Design of a Multipurpose Photonic Chip Architecture for THz Dual-Comb Spectrometers

This article belongs to the Special Issue Terahertz Sensing and Imaging Technologies.In this work, we present a multipurpose photonic integrated circuit capable of generating multiheterodyne complex Dual-Combs (DC) THz signals. Our work focuses on translating the functionality of an electro-optic tunable DC system into a photonic chip employing standard building blocks to ensure the scalability and cost efficiency of the integrated device. The architecture we analyze for integration is based on three stages: a seed comb, a mode selection stage and a DC stage. This final DC stage includes a frequency shifter, a key element to improve the final detection of the THz signals and obtain real-time operation. This investigation covers three key aspects: (1) a solution for comb line selection on GHz spaced combs using OIL or OPLL on photonic chips is studied and evaluated, (2) a simple and versatile scheme to produce a frequency shift using the double sideband suppressed carrier modulation technique and an asymmetric Mach Zehnder Interferometer to filter one of the sidebands is proposed, and (3) a multipurpose architecture that can offer a versatile effective device, moving from application-specific PICs to general-purpose PICs. Using the building blocks (BBs) available from an InP-based foundry, we obtained simulations that offer a high-quality Dual-Comb frequency shifted signal with a side mode suppression ratio around 21 dB, and 41 dB after photodetection with an intermediate frequency of 1 MHz. We tested our system to generate a Dual-Comb with 10 kHz of frequency spacing and an OOK modulation with 5 Gbps which can be down-converted to the THz range by a square law detector. It is also important to note that the presented architecture is multipurpose and can also be applied to THz communications. This design is a step to enable a commercial THz photonic chip for multiple applications such as THz spectroscopy, THz multispectral imaging and THz telecommunications and offers the possibility of being fabricated in a multi-project wafer.This research was supported by Instituto Tecnológico Metropolitano, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, the EU H2020 Celta project under Grant Agreement 675683, by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness under Project TEC2017-86271-R and by the ATTRACT project funded by the EC under Grant Agreement 777222

Multi-octave spanning, absolute frequency, high resolution THz dual-comb spectrometer based on electro-optic modulators: first spectroscopic measurements

Proceedings of: OSA Fourier Transform Spectroscopy: proceedings of Light, Energy and the Environment 2018 (E2, FTS, HISE, SOLAR, SSL): 5-8 November 2018, SingaporeOur first and very recent results on a new approach to obtain compact and practical, multi-octave spanning, absolute frequency and high accuracy THz dual-comb spectrometers based on Electro-Optic modulators (EOMs) are reported. Two different schemes are described and evaluated with the final objective of obtaining a practical solution for THz spectroscopy and other applications in such frequency range

Diagnóstico y tratamiento de situaciones de discriminación por razón de sexo en las empresas

El objetivo de este trabajo es idear una metodología que permita un examen externo y completo sobre las cuestiones que afectan a la igualdad de trato entre mujeres y hombres en el ámbito de la empresa. Tal examen es necesario para detectar en la empresa los diversos vicios que, según la práctica jurisprudencial y el derecho comparado, constituyen discriminaciones directas e indirectas y examinar la procedencia de acudir a los nuevos instrumentos previstos en la Ley Orgánica 3/2007, de 23 de marzo, para la Igualdad Efectiva entre Mujeres y Hombres (en adelante LOIEMH) en especial las medidas de acción positiva. El diagnóstico terminado resulta indispensable: • Como útil eficaz en manos de los departamentos de Recursos Humanos que deseen proyectar una política activa de no discriminación. • Como parte del contenido esencial del Plan de igualdad, en cuanto instrumento necesario para diseñar las medidas que deben estar contenidas en el mismo: medidas correctoras, de conciliación de la vida familiar y laboral y medidas de acción positiva (distinguiremos desde un punto de vista metodológico unas de otras). En el artículo 46.1 de la LOIEMH establece que los planes de igualdad son un conjunto ordenado de medidas, adoptadas después de realizar un diagnóstico de situación, tendentes a alcanzar en la empresa la igualdad de trato y de oportunidades entre mujeres y hombres y a eliminar la discriminación por razón de sexo. Los planes de igualdad fijarán los concretos objetivos de igualdad a alcanzar, las estrategias y prácticas a adoptar para su consecución, así como el establecimiento de sistemas eficaces de seguimiento y evaluación de los objetivos fijados. • Para posibilitar el análisis correcto de la situación a efectos de una actuación de la Inspección de Trabajo y Seguridad Social o del órgano judicial competente. La presente metodología de análisis tiene vocación de instrumento jurídico a diferencia de otros métodos de diagnóstico que hacen hincapié en factores sociológicos o meramente estadísticos. Se pretende además crear una metodología que, en su fundamento, resulte aplicable a situaciones de discriminación por otras causas, es decir, no exclusivamente de sexo. En la segunda parte del trabajo se definen los contenidos mínimos de un Plan de igualdad en el ámbito empresarial, con un ejemplo práctico

Peculiar emission line spectra of core extremely red BOSS quasars at z ~ 2-3: orientation and/or evolution?

Context. Core extremely red quasars (core ERQ) have been proposed to represent an intermediate evolutionary phase in which a heavily obscured quasar blows out the circumnuclear interstellar medium with very energetic outflows before it becomes an optical quasar. Aims. We investigate whether the properties of core ERQ fit the AGN orientation-based unification scenario. Methods. We revised the general UV and optical emission line properties of core ERQ in the context of the orientation-based scenario. We used diagnostic diagrams based on UV emission line ratios and UV-to-optical line kinematic information to compare the physical and kinematic gas properties of core ERQ with those of other luminous narrow- and broad-line AGN. In particular, we provide a revised comparison of the [OIII] kinematics in 21 core ERQ (20 from Perrotta et al. 2019, MNRAS, 488, 4126 and SDSS J171420.38+414815.7, based on GTC EMIR near-infrared spectroscopy) with other samples of quasars with matching luminosity with the aim of evaluating whether core ERQ host the most extreme [OIII] outflows. Results. The UV line ratios suggest that the physical properties (e.g., density and metallicity) of the ionised gas in core ERQ are similar to those observed in the broad-line region of blue nitrogen-loud quasars. The [OIII] outflow velocities of core ERQ are on average consistent with those of very luminous blue type 1 quasars, although extreme outflows are much more frequent in core ERQ. These similarities can be explained in the context of the AGN unification model under the assumption that core ERQ are viewed with an intermediate orientation between type 2 (edge-on) and type 1 (face-on) quasars. Conclusions. We propose that core ERQ are very luminous but otherwise normal quasars viewed at an intermediate orientation. This orientation allows a direct view of the outer part of the large broad-line region from which core ERQ UV line emission originates; the extreme [OIII] outflow velocities are instead a consequence of the very high luminosity of core ERQ

Hand motor fatigability induced by a simple isometric task in spinal cord injury

[Abstract] This study aimed: (1) to evaluate the hand motor fatigability in people with spinal cord injury (SCI) and compare it with measurements obtained form an able-bodied population; (2) to compare the hand motor fatigability in people with tetraplegia and in people with paraplegia; and (3) to analyse if motor fatigability is different in people with SCI with and without clinical significant perceived fatigability. Materials and methods: 96 participants with SCI (40 cervical and 56 thoracolumbar) and 63 able-bodied controls performed a simple hand isometric task to assess motor fatigability. The Fatigue Severity Scale was used for perceived fatigability evaluation. Results: The main results of this study can be summarized as follows: (1) the waning in muscle force (motor fatigability) during a fatiguing task is similar in controls and participants with SCI; (2) the motor fatigability is influenced by the maximal muscle force (measured at the beginning of the task); and (3) the perceived fatigability and the motor fatigability are largely independent in the individuals with SCI. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the capability to maintain a prolonged effort is preserved in SCI, and this capacity depends on the residual maximal muscle force in people with SCI.Instituto de Salud Carlos III; ICI20/0007

Escape room y Breakout en educación superior: escapando de la rutina para abrir la puerta de la motivación y el aprendizaje

La falta de motivación de gran parte del alumnado universitario fue uno de los principales motivos que dieron lugar a este proyecto, dado que se ha convertido en uno de los principales retos del profesorado en la actualidad. Las estrategias tradicionales no dan respuesta a las necesidades formativas y personales de los estudiantes del siglo XXI, por lo que se hacen necesarias metodologías activas que les brinden un rol protagonista dentro del proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje. De este modo, al mismo tiempo, se ha procurado tener presente en todo momento el valor de la significatividad en todos los planteamientos que se han llevado a cabo con el alumnado participante, en un intento de reducir los altos niveles de desmotivación y falta de implicación y compromiso que en muchas ocasiones encontramos en el aula universitaria. Entre las metodologías activas con mayor auge en los últimos años se encuentra el aprendizaje basado en juegos, destacando el enorme auge de los escape rooms y breakouts en los procesos formativos. Dicha circunstancia propició que en el presente proyecto se apostara por aprovechar el potencial de ambos planteamientos para favorecer la motivación y aprendizaje del alumnado, gracias a la significatividad que atesoran para ellos. En este sentido, se establecieron diferentes fases y objetivos para que el alumnado pudiera aprovechar al máximo el potencial tanto de los escape rooms como de los breakouts, y favorecer una adecuada adquisición de los contenidos de las asignaturas “Aprendizaje y Enseñanza de la Educación Física” (del máster de Profesorado) y “Fundamentos de la Educación Física” y “Actividad física y Salud” (del grado en ciencias de la actividad física y el deporte). La puesta en práctica de ellos se ha complementado y enriquecido con dos fases más, una primera fase de reflexión y una última fase de aplicación. Con respecto a los logros alcanzados, cabe destacar el enorme incremento de la motivación que este proyecto ha supuesto en el alumnado. A ello habría que añadir su idoneidad en educación superior, gracias no solo a su incidencia en la motivación e implicación del alumnado, sino también a su viabilidad y, por tanto, a su futura aplicación práctica en cursos sucesivos.The lack of motivation of a large part of the university students was one of the main reasons that gave rise to this project, given that it has become one of the main challenges for teachers today. Traditional strategies do not respond to the training and personal needs of 21st century students, which is why active methodologies are necessary that give them a leading role in the teaching-learning process. In this way, at the same time, an effort has been made to keep in mind at all times the value of significance in all the approaches that have been carried out with the participating students, in an attempt to reduce the high levels of demotivation and lack of involvement. and commitment that we often find in the university classroom. One of the most popular active methodologies in recent years is game-based learning, highlighting the enormous boom in escape rooms and breakouts in training processes. This circumstance led to the commitment in this project to take advantage of the potential of both approaches to promote the motivation and learning of the students, thanks to the significance they hold for them. In this sense, different phases and objectives were established so that the students could make the most of the potential of both the escape rooms and the breakouts, and favor an adequate acquisition of the contents of the subjects "Learning and Teaching of Physical Education" (from the master's degree in Teachers) and "Fundamentals of Physical Education" and "Physical Activity and Health" (from the degree in physical activity and sports sciences). The implementation of them has been complemented and enriched with two more phases, a first phase of reflection and a last phase of application. Regarding the achievements, it is worth noting the enormous increase in motivation that this project has brought to the students. To this should be added its suitability in higher education, thanks not only to its impact on the motivation and involvement of students, but also to its viability and, therefore, its future practical application in successive courses

Radial distribution of dust properties in nearby galaxies

We present a detailed analysis of the radial distribution of dust properties (extinction, PAH abundance and dust-to-gas ratio) in 57 galaxies in the SINGS sample, performed on a multi-wavelength set of UV, IR and radio surface brightness profiles, combined with published molecular gas profiles and metallicity gradients

Estudio de Mercado para la Creación de una Granja Agroturística en los Ejidos Palo Blanco, La Puntilla y Tarabitas, Municipio de Tamiahua, Veracruz

El objetivo de este proyecto es determinar las características sociales y económicas, para implementar una granja Agroturistica para el desarrollo de los habitantes en el Ejido Palo Blanco, La Puntilla y Tarabitas, municipio de Tamiahua. Con los resultados obtenidos a través de las encuestas aplicadas, las necesidades de estas localidades y la falta de información sobre el agroturismo, encontrando que si se cuenta con los servicios necesarios que una Granja Agroturistica ofrecería y diversos paquetes que se ofertarían, así también precios de la competencia, se analizó la competitividad de esta y se crearon estrategias de promoción. Todo esto dio como resultado, que efectivamente, el sector del turismo necesita contar con otras opciones para sus usuarios puedan elegir la que mejor satisface sus necesidades, lo que permitiría aumentar el turismo en el municipio de Tamiahua y también una mejora económica para los habitantes de las localidades

Proteins and microRNAs are differentially expressed in tear fluid from patients with Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by a progressive loss of neurons and cognitive functions. Therefore, early diagnosis of AD is critical. The development of practical and non-invasive diagnostic tests for AD remains, however, an unmet need. In the present proof-of-concept study we investigated tear fluid as a novel source of disease-specific protein and microRNA-based biomarkers for AD development using samples from patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD. Tear protein content was evaluated via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and microRNA content was profiled using a genome-wide high-throughput PCR-based platform. These complementary approaches identified enrichment of specific proteins and microRNAs in tear fluid of AD patients. In particular, we identified elongation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) as a unique protein present only in AD samples. Total microRNA abundance was found to be higher in tears from AD patients. Among individual microRNAs, microRNA-200b-5p was identified as a potential biomarker for AD with elevated levels present in AD tear fluid samples compared to controls. Our study suggests that tears may be a useful novel source of biomarkers for AD and that the identification and verification of biomarkers within tears may allow for the development of a non-invasive and cost-effective diagnostic test for ADThis study was funded by grants from Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (SAF 2006-02424, BFU-2008–03980, BFU2016-77885-P), Comunidad de Madrid (S2017/BMD-3700), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED, ISCIII), institutional grant from the Fundación R. Areces and Science Foundation Ireland (CDA/4708; 12/COEN/18 and co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund and by FutureNeuro industry partners 16/RC/3948). Analysis using LC-MS/MS and database search was carried out in the ‘CBMSO Protein Chemistry Facility’, belonging to ProteoRed, PRB2-ISCIII and which was supported by grant PT13/0001. Authors would like to thank AFA León, AFA Soria and the people who have collaborated as subjects in the study