Recent publications
The Azores Archipelago, prone to multiple geohazards such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and extreme weather events, faces significant risks of landslides, particularly due to the complex geological characteristics of its volcanic formations. This study focuses on assessing the seismic stability of a slope near Porto Formoso on São Miguel Island, composed of trachytic volcanic rock overlain by a loose pumice deposit. Using the Volcanic Rock Stability (VRS) empirical system, tailored for volcanic rock environments, this study provides a geotechnical evaluation that considers the unique heterogeneities of these formations. The VRS system's application yielded classifications ranging from Class III (Reasonable) to Class IV (Regular), reflecting varying degrees of stability under seismic conditions. A 3D numerical model, using the Material Point Method (MPM), was developed to simulate the slope's behavior under seismic loading as defined by Portuguese regulations. The analysis identified a Factor of Safety (FS) of 3.85, indicating stability under the specified conditions but highlighted potential risks under more extreme seismic events. A run-out analysis further indicated that slope failure could result in significant material deposition, potentially obstructing critical access routes and posing risks to local infrastructure. These results underscore the need for targeted mitigation strategies to enhance the resilience of volcanic slopes in seismic-prone regions.
Bonamia (Haplosporida) are oyster parasites capable of devastating oyster populations. The near-circumglobal distribution of the host generalist B. exitiosa has previously been associated with the natural and anthropogenic dispersal of broadly distributed non-commercial oysters in the Ostrea stentina species complex. Here, we took a global snapshot approach to explore the role of the widely introduced Pacific oyster Magallana gigas , a commercially important species that can be found on every continent except Antarctica, in transporting Bonamia. We screened 938 M. gigas individuals from 41 populations in this oyster’s native and non-native geographic range for presence of Bonamia DNA using PCR. B. exitiosa was the only species detected and only within 2 of 5 populations from southern California, USA (10 and 42% PCR prevalence). Therefore, M. gigas could have played a role in transporting B. exitiosa to California (if introduced) and/or maintaining B. exitiosa populations within California, but morphological confirmation of infection needs to be done to better understand the host-parasite dynamics within this system. We detected no Bonamia DNA within any other non-native M. gigas populations (n = 302) nor within native M. gigas populations in Japan and Korea (n = 582) and thus found no evidence to support the co-dispersal of M. gigas and other Bonamia species. Lower sample sizes within some populations and the non-systematic nature of our sampling design may have led to false negatives, especially in areas where Bonamia are known to occur. Nevertheless, this global snapshot provides preliminary guidance for managing both natural and farmed oyster populations.
Niemann-Pick disease (NP) is a group of rare genetic disorders that affect normal lipid metabolism and cause an accumulation of lipids in the liver, spleen, brain, and bone marrow. NP patients develop brain alterations and a very fast progression of liver damage. The purpose of this study is to characterize the changes in liver lipid composition during the progression of this disease using ex vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in mouse models with the aim of identifying potential biomarkers to support a future non-invasive technique to follow-up these patients. NP type C (NPC) and wild-type (WT) mice were fed a chow diet and euthanized at 5 weeks of age (n = 5 per group) and 9 weeks of age (n = 5 per group). We extracted lipids from their livers and analyzed them with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and MRS. With the GC-MS analysis, 7 main fatty acids (FA) and cholesterols were quantified. Using MRS, we identified 5 metabolite peaks that correspond to FA only, 3 peaks that correspond to cholesterol only, and 2 peaks that correspond to FA and cholesterol. Our results show that the increase in liver cholesterol is the key biomarker for liver damage in NPC, which is consistent with a bad liver disease prognosis due to the association of increased cholesterol levels and liver inflammation. Additionally, we identified a difference in the pool of FA stored in the NPC compared to the WT mouse livers. Those different liver spectra could provide potential biomarkers for the non-invasive follow-up of NPC patients.
The molecular confinement within rigid macrocyclic receptors can trigger catalytic activity and steer the selectivity of organic reactions. In this work, the dimerization of methylcyclopentadiene (MCPD) isomers in the presence of cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) was found to display, besides a large rate acceleration, a striking regioselectivity in aqueous solution at pH 3, different from the products predominating in the absence of the supramolecular catalyst. Among the different possible regioisomers and diastereomers, the endo‐3,7‐dimethyl‐3a,4,7,7a‐tetrahydro‐1H‐4,7‐methanoindene adduct was selectively formed, which is otherwise found only as a minor product in the dimerization of neat MCPD or in commercial dimeric mixtures. This product originates from the reaction of the heteroternary complex of 1‐MCPD and 2‐MCPD within CB7, in which the methyl groups are positioned in an “anti‐diaxial” arrangement and point towards the open portals of the macrocycle, resulting in a preferred packing of the reacting cyclopentadiene rings. The selectivity of the dimerization of MCPD in the absence and presence of CB7 is supported by quantum‐chemical calculations.
This paper presents new evidence on schooling mobility across three generations in six Latin American countries. By combining survey information with national census data, we have constructed a novel dataset that includes 50,000 triads of grandparents, parents, and children born between 1890 and 1990. We estimate five intergenerational mobility measures, finding that multigenerational persistence in our six countries is twice as high as in developed countries, and 77% higher than iterating a two-generation model would predict. A theory of high and sticky persistence provides a better approximation for describing mobility across multiple generations in our sample. Even with high persistence, we uncover significant mobility improvements at the bottom of the distribution by estimating measures of absolute upward mobility and bottom-half mobility over three generations. This novel evidence deepens our understanding of long-term mobility, and we expect future research to replicate it as more multigenerational data becomes available in different contexts.
This study examines how pre-service science teachers integrate technology into the design of learning activities, paying particular attention to types of technology integration, cognitive demand, scientific research skills, and TPACK. A mixed methods approach was used to analyze 49 learning activities designed by pre-service physics, chemistry, and biology teachers. The results of this study demonstrate that most pre-service science teachers preferred content-specific technologies for their science classrooms. A notable trend among physics teachers was the use of technologies that facilitate authentic scientific practices. A significant difference was observed between high cognitive demand activities associated with content-specific technologies and low cognitive demand activities linked to technologies unrelated to science. Another important finding suggests that specific technologies contribute to improving students’ scientific research skills. Furthermore, teacher TPACK knowledge, determined through performance assessments, was correlated with the integration of content-specific technologies. Finally, discussions and recommendations for science teacher preparation and research on science education using technology are provided.
Plain Language Summary
Active upper‐plate faults in subduction zones worldwide have shown activity before, during, and after large earthquakes, suggesting a link with megathrust behavior. Advancing our understanding of these mechanisms is essential for enhancing seismic hazard assessment. The 2014 Iquique earthquake (Mw 8.2) in Northern Chile is probably the best‐documented earthquake in terms of pre‐earthquake upper‐plate activity, characterized by an intense foreshock sequence 15 days before the main event. Here, we use numerical simulations of the seismic cycle over several thousand years to analyze the interaction between crustal faulting and foreshocks preceding events like the 2014 Iquique earthquake. Upper‐plate faults in our models significantly influence the seismic activity prior to the mainshock and are key to explaining the geodetic observations of coseismic displacements. Additionally, we find that the hydraulic state at the plate interface strongly affects foreshock activity. This research highlights the importance of fault interactions and fluid dynamics in the seismic cycles of subduction zones.
The LINC (linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton) complex is a critical component of the cellular architecture that bridges the nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton and mediates mechanotransduction to and from the nucleus. Though it plays important roles in all blood vessels, it is in arterioles that this complex plays a pivotal role in maintaining endothelial cell integrity, regulating vascular tone, forming new microvessels and modulating responses to mechanical and biochemical stimuli. It is also important in vascular smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts, where it possibly plays a role in the contractile to secretory phenotypic transformation during atherosclerosis and vascular ageing, and in fibroblasts' migration and inflammatory responses in the adventitia. Physiologically, the LINC complex contributes to the stability of arteriolar structure, adaptations to changes in blood flow and injury repair mechanisms. Pathologically, dysregulation or mutations in LINC complex components can lead to compromised endothelial function, vascular remodelling and exacerbation of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis (arteriolosclerosis). This review summarizes our current understanding of the roles of the LINC complex in cells from arterioles, highlighting its most important physiological functions, exploring its implications for vascular pathology and emphasizing some of its functional characteristics in endothelial cells. By elucidating the LINC complex's role in health and disease, we aim to provide insights that could improve future therapeutic strategies targeting LINC complex‐related vascular disorders. image
We study markets’ reactions towards securities issued by firms that announce an external auditor’s retention instead of an external auditor’s rotation. We focus on differences in reactions to announcements when markets are stable versus when markets are convulsed. We carry out an event study of publicly traded Chilean companies (100% of the non-financial component of the main Chilean Stock Indexes) that announced a rotation or retention from 2004 to 2019. In the period 2009 to 2012, two major corporate scandals significantly affected Chilean financial markets. We find that, during the period without scandals, the market reacted more positively when a company announced a retention instead of a rotation of its auditor, however, during the period with scandals, the market reacted more positively when a company announced a rotation instead of a retention of its auditor. Our results suggest that, during the period without (with) scandals, the start-up costs and know how losses of an auditor’s change dominated (were dominated by) the improvements in auditor’s independence associated with this change. Additional results, obtained from tests performed with data subsamples, are consistent with our hypothesis and uncover differences between the announcements’ factual and perceived effects. We end by discussing the implications for firms and regulators.
SIGNIFICANCE
Tear film lipid layer interferometry is one of the most sensitive diagnostic markers for evaporative dry eye disease. However, the dynamic structure breaks up and reforms rapidly during each blink cycle, and it remains yet to be established whether there may be significant intrasessional, diurnal, or day-to-day variability.
PURPOSE
This study aimed to assess intrasession repeatability, diurnal intravisit and day-to-day intervisit reproducibility of qualitative tear film lipid layer interferometry grading obtained from the Keratograph 5M (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany), and automated quantitative layer thickness measurements obtained from the TearScience LipiView II Ocular Surface Interferometer (Johnson & Johnson Vision, Milpitas, CA), in community residents, not stratified by dry eye or blepharitis status.
METHODS
Forty community residents (24 women, 16 men; age mean ± standard deviation, 36 ± 14 years) were recruited in an investigator-masked, randomized, crossover study. Participants attended two sessions 6 hours apart on the same day and a third session on a separate day. During each session, tear film lipid layer grading and thickness measurements were performed in triplicate, in a masked manner, with 10-minute intervals between each measurement.
RESULTS
There were no significant differences in lipid layer grading and thickness measurements in all pairwise intrasession, diurnal intravisit, and day-to-day intervisit comparisons (all p≥0.19), and positive correlations were observed in all cases (all p<0.001). The weighted Cohen κ coefficients for intrasession repeatability and diurnal intravisit and day-to-day intervisit reproducibility of qualitative lipid layer grading ranged from 0.670 to 0.867. The test-retest repeatability of quantitative lipid layer thickness measurements ranged from 4.5 to 11.7 nm, and the Bland-Altman biases were within the order of 3 nm in all pairwise comparisons. The intraclass correlation coefficients for lipid layer thickness measurements exceeded 0.80 for all intrasession comparisons and were between 0.60 and 0.80 for all diurnal intravisit and day-to-day intervisit comparisons.
CONCLUSIONS
Both qualitative grading and automated quantitative thickness measurements of tear film lipid layer interferometry demonstrated relatively favorable levels of intrasession repeatability and diurnal intravisit and day-to-day intervisit reproducibility. The study findings would support the use of either qualitative or quantitative measurement in clinical and research settings, as a reliable tool for assessing lipid layer interferometry.
Root hair (RH) cells can elongate to several hundred times their initial size, and are an ideal model system for investigating cell size control. Their development is influenced by both endogenous and external signals, which are combined to form an integrative response. Surprisingly, a low‐temperature condition of 10°C causes increased RH growth in Arabidopsis and in several monocots, even when the development of the rest of the plant is halted.
Previously, we demonstrated a strong correlation between RH growth response and a significant decrease in nutrient availability in the growth medium under low‐temperature conditions. However, the molecular basis responsible for receiving and transmitting signals related to the availability of nutrients in the soil, and their relation to plant development, remain largely unknown.
We have discovered two antagonic gene regulatory networks (GRNs) controlling RH early transcriptome responses to low temperature. One GNR enhances RH growth and it is commanded by the transcription factors (TFs) ROOT HAIR DEFECTIVE 6 (RHD6), HAIR DEFECTIVE 6‐LIKE 2 and 4 (RSL2‐RSL4) and a member of the homeodomain leucine zipper (HD‐Zip I) group I 16 (AtHB16). On the other hand, a second GRN was identified as a negative regulator of RH growth at low temperature and it is composed by the trihelix TF GT2‐LIKE1 (GTL1) and the associated DF1, a previously unidentified MYB‐like TF (AT2G01060) and several members of HD‐Zip I group (AtHB3, AtHB13, AtHB20, AtHB23).
Functional analysis of both GRNs highlights a complex regulation of RH growth response to low temperature, and more importantly, these discoveries enhance our comprehension of how plants synchronize RH growth in response to variations in temperature at the cellular level.
Aims
The Birmingham Orthopaedic Oncology Meeting (BOOM), held in January 2024, convened 309 delegates from 53 countries to discuss and refine 21 consensus statements on the optimal management of chondrosarcoma.
Methods
With representation from Europe (43%; n = 133), North America (17%; n = 53), South America (16%; n = 49), Asia (13%; n = 40), Australasia (5%; n = 16), the Middle East (4%; n = 12), and Africa (2%; n = 6), the combined experience of treating bone sarcomas among attendees totalled approximately 30,000 cases annually, equivalent to 66 years of experience in the UK alone. The meeting’s process began with the formation of a local organizing committee, regional leads, and a scientific committee comprising representatives from 150 specialist units across 47 countries. Supported by major orthopaedic oncology organizations, the meeting used a modified Delphi process to develop consensus statements through online questionnaires, thematic groupings, narrative reviews, and anonymous pre-meeting polling.
Results
Strong (> 80%) consensus was achieved on 19 out of 21 statements, reflecting agreement among delegates. Key areas of consensus included the role of radiology in diagnosis and surveillance, the management of locally recurrent disease, and the treatment of dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma. Notably, there was agreement that routine chemotherapy has no role in chondrosarcoma treatment, and radiological surveillance is safe for intraosseous chondrosarcomas. Despite the overall consensus, areas of controversy remain, particularly regarding the treatment of atypical cartilage tumours and surgical margins. These unresolved issues underscore the need for further research and collaboration within the orthopaedic oncology community.
Conclusion
BOOM represents the largest global consensus meeting in orthopaedic oncology, providing valuable guidance for clinicians managing chondrosarcoma worldwide. The consensus statements offer a reference for clinical practice, highlight key research priorities, and aim to improve patient outcomes on a global scale.
Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2025;107-B(2):246–252.
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