An instrumental puzzle: the modular integration of AOLI

The Adaptive Optics Lucky Imager, AOLI, is an instrument developed to deliver the highest spatial resolution ever obtained in the visible, 20 mas, from ground-based telescopes. In AOLI a new philosophy of instrumental prototyping has been applied, based on the modularization of the subsystems. This modular concept offers maximum flexibility regarding the instrument, telescope or the addition of future developments.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures, Proc. SPIE 9908, Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy VI, 99082Z (August 9, 2016

The Holocene volcanism of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain)

This work presents the first detailed map of the Holocene eruptions of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain). It provides complete and detailed information for all 24 Holocene eruptions of Gran Canaria, improving the knowledge of this recent volcanism and the assessment of volcanic hazards on the island. This map is a synthesis of collated and interpreted field data and topographic maps. We have integrated information obtained from: (1) detailed geological field surveys, (2) morphometric analysis of eruptive deposits, (3) high-resolution digital elevation models, and (4) aerial photographs

PTGER4 gene variant rs76523431 is a candidate risk factor for radiological joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis patients: a genetic study of six cohorts

[Introduction] Prostaglandin E receptor 4 (PTGER4) is implicated in immune regulation and bone metabolism. The aim of this study was to analyze its role in radiological joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).[Methods] Six independent cohorts of patients with RA of European or North American descent were included, comprising 1789 patients with 5083 sets of X-rays. The Hospital Clínico San Carlos Rheumatoid Arthritis, Princesa Early Arthritis Register Longitudinal study, and Hospital Universitario de La Paz early arthritis (Spain) cohorts were used as discovery cohorts, and the Leiden Early Arthritis Clinic (The Netherlands), Wichita (United States), and National Databank for Rheumatic Diseases (United States and Canada) cohorts as replication cohorts. First, the PTGER4 rs6896969 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was genotyped using TaqMan assays and available Illumina Immunochip data and studied in the discovery and replication cohorts. Second, the PTGER4 gene and adjacent regions were analyzed using Immunochip genotyping data in the discovery cohorts. On the basis of pooled p values, linkage disequilibrium structure of the region, and location in regions with transcriptional properties, SNPs were selected for replication. The results from discovery, replication, and overall cohorts were pooled using inverse-variance–weighted meta-analysis. Influence of the polymorphisms on the overall radiological damage (constant effect) and on damage progression over time (time-varying effect) was analyzed.[Results] The rs6896969 polymorphism showed a significant association with radiological damage in the constant effect pooled analysis of the discovery cohorts, although no significant association was observed in the replication cohorts or the overall pooled analysis. Regarding the analysis of the PTGER4 region, 976 variants were analyzed in the discovery cohorts. From the constant and time-varying effect analyses, 12 and 20 SNPs, respectively, were selected for replication. Only the rs76523431 variant showed a significant association with radiographic progression in the time-varying effect pooled analysis of the discovery, replication, and overall cohorts. The overall pooled effect size was 1.10 (95 % confidence interval 1.05–1.14, p = 2.10 × 10−5), meaning that radiographic yearly progression was 10 % greater for each copy of the minor allele.[Conclusions] The PTGER4 gene is a candidate risk factor for radiological progression in RA.This work was supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Ministry of Health, Spain [Miguel Servet research contract CP12/03129 (to LRR); Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias PI11/02413; and Red de Investigación en Inflamación y Enfermedades Reumáticas RD12/0009/0004, RD12/0009/0011, and RD12/0009/0017]. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.Peer reviewe

NIVELES DE CONCENTRACIÓN DE MATERIAL PARTICULADO PM SUSPENDIDO EN EL AIRE DURANTE 17 AÑOS DE MEDICIÓN, EN EL CAMPUS CENTRAL DE LA UNIVERSIDAD DE PANAMÁ

Se analizaron las concentraciones diarias de material particulado en el aire (PM) en la azotea de la Rectoría de la Universidad de Panamá, con una aspiradora ubicada a 90 metros sobre el nivel del mar.  Se recolectaron y analizaron muestras diarias desde enero de 2006 hasta diciembre de 2022, sumando un total de 6 209 datos. La curva de la concentración del material particulado (PM) versus el día del año es indicativa de una alta contaminación atmosférica diaria por partículas en suspensión.  La concentración diaria de PM, influenciada por factores meteorológicos, sugiere una clasificación en cuatro etapas anuales con comportamiento estacional, aunque con variabilidad significativa. Estas etapas son, la estación seca con comportamiento alotrópico, la de transición con decrecimiento diario lineal, dos etapas lluviosas una moderada y la otra intensa, las cuales, juntas poseen una variación senoidal.  Se encontró una alta correlación inversa de PM con la Humedad Relativa y con la precipitación y una correlación directa alta con la temperatura y la rapidez del viento y ningún tipo de correlación con la presión y la dirección del viento.  Esas altas correlaciones entre PM y la meteorología son indicadoras que las PM contribuyen al cambio climático

Atomic surface segregation and structural characterization of PdPt bimetallic nanoparticles

"Bimetallic nanoparticles are of interest since they lead to many interesting electrical, chemical, catalytic, and optical properties. They are particularly important in the field of catalysis since they show superior catalytic properties than their monometallic counterparts. The structures of bimetallic nanoparticles depend mainly on the synthesis conditions and the miscibility of the two components. In this work, PdPt alloyed-bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized through the polyol method, and characterized using spherical aberration (Cs) corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). High-angle annular dark-field (HAADF)-STEM images of bimetallic nanoparticles were obtained. The contrast of images shows that nanoparticles have an alloy structure with an average size of 8.2 nm. Together with the characterization of nanoparticles, a systematic molecular dynamics simulations study focused on the structural stability and atomic surface segregation trends in 923-atom PdPt alloyed-bimetallic NPs was carried out.

COVID-19: impactos na saúde mental e psicossociais na América Latina

The COVID-19 pandemic has not only had health, economic, and political impacts, but also significant psychosocial and mental health consequences worldwide. In this article, different documentation and studies on mental health were analyzed, with the aim of identifying the various problems detected during the pandemic. Methodologically, a narrative and integrative review of the scientific literature was carried out. In Latin America, the most recent studies have documented and made patent effects on the various vulnerized populations such as migrants, women, children, the elderly, people living with significant disabilities, people experiencing marked housing and food insecurity, and temporary workers laboring in what has been referred to as the informal economy. In light of this, it is proposed that addressing these issues should involve the coordination of transnational policies and the definition of an agenda of critical priorities to focus and address. For this to come about, it is important that the empirical evidence generated by regional epidemiological studies contribute to the design of public policies on mental health of the Latin American population, so that they reduce the negative effects as well as prevent the future consequences of a pandemic that is not yet over.La pandemia por el COVID-19 no sólo ha generado diversos impactos en materia de salud, economía y política, sino también importantes consecuencias psicosociales y de salud mental en el mundo. En este trabajo, se analizaron diferentes documentaciones y estudios sobre salud mental, con el objetivo de recuperar las diversas problemáticas detectadas durante la pandemia. Metodológicamente se realizó una revisión narrativa e integrativa de la literatura científica. En América Latina los estudios más recientes comienzan a visualizar diferentes afectaciones sobre las diversas poblaciones vulneralizadas: migrantes, mujeres, niños, los ancianos, personas quienes viven con una discapacidad significativa, personas en situación de calle, trabajadores informales, etc. Frente a este panorama, se plantea que el abordaje de estas cuestiones deberá contar con la coordinación de políticas trasnacionales y la definición de una agenda de prioridades críticas a focalizar y atender. Para esto resulta importante que la evidencia empírica generada por los estudios epidemiológicos regionales contribuya al diseño de las políticas públicas sobre salud mental de la población latinoamericana, de modo que las mismas logren reducir los efectos negativos como también puedan prevenir las consecuencias futuras de una pandemia que todavía no ha finalizado.A pandemia da COVID-19 no mundo tem impactado a área da saúde, os setores da economia e da política e também tem gerado consequências psicossociais, repercutindo de forma significativa no campo da saúde mental. Este estudo de revisão sistemática analisou diversos documentos e pesquisas abordando saúde mental e COVID-19, bem como problematicas geradas durante a pandemia. A metodologia de pesquisa envolveu revisão narrativa e integrativa da literatura científica. Na América Latina, os estudos mais recentes apresentam os inúmeros efeitos da COVID-19 em populações vulneráveis: imigrantes, mulheres, crianças, idosos, pessoas em situação de rua, trabalhadores informais, etc. Diante desse panorama, propõe-se que a abordagem dessas questões inclua a coordenação de políticas transnacionais e a definição de uma agenda de prioridades críticas a serem consideradas. Os resultados empíricos de estudos epidemiológicos realizados em âmbito regional contribuíram para o desenho de políticas públicas em saúde mental da população latino-americana com o objetivo de reduzir os efeitos negativos e prevenir riscos futuros de uma pandemia que ainda não terminou.Fil: Gallegos de San Vicente, Miguel Omar. Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais; Brasil. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto Rosario de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Educación. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Instituto Rosario de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Educación; ArgentinaFil: Consoli, Andrés J.. University of California; Estados UnidosFil: Ferrari, Ilka Franco. Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais; BrasilFil: Cervigni, Mauricio Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto Rosario de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Educación. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Instituto Rosario de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Educación; ArgentinaFil: de Castro Peçanha, Viviane. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology; Estados UnidosFil: Martino, Pablo Luis. Universidad Nacional de Rosario; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; ArgentinaFil: Caycho Rodríguez, Tomás. Universidad Privada del Norte; PerúFil: Razumovskiy, Anastasia. No especifíca

Femtosecond laser fabrication of LIPSS-based waveplates on metallic surfaces

A fast and reliable method for the fabrication of polarization modifying devices using femtosecond laser is reported. A setup based on line focusing is used for the generation of LIPSS on stainless steel, processing at different speeds between 0.8 and 2.4 mm/s with constant energy per pulse of 1.4 mJ. SEM and AFM characterizations of the LIPSS show a progressive increase in period as the processing speed increases, while height remains approximately constant in the studied range. Optical characterization of the devices shows an induced change in the polarization of the reflected beam that varies with the processing speed, which allows a controlled fabrication of these devices

Cryopreservation of Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) spermatozoa obtained by electroejaculation

P. 628-638We tested extenders and freezing protocols for Iberian red deer semen. Samples were obtained by electroejaculation (10 stags), and analyzed for motility (CASA), viability (propidium ioide), acrosomal (PNA-FITC) and mitochondrial status (JC-1). Samples were diluted in extender, cooled and adjusted for glycerol (extender with higher glycerol concentration), brought to mL−1 and frozen. Four experiments were carried out, repeating sperm analysis after thawing to compare treatments. In a first experiment, seven samples were frozen using Triladyl® (20% egg yolk) and UL extender (Tes–Tris–fructose, 15% egg yolk, 4% glycerol). Triladyl® yielded higher motility after thawing. In a second trial, 17 samples were frozen using Triladyl®, Andromed®, Bioxcell®, and UL with 8% LDL (low-density lipoproteins). Triladyl® and Andromed® performed better than Bioxcell® on motility, and than UL-LDL on viability and acrosomal status. In a third experiment, the performance of freezing the sperm-rich ejaculate fraction versus the whole ejaculate was tested on nine samples. The sperm-rich ejaculate fraction not only rendered more motile and viable spermatozoa but also showed higher freezability (higher motile spermatozoa recovery). In a fourth experiment, we tried three modifications of the freezing protocol, for improving the freezability of low concentration samples: prior removal of seminal plasma; replacing extender (second fraction) for pure glycerol to reduce dilution; and performing only the dilution, not the second dilution. No differences were found, although only three samples could be used. Both Triladyl® and Andromed® were deemed appropriate for freezing Iberian red deer semen, and the rich fraction should be selected for freezing.S

Nanocrystalline silicon optomechanical cavities

"© 2018 Optical Society of America. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modifications of the content of this paper are prohibited"[EN] Silicon on insulator photonics has offered a versatile platform for the recent development of integrated optomechanical circuits. However, there are some constraints such as the high cost of the wafers and limitation to a single physical device level. In the present work we investigate nanocrystalline silicon as an alternative material for optomechanical devices. In particular we demonstrate that optomechanical crystal cavities fabricated of nanocrystalline silicon have optical and mechanical properties enabling non-linear dynamical behaviour and effects such as thermo-optic/free-carrier-dispersion self-pulsing, phonon lasing and chaos, all at low input laser power and with typical frequencies as high as 0.3 GHz. (C) 2018 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing AgreementEuropean Commission project PHENOMEN (H2020-EU-713450), MINECO Severo Ochoa Excellence program (SEV-2013-0295), MINECO (FIS2015-70862-P, RYC-2014-15392) and CERCA Programme/Generalitat de Catalunya.Navarro-Urrios, D.; Capuj, N.; Maire, J.; Colombano, M.; Jaramillo-Fernandez, J.; Chavez-Angel, E.; Martín-Rodríguez, LL.... (2018). Nanocrystalline silicon optomechanical cavities. Optics Express. 26(8):9829-9839. https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.26.009829S98299839268Kippenberg, T. J., & Vahala, K. J. (2008). 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Aluminum nitride as a new material for chip-scale optomechanics and nonlinear optics. New Journal of Physics, 14(9), 095014. doi:10.1088/1367-2630/14/9/095014Gomis-Bresco, J., Navarro-Urrios, D., Oudich, M., El-Jallal, S., Griol, A., Puerto, D., … Torres, C. M. S. (2014). A one-dimensional optomechanical crystal with a complete phononic band gap. Nature Communications, 5(1). doi:10.1038/ncomms5452Heck, M. J. R., Bauters, J. F., Davenport, M. L., Spencer, D. T., & Bowers, J. E. (2014). Ultra-low loss waveguide platform and its integration with silicon photonics. Laser & Photonics Reviews, 8(5), 667-686. doi:10.1002/lpor.201300183Solehmainen, K., Aalto, T., Dekker, J., Kapulainen, M., Harjanne, M., Kukli, K., … Leskela, M. (2005). Dry-etched silicon-on-insulator waveguides with low propagation and fiber-coupling losses. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 23(11), 3875-3880. doi:10.1109/jlt.2005.857750Sekoguchi, H., Takahashi, Y., Asano, T., & Noda, S. (2014). 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Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems, 1(4), 193-196. doi:10.1109/jmems.1992.752511Pennec, Y., Rouhani, B. D., El Boudouti, E. H., Li, C., El Hassouani, Y., Vasseur, J. O., … Martinez, A. (2010). Simultaneous existence of phononic and photonic band gaps in periodic crystal slabs. Optics Express, 18(13), 14301. doi:10.1364/oe.18.014301Escalante, J. M., Martínez, A., & Laude, V. (2014). Design of single-mode waveguides for enhanced light-sound interaction in honeycomb-lattice silicon slabs. Journal of Applied Physics, 115(6), 064302. doi:10.1063/1.486466