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Silver halide polycrystalline infrared fibers (PIR) have unique properties such as excellent transmittance in the spectral range from 3 to 17 µm, while also being highly flexible, non-toxic, and non-hygroscopic. They are used in industry and medicine for CO2-laser power delivery, flexible infrared imaging, and remote process spectroscopy. While PIR fibers possess a quite low attenuation (0.1-0.5 dB/m) in the 8-12 µm range, their total transmittance is limited by significant Fresnel reflections at the fiber end faces due to the high refractive index of silver halide (>2.1). Functionalization of these surfaces with specially designed Anti-Reflective Microstructures (ARMs) enables a striking enhancement of fiber transmittance. In this work, direct imprinting (or embossing) of microstructures to fiber ends and their profiling with a microstructured knife was applied to fabricate such ARMs. The resulting two-dimensional Moth-eye microstructures and one-dimensional microgrooves at the PIR-fiber ends enable to an increase of fiber transmittance in a broadband range of (5-17 µm) as well as to reach up to 20% improvement for PIR-fiber laser cables used for power delivery of CO2-lasers at 10.6 µm.
Progress in the diagnosis of leishmaniases depends on the development of effective methods and the discovery of suitable biomarkers. We propose firstly an update classification of Leishmania species and their synonymies. We demonstrate a global map highlighting the geography of known endemic Leishmania species pathogenic to humans. We summarize a complete list of techniques currently in use and discuss their advantages and limitations. The available data highlights the benefits of molecular markers in terms of their sensitivity and specificity to quantify variation from the subgeneric level to species complexes, (sub) species within complexes, and individual populations and infection foci. Each DNA-based detection method is supplied with a comprehensive description of markers and primers and proposal for a classification based on the role of each target and primer in the detection, identification and quantification of leishmaniasis infection. We outline a genome-wide map of genes informative for diagnosis that have been used for Leishmania genotyping. Furthermore, we propose a classification method based on the suitability of well-studied molecular markers for typing the 21 known Leishmania species pathogenic to humans. This can be applied to newly discovered species and to hybrid strains originating from inter-species crosses. Developing more effective and sensitive diagnostic methods and biomarkers is vital for enhancing Leishmania infection control programs.
The share of chronic odontogenic rhinosinusitis is 40% among all chronic rhinosinusitis. Using automated information systems for differential diagnosis will improve the efficiency of decision-making by doctors in diagnosing chronic odontogenic rhinosinusitis. Therefore, this study aimed to develop an intelligent decision support system for the differential diagnosis of chronic odontogenic rhinosinusitis based on computer vision methods. A dataset was collected and processed, including 162 MSCT images. A deep learning model for image segmentation was developed. A 23 convolutional layer U-Net network architecture has been used for the segmentation of multi-spiral computed tomography (MSCT) data with odontogenic maxillary sinusitis. The proposed model is implemented in such a way that each pair of repeated 3 × 3 convolutions layers is followed by an Exponential Linear Unit instead of a Rectified Linear Unit as an activation function. The model showed an accuracy of 90.09%. To develop a decision support system, an intelligent chatbot allows the user to conduct an automated patient survey and collect patient examination data from several doctors of various profiles. The intelligent information system proposed in this study made it possible to combine an image processing model with a patient interview and examination data, improving physician decision-making efficiency in the differential diagnosis of Chronic Odontogenic Rhinosinusitis. The proposed solution is the first comprehensive solution in this area.
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a skin infection caused by a single-celled parasite that is transmitted by the bite of a phlebotomine sandfly. CL is the most common form of leishmaniasis characterized by localized lesions in the skin and mucous membranes. The disease is prevalent in all countries around the Mediterranean Basin. In this paper, we describe spatiotemporal and eco-epidemiological parameters of CL in Libya. Moreover, we explored current spatiotemporal distributions of CL cases and explored the future projection of the disease. Our study indicates the presence of higher risk of CL in the coastal regions of Libya. Future projection until 2060 showed a trend of increasing incidence of CL in the north-western part of Libya, a spread along the coastal region and a possible emergence of new endemics in the north-eastern districts of Libya. These scenarios should be considered by health authorities in order to develop appropriate intervention strategies and plan effective control programs.
Background
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a vector-borne parasitic diseases of public health importance that is prevalent in the West Bank but not in the Gaza Strip. The disease caused by parasitic protozoans from the genus Leishmania and it is transmitted by infected phlebotomine sand flies. The aim of our study is to investigate the eco-epidemiological parameters and spatiotemporal projections of CL in Palestine over a 30-years period from 1990 through 2020 and to explore future projections until 2060.
Methodology/Principal findings
This long-term descriptive epidemiological study includes investigation of demographic characteristics of reported patients by the Palestinian Ministry of Health (PMoH). Moreover, we explored spatiotemporal distribution of CL including future projection based on climate change scenarios. The number of CL patients reported during this period was 5855 cases, and the average annual incidence rate (AAIR) was 18.5 cases/105 population. The male to female ratio was 1.25:1. Patients-age ranged from 2 months to 89 years (mean = 22.5, std 18.67, and the median was 18 years). More than 65% of the cases came from three governates in the West Bank; Jenin 29% (1617 cases), Jericho 25% (1403), and Tubas 12% (658) with no cases reported in the Gaza Strip. Seasonal occurrence of CL starts to increase in December and peaked during March and April of the following year. Current distribution of CL indicate that Jericho, Tubas, Jenin and Nablus have the most suitable climatic settings for the sandfly vectors. Future projections until 2060 suggest an increasing incidence from northwest of Jenin down to the southwest of Ramallah, disappearance of the foci in Jericho and Tubas throughout the Jordan Vally, and possible emergence of new foci in Gaza Strip.
Conclusions/Significance
The future projection of CL in Palestine until 2060 show a tendency of increasing incidence in the north western parts of the West Bank, disappearance from Jericho and Tubas throughout the Jordan Vally, and emergence of new CL endemic foci in the Gaza Strip. These results should be considered to implement effective control and surveillance systems to counteract spatial expansion of CL vectors.
Dislocation free local SiGe-on-insulator (SGOI) virtual substrate is fabricated using lateral selective SiGe growth by reduced pressure chemical vapor deposition. The lateral selective SiGe growth is performed around a ∼1.25 μm square Si (001) pillar in a cavity formed by HCl vapor phase etching of Si at 850 °C from side of SiO2/Si mesa structure on buried oxide. Smooth root mean square roughness of SiGe surface of 0.14 nm, which is determined by interface roughness between the sacrificially etched Si and the SiO2 cap, is obtained. Uniform Ge content of ∼40% in the laterally grown SiGe is observed. In the Si pillar, tensile strain of ∼0.65% is found which could be due to thermal expansion difference between SiO2 and Si. In the SiGe, tensile strain of ∼1.4% along 〈010〉 direction, which is higher compared to that along 〈110〉 direction, is observed. The tensile strain is induced from both [110] and [−110] directions. Threading dislocations in the SiGe are located only ∼400 nm from Si pillar and stacking faults are running towards 〈110〉 directions, resulting in the formation of a wide dislocation-free area in SiGe along 〈010〉 due to horizontal aspect ratio trapping.
Micro-Transfer printing (µTP) is a promising technique for hetero-integration of III-V materials into Si-based photonic platforms. To enhance the print yield by increasing the adhesion between the III-V material and Si or SiO2 surface, an adhesion promoter like Benzocyclobutene is typically used as interlayer. In this work, we demonstrate µTP of InP based coupons on SiO2 interlayer without any adhesive interlayer and investigate the mechanism of adhesive free bonding. Source coupons are InP-based coupon stacks on a sacrificial layer that is removed by a chemical wet etch with FeCl3. For the target we fabricated amorphous-Si waveguides on 8” wafer encapsulated by a High Density Plasma SiO2 which was planarized by a chemical mechanical polishing procedure. We used O2 plasma to activate both source and target to increase adhesion between coupon and substrate. To get a better understanding of the bonding mechanism we applied several surface characterization methods. Root mean square roughness of InP and SiO2 was measured by atomic force microscopy before and after plasma activation. The step height of the micro-transfer printed source coupon on the target wafer is estimated by optical step profiler. We used Raman peak position mappings of InP to analyze possible strain and contact angle measurements on SiO2, before and after plasma activation to observe a change in the hydrophilicity of the surface. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy analysis was used to characterize the surface energy states of P2p, In3d, O1s for InP source and Si2p, O1s for SiO2 target. Our results demonstrate direct bonding of InP coupons by means of µTP without the need of a strain-compensation layer. In this way, a promising route towards Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor compatible use of µTP for the hetero-integration of InP is provided.
Single Pilot Operations is a current topic with the potential to significantly affect the future of commercial aviation. While financially attractive for airlines, Single Pilot Operations bring forth important safety concerns, especially regarding the lack of human redundancy in the flight deck, an increased workload for the single pilot, reduced situational awareness and a higher risk of human error.
It is assumed that potential problems affecting Single Pilot Operations could be addressed by implementing an Augmented Reality (AR) device in the flight deck, by presenting additional information and supporting hints within the pilot’s field of view. Concretely, AR could be used to help reduce the single pilot’s workload, improve situational awareness and reduce the risk of human error.
This paper sets out to demonstrate two use cases for augmented reality in the flight deck. A system, called Pilot Assist, was developed that allows pilots to conduct checklists interactively with a Microsoft HoloLens. The system also provides a holographic Head-up-Display. Pilot Assist was developed and demonstrated with a fixed base Airbus A320 simulator at the Technical University of Wildau.
With the HoloLens’ spatial mapping capabilities – scanning and recognizing the environment around the user – it was possible to create a system that guides the pilot through the conduction of checklists. This is done by prompting the user towards the location of each checklist item in the cockpit, where information regarding necessary actions is projected. Furthermore, Pilot Assist is integrated with the aircraft systems, making it possible to obtain aircraft status data in real time, thus allowing error-checking of the pilot’s actions as well as automating the progress through checklists.
The holographic Head-up-Display allows the user to look at the surrounding environment while presenting critical flight data within the user’s field of view. The holographic Head-up-Display is intended to contribute to the pilot’s situational awareness.
Experts in the aviation field, including pilots, researchers and engineers had the chance to qualitatively assess the Pilot Assist tool. They pointed to limitations of both Pilot Assist and the HoloLens itself, but shared optimism as to how this technology and similar applications could indeed impact the future of flight operations. Concerns regarding the HoloLens’ weight, comfort and narrow field of view were expressed. However, continued development of head mounted devices (e.g. HoloLens 2) is expected in the coming years.
Further research into augmented reality applications in the flight deck is needed to advance this and other use cases. Nonetheless, the experts agreed Pilot Assist provides beneficial support during single pilot operation considering the current prototypical nature of the system.
Mit diesem Beitrag soll der Einsatz von iBeacons als Basis eines Indoor-Ortungssystems in der Hochschulbibliothek der Technischen Hochschule Wildau vorgestellt werden. Für die Ortung innerhalb von Gebäuden sind bisher unterschiedliche Strategien zum Einsatz gekommen. Die von Apple Inc. entwickelte iBeacon-Technologie kommuniziert über Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) und setzt somit eine Technologie ein, die einen großen Kreis von Nutzern erreicht. Als wesentlicher Teil der Campus-App Unidos Wildau operiert das Ortungssystem auf der Basis des Kartendienstes iCampus Wildau Maps. Gemachte Erfahrungen mit der iBeacon-Technologie werden ebenso im Fokus dieses Beitrags stehen wie Ergebnisse der Implementierung unseres Ortungssystems sowie Pläne für die Weiterentwicklung.