Arrayed-waveguide-grating light collector for on-chip spectroscopy

We present a novel arrayed-waveguide-grating (AWG) device with improved external (biomedical) signal collection for use in on-chip spectroscopy. The collection efficiency of the device is compared to that of a standard AWG. We also present experimental results on the collection efficiency and size of the collection volume

Protocol for soil functionality assessment in vineyards

Protocols used by Resolve partners during the project, to assess soil functionality on degraded aeras and evaluate soil restoration after applying recovering practices

ECOLOGICAL TABLE GRAPE PRODUCTION IN TURKEY

The organic (ecologic-biologic) agricultural practices in Turkey began in 1985 with organic raisins and dried figs demand of European countries. As of 2015, 1829291 tons of organic products from 197 different products, which comprise grapes, in 515268 ha, are produced by 69967 farmers. Currently, the number of registered enterprises operating in organic agriculture is over 1500. As in the entire in world and in Turkey, the share of organic production in grape production is increasing. Organic grape production is carried out in 10645 ha area in Turkey. This amount constitutes approximately 2.3% of the total grape production area in Turkey. Organic grape is the second major product of Turkey export, and the export share of organic products in recent years is increased to 20-30%. The share of the organic table grape production in total organic grape production is an increasing trend and the studies in this direction are continuing

Comparison of Electron and Hole Charge-Discharge Dynamics in Germanium Nanocrystal Flash Memories

Cataloged from PDF version of article.Electron and hole charge and discharge dynamics are studied on plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition grown metal-oxide-silicon germanium nanocrystal flash memory devices. Electron and hole charge and discharge currents are observed to differ significantly and depend on annealing conditions chosen for the formation of nanocrystals. At low annealing temperatures, holes are seen to charge slower but to escape faster than electrons. They discharge slower than electrons when annealing temperatures are raised. The results suggest that discharge currents are dominated by the interface layer acting as a quantum well for holes and by direct tunneling for elec-trons. (c) 2008 American Institute of Physics

Electro-Optic and Electro-absorption characterization of InAs quantum dot waveguides

Cataloged from PDF version of article.Abstract Optical properties of multilayer InAs quantum dot waveguides, grown by molecular beam epitaxy, have been studied under applied electric field. Fabry-Perot measurements at 1515 nm on InAs/GaAs quantum dot structures yield a significantly enhanced linear electro-optic efficiency compared to bulk GaAs. Electro-absorption measurements at 1300 nm showed increased absorption with applied field accompanied with red shift of the spectra. Spectral shifts of up to 21% under 18 Volt bias was observed at 1320 nm. (C) 2008 Optical Society of America

Protocol for soil functionality assessment in vineyards

Protocols used by Resolve partners during the project, to assess soil functionality on degraded aeras and evaluate soil restoration after applying recovering practices

Protocols for soil functionality assessment in vineyards

The purpose of this guideline is to describe the methods used during ReSolVe project for soil functionality assessment, so they can be implemented in similar studies. A brief introduction first underlines what are the main functions of soil and why maintaining an optimal soil functionality is particularly of major interest in viticulture. Then the different protocols selected for ReSolVe project and this guideline are presented according to the following classification: - Part I: assessment of soil physical and chemical features; - Part II: assessment of soil biological features (ecosystem service provision and providers); - Part III: assessment of rhizosphere biological features; - Part IV: assessment of grapevine quantitative and qualitative indicators reflecting soil functionality. In each part, global objectives of the monitoring are explained (what is it used for, in which cases…) and the parameters to evaluate are listed with their corresponding methodological sheet. In these sheets, instructions and information are given about: - Materials needed to perform the sampling and the measurement - Sampling procedure - Analysis procedure - Possible interpretations and conclusions that can be drawn (value and meaning of the results, indication of reference values when existing, potential limit of the protocol) - Bibliographic references related to the method described - Additional helpful information where appropriate (ex: template of sampling sheet

Integrated AWG spectrometer for on-chip optical coherence tomography and Raman spectroscopy

Silicon oxynitride-based arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) spectrometers were designed for on-chip spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems and Raman spectroscopy of the skin. A novel geometrical layout for Raman spectroscopy was introduced to reduce loss. Measurements show that integrated optics has a good potential for miniaturizing current OCT systems

Is the covering of the resection margin after distal pancreatectomy advantageous?

BACKGROUND: In recent years, many advances in pancreatic surgery have been achieved. Nevertheless, the rate of pancreatic fistula following pancreatic tail resection does not differ between various techniques, still reaching up to 30% in prospective multicentric studies. Taking into account contradictory results concerning the usefulness of covering resection margins after distal pancreatectomy, we sought to perform a systematic, retrospective analysis of patients that underwent distal pancreatectomy at our center. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the data of 74 patients that underwent distal pancreatectomy between 2001 and 2011 at the community hospital in Neuss. Demographic factors, indications, postoperative complications, surgical or interventional revisions, and length of hospital stay were registered to compare the outcome of patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy with coverage of the resection margins vs. patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy without coverage of the resection margins. Differences between groups were calculated using Fisher’s exact and Mann–Whitney U test. RESULTS: Main indications for pancreatic surgery were insulinoma (n=18, 24%), ductal adenocarcinoma (n=9, 12%), non-single-insulinoma-pancreatogenic-hypoglycemia-syndrome (NSIPHS) (n=8, 11%), and pancreatic cysts with pancreatitis (n=8, 11%). In 39 of 74 (53%) patients no postoperative complications were noted. In detail we found that 23/42 (55%) patients with coverage vs. 16/32 (50%) without coverage of the resection margins had no postoperative complications. The most common complications were pancreatic fistulas in eleven patients (15%), and postoperative bleeding in nine patients (12%). Pancreatic fistulas occurred in patients without coverage of the resection margins in 7/32 (22%) vs. 4/42 (1011%) with coverage are of the resection margins, yet without reaching statistical significance. Postoperative bleeding ensued with equal frequency in both groups (12% with coverage versus 13% without coverage of the resection margins). The reoperation rate was 8%. The hospital stay for patients without coverage was 13 days (5–60) vs. 17 days (8–60) for patients with coverage. CONCLUSIONS: The results show no significant difference in the fistula rate after covering of the resection margin after distal pancreatectomy, which contributes to the picture of an unsolved problem