Brewster quasi bound states in the continuum in all-dielectric metasurfaces from single magnetic-dipole resonance meta-atoms

Bound states in the continuum (BICs) are ubiquitous in many areas of physics, attracting especial interest for their ability to confine waves with infinite lifetimes. Metasurfaces provide a suitable platform to realize them in photonics; such BICs are remarkably robust, being however complex to tune in frequency-wavevector space.Here we propose a scheme to engineer BICs and quasi-BICs with single magnetic-dipole resonance meta-atoms. Upon changing the orientation of the magnetic-dipole resonances, we show that the resulting quasi-BICs,emerging from the symmetry-protected BIC at normal incidence, become transparent for plane-wave illumination exactly at the magnetic-dipole angle, due to a Brewster-like effect. While yielding infinite Q-factors at normalincidence(canonical BIC), these are termed Brewster quasi-BICs since a transmission channel is always allowed that slightly widens resonances at oblique incidences. This is demonstrated experimentally through reflectance measurements in the microwave regime with high-refractive-index mm-disk metasurfaces. Such Brewster-inspired configuration is a plausible scenario to achieve quasi-BICs throughout the electromagnetic spectrum inaccessible through plane-wave illumination at given angles, which could be extrapolated to other kind of waves.Comment: 15 pages, 7 figures; typos corrected, Figs. 3 & 5 modified, new Fig. 7 & references adde

Comportamiento mecánico de mezclas de escoria vítrea de horno alto y metacaolín activadas alcalinamente. Estudio estadístico.

El proceso de fabricación de cemento Pórtland está asociado a un elevado consumo energético (térmico y eléctrico) y a aspectos medioambientales negativos. La industria cementera es una industria altamente contaminante, debido, en gran medida, a las elevadas cantidades de materias primas necesarias para la fabricación del crudo de cemento (explotación de canteras) y a la emisión a la atmósfera de gases (N2, CO2, O2, H2O, NOx y SO2) y partículas. Algunos de estos gases son causantes del efecto invernadero. El CO2 es el gas con mayor impacto medioambiental; siendo la industria cementera la responsable del 7% de las emisiones antropogénicas globales de CO2 a nivel mundial. Es por ello, que el estudio y desarrollo de cementos alternativos y más eco-eficientes que el cemento Portland, es un tema de gran impacto a nivel científico y tecnológico. Entre esos posibles cementos se encuentran los cementos alcalinos que son materiales conglomerantes obtenidos por la interacción química de materiales silicoaluminosos cálcicos y disoluciones fuertemente alcalinas. Diferentes materiales pueden ser susceptibles de activarse alcalinamente, entre ellos se encuentran las escorias vítreas de horno alto, las cenizas volantes y arcillas térmicamente activadas (Ej. metacaolín). En el presente trabajo de investigación se estudia el comportamiento mecánico de mezclas de escoria vítrea de horno alto y metacaolín activadas alcalinamente con disoluciones de NaOH. El objetivo de este estudio es conocer como afectan parámetros tales como la relación escoria/metacaolín, concentración de la disolución activadora, temperatura y tiempo de curado sobre el desarrollo resistente de las mezclas. A través del estudio estadístico realizado se ha podido establecer la influencia de cada variable y modelizar el comportamiento resistente de estos cementos alcalino

Comportamiento mecánico de mezclas de escoria vítrea de horno alto y metacaolín activadas alcalinamente: estudio estadístico = Mechanical behaviour of alkali-activated metakaolin blended pastes: statistical study

El estudio y desarrollo de cementos alternativos y más eco-eficientes que el cemento Portland es un tema de gran impacto a nivel científico y tecnológico. Entre esos posibles cementos se encuentran los cementos alcalinos que son materiales conglomerantes obtenidos por la interacción química de materiales silico-aluminosos cálci- cos y disoluciones fuertemente alcalinas. En el presente trabajo se estudia el comportamiento mecánico y la com- posición mineralógica de mezclas de escoria vítrea de horno alto y metacaolín activadas alcalinamente con disoluciones de NaOH. El objetivo de este estudio es conocer cómo afectan parámetros tales como la relación escoria/metacaolín, la concentración de la disolución activadora y la temperatura de curado, al desarrollo re- sistente de las mezclas. A través del estudio estadístico realizado se ha podido establecer la influencia de cada variable y modelizar el comportamiento resistente de estos cementos alcalinos. Se concluye que la concentra- ción del activador y la relación escoria/metacaolín son los parámetros más relevantes

Gender Inequalities in Diagnostic Inertia around the Three Most Prevalent Cardiovascular Risk Studies: Protocol for a Population-Based Cohort Study

Evidence shows that objectives for detecting and controlling cardiovascular risk factors are not being effectively met, and moreover, outcomes differ between men and women. This study will assess the gender-related differences in diagnostic inertia around the three most prevalent cardiovascular risk factors: dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, and to evaluate the consequences on cardiovascular disease incidence. This is an epidemiological and cohort study. Eligible patients will be adults who presented to public primary health care centers in a Spanish region from 2008 to 2011, with hypertension, dyslipidemia, or/and diabetes and without cardiovascular disease. Participants’ electronic health records will be used to collect the study variables in a window of six months from inclusion. Diagnostic inertia of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and/or diabetes is defined as the registry of abnormal diagnostic parameters—but no diagnosis—on the person’s health record. The cohort will be followed from the date of inclusion until the end of 2019. Outcomes will be cardiovascular events, defined as hospital admission due to ischemic cardiopathy, stroke, and death from any cause. The results of this study could inform actions to rectify the structure, organization and training of health care teams in order to correct the inequality

Inflammation biomarkers in OSA, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/OSA overlap syndrome.

Study objectivesThe coexistence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a single individual, also known as overlap syndrome (OVS), is associated with higher cardiovascular risk and mortality than either OSA or COPD alone. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We hypothesized that patients with OVS have elevated systemic inflammatory biomarkers relative to patients with either disease alone, which could explain greater cardiovascular risk observed in OVS.MethodsWe included 255 participants in the study, 55 with COPD alone, 100 with OSA alone, 50 with OVS, and 50 healthy controls. All participants underwent a home sleep study, spirometry, and a blood draw for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and total blood count analysis. In a randomly selected subset of 186 participants, inflammatory protein profiling was performed using Bio-Rad Bio-Plex Pro Human Cytokine 27-Plex Assays. Biomarker level differences across groups were identified using a mixed linear model.ResultsLevels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) were higher in participants with OVS and COPD compared with healthy controls and participants with OSA. Furthermore, participants with OVS had higher circulating levels of leukocytes and neutrophils than those with COPD, OSA, and controls.ConclusionsCOPD and OVS are associated with higher systemic inflammation relative to OSA and healthy controls. This work proposes the potential utilization of interleukin 6, granulocyte colony stimulating factor, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein as screening biomarkers for COPD in patients with OSA. Inflammatory pathways may not fully explain the higher cardiovascular risk observed in OVS, indicating the need for further investigation.CitationSanchez-Azofra A, Gu W, Masso-Silva JA, et al. Inflammation biomarkers in OSA, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/OSA overlap syndrome. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023;19(8):1447-1456

Chemical and Photometric Evolution of Extended Ultraviolet Disks: Optical Spectroscopy of M83 (NGC5236) and NGC4625

We present the results from the analysis of optical spectra of 31 Halpha-selected regions in the extended UV (XUV) disks of M83 (NGC5236) and NGC4625 recently discovered by GALEX. The spectra were obtained using IMACS at Las Campanas Observatory 6.5m Magellan I telescope and COSMIC at the Palomar 200-inch telescope, respectively for M83 and NGC4625. The line ratios measured indicate nebular oxygen abundances (derived from the R23 parameter) of the order of Zsun/5-Zsun/10. For most emission-line regions analyzed the line fluxes and ratios measured are best reproduced by models of photoionization by single stars with masses in the range 20-40 Msun and oxygen abundances comparable to those derived from the R23 parameter. We find indications for a relatively high N/O abundance ratio in the XUV disk of M83. Although the metallicities derived imply that these are not the first stars formed in the XUV disks, such a level of enrichment could be reached in young spiral disks only 1 Gyr after these first stars would have formed. The amount of gas in the XUV disks allow maintaining the current level of star formation for at least a few Gyr.Comment: 52 pages, 8 tables, 7 figures, accepted for publication in Ap

Effectiveness of an mHealth intervention combining a smartphone app and smart band on body composition in an overweight and obese population: Randomized controlled trial (EVIDENT 3 study)

Background: Mobile health (mHealth) is currently among the supporting elements that may contribute to an improvement in health markers by helping people adopt healthier lifestyles. mHealth interventions have been widely reported to achieve greater weight loss than other approaches, but their effect on body composition remains unclear. Objective: This study aimed to assess the short-term (3 months) effectiveness of a mobile app and a smart band for losing weight and changing body composition in sedentary Spanish adults who are overweight or obese. Methods: A randomized controlled, multicenter clinical trial was conducted involving the participation of 440 subjects from primary care centers, with 231 subjects in the intervention group (IG; counselling with smartphone app and smart band) and 209 in the control group (CG; counselling only). Both groups were counselled about healthy diet and physical activity. For the 3-month intervention period, the IG was trained to use a smartphone app that involved self-monitoring and tailored feedback, as well as a smart band that recorded daily physical activity (Mi Band 2, Xiaomi). Body composition was measured using the InBody 230 bioimpedance device (InBody Co., Ltd), and physical activity was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Results: The mHealth intervention produced a greater loss of body weight (–1.97 kg, 95% CI –2.39 to –1.54) relative to standard counselling at 3 months (–1.13 kg, 95% CI –1.56 to –0.69). Comparing groups, the IG achieved a weight loss of 0.84 kg more than the CG at 3 months. The IG showed a decrease in body fat mass (BFM; –1.84 kg, 95% CI –2.48 to –1.20), percentage of body fat (PBF; –1.22%, 95% CI –1.82% to 0.62%), and BMI (–0.77 kg/m2, 95% CI –0.96 to 0.57). No significant changes were observed in any of these parameters in men; among women, there was a significant decrease in BMI in the IG compared with the CG. When subjects were grouped according to baseline BMI, the overweight group experienced a change in BFM of –1.18 kg (95% CI –2.30 to –0.06) and BMI of –0.47 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.80 to –0.13), whereas the obese group only experienced a change in BMI of –0.53 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.86 to –0.19). When the data were analyzed according to physical activity, the moderate-vigorous physical activity group showed significant changes in BFM of –1.03 kg (95% CI –1.74 to –0.33), PBF of –0.76% (95% CI –1.32% to –0.20%), and BMI of –0.5 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.83 to –0.19). Conclusions: The results from this multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial study show that compared with standard counselling alone, adding a self-reported app and a smart band obtained beneficial results in terms of weight loss and a reduction in BFM and PBF in female subjects with a BMI less than 30 kg/m2 and a moderate-vigorous physical activity level. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to ensure that this profile benefits more than others from this intervention and to investigate modifications of this intervention to achieve a global effect

Heterogeneity of Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors by Anatomical Subsite in 10 European Countries : A Multinational Cohort Study

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Colorectal cancer located at different anatomical subsites may have distinct etiologies and risk factors. Previous studies that have examined this hypothesis have yielded inconsistent results, possibly because most studies have been of insufficient size to identify heterogeneous associations with precision. METHODS: In the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study, we used multivariable joint Cox proportional hazards models, which accounted for tumors at different anatomical sites (proximal colon, distal colon, and rectum) as competing risks, to examine the relationships between 14 established/suspected lifestyle, anthropometric, and reproductive/menstrual risk factors with colorectal cancer risk. Heterogeneity across sites was tested using Wald tests. RESULTS: After a median of 14.9 years of follow-up of 521,330 men and women, 6291 colorectal cancer cases occurred. Physical activity was related inversely to proximal colon and distal colon cancer, but not to rectal cancer (P heterogeneity = .03). Height was associated positively with proximal and distal colon cancer only, but not rectal cancer (P heterogeneity = .0001). For men, but not women, heterogeneous relationships were observed for body mass index (P heterogeneity = .008) and waist circumference (P heterogeneity = .03), with weaker positive associations found for rectal cancer, compared with proximal and distal colon cancer. Current smoking was associated with a greater risk of rectal and proximal colon cancer, but not distal colon cancer (P heterogeneity = .05). No heterogeneity by anatomical site was found for alcohol consumption, diabetes, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, and reproductive/menstrual factors. CONCLUSIONS: The relationships between physical activity, anthropometry, and smoking with colorectal cancer risk differed by subsite, supporting the hypothesis that tumors in different anatomical regions may have distinct etiologies.Peer reviewe

Impact of FLT3–ITD Mutation Status and Its Ratio in a Cohort of 2901 Patients Undergoing Upfront Intensive Chemotherapy: A PETHEMA Registry Study

FLT3–ITD results in a poor prognosis in terms of overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the prognostic usefulness of the allelic ratio (AR) to select post-remission therapy remains controversial. Our study focuses on the prognostic impact of FLT3–ITD and its ratio in a series of 2901 adult patients treated intensively in the pre-FLT3 inhibitor era and reported in the PETHEMA registry. A total of 579 of these patients (20%) harbored FLT3–ITD mutations. In multivariate analyses, patients with an FLT3–ITD allele ratio (AR) of >0.5 showed a lower complete remission (CR rate) and OS (HR 1.47, p = 0.009), while AR > 0.8 was associated with poorer RFS (HR 2.1; p 0.5). Using the maximally selected log-rank statistics, we established an optimal cutoff of FLT3–ITD AR of 0.44 for OS, and 0.8 for RFS. We analyzed the OS and RFS according to FLT3–ITD status in all patients, and we found that the group of FLT3–ITD-positive patients with AR 0.44, allo-HSCT was superior to auto-HSCT in terms of OS and RFS. This study provides more evidence for a better characterization of patients with AML harboring FLT3–ITD mutations.This study was fundedby Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) through the project PI19/01518 and PI19/00730 and co- funded by the European Union, the CRIS Against Cancer Foundation, grant 2018/001, and by the Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (IMAS12). APeer reviewe