Enhancement of optical switching parameter and third-order optical nonlinearities in embedded Si nanocrystals: a theoretical assessment

Third-order bound-charge electronic nonlinearities of Si nanocrystals (NCs) embedded in a wide band-gap matrix representing silica are theoretically studied using an atomistic pseudopotential approach. Nonlinear refractive index, two-photon absorption and optical switching parameter are examined from small clusters to NCs up to a size of 3 nm. Compared to bulk values, Si NCs show higher third-order optical nonlinearities and much wider two-photon absorption threshold which gives rise to enhancement in the optical switching parameter.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, to be published in Optics Communication

Peat Resources, its Quality and Condition of Deposition, Bijoynagar Upazila, B’Baria District, Bangladesh

The report is prepared on the basis of peat exploration at 4000 hectre areas of Bijoynagar Upazila at B’Baria district which is in the north-eastern part of Bangladesh. It has been studied extensively for the exploration of peat resources, particularly areal extent, reserve, quality and their condition of deposition. Nine peat bearing areas were identified in the studied area are covering six unions of Paharpur, Haraspur, and Chompoknagar and Uttar Singair beel. Peat was randomly found in surface to near surface at different places of investigated area. The total reserve of peat is about 32.61 million tons in wet condition or 13.044 million tons in dry condition. The chemical analysis of the peat shows average fixed carbon-20.5%, Ash content-32% and calorific value-7000 B.T.U. The quality of this peat is good. Geology, tectonics and environment of any area are controlling parameter for peat deposition. Fluvial and deltaic plain with area of active subsidence are suitable for peat deposition. The peat of the area may deposit from plant material that accumulated insitu (Autochthonous) and transported from short distance (Hypoautochthonous). The peat layers of the study area are found at surface or at shallow depth ranging from few centimeters to 7 meters below surface. Present of clay and silt of the upper part of the deposits indicating that the sediments are deposits usually in the winter season when the current of the water become weak. Moreover, the sediment may also be laid down in stagnant water after the recession of the flood

Assessment of anticancer properties of cumin seed (Cuminum cyminum) against bone cancer

IntroductionEarly-life osteosarcoma is associated with severe morbidity and mortality, particularly affecting young children and adults. The present cancer treatment regimen is exceedingly costly, and medications like ifosfamide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin have unneeded negative effects on the body. With the introduction of hyphenated technology to create medications based on plant molecules, the application of ayurvedic medicine as a new dimension (formulation, active ingredients, and nanoparticles) in the modern period is rapidly growing. The primary source of lead compounds for the development of medications for avariety of ailments is plants and their products. Traditionally, Cuminum cyminum (cumin) has been used as medication to treat a variety of illnesses and conditions.MethodsThe cumin seed was successfully extracted with solvents Hexane, Chloroform, Methanol, Ethanol and Acetone. Following the solvent extraction, the extract residue was assayed in MG63 cells for their anti-proliferative properties. ResultsFirst, we used the [3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide] (MTT) assay to test the extracted residue’s cytotoxicity. The results show that hexane extract Half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50 86 µG/mL) effciently inhibits cells by causing programmed cell death. Furthermore, using the Acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining method, the lactate dehydrogenase assay, and the reactive oxygen species assay using the Dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate (DCHFDA) staining method, we have demonstrated that the hexane extract causes apoptosis in MG63 cells. Furthermore, flow cytometry research revealed that the hexane extract stops the cell cycle in the S phase. In addition, the hexane extract limits colony formation and the migration potential as shown by the scratch wound healing assay. Furthermore, the extract from cumin seeds exhibits remarkable bactericidal properties against infections that are resistant to drugs. Gas chromatography analysis was used to quantitatively determine the hexane and methanolic extract based on the experimental data. The primary chemical components of the extract are revealed by the study, and these help the malignant cells heal. The present study finds that there is scientific validity in using cumin seeds as a novel method of anticancer therapy after undergoing both intrinsic and extrinsic research

Carbon nanotubes for ultrafast fibre lasers

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) possess both remarkable optical properties and high potential for integration in various photonic devices. We overview, here, recent progress in CNT applications in fibre optics putting particular emphasis on fibre lasers. We discuss fabrication and characterisation of different CNTs, development of CNT-based saturable absorbers (CNT-SA), their integration and operation in fibre laser cavities putting emphasis on state-of-the-art fibre lasers, mode locked using CNT-SA. We discuss new design concepts of high-performance ultrafast operation fibre lasers covering ytterbium (Yb), bismuth (Bi), erbium (Er), thulium (Tm) and holmium (Ho)-doped fibre lasers

NeuroBench:Advancing Neuromorphic Computing through Collaborative, Fair and Representative Benchmarking

The field of neuromorphic computing holds great promise in terms of advancing computing efficiency and capabilities by following brain-inspired principles. However, the rich diversity of techniques employed in neuromorphic research has resulted in a lack of clear standards for benchmarking, hindering effective evaluation of the advantages and strengths of neuromorphic methods compared to traditional deep-learning-based methods. This paper presents a collaborative effort, bringing together members from academia and the industry, to define benchmarks for neuromorphic computing: NeuroBench. The goals of NeuroBench are to be a collaborative, fair, and representative benchmark suite developed by the community, for the community. In this paper, we discuss the challenges associated with benchmarking neuromorphic solutions, and outline the key features of NeuroBench. We believe that NeuroBench will be a significant step towards defining standards that can unify the goals of neuromorphic computing and drive its technological progress. Please visit neurobench.ai for the latest updates on the benchmark tasks and metrics

NeuroBench:A Framework for Benchmarking Neuromorphic Computing Algorithms and Systems

Neuromorphic computing shows promise for advancing computing efficiency and capabilities of AI applications using brain-inspired principles. However, the neuromorphic research field currently lacks standardized benchmarks, making it difficult to accurately measure technological advancements, compare performance with conventional methods, and identify promising future research directions. Prior neuromorphic computing benchmark efforts have not seen widespread adoption due to a lack of inclusive, actionable, and iterative benchmark design and guidelines. To address these shortcomings, we present NeuroBench: a benchmark framework for neuromorphic computing algorithms and systems. NeuroBench is a collaboratively-designed effort from an open community of nearly 100 co-authors across over 50 institutions in industry and academia, aiming to provide a representative structure for standardizing the evaluation of neuromorphic approaches. The NeuroBench framework introduces a common set of tools and systematic methodology for inclusive benchmark measurement, delivering an objective reference framework for quantifying neuromorphic approaches in both hardware-independent (algorithm track) and hardware-dependent (system track) settings. In this article, we present initial performance baselines across various model architectures on the algorithm track and outline the system track benchmark tasks and guidelines. NeuroBench is intended to continually expand its benchmarks and features to foster and track the progress made by the research community

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

人体認識センサを用いた健康支援システムの設計と開発

博士（工学）茨城大