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In the current work we have used the deep learning based long short-term memory model to predict the strength and peak time of solar cycle 25 by employing the monthly smoothed sunspot number data obtained from WDC-SILSO, Royal Observatory of Belgium, Brussels. We have used the stacked LSTM forecasting model to predict the upcoming cycle 25. From our analysis it has been shown that our proposed model is capable of capturing long term dependencies as well as trend within the data. For cycle 20 and 21 the error difference between predicted as well as observed peak value is 2.3 and 0.7 respectively while the peak prediction error is 1.47% and 0.30%. The RMSE of the model for cycle 20 and 21 is 3.97 and 4.34 respectively. For cycle 22, the AE and RE is 4.6 and 2.16% while the RMSE of the model for this case is 4.50. The predicted peak amplitude of solar cycle 23 and 24 from our proposed model has a relative error of 1.75% and 1.99% respectively from the observed value while the RMSE is 3.4 for cycle 23 and 4.2 for cycle 24. Our projected prediction of cycle 25 using the proposed LSTM model, says that it will be stronger than cycle 24 and weaker than cycle 23. The solar cycle 25 will peak with an amplitude of sunspot number at 171.9 ± 3.4 and will be 47 % stronger than cycle 24. The solar cycle 25 will reach its peak in August 2023 ± 2 months.

In the current investigation we have studied the distribution as well as the asymmetry of solar X-ray flares during the period 1976–2017 which corresponds to solar cycle 21, 22, 23 and the almost complete solar cycle 24. The study of the N–S distribution of soft X-ray flares during solar cycles 21, 22, 23 and 24 reveals that the 10°–20° latitude band produced maximum number of soft X-ray flares and is found to be southern hemisphere dominated during all the considered cycles. The soft X-ray flares events above 40° latitude is very rare. Most of the solar X-ray flare activities are observed to be concentrated in the 8°–30° latitude band. A time-latitude plot has been plotted to graphically represent the soft X-ray flare distribution at various latitudes over the course of solar cycle. Our analysis also reveals that solar cycles 21, 22 and 23 are southern hemisphere dominated and the corresponding probability value is statistically significant. The soft X-ray solar flare activity during solar cycle 24 is also found to be southern hemisphere dominated, similar to cycles 21, 22 and 23. Using cross-correlation analysis, we have found that the smoothed curves of the number of soft X-ray flares in northern hemisphere are ahead of the southern hemisphere by 10 months, 2 months, 8 months and 4 months during solar cycles 21, 22, 23 and 24 respectively. Also, for total time span (1976–2017), the smoothed curve of the frequency of soft X-ray flares in northern hemisphere is ahead of a similar curve from the southern hemisphere by 7 months.

The Mg II core-to-wing ratio (c/w ratio) data is used to derive the solar extreme UV emission which brings a vital role in the creation of the Earth’s ionosphere region. A continuous Mg II c/w ratio data has scientific importance towards the analysis of the earth’s climate as well as for the solar chromosphere region. Various instruments of ESA and NASA satellites such as SUSIM, SOLSTICE, GOME, NOAA9, NOAA11 etc. measure Mg II c/w ratio data at different time scales but still some missing measurements are being reported. To fill those missing gaps, the current investigation has used the correlation analysis technique between Mg II and other solar indices separately. Our result establishes a highest correlation with 10.7 cm (2800 MHz) radio flux (F10.7) data in comparison to other solar indices during solar cycle 22 and 23. But for phase-wise correlation analysis, the correlation coefficient shows varying behavior during declining and rising phase of each solar cycle due to hysteresis of magnetic field inside the Sun. Also, the correlation coefficient of the linear regression model for Coronal Index vs. Mg II has a higher value than 10.7 cm radio flux vs. Mg II during maximum phase of each solar cycle. In the present investigation, the composite Mg II c/w ratio data is computed using a linear regression model with strongly correlated solar index data depending on time frame analysis of each solar cycle to achieve better correlation. Finally, a correlation analysis is also being performed between the computed composite Mg II c/w ratio and Bremen composite data and a fair correlation around 0.98 has been found. The computed series is also validated with other long-range solar indices data to verify different long-range trends that can reflect the actual nature of the Sun’s chromosphere region.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Volvulus refers to the twisting or axial rotation of a portion of the bowel around its mesenteric axis. It may be congenital or acquired, primary or secondary. The commonest spontaneous type in adults occurs in sigmoid colon. In this study, we compare the various methods of surgical intervention performed in sigmoid volvulus and its outcome. METHODS:This is a comparative study done on 26 patients presenting with sigmoid volvulus to the ER during the period of October 2018 to October 2021 in the department of General Surgery, Rajendra Institute of medical sciences, Ranchi. The procedures performed were sigmoidopexy, mesocoloplasty, resection and anastomosis with or without a diversion colostomy and Hartmann's procedure depending on the presentation, hemodynamics, bowel preparation and intra operative ndings of the patient. RESULTS:The most commonly performed procedure in the emergency setting was resection and anastomosis (32%) and mesocoloplasty (32%) and RA with diversion stoma (15%), sigmoidopexy (15%) and Hartmann's procedure (7%). The recovery percentage was about 90-95% in all procedures. CONCLUSION: Though there is lot of procedures done for sigmoid volvulus, there is no single ideal procedure of choice. It has to be decided in the operating room based on the ndings and general condition of the patient. Bowel resection was associated to have complications and increased duration of hospital stay when compared to non resective methods.

Background Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a progressive and painful disease of the extremities that is characterized by continuous pain inconsistent with the initial trauma. CRPS is caused by a multi-mechanism process that involves both the peripheral and central nervous system, with a prominent role of inflammation in CRPS pathophysiology. This review examines what is currently known about the CRPS inflammatory and pain mechanisms, as well as the possible impact of neurostimulation therapies on the neuroimmune axis of CRPS. Study design A narrative review of preclinical and clinical studies provided an overview of the pain and inflammatory mechanisms in CRPS and addressed the effect of neurostimulation on immunomodulation. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted based on the PRISMA guidelines between September 2015 to September 2020. Data sources included relevant literature identified through searches of PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Results Sixteen preclinical and eight clinical studies were reviewed. Preclinical studies identified different mechanisms of pain development in the acute and chronic CRPS phases. Several preclinical and clinical studies investigating inflammatory mechanisms, autoimmunity, and genetic profiles in CRPS, supported a role of neuroinflammation in the pathophysiology of CRPS. The immunomodulatory effects of neurostimulation therapy is still unclear, despite clinical improvement in the CRPS patients. Conclusions Increasing evidence supports a role for inflammation and neuroinflammation in CRPS pathophysiology. Preliminary neurostimulation findings, together with the role of (neuro)inflammation in CRPS, seems to provide a compelling rationale for its use in CRPS pain treatment. The possible immunomodulatory effects of neurostimulation opens new therapeutic possibilities, however further research is needed to gain a better understanding of the working mechanisms.

The relation between solar activity indices and earth atmosphere is studied in this current investigation using correlation as well as periodic analysis. The solar flare index and solar irradiance signal of India over different latitude values are considered in this study as solar activity indices and Earth atmospheric parameter respectively. To evaluate their relationship, last 33 years (1986 – 2018) of data is considered which covers solar cycle 22, 23 and almost the complete solar cycle 24. The solar irradiance of India over different considered geographical location has a positive correlation during solar cycle 23 and a negative correlation during solar cycle 24 with solar flare index. It has also been observed that the maximum correlation is exist between 5° - 10° latitude and 30° - 35° latitude data and the correlation has an increasing trend with higher latitude. The periodicity analysis of solar irradiance signal exhibits a similar type of inherent period with solar flare index as well as other activity indices. It can be suggested that the effect of the solar flare index is exists on the solar irradiance signal of India over different considered geographical location according to the current statistical investigation during solar cycle 22 – 24.

The data of soft x-ray solar flare activity for the interval 2008 to 2019 which covers the ascending, maximum, descending & part of minimum period of solar cycle 24 has been used for investigating the behavior of North-South (N-S) and East-West (E-W) asymmetries. Our statistical analysis revealed that the N-S asymmetry is a real phenomenon and that the solar cycle 24 shows southern predominance which is similar to the past solar cycle 21, 22 and 23. Hence a long-term periodic behavior could be inferred. The E-W asymmetry for the considered is found to be slight western dominated but the associated probability values indicates a statistically insignificant result.

The hemispheric asymmetry of the solar-flare index during 1976 – 2018 from the Kandilli Observatory is studied in this investigation. The temporal duration covers Solar Cycles 21 – 23 and almost the whole of Solar Cycle 24. Different methodologies, such as cross-correlation analysis, rescaled-range analysis, empirical mode decomposition, and date-compensated discrete Fourier transform, have been used on the hemispheric solar-flare index as well as on absolute asymmetry data to study various inherent characteristics. We observed that: i) the temporal characteristics in the northern and southern hemispheres are different during the progression of a solar cycle; ii) the T-test indicates that Solar Cycles 21 and 23 do not have any dominant hemispheric effect, whereas Solar Cycle 22 and 24 have South-dominated hemispheric characteristics; iii) the southern hemisphere is leading by ten, three, and one months during Solar Cycles 21, 22, and 24, respectively, and for Solar Cycle 23 the hemispheres are in phase; iv) anti-persistence as well as short memory-dependent characteristics are present in both the hemispheric solar-flare index and the absolute asymmetry data; v) all of the time-series data have well-known periods of 11 years and 27 days as well as short-term periods around 7 days and 14 days. Apart from those, several mid-term periodicities such as the Rieger periodicity and quasi-biennial oscillations (QBOs) are also found in both hemispheric solar-flare index as well as absolute asymmetry index data; vi) the Waldmeier effect is also validated using solar-flare-index data. These results will enrich our knowledge about the distribution of hemispheric asymmetry in solar-flare-index data and may reveal some valuable points about asymmetry behaviors.

This paper aims to develop a selective molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) layer combined with quartz crystal microbalance sensor for the detection of 3-Carene, a significant aroma compound of mango. The proposed sensor is prepared from the co-polymer of methacrylic acid and divinylbenzene, and it is imprinted with 3-Carene. The MIP template was synthesized and deposited onto the quartz crystal microbalance platform by proper functionalizing the gold electrode using 2-propene 1- thiol. The developed MIP material is characterized by fourier transform infra-red, scanning electron microscope, and atomic force microscope techniques. The sensor offers very good selectivity and sensitivity (1–1000 ppm) of 0.11 Hz/ppm to 3-Carene from its structural analogies. The limit of detection and the limit of quantitation of the sensor are found to be 0.8 and 1.4 ppm, respectively. The performance of the sensor offers satisfactory reproducibility and repeatability to 3-Carene. Moreover, the response of the sensor has been correlated to the standard gas- chromatography-mass spectrometry data to detect 3-Carene in Langda and Chausa mango.

Xanthogranulomatous inflammation is a rare type of granulomatous inflammation and the cause is yet to be identified. In this pathology, the affected organ undergoes lysis and is replaced by dense inflammatory cell infiltrates. Here is a case of a 42 year old woman presenting with lower abdominal lump and pain for 3 months, clinical examination revealed a suspicion of tubo-ovarian mass, which on further hematological and radiological examination gave the impression of an ovarian neoplasm. Finally Histopathological study of the resected specimen came out as Xanthogranulomatous oophoritis (XO).

The present investigation attempts to quantify the temporal variation of Solar Flare Index (SFI) with other activity indices during solar cycles 21 – 24 by using different techniques such as linear regression, correlation, cross-correlation with phase lag-lead, etc. Different Solar Activity Indices (SAI) considered in this present study are Sunspot Number (SSN), 10.7 cm Solar Radio Flux (F10.7), Coronal Index (CI) and MgII Core-to-Wing Ratio (MgII). The maximum cycle amplitude of SFI and considered SAI has a decreasing trend from solar cycle 22, and cycle 24 is the weakest solar cycle among all other cycles. The SFI with SSN, F10.7, CI and MgII shows hysteresis during all cycles except for solar cycle 22 where both paths for ascending and descending phases are intercepting each other, thereby representing a phase reversal. A positive hysteresis circulation exists between SFI and considered SAI during solar cycles 22 and 23, whereas a negative circulation exists in cycles 21 and 24. SFI has a high positive correlation with coefficient values of 0.92, 0.94, 0.84 and 0.81 for SSN, F10.7, CI and MgII respectively. According to cross-correlation analysis, SFI has a phase lag with considered SAI during an odd-number solar cycle (solar cycles 21 and 23) but no phase lag/lead during an even-numbered solar cycle (solar cycles 22 and 24). However, the entire smoothed monthly average SFI data indicate an in-phase relationship with SSN, F10.7 and MgII, and a one-month phase lag with CI. The presence of those above characteristics strongly confirms the outcomes of different research work with various solar indices and the highest correlation exists between SFI and SSN as well as F10.7 which establishes that SFI may be considered as one of the prime activity indices to interpret the characteristics of the Sun’s active region as well as for more accurate short-range or long-range forecasting of solar events.

The Solar Flare Index is regarded as one of the most important solar indices in the field of solarterrestrial research. It has the maximum effect on Earth of all other solar activity indices and is being considered for describing the short-lived dynamo action inside the Sun. This paper attempts to study the short as well as long-term temporal fluctuations in the chromosphere region of the Sun using the Solar Flare Index. The daily Solar Flare Index for Northern, Southern Hemisphere and Total Disk are considered for a period from January 1976 to December 2014 (total 14 245 days) for chaotic as well as periodic analysis. The 0–1 test has been employed to investigate the chaotic behavior associated with the Solar Flare Index. This test revealed that the time series data is non-linear and multi-periodic in nature with deterministic chaotic features. For periodic analysis, the Raleigh Power Spectrum algorithm has been used for identifying the predominant periods within the data along with their confidence score. The well-known fundamental period of 27 days and 11 years along with their harmonics are well affirmed in our investigation with a period of 28 days and 10.77 years. The presence of 14 days and 7 days periods in this investigation states the short-lived action inside the Sun. Our investigation also demonstrates the presence of other mid-range periods including the famous Rieger type period which are very much confirming the results obtained by other authors using various solar activity indicators.

Chiral recognition is the fundamental property of many biological molecules and is a quite important field in pharmaceutical analysis because of the pharmacologically different activities of enantiomers in living systems. Enantio-differentiating signal of the sensor requires specific interaction between the chiral compounds (one or a mixture of enantiomers) in question and the selector. This type of interaction is controlled normally by at least three binding centers, whose mutual arrangement and interacting characteristics with one of the enantiomers effectively control the selectivity of recognition. Molecular imprinting technology provides a unique opportunity for the creation of three-dimensional cavities with tailored recognition properties. Over the past decade, this field has expanded considerably across the variety of disciplines, leading to novel transduction approaches and many potential applications. The state-of-art of molecularly imprinted polymer-based chiral recognition might set an exotic trend toward the development of chiral sensors. The objective of this review is to provide comprehensive knowledge and information to all researchers who are interested in exploiting molecular imprinting technology toward the rational design of chiral sensors operating on different transduction principles, ranging from electrochemical to piezoelectric, being used for the detection of chiral compounds as they pose significant impact on the understanding of the origin of life and all processes that occur in living organisms.

Artificial Neural Network based Nonlinear Autoregressive Model is designed to reconstruct and predict Forbush Decrease (FD) Data obtained from Izmiran, Russia. Result indicates that the model seems adequate for short term prediction of the FD data.

The daily time series Flare Index (FI) data of Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere and Total Disk for Solar Cycle 21- 23 and 24 up to Dec. 2014 has been pre-processed using a 2nd order exponential smoothing algorithm to remove orthogonal noise. The smoothed data in each case is processed for scaling analysis using Rescaled-Range Analysis as well as Finite Variance Scaling Method in order to search for the Hurst exponent. As the value of H obtained from our analysis lies in between 0 and 1, so it can be said that the signal may behave like Fractional Brownian Motion. Also, it is observed that H is less than 0.5 which indicates the data is anti-persistent in nature and it has a strong negative correlation within the signal. The value of H also indicates the oscillating features of the signal which might have some fundamental periodicities in the Suns atmosphere.

The radio frequency emission at 10.7 cm (or 2800 MHz) wavelength (considered as solar flux density) out of different possible wavelengths is usually selected to identify periodicities because of its high correlation with solar extreme ultraviolet radiation as well as its complete and long observational record other than sunspot related indices. The solar radio flux at 10.7 cm wavelength plays a very valuable role for forecasting the space weather because it is originated from lower corona and chromospheres region of the Sun. Also, solar radio flux is a magnificent indicator of major solar activity. Here in the present work the solar radio flux data from 1965 to 2014 observed at the Domimion Radio Astrophysical Observatory in Penticton, British Columbiahas been processed using Date Compensated Discrete Fourier Transform (DCDFT) to identify predominant periods within the data along with their confidence levels. Also, the multi-taper method (MTM) for periodicity analysis is used to validate the observed periods. Present investigation exhibits multiperiodicity of the time series F10.7 solar radio flux data around 27, 57, 78, 127, 157, 4096 days etc. The observed periods are also compared with the periods of MgII Index data using same algorithm as MgII Index data has 99.9% correlation with F10.7 Solar Radio Flux data. It can be observed that the MgII index data exhibits similar periodicities with very high confidence levels.Present investigation also clearly indicates that the computed results are very much confining with the results obtained in different communication for the similar data of 10.7 cm Solar Radio Flux as well as for the other solar activities.

This work describes the development of an electrochemical sensor based on a new molecularly imprinted polymer for the detection of γ-amino butyric acid at ultra-trace level. This is comprised of a thin imprinted film exploiting an abrasive immobilization of functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes on the tip of a pencil graphite electrode. For the reason that γ-aminobutyric acid is an electro-inactive species, its o-pthalaldehyde/sulphite derivative was used as a template for imprinting polymer made from a typical functional monomer (5-fluorouracil-N-acetylacrylamide) and cross-linking agent (ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) in the porogen, dimethyl sulphoxide. The electrodics of the template was explored using various techniques, viz., cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry, and chronocoulometry. The template detection, in terms of γ-aminobutyric acid, at stringent limits of clinical settings was feasible by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry technique in the linear concentration range, 0.75–205.19 ng mL −1 (correlation coefficients 0.999, detection limits 0.28 ng mL −1 ), without any cross-reactivity and false positives in aqueous, human serum, and cerebrospinal fluid.

Carbon-nanotubes play a pivotal role in molecularly imprinted polymer technology for inculcating conducting property, high surface to volume ratio, and maximum porosity in the film texture. Contrary to the non-covalent heterogeneous dispersion of pure (unmodified) multiwalled carbon nanotubes in the imprinted polymer film, the homogeneous distribution of their functionalized derivative was found more effective to augment the sensitivity of the measurement. This could be made feasible using multiwalled carbon nanotubes bearing terminal monomeric unit (termed as “CNT-mer”) for the polymerization (one CNT-mer in each repeating unit). In this work, the CNT-mer entails a N -hydroxyphenyl maleimide functionality to be utilized in the chain propagation with simultaneous imprinting of epinephrine in the polymeric network. This system, when casted on the tip of a pencil graphite electrode, responded a highly sensitive and selective response for epinephrine, prevalent in aqueous and real samples at ultratrace level (linear range 0.09–5.90 ng mL −1 , limit of detection 0.02 ng mL −1 , S / N =3), without any cross-reactivity and matrix effects. The proposed sensor is advantageous in obtaining enhanced differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetric current vis-a-vis the corresponding imprinted sensor modified with randomly dispersed flocculated multiwalled carbon nanotubes bundles. While the latter might restrict the interlayer diffusion of analyte in the film, the former sensor facilitated high diffusivity with the channelized electron transport to respond higher current. The CNT-mer dispersed sensor was found to be stable and rugged against mechanical stress and can be used, after regeneration, for more than hundred consecutive experiments in clinical settings.

This study describes the synthesis of a new class of substrate-selective molecularly imprinted polymer. This involved tetraethylene glycol 3-morpholin propionate acrylate (functional monomer) and bovine serum albumin (template) for polymerization in aqueous condition, using “ surface grafting-from ” approach directly on a vinyl exposed multiwalled carbon nanotubes-ceramic electrode. The analyte recapture at pH 6.8 in aqueous environment simultaneously involved hydrophobically driven hydrogen bonds and ionic interactions between negatively charged bovine serum albumin and positively charged imprinted nanofilm. The selectively encapsulated bovine serum albumin first gets reduced at −0.9 V and then oxidized within the cavity, without getting stripped off, to respond a differential pulse voltammetry signal. The limit of detection [0.42 ng mL −1 (3 σ , RSD≤1.02%)] obtained was free from any cross-reactivity and matrix complications in aqueous, pharmaceutical, serum, and liquid milk samples. The proposed sensor can be used as a practical sensor for ultra-trace analysis of bovine serum albumin in clinical settings.

In order to increase scientific literacy and the knowledge of science and technology of Europe's citizens, the European Commission suggests a more student-centred implementation of natural sciences in education systems. Inquiry-based learning (IBL) is not only an accepted method to promote students' interest and motivation, it also helps students learn the scientific method and fosters their research skills. However, IBL is rarely used in European classrooms. The main reason is that due to the strict curricula teachers do not have the time for preparation and they do not feel well equipped and trained in the use of IBL methods in class. The Photonics Explorer programme addresses these problems on the European level. Within the programme, a pan-European collaboration of professors, teachers and photonics experts have developed the Photonics Explorer kit for the teaching of optics and light-related topics in physics across various European secondary school curricula. It is designed for intra-curricular use and contains specially designed, hands-on experimental components, worksheets based on guided IBL and multimedia material. Additionally, the kit provides a teacher guide with a suggested lesson outline and sufficient background information for each topic.

Background: Among all external abdominal hernias, inguinal hernia is one most commonly encountered. Factors like chronic cough, constipation, prostatic enlargement etc. contribute to its development. Various defensive mechanisms of the inguinal canal like shutter and slit valve mechanisms help prevent its formation. In this study, a comparison has been made between the anthropometric measurements of the pelvis in patients with and without indirect inguinal hernia to look for a statistically significant difference in the position of the pubic tubercle which in turn affects the various protective mechanisms. Other measurements such as Height, Weight and interspinal distance have been included to look for positive correlations between the disease and said measurements.Methods: This study was conducted in the General Surgery Department of SRM Hospital, Medical College and Research Centre, Kattankulathur after ethics committee clearance. It is a case control study conducted on 140 consenting patients and meeting the inclusion criteria from March 2016 to August 2017, of which 70 each were patients of indirect inguinal hernia and patients without inguinal hernia.Results: Results developed using SPSS Software show majority of the subjects with a low lying pubic tubercle were inguinal hernia patients. There was also a positive correlation between the ratios of weight and ST length as well as Height and ST length between cases and controls.Conclusions: It can be concluded from this study that factors such as a low lying pubic tubercle and other related anthropometric variables predispose patients to develop indirect inguinal hernia.

Thin films of Ge–As–Se chalcogenide glasses have been deposited by thermal evaporation from bulk material and submitted to thermal treatments. The linear refractive index and optical band-gap for as-deposited and annealed films have been analyzed as function of the deposition parameters, chemical composition and mean coordination number (MCN). The chemical composition of the films was found to be directly affected by deposition rate, with low rates producing films with elevated Ge and reduced As content, whilst at high rates the Ge content was generally reduced and As levels increased compared with the bulk starting material. As a result films with close to the same stoichiometry as the bulk glass could be obtained by choosing appropriate deposition conditions. As-deposited films with MCN in between 2.44 and 2.55 showed refractive indices and optical band-gaps very close to those of the bulk glass whereas outside this range the film indices were higher and the optical gaps lower than those of the bulk glass. Upon annealing at close to their glass transition temperature, high MCN films evolved such that their indices and band-gaps approached the bulk glass values whereas at low MCN films resulted in no changes to the film properties.

Ge x As y Se100−x−y (33 ≤ x ≤ 39 and 12 ≤ y ≤16) glasses were prepared, and their structure and optical properties were studied by Raman and UV–Vis-IR spectroscopic techniques. Ge-tetrahedrons [GeSe4] dominated in the structural units, and ‘defect’ bonds, such as Ge–Ge, Ge–As and As–As bonds, also occurred in the glasses. A structural model for calculation of the optical band gap energy (E g ) of Ge–As–Se glasses was proposed, and the calculated values are consistent with experimental results. Increasing germanium and decreasing selenium content can reduce both the mean bond energies and optical band gap energies, enhancing the photo-sensitivity of the glasses.

Ag -doped As 2 Se 3 glasses were prepared by the melt-quenching method and the influence of silver doping on the glass structure and optical properties was studied using Raman and UV-Vis-IR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. For Ag concentrations less than 15 at%, introduction of Ag into As 2 Se 3 glasses mainly leads to the formation of Ag-Se covalent bonds, resulting in destruction of the glass network. This manifests itself by a decrease in the glass transition temperature and low frequency shifts in the As-Se Raman band. When the Ag concentration was higher than 25 at%, some Ag atoms exist in the glass matrix as coordinative bonds, resulting in a slight increase in the glass transition temperature and high frequency shifts in the Raman peaks. The relationship between the glass structure and properties is discussed.

Objective: The prevalence of anemia is disproportionately high in developing countries due to poverty, inadequate diet, certain diseases, pregnancy and lactation, and poor access to health services. It is a risk factor for cardiovascular health and early death in adult. To estimate the prevalence of anemia and its associated risk factors in a rural a community in India. Methodology: Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, an observational house-to-house survey was conducted for a period of 6 months, by screening for anemia, using digital strip type hemoglobin meter. Result: Out of 200 people, 146 were anemic of which 77 were with mild anemia, 67 with moderate anemia and only 3 had severe anemia. There were more number of anemic patients in the group of normal and underweight (Normal=86, 58.90%; Underweight=27, 18.49%) than that of overweight and obese (Overweight=22, 15.06%; Obese=11, 7.53%). The newly diagnosed cases of anemia were 138 and previously diagnosed cases of anemia were 8. Out of 146 anemic populations, 13 were hyperlipidemics, 20 were hypertensives, 18 were diabetics, 5 were thyroid patients and 4 were cardiac patients. Conclusion: This screening program helps to diagnose anemia in a selected population and benefit avoiding further complications by offering adequate patient counseling. Study population was enriched with information on nutrition intake and importance of maintaining hemoglobin concentration at normal level in day-to-day life of an individual. Keywords: Anemia, Nutrition, Screening, Hemoglobin.

There is an imminent shortage of skilled workforce facing Europe’s hi-tech industries mainly due to the declining interest of young people in science and engineering careers. To avert this trend the European Union funded the development of the ‘Photonics Explorer’ – an intra-curricular educational kit designed to engage, excite and educate students about the fascination of working with optics hands-on, in their own classrooms! Each kit equips teachers with class sets of experimental components provided within a supporting didactic framework based on guided inquiry based learning techniques. The material has been specifically designed to integrate into the curriculum and enhance and complement the teaching and learning of science in the classroom. The kits are provided free of charge to teachers, in conjunction with teacher training courses. The main challenge of this program was the development of educational material that seamlessly integrates into the various national curricula across Europe. To achieve this, the development process included a preparatory EU wide curricula survey and a special ‘Review and Revise’ process bringing together the expertise of over 35 teachers and pedagogic experts. This paper reports on the results of the preparatory study which identified two specific age groups at secondary schools for photonics educational material, the didactic content of the Photonics Explorer kit resulting from a pan-European collaboration of key stakeholders, EU wide dissemination and sustainability of the program.

Society becomes increasingly dependent on photonics technologies; however there is an alarming lack of technological awareness among secondary school students. They associate photonics with experiments and components in the class room that seem to bear little relevance to their daily life. The Rocard Report [5] highlights the need for fostering students’ scientific skills and technological awareness and identifies inquiry based learning (IBL) as a means to achieve this. Students need to actively do science rather than be silent spectators. The ‘Photonics Explorer’ kit was developed as an EU funded project to equip teachers, free-of-charge, with educational material designed to excite, engage and educate European secondary school students using guided inquiry based learning techniques. Students put together their own experiments using up-to-date versatile components, critically interpret results and relate the conclusions to relevant applications in their daily life. They work hands-on with the material, thus developing and honing their scientific and analytical skills that are otherwise latent in a typical class room situation. A qualitative and quantitative study of the impact of the kit in the classroom was undertaken with 50 kits tested in 7 EU countries with over 1500 students in the local language. This paper reports on the results of the EU wide field tests that show the positive impact of the kit in raising the self-efficacy, scientific skills and interest in science among students and the effectiveness of the kit in implementing IBL strategies in classrooms across EU.

The Photonics Explorer is an intra-curricular educational kit developed in a European project with a pan-European collaboration of over 35 teachers and science education professors. Unlike conventional educational outreach kits, the Photonics Explorer is specifically designed to integrate seamlessly in school curricula and enhance and complement the teaching and learning of science and optics in the classroom. The kit equips teachers with class sets of experimental components, provided within a supporting didactic framework and is designed for lower and upper secondary students (12-18 years). The kit is provided completely free of charge to teachers in conjunction with teacher training courses. The workshop will provide an overview of the Photonics Explorer intra-curricular kit and give teachers the opportunity to work hands-on with the material and didactic content of two modules, ‘Light Signals’ (lower secondary) and ‘Diffraction and Interference’(upper secondary). We also aim to receive feedback regarding the content, components and didactic framework from teachers from non- European countries, to understand the relevance of the kit for their teaching and the ability for such a kit to integrate into non-EU curricula.

In the present work, we have considered the daily signal of Solar Radio flux of 2800 Hz recorded daily by radio telescopes near Ottawa (operated during 14th February, 1947–31st May, 1991) and Penticton, British Columbia, Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory (operating since 1st June, 1991) during the period from 29th October, 1972 to 28th February, 2013. We have applied FIR nonlinear phase filter on the present discrete signal to denoise it. The memory of this denoising signal has been analyzed and it indicates short memory trend (anti-persistent) hidden in this spectrum. Then we have examined whether the signal possesses stationary properties. On the basis of autocorrelation analysis, quasi or partly stationary nature of the spectrum has been revealed.

A simple hyphenation approach was adopted to obtain a new molecularly imprinted micro solid-phase extraction fiber (as a selective extraction tool) and complementary molecularly imprinted polymer coated pencil graphite electrode (as a detection tool) for the selective and sensitive analysis of epinephrine, which is a disease biomarker prevalent at ultra trace level in biological fluids. In both extraction and detection processes, the functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNT-mers) were preferred to multiwalled carbon nanotubes (unmodified) in order to obtain a stable homogeneously dispersed imprinted polymer matrix of better electroconductivity and adsorptive characteristics. The hyphenation of both tools helped dual pre-concentration of epinephrine so as to achieve the stringent limit [limit of detection: 0.002 ng mL(-1), S/N=3] of clinical detection, without any problems of non-specific contributions and cross-reactivity.

A novel molecularly imprinted polymer, selective for human hemoglobin, was immobilized on the surface of CdS quantum dots-multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanoconjugate-modified pencil graphite electrode. The fabricated sensor was found to be water-compatible and biologically benign, since the molecular imprinting was exclusively carried out in water, without any protein denaturation and electrode fouling. Notably, the pencil graphite electrode modified with merely a nanoconjugate matrix might involve the onset possibilities of electrode passivation and protein denaturation. However, a polymer coating onto the nanoconjugate obviated such obstacle while evaluating human hemoglobin in an aqueous environment (pH 4.2). The quantification of the hemoglobin in the dilute whole blood samples varied in the linear range 27.8–444.0 ng mL−1; and the detection limit was obtained as 6.73 ng mL−1 (S/N=3), without any cross-reactivity and false-positives. The proposed sensor can be used as a cost effective sensor for hemoglobin, in clinical settings.

We report the properties of dispersion-engineered nanowire waveguides fabricated in Ge11.5As24Se64.5chalcogenide glass with ? ranging from ?25,000-150,000W-1km-1. These waveguides are capable of generating broadband super-continuum when pumped with ps pulses with peak power ?20W.

I discuss our work to optimize of the properties of highly nonlinear Ge x As y Se 1-x-y chalcogenide glasses for all-optical signal processing.

Chalcogenide glasses, which contain the chalcogen elements S, Se and Te covalently bonded with network forming elements such as Ge, As, Sb, etc, possess a higher third order (Kerr) optical nonlinearity at telecommunications wavelengths than any other known glass. Their high linear index and low optical absorption also makes it practical to use them to fabricate nanowire waveguides. In particular the third order nonlinear response of these materials displays a pure refractive nonlinearity with negligible two-photon absorption and a complete absence of free carrier effects. As a result we have been able to demonstrate all optical signal processing of telecommunications signals at speeds up to 640Gb/s [1] and RF spectral analysis with ≈3THz bandwidth [2] using waveguides made from As 2 S 3 chalcogenide glass with nonlinear parameters up to ≈10,000W−1km−1. However, in order to reduce power requirements higher values of the nonlinear parameter are desirable. Here we describe our first results using a new waveguide material: Ge 11 As 22 Se 67 whose nonlinearity is about 4 times larger than As 2 S 3 [3] and which has allowed us to achieve nonlinear parameters in air-clad rib waveguides in excess of 26000W−1km−1. Rib waveguides were fabricated by dry etching 340nm deep into 680nm thick glass films deposited by thermal evaporation onto an oxidized silicon wafer. Waveguides 3µm and 4µm wide were used in these experiments and these had nonlinear parameters (γ=2πn 2 /A eff γ) of 33000W−1km−1 and 26000W−1km−1 respectively - record values for a glass waveguide. This enhanced nonlinear response along with dispersion control leads to strong effects such as supercontinuum generation (Fig. 1(a)) and broad-band four wave mixing with large gain (Fig. 1(b)) using pulses with peak powers of 10–30W. The nonlinear response is also sufficient to allow nonlinear processing using CW powers in the 100mW range. This talk will describe the properties of Ge 11 As 22 Se 67 waveguides and their nonlinear properties at telecommunications wavelengths.

Chalcogenide glasses are an important class or amorphous materials with applications that include phase-change optical memories, solar cells, and optical waveguides. Particularly interesting for optical applications is their good transparency in the mid-infrared combined with their high linear and nonlinear refractive indices. This last property has motivated interest in the use of chalcogenide waveguides for all-optical processing of high-speed telecommunications signals [1].

We report the properties of a Ge11.5As24Se64.5chalcogenide glass and demonstrate that dispersion-engineered rib waveguides can be fabricated in this material with nonlinear parameters >30,000W-1km-1: the highest value yet reported for a glass planar waveguide.

We present a systematic study of Ge(x)As(y)Se(1-x-y) bulk chalcogenide glasses to determine the best composition for fabricating all-optical devices. The dependence of physical parameters such as the band-gap, glass transition temperature and third order optical nonlinearity (n(2)) on composition has been studied and a relation between the bond-structure and elevated linear loss levels in high Germanium glasses has been identified. It is found that glasses with 11

This research focuses on several aspects of chalcogenide all-optical processors. This study has chosen glasses in the Ge-As-Se system with the aim of optimising glass composition to obtain low loss, high nonlinearity and glass stability, whilst complementary efforts are focussed on the production, optimisation and application of chalcogenide waveguide devices to all-optical of high-speed telecommunication signals. Devices have been characterised in realistic telecommunications conditions with the eventual aim being to validate performance at rates up to 640 Gb/s.

GexAsySe100-x-y glasses with 0les xles40 and 12lesyles40 have been characterized for properties of bulk material as well as thermally deposited films. The effect of phase separation on film properties is studied.

The optical and structural properties of Ge-As-Se glasses have been studied using Raman, UV-Vis-IR, Z-scan and DSC techniques, and the effect of composition on structural transition, optical band gap and nonlinearity is described.

Chalcogenide glasses, which contain S, Se or Te atoms combined with network forming elements such as Ge, As, Sb have the largest third order optical nonlinearity of any inorganic glass. As a result they are attractive candidates for fibre and waveguide devices for all-optical signal processing in the telecommunications bands. In this talk I will review our recent progress in all-optical devices such as regenerators, wavelength converters and other devices in chalcogenide glasses.

Optical properties of chalcogenide glasses, GexAsySe100-x-y (33les x les39 and 12les y les16) were studied by using Raman, UV-vis-IR and PDS spectroscopic techniques, and the relationships between structure, composition and optical property were discussed.

We review the fabrication processes and properties of waveguides that have been made from chalcogenide glasses including highly nonlinear waveguides developed for all-optical processing.

This research was partly supported by the Australian Research Council through its Centres of Excellence and Federation Fellow Programs.

In this study GeXAsySe100x+y glasses with 0lesx 0.1 dB/cm for Ge > 33% (Ge33As12Se55) at 1550 nm. A modified Z-Scan technique was developed to measure the nonlinear refractive index (n2) at 1500 nm. The conventional closed aperture is replaced by an InGaAs camera to image the output beam. Image analysis is done using Lab VIEW software and the on axis transmission is measured and extracted as a Z-scan.

The ‘Photonics Explorer’ is a unique intra-curricular optics kit designed to engage, excite and educate secondary school students about the fascination of working with light – hands-on, in their own classrooms. Developed with a pan European collaboration of experts, the kit equips teachers with class sets of experimental material provided within a supporting didactic framework, distributed in conjunction with teacher training courses. The material has been specifically designed to integrate into European science curricula. Each kit contains robust and versatile components sufficient for a class of 25-30 students to work in groups of 2-3. The didactic content is based on guided inquiry-based learning (IBL) techniques with a strong emphasis on hands-on experiments, team work and relating abstract concepts to real world applications. The content has been developed in conjunction with over 30 teachers and experts in pedagogy to ensure high quality and ease of integration. It is currently available in 7 European languages. The Photonics Explorer allows students not only to hone their essential scientific skills but also to really work as scientists and engineers in the classroom. Thus, it aims to encourage more young people to pursue scientific careers and avert the imminent lack of scientific workforce in Europe. 50 Photonics Explorer kits have been successfully tested in 7 European countries with over 1500 secondary school students. The positive impact of the kit in the classroom has been qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated. A non-profit organisation, EYESTvzw [Excite Youth for Engineering Science and Technology], is responsible for the large scale distribution of the Photonics Explorer.

Physics outreach usually consists of appealing and fun demonstrations outside of the classroom, but Amrita Prasad and Hugo Thienpont argue that only "educational outreach" can have a deep impact on students' interest in science.