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We aimed to analyze the role of the common genetic variants located in the PIN1 locus, a relevant prolyl isomerase required to control the proliferation of spermatogonial stem cells and the integrity of the blood–testis barrier, in the genetic risk of developing male infertility due to a severe spermatogenic failure (SPGF). Genotyping was performed using TaqMan genotyping assays for three PIN1 taggers (rs2287839, rs2233678 and rs62105751). The study cohort included 715 males diagnosed with SPGF and classified as suffering from non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA, n = 505) or severe oligospermia (SO, n = 210), and 1058 controls from the Iberian Peninsula. The allelic frequency differences between cases and controls were analyzed by the means of logistic regression models. A subtype specific genetic association with the subset of NOA patients classified as suffering from the Sertoli cell-only (SCO) syndrome was observed with the minor alleles showing strong risk effects for this subset (ORaddrs2287839 = 1.85 (1.17–2.93), ORaddrs2233678 = 1.62 (1.11–2.36), ORaddrs62105751 = 1.43 (1.06–1.93)). The causal variants were predicted to affect the binding of key transcription factors and to produce an altered PIN1 gene expression and isoform balance. In conclusion, common non-coding single-nucleotide polymorphisms located in PIN1 increase the genetic risk to develop SCO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility of an earthquake early warning system (EEWS) to warn of potentially destructive earthquakes in the Cape San Vicente (SV) and Gulf of Cádiz (GC) areas in the southwest Iberian Peninsula, based on real-time broadband stations existing in the region. Historic earthquakes in this region include the 1755 Lisbon (Mw 8.5) and 1969 SV (Mw 7.8) events. This study illustrates the design, configuration, and first results of an EEWS prototype based on the U.S. Geological Survey Earthworm tools and developed at the Institut Cartogràfic i Geològic de Catalunya (ICGC). System main functionalities are real-time data acquisition, processing (P-wave picking, event detection, earthquake hypocentral location, and magnitude estimation from previously calculated peak displacement [Pd] and predominant period tc of the P-wave signal), data archiving, and earthquake early warning dissemination. The prototype was put into operation after a setup period, during which several simulations were carried out to establish the optimal settings. After the first year of operation, one felt earthquake occurred in the area of study. Location and magnitude results are fairly good, compared with the Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN) catalog. Lead times obtained are on the order of tens of seconds for the majority of targets, which are long enough to mitigate damage for a large area of the southern coasts of Portugal and Spain due to the GC and SV earthquakes. Preliminary results for this prototype demonstrate the possibility of a regional, reliable, and effective EEWS in southwest Iberia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Spanish ALERT-ES project was set up to study the feasibility of setting up an earthquake early warning system to warn of potentially damaging earthquakes that can occur in the Cape of San Vicente (SV)-Gulf of Cadiz (GC) area, located in the south west of the Iberian Peninsula, such as the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. Four events, located close to the epicenters of the largest earthquakes in the area, were simulated using different seismic software packages (Earthworm, SeisComP3, and PRobabilistic and Evolutionary early warning SysTem [PRESTo]) and the errors were analyzed. In addition, a study about the blind zone and the lead time at six selected targets was carried out. The results show a blind zone in the southwest corner of Portugal for SV earthquakes and also a blind zone in the coastal area, from Portimao to Cadiz, for the GC earthquakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Granitic pegmatites are widespread within a schist-metagreywacke complex in the Fregeneda-Almendra area (Central Iberian Zone). They intrude pre-Ordovician metasedimentary rocks and show a zonal distribution relative to the Meda-Penedono-Lumbrales granitic complex, from barren bodies to those enriched in Li, F, Sn, Nb>Ta, P and Be. Based on mineralogical criteria, these pegmatites are classified into three main categories: barren, intermediate and rare-element pegmatites, with each type including various subtypes. Phosphates are present in many pegmatites that usually occur as fine-grained accessory minerals. The most complex association of such minerals includes numerous Fe–Mn phosphates that occur in intermediate pegmatites. Al-phosphates are characteristic of Li-rich pegmatites. Electron microprobe analyses of representative phosphates reflect compositional differences depending on the pegmatite type. The Fe/(Fe+Mn) ratio of phosphates tends to decrease as the evolution degree of the pegmatites increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rifted margins have been extensively studied, however there are still many important questions related to their formation processes. We use the Iberia-Newfoundland conjugate rifted margins as a natural laboratory to investigate how much extension is required to produce crustal rupture and separation. To achieve our aim we use; (i) gravity anomaly inversion to measure continental crustal thinning, (ii) subsidence analysis to measure continental lithosphere thinning and (iii) fault heave summation from seismic observations to obtain brittle continental crust extension. Integration of thinning from gravity anomaly inversion and subsidence analysis is used to determine continental crust extension and continental lithosphere extension respectively. These measurements have been made between the proximal continental crust and the distal Limit of Contiguous Continental Crust (LCCC) on the northern (SCREECH1 and ISE01) and the southern (SCREECH2 and TGS/LG12) conjugate seismic profiles. For the Iberia-Newfoundland conjugate rifted margins, extension values determined from the integration of crustal and lithosphere thinning are similar and suggest that on average 172 km of extension is required to produce crustal breakup. In contrast, measured extension from fault heave summation is on average 128 km which indicates an apparent extension discrepancy at the scale of the whole conjugate margin system when observed brittle continental crust extension is compared with lithosphere and crust extension. Fault population analysis shows that sub-seismic resolution faulting significantly contributes to an under-estimate of brittle crustal extension by up to 25%. Allowing for fault extension at sub-seismic resolution indicates that an extension discrepancy at the scale of the whole conjugate margin system does not exist. Fault geometries and the location of the distalmost contiguous continental crust are also important issues that should be carefully considered when comparing fault heave summation and extension from crust and lithosphere thinning. The absence of an extension discrepancy between fault extension, crustal extension and lithosphere extension at the scale of a whole conjugate margin system should not be confused with the presence of depth-dependent stretching and thinning at a given location on the margin which is both expected and observed at rifted continental margins. • Continental breakup and formation of the conjugate Iberia-Newfoundland rifted margins. • Extension required for rupture and separation of continental crust during breakup. • Measure extension from continental crust and lithosphere thinning and fault heaves. • No overall extension discrepancy but local depth-dependent stretching and thinning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rifted margins have been extensively studied, however, there are still key unknowns related to their formation process. An important remaining question is how much extension is required to produce continental crustal breakup. The answer to this question may vary depending on several parameters such as the crustal rheology, obliquity and width of the margin, crustal inheritances, magmatism and extension rate. In this study, we use the Iberia-Newfoundland conjugate rifted margins as a natural laboratory to explore how much extension the continental crust and lithosphere underwent to generate continental crustal breakup and thus form this pair of conjugate rifted margins. To achieve our aim we use; (i) gravity inversion to measure continental crustal thinning, (ii) subsidence analysis to measure continental lithosphere thinning and (iii) seismic interpretation to measure brittle extension from fault heave summation. Integration of thinning from gravity inversion and subsidence analysis is used to determine continental crust extension and continental lithosphere extension respectively. We identify the distal end of continental crust on the Lusigal-12/TGS and Screech-2 conjugate seismic profiles. We then calculate continental crustal extension and continental lithosphere extension from the proximal edge of continental crust to their distal end. Results are 177 km continental crustal extension while 192 km for continental lithosphere extension. In contrast, brittle extension from fault heave summation from seismic interpretation is 135 km. These measurements show an apparent discrepancy between observed brittle crustal extension (i.e. faults heaves) and total calculated continental crustal extension at the scale of the whole conjugate Iberia-Newfoundland margins system.Fault population analysis has been carried out to examine whether sub-seismic resolution faulting significantly contributes to an under-estimate of brittle crustal extension. In addition, we explore the observed apparent extension discrepancy by analysing the relationship between the fault extension in the brittle crust and the total measured crustal thinning using a kinematic model (RIFTER) which is tested against quantitative target data.In conclusion, kinematic modelling and fault population analysis suggest that this discrepancy may be caused by sub-seismic resolution faulting and/or non-brittle deformation. This extension discrepancy should not be confused with depth-dependent lithosphere stretching and thinning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catalonia, located in the NE of the Iberian Peninsula, has a moderate seismicity; however different destructive earthquakes occurred during the 1373-1448 period. In 2003, a seismic emergency plan for the region was carried out (SISMICAT) with two main points, the evaluation of seismic risk in the municipalities of Catalonia and the implementation of a response plan after a fast notification in case of earthquake of interest. The Institut Cartogràfic i Geològic de Catalunya (ICGC) provides this service through Seismic Automatic Determination (DAS) system, installed at ICGC in 2005, based on Earthworm tools developed by the USGS and adapted to the local needs and conditions of the Catalan seismic network. Thus, when a seismic event occurs, the first information reaching civil protection, received after few minutes via SMS and email, is generated automatically; the notification includes hypocentral parameters and magnitude. Along with it, since 2007, the automatic notification was complemented with summary tables and maps of the peak ground motion data (PGM), PGA and PGV, from the seismic stations and estimated intensities thanks to software integrated within the framework of the ISARD project. Since DAS has been already operating for a decade sending notifications, a collection of peak ground motion data from the seismic stations is available. In this study, PGM have been reviewed and compared with the reported macroseismic intensities to analyze the fitting of the GMICEs (ground motion intensity conversion equation), with the aim to quantify the reliability of the predicted intensities in other to improve the interpretation of the data by the civil protection survey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]