Waveguide-based machine readable fluorescence security feature for border control and security applications.

Border security challenges and immigration issues are increasing considerably in recent years. Counterfeiting and fraudulent use of identity and other travel documents are posing serious threats and safety concerns worldwide, ever since the advancement of computers, photocopiers, printers and scanners. Considering the current scenario of illegal migration and terrorism across the world, advanced technologies and improved security features are essential to enhance border security and to enable smooth transits. In this paper, we present a novel dual waveguide based invisible fluorescence security feature and a simple validation system to elevate and strengthen the security at border controls. The validation system consists of an LED (light emitting diode) as excitation source and an array photodetector which helps in the simultaneous detection of multiple features from the fluorescence waveguides. The fluorescence waveguides can be embedded into the identity document as micro-threads or tags which are invisible to the naked eye and are only machine readable. In order to improve the sensitivity, rare earth fluorescence materials are used which absorb only specific ultraviolet (UV) or visible (VIS) wavelengths to create corresponding fluorescent emission lines in the visible or infrared wavelengths. Herein, we present the preliminary results based on the fluorescence spectroscopic studies carried out on the fabricated rare earth doped waveguides. The effect of different rare earth concentrations and excitation wavelengths on the fluorescence intensity were investigated

Treatment outcomes of patients with isoniazid resistant tuberculosis under National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme in Ahmedabad city: a retrospective study

Background: Drug resistance tuberculosis remains major public health problem worldwide. In India, the incidence of any isoniazid-resistant TB is 11.6% in new tuberculosis patients, while in previously treated patients, incidence is 25%. For isoniazid resistant cases management 6-9 months duration of H mono regimen containing rifampicin, pyrazinamide, ethambutol and levofloxacin is available under national tuberculosis elimination programme. We present a retrospective study on outcomes of patients of H mono regime in years 2019 and 2020 in Ahmedabad city.Methods: Retrospectively we collected data about age, sex, co-morbid conditions, resistance level (high/low level isoniazid resistance) and treatment outcome of patients put on H Mono regimen under programme from January 2019 to December 2020 in Ahmedabad city from Ni-kshay, an online web-based portal.Results: We have collected data of 251 patients (147 in 2019, 104 in 2020). Out of 251, 188 were males and 63 females. Out of 251, favourable outcome seen in 57.4% patients and unfavourable outcome seen in 42.6% patients. Favourable outcome was significantly higher among females compared to males.Conclusions: Management of drug resistance tuberculosis according to drug sensitivity helps in better patient outcome. Early diagnosis of drug resistance and its treatment, timely diagnosis of treatment failure and management, better patient compliance and patient education about disease help in decrease in the unfavourable outcome

Fibre Bragg gratings: monitoring of infusion process in liquid composite molding manufacturing

The authors report the use of FBGs to monitor the infusion process of the Resin Transfer Molding (RTM). Composite structure can be very large, ensuring that the resin has reached every part of the mold during the infusion process becomes a critical step to ensure the structural integrity and minimize failure. During the infusion stage of the process, the FBG undergoes a blue wavelength to red wavelength shift. The magnitude of wavelength shifts depends upon the location and depth of the sensors along with the viscosity of resin (we used a resin-like material with similar viscous properties) being used for the infusion. The observed wavelength shifts varied from ~10pm to ~400pm, which is small but still significant and readily measurable also showing reasonable repeatability for all experiments conducted with the same conditions. Evidence will be presented to show that viscous force is a major factor in explaining the observed FBG wavelength shifts. Due to the small wavelength shifts of the FBG sensors, this allows the opportunity to embed a dense population of sensors within a single structure, hence ensuring a satisfactory spatial resolution to monitor the resin flow front to ensure complete impregnation of the reinforcement

Bilateral metastasis to the retina, choroids and optic nerve from breast cancer: A clinicopathological case

A 39-year-old Asian woman, with a known history of breast cancer, presented with a gradual onset of painless reduction in vision in both eyes. Examination revealed visual acuity of counting fingers in the right eye and light perception in the left. There were subretinal lesions in the posterior poles of both eyes and retinal detachment in the left eye. Later she developed left proptosis and restriction in left ocular movement, most likely to be caused by metastatic extraocular spread. She subsequently died from disseminated metastatic disease. Histopathological examination confirmed tumor cells infiltrating the choroids, retina and optic nerve in both eyes. The tumor cells were arranged in lobular fashion and stained positively with Periodic Acid Schiff, suggesting the primary to be lobular adenocarcinoma type. Choroidal metastatic disease is common but bilateral retinal and optic nerve involvement with extraocular spread from breast cancer is rare

A role of first line- line probe assay in previously treated cases of pulmonary tuberculosis: A retrospective study

Introduction: India has a high tuberculosis burden country with second highest burden of MDR TB (Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis) in the world. For rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis and drug sensitivity under National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) molecular method like Line Probe assay (LPA) is used in previously treated case of pulmonary tuberculosis at the time of diagnosis. Along with diagnosis, LPA provides result of drug sensitivity of Rifampicin and Isoniazid in same sitting within 72 hours. Method: Retrospectively we have collected data from NTEP register from January to December 2019 of first line-line probe assays done in previously treated cases of sputum positive pulmonary tuberculosis at the time of diagnosis. Aims and objectives of this study are to find out drug sensitivity pattern of Rifampicin and Isoniazid based on LPA results in previously treated cases of tuberculosis. Result: Out of 196 samples, LPA was positive in 187 samples with male-to-female ratio 2.5:1. Maximum number of patients were in age group 18-40 years followed by 41-64 years. Out of 187 positive LPA reports 6.6 % were Isoniazid monoresistance, 4% Rifampicin monoresistance, 4.5 % resistance to both Isoniazid and Rifampicin seen. Patients were put on antitubercular medications according to drug sensitivity and resistance pattern as per NTEP guidelines. Conclusion: By rapid molecular method like LPA, early diagnosis of tuberculosis and drug sensitivity testing in same sitting help in timely and effective management of disease. Early initiation of antitubercular treatment also decreases tuberculous transmission in community