Recent publications
Significance
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) images are prone to image artifacts due to the birefringence of the sample or the optical system when a polarized light source is used for imaging. These artifacts can lead to degraded image quality and diagnostic information.
Aim
We aim to mitigate these birefringence-related artifacts in OCT images by adding a depolarizer module in the reference arm of the interferometer.
Approach
We investigated different configurations of liquid crystal patterned retarders as pseudo-depolarizers in the reference arm of OCT setups. We identified the most effective depolarization module layout for polarization artifact suppression for a spectral-domain OCT system based on a Michelson and a Mach–Zehnder interferometer.
Results
The performance of our approach was demonstrated in an achromatic quarter-wave plate allowing the selection of a variety of sample polarization states. A substantial improvement of the OCT signal magnitude was observed after placing the optimal depolarizer configuration, reducing the cross-polarization artifact from 5.7 to 1.8 dB and from 8.0 to 1.0 dB below the co-polarized signal for the fiber-based Michelson and Mach–Zehnder setup, respectively. An imaging experiment in the birefringent scleral tissue of a post-mortem alpine marmot eye and a mouse tail specimen further showcased a significant improvement in the detected signal intensity and an enhanced OCT image quality followed by a drastic elimination of the birefringence-related artifacts.
Conclusions
Our study presents a simple yet cost-effective technique to mitigate birefringence-related artifacts in OCT imaging. This method can be readily implemented in existing OCT technology and improve the effectiveness of various OCT imaging applications in biomedicine.
In-depth models of single-phase grid-tied power converters facilitate the examination of low-frequency (LF) interactions among loads, distributed energy resources (DERs), and synchronous generators by operators and designers. These interactions are becoming increasingly significant with the growing integration of power electronics into electrical grids. This article extends the envelope modeling (EM) technique to develop LF linear time-invariant (LTI) circuit models for single-phase grid-tied power converters. The models utilize an independent phase signal that aligns with the most appropriate reference frame. This methodology preserves the LF dynamics inherent to the power converter and control system. The practicality of this method is evidenced by constructing a model for a bridgeless totem-pole power factor corrector (PFC), which includes a zero-crossing detector (ZCD) and operates without closed-loop regulation. The outcomes from this model are juxtaposed with those from a switched model and other well-stablished modeling techniques for comparison. Furthermore, a commercially available circuit design featuring current and voltage control loops is simulated, and the results are corroborated with experimental data. These experiments are conducted under disturbances influencing the converter’s performance within its linear operational range.
Objective
Anti‐synthetase syndrome (ASSD) is a rare systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease (SARD) with significant heterogeneity and no shared classification criteria. We aimed to identify clinical and serological features associated with ASSD that may be suitable for inclusion in the data‐driven classification criteria for ASSD.
Methods
We utilized a large, international, multi‐center “ Classification Criteria for Anti‐synthetase Syndrome ” (CLASS) project database, which includes both ASSD patients and controls with mimicking conditions, namely SARDs and/or interstitial lung disease (ILD). The local diagnoses of ASSD and controls were confirmed by project team members. We employed univariable logistic regression and multivariable Ridge regression to evaluate clinical and serological features associated with an ASSD diagnosis in a randomly selected subset of the cohort.
Results
Our analysis included 948 ASSD cases and 1077 controls. Joint, muscle, lung, skin, and cardiac involvement were more prevalent in ASSD than in controls. Specific variables associated with ASSD included arthritis, diffuse myalgia, muscle weakness, muscle enzyme elevation, ILD, mechanic's hands, secondary pulmonary hypertension due to ILD, Raynaud phenomenon, and unexplained fever. In terms of serological variables, Jo‐1 and non‐Jo‐1 anti‐synthetase autoantibodies, antinuclear antibodies with cytoplasmic pattern, and anti‐Ro52 autoantibodies were associated with ASSD. In contrast, isolated arthralgia, dysphagia, electromyography/MRI/muscle biopsy findings suggestive of myopathy, inflammatory rashes, myocarditis, and pulmonary arterial hypertension did not differentiate between ASSD and controls or were inversely associated with ASSD.
Conclusion
We identified key clinical and serological variables associated with ASSD, which will help clinicians and offer insights into the development of data‐driven classification criteria for ASSD.
image
The use of Ethernet and Linux is becoming common in industrial applications, even for those with real-time requirements, although neither of them were originally designed for this purpose. The emergence of Industry 4.0 (also known as Industrial Internet of Things, IIoT) has encouraged the evolution of these technologies to better handle real-time issues. On the one hand, Linux now supports mechanisms to configure certain real-time parameters, as well as core isolation and interrupt allocation facilities in multicore processors. On the other hand, the set of Ethernet standards IEEE 802.1 Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) includes a high precision clock synchronization protocol (IEEE 802.1AS). The purpose of this work is to outline an execution framework for distributed systems based on TSN and Linux, which allows the execution of time-aware applications. We have studied and evaluated different configurations available for the proposed execution framework. In particular, a detailed characterization of the clock synchronization mechanism, from the application point of view, has been performed. Some conclusions about the current real-time capabilities of these technologies are also presented.
Background and Purpose
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by pervasive personality and behavioural disturbances with severe impact on patients and caregivers. In current clinical practice, treatment is based on nonpharmacological and pharmacological approaches. Unfortunately, trial‐based evidence supporting symptomatic pharmacological treatment for the behavioural disturbances in FTD is scarce despite the significant burden this poses on the patients and caregivers.
Method
The study examined drug management decisions for several behavioural disturbances in patients with FTD by 21 experts across European expert centres affiliated with the European Reference Network for Rare Neurological Diseases (ERN‐RND).
Results
The study revealed the highest consensus on drug treatments for physical and verbal aggression, impulsivity and obsessive delusions. Antipsychotics (primarily quetiapine) were recommended for behaviours posing safety risks to both patients and caregivers (aggression, self‐injury and self‐harm) and nightly unrest. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were recommended for perseverative somatic complaints, rigidity of thought, hyperphagia, loss of empathy and for impulsivity. Trazodone was specifically recommended for motor unrest, mirtazapine for nightly unrest, and bupropion and methylphenidate for apathy. Additionally, bupropion was strongly advised against in 10 out of the 14 behavioural symptoms, emphasizing a clear recommendation against its use in the majority of cases.
Conclusions
The survey data can provide expert guidance that is helpful for healthcare professionals involved in the treatment of behavioural symptoms. Additionally, they offer insights that may inform prioritization and design of therapeutic studies, particularly for existing drugs targeting behavioural disturbances in FTD.
Changes in climate in the South Atlantic region and adjacent regions have been described in numerous works using projections from global climate models from CMIP5 and CMIP6. This paper presents an evaluation of the ability of these models to reproduce the atmospheric circulation patterns (weather types) and their seasonal and inter‐annual variability. The analyses are performed based on the probability of occurrence of weather types in the historical period and in future projections. The scatter index and the relative entropy are the statistical parameters used to evaluate the models' performance in the historical period. Future projections consist of RCP2.6, 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios for the CMIP5 models and the SSP126, 245, 370 and 585 scenarios for the CMIP6 and are assessed at different time intervals: short term (2015–2039), mid‐term (2040–2069) and long term (2070–2100). The performance of projections is measured by analysing their consistency, that is, based on the similarity between projections of the same scenario in different models. The results show that the reproduction of the probability of occurrence of historical weather types and their seasonal and interannual variability was better performed by ACCESS1‐0, HadGEM2‐ES, HadGEM2‐CC, CMCC‐CM and MPI‐ESM‐P when assessing the models from CMIP5, and by HadGEM3‐GC31‐MM, ACCESS‐ESM1‐5, ACCESS‐ CM2 and MRI‐ESM‐P when assessing the models from CMIP6. As for future projections, only the BESM‐AO2‐5, GFDL‐ESM4 and HadGEM3‐GC31‐MM models showed inconsistency in one or more scenarios.
On November 9 and 10, 2023, the Organización Nacional de Trasplantes (ONT), under the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, convened in Santander a Global Summit entitled “Towards Global Convergence in Transplantation: Sufficiency, Transparency and Oversight.” This article summarizes two distinct but related challenges elaborated at the Santander Summit by Working Group 2 that must be overcome if we are to develop and expand deceased donation worldwide and achieve the goal of self-sufficiency in organ donation and transplantation. Challenge 1: the need for a unified concept of death based on the permanent cessation of brain function. Working group 2 proposed that challenge 1 requires the global community to work toward a uniform, worldwide definition of human death, conceptually unifying circulatory and neurological criteria of death around the cessation of brain function and accepting that permanent cessation of brain function is a valid criterion to determine death. Challenge 2: reducing disparities in deceased donation and increasing organ utilization through donation after the circulatory determination of death (DCDD). Working group 2 proposed that challenge 2 requires the global community to work toward increasing organ utilization through DCDD, expanding DCDD through in situ normothermic regional perfusion, and expanding DCDD through ex situ machine organ perfusion technology. Recommendations for implementation are described.
The chemical in situ study of red coloring matter from Paleolithic cave art is challenging because the same trace elements can be present both in the matter and in the calcitic support, and the two present a heterogeneous composition. In this study, thirteen red iron oxide-based coloring matter samples obtained at drip points coming from eight locations within the Techo de los Polícromos, Altamira cave (Spain), have been analyzed by highly sensitive synchrotron-induced micro-X-ray fluorescence (SR-µXRF). Our analyses improved the characterization of red Paleolithic pigments by establishing characteristic trace element patterns, additionally facilitating a comparison of the distinct representations within the cave. Furthermore, new differentiation criteria between the composition of the calcitic walls and that of the red coloring matter could be established, helping to improve future non-invasive analyses.
Background: Cluster headache (CH) is one of the most disabling primary headaches. Nowadays, it is unknown if it has an impact on reducing life expectancy.
Methods: We calculated years of potential life lost (YPLL) in deceased individuals from a CH registry of a third-level hospital, using as cutoff the estimated life expectancy for our general population according to their sex and year of death. Furthermore, a descriptive and comparative analysis of the main causes of death, risk factors, and toxic habits was carried out.
Results: There were 25 deaths among the 152 individuals included. Twenty-one (84%) died earlier than expected with a mean of 9.14 YPLL (p=0.001). Cancer was the most common cause of death in CH patients (64% of deaths vs. 28.5% expected in general population, p≤0.001). Eighty percent and 45% of our deceased patients were smokers and 60% and 45% regular alcohol consumers at the diagnosis of CH and at death, respectively. The percentage of smokers at diagnosis was significantly higher than that in the reference population (80% vs. 33.2%, p<0.001). There was a significantly higher frequency of arterial hypertension (76% vs. 19.82%, p<0.001) and diabetes mellitus (40% vs. 7.8%, p<0.001) at death in CH individuals compared to general population.
Conclusions: CH implies a loss of almost one decade of life expectancy by an increase in cancer deaths. Tobacco and alcohol consumption seem to be the main underlying causes. These results call for an action plan for a better management of CH patients since their diagnosis.
Background
10% of postmenopausal breast cancer cases are attributed to a high body mass index (BMI). BMI underestimates body fat, particularly in older women, and therefore the cancer burden attributable to obesity may be even higher. However, this is not clear. CUN-BAE (Clínica Universidad de Navarra–Body Adiposity Estimator) is an accurate validated estimator of body fat, taking into account sex and age. The objective of this study was to compare the burden of postmenopausal breast cancer attributable to excess body fat calculated using BMI and CUN-BAE.
Methods
This case–control study included 1033 cases of breast cancer and 1143 postmenopausal population controls from the multicase–control MCC-Spain study. Logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs). The population attributable fraction (PAF) of excess weight related to breast cancer was estimated with both anthropometric measures. Stratified analyses were carried out for hormone receptor type.
Results
Excess body weight attributable to the risk of breast cancer was 23.0% when assessed using a BMI value ≥30 kg/m ² and 38.0% when assessed using a CUN-BAE value of ≥40% body fat. Hormone receptor stratification showed that these differences in PAFs were only observed in hormone receptor positive cases, with an estimated burden of 19.9% for BMI and 41.9% for CUN-BAE.
Conclusion
These findings suggest that the significance of excess body fat in postmenopausal hormone receptor positive breast cancer could be underestimated when assessed using only BMI. Accurate estimation of the cancer burden attributable to obesity is crucial for planning effective prevention initiatives.
The sustainability of socio-economic and industrial systems is a key concern, particularly within the framework of the 2030 agenda. A holistic understanding of the functioning and relationships of these systems is essential if we want to implement practical actions to achieve sustainability. This study uses econometric techniques, such as the distributed lag autoregressive model, to explore the interactions between industrial and environmental factors and the unemployment rate. The variables analyzed include working hours, wage costs, and tropospheric ozone concentration, over two periods: 2008-2020 (reduced period) and 2008-2024 (extended period). Between both periods, substantial differences have been found in the variables significantly influencing the unemployment rate. The significance of working hours and ozone (O3) concentration, determinants of the unemployment rate in the reduced period, are replaced by wage costs, determining the unemployment rate in the extended period. The results show that an initial increase in worked hours reduces unemployment, while wage increases and high levels of O3 tend to increase the unemployment rate. Granger causality analysis suggests bidirectional relationships between unemployment, wage costs, and O3 concentration, highlighting the connection between the different aspects and feedback collateral effects. The study underscores the need for balanced socioeconomic policies that promote both economic growth and environmental sustainability and the promotion of fostering of technological innovations. The importance of policies that mitigate the adverse effects of wage increases on employment is underlined, and that favor a more sustainable development model capable of decoupling economic well-being from intensive resource consumption. Keywords: Sustainability, Socioeconomic systems, ARDL techniques, Granger causality, unemployment, O3 concentration, working hours, hourly wage.
CRISPR-associated (Cas) endonucleases and their derivatives are widespread tools for the targeted genetic modification of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes. A critical step of all CRISPR-Cas technologies is the delivery of the Cas endonuclease to the target cell. Here, we investigate the possibility of using bacterial conjugation to translocate Cas proteins into recipient bacteria. Conjugative relaxases are translocated through a type IV secretion system into the recipient cell, covalently attached to the transferred DNA strand. We fused relaxase R388-TrwC with the endonuclease Cas12a and confirmed that it can be transported through a T4SS. The fusion protein maintained its activity upon translocation by conjugation into the recipient cell, as evidenced by the induction of the SOS signal resulting from DNA breaks produced by the endonuclease in the recipient cell, and the detection of mutations at the target position. We further show how a template DNA provided on the transferred DNA can be used to introduce specific mutations. The guide RNA can also be encoded by the transferred DNA, enabling its production in the recipient cells where it can form a complex with the Cas nuclease transferred as a protein. This self-contained setup enables to target wild-type bacterial cells. Finally, we extended this strategy to the delivery of relaxases fused to base editors. Using TrwC and MobA relaxases as drivers, we achieved precise editing of transconjugants. Thus, conjugation provides a delivery system for Cas-derived editing tools, bypassing the need to deliver and express a cas gene in the target cells.
Let denote the simplicial complex of -crossing-free subsets of edges in . Here and . Jonsson (2003) proved that [neglecting the short edges that cannot be part of any -crossing], is a shellable sphere of dimension , and conjectured it to be polytopal. The same result and question arose in the work of Knutson and Miller (Adv Math 184(1):161-176, 2004) on subword complexes. Despite considerable effort, the only values of (k, n) for which the conjecture is known to hold are (Pilaud and Santos, Eur J Comb. 33(4):632–662, 2012. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejc.2011.12.003) and (2, 8) (Bokowski and Pilaud, On symmetric realizations of the simplicial complex of 3-crossing-free sets of diagonals of the octagon. In: Proceedings of the 21st annual Canadian conference on computational geometry, 2009). Using ideas from rigidity theory and choosing points along the moment curve we realize as a polytope for . We also realize it as a simplicial fan for all and arbitrary k, except the pairs (3, 12) and (3, 13). Finally, we also show that for and no choice of points can realize via bar-and-joint rigidity with points along the moment curve or, more generally, via cofactor rigidity with arbitrary points in convex position.
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