We propose a single phase-only optical element that transforms differentorbital angular momentum (OAM) modes into localized spots at separated angularpositions on a transverse plane. We refer to this element as an angular lenssince it separates out OAM modes in a manner analogous to how a converging lensseparates out transverse wave-vector modes at the focal plane. We also simulatethe proposed angular lens using a spatial light modulator and experimentallydemonstrate its working. Our work can have important implications for OAM-basedclassical and quantum communication applications.
A continuous-wave erbium-doped ytterbium-free fiber laser generates a record-breaking pump-power-limited output power of 656 W at ∼1601 nm when cladding pumped by 0.98 μm diode lasers. The slope efficiency was 35.6% with respect to launched pump power, and the beam quality factor (M 2 ) was ∼10.5. This M 2 value excludes a fraction ∼25% of the power that emerged from the cladding, which we attribute in part to mode coupling between the 146 μm core and 700 μm inner cladding. Whereas these parameters are adequate for in-band tandem pumping of Tm-doped fiber lasers, we predict that an output power of over 1 kW is possible through pumping with state-of-the-art 0.98 μm diode lasers, even with a smaller core that allows for improved beam quality.
Background Migrant labourers living in the slums of urban and industrial patches across India make up a key sub-population so far controlling Tuberculosis (TB) in the country is concerned. This is because many TB patients from these communities- remain under reached by the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) of India. This marginalized community usually seeks early-stage healthcare from “friendly neighbourhood” non-formal health providers (NFHPs). Because, RNTCP has limited capacity to involve the NFHPs, an implementation research project was conceived, whereby an external partner would engage with the NFHPs to enable them to identify early TB symptomatics from this key sub-population who would be then tested using Xpert MTB/RIF technology. Diagnosed TB cases among them would be referred promptly to RNTCP for treatment. This paper aimed to describe the project and its impact. Methods Adopting a quasi-experimental before-after design, four RNTCP units from two major urban-industrial areas of Odisha were selected for intervention, which spanned five quarters and covered 151,400 people, of which 30% were slum-dwelling migrants. Two similar units comprised the control population. The hypothesis was, reaching the under reached in the intervention area through NFHPs would increase TB notification from these traditionally under-notifying units. RNTCP notification data during intervention was compared with pre-intervention era, adjusted for contemporaneous changes in control population Results The project detected 488 Xpert + TB cases, of whom 466 were administered RNTCP treatment. This translated into notification of additional 198 new bacteriologically positive cases to RNTCP, a 30% notification surge, after adjustment for 2% decline in control. This meant an average quarterly increase in notification of 41.20(20.08, 62.31; p <0.001) cases. The increase was immediate, evident from the rise in level in the time series analysis by 50.42(10.28, 90.55; p = 0.02) cases. Conclusion Engagement with NFHPs contributed to an increase in TB notification to RNTCP from key under reached, slum-dwelling migrant populations.
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is leading cause of cancer-related mortality and is categorized among the most common malignancies around the world. It is a heterogeneous tumor, which shows significant degree of histopathological heterogeneity. Despite the apparent histopathological diversity there has been very little distinct correlation between histopathological features and molecular aberrations particularly when it comes to the expression level of Wnt and Hh pathway molecules. The role of Wnt and Hh pathways in relation to HCC behavior viz. histopathological heterogeneity and aggressiveness is not known. Determining the sequential molecular changes and associated histopathological characteristic during HCC initiation, promotion, and progression would probably lead to a better treatment and prognosis. Methods N-Nitrosodiethylamine (DEN) induced HCC model in male Wistar rats were established to study the expression level of Wnt and Hh pathway molecules during different stages of hepatocarcinogenesis. Their expression levels were checked at mRNA and protein levels at initiation, promotion, and progression stages of HCC. The expression levels of Wnt and Hh pathway molecules were correlated with biospecimens of HCC patients of different stages. Results In the present study we identified the comprehensive change in the expression pattern of Wnt and Hh pathway molecules in DEN induced rodent hepatocarcinogenesis model. Our results demonstrate that β-catenin /CTNNB1 plays important role in tumor initiation and promotion by stimulating tumor cell proliferation. The activated Wnt signaling in early stage of HCC is associated with well-differentiated histological pattern. The Hh activity although activated during the initiation stage but is significantly increased during the early promotion stage of hepatocarcinogenesis. The increased activity of both Wnt & Hh pathways during promotion stage is associated with moderately-differentiated histological pattern and was simultaneously linked with an increased expression of MMP9. Furthermore, our data demonstrated that during the progression stage Wnt pathway is modestly down-regulated but the Hh pathway activity sustained which in turn is associated with aggressive and invasive phenotype and poorly-differentiated histopathology. Conclusion Our data uncovers the grade related expression of Wnt and Hh pathway molecules and the potential utility of these molecular signatures in daily clinical practice is to decide best therapy according to patients characteristic. Additionally, our data offer insight into the interaction between Wnt and Hh pathways which triggers HCC development and progression.
Background and Aims: Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs commonly in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). However, there are scant data regarding the impact of AKI on survival in ACLF. We performed a prospective study to evaluate the impact of AKI on survival in ACLF. Methods: This study was conducted in ACLF patients hospitalized in the Gastroenterology Department of Sriram Chandra Bhanja Medical College (India) between October 2016 and February 2018. Demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters were recorded, and outcomes were compared between patients with and without AKI and between patients with persistent AKI and AKI reversal at 48 h. Results: We screened 439 chronic liver disease patients as per the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver criteria and found that 113 (25.7%) of them had ACLF and 78 (69%) of them had AKI as per the Acute Kidney Injury Network criteria. ACLF patients with AKI had reduced 28-day survival (44.9% vs. 74.3%; p = 0.004) and 90-day survival (25.6% vs. 51.4%; p = 0.007), in comparison to ACLF patients without AKI. However, when comparison was made between AKI reverters and AKI persisters at 48 h, survival was comparable for both at 28 days and 90 days. Further, about one-tenth of ACLF patients with AKI died within 48 h of hospitalization. Conclusions: Over two-thirds of ACLF patients had AKI. Although ACLF itself is a predictor of reduced survival, a very small increase in serum creatinine further worsens survival. Importantly, AKI at admission is a better predictor of early mortality in ACLF patients since recovery from AKI at 48 h does not improve survival.