Passively mode-locked laser using an entirely centred erbium-doped fiber

This paper describes the setup and experimental results for an entirely centred erbium-doped fiber laser with passively mode-locked output. The gain medium of the ring laser cavity configuration comprises a 3 m length of two-core optical fiber, wherein an undoped outer core region of 9.38 μm diameter surrounds a 4.00 μm diameter central core region doped with erbium ions at 400 ppm concentration. The generated stable soliton mode-locking output has a central wavelength of 1533 nm and pulses that yield an average output power of 0.33 mW with a pulse energy of 31.8 pJ. The pulse duration is 0.7 ps and the measured output repetition rate of 10.37 MHz corresponds to a 96.4 ns pulse spacing in the pulse train

Quality Management Maturity and Its Relationship with Human Resource Development Strategies in Manufacturing Industry

The relationship between quality management maturity and human resource development strategies in manufacturing industries provide the understanding how organizations shape their human resources to realize their quality goals. In this study, data were obtained from manufacturing companies with at least 3 years experience in quality management implementation. The result of hypothesis testing indicated that there is a positive relationship between quality maturity and human resource development strategies. Based on the results, it can be concluded that as an organization’s maturity in quality management implementation increases, the human resource development strategies in the organization can be expected to become more comprehensive

A simple load sensor based on a bent single-mode–multimode–single-mode fiber structure

A load sensor is demonstrated using a single-mode-multimode-single-mode (SMS) fiber structure, which is sandwiched between two CR-39 plastic polymer plates. A larger effective transverse strain can be achieved when the distance, D2, between the stage and the edge of the multimode fiber is larger. A higher sensitivity is obtained when D2 = 7 cm with a value of −0.0102 nm/mN, as compared to −0.0027 nm/mN when D2 = 3 cm. In contrast, an FBG integrated in a similar manner has shown an indiscernible change in the wavelength shift as compared to that produced by the SMS device. The result indicates that the proposed SMS device is suitable for sensing a small load or transverse strain with a reasonably high sensitivity

Neraca Timpang Bagi Si Miskin: Penelitian Skema dan Penyaluran Dana Bantuan Hukum di Lima Wilayah di Indonesia

Diterbitkannya Undang-Undang Nomor 16 Tahun 2011 tentang Bantuan Hukum membawa harapan baru bagi penegakan hak asasi manusia di Indonesia, khususnya membuka akses keadilan bagi masyarakat miskin. Perjuangan 40 tahun Lembaga Bantuan Hukum Indonesia dalam memastikan keadilan untuk semua lapisan masyarakat, pada akhirnya memperoleh pengakuan dan jaminan oleh Negara. Kami sangat mengapresiasi dan menyambut baik komitmen Negara melalui sistim Bantuan Hukum ini. Namun demikian, sistim ini bukan tanpa kelemahan. Alokasi anggaran yang kurang responsif terhadap kebutuhan faktual bantuan hukum, merupakan salah satu bentuk kelemahan dari sistim ini. Meskipun potensi anggaran bantuan hukum yang tersebar di berbagai instansi Pemerintahan cukup besar jika diintegrasikan ke dalam sistim ini. Kelemahan ini ditengarai akibat dari penyusunan kebijakan yang kurang partisipatif dan minimnya basis penelitian lapangan

Mechanical and thermal properties of binary blends poly lactic acid (PLA) and recycled high-density polyethylene (rHDPE)

In this work, plastic bottles made of high-density polyethene (HDPE) have been recycled and blended with poly(lactic acid) (PLA). The aim of the work is to prepare a binary blend of PLA and Recycled HDPE (rHDPE) at 90:10 blend ratio by using a twin-screw extruder. The blends were compression moulded and characterized in terms of mechanical and thermal properties. It was found that the rHDPE increased the tensile modulus of the binary blend. Fracture morphology demonstrated that the blend of rHDPE and PLA is immiscible. In terms of thermal property, as measured by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), the glass transition temperature of the binary blend showed a lower value, whereas the crystallization process was significantly improved

Graphene Nano-, Micro-and Macro-Photonics

ABSTRACT Graphene has already become an established medium for novel photonic devices and their applications. In some cases, e.g. the use of graphene as a non-linear medium with saturable absorption properties, it is experimentally convenient to use the readily available form that is known as graphene oxide. Moreover, technological and scientific developments that are advancing control of the properties of graphene for electronic applications are also likely to be applicable in photonic and optoelectronic devices. This presentation will review research in the field of graphene photonics across the world. It will address, in particular, its application as a saturable absorber, e.g. for pulsed operation of fibre lasers -as well as work on materials characterisation of deposited graphene films. Patterning of graphene films with precision at the microand nano-scales will be an important requirement -and will be considered in this presentation

Global economic burden of unmet surgical need for appendicitis

Background: There is a substantial gap in provision of adequate surgical care in many low-and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the economic burden of unmet surgical need for the common condition of appendicitis. Methods: Data on the incidence of appendicitis from 170 countries and two different approaches were used to estimate numbers of patients who do not receive surgery: as a fixed proportion of the total unmet surgical need per country (approach 1); and based on country income status (approach 2). Indirect costs with current levels of access and local quality, and those if quality were at the standards of high-income countries, were estimated. A human capital approach was applied, focusing on the economic burden resulting from premature death and absenteeism. Results: Excess mortality was 4185 per 100 000 cases of appendicitis using approach 1 and 3448 per 100 000 using approach 2. The economic burden of continuing current levels of access and local quality was US $92 492 million using approach 1 and$73 141 million using approach 2. The economic burden of not providing surgical care to the standards of high-income countries was $95 004 million using approach 1 and$75 666 million using approach 2. The largest share of these costs resulted from premature death (97.7 per cent) and lack of access (97.0 per cent) in contrast to lack of quality. Conclusion: For a comparatively non-complex emergency condition such as appendicitis, increasing access to care should be prioritized. Although improving quality of care should not be neglected, increasing provision of care at current standards could reduce societal costs substantially

Prognostic model to predict postoperative acute kidney injury in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery based on a national prospective observational cohort study.

Background: Acute illness, existing co-morbidities and surgical stress response can all contribute to postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery. The aim of this study was prospectively to develop a pragmatic prognostic model to stratify patients according to risk of developing AKI after major gastrointestinal surgery. Methods: This prospective multicentre cohort study included consecutive adults undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection, liver resection or stoma reversal in 2-week blocks over a continuous 3-month period. The primary outcome was the rate of AKI within 7 days of surgery. Bootstrap stability was used to select clinically plausible risk factors into the model. Internal model validation was carried out by bootstrap validation. Results: A total of 4544 patients were included across 173 centres in the UK and Ireland. The overall rate of AKI was 14·2 per cent (646 of 4544) and the 30-day mortality rate was 1·8 per cent (84 of 4544). Stage 1 AKI was significantly associated with 30-day mortality (unadjusted odds ratio 7·61, 95 per cent c.i. 4·49 to 12·90; P < 0·001), with increasing odds of death with each AKI stage. Six variables were selected for inclusion in the prognostic model: age, sex, ASA grade, preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate, planned open surgery and preoperative use of either an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker. Internal validation demonstrated good model discrimination (c-statistic 0·65). Discussion: Following major gastrointestinal surgery, AKI occurred in one in seven patients. This preoperative prognostic model identified patients at high risk of postoperative AKI. Validation in an independent data set is required to ensure generalizability

An overview of the utilisation of microalgae biomass derived from nutrient recycling of wet market wastewater and slaughterhouse wastewater

Microalgae have high nutritional values for aquatic organisms compared to fish meal, because microalgae cells are rich in proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates. However, the high cost for the commercial production of microalgae biomass using fresh water or artificial media limits its use as fish feed. Few studies have investigated the potential of wet market wastewater and slaughterhouse wastewater for the production of microalgae biomass. Hence, this study aims to highlight the potential of these types of wastewater as an alternative superior medium for microalgae biomass as they contain high levels of nutrients required for microalgae growth. This paper focuses on the benefits of microalgae biomass produced during the phycore-mediation of wet market wastewater and slaughterhouse wastewater as fish feed. The extraction techniques for lipids and proteins as well as the studies conducted on the use of microalgae biomass as fish feed were reviewed. The results showed that microalgae biomass can be used as fish feed due to feed utilisation efficiency, physiological activity, increased resistance for several diseases, improved stress response, and improved protein retention