Serialised holography for brand protection and authentication

The problems presented by counterfeit products and documentation are discussed. Limitations of existing holograms for anti-counterfeit applications are described. We describe the advantages of full holographic serialisation and the requirements in terms of materials and techniques for mass production of true serialised holograms. These requirements having been met, we report for the first time the mass production of fully serialised holograms. The novelty of approach consists of the direct use of product manufacturer’s information as the object in a holographic recording system along with a self-processing photopolymer and modular optical system to facilitate mass production of truly serialised volume holograms. Various types of serialised holograms for overt and covert authentication are described. We discuss briefly the application of Optrace’s manufacturing methods for future generation holographic device

Albiglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (Harmony Outcomes): a double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial

Background: Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists differ in chemical structure, duration of action, and in their effects on clinical outcomes. The cardiovascular effects of once-weekly albiglutide in type 2 diabetes are unknown. We aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of albiglutide in preventing cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Methods: We did a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 610 sites across 28 countries. We randomly assigned patients aged 40 years and older with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (at a 1:1 ratio) to groups that either received a subcutaneous injection of albiglutide (30–50 mg, based on glycaemic response and tolerability) or of a matched volume of placebo once a week, in addition to their standard care. Investigators used an interactive voice or web response system to obtain treatment assignment, and patients and all study investigators were masked to their treatment allocation. We hypothesised that albiglutide would be non-inferior to placebo for the primary outcome of the first occurrence of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke, which was assessed in the intention-to-treat population. If non-inferiority was confirmed by an upper limit of the 95% CI for a hazard ratio of less than 1·30, closed testing for superiority was prespecified. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02465515. Findings: Patients were screened between July 1, 2015, and Nov 24, 2016. 10 793 patients were screened and 9463 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to groups: 4731 patients were assigned to receive albiglutide and 4732 patients to receive placebo. On Nov 8, 2017, it was determined that 611 primary endpoints and a median follow-up of at least 1·5 years had accrued, and participants returned for a final visit and discontinuation from study treatment; the last patient visit was on March 12, 2018. These 9463 patients, the intention-to-treat population, were evaluated for a median duration of 1·6 years and were assessed for the primary outcome. The primary composite outcome occurred in 338 (7%) of 4731 patients at an incidence rate of 4·6 events per 100 person-years in the albiglutide group and in 428 (9%) of 4732 patients at an incidence rate of 5·9 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0·78, 95% CI 0·68–0·90), which indicated that albiglutide was superior to placebo (p<0·0001 for non-inferiority; p=0·0006 for superiority). The incidence of acute pancreatitis (ten patients in the albiglutide group and seven patients in the placebo group), pancreatic cancer (six patients in the albiglutide group and five patients in the placebo group), medullary thyroid carcinoma (zero patients in both groups), and other serious adverse events did not differ between the two groups. There were three (<1%) deaths in the placebo group that were assessed by investigators, who were masked to study drug assignment, to be treatment-related and two (<1%) deaths in the albiglutide group. Interpretation: In patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, albiglutide was superior to placebo with respect to major adverse cardiovascular events. Evidence-based glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists should therefore be considered as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes. Funding: GlaxoSmithKline

On the Performance of the Box Particle Filter for Extended Object Tracking Using Laser Data

This paper considers the challenging task of real time extended object tracking using cluttered measurements from laser range scanners. The performance of the recently proposed Box Particle Filter (Box PF) algorithm is evaluated utilising real measurements from laser range scanners obtained within a prototype security system replicating an airport corridor. The problem is expressed as the joint estimation of both state and parameters of an extended target. Circularly and elliptically shaped targets are considered. Promising results are presented

Status of the geogenic radon potential investigations in Bulgaria

Radon (222Rn) is a radioactive gas and formed as a result of the radioactive decay of radium. 222Rn relieved from the ground could accumulate in the building and contribute to human exposure. Exposure to indoor radon and its decay products contributes to half of the annual dose received by the public from all natural radioactive sources. Radon is recognized as a carcinogenic agent by the WHO and is the second leading cause of lung cancer after tobacco smoke. The radon concentration in buildings and the exposure to radon depend on many factors, but it can be assumed that geology is the main factor influencing the variation of indoor radon. In this regard, the geogenic radon potential (GRP) of the terrain is the probability of the presence of high radon concentration in a building, the genesis of which is directly related to the influence of the earth's surface, and not e.g. from building materials. In addition, there is a concept “radon index”, which is used to characterize GRP. One of the approaches for quantifying the radon index is based on a multivariate cross-tabulation, which includes two parameters – radon concentration in soil gas and gas permeability of the earth layer. Till 2019, complex studies concerning correlation between the measured radon concentrations and bedrock geology in Bulgaria are only scarce and quite general. In the last three years, there are attempts for detailed investigations for evaluation of the bedrock and superficial geology associating with radon potential or/and radon index determinations. Therefore, research works on geogenic radon so far in Bulgaria can be divided into two main groups: regional research works related to the "radon-rock" relationship and local research aimed at determining the radon index at specific sites. In the first group appertain investigations about defining the rock formations in Bulgaria, in their outcrop presence, with possible high radon potential based on geological and published more general “radon–rock correlations” data. Based on that, a GIS based map for the spatial distribution of the particular rock types in accordance with the expected radon potential is made. Also to this group belongs a study concerning spatial sampling design for the use of the polygons (Sliven Province) as the unit of sampling, data collection, and analysis and reduces the number of observations, as well as would optimize the gathering, analysis and systematization of the data for the preparation of a methodology for the preparation of geogenic radon potential map. In the second group appertain investigations of the radon index determination at the two pilot sites affected by fault systems in Sofia.</jats:p

Corporate Culture as an Instrument to Manage the Interaction between Strategic Management and Employees` Self-actualisation within Business Organisations

The functioning of business organisations in the context of the current dynamic and digital environment predefines a different managerial approach toward people so that they can transform into human capital and contribute to the achievement of the company objectives. This requires stimulation of the employees’ self-expression in the internal organisational environment defined by the existing corporate culture. The scientific objective of this paper is to outline the possibilities to stimulate the aspiration toward employees’ self-actualisation through management of corporate culture with a view to achieving the strategic objectives of the business organisations. This work is of conceptual nature and it integrates and gives an overview of the existing theoretical grounds in the field of strategic management, corporate culture and human resources. Different research methods and approaches have been used, including the methods of analysis and synthesis and the systematic, complex and interdisciplinary approach. As a result of the research, the necessary matches have been discovered, with the support of which corporate culture helps stimulate self-expression of the employees in the context of the companies’ strategic development.</jats:p

The role of angio-optical coherent tomography in the surgical management of the vitreoretinal interface

AbstractOptical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) is a noninvasive diagnostic method for three-dimensional visualization of the vascular structures of the retina and choroid. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic role of OCT-A preoperatively and postoperatively in vitreoretinal interface (VRI) pathologies, by determining the size of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) in the superficial (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) and to compare these parameters with control (healthy) eyes. Medical records of 19 patients were prospectively analyzed: nine with a full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) and ten with an idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM). All participants underwent unilateral Pars Plana Vitrectomy, peeling of internal limiting membrane and fluid-gas exchange tamponade. The FAZ area of the SCP and DCP was statistically significantly different preoperatively and postoperatively at the 1st month in the FTMH group (0.5311 ± 0.276 mm2 vs. 0.4278 ± 0.257 mm2, p-value .000; 1.4822 ± 0.727 mm2 vs. 0.5856 ± 0.498 mm2 p-value .005). The mean preoperative FAZ in both plexuses was bigger compared to the control eyes. The FAZ area of the SCP and DCP was nonsignificantly different preoperatively and postoperatively in patients with ERM, despite a decrease in the mean FAZ area at the 1st month (0.3120 ± 0.1134 mm2 vs. 0.2300 ± 0.1158 mm2, p-value .150; 0.7100 ± 0.6607 vs. 0.5190 ± 0.5591 mm2, p-value .091). The results of this prospective study suggest that OCT-A is an effective and safe method in VRI pathologies, giving a valuable information for surgical outcome. Due to its high diagnostic value, the prognosis for the recovery of visual function after surgical treatment can be assessed