2D k-th nearest neighbor statistics: a highly informative probe of galaxy clustering

Beyond standard summary statistics are necessary to summarize the rich information on non-linear scales in the era of precision galaxy clustering measurements. For the first time, we introduce the 2D k-th nearest neighbor (kNN) statistics as a summary statistic for discrete galaxy fields. This is a direct generalization of the standard 1D kNN by disentangling the projected galaxy distribution from the redshift-space distortion signature along the line-of-sight. We further introduce two different flavors of 2D $k$NNs that trace different aspects of the galaxy field: the standard flavor which tabulates the distances between galaxies and random query points, and a ''DD'' flavor that tabulates the distances between galaxies and galaxies. We showcase the 2D kNNs' strong constraining power both through theoretical arguments and by testing on realistic galaxy mocks. Theoretically, we show that 2D kNNs are computationally efficient and directly generate other statistics such as the popular 2-point correlation function, voids probability function, and counts-in-cell statistics. In a more practical test, we apply the 2D kNN statistics to simulated galaxy mocks that fold in a large range of observational realism and recover parameters of the underlying extended halo occupation distribution (HOD) model that includes velocity bias and galaxy assembly bias. We find unbiased and significantly tighter constraints on all aspects of the HOD model with the 2D kNNs, both compared to the standard 1D kNN, and the classical redshift-space 2-point correlation functions.Comment: Submitted to MNRAS, comments welcom

Discriminating the occurrence of inundation in tsunami early warning with one-dimensional convolutional neural networks

Tsunamis are natural phenomena that, although occasional, can have large impacts on coastal environments and settlements, especially in terms of loss of life. An accurate, detailed and timely assessment of the hazard is essential as input for mitigation strategies both in the long term and during emergencies. This goal is compounded by the high computational cost of simulating an adequate number of scenarios to make robust assessments. To reduce this handicap, alternative methods could be used. Here, an enhanced method for estimating tsunami time series using a one-dimensional convolutional neural network model (1D CNN) is considered. While the use of deep learning for this problem is not new, most of existing research has focused on assessing the capability of a network to reproduce inundation metrics extrema. However, for the context of Tsunami Early Warning, it is equally relevant to assess whether the networks can accurately predict whether inundation would occur or not, and its time series if it does. Hence, a set of 6776 scenarios with magnitudes in the range Mw 8.0–9.2 were used to design several 1D CNN models at two bays that have different hydrodynamic behavior, that would use as input inexpensive low-resolution numerical modeling of tsunami propagation to predict inundation time series at pinpoint locations. In addition, different configuration parameters were also analyzed to outline a methodology for model testing and design, that could be applied elsewhere. The results show that the network models are capable of reproducing inundation time series well, either for small or large flow depths, but also when no inundation was forecast, with minimal instances of false alarms or missed alarms. To further assess the performance, the model was tested with two past tsunamis and compared with actual inundation metrics. The results obtained are promising, and the proposed model could become a reliable alternative for the calculation of tsunami intensity measures in a faster than real time manner. This could complement existing early warning system, by means of an approximate and fast procedure that could allow simulating a larger number of scenarios within the always restricting time frame of tsunami emergencies.Tide gauge data were obtained from the Sea Level Station Monitoring Facility of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (http://www.ioc-sealevelmonitoring.org/list.php). The coarser bathymetric and topographic data from the General Bathymetric Chart of the Ocean (https://www.gebco.net/data_and_products/gridded_bathymetry_data/). The authors acknowledge SHOA for providing nautical charts and coastal zone plans used to generate high resolution topo-bathymetric grids for research purposes. We are deeply grateful with A. Gubler that prepared a first version of the high resolution bathymetry grids. The authors acknowledge the computer resources at CTE-POWER (https://www.bsc.es/supportkc/docs/CTE-POWER/overview) and the technical support provided by BSC. We are greatly thankful the EDANYA Group at Málaga University for sharing the Tsunami-HySEA code. Most figures were generated with Python91,92,93 and Global Mapping Tools94. JN deeply thanks support of Mitiga Solutions during his secondment. PAC would like to thank funding by ANID, Chile Grants FONDEF ID19I10048, Centro de Investigación para la Gestión Integrada del Riesgo de Desastres (CIGIDEN) ANID/FONDAP/15110017, and Centro Científico Tecnológico de Valparaíso, ANID PIA/APOYO AFB180002. NZ has received funding from the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement H2020-MSCA-COFUND-2016-75443.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Prototype For Positioning Remote Surveillance Camera

El presente artículo muestra el desarrollo y la implementación de un prototipo con la capacidad de posicionarse en dos dimensiones por medio de dos servomotores encargados de su movimiento, estos son controlados por un operario inalámbricamente mediante dos módulos XBee series 2 encargados del enlace inalámbrico entre el control remoto y los servomotores. El prototipo tiene un rango de operación de 300° en cada una de las direcciones de movimiento. La obtención de este dispositivo contribuye con el desarrollo a nivel tecnológico, ya que una cámara con características de movimiento similares a las presentadas en él, tienen un alto costo en la actualidad. Los dispositivos que se encuentran en el mercado con estas características por lo general deben contar con una conexión a internet, lo cual en varias regiones de nuestro país resultaría inútil ya que no cuentan con este servicio por diversas razones sociales o económicasThis paper presents the development and implementation of a prototype with the ability to position itself in two dimensions by two servomotors responsible for their movement, they are controlled by a wirelessly operator with two XBee series 2 charge wireless link between control remote and servomotors. The prototype has an operating range of 300° in each of the directions of movement. Obtaining this device contributes to the development in technology, since a camera with characteristics similar to those presented in the movement, are expensive today. The devices found in the market with these features generally must have an internet connection, which in various regions of our country would be useless because they do not have this service for various social or economic reasons

A New Method for Time Normalization Based on the Continuous Phase. Application to Neck Kinematics

[EN] There is growing interest in analyzing human movement data for clinical, sport, and ergonomic applications. Functional Data Analysis (FDA) has emerged as an advanced statistical method for overcoming the shortcomings of traditional analytic methods, because the information about continuous signals can be assessed over time. This paper takes the current literature a step further by presenting a new time scale normalization method, based on the Hilbert transform, for the analysis of functional data and the assessment of the effect on the variability of human movement waveforms. Furthermore, a quantitative comparison of well-known methods for normalizing datasets of temporal biomechanical waveforms using functional data is carried out, including the linear normalization method and nonlinear registration methods of functional data. This is done using an exhaustive database of human neck flexion-extension movements, which encompasses 423 complete cycles of 31 healthy subjects measured in two trials of the experiment on different days. The results show the advantages of the novel method compared to existing techniques in terms of computational cost and the effectiveness of time-scale normalization on the phase differences of curves and on the amplitude of means, which are assessed by Root Mean Square (RMS) values of functional means of angles, angular velocities, and angular accelerations. Additionally, the confidence intervals are obtained through a bootstrapping process.This research was funded by the Spanish Government and co-financed by EU FEDER funds (Grant DPI2017-84201-R) and by Escuela Politecnica Nacional de Quito (Grant PIJ-1508).Llopis-Albert, C.; Venegas-Toro, WR.; Farhat, N.; Zamora-Ortiz, P.; Page Del Pozo, AF. (2021). A New Method for Time Normalization Based on the Continuous Phase. Application to Neck Kinematics. Mathematics. 9(23):1-16. https://doi.org/10.3390/math9233138S11692

Mortality increase after hip fracture in aged patients during the first 6 months of the covid-19 epidemic

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic modified hospital functioning, social mobility and assistance to the elderly. These factors may alter hip fracture evolution. Methods: Retrospective study of patients > 65 years suffering hip fracture fromthe 1st of March to the 31st of August of 2020, and compared with patients from the same period of 2019; 199 patients from 2019 (79.4%women) (mean age: 84.9 ± 7.72 years), and 203 patients from 2020 (69.5%women) (mean age: 85.37 ± 8.13 years). Extracapsular fractures were 57.3% in 2019, and 58.6% in 2020. Follow-up was made until death or 6 months after surgery. Results: In 2019, 44 patients (22.1%) died in the six postoperative months, and 61 patients (30%) in 2020 (OR 1.513; 95% CI 0.96–2.37; p = 0.199). There were no significant differences in mortality during postfracture hospitalization (11.1% in 2019; 11.82% in 2020) and in the first postoperative month (16.6% in 2019; 22.66% in 2020). Four patients died during hip fracture hospitalization over 8 patients presenting PCR+. In 30 patients SARS-CoV-2 infection was diagnosed during the six months after hip fracture in 13 patients thiswas the cause of death (21.3% of causes). Dementiawas associated with high mortality in patients with a SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis (6 out of 13 patients died with SARS-CoV-2 infection and dementia). Conclusions: An increase in the 6 postoperative months mortality in 2020 compared with the same period in 2019 was observed. An important cause of death was SARS-CoV-2 infection

Identification of Inertial Parameters for Position and Force Control of Surgical Assistance Robots

[EN] Surgeries or rehabilitation exercises are hazardous tasks for a mechanical system, as the device has to interact with parts of the human body without the hands-on experience that the surgeon or physiotherapist acquires over time. For various gynecological laparoscopic surgeries, such as laparoscopic hysterectomy or laparoscopic pelvic endometriosis, Uterine Manipulators are used. These medical devices allow the uterus to be suitably mobilized. A gap needs to be filled in terms of the precise handling of this type of devices. In this sense, this manuscript first describes the mathematical procedure to identify the inertial parameters of uterine manipulators. These parameters are needed to establish an accurate position and force control for an electromechanical system to assist surgical operations. The method for identifying the mass and the center of mass of the manipulator is based on the solution of the equations for the static equilibrium of rigid solids. Based on the manipulator inertial parameter estimation, the paper shows how the force exerted by the manipulator can be obtained. For this purpose, it solves a matrix system composed of the torques and forces of the manipulator. Different manipulators have been used, and it has been verified that the mathematical procedures proposed in this work allow us to calculate in an accurate and efficient way the force exerted by these manipulators.The authors wish to thank the "Agencia Valenciana de la Innovacio" (Generalitat Valenciana) for the partial funding of this study under the project with reference INNCON00/20/002. We also want to thank the "Instituto Universitario de Automatica e Informatica Industrial (ai2)" of the "Universitat Politecnica de Valencia" for its financial support under the program "Plan de ayudas a la I+D+I del Instituto ai2".Zamora-Ortiz, P.; Carral-Alvaro, J.; Valera Fernández, Á.; Pulloquinga-Zapata, J.; Escarabajal-Sánchez, RJ.; Mata Amela, V. (2021). Identification of Inertial Parameters for Position and Force Control of Surgical Assistance Robots. Mathematics. 9(7):1-16. https://doi.org/10.3390/math9070773S1169

Efecto de la técnica de sangrado sobre la composición fenólica de vinos cv. Malbec = Effect of saignée on phenolic composition of Malbec wines

El mercado actual exige, en gran parte, la disponibilidad de vinos estructurados con coloraciones intensas, razón por la cual los enólogos evalúan constantemente diversas variantes tecnológicas tendientes a satisfacer los requerimientos del consumidor. En respuesta a esta necesidad, se estudió la incidencia de la técnica de sangrado (T1, 10%; T2, 20%; T3, 30%) sobre la composición fenólica de vinos cv. Malbec de Mendoza en dos vendimias consecutivas. En 2010 se observó que solo T3 aumentó significativamente el contenido de antocianos en los vinos terminados respecto del control, sin apreciarse un efecto sobre el resto de los parámetros fenólicos evaluados. En cuanto a los compuestos individuales determinados por HPLC- DAD/ESI-MS, los tres tratamientos favorecieron la extracción de los distintos derivados antociánicos y flavonoles, siendo T3 el más significativo. En 2011 se observó una tendencia similar además de un efecto significativo en la intensidad colorante, fenoles totales, proantocianidinas, ácidos hidroxibenzoicos, flavanoles, flavonoles y dihidroflavonoles. Por el contrario, el test triangular mostró la imposibilidad de diferenciar los vinos estudiados a través de un panel entrenado de jueces. Al comparar ambas temporadas, se pudo evidenciar la influencia del factor "año" sobre la composición de los vinos elaborados con y sin aplicación del sangrado. En conclusión, esta práctica enológica puede ser una herramienta útil para aumentar la calidad polifenólica del Malbec y mejorar la capacidad de envejecimiento en la producción de vinos de guarda.The current market, in large part, demands the availability of structured wines with intense coloration, reason why winemakers constantly evaluated different technological variants designed to satisfy the requirements of the consumer. In response to this need, the incidence of saignée (T1, 10%; T2, 20%; T3, 30%) on phenolic composition of Malbec wines from Mendoza in two consecutive seasons was studied. In 2010, it was observed that only T3 significantly increased the content of anthocyanins in wines with respect to the control, without appreciating a significant effect on the rest of the phenolic parameters evaluated. As for those individual compounds determined by HPLC-DAD/ESI-MS, the three treatments favored the extraction of different anthocyanic derivatives and flavonols, being T3 the most significant. In 2011, there was a similar trend in addition to a significant effect on the colour intensity, total phenols, proanthocyanidins, hydroxybenzoic acids, flavanols, flavonols and dihidroflavonoles. In contrast, the triangular test showed the impossibility of differentiating wines studied by a trained panel of judges. Comparing both seasons was demonstrated the influence of the "year" factor on the composition of wines made with and without application of saignée. In conclusion, this oenological practice may be a useful tool to increase the phenolic quality of Malbec wines and improve their aging potential.EEA MendozaFil: Fanzone, Martín Leandro. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Mendoza. Laboratorio de Aromas y Sustancias Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Assof, Mariela Vanesa. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Mendoza. Laboratorio de Aromas y Sustancias Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Peña Neira, Alvaro. Universidad de Chile. Facultad de Ciencias Agronómicas. Departamento de Agroindustria y Enología; ChileFil: Zamora, Fernando. Universidad Rovira i Virgili. Facultad de Enología de Tarragona. Departamento de Bioquímica y Biotecnología; EspañaFil: Jofre, Viviana Patricia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Mendoza. Laboratorio de Aromas y Sustancias Naturales; Argentin

In vitro and in vivo anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity of new arylamine Mannich base-type derivatives

Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease with 6-7 million people infected worldwide and there is no effective treatment. Therefore, there is an urgent need to continue researching in order to discover novel therapeutic alternatives. We present a series of arylaminoketone derivatives as means of identifying new drugs to treat Chagas disease in the acute phase with greater activity, less toxicity and with a larger spectrum of action than that corresponding to the reference drug benznidazole. Indexes of high selectivity found in vitro formed the basis for later in vivo assays in BALB/c mice. Murine model results show that compounds 3, 4, 7 and 10 induced a remarkable decrease in parasitemia levels in acute phase and the parasitemia reactivation following immunosuppression, and curative rates were higher than with benznidazole. These high anti-parasitic activities encourage us to propose these compounds as promising molecules for developing an easy to synthesize anti-Chagas agent

Free PCR virus detection via few-layer bismuthene and tetrahedral DNA nanostructured assemblies

In this work we describe a highly sensitive method based on a biocatalyzed electrochemiluminescence approach. The system combines, for the first time, the use of few-layer bismuthene (FLB) as a platform for the oriented immobilization of tetrahedral DNA nanostructures (TDNs) specifically designed and synthetized to detect a specific SARS-CoV-2 gene sequence. In one of its vertices, these TDNs contain a DNA capture probe of the open reading frame 1 ab (ORF1ab) of the virus, available for the biorecognition of the target DNA/RNA. At the other three vertices, there are thiol groups that enable the stable anchoring/binding to the FLB surface. This novel geometry/approach enables not only the binding of the TDNs to surfaces, but also the orientation of the capture probe in a direction normal to the bismuthine surface so that it is readily accessible for binding/recognition of the specific SARS-CoV-2 sequence. The analytical signal is based on the anodic electrochemiluminescence (ECL) intensity of luminol which, in turn, arises as a result of the reaction with H2O2, generated by the enzymatic reaction of glucose oxidation, catalyzed by the biocatalytic label avidin-glucose oxidase conjugate (Av-GOx), which acts as co-reactant in the electrochemiluminescent reaction. The method exhibits a limit of detection (LOD) of 4.31 aM and a wide linear range from 14.4 aM to 1.00 μM, and its applicability was confirmed by detecting SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal samples from COVID-19 patients without the need of any amplification processPID2020-116728RB-I00, PID2020-116661RB-I00, PID2020-119352RB-I00, PDC2021-120782-C2, PID2022-138908NB-C31, CTQ2015-71955-REDT, S2018/NMT-434