Continuous and simultaneous multigas monitoring using a highly sensitive and selective photoacoustic sensor

A multi-gas photoacoustic sensor is reported. Simultaneous measurement of ammonia, carbon dioxide and water vapor is demonstrated at ppm level using semiconductor lasers. In-situ measurements to control the housing conditions of laboratory animals are presente

Resonances Width in Crossed Electric and Magnetic Fields

We study the spectral properties of a charged particle confined to a two-dimensional plane and submitted to homogeneous magnetic and electric fields and an impurity potential. We use the method of complex translations to prove that the life-times of resonances induced by the presence of electric field are at least Gaussian long as the electric field tends to zero.Comment: 3 figure

Single-Mode Squeezed Light Generation and Tomography with an Integrated Optical Parametric Oscillator

Quantum optical technologies promise advances in sensing, computing, and communication. A key resource is squeezed light, where quantum noise is redistributed between optical quadratures. We introduce a monolithic, chip-scale platform that exploits the $\chi^{(2)}$ nonlinearity of a thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) resonator device to efficiently generate squeezed states of light. Our system integrates all essential components -- except for the laser and two detectors -- on a single chip with an area of one square centimeter, significantly reducing the size, operational complexity, and power consumption associated with conventional setups. Our work addresses challenges that have limited previous integrated nonlinear photonic implementations that rely on either $\chi^{(3)}$ nonlinear resonators or on integrated waveguide $\chi^{(2)}$ parametric amplifiers. Using the balanced homodyne measurement subsystem that we implemented on the same chip, we measure a squeezing of 0.55 dB and an anti-squeezing of 1.55 dB. We use 20 mW of input power to generate the parametric oscillator pump field by employing second harmonic generation on the same chip. Our work represents a substantial step toward compact and efficient quantum optical systems posed to leverage the rapid advances in integrated nonlinear and quantum photonics.Comment: 21 pages; 4 figures in main body, 8 supplementary figure

Morel_Moreau_Morella. The Metamorphoses of Adolfo Bioy Casares Invention in a (Re) Animating Universe

Adolfo Bioy Casares short novel The Invention of Morel (La invención de Morel, 1940) envisioned the wish of human beings to define themselves through technology, indeed to reanimate the human as a technological double in an environment that gradually becomes virtual. This article develops the relationships connecting The Invention of Morel with three animating forms: the phantasmagoria, the automaton, and the machine-environment, to stress the privileged association they make between invention and (re)animation. With this purpose, the paper examines key contributions to our understanding of simulation and automata in the field of animation theory, such as Alan Cholodenko s Speculations on the Animation Automaton , but also Joubert-Laurencin s La lettre volante. Quatre essais sur le cinema d animation, which directly addresses Bioy Casares story as a metaphor of animated cinema. Sigmund Freud s psychoanalytical approach to the field of aesthetics in The Uncanny , and subsequent theories like Masahiro Mori s The Uncanny Valley , are also taken into consideration.Lorenzo Hernández, MC. (2013). Morel_Moreau_Morella. The Metamorphoses of Adolfo Bioy Casares Invention in a (Re) Animating Universe. Animation: An interdisciplinary journal. 8(2):185-202. doi:10.1177/1746847713485535S18520282Buchan, S. (2011). The Quay Brothers. doi:10.5749/minnesota/9780816646586.001.0001Cholodenko, A. (2013). The Crypt, the Haunted House, of Cinema. Cultural Studies Review, 10(2), 99-113. doi:10.5130/csr.v10i2.3474Crafton, D. (1993). Before Mickey. doi:10.7208/chicago/9780226231020.001.000

Pain levels and associated factors in the Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network (SPIN) cohort: a multicentre cross-sectional study

Background: Pain is an important and detrimental feature of systemic sclerosis but is often overlooked or deprioritised in research and clinical care. Raynaud's phenomenon, arthritis, and cutaneous ulcers are among the commonly reported disease manifestations of systemic sclerosis that could be associated with pain. We aimed to assess levels of pain intensity and interference and to evaluate disease factors associated with pain intensity and interference. Methods: In this multicentre cross-sectional study, participants from the Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network cohort who completed pain intensity and interference measures (Patient Reported Outcomes Information System-29 profile, version 2·0) as part of baseline assessments were included. Patients were recruited from 46 centres in Australia, Canada, France, Mexico, Spain, the UK, and the USA between April 15, 2014, and Jan 7, 2020. Eligible patients included those aged 18 years or older who met the criteria for systemic sclerosis devised by the American College of Rheumatology and the European League Against Rheumatism. Associations of pain intensity and pain interference with systemic sclerosis-related variables and overlap syndromes, controlling for sociodemographic variables, were assessed with multiple linear regression. Continuous independent variables were standardised. Findings: Among 2157 participants with systemic sclerosis (268 [12%] males and 1889 [88%] females), 1870 (87%) reported mild, moderate, or severe pain (defined as ≥1 on a 0 to 10 scale), and 815 (38%) reported moderate or severe pain (defined as ≥5). Moreover, 757 (35%) participants reported moderate or severe pain interference. Greater pain intensity was independently associated with female sex (0·58 points [95% CI 0·26–0·90]), non-White race or ethnicity (0·50 points [0·21–0·79]), fewer years in formal education (0·30 points per SD [0·19–0·41]), country (reference: USA; Canada: 0·29 points [0·01–0·57] and UK: 0·58 points [0·21–0·95]), greater body-mass index (0·35 points per SD [0·24–0·45]); joint contractures (0·67 points [0·39–0·94]), digital ulcers (0·33 points [0·10–0·55]), gastrointestinal involvement (0·66 points [0·33–0·98]), skin involvement (measured using modified Rodnan skin score; 0·22 points per SD [0·10–0·35]), rheumatoid arthritis (0·96 points [0·50–1·43]), and Sjögren's syndrome (0·42 points [0·01–0·83]). Pain interference results were similar. Interpretation: Pain is common among people with systemic sclerosis. Controlling for sociodemographic variables, greater pain was associated with multiple systemic sclerosis-related manifestations, including joint contractures, digital ulcers, gastrointestinal involvement, skin involvement, and the presence of overlap syndromes. Health-care providers should work with patients to address pain, including identifying and addressing systemic sclerosis manifestations associated with their pain, and supporting behavioural approaches to minimise impact on function and quality of life. Funding: Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Arthritis Society, The Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research of the Jewish General Hospital, Jewish General Hospital Foundation, McGill University, Scleroderma Society of Ontario, Scleroderma Canada, Sclérodermie Québec, Scleroderma Manitoba, Scleroderma Atlantic, Scleroderma Association of BC, Scleroderma SASK, Scleroderma Australia, Scleroderma New South Wales, Scleroderma Victoria, and Scleroderma Queensland

Evaluation of Measurement Properties and Differential Item Functioning in the English and French Versions of the University of California, Los Angeles, Loneliness Scale-6: A Scleroderma Patient-Centered Intervention Network (SPIN) Study

Objective: Loneliness has been associated with poorer health-related quality of life but has not been studied in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The current study was undertaken to examine and compare the psychometric properties of the English and French versions of the University of California, Los Angeles, Loneliness Scale-6 (ULS-6) in patients with SSc during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study used baseline cross-sectional data from 775 adults enrolled in the Scleroderma Patient-Centered Intervention Network (SPIN) COVID-19 Cohort. Reliability and validity of ULS-6 scores overall and between languages were evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), differential item functioning (DIF) through the multiple-indicator multiple-cause (MIMIC) model, omega/alpha calculation, and correlations of hypothesized convergent relationships. Results: CFA for the total sample supported the single-factor structure (comparative fit index [CFI] 0.96, standardized root mean residual [SRMR] 0.03), and all standardized factor loadings for items were large (0.60–0.86). The overall MIMIC model with language as a covariate fit well (CFI 0.94, SRMR 0.04, root mean square error of approximation 0.11). Statistically significant DIF was found for 3 items across language (βitem2 = 0.14, P < 0.001; βitem4 = –0.07, P = 0.01; βitem6 = 0.13, P < 0.001), but these small differences were without practical measurement implications. Analyses demonstrated high internal consistency with no language-based convergent validity differences. Conclusion: Analyses demonstrated evidence of acceptable reliability and validity of ULS-6 scores in English- and French-speaking adults with SSc. DIF analysis supported use of the ULS-6 to examine comparative experiences of loneliness without adjusting for language

Patterns of patient-reported symptoms and association with sociodemographic and systemic sclerosis disease characteristics: a scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network (SPIN) Cohort cross-sectional study

Background: Systemic sclerosis is a heterogenous disease in which little is known about patterns of patient-reported symptom clusters. We aimed to identify classes of individuals with similar anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and pain symptoms and to evaluate associated sociodemographic and disease-related characteristics. Methods: This multi-centre cross-sectional study used baseline data from Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network Cohort participants enrolled from 2014 to 2020. Eligible participants completed the PROMIS-29 v2.0 measure. Latent profile analysis was used to identify homogeneous classes of participants based on patterns of anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and pain scores. Sociodemographic and disease-related characteristics were compared across classes. Findings: Among 2212 participants, we identified five classes, including four classes with “Low” (565 participants, 26%), “Normal” (651 participants, 29%), “High” (569 participants, 26%), or “Very High” (193 participants, 9%) symptom levels across all symptoms. Participants in a fifth class, “High Fatigue/Sleep/Pain and Low Anxiety/Depression” (234 participants, 11%) had similar levels of fatigue, sleep disturbance, and pain as in the “High” class but low anxiety and depression symptoms. There were significant and substantive trends in sociodemographic characteristics (age, education, race or ethnicity, marital or partner status) and increasing disease severity (diffuse disease, tendon friction rubs, joint contractures, gastrointestinal symptoms) across severity-based classes. Disease severity and sociodemographic characteristics of “High Fatigue/Sleep/Pain and Low Anxiety/Depression” class participants were similar to the “High” severity class. Interpretation: Most people with systemic sclerosis can be classified by levels of patient-reported symptoms, which are consistent across symptoms and highly associated with sociodemographic and disease-related variables, except for one group which reports low mental health symptoms despite high levels of other symptoms and substantial disease burden. Studies are needed to better understand resilience in systemic sclerosis and to identify and facilitate implementation of cognitive and behavioural strategies to improve coping and overall quality of life. Funding: National Institute of Nursing Research (F31NR019007), Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Arthritis Society Canada, the Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, the Jewish General Hospital Foundation, McGill University, Scleroderma Society of Ontario, Scleroderma Canada, Sclérodermie Québec, Scleroderma Manitoba, Scleroderma Atlantic, Scleroderma Association of BC, Scleroderma SASK, Scleroderma Australia, Scleroderma New South Wales, Scleroderma Victoria, and Scleroderma Queensland

Randomized controlled trial of an internet-based self-guided hand exercise program to improve hand function in people with systemic sclerosis: the Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network Hand Exercise Program (SPIN-HAND) trial

BACKGROUND: Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma; SSc) is a rare autoimmune connective tissue disease. Functional impairment of hands is common. The Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network (SPIN)-HAND trial compared effects of offering access to an online self-guided hand exercise program to usual care on hand function (primary) and functional health outcomes (secondary) in people with SSc with at least mild hand function limitations. METHODS: The pragmatic, two-arm, parallel-group cohort multiple randomized controlled trial was embedded in the SPIN Cohort. Cohort participants with Cochin Hand Function Scale (CHFS) scores ≥ 3 and who indicated interest in using the SPIN-HAND Program were randomized (3:2 ratio) to an offer of program access or to usual care (targeted N = 586). The SPIN-HAND program consists of 4 modules that address (1) thumb flexibility and strength; (2) finger bending; (3) finger extension; and (4) wrist flexibility and strength. The primary outcome analysis compared CHFS scores 3 months post-randomization between participants offered versus not offered the program. Secondary outcomes were CHFS scores 6 months post-randomization and functional health outcomes (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System profile version 2.0 domain scores) 3 and 6 months post-randomization. RESULTS: In total, 466 participants were randomized to intervention offer (N = 280) or usual care (N = 186). Of 280 participants offered the intervention, 170 (61%) consented to access the program. Of these, 117 (69%) viewed at least one hand exercise instruction video and 77 (45%) logged into the program website at least 3 times. In intent-to-treat analyses, CHFS scores were 1.2 points lower (95% CI − 2.8 to 0.3) for intervention compared to usual care 3 months post-randomization and 0.1 points lower (95% CI − 1.8 to 1.6 points) 6 months post-randomization. There were no statistically significant differences in other outcomes. CONCLUSION: The offer to use the SPIN-HAND Program did not improve hand function. Low offer uptake, program access, and minimal usage among those who accessed the program limited our ability to determine if using the program would improve function. To improve engagement, the program could be tested in a group format or as a resource to support care provided by a physical or occupational therapist. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03419208. Registered on February 1, 2018

Creativity beyond innovation: Musical performance and craft

While creativity has been defined in a multiplicity of ways across disciplines, scholars generally agree that it involves the generation of ideas or products that are novel, of value, and appropriate to the field. Yet by too readily connecting creativity in musical performance to innovation, does this model neglect the more inconspicuous and unrecognised, but no less valuable, dimensions of creativity in score-based performance? This article offers a characterisation of musical performance situated within a framework of craft, by tracing rehearsal strategies employed in two new performance projects: the rehearsals for, and first performance of Four Duets for clarinet and piano (2012) by Edmund Finnis, written for Mark Simpson and Víkingur Ólafsson; and a recording made by Antony Pay of Alexander Goehr’s Paraphrase for solo clarinet Op. 28 (1969). My argument draws attention to “everyday” aspects of music-making, in which musicians make decisions in engaging with their work which are less explicit than the conventional “moments of revelation” that are prevalent in the literature, but which are nonetheless significant. Acknowledging these attributes of musicians’ performance practices can serve to develop a more nuanced understanding of creativity based on processes rather than outcomes, in order to move beyond a paradigm that opposes notated permanence to improvised transience