Electrodynamic single-particle trap integrated into double-cavity ring-down spectroscopy for light extinction

The study of the interaction of light with matter upon changing environmental conditions requires new platforms that provide accurate and reliable measurements. One suitable technique for studying such interaction uses electrodynamic traps to levitate micro or nanoparticles in combination with an optical interrogation technique, but improvements and new developments that complement spectroscopic information are necessary. Here, we use a Paul Electrodynamic Trap (PET) coupled to a Double-Cavity Ring Down Spectroscopy (D-CRDS) to measure the extinction cross section of single levitated particles at two different wavelengths (405 and 532 nm). The level of control achieved over the motion and stability is such that the particle can be consecutively placed at the central maximum of two independent TEM00 Gaussian modes of the ring-down cavities. Therefore, we can directly measure the dynamic change of the extinction cross section of a single particle at two different wavelengths. The combination of simulations using Mie theory and experiments demonstrates the potential of this robust and versatile setup applied to 1,2,6-hexanetriol particles. Unlike standard methods, our system provides crucial information of drastic and reversible change in the extinction cross-section of a sodium chloride particle in efflorescence and deliquescence points, indicating changes in solute mass, charge, refractive index, sphericity and size during the dehydration and hydration processes.Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through projects ELPIS (PID2020-12001-5RB-I00)Junta de Andalucía Excellence projects ADAPNE (P20-00136)AEROPRE (P-18-RT-3820)NANOHYBRID (AFQM-644-UGR20) FEDER Una manera de hacer EuropaEQC2019-006423-Pthe European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program through project ACTRIS.IMP (grant agreement No 871115)ATMO-ACCESS (grant agreement No 22 101008004)ACTRIS-España (RED2022-134824-E)University of Granada Plan Propio through Excellence Research Unit Earth Science and Singular Laboratory AGORA (LS2022-1) programs

Treatment of extra-articular proximal and middle phalangeal fractures of the hand: a systematic review

The aim of the study was to systematically review the patient reported and functional outcomes of treatment for extra-articular proximal or middle phalangeal fractures of the hand in order to determine the best treatment options. The review methodology was registered with PROSPERO. A systematic literature search was conducted in electronic bibliographic databases. Two independent reviewers performed screening and data extraction. The evaluation of quality of the included studies was performed using the Structured Effectiveness Quality Evaluation scale. The initial search yielded 2354 studies. The full text manuscripts of 79 studies were evaluated of which 16 studies met the inclusion criteria. In total, 513 extra-articular proximal and middle phalangeal fractures of the hand were included of which 118 (23%) were treated non-operatively, 188 (37%) were treated by closed reduction internal fixation (CRIF) and 207 (40%) by open reduction internal fixation. It can be recommended that closed displaced extra-articular phalangeal fractures can be treated non-operatively, even fractures with an oblique or complex pattern, provided that closed reduction is possible and maintained. Conservative treatment is preferably performed with a cast/brace allowing free mobilization of the wrist. No definite conclusion could be drawn upon whether closed reduction with extra-articular K-wire pinning or transarticular pinning is superior; however, it might be suggested that extra-articular K-wire pinning is favoured. When open reduction is necessary for oblique or spiral extra-articular fractures, lag screw fixation is preferable to plate and screw fixation. But, similar recovery and functional results are achieved with transversally inserted K-wires compared to lag screw fixation. Type of study/level of evidence: therapeutic III

Insight out : making creativity visible

Models of creative problem solving are predicated upon mental states to explain everything from the outcome of problem‐solving experiments to the emergence of artistic creativity. We present two converging perspectives that describe a profoundly different ontological description of creativity. Our analysis proceeds from a distinction between first‐order problem solving, where the agent interacts with a physical model of the problem and second‐order problem solving, where the agent must cogitate a solution to a problem that is presented as a verbal description of a state of the world but where the agent does not or cannot transform physical elements of a problem. We acknowledge the recent evidence that foregrounds the importance of working memory in problem solving, including insight problem solving. However, we stress that the impressive psychometric success is obtained with a methodology that only measures second‐order problem solving; we question whether first‐order problem solving is equally well predicted by measures of cognitive or dispositional capacities. We propose that if mental simulation is replaced by the opportunity to engage with a physical model of a problem then the environment can provide affordances that help the participant to solve problems. In the second part of the paper, we present the subjective experience of an artist as he monitors the microdecisions that occur during the morphogenesis of a large, clay, sculptural installation. The testimony is a vivid demonstration that creative action occurs, not in the brain, but in the movement between the hand and the clay. Insight becomes outsight

The Morphology of Passively Evolving Galaxies at Z-2 from HST/WFC3 in the Hubble Ultra Deep Field

We discuss near-IR images of six passive galaxies (SSFR< 10(exp -2)/Gyr) at redshift 1.3 < z < 2.4 with stellar mass M approx 10(exp 11) solar mass, selected from the Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey (GOODS), obtained with WFC3/IR and the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). These WFC3 images provide the deepest and highest angular resolution view of the optical rest-frame morphology of such systems to date. We find that the light profile of these; galaxies is generally regular and well described by a Sersic model with index typical of today's spheroids. We confirm the existence of compact and massive early-type galaxies at z approx. 2: four out of six galaxies have T(sub e) approx. 1 kpc or less. The WFC3 images achieve limiting surface brightness mu approx. 26.5 mag/sq arcsec in the F160W bandpass; yet there is no evidence of a faint halo in the five compact galaxies of our sample, nor is a halo observed in their stacked image. We also find very weak "morphological k-correction" in the galaxies between the rest-frame UV (from the ACS z band), and the rest-frame optical (WFC3 H band): the visual classification, Sersic indices and physical sizes of these galaxies are independent or only mildly dependent on the wavelength, within the errors

The UDF05 follow-up of the Hubble Ultra Deep Field. I. The faint-end slope of the Lyman Break Galaxy Population at z ~ 5

We present the UDF05 HST program, which consists of three disjoint fields—NICP12, NICP34, plus the HUDF—with deep ACS (F606W, F775W, and F850LP) and NICMOS (F110W and F160W) imaging. Here we use the ACS data for the NICP12 and HUDF fields to implement a (V − i) − (i − z) selection criterion that allows us to identify a sample of 101 (133) z ~ 5 Lyman break galaxies (LBGs) down to z850 = 28.5 (29.25) mag in NICP12 (HUDF). We construct the rest-frame 1400 Å LBG luminosity function (LF) over the range M1400 = [ − 21.4, − 17.1] , i.e. down to ~0.04L* at z ~ 5, and use Subaru Deep Field results (Yoshida et al. 2006) to constrain our LF at the bright end (M1400 ≥ − 22.2). We show that (1) different assumptions regarding the LBG SED distribution, dust properties, and intergalactic absorption result in a 25% variation in the number density of LBGs at z ~ 5; (2) under consistent assumptions for dust properties and intergalactic absorption, the HUDF is ~30% underdense in z ~ 5 LBGs relative to the NICP12 field, a variation which is well explained by cosmic variance; and (3) the faint-end slope of the LF does not depend on the input parameters, and has a value of α ~ − 1.6, similar to the faint-end slope of the LF of z ~ 3 and z ~ 6 LBGs. Our study therefore supports no variation in the faint end of the LBG LF over the whole redshift range z ~ 3 to z ~ 6. Based on a comparison with semianalytical models, we speculate that the z ~ 5 LBGs might have a top-heavy IMF

Massive open star clusters using the VVV survey : I. Presentation of the data and description of the approach

Context. The ESO Public Survey "VISTA Variables in the Vía Láctea" (VVV) provides deep multi-epoch infrared observations for unprecedented 562 sq. degrees of the Galactic bulge, and adjacent regions of the disk. Aims. The VVV observations will foster the construction of a sample of Galactic star clusters with reliable and homogeneously derived physical parameters (e.g., age, distance, and mass, etc.). In this first paper in a series, the methodology employed to establish cluster parameters for the envisioned database are elaborated upon by analysing four known young open clusters: Danks 1, Danks 2, RCW 79, and DBS 132. The analysis offers a first glimpse of the information that can be gleaned from the VVV observations for clusters in the final database. Methods. Wide-field, deep JHKs VVV observations, combined with new infrared spectroscopy, are employed to constrain fundamental parameters for a subset of clusters. Results. Results are inferred from VVV near-infrared photometry and numerous low resolution spectra (typically more than 10 per cluster). The high quality of the spectra and the deep wide-field VVV photometry enables us to precisely and independently determine the characteristics of the clusters studied, which we compare to previous determinations. An anomalous reddening law in the direction of the Danks clusters is found, specifically E(J - H)/E(H - Ks) = 2.20 ± 0.06, which exceeds published values for the inner Galaxy. The G305 star forming complex, which includes the Danks clusters, lies beyond the Sagittarius-Carina spiral arm and occupies the Centaurus arm. Finally, the first deep infrared colour-magnitude diagram of RCW 79 is presented, which reveals a sizeable pre-main sequence population. A list of candidate variable stars in G305 region is reported. Conclusions. This study demonstrates the strength of the dataset and methodology employed, and constitutes the first step of a broader study which shall include reliable parameters for a sizeable number of poorly characterised and/or newly discovered clusters.Instituto de Astrofísica de La Plat

Treatment of extra-articular proximal and middle phalangeal fractures of the hand: a systematic review

The aim of the study was to systematically review the patient reported and functional outcomes of treatment for extra-articular proximal or middle phalangeal fractures of the hand in order to determine the best treatment options. The review methodology was registered with PROSPERO. A systematic literature search was conducted in electronic bibliographic databases. Two independent reviewers performed screening and data extraction. The evaluation of quality of the included studies was performed using the Structured Effectiveness Quality Evaluation scale. The initial search yielded 2354 studies. The full text manuscripts of 79 studies were evaluated of which 16 studies met the inclusion criteria. In total, 513 extra-articular proximal and middle phalangeal fractures of the hand were included of which 118 (23%) were treated non-operatively, 188 (37%) were treated by closed reduction internal fixation (CRIF) and 207 (40%) by open reduction internal fixation. It can be recommended that closed displaced extra-articular phalangeal fractures can be treated non-operatively, even fractures with an oblique or complex pattern, provided that closed reduction is possible and maintained. Conservative treatment is preferably performed with a cast/brace allowing free mobilization of the wrist. No definite conclusion could be drawn upon whether closed reduction with extra-articular K-wire pinning or transarticular pinning is superior; however, it might be suggested that extra-articular K-wire pinning is favoured. When open reduction is necessary for oblique or spiral extra-articular fractures, lag screw fixation is preferable to plate and screw fixation. But, similar recovery and functional results are achieved with transversally inserted K-wires compared to lag screw fixation. Type of study/level of evidence: therapeutic III

The learning curve associated with the introduction of the subcutaneous implantable defibrillator

Aims: The subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD) was introduced to overcome complications related to transvenous leads. Adoption of the S-ICD requires implanters to learn a new implantation technique. The aim of this study was to assess the learning curve for S-ICD implanters with respect to implant-related complications, procedure time, and inappropriate shocks (IASs). Methods and results: In a pooled cohort from two clinical S-ICD databases, the IDE Trial and the EFFORTLESS Registry, complications, IASs at 180 days follow-up and implant procedure duration were assessed. Patients were grouped in quartiles based on experience of the implanter and Kaplan-Meier estimates of complication and IAS rates were calculated. A total of 882 patients implanted in 61 centres by 107 implanters with a median of 4 implants (IQR 1,8) were analysed. There were a total of 59 patients with complications and 48 patients with IAS. The complication rate decreased significantly from 9.8% in Quartile 1 (least experience) to 5.4% in Quartile 4 (most experience) (P = 0.02) and non-significantly for IAS from 7.9 to 4.8% (P = 0.10). Multivariable analysis demonstrated a hazard ratio of 0.78 (P = 0.045) for complications and 1.01 (P = 0.958) for IAS. Dual-zone programming increased with experience of the individual implanter (P 13 implants). Conclusion: There is a short and significant learning curve associated with physicians adopting the S-ICD. Performance stab

The reaction of oleic acid monolayers with gas-phase ozone at the air water interface: the effect of sub-phase viscosity, and inert secondary components

Organic films that form on atmospheric particulate matter change the optical and cloud condensation nucleation properties of the particulate matter and consequently have implications for modern climate and climate models. The organic films are subject to attack from gas-phase oxidants present in ambient air. Here we revisit in greater detail the oxidation of a monolayer of oleic acid by gas-phase ozone at the air–water interface as this provides a model system for the oxidation reactions that occur at the air–water interface of aqueous atmospheric aerosol. Experiments were performed on monolayers of oleic acid at the air–liquid interface at atmospherically relevant ozone concentrations to investigate if the viscosity of the sub-phase influences the rate of the reaction and to determine the effect of the presence of a second component within the monolayer, stearic acid, which is generally considered to be non-reactive towards ozone, on the reaction kinetics as determined by neutron reflectometry measurements. Atmospheric aerosol can be extremely viscous. The kinetics of the reaction were found to be independent of the viscosity of the sub-phase below the monolayer over a range of moderate viscosities, Image ID:d0cp03934a-t1.gif, demonstrating no involvement of aqueous sub-phase oxidants in the rate determining step. The kinetics of oxidation of monolayers of pure oleic acid were found to depend on the surface coverage with different behaviour observed above and below a surface coverage of oleic acid of ∼1 × 1018 molecule m−2. Atmospheric aerosol are typically complex mixtures, and the presence of an additional compound in the monolayer that is inert to direct ozone oxidation, stearic acid, did not significantly change the reaction kinetics. It is demonstrated that oleic acid monolayers at the air–water interface do not leave any detectable material at the air–water interface, contradicting the previous work published in this journal which the authors now believe to be erroneous. The combined results presented here indicate that the kinetics, and thus the atmospheric chemical lifetime for unsaturated surface active materials at the air–water interface to loss by reaction with gas-phase ozone, can be considered to be independent of other materials present at either the air–water interface or in the aqueous sub-phase

Estudo das frequências alélicas de Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) autossómicos na população de Moçambique

Poster apresentado na III Conferência do Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forense, Coimbra, 2016Os marcadores genéticos Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) são sequências nucleótidicas altamente polimórficas e repetitivas, encontradas no ácido desoxirribonucleico (ADN), que devido à sua elevada variabilidade e ao facto de serem facilmente amplificados por Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR), têm sido utilizadas com diferentes fins, nomeadamente, em estudos de genética populacional e de identificação humana. A identificação humana utilizando o ADN é um grande desafio para Moçambique, uma vez que não existem bases de dados genéticos populacionais. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo consiste na contribuição genética para estas bases de dados através da tipagem de 21 loci de STRs autossómicos em dadores dos bancos de sangue de Moçambique.N/