Position-resolved charge collection of silicon carbide detectors with an epitaxially-grown graphene layer.

Silicon carbide (SiC) has outstanding physical properties therefore, diodes based on SiC are being considered for many radiation detection applications such as particle accelerator experiments and medical dosimetry. Moreover, by reducing the metal on the surface of the diode there is the potential to enhance its performance in some fields where the presence of metal is detrimental. To this end, SiC detectors with an epitaxially-grown graphene layer (EG), that substitutes the metallic contact, in the sensitive region were produced at IMB-CNM, profiting from the conductivity of the mono-atomic layer material. To isolate the effect of the graphene on the charge collection, samples without graphene were produced in parallel. In this paper, the effect of EG on Silicon Carbide p-in-n radiation detectors is studied in terms of charge collection with a radioactive source and by means of the transient current technique (TCT), which allows for position-dependent signal formation analysis. As a result of the former, we show the capability of the EG-SiC sensor for charge collection after signal integration, to a resolution close to that of a sensor fully metallised. Moreover, from the TCT studies, we observe uniform charge collection across the active region, as well as an up-to ∼ 40% transient amplitude damping which, compared with the ∼ 90% on the sample containing no metallic contact, proves that the presence of graphene benefits the performance of the device and that the technology is viable for radiation detection as an alternative to metal.

First use of silicon carbide detectors with graphene-enhanced contacts for medical dosimetry.

Silicon Carbide (SiC) is a radiation hard wide bandgap semiconductor, which makes it an interesting alternative for radiation detector fabrication, with potential applications such as High Energy Physics, synchrotron and radiotherapy instrumentation. In addition, by reducing the amount of metal over the active area of said detectors (typically used for electrical connectivity with the implant of the pn-junction) unwanted effects from secondary interactions which can affect the accuracy of the measurement can be diminished, essential to meet the medical standards of precision. In this article, the use of epitaxially-grown graphene is explored as an alternative to metallic contacts with these prototypes. To this end, the first prototypes of SiC diodes with epitaxial graphene contacts were produced at IMB-CNM for radiation detection,along with reference devices. In order to characterise the feasibility of the technology in the medical application, the dose rate linearity of the SiC device with graphene was measured in a radiotherapy Linac in the dose rate range of 1-6 Gy/min. The response of the device was compared to that observed on devices with similar geometries reported elsewhere. To fully characterise the devices, the same exercise was repeated in a laboratory X-ray tube. Under the later set-up, the prototype is compared against a device with a fully metallised active region.

Upgraded Cherenkov time-of-flight detector for the AFP project.

We present the results of our performance studies of the upgraded Cherenkov time-of-flight (ToF) detector for the AFP (ATLAS Forward Proton) project. The latest version consists of solid L-shaped fused silica bars, new customized ALD-coated micro-channel plate photomultipliers (MCP-PMTs) miniPlanacon XPM85112-S-R2D2 with an extended lifetime which operate at low gains (order of 103), and an updated construction. The improvements were aimed to increase the efficiency, the lifetime as well as the radiation hardness of the detector which has been designed to operate in high radiation areas (above 400 kGy/year). The detector was finally tested at the CERN-SPS test-beam facility (120 GeV π+ particles) in August 2021 prior to its installation at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. Measurements proved the detector kept its inner timing resolution of 20 ps despite the rather low gain of its photodetector and reduced optical throughput caused by inevitable changes in the detector geometry.

On-The-Fly Syntheziser Programming with Fuzzy Rule Learning.

This manuscript explores fuzzy rule learning for sound synthesizer programming within the performative practice known as live coding. In this practice, sound synthesis algorithms are programmed in real time by means of source code. To facilitate this, one possibility is to automatically create variations out of a few synthesizer presets. However, the need for real-time feedback makes existent synthesizer programmers unfeasible to use. In addition, sometimes presets are created mid-performance and as such no benchmarks exist. Inductive rule learning has shown to be effective for creating real-time variations in such a scenario. However, logical IF-THEN rules do not cover the whole feature space. Here, we present an algorithm that extends IF-THEN rules to hyperrectangles, which are used as the cores of membership functions to create a map of the input space. To generalize the rules, the contradictions are solved by a maximum volume heuristics. The user controls the novelty-consistency balance with respect to the input data using the algorithm parameters. The algorithm was evaluated in live performances and by cross-validation using extrinsic-benchmarks and a dataset collected during user tests. The model's accuracy achieves state-of-the-art results. This, together with the positive criticism received from live coders that tested our methodology, suggests that this is a promising approach.

Identificación de subpoblaciones, según la morfometría de la cabeza espermática, en hombres con espermograma normal / Identification of subpopulations according to sperm head morphometry in men with normal spermiogram results

Introducción: la morfometría resulta un valioso instrumento para valorar la morfología espermática, además de permitir la identificación de diferentes subpoblaciones, lo cual posibilitauna mejor valoración de la morfología de los espermatozoides. Objetivo: identificar las subpoblaciones espermáticas existentes, según las variables morfométricas de la cabeza, en la población estudiada. Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional analítico de las características morfométricas de 1 200 espermatozoides correspondientes a las muestras seminales de 60 hombres con espermograma normal, estudiados en la consulta de reproducción asistida de la provincia de Villa Clara, durante los meses de enero a marzo del año 2014. Se utilizaron métodos de análisis de conglomerados para la identificación de subpoblaciones morfométricas.Resultados: se identificaron tres subpoblaciones, según la morfometría de la cabeza espermática, en la población estudiada. Conclusiones: solo una de las tres subpoblaciones morfométricas identificadas presentóespermatozoides que, desde el punto de vista morfológico y morfométrico, pueden ser considerados normales según los criterios establecidos(AU)

Caracterización morfométrica de espermatozoides en pacientes con espermograma normal (resultados preliminares) / Morphometric characterization of sperm in patients with normal spermiogram (preliminary results)

Introducción: en el estudio de la fertilidad masculina, la morfología espermática es de vital importancia pues posee un alto valor predictivo. Existen diferentes métodos para determinar parámetros morfométricos en espermatozoides mediante los que se informan disímiles resultados según la técnica empleada. Objetivo: determinar las características morfométricas de los espermatozoides de una población de hombres, con parámetros de espermograma normal. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal de las características morfométricas de los espermatozoides en un grupo de 10 hombres estudiados en la consulta de reproducción asistida de la provincia de Villa Clara, durante el mes de febrero del año 2014. Se utilizó la técnica de tinción de hematoxilina y eosina; las mediciones se realizaron con el programa Image J®. Se realizó un análisis estadístico descriptivo con el cálculo de la media, la desviación estándar y el coeficiente de variación. Resultados: se observó la variabilidad de todos los parámetros morfométricos. Los coeficientes de variación intraindividuo fueron menores que entre individuos. Los valores morfométricos de la cabeza resultaron mayores a los informados en otros estudios. Conclusiones: se determinaron los parámetros morfométricos propuestos. Se recomienda ampliar el estudio mediante la utilización de otra variable: factores de forma de la cabeza espermática.

Introduction: sperm morphology is of great importance in the study of masculine fertility because of its high predictive value. There are different methods to determine sperm morphometric parameters, through which, dissimilar results are informed according to the technique employed. Objective: to determine morphometric characteristics of sperms in a male population with normal spermiogram parameters. Methods: a transversal descriptive study of the morphometric characteristics of sperms was carried out in a group of ten men studied in the assisted reproduction consultation in Villa Clara province on February, 2014. The hematoxylin and eosin staining technique was used, as well as, measures were made using the Image J® program. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed using the calculation of average, standard deviation and coefficient of variation. Results: there was observed variability in all morphometric parameters. The intraindividual variation coefficients were smaller than the interindividual variability. Sperm head morphometric values were greater than the values informed in other studies. Conclusions: the proposed morphometric parameters were determined. It is also recommended to extend the study using another variable as factors of sperm head shape.

Metabolic Correction as a tool to improve diabetes type 2 management.

Diabetes Mellitus type 2 (DM2) is a metabolic disease that develops by a decrease in sensitivity of insulin receptors as an effect of the disruption certain metabolic functions in the processing of glucose. DM2 patients have, uncontrolled glucose levels, and commonly have problems with obesity and cardiovascular disease. Patients are treated with standard diet, insulin, diabetic oral agents and antihypertensive drugs, but this approach does not completely stops tissue deterioration since it does not address the metabolic root of the disease. Metabolic correction is proposed as a suitable adjunct treatment to improve clinical outcomes. Metabolic correction is based on diet modification, proper hydration and scientific supplementation directed to improve cellular biochemistry and metabolic efficiency. In addition, other possible benefits may include reduction in medication use, disease complications and medical costs. To test the results of a metabolic correction program, 25 patients with DM2 participated in an education program about adequate food consumption that promoted control of blood glucose levels. Anthropometric measurements and blood tests were performed during a 13 week program based on a low carbohydrate diet, proper hydration and magnesium supplementation. The metabolic correction program implemented by a proprietary educational system resulted in significant reductions in glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, weight and waist circumference. Improvements in these values could represent an important reduction of coronary heart disease risk factors as well as other chronic degenerative diseases. In addition there was medication dosage reduction in one or more medications in 21 of the 25 participating patients, which suggest that the program has the potential to improve health outcomes and reduce health care costs.

Caracterización morfométrica de espermatozoides en pacientes con espermograma normal (resultados preliminares) / Morphometric characterization of sperm in patients with normal spermiogram (preliminary results)

Introducción: en el estudio de la fertilidad masculina, la morfología espermática es de vital importancia pues posee un alto valor predictivo. Existen diferentes métodos para determinar parámetros morfométricos en espermatozoides mediante los que se informan disímiles resultados según la técnica empleada. Objetivo: determinar las características morfométricas de los espermatozoides de una población de hombres, con parámetros de espermograma normal.Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal de las características morfométricas de los espermatozoides en un grupo de 10 hombres estudiados en la consulta de reproducción asistida de la provincia de Villa Clara, durante el mes de febrero del año 2014. Se utilizó la técnica de tinción de hematoxilina y eosina; las mediciones se realizaron con el programa Image J®. Se realizó un análisis estadístico descriptivo con el cálculo de la media, la desviación estándar y el coeficiente de variación.Resultados: se observó la variabilidad de todos los parámetros morfométricos. Los coeficientes de variación intraindividuo fueron menores que entre individuos. Los valores morfométricos de la cabeza resultaron mayores a los informados en otros estudios. Conclusiones: se determinaron los parámetros morfométricos propuestos. Se recomienda ampliar el estudio mediante la utilización de otra variable: factores de forma de la cabeza espermática(AU)

Utilidad del Exudado Vaginal en el pesquisaje de Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual / The value of vaginal exudation in the search for sexually transmitted infections

El exudado vaginal es un método fácil y confiable para el diagnóstico de Infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS). Puede ayudar en el diagnóstico de infecciones como Vaginosis Bacteriana, Candidiasis, Trichomoniasis y Cervicitis, sin embargo, el nivel de entrenamiento y experiencia del individuo que lo realiza es extremadamente importante para obtener buenos resultados(AU)