Using photoelectron spectroscopy to measure resonant inelastic X-ray scattering: a computational investigation

Resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) has become an important scientific tool. Nonetheless, conventional high-resolution (few hundred meV or less) RIXS measurements, especially in the soft X-ray range, require low-throughput grating spectrometers, which limits measurement accuracy. Here, the performance of a different method for measuring RIXS, i.e. photoelectron spectrometry for analysis of X-rays (PAX), is computationally investigated. This method transforms the X-ray measurement problem of RIXS to an electron measurement problem, enabling use of high-throughput, compact electron spectrometers. X-rays to be measured are incident on a converter material and the energy distribution of the resultant photoelectrons, the PAX spectrum, is measured with an electron spectrometer. A deconvolution algorithm for analysis of such PAX data is proposed. It is shown that the deconvolution algorithm works well on data recorded with ∼0.5 eV resolution. Additional simulations show the potential of PAX for estimation of RIXS features with smaller widths. For simulations using the 3d levels of Ag as a converter material, and with 105 simulated detected electrons, it is estimated that features with a few hundred meV width can be accurately estimated in a model RIXS spectrum. For simulations using a sharp Fermi edge to encode RIXS spectra, it is estimated that one can accurately distinguish 100 meV FWHM peaks separated by 45 meV with 105 simulated detected electrons that were photoemitted from within 0.4 eV of the Fermi level.

Four Channel 6.5 kV, 65 A, 100 ns-100 µs Generator with Advanced Control of Pulse and Burst Protocols for Biomedical and Biotechnological Applications

Pulsed electric fields in the sub-microsecond range are being increasingly used in biomedical and biotechnology applications, where the demand for high-voltage and high-frequency pulse generators with enhanced performance and pulse flexibility is pushing the limits of pulse power solid state technology. In the scope of this article, a new pulsed generator, which includes four independent MOSFET based Marx modulators, operating individually or combined, controlled from a computer user interface, is described. The generator is capable of applying different pulse shapes, from unipolar to bipolar pulses into biological loads, in symmetric and asymmetric modes, with voltages up to 6.5 kV and currents up to 65 A, in pulse widths from 100 ns to 100 µs, including short-circuit protection, current and voltage monitoring. This new scientific tool can open new research possibility due to the flexibility it provides in pulse generation, particularly in adjusting pulse width, polarity, and amplitude from pulse-to-pulse. It also permits operating in burst mode up to 5 MHz in four independent channels, for example in the application of synchronized asymmetric bipolar pulses, which is shown together with other characteristics of the generator.

Estimating the Completeness of Preserved Collections in Representing Global Biodiversity

There are an estimated 8.7 million eukaryotic species globally and knowledge of those organisms is organised about their scientific names and the specimens we have of those species (Sweetlove 2011, Mora et al. 2011). Likewise there are between 1.2 and 2.1 billion (109) specimens held in biodiversity collections globally (Ariño 2010). These collections constitute an infrastructure and scientific tool to understand, catalogue and study biodiversity. Yet we find it hard to answer the simple question, how many species are in a collection? This is not trivial to answer, collections are not completely inventoried, do not use the same taxonomy, and the volume of data is vast (Samy et al. 2013, Ariño 2010). We have developed a method that allows us to take a list of collections and to estimate the species richness contained within them. By doing this we will have a deeper insight into the scientific value of the world's biodiversity collections. Dealing with non-homogeneous and non-random, but incomplete, sampling of sites is a common issue that occurs in many ecological studies (Magurran and McGill 2011, Colwell et al. 2012, Gotelli and Colwell 2001). By using techniques and toolboxes, such as iNEXT (Chao et al. 2014b) and vegan (Oksanen et al. 2020) we can estimate species richness under these conditions. In the case of collections we consider not only the digitized and published proportion of preserved collections, but make extrapolations to the specimens that have not made their way to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) yet. Nevertheless, to calculate on such large datasets we need to employ innovative Big Data analytic tools. GBIF contains 1.8 billion observations that amount to 120 GB of data compressed. This can then be interrogated in the cloud or locally using tools such as Galaxy, which has made it possible to process large numbers of records in a single batch. We can now evaluate the biodiversity within collections, and divide the result by taxon and geographical region, and compare them to one another. Ultimately, this work will allow individual collections and consortia to evaluate their coverage of biodiversity and help them better target their collecting strategies.

A Historical Collection of Termites in Ferrara: Recovery, Cataloguing and Geographical Analyses

Termites are an insect group relevant for recycling of organic matter, but they are also biodeteriogenic and may cause serious damages to wooden structures (including historical buildings and ancient libraries) in anthropogenic environments. The collection of Italian and foreign termites gathered over the years by Antonio Springhetti, Professor of Zoology at the University of Ferrara (Ferrara, Italy) and internationally renowned entomologist, contains over 44,000 specimens, collected by Springhetti during his field campaigns or donated by other entomologists from all over the world. The collection is currently preserved at the Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology of the University of Ferrara. Unfortunately, all documents, publications and notes concerning the Springhetti Collection were lost; thus, in 2020, the collection was completely re-catalogued within the University Museum System and analyzed in detail. The collection contains specimens dating back to 1878 and represents not only a valuable scientific tool for studies on these ecologically relevant insects that may cause damages to historical buildings, ancient books and artworks but also an important cultural asset for the University Museum System.

Derecho, política y administración ambiental: una propuesta teórica-metodológica para el estudio microhistórico del territorio mexicano

En este trabajo se expone una propuesta teórica-metodológica para la reconstrucción microhistórica de los procesos de gestión ambiental que a través del tiempo reconfiguraron los paisajes culturales del territorio mexicano. El análisis se plantea desde un enfoque fenomenológico e interdisciplinario, con el auxilio de métodos mixtos ―cualitativos y cuantitativos― tomados de las técnicas metodológicas de investigación trazadas por Luis González y González. La entrevista a profundidad; la observación personal; la consulta de fuentes bibliográficas y de archivo histórico; la fotografía antigua y contemporánea; y, las reuniones de diálogo colegiado, son algunas de las técnicas metodológicas que se proponen para el levantamiento de la información. Esta propuesta busca ser una herramienta científica para la comprensión de los procesos socioambientales que definen, estructuran y alteran el significado de los paisajes del territorio nacional. This work presents a theoretical-methodological proposal for the microhistorical reconstruction of the environmental management processes that over time configured landscapes of the Mexican territory. The analysis is proposed from a phenomenological and interdisciplinary approach, with the help of mixed methods ―qualitative and quantitative― taken from the methodological research techniques outlined by Luis González and González. The in-depth interview; personal observation; consultation of bibliographic and historical archive sources; ancient and contemporary photography; and the collegiate dialogue meetings are some of the methodological techniques that are proposed for gathering information. This proposal seeks to be a scientific tool for understanding the socio-environmental processes that define, structure and alter the meaning of the contemporary landscapes of the national territory.

Splicing modulators: on the way from nature to clinic

Over the course of more than two decades, natural products isolated from various microorganisms and plants have built the foundation for chemical biology research into the mechanism of pre-mRNA splicing. Hand in hand with advances in scientific methodology small molecule splicing modulators have become powerful tools for investigating, not just the splicing mechanism, but also the cellular effect of altered mRNA processing. Based on thorough structure-activity studies, synthetic analogues have moved on from scientific tool compounds to experimental drugs. With current advances in drug discovery methodology and new means of attacking targets previously thought undruggable, we can expect further advances in both research and therapeutics based on small molecule splicing modulators.

Chromatographic Fingerprint: A Modern Scientific Tool for Standardization of Traditional Medicines

Drugs of natural origin play a significant role in the public health care system of any nation. Quality control is a challenging task for natural remedies. Natural products are different from traditional medicines and should be assessed for the quality. Chromatographic fingerprint produces a chromatogram that represents the chemical characteristics of herbal medicines. This strategy can serve as the proper monitoring of the quality and safety of medicinal herbs. Chromatographic fingerprint enables the characterization of complex herbal product with multi-constituents on a systematic manner with a quantitative degree of reliability. Fingerprint of herbal products through chromatographic techniques has been widely acceptable for evaluation of quality.

Research Progress: Instituto De Investigaciones En Ciencias Biomédicas (INICIB), Universidad Ricardo Palma

One of the essential functions of the university is to promote, support and strengthen research, as a source to generate new knowledge and as a scientific tool in search of practical solutions to everyday problems in society. The Universidad Ricardo Palma, represented by their dean as its highest authority, offers the university’s academic framework and the institution’s policies will in order to move forward in research policies.

SYMBALS: A Systematic Review Methodology Blending Active Learning and Snowballing

Research output has grown significantly in recent years, often making it difficult to see the forest for the trees. Systematic reviews are the natural scientific tool to provide clarity in these situations. However, they are protracted processes that require expertise to execute. These are problematic characteristics in a constantly changing environment. To solve these challenges, we introduce an innovative systematic review methodology: SYMBALS. SYMBALS blends the traditional method of backward snowballing with the machine learning method of active learning. We applied our methodology in a case study, demonstrating its ability to swiftly yield broad research coverage. We proved the validity of our method using a replication study, where SYMBALS was shown to accelerate title and abstract screening by a factor of 6. Additionally, four benchmarking experiments demonstrated the ability of our methodology to outperform the state-of-the-art systematic review methodology FAST2.

Photogrammetry as a New Scientific Tool in Archaeology: Worldwide Research Trends

Archaeology has made significant advances in the last 20 years. This can be seen by the remarkable increase in specialised literature on all archaeology-related disciplines. These advances have made it a science with links to many other sciences, both in the field of experimental sciences and in the use of techniques from other disciplines such as engineering. Within this last issue it is important to highlight the great advance that the use of photogrammetry has brought for archaeology. In this research, through a systematic study with bibliometric techniques, the main institutions and countries that are carrying them out and the main interests of the scientific community in archaeology related to photogrammetry have been identified. The main increase in this field has been observed since 2010, especially the contribution of UAVs that have reduced the cost of photogrammetric flights for reduced areas. The main lines of research in photogrammetry applied to archaeology are close-range photogrammetry, aerial photogrammetry (UAV), cultural heritage, excavation, cameras, GPS, laser scan, and virtual reconstruction including 3D printing.