Scattering polarization of hydrogen lines in the presence of turbulent electric fields

We study the broadband polarization of hydrogen lines produced by scattering of radiation, in the presence of isotropic electric fields. In this paper, we focus on two distinct problems: a) the possibility of detecting the presence of turbulent electric fields by polarimetric methods, and b) the influence of such fields on the polarization due to a macroscopic, deterministic magnetic field. We found that isotropic electric fields decrease the degree of linear polarization in the scattered radiation, with respect to the zero-field case. On the other hand, a distribution of isotropic electric fields superimposed onto a deterministic magnetic field can generate a significant increase of the degree of magnetic-induced, net circular polarization. This phenomenon has important implications for the diagnostics of magnetic fields in plasmas using hydrogen lines, because of the ubiquitous presence of the Holtsmark, microscopic electric field from neighbouring ions. In particular, previous solar magnetographic studies of the Balmer lines of hydrogen may need to be revised because they neglected the effect of turbulent electric fields on the polarization signals. In this work, we give explicit results for the Lyman-alpha and Balmer-alpha lines.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figure

Towards elimination of measles and rubella in Italy. Progress and challenges

Introduction In the WHO European Region, endemic transmission of measles and rubella had been interrupted by 37 and 42 of the 53 member states (MSs), respectively, by 2018. Sixteen MSs are still endemic for measles, 11 for rubella and nine for both diseases, the latter including Italy. Elimination is documented by each country’s National Verification Committee (NVC) through an annual status update (ASU). Objective By analysing data used to produce the ASUs, we aimed to describe the advances made by Italy towards elimination of measles and rubella. Moreover, we propose a set of major interventions that could facilitate the elimination process. Methods A total of 28 indicators were identified within the six core sections of the ASU form and these were evaluated for the period 2013–2018. These indicators relate to the incidence of measles/rubella; epidemiological investigation of cases; investigation of outbreaks; performance of the surveillance system; population immunity levels; and implementation of supplemental immunization activities (SIAs). Results From 2013 to 2018, epidemiological and laboratory analyses of measles cases in Italy improved substantially, allowing timely investigation in 2017 and 2018 of most outbreak and sporadic cases and identification of the majority of genotypic variants. Moreover, since 2017, vaccination coverage has increased significantly. Despite these improvements, several areas of concern emerged, prompting the following recommendations: i) improve outbreak monitoring; ii) strengthen the MoRoNet network; iii) increase the number of SIAs; iv) reinforce vaccination services; v) maintain regional monitoring; vi) design effective communication strategies; vii) foster the role of general practitioners and family paediatricians. Conclusions The review of national ASUs is a crucial step to provide the NVC with useful insights into the elimination process and to guide the development of targeted interventions. Against this background, the seven recommendations proposed by the NVC have been shared with the Italian Ministry of Health and the Technical Advisory Group on measles and rubella elimination and have been incorporated into the new Italian Elimination Plan 2019–2023 as a technical aid to facilitate the achievement of disease elimination goals

Growth of out-of-plane standing MoTe2(1-x)Se2x/MoSe2 composite flake films by sol–gel nucleation of MoOy and isothermal closed space telluro-selenization

This study describes the sol–gel processing of MoOy on Si (1 0 0) to subsequently achieve out-of-plane MoTe2/MoSe2 flake composite films by an isothermal closed space vapor transformation. The oxide precursor films have been prepared from a Mo isopropoxide solution in isopropanol and acid catalysis induced by HCl. Thermal annealing at 200, 400 and 600 °C enhanced the condensation after xerogel formation. An x-ray absorption analysis demonstrates that films condensed at 200 °C are at an intermediate chemical state between MoO3 and MoO2. To achieve MoTe2/MoSe2 composite films, the precursor oxide films were reduced in H2 and exposed to the chalcogenides by isothermal closed space vapor transport at 600 °C. The multilayered nanocomposite films grow with an out-of-plane flake-like structure and an evident integration of Se in the MoTe2 phase according to a MoTe2(1-x)Se2x alloy, with an estimation of x of 0.25. The alloy and the orientation of the flakes are consistent with the bands present in the Raman spectrum. These films are attractive for applications requiring high surface area interfaces favoring gas or ion exchange reactions with transition metal dichalcogenidesThe current research was funded by grant CTQ2017-84309-C2-2-R from Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Spain). The authors acknowledge the ESRF and the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (Spain), for provision of synchrotron radiation facilities and the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (Spain) financial support for the operation of the beamline under Grant No. PIE 2010 6 OE 01

Monitoring arthropods under the scope of the LIFE-BEETLES project: I - Baseline data with implementation of the Index of Biotic Integrity

The urgent need for conservation efforts in response to the global biodiversity crisis is exemplified by initiatives, such as the EU LIFE BEETLES project. This project aims to preserve endangered arthropod species that are crucial for ecosystem functionality, with a focus on endemic beetle species in Flores, Pico and Terceira Islands (Azores, Portugal): Tarphius floresensis Borges & Serrano, 2017, Pseudanchomenus aptinoides (Tarnier, 1860) and Trechus terrabravensis Borges, Serrano & Amorim, 2004. These species are single island endemics respectively from Flores, Pico and Terceira. They are threatened by environmental degradation, facing the dual challenge of restricted distribution and habitat degradation due to the spread of invasive plants. The project aims to enhance habitat quality and biodiversity conservation through habitat restoration and plant invasive species control measures. These measures are funded by the European Commission and coordinated by the Azorean Environment Directorate-General. The current Data Paper evaluates the effectiveness of the LIFE BEETLES project in improving habitat quality and offers insights into the balance between habitat restoration efforts and endangered species conservation in island ecosystems, utilising as ecological indicator the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) framework. New information This study establishes a comprehensive database derived from a long-term arthropod monitoring survey that used SLAM (Sea, Land and Air Malaise) traps and pitfall traps. Our findings present a proxy for assessing the overall habitat quality for endemic invertebrates, using arthropods as main indicators. From September 2020 to June 2023, a total of 31 SLAM traps were monitored. The traps were set up as follows: seven in Flores (three in mixed forest and four in native forest), 10 in Pico (four in mixed forest and six in native forest) and 14 in Terceira (three in mixed forest and 11 in native forest). Traps were monitored every three months. In addition, we surveyed the epigean fauna in 19 transects with 15 non-attractive pitfall traps per transect. The transects were set up during two weeks at the end of August every year between 2020 and 2023. Eight transects were established in Flores, consisting of one in pasture, four in mixed forest and three in native forest. Six transects were established in Pico, consisting of two in pastures and four in native forest. Five transects were established in Terceira, consisting of two in mixed forest and three in native forest. A total of 243 arthropod taxa were recorded, with 207 identified at the species or subspecies level. These taxa belonged to four classes, 24 orders and 101 families. Out of the 207 identified taxa, 46 were endemic, 60 were native non-endemic, 80 were introduced and 21 were of indeterminate status. Habitat information is also provided, including general habitat and dominant species composition. This publication contributes to the conservation of highly threatened endemic beetles by assessing habitat quality, based on arthropod communities and habitat description (e.g. native or exotic vegetation). Using the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) to comparing pre- and post-intervention data, we found no significant change within the epigean community. In contrast, the understorey community sampled with SLAM traps experienced a slight global decrease in biotic integrity over the study period. These findings suggest that the short duration of the study may not be sufficient to detect significant changes, as ecosystem recovery often requires long-term monitoring. The observed changes in the understorey community may be attributed to disturbances from intervention activities, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring to assess long-term ecological resilience and recovery.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Scattering polarization of hydrogen lines from electric-induced atomic alignment

We consider a gas of hydrogen atoms illuminated by a broadband, unpolarized radiation with zero anisotropy. In the absence of external fields, the atomic J-levels are thus isotropically populated. While this condition persists in the presence of a magnetic field, we show instead that electric fields can induce the alignment of those levels. We also show that this electric alignment cannot occur in a two-term model of hydrogen (e.g., if only the Ly-alpha transition is excited), or if the level populations are distributed according to Boltzmann's law.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures. Accepted by J.Phys.B: At.Mol.Opt.Phy

Evolution of occupational asthma: Does cessation of exposure really improve prognosis?

SummaryAimTo assess the evolution of occupational asthma (OA) depending on whether the patient avoids or continues with exposure to the offending agent.MethodsStudy in patients diagnosed with OA using a specific inhalation challenge. Patients underwent the following examinations on the same day: clinical interview, physical examination, forced spirometry, methacholine test and determination of total IgE. Clinical improvement, deterioration or no change were defined according to the changes seen on the GINA severity scale at the time of diagnosis.ResultsOf the 73 patients finally included, 55 had totally ended exposure and 18 continued to be exposed at work. Clinical improvement was observed in 47% of those who had terminated exposure and in 22% of those who remained exposed; clinical deterioration was observed in 14% and 17% respectively (p = 0.805). Logistical regression analysis, including the type of agent and the persistence or avoidance of exposure among the variables, did not show any predictive factors of clinical evolution. Similarly, the changes in FEV1 and in bronchial hyperresponsiveness were not associated with the avoidance or continuation of exposure to the causative agent.ConclusionsAvoiding exposure to the causative agent in patients with OA does not seem to improve prognosis in this disease. Despite these findings, there is insufficient evidence to recommend a change in current management guidelines

Métodos para la limpieza física, química y biológica de las fábricas de piedra de monumentos históricas. El caso de San Lorenzo del Real de Burgos

The restoration process of historic stone-masonry monuments is described in this article. The intervention has to be conducted according to the specific character of the monument while recovering its original appearance. The restoration process of the principal facade of the Church of San Lorenzo el Real, Burgos (Spain) is described in this article, as an example of a historical monument located in an urban environment. In the first place, the history was researched and a compilation was made of all the extant documentation on its constructive evolution and the nature of its materials. We characterized the different types of limestone and we analyzed the mortar bonds in the masonry. Once the characteristics and the properties of the materials were known and their degree of decay, cleaning techniques were selected. The programme of work successfully renovated the church building, through the restoration of its main façade.El presente artículo muestra el proceso de restauración de las fábricas de piedra en monumentos históricos. La intervención tiene que llevarse a cabo de acuerdo a la personalidad del monumento, recuperando su aspecto original. En este artículo se describe el proceso de restauración de la fachada principal de la Iglesia de San Lorenzo el Real en Burgos (España), como un ejemplo de monumento histórico situado en ambientes urbanos. En primer lugar, se realiza una investigación histórica y se recopila toda la documentación existente tanto de su evolución constructiva como de la naturaleza de sus materiales. Caracterizamos las diferentes variedades de piedra caliza y analizamos los morteros de juntas de las fábricas de piedra. Una vez conocidas las características y propiedades de los materiales y su grado de deterioro, se establecen los métodos de limpieza a utilizar. Las actuaciones realizadas han conseguido recuperar el monumento, con la restauración de la fachada principal

Recent Advances in Chromospheric and Coronal Polarization Diagnostics

I review some recent advances in methods to diagnose polarized radiation with which we may hope to explore the magnetism of the solar chromosphere and corona. These methods are based on the remarkable signatures that the radiatively induced quantum coherences produce in the emergent spectral line polarization and on the joint action of the Hanle and Zeeman effects. Some applications to spicules, prominences, active region filaments, emerging flux regions and the quiet chromosphere are discussed.Comment: Review paper to appear in "Magnetic Coupling between the Interior and the Atmosphere of the Sun", eds. S. S. Hasan and R. J. Rutten, Astrophysics and Space Science Proceedings, Springer-Verlag, 200

An 18-year-old woman with a 34-cm metaplastic breast carcinoma

Metaplastic breast carcinomas (MBCs) are rare malignancies usually with poor prognosis. We report a case of an 18-year-old African female patient who presented with a 34-cm tumor on the right breast. Biopsy showed an extensively necrotic MBC negative for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (triple negative). A modified right radical mastectomy was performed, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. Histology confirmed a widely necrotic undifferentiated malignant tumor, with strong and diffuse expression of vimentin and B-cell lymphoma 2, focal high-molecular-weight keratins and focal CD34 expression; Ki67 was >90%. There was no skin, deep margin or lymph node involvement. Six months after surgery, the patient showed a 9 × 7 cm nodule adjacent to the suture and adherent to the anterior chest wall. The tumor was considered unresectable and the patient evolved with rapid systemic deterioration. The patient had a progression-free survival of 6 months and overall survival of 9 months