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Persistent Amazonian and West African detrital zircon signature in the northern Mauritanide Belt
No full textWe provide new detrital zircon U/Pb geochronological data from nine samples of Neoproterozoic–Cambrian
metasedimentary rocks of the northern Mauritanide Belt, aiming at constraining depositional ages and provenance in the paleotectonic context of the Rodinia to Gondwana supercontinent transition. The youngest detrital
zircon populations indicate the following maximum depositional ages: c. 900 Ma (early Tonian) for the Atilis
Quartzite Formation, c. 660 Ma (Cryogenian) for the gneissic Hajar Dekhen-Kleouat Unit, c. 580 Ma (middle
Ediacaran) for the Atomai Formation, and c. 540 Ma (late Ediacaran–early Cambrian) for the Sainte Barbe
Formation and the ophiolite-like Agoualilet Unit. Two types of zircon age distributions were identified, reflecting
the most reliable original sources. Type I age spectra include c. 2.8 Ga, 2.1 Ga and 0.6 Ga age populations, which
are interpreted to derive from West African Craton sources (Leonian/Liberian, Eburnean, Pan-African orogenies).
Type I signature is found in the Atomai and Sainte Barbe formations and the Agoualilet Unit. Type II age spectra
include, besides the type I populations, c. 1.8, 1.5, 1.2 and 1.0 Ga age populations, which are thought to derive
from sources in the Amazonian Craton (Central Amazonian, Trans-Amazonian, Rio Negro-Juruena, RondonianSan Ignacio, Sunsas-Grenvillian ´ and Brasiliano orogenies). Type II signature is found in the Atilis Quartzite and
Atomai formations, Hajar Dekhen-Kleouat Unit, and the Cambrian Nouatil Group (intra-WAC Taoudeni Basin).
The changes in the detrital zircon record through the studied Neoproterozoic–Cambrian successions resulted
from shifts in drainage systems and alternating sediment supply from both the West African and the Amazonian
cratons along most of the Neoproterozoic period. Finally, we interpret that the subsequent opening of a shortlived oceanic realm (the Clymene Ocean) during the latest Ediacaran between the West African and the
Amazonian cratons interrupted the direct sediment supply from the Amazonian Craton.MICIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 (PID2020-118822GBI00; PRE2021-098050)University of Granada / CBUA (Open access
Modica type estimates and curvature results for overdetermined p-laplace problems
No full textMICIN/AEI (Grants PID2020-117868GB-I00 and PID2023-150727NB-I00)MICINN (CNS2022-135640
R code and data used in paper "New approaches for scalar-on-function regression via independent component analysis"
No full textIn the interest of transparency and knowledge transfer, the attached file contains the data used and the code scripts implemented in the R statistical software for the paper entitled “New approaches for scalar-on-function regression via independent component analysis”.In the “Models” folder, the CaseI and CaseII files can be found; these contain the functions used to simulate the data for the first and second simulations, respectively. The “Methods” folder includes the functions corresponding to the employed methods (1–12), as well as the fica and fica_hybrid functions, which are used to run the different types of FICA. In addition, this folder contains the Simulation file, from which all simulation data are generated and the corresponding results are obtained. Finally, the “RRAMs” folder includes the basic coefficients for the set and reset curves, along with the response variable data in CSV format, where column 4 corresponds to set and column 5 to reset.
Important: To run the simulation, the directories containing the models and the methods must be defined before loading each of them
pH-dependent streptavidin conjugation on non-spherical gold nanoparticles: Electrokinetic characterization and biosensing performance
No full textGold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have garnered significant attention in biomedical applications due to their tunable optical and surface properties. This study investigates the effect of pH on the adsorption behavior, electrokinetic characteristics, and biofunctional performance of non-spherical, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC)-capped AuNPs functionalized with streptavidin (SA). Hexagonal AuNPs with an average diameter of 75 ± 12 nm were synthesized via a modified multi-step growth method and conjugated with SA at pH 5, 7, and 9. Micro-BCA analysis revealed that protein adsorption increased under acidic conditions (523 ± 55, 447 ± 45, and 298 ± 33 molecules per particle at pH 5, 7, and 9, respectively). Electrophoretic mobility measurements revealed a pH-dependent surface charge shift, with plain CTAC-coated AuNPs exhibiting positive Ue values, which reversed to negative values after streptavidin binding. An isoelectric point was observed near pH 5.5–6, and mobility plateaus at high ionic strength indicated the presence of a hydrodynamically permeable layer. Duval-Ohshima model fitting demonstrated a consistent softness parameter (λ ≈ 0.5 nm) corresponding to a uniform hydrated streptavidin layer. Donnan (ψDON) and surface (ψ0) potentials also shifted from positive for CTAC-AuNPs to moderately negative values after conjugation. Despite greater adsorption at pH 5, the resulting conjugates showed reduced functional performance, likely due to partial protein deformation and disordered multilayer accumulation. In contrast, conjugates prepared at pH 7 retained structural integrity, exhibited stable negative mobility without a distinct isoelectric point, and achieved the strongest biotin-BSA binding and lateral-flow assay signals. These findings highlight a critical balance between adsorption strength and bioactivity and demonstrate the utility of the Duval-Ohshima model as a quantitative framework for analyzing soft, biomolecule-coated nanostructures
Bridging open and proprietary control frameworks for fusion facilities: EPICS – Industrial SCADA integration in the CODAC system of IFMIF-DONES
No full textThis paper presents an architectural approach for the Control, Data Access, and Communication (CODAC) system within the framework of the IFMIF-DONES (International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility DEMO Oriented Neutron Source) control systems. This study focuses on the integration of the most widely adopted SCADA frameworks with state-of-the-art industrial automation standards in particle accelerator environments. The interoperability between EPICS and commercial control frameworks based on OPC UA is particularly emphasized, enabling a hybrid control ecosystem that leverages the strengths of both domains.The architecture enhances flexibility, scalability, and standardization across all systems and subsystems involved in supervision and control tasks. By facilitating seamless communication and modularity, it supports the use of both open-source and proprietary technologies while ensuring long-term maintainability and adaptability. The paper includes a review of comparable systems at other large-scale facilities, an evaluation of integration strategies, and a detailed discussion of the resulting CODAC architecture, highlighting its impact on the overall efficiency and interoperability of the IFMIF-DONES Central Instrumentation and Control Systems (CICS). This study aims to offer a complementary perspective on the control system architecture for IFMIF-DONES, exploring the potential integration of industrial SCADA frameworks alongside EPICS.Ingeniería de Computadores, Automática y Robótica (ICAR
Speedups in nonequilibrium thermal relaxation: Mpemba and related effects
No full textMost of our intuition about the behavior of physical systems is shaped by observations at or near thermal equilibrium. However, even a basic phenomenon such as a thermalquench can lead to states far from thermal equilibrium, where counterintuitive,anomalous effects can occur. A prime example of anomalous thermal relaxation is the Mpemba effect, in which a system prepared at a hot temperature cools down to the temperature of the cold environment faster than an identical system prepared at a warm temperature. Although originally reported for water more than 2000 years ago by Aristotle, the recent observation of analogous relaxation speedups in a variety of systems has motivated the search for generic explanations from the point of view of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics. Here, we review anomalous relaxation effects, which all share a nonmonotonic dependence of relaxation time versus initial “distance” from the final state or from the phase transition. We review the early water experiments and classify the zoology of anomalous relaxation phenomena related to the Mpemba effect. We then introduce general concepts and provide a modern definition of the effect, focusing on the theoretical frameworks of stochastic thermodynamics, kinetic theory, Markovian dynamics, and phase transitions. We discuss the recent experimental and numerical developments that followed these theoretical advances. These developments paved the way for the prediction and observation of novel phenomena, such as the inverse Mpemba effect. The review is self-contained and introduces anomalous relaxation phenomena in single- and many-body systems, both classical and quantum. We also discuss the broader relevance of the Mpemba effect, including its relation with equilibrium and dynamical phase transitions and its experimental implications. We end with perspectives that connect anomalous speedups to new ideas for designing optimal heating/cooling protocols, heat engines, and efficient samplers.National Science Foundation, United States - (DMR-1944539)EPSRC, United Kingdom - (EP/R014604/1)National Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC, Canada) - Discovery GrantISF, United States - (grant no. 232/23)Federal German Ministry for Education and Research - Minerva foundationMICIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and FEDER a way to make Europe - (PID2021-128970OA-I00)European Regional Development Fund , Junta de Andalucía-Consejería de Economía Conocimiento - (C-EXP-251-UGR23
Measurement of the natHo(d,x) cross-sections up to 17.5 MeV and estimation of the 166mHo impurity
No full textDeuteron-induced nuclear reaction cross-sections on natural holmium,
natHo(d,x)
165Er and
natHo(d,x)
166g,mHo, were measured in the energy range of 8–17.5 MeV using a stacked-foil activation technique combined with high resolution
-ray spectrometry. Overall, good agreement with previous measurements was observed, while theoretical predictions from both TENDL-2021 and TENDL-2023 showed only partial consistency with the experimental data. The contribution of the undesirable metastable isotopic impurity
166mHo was estimated to be negligible.European Union – (Euratom Research and Training Programme, Grant Agreement No. 101052200 - EUROfusion)Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación – (Project PID2020-117969RB-I00)Junta de Andalucía – (Projects P20-00665 and B-FQM-156-UGR20, FEDER Andalucía 2014–2020
Introduction to Concurrent Programming
No full textIntroduces concurrent programming, which involves executing multiple processes simultaneously, in contrast to the linear sequence of instructions in sequential programming.
It explains key concepts such as:
• Processes: Independent execution units that perform tasks concurrently.
• Concurrency Benefits: Improves efficiency, especially for tasks with frequent input/
output operations, and allows parallelism even with limited processor cores.
• Concurrency Model: Describes how concurrent programs handle synchronization,
communication and execution order using techniques like mutual exclusion and synchronization primitives.
• Process Creation: Covers methods like fork/join and POSIX threads, which enable dynamic process creation and concurrent task execution.
The chapter highlights how concurrent programs better reflect real-world systems where multiple activities happen simultaneously, enhancing program efficiency and responsiveness
Engineering magnetite/poly(butylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticles for dual-mode hyperthermia and photothermal cancer therapy
No full textMagnetic nanoparticles gained interest in cancer therapy given their unique ability to serve as multifunctional agents for targeted treatment and imaging. Hybrid nanoparticles composed of magnetite and poly(butylcyanoacrylate) were developed and characterized for applications in hyperthermia and photothermal cancer therapy. Emulsion polymerization and single organic phase techniques were optimized to achieve hybrid particles with uniform size distribution and high production yields. Characterization through electron microscopy, FTIR, and electrokinetic analysis confirmed the encapsulation of magnetite cores within a poly(butylcyanoacrylate) shell, with formulation F6, produced by the single organic phase, exhibiting the most efficient coating and optimal colloidal stability (size ≈ 240 nm; PdI ≈ 0.16; ζ potential ≈ −20 mV). The nanohybrids demonstrated superparamagnetic behavior with enhanced magnetic properties, including a saturation magnetization of ≈ 70 kA/m. Power absorption measurements of heating efficiency analysis revealed efficient heat generation with a temperature increase (ΔT) of ≈ 10 °C and a specific absorption rate, SAR, of ≈ 66 W/g under an alternating magnetic field. In addition, photothermal evaluations confirmed the NPs’ capability to achieve localized heating, with temperature increases proportional to laser power, reaching ΔT ≈ 12 °C at 55 % power. Biocompatibility assessments showed excellent hemocompatibility, minimal cytotoxicity, and negligible immune activation, confirming their apparent safety for biomedical use. These findings position these nanocomposites as promising candidates for precision cancer therapies which could be activated by location-specific signal sources. Future work may include enhancing long-term stability, validating therapeutic efficacy in vivo, and integrating diagnostic functionalities to establish them as versatile theranostic platforms.MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 - “ERDF A way of
making Europe” (PID2023-151881OB-I00)Universidad de Granada / CBUA (open access