Hologram synthesis for photorealistic reconstruction

Computation of diffraction patterns, and thus holograms, of scenes with photorealistic properties is a highly complicated and demanding process. An algorithm, based primarily on computer graphics methods, for computing full-parallax diffraction patterns of complicated surfaces with realistic texture and reflectivity properties is proposed and tested. The algorithm is implemented on single-CPU, multiple-CPU and GPU platforms. An alternative algorithm, which implements reduced occlusion diffraction patterns for much faster but somewhat lower quality results, is also developed and tested. The algorithms allow GPU-aided calculations and easy parallelization. Both numerical and optical reconstructions are conducted. The results indicate that the presented algorithms compute diffraction patterns that provide successful photorealistic reconstructions; the computation times are acceptable especially on the GPU implementations. © 2008 Optical Society of America

Prevalence of other autoimmune diseases in polyglandular autoimmune syndromes type II and III

Polyglandular autoimmune syndromes (PAS) are complex, heterogeneous disorders in which various autoimmune diseases can occur, affecting both endocrine and non-endocrine organs. In this meta-analysis, the prevalence of associated autoimmune disorders was investigated in PAS II and III.A comprehensive search in MEDLINE and Embase databases identified 479 studies with the keywords of PAS II and PAS III. 18 records containing a total of 1312 patients fulfilled our inclusion criteria (original studies reporting at least 10 cases and containing the combination of other autoimmune disorders) and were selected for further analysis. A meta-analysis of prevalence was performed using the random-effects model with the calculation of 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results of each meta-analysis were displayed graphically using forest plots.Distinction between PAS II and PAS III was made in 842 cases, of which 177 and 665 were PAS II and III (21.1 vs 78.9%), respectively. The prevalence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis was significantly higher than that of Graves's disease (39% [95% CI 17-65%] vs. 4% [95% CI 0-10%], respectively; p = 0.001). In PAS II, Addison's disease (AD) coexisted with AITDs, T1DM or the combination of these conditions in 65, 18 and 10% of cases, respectively. In addition, one other endocrine and five non-endocrine organ-specific autoimmune disorders were reported. In PAS III, two other autoimmune endocrinopathies, six non-endocrine organ-specific, and four systemic autoimmune disorders were found in combination with AITDs.AITDs, T1DM and AD are the most common combinations in PAS, thus screening for these conditions seems to be reasonable

GRBAlpha: the smallest astrophysical space observatory -- Part 1: Detector design, system description and satellite operations

Aims. Since launched on 2021 March 22, the 1U-sized CubeSat GRBAlpha operates and collects scientific data on high-energy transients, making it the smallest astrophysical space observatory to date. GRBAlpha is an in-obit demonstration of a gamma-ray burst (GRB) detector concept suitably small to fit into a standard 1U volume. As it was demonstrated in a companion paper, GRBAlpha adds significant value to the scientific community with accurate characterization of bright GRBs, including the recent outstanding event of GRB 221009A. Methods. The GRB detector is a 75x75x5 mm CsI(Tl) scintillator wrapped in a reflective foil (ESR) read out by an array of SiPM detectors, multi-pixel photon counters by Hamamatsu, driven by two separate, redundant units. To further protect the scintillator block from sunlight and protect the SiPM detectors from particle radiation, we apply a multi-layer structure of Tedlar wrapping, anodized aluminium casing and a lead-alloy shielding on one edge of the assembly. The setup allows observations of gamma radiation within the energy range of 70-890 keV with an energy resolution of ~30%. Results. Here, we summarize the system design of the GRBAlpha mission, including the electronics and software components of the detector, some aspects of the platform as well as the current way of semi-autonomous operations. In addition, details are given about the raw data products and telemetry in order to encourage the community for expansion of the receiver network for our initiatives with GRBAlpha and related experiments.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics, 9 pages, 10 figure

Response to the European Commission's Action Plan on Company Law and Corporate Governance

The members of the former Reflection Group on the Future of EU Company Law, which published its report in April 2011, decided to publish their views on the “Action Plan on European Company Law and Corporate Governance” of the European Commission of 12 December 2012 as well as subsequent and related developments. We support the Action Plan and note that it has endorsed many proposals included in the report of the Reflection Group. However, some proposals have not been included, although they might be considered at a later stage (loyalty shares, review of the role of independent directors, the Single Member Com-pany), and we reiterate our support for them. On the issue of cross border transfer of seat, we regret that the Commission is not more ambitious. We also reiterate our support for substantive measures in areas related to cross-border operations of companies, including improving cross border shareholder identification. We also support strong monitoring of whether a company has complied with a corporate governance code or, if it has not, it has provided a good quality explanation therefor, rather than imposing substantive regulation. In general, in the areas where substantive regulation is necessary, we call on the Commission to move carefully