUFA), such as linoleic acid (5.85 to 7.23%). The total phenolic (TP) and carotenoid content ranged in concentration from 87.56 to 392.00 mg GAE/100 g and 36.03 to 262.40 mg/100 g, respectively. The tocopherol and phytosterol results indicated the predominant presence of α-tocopherol (52 to 67%) and stigmasterol (63 to 68 %). The antioxidant capacity of PAO as measured using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH?) method oscillated from 58.48 mg/mL to 76.46 mg/mL (IC50), from 10.61 to 40.46 µmol TE/g by the 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS?+) method, and from 113.93 to 280.85 µmol TE/100 g and 164.49 to 277.86 µmol TE/100 g, by the lipophilic and hydrophilic oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) methods, respectively. The oils presented a good oxidative and thermal stability by Rancimat method (IP of 7.33 a 15.91 h) and curves thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry (To 337-363 °C and 159-184 °C, respectively). The results confirmed the presence of compounds that conferred antioxidant capacity and oxidative and thermal resistance for PAO made by handmade or cold-pressing, indicating that these oils can potentially be used for food and non-food applications.

Nutrientes limitantes em pastagens nativas de Panicum zizanoides H.B.K. e Axonopus affinis em um plintossolo da ilha de Marajó, Pará.

Dois experimentos foram realizados em casa de vegetação na Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias do Pará (FCAP) com o objetivo de determinar as deficiências nutricionais das gramíneas nativas: taboquinha (Panicum zizanoides H. B. K.) e pancuã (Axonopus affinis) em um Plintossolo da ilha de Marajó (PA). em 1996. Cada experimento constou dc 13 tratamentos, com três repetições, em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Os tratamentos consistiram de uma solução completa (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Zn, Cu e Mo), solução completa + calagem. testemunha e soluções obtidas pela omissão dc N, P, K. Ca, Mg. S. Cu, B, Zn e Mo da solução completa. Foram avaliadas a produção forrageira das raízes, parte aérea e o teor de nutrientes das gramíneas aos 43 dias de idade. Os dados obtidos demonstraram que as pastagens nativas responderam à aplica��ão de fertilizantes (a < 0,01) no Plintossolo da ilha de Marajó. P, N (a <0.01) e K (a <0,05) foram os nutrientes mais limitantes para a produção de matéria seca da parte aérea do capim taboquinha. A omissão de Ca, de Zn e de B aumentou (a < 0.01) a produção de biomassa em relação ao tratamento completo; a aplica��ão de P incrementou (a < 0.01) o desenvolvimento do sistema radicular dessa gramínea. As deficiências nutricionais mais importantes do capim pancuã foram o P. K. Zn (a < 0,01) e o S (a < 0,05). A omissão de N aumentou (a < 0.01) o crescimento das raízes dessa espécie nativa. A produção relativa de biomassa dos capins testados obedeceu à ordem taboquinha > pancuã. Estes resultados confirmam a possibilidade de melhorar a produtividade de pastagens nativas da ilha de Marajó com o manejo do solo.