Band separation and electric field prediction in square Bravais-Moiré photonic crystals.

In this study, we address three key challenges in photonic crystals: modeling of isolated flat bands, electric field prediction, and band separation in dispersion relations. Using twisted square Bravais lattices at specific angles, we create Bravais-Moiré photonic crystals exhibiting unique characteristics. These include band pairing and parallelism in certain Brillouin zones, enabling predictable electric field behavior and identification of isolated, flat band pairs within extensive band gaps. We apply advanced Shape theory-based classification methods for precise band separation, offering significant contributions to photonics research and light manipulation applications.

How heat waves, ozone and sunlight hours affect endocrine and metabolic diseases emergency admissions? A case study in the region of Madrid (Spain).

BACKGROUND: Studies which analyse the joint effect of acoustic or chemical air pollution variables and different meteorological variables on neuroendocrine disease are practically nonexistent. This study therefore sought to analyse the impact of air pollutants and environmental meteorological variables on daily unscheduled admissions due to endocrine and metabolic diseases in the Madrid Region from January 01, 2013 to December 31, 2018. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal, retrospective, ecological study of daily time series analysed by Poisson regression, with emergency neuroendocrine-disease admissions in the Madrid Region as the dependent variable. The independent variables were: mean daily concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, NO2 and O3; acoustic pollution; maximum and minimum daily temperatures; hours of sunlight; relative humidity; wind speed; and air pressure above sea level. Estimators of the statistically significant variables were used to calculate the relative risks (RRs). RESULTS: A statistically significant association was found between the increase in temperatures in heat waves, RR: 1.123 95% CI (1.001-1.018), and the number of emergency admissions, making it the main risk factor. An association between a decrease in sunlight and an increase in hospital admissions, RR: 1.005 95% CI (1.002 1.008), was likewise observed. Similarly, ozone, in the form of mean daily concentrations in excess of 44 µg/m3, had an impact on admissions due to neuroendocrine disease, RR: 1.010 95% CI (1.007-1.035). The breakdown by sex showed that in the case of women, NO2 was also a risk factor, RR: 1.021 95% CI (1.007-1.035). CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this study serve to identify risk factors for this disease, such as extreme temperatures in heat waves, O3 or NO2. The robust association found between the decrease in sunlight and increase in hospital admissions due to neuroendocrine disease serves to spotlight an environmental factor which has received scant attention in public health until now.

Simultaneous electrochemical immunosensing of relevant cytokines to diagnose and track cancer and autoimmune diseases.

This work reports the first dual magnetic beads (MBs) assisted immunoplatform for the simultaneous determination of BAFF (B cell activation factor) and APRIL (a proliferation-induced ligand), two cytokines related to immunity and tumour invasion, growth and metastasis. The electrochemical immunoplatform involves sandwich-type immunoassays implemented on magnetic microparticles functionalized with neutravidin (NA-MBs) or carboxylic groups (HOOC-MBs), and amperometric detection (Eapp =  - 0.20 V vs. Ag pseudo-reference electrode) at screen-printed dual carbon electrodes (SPdCE) using the H2O2/hydroquinone (HQ) system. The developed immunosensors provide improved sensitivity, with LOD values of 0.33 and 16.4 pg mL-1 for BAFF and APRIL, respectively, and much shorter assay time that those claimed for ELISA kits and allow their simultaneous determination. The dual immunosensor permits discrimination between healthy individuals and patients diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) or colorectal cancer (CRC) through the determination of both cytokines in 100-times diluted human sera with results in agreement with those provided by the individual ELISA methodologies.

Dicke and Fano-Andreev reflections in a triple quantum-dot system.

This article studies quantum interference effects and their influence on the electronic transport through a parallel triple quantum-dot system coupled to normal and superconducting leads in the linear response and non-equilibrium regime. We model the system by a triple impurity Anderson Hamiltonian including the Coulomb intra-dot correlations in all quantum-dots. Using the non-equilibrium Green's function formalism, we calculate the Andreev conductance and the transmittance for energies within the superconductor gap. Our results show that the Andreev reflection spectra, both in the presence and absence of Coulomb interaction, reveal Fano and Dicke-like resonances in analogy to the Fano and Dicke effects in atomic physics. As one of the main results, we obtain that the charge shows abrupt changes due to the Dicke effect.

Precursors of Reading Performance and Double- and Triple-Deficit Risks in Spanish.

Early literacy skills serve as the best precursors of reading success and risk indicators of the double deficit and triple deficit hypotheses according to the spelling consistency of languages. Our study analyzes the predictive value of phonological awareness, naming speed, and orthographic skills for early reading in Spanish. Participants included 362 Spanish children aged 4 to 5 years. We used data analysis to examine the relationships between these precursors and fluency through a structural equation model and investigated the risk indicators of poor reading performance according to the double deficit and triple deficit hypotheses using binary logistic analysis. Our research delimits a model for the Spanish language that emphasizes the predictive value of phonological awareness, letter-naming fluency, and knowledge of graphemes in early reading. Letter-naming fluency is the best precursor to early reading experiences, and poor early reading performance in children is explained by deficits in phonological awareness, naming speed, and visual orientation. Our findings confirm the risk indicators of the triple deficit hypothesis in the early learning of reading in Spanish.

Enlightening the advancements in electrochemical bioanalysis for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Neurodegenerative disorders (NDD), and particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD), are one of the greatest challenges facing our current medicine and society because of its increasing incidence and the high burden imposed both on patients' families and health systems. Despite this, their accurate diagnosis, mostly conducted by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis or neuroimaging techniques, costly, time-consuming, and unaffordable for most of the population, remains a complex task. In this situation, electrochemical biosensors are flourishing as promising alternative tools for the simple, fast, and low-cost diagnosis of NDD/AD. This review article provides the relevant clinical details of NDD/AD along with the closely related genetic (genetic mutations, polymorphisms of ApoE and specific miRNAs) and proteomic (amyloid-ß peptides, total and phosphorylated tau protein) biomarkers circulating mostly in CSF. In addition, the article systematically enlightens a general view of the electrochemical affinity biosensors (mostly aptasensors and immunosensors) reported in the past two years for the determination of such biomarkers. The different developed strategies, analytical performances and applications are comprehensively discussed. Recent advancements in signal amplification methodologies involving smart designs and the use of nanomaterials and rational surface chemistries, as well as the challenges that must be struggled and the prospects in electrochemical affinity biosensing to bring more accessibility to NDD/AD diagnosis, prognosis, and follow-up, are also pointed out.

Translation and Validation of the Spanish Version of the SARC-F Questionnaire to Assess Sarcopenia in Older People.

OBJECTIVES: The revised European consensus on sarcopenia definition and diagnosis (EWGSOP2) includes the SARC-F questionnaire, the most valid and consistent sarcopenia screening tool, as the mandatory first step. Our aim was the translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and validation of the SARC-F questionnaire as a culturally-responsive Spanish-language version for the European population. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional descriptive study, applying the two-step WHO methodology for translation and cross-cultural adaptation of health questionnaires, and harmonization with the Mexican-Spanish version. European Union Geriatric Medicine Society recommendations for SARC-F validation in European languages were considered. PARTICIPANTS: Outpatient clinics of a university hospital. INCLUSION CRITERIA: stable, ambulatory (including aids), community-dwelling population ≥65 years old. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The self-reported 5-item SARC-F questionnaire was administered; scores ≥4 indicated sarcopenia. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy-likelihood ratios, predictive values, and kappa statistics were calculated and consecutively compared with European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) and EWGSOP2 criteria. RESULTS: This Spanish version, administered in an average 70s, has adequate internal consistency (Cronbach alpha=0.779). For the validation study, 90 (43.3%) of 208 potentially eligible subjects (81.4 ± 5.9 years old, 75.6% women) were included. SARC-F identified 51 (56.7%) subjects with sarcopenia and 39 (43.3%) without the disease. Prevalence was 17.8% per EWGSOP and 25.6% per EWGSOP2 (58% accuracy and fair agreement: sensitivity, 78.3%; specificity, 50.8%). CONCLUSIONS: SARC-F is a feasible tool, suitable for bedside assessment in community-dwelling older patients. Wide diffusion of this culturally-responsible SARC-F Spanish version is expected as EWGSOP2 is adopted and sarcopenia assessment is broadly implemented in Spain.

Frailty Related Factors as Predictors of Functional Recovery in Geriatric Rehabilitation: The Sarcopenia And Function in Aging Rehabilitation (SAFARI) Multi-Centric study.

BACKGROUND: Frailty-related characteristics, such as sarcopenia, malnutrition and cognitive impairment, are often overlooked, both in clinical practice and research, as potential contributors to functional recovery during geriatric rehabilitation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to identify frailty-related characteristics associated with functional recovery in a cohort of post-orthopedic surgery and post-stroke older adults. DESIGN: Multi-centric cohort study. Participanst and Settings: Patients over 65 years, admitted to three geriatric rehabilitation units, in Spain and Italy, after an orthopedic event or a stroke, from December 2014 to May 2016. MEASUREMENTS: The Absolute Functional Gain (AFG) defined as the difference between Barthel Index score at discharge and at admission, and the Relative Functional Gain (RFG) that represents the percentage of recovery of the function lost due to the event, were selected as outcomes. Both outcomes were analyzed as continuous and dichotomous variables. Analyses were also stratified as diagnostic at admission. RESULTS: We enrolled 459 patients (mean age±SD=80.75±8.21 years), 66.2% women, 69.5% with orthopedic conditions and with a length of stay of 28.8±9.1 days. Admission after a stroke (Odds Ratio=0.36, 95% Confidence Interval=0.22-0.59]) and a better functional status at admission (OR=0.96, 95% CI=0.94-0.97), were associated with a lower likelihood of AFG, while a better pre-event Barthel index (OR=1.03 for each point in score, 95% CI=1.01-1.04), being able to walk (OR=2.07, 95% CI=1.16-3.70), and a better cognitive status at admission (OR=1.05, 95% CI=1.01-1.09), were associated with a higher chance of AFG. Post-stroke patients with delirium at admission had a re-duced chance of AFG (OR=0.25, 95% CI=0.07-0.91]). Patients admitted after an ortho-pedic event with better pre-event functional status (OR=1.04, 95% CI=1.02-1.06) and able to walk at admission (OR=2.79, 95% CI=1.29-6.03]) had an increased chance of AFG. Additionally, in both diagnostics groups, a better handgrip strength increased the chance of RFG. CONCLUSIONS: Among frailty-related variables, physical, cognitive and muscular function at admission could be relevant for functional improvement during geriatric reha-bilitation. If confirmed, this data might orient targeted interventions.

Dermatomyositis panniculitis: a clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study of 18 cases.

BACKGROUND: Panniculitis occurring in dermatomyositis is uncommon, with only a few cases described in the literature, most of them as case reports. OBJECTIVE: This report describes the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical findings in a series of 18 patients with panniculitis associated with dermatomyositis. METHODS: In each patient, we collected the clinical data of the cutaneous lesions as well as the characteristic clinical and laboratory findings. A series of histopathologic findings was recorded in the biopsy of each patient. A panel of antibodies was used in some cases to investigate the immunophenotype of the infiltrate. Data of treatment and follow-up were also collected. RESULTS: Of the 18 patients, 13 were female and 5 were male, ranging in age from 13 to 74 years (median, 46.4 years). In addition to panniculitis, all patients presented pathognomonic cutaneous findings of DM and reported proximal muscle weakness prior to the diagnosis of panniculitis. Muscle biopsy was performed in 17 patients and MRI in one, all with the diagnosis of inflammatory myopathy. None of the patients presented any associated neoplasia. Panniculitis lesions were located in the upper or lower limbs. Histopathology showed a mostly lobular panniculitis with lymphocytes as the main component of the infiltrate. Most cases showed also numerous plasma cells and lymphocytes surrounding necrotic adipocytes (rimming) were frequently seen. Lymphocytic vasculitis and abundant mucin interstitially deposited between collagen bundles of the dermis were also frequent findings. Late-stage lesions showed hyaline necrosis of the fat lobule and calcification. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that most lymphocytes of the infiltrate were T-helper lymphocytes, with some B lymphocytes in the lymphoid aggregates and small clusters of CD-123-positive plasmacytoid dendritic cells in the involved fat lobule. CONCLUSION: Panniculitis in dermatomyositis is rare. Histopathologic findings of panniculitis dermatomyositis are identical to those of lupus panniculitis. Therefore, the final diagnosis requires clinic-pathologic correlation.

Factors affecting rotation of occiput posterior position during the first stage of labor.

INTRODUCTION: Fetal occiput posterior (OP) positions account for 15 to 20% of cephalic presentations and are associated with poorer maternal and neonatal outcomes than occiput anterior (OA) positions. The aim of this study was to identify maternal, neonatal and obstetric factors associated with rotation from OP to OA position during the first stage of labor. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This secondary analysis of a multicenter randomized controlled trial (EVADELA) included 285 laboring women with ruptured membranes and a term fetus in OP position. After excluding women with cesarean deliveries before full dilatation, we compared two groups according to fetal head position at the end of the first stage of labor: those with and without rotation from OP to OA position. Factors associated with rotation were assessed with univariate and multivariate analyses using multilevel logistic regression models. RESULTS: The rate of anterior rotation during the first stage was 49.1%. Rotation of the fetal head was negatively associated with excessive gestational weight gain (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.37, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.17-0.80), macrosomia (aOR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.14-0.90), direct OP position (aOR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.09-0.65), and prelabor rupture of membranes (aOR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.19-0.86). Oxytocin administration was the only factor positively associated with fetal head rotation (aOR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.20-3.91). DISCUSSION: Oxytocin administration may affect rotation of OP positions during the first stage of labor. Further studies should be performed to assess the risks and benefits of its utilization for managing labor with a fetus in OP position.

Testing stimulus protocols in retinal-prosthesis patients.

Retinal prostheses have demonstrated the capability to give blind patients the ability to detect motion and locate large objects. High-resolution retinal prostheses require precise activation of retinal cells to elicit a small visual phosphine that can serve as a building block to make patterns. Each electrode should activate only nearby cells, however patients receiving single electrode stimulation often report a streak-shaped phosphene rather than a focal spot. It is important to investigate stimulus paradigms that will provide better control over the spatial patterns of activation. During this study a 55 year old patient implanted with the Argus II system on August 2015 was tested with single electrode stimulation and pattern stimulation experiments. Tasks were performed using Argus II normal parameters.

Fano-Andreev effect in a T-shape double quantum dot in the Kondo regime.

In the present work, we investigate the electronic transport through a T-shape double quantum dot system coupled to two normal leads and to one superconducting lead. We explore the interplay between Kondo and Andreev states due to proximity effects. We find that Kondo resonance is modified by the Andreev bound states, which manifest through Fano antiresonances in the local density of states of the embedded quantum dot and normal transmission. This means that there is a correlation between Andreev bound states and Fano resonances that is robust under the influence of high electronic correlation. We have also found that the dominant couplings at the quantum dots are characterized by a crossover region that defines the range where the Fano-Kondo and the Andreev-Kondo effect prevail in each quantum dot. Likewise, we find that the interaction between Kondo and Andreev bound states has a notable influence on the Andreev transport.

Antiferromagnetic vs. non-magnetic ε phase of solid oxygen. Periodic density functional theory studies using a localized atomic basis set and the role of exact exchange.

The question of the non-magnetic (NM) vs. antiferromagnetic (AF) nature of the ε phase of solid oxygen is a matter of great interest and continuing debate. In particular, it has been proposed that the ε phase is actually composed of two phases, a low-pressure AF ε1 phase and a higher pressure NM ε0 phase [Crespo et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A., 2014, 111, 10427]. We address this problem through periodic spin-restricted and spin-polarized Kohn-Sham density functional theory calculations at pressures from 10 to 50 GPa using calibrated GGA and hybrid exchange-correlation functionals with Gaussian atomic basis sets. The two possible configurations for the antiferromagnetic (AF1 and AF2) coupling of the 0 ≤ S ≤ 1 O2 molecules in the (O2)4 unit cell were studied. Full enthalpy-driven geometry optimizations of the (O2)4 unit cells were done to study the pressure evolution of the enthalpy difference between the non-magnetic and both antiferromagnetic structures. We also address the evolution of structural parameters and the spin-per-molecule vs. pressure. We find that the spin-less solution becomes more stable than both AF structures above 50 GPa and, crucially, the spin-less solution yields lattice parameters in much better agreement with experimental data at all pressures than the AF structures. The optimized AF2 broken-symmetry structures lead to large errors of the a and b lattice parameters when compared with experiments. The results for the NM model are in much better agreement with the experimental data than those found for both AF models and are consistent with a completely non-magnetic (O2)4 unit cell for the low-pressure regime of the ε phase.

Does the menopausal status of female gynecologists affect their prescription of menopausal hormone therapy?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether menopausal status and symptoms among female gynecologists would influence their clinical behavior related to menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). METHODS: Female gynecologists of 11 Latin American countries were requested to fill out the Menopause Rating Scale and a questionnaire containing personal information and that related to MHT use. RESULTS: A total of 818 gynecologists accepted to participate (86.4%). Overall, the mean age was 45.0 ± 10.7 years, 32.2% were postmenopausal, and 17.6% worked in an academic position; 81.8% reported that they would use MHT if they have symptoms, regardless of menopausal status. Academic gynecologists favor personal MHT use at a higher rate (p = 0.04) and have a higher MHT prescription rate as compared to non-academic ones (p = 0.0001). The same trend was observed among post- as compared to premenopausal ones (p = 0.01) and among those who had hysterectomy alone as compared to those experiencing natural menopause (p = 0.002). The presence of menopausal symptoms did not influence their MHT prescription. Current use of MHT and alternative therapy was higher among post- than premenopausal gynecologists (both, p = 0.0001) and among those who had undergone hysterectomy than those experiencing natural menopause. A 38.5% perceived breast cancer as the main risk related to MHT, and a high proportion prescribed non-hormonal drugs (86.4%) or alternative therapies (84.5%). CONCLUSION: Most female gynecologists in this survey would use MHT if menopausal symptoms were present. Postmenopausal physicians use MHT and prescribe it to their symptomatic patients at a higher rate than premenopausal physicians.

Yeasts isolated from figs (Ficus carica L.) as biocontrol agents of postharvest fruit diseases.

Fresh fruit is highly perishable during postharvest life, mainly due to fungal growth. Thus, fungal control is an important goal for the fruit industry. In this work, a selection of antagonistic yeasts isolated from fig and breba crops were screened in vitro. The isolated yeasts were challenged with three moulds isolated from decayed figs and breba crops, identified as Penicillium expansum M639 and Cladosporium cladosporioides M310 and M624, and pathogenic moulds Botrytis cinerea CECT20518 and Monilia laxa CA1 from culture collections. Two yeast isolates, Hanseniaspora opuntiae L479 and Metschnikowia pulcherrima L672, were selected for their ability to inhibit the growth of aforementioned moulds. These yeasts reduced the radial growth of moulds on PDA by between 45.23% and 66.09%. Antagonistic activity was associated with the interaction of live yeast cells with moulds. M. pulcherrima L672 apparently parasitised C. cladosporioides isolates. In addition, challenges were assayed using wounded apples and nectarines, with significant reductions in percent infection and lesion size for all moulds tested. To our knowledge, this is the first report identifying H. opuntiae as an antagonist against different pathogenic moulds.

A novel antioxidant formulation designed to treat male infertility associated with oxidative stress: promising preclinical evidence from animal models.

STUDY QUESTION: Does a novel antioxidant formulation designed to restore redox balance within the male reproductive tract, reduce sperm DNA damage and increase pregnancy rates in mouse models of sperm oxidative stress? SUMMARY ANSWER: Oral administration of a novel antioxidant formulation significantly reduced sperm DNA damage in glutathione peroxidase 5 (GPX5), knockout mice and restored pregnancy rates to near-normal levels in mice subjected to scrotal heat stress. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Animal and human studies have documented the adverse effect of sperm DNA damage on fertilization rates, embryo quality, miscarriage rates and the transfer of de novo mutations to offspring. Semen samples of infertile men are known to be deficient in several key antioxidants relative to their fertile counterparts. Antioxidants alone or in combination have demonstrated limited efficacy against sperm oxidative stress and DNA damage in numerous human clinical trials, however these studies have not been definitive and an optimum combination has remained elusive. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: The efficacy of the antioxidant formulation was evaluated in two well-established mouse models of oxidative stress, scrotal heating and Gpx5 knockout (KO) mice, (n = 12 per experimental group), by two independent laboratories. Mice were provided the antioxidant product in their drinking water for 2-8 weeks and compared with control groups for sperm DNA damage and pregnancy rates. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: In the Gpx5 KO model, oxidative DNA damage was monitored in spermatozoa by immunocytochemical detection of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG). In the scrotal heat stress model, male fertility was tested by partnering with three females for 5 days. The percentage of pregnant females, number of vaginal plugs, resorptions per litter, and litter size were recorded. MAIN RESULTS AND ROLE OF CHANCE: Using immunocytochemical detection of 8OHdG as a biomarker of DNA oxidation, analysis of control mice revealed that around 30% of the sperm population was positively stained. This level increased to about 60% in transgenic mice deficient in the antioxidant enzyme, GPX5. Our results indicate that an 8 week pretreatment of Gpx5 KO mice with the antioxidant formulation provided complete protection of sperm DNA against oxidative damage. In mouse models of scrotal heat stress, only 35% (19/54) of female mice became pregnant resulting in 169 fetuses with 18% fetal resorption (30/169). This is in contrast to the antioxidant pretreated group where 74% (42/57) of female mice became pregnant, resulting in 427 fetuses with 9% fetal resorption (38/427). In both animal models the protection provided by the novel antioxidant was statistically significant (P < 0.01 for the reduction of 8OHdG in the spermatozoa of Gpx5 KO mice and P < 0.05 for increase in fertility in the scrotal heat stress model). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: It was not possible to determine the exact level of antioxidant consumption for each mouse during the treatment period. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Recent clinical studies confirm moderate to severe sperm DNA damage in about 60% of all men visiting IVF centers and in about 80% of men diagnosed with idiopathic male infertility. Our results, if confirmed in humans, will impact clinical fertility practice because they support the concept of using an efficacious antioxidant supplementation as a preconception therapy, in order to optimize fertilization rates, help to maintain a healthy pregnancy and limit the mutational load carried by children. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: The study was funded by the Clermont Université and the University of Madrid. P.G. is the Managing Director of CellOxess LLC, which has a commercial interest in the detection and resolution of oxidative stress. A.M. and A.P. are employees of CellOxess, LLC. J.R.D., A.G.-A. and R.J.A. are honorary members of the CellOxess advisory board.

Evaluation of Effects of Electrical Stimulation in the Retina with Optical Coherence Tomography.

Retinal prostheses provide the capability to blind patients to detect motion and locate large objects. To avoid activating axons of passage, which can create streak-like perceptions, long pulse stimulation can be used to bypass axons and achieve focal retinal activation. Safety is a concern because long pulses require more charge than short pulses to elicit a response from neural tissue. Future implants will require smaller electrodes to improve resolution, but increased charge density may result, which is another safety concern. We developed a method to study the effects of electrical stimulation in the retina in real time using OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) imaging combined with micropositioning of a stimulating electrode over the retina in an animal model. When using a 250-micron diameter electrode and stimulating for 30 minutes (frequency: 333 Hz), charge density: 1.22 mC/cm2, we observed an increase in retinal thickness from 154.3 µm ± 7.04 µm to 179.67 µm ± 0.47µm, a 16.66 % ± 5.49% increase compared to baseline. The region of increased thickness extended laterally for 0.56 mm ± 0.009 mm. When stimulating with a charge density of 1.63 mC/cm2, we observed an increase in retinal thickness from 160.3 µm ± 2.05 µm to 190 µm ± 0.81µm, a 19.52 % ± 1.86% increase compared to baseline. The region of increased thickness expanded laterally for 1.27 mm ± 0.19 mm.

Understanding the ε and ζ High-Pressure Solid Phases of Oxygen. Systematic Periodic Density Functional Theory Studies Using Localized Atomic Basis.

The experimentally characterized ε and ζ phases of solid oxygen are studied by periodic Hartree-Fock (HF) and Density Functional Theory calculations at pressures from 10 to 160 GPa using different types of exchange-correlation functionals with Gaussian atomic basis sets. Full geometry optimizations of the monoclinic C2/m (O2)4 unit cell were done to study the evolution of the structural and electronic properties with pressure. Vibrational calculations were performed at each pressure. While periodic HF does not predict the ε-ζ phase transition in the considered range, Local Density approximation and Generalized Gradient approximation methods predict too low transition pressures. The performance of hybrid functional methods is dependent on the amount of non-local HF exchange. PBE0, M06, B3PW91, and B3LYP approaches correctly predict the structural and electronic changes associated with the phase transition. GGA and hybrid functionals predict a pressure range where both phases coexist, but only the latter type of methods yield results in agreement with experiment. Using the optimized (O2)4 unit cell at each pressure we show, through CASSCF(8,8) calculations, that the greater accuracy of the optimized geometrical parameters with increasing pressure is due to a decreasing multireference character of the unit cell wave function. The mechanism of the transition from the non-conducting to the conducting ζ phase is explained through the Electron Pair Localization Function, which clearly reveals chemical bonding between O2 molecules in the ab crystal planes belonging to different unit cells due to much shorter intercell O2-O2 distances.

Columnar and surface aerosol load over the Iberian Peninsula establishing annual cycles, trends, and relationships in five geographical sectors.

The study of atmospheric aerosol load over the Iberian Peninsula (IP) under a climatological perspective is accomplished by means of PM10 and AOD440 nm measurements from EMEP and AERONET networks, respectively, in the period 2000-2013. The PM10 annual cycles in five Iberian sectors show a main maximum in summer and a secondary maximum in spring, which is only observed in the southern area for the AOD climatology. The characteristics of PM10-AOD annual cycles of each geographical sector are explained by the different climatology of the air mass origins and their apportioning. The two magnitudes are correlated with a factor ranging between 20 and 90 depending on the sector. The temporal evolution of the aerosol load has shown a notable decrease in the IP since the 1980s. Statistically significant trends are obtained in the Northeastern sector with a reduction of 26% (period 1985-2000) for the total suspended particles, which continues for the PM10 data with a value of 35% per decade (2001-2013), and also in the whole column, 61% per decade in the AOD440 nm (2004-2013).