Multichannel Si Photonic Crystal filters with Fine-Tuning Capability of Individual Channels for WDM optical interconnects

This is the author accepted manuscriptWe demonstrate a simple, low-cost solution for a single multi-channel WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) filter with fine-tuning capability at the level of the individual channels. The filter is based on silicon photonic crystal and microfluidic technologies and can be integrated with CMOS processes.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC

Raman spectroscopy as a tool for characterisation of liquid phase devices

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the publisher via the DOI in this recordIn this paper, we demonstrate how Raman spectroscopy can be an effective tool for the elucidation of the properties of liquid phase devices, looking at signal enhancement through to beam profiling

In-situ optical characterisation of the spatial dynamics of liquid crystalline nanocomposites

Liquid crystalline nanocomposites are a novel class of hybrid fluid materials, which are currently attracting significant interest from the photonics community. Such fluid nano-composites are based on low-dimensional nanoparticles (carbon nanotubes, graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), metal nanoparticles etc.) dispersed in a fluidic host material. Liquid crystalline properties can either be provided by using a liquid crystal host fluid, or, through the solvent-induced self-assembly of particles. They possess a unique capability to interact with light, utilising many possibilities in plasmonics and quantum optics while they can also be integrated on Si chip by means of microfluidic technology. Integration of the nanocomposites on chip allows for dynamic control of the dispersed particle ordering through the application of various external stimuli. However, this dynamic control requires a suitable characterisation technique to fully understand the time evolution of metastructure formation. Integrated nanocomposites are characterised by the particle concentration at different points on chip, while the individual particles are defined by their sizes, xyz positions and orientation relative to the chip architecture. Here, we present a method by which all the required information for complete characterisation of the system can be obtained using a single spectroscopic technique- Raman spectroscopy- and how changes in the system can then be monitored during device operation. Liquid crystalline nanocomposites have been synthesised based on two-dimensional (2D) materials including graphene oxide (GO) and TMDCs dispersed in either commercially available liquid crystals or various organic solvents. We present both numerical analysis of the theoretical practicability of the use of Raman spectroscopy to extrapolate the desired nanocomposite properties and the experimental confirmation of the achievability of these measurements for the full range of synthesised nanocomposites

Возможности применения лучевых методов исследования в диагностике кристаллических артропатий

 A review of current techniques of instrumental and laboratory diagnosis of crystal arthropathies is presented. Advantages and disadvantages of various methods of diagnostic radiology and diagnostic radiologic criteria employed in primary and differential diagnosis of crystal deposits are discussed in relation to their etiology and clinical peculiarities. It is proven from a wide pool of published studies that the method of ultrasonic diagnosis is the most available one, has no contraindications and demonstrates the best sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of crystalline arthropathy.  Представлен обзор современных методов  инструментальной и лабораторной диагностики  кристаллических артропатий. Обсуждаются достоинства и  недостатки лучевых методов исследования в выявлении  критериев и построении дифференциального ряда среди  различных по природе кристаллических депозитов. Показано, что метод ультразвуковой диагностики обладает  высокой чувствительностью и специфичностью в диагностике кристаллических артропатий.Введение в диагностическую практику ультразвукового  метода исследования позволит значительно повысить  точность диагностики кальцификатов с последующим  своевременным назначением лечебной и  профилактической тактики пациентами с данным типом  артрита, а новый набор диагностических критериев применительно к ультразвуковому исследованию в  артрологии может способствовать дальнейшему  повышению точности диагностики кристаллических  артропатий.

Know Your Heart: Rationale, design and conduct of a cross-sectional study of cardiovascular structure, function and risk factors in 4500 men and women aged 35-69 years from two Russian cities, 2015-18

Russia has one of the highest rates of cardiovascular disease in the world. The International Project on Cardiovascular Disease in Russia (IPCDR) was set up to understand the reasons for this. A substantial component of this study was the Know Your Heart Study devoted to characterising the nature and causes of cardiovascular disease in Russia by conducting large cross-sectional surveys in two Russian cities Novosibirsk and Arkhangelsk. The study population was 4542 men and women aged 35-69 years recruited from the general population. Fieldwork took place between 2015-18. There were two study components: 1) a baseline interview to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics and cardiovascular risk factors, usually conducted at home, and 2) a comprehensive health check at a primary care clinic which included detailed examination of the cardiovascular system. In this paper we describe in detail the rationale for, design and conduct of these studies.The International Project on Cardiovascular Disease in Russia (IPCDR) project was supported in part by a Wellcome Trust Strategic Award [100217]. The project was also funded by the Arctic University of Norway, UiT in Tromsø; Norwegian Institute of Public Health; the Norwegian Ministry of Health and Social Affairs

Возможности современных методов лучевой диагностики при псориатическом артрите

The comparative evaluation of modern imaging methods gives evidence of great opportunities of both MRT and US in the detection of structural alterations of joints at psoriatic arthritis. The key role is assigned to ultrasonography which has proved to be highly sensitive in the disclosure of peripheral joint synovitis and allows the follow-up during the treatment course.Сравнительная оценка современных методов визуализации свидетельствует о больших возможностях как магнитнорезонансной томографии, так и ультразвукового исследования в обнаружении структурных изменений суставов при псориатическом артрите. Особая роль отводится ультразвуковому исследованию, которое обладает высокой чувствительностью в выявлении синовитов в периферических суставах, позволяет оценивать динамику заболевания на фоне лечения

THE USE OF PREDICTIVE CYTOLOGICAL FEATURES FOR THE SELECTION OF THE METHODOLOGY OF REGENERATIVE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH PERIODONTITIS

Aim. This study was conducted to assess the outcome of the results obtained in the treatment of patients with longterm current periodontitis with individual characteristics of the cytological picture of the microenvironment of damaged periodontal tissues.Materials and methods. The main study group included 40 patients with chronical periodontitis of the moderate degree (Mo 56, 7 years). The selection of the regenerative treatment in the main group was carried out in accordance with the preliminary express assessment of the cytological picture of the damaged periodontal tissues. The control group, whose indicators were compared with the main clinical indicators, included 43 patients with randomly selected regenerative treatment.Results. The cell-potential surgical approach statistically induces the growth of new dentogingival junction in patients with critically small amount of morphologically altered neutrophil granulocytes and small cell forms with intense basophilic coloring (≤20%) in cytological samples in comparison with the control decreasing the amount of residual loss of teeth supporting tissues by 2 times.Conclusion. The preliminary express assessment of the cytological picture of the microenvironment of periodontal pockets indirectly indicates the potential of the patient with periodontitis to restore the missing structures of the periodontal membrane. The choice of the surgical tactics of regenerative treatment, taking into account the characteristics of cellular behavior in cytological samples of patients with periodontitis, is advisable to use as a prognostic test to improve the final results

Study of Structure and Quality of Different Silicon Oxides Using FTIR and Raman Microscopy

In this work, SiO2 and fluorine and phosphorous doped SiO2 thin films are investigated using FTIR and Raman techniques. FTIR spectroscopy was performed at normal and oblique incidence of the probe beam in transmission and reflection modes. The effect of polarisation and angle of incidence of the probe beam is examined for the case of reflection mode. Infrared spectra taken from doped oxides show that the structure changes with the passage of time. Alternate methods to calculate the thickness of the doped film are therefore discussed. Infrared spectra of electron beam evaporated oxides give valuable information on their structure and water content. The porosity is calculated for these samples. Finally, micro-Raman spectroscopy is used to measure the fluorine content in a device structure