Modelling the electrostatic actuation of MEMS: state of the art 2005.

Most of MEMS devices are actuated using electrostatic forces. Parallel or lateral plate actuators are the types commonly used. Nevertheless, electrostatic actuation has some limitations due to its non-linear nature. This work presents a methodic overview of the existing techniques applied to the Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) electrostatic actuation modeling and their implications to the dynamic behavior of the electromechanical system

The tomato P69 subtilase family is involved in resistance to bacterial wilt

The intercellular space or apoplast constitutes the main interface in plant–pathogen interactions. Apoplastic subtilisin-like proteases—subtilases—may play an important role in defence and they have been identified as targets of pathogen-secreted effector proteins. Here, we characterise the role of the Solanaceae-specific P69 subtilase family in the interaction between tomato and the vascular bacterial wilt pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum. R. solanacearum infection post-translationally activated several tomato P69s. Among them, P69D was exclusively activated in tomato plants resistant to R. solanacearum. In vitro experiments showed that P69D activation by prodomain removal occurred in an autocatalytic and intramolecular reaction that does not rely on the residue upstream of the processing site. Importantly P69D-deficient tomato plants were more susceptible to bacterial wilt and transient expression of P69B, D and G in Nicotiana benthamiana limited proliferation of R. solanacearum. Our study demonstrates that P69s have conserved features but diverse functions in tomato and that P69D is involved in resistance to R. solanacearum but not to other vascular pathogens like Fusarium oxysporum

Energy-efficient full-range oscillation analysis of parallel-plate electrostatically actuated MEMS resonators

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: “Fargas Marques, A., Costa Castelló, R. (2017) Energy-efficient full-range oscillation analysis of parallel-plate electrostatically actuated MEMS resonators, 1-13.” which has been published in final form at [doi: 10.1007/s11071-017-3633-8]. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving."Electrostatic parallel-plate actuators are a common way of actuating microelectromechanical systems, both statically and dynamically. Nevertheless, actuation voltages and oscillations are limited by the nonlinearity of the actuator that leads to the pull-in phenomena. This work presents a new approach to obtain the electrostatic parallel-plate actuation voltage, which allows to freely select the desired frequency and amplitude of oscillation. Harmonic Balance analysis is used to determine the needed actuation voltage and to choose the most energy-efficient actuation frequency. Moreover, a new two-sided actuation approach is presented that allows to actuate the device in all the stable range using the Harmonic Balance Voltage.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Elaboració d'una web per facilitar la comprensió dels mecanismes biològics implicats en la reproducció humana

Els mecanismes biològics implicats, tant en la formació de gàmetes masculines i femenines com en la fecundació, són molt complexes. Per tal de facilitar la seva comprensió hem elaborat una pàgina web que inclou material bàsic, microfotografies, esquemes, representacions animades i pel·lícules. La majoria del material introduït és inèdit o propi, doncs la recerca de l'equip que ha elaborat la web s'inclou dins del camp de la Reproducció Humana.A més, per augmentar l'interès de l'alumnat, hem afegit a la web el tema de la Reproducció Assistida. Gràcies als coneixements bàsics, els nostres estudiants, podran entendre millor els fonaments i les diferents estratègies emprades actualment en la Reproducció Humana Assistida. A la vegada, també s'han inclòs temes estretament relacionats com les principals causes d'infertilitat humana, el consell genètic o el diagnòstic pre-concepcional, pre-implantacional i pre-natal. Donat l'enorme interès social del tema creiem que aquesta web serà consultada no únicament pel nostre alumnat sinó també per alumnes d'altres Facultats de la UAB i d'altres Universitats Catalanes

Mapping Vesta: First Results from Dawn’s Survey Orbit

The geologic objectives of the Dawn Mission [1] are to derive Vesta’s shape, map the surface geology, understand the geological context and contribute to the determination of the asteroids’ origin and evolution.Geomorphology and distribution of surface features will provide evidence for impact cratering, tectonic activity, volcanism, and regolith processes. Spectral measurements of the surface will provide evidence of the compositional characteristics of geological units. Age information, as derived from crater sizefrequency distributions, provides the stratigraphic context for the structural and compositional mapping results, thus revealing the geologic history of Vesta. We present here the first results of the Dawn mission from data collected during the approach to Vesta, and its first discrete orbit phase – the Survey Orbit, which lasts 21 days after the spacecraft had established a circular polar orbit at a radius of ~3000 km with a beta angle of 10°-15°

Radiofrequency-assisted transection of the pancreas vs stapler in distal pancreatectomy: a propensity score matched cohort analysis

[EN] To demonstrate the efficacy of radiofrequency for pancreatic stump closure in reducing the incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) in distal pancreatectomy (DP) compared with mechanical transection methods. Despite all the different techniques of pancreatic stump closure proposed for DP, best practice for avoiding POPF remains an unresolved issue, with an incidence of up to 30% regardless of center volume or surgical expertise. DP was performed in a cohort of patients by applying radiofrequency to stump closure (RF Group) and compared with mechanical closure (Control Group). A propensity score (PS) matched cohort study was carried out to minimize bias from nonrandomized treatment assignment. Cohorts were matched by PS accounting for factors significantly associated with either undergoing RF transection or mechanical closure through logistic regression analysis. The primary end-point was the incidence of clinically relevant POPF (CR-POPF). Of 89 patients included in the whole cohort, 13 case patients from the RF-Group were 1:1 matched to 13 control patients. In both the first independent analysis of unmatched data and subsequent adjustment to the overall propensity score-matched cohort, a higher rate of CR-POPF in the Control Group compared with the RF-Group was detected (25.4% vs 5.3%, p = 0.049 and 53.8% vs 0%; p = 0.016 respectively). The RF Group showed better outcomes in terms of readmission rate (46.2% vs 0%, p = 0.031). No significant differences were observed in terms of mortality, major complications (30.8% vs 0%, p = 0.063) or length of hospital stay (5.7 vs 5.2 days, p = 0.89). Findings suggest that the RF-assisted technique is more efficacious in reducing CR-POPF than mechanical pancreatic stump closure.This work was supported completely by a grant for medical research from the Catalan Surgery Society. Project PI20/00008, funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) and co-funded by the European UnionPueyo-Périz, E.; Téllez-Marquès, C.; Radosevic, A.; Morató, O.; Visa, L.; Ilzarbe, L.; Berjano, E.... (2022). Radiofrequency-assisted transection of the pancreas vs stapler in distal pancreatectomy: a propensity score matched cohort analysis. Scientific Reports. 12(1):1-8. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-11583-01812

Dynamics of nanosecond laser pulse propagation and of associated instabilities in a magnetized underdense plasma

The propagation and energy coupling of intense laser beams in plasmas are critical issues in laser-driven inertial confinement fusion. Applying magnetic fields to such a setup has been evoked to enhance fuel confinement and heating, and mitigate laser energy losses. Here we report on experimental measurements demonstrating improved transmission and increased smoothing of a high-power laser beam propagating in an underdense magnetized plasma. We also measure enhanced backscattering, which our simulations show is due to hot electrons confinement, thus leading to reduced target preheating

Metodologia analítica en les intoxicacions agudes

Introducció La toxicologia d'urgències ha d'ésser una unitat funcional basada en el diagnòstic clínic, la seva confirmació analítica, la instauració del tractament escaigut, i la informació completa de les característiques tòxico-cinètiques dels xenobiòtics implicats, en el menor temps possible. L'objectivació de les dades clíniques i epidemiològiques només pot ésser confirmada mitjançant els resultats analítics aportats pel laboratori..

Anomalous Self-Generated Electrostatic Fields in Nanosecond Laser-Plasma Interaction

Electrostatic (E) fields associated with the interaction of a well-controlled, high-power, nanosecond laser pulse with an underdense plasma are diagnosed by proton radiography. Using a current 3D wave propagation code equipped with nonlinear and nonlocal hydrodynamics, we can model the measured E-fields that are driven by the laser ponderomotive force in the region where the laser undergoes filamentation. However, strong fields of up to 110 MV/m measured in the first millimeter of propagation cannot be reproduced in the simulations. This could point to the presence of unexpected strong thermal electron pressure gradients possibly linked to ion acoustic turbulence, thus emphasizing the need for the development of full kinetic collisional simulations in order to properly model laser-plasma interaction in these strongly nonlinear conditions.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures, submitted to Physics of Plasma

Host-related and environmental factors influence long-term ectoparasite infestation dynamics of mouse lemurs in northwestern Madagascar

Parasite infestations depend on multiple host-related and environmental factors. In the case of ectoparasites, which are exposed to the environment beyond the host, an impact of climate, expressed by seasonal or yearly variations, can be expected. However, long-term dynamics of ectoparasite infestations are rarely studied in nonhuman primates. We investigated the yearly variations in ectoparasite infestations of two small primates, the gray (Microcebus murinus) and the golden-brown (Microcebus ravelobensis) mouse lemur. For a more comprehensive evaluation, we also analyzed the potential effects of yearly and monthly climatic variation (temperature, rainfall) in addition to habitat, host sex, age, species, and body mass, on ectoparasite infestation. Individuals of both host species were sampled in two study sites within the Ankarafantsika National Park in northwestern Madagascar during several months (March–November) and across 4 years (2010, 2011, 2015, 2016). Our results show significant monthly and yearly variations in the infestation rates of three native ectoparasite taxa (Haemaphysalis spp. ticks, Schoutedenichia microcebi chigger mites, Lemurpediculus spp. sucking lice) and in ectoparasite species richness in both mouse lemur species. In addition, significant impacts of several host-related (species, sex, body mass) and environmental factors (habitat, temperature, rainfall) were found, but with differences in relevance for the different parasite taxa and partly deviating in their direction. Although some differences could be attributed to either permanent or temporary presence of the parasites on the host or to ecological differences between the host species, the lack of specific knowledge regarding the life cycle and microhabitat requirements of each parasite taxon precludes a complete understanding of the factors that determine their infestation dynamics. This study demonstrates the presence of yearly and monthly dynamics in lemur–parasite interactions in tropical, seasonal, dry deciduous forests in Madagascar, which call out for broad ecological long-term studies focusing both on primate hosts and their parasites