Validation of a laser driven plasma X-ray microfocus source for high resolution radiography imaging

Hard X-ray radiation with high brightness and high fluxes is nowadays available on the fourth generation of synchrotrons and X-FELs, but the large size and complexity of these sources makes its use difficult for widespread applications. New table top X-ray sources driven by ultrashort high power lasers offer a compelling route to expand the availability of hard X-ray sources. They can be used for advanced imaging techniques, due to its small source size and spatial coherence. We present in this paper the validation of a compact laser-driven X-ray microfocus source for high-resolution radiography imaging. This novel device was built at the Laser Laboratory for Acceleration and Applications (L2A2) at the University of Santiago de Compostela. This paper describes the laser-plasma X-ray source with improved stability and characterize some of its properties. We demonstrate the high-contrast and resolution of the images obtained with this source by using masks with well known geometries, and detailed analysis by using the modulation transfer function. Finally, we discuss the properties of this source in comparison to other compact microfocus X-ray sources.

Demanda de productos animales sostenibles: leche de cabra de pastoreo

La leche de pastoreo es una certificación privada que se están implantando en el mercado europeo, principalmente para leche fresca y queso de vaca, debido a su asociación con atributos de salud, calidad y sostenibilidad. La leche de cabra de pastoreo, por sus particularidades productivas y ecosistémicas, puede ser una alternativa de mercado. En el presente estudio, se diseñó una encuesta online para una muestra representativa de consumidores (n=423), y mediante un estudio de clúster se segmentó en base a: i) ocho afirmaciones de hábitos de compra y ii) siete afirmaciones sobre la leche de pastoreo de cabra. Los consumidores se clasificaron en tres clusters: i) COMPROMETIDOS CALIDAD Y PASTOREO (n=210), ii) PASTORALES (n=139) y iii) COMPROMETIDOS PERO INDECISOS (n=70). Posteriormente, se realizó un análisis mixto de texto, usando tres palabras de asociación por consumidor con respecto a la leche de cabra de pastoreo (n=1072). Los resultados indican que los consumidores valoran positivamente la leche de pastoreo de cabra, especialmente aquellos en el clúster A: son de mayor edad, y tendrían una mayor disposición a pagar este producto, asociándola a ideas como la salud, la protección del medioambiente y la calidad sensorial. Este estudio pretende sondear las posibilidades de la leche de cabra y sus productos para crear herramientas que optimicen su futura comercialización.

Limits on the Existence of sub-MeV Sterile Neutrinos from the Decay of ^{7}Be in Superconducting Quantum Sensors

Sterile neutrinos are natural extensions to the standard model of particle physics and provide a possible portal to the dark sector. We report a new search for the existence of sub-MeV sterile neutrinos using the decay-momentum reconstruction technique in the decay of ^{7}Be. The experiment measures the total energy of the ^{7}Li daughter atom from the electron capture decay of ^{7}Be implanted into sensitive superconducting tunnel junction (STJ) quantum sensors. This first experiment presents data from a single STJ operated at a low count rate for a net total of 28 days, and provides exclusion limits on sterile neutrinos in the mass range from 100 to 850 keV that improve upon previous work by up to an order of magnitude.

Spanish radiographers' concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction

The current outbreak of COVID-19 has caused worldwide healthcare and social emergency in which healthcare professionals were under extreme work conditions while being fearful of becoming infected or spreading the disease to their relatives. The perceived threat of COVID-19 has the potential to cause severe psychological maladjustment. The aim of the study is to explore Spanish radiographers’ concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

This study was quantitative, observational and cross-sectional. The sample was made up of 546 radiographers working in Spain during the outbreak. The instrument used for analysis was an ad hoc questionnaire with socio-demographic questions and the questionnaire on perception of threat from COVID-19 validate to spanish healthcare professionals.

Results

The sample consisted of 70.1% of female, 29.7% of male and 0.2% undeclare sex participants. The results showed a high level of a perceived threat from COVID-19 (7.57 ± 0.088), furthermore we observed a high level of threat about the possibility of infecting family members (8.49 ± 0.25), patients (8.33 ± 0.086), and coworkers (8.35 ± 0.084). Furthermore, females have a higher level of a perception of threat to spread infection between patients (r = −0.136; p = 0.001) and coworkers (r = −0.118; p = 0.006), than males.

Conclusion

COVID-19 pandemic is perceived as a serious threat, being especially concerned about the threat of spreading the infection to family, coworkers, and patients. The perception of risk depends partly on professionals’ gender and family responsibilities.

Implications for practice

Our findings suggest that it is recommended that healthcare professionals receive formation to reinforce and improve their emotional competencies for coping successfully with potentially stressful situations like COVI19 pandemic.

Direct Measurement of the ^{7}Be L/K Capture Ratio in Ta-Based Superconducting Tunnel Junctions

We report a high-statistics measurement of the L/K orbital electron capture ratio in ^{7}Be embedded in cryogenic Ta. The thin Ta film formed part of a high-resolution superconducting tunnel junction radiation detector that was used to identify the signals from different decay channels. The measured L/K capture ratio of 0.070(7) is significantly larger than the only previous measurement of this quantity and the theoretical predictions that include in-medium effects. This value is a uniquely sensitive probe of the 1s and 2s orbital overlaps with the nucleus and is of relevance to nuclear and atomic physics, as well as Li production in novae and other astrophysical scenarios. This is the first experiment that uses superconducting tunnel junctions for nuclear-recoil detection, opening a new experimental avenue for low-energy precision measurements with rare isotopes.

Prognostic factors in patients with vulvar cancer: the VULCAN study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to analyze the prognostic factors for overall and progression-free survival in patients with vulvar cancer.

METHODS

This international, multicenter, retrospective study included 2453 patients diagnosed with vulvar cancer at 100 different institutions. Inclusion criteria were institutional review board approval from each collaborating center, pathologic diagnosis of invasive carcinoma of the vulva, and primary treatment performed at the participating center. Patients with intraepithelial neoplasia or primary treatment at non-participating centers were excluded. Global survival analysis and squamous cell histology subanalysis was performed.

RESULTS

After excluding patients due to incomplete data entry, 1727 patients treated for vulvar cancer between January 2001 and December 2005 were registered for analysis (1535 squamous, 42 melanomas, 38 Paget's disease and 112 other histologic types). Melanomas had the worse prognosis (p=0.02). In squamous vulvar tumors, independent factors for increase in local recurrence of vulvar cancer were: no prior radiotherapy (p<0.001) or chemotherapy (p=0.006), and for distant recurrence were the number of positive inguinal nodes (p=0.025), and not having undergone lymphadenectomy (p=0.03) or radiotherapy (p<0.001), with a HR of 1.1 (95% CI 1.2 to 1.21), 2.9 (95% CI 1.4 to 6.1), and 3.1 (95% CI 1.7 to 5.7), respectively. Number of positive nodes (p=0.008), FIGO stage (p<0.001), adjuvant chemotherapy (p=0.001), tumor resection margins (p=0.045), and stromal invasion >5 mm (p=0.001) were correlated with poor overall survival, and large case volume (≥9 vs <9 cases per year) correlated with more favorable overall survival (p=0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Advanced patient age, number of positive inguinal lymph nodes, and lack of adjuvant treatment are significantly associated with a higher risk of relapse in patients with squamous cell vulvar cancer. Case volume per treating institution, FIGO stage, and stromal invasion appear to impact overall survival significantly. Future prospective trials are warranted to establish these prognostic factors for vulvar cancer.

Accelerating role of deaggregation agents in lithium-catalysed hydrosilylation of carbonyl compounds

A combined computational and experimental approach demonstrates the accelerating role of deaggregation agents, especially HMPA, in the Li-catalysed hydrosilylation of acetophenone in THF solution under very mild conditions.

1637 Percutaneous treatment of severe tricuspid regurgitation in a "bicuspid" tricuspid valve

A 72 year old female with a past medical history of bicuspid aortic valve with severe aortic regurgitation status post placement of a 21 mm Magna Ease aortic valve replacement on 6/1/16, chronic atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus, and severe mitral regurgitation presented with symptoms of dyspnea upon exertion.

Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) showed normal left ventricular function with severe mitral regurgitation, severe tricuspid regurgitation and severe pulmonary hypertension. Upon close interrogation of the tricuspid valve, there was evidence of fusion with a raphe present between the septal and anterior leaflets ("a bicuspid" tricuspid valve).

The patient was referred for surgical evaluation where she was deemed to be at increased surgical risk and referred for percutaneous treatment for both severe mitral and severe tricuspid regurgitation. After an uncomplicated transseptal puncture, she underwent a placement of a single MitraClip XT clip to the A2/P2 portions of the mitral valve leaflets leaving mild residual mitral regurgitation by color Doppler. Attention was then taken towards the tricuspid valve where using TEE guidance, a MitraClip XT was positioned over the central aspect of the "bicuspid" tricuspid valve with the opened clip arms perpendicular leaflet coaptation. The MitraClip XT was advanced into the right ventricle and slowly retracted to grab both TV leaflets. There was mild, residual tricuspid regurgitation by color Doppler. The mean gradient across the tricuspid valve was 1 mmHg obtained at a heart rate of 52 bpm.

This case describes the first known percutaneous treatment of severe tricuspid regurgitation from a "bicuspid" tricuspid valve with a MitraClip device.

Abstract 1637 Figure.

Multicenter Controlled Study of Intracorporeal Mechanical Side-to-Side Isoperistaltic Anastomosis versus Extracorporeal Anastomosis in Laparoscopic Right Hemicolectomy: HEMI-D-TREND-Study

Colorectal cancer is the second most frequent cancer in the Western world. A third of colorectal tumors are located in the right colon, and right hemicolectomy is the treatment in nondisseminated right colon cancer. The most serious complication of this procedure is anastomotic leak, which occurs in 8.4% of cases. At present, there is no standardized technique for laparoscopic ileo-colic anastomosis. In previous observational studies, intracorporeal side-to-side ileo-colic laparoscopic anastomosis has shown better results than extracorporeal anastomosis in terms of morbidity and mortality. It is known that randomized studies provide higher levels of evidence, but multicenter randomized controlled studies may imply a learning curve bias due to the differences in technical experience acquired at each hospital. As a result, we propose to carry out a prospective, controlled, nonrandomized TREND-study design (Transparent Reporting of Evaluations with Non-randomized Designs-TREND) in a large sample of 416 patients (208 per group) in order to assess the use of intracorporeal side-to-side ileo-colic laparoscopic anastomosis as the gold standard in right hemicolectomy.

Neighborhoods' Evaluation: Influence on Well-Being Variables

The influence of neighborhood characteristics on residents’ well-being and residential satisfaction has been widely studied, and has presented considerable variability. This study analyses the extent to which neighborhood resources influence variables relating to well-being, and examines the relationship between neighborhood resources and residents’ perceptions. The study was structured over two phases: (1) the neighborhood resources were evaluated, and (2) 252 neighborhood residents was interviewed. The results have shown that the observation by independent observers of neighborhood resources is connected to residents’ perceptions of their neighborhood. Residents’ perceptions of their neighborhoods is associated with indicators of well-being, and residential satisfaction. Also, the reasons for living in the neighborhood appear to be connected to the observed availability of resources and the perception of it. Wellbeing and residential satisfaction are the outcome of multiple aspects that are not limited to structural and material elements of neighborhoods.

Multifunctional coordination compounds based on lanthanide ions and 5-bromonicotinic acid: magnetic, luminescence and anti-cancer properties

Four novel coordination compounds based on 5-bromonicotinic acid and lanthanide(iii) ions with interesting magnetic and luminescence properties, and a complete absence of cytotoxicity.

Programas de Intervención Alimentario Nutricional en America Latina y el Caribe entre 1970 y 1984

The main objective of this project was to establish an inventory of the food and nutrition programmes during the last 14 years in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Information was obtained from official documents, interviews, and meetings with programme directors.

Nearly all the countries of the region have carried out some kind of food intervention with the aim of improving the nutritional status of the vulnerable population. Of the 137 programmes identified, 126 were food supplementation programmes and 11 were subsidies.

The programmes with the highest cost per beneficiary were the on-site food consumption programmes implemented mainly through nutritional centres (US$ 3240 per beneficiary/yr); next came those in which food was distributed as part of primary health care (US$ 28.40 per beneficiary/ yr). In terms of benefit and excluding the nutritional value of food distributed, the school programmes were the least costly (US$ 8.3 per beneficiary/yr).

Funding was provided by governments with major external support, especially in Central American and Caribbean countries. Most programmes had no evaluation. Thus there is no way of determining the nutritional impact on the target population or the effectiveness of programmes. However, the coverage of most of these programmes was so limited that, even if effective, they would not represent a satisfactory solution to national food and nutrition problems

[Monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak due to the consumption of roast pork meat]

This report presents an outbreak of monophasic Salmonella enteric serovar Typhimurium fagotipe 4, 5, 12: i:-, in a motorcycle concentration in Valladolid. Information was collected to one hundred and twelve affected from seven Spanish Autonomous Communities. The epidemiological investigation associated the outbreak with the consumption of roast pork with sauce sandwiches sold at a street market in that event.

Novel Rosaceae plant elicitor peptides as sustainable tools to control Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni in Prunus spp

Fruit crops are regarded as important health promoters and constitute a major part of global agricultural production, and Rosaceae species are of high economic impact. Their culture is threatened by bacterial diseases, whose control is based on preventative treatments using compounds of limited efficacy and negative environmental impact. One of the most economically relevant examples is the pathogen Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni (Xap) affecting Prunus spp. The plant immune response against pathogens can be triggered and amplified by plant elicitor peptides (Peps), perceived by specific receptors (PEPRs). Although they have been described in various angiosperms, scarce information is available on Rosaceae species. Here, we identified the Pep precursor (PROPEP), Pep and PEPR orthologues of 10 Rosaceae species and confirmed the presence of the Pep/PEPR system in this family. We showed the perception and elicitor activity of Rosaceae Peps using the Prunus-Xap pathosystem as proof-of-concept. Treatment with nanomolar doses of Peps induced the corresponding PROPEP and a set of defence-related genes in Prunus leaves, and enhanced resistance against Xap. Peps from the same species had the highest efficiencies. Rosaceae Peps could potentially be used to develop natural, targeted and environmentally friendly strategies to enhance the resistance of Prunus species against biotic attackers.

Diversity of plant defense elicitor peptides within the Rosaceae

BACKGROUND

Plant elicitor peptides (Peps) are endogenous molecules that induce and amplify the first line of inducible plant defense, known as pattern-triggered immunity, contributing to protect plants against attack by bacteria, fungi and herbivores. Pep topic application and transgenic expression have been found to enhance disease resistance in a small number of model plant-pathogen systems. The action of Peps relies on perception by specific receptors, so displaying a family-specific activity. Recently, the presence and activity of Peps within the Rosaceae has been demonstrated. Here we characterized the population of Pep sequences within the economically important plant family of Rosaceae, with special emphasis on the Amygdaleae and Pyreae tribes, which include the most relevant edible species such as apple, pear and peach, and numerous ornamental and wild species (e.g. photinia, firethorn and hawthorn).

RESULTS

The systematic experimental search for Pep and the corresponding precursor PROPEP sequences within 36 Amygdaleae and Pyreae species, and 100 cultivars had a highly homogeneous pattern, with two tribe-specific Pep types per plant, i.e. Pep1 and Pep2 (Amygdaleae) or Pep3 and Pep4 (Pyreae). Pep2 and Pep3 are highly conserved, reaching identity percentages similar to those of genes used in plant phylogenetic analyses, while Pep1 and Pep4 are somewhat more variable, with similar values to the corresponding PROPEPs. In contrast to Pep3 and Pep4, Pep1 and Pep2 sequences of different species paralleled their phylogenetic relationships, and putative ancestor sequences were identified. The large amount of sequences allowed refining of a C-terminal consensus sequence that would support the protective activity of Pep1-4 in a Prunus spp. and Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni system. Moreover, tribe-specific consensus sequences were deduced at the center and C-terminal regions of Peps, which might explain the higher protection efficiencies described upon topic treatments with Peps from the same tribe.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study substantially enhances the knowledge on Peps within the Amygdaleae and Pyreae species. It can be the basis to design and fine-tune new control tools against important plant pathogens affecting Prunus, Pyrus and Malus species.

Direct Measurement of the Key E_{c.m.}=456 keV Resonance in the Astrophysical ^{19}Ne(p,γ)^{20}Na Reaction and Its Relevance for Explosive Binary Systems

We have performed a direct measurement of the ^{19}Ne(p,γ)^{20}Na reaction in inverse kinematics using a beam of radioactive ^{19}Ne. The key astrophysical resonance in the ^{19}Ne+p system has been definitely measured for the first time at E_{c.m.}=456_{-2}^{+5}  keV with an associated strength of 17_{-5}^{+7}  meV. The present results are in agreement with resonance strength upper limits set by previous direct measurements, as well as resonance energies inferred from precision (^{3}He, t) charge exchange reactions. However, both the energy and strength of the 456 keV resonance disagree with a recent indirect study of the ^{19}Ne(d, n)^{20}Na reaction. In particular, the new ^{19}Ne(p,γ)^{20}Na reaction rate is found to be factors of ∼8 and ∼5 lower than the most recent evaluation over the temperature range of oxygen-neon novae and astrophysical x-ray bursts, respectively. Nevertheless, we find that the ^{19}Ne(p,γ)^{20}Na reaction is likely to proceed fast enough to significantly reduce the flux of ^{19}F in nova ejecta and does not create a bottleneck in the breakout from the hot CNO cycles into the rp process.