Diffraction microtomography with sample rotation: influence of a missing apple core in the recorded frequency space

Diffraction microtomography in coherent light is foreseen as a promising technique to image transparent living samples in three dimensions without staining. Contrary to conventional microscopy with incoherent light, which gives morphological information only, diffraction microtomography makes it possible to obtain the complex optical refractive index of the observed sample by mapping a three-dimensional support in the spatial frequency domain. The technique can be implemented in two configurations, namely, by varying the sample illumination with a fixed sample or by rotating the sample using a fixed illumination. In the literature, only the former method was described in detail. In this report, we precisely derive the three-dimensional frequency support that can be mapped by the sample rotation configuration. We found that, within the first-order Born approximation, the volume of the frequency domain that can be mapped exhibits a missing part, the shape of which resembles that of an apple core. The projection of the diffracted waves in the frequency space onto the set of sphere caps covered by the sample rotation does not allow for a complete mapping of the frequency along the axis of rotation due to the finite radius of the sphere caps. We present simulations of the effects of this missing information on the reconstruction of ideal objects.Comment: 7 pages, 11 figures, presented at Focus On Microscopy 200

Australian Superannuation: The Current State of Play

This article focuses on the challenges facing superannuation, the income replacement pillar of Australia's retirement income system, as it matures. We discuss four questions: In an era when households are making critical and complex choices that most have never previously confronted, how should policy-makers and private providers guide choices? How should superannuation be taxed? How should the drawdown phase be structured? And to what extent will the Superannuation Guarantee be able to meet the objective of providing retirement income to substitute or supplement the age pension? This article attempts to provide perspective on each of the issues and concludes with a statement of research need

Population ageing and social security in Asia

Asian countries are at different stages of demographic transition. While Central and South Asian countries are relatively young and will remain so for some time, East and Southeast Asia are expected to age at an unprecedented rate in the next few decades. Japan has reached the future first. Other nations, such as China, are still young but ageing faster than many advanced economies, including Australia and the USA. This demographic shift has considerable implications for the development of social policy. Here too, countries differ widely. This paper sets the context for the rest of the volume. The focus is mostly on countries in East and Southeast Asia, but it includes contrasting comparisons to key regional countries such as India and Australia. First, the paper presents the context: the demographic, urbanization, and social trends facing Asia. Second, it tackles the allocation of resources for the elderly, in particular, by summarizing approaches to two areas of social policy most pertinent to population ageing: retirement income and health care

Population ageing in Asia and the Pacific: Dependency metrics for policy

This paper explores the effects of population ageing in Asia. Standard demographic dependency ratios leave out much of economic significance from demographic projections. We examine, adapt and estimate various measures of dependency, indicative of health, long term care, labour market, economic wellbeing, and fiscal sustainability, and relate them to one another. A range of projection scenarios is used to illustrate the effects of social, institutional and policy changes across several Asia–Pacific economies chosen to represent Asia's demographic, social and economic diversity

The ageing prisoner population: demographic shifts in Australia and implications for the economic and social costs of health care

Purpose: The Australian prisoner population has experienced a dramatic increase in the number of older inmates over the past decade, consistent with the greying of the prisoner population that is being observed worldwide. Reviews suggest the need for further evidence and practice outside of the USA. This paper aims to review and discuss the cost and social implications of the rising health-care needs of this population in Australia. Design/methodology/approach: A review of international research and policies is presented, as well as the results of basic economic modelling relating to the expected rise in health-care costs of the ageing prisoner population in Australia. Findings: Taking into consideration the continued rise in incarceration rates, the calculations show that the health costs of prisoners could increase by anywhere between 17% and 90% depending on whether the increase of older prisoners continues as it has in the past decade. These trends are likely to continue over the next decade and will result in higher health costs of prisons under a number of different imprisonment scenarios. Policy responses in Australia have been slow so far, with most initiatives being undertaken in the USA with promising results. Practical implications: The authors suggest that in the absence of a coordinated policy response, covering a range of interventions, costs will continue to increase, particularly as this population continues to age more rapidly than the general population due to an accumulation of risk factors. Well-conceived interventions would be a worthwhile investment from both financial and social perspectives. Originality/value: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first commentary to acknowledge this rising public health issue and to both review and model its implications for the future