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In this study, we explore the impact of the astigmatism phase on the evolution of the phase singularity of an orbital angular momentum (OAM) beam propagating through free space. The results demonstrate that the high-order phase singularity dispersed into a cluster of individual unit phase singularities owing to the astigmatism phase. The number of singularities equaled the topological charge of the OAM beam. By adjusting the astigmatism phase, we could manipulate and control the evolution of the phase singularities, including their displacements and rotation angles. These findings offer significant prospects for customizing 3D vortex lines, optical topologies, and applications involving topological charge measurement, information encoding, and transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

miRNAs are small non-coding RNA molecules which serve as promising biomarkers due to their important roles in the development and progression of various cancer types. The detection of miRNAs is of vital importance to the early-stage diagnostics and prognostics of multiple diseases. However, traditional detection strategies have faced some challenges owing to the intrinsic characteristics of miRNAs including small size, short sequence length, low concentration level and high sequence homology in complex real samples. To overcome these challenges, we proposed a MXene-enhanced plasmonic biosensor for real-time and label-free detection of miRNA. By utilizing MXene nanomaterial which possesses unique characteristics including large surface area and strong carrier confinement abilities, we tuned the absorption of our plasmonic sensing substrate to reach a “zero-reflection” state and induced an extremely sharp phase change at the resonance angle. Combined with the sensing mechanism based on phase-induced lateral displacement measurement, this MXene-enhanced plasmonic biosensor can achieve a much superior sensing performance compared to traditional SPR devices. Based on this biosensing scheme, the ultrasensitive detection of target miRNA with a detection limit down to 10 fM has been successfully demonstrated. More importantly, single-base mismatched miRNA can be easily distinguished from the target miRNA according to the sensing signal. Furthermore, our plasmonic biosensor is capable of detecting miRNA in complex media such as 100 % human serum samples without compromising the detection sensitivity. This MXene-enhanced plasmonic sensing scheme has the ability of detecting miRNAs with extremely low concentration levels in complex surrounding media without the need of introducing extra labels or amplification tags, which holds great potential in various biological applications and clinical diagnostics.

The analysis of electrical impulse phenomena in cardiac muscle tissue is important for the diagnosis of heart rhythm disorders and other cardiac pathophysiology. Cardiac mapping techniques acquire local temporal measurements and combine them to visualize the spread of electrophysiological wave phenomena across the heart surface. However, low spatial resolution, sparse measurement locations, noise and other artifacts make it challenging to accurately visualize spatio-temporal activity. For instance, electro-anatomical catheter mapping is severely limited by the sparsity of the measurements, and optical mapping is prone to noise and motion artifacts. In the past, several approaches have been proposed to create more reliable maps from noisy or sparse mapping data. Here, we demonstrate that deep learning can be used to compute phase maps and detect phase singularities in optical mapping videos of ventricular fibrillation, as well as in very noisy, low-resolution and extremely sparse simulated data of reentrant wave chaos mimicking catheter mapping data. The self-supervised deep learning approach is fundamentally different from classical phase mapping techniques. Rather than encoding a phase signal from time-series data, a deep neural network instead learns to directly associate phase maps and the positions of phase singularities with short spatio-temporal sequences of electrical data. We tested several neural network architectures, based on a convolutional neural network (CNN) with an encoding and decoding structure, to predict phase maps or rotor core positions either directly or indirectly via the prediction of phase maps and a subsequent classical calculation of phase singularities. Predictions can be performed across different data, with models being trained on one species and then successfully applied to another, or being trained solely on simulated data and then applied to experimental data. Neural networks provide a promising alternative to conventional phase mapping and rotor core localization methods. Future uses may include the analysis of optical mapping studies in basic cardiovascular research, as well as the mapping of atrial fibrillation in the clinical setting.

Exosomes have shown great potential in serving as a cancer biomarker over these years since they carry crucial information of their parent cells. Therefore, detection of exosomes is of vital importance to the early-stage diagnostics of multiple major diseases. In this paper, we have proposed a real-time and label-free sensing technique based on 2D Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) nanomaterial enhanced plasmonic substrate. We have achieved a detection limit down to 104 exosomes/mL based on Goos–Hänchen (GH) shift measurement, which is more than two orders of magnitude superior to conventional SPR sensing techniques. Moreover, the detection of unpurified exosomes directly in cell culture supernatant (CCS) has been successfully demonstrated with a significant experimental GH shift signal of more than 120 μm been detected. Multiple control experiments using exosome-free solutions and control antibody coated substrates have also been performed, which validates the specificity of our device. The proposed plasmonic sensing scheme with enhanced sensing performance has the capability of detecting exosomes at low concentration levels. It also possesses the ability of direct detection of exosomes in CCS, which offers a convenient and efficient platform for exosome detection and analysis. We envision that this technique can serve as a promising tool in early-stage clinical diagnostics and treatment.

The connections between Laguerre–Gauss and Bessel–Gauss beams, and between Hermite–Gauss and cosine-Gauss beams are investigated. We review different asymptotic expressions for generalized Laguerre and Hermite polynomials of large radial/transverse order. The amplitude variations of generalized Laguerre–Gauss beams, including standard and elegant Laguerre–Gauss beams as special cases, are compared with Bessel–Gauss beams. Bessel–Gauss beams can be well-approximated by elegant Laguerre–Gauss beams. For non-integral values of the Laguerre function radial order, a generalized Laguerre–Gauss beam with integer order matches the width of the central lobe well, even for low radial orders. Previous approximations are found to be inaccurate for large azimuthal mode number (topolgical charge), and an improved approximation for this case is also introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, some physical research has recognized the coupling of optical phase singularity light with quadrupole-active atomic transitions. We show that a Laguerre-Gaussian beam, when completely internally reflected at the dielectric/vacuum interface, can generate a well-defined surface spiral beam with a two-dimensional intensity distribution confined to a sub-wavelength region near the interface outside of the dielectric. The quadrupole interaction has been shown to be significantly enhanced in the case of coating the planar surface of a dielectric prism using multilayer dielectric thin films of different thicknesses. The mechanical action on the atom due to the optical forces characterized by optical quadrupole transitions could greatly facilitate the revolution of optical manipulation of neutral atoms along the dielectric/vacuum interface. The typical optical quadrupole potential, evaluated for the atomic transition, corresponds to λ=675.0nm with ΓQ=7.8×105s-1, in Cesium atoms, which is a dipole-forbidden but quadrupole-allowed transition. The parameters used to compute the optical quadrupole potential are similar to those in recent experiments. The factors controlling the general enhancement are pointed out and discussed.

Introducing vortices into an Airy beam by the interference between the lobes of the Airy beam for the first time, the modulation of Airy vortices is experimentally and theoretically investigated by electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) effect and changing the number of side lobes of the Airy beam. The formation and disappearance of vortices in Airy beams can be caused by changing the number of side lobes. The EIT effect can induce the movement of vortex phase singularity by regulating the intensities of lobes in Airy beams. However, changing the number of side lobes can change the energy distribution of the lobes through the energy flow due to the self‐healing of Airy beams, thus causing the displacement of vortex phase singularity. In addition, the simulation of the Poynting vector shows that the less the side lobes are blocked, the more energy can be retained in the main lobe and the unblocked side lobes, so that the overall shape of the Airy beam can be better maintained. Such studies provide a new method to acquire and adjust Airy vortex beams and can be applied in the realm of optical micromanipulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we explore the impact of the astigmatism phase on the evolution of the phase singularity of an orbital angular momentum (OAM) beam propagating through free space. The results demonstrate that the high-order phase singularity dispersed into a cluster of individual unit phase singularities owing to the astigmatism phase. The number of singularities equaled the topological charge of the OAM beam. By adjusting the astigmatism phase, we could manipulate and control the evolution of the phase singularities, including their displacements and rotation angles. These findings offer significant prospects for customizing 3D vortex lines, optical topologies, and applications involving topological charge measurement, information encoding, and transfer.

Photons that acquire orbital angular momentum move in a helical path and are observed as a light ring. During helical motion, if a force is applied perpendicular to the direction of motion, an additional radial angular momentum is introduced, and alternate dark spots appear on the light ring. Here, a third, centrifugal angular momentum has been added by twisting the helical path further according to the three-step hierarchical assembly of helical organic nanowires. Attaining a third angular momentum is the theoretical limit for a photon. The additional angular momentum converts the dimensionless photon to a hollow spherical photon condensate with interactive dark regions. A stream of these photon condensates can interfere like a wave or disintegrate like matter, similar to the behavior of electrons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, some physical research has recognized the coupling of optical phase singularity light with quadrupole-active atomic transitions. We show that a Laguerre-Gaussian beam, when completely internally reflected at the dielectric/vacuum interface, can generate a well-defined surface spiral beam with a two-dimensional intensity distribution confined to a sub-wavelength region near the interface outside of the dielectric. The quadrupole interaction has been shown to be significantly enhanced in the case of coating the planar surface of a dielectric prism using multilayer dielectric thin films of different thicknesses. The mechanical action on the atom due to the optical forces characterized by optical quadrupole transitions could greatly facilitate the revolution of optical manipulation of neutral atoms along the dielectric/vacuum interface. The typical optical quadrupole potential, evaluated for the atomic transition, corresponds to λ = 675.0 n m with Γ Q = 7.8 × 10 5 s - 1 , in Cesium atoms, which is a dipole-forbidden but quadrupole-allowed transition. The parameters used to compute the optical quadrupole potential are similar to those in recent experiments. The factors controlling the general enhancement are pointed out and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phase singularity, a sudden phase change occurring at the reflection zero is widely explored using various nanophotonic systems such as metamaterials and thin film cavities. Typically, these systems exhibit a single reflection zero with a phase singularity at a specific incident angle, particularly at larger angles of incidence (>50 degrees). However, achieving multiple phase singularities at a single incident angle remains a formidable challenge. Here, the existence of a dual-phase singularity is experimentally demonstrated at a lower incident angle using a tunable Tamm plasmon polariton (TPP) cavity that consists of gold-coated ultralow-loss phase change material Sb 2 S 3 -based distributed Bragg reflector. It can excite narrowband TPP resonances from normal incidence to a wide angle of incidence for both s- and p-polarizations of light. Notably, this TPP cavity shows dual-phase singularity at lower angles of incidence since the excited TPP for s- and p-polarizations exhibits zero reflection at slightly different wavelengths for the same incident angle. A TPP cavity-based scalable hydrogen sensor is proposed and shows that the dual-phase singularity can further improve the sensitivity of singular phase-based sensing approaches. Moreover, spectrally tunable dual-phase singularity is experimentally demonstrated at a lower incident angle using a metal-free Tamm cavity., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

The singularity of the partially coherent beam propagating in biological tissue has been demonstrated, mainly including the properties of the normalized intensity distribution and phase evolution. It is shown that as the propagation distance increases, the evolution of the normalized intensity distribution undergoes several different stages, as well as the transformation of phase singularities takes place. Especially, the effect of the topological charge, the radial index, beam wave length and spatial coherence length on the beam singularity is analyzed, respectively.

Background and Objective: Renewal theory is a statistical approach to model the formation and destruction of phase singularities (PS), which occur at the pivots of spiral waves. A common issue arising during observation of renewal processes is an inspection paradox, due to oversampling of longer events. The objective of this study was to characterise the effect of a potential inspection paradox on the perception of PS lifetimes in cardiac fibrillation. Methods: A multisystem, multi-modality study was performed, examining computational simulations (Aliev-Panfilov (APV) model, Courtmanche-Nattel model), experimentally acquired optical mapping Atrial and Ventricular Fibrillation (AF/VF) data, and clinically acquired human AF and VF. Distributions of all PS lifetimes across full epochs of AF, VF, or computational simulations, were compared with distributions formed from lifetimes of PS existing at 10,000 simulated commencement timepoints. Results: In all systems, an inspection paradox led towards oversampling of PS with longer lifetimes. In APV computational simulations there was a mean PS lifetime shift of +84.9% (95% CI, ± 0.3%) (p < 0.001 for observed vs overall), in Courtmanche-Nattel simulations of AF +692.9% (95% CI, ±57.7%) (p < 0.001), in optically mapped rat AF +374.6% (95% CI, ± 88.5%) (p = 0.052), in human AF mapped with basket catheters +129.2% (95% CI, ±4.1%) (p < 0.05), human AFHD grid catheters 150.8% (95% CI, ± 9.0%) (p < 0.001), in optically mapped rat VF +171.3% (95% CI, ±15.6%) (p < 0.001), in human epicardial VF 153.5% (95% CI, ±15.7%) (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Visual inspection of phase movies has the potential to systematically oversample longer lasting PS, due to an inspection paradox. An inspection paradox is minimised by consideration of the overall distribution of PS lifetimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is characterized by the repetitive regeneration of unstable rotational events, the pivot of which are known as phase singularities (PSs). The spatial concentration and distribution of PSs have not been systematically investigated using quantitative statistical approaches. Objectives We utilized a geospatial statistical approach to determine the presence of local spatial concentration and global clustering of PSs in biatrial human AF recordings. Methods 64‐electrode conventional basket (~5 min, n = 18 patients, persistent AF) recordings were studied. Phase maps were produced using a Hilbert‐transform based approach. PSs were characterized spatially using the following approaches: (i) local “hotspots” of high phase singularity (PS) concentration using Getis‐Ord Gi* (Z ≥ 1.96, P ≤ .05) and (ii) global spatial clustering using Moran's I (inverse distance matrix). Results Episodes of AF were analyzed from basket catheter recordings (H: 41 epochs, 120 000 s, n = 18 patients). The Getis‐Ord Gi* statistic showed local PS hotspots in 12/41 basket recordings. As a metric of spatial clustering, Moran's I showed an overall mean of 0.033 (95% CI: 0.0003‐0.065), consistent with the notion of complete spatial randomness. Conclusion Using a systematic, quantitative geospatial statistical approach, evidence for the existence of spatial concentrations (“hotspots”) of PSs were detectable in human AF, along with evidence of spatial clustering. Geospatial statistical approaches offer a new approach to map and ablate PS clusters using substrate‐based approaches.

• A new method of terajet (TJ) shaping by hollow reflection screen is demonstrated. • TJ can be effectively shaped by hollow geometry. • Hollow depth shapes TJ more effectively than width due to different mechanisms. • Hollow position shapes mainly TJ propagation trajectory. • Shaping is explained in views of ray optics and electromagnetic field theory. We report a new method to shape a terajet (TJ) generated in a reflection mode, which is usually realized by placing a dielectric scatterer on a reflection screen. The method proposes to introduce an air hollow into the reflection screen to break structural perfection of reflection screen to achieve the TJ shaping. The shaping is studied by changing the hollow geometry, including width, depth and position of the hollow. The study aims at the three TJ characteristic parameters: intensity, focal length (FL) and lateral size. The results show that the TJ can be effectively shaped by the hollow geometry. In specific, the FL can change by as much as two/ten times as the hollow width/depth is changed. The shaping features are explained in viewpoints of both ray optics and electromagnetic field theory on the basis of hollow-induced phase singularities in the Poynting vector distribution of TJ. The hollow position shapes mainly propagation trajectory of TJ. Its deviation leads to generation of curved TJ due to broken lateral symmetry of spatial distribution of dielectric permittivity of scattering system, and the TJ curvature is associated with the asymmetric extent. In addition, a statistical study has been carried out on the basis of box-line plots of the FL versus the hollow depth and width. The study shows that there exist some specific hollow depths at which the FL can be tailored by hollow width more effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Renewal theory is a statistical approach to model the formation and destruction of phase singularities (PS), which occur at the pivots of spiral waves. A common issue arising during observation of renewal processes is an inspection paradox, due to oversampling of longer events. The objective of this study was to characterise the effect of a potential inspection paradox on the perception of PS lifetimes in cardiac fibrillation.Methods: A multisystem, multi-modality study was performed, examining computational simulations (Aliev-Panfilov (APV) model, Courtmanche-Nattel model), experimentally acquired optical mapping Atrial and Ventricular Fibrillation (AF/VF) data, and clinically acquired human AF and VF. Distributions of all PS lifetimes across full epochs of AF, VF, or computational simulations, were compared with distributions formed from lifetimes of PS existing at 10,000 simulated commencement timepoints.Results: In all systems, an inspection paradox led towards oversampling of PS with longer lifetimes. In APV computational simulations there was a mean PS lifetime shift of +84.9% (95% CI, ± 0.3%) (p < 0.001 for observed vs overall), in Courtmanche-Nattel simulations of AF +692.9% (95% CI, ±57.7%) (p < 0.001), in optically mapped rat AF +374.6% (95% CI, ± 88.5%) (p = 0.052), in human AF mapped with basket catheters +129.2% (95% CI, ±4.1%) (p < 0.05), human AF-HD grid catheters 150.8% (95% CI, ± 9.0%) (p < 0.001), in optically mapped rat VF +171.3% (95% CI, ±15.6%) (p < 0.001), in human epicardial VF 153.5% (95% CI, ±15.7%) (p < 0.001).Conclusion: Visual inspection of phase movies has the potential to systematically oversample longer lasting PS, due to an inspection paradox. An inspection paradox is minimised by consideration of the overall distribution of PS lifetimes.

• An approach utilizing phase space representation for characterizing scattered light fields is proposed. • A deep learning method was applied to reconstruct phase images of polystyrene balls. • A multi-scale feature extraction module is proposed for phase space data. • The proposed deep learning method is capable of differentiating between particles at 250 nm and 300 nm. Phase images often contain more comprehensive information compared to amplitude images. The precise visualization of phase images generated from light scattering by submicron particles is paramount for investigating the underlying scattering mechanisms and exploring applications centered around these submicron particles. This study showcases the efficacy of neural networks in acquiring the capacity to conduct phase reconstruction and recover singularities through appropriate training. Our deep learning-based approach introduces an entirely novel framework for phase recovery, accomplished by learning the distribution of scattered light fields from submicron particles, as obtained through a polarized indirect microscopic imaging (PIMI) system, within a custom Poincaré sphere (phase space). We validate this method by successfully reconstructing phase images of polystyrene (PS) balls with varying radii, and comparing diverse network structures and data flows in the process. Furthermore, we substantiate our experimental results by corroborating them with finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulations. These findings underscore the remarkable regularity within the distribution of phase space data, opening up new avenues for advancing the study of nanostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electromagnetic (EM) skyrmions are an EM analogue of the skyrmions in condensed matter physics, offering new degrees of freedom to structure light and manipulate light–matter interactions and thus promising various groundbreaking applications in optics and photonics. Recently, there is a growing interest in composing EM skyrmions based on different field vectors of EM waves. Here, an EM skyrmion is realized, i.e., a spoof plasmonic skyrmion (SPS), using the electric field vectors of spoof localized surface plasmons (LSPs) in a planar microwave resonator with rotational and mirroring symmetries. The SPS is constructed by synthesizing a scalar vortex (a topological charge 0) and a polarization vortex (a topological charge 1) in the in‐plane and the out‐of‐plane component of the fields, respectively. Besides an experimental demonstration, group theory is employed and pinpoints the symmetry origin of the skyrmion. This investigation demonstrates the ubiquity of the existence of the skyrmion in any planar EM resonator holding rotational and mirroring symmetries, regardless the dimensions and the operating frequencies. This skyrmion design not only promises novel microwave applications for sensing and transferring information, but also lays down a general guideline for devising skyrmions operating over a broad range in the EM spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multistable systems are characterized by exhibiting domain coexistence, where each domain accounts for the different equilibrium states. In case these systems are described by vectorial fields, domains can be connected through topological defects. Vortices are one of the most frequent and studied topological defect points. Optical vortices are equally relevant for their fundamental features as beams with topological features and their applications in image processing, telecommunications, optical tweezers, and quantum information. A natural source of optical vortices is the interaction of light beams with matter vortices in liquid crystal cells. The rhythms that govern the emergence of matter vortices due to fluctuations are not established. Here, we investigate the nucleation mechanisms of the matter vortices in liquid crystal cells and establish statistical laws that govern them. Based on a stochastic amplitude equation, the law for the number of nucleated vortices as a function of anisotropy, voltage, and noise level intensity is set. Experimental observations in a nematic liquid crystal cell with homeotropic anchoring and a negative anisotropic dielectric constant under the influence of a transversal electric field show a qualitative agreement with the theoretical findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights A zero-reflection-induced phase singularity is achieved through precisely controlling the resonance characteristics using two-dimensional nanomaterials. An atomically thin nano-layer having a high absorption coefficient is exploited to enhance the zero-reflection dip, which has led to the subsequent phase singularity and thus a giant lateral position shift. We have improved the detection limit of low molecular weight molecules by more than three orders of magnitude compared to current state-of-art nanomaterial-enhanced plasmonic sensors. Abstract Detection of small cancer biomarkers with low molecular weight and a low concentration range has always been challenging yet urgent in many clinical applications such as diagnosing early-stage cancer, monitoring treatment and detecting relapse. Here, a highly enhanced plasmonic biosensor that can overcome this challenge is developed using atomically thin two-dimensional phase change nanomaterial. By precisely engineering the configuration with atomically thin materials, the phase singularity has been successfully achieved with a significantly enhanced lateral position shift effect. Based on our knowledge, it is the first experimental demonstration of a lateral position signal change > 340 μm at a sensing interface from all optical techniques. With this enhanced plasmonic effect, the detection limit has been experimentally demonstrated to be 10–15 mol L−1 for TNF-α cancer marker, which has been found in various human diseases including inflammatory diseases and different kinds of cancer. The as-reported novel integration of atomically thin Ge2Sb2Te5 with plasmonic substrate, which results in a phase singularity and thus a giant lateral position shift, enables the detection of cancer markers with low molecular weight at femtomolar level. These results will definitely hold promising potential in biomedical application and clinical diagnostics.

The topological charge of an optical vortex is a quantity rather stable against phase distortions, for example, turbulence. This makes the topological charge attractive for optical communications, but for many structured beams it is unknown. Here, we derive the topological charge (TC) of a coaxial superposition of spatially coherent Laguerre–Gaussian beams with different colors, each beam with its own wavelength and its own TC. It turns out that the TC of such a superposition equals the TC of the LG beam with a longer wavelength, regardless of the weight coefficient of this beam in the superposition and regardless of its TC. It is interesting that the instantaneous TC of such a superposition is conserved on propagation, whereas the time-averaged intensity distribution of the colored optical vortex changes its gamut; if, in the near field, the colors of the light rings arrange along the radius according to their TCs in the superposition from lower to greater, then, on space propagation, the colors of the light rings in the cross-section are arranged in reverse order from the greater TC to the lower TC. We also demonstrate that, by choosing appropriate wavelengths (blue, green, and red) in a three-color superposition of single-ringed LG beams, it is possible to generate, at some propagation distance, a time-averaged light ring of the white color. If all the beams in a three-color superposition of single-ringed LG beams have the same TC, then there is a single ring of nearly white light in the initial plane. Then, on propagation in space, light rings of different colors acquire different radii: a smaller ring radius for a shorter wavelength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is characterized by multiple wavelets and rotors. No equation to predict the number of rotors and wavelets observed during fibrillation has been validated in human VF.Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that a single equation derived from a Markov M/M/∞ birth-death process could predict the number of rotors and wavelets occurring in human clinical VF.Methods: Epicardial induced VF (256-electrode) recordings obtained from patients undergoing cardiac surgery were studied (12 patients; 62 epochs). Rate constants for phase singularity (PS) (which occur at the pivot points of rotors) and wavefront (WF) formation and destruction were derived by fitting distributions to PS and WF interformation and lifetimes. These rate constants were combined in an M/M/∞ governing equation to predict the number of PS and WF in VF episodes. Observed distributions were compared to those predicted by the M/M/∞ equation.Results: The M/M/∞ equation accurately predicted average PS and WF number and population distribution, demonstrated in all epochs. Self-terminating episodes of VF were distinguished from VF episodes requiring termination by a trend toward slower PS destruction, slower rates of PS formation, and a slower mixing rate of the VF process, indicated by larger values of the second largest eigenvalue modulus of the M/M/∞ birth-death matrix. The longest-lasting PS (associated with rotors) had shorter interactivation time intervals compared to shorter-lasting PS lasting <150 ms (∼1 PS rotation in human VF).Conclusion: The M/M/∞ equation explains the number of wavelets and rotors observed, supporting a paradigm of VF based on statistical fibrillatory dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exceptional points (EPs), also known as non-Hermitian degeneracies, have been observed in parity-time symmetric metasurfaces as parity-time symmetry breaking points. However, the parity-time symmetry condition puts constraints on the metasurface parameter space, excluding the full examination of unique properties that stem from an EP. Here, we thus design a general non-Hermitian metasurface with a unit cell containing two orthogonally oriented split-ring resonators (SRRs) with overlapping resonance but different scattering rates and radiation efficiencies. Such a design grants us full access to the parameter space around the EP. The parameter space around the EP is first examined by varying the incident radiation frequency and coupling between SRRs. We further demonstrate that the EP is also observable by varying the incident radiation frequency along with the incident angle. Through both methods, we validate the existence of an EP by observing unique level crossing behavior, eigenstate swapping under encirclement, and asymmetric transmission of circularly polarized light.

Here we study theoretically and numerically a Gaussian beam with multiple optical vortices with unitary topological charge (TC) of the same sign, located uniformly on a circle. Simple expressions are obtained for the Gaussian beam power, its orbital angular momentum (OAM), and TC. We show that the OAM normalized to the beam power cannot exceed the number of vortices in the beam. This OAM decreases with increasing distance from the optical axis to the centers of the vortices. The topological charge, on the contrary, is independent of this distance and equals the number of vortices. The numerical simulation corroborates that after passing through a random phase screen (diffuser) and propagating in free space, the beams of interest can be identified by the number of local intensity minima (shadow spots) and by the OAM.

Photons that acquire orbital angular momentum move in a helical path and are observed as a light ring. During helical motion, if a force is applied perpendicular to the direction of motion, an additional radial angular momentum is introduced, and alternate dark spots appear on the light ring. Here, a third, centrifugal angular momentum has been added by twisting the helical path further according to the three-step hierarchical assembly of helical organic nanowires. Attaining a third angular momentum is the theoretical limit for a photon. The additional angular momentum converts the dimensionless photon to a hollow spherical photon condensate with interactive dark regions. A stream of these photon condensates can interfere like a wave or disintegrate like matter, similar to the behavior of electrons.

The analysis of electrical impulse phenomena in cardiac muscle tissue is important for the diagnosis of heart rhythm disorders and other cardiac pathophysiology. Cardiac mapping techniques acquire local temporal measurements and combine them to visualize the spread of electrophysiological wave phenomena across the heart surface. However, low spatial resolution, sparse measurement locations, noise and other artifacts make it challenging to accurately visualize spatio-temporal activity. For instance, electro-anatomical catheter mapping is severely limited by the sparsity of the measurements, and optical mapping is prone to noise and motion artifacts. In the past, several approaches have been proposed to create more reliable maps from noisy or sparse mapping data. Here, we demonstrate that deep learning can be used to compute phase maps and detect phase singularities in optical mapping videos of ventricular fibrillation, as well as in very noisy, low-resolution and extremely sparse simulated data of reentrant wave chaos mimicking catheter mapping data. The self-supervised deep learning approach is fundamentally different from classical phase mapping techniques. Rather than encoding a phase signal from time-series data, a deep neural network instead learns to directly associate phase maps and the positions of phase singularities with short spatio-temporal sequences of electrical data. We tested several neural network architectures, based on a convolutional neural network (CNN) with an encoding and decoding structure, to predict phase maps or rotor core positions either directly or indirectly via the prediction of phase maps and a subsequent classical calculation of phase singularities. Predictions can be performed across different data, with models being trained on one species and then successfully applied to another, or being trained solely on simulated data and then applied to experimental data. Neural networks provide a promising alternative to conventional phase mapping and rotor core localization methods. Future uses may include the analysis of optical mapping studies in basic cardiovascular research, as well as the mapping of atrial fibrillation in the clinical setting.

A differential phase sensor based on a narrowband perfect absorber uses the phase singularity at the point of darkness (100% absorption). Herein, a structure with a top SiO2 layer is proposed that is index matched with a glass flow cell that shows the point of darkness for both s‐ and p‐polarizations. Detailed numerical results to optimize the structure, study the role of fluctuation in thickness and roughness of analyte layer show that the proposed structure has refractive index sensitivity of 147.3° RIU−1. Experimental results of launch angle independent ≈99.9% absorption in the 45°–73° range are reported, with the highest reported till date quality factor in planar narrowband absorbers of ≈42, and high figure of merit of 556 for p‐polarization. The structure also exhibits the generalized Brewster effect with a perfect absorption (≈99.99%) for s‐polarization at ≈74° angle. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate the sensor operation for two different biomolecules at the p‐polarization resonance. The configuration presented is ideal for reusable and cost‐effective biosensors.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is characterized by the repetitive regeneration of unstable rotational events, the pivot of which are known as phase singularities (PSs). The spatial concentration and distribution of PSs have not been systematically investigated using quantitative statistical approaches. Objectives: We utilized a geospatial statistical approach to determine the presence of local spatial concentration and global clustering of PSs in biatrial human AF recordings. Methods: 64‐electrode conventional basket (~5 min, n = 18 patients, persistent AF) recordings were studied. Phase maps were produced using a Hilbert‐transform based approach. PSs were characterized spatially using the following approaches: (i) local "hotspots" of high phase singularity (PS) concentration using Getis‐Ord Gi* (Z ≥ 1.96, P ≤.05) and (ii) global spatial clustering using Moran's I (inverse distance matrix). Results: Episodes of AF were analyzed from basket catheter recordings (H: 41 epochs, 120 000 s, n = 18 patients). The Getis‐Ord Gi* statistic showed local PS hotspots in 12/41 basket recordings. As a metric of spatial clustering, Moran's I showed an overall mean of 0.033 (95% CI: 0.0003‐0.065), consistent with the notion of complete spatial randomness. Conclusion: Using a systematic, quantitative geospatial statistical approach, evidence for the existence of spatial concentrations ("hotspots") of PSs were detectable in human AF, along with evidence of spatial clustering. Geospatial statistical approaches offer a new approach to map and ablate PS clusters using substrate‐based approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a light field with both phase and polarization singularities at its center, expressions are obtained that describe the distribution of the spin angular momentum (SAM) density in the sharp focal spot of an aplanatic system. These expressions include the radial, azimuthal, and longitudinal SAM components. As special cases, focusing of optical vortices with radial, azimuthal, and saddle polarizations is studied. Using the Bessel beam as an example, it is shown that in some areas in the focal plane the longitudinal SAM component is zero (resulting in a photonic wheel), while in others it is an order of magnitude less than the transverse component.

Using the Richards-Wolf formalism, we obtain general expressions for all components of the electric and magnetic strength vectors near the sharp focus of an optical vortex with the topological charge m and nth-order azimuthal polarization. From these equations, simple consequences are derived for different values of m and n. If m=n>1, there is a non-zero intensity on the optical axis, like the one observed when focusing a vortex-free circularly polarized light field. If n=m+2, there is a reverse flux of light energy near the optical axis in the focal plane. The derived expressions can be used both for simulating the sharp focusing of optical fields with the double singularity (phase and polarization) and for a theoretical analysis of focal distributions of the intensity and the Poynting vector, allowing one to reveal the presence of rotational symmetry or the on-axis reverse energy flux, as well as the focal spot shape (a circle or a doughnut).

Myocardial fibrosis is an integral component of most forms of heart failure. Clinical and computational studies have reported that spatial fibrosis pattern and fibrosis amount play a significant role in ventricular arrhythmogenicity. This study investigated the effect of the spatial distribution of fibrosis and fibrosis amount on the electrophysiology and mechanical performance of the human ventricles. Seventy-five fibrosis distributions comprising diffuse, patchy, and compact fibrosis types that contain 10–50% fibrosis amount were generated. The spatial fibrosis distribution was quantified using the fibrosis entropy (FE) metric. Electrical simulations under reentry conditions induced using the S1–S2 protocol were conducted to investigate the fibrosis arrhythmogenicity. We also performed mechanical simulations to examine the influence of the fibrosis amount and the spatial distribution of fibrosis on the pumping efficacy of the LV. We observed that the mean FE of the compact type is the largest among the three types. The electrical simulation results revealed that the ventricular arrhythmogenicity of diffuse fibrosis depends on the fibrosis amount and marginally on the spatial distribution of fibrosis. Meanwhile, the ventricular arrhythmogenicity of the compact and patchy fibrosis pattern is more reliant on the spatial distribution of fibrosis than on the fibrosis amount. The average number of phase singularities (PSs) in the compact fibrosis pattern was the highest among the three patterns of fibrosis. The diffuse type of fibrosis has the lowest average number of PSs than that in the patchy and compact fibrosis. The reduction in the stroke volume (SV) showed high influence from the electrical instabilities induced by the fibrosis amount and pattern. The compact fibrosis exhibited the lowest SV among the three patterns except in the 40% fibrosis amount. In conclusion, the fibrosis pattern is as crucial as the fibrosis amount for sustaining and aggravating ventricular arrhythmogenesis.

Myocardial fibrosis is an integral component of most forms of heart failure. Clinical and computational studies have reported that spatial fibrosis pattern and fibrosis amount play a significant role in ventricular arrhythmogenicity. This study investigated the effect of the spatial distribution of fibrosis and fibrosis amount on the electrophysiology and mechanical performance of the human ventricles. Seventy-five fibrosis distributions comprising diffuse, patchy, and compact fibrosis types that contain 10–50% fibrosis amount were generated. The spatial fibrosis distribution was quantified using the fibrosis entropy (FE) metric. Electrical simulations under reentry conditions induced using the S1–S2 protocol were conducted to investigate the fibrosis arrhythmogenicity. We also performed mechanical simulations to examine the influence of the fibrosis amount and the spatial distribution of fibrosis on the pumping efficacy of the LV. We observed that the mean FE of the compact type is the largest among the three types. The electrical simulation results revealed that the ventricular arrhythmogenicity of diffuse fibrosis depends on the fibrosis amount and marginally on the spatial distribution of fibrosis. Meanwhile, the ventricular arrhythmogenicity of the compact and patchy fibrosis pattern is more reliant on the spatial distribution of fibrosis than on the fibrosis amount. The average number of phase singularities (PSs) in the compact fibrosis pattern was the highest among the three patterns of fibrosis. The diffuse type of fibrosis has the lowest average number of PSs than that in the patchy and compact fibrosis. The reduction in the stroke volume (SV) showed high influence from the electrical instabilities induced by the fibrosis amount and pattern. The compact fibrosis exhibited the lowest SV among the three patterns except in the 40% fibrosis amount. In conclusion, the fibrosis pattern is as crucial as the fibrosis amount for sustaining and aggravating ventricular arrhythmogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RationaleA quantitative framework to summarize and explain the quasi-stationary population dynamics of unstable phase singularities (PS) and wavelets in human atrial fibrillation (AF) is at present lacking. Building on recent evidence showing that the formation and destruction of PS and wavelets in AF can be represented as renewal processes, we sought to establish such a quantitative framework, which could also potentially provide insight into the mechanisms of spontaneous AF termination.ObjectivesHere, we hypothesized that the observed number of PS or wavelets in AF could be governed by a common set of renewal rate constants λf (for PS or wavelet formation) and λd (PS or wavelet destruction), with steady-state population dynamics modeled as an M/M/∞ birth–death process. We further hypothesized that changes to the M/M/∞ birth–death matrix would explain spontaneous AF termination.Methods and ResultsAF was studied in in a multimodality, multispecies study in humans, animal experimental models (rats and sheep) and Ramirez-Nattel-Courtemanche model computer simulations. We demonstrated: (i) that λf and λd can be combined in a Markov M/M/∞ process to accurately model the observed average number and population distribution of PS and wavelets in all systems at different scales of mapping; and (ii) that slowing of the rate constants λf and λd is associated with slower mixing rates of the M/M/∞ birth–death matrix, providing an explanation for spontaneous AF termination.ConclusionM/M/∞ birth–death processes provide an accurate quantitative representational architecture to characterize PS and wavelet population dynamics in AF, by providing governing equations to understand the regeneration of PS and wavelets during sustained AF, as well as providing insight into the mechanism of spontaneous AF termination.

Highlights: A zero-reflection-induced phase singularity is achieved through precisely controlling the resonance characteristics using two-dimensional nanomaterials. An atomically thin nano-layer having a high absorption coefficient is exploited to enhance the zero-reflection dip, which has led to the subsequent phase singularity and thus a giant lateral position shift. We have improved the detection limit of low molecular weight molecules by more than three orders of magnitude compared to current state-of-art nanomaterial-enhanced plasmonic sensors. Detection of small cancer biomarkers with low molecular weight and a low concentration range has always been challenging yet urgent in many clinical applications such as diagnosing early-stage cancer, monitoring treatment and detecting relapse. Here, a highly enhanced plasmonic biosensor that can overcome this challenge is developed using atomically thin two-dimensional phase change nanomaterial. By precisely engineering the configuration with atomically thin materials, the phase singularity has been successfully achieved with a significantly enhanced lateral position shift effect. Based on our knowledge, it is the first experimental demonstration of a lateral position signal change > 340 μm at a sensing interface from all optical techniques. With this enhanced plasmonic effect, the detection limit has been experimentally demonstrated to be 10–15 mol L−1 for TNF-α cancer marker, which has been found in various human diseases including inflammatory diseases and different kinds of cancer. The as-reported novel integration of atomically thin Ge2Sb2Te5 with plasmonic substrate, which results in a phase singularity and thus a giant lateral position shift, enables the detection of cancer markers with low molecular weight at femtomolar level. These results will definitely hold promising potential in biomedical application and clinical diagnostics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: A quantitative framework to summarize and explain the quasi-stationary population dynamics of unstable phase singularities (PS) and wavelets in human atrial fibrillation (AF) is at present lacking. Building on recent evidence showing that the formation and destruction of PS and wavelets in AF can be represented as renewal processes, we sought to establish such a quantitative framework, which could also potentially provide insight into the mechanisms of spontaneous AF termination. Objectives: Here, we hypothesized that the observed number of PS or wavelets in AF could be governed by a common set of renewal rate constants λ f (for PS or wavelet formation) and λ d (PS or wavelet destruction), with steady-state population dynamics modeled as an M/M/∞ birth–death process. We further hypothesized that changes to the M/M/∞ birth–death matrix would explain spontaneous AF termination. Methods and Results: AF was studied in in a multimodality, multispecies study in humans, animal experimental models (rats and sheep) and Ramirez-Nattel-Courtemanche model computer simulations. We demonstrated: (i) that λ f and λ d can be combined in a Markov M/M/∞ process to accurately model the observed average number and population distribution of PS and wavelets in all systems at different scales of mapping; and (ii) that slowing of the rate constants λ f and λ d is associated with slower mixing rates of the M/M/∞ birth–death matrix, providing an explanation for spontaneous AF termination. Conclusion: M/M/∞ birth–death processes provide an accurate quantitative representational architecture to characterize PS and wavelet population dynamics in AF, by providing governing equations to understand the regeneration of PS and wavelets during sustained AF, as well as providing insight into the mechanism of spontaneous AF termination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ince-Gaussian beams (IGBs) are the third complete family of exact and orthogonal solutions of the paraxial wave equation and have been applied in many fields ranging from particle trapping to quantum optics. IGBs play a very important role in optics as they represent the exact and continuous transition modes connecting Laguerre-Gaussian and Hermite-Gaussian beams. The method currently in use suffers from the high cost, complexity, and large volume of the optical system. The superposition of IGBs can generate complicated structured beams with multiple phase and polarization singularities. A metasurface approach is proposed to realizing various superpositions of IGBs without relying on a complicated optical setup. By superimposing IGBs with even and odd modes, multiple phase, and polarization singularities are observed in the resultant beams. The phase and polarization singularities are modulated by setting the initial phase in the design and controlling the incident linear polarization. The compactness of the developed metasurface devices and the unique properties of the generated beams have the potential to impact many practical applications such as particle manipulation, orbital angular momentum spectrum manipulation, and optical communications., (© 2024 The Authors. Advanced Materials published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

PurposeRecent investigations failed to reproduce the positive rotor-guided ablation outcomes shown by initial studies for treating persistent atrial fibrillation (persAF). Phase singularity (PS) is an important feature for AF driver detection, but algorithms for automated PS identification differ. We aim to investigate the performance of four different techniques for automated PS detection.Methods2048-channel virtual electrogram (VEGM) and electrocardiogram signals were collected for 30 s from 10 patients undergoing persAF ablation. QRST-subtraction was performed and VEGMs were processed using sinusoidal wavelet reconstruction. The phase was obtained using Hilbert transform. PSs were detected using four algorithms: (1) 2D image processing based and neighbor-indexing algorithm; (2) 3D neighbor-indexing algorithm; (3) 2D kernel convolutional algorithm estimating topological charge; (4) topological charge estimation on 3D mesh. PS annotations were compared using the structural similarity index (SSIM) and Pearson’s correlation coefficient (CORR). Optimized parameters to improve detection accuracy were found for all four algorithms using Fβ score and 10-fold cross-validation compared with manual annotation. Local clustering with density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) was proposed to improve algorithms 3 and 4.ResultsThe PS density maps created by each algorithm with default parameters were poorly correlated. Phase gradient threshold and search radius (or kernels) were shown to affect PS detections. The processing times for the algorithms were significantly different (p < 0.0001). The Fβ scores for algorithms 1, 2, 3, 3 + DBSCAN, 4 and 4 + DBSCAN were 0.547, 0.645, 0.742, 0.828, 0.656, and 0.831. Algorithm 4 + DBSCAN achieved the best classification performance with acceptable processing time (2.0 ± 0.3 s).ConclusionAF driver identification is dependent on the PS detection algorithms and their parameters, which could explain some of the inconsistencies in rotor-guided ablation outcomes in different studies. For 3D triangulated meshes, algorithm 4 + DBSCAN with optimal parameters was the best solution for real-time, automated PS detection due to accuracy and speed. Similarly, algorithm 3 + DBSCAN with optimal parameters is preferred for uniform 2D meshes. Such algorithms – and parameters – should be preferred in future clinical studies for identifying AF drivers and minimizing methodological heterogeneities. This would facilitate comparisons in rotor-guided ablation outcomes in future works.

Modulation instability is one of the consequences of the water medium's inclination. It causes surface water waves to run into phenomena of splitting and merging in their propagation. An increase in wave amplitude follows this phenomenon, which can encourage the appearance of extreme waves. It is known that the Benjamin Bona Mahony (BBM) wave has modulation instability in its propagation, with the envelope evolving by the equation Nonlinear Schrodinger (NLS) equation dynamic. One of the NLS equation solution is known as Soliton on Finite Background (SFB). SFB is a continuation of the Benjamin-Feir nonlinear terms. Here, the probe of the BBM wave dynamics is conducted by transforming the complex amplitudes form of SFB variable into the polar form of displaced phase-amplitude. It was done to observe changes in the amplitude of the wave in a complex plane with phases that depend only on position. The description of the dynamics of the SFB can be illustrated through Argand diagrams. It was found that the modulation frequency affects the SFB phase: the smaller the modulation frequency, the higher the phase angle. Also, it is found that the phenomenon of SFB phase singularity occurs in extreme waves for certain frequency modulation intervals.

There are representative electrical parameters for understanding the mechanism of reentrant waves in studies on tachyarrhythmia, namely the action potential duration (APD), dominant frequency, phase singularity, and filament. However, there are no studies that have directly identified the correlation between these electrophysiological parameters and cardiac contractility. Therefore, we have identified individual and integrative correlations between these electrical phenomena and contractility during tachyarrhythmia by deriving regression equations and also investigated the electrophysiological parameters affecting cardiac contractility during tachyarrhythmia. We simulated ventricular tachyarrhythmia with 48 types of electrical patterns by applying four reentry generation methods and changing the electrical conductivity of the potassium channel, which has the greatest effect on ventricular tissue. The mechanical responses reflecting electrical complexity were obtained through deterministic simulations of excitation–contraction coupling. We used the stroke volume and amplitude of myocardial tension (ampTens) as the variables representing contractility. We derived stochastic models through single- and multivariable regression analyses to identify the electrical parameters affecting contractility during tachyarrhythmia. In single-variable regression analysis, the APD, dominant frequency, and filament, excluding phase singularity, have statistically significant correlations with the stroke volume and ampTens. Among them, the APD has the maximum influence on these two mechanical parameters (standard beta coefficient: 0.859 for stroke volume, 0.930 for ampTens). The stochastic model using all four electrical parameters fails to accurately predict contractility owing to the multicollinearity between the APD and dominant frequency. We have rederived the multi-variable stochastic model using three electrical parameters without the APD. The filament has the greatest effect on the stroke volume stochastically (standard beta coefficient: 0.853 and 0.752). The dominant frequency has the greatest effect on ampTens statistically (standard beta coefficient: −0.813). We conclude that among the electrical parameters, the APD has the highest individual influence on mechanical contraction, and the filament has the highest integrative influence in both statistical terms.

The topological charge of an optical vortex is a quantity rather stable against phase distortions, for example, turbulence. This makes the topological charge attractive for optical communications, but for many structured beams it is unknown. Here, we derive the topological charge (TC) of a coaxial superposition of spatially coherent Laguerre–Gaussian beams with different colors, each beam with its own wavelength and its own TC. It turns out that the TC of such a superposition equals the TC of the LG beam with a longer wavelength, regardless of the weight coefficient of this beam in the superposition and regardless of its TC. It is interesting that the instantaneous TC of such a superposition is conserved on propagation, whereas the time-averaged intensity distribution of the colored optical vortex changes its gamut; if, in the near field, the colors of the light rings arrange along the radius according to their TCs in the superposition from lower to greater, then, on space propagation, the colors of the light rings in the cross-section are arranged in reverse order from the greater TC to the lower TC. We also demonstrate that, by choosing appropriate wavelengths (blue, green, and red) in a three-color superposition of single-ringed LG beams, it is possible to generate, at some propagation distance, a time-averaged light ring of the white color. If all the beams in a three-color superposition of single-ringed LG beams have the same TC, then there is a single ring of nearly white light in the initial plane. Then, on propagation in space, light rings of different colors acquire different radii: a smaller ring radius for a shorter wavelength.

The transformation of (l,n)th mode Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) laser beam, in the process of its diffraction by a curved fork-shaped grating with topological charge p, is theoretically studied. The analytical solutions for the diffracted wave field amplitudes are derived in the Fresnel regime and in the back focal plane of a convergent lens. The zeroth-diffraction order is found as (l,n)th mode LG beam. The higher, (± m) th diffraction-order beam is described in the radial direction through a product of the Gauss-doughnut function by the double sum of hypergeometric Kummer functions. Its topological charge can be increased or reduced compared to that of the incident beam, or it can be equal to zero. The radial intensity distributions are plotted and compared to the corresponding ones valid when a fork-shaped grating is used. The results are specialized for the cases of incident LG beams of modes (l, n = 0), (l = 0,n) and (l = 0,n = 0) i.e. Gaussian mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Without explicit coil sensitivity information acquired by means of a reference body coil, multi‐channel signal combination for water‐fat separation (WFS) can be challenging due to channel‐dependent phase offsets and chemical‐shift dependent phase shifts. This study aims to develop a referenceless, robust, accurate, and fast channel combination method for WFS. Theory and Methods: A dual‐step multi‐channel combination method is proposed. In the first step, channel‐dependent phase offsets are estimated with a preliminary WFS estimation. In the second step, the multi‐channel data are combined after removing phase offsets. Thereafter, WFS is performed to obtain final results. Numerical simulations (4–64 coils) and in vivo experiments (8, 16, 28 coils) at 3T field strength are conducted to compare the proposed method to previous methods. Channel combination with a body‐coil scan serves as the reference for in vivo experiments. Results: The proposed method estimates channel‐dependent phase offsets accurately. It shows improved robustness to phase singularities than weighted mean and adaptive reconstruction. It is faster than adaptive reconstruction (e.g., 25.45 versus 46.34 s with 28 coils) and the channel‐by‐channel WFS method (e.g., 21.77 versus 50.04 s with 8 coils). It provides comparable fat quantification accuracy to the reference under various reasonable signal‐to‐noise ratio conditions (e.g., Pearson correlation coefficient r = 0.981 with P < 0.01, for in vivo fat fractions using flip angle = 10°). Conclusion: The proposed referenceless channel combination method may be beneficial to both qualitative and quantitative water‐fat imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are representative electrical parameters for understanding the mechanism of reentrant waves in studies on tachyarrhythmia, namely the action potential duration (APD), dominant frequency, phase singularity, and filament. However, there are no studies that have directly identified the correlation between these electrophysiological parameters and cardiac contractility. Therefore, we have identified individual and integrative correlations between these electrical phenomena and contractility during tachyarrhythmia by deriving regression equations and also investigated the electrophysiological parameters affecting cardiac contractility during tachyarrhythmia. We simulated ventricular tachyarrhythmia with 48 types of electrical patterns by applying four reentry generation methods and changing the electrical conductivity of the potassium channel, which has the greatest effect on ventricular tissue. The mechanical responses reflecting electrical complexity were obtained through deterministic simulations of excitation–contraction coupling. We used the stroke volume and amplitude of myocardial tension (ampTens) as the variables representing contractility. We derived stochastic models through single- and multivariable regression analyses to identify the electrical parameters affecting contractility during tachyarrhythmia. In single-variable regression analysis, the APD, dominant frequency, and filament, excluding phase singularity, have statistically significant correlations with the stroke volume and ampTens. Among them, the APD has the maximum influence on these two mechanical parameters (standard beta coefficient: 0.859 for stroke volume, 0.930 for ampTens). The stochastic model using all four electrical parameters fails to accurately predict contractility owing to the multicollinearity between the APD and dominant frequency. We have rederived the multi-variable stochastic model using three electrical parameters without the APD. The filament has the greatest effect on the stroke volume stochastically (standard beta coefficient: 0.853 and 0.752). The dominant frequency has the greatest effect on ampTens statistically (standard beta coefficient: −0.813). We conclude that among the electrical parameters, the APD has the highest individual influence on mechanical contraction, and the filament has the highest integrative influence in both statistical terms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The methodology of training neural network can effectively detect the phase and polarization singularities simultaneously. • The dynamics diffuser is implemented to imitate the air diffraction during the process of transmission. • Identification for two singularities in the same time improves the channel capacity in optic communication. Phase and polarization singularities are two important quantities for cylindrical vector vortex beams (CVVBs), and the efficient and accurate detection of both singularities simultaneously is of great importance. At present, various approaches such as meta-surfaces, holograms and other techniques have been implemented to detect optical singularities, but all of them suffer from either low light efficiency or poor discrimination. Besides, it remains a challenge to detect both singularities simultaneously. In this manuscript, we proposed a novel approach to simultaneously detect phase and polarization singularities of CVVBs by implementing deep learning into the optical system. CVVBs are firstly scattered to speckle patterns by a randomly changing scatterer. Here, the implement of the diffuser realistically reflects the air disturbance imposed on light field during transmission. Then the powerful feature finding capability of deep learning is used to reveal the mapping relationship between singularities carried by the incident beam onto the generated speckle pattern image. It is demonstrated that a well-trained network can recognize incident phase and polarization singularities simultaneously with an accuracy of up to 99%. Moreover, the scatter is positioned on a constantly rotating motor, which means one identical beam can be scattered into many decorrelated speckle pattern images. It has been demonstrated that the trained network can still fulfill the incident mode recognition task perfectly which confirms the generalization ability of the network. We finally implemented the method to an optical information transmission application. We believe the proposed method would open a new gate to manipulation and utilization of optical singularities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]