Widely Tunable Quantum-Dot Source Around 3 μm

We propose a widely tunable parametric source in the 3 μm range, based on intracavity spontaneous parametric down conversion (SPDC) of a quantum-dot (QD) laser emitting at 1.55 μm into signal and idler modes around 3.11 μm. To compensate for material dispersion, we engineer the laser structure to emit in a higher-order transverse mode of the waveguide. The width of the latter is used as a degree of freedom to reach phase matching in narrow, deeply etched ridges, where the in-plane confinement of the QDs avoids non-radiative sidewall electron-hole recombination. Since this design depends critically on the knowledge of the refractive index of In1−xGaxAsyP1−y lattice matched to InP at wavelengths where no data are available in the literature, we have accurately determined them as a function of wavelength (λ = 1.55, 2.12 and 3 μm) and arsenic molar fraction (y = 0.55, 0.7 and 0.72) with a precision of ±4 × 10−3. A pair of dichroic dielectric mirrors on the waveguide facets is shown to result in a continuous-wave optical parametric oscillator (OPO), with a threshold around 60 mW. Emission is tunable over hundreds of nanometers and expected to achieve mW levels

Staging of nutrition disorders in non-small-cell lung cancer patients : utility of skeletal muscle mass assessment

Background An international consensus proposed in 2011 a definition and classification system for cachexia (CAX), mainly based on weight loss, sarcopenia [skeletal muscle mass (SMM) loss], inflammation, and anorexia. The aim of this study was to stage CAX in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients by using a classification based on the Fearon criteria and supported by quantifiable parameters. Methods This was a cross-sectional and non-interventional multicentre study. SMM was assessed by analysing L3 computed tomography-scan images. Patients completed the anorexia/CAX subscale of the Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy, EORTC QLQ-C30 quality of life (QoL) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Results Patients were recruited in 56 sites. The analysis population comprised 531 patients, and SMM was assessed in 312 patients. Male patients were 66.5%, with a mean (SD) age of 65.2 (10.0) years, 79.9% were PS 0-1, and the tumour stage was mainly IIIB-IV (87.3%). Overall, 38.7% of patients had CAX, 33.8% pre-CAX, and 0.9% refractory CAX. Molecular tumour profiles were significantly associated with the presence of CAX: 23.9% in EGFR, ALK, ROS1, BRAF, or HER2+ patients, 41.4% in K-RAS+, and 43.2% in patients with no molecular abnormality (P = 0.003). The more advanced the CAX stage, the poorer the scores of functional items of the QoL (P < 0.001) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (P < 0.001). Sarcopenia was present in 66.7% of CAX and 68.5% of pre-CAX patients. Overall, 43.8% of pre-CAX patients had only sarcopenia with limited weight loss (<= 2%) and no anorexia. Conclusions This is the first study to show the distribution of CAX in a population of NSCLC patients and an association between molecular abnormality in NSCLC and CAX. The original Fearon classification for CAX stages was supported by the associated functional QoL scores and physical activity levels, resulting in a clinically relevant system for detection of early stages of CAX

“…Those could just as well be the Rocky Mountains…”- Consumption, spectacularity and much more in obstetrical ultrasound in Rio de Janeiro at the turn of the century

Made available in DSpace on 2017-01-30T11:34:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license.txt: 1748 bytes, checksum: 8a4605be74aa9ea9d79846c1fba20a33 (MD5) 2.pdf: 371029 bytes, checksum: 713c3d60a20c3b3efe41ac6b6e310390 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Este artigo mobiliza a chamada “teoria ator-rede” para abordar a tecnologia de ultra-som obstétrico no Rio de Janeiro no início do século XXI como uma tecnologia ‘indispensável’ no acompanhamento pré-natal. Sem almejar compor uma lista exaustiva, o artigo põe em cena um elenco de elementos heterogêneos que agem em justaposição configurando a especificidade da tecnologia estudada, ensejando sua delimitação e nomeação. Os elementos híbridos aqui apresentados – aparelhagem, didatismo, tranqüilidade, oráculo, afetos, prestígio, mercado, mídia, patologia, purificação – são configurados e entendidos como agentes ou actantes híbridos que são simultaneamente 1) naturais mas sem formas definidas que estejam lá já previamente dadas para serem ‘simplesmente’ descobertas (formas de “coisas-em-si”); 2) coletivos mas não sociais se a este adjetivo for atribuído o sentido de pertencer a um mundo exclusivo de relações de “humanos-entresi”; e ainda 3) narrados mas não constituídos só pelo discurso. A performance deste trabalho é praticar um primeiro movimento de afastamento da tradição de grandes divisores tomados a priori, predominantes nos últimos séculos nos estudos do conhecimento dito moderno: natureza x sociedade, público x privado, coração x mente, ciência x crença, humano x não-humano, masculino x feminino, macro x micro, local x global. Interessa-nos especialmente que, na medida em que se obtém este afastamento, surgem / co-constroem-se outras paisagens para os estudos CTS (ciência-tecnologia-sociedade) no Brasil – nelas, em linguagem crua, o que existe é o que age, e só entidades híbridas têm a capacidade da ação. O passo seguinte deste trabalho, indicado mas não completado aqui, é estudar os lugares onde se passam as ações que configuram os elementos apresentados e por que meios (veículos materiais) eles se comunicam, articulam e agem uns sobre os outros.This work calls upon the so called ANT (actor-network theory) to approach the obstetric ultrasound technology as an ‘indispensable’ technology in prenatal monitoring in Rio de Janeiro at the turn of the 21st century. It does not envisage to build an exhaustive list but rather to perform a set of heterogeneous elements which by acting in juxtaposition configure the specificity of the studied technology, allowing for its delimitation and naming. The hybrid elements that are presented here - equipment, didacticism, assurance, oracle, affections, prestige, market, media, pathology, purification – are configured and understood as agents or actants which simultaneously are: 1) natural but without previously established forms that are already out there to be ‘simply’ discovered (not “things-in-themselves”); 2) collective but not social if this adjective refers to belonging to an exclusive world of relations of “humans-among-themselves”; and yet 3) narrated but not constituted solely by discourse. The purpose of this work is to perform a distance from the tradition of the great a priori dividers which predominate in the studies of the so-called modern knowledge in the last few centuries: natural x social, public x private, heart x mind, science x belief, human x non-human, male x female, macro x micro, local x global. Our special interest is that, to the extent that this distance is obtained, other landscapes can be reached by Brazilian and Latin American STS (science-technology-society studies) – there, to say it somewhat crudely, that which exists is that which acts, and only hybrids have the capacity to act. The next step of this work, here indicated but not completed, is to study where the actions that configure the above elements take place and by which means (material vehicles) they communicate, articulate and act one upon other among themselves

“… Those could just as well be the rocky mountains…” Consumption, spectacularity and much more in obstetrical ultrasound in Rio de Janeiro at the turn of the century - DOI: 10.3395/reciis.v3i4.217en

This work calls upon the so called ANT (actor-network theory) to approach the obstetric ultrasound technology as an ‘indispensable’ technology in prenatal monitoring in Rio de Janeiro at the turn of the 21st century. It does not envisage to build an exhaustive list but rather to perform a set of heterogeneous elements which by acting in juxtaposition configure the specificity of the studied technology, allowing for its delimitation and naming. The hybrid elements that are presented here - equipment, didacticism, assurance, oracle, affections, prestige, market, media, pathology, purification – are configured and understood as agents or actants which simultaneously are: 1) natural but without previously established forms that are already out there to be ‘simply’ discovered (not “things-in-themselves”); 2) collective but not social if this adjective refers to belonging to an exclusive world of relations of “humans-among-themselves”; and yet 3) narrated but not constituted solely by discourse.The purpose of this work is to perform a distance from the tradition of the great a priori dividers which predominate in the studies of the so-called modern knowledge in the last few centuries: natural x social, public x private, heart x mind, science x belief, human x non-human, male x female, macro x micro, local x global. Our special interest is that, to the extent that this distance is obtained, other landscapes can be reached by Brazilian and Latin American STS (science-technology-society studies) – there, to say it somewhat crudely, that which exists is that which acts, and only hybrids have the capacity to act. The next step of this work, here indicated but not completed, is to study where the actions that configure the above elements take place and by which means (material vehicles) they communicate, articulate and act one upon other among themselves

Chemotherapy at the End of Life: Factors of Prescription

International audienc