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Reconfigurable free-space mode generation and detection enabled by an active photonic integrated circuit coupled to a passive mode-selective interface
Get PDFOptical mode-sorting and generation are used for a wide range of quantum, sensing and communication applications. High-speed switching between mode sets would allow photonics systems to react to changes in propagation channel in real time. Photonic-Integrated-Circuits (PICs) with phased arrays can rapidly reconfigure their function at MHz depending on installed modulators. As a reconfigurable photonic system, PIC can reconfigure significantly fast than spatial light modulators that are limited to less than 1 kHz. However, phased-arrays are bound by two-dimensional Nyquist-sampling limit and spacing between array elements leads to grating lobe formation, where many additional array elements are needed to mitigate these effects. We leverage a passive Multiple-Plane-Light-Converters (MPLC) as an Optical Mode-Selective Interface (OMSI), coupling a basis set of free-space Hermite Gaussian (HG) modes directly into an active optical mesh implemented on a PIC. The active mesh can generate or sort any free-space mode-set that can be created by a linear superposition of 15 HG modes. Without changing the physical system, we demonstrate the generation and sorting of four orthogonal mode groups, each with 15 modes, achieving a mean intermodal crosstalk for sorting of -22 dB. This approach can allow for rapidly reconfigurable mode-sorters that could be used for quantum or classical communications or sensing applications
Education for Sustainable Development – Learning to See the Bigger Picture
Get PDFEducating students for the VUCA world means teaching sustainable study and work practices. Students need to learn to see the bigger picture of their own and others’ needs, making connections between different fields of knowledge to develop problem-solving skills. The Scottish education system increasingly promotes trauma-informed practice as valuable for acknowledging the wider context of the learner beyond the education setting, particularly taking account of challenges. This presentation will outline key ideas from trauma informed practice, identifying principles of community, context and care that have relevance to university teaching and offer spaces for resisting entrenched neoliberal attitudes
Waves: collaborative geographical biography
Get PDFThis paper conveys the notion of collaborative geographical biography through enmeshed encounters with mental ill-health. In the context of researching the life of Art Extraordinary artist, Adam Christie, this paper argues for the importance of lived expression provided by ‘expert-by-experience’ researchers arriving in academic spaces, reflecting on the power that it holds for generating deeper understandings of the geographies of mental (ill-)health. The paper seeks to illuminate the possibilities of creative collaboration for revealing the intricate geographies of mental (ill-)health through geo-biographical research. In doing so, it aims to encourage co-created exploration of academic research and writing in geography through lived experience, leading to new ways of considering and configuring collaborative geographical biography
Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the common bile duct: a case report and review of the literature
No full textSarcomatoid carcinoma of the common bile duct is an exceptionally rare malignancy, with only eight cases previously reported in the English literature. We present the case of a 72-year-old Caucasian male who presented with obstructive jaundice and abnormal liver function tests, but without elevated tumour markers CA19-9 and CEA. Imaging with CT and MRCP revealed a polypoid mass in the common bile duct, and two ERCP attempts were unsuccessful. The patient underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy without adjuvant chemotherapy and has remained recurrence-free for 16 months. Histopathology revealed sarcomatoid spindle cells negative for the expression of sarcomatous markers but positive for epithelial markers CAM5.2 and AE1/3, as well as MNF focally, along with chronic cholecystitis. Sarcomatoid carcinoma is a rare and challenging diagnosis that requires tissue confirmation and immunohistochemical staining for accurate identification. Despite its rarity, it is important to consider sarcomatoid carcinoma in the differential diagnosis of polypoid masses of the common bile duct, especially in the absence of elevated tumour markers. There is inconclusive evidence regarding the clinical outcomes for sarcomatoid carcinoma of the common bile duct and the effectiveness of various treatment strategies. Current literature indicates the widespread use of pancreaticoduodenectomy; while the role of chemotherapy remains unclear
The influence of family and teacher support on academic self-efficacy in China: the mediating role of self-esteem and the moderating effect of personality
No full textCognitive health and academic achievement are crucial to adolescents’ contentment and social development in contemporary China. Despite numerous challenges, understanding the dynamic relationship between The study used stratified random sampling to ensure a representative sample of China’s heterogeneous population. The structural equation modelling results show that adolescents’ academic self-efficacy is positively correlated with family support (β = .30, p < .001), community resources (β = .25, p < .001), parent-child ties (β = .50, p < .002), teacher support (β = .35, p < .004), personality type (β = .20, p < .006) and self-esteem (β = .45, p < .003). Mediation analysis reveals that self-esteem mediates the effect of the support system on academic self-efficacy (β = .40, p < .006). Moderation analysis reveals how personality moderates the support system-academic self-efficacy interaction, highlighting the complex relationship between personal attributes and external support (β = .15, p < .001). These findings may help educators, policymakers, and mental health professionals assist teenagers mentally and intellectually. Educational environments require comprehensive, multi-level interventions that address both individuals and the environment. Personality and self-esteem are crucial components of a support system
A chequered history but positive future for British public administration
No full textPublic services, public servants, and the study of Public Administration are operating in a context of global turbulence. Our review of the state of the discipline suggests that a core strength of British Public Administration has been the complementarity between scholarship and practice, responding to existential threats. We analyze changing relationships between the discipline and practice in British public administration over three eras: Applied, fragmented, and impactful. The applied era saw mutual exchange, but a lack of criticality. The fragmented era was one of a retreat to over-specialization and identity crises. The impactful era has tried to revivify synergies but has struggled for coherence and criticality. Looking to the future, the nascent sub-field of Positive Public Administration is identified as providing an opportunity to radically redefine the scientific quality and social relevance of the discipline due to the way it blends constructive engagement with independent criticality
A digital diagnostic pathway for heart failure: an economic evaluation
No full textGuidelines recommend prompt diagnosis of suspected heart failure in people with elevated N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). Early diagnosis of heart failure improves patient outcomes, however diagnosis is complex and can often be delayed. Digital platforms can provide clinicians with greater access to information with which to diagnose heart failure, improving on standard diagnostic pathways. We modelled the potential cost-effectiveness of a digital pathway, adapting the UK NICE guideline (NG106) cost-effectiveness model to evaluate the impact of potentially speedier diagnosis and treatment of heart failure. Posited reductions in time to treatment were modelled to reduce short-term mortality and generate approximately 0.056 incremental quality adjusted life-years over a lifetime horizon. Additional costs arose from earlier heart failure treatment, resulting in a cost per quality adjusted life-year of £5,882 (95% confidence interval £4,377 - £11,084)
Coronary pathophysiology in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension: a systems medicine study
No full textBACKGROUND. Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) alters right ventricular size and function, curtailing life-expectancy. Patients may experience angina and myocardial ischemia. However, the mechanisms underlying these changes are poorly understood.
METHODS. A cross-sectional, case-control design of coronary pathophysiology (in vivo and ex vivo) in IPAH. Patients with IPAH (Group-1.1) undergoing clinically indicated right heart catheterization were prospectively enrolled. Participants underwent functional testing during coronary angiography using a dual pressure/temperature-sensitive guidewire. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance measured left and right ventricular mass and function. Autopsy cardiac tissues from end-stage PAH (Group-1) and control individuals were analyzed for right ventricular pathophysiology.
RESULTS. Eleven participants with IPAH and 15 control participants completed the protocol (IPAH: 45±15 years, 73% female; controls: 58.3±9.1 years, 73% female). 73% (n=8) of IPAH patients had an elevated index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR >25) and 55% (n=6) had reduced coronary flow reserve (CRF <2.0). The mean IMR was significantly higher in IPAH participants (39.2±27.0 vs. 15.3±5.0, p=0.002) whereas mean CFR was lower (2.8±2.1 vs. 4.0±1.4; p=0.077). Paired right coronary artery/ventricular measurements (n=6) revealed IMR positively correlated with right ventricular mass (r=0.91, p=0.12), and negatively with CFR (r=-0.82, p=0.046). Compared to controls (n=5), PAH participants (n=4) had reduced right ventricular capillary density (111±18 vs. 167±20, p=0.032), increased cardiomyocyte area (383±118μm2 vs. 231±61μm2, p=0.0390), and increased mural area in small pre-capillary arterioles (127±10μm2 vs. 107±20μm2, p=0.041).
CONCLUSIONS. Coronary microvascular dysfunction is prevalent in IPAH and correlates with increased right ventricular mass. Histopathology revealed vascular rarefaction and remodeling of pre-capillary arterioles. The clinical significance merits prospective evaluation. Invasive coronary function testing was feasible and safe in IPAH, providing a platform to assess therapeutic impacts on cardiac microvascular function
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