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The goal of this article is to discuss the significance of the archaeological evidence from the sites of La Draga (Banyoles, Spain) and Coves del Fem (Ulldemolins, Spain), in the context of the neolithisation of Northeastern Iberia. The 14C dates have been analysed using Bayesian statistics. The stratigraphy of Coves del Fem covers the transition between the last hunter–gatherers of the region and the first farmers. The chronological sequence covers approximately 1,300 years, from 6065–5990 cal BC to 4700–4550 cal BC. The site of La Draga was occupied by the first farmers circa 5300–5230 cal BC when a wooden platform was constructed and first used. Subsequent repairs of the wooden piles have been dated as well. Another use of the wooden platform is documented around 5200–5085 cal BC, although until now new construction evidence has not been documented. La Draga site was reoccupied later, when several travertine structures dated in two moments between the years 5100–4900 cal BC and 4950–4700 cal BC were constructed and used. The radiocarbon dates of Coves del Fem and La Draga support the existence of two different models of neolithisation in Northeastern Iberia. In the southern part of the territory, Coves del Fem suggests that the Holocene hunter–gatherer populations remained in the area until the arrival of the first farmers, in a model similar to the one observed at the Ebro basin. On the contrary, the site of La Draga supports the hypothesis of the first farmers colonising a previously unoccupied territory.

The use of digital images and the correlation of them in time is commonly used in geotechnical laboratory experiments to measure surface variables in a non-invasive and massive way. Digital image correlation-based methods provide a measure of the motion of soil. More recently, measurements of the degree of saturation on soil surface using digital images have also been developed, although its application and validation are still limited. This methodology is based on the fact that almost all soils become darker (less light reflective) due to wetting. This article uses image-based analysis techniques to evaluate the behaviour during wetting of a small-scale dam made of compacted fine sand. With the aim of validating the measurements from images, soil moisture sensors were installed in the dam. The tested soil was previously calibrated to determine the correlation of light reflectance and the degree of saturation covering from dry to fully saturated range. Measurements of velocity, displacements, deformations and the degree of saturation in time are evaluated during the experiment based on images recorded in the visual and shortwave infrared (SWIR) light range. The methodology is described step-by-step including camera and lighting system, sample preparation, image acquisition and image analysis. The techniques used allow the changes in the degree of saturation in soil in motion and the failure mechanisms associated with the wetting process to be observed. The results obtained through image analyses show good agreement with the parameters obtained in point measurements with conventional sensors. The results also show some limitations of the method, mainly associated with the accumulation of errors in the tracking of soil particles during large displacements.

An example of upscaling phenomena with experimental techniques is presented and discussed within an engineered seal concept for a future deep geological repository for low and intermediate radioactive waste mainly produced by the energy/medicine/industry sectors. The seal will undergo a long-term saturation stage and subsequent gas transport through such a barrier. Consequently, gas entrapment and generation processes (dominated by the degradation of organic substances and metals) are expected to occur in the emplacement caverns along the pollutant waste storage. The case concerns a compacted 80/20 (dry mass) sand/bentonite S/B mixture with a complex microstructure that significantly evolves on hydration affecting the gas transport properties. This type of seal limits the gas pressure by increasing its gas transport capacity (gas-permeable seal). The large-scale and demonstration experiment GAST (Nagra’s GTS, Switzerland) focuses on the S/B response to saturation and the gas transport capacity in the later gas invasion phase. A series of laboratory experiments running parallel to the in situ test and bridging different scales (from bentonite inter-sand filling microstructural tests and point tests to dm-scale mock-ups) are discussed within the saturation, gas breakthrough pressure and gas dissipation process of the gas-permeable seal context.

The design and implementation of boundary conditions for the robust generation and simulation of periodic finite-amplitude internal waves is examined in a quasi two-layer continuous stratification using a spectral-element-method-based incompressible flow solver. The commonly used Eulerian approach develops spurious, and potentially catastrophic small-scale numerical features near the wave-generating boundary in a non-linear stratification when the parameter A/(δc) is sufficiently larger than unity; A and δ are measures of the maximum wave-induced vertical velocity and pycnocline thickness, respectively, and c is the linear wave propagation speed. To this end, an Euler–Lagrange approach is developed and implemented to generate robust high-amplitude periodic deep-water internal waves. Central to this approach is to take into account the wave-induced (isopycnal) displacement of the pycnocline in both the vertical and (effectively) upstream directions. With amplitudes not restricted by the limits of linear theory, the Euler–Lagrange-generated waves maintain their structural integrity as they propagate away from the source. The advantages of the high-accuracy numerical method, whose minimal numerical dissipation cannot damp the above near-source spurious numerical features of the purely Eulerian case, can still be preserved and leveraged further along the wave propagation path through the robust reproduction of the non-linear adjustments of the waveform. The near- and far-source robustness of the optimized Euler–Lagrange approach is demonstrated for finite-amplitude waves in a sharp quasi two-layer continuous stratification representative of seasonally stratified lakes. The findings of this study provide an enabling framework for two-dimensional simulations of internal swash zones driven by well-developed non-linear internal waves and, ultimately, the accompanying turbulence-resolving three-dimensional simulations.

Abstract We report that the eukaryotic replicative helicase CMG (Cdc45-MCM-GINS) is required for differential gene expression in cells produced by asymmetric cell divisions in C. elegans. We found that the C. elegans CMG component, PSF-2 GINS2, is necessary for transcriptional upregulation of the pro-apoptotic gene egl-1 BH3-only that occurs in cells programmed to die after they are produced through asymmetric cell divisions. We propose that CMG’s histone chaperone activity causes epigenetic changes at the egl-1 locus during replication in mother cells, and that these changes are required for egl-1 upregulation in cells programmed to die. We find that PSF-2 is also required for the divergence of other cell fates during C. elegans development, suggesting that this function is not unique to egl-1 expression. Our work uncovers an unexpected role of CMG in cell fate decisions and an intrinsic mechanism for gene expression plasticity in the context of asymmetric cell division.

Abstract Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent dementia, showing higher incidence in women. Besides, lipids play an essential role in brain, and they could be dysregulated in neurodegeneration. Specifically, impaired plasma lipid levels could predict early AD diagnosis. This work aims to identify the main plasma lipids altered in early AD female mouse model and evaluate their relationship with brain lipidome. Also, the possible involvement of the estrous cycle in lipid metabolism has been evaluated. Methods Plasma samples of wild-type (n = 10) and APP/PS1 (n = 10) female mice of 5 months of age were collected, processed, and analysed using a lipidomic mass spectrometry-based method. A statistical analysis involving univariate and multivariate approaches was performed to identify significant lipid differences related to AD between groups. Also, cytology tests were conducted to confirm estrous cycle phases. Results Three hundred thirty lipids were detected in plasma, 18 of them showed significant differences between groups; specifically, some triacylglycerols, cholesteryl esters, lysophosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylcholines, and ether-linked phosphatidylcholines, increased in early AD; while other phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylethanolamines, ceramides, and ether-linked phosphatidylethanolamines decreased in early AD. A multivariate approach was developed from some lipid variables, showing high diagnostic indexes (70% sensitivity, 90% specificity, 80% accuracy). From brain and plasma lipidome, some significant correlations were observed, mainly in the glycerophospholipid family. Also, some differences were found in both plasma and brain lipids, according to the estrous cycle phase. Conclusions Therefore, lipid alterations can be identified in plasma at early AD stages in mice females, with a relationship with brain lipid metabolism for most of the lipid subfamilies, suggesting some lipids as potential AD biomarkers. In addition, the estrous cycle monitoring could be relevant in female studies.

Purpose: Higher education institutions (HEIs) offer courses and programmes focusing on sustainability in economics, as courses on sustainable development (SD), which examine the economic, social and environmental dimensions of SD. This paper aims to examine sustainability integration in economics degree programmes. Design/methodology/approach: Through an extensive literature review in Web of Science (WoS) and information search in Google, conducting to 28 relevant case studies, this paper elucidates the emphasis given to sustainability as part of economics degree programmes in HEIs. Findings: The results suggest that, whereas the inclusion of sustainability components in this field is a growing trend, much still needs to be done to ensure that matters related to SD are part of the routine of university students studying economics. Research limitations/implications: It is worth noting that the literature review conducted in WoS was primarily aimed at assisting in the selection of university case studies. The 28 university case studies scrutinised in this study may lack sufficient representation from numerous developing countries. Practical implications: This study highlights challenges in integrating the SD into economics degree programmes, suggesting the need for curriculum adjustments as underscoring operational issues, acting as barriers. The inclusion of sustainability in economics programmes must navigate operational issues stemming from packed timetables and busy schedules, requiring innovative solutions. Social implications: As far as the authors are aware, this study holds substantial importance in its emphasis on implementing sustainability within HEIs' economics programmes, assisting in pursuing SD. Originality/value: The novelty of this study lies in addressing sustainability with the specific economics focus programmes within the HEIs context.

Bentonites are going to be part of the Engineered Barrier System (EBS) in deep geological disposal facilities for the safe disposal of spent nuclear fuel. Some of these repositories might be constructed in tectonically active locations, and some other repository locations might have seismic risks in future related to climate changes (e.g. glaciations).The damping ratio is one of the parameters considered in dynamic analysis, and it can be measured by different methods. In this work, the damping ratio was measured in two different bentonites with the resonant column device and in one of these bentonites, it was also measured with the hollow cylinder, simple shear and triaxial tests in unloading–reloading paths. The results are presented in Pintado et al. (2019; 2023). The tests were carried out at different laboratories.The samples were compacted at different dry densities and degrees of saturation and tested with different confinement pressures and strain levels to study the influence of the shear strain, degree of saturation, dry density and confinement pressure and also the influence of the test method. The two studied bentonites had different plasticity indices which was also considered in the analysis.The results showed a clear dependence of the damping ratio on the confinement pressure and the shear strain but not as clear on the degree of saturation, the dry density and the plasticity index. The damping ratio measured by the hollow cylinder test followed the tendency of the resonant column results. The triaxial test presented larger values of damping ratios than following the tendency of the hollow cylinder and resonant column tests. The simple shear test did not follow the tendency of the other tests, presenting lower damping ratio values. All tests presented large scatter.