Characterizing the variation of propagation constants in multicore fibre

We demonstrate a numerical technique that can evaluate the core-to-core variations in propagation constant in multicore fibre. Using a Markov Chain Monte Carlo process, we replicate the interference patterns of light that has coupled between the cores during propagation. We describe the algorithm and verify its operation by successfully reconstructing target propagation constants in a fictional fibre. Then we carry out a reconstruction of the propagation constants in a real fibre containing 37 single-mode cores. We find that the range of fractional propagation constant variation across the cores is approximately $\pm2 \times 10^{-5}$.Comment: 17 pages; preprint format; 5 figures. Submitted to Optics Expres

Threading Granules in Freiburg : 2nd International Symposium on "One Mitochondrion, Many Diseases – Biological and Molecular Perspectives", a FRIAS Junior Researcher Conference, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany, March 9th/10th, 2016

Altered mitochondrial activities play an important role in many different human disorders, including cancer and neurodegeneration. At the Freiburg Institute of Advanced Studies (FRIAS) Junior Researcher Conference “One Mitochondrion, Many Diseases – Biological and Molecular Perspectives” (University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany), junior and experienced researches discussed common and distinct mechanisms of mitochondrial contributions to various human disorders

Semiquantitative interpretation of anticardiolipin and antiβ2glycoprotein I antibodies measured with various analytical platforms: communication from the ISTH SSC subcommittee on Lupus Anticoagulant/Antiphospholipid antibodies

Background Antiβ2glycoprotein I (aβ2GPI) and anticardiolipin (aCL) IgG/IgM show differences in positive/negative agreement and titers between solid phase platforms. Method specific semiquantitative categorization of titers could improve and harmonize the interpretation across platforms. Aim To evaluate the traditionally 40/80 units thresholds used for aCL and aβ2GPI for categorization into moderate/high positivity with different analytical systems, and to compare with alternative thresholds. Material and methods aCL and aβ2GPI thresholds were calculated for two automated systems (chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) and multiplex flow immunoassay (MFI)) by ROC-curve analysis on 1108 patient samples, including patients with and without APS, and confirmed on a second population (n=279). Alternatively, regression analysis on diluted standard material was applied to identify thresholds. Thresholds were compared to 40/80 threshold measured by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Additionally, likelihood ratios (LR) were calculated. Results Threshold levels of 40/80 units show poor agreement between ELISA and automated platforms for classification into low/moderate/high positivity, especially for aCL/aβ2GPI IgG. Agreement for semiquantitative interpretation of aPL IgG between ELISA and CLIA/MFI improves with alternative thresholds. LR for aPL IgG increase for thrombotic and obstetric APS based on 40/80 thresholds for ELISA and adapted thresholds for the other systems, but not for IgM. Conclusion Use of 40/80 units as medium/high thresholds is acceptable for aCL/aβ2GPI IgG ELISA, but not for CLIA and MFI. Alternative semiquantitative thresholds for non-ELISA platforms can be determined by a clinical approach or by using monoclonal antibodies. Semiquantitative reporting of aPL IgM has less impact on increasing probability for APS

Three-Dimensional Integrable Models and Associated Tangle Invariants

In this paper we show that the Boltzmann weights of the three-dimensional Baxter-Bazhanov model give representations of the braid group, if some suitable spectral limits are taken. In the trigonometric case we classify all possible spectral limits which produce braid group representations. Furthermore we prove that for some of them we get cyclotomic invariants of links and for others we obtain tangle invariants generalizing the cyclotomic ones.Comment: Number of pages: 21, Latex fil

Modal noise mitigation in a photonic lantern fed near-IR spectrograph

Recently we have demonstrated the potential of a hybrid astrophotonic device, consisting of a multi-core fiber photonic lantern and a 3D waveguide reformatting component, to efficiently reformat the multimode point spread function of a telescope to a diffracted limited pseudo-slit. Here, we report on an investigation into the potential of this device to mitigate modal noise-one of the main hurdles of multi-mode fiber-fed spectrographs. The modal noise performance of the photonic reformatter and other fiber feeds was assessed using a bench-Top spectrograph based on an echelle grating. In a first method of modal noise quantification, we used broadband light as the input, and assessed the modal noise performance based on the variations in the normalized spectrum as the input coupling to the fiber feed is varied. In a second method, we passed the broadband light through an etalon to generate a source with spectrally narrow peaks. We then used the spectral stability of these peaks as the input coupling to the fiber feed was varied as a proxy for the modal noise. Using both of these approaches we found that the photonic reformatter could significantly reduce modal noise compared to the multi-mode fiber feed, demonstrating the potential of photonic reformatters to mitigate modal noise for applications such as near-IR radial velocity measurements of M-dwarf stars. </p

Aplicação de água residuária de processamento de mandioca em sistema de irrigação por gotejamento

The wastewater discarded from the cassava processing causes a serious environmental problem when dumped into water bodies. On the other hand, this residue can be used as a source of nutrients for crops. However, it is necessary to control the quality of this effluent because of the negative effects that it may cause to the irrigation system. This study aimed to evaluate a drip irrigation system with the application of cassava wastewater by determining the coefficients of variation of emitter discharge (CVq), distribution uniformity (DUC) and Christiansen&rsquo;s uniformity (CUC). The experiment was conducted at C. Vale cassava processing factory in the city of Terra Roxa (Paran&aacute;, Brazil). Four systems of 66 m&sup2; were installed, with 7 lateral lines of 11 m, spaced in 1 m, with one dripper at each 0.30 m. The systems were fed by two tanks of 1000 L, situated at 1.5 m and 2.0 m above the ground and containing water for irrigation and the cassava wastewater for fertigation. A plastic mesh filter was installed in the tank and two digital manometers controlled the pressure. Thirty trials were performed for each treatment, using the methodologies of Keller and Karmeli (1975) and Den&iacute;culi (1980). Excellent averages, above 90%, were obtained for both DUC and CUC. The results showed no expressive differences between the use of water and the use of effluent, demonstrating that cassava wastewater can be applied efficiently on a drip irrigation system.A &aacute;gua residu&aacute;ria do processamento de mandioca ocasiona um s&eacute;rio problema ambiental quando lan&ccedil;ada em corpos h&iacute;dricos. Por outro lado, este res&iacute;duo pode ser utilizado como fonte de nutrientes para as culturas. Contudo, &eacute; necess&aacute;rio controlar a qualidade desse efluente devido aos efeitos negativos que pode acarretar ao sistema. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar um sistema de irriga&ccedil;&atilde;o por gotejamento com aplica&ccedil;&atilde;o de res&iacute;duo de mandioca, por meio da determina&ccedil;&atilde;o dos coeficientes de varia&ccedil;&atilde;o de vaz&atilde;o total (CVt), de uniformidade de distribui&ccedil;&atilde;o (CUD) e de uniformidade de Christiansen (CUC). O estudo foi conduzido na Amidonaria da C. Vale, em Terra Roxa (PR). Foram instalados quatro sistemas de 66 m&sup2;, com sete linhas laterais de 11 m, espa&ccedil;adas em 1 m, com um gotejador a cada 0,30 m. Os sistemas foram alimentados por dois reservat&oacute;rios de 1000 L, elevados a 1,5 m e 2,0 m do ch&atilde;o, onde foram armazenadas a &aacute;gua para irriga&ccedil;&atilde;o e a &aacute;gua residu&aacute;ria do processamento de mandioca para fertirriga&ccedil;&atilde;o. Foram instalados um filtro de tela pl&aacute;stica de 1&rdquo; junto ao reservat&oacute;rio e dois man&ocirc;metros digitais. Foram realizados 30 ensaios para cada tratamento, por meio das metodologias de Keller e Karmeli (1975) e de Den&iacute;culi (1980). Obteve-se uma m&eacute;dia geral excelente, acima dos 90%, para CUD e CUC. Os resultados evidenciam que n&atilde;o houve diferen&ccedil;a expressiva entre a utiliza&ccedil;&atilde;o de &aacute;gua ou de efluente no sistema, demonstrando que a &aacute;gua residu&aacute;ria de processamento de mandioca pode ser aplicada com efici&ecirc;ncia em um sistema de irriga&ccedil;&atilde;o por gotejamento