Integrated Al2O3:Er3+ zero-loss optical amplifier and power splitter with 40 nm bandwidth

A combined planar lossless optical amplifier and 1x2 power splitter device has been realized in Al2O3:Er3+ on silicon. Net internal gain was measured over a wavelength range of 40 nm across the complete telecom -band (1525–1565 nm). Calculations predict net gain in a combined amplifier and 1x4 power splitter device over the same wavelength range for a total injected pump power as low as 30 mW

Energy-Transfer Processes among Non-Homogeneously Distributed Rare-Earth Ions and Impact on Amplification and Lasing

Energy-transfer processes such as energy-transfer upconversion are often detrimental to the performance of rare-earth-doped amplifiers and lasers on the typical luminescence transitions in the near-infrared spectral region between 1-2 μm. In order to quantify the influence of these interionic processes on amplification and lasing, not only luminescence decay curves have to be measured, but also the population dynamics of the electronic level scheme need to be modeled. The usually encountered non-homogeneous ion distributions complicate the situation. Here we present a stochastic model of energy-transfer processes that takes a statistical ion distribution into account. The influence of energy-transfer upconversion and cross-relaxation on amplification and lasing on the 1.06 μm transition in Nd3+, the 1.53 μm transition in Er3+, or the 1.84 μm transition in Tm3+ under these conditions is investigated

Monolithic integration of erbium-doped amplifiers with silicon-on-insulator waveguides

Monolithic integration of Al2O3:Er3+ amplifier technology with passive silicon-on-insulator waveguides is demonstrated. A signal enhancement of >7 dB at 1533 nm wavelength is obtained. The straightforward wafer-scale fabrication process, which includes reactive co-sputtering and subsequent reactive ion etching, allows for parallel integration of multiple amplifier and laser sections with silicon or other photonic circuits on a chip

Consumption of fruit in street posts from eleven iberoamerican countries. Multicentric study

ARTÍCULO PUBLICADO EN REVISTA EXTERNA. La ingesta de comida en la calle es una práctica muy común en personas que trabajan. Hay una gran oferta de comida callejera; Las frutas son siempre parte de esta oferta y se pueden encontrar en diferentes presentaciones. Objetivo: Analizar la frecuencia del consumo de fruta en las vías públicas de América Latina. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal utilizando un cuestionario de 15 preguntas en formato Google Docs, que fue validado por el método Delphi y aplicado en 11 países: Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panamá, Paraguay, Perú, Portugal y Uruguay. Resultados: Se encuestó a 8885 personas, más del 50% consume alimentos en la vía pública. Entre los países más consumidores, se destacan Colombia (78%) y Guatemala (76%), seguido de Perú (66%). Con respecto al consumo de fruta en la vía pública, se observa que existe un mayor consumo en Portugal (61%), seguido de Colombia (55%) y Guatemala (51%), y los países con menor consumo son Argentina (26%) y Uruguay (20%). El consumo de fruta en la calle es el mismo en ambos sexos en la mayoría de los países. Por otro lado, en Portugal, Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica y Chile, el mayor consumo corresponde a personas con educación superior (universitaria o de posgrado) (p <0,05). Conclusiones: El consumo de alimentos en la calle es alto en todos los países, incluido el consumo de frutas. Esto puede transformarse en una oportunidad para alentar su consumo, pero los puestos de la calle deben ajustarse a los requisitos necesarios para ofrecer alimentos seguros. Sitio de la revista: https://revista.nutricion.org/index.php/ncdh/article/view/3

Ethical Criteria for the Admission and Management of Patients in the ICU Under Conditions of Limited Medical Resources: A Shared International Proposal in View of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction The present pandemic has exposed us to unprecedented challenges that need to be addressed not just for the current state, but also for possible future similar occurrences. It is worth pointing out that discussions on the allocation of medical resources may not necessarily refer to an exception, but, unfortunately, to a regular condition for a large part of humanity (1). The criteria for admission to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) setting generally take into account multiple factors. There must be a diagnostic and prognostic basis for the decisions made, considering both biological factors and patient values and wishes. Furthermore, the decision-making process should, whenever possible, respect the patient's advance directives as well as the relationship with the patient's family or attorney. Therapeutic neglect should be avoided. Having applied standard clinical evaluation criteria for the appropriate treatment of patients with COVID-19, including consideration of prognosis, if a hospital then finds itself unable to provide optimal treatment (e.g., due to a disproportion between the number of patients and the availability of beds, healthcare providers, ventilators, and drugs in the ICU), it becomes necessary to evaluate, case by case, how to achieve justice and the best possible good for the greatest number of patients. It is therefore mandatory to explore alternative solutions; these include increasing available beds and healthcare providers, implementing alternative, though suboptimal, approaches (where appropriate), transferring patients to other clinical units, etc. Making these decisions properly also involves the recovery of the political role of medicine and science (2). If the imbalance between needs and resources reaches a critical level, an emergency triage protocol, following the operational and ethical indications of “disaster medicine,” should be activated. These have been deployed in major and serious natural (earthquakes or tsunamis for example) and technological (factory explosions, public transport accidents for example) disasters, as well as following terrorist attacks (3, 4). The question of the feasibility of developing a clinical evaluation algorithm to support the decision-making of the triage team remains open, though many such protocols have been written. According to the above, we propose the following five ethical criteria for the triage of patients in conditions of limited resources, such as the COVID pandemic. They are the result of an interdisciplinary and intercultural dialogue between specialists from different disciplines. Several of the authors are working in the main epicenters of the crisis and currently are playing a central role in the bioethical, clinical, social and legal aspects of the management of the COVID-19 pandemic

COMIDA DE RUA: CONSUMO E PERCEÇÃO DE SALUBRIDADE EM CONSUMIDORES PORTUGUESES

ARTÍCULO PUBLICADO EN REVISTA EXTERNA. INTRODUÇÃO: A comida de rua define-se como os alimentos e bebidas prontos a comer, preparados e/ou vendidos na rua ou similares e esta tem-se revelado nos últimos anos uma tendência global na restauração, apesar da insegurança quanto às práticas higio sanitárias percecionada por alguns indivíduos. OBJETIVOS: Conhecer o perfil de consumidores de comida de rua em Portugal, o tipo de alimentos, a sua frequência de consumo e avaliar a perceção do consumidor em relação à segurança alimentar, por comparação com os resultados obtidos em países da América Latina. METODOLOGIA: Foi realizado um inquérito online, integrado num estudo multicêntrico a nível ibero-americano. RESULTADOS: Em Portugal, dos 803 inquiridos, 50,9% são indivíduos entre os 18-30 anos, e a maioria são do sexo feminino. A maioria dos inquiridos consumiu comida de rua nos três meses anteriores ao preenchimento do inquérito. Cerca de 46% destes dizem ingeri-la com uma periodicidade inferior a mensal. Os alimentos mais consumidos foram os gelados (89,6%), as bifanas ou pão com chouriço/ queijo/presunto (83,1%), as farturas/churros (80,3%) e os cachorros/hambúrgueres (79,8%). Os principais motivos de consumo foram a disponibilidade (48,7%) e o sabor (30,3%). O reporte de episódios de diarreia ou vómito após o consumo de comida de rua em Portugal apresentou um valor muito abaixo da média dos países latino-americanos. Em relação aos locais de venda de comida de rua verifica-se que 80,2% dos inquiridos considera que os mesmos se encontram sujos ou parcialmente sujos. CONCLUSÕES: Em Portugal, observa-se um consumo de comida de rua pouco frequente, sendo os gelados e as bifanas os alimentos mais consumidos, e o consumo determinado predominantemente pela disponibilidade e sabor deste tipo de alimentos. Globalmente a perceção de higiene dos consumidores portugueses é má, contudo o reporte de mau estar após a ingestão deste tipo de alimentos foi baixo

Caracterización del consumo de comida callejera según edad, estudio multicéntrico

ABSTRACT: The consumption of street food has become widespread in many countries, however, the reasons for consumption and perceptions by consumers about the hygiene of such food are unknown. Objective: To describe the consumption, the reasons for consumption and the perceptions of consumers about street food according to age group. Material and Methods: A survey of 15 questions was developed in Google Docs, adapted to each country, translated into Spanish or Portuguese and applied to 8895 people in 11 countries of Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal and Uruguay). Results: 53.6% of respondents indicate that they consume street food, the highest consumption (63.6%) occurs in the group of younger age (18-30 years), and decreases as age increases. The perception linked to dirtiness of food increases as age increases. On the other hand, as age increases, foods are preferred because they are tasty and they are available, in contrast to younger ones, where food is preferred due to economic factors and lack of time. Conclusions: As age increases, the consumption of street food decreases, the perception of good hygiene of these foods changes and the reasons for consumption are modified.RESUMEN: El consumo de comida callejera se ha masificado en todos los países, sin embargo, se desconocen las razones de consumo y las percepciones por parte de los consumidores, sobre la higiene de dicha comida. Objetivo: describir el consumo, las razones del consumo y las percepciones de los consumidores sobre la comida callejera según grupo etario. Material y Métodos: Se elaboró una encuesta de 15 preguntas en formato Google Docs, adaptada a cada país, traducida en español o portugués y aplicada a 8.895 personas en 11 países de Iberoamérica (Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panamá, Paraguay, Perú, Portugal y Uruguay). Resultados: El 53,6% de los encuestados indica que consume comida callejera, el mayor consumo (63,6%) se presenta en el grupo de menor edad (18-30 años), y va disminuyendo a medida que aumenta la edad. La percepción ligada a la suciedad de los alimentos aumenta a medida que aumenta la edad. De otro lado, a medida que aumenta la edad se prefieren los alimentos por ser ricos y sabrosos, y por estar disponibles, en cambio entre los más jóvenes, se prefieren los alimentos por factores económicos y por falta de tiempo. Conclusiones: A medida que aumenta la edad disminuye el consumo de comida callejera, cambia la percepción de buena higiene de estos alimentos y se modifican las razones del consumo