Wave focusing using symmetry matching in axisymmetric acoustic gradient index lenses

Copyright 2013 American Institute of Physics. This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and the American Institute of Physics. The following article appeared in Romero García, V.; Cebrecos Ruiz, A.; Picó Vila, R.; Sánchez Morcillo, VJ.; García-Raffi, LM.; Sánchez Pérez, JV. (2013). Wave focusing using symmetry matching in axisymmetric acoustic gradient index lenses. Applied Physics Letters. 103(26):264106-264106. doi:10.1063/1.4860535 and may be found at http://scitation.aip.org/The symmetry matching between the source and the lens results in fundamental interest for lensing applications. In this work, we have modeled an axisymmetric gradient index (GRIN) lens made of rigid toroidal scatterers embedded in air considering this symmetry matching with radially symmetric sources. The sound amplification obtained in the focal spot of the reported lens (8.24 dB experimentally) shows the efficiency of the axisymmetric lenses with respect to the previous Cartesian acoustic GRIN lenses. The axisymmetric design opens new possibilities in lensing applications in different branches of science and technology.The work was supported by Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and European Union FEDER through Project Nos. FIS2011-29734-C02-01 and -02 and PAID 2012/253. V. R. G. is grateful for the support of post-doctoral contracts of the UPV CEI-01-11.Romero García, V.; Cebrecos Ruiz, A.; Picó Vila, R.; Sánchez Morcillo, VJ.; García-Raffi, LM.; Sánchez Pérez, JV. (2013). Wave focusing using symmetry matching in axisymmetric acoustic gradient index lenses. Applied Physics Letters. 103(26):264106-264106. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4860535S26410626410610326John, S. (1987). Strong localization of photons in certain disordered dielectric superlattices. 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Acoustic Bessel-like beam formation by an axisymmetric grating

We report Bessel-like beam formation of acoustic waves by means of an axisymmetric grating of rigid tori. The results show that the generated beam pattern is similar to that of Bessel beams, characterized by elongated non-diffracting focal spots. A multiple foci structure is observed, due to the finite size of the lens. The dependence of the focal distance on the frequency is also discussed, on the basis of an extended grating theory. Experimental validation of acoustic Bessel-like beam formation is also reported for sound waves. The results can be generalized to wave beams of different nature, as optical or matter waves.The work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and the European Union FEDER through projects FIS2011-29731-C02-01 and -02, also MAT2009-09438, MTM2012-36740-C02-02 and UPV-PAID 2012/253. VR-G acknowledges financial support from the "Pays de la Loire" through the post-doctoral programme.Jimenez, N.; Romero García, V.; Picó Vila, R.; Cebrecos Ruiz, A.; Sánchez Morcillo, VJ.; García-Raffi, LM.; Sánchez Pérez, JV.... (2014). Acoustic Bessel-like beam formation by an axisymmetric grating. EPL. 106(2):240051-240055. doi:10.1209/0295-5075/106/24005240051240055106

Brazilian melon landraces resistant to Podosphaera xanthii are unique germplasm resources

"This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: [FULL CITE], which has been published in final form at [Link to final article using the DOI]. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving."[EN] Podosphaera xanthii is the most important causal agent of powdery mildew in melon, a crop ranked within the most economically important species worldwide. The best strategy to face this fungus disease, which causes important production losses, is the development of genetically resistant cultivars. Genetic breeding programmes require sources of resistance, and a few ones have been reported in melon, mostly in Momordica and Acidulus horticultural groups. However, the existence of many races that reduces the durability of the resistance makes necessary to find new resistant genotypes with different genetic backgrounds. In this work, Brazilian germplasm, together with a set of Indian landraces, and the COMAV¿s (Institute for the Conservation and Breeding of Agricultural Biodiversity) melon core collection, representing the whole variability of the species, were assessed for resistance against some common races in Spain and Brazil and genotyped with a 123-SNP (single nucleotide polymorphisms) genotyping platform to study the molecular relationships of the resistant accessions. In the first experiment, carried out in Valencia (Spain) in 2013, seventy-nine melon accessions were evaluated using artificial inoculation. Five accessions selected as resistant were also evaluated against races 1, 3, and 5 in Mossoró (Brazil, 2015) and against race 3.5 in Valencia (2016) under greenhouse conditions, and under four field conditions in Brazil. The accessions, AL-1, BA-3, CE-3, and RN-2, within the Brazilian collection, presented resistance against all the races of P. xanthii assayed in all conditions tested. AL-1, CE-3 and RN-2 were molecularly more similar to wild agrestis and Acidulus melons from Asia and Africa, while BA-3 grouped with Momordica types. Molecular analysis also confirmed that these new Brazilian sources of resistance differ from those previously reported, constituting interesting materials to encourage genetic breeding programmes, especially in Brazil and Spain.This work was supported by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq ( Processes: 485739/2013-5; 312315/2013-9) and CAPES-DPGU (294/2013) and by the projects funded by the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad AGL2014-53398-C2-1-R and AGL2014-53398-C2-2-R (jointly funded by FEDER). We also thank Sakata Seed Sudamerica Ltda for the inoculum source for the different P. xanthii races employed.Nunes, EWLP.; Esteras Gómez, C.; Ricarte, AO.; Martínez-Pérez, EM.; Gómez-Guillamon, ML.; Nunes, GHS.; Picó Sirvent, MB. (2017). Brazilian melon landraces resistant to Podosphaera xanthii are unique germplasm resources. Annals of Applied Biology. 171(2):214-228. https://doi.org/10.1111/aab.12370S214228171

Grafting Snake Melon [Cucumis melo L. subsp. melo Var. flexuosus (L.) Naudin] in Organic Farming: Effects on Agronomic Performance; Resistance to Pathogens; Sugar, Acid, and VOC Profiles; and Consumer Acceptance

The performance of snake melon [Cucumis melo var. flexuosus (L.)] in organic farming was studied under high biotic and salt stress conditions. Soilborne diseases (mainly caused by Macrophomina phaseolina and Neocosmospora falciformis), combined with virus incidence [Watermelon mosaic virus (WMV), Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), and Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV)] and Podosphaera xanthii attacks, reduced yield by more than 50%. Snake melon susceptibility to M. phaseolina and Monosporascus cannonballus was proved in pathogenicity tests, while it showed some degree of resistance to Neocosmospora keratoplastica and N. falciformis. On the contrary, salt stress had a minor impact, although a synergic effect was detected: yield losses caused by biotic stress increased dramatically when combined with salt stress. Under biotic stress, grafting onto the melon F1Pat81 and wild Cucumis rootstocks consistently reduced plant mortality in different agroecological conditions, with a better performance compared to classic Cucurbita commercial hybrids. Yield was even improved under saline conditions in grafted plants. A negative effect was detected, though, on consumer acceptability, especially with the use of Cucurbita rootstocks. Cucumis F1Pat81 rootstock minimized this side effect, which was probably related to changes in the profile of sugars, acids, and volatiles. Grafting affected sugars and organic acid contents, with this effect being more accentuated with the use of Cucurbita rootstocks than with Cucumis. In fact, the latter had a higher impact on the volatile organic compound profile than on sugar and acid profile, which may have resulted in a lower effect on consumer perception. The use of Cucumis rootstocks seems to be a strategy to enable organic farming production of snake melon targeted to high-quality markets in order to promote the cultivation of this neglected crop.

Optimal Matrix Product States for the Heisenberg Spin Chain

We present some exact results for the optimal Matrix Product State (MPS) approximation to the ground state of the infinite isotropic Heisenberg spin-1/2 chain. Our approach is based on the systematic use of Schmidt decompositions to reduce the problem of approximating for the ground state of a spin chain to an analytical minimization. This allows to show that results of standard simulations, e.g. density matrix renormalization group and infinite time evolving block decimation, do correspond to the result obtained by this minimization strategy and, thus, both methods deliver optimal MPS with the same energy but, otherwise, different properties. We also find that translational and rotational symmetries cannot be maintained simultaneously by the MPS ansatz of minimum energy and present explicit constructions for each case. Furthermore, we analyze symmetry restoration and quantify it to uncover new scaling relations. The method we propose can be extended to any translational invariant Hamiltonian.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures; typos adde

Transcriptomic, biochemical and individual markers in transplanted Daphnia magna to characterize impacts in the field.

Daphnia magna individuals were transplanted across 12 sites from three Spanish river basins (Llobregat, Ebro, Jucar) showing different sources of pollution. Gene transcription, feeding and biochemical responses in the field were assessed and compared with those obtained in re-constituted water treatments spiked with organic eluates obtained from water samples collected at the same locations and sampling periods. Up to 166 trace contaminants were detected in water and classified by their mode of action into 45 groups that included metals, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, illicit drugs, and other industrial compounds. Physicochemical water parameters differentiated the three river basins with Llobregat having the highest levels of conductivity, metals and pharmaceuticals, followed by Ebro, whereas the Jucar river had the greatest levels of illicit drugs. D. magna grazing rates and cholinesterase activity responded similarly than the diversity of riparian benthic communities. Transcription patterns of 13 different genes encoding for general stress, metabolism and energy processes, molting and xenobiotic transporters corroborate phenotypic responses differentiated sites within and across river basins. Principal Component Analysis and Partial Least Square Projections to Latent Structures regression analyses indicated that measured in situ responses of most genes and biomarkers and that of benthic macroinvertebrate diversity indexes were affected by distinct environmental factors. Conductivity, suspended solids and fungicides were negatively related with the diversity of macroinvertebrates cholinesterase, and feeding responses. Gene transcripts of heat shock protein and metallothionein were positively related with 11 classes of organic contaminants and 6 metals. Gene transcripts related with signaling paths of molting and reproduction, sugar, protein and xenobiotic metabolism responded similarly in field and lab exposures and were related with high residue concentrations of analgesics, diuretics, psychiatric drugs, β blockers, illicit drugs, trizoles, bisphenol A, caffeine and pesticides. These results indicate that application of omic technologies in the field is a promising subject in water management

ESAR-Net: a collaborative effort to expand the application of wastewater epidemiology in Spain

Resumen del trabajo presentado en el SETAC Europe 30th Annual Meeting, celebrado en modalidad virtual del 3 al 7 de mayo de 2020.Data obtained from wastewater analysis can provide rapid and complementary insights in illict drug consumption at community level. Drug use has been assessed through wastewater analysis at national level in, for example, Australia, Belgium, Finland and South Korea and has also provided annually a one week snapshot of illicit drug volumes consumed in European cities (http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/topics/ pods/waste-water-analysis). However, a wastewater monitoring program did not exist in Spain, but leading experts have formed a network (https://www.esarnet.es/) to promote wastewater-based epidemiology at national level and communicate their findings to authorities and policymakers. Within Europe, Spain is an important country of transit of both cocaine and cannabis, due to its cultural, linguistic and colonial ties to Latin America and its proximity to Morocco. The quantity of seized cocaine and cannabis and prevalence of use, locates Spain at the top of Europe. In this work, a national wastewater campaign has been performed to get more insight on the consumption of illicit drugs and NPS within Spain for the first time. Wastewater results from 14 Spanish cities were compared with previously reported data and other national indicators. The cities, located in 7 of the 17 autonomous communities, cover approximately 6 million inhabitants (12.8 of the Spanish population). Untreated wastewater samples were analyzed for urinary biomarkers of amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDMA, cocaine and cannabis. In addition to these conventional drugs, weekend samples were monitored for several new psychoactive substances (NPS) (i.e. phenethylamines and cathinones). The selected NPS are known as possible replacement of these conventional drugs or among those previously reported. Finally, enantiomeric profiling of amphetamine was performed for one city in order to assure the results were due to consumption and not illegal dumping of production residues. This demonstrates another application of wastewater-based epidemiology, which allows to identify the originof drugs in wastewater.This work has been supported by the Spanish State Research Agency (Agencia Estatal de Investigación, AEI) through the “Redes de Excelencia” programme, ESAR-Net, ref. CTM2016-81935-RED

Large Genomic Imbalances in Brugada Syndrome

Purpose Brugada syndrome (BrS) is a form of cardiac arrhythmia which may lead to sudden cardiac death. The recommended genetic testing (direct sequencing of SCN5A) uncovers disease-causing SNVs and/or indels in ~20% of cases. Limited information exists about the frequency of copy number variants (CNVs) in SCN5A in BrS patients, and the role of CNVs in BrS-minor genes is a completely unexplored field. Methods 220 BrS patients with negative genetic results were studied to detect CNVs in SCN5A. 63 cases were also screened for CNVs in BrS-minor genes. Studies were performed by Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification or Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS). Results The detection rate for CNVs in SCN5A was 0.45% (1/220). The detected imbalance consisted of a duplication from exon 15 to exon 28, and could potentially explain the BrS phenotype. No CNVs were found in BrS-minor genes. Conclusion CNVs in current BrS-related genes are uncommon among BrS patients. However, as these rearrangements may underlie a portion of cases and they undergo unnoticed by traditional sequencing, an appealing alternative to conventional studies in these patients could be targeted NGS, including in a single experiment the study of SNVs, indels and CNVs in all the known BrS-related genes

Additional value of screening for minor genes and copy number variants in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Introduction: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most prevalent inherited heart disease. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is the preferred genetic test, but the diagnostic value of screening for minor and candidate genes, and the role of copy number variants (CNVs) deserves further evaluation. Methods: Three hundred and eighty-seven consecutive unrelated patients with HCM were screened for genetic variants in the 5 most frequent genes (MYBPC3, MYH7, TNNT2, TNNI3 and TPM1) using Sanger sequencing (N = 84) or NGS (N = 303). In the NGS cohort we analyzed 20 additional minor or candidate genes, and applied a proprietary bioinformatics algorithm for detecting CNVs. Additionally, the rate and classification of TTN variants in HCM were compared with 427 patients without structural heart disease. Results: The percentage of patients with pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants in the main genes was 33.3%, without significant differences between the Sanger sequencing and NGS cohorts. The screening for 20 additional genes revealed LP variants in ACTC1, MYL2, MYL3, TNNC1, GLA and PRKAG2 in 12 patients. This approach resulted in more inconclusive tests (36.0% vs. 9.6%, p<0.001), mostly due to variants of unknown significance (VUS) in TTN. The detection rate of rare variants in TTN was not significantly different to that found in the group of patients without structural heart disease. In the NGS cohort, 4 patients (1.3%) had pathogenic CNVs: 2 deletions in MYBPC3 and 2 deletions involving the complete coding region of PLN. Conclusions: A small percentage of HCM cases without point mutations in the 5 main genes are explained by P/LP variants in minor or candidate genes and CNVs. Screening for variants in TTN in HCM patients drastically increases the number of inconclusive tests, and shows a rate of VUS that is similar to patients without structural heart disease, suggesting that this gene should not be analyzed for clinical purposes in HCM

Monitorización del consumo de sustancias de abuso legales e ilegales en España a través de las aguas residuales en el marco de la red ESAR-Net

Trabajo presentado en el 4th Congreso Internacional y XLIX Jornadas Nacionales de Socidrogalcohol - VIII Congreso Nacional Patología Bio-Psicosocial, celebrado en Tenerife del 06 al 08 de octubre de 2022