Focal cone high harmonic generation driven by a 400 TW laser.

The generation of self-focusing beams of extreme ultraviolet (XUV) radiation using the focal cone high harmonic generation (FCHHG) technique is examined for high energy lasers. The FCHHG geometry is created by passing a focusing laser beam through a gas sheet prior to reaching focus and thus creating a converging beam of high harmonic radiation. This leads to a larger interaction area that increases the total area of XUV emission while not exceeding the saturation intensity of the target atoms or increasing the density of the atoms. Such a method allows for scaling of HHG to any incident laser power. An experiment was conducted demonstrating such scaling to incident 400 TW pulses, showing both the expected spectral signature of HHG and the converging cone of XUV radiation. It was found that this technique is very sensitive to spatial non-uniformity in the driving laser, which has become more prevalent in high energy laser systems.

Leader-follower formation control based on non-inertial frames for non-holonomic mobile robots.

A chain formation strategy based on mobile frames for a set of n differential drive mobile robots is presented. Considering two consecutive robots in the formation, robots Ri and Ri+1. It is intended that robot Ri+1 follows the delayed trajectory, τ units of time, of the leader robot Ri. In this way, the follower robot Ri+1 becomes the leader robot for robot Ri+ 2 in the formation and so on. With this formation policy, the trailing distance between two consecutive robots varies accordingly to the velocity of the Ri leader robot. Mobile frames are located on the body of the vehicles, in such a way that the position of robot Ri is determined with respect to the frame located on Ri+1 robot. The strategy relies on the fact that the general leader robot R1 describes any trajectory generated by bounded linear v1(t) and angular ω1(t) velocities. For the remaining vehicles in the string, the strategy considers a desired trajectory for the follower robot Ri+1 obtained by an estimation of the delayed trajectory of the leader robot Ri. This desired estimated trajectory is obtained under the knowledge of the actual and past input velocities of the Ri robot. To formally prove the convergence of the formation strategy, the equations describing the time variation of the relative posture between any pair of consecutive vehicles in the formation are obtained, and a feedback law based on local measurements is proposed to get the convergence of robot Ri+1 to the delayed trajectory, τ units of time, of the trajectory previously described by robot Ri. Lyapunov techniques are considered for this fact. The effectiveness of the chain formation solution is evaluated by means of numerical simulations and real time experiments showing an adequate convergence.

Identificación de factores que se asocian a alto riesgo de desarrollar diabetes gestacional / Identification of factors associated with a high risk of developing gestational diabetes

Objetivos: Principal. Determinar la prevalencia de los factores de riesgo reconocidos para diabetes gestacional (DG) en nuestra población. Definir el perfil de las pacientes con mayor riesgo de desarrollar DG. Secundario. Analizar la aceptabilidad por parte de las gestantes de las pruebas de cribado. Material y método: Se trata de un estudio observacional ambispectivo en el que se reclutaron 1448 gestantes en un único centro, entre el 1 de diciembre de 2017 y el 31 de julio de 2019. Los criterios de inclusión fueron: no antecedente de diabetes mellitus pregestacional, no antecedente de DG en gestación previa, no antecedentes de cirugía bariátrica, haber realizado cribado para DG en la actual gestación. Resultados: La prevalencia de DG en nuestra población fue del 6,7%. Los factores de riesgo que se asociaron con el desarrollo de DG en nuestra población fueron: edad≥27,5 años (OR: 3,8; IC95%: 2,01-9,16), IMC≥28,5kg/m2 (OR: 2,3; IC95%:1,47-3,59); antecedente de diabetes mellitus en familiares de primer grado (OR: 2,3; IC95%: 1,5-3,66) y la gestación múltiple (OR: 2,8; IC95%: 0,86-6,36). La prevalencia de la DG se incrementó según lo hacía el número de factores de riesgo encontrados en la gestante: desde el 1,4% en las pacientes sin los factores de riesgo hasta el 25.2% con 3 factores de riesgo presentes. El 26,8% de las pacientes calificaron como desagradable la realización del test de ÓSullivan (50g glucosa) y el 65,4% la prueba de sobrecarga oral con 100g de glucosa. Conclusiones: La edad de la gestante≥27,5, el IMC≥28,5kg/m2, el antecedente de diabetes mellitus en familiares de primer y la gestación múltiple son factores que se asocian con alto riesgo de desarrollar DG; estos factores serían suficientes para identificar a la mayoría de las gestantes que desarrollarán DG. Nuestros resultados pueden aplicarse para mejorar los programas de atención prenatal destinados al diagnóstico y tratamiento precoz de la DG.(au)

Objectives: The main objective is to determine the current prevalence of recognised risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in our region, and to define the profile of patients at higher risk of developing this condition. We also investigate patient acceptability of the screening tests. Material and methods: This is an ambispective study with 1,448 pregnant women recruited between December 2017 and July 2019 from a single centre. Inclusion criteria were no diabetes mellitus prior to the pregnancy, no history of GDM in any previous pregnancy, no history of bariatric surgery before the pregnancy, and GDM screening tests performed. Results: The prevalence of GDM was 6.7%. Risk factors associated with development of GDM were: age≥27.5 years (OR: 3.8; 95% CI: 2.01-9.16); BMI≥28.5kg/m2 (OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.47-3.59); history of diabetes mellitus in first-degree relatives (OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.5-3.66); and multiple pregnancy (OR: 2.8; 95% CI: 0.86-6.36); Prevalence of GDM increased with the number of risk factors presented by patients: from 1.4% with no risk factor, to 25.2% with 3. The O'Sullivan test (50g glucose) and oral glucose tolerance test (100g glucose) were perceived as “unpleasant” by 26.8% and 65.4% of patients, respectively. Conclusions: Age≥27.5 years, BMI≥28.5kg/m2, history of diabetes mellitus in first-degree relatives, and multiple pregnancy are factors related to an increased risk of GDM; these factors would be enough to identify most pregnant women developing GDM. Our findings may be used to improve programmes aimed at early diagnosis of gestational diabetes and supporting high-risk mothers in antenatal care.(AU)

Artificial neural networks with conformable transfer function for improving the performance in thermal and environmental processes.

This research proposes a novel transfer function based on the hyperbolic tangent and the Khalil conformable exponential function. The non-integer order transfer function offers a suitable neural network configuration because of its ability to adapt. Consequently, this function was introduced into neural network models for three experimental cases: estimating the annular Nusselt number correlation to a helical double-pipe evaporator, the volumetric mass transfer coefficient in an electrochemical reaction, and the thermal efficiency of a solar parabolic trough collector. We found the new transfer function parameters during the training step of the neural networks. Therefore, weights and biases depend on them. We assessed the models applied to the three cases using the determination coefficient, adjusted determination coefficient, and the slope-intercept test. In addition, the MSE for the training set and the whole database were computed to show that there is no overfitting problem. The best-assessed models showed a relationship of 99%, 97%, and 95% with the experimental data for the first, second, and third cases. This novel proposal made reducing the number of neurons in the hidden layer feasible. Therefore, we show a neural network with a conformable transfer function (ANN-CTF) that learns well enough with less available information from the experimental database during its training.

Proton stopping measurements at low velocity in warm dense carbon.

Ion stopping in warm dense matter is a process of fundamental importance for the understanding of the properties of dense plasmas, the realization and the interpretation of experiments involving ion-beam-heated warm dense matter samples, and for inertial confinement fusion research. The theoretical description of the ion stopping power in warm dense matter is difficult notably due to electron coupling and degeneracy, and measurements are still largely missing. In particular, the low-velocity stopping range, that features the largest modelling uncertainties, remains virtually unexplored. Here, we report proton energy-loss measurements in warm dense plasma at unprecedented low projectile velocities. Our energy-loss data, combined with a precise target characterization based on plasma-emission measurements using two independent spectroscopy diagnostics, demonstrate a significant deviation of the stopping power from classical models in this regime. In particular, we show that our results are in closest agreement with recent first-principles simulations based on time-dependent density functional theory.

OPTN/SRTR 2020 Annual Data Report: VCA.

The first vascularized composite allograft (VCA) transplant in the United States was performed in 1998 in a 40-year-old man who received a laryn-geal transplant after experiencing severe trauma to the throat 20 years before. The following VCA was a hand transplant in 1999 in a 37-year-old man who lost his left hand 13 years before. Since then, the field of VCA transplantation has made significant strides. On July 3, 2014, the Or gan Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN)/United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) oversight of VCA procurement and transplant in the United States went into effect. In the last decade, the number of candidates listed for and transplanted with VCA has increased. While patient demographic data, whether listed candidates or patients undergoing VCA transplant, is limited by sample size, the trend is a predominance toward a young/middle-aged, White population. Overall outcomes data have been promising, with the vast majority of VCA transplants resulting in functioning grafts.

Diagnóstico de malformación uterina en una paciente de 10 años con piometra. A propósito de un caso / Diagnosis of uterine malformation in a ten-year-old patient. Case report

Las malformaciones uterinas congénitas son poco frecuentes. El útero bicorporal tiene una prevalencia del 0,4%. Generalmente asintomático, se puede manifestar como dolor pélvico por un hematometra o menstruación retrógrada de un cuerno uterino no comunicante. Se presenta el caso de una niña de 10 años a quien, en el contexto de dolor abdominal y fiebre, se le realizaron pruebas de imagen y en quien se objetivó un útero bicorporal ocupado por lo que parecía un hematometra. Se intervino a la paciente para drenarlo, por vía histeroscópica y laparoscópica, y se comprobó que se trataba de un piometra. Se realizó hemihisterectomía, sin incidencias, con el fin de preservar su fertilidad y resolver el cuadro infeccioso.(AU)

Congenital uterine malformations are rare. The bicorporal uterus has a prevalence of 0.4%. Generally asymptomatic, it can manifest as pelvic pain from a haematometra or retrograde menstruation from a non-communicating uterine horn. The case of a 10-year-old girl is presented who, in the context of abdominal pain and fever, underwent imaging tests revealing a bicornuate uterus occupied by what appeared to be a haematometra. The patient was operated on to drain it, hysteroscopically and laparoscopically, confirming that it was a pyometra. Hemihysterectomy was performed without incident to preserve fertility and resolve the infection.(AU)

Determination of early bone metastasis on Bone Scans Using the Gray Levels Histogram / Búsqueda de metástasis ósea temprana en gammagramas óseos usando el histograma de tonos de gris

ABSTRACT The aim of this paper is to show a technique to speed up the interpretation of bone scans in order to determine the presence of early bone metastasis. This is done using the gray levels histogram of the region of interest. The technique is intended to assist in the bone scans interpretation in order to provide a successful diagnosis. During the analysis, three types of histograms were observed on the regions of interest. If the histogram is narrow and shifted toward the origin, the bone scan is free of metastasis. If it is shifted to the right and slightly broadened, indicates the presence of a bone anomaly different from a metastasis. On the other hand, if the histogram is more broadened and shifted to the right, is suggests the presence of metastasis. This histogram is characterized by displaying small curls on the right side providing information about the metastatic disease stage, which could be low-amplitude peaks and have a short length, if the metastasis is in early stage, or high-amplitude peaks and a long length, if is advanced. Finally, the analyzed region is displayed in false color considering the minimum gray levels observed in the histogram.

A quasi-monoenergetic short time duration compact proton source for probing high energy density states of matter.

We report on the development of a highly directional, narrow energy band, short time duration proton beam operating at high repetition rate. The protons are generated with an ultrashort-pulse laser interacting with a solid target and converted to a pencil-like narrow-band beam using a compact magnet-based energy selector. We experimentally demonstrate the production of a proton beam with an energy of 500 keV and energy spread well below 10[Formula: see text], and a pulse duration of 260 ps. The energy loss of this beam is measured in a 2 [Formula: see text]m thick solid Mylar target and found to be in good agreement with the theoretical predictions. The short time duration of the proton pulse makes it particularly well suited for applications involving the probing of highly transient plasma states produced in laser-matter interaction experiments. This proton source is particularly relevant for measurements of the proton stopping power in high energy density plasmas and warm dense matter.

Integrated quantitative PIXE analysis and EDX spectroscopy using a laser-driven particle source.

Among the existing elemental characterization techniques, particle-induced x-ray emission (PIXE) and energy-dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectroscopy are two of the most widely used in different scientific and technological fields. Here, we present the first quantitative laser-driven PIXE and laser-driven EDX experimental investigation performed at the Centro de Láseres Pulsados in Salamanca. Thanks to their potential for compactness and portability, laser-driven particle sources are very appealing for materials science applications, especially for materials analysis techniques. We demonstrate the possibility to exploit the x-ray signal produced by the co-irradiation with both electrons and protons to identify the elements in the sample. We show that, using the proton beam only, we can successfully obtain quantitative information about the sample structure through laser-driven PIXE analysis. These results pave the way toward the development of a compact and multifunctional apparatus for the elemental analysis of materials based on a laser-driven particle source.

Electrical conductivity of warm dense silica from double-shock experiments.

Understanding materials behaviour under extreme thermodynamic conditions is fundamental in many branches of science, including High-Energy-Density physics, fusion research, material and planetary science. Silica (SiO2) is of primary importance as a key component of rocky planets' mantles. Dynamic compression is the most promising approach to explore molten silicates under extreme conditions. Although most experimental studies are restricted to the Hugoniot curve, a wider range of conditions must be reached to distill temperature and pressure effects. Here we present direct measurements of equation of state and two-colour reflectivity of double-shocked α-quartz on a large ensemble of thermodynamic conditions, which were until now unexplored. Combining experimental reflectivity data with numerical simulations we determine the electrical conductivity. The latter is almost constant with pressure while highly dependent on temperature, which is consistent with simulations results. Based on our findings, we conclude that dynamo processes are likely in Super-Earths' mantles.

X-ray powder diffraction in reflection geometry on multi-beam kJ-type laser facilities.

An ultrafast x-ray powder diffraction setup for laser-driven dynamic compression has been developed at the LULI2000 laser facility. X-ray diffraction is performed in reflection geometry from a quasi-monochromatic laser-generated plasma x-ray source. In comparison to a transmission geometry setup, this configuration allows us to probe only a small portion of the compressed sample, as well as to shield the detectors against the x-rays generated by the laser-plasma interaction on the front side of the target. Thus, this new platform facilitates probing of spatially and temporarily uniform thermodynamic conditions and enables us to study samples of a large range of atomic numbers, thicknesses, and compression dynamics. As a proof-of-concept, we report direct structural measurements of the bcc-hcp transition both in shock and ramp-compressed polycrystalline iron with diffraction signals recorded between 2θ ∼ 30° and ∼150°. In parallel, the pressure and temperature history of probed samples is measured by rear-side visible diagnostics (velocimetry and pyrometry).

Metallization of Shock-Compressed Liquid Ammonia.

Ammonia is predicted to be one of the major components in the depths of the ice giant planets Uranus and Neptune. Their dynamics, evolution, and interior structure are insufficiently understood and models rely imperatively on data for equation of state and transport properties. Despite its great significance, the experimentally accessed region of the ammonia phase diagram today is still very limited in pressure and temperature. Here we push the probed regime to unprecedented conditions, up to ∼350 GPa and ∼40 000 K. Along the Hugoniot, the temperature measured as a function of pressure shows a subtle change in slope at ∼7000 K and ∼90 GPa, in agreement with ab initio simulations we have performed. This feature coincides with the gradual transition from a molecular liquid to a plasma state. Additionally, we performed reflectivity measurements, providing the first experimental evidence of electronic conduction in high-pressure ammonia. Shock reflectance continuously rises with pressure above 50 GPa and reaches saturation values above 120 GPa. Corresponding electrical conductivity values are up to 1 order of magnitude higher than in water in the 100 GPa regime, with possible significant contributions of the predicted ammonia-rich layers to the generation of magnetic dynamos in ice giant interiors.

Optical-topological concepts in isomorphisms projecting bi-Ronchi masks to obtain 3D profiles from objects in 2D images.

We introduce a technique for obtaining three-dimensional (3D) profiles of objects captured in two-dimensional (2D) flat images (FI). This technique performs a numerical approximation of the object's topography from their image gray tones, analyzing topological concepts such as algebraic bases construction, metric functions in terms of such bases, as well as modeling and development of an isomorphism to project masks (fringe patterns) in the FI, allowing us to use the optimal 3D profilometry techniques. Among these techniques, phase shifting (four steps) is applied in the pattern shifts of the projected masks, but with a 2D shift from left to right and from top to bottom, simultaneously. Moreover, the fringe patterns in the masks are binary and with superposed periods in x, y (bi-Ronchi). We show the results of the construction of the masks, as well as their projection into the FIs. We also show the 3D profilometry of the objects after the projection and phase-shifting application and a simple segmentation to observe a particular object. Subsequently, we perform the analysis of a single Mg crystal's micrography.

Melting Curve and Isostructural Solid Transition in Superionic Ice.

The phase diagram and melting curve of water ice is investigated up to 45 GPa and 1600 K by synchrotron x-ray diffraction in the resistively and laser heated diamond anvil cell. Our melting data evidence a triple point at 14.6 GPa, 850 K. The latter is shown to be related to a first-order solid transition from the dynamically disordered form of ice VII, denoted ice VII^{'}, toward a high-temperature phase with the same bcc oxygen lattice but larger volume and higher entropy. Our experiments are compared to ab initio molecular dynamics simulations, enabling us to identify the high-temperature bcc phase with the predicted superionic ice VII^{''} phase [J.-A. Hernandez and R. Caracas, Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 135503 (2016).PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.117.135503].

Optical trapping in the presence of laser-induced thermal effects.

The inclusion of thermal effects in optical manipulation has been explored in diverse experiments, increasing the possibilities for applications in diverse areas. In this Letter, the results of combined optical and thermal manipulation in the vicinity of a highly absorbent hydrogenated amorphous silicon layer, which induces both the generation of convective currents and thermophoresis, are presented. In combination with the optical forces, thermal forces help reduce the optical power required to trap and manipulate micrometric polystyrene beads. Moreover, the inclusion of these effects allows the stacking and manipulation of multiple particles with a single optical trap along with the beam propagation, providing an extra tool for micromanipulation of a variety of samples.

Modulation of CYP2E1 metabolic activity in a cohort of confirmed caffeine ingesting pregnant women with preterm offspring.

BACKGROUND: To ascertain interactions of caffeine ingestion, food, medications, and environmental exposures during preterm human gestation, under informed consent, we studied a cohort of Mexican women with further preterm offspring born at ≤ 34 completed weeks. At birth, blood samples were taken from mothers and umbilical cords to determine caffeine and metabolites concentrations and CYP1A2 (rs762551) and CYP2E1 (rs2031920, rs3813867) polymorphisms involved in caffeine metabolism. RESULTS: In 90 pregnant women who gave birth to 98 preterm neonates, self-informed caffeine ingestion rate was 97%, laboratory confirmed rate was 93 %. Theobromine was the predominant metabolite found. Consumption of acetaminophen correlated significantly with changes in caffeine metabolism (acetaminophen R2 = 0.637, p = 0.01) due to activation of CYP2E1 alternate pathways. The main caffeine source was cola soft drinks. CONCLUSION: Environmental exposures, especially acetaminophen ingestion during human preterm pregnancy, can modulate CYP2E1 metabolic activity.

Filter construction using Ronchi masks and Legendre polynomials to analyze the noise in aberrations by applying the irradiance transport equation.

We tested different optical elements placed in three different positions by applying the irradiance transport equation (ITE), obtaining the wavefront $[ W(x,y) ]$[W(x,y)] and aberration surface [$ \textit{AS}(r,\theta ) $AS(r,θ)]. The existing noise in the captures $ I $I as well as in the $ W $W and $ AS $AS were analyzed applying several filters: first a filter based on Legendre polynomials (LP), generating the most probable points increasing the data resolution; second, a filter based on a 50 deg 2D-LP was used as a multilineal fit (multiple linear regression); and third, an ideal bandpass filter in the Fourier space after inducing a periodicity using Ronchi simulated masks with periods in $ x,y,xy $x,y,xy was used to perform data scanning (similar to the four-step phase-shifting method). Signal-to-noise ratio values were obtained for each proposed filter along with the most probable image free from noise, determined from a linear combination of the original data and the applied filters.

Stabilization of betalains by encapsulation-a review.

Betalains are pigments that have properties that benefit health, such as antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial activity, and they also possess a high ability to provide color. However, these pigments, although used as colorants in certain foods, have not been able to be potentialized to diverse areas such as pharmacology, due to their instability to physicochemical factors such as high temperature, pH changes and high water activity. For this reason, different stabilization methods have been reported. The method that has presented best results for diversifying the use of betalains has been encapsulation. Encapsulation is a method of entrapment where the objective is to protect a compound utilizing more stable matrices from encapsulation technologies. This method has been employed to provide greater stability to betalains, using different matrices and encapsulation technologies. However, a review does not exist, to our knowledge, which analyzes the effect of matrices and encapsulation technologies on betalains stabilization. Therefore, the objective of this review article was to evaluate the different matrices and encapsulation techniques that have been employed to stabilize betalains, in order to arrive at specific conclusions concerning the effect of encapsulation on their stabilization and to propose new techniques and matrices that could promote their stabilization.

On-board study of gas embolism in marine turtles caught in bottom trawl fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean.

Decompression sickness (DCS) was first diagnosed in marine turtles in 2014. After capture in net fisheries, animals typically start showing clinical evidence of DCS hours after being hauled on-board, often dying if untreated. These turtles are normally immediately released without any understanding of subsequent clinical problems or outcome. The objectives of this study were to describe early occurrence and severity of gaseous embolism (GE) and DCS in marine turtles after incidental capture in trawl gear, and to provide estimates of on-board and post-release mortality. Twenty-eight marine turtles were examined on-board fishing vessels. All 20 turtles assessed by ultrasound and/or post-mortem examination developed GE, independent of season, depth and duration of trawl and ascent speed. Gas emboli were obvious by ultrasound within 15 minutes after surfacing and worsened over the course of 2 hours. Blood data were consistent with extreme lactic acidosis, reduced glomerular filtration, and stress. Twelve of 28 (43%) animals died on-board, and 3 of 15 (20%) active turtles released with satellite tags died within 6 days. This is the first empirically-based estimate of on-board and post-release mortality of bycaught marine turtles that has until now been unaccounted for in trawl fisheries not equipped with turtle excluder devices.