Skyrmion-Excited Spin-Wave Fractal Networks.

Magnetic skyrmions exhibit unique, technologically relevant pseudo-particle behaviors which arise from their topological protection, including well-defined, 3D dynamic modes that occur at microwave frequencies. During dynamic excitation, spin waves are ejected into the interstitial regions between skyrmions, creating the magnetic equivalent of a turbulent sea. However, since the spin waves in these systems have a well-defined length scale, and the skyrmions are on an ordered lattice, ordered structures from spin-wave interference can precipitate from the chaos. This work uses small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) to capture the dynamics in hybrid skyrmions and investigate the spin-wave structure. Performing simultaneous ferromagnetic resonance and SANS, the diffraction pattern shows a large increase in low-angle scattering intensity, which is present only in the resonance condition. This scattering pattern is best fit using a mass fractal model, which suggests the spin waves form a long-range fractal network. The fractal structure is constructed of fundamental units with a size that encodes the spin-wave emissions and are constrained by the skyrmion lattice. These results offer critical insights into the nanoscale dynamics of skyrmions, identify a new dynamic spin-wave fractal structure, and demonstrate SANS as a unique tool to probe high-speed dynamics.

Déjà vu: a reappraisal of the taphonomy of quarry VM4 of the Early Pleistocene site of Venta Micena (Baza Basin, SE Spain).

Venta Micena, an Early Pleistocene site of the Baza Basin (SE Spain), preserves a rich and diverse assemblage of large mammals. VM3, the main excavation quarry of the site, has been interpreted as a den of the giant hyaena Pachycrocuta brevirostris in the plain that surrounded the Baza palaeolake. Taphonomic analysis of VM3 has shown that the hyaenas scavenged the prey previously hunted by the hypercarnivores, transported their remains to the communal den, and consumed the skeletal parts according to their marrow contents and mineral density. In a recent paper (Luzón et al. in Sci Rep 11:13977, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-93261-1 , 2021), a small sample of remains unearthed from VM4, an excavation quarry ~ 350 m distant from VM3, is analysed. The authors indicate several differences in the taphonomic features of this assemblage with VM3, and even suggest that a different carnivore could have been the agent involved in the bone accumulation process. Here, we make a comparative analysis of both quarries and analyse more skeletal remains from VM4. Our results indicate that the assemblages are broadly similar in composition, except for slight differences in the frequency of megaherbivores, carnivores and equids according to NISP values (but not to MNI counts), the degree of bone weathering, and the intensity of bone processing by the hyaenas. Given that VM4 and VM3 were not coeval denning areas of P. brevirostris, these differences suggest that during the years when the skeletal remains were accumulated by the hyaenas at VM3, the rise of the water table of the Baza palaeolake that capped with limestone the bones was delayed compared to VM4, which resulted in their more in-depth consumption by the hyaenas.

Direct Demonstration of Topological Stability of Magnetic Skyrmions via Topology Manipulation.

Topological protection precludes a continuous deformation between topologically inequivalent configurations in a continuum. Motivated by this concept, magnetic skyrmions, topologically nontrivial spin textures, are expected to exhibit topological stability, thereby offering a prospect as a nanometer-scale nonvolatile information carrier. In real materials, however, atomic spins are configured as not continuous but discrete distributions, which raises a fundamental question if the topological stability is indeed preserved for real magnetic skyrmions. Answering this question necessitates a direct comparison between topologically nontrivial and trivial spin textures, but the direct comparison in one sample under the same magnetic fields has been challenging. Here we report how to selectively achieve either a skyrmion state or a topologically trivial bubble state in a single specimen and thereby experimentally show how robust the skyrmion structure is in comparison with the bubbles. We demonstrate that topologically nontrivial magnetic skyrmions show longer lifetimes than trivial bubble structures, evidencing the topological stability in a real discrete system. Our work corroborates the physical importance of the topology in the magnetic materials, which has hitherto been suggested by mathematical arguments, providing an important step toward ever-dense and more-stable magnetic devices.

The earliest cut marks of Europe: a discussion on hominin subsistence patterns in the Orce sites (Baza basin, SE Spain).

Ancient evidence of human presence in Europe is recorded in several Early Pleistocene archaeopalaeontological sites from Spain, France and Italy. This is the case of Barranco León (BL) and Fuente Nueva-3 (FN-3), two localities placed near the town of Orce (depression of Baza and Guadix, SE Spain) and dated to ~1.4 Ma. At these sites, huge assemblages of Oldowan tools and evidence of defleshing, butchering and marrow processing of large mammal bones have been recovered together with a deciduous tooth of Homo sp. in the case of level BL-D. In this study, we: (i) describe in detail the anthropic marks found in the bone assemblages from these sites; (ii) analyse patterns of defleshment, butchery and marrow processing, based on the modifications identified in the cortical surface of the fossils; and (iii) discuss on the subsistence strategies of the first hominins that inhabited the European subcontinent during Early Pleistocene times.

Experimental Demonstration of Hyperbolic Metamaterial Assisted Illumination Nanoscopy.

An optical metamaterial is capable of manipulating light in nanometer scale that goes beyond what is possible with conventional materials. Taking advantage of this special property, metamaterial-assisted illumination nanoscopy (MAIN) possesses tremendous potential to extend the resolution far beyond conventional structured illumination microscopy. Among the available MAIN designs, hyperstructured illumination that utilizes strong dispersion of a hyperbolic metamaterial (HMM) is one of the most promising and practical approaches, but it is only theoretically studied. In this paper, we experimentally demonstrate the concept of hyperstructured illumination. A ∼80 nm resolution has been achieved in a well-known Ag/SiO2 multilayer HMM system by using a low numerical aperture objective (NA = 0.5), representing a 6-fold resolution enhancement of the diffraction limit. The resolution can be significantly improved by further material optimization.

Age-adjusted D-dimer for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis.

Objective In the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis, new D-dimer cut-off values were defined by multiplying 10 µg/L × age. The objective of the present study is to define a more specific age-adjusted value, including the pre-test Wells score, without worsening sensitivity. Methods We designed a case-control study in patients attended in the emergency department with clinically suspected deep vein thrombosis. Demographics, Wells score, D-dimer and ultrasound data were collected. In low and intermediate clinical probability cases for deep vein thrombosis, we determined the specificity and sensitivity (false-negative rates) for the following cut-off values of D-dimer: age × 10 µg/L, age × 15 µg/L, age × 20 µg/L, age × 25 µg/L and age × 30 µg/L. The cut-off value with maximum specificity without any false-negative result (sensitivity 100%) was identified. Results We included 138 consecutive patients, 39.9% were men and the mean age was 71.6 years. Deep vein thrombosis was diagnosed in 16.7% of patients and the Wells score was low in 69.6%, intermediate in 21% and high in 9.4% of patients. Applying the conventional cut-off value of 500 µg/L, the specificity was 21.1% with a sensitivity of 100%. Maintaining 100% sensitivity, the highest specificity was reached with a cut-off value for D-dimer equivalent to the age × 25 µg/L in low-risk patients (67.1% specificity) and the age × 10 µg/L (50% specificity) in intermediate-risk patients. Conclusions In patients with low Wells score, the cut-off value can be raised to age × 25 µg/L in order to rule out deep vein thrombosis without jeopardizing safety. In intermediate-risk patients, the D-dimer cut-off value could be raised to age × 10 µg/L as previously suggested.

Electronic Metamaterials with Tunable Second-order Optical Nonlinearities.

The ability to engineer metamaterials with tunable nonlinear optical properties is crucial for nonlinear optics. Traditionally, metals have been employed to enhance nonlinear optical interactions through field localization. Here, inspired by the electronic properties of materials, we introduce and demonstrate experimentally an asymmetric metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) metamaterial that exhibits a large and electronically tunable effective second-order optical susceptibility (χ(2)). The induced χ(2) originates from the interaction between the third-order optical susceptibility of the semiconductor (χ(3)) with the engineered internal electric field resulting from the two metals possessing dissimilar work function at its interfaces. We demonstrate a five times larger second-harmonic intensity from the MSM metamaterial, compared to contributions from its constituents with electrically tunable nonlinear coefficient ranging from 2.8 to 15.6 pm/V. Spatial patterning of one of the metals on the semiconductor demonstrates tunable nonlinear diffraction, paving the way for all-optical spatial signal processing with space-invariant and -variant nonlinear impulse response.

A Preliminary Randomized Clinical Trial on the Effect of Cervicothoracic Manipulation Plus Supervised Exercises vs a Home Exercise Program for the Treatment of Shoulder Impingement.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in pain, disability, and range of movement after cervicothoracic manipulation plus exercise therapy in individuals with unilateral shoulder impingement syndrome. METHODS: Forty-one patients (30 men, 11 women; aged 47 ± 9) diagnosed with unilateral shoulder impingement syndrome attended 10 sessions for 5 weeks (2 sessions/wk). Eligible patients were randomly allocated to 2 study groups: cervicothoracic manipulation plus exercise therapy (n = 21) or home exercise program (n = 20). The outcomes measures included the visual analog scale (VAS); the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score; Shoulder Disability Questionnaire; subacromial impingement syndrome (Hawkins-Kennedy Test and Neer Test); and shoulder active range of motion (movements of flexion, extension, rotation, adduction, and abduction). Assessments were applied at baseline and 24 hours after completing 5 weeks of related interventions. RESULTS: After 5 weeks of treatment significant between-group differences were observed in the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score (P = .012); however, no statistically significant differences were achieved for Shoulder Disability Questionnaire (P = .061) and pain intensity (P = .859). Both groups improved with regard to disability and clinical tests for detecting subacromial impingement syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: This clinical trial suggests that cervicothoracic manipulative treatment with mobilization plus exercise therapy may improve intensity of pain and range of motion compared with the home exercise group alone; the home exercise group had significant changes for flexion, extension, adduction, and abduction, but not for external and internal rotation movement in patients with shoulder impingement.

Streamlined approach to mapping the magnetic induction of skyrmionic materials.

Recently, Lorentz transmission electron microscopy (LTEM) has helped researchers advance the emerging field of magnetic skyrmions. These magnetic quasi-particles, composed of topologically non-trivial magnetization textures, have a large potential for application as information carriers in low-power memory and logic devices. LTEM is one of a very few techniques for direct, real-space imaging of magnetic features at the nanoscale. For Fresnel-contrast LTEM, the transport of intensity equation (TIE) is the tool of choice for quantitative reconstruction of the local magnetic induction through the sample thickness. Typically, this analysis requires collection of at least three images. Here, we show that for uniform, thin, magnetic films, which includes many skyrmionic samples, the magnetic induction can be quantitatively determined from a single defocused image using a simplified TIE approach.

Propuesta de un programa de vigilancia ambiental y de salud para trabajadores con exposición a agentes químicos en fundiciones de cobre en Chile / Environmental and health surveillance program proposal for workers exposed to chemical agents in copper smelters in Chile

RESUMEN El presente trabajo tiene por objetivo proponer un programa de vigilancia ambiental y de salud para trabajadores expuestos a agentes químicos en fundiciones de cobre. La metodología fue en base a revisión bibliográfica en inglés y en español, búsqueda manual dirigida y criterio de expertos por medio de entrevistas cualitativas no estructuradas. El proceso de búsqueda se dividió en dos etapas, la primera orientada a responder dos preguntas relacionadas al estado del arte de programas preventivos de exposición y, la segunda, relacionada a búsqueda de referencias orientada a la vigilancia ambiental y de la salud en el trabajo. Se seleccionaron artículos científicos, donde se identificaron protocolos, normas, estándares y documentos de diversas organizaciones para la vigilancia ambiental y de la salud, desde los cuales se realizó una nueva búsqueda manual dirigida, sustentada por la directrices señaladas por expertos de las áreas de Higiene y Salud Ocupacional que colaboraron en el diseño del programa. Como resulado, los puntos más importantes fueron la identificación, evaluación y control de los agentes en contacto con los trabajadores como As, Hg, Pb, SO2, SiO2, Cd, Cr, Zn y Cu; propuesta de los niveles de riesgo y exposición en base a la presencia y el contacto de los contaminantes; se determinaron los niveles de acción para la vigilan cia ambiental y de la salud en niveles de 1 a 5; y finalmente los exámenes médicos y su periodicidad.

ABSTRACT This work aims to propose an environmental and health surveillance program for workers exposed to chemical agents in copper foundry. The methodology was based on a bibliographical review in English and Spanish, directed manual search and expert judgment through unstructured qualitative interviews. The search process was divided into two stages; the first one aimed answering two questions related to the state of the art of preventive exposure programs, and the second, related to reference search aimed at environmental monitoring and health at work. Scientific articles were selected, where protocols, norms, standards and documents from various organizations for environmental and health surveillance were identified, from which a new manual search was conducted, supported by the guidelines indicated by experts from the areas of Hygiene And Occupational Health that collaborated in the design of the program. As a result, the most important points were the identification, evaluation and control of agents in contact with workers such as As, Hg, Pb, SO2, SiO2, Cd, Cr, Zn and Cu; Proposal of risk and exposure levels based on the presence and contact of pollutants; the levels of action for environmental and health surveillance were determined at levels 1 to 5; And finally the medical examinations and their periodicity.

Age and date for early arrival of the Acheulian in Europe (Barranc de la Boella, la Canonja, Spain).

The first arrivals of hominin populations into Eurasia during the Early Pleistocene are currently considered to have occurred as short and poorly dated biological dispersions. Questions as to the tempo and mode of these early prehistoric settlements have given rise to debates concerning the taxonomic significance of the lithic assemblages, as trace fossils, and the geographical distribution of the technological traditions found in the Lower Palaeolithic record. Here, we report on the Barranc de la Boella site which has yielded a lithic assemblage dating to ∼1 million years ago that includes large cutting tools (LCT). We argue that distinct technological traditions coexisted in the Iberian archaeological repertoires of the late Early Pleistocene age in a similar way to the earliest sub-Saharan African artefact assemblages. These differences between stone tool assemblages may be attributed to the different chronologies of hominin dispersal events. The archaeological record of Barranc de la Boella completes the geographical distribution of LCT assemblages across southern Eurasia during the EMPT (Early-Middle Pleistocene Transition, circa 942 to 641 kyr). Up to now, chronology of the earliest European LCT assemblages is based on the abundant Palaeolithic record found in terrace river sequences which have been dated to the end of the EMPT and later. However, the findings at Barranc de la Boella suggest that early LCT lithic assemblages appeared in the SW of Europe during earlier hominin dispersal episodes before the definitive colonization of temperate Eurasia took place.

The oldest human fossil in Europe, from Orce (Spain).

The Orce region has one of the best late Pliocene and early Pleistocene continental paleobiological records of Europe. It is situated in the northeastern sector of the intramontane Guadix-Baza Basin (Granada, Andalusia, southern Spain). Here we describe a new fossil hominin tooth from the site of Barranco León, dated between 1.02 and 1.73 Ma (millions of years ago) by Electron Spin Resonance (ESR), which, in combination with paleomagnetic and biochronologic data, is estimated to be close to 1.4 Ma. While the range of dates obtained from these various methods overlaps with those published for the Sima del Elefante hominin locality (1.2 Ma), the overwhelming majority of evidence points to an older age. Thus, at the moment, the Barranco León hominin is the oldest from Western Europe.

The association between metabolic syndrome and colorectal neoplasm: systemic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: There has been constant speculation about the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and colorectal neoplasia (CN); however, the published results are conflicting. The aims of this study are to conduct a systematic search, and assess the literature to determine the available evidence on the association between these two conditions. METHODS: Meta-analysis was conducted based on relevant studies identified through a systematic literature review from PubMed, OvidSP, and Cochrane database during January 1980 to July 2011. A combined analysis was performed, followed by a subgroup analyses stratified by the study design, type of colorectal lesions, and sex. Publication bias was assessed using the Begg and Egger tests and visual inspection of funnel plot. RESULTS: Eighteen studies were included in the final analysis. Overall, MetS was associated with 34% increase in the risk of CN [summary relative risk (RR), 1.34; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.24-1.44]. The association between MetS and CN was found to be statistically significant in separate analysis for both case-control studies (summary RR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.44-1.73) and cohort studies (summary RR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.13-1.29). The association remained significant when analyses were restricted by type of colorectal lesions (colorectal cancer: RR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.18-1.43; colorectal adenoma: RR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.26-1.49). Further subgroup analysis by sex showed significant association between MetS and CN in both male and female population. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis showed significant association between presence of MetS and CN. These results may help in identifying high-risk individuals at early stage, who might benefit from targeted colorectal cancer screening intervention.

Criterios de derivación entre niveles asistenciales de pacientes con patología vascular. Documento de consenso semFYC-SEACV / Criteria for between-care-level referrals of patients with vascular disease. semFYC-SEACV consensus document

La Sociedad Española de Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria (semFYC) y la Sociedad Española de Angiología y Cirugía Vascular (SEACV) han elaborado, mediante un grupo de trabajo conjunto, un documento de derivación entre niveles asistenciales de los pacientes con las principales patologías vasculares: enfermedad arterial periférica, insuficiencia venosa y pie diabético. Se han definido las responsabilidades y habilidades requeridas de cada nivel asistencial y también los criterios de derivación mutua, así como los de priorización. La elaboración de este documento consensuado pretende aportar una herramienta eficiente que asegure la continuidad en la asistencia sanitaria, respetando siempre las particularidades y necesidades específicas de cada zona sanitaria(AU)

The Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine (semFYC) and the Spanish Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery (SEACV), through a Joint Working Group, have prepared a document on between care-level referrals of patients with the main vascular diseases; peripheral arterial disease, venous insufficiency, and diabetic foot. The responsibilities and skills required at each care level have been defined, as well as the criteria for mutual referral and how to prioritise them. The preparation of this consensus document attempt to provide an efficient tool that may ensure the continuity of health care, always respecting the specific characteristics and needs of each health care area(AU)

[Criteria for between-care-level referrals of patients with vascular disease. semFYC-SEACV consensus document]. / Criterios de derivación entre niveles asistenciales de pacientes con patología vascular. Documento de consenso semFYC-SEACV.

The Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine (semFYC) and the Spanish Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery (SEACV), through a Joint Working Group, have prepared a document on between care-level referrals of patients with the main vascular diseases; peripheral arterial disease, venous insufficiency, and diabetic foot. The responsibilities and skills required at each care level have been defined, as well as the criteria for mutual referral and how to prioritise them. The preparation of this consensus document attempt to provide an efficient tool that may ensure the continuity of health care, always respecting the specific characteristics and needs of each health care area.

Comparación de las actitudes y hábitos de consumo de hortalizas entre una comunidad que tiene y otra que no tiene fitotoldos de la provincia de Huancavelica, 2008 / Comparison of the attitudes and habits of consumption of vegetables among a community that have and one that does not have greenhouses of the province of Huancavelica, 2008

Objetivo: Comparar las actitudes y hábitos de consumo de hortalizas entre una comunidad que tiene y otra que no tiene fitotoldos de la provincia de Huancavelica. Metodología: Estudio cuali-cuantitativo, descriptivo-comparativo, de tipo transversal, realizado en 52 familias altoandinas de la provincia de Huancavelica, 26 familias de la Comunidad Campesina de Cachillallas y 26 familias altoandinas de la Comunidad Campesina de La Escalera, a la muestra se le aplicó una encuesta de frecuencia de consumo de hortalizas y para el aspecto cualitativo se realizaron entrevistas grupales. Los datos cuantitativos fueron ingresados y procesados mediante los programas SPSS versión 11.01 y Microsoft Office Excel. Resultados: Las variedades de hortalizas que consumieron ambas comunidades fue la misma, pero la comunidad de La Escalera consumió mayor cantidad al día. Las familias de La Escalera obtienen sus hortalizas mediante huertos familiares, mientras que la comunidad de Cachillallas las obtienen mediante los fitotoldos y los huertos. En La Escalera, el gasto en hortalizas fue un promedio semanal de 14.10 nuevos soles; y en Cachillallas el gasto fue de un promedio mensual de 6.80 nuevos soles. En La Escalera tan sólo pueden mantener sus huertos durante la temporada de lluvia, ello limita la cantidad de hortalizas que se pueden cosechar, el crecimiento de las hortalizas es lento en comparación con los fitotoldos, por ello existe escasa producción de hortalizas. Los fitotoldos ya llevan alrededor de 5 a 7 años de vigencia, la importancia de estos es que les ayuda a aumentar la disponibilidad de hortalizas, el crecimiento de las hortalizas es más intenso debido a que cuenta con mayor protección, aumenta su consumo, el gasto disminuye y poseen hortalizas de mejor calidad. Conclusiones: Las actitudes de los padres son muy importantes en la formación de los hábitos alimentarios de sus hijos, en ambas comunidades obligan a sus niños a comer las hortalizas...