The vast majority of biologically active compounds, ranging from amino acids to essential nutrients such as glucose, possess intrinsic handedness. This in turn gives rise to chiral optical properties ...that provide a basis for detecting and quantifying enantio-specific concentrations of these molecules. However, traditional chiroptical spectroscopy and imaging techniques require cascading of multiple optical components in sophisticated setups. Here, we present a planar lens with an engineered dispersive response, which simultaneously forms two images with opposite helicity of an object within the same field-of-view. In this way, chiroptical properties can be probed across the visible spectrum using only the lens and a camera without the addition of polarizers or dispersive optical devices. We map the circular dichroism of the exoskeleton of a chiral beetle, Chrysina gloriosa, which is known to exhibit high reflectivity of left-circularly polarized light, with high spatial resolution limited by the numerical aperture of the planar lens. Our results demonstrate the potential of metasurfaces in realizing a compact and multifunctional device with unprecedented imaging capabilities.
In conventional confocal/multiphoton fluorescence microscopy, images are typically acquired under ideal settings and after extensive optimization of parameters for a given structure or feature, often ...resulting in information loss from other image attributes. To overcome the problem of selective data display, we developed a new method that extends the imaging dynamic range in optical microscopy and improves the signal-to-noise ratio. Here we demonstrate how real-time and sequential high dynamic range microscopy facilitates automated three-dimensional neural segmentation. We address reconstruction and segmentation performance on samples with different size, anatomy and complexity. Finally, in vivo real-time high dynamic range imaging is also demonstrated, making the technique particularly relevant for longitudinal imaging in the presence of physiological motion and/or for quantification of in vivo fast tracer kinetics during functional imaging.
Abstract
The ATLAS experiment is constructing new all-silicon inner
tracking system for HL-LHC. The strip detectors cover the radial
extent of 40 to 100 cm. A new approach is adopted to use p-type
...silicon material, making the readout in n
+
-strips, so-called
n
+
-in-p sensors. This allows for enhanced radiation tolerance
against an order of magnitude higher particle fluence compared to
the LHC. To cope with varying hit rates and occupancies as a
function of radial distance, there are two barrel sensor types, the
short strips (SS) for the inner 2 and the long strips (LS) for the
outer 2 barrel cylinders, respectively. The barrel sensors exhibit a
square, 9.8 × 9.8 cm
2
, geometry, the largest possible
sensor area from a 6-inch wafer. The strips are laid out in
parallel with a strip pitch of 75.5 μm and 4 or 2 rows of
strip segments. The strips are AC-coupled and biased via
polysilicon resistors. The endcap sensors employ a
“stereo-annulus” geometry exhibiting a skewed-trapezoid shapes
with circular edges. They are designed in 6 unique shapes, R0 to R5,
corresponding to progressively increasing radial extents and which
allows them to fit within the petal geometry and the 6-inch wafer
maximally. The strips are in fan-out geometry with an in-built
rotation angle, with a mean pitch of approximately 75 μm and
4 or 2 rows of strip segments. The eight sensor types are labeled
as ATLAS18xx where xx stands for SS, LS, and R0 to R5. According to
the mechanical and electrical specifications, CAD files for wafer
processing were laid out, following the successful designs of
prototype barrel and endcap sensors, together with a number of
optimizations. A pre-production was carried out prior to the full
production of the wafers. The quality of the sensors is reviewed
and judged excellent through the test results carried out by vendor.
These sensors are used for establishing acceptance procedures and to
evaluate their performance in the ATLAS collaboration, and
subsequently for pre-production of strip modules and stave and petal
structures.
Abstract
The high-luminosity upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider, scheduled to become operational in 2029, requires the replacement of the ATLAS Inner Detector with a new all-silicon Inner Tracker. ...Radiation hard n
+
-in-p micro-strip silicon sensors were developed by the ATLAS Inner Tracker strip collaboration and are produced by Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. Production of the total amount of 22000 strip sensors has started in 2020 and will continue until 2025. The ATLAS strip sensor collaboration has the responsibility to monitor the quality of the fabricated devices by performing detailed measurements of individual sensor characteristics and by comparing the obtained results with the tests done by the manufacturer. Dedicated Quality Control procedures were developed to check whether the delivered large-format sensors adhere to the ATLAS specifications. The institutes performing the Quality Control testing of the pre-production and production ATLAS ITk strip sensors had to initially be qualified for multiple high-throughput tests by successfully completing the Site Qualification process. The Quality Control procedures and the qualification process are described in this paper.
The Quality Control (QC) of pre-production strip sensors for the Inner Tracker (ITk) of the ATLAS Inner Detector upgrade has finished, and the collaboration has embarked on the QC test programme for ...production sensors. This programme will last more than 3 years and comprises the evaluation of approximately 22000 sensors. 8 Types of sensors, 2 barrel and 6 endcap, will be measured at many different collaborating institutes. The sustained throughput requirement of the combined QC processes is around 500 sensors per month in total. Measurement protocols have been established and acceptance criteria have been defined in accordance with the terms agreed with the supplier. For effective monitoring of test results, common data file formats have been agreed upon across the collaboration. To enable evaluation of test results produced by many different test setups at the various collaboration institutes, common algorithms have been developed to collate, evaluate, plot and upload measurement data. This allows for objective application of pass/fail criteria and compilation of corresponding yield data. These scripts have been used to process the data of more than 3000 sensors so far, and have been instrumental for identification of faulty sensors and monitoring of QC testing progress.
Glycoprotein Ia (GPIa), also known as integrin alpha 2 (ITGA2), together with GPIIa (ITGB1), form the heterodimer integrin α2β1. This complex is a major collagen receptor on the membrane of ...platelets, which is involved in thrombus formation through platelet adhesion and activation.
Introduction: Main objective of the present study was to investigate the association between the presence of nuchal cord (NC) and the measurement of the ductus venosus pulsatility index for veins ...(ductus venosus (DV) PIV).
Methods: This was a prospective study of 1974 singleton pregnancies that underwent first-trimester screening at 11-13
+6
gestational weeks. Color Doppler was used to demonstrate the presence of a NC in all cases and the DV PIV was calculated routinely, as part of the standard scan. The association between the presence of a NC and the DV PIV was then examined overall and at each gestational week.
Results: A NC was demonstrated in 17.1% of cases. The incidence of nuchal cord was significantly higher at 13-13
+6
weeks (24.7%, n = 119) compared to the one at 12-12
+6
(16.5%, n = 192) and 11-11
+6
weeks (7.9%, n = 26) (p < .001). No significant correlation was found between NC presence and DV PIV (p = .344). The DV PIV was 0.99 (± 0.15) for patients without NC versus 0.99 (± 0.15) for patients with NC (p = .34).
Conclusions: There was no association between the presence of a NC at 11-13
+6
gestational weeks and the DV PIV.
Infertility is a major issue of concern for couples at reproductive age. The underlying causes of infertility remain unknown in 15-30 % of the cases. Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1), ...which is a major fibrinolytic factor, has been associated with increased infertility risk. DNA variants at
such as -675 4G/5G promoter polymorphism, have been implicated in infertility-related reproductive disorders, possibly due to a molecular mechanism involving implantation failure. This study aims to investigate the association of
4G/5G polymorphism to otherwise unexplained female infertility in a sample of women of Greek ethnic origins.
We enrolled in this study 222 women from the population of Northern Greece; 115 women with unexplained infertility (group 1) and 107 normal fertile women (group 2). All participants were genotyped for
-675 by real-time polymerase chain reaction.
Our results indicate an association with the
4G allele in our sample of women with unexplained infertility. The dominant genetic model supports the association, in contrast to the recessive genetic model.
Our results indicate that
4G/5G polymorphism is a promising screening factor which could potentially be a target for certain cases of unexplained female infertility. However, they should be interpreted with caution and should be validated in larger studies and diverse populations. In addition, other variants in genes involved in thrombophilia might need to be considered. HIPPOKRATIA 2017, 21(4): 180-185.
Introduction Pregnancy complications may require admission in a high-risk pregnancy unit (HRPU). A complicated pregnancy and hospital admission might negatively affect the pregnant woman's mental ...health. Objectives To screen for depressive symptoms in pregnant women admitted in a high-risk pregnancy unit due to threatened preterm labour and also to investigate for associated risk factors. Aims Early identification of prenatal depression will decrease the risk of pregnancy complications and postnatal depression. Methods A prospective study enrolled pregnant women admitted at3 24 gestational weeks due to threatened preterm labour in a university hospital HRPU, between 9/2014 and 11/2015. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to assess depressive symptoms and a cut-off score3 13 was considered as indicative of depression. Test results were then correlated with the indication for admission, demographic and socio-economic parameters. Results Overall, 80 of the women admitted in the HRPU were eligible for the study and agreed to complete the questionnaire. The mean age was 29.4 ± 6.23 years and the mean gestational week at the admission was 31.6 ± 3.33 weeks. The prevalence of prenatal depression (score3 13) was 25% (20/80). In the multivariable model, depression was significantly correlated with the existence of thoughts for pregnancy termination P = .03 OR = 4.560 95% CI: (1.162–17.892). Conclusions One quarter of pregnant women admitted in the HRPU with the indication of threatened preterm labour may suffer from clinically significant depression. An unwanted pregnancy was found to be independently associated with prenatal depression whereas no association was found with any obstetric parameters.
PDF
