Broadband Enhancement of Magneto-Optical Effects in Hybrid Waveguide-Plasmonic Surfaces for Sensing.

Conventional magnetophotonic nanostructures typically function within narrow wavelength and incident angle ranges, where resonance is observed and magneto-optical (MO) effects are amplified. Expanding these operational ranges may allow for improved applications, including in (bio)sensing devices. In this study, we describe a hybrid magnetoplasmonic waveguide grating (HMPWG) in which the coupling of plasmonic resonances and waveguide modes leads to enhanced MO effects and sensitivity, according to full-wave electromagnetic simulations. High transverse magneto-optical Kerr effect (TMOKE) signals were observed for the full range of wavelengths and angles investigated, i.e., for θinc ≥ 1° and 500 nm ≤ λ ≤ 850 nm. As a proof-of-concept we verified that using the HMPWG nanostructure with an aqueous solution as superstrate one may obtain a sensitivity in variation of the refractive index unit (RIU) of S = 166°/RIU and S = 230 nm/RIU in angle and wavelength interrogation modes, respectively. Upon comparing with conventional magnetoplasmonic gratings, which only enable excitation of plasmonic resonances, we demonstrate that HMPWG nanostructures can be further optimized to reach not only high sensitivity but also high resolution in sensing and biosensing.

Toward Machine-Learning-Accelerated Design of All-Dielectric Magnetophotonic Nanostructures.

All-dielectric magnetophotonic nanostructures are promising for integrated nanophotonic devices with high resolution and sensitivity, but their design requires computationally demanding electromagnetic simulations evaluated through trial and error. In this paper, we propose a machine-learning approach to accelerate the design of these nanostructures. Using a data set of 12 170 samples containing four geometric parameters of the nanostructure and the incidence wavelength, trained neural network and polynomial regression algorithms were capable of predicting the amplitude of the transverse magneto-optical Kerr effect (TMOKE) within a time frame of 10-3 s and mean square error below 4.2%. With this approach, one can readily identify nanostructures suitable for sensing at ultralow analyte concentrations in aqueous solutions. As a proof of principle, we used the machine-learning models to determine the sensitivity (S = |Δθres/Δna|) of a nanophotonic grating, which is competitive with state-of-the-art systems and exhibits a figure of merit of 672 RIU-1. Furthermore, researchers can use the predictions of TMOKE peaks generated by the algorithms to assess the suitability for experimental setups, adding a layer of utility to the machine-learning methodology.

Comparación Morfométrica de Esqueletos Transparentados de Cuatro Especies de Roedores Myomorfos / Morphometric Comparison of Transparent Skeletons of Four Species of Myomorphic Rodents

Las técnicas de doble tinción y transparentación se han usado desde 1897, pero su utilidad ha sido poco explorada en los estudios anatómicos de micromamíferos adultos. No obstante, la combinación de estas técnicas con el análisis alométrico mutivariado posibilita el estudio de esqueletos poscraneales articulados de tales grupos de micromamíferos como los roedores, los cuales son muy limitados ya que casi siempre se enfocan en los cráneos. En este estudio, analizamos y comparamos la morfometría del esqueleto de Neotomodon alstoni con la de Meriones unguiculatus, Phodopus campbelli y Rattus norvegicus. Usamos la técnica de doble tinción y transparentación para analizar las relaciones morfométricas entre estos roedores utilizando sesenta caracteres esqueléticos. Se encontró que tres especies comparten dos correlaciones comunes y compartieron el mismo tipo de crecimiento isométrico en una de ellas; además se encontraron similitudes aparentes entre los patrones de la morfometría de P campbelli con el patrón de osificación descrito para la especie relacionada Mesocricetus auratus. Las diferencias en el crecimiento alométrico pueden representar también diferencias en el ritmo de desarrollo de acuerdo con el tipo de historia de vida de cada especie. Aquí demostramos que tanto la técnica de preparación como el método de análisis morfométricos son herramientas poderosas pero simples, para realizar estudios anatómicos y morfológicos en el laboratorio. Nuestros resultados reflejan las condiciones del desarrollo ontogenético derivados delpropio patrón de heterocronía para cada especie, y además representan la historia evolutiva de este grupo analizado. Sin embargo, consideramos que es deseable más investigación.

SUMMARY: Clearing and staining techniques have been present since 1897, However, their use in anatomical studies of adult micromammals has been limited. When using such techniques in combination with allometric method, it is possible to study articulated skeletons of micromammals, instead of relying only on the skulls, which is important in morphologically complicated groups as the rodents. Research involving multivariate allometric analysis of postcranial skeleton of rodents has been limited and confined to specific items. In this study, we analyzed and compared the morphometry of the skeleton of Neotomodon alstoni with that of Meriones unguiculatus, Phodopus campbelli and Rattus norvegicus. We applied the double staining and clearing technique in order to determine the morphometric relation between these rodents using sixty skeletal characters. We found that three species share two common correlations and one isometric, with apparent similarities between the morphometry patterns of P campbelli with the ossification pattern described for the related species Mesocricetus auratus. The differences in allometric growth could represent differences in the development stages according to the type of life history for each species. In this analysis we confirmed that both the preparation technique and morphometric analysis method, are simple yet verifiable tools for anatomical and morphological studies. Our results reflect the conditions of ontogenetic development derived from the heterochrony pattern for each species, representing the evolutionary history for this group. Therefore, as this approach continues to be discussed, ongoing research is warranted.

Exploring research on ecotechnology through artificial intelligence and bibliometric maps.

Ecotechnology, quintessential for crafting sustainable socio-environmental strategies, remains tantalizingly uncharted. Our analysis, steered by the nuances of machine learning and augmented by bibliometric insights, delineates the expansive terrain of this domain, elucidates pivotal research themes and conundrums, and discerns the vanguard nations in this field. Furthermore, we deftly connect our discoveries to the United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, thereby accentuating the profound societal ramifications of ecotechnology.

El estudio de los efectos de la modalidad lingüística en el léxico mental / The study of the effects of linguistic modality on the mental lexicon

Resumen El estudio se cuestiona sobre un abordaje fructífero en el estudio de los efectos de la modalidad lingüística (de señas versus oral) en la organización de la memoria semántica. Para responder la pregunta de investigación, un aspecto central es definir criterios y procedimientos capaces de distinguir entre los factores transportados por la modalidad lingüística de los que le son propios. Entre los primeros, se encuentran la edad de exposición a la lengua natural y su distribución funcional, etaria o geográfica. Entre los aspectos propios de la modalidad se incluyen la iconicidad y el grado de concreción/abstracción de las piezas léxicas. Se sugiere centrarse en el uso de dicho gradiente para evocar dominios conceptuales. Si lo concreto/abstracto es un continuo, entonces hay que preguntarse qué forma de organización es predominante en el léxico mental de las poblaciones señantes u oyentes y qué factores modulan el perfil de esa organización.

Abstract The efforts to understand the relationship of the meaning of a lexical piece to the object to which it refers, the relationship between the lexical pieces and the concepts, and the understanding of the meanings shared between two speakers who use the same lexical pieces have all constituted major problems for the semantic memory models. According to contemporary literature, perceptual-motor, linguistic, and social information have different weights in the formation of concepts, whether concrete or abstract, stored in the aforementioned memory. Regardless of the models developed so far, it is interesting to note that semantic knowledge is represented by various ways of relating the concepts and the types of relationships between them. In this context, studies in sign languages and comparative studies between spoken and sign languages are scarce. Thus, little is known about the effect of linguistic modality on the semantic networks. After all, the theory on semantic networks and norms for the production of features has been grounded on theories of language and its processing adjusted to spoken languages. As the incorporation of the sign language and the Deaf population has shown in other psycholinguistic and linguistic topics, the importance of including these languages and populations, and comparatives with spoken languages, might increase the explanatory power of the theory to account for the universal and contextual aspects of language and its processing. In this effort, there is a latent risk: the linguistic modality can be only a vehicle for more well-known or studied cross-modal variables (e. g., age of acquisition, functional distribution of language, size of the available lexicon, etc.). If it is considered that languages are not stored together, but similar processes can occur in them, it is essential to find out what may be a singular feature of each modality (spoken versus sign) that might ground differentiated processes. Considering the high iconicity of the sign languages and the possibility of a high concreteness of the lexical pieces in the sign language as distinctive features -not collapsible into well-known variables such as the aforementioned-, this article suggests a careful approach to avoid the aforementioned risk in the study of the effects of the linguistic modality (sign versus oral) in the organization of semantic memory. Since perceptual-motor and social information are the main sources of iconicity, a balanced instrument is necessary in the evocation of perceptual-motor, social, and linguistic information. Repeated free word association tasks seem like an appropriate paradigm for a suggested approach. The reasons for this are that, by not censoring the types of response, then free association tasks allow capturing all kinds of concepts (concrete or abstract), all kinds of semantic relationships/organization (paradigmatic versus thematic) and all kinds of processes (comparison versus interaction). This type of task therefore makes it possible to collect meanings related to linguistic information and non-linguistic experience because affective and experiential information is accessible by doing the task in different repetitions. The approach and the tool are exemplified by an ongoing comparative study between Deaf signing and hearing populations. The partial findings of this study also serve to focus on the expected effects of the difference in iconicity and the level of concreteness/abstractness of the lexical pieces of each linguistic modality; namely, the differences between an abstract and a concrete conceptualization of the conceptual domains. Taxonomic and introspective labels might appear as indicative of paradigmatic relationships, of a taxonomic organization, and of underlying comparison processes. On the other hand, the situational and entity labels, indicative of syntagmatic relationships, of a thematic organization and of underlying interaction processes, might suggest a predominantly concrete organization.

El valor de la acupuntura en la práctica de la medicina tradicional complementaria en el sector salud de México / The value of acupuncture in the practice of complementary traditional medicine in Mexico's health sector

Introduction: Complementary traditional medicine acquires an essential value from the diversity and pluralism of care and therapy. In this logic, it is up to people to search for alternatives when it comes to caring for and improving their own health. Specifically, acupuncture has had rapid growth, largely due to processes derived from globalization, migration and cultural exchange, which in some way force countries to modify their health system towards one that takes into account the transculturality of its population and treatment preferences. Development: With the establishment of a comprehensive health model, physicians can assess the person as a homeodynamic process (information exchange process between environment and man, to keep an internal and external homeostasis to the individual) and pandimensional (spiritual and energetic care) that allows to identify the health problem's origin and thus determine an intervention more in line with the person's needs during the health-disease, life-death processes, with the corresponding conventional or non-conventional therapy. Conclusions: The value and interest of acupuncture in the population derives from the degree of development of a country, its origin and the incorporation of the West as part of the diagnostic and therapeutic arsenal, in order to respond to the population needs by incorporating low-cost complementary treatments with proven effectiveness, without ceasing to consider its unquestionable cultural heritage.

Introducción: la medicina tradicional complementaria adquiere un valor imprescindible desde la diversidad y el pluralismo de la asistencia y la terapéutica. En esa lógica, corresponde a las personas la búsqueda social de alternativas cuando se trata de atender y mejorar la propia salud. En específico la acupuntura ha tenido un rápido crecimiento, en gran parte debido a la globalización, la migración y el intercambio cultural, que de alguna forma obligan a los países a modificar su sistema de salud hacia uno que tome en cuenta la transculturalidad de su población y las preferencias de tratamiento. Desarrollo: con el establecimiento de un modelo de salud integral, los médicos pueden valorar a la persona como un proceso homeodinámico (intercambio de información entre el ambiente y el hombre para mantener una homeostasis interna y externa del individuo) y pandimensional (cuidado espiritual y energético) que permita identificar el origen real del problema de salud y determinar una intervención más acorde a las necesidades de la persona durante los procesos de salud-enfermedad, de vida-muerte, con la terapia convencional o no convencional que corresponda. Conclusiones: el valor e interés de la acupuntura en la población se deriva del grado de desarrollo de un país, de su origen y de la incorporación de occidente como parte del arsenal diagnóstico y terapéutico, para responder a las necesidades de la población al incorporar tratamientos complementarios de bajo costo y con efectividad demostrada, y sin dejar de considerar su herencia cultural incuestionable.

Neighborhood Availability and Use of Food, Physical Activity, and Social Services Facilities in Relation to Overweight and Obesity in Children and Adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of a combined measure of availability and use of facilities from the food environment and overweight (including obesity) among schoolchildren, while taking into account the physical activity and social-assistance environments. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with a probabilistic sample of schoolchildren aged 7 to 14 years living in a southern Brazilian city (n = 2026). Multilevel analyses were performed with overweight as outcome and the food environment as main exposure. Models were adjusted for the physical activity and social-assistance environments, as well as individual and other residential neighborhood characteristics. RESULTS: Greater availability of restaurants around the home was associated with higher odds of overweight (odds ratio [OR] = 1.40; 95% CI = 1.06-1.85). Stronger associations were found for schoolchildren reporting to use restaurants (OR = 1.48; 95% CI = 1.15-1.90). This association remained significant after adjusting for the presence of other food retailers. Schoolchildren who had social-assistance facilities around their homes, but reported not to use them, showed consistently higher odds of being overweight (OR = 1.34; 95% CI = 1.01-1.78) as compared to schoolchildren who had these facilities near home and used them. The physical activity environment was not associated with the outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Availability and use of the food and social-assistance environments were significantly associated with overweight (including obesity) among the schoolchildren. Future research should consider the use of environmental facilities in combination to their geographical availability. Our results highlight the need for policies that limit the access to obesogenic food outlets by children and adolescents.

Magnetoplasmonic Nanoantennas for On-Chip Reconfigurable Optical Wireless Communications.

On-chip wireless communications require optical nanoantennas with dynamically tunable radiation patterns, which may allow for higher integration with multiple nanoantennas instead of two fixed nanoantennas in existing approaches. In this paper, we introduce a concept to enable active manipulation of radiated beam steering using applied magnetic fields. The proposed system consists of a highly directive Yagi-Uda-like arrangement of magnetoplasmonic nanoribs made of Co6Ag94 and immersed in SiO2. Numerical demonstration of the tilting of the radiated beam from the nanoantenna on its plane is provided with full-wave electromagnetic simulations using the finite element method. The tilt direction of the radiated beam can be changed by reversing the magnetization direction, while the conventional plasmonic nanoantenna pattern is recovered by demagnetizing the system. The geometry of the nanoantenna can be tailored to work at optical or infrared wavelengths, but a proof of concept for λ = 700 nm is conducted for taking advantage of the high magneto-optical activity of Co6Ag94. The design was based on experimental data for materials that can be fabricated via nanolithography, thus permitting magnetically on-chip reconfigurable optical wireless communications.

Drying of soybean seeds and effect on protein quality and oil extraction efficiency by extruding-expelling process

Soybean seeds (Glycine max) were dried under real scale conditions to different final moisture content (m.c.) (9.1, 9.7, 10.9 %, and control with 16.2 %) and processed through extruding-expelling. Results indicated that soybean seed m.c. affected the composition of the soybean expeller and, thus, the oil extraction efficiency (OEE), which increased as the seed m.c. decreased. A polynomic model was proposed for predicting OEE as a function of soybean m.c., indicating that drying soybean to 10 % resulted in an OEE of approximately 65 %. A thin layer drying experiment of soybean seeds indicated that the protein dispersibility index (PDI) was not affected as regards drying air temperatures up to approximately 69 °C, and a bi-linear model with a non-pre-established break point was fitted. The real scale drying treatment in a rack type dryer (mixed flow) did not show any effect (p > 0.05) on the PDI at 80 °C, while at 115 °C a reduction (p < 0.05) was observed (PDI reduction was 0.8 and 2.1 percentage points, respectively).(AU)

Proximal hyperspectral analysis in grape leaves for region and variety identification / Análise hiperespectral proximal em folhas de videiras para identificação de regiões e variedades

Reflectance measurements of plants of the same species can produce sets of data with differences between spectra, due to factors that can be external to the plant, like the environment where the plant grows, and to internal factors, for measurements of different varieties. This paper reports results of the analysis of radiometric measurements performed on leaves of vines of several grape varieties and on several sites. The objective of the research was, after the application of techniques of dimensionality reduction for the definition of the most relevant wavelengths, to evaluate four machine learning models applied to the observational sample aiming to discriminate classes of region and variety in vineyards. The tested machine learning classification models were Canonical Discrimination Analysis (CDA), Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LGBM), Random Forest (RF), and Support Vector Machine (SVM). From the results, we reported that the LGBM model obtained better accuracy in spectral discrimination by region, with a value the 0.93, followed by the RF model. Regarding the discrimination between grape varieties, these two models also achieved better results, with accuracies of 0.88 and 0.89. The wavelengths more relevant for discrimination were at ultraviolet, followed by those at blue and green spectral regions. This research pointed toward the importance of defining the wavelengths more relevant to the characterization of the reflectance spectra of leaves of grape varieties and revealed the effective capability of discriminating vineyards by their region or grape variety, using machine learning models.

Medições de refletância de plantas da mesma espécie podem produzir conjuntos de dados com diferenças entre os espectros, devido a fatores que podem ser externos à planta, como o ambiente onde a planta cresce, e fatores internos, para medições com variedades de plantas. Este artigo reporta resultados da análise de medições por espectrorradiometria efetuadas em folhas de vinhas de variedades e em diferentes localidades. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi, após a aplicação de técnicas de redução de dimensionalidade para a definição dos comprimentos de onda mais relevantes, avaliar quatro modelos de aprendizado de máquina aplicados à amostra observacional visando discriminar classes de região e variedade. Os modelos de classificação de aprendizado de máquina testados foram Canonical Discrimination Analysis (CDA), Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LGBM), Random Forest (RF) e Support Vector Machine (SVM). A partir dos resultados, relatamos que o modelo LGBM obteve melhor acurácia na discriminação espectral por região, com valor de 0,93, seguido pelo modelo RF. Relativamente à discriminação entre castas, estes dois modelos também obtiveram melhores resultados, com acurácias de 0,88 e 0,89. Os comprimentos de onda mais importantes para as discriminações procuradas estiveram na região do ultravioleta, seguidos do azul e do verde. Este trabalho aponta para a importância de detectar os comprimentos de onda mais relevantes para a caracterização dos espectros de reflectância das folhas de variedades de vinhas, e revela a capacidade efetiva de discriminar vinhedos por suas regiões ou variedades, usando modelos de aprendizado de máquina.

Magnetically Tunable Micro-Ring Resonators for Massive Magneto-Optical Modulation in Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing Systems.

We demonstrate, numerically, a new concept for on-chip magneto-optical (MO) modulation in dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) applications. Our idea uses materials and mechanisms that are compatible with current silicon-on-insulator fabrication and CMOS technologies for monolithic integration. The physics behind our idea stems in the exploitation of the enhanced MO activity of a micro-ring, made of cerium substituted yttrium iron garnet (Ce:YIG) material, to actively manipulate the resonance wavelengths of an adjacent micro-ring resonator (MRR) of silicon (Si). This active manipulation of the latter MO-MRR structure is used to modulate the optical signal traveling through a side-coupled Si bus waveguide. Moreover, by proper tailoring multiple MO-MRRs (side-coupled to the single Si bus waveguide) to match wavelength channels in DWDM across the entire C-band optical communications spectrum, we extend our proposal to massive and dynamic MO modulation in DWDM applications. Significantly, we noticed that the active MO shifting of the resonant wavelength (used for MO modulation here) can be used for improvements in the spectrum utilization efficiency in future elastic optical networks (EONs).

Design of Plasmonic Yagi-Uda Nanoantennas for Chip-Scale Optical Wireless Communications.

Optical wireless transmission has recently become a major cutting-edge alternative for on-chip/inter-chip communications with higher transmission speeds and improved power efficiency. Plasmonic nanoantennas, the building blocks of this new nanoscale communication paradigm, require precise design to have directional radiation and improved communication ranges. Particular interest has been paid to plasmonic Yagi-Uda, i.e., the optical analog of the conventional Radio Frequency (RF) Yagi-Uda design, which may allow directional radiation of plasmonic fields. However, in contrast to the RF model, an overall design strategy for the directional and optimized front-to-back ratio of the radiated far-field patterns is lacking. In this work, a guide for the optimized design of Yagi-Uda plasmonic nanoantennas is shown. In particular, five different design conditions are used to study the effects of sizes and spacing between the constituent parts (made of Au). Importantly, it is numerically demonstrated (using the scattered fields) that closely spaced nanoantenna elements are not appropriated for directional light-to-plasmon conversion/radiation. In contrast, if the elements of the nanoantenna are widely spaced, the structure behaves like a one-dimensional array of nanodipoles, producing a funnel-like radiation pattern (not suitable for on-chip wireless optical transmission). Therefore, based on the results here, it can be concluded that the constituent metallic rib lengths must be optimized to exhibit the resonance at the working wavelength, whilst their separations should follow the relation λeff/π, where λeff indicates the effective wavelength scaling for plasmonic nanostructures.

Bulk Plasmon Polariton Modes in Hyperbolic Metamaterials for Giant Enhancement of the Transverse Magneto-Optical Kerr Effect.

We demonstrate a concept for the giant enhancement of the transverse magneto-optical Kerr effect (TMOKE) using bulk plasmon polariton (BPP) modes in non-magnetic multilayer hyperbolic metamaterials (HMMs). Since the BPP modes are excited through the attenuated total reflection (ATR) mechanism, using a Si-based prism-coupler, we considered a single dielectric magneto-optical (MO) spacer between the prism and the HMM. The working wavelength was estimated, using the effective medium approach for a semi-infinite dielectric-plasmonic multilayer, considering the region where the system exhibits type II HMM dispersion relations. Analytical results, by means of the scattering matrix method (SMM), were used to explain the physical principle behind our concept. Numerical results for giant TMOKE values (close to their maximum theoretical values, ±1) were obtained using the finite element method (FEM), applying the commercial software COMSOL Multiphysics. Our proposal comprises a simple and experimentally feasible structure that enables the study of MO phenomena in HMMs, which may find application in future nanostructured magnetoplasmonic metamaterials for active nanophotonic devices.

Optimization of Magnetoplasmonic ε-Near-Zero Nanostructures Using a Genetic Algorithm.

Magnetoplasmonic permittivity-near-zero (ε-near-zero) nanostructures hold promise for novel highly integrated (bio)sensing devices. These platforms merge the high-resolution sensing from the magnetoplasmonic approach with the ε-near-zero-based light-to-plasmon coupling (instead of conventional gratings or bulky prism couplers), providing a way for sensing devices with higher miniaturization levels. However, the applications are mostly hindered by tedious and time-consuming numerical analyses, due to the lack of an analytical relation for the phase-matching condition. There is, therefore, a need to develop mechanisms that enable the exploitation of magnetoplasmonic ε-near-zero nanostructures' capabilities. In this work, we developed a genetic algorithm (GA) for the rapid design (in a few minutes) of magnetoplasmonic nanostructures with optimized TMOKE (transverse magneto-optical Kerr effect) signals and magnetoplasmonic sensing. Importantly, to illustrate the power and simplicity of our approach, we designed a magnetoplasmonic ε-near-zero sensing platform with a sensitivity higher than 56∘/RIU and a figure of merit in the order of 102. These last results, higher than any previous magnetoplasmonic ε-near-zero sensing approach, were obtained by the GA intelligent program in times ranging from 2 to 5 min (using a simple inexpensive dual-core CPU computer).

Pericarditis Aguda asociada a infección por COVID-19 / Acute pericarditis associated with COVID-19 infection

RESUMEN La infección por el coronavirus de tipo 2 causante del síndrome respiratorio agudo grave (SARS-COV2, por sus siglas en inglés), ha sido asociada con múltiples manifestaciones cardiovasculares. El mecanismo por el cual el virus afecta el corazón es objeto de discusión; sin embargo, se ha planteado que el receptor de la enzima convertidora de angiotensina (ACE2) sirve como entrada directa del virus. Así mismo, un estado de inflamación mediado por una tormenta de citoquinas puede generar falla multiorgánica y explicar algunas manifestaciones cardíacas. Las principales asociaciones al sistema cardiovascular reportadas en la infección por COVID-19 son el síndrome coronario agudo, la falla cardiaca aguda, el choque cardiogénico y las arritmias. La pericarditis aguda es un síndrome inflamatorio de etiología principalmente viral, pero su relación con la infección por SARS-COV2 parece ser infrecuente, con pocos reportes en la literatura. Se presenta el caso de una paciente que desarrolló pericarditis concomitante a la infección por SARS-COV2.

SUMMARY Infection by coronavirus type 2 that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) has been associated with multiple cardiovascular manifestations. The mechanism by which the virus affects the heart is under discussion; however, it has been proposed that the angiotensinconverting enzyme 2 (ACE2) serves as a direct entry point for the virus; likewise, the state of inflammation mediated by cytokine storm can generate multiorgan failure, explaining some cardiac manifestations. The main associations to the cardiovascular system reported in COVID-19 infection are acute coronary syndrome, acute heart failure, cardiogenic shock and arrhythmias. Acute pericarditis is an inflammatory syndrome of mainly viral etiology, and its relationship to SARS-CoV-2 infection seems infrequent, with few reports in the literature. We present the case of a patient who developed pericarditis, concomitant with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Trends in non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Mortality in Brazil and its Macroregions / Tendências na Mortalidade por Câncer de Pele não Melanoma no Brasil e suas Macrorregiões / Tendencias de la Mortalidade por Cáncer de Piel no Melanoma em Brasil y sus Macrorregiones

Introduction: Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common among all malignancies. Objective: To describe trends in NMSC mortality rates in Brazil and its macroregions from 2001 to 2018. Method: Adjusted mortality rates stratified by sex were estimated and presented per 100,000 person-years. An autoregressive analysis was implemented to assess temporal trends, annual percent change (APC) and 95% Confidence Intervals (95% CI). Results: There were 27,550 NMSC deaths in Brazil with higher frequency in males (58.1%) and among individuals aged ≥70 years (64.3%). The overall rates were 2.25 (males) and 1.22 (females) per 100,000 person-years. The trends followed an upward direction in Brazil for males (APC: 2.91%; 95% CI: 1.96%; 3.86%) and females (APC: 3.51%; 95% CI: 2.68%; 4.34%). The same occurred in the North Region, in males (APC: 9.75%; 95% CI: 7.68%; 11.86%) and in females (APC: 10.38; 95% CI: 5.77%; 15.21%), as well as in Northeast Region, in males (APC: 9.98%; 95% CI: 5.59%; 14.57%) and in females (APC: 8.34%; 95% CI: 3.29%; 13.64%). Conclusion: NMSC deaths are not rare in Brazil. Upward mortality trends were observed for the whole country and in the North and Northeast regions, which are the closest to the Equator line and also the least developed socioeconomically. A synergism between different types of inequalities and environmental exposure in these macroregions may be promoting an increase in the number of NMSC deaths, a type of cancer which is considered completely preventable

Introdução: O câncer de pele não melanoma (CPNM) é o mais comum entre todas as malignidades. Objetivo: Descrever as tendências da mortalidade por CPNM no Brasil e nas suas Macrorregiões, de 2001 a 2018. Método: As taxas de mortalidade ajustadas por idade e estratificadas por sexo foram apresentadas por 100 mil pessoas-ano. Uma análise autorregressiva foi implementada para avaliar tendências, Mudança Percentual Anual (MPA) e intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC 95%). Resultados: Houve 27.550 óbitos por CPNM no Brasil com maior frequência em homens (58,1%) e entre pessoas de 70 anos e mais (64,3%). As taxas globais foram de 2,25 (homens) e 1,22 (mulheres) por 100 mil pessoas-ano. As tendências seguiram em elevação no Brasil, em homens (MPA: 2,91%; IC95%: 1,96%; 3,86%) e em mulheres (MPA: 3,51%; IC95%: 2,68%; 4,34%). O mesmo ocorreu na Região Norte, em homens (MPA: 9,75%; IC95%: 7,68%; 11,86%) e em mulheres (MPA: 10,38%; IC95%: 5,77%; 15,21%), bem como na Região Nordeste, em homens (MPA: 9,98%; IC95%: 5,59%; 14,57%) e em mulheres (MPA: 8,34%; IC95%: 3,29%; 13,64%). Conclusão: Os óbitos por CPNM não são raridade no Brasil. O país e as Regiões Norte e Nordeste experimentaram taxas com tendência em elevação. Norte e Nordeste são as Regiões mais próximas da Linha do Equador e as menos desenvolvidas socioeconomicamente. Nessas Macrorregiões, um sinergismo entre diferentes tipos de desigualdades e exposições ambientais pode estar promovendo um aumento dos óbitos por esse tipo de câncer considerado totalmente evitável

Introducción: El carcinoma de piel no melanoma (CPNM) es el más común dentre todas las neoplasias malignas. Objetivo: Describir las tendencias de la mortalidad por CPNM en Brasil y sus macrorregiones, de 2001 a 2018. Método: Las tasas de mortalidad ajustadas por edad y estratificadas según sexo fueron presentadas por 100.000 personas-año. Se implementó una análisis autoregresiva para evaluar las tendencias, el porcentaje estimado de cambio anual (PECA) y sus intervalos de confianza del 95% (IC 95%). Resultados: Hubo 27.550 muertes por CPNM en Brasil con mayor frecuencia en hombres (58,1%) y entre personas de edad ≥70 años (64,3%). Las tasas generales fueron 2,25 (hombres) y 1,22 (mujeres) por 100.000 personas-año. Las tendencias continuaron aumentando en Brasil, en hombres (PECA: 2,91%; IC 95%: 1,96%; 3,86%) y en mujeres (PECA: 3,51%; IC 95%: 2,68%; 4,34%). Lo mismo ocurrió en el Norte, en hombres (PECA: 9,75%; IC 95%: 7,68%; 11,86%) y en mujeres (PECA: 10,38%; IC 95%: 5,77%; 15,21%), así como en el Nordeste, en hombres (PECA: 9,98%; IC 95%: 5,59%; 14,57%) y en mujeres (PECA: 8,34%; IC 95%: 3, 29%; 13,64%). Conclusión: Las muertes por CPNM no son una rareza en Brasil. El país y las regiones Norte y Nordeste experimentaron tasas con tendencia ascendente. Las regiones Norte y Nordeste son las más cercanas al Ecuador y también las menos desarrolladas socioeconómicamente. En estas regiones, una sinergia dentre diferentes tipos de desigualdades y exposiciones ambientales puede estar promoviendo un aumento de las muertes por este tipo de cáncer considerado totalmente prevenible. Palabras clave: neoplasias cutáneas/mortalidad

Design of Nanoarchitectures for Magnetoplasmonic Biosensing with Near-Zero-Transmittance Conditions.

Nanostructures exhibiting large transverse magneto-optical Kerr effect (TMOKE) are required for magnetoplasmonic biosensing if the aim is the minituarization and integration into microfluidic devices. In this work, we present a general strategy to design nanoarchitectures with enhanced TMOKE, which consist of an arrangement of gold ribs deposited on an magneto-optical (MO) dielectric slab of Bi:YIG (bismuth-substituted yttrium iron garnet) with a SiO2 substrate surrounded by water. Using the finite element method (FEM), we demonstrate numerically that the near-zero-transmittance condition is the most important requirement for high TMOKE values. This can be reached through geometric optimization of the nanoarchitecture by tuning the period, height, and width of the grating, thus leading to resonances at wavelengths where the MO dielectric slab has high MO activity. We also show that the TMOKE amplitude can be further increased if losses in metal ribs are reduced. For a magnetoplasmonic grating with optimized geometry, we demonstrated the potential detection of biologically relevant analytes with sensitivity in the order of 102 nm/RIU (refractive index unit). Since the nanoarchitecture proposed is experimentally feasible with, e.g., nanolithography techniques, one may expect that the design strategy may inspire the development of efficient magnetoplasmonic sensing platforms.

3D-Printed Quasi-Cylindrical Bragg Reflector to Boost the Gain and Directivity of cm- and mm-Wave Antennas.

We demonstrate a concept for a large enhancement of the directivity and gain of readily available cm- and mm-wave antennas, i.e., without altering any property of the antenna design. Our concept exploits the high reflectivity of a Bragg reflector composed of three bilayers made of transparent materials. The cavity has a triangular aperture in order to resemble the idea of a horn-like, highly directive antenna. Importantly, we report gain enhancements of more than 400% in relation to the gain of the antenna without the Bragg structure, accompanied by a highly directive radiation pattern. The proposed structure is cost-effective and easy to fabricate with 3D-printing. Our results are presented for frequencies within the conventional WiFi frequencies, based on IEEE 802.11 standards, thus, enabling easily implementation by non-experts and needing only to be placed around the antenna to improve the directivity and gain of the signal.

Reporte de un caso clínico. Rehabilitación Fisioterapéutica Mediante Facilitación Neuromuscular Propioceptiva en paciente POST-COVID19 / Report of a clinical case. Physiotherapeutic Rehabilitation Through Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation in POST-COVID19 patient / Relato de um caso clínico. Reabilitação Fisioterapêutica por Facilitação Neuromuscular Proprioceptiva em paciente PÓS-COVID19

El virus por COVID-19 ha causado dificultades tanto físicas, psicológicas como respiratorias, entre los síntomas principales que presenta esta enfermedad resalta insuficiencia respiratoria a la que se suma la fragilidad física en respuesta a largos periodos de encamamiento en Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos. La investigación del caso clínico realizada a una paciente post COVID -19 quien tuvo una estancia prolongada de hospitalización, posteriormente tratada en su domicilio, donde la fisioterapia empleada se basó en la técnica de Facilitación Neuromuscular Propioceptiva combinada con ejercicios respiratorios que tienen como objetivo mejorar la funcionalidad del paciente post COVID-19. Se monitorizó los signos vitales al comienzo y final de la terapia. De igual manera se emplearon patrones bilaterales de F.N.P. en las extremidades superiores e inferiores, combinándose con los ejercicios respiratorios evidenciándose aumento de la capacidad respiratoria y mejorando el nivel de funcionalidad de la paciente. Se realizó una valoración mediante la escala de Borg para la percepción subjetiva de la dificultad respiratoria o del esfuerzo físico realizado.

The COVID-19 virus has caused both physical, psychological and respiratory difficulties, among the main symptoms that this disease presents is respiratory failure to which is added physical fragility in response to long periods of bedridden in the Intensive Care Unit. The clinical case investigation carried out on a post-COVID-19 patient who had a prolonged hospitalization stay, subsequently treated at home, where the physiotherapy used was based on the Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation technique combined with respiratory exercises that aim to improve the post-COVID-19 patient functionality. Vital signs were monitored at the beginning and end of therapy. Similarly, bilateral F.N.P. patterns were used. in the upper and lower extremities, combining with respiratory exercises, showing an increase in respiratory capacity and improving the level of functionality of the patient. An assessment was made using the Borg scale for the subjective perception of respiratory distress or physical exertion.

O vírus COVID-19 tem causado dificuldades físicas, psicológicas e respiratórias. Os principais sintomas desta doença incluem insuficiência respiratória e fragilidade física em resposta a longos períodos de descanso no leito na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva. O estudo de caso clínico foi realizado em um paciente pósCOVID-19 que teve uma estadia hospitalar prolongada, posteriormente tratado em casa, onde a fisioterapia utilizada foi baseada na técnica de Facilitação Neuromuscular Proprioceptiva combinada com exercícios respiratórios destinados a melhorar a funcionalidade do paciente pósCOVID-19. Os sinais vitais foram monitorados no início e no final da terapia. Da mesma forma, foram utilizados padrões de N.P.F. bilaterais nas extremidades superiores e inferiores, combinados com os exercícios respiratórios, mostrando um aumento na capacidade respiratória e melhorando o nível de funcionalidade do paciente. Foi feita uma avaliação utilizando a escala Borg para a percepção subjetiva da dificuldade respiratória ou do esforço físico realizado.

Chiral Dielectric Metasurfaces for Highly Integrated, Broadband Circularly Polarized Antenna.

We report on the design of a low-profile integrated millimeter-wave antenna for efficient and broadband circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation. The designed antenna comprises a chiral dielectric metasurface built with a 2×2 arrangement of dielectric cylinders with slanted-slots at the center. A broadbeam high-gain with wide axial ratio (AR)<3 dB bandwidth was reached by pairing the electric and magnetic resonances of the dielectric cylinders and the slanted slots when excited by an elliptically polarized driven-patch antenna. This electric-magnetic pairing can be tuned by varying the cylinders diameter and the tilting and rotation angles of the slanted slots. The simulation results indicate impedance-matching bandwidths up to 22.6% (25.3-31.6 GHz) with 3-dB AR bandwidths of 11.6% (26.9-30.2 GHz), which in terms of compactness (0.95λ0×0.95λ0) and performance are superior to previous antenna designs. Since the simulations were performed by assuming materials and geometries easily implementable experimentally, it is hoped that circularly polarized antennas based on chiral metasurfaces can be integrated into 5G and satellite communications.