bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management of cubital tunnel syndrome by anterior trans-muscular transposition of the ulnar nerve
Authors: Ammar Ahmed Shawky , El Tabl Mohamed Ahmed , Saif Dalia Salah
Published: December 2019

Background

Various surgical options are used for the treatment of ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow. In this study, anterior trans-muscular transposition of the ulnar nerve was used for the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome.

Objectives

To evaluate the surgical results of anterior trans-muscular transposition technique for the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome with particular emphasis on clinical outcome.

Methods

Forty patients with cubital tunnel syndrome were operated using anterior trans-muscular transposition technique. Patients were classified into post-operative clinical outcome grades according to the Wilson & Krout criteria, and they were followed up by visual analog scale (VAS), the Disability of Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, electrophysiological study, and post-operative clinical evaluation.

Results

Forty patients with cubital tunnel syndrome who underwent anterior trans-muscular transposition of the ulnar nerve show a significant clinical improvement at 24 months post-surgery regarding visual analog scale (VAS), the Disability of Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, electrophysiological study, and the Wilson & Krout grading as 87.5% of the patients recorded excellent and good outcome.

Conclusion

Anterior transmuscular transposition of the ulnar nerve is a safe and effective treatment for ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow.
Interdisciplinary insights from instructor interviews reconciling “structure and function” in biology, biochemistry, and chemistry through the context of enzyme binding
Authors: Yoho Rachel , Foster Tanner , Urban-Lurain Mark , Merrill John , Haudek Kevin C.
Published: December 2019

Structure and function is an essential crosscutting concept in undergraduate STEM education and appears in numerous disciplines and contexts from the introductory to advanced levels. This concept is exemplified by enzyme binding, a topic spanning biology, biochemistry, and chemistry. We interviewed 13 instructors with primary instructional appointments in these fields, focusing on how they think about and also teach structure and function in their courses. We focused on how they define the component terms, “structure” and “function,” their personal learning development, and how they view the interactions among these three disciplines. Overall, we found that context and terminology appear to be key factors in these conversations, as well as in the classroom. These instructors, in reflecting on their own educational development, do not consider that they developed their understanding in an undergraduate classroom. Instead, they focused on research experiences, graduate studies, postdoctoral work, or even, teaching appointments as essential points for their own knowledge. These instructors held strong opinions about interactions among the disciplines, both from the perspectives of cross-talk and what their students experience. These opinions generally center on individual instructors’ opinions of other disciplines, apparent inclination to collaborate on teaching across disciplinary lines, and general preconceptions of other fields. Overall, this work has implications on the path forward for undergraduate teaching and learning of structure and function.
Bi-caudate ratio as a MRI marker of white matter atrophy in multiple sclerosis and ischemic leukocencephalopathy
Authors: Serag Dena , Ragab Eman
Published: December 2019

Background

Brain atrophy measurement is now a cornerstone in basic neuro-imaging science. While assessment of white matter atrophy by visual inspection is subjective, volumetric approaches are time-consuming and not often feasible. Bi-caudate ratio represents a linear surrogate parameter of brain volume that can be derived from standard imaging sequences. This study highlights the value of the bi-caudate ratio (BCR) as a MRI marker of white matter atrophy in patients with multiple sclerosis and ischemic leukoencephalopathy and set a cut-off value to differentiate between patients with white matter atrophy and normal subjects.

Results

A total of 115 patients (54 males and 61 females) diagnosed with white matter leukoencephalopathy (MS in 51 patients and ischemic leukoencephalopathy in 64 patients) were included. Another group of 60 subjects with a normal white matter signal was recruited as a control group. BCR for the patient group ranged from 0.13 to 0.27 (mean (± SD) = 0.16 ± 0.02), while for the control group, it ranged from 0.05 mm to 0.13 (mean (± SD) = 0.09 ± 0.01). The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P value < 0.001). A cut-off value of 0.13 was used to differentiate between the BCR in both patients and control groups with sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 99.2%, 100%, and 99%, respectively. The difference in BCR for patients diagnosed with MS and ischemic leukoencephalopathy was also statistically significant (P value < 0.001).

Conclusion

The bi-caudate ratio represents a linear measurement of subcortical atrophy that can be useful as a surrogate marker of global supra-tentorial white matter atrophy instead of the usually performed visual and therefore subjective assessment. It is an easily obtained measure that can be performed without complex time-consuming volumetric studies. Our findings also revealed that the BCR is higher in patients with ischemic leukoencephalopathy than in patients with MS.
Single Islet Autoantibody at Diagnosis of Clinical Type 1 Diabetes is Associated With Older Age and Insulin Resistance
Authors: Redondo Maria J , Sosenko Jay , Libman Ingrid , McVean Jennifer J F , Tosur Mustafa , Atkinson Mark A , Becker Dorothy , Geyer Susan
Published: December 2019

Context

Multiple islet autoantibody positivity usually precedes clinical (stage 3) type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Objective

To test the hypothesis that individuals who develop stage 3 T1D with only a single autoantibody have unique metabolic differences.

Design

Cross-sectional analysis of participants in the T1D TrialNet study.

Setting

Autoantibody-positive relatives of individuals with stage 3 T1D.

Participants

Autoantibody-positive relatives who developed stage 3 T1D (at median age 12.4 years, range = 1.4–58.6) and had autoantibody data close to clinical diagnosis (n = 786, 47.4% male, 79.9% non-Hispanic white).

Main Outcome Measures

Logistic regression modeling was used to assess relationships between autoantibody status and demographic, clinical, and metabolic characteristics, adjusting for potential confounders and correcting for multiple comparisons.

Results

At diagnosis of stage 3 T1D, single autoantibody positivity, observed in 119 (15.1%) participants (72% GAD65, 13% microinsulin antibody assay, 11% insulinoma-associated antigen 2, 1% islet cell antibody, 3% autoantibodies to zinc transporter 8 [ZnT8]), was significantly associated with older age, higher C-peptide measures (fasting, area under the curve, 2-hour, and early response in oral glucose tolerance test), higher homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, and lower T1D Index60 (all P < 0.03). While with adjustment for age, 2-hour C-peptide remained statistically different, controlling for body mass index (BMI) attenuated the differences. Sex, race, ethnicity, human leukocyte antigen DR3-DQ2, and/or DR4-DQ8, BMI category, and glucose measures were not significantly associated with single autoantibody positivity.

Conclusions

Compared with multiple autoantibody positivity, single autoantibody at diagnosis of stage 3 T1D was associated with older age and insulin resistance possibly mediated by elevated BMI, suggesting heterogeneous disease pathogenesis. These differences are potentially relevant for T1D prevention and treatment.
Beta-1 and Not Beta-3 Adrenergic Receptors May Be the Primary Regulator of Human Brown Adipocyte Metabolism
Authors: Riis-Vestergaard Mette Ji , Richelsen Bjørn , Bruun Jens Meldgaard , Li Wei , Hansen Jacob B , Pedersen Steen Bønløkke
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) activation in humans has gained interest as a potential target for treatment of obesity and insulin resistance. In rodents, BAT is primarily induced through beta-3 adrenergic receptor (ADRB3) stimulation, whereas the primary beta adrenergic receptors (ADRBs) involved in human BAT activation are debated. We evaluated the importance of different ADRB subtypes for uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) induction in human brown adipocytes.

Methods

A human BAT cell model (TERT-hBA) was investigated for subtype-specific ADRB agonists and receptor knockdown on UCP1 mRNA levels and lipolysis (glycerol release). In addition, fresh human BAT biopsies and TERT-hBA were evaluated for expression of ADRB1, ADRB2, and ADRB3 using RT-qPCR.

Results

The predominant ADRB subtype in TERT-hBA adipocytes and BAT biopsies was ADRB1. In TERT-hBA, UCP1 mRNA expression was stimulated 11.0-fold by dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP), 8.0-fold to 8.4-fold by isoproterenol (ISO; a pan-ADRB agonist), and 6.1-fold to 12.7-fold by dobutamine (ADRB1 agonist), whereas neither procaterol (ADRB2 agonist), CL314.432, or Mirabegron (ADRB3 agonists) affected UCP1. Similarly, dbcAMP, ISO, and dobutamine stimulated glycerol release, whereas lipolysis was unaffected by ADRB2 and ADRB3 agonists. Selective knockdown of ADRB1 significantly attenuated ISO-induced UCP1 expression.

Conclusion

The adrenergic stimulation of UCP1 and lipolysis may mainly be mediated through ADRB1. Moreover, ADRB1 is the predominant ADRB in both TERT-hBA and human BAT biopsies. Thus, UCP1 expression in human BAT may, unlike in rodents, primarily be regulated by ADRB1. These findings may have implications for ADRB agonists as future therapeutic compounds for human BAT activation.
Low oxygen enhances trophoblast column growth by potentiating differentiation of the extravillous lineage and promoting LOX activity
Authors: Treissman Jenna , Yuan Victor , Baltayeva Jennet , Le Hoa T. , Castellana Barbara , Robinson Wendy P. , Beristain Alexander G.
Published: December 2019

Early placental development and the establishment of the invasive trophoblast lineage take place within a low oxygen environment. However, conflicting and inconsistent findings have obscured the role of oxygen in regulating invasive trophoblast differentiation. In this study, the effect of hypoxic, normoxic and atmospheric oxygen on invasive extravillous pathway progression was examined using a human placental explant model. Here, we show that exposure to low oxygen enhances extravillous column outgrowth and promotes the expression of genes that align with extravillous trophoblast (EVT) lineage commitment. By contrast, supra-physiological atmospheric levels of oxygen promote trophoblast proliferation while simultaneously stalling EVT progression. Low oxygen-induced EVT differentiation coincided with elevated transcriptomic levels of lysyl oxidase (LOX) in trophoblast anchoring columns, in which functional experiments established a role for LOX activity in promoting EVT column outgrowth. The findings of this work support a role for low oxygen in potentiating the differentiation of trophoblasts along the extravillous pathway. In addition, these findings generate insight into new molecular processes controlled by oxygen during early placental development.
Impact of Surgical Margins in Breast Cancer After Preoperative Systemic Chemotherapy on Local Recurrence and Survival
Authors: Wimmer K. , Bolliger M. , Bago-Horvath Z. , Steger G. , Kauer-Dorner D. , Helfgott R. , Gruber C. , Moinfar F. , Mittlböck M. , Fitzal F.
Published: December 2019

Background

While “no tumour on ink” is an accepted margin width for R0 resection in primary surgery, it’s unclear if it’s oncologically safe after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Only limited data demonstrate that surgery within new margins in cases of a pathological complete response (pCR) is safe. We therefore investigated the influence of different margins and pCR on local recurrence and survival rates after NAC.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed data of 406 women with invasive breast cancer, treated with NAC and breast-conserving therapy between 1994 and 2014 in two certified Austrian breast health centres. We compared R ≤ 1 mm, R > 1 mm and RX (pCR) for local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

After a median follow-up of 84.3 months, the 5-year LRFS (R ≤ 1 mm: 94.2%, R > 1 mm: 90.6%, RX: 95.0%; p = 0.940), the 5-year DFS (R ≤ 1 mm: 71.9%, R > 1 mm: 74.1%, RX: 87.2%; p = 0.245) and the 5-year OS (R ≤ 1 mm: 85.1%, R > 1 mm: 88.0%, RX: 96.4%; p = 0.236) did not differ significantly between narrow, wide, nor RX resections. Regarding DFS and OS, a negative nodal status reduced the hazard ratio significantly.

Conclusion

There is no significant difference in LRFS, DFS and OS comparing close, wide or unknown margins after pCR. We suggest that resection in new margins after NAC is safe according to “no tumour on ink”. Resection of the clipped area in cases of pCR is emphasized.
Advances in C-C Coupling Reactions Catalyzed by Homogeneous Phosphine Free Palladium Catalysts
Authors: Mannepalli Lakshmi Kantam , Gadipelly Chandrakanth , Deshmukh Gunjan , Likhar Pravin , Pottabathula Srinivas
Published: December 2019

Carbon-carbon coupling reactions are one of the most important systems to be studied and the design of palladium based phosphine free catalysts is crucial. In this account, we present a summary of the work carried out by our research group on the design and synthesis of efficient palladium based phosphine free catalysts for the Heck and Suzuki coupling reactions of deactivated and sterically hindered substrates.
A survey exploring biomedical editors’ perceptions of editorial interventions to improve adherence to reporting guidelines
Authors: Blanco David , Hren Darko , Kirkham Jamie J. , Cobo Erik , Schroter Sara
Published: December 2019

Background: Improving the completeness of reporting of biomedical research is essential for improving its usability. For this reason, hundreds of reporting guidelines have been created in the last few decades but adherence to these remains suboptimal. This survey aims to inform future evaluations of interventions to improve adherence to reporting guidelines. In particular, it gathers editors’ perceptions of a range of interventions at various stages in the editorial process.  

Methods: We surveyed biomedical journal editors that were knowledgeable about this topic. The questionnaire included open and closed questions that explored (i) the current practice of their journals, (ii) their perceptions of the ease of implementation of different interventions and the potential effectiveness of these at improving adherence to reporting guidelines, (iii) the barriers and facilitators associated with these interventions, and (iv) suggestions for future interventions and incentives.

Results: Of the 99 editors invited, 24 (24%) completed the survey. Involving trained editors or administrative staff was deemed the potentially most effective intervention but, at the same time, it was considered moderately difficult to implement due to logistic and resource issues. Participants believed that checking adherence to guidelines goes beyond the role of peer reviewers and were concerned that the quality of peer review could be compromised. Reviewers are generally not expected to focus on reporting issues but on providing an expert view on the importance, novelty, and relevance of the manuscript. Journals incentivising adherence, and publishers and medical institutions encouraging journals to take action to boost adherence were two recurrent themes.

Conclusions: Biomedical journal editors generally believed that engaging trained professionals would be the most effective, yet resource intensive, editorial intervention. Also, they thought that peer reviewers should not be asked to check RGs. Future evaluations of interventions can take into account the barriers, facilitators, and incentives described in this survey.
Evaluation of cropping method for perennial ratoon rice: Adaptation of SALIBU to triple-cropping in Vietnam
Authors: Oda Masato , Nguyen Huu Chiem , Huynh Van Thao
Published: December 2019

Background: Generally, the yield of ratoon rice is at most 50% of the main crop. However, a cropping method “SALIBU” achieved more yield than the main crop and enables the perennial cropping. Although the SALIBU method is implementing 10 additional management practices to conventional method in Indonesia, the effect of each management practice is unclear.

Methodology: We evaluated the effect size using an L 16 orthogonal array design pot experiment in triple-cropping rice in Vietnam. The robustness was checked by duplicating the experiment under standard and poor conditions.

Results: Positive large effects were shown in the poor conditions only.  Cutting twice most affected the number of ratoon tillers. Importantly, the effect was positive under poor conditions but negative under standard conditions. Late irrigation had a robust negative effect.

Discussion: No treatment is effective in the triple-cropping of standard conditions. The SALIBU includes practices with unstable, negative, or minimal effects. The unstable effects show the interaction with the condition. The practices that have negative effects should exclude. Using practice on small effect size should depend on a cost-benefit analysis.

Conclusions: No additional practice is effective for changing the triple-cropping to perennial ratoon cropping except harvesting near the ground. However, further work will be conducted to clarify the interaction between cutting twice and the cultivation condition.
Perception of effective access to health services in Territorial Spaces for Training and Reintegration, one year after the peace accords in Colombia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Fernández-Niño Julián Alfredo , Chaparro Lud Magdy , Vásquez-Rodríguez Ana Beatriz , Rojas-Botero Maylen Liseth , Hernández-Neuta Ginna Esmeralda , Peñuela-Poveda Ana Maria , Rodríguez David Alejandro
Published: December 2019

Backgrounds: The signing of the peace accords in Colombia created challenges that are inherent to post-conflict transitions. One of those is the process of reintegrating ex-combatants into society, in which ensuring their rights to health is a particularly significant challenge in rural areas affected by armed conflict. These areas, known as Territorial Spaces for Training and Reintegration (ETCR, in Spanish), are geographically dispersed throughout 24 municipalities and 13 departments in Colombia. This study aimed to describe how ex-combatants in ETCR regions perceived access to health services one year after the signing of the peace accords.

Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed between September and October 2018. It included 591 adults and their families, from 23 ETCRs. The study was designed, culturally validated, and piloted. Interviewers were trained and a structured survey was administered containing five dimensions that characterized the perception of effective access to health services.

Results: The majority of interviewees were women, heads of household, young adults, ex-combatants, and residents in an ETCR. In total of 96.4% were enrolled in Colombia’s subsidized health system, and 20.8% indicated that a member of their household required emergency health services. The regional health center provided the majority of the services. Most of those surveyed (96.0%) reported that they did not have to pay for the services, and that they received respectful (91.6%) and good quality (66.6%) care. There were few referrals to disease prevention and health promotion activities, and only 19.0% of households reported having been visited by extramural health care teams, whose activities were highly valued (80%). Lastly, there was little knowledge about community health activities.

Conclusions: While residents of ETCR regions have a favorable perception of their access to health services, they need to be made aware of extramural and public health activities.
R package “QRISK3”: an unofficial research purposed implementation of ClinRisk’s QRISK3 algorithm into R
Authors: Li Yan , Sperrin Matthew , van Staa Tjeerd
Published: December 2019

Cardiovascular disease has been the leading cause of death for decades. Risk prediction models are used to identify high risk patients; the most common model used in the UK is ClinRisk’s QRISK3. In this paper we describe the implementation of the QRISK3 algorithm into an R package. The package was successfully validated by the open sourced QRISK3 algorithm and QRISK3 SAS program. We provide detailed examples of the use of the package, including assigning QRISK3 scores for a large cohort of patients. This R package could help the research community to better understand risk prediction scores and improve future risk prediction models. The package is available from CRAN: https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/QRISK3/index.html.
Microbiology. Practicum
Authors: Kislenko Viktor
Published: December 2019

The tutorial consists of two sections. Section I "General Microbiology" contains information about the rules of work in bacteriological laboratories, includes a description of the main microbiological, genetic and immunological methods of research. Section II "Infectious agents" lists the main properties of pathogens, methods of their identification and differentiation.
Meets the requirements of the Federal state educational standards of higher education of the last generation.
For students of higher educational institutions studying in the direction of training 36.03.01 "Veterinary and sanitary examination".
Piecewise Linear Function Fitting via Mixed-Integer Linear Programming
Authors: Rebennack Steffen , Krasko Vitaliy
Published: December 2019

Piecewise linear (PWL) functions are used in a variety of applications. Computing such continuous PWL functions, however, is a challenging task. Software packages and the literature on PWL function fitting are dominated by heuristic methods. This is true for both fitting discrete data points and continuous univariate functions. The only exact methods rely on nonconvex model formulations. Exact methods compute continuous PWL function for a fixed number of breakpoints minimizing some distance function between the original function and the PWL function. An optimal PWL function can only be computed if the breakpoints are allowed to be placed freely and are not fixed to a set of candidate breakpoints. In this paper, we propose the first convex model for optimal continuous univariate PWL function fitting. Dependent on the metrics chosen, the resulting formulations are either mixed-integer linear programming or mixed-integer quadratic programming problems. These models yield optimal continuous PWL functions for a set of discrete data. On the basis of these convex formulations, we further develop an exact algorithm to fit continuous univariate functions. Computational results for benchmark instances from the literature demonstrate the superiority of the proposed convex models compared with state-of-the-art nonconvex models.
Risk-Averse Network Design with Behavioral Conditional Value-at-Risk for Hazardous Materials Transportation
Authors: Su Liu , Kwon Changhyun
Published: December 2019

We consider a road-ban problem in hazardous material (hazmat) transportation. We formulate the problem as a network design problem to select a set of closed road segments for hazmat traffic and obtain a bilevel optimization problem. While modeling probabilistic route choices of hazmat carriers by the random utility model (RUM) in the lower level, we consider a risk-averse measure called conditional value at risk (CVaR) in the upper level, instead of the widely used expected risk measure. Using the RUM and CVaR, we quantify the risk of having hazmat accidents and large consequences and design the network policy for road bans accordingly. Although CVaR has been used in hazmat routing problems, this paper is the first attempt to apply CVaR in risk averse hazmat network design problems considering stochastic route choices of hazmat carriers. The resulting problem is a mixed integer nonlinear programming problem, for which we devise a line search approach combined with Benders decomposition. We demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed computational method with case studies. The average computation time for a network with 105 nodes and 268 arcs is three hours. By applying CVaR to the route-choice behavior of hazmat carriers, we protect the road network from undesirable route choices that may lead to severe consequences. We define the value of RUM-CVaR solutions (VRCS) over the deterministic model based on shortest-path problems and the expected risk measure. Our case study shows that the VRCS can range from 4.9% to 64.1% depending on the probability threshold used in the CVaR measure.
A Slot-Scheduling Mechanism at Congested Airports that Incorporates Efficiency, Fairness, and Airline Preferences
Authors: Fairbrother Jamie , Zografos Konstantinos G. , Glazebrook Kevin D.
Published: December 2019

Congestion is a problem at airports where capacity does not meet demand. At many such airports, airlines must request time slots for the purpose of landing or take off. Given the imbalance between demand and capacity, slot requests cannot always be scheduled as requested. The difference between the requested and allocated time slots is called displacement. Minimization of the total displacement is a key slot-scheduling objective and expresses the efficiency of the slot-scheduling process. Additionally, fairness has been proposed as a slot-scheduling criterion. Fairness relates to the allocation of the total schedule displacement among the various airlines. Single- and multiobjective models have been proposed for slot scheduling. However, currently the literature lacks models that incorporate the preferences of airlines regarding the allocation of displacement to their flights. This paper proposes a two-stage mechanism for the scheduling of slots at congested airports. The proposed mechanism considers efficiency and fairness objectives and incorporates the preferences of airlines in allocating the total displacement associated with the flights of each airline. The first stage of the mechanism constructs a reference schedule that is fair to the participating airlines. In the second stage, the airlines specify how the displacement allocated to them in the reference schedule should be distributed among their requests. The mechanism then adjusts the fair reference schedule to meet as many of these preferences as possible. The development and implementation of the proposed slot-scheduling mechanism is demonstrated using real data from a coordinated airport and simulated displacement preference data. The proposed slot-scheduling mechanism provides useful information to decision makers regarding the equity–efficiency trade-off and enhances the transparency and acceptability of the slot-scheduling outcome.
Use of Magnetocaloric Material for Magnetic Refrigeration System: A Review
Authors: Abdel-Latif I. A. , Ahmed Mahrous R.
Published: December 2019

Our daily need to cooling system is grown up. The used cooling systems are the source of the harmful changes in the global climate. And so, we need to search a new alternate cooling systems applying environmentally friendly technology that may help in decreasing the pollutions in our world. The progress in materials science allows to use some materials for cooling purposes. This new class of materials is so called "magnetic refrigerator". The basics of magnetic refrigeration depends on the magneto-caloric properties to reach low temperatures and obtain cooling system. The advantage of magnetic refrigerator (MR); First, the cooling efficiency is higher than conventional vapor refrigerator CVM where its cooling efficiency ~30-60% while the cooling efficiency in CVM ~ 5-10%. Second, MR can be more compactly built. Third, it is safe and an environmentally friendly cooling. In this work, we will highlight on the scientific efforts to find optimum properties to be applied as the magnetic refrigeration. In this review the highlights of the scientific efforts to seek for the best alternative materials to be used as a magnetic refrigeration applications. The low coast and small size of magnetic cooling is one the important advantage. This review consists of five sections; I. Introduction, II.Synthesis of MC materials, III. Crystal structure of MC materials and IV. Characterization and applications of MC materials, and V. Conclusions.
Preparation and Study of Corrosion Behavior of Some Simulated Radioactive Waste Glasses
Authors: Malik Patit Paban
Published: December 2019

To safe environment from radioactive waste it is important to fix them as radioactive waste glasses. The corrosion behavior of radioactive waste glasses in water is significantly important. Radionuclides return to the biosphere by means of leaching from waste form into ground water. Finally the ground water containing the radionuclide are transported to the surface. In this study, the preparation, characterization and leaching behavior of some borosilicate (BS) and lead iron phosphate (LIP) of different chemical composition doped with simulated nuclear waste oxide were investigated. We measured the pH found to be in the range from 6.78 up to 7.79 of the leachate solution at normal temperature and at varying time intervals. Leaching study of these glasses were conducted with the help of Soxhlet distillation apparatus with distilled water upto 24 hours and for BS9 - BS12 upto 100 hours duration. Weight losses were are measured with respect to time of leaching. Leach rate of some borosilicate glass samples loaded with uranium are calculated from surface area measurements. The results are reported in the range 1.34x10-4 g.m-2.hr-1 and 6.26 x 10-4 g.m-2.hr-1 respectively at 90°C.
Preparation and Application of ZnFe2O4/α-Al2O3 for Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue Dye and Real Textile Effluent
Authors: Hamza Abdulhamid , Umara Alhaji Saleh Zanna , Hasan Diya'uddeen Basheer
Published: December 2019

Present work was aimed at the development of α-Al2O3 supported ZnFe2O4 visible-light responsive photocatalysts. ZnFe2O4 and α-Al2O3 supported ZnFe2O4 were synthesized using co-precipitation method followed by calcination at 500 °C. The synthesized photocatalysts were characterized using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The synthesized ZnFe2O4 has low crystallinity.  The particle size of ZnFe2O4 is much smaller than that of the α-Al2O3 support, and ZnFe2O4 particles are dispersed on the surface of the crystalline α-Al2O3 support. 30 wt % ZnFe2O4/α-Al2O3 exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity for degradation of methylene blue dye than ZnFe2O4 and other α-Al2O3 supported photocatalysts containing 10 wt%, 20 wt% and 40 wt% ZnFe2O4. Kinetics of photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye using 30 wt% ZnFe2O4/Al2O3 obeys Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetic model. Photocatalytic treatment of real textile wastewater resulted in more effective (when compared to photolytic treatment) in the reduction of wastewater’s chemical oxygen demand (COD), pH, conductivity and total dissolved solids (TDS). 30 wt% ZnFe2O4/Al2O3 was found to be more effective than unsupported ZnFe2O4 for the reduction of wastewater’s COD, pH, conductivity and TDS.
Simultaneous measurement of the surface shape and thickness for an optical flat with a wavelength-tuning Fizeau interferometer with suppression of drift error
Authors: Kim Yangjin , Moon Younghoon , Hibino Kenichi , Sugita Naohiko , Mitsuishi Mamoru
Published: December 2019

Two types of phase-shifting algorithms were developed for simultaneous measurement of the surface and thickness variation of an optical flat. During wavelength tuning, phase-shift nonlinearity can cause a spatially nonuniform error and spatially uniform DC drift error. A 19-sample algorithm was developed that eliminates the effect of the spatially uniform error by expanding the 17-sample algorithm with characteristic polynomial theory. The 19-sample algorithm was then altered to measure the surface shape of the optical flat by rotation of the characteristic diagram. The surface shape and thickness variation were measured with these two algorithms and a wavelength-tuning Fizeau interferometer.
In vivo imaging of corneal nerves and cellular structures in mice with Gabor-domain optical coherence microscopy
Authors: Canavesi Cristina , Cogliati Andrea , Mietus Amanda , Qi Yue , Schallek Jesse , Rolland Jannick P. , Hindman Holly B.
Published: December 2019

Gabor-domain optical coherence microscopy (GDOCM) demonstrated in vivo corneal imaging with cellular resolution and differentiation in mice over a field of view of 1 mm2. Contact and non-contact imaging was conducted on six healthy and six hyperglycemic C57BL/6J mice. Cellular resolution in the 3D GDOCM images was achieved after motion correction. Corneal nerve fibers were traced and their lengths and branches calculated. Noncontact, label-free imaging of corneal nerves has clinical utility in health and disease, and in transplant evaluation. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of in vivo 3D corneal imaging in mice with the capability to resolve nerve fibers using a non-contact imaging modality.
Robust, accurate depth-resolved attenuation characterization in optical coherence tomography
Authors: Li Kaiyan , Liang Wenxuan , Yang Zihan , Liang Yanmei , Wan Suiren
Published: December 2019

Depth-resolved optical attenuation coefficient is a valuable tissue parameter that complements the intensity-based structural information in optical coherent tomography (OCT) imaging. Herein we systematically analyzed the under- and over-estimation bias of existing depth-resolved methods when applied to real biological tissues, and then proposed a new algorithm that remedies these issues and accommodates general OCT data that contain incomplete decay and noise floor, thereby affording consistent estimation accuracy for practical biological samples of different scattering properties. Compared with other algorithms, our method demonstrates remarkably improved estimation accuracy and numerical robustness, as validated via numerical simulations and on experimental OCT data obtained from both silicone-TiO2 phantoms and human ventral tongue leukoplakia samples.
Ultra-sensitive optical coherence elastography using a high-dynamic-range force loading scheme for cervical rigidity assessment
Authors: Yao Xinwen , Li Dawei , Park Hyeon-Cheol , Chen Defu , Guan Honghua , Mahendroo Mala , Li Xingde
Published: December 2019

An ultra-sensitive, wide-range force loading scheme is proposed for compression optical coherence elastography (OCE) that allows for the quantitative analysis of cervical tissue elasticity ex vivo. We designed a force loading apparatus featuring a water sink for minuscule incremental loading through a volume-controlled water droplet, from which the Young’s modulus can be calculated by fitting the stress-strain curve. We validated the performance of the proposed OCE system on homogenous agar phantoms, showing the Young’s modulus can be accurately estimated using this scheme. We then measured the Young’s modulus of rodent cervical tissues acquired at different gestational ages, showing that the cervical rigidity of rodents was significantly dropped when entering the third trimester of pregnancy.
Smoothing scheme for intensity sweep and polarization rotation at a subpicosecond timescale
Authors: Yi Muyu , Zhong Zheqiang , Zhang Bin
Published: December 2019

A novel scheme for decreasing the scattering levels of stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) and stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS), as well as for improving illumination uniformity of focal spots, is proposed. In this scheme, four beamlets in a laser quad are frequency shifted, spatial phase shaped by conjugate phase plates, and counter-rotating circularly polarized by polarization control plates before being focused by wedged lenses. Consequently, the intensity sweep and the polarization rotation of the focal spot in the timescale of a subpicosecond are achieved, resulting in the reduction of the scattering level of SRS and SBS, and also the improvement of the illumination uniformity when the frequency shift among beamlets is comparable to the parametric backscattering growth rate and the filamentation instability growth rate. The theoretical model of the novel smoothing scheme has been established, and the influences of some key parameters including spatial modulation type, peak-to-mean value of phase distortion, and frequency shift have been discussed. Results show that the uniformity of the focal spot of this novel scheme is improved much faster than that of the conventional temporal smoothing scheme, i.e., smoothing by spectral dispersion. The parametric instabilities are significantly reduced and both phase distortion and modulation depth of the laser quad have a large tolerance, opening a new dimension for controlling the incident light in laser plasma interaction.
Fluorescence of rubidium vapor in a transient interaction regime
Authors: Aleksanyan Artur , Shmavonyan Svetlana , Gazazyan Emil , Khanbekyan Aleksandr , Azizbekyan Hrayr , Movsisyan Marina , Papoyan Aram
Published: December 2019

We have studied modification of the fluorescence spectra of a room-temperature atomic rubidium vapor in the region of

85

R
b

and

87

R
b

D

2

lines while changing the temporal rate of linear (triangular) scanning of laser radiation frequency. An increase in the ramping speed over a certain value (

≈

10

6

M
H
z

/

s

) results in essential modification of magnitudes of individual atomic transitions, different on rising and falling slopes, which characterize transition from a steady-state interaction regime to a transient one. Our experimental results are very consistent with the developed theoretical model. The obtained results can be used for determination of atomic system parameters such as ground-state relaxation rate. Possible follow-up actions for the addressed control of atomic level population are discussed.
Comparative study of the condensate fraction of balanced and imbalanced uniform fermionic systems in the BEC-BCS crossover
Authors: Aziz Shahzeb , Jamil Sidra , Rahman Abdul , Ashraf Imrana
Published: December 2019

In this paper, we have made a comparative study of the condensate fraction of balanced and imbalanced two-component uniform fermionic systems in the Bose–Einstein condensation-Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer (BEC-BCS) crossover. We have used extended BCS equations to calculate the condensate fraction of Cooper pairs as a function of chemical potential and gap energy in a balanced system using a path integral approach. For an imbalanced system, the same equation has been derived as a function of average chemical potential, imbalanced chemical potential, gap energy, and temperature. The condensate fraction in a balanced fermionic system varies with the interaction parameter, whereas its behavior in an imbalanced system changes with the interaction parameter and polarization, in different regimes. In particular, the effect of polarization on the condensate fraction has been studied in an imbalanced system for odd values of polarization. We have compared the condensate fraction for both systems analytically and graphically and observed that for an imbalanced system, it decreases with increasing polarization and almost vanishes for higher values of polarization in the BEC regime.
Transient grating measurements at ultralow probe power
Authors: Lu Baozhu , Abramchuk Mykola , Tafti Fazel , Torchinsky Darius H.
Published: December 2019

We report on an ultralow probe-power transient grating apparatus with
probing based on a laser diode pulser, a digital delay generator, and
a data acquisition card. The electronic triggering of the diode pulser
permits stroboscopic measurement of arbitrarily slow laser-induced
dynamics using pulses of probe light with average power

∼

5

n
W

, significantly lower than what is
currently used by continuous wave measurement. The proposed method
also allows for flexibility in selection of the probe wavelength
limited only by availability of low threshold current laser diodes.
Examples of impulsive stimulated thermal scattering measurements are
presented on liquid isopropanol, single crystal solid

C
r
C
l

3

, and a thin film of Cu vapor
deposited on a Si substrate, demonstrating the flexibility of the
technique.
Guided-mode resonance filter optimal inverse design using one- and two-dimensional grating
Authors: Khorrami Yaser , Fathi Davood , Rumpf Raymond C.
Published: December 2019

We propose an optimized method for the inverse design of guided-mode resonance (GMR) filters using one- and two-dimensional (1D and 2D) grating structures. This work for 2D state is based on developing the effective permittivity of 1D grating structures along three orthogonal axes to predict the physical dimensions of the structure, for the first time to our knowledge. Also, we compare three optimization methods to reach the optimized conditions based on the characteristics of multilayer structures. Both the transfer matrix method and rigorous coupled-wave analysis are used to simulate and show the reflection and transmission of the proposed 2D GMR filters. The results show that insensitivity to polarization, the best accuracy in resonance location design, and a high quality factor can be achieved for both the rectangular and cylindrical structures as the ideal 2D GMR filters. Also, the effect of each layer thickness on the resonance location and the full width at half-maximum is illustrated. Finally, we investigate three different reasons for decreasing the FWHM of the output reflection of the GMR filters.
Ground-state cooling of a magnomechanical resonator induced by magnetic damping
Authors: Ding Ming-Song , Zheng Li , Li Chong
Published: December 2019

Quantum manipulation of mechanical resonators has been widely applied in fundamental physics and quantum information processing. Among them, cooling a mechanical system to its quantum ground state is regarded as a key step. In this work, we propose a scheme that can realize ground-state cooling of the resonator in a cavity magnomechanical system. The system consists of a microwave cavity and a small ferromagnetic sphere, in which phonon–magnon coupling and cavity photon–magnon coupling can be achieved via magnetostrictive interaction and magnetic dipole interaction, respectively. Within experimentally feasible parameters, we demonstrate that the extra magnetic damping can be utilized to achieve ground-state cooling of the magnomechanical resonator via an effective dark-mode interaction. The magnomechanical cooling mainly comes from the magnon–phonon interaction terms. We further illustrate that optimal cooling can be obtained by adjusting the external magnetic field.
Multi-channel photonic bandgap consequences in one-dimensional linear, exponential, and hyperbolic graded-index photonic crystals
Authors: Singh Bipin K. , Bijalwan Ashish , Pandey Praveen C. , Rastogi Vipul
Published: December 2019

We present the structuring of different graded-index materials in the form of one-dimensional (1D) photonic crystals (PCs) for highly efficient light trapping and controlling photonic devices in terms of tuned and controlled photonic bandgap (PBG) performance. We consider hyperbolic, exponential, and linear refractive index variation in the graded-index layer. We systematically study the influence of structural and grading parameters on the bandgap performance for two different graded photonic crystal (GPC) structures formed by stacking different graded-index layers. Compared with conventional PCs, the GPC bandgaps can be changed and tuned by the refractive index profile of the graded-index layer. We show that the number of bandgaps increases with the graded-index layer thickness and the bandgap frequencies can be tuned by the grading profiles. We observe the sequential increment in bandwidth for the complete PBGs in the GPC structures with linear, exponential, and hyperbolic graded-index materials. We also study the influence of the stacking pattern and grading profiles on the bandgap, phase shift, group velocity, delay time, and field distribution. The proposed GPC configurations facilitate the design of reflectors, multi-channel filters, detectors, and other photonic devices. The study may also provide the basis of understanding of the influence of graded-index materials on the PBG characteristics in the GPCs.
Patterned laser-induced graphene for terahertz wave modulation
Authors: Wang Zongyuan , Wang Guocui , Liu Weiguang , Hu Bin , Liu Juan , Zhang Yan
Published: December 2019

Laser-induced graphene (LIG) has received a large amount of attention because of its superior properties of high electrical conductivity, high thermal stability and conductivity, simple synthesis, and the low fabrication cost of the patterned structures. However, most studies on LIG are focused on electrical applications. In this work, we first examine the effect of the substrate on LIG generated on polyimide and then fabricate the patterned LIG structures including gratings and Fresnel zone plates for terahertz (THz)-wave modulations. The functions of the structures are experimentally demonstrated by a THz focal plane imaging system. It is anticipated that LIG-based structures could widen the application of THz technology.
Laser with 1.2 ps, 20 mJ pulses at 100 Hz based on CPA with a low doping level Yb:YAG rods for seeding and pumping of OPCPA
Authors: Mackonis Paulius , Rodin Aleksej M.
Published: December 2019

We report on a picosecond two-stage double-pass chirped pulse amplifier based on a low doping level Yb:YAG rods. After compression, it provides output pulses with a pulsewidth of 1.15 ps and an energy of more than 20 mJ at a repetition rate of 100 Hz with a beam quality of M2 ∼1.05. These pulses were frequency doubled in a two-cascaded second harmonic converter based on LBO and BBO crystals with an output energy of 12 mJ and 5 mJ at 515 nm, suitable for simultaneously pumping OPCPA cascades.
Generation of optical chirality patterns with plane waves, evanescent waves and surface plasmon waves
Authors: Zhang Jiwei , Huang Shiang-Yu , Lin Zhan-Hong , Huang Jer-Shing
Published: December 2019

We systematically investigate the generation of optical chirality patterns by applying the superposition of two waves in three scenarios, namely free-space plane waves, evanescent waves of totally reflected light at dielectric interface and propagating surface plasmon waves on a metallic surface. In each scenario, the general analytical solution of the optical chirality pattern is derived for different polarization states and propagating directions of the two waves. The analytical solutions are verified by numerical simulations. Spatially structured optical chirality patterns can be generated in all scenarios if the incident polarization states and propagation directions are correctly chosen. Optical chirality enhancement can be obtained from the constructive interference of free-space circularly polarized light or enhanced evanescent waves of totally reflected light. Surface plasmon waves do not provide enhanced optical chirality unless the near-field intensity enhancement is sufficiently high. The structured optical chirality patterns may find applications in chirality sorting, chiral imaging and circular dichroism spectroscopy.