Field Localization and Enhancement of Phase Locked Second and Third Harmonic Generation in Absorbing Semiconductor Cavities

We predict and experimentally observe the enhancement by three orders of magnitude of phase mismatched second and third harmonic generation in a GaAs cavity at 650nm and 433nm, respectively, well above the absorption edge. Phase locking between the pump and the harmonics changes the effective dispersion of the medium and inhibits absorption. Despite hostile conditions the harmonics become localized inside the cavity leading to relatively large conversion efficiencies. Field localization plays a pivotal role and ushers in a new class of semiconductor-based devices in the visible and UV ranges

The Effect of Adverse Surgical Margins on the Risk of Biochemical Recurrence after Robotic-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy

Positive surgical margins (PSM) after radical prostatectomy are associated with a greater risk of biochemical recurrence (BCR). However, not all PSM harbour the same prognosis for recurrence. We aim to determine the impact of different PSM characteristics and their coexistence on the risk of BCR. This retrospective study included 333 patients that underwent robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer between 2015-2020 at a single institution. The effect of PSM and their adverse characteristics on the risk of BCR was assessed using Cox proportional hazard models. Kaplan-Meier was used to represent BCR-free survival stratified by margin status. With a median follow-up of 34.5 months, patients with PSM had a higher incidence of BCR, higher risk of relapse and lower BCR-free survival than negative margins (p < 0.001). We established as adverse characteristics: PSM length ≥ 3 mm, multifocality and Gleason at margin > 3. PSM ≥ 3 mm or multifocal PSM were associated with an increased risk for BCR compared to favourable margins (HR 3.50; 95% CI 2.05-5.95, p < 0.001 and HR 2.18; 95% CI 1.09-4.37, p = 0.028, respectively). The coexistence of these two adverse features in the PSM also conferred a higher risk for biochemical relapse and lower BCR-free survival. Adverse Gleason in the margin did not confer a higher risk for BCR than non-adverse margins in our models. We concluded that PSM are an independent predictor for BCR and that the presence of adverse characteristics, such as length and focality, and their coexistence in the PSM are associated with a greater risk of recurrence. Nevertheless, subclassifying PSM with adverse features did not enhance the model's predictive performance in our cohort

Axial Vector JPC=1++J^{PC}=1^{++} Charmonium and Bottomonium Hybrid Mass Predictions with QCD Sum-Rules

Axial vector $(J^{PC}=1^{++})$ charmonium and bottomonium hybrid masses are determined via QCD Laplace sum-rules. Previous sum-rule studies in this channel did not incorporate the dimension-six gluon condensate, which has been shown to be important for $1^{--}$ and $0^{-+}$ heavy quark hybrids. An updated analysis of axial vector charmonium and bottomonium hybrids is presented, including the effects of the dimension-six gluon condensate. The axial vector charmonium and bottomonium hybrid masses are predicted to be 5.13 GeV and 11.32 GeV, respectively. We discuss the implications of this result for the charmonium-like XYZ states and the charmonium hybrid multiplet structure observed in recent lattice calculations.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures. Updated to match published versio

Detección y seguimiento de objetos en vídeos de actividades de vida diaria para rehabilitación de pacientes con daño cerebral adquirido

Las técnicas de rehabilitación permiten la recuperación y mejora de las funciones dañadas o deterioradas y ayuda al paciente con DCA a adaptarse a su nueva situación. El avance tecnológico que se ha producido en las últimas décadas, ha impulsado la investigación en el diseño y desarrollo de nuevos modelos de rehabilitación. La tecnología de vídeo interactivo se convierte en un elemento de apoyo en estos nuevos modelos rehabilitadores. Se hace necesario desarrollar nuevos algoritmos de segmentación y seguimiento que permitan dotar de información adicional a los vídeos. En este trabajo se han implementado y evaluado dos métodos que permiten realizar la detección y el seguimiento de objetos de interés

Salvage carbon dioxide transoral laser microsurgery for laryngeal cancer after (chemo)radiotherapy: a European Laryngological Society consensus statement

Purpose: To provide expert opinion and consensus on salvage carbon dioxide transoral laser microsurgery (CO2 TOLMS) for recurrent laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) after (chemo)radiotherapy [(C)RT]. Methods: Expert members of the European Laryngological Society (ELS) Cancer and Dysplasia Committee were selected to create a dedicated panel on salvage CO2 TOLMS for LSCC. A series of statements regarding the critical aspects of decision-making were drafted, circulated, and modified or excluded in accordance with the Delphi process. Results: The expert panel reached full consensus on 19 statements through a total of three sequential evaluation rounds. These statements were focused on different aspects of salvage CO2 TOLMS, with particular attention on preoperative diagnostic work-up, treatment indications, postoperative management, complications, functional outcomes, and follow-up. Conclusion: Management of recurrent LSCC after (C)RT is challenging and is based on the need to find a balance between oncologic and functional outcomes. Salvage CO2 TOLMS is a minimally invasive approach that can be applied to selected patients with strict and careful indications. Herein, a series of statements based on an ELS expert consensus aimed at guiding the main aspects of CO2 TOLMS for LSCC in the salvage setting is presented

Using trendsetting chefs to design new culinary preparations with the "Penjar" tomato

New food products are normally marketed after research regarding consumers' preferences. As an alternative, we used trendsetting chefs to develop and evaluate products with the traditional, long shelf life,Postprint (published version

Dynamics of coherently pumped lasers with linearly polarized pump and generated fields

The influence of light polarization on the dynamics of an optically pumped single-mode laser with a homogeneously broadened four-level medium is theoretically investigated in detail. Pump and laser fields with either parallel or crossed linear polarizations are considered, as are typical in far-infrared-laser experiments. Numerical simulations reveal dramatically different dynamic behaviors for these two polarization configurations. The analysis of the model equations allows us to find the physical origin of both behaviors. In particular, the crossed-polarization configuration is shown to be effective in decoupling the pump and laser fields, thus allowing for the appearance of Lorenz-type dynamics

Obstructive sleep apnea and Fuhrman grade in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma treated surgically

PURPOSE: To assess the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and Fuhrman grade in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). As secondary endpoints, we studied its association with tumor size, metastasis-free survival (MFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). METHODS: We reviewed the databases of two tertiary care centers, identifying 2579 patients who underwent partial or radical nephrectomy for ccRCC between 1991 and 2014. Descriptive statistics were used to compare pathologic variables between patients with and without OSA. Linear and logistic regression models were used to assess the association of OSA with Fuhrman grade and tumor size. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine OSA association with MFS and CSS. A pathway analysis was performed on a cohort with available gene expression data. RESULTS: In total, 172 patients (7 %) had self-reported OSA at diagnosis. More patients with OSA had high Fuhrman grade compared to those without OSA [51 vs. 38 %; 13 % risk difference; 95 % confidence interval (CI), 5-20 %; p = 0.003]. On multivariable analysis, the association remained significant (OR 1.41; 95 % CI 1.00-1.99; p = 0.048). OSA was not associated with tumor size (p > 0.5), MFS (p = 0.5) or CSS (p = 0.4). A trend toward vascular endothelial growth factor pathway enrichment was seen in OSA patients (p = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: OSA is associated with high Fuhrman grade in patients undergoing surgery for ccRCC. Pending validation of this novel finding in further prospective studies, it could help shape future research to better understand etiological mechanisms associated

Spectral counting assessment of protein dynamic range in cerebrospinal fluid following depletion with plasma-designed immunoaffinity columns

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which is a rich source of biomarkers for neurological diseases, identification of biomarkers requires methods that allow reproducible detection of low abundance proteins. It is therefore crucial to decrease dynamic range and improve assessment of protein abundance.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We applied LC-MS/MS to compare the performance of two CSF enrichment techniques that immunodeplete either albumin alone (IgYHSA) or 14 high-abundance proteins (IgY14). In order to estimate dynamic range of proteins identified, we measured protein abundance with APEX spectral counting method.</p> <p>Both immunodepletion methods improved the number of low-abundance proteins detected (3-fold for IgYHSA, 4-fold for IgY14). The 10 most abundant proteins following immunodepletion accounted for 41% (IgY14) and 46% (IgYHSA) of CSF protein content, whereas they accounted for 64% in non-depleted samples, thus demonstrating significant enrichment of low-abundance proteins. Defined proteomics experiment metrics showed overall good reproducibility of the two immunodepletion methods and MS analysis. Moreover, offline peptide fractionation in IgYHSA sample allowed a 4-fold increase of proteins identified (520 vs. 131 without fractionation), without hindering reproducibility.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The novelty of this study was to show the advantages and drawbacks of these methods side-to-side. Taking into account the improved detection and potential loss of non-target proteins following extensive immunodepletion, it is concluded that both depletion methods combined with spectral counting may be of interest before further fractionation, when searching for CSF biomarkers. According to the reliable identification and quantitation obtained with APEX algorithm, it may be considered as a cheap and quick alternative to study sample proteomic content.</p

Ni Iguals ni Banals

Projecte: 2018PID-UB/026Ni iguals ni banals és un projecte col·laboratiu entre estudiants de diferents facultats i presentat com un mètode resolutiu per transmetre informació mèdica a la societat. La idea del projecte sorgeix a partir de l’observació de l’ús incorrecte dels fàrmacs de venda lliure i els riscos derivats del seu consum inadequat. L’ibuprofè i el paracetamol són un claríssim exemple, pel que es decideix fer una intervenció, en forma de campanya educativa, orientada a fomentar un consum responsable d’aquests fàrmacs que es poden adquirir sense recepta mèdica. Una anàlisi de l’entorn mostra que la població jove és la que té menys contacte amb el sistema de salut i, per tant, menys oportunitats de rebre indicacions sobre l’ús correcte dels medicaments. A més, els joves formen part del rang d’edat més propens a realitzar auto-consultes en línia. La forma com Ni iguals ni banals pretén donar resposta al problema del mal ús dels fàrmacs és amb la creació d’un producte audiovisual dirigit a la població jove on es defineixin les indicacions específiques del paracetamol i de l’ibuprofè, així com les conseqüències del seu ús incorrecte a causa de les seves similituds farmacològiques. El material audiovisual elaborat té dos propòsits: 1) seduir a la població diana a través de l’elecció del gènere audiovisual més adient, la síntesi de la informació científica i l’ajust del registre verbal divulgatiu i 2) facilitar la seva difusió a través de les xarxes socials. Així mateix, és un format tancat i revisable per professionals abans de la seva difusió i, per tant, factible per a estudiants de Medicina que encara no són facultatius. Ni iguals ni banals és un exemple clar sobre com es pot combinar la identificació d’un problema real mèdic, la recerca d’informació tant poblacional com bibliogràfica i la col·laboració interdisciplinària, per englobar-ho tot en una dinàmica didàctica, de forma que els estudiants adquireixen habilitats pràctiques a la vegada que es desenvolupen en un ambient transversal