Efficient Laser Performance Of Ndgdlif4: A New Laser Crystal

Laser action of Nd3+ doped GdLiF4 (GLF) has been demonstrated for both pulsed and cw laser pumped operation. A slope efficiency of 60% was obtained in either manner of operation. The spectroscopic properties and laser performance of Nd:GLF are very similar to those of Nd:YLF. GLF, on the other hand, can be doped with much higher Nd3+ concentration

Visibility graphs of ground-level ozone time series: A multifractal analysis

A recent method based on the concurrence of complex networks and multifractal analyses is applied for the first time to explore ground-level ozone behavior. Ozone time series are converted into complex networks for their posterior analysis. The searched purpose is to check the suitability of this transformation and to see whether some features of these complex networks could constitute a preliminary analysis before the more thorough multifractal formalism. Results show effectively that the exposed transformation stores the original information about the ozone dynamics and gives meaningful knowledge about the time series. Based on these results, the multifractal analysis of the complex networks is performed. Looking at the physical meaning of the multifractal properties (such as fractal dimensions and singularity spectrum), a relationship between those and the degree distribution of the complex networks is found. In addition to all the promising results, this novel connection between time series and complex networks can deal with both stationary and non-stationary time series, overcoming one of the main limitations of multifractal analysis. Therefore, this technique can be regarded as an alternative to give supplementary information within the study of complex signals.Comment: 34 pages, 8 figures, 1 graphical abstrac

Joint multifractal analysis of air temperature, relative humidity and reference evapotranspiration in the middle zone of the Guadalquivir river valley

Previous works have analysed the relationship existing between reference evapotranspiration (ET0) and other climatic variables under a one-at-a-time perturbation condition. However, due to the physical relationships between these climatic variables is advisable to study their joint influence on ET0. The box-counting joint multifractal algorithm describes the relations between variables using relevant information extracted from the data singularities. This work investigated the use of this algorithm to describe the simultaneous behaviour of ET0, calculated by means of Penman-Monteith (PM) equation, and relative humidity (RH) and air temperature (T), influencing on it in the middle zone of the Guadalquivir river valley, Andalusia, southern Spain. The studied cases were grouped according to the fractal dimension values, which were related to their probability of occurrence. The most likely cases were linked to smooth behaviour and weak dependence between variables, both circumstances were detected in the local multifractal analysis. For these cases, the rest of Penman Monteith (PM) equation variables, neither the T nor the RH, seemed to influence on ET0 determination, especially when low T values were involved. By contrast, the least frequent cases were those with variables showing high fluctuations and strong relationship between them. In these situations, when T is low, the ET0 is affected by the rest of PM equation variables. This fact confirmed T as main driver of ET0 because the higher T values the lesser influence of other climate variables on ET0. Joint multifractal analysis shows some limitations when it is applied to large number of variables, the results reported are promising and suggest the convenience of exploring the relationships between ET0 and other climatic variables not considered here with this framework such as wind speed and net radiation.Comment: 40 pages, 10 figure

Can complex networks describe the urban and rural tropospheric O3 dynamics?

Tropospheric ozone (O3) time series have been converted into complex networks through the recent so-called Visibility Graph (VG), using the data from air quality stations located in the western part of Andalusia (Spain). The aim is to apply this novel method to differentiate the behavior between rural and urban regions when it comes to the ozone dynamics. To do so, some centrality parameters of the resulting complex networks have been investigated: the degree, betweenness and shortest path. Some of them are expected to corroborate previous works in order to support the use of this technique; while others to supply new information. Results coincide when describing the difference that tropospheric ozone exhibits seasonally and geographically. It is seen that ozone behavior is fractal, in accordance to previous works. Also, it has been demonstrated that this methodology is able to characterize the divergence encountered between measurements in urban environments and countryside. In addition to that, the promising outcomes of this technique support the use of complex networks for the study of air pollutants dynamics. Particularly, new nuances are offered such as the identification and description of singularities in the signal.Comment: 27 pages, 7 figures, 1 graphical abstrac

Multiplex Visibility Graphs as a complementary tool for describing the relation between ground level O3 and NO2

The usage of multilayer complex networks for the analysis of correlations among environmental variables (such as O3 and NO2 concentrations from the photochemical smog) is investigated in this work. The mentioned technique is called Multiplex Visibility Graphs (MVG). By performing the joint analysis of those layers, the parameters named Average Edge Overlap and Interlayer Mutual Information are extracted, which accounts for the microscopical time coherence and the correlation between the time series behavior, respectively. These parameters point to the possibility of using them independently to describe the correlation between atmospheric pollutants (which could be extended to environmental time series). More precisely the first one of them is considered to be a potential new approach to determine the time required for the correlation of NO2 and O3 to be observed, since it is obtained from the correlation of the pollutants at the smallest time scale. As for the second one, it has been checked that the proposed technique can be used to describe the variation of the correlation between the two gases along the seasons. In short, MVGs parameters are introduced and results show that they could be potentially used in a future for correlation studies, supplementing already existing techniques.Comment: 29 pages, 7 figure

Combining interdisciplinarity and creative design - A powerful strategy to increase palliative care awareness within a university community

Society’s understanding of palliative care has room for improvement. Although the World Health Organisation highlighted palliative care as a human right, many people still lack access to this crucial form of treatment. The paucity of understanding and social discussion surrounding palliative care has, moreover, negatively impacted its development and implementation. This study therefore aims to construct a strategy that will empower a specific community to solve their own palliative care-related misunderstandings. Using Participatory Action Research and Design Thinking methodologies and adopting the strategy of Public Engagement in Responsible Research and Innovation, a design group worked for three months through five virtual focus groups. Moving through the phases of empathizing, defining, ideation, prototyping, and testing, the design group generated 33 ideas to address palliative care-related problems. Ideas related to self- learning, the use of technology, and the exchange of personal experiences are highlighted as innovative ways to promote palliative care. The design group adopted a variety of strategies, used disruptive tools, and created and tested rapid prototypes to discover novel solutions. This method of working, centred on interdisciplinarity and creativity, presents an efficient way to involve the members of a community in solving their own problems

Dietary modifications engaged in young muslims of Ramadan fasting

La práctica del precepto islámico del Ramadán (R), impone a las personas que lo practican importantes modificaciones fisiológicas y psicológicas debido a las restricciones hídricas y dietéticas a las que se ven sometidos, lo que tiene una especial repercusión en el rendimiento físico e intelectual de los estudiantes musulmanes, particularmente en sociedades multiculturales de tipo occidental, en las que no se producen ajustes horarios, en las actividades diarias. Entre las modificaciones introducidas en los hábitos de vida, por esta causa, destacan los cambios dietéticos, tanto cualitativos como cuantitativos. Por la relevancia de la cuestión y ante el escaso conocimiento de los efectos del Ramadán en estudiantes adolescentes que viven en sociedades no islámicas, se plantea como objetivo de este estudio, el análisis de las modificaciones en macronutrientes, ocurridas durante el R, en un grupo de alumnos musulmanes de ambos sexos, con el fin de solucionar y prevenir algunos de los problemas que se plantean en este periodo. Material y método: Se seleccionaron 55 jóvenes musulmanes (24 hombres y 31 mujeres) con edades comprendidas entre 15 y 18 años, que realizan el R y se analizó la dieta mediante inventario de 3 días, una semana antes del ayuno y en la segunda semana durante éste. Resultados: En el R, no hay cambios significativos en la ingesta calórica de los hombres y sí en el de las mujeres. Se incrementa el consumo de carbohidratos y proteínas y desciende el de grasas. Discusión: Los cambios en R conducen a una dieta más ajustada a las recomendaciones nutricionales, y a esto parece haber contribuido el hecho de que los participantes llevaron a cabo sus comidas en el seno doméstico donde, a pesar del corte occidental de la población, se deja sentir una importante influencia de las tradiciones y hábitos magrebíes, por el contacto fronterizo con Marruecos.The practice of the Islamic precept of Ramadan (R) imposes to those who practice it important physiological and psychological changes due to the water and dietary restrictions they are subjected to, which has a particular impact on the Muslim students’ physical and psychological performances, particularly in multicultural Western societies, where there are no schedule adjustments in daily activities. Among the changes in lifestyle, consequently, the dietary changes are stressed, both qualitative and quantitative. Due to the importance of this issue and facing the limited knowledge the Muslim teenagers who live in non-Islamic societies have about the effects of Ramadan, it is suggested as main objective of this study the analysis of changes in nutrients during R in a group of Muslim students of both sexes, in order to solve and prevent some of the problems shown in this period. Materials and methods: 55 Muslim youngsters were selected (24 men and 31 women) aged between 15 and 18, who practise R; and the diet was analysed by inventory over 3 days, one week before fasting and in the second week during it. Results: In R there are no relevant changes in caloric intake. The consumption of carbohydrates and proteins is increased, and that of fat is decreased. Discussion: the changes in R lead to a diet more regulated to nutritional recommendations; and to this seems to have contributed the fact that the participants took their meals at home, where, in spite of the Western cut of the population, it is felt an important influence of North African traditions and habits, due to its border contact with Morocco

Resposta in vitro de Células Gliossarcoma 9L após Terapia Fotodinâmica utilizando Imagem de Bioluminescência

Objetivos: O presente estudo tem o objetivo de demonstrar os resultados iniciais da utilização da técnica de imagem de bioluminescência como método de monitoramento do tratamento de células de gliossarcoma de rato 9L após Terapia Fotodinâmica (TFD) utilizando o ácido aminolevulínico (ALA) como agente fotossensibilizante. Métodos: Para o presente estudo, células 9L foram transfectadas com um plasmídeo contendo o gene da luciferase, permitindo que essa linhagem celular produzisse a proteína luciferase, um dos substratos necessários para a reação de bioluminescência. No presente estudo, a TFD foi realizada utilizando diferentes doses de luz e de ácido aminolevulínico. Para validar a técnica de imagem de bioluminescência como método para o monitoramento da resposta de células tumorais e para a verificação da correlação entre o sinal luminoso e o grau de morte celular após TFD, foi utilizado o ensaio de viabilidade celular com Sulforodamina B (SRB). Resultados: Os resultados deste trabalho mostram alta correlação entre o número de células e o sinal de bioluminescência (R2 = 0,996). Os ensaios de viabilidade celular utilizando a técnica SRB, mostraram excelente correlação entre o número relativo de células sobreviventes após TFD e o sinal de bioluminescência, mostrando que a técnica de imagem de bioluminescência pode ser utilizada para o monitoramento da resposta tumoral após o tratamento de células tumorais com TFD. Os resultados do tratamento das células com terapia fotodinâmica mostram que a taxa de indução de morte celular varia de acordo com a dose de luz e fotossensibilizante empregada durante o tratamento. Nesse sentido, doses maiores de TFD resultaram em níveis mais elevados de indução de morte celular, com efeitos mais prolongados observados através do sinal bioluminescente decorridos 48 horas após a TFD. Conclusão: Este estudo demonstra que a técnica de imagem de bioluminescência pode ser utilizada para o estudo dos efeitos da terapia fotodinâmica em células tumorais. Trabalhos em animais estão em andamento no presente momento para validar a técnica de imagem de bioluminescência após TFD in vivo

Spectroscopy And Laser Performance Of Nd Doped Gadolinium Lithium-Fluoride

A comprehensive investigation on the spectroscopic Properties and laser performance of Nd3+ doped GdLiF4 (GLF), a new laser crystal, is reported. Our high resolution absorption and emission spectra for GLF are nearly identical to those of Nd:LiYF4 (YLF), a well known laser crystal, strongly suggesting that the two crystals are isostructural. The laser performance of Nd:GLF is very similar to that of Nd:YLF. A maximum laser-pump-laser slope efficiency of 68% and 67% was obtained for low (1.0 at. %) and high (4.0 at. %) Nd concentration GLF respectively. Concentration quenching of the fluorescence decay time was observed and appears to be due to the dipole-dipole interaction between the isolated Nd3+ ions and Nd3+ ion pairs

Generation, establishment and characterization of a pluripotent stem cell line (CVTTHi001-A) from primary fibroblasts isolated from a patient with activated PI3 kinase delta syndrome (APDS2)

APDS2 is caused by mutations in PIK3R1 gene resulting in constitutive PI3Kδ activation. PI3Kδ is predominantly expressed in leukocytes and plays critical roles in regulating immune responses. Here we first derived fibroblast primary cells from a skin biopsy of a patient carrying a heterozygous single T deletion in intron 11 of the PIK3R1 gene. We next present the derivation of an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS) line using a non-integrative reprogramming technology. Pluripotent-related hallmarks are further shown, including: iPSCs self-renewal and expression of pluripotent and differentiation markers after in vitro differentiation towards embryonic germ layers, assessed by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence