Modulation control and spectral shaping of optical fiber supercontinuum generation in the picosecond regime

Numerical simulations are used to study how fiber supercontinuum generation seeded by picosecond pulses can be actively controlled through the use of input pulse modulation. By carrying out multiple simulations in the presence of noise, we show how tailored supercontinuum Spectra with increased bandwidth and improved stability can be generated using an input envelope modulation of appropriate frequency and depth. The results are discussed in terms of the non-linear propagation dynamics and pump depletion.Comment: Aspects of this work were presented in Paper ThJ2 at OECC/ACOFT 2008, Sydney Australia 7-10 July (2008). Journal paper submitted for publication 30 July 200

Whole-genome sequencing reveals host factors underlying critical COVID-19

Critical COVID-19 is caused by immune-mediated inflammatory lung injury. Host genetic variation influences the development of illness requiring critical care1 or hospitalization2,3,4 after infection with SARS-CoV-2. The GenOMICC (Genetics of Mortality in Critical Care) study enables the comparison of genomes from individuals who are critically ill with those of population controls to find underlying disease mechanisms. Here we use whole-genome sequencing in 7,491 critically ill individuals compared with 48,400 controls to discover and replicate 23 independent variants that significantly predispose to critical COVID-19. We identify 16 new independent associations, including variants within genes that are involved in interferon signalling (IL10RB and PLSCR1), leucocyte differentiation (BCL11A) and blood-type antigen secretor status (FUT2). Using transcriptome-wide association and colocalization to infer the effect of gene expression on disease severity, we find evidence that implicates multiple genes—including reduced expression of a membrane flippase (ATP11A), and increased expression of a mucin (MUC1)—in critical disease. Mendelian randomization provides evidence in support of causal roles for myeloid cell adhesion molecules (SELE, ICAM5 and CD209) and the coagulation factor F8, all of which are potentially druggable targets. Our results are broadly consistent with a multi-component model of COVID-19 pathophysiology, in which at least two distinct mechanisms can predispose to life-threatening disease: failure to control viral replication; or an enhanced tendency towards pulmonary inflammation and intravascular coagulation. We show that comparison between cases of critical illness and population controls is highly efficient for the detection of therapeutically relevant mechanisms of disease

Electro-clinical characteristics and prognostic significance of post anoxic myoclonus

Objective: To systematically examine the electro-clinical characteristics of post anoxic myoclonus (PAM) and their prognostic implications in comatose cardiac arrest (CA) survivors. Methods: Fifty-nine CA survivors who developed myoclonus within 72 h of arrest and underwent continuous EEG monitoring were included in the study. Retrospective chart review was performed for all relevant clinical variables including time of PAM onset (“early onset” when within 24 h) and semiology (multi-focal, facial/ocular, whole body and limbs only). EEG findings including background, reactivity, epileptiform patterns and EEG correlate to myoclonus were reviewed at 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Outcome was categorized as either with recovery of consciousness (Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) 1–3) or without recovery of consciousness (CPC 4–5) at the time of discharge. Results: Seven of the 59 patients (11.9%) regained consciousness, including 6/51 (11.8%) with early onset PAM. Patients with recovery of consciousness had shorter time to ROSC, and were more likely to have preserved brainstem reflexes and normal voltage background at all times. No patient with suppression burst or low voltage background (N = 52) at any point regained consciousness. In the subset where precise electro-clinical correlation was possible, all (5/5) those with recovery of consciousness had multi-focal myoclonus and most (4/5) had midline-maximal spikes over a continuous background. No patient with any other semiology (N = 21) regained consciousness. Conclusions: Early onset PAM is not always associated with lack of recovery of consciousness. EEG can help discriminate between patients who may or may not regain consciousness by the time of hospital discharge.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Prognostication of post-cardiac arrest coma: early clinical and electroencephalographic predictors of outcome

Purpose: To determine the temporal evolution, clinical correlates, and prognostic significance of electroencephalographic (EEG) patterns in post-cardiac arrest comatose patients treated with hypothermia. Methods: Prospective cohort study of consecutive post-anoxic patients receiving hypothermia and continuous EEG monitoring between May 2011 and June 2014 (n = 100). In addition to clinical variables, 5-min EEG clips at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) were reviewed. EEG background was classified according to the American Clinical Neurophysiological Society critical care EEG terminology. Clinical outcome at discharge was dichotomized as good [Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) 4–5, low to moderate disability] vs. poor (GOS 1–3, severe disability to death). Results: Non-ventricular fibrillation/tachycardia arrest, longer time to ROSC, absence of brainstem reflexes, extensor or no motor response, lower pH, higher lactate, hypotension requiring >2 vasopressors, and absence of reactivity on EEG were all associated with poor outcome (all p values ≤0.01). Suppression-burst at any time indicated a poor prognosis, with a 0 % false positive rate (FPR) [95 % confidence interval (CI) 0–10 %]. All patients (54/54) with suppression-burst or a low voltage (70 % for good outcome. Conclusions: Suppression-burst or a low voltage at 24 h after ROSC was not compatible with good outcome in this series. Normal background voltage without epileptiform discharges predicted a good outcome.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

The role of gender stereotypes in perceptions of entrepreneurs and intentions to become an entrepreneur

In this study we examine the role of socially constructed gender stereotypes in entrepreneurship and their influence on men and women's entrepreneurial intentions. Data on characteristics of males, females, and entrepreneurs were collected from young adults in three countries. As hypothesized, entrepreneurs were perceived to have predominantly masculine characteristics. Additional results revealed that although both men and women perceive entrepreneurs to have characteristics similar to those of males (masculine gender-role stereotype), only women also perceived entrepreneurs and females as having similar characteristics (feminine gender-role stereotype). Further, though men and women did not differ in their entrepreneurial intentions, those who perceived themselves as more similar to males (high on male gender identification) had higher entrepreneurial intentions than those who saw themselves as less similar to males (low male gender identification). No such difference was found for people who saw themselves as more or less similar to females (female gender identification). The results were consistent across the three countries. Practical implications and directions for future research are discussed