Optical module for single-shot quantitative phase imaging based on the transport of intensity equation with field of view multiplexing

We present a cost-effective, simple, and robust method that enables single-shot quantitative phase imaging (QPI) based on the transport of intensity equation (TIE) using an add-on optical module that can be assembled into the exit port of any regular microscope. The module integrates a beamsplitter (BS) cube (placed in a non-conventional way) for duplicating the output image onto the digital sensor (field of view - FOV - multiplexing), a Stokes lens (SL) for astigmatism compensation (introduced by the BS cube), and an optical quality glass plate over one of the FOV halves for defocusing generation (needed for single-shot TIE algorithm). Altogether, the system provides two laterally separated intensity images that are simultaneously recorded and slightly defocused one to each other, thus enabling accurate QPI by conventional TIE-based algorithms in a single snapshot. The proposed optical module is first calibrated for defining the configuration providing best QPI performance and, second, experimentally validated by using different phase samples (static and dynamic ones). The proposed configuration might be integrated in a compact three-dimensional (3D) printed module and coupled to any conventional microscope for QPI of dynamic transparent samples

Metal y relaciones sociales de producción durante el III y II milenio ANE en el sudeste de la Península Ibérica

Archaeological research carried out during the last decades in the Southeast of the Iberian Peninsula has allowed us to gain a better understanding of the social structures of the Copper and Bronze Ages. As in other parts of the Old World, the question about the importance of metallurgy for the economic and political development of society also rises in this region, well known for its rich ore deposits. After a general introduction into the so called Los Millares and El Argar cultures and the forces of production implied in metal working, the relations of production and consumption through which metal circulated are confronted. Hereby it becomes manifest how far the economic organisation of metallurgy and the political structure of society were mutually related.La investigación arqueológica desarrollada durante las últimas décadas en el Sudeste de la península Ibérica ha permitido mejorar nuestro conocimiento de las estructuras sociales del Calcolítico y Bronce. Al igual que en otras regiones con importantes depósitos minerales, también en el Sudeste se plantea la cuestión acerca del papel jugado por la metalurgia en el desarrollo económico y político de la sociedad. Tras una introducción general a las denominadas culturas de Los Millares y El Argar así como a las fuerzas productivas implicadas en la primera metalurgia, este trabajo confronta las relaciones de producción y de consumo a través de las cuales circuló el metal. Este recorrido pone de manifiesto hasta qué punto estuvieron relacionadas la organización económica de la metalurgia y la estructura política de la sociedad

Phase imaging microscopy under the Gabor regime in a minimally modified regular bright-field microscope

Quantitative phase imaging (QPI) is nowadays a powerful tool for visualization and analysis of biological processes. QPI is usually attained from specifically designed optical microscopes retrieving phase information in a quantitative way. In this paper we report on an extremely simple, low cost and compact way to update a standard bright-field microscope with coherent sensing capabilities. It is based on the in-line Gabor holography concept and only needs to replace the illumination broadband source of the regular microscope with a coherent one. The proposed methodology is completed by the recording of a digital in-line Gabor hologram instead of regular imaging conditions and by the numerical processing of the recorded hologram to finally achieve QPI. The selection of the defocus distance is critical to finally achieve high quality phase imaging, so calibration considering phase and amplitude test targets is presented for the proper definition of such defocus distance. In addition, the selected configuration is experimentally validated using different samples (microbeads, cheek cells and alive spermatozoa). All the experiments are implemented in a regular Olympus BX-60 upright microscope using a 20X 0.46NA objective lens. The proposed method shows how to convert a regular microscope into a holographic one with probably the minimum needed modifications and with the main limitation coming from the Gabor imaging conditions (weak diffractive samples and twin image presence)

When 14C dates fall beyond the limits of uncertainty : an assessment of anomalies in Western Mediterranean Bronze Age 14C series

The aim of this article is to bring to light a serious problem affecting radiocarbon dates produced at least from 2009 onwards by the AMS Leibniz laboratory at the Christian-Albrechts-Universität (Kiel, Germany). Archaeological observations and cross-checkings between several laboratories confirm that in a significant number of dates, clear deviations of the results from chronological schemes based on stratigraphical sequences and hundreds of measurements have occurred, which usually implies an aging of the 14C value

Argaric Sociology : Sex and Death

The detailed, rich and diverse Argaric funerary record offers an opportunity to explore social dimensions that usually remain elusive for prehistoric research, such us social rules on kinship rights and obligations, sexual tolerance and the role of funerary practices in preserving the economic and political organization. This paper addresses these topics through an analysis of the social meaning of Argaric double tombs by looking at body treatment and composition of grave goods assemblages according to gender and class affiliation. The Argaric seems to have been a conservative society, scarcely tolerant regarding homosexuality, and willing to celebrate ancestry associated to certain places as a means of asserting residence and property rights.La variedad, abundancia y detalle del registro funerario argárico permite explorar aspectos por lo general vedados a la investigación de las sociedades prehistóricas. Las normas sociales sobre la distribución de obligaciones y derechos según el parentesco, la permisividad respecto a las relaciones sexuales y el papel de las prácticas funerarias en el mantenimiento de la organización económico-política son algunos de dichos aspectos. En este artículo se propone un acercamiento a los mismos mediante un análisis del significado social de las tumbas dobles argáricas, la composición de los ajuares según el sexo y la clase social del individuo inhumado, así como el tratamiento y disposición de los cadáveres. Las conclusiones dibujan una sociedad conservadora, poco tolerante respecto la homosexualidad y que celebra positivamente los vínculos genealógicos asociados a ciertos espacios, afirmando así derechos de permanencia y propiedad

Descoberta una imponent fortificació de fa 4.200 anys

Investigadors de la UAB han descobert una imponent fortificació de fa 4.200 anys, única en l'Europa continental. Les seves característiques són inèdites en l'Edat del Bronze, amb murs de tres metres d'ample y, una entrada monumental. La muralla protegia una ciutat de 4 hectàrees situada sobre un turó. Amb elements arquitectònics que plantegen la intervenció de gent amb coneixements militars procedent d'Orient, el seu model remet a les antigues civilitzacions del Mediterrani. La troballa replanteja el que es coneix sobre l'origen de les desigualtats econòmiques i polítiques a Europa, la formació de l'estament militar i el paper de la violència en la formació de tradicions identitàries.Investigadores de la UAB han descubierto una imponente fortificación de hace 4.200 años, única en la Europa continental. Sus características son inéditas en la Edad del Bronce, con muros de tres metros de ancho y una entrada monumental. La muralla protegía una ciudad de 4 hectáreas situada sobre una colina. Con elementos arquitectónicos que plantean la intervención de gente con conocimientos militares procedente de Oriente, su modelo remite a las antiguas civilizaciones del Mediterráneo. El hallazgo replantea lo que se conoce sobre el origen de las desigualdades económicas y políticas en Europa, la formación del estamento militar y el papel de la violencia en la formación de tradiciones identitarias.UAB researchers have discovered an impressive 4,200-year-old fortification in Totana, Murcia, unique in continental Europe. Similar characteristics have not been observed in other constructions of the Bronze Age, with three-metre thick walls and a monumental entrance. The wall protected a city measuring 4 hectares located on top of a hill. With architectural elements reminiscent of people with Eastern styled military skills, its model is typical of ancient civilisations of the Mediterranean. The discovery poses new questions about what is known of the origin of economic and political inequalities in Europe, the formation of the military and the role violence played in the formation of identities

Validation of a set of compact and low-cost Stokes lenses aimed at refractive astigmatism measurement for optometric practice

We describe the construction and characterization of three Stokes lenses that can be used in optometric practice to measure different ranges of refractive astigmatism using subjective routines. The proposed set of Stokes lenses is assembled from Risley prism mounts coming from a Nidek phoropter in which the optical prisms are replaced by three different sets of cylindrical lenses ( ± 0.75, ± 1.25, and ± 1.75 D) coming from a trial lens case to cover a different astigmatism range (1.5, 2.5, and 3.5 D in modulus, respectively). We present the experimental characterization of the three Stokes lenses with the power vector notation and use an automatic lensmeter (Topcon CL-300) for dioptric power measurement. The measured dioptric power profiles are in concordance with the theoretical predictions, and statistical testing reveals no differences between measured and theoretical values for the three lenses, neither in spherical nor in cylindrical components (p ≥ 0.05 for all cases). Bland-Altman plots show very good agreement between measured and theoretical values with limits of agreement below 0.12 D for both M and J components for the three lenses. These Stokes lenses can be easily constructed from regular Risley prism mounts, so they can be used in almost any phoropter model for refractive error compensation

Troben un palau i un ric aixovar de l'Edat del Bronze a La Almoloya

Un equip d'arqueòlegs de la UAB ha tret a la llum el ric patrimoni històric i arqueològic de La Almoloya, un jaciment de la Regió de Múrcia, que va ser bressol de la societat d'El Argar que va habitar el sud-est de la península Ibèrica durant l'Edat del Bronze. Les troballes realitzades indiquen que La Almoloya era un centre de concentració política i riquesa de primer ordre dins del territori polític d'El Argar. Una de les peces més valuoses és una diadema de plata, l'única de la seva època que es conserva avui a Espanya.Archaeologists from the UAB shed light on the rich historical and archaeological heritage of La Almoloya, a site located in Murcia. It is the cradle of the "El Argar" civilisation which lived in the south-eastern part of the Iberian Peninsula during the Bronze Age. The findings indicate that La Almoloya was a primary centre of politics and wealth within the political territory of El Argar. A silver diadem discovered in the royal tomb is the only one from that era conserved in Spain.Un equipo de arqueólogos de la UAB saca a la luz el rico patrimonio histórico y arqueológico de La Almoloya, un yacimiento de la Región de Murcia, que fue cuna de la sociedad de "El Argar" que habitó el sureste de la península Ibérica durante la Edad del Bronce. Los descubrimientos realizados indican que La Almoloya era un centro de concentración política y riqueza de primer orden dentro del territorio político de El Argar. Una de las piezas más valiosas es una diadema de plata, la única de su época que se conserva hoy en España