GRASSP: a spectrograph for the study of transient luminous events

We present the main parameters, design features, and optical characterization of the Granada Sprite Spectrograph and Polarimeter (GRASSP), a ground- based spectrographic system intended for the analysis of the spectroscopic signature of transient luminous events (TLEs) occurring in the mesosphere of the Earth. It has been designed to measure the spectra of the light emitted from TLEs with a mean spectral resolution of 0.235 nm and 0.07 nm/px dispersion in the wavelength range between 700 and 800 nm. (C) 2016 Optical Society of AmericaSpanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (MINECO) (ESP2013-48032-C5-5-R, ESP2015-69909-C5-2-R, FIS2014-61774-EXP); European Union FEDER Program; Ramon y Cajal Contract (RYC-2011-07801).Peer reviewe

Psychological Responses According to Gender during the Early Stage of COVID-19 in Spain

Background: Current research has pointed out an increased risk of mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic in women compared to men, however the reason for this difference remains unclear. The aim of this research is to study early psychological responses to the pandemic in the Spanish general population, focusing on gender differences. Methods: Nine to 14 days after the declaration of a state of emergency an online survey was conducted assessing sociodemographic, health, behavioral and COVID-19-related variables. Mental health status was evaluated by the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and the Self-Care Scale (SCS). Results: The study included 3520 respondents: 2611 women and 909 men. Women scored significantly higher in DASS-21 and IES-R (p < 0.05) and were more likely to somatize, suffer from hypochondriasis, sleeping disturbances and claustrophobia (p < 0.05). Being a woman can be considered a risk factor for intrusive thoughts, avoidance mechanisms, stress and anxiety (Odd Ratio = 2.7/2.3/2.3/1.6). The risk of presenting posttraumatic symptoms and emotional distress was greater in women (Odd Ratio = 6.77/4.59). General linear models to predict IES-R and DASS-21 scores clarified which variables were gender specific, such as main concerns. Conclusions: This study provides evidence that at early stages of the pandemic, women mental health was more impacted and that both genders show different concerns. Gender perspective in secondary and tertiary prevention strategies must be taken into account when facing the distress associated with the pandemicS

IAA : Información y actualidad astronómica (31)

Sumario : Relámpagos en las alturas.-- El misterio de Di Herculis.-- Jets en galaxias activas.-- HISTORIAS DE ASTRONOMÍA. Los All-Star de la física.-- DECONSTRUCCIÓN Y otros ENSAYOS. Cómo “encender” un cuásar .-- EL “MOBY DICK” DE... María Rosa Zapatero Osorio (CAB, CSIC-INTA).-- ACTUALIDAD.-- ENTRE BASTIDORES.-- CIENCIA: PILARES E INCERTIDUMBRES : El Sistema Solar: ¿conocemos de verdad nuestro vecindario?.-- ACTIVIDADES IAA, AGENDA Y RECOMENDADOS.N

Automatization of a multipurpose astronomical spectrograph

5 pages, 7 figures.This article deals with the study and fabrication of a system for the automation of a multipurpose spectrograph used in Astronomy. This system allows the 19 movements of the instrument to run by using high-level software, a "master" board, and 19 "slave" boards. The Astrophysique Lineal et BIdimensional par RÉseaux Optiques (ALBIREO) spectrograph has three working modes and is installed in the Observatorio de Sierra Nevada, Granada, Spain. We describe a low-cost system realized for the automatization of a multifunction spectrograph. It allows the control of a large number of motors: 19 for Albireo; the theoretical limit is 32 768! Another advantage of this architecture based on "slave" boards is to supply each motor with exactly the current it needs to reach the required torque (reliability and repetitivity of motions are obtained when the motor torque is at least twice the resistant torque). Thus, we can avoid unnecessary overheating which would be detrimental to the material as well as to the local image quality (seeing). The reliability of the system is obtained by software filtering the commands and also by using optocoupled electronics to avoid interference. For a complex instrument, the high-level software must be user friendly. The efficiency of the present software in this respect has been appreciated since first being used on the telescope. This system may be of interest to laboratories and observatories with similar needs for automation of motions. The adoption of this system will be supported by the IAA Laboratory, Granada, Spain.The development was financially supported by the Instituto de Astrofisica de Andalucia, from the CSIC, Granada, Spain.Peer reviewe

Dispositivo portátil no invasivo , sistema de posicionamiento, microscopio y método para activar individualmente células en un cultivo

Dispositivo portátil no invasivo , sistema de posicionamiento, microscopio y método para activar individualmente células en un cultivo. La presente invención describe en un primer aspecto un dispositivo portátil (1) no invasivo para la activación individual de células (2) que preferentemente se encuentran en un cultivo in vitro (3). En un segundo aspecto describe un sistema de posicionamiento del dispositivo portátil (1) del primer aspecto de la invención para posicionarlo de forma automática a una distancia, y a un ángulo de incidencia predeterminado con respecto las células (2). En un tercer aspecto describe un microscopio (9) y sistema de electrofisiología, y en un cuarto aspecto describe es un método no invasivo para activar individualmente células (2) en un cultivo mediante el dispositivo portátil (1) del primer aspecto de la invenciónPeer reviewedConsejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (España), Universidad Autónoma de MadridA1 Solicitud de patente con informe sobre el estado de la técnic

Galius: an ultrafast imaging spectrograph for the study of lightning

We present the main parameters, design features, and optical characterization of the GrAnada LIghtning Ultrafast Spectrograph (GALIUS): a portable, ground-based spectrographic system intended for analysis of the spectroscopic signature of lightning. It has been designed to measure the spectra of the light emitted from natural and triggered lightning and artificial electrostatic discharges at recording speeds up to 2.1 Mfps. It includes a set of four interchangeable grisms covering different spectral ranges (from 375 nm to 854.5 nm) with spectral resolutions from 0.29 nm to 0.76 nm. A set of 10 collector lenses allows the recording of the spectrum of electrostatic discharges and lightning in different scenarios. © 2019 Optical Society of AmericaMinisterio de Economia y Competitividad (ESP2017-86263-C4-4-R); Agencia Estatal de Investigacion (SEV-2017-0709); H2020 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (722337).Peer reviewe