Optical injection-induced timing jitter reduction in gain-switched single-mode vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

We report an experimental and theoretical investigation of the effect of optical injection on the characteristics of optical pulses generated by gain-switching a 1550 nm single transverse mode vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL). Under continuous wave operation the VCSEL emits in a linear polarization along the whole current range. The experimental analysis of the effect of external optical injection on the timing jitter, maximum power, and pulse width of optical pulses generated by gain-switching the single mode VCSEL is performed for several repetition rates and for different values of the detuning between the frequency of the optical injection and the VCSEL. Experimental results show that for 1 GHz repetition frequency, jitter reductions greater than 70 % can be obtained over a 47 GHz frequency detuning range with a slight increase of 22% in pulse width with respect to the solitary case. A clear anticorrelation between the maximum power and pulse width is also obtained. A theoretical study is also performed by using a model that incorporates both spatial dependence of carrier density and optical field profiles. The two polarization modes are also taken into account in the model. The theoretical results are in good agreement with the experimental result

Microwave signal generation using a dual-beam optically injected 1550 nm VCSEL

We report microwave signal generation using a 1550 nm single-mode VCSEL subject to two-frequency optical injection. Double injection locking is achieved. It is found that this generation system is independent of the master lasers polarization

EP-1245: Gated Rapidarc using KV intrafraction verification for liver stereotactic treatment

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The TRPV4 channel links calcium influx to DDX3X activity and viral infectivity

Ion channels are well placed to transduce environmental cues into signals used by cells to generate a wide range of responses, but little is known about their role in the regulation of RNA metabolism. Here we show that the TRPV4 cation channel binds the DEAD-box RNA helicase DDX3X and regulates its function. TRPV4-mediated Ca2+ influx releases DDX3X from the channel and drives DDX3X nuclear translocation, a process that involves calmodulin (CaM) and the CaM-dependent kinase II. Genetic depletion or pharmacological inhibition of TRPV4 diminishes DDX3X-dependent functions, including nuclear viral export and translation. Furthermore, TRPV4 mediates Ca2+ influx and nuclear accumulation of DDX3X in cells exposed to the Zika virus or the purified viral envelope protein. Consequently, targeting of TRPV4 reduces infectivity of dengue, hepatitis C and Zika viruses. Together, our results highlight the role of TRPV4 in the regulation of DDX3X-dependent control of RNA metabolism and viral infectivity

Making space for experiences

Leisure and retail providers need to understand the elements of the visitor experience and the way in which they evaluate their satisfaction. This article suggests a holistic prism model of the interaction between the management and the visitor in a leisure space. This is applied to a netnographic study of visitors to a folk festival to illustrate the interconnectiveness of the different attributes causing dissatisfaction. It found that the physical and operational attributes were evaluated not through a checklist of individual features but as hindrances to the visitor's desire to make best use of the time. Visitors also evaluated the experience in the light of their own values and concerns, passing judgement on the values communicated by the management. At the heart of the experience was the enjoyment of choosing from an abundant offer and discovering something new. The main attraction is often only the pretext for enjoying the company of friends so places to meet before and chill-out afterwards are vital to the experience. The distinctiveness of the setting, the food and drink can become the sensory cues which give the event or location its uniqueness. The challenge to retail and leisure organisations is to design these elements of a memorable experience into their offerings

Closed-Loop Control of Postprandial Glycemia Using an Insulin-on-Board Limitation Through Continuous Action on Glucose Target

This is a copy of an article published in the Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics © 2017 [copyright Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.]; Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics is available online at: https://www.liebertpub.com/.[EN] Background: Postprandial (PP) control remains a challenge for closed-loop (CL) systems. Few studies with inconsistent results have systematically investigated the PP period. Objective: To compare a new CL algorithm with current pump therapy (open loop [OL]) in the PP glucose control in type 1 diabetes (T1D) subjects. Methods: A crossover randomized study was performed in two centers. Twenty T1D subjects (F/M 13/7, age 40.7 -10.4 years, disease duration 22.6 +/- 9.9 years, and A1c 7.8% +/- 0.7%) underwent an 8-h mixed meal test on four occasions. In two (CL1/CL2), after meal announcement, a bolus was given followed by an algorithmdriven basal infusion based on continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Alternatively, in OL1/OL2 conventional pump therapy was used. Main outcome measures were as follows: glucose variability, estimated with the coefficient of variation (CV) of the area under the curve (AUC) of plasma glucose (PG) and CGM values, and from the analysis of the glucose time series; mean, maximum (C-max), and time to C-max glucose concentrations and time in range (180 mg/dL). Results: CVs of the glucose AUCs were low and similar in all studies (around 10%). However, CL achieved greater reproducibility and better PG control in the PP period: CL1 = CL2 0.05) nor the need for oral glucose was significantly different (CL 40.0% vs. OL 22.5% of meals; P = 0.054). Conclusions: This novel CL algorithm effectively and consistently controls PP glucose excursions without increasing hypoglycemia. Study registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: study number NCT02100488.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through Grants DPI2013-46982-C2-1-R and DPI2013-46982-C2-2-R, and the EU through FEDER funds. C.Q. is the recipient of a grant from the Hospital Clinic i Universitari of Barcelona ("Ajut a la recerca Josep Font 2014-2017").Rossetti, P.; Quirós, C.; Moscardo-Garcia, V.; Comas, A.; Giménez, M.; Ampudia-Blasco, F.; León, F.... (2017). Closed-Loop Control of Postprandial Glycemia Using an Insulin-on-Board Limitation Through Continuous Action on Glucose Target. Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics. 19(6):355-362. https://doi.org/10.1089/dia.2016.0443S35536219

A mutation in the first intracellular loop of CACNA1A prevents P/Q channel modulation by SNARE proteins and lowers exocytosis

Familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM)-causing mutations in the gene encoding the P/Q Ca2+ channel α1A subunit (CACNA1A) locate to the pore and voltage sensor regions and normally involve gain-of-channel function. We now report on a mutation identified in the first intracellular loop of CACNA1A (α1A(A454T)) that does not cause FHM but is associated with the absence of sensorimotor symptoms in a migraine with aura pedigree. α1A(A454T) channels showed weakened regulation of voltage-dependent steady-state inactivation by CaVβ subunits. More interestingy, A454T mutation suppressed P/Q channel modulation by syntaxin 1A or SNAP-25 and decreased exocytosis. Our findings reveal the importance of I-II loop structural integrity in the functional interaction between P/Q channel and proteins of the vesicle-docking/fusion machinery, and that genetic variation in CACNA1A may be not only a cause but also a modifier of migraine phenotype

Designing and managing music festival experiences to enhance attendees’ psychological and social benefits

Attendance and participation at popular music festivals has become an important and increasingly common experience for people in many Western societies, yet little is known about the kinds of benefits visitors perceive they gain as a result of attending. This research explores attendees’ perceptions of the psychological and social benefits associated with their attendance of the Woodford Folk Music Festival in Queensland (Australia). Based upon the research findings, music festival management strategies are suggested to improve the design of festival experiences to better cater to the artistic, musical, social and psychological needs of attendees thereby increasing the impact and depth of the experience

Simulation of facet heating in high-power red lasers

A two-dimensional self-consistent laser model has been used for the simulation of the facet heating of red emitting AlGaInP lasers. It solves in the steady-state the complete semiconductor optoelectronic and thermal equations in the epitaxial and longitudinal directions and takes into account the population of different conduction band valleys. The model considers the possibility of two independent mechanisms contributing to the facet heating: recombination at surface traps and optical absorption at the facet. The simulation parameters have been calibrated by comparison with measurements of the temperature dependence of the threshold current and slope efficiency of broad-area lasers. Facet temperature has been measured by micro-Raman spectrometry in devices with standard and non absorbing mirrors evidencing an effective decrease of the facet heating due to the non absorbing mirrors. A good agreement between experimental values and calculations is obtained for both devices when a certain amount of surface traps and optical absorption is assumed. A simulation analysis of the effect of non absorbing mirrors in the reduction of facet heating in terms of temperature, carrier density, material gain and Shockly-Read-Hall recombination rate profiles is provided