Analysis of Electro-Optical Behavior in Liquid Crystal Cells with Asymmetric Anchoring Strength

Liquid crystal director distributions have been numerically analyzed between asymmetric anchoring surfaces, that is, infinitely strong and very weak anchoring strength interfaces. In a hybrid aligned nematic (HAN) cell and a twisted nematic (TN) cell, HAN and TN orientations turn to a homogeneous orientation when the weak anchoring strength is lower than a critical one. Relationships between the anchoring strength and elastic constants of the liquid crystal were analyzed to be of a quasi-homogeneous orientation. The quasi-homogeneous orientation returned to the original HAN and TN orientations under voltage application. Low-driving electro-optical properties with no threshold voltage can be obtained in a quasi-homogeneous HAN cell. A unique voltage–transmission curve of 0–100–0% appeared in a quasi-homogeneous TN cell between the crossed polarizers.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Number of Research and Publications-A Review

COVID-19 is having a major effect not only on healthcare delivery systems but also on the science and research sector. The pandemic of COVID-19 immediately closed universities as well as colleges all over the world, amid government orders to adopt social distance, which could help to flatten the transmission curve and decrease the total mortality from the pandemic. Fundamental scientific studies have been especially difficult hit as a result of statewide lockdown restrictions, whilst clinical researchers have encountered similar difficulties as a result of the cessation of medical care and a sudden return to full-time clinical tasks. The number of publications on COVID-19 has rapidly and dramatically increased. This emphasizes the importance of collaborating with other medical research facilities in addition to intra-institute cooperation and collaboration. One method to modify the picture of clinical research is to incorporate additional innovation into the study's design.

Study on Transmission Characteristics and Bandgap Types of Plasma Photonic Crystal

A plasma photonic crystal (PPC) was formed using an array of discharge plasma tubes. The transmission spectra and bandstructure of PPCs with different lattice types under different polarization modes were studied through simulation and measurement. To study the types of bandgap in PPCs, the bandstructure of the PPC is calculated using symplectic finite difference time domain (SFDTD), a modified plane wave expansion (PWE) method, and a finite element method (FEM) based on weak form equations. The bandstructure of the PPC is compared with the transmission curve results. The results show that the bandgap is stable in the PPC, and the experimental and numerical results of the transmission spectra agree well. There are different types of bandgap in the PPC; the bandgap under TE-like polarization is caused by localized surface plasmon (LSP) and Bragg scattering. The bandgap under TM-like polarization is caused by the cutoff effect of plasma on the electromagnetic wave and Bragg scattering. The lattice type also affects the position and number of the bandgap. The three methods have their advantages and disadvantages when calculating bandstructure. Therefore, it is necessary to combine the results of three methods and experimental results to accurately determine the bandgap type of the PPC.

Use of increased concentrations of adenosinediphosphate for high residual platelet reactivity in patients with coronary heart disease

Detection of a tendency to increased thrombosis in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) is of important prognostic value in the selection of drugs aimed at achieving a persistent antithrombotic effect. The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of elevated ADP inducer concentrations to improve the accuracy of ADP-induced platelet aggregation in patients with coronary heart disease. Material and method. Material and method. We studied 48 patients with CHD who were on continuous double antiplatelet therapy for 6 months (aspirin 75mg and clopidogrel 75mg per day). The aggregation activity of the platelet suspension was studied using the Born method G. in the modification of Gabbasov Z. A. Platelet activity was evaluated by the degree of aggregation of platelet-rich plasma along the light transmission curve under the influence of the inducer adenosine diphosphate (ADP) at a concentration of 2 mmol/l and by its own patented method against the background of additional ADP application. Results. In patients, platelet aggregation decreased to 5-35% (p<0.005) compared to the standard values, which are 50-60%. The values of platelet aggregation with the additional introduction of the inducer of aggregation ADP in a ratio of 2:1 to 2 µmol/l for 1, 2, 3, and 4-minute registration of platelet aggregation, resulted in increased aggregation from 55% to 75% (p<0.001), indicating high residual platelet reactivity on the background of double antiplatelet therapy. Correlations of the degree of aggregation for elevated ADP concentrations with multivessel arterial lesion and dyslipidemia were also found, r=0.86 and r=0.92, respectively. Conclusion. The use of elevated concentrations of adenosine diphosphate in platelet aggregation in patients with ischemic heart disease increases the accuracy of assessing ADP-induced platelet aggregation against the background of dual antiplatelet therapy and contributes to the detection of high residual platelet reactivity.

Characterization of the X-ray spectrum of a linear accelerator

The Nuclear Measurement Laboratory (LMN) at CEA Cadarache in France uses a high-energy electron linear accelerator, LINAC (9-21 MeV), to characterize nuclear waste drums. It enables to explore new examination modalities, such as active photon interrogation or dualenergy CT to scan large concrete objects with diameters up to 140 cm. These techniques require precise awareness of the photon spectrum emitted by the LINAC. However, direct measure of this photon energy spectrum cannot be achieved because of the accelerator pulses causing detector saturation. During the last few years, a large number of indirect methods has been developed. From an experimental point of view, the simplest indirect method for spectrum estimation method is ransmission measurements. Because it can be set up easily and accurately using an ionization chamber as well as an appropriate screen. The obtained transmission curve depends on the photon energy spectrum, which can be estimated using inverse models. In this paper, we present the development of a numerical model to determine the energy spectrum from an attenuation curve via transmission measurements which combines two types of inverse models: a continue model and a discrete model. We validate this tool using a test spectrum and its transmission curve obtained via Monte-Carlo simulation. This qualification allowed us to determine its sensitivity (signal-to-noise ratio, SNR) in order to have a good convergence. We show that if the SNR is less than 4%, we have a good estimation of the photon energy spectrum. Then, it was experimentally tested with a transmission curve obtained at the laboratory.

A nonlinear magnonic nano-ring resonator

The field of magnonics, which aims at using spin waves as carriers in data-processing devices, has attracted increasing interest in recent years. We present and study micromagnetically a nonlinear nanoscale magnonic ring resonator device for enabling implementations of magnonic logic gates and neuromorphic magnonic circuits. In the linear regime, this device efficiently suppresses spin-wave transmission using the phenomenon of critical resonant coupling, thus exhibiting the behavior of a notch filter. By increasing the spin-wave input power, the resonance frequency is shifted, leading to transmission curves, depending on the frequency, reminiscent of the activation functions of neurons, or showing the characteristics of a power limiter. An analytical theory is developed to describe the transmission curve of magnonic ring resonators in the linear and nonlinear regimes, and is validated by a comprehensive micromagnetic study. The proposed magnonic ring resonator provides a multi-functional nonlinear building block for unconventional magnonic circuits.

Relationship between understanding of COVID-19's infographics and the efforts to prevent COVID-19 transmission

The prevention of disease transmission is an effective cost-strategy in controlling COVID-19. The scenario of the control of COVID-19 in Samarinda City consists of 3 phases, namely initial, advanced, and recovery. The outcome of the advanced phase is flattening the transmission curve of the COVID-19 pandemic, with an increased proportion of patients in recovery, and an increased culture of preventing disease transmission in society. This study aimed at knowing the influence of the understanding of COVID-19 infographics on the efforts to prevent COVID-19 transmission at the advanced phase. A survey was conducted via social media from April 21st to April 30th, 2020. The preventive actions for the disease transmission as the dependent variable in this study were social distancing, wearing a mask, washing hands, and efforts to enhance the body’s immunity, while the independent variable was the understanding of COVID-19 infographics updated daily. The results of the study showed that the proportion of the population who understood the infographics well was 79.5%, the community participation in practicing social distancing (81.6%), wearing a mask (50.9%), washing hands as frequently as possible (74.3%), and the efforts to strengthen the body’s immune system (73.6%) with a consistency level of 55.12%. The lowest rate for the activity of social distancing was visiting elders or the people suffering from comorbidities with 54.71%. A good understanding of infographics could increase adherence to the recommendations of social distancing. The implementation of social distancing, wearing a mask, washing hands as frequently as possible, and the efforts to improve the body’s immune system need to be done consistently to prevent the COVID-19 transmission and as a result, the potential transmission could be minimized to optimize the recovery phase and anticipate the possible second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Patients’ case scenario as well as approaches and strategies adopted to manage COVID-19 pandemic at Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India

Corona virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a severe acute respiratory infection caused by corona virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). It originated from Wuhan city of China in December 2019 and spread like a wild fire to the entire globe and was declared as global pandemic by WHO on March 11, 2020. With no available cure and vaccine, this disease has taken a mammoth toll on the human life; therefore, SMS (‘Social Distancing’, use of ‘Mask’ and regular hand washing with ‘Soap’) has emerged as a sole tool to prevent its spread. The Indian government declared the first lockdown from March 25th 2020 with subsequent second, third and fourth lockdowns up to 31st March 2020 to decrease the disease transmission and flatten the disease transmission curve. Aligarh Muslim University is one of the prestigious central and residential universities in India. It is located in Aligarh district adjoining national capital region. The university has an attached tertiary care ‘Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Hospital’. This narrative review discusses the various steps and procedures taken up by the university and hospital administration, other functionaries, faculty members and doctors in tackling the serious pandemic until 22nd June 2020. The proactive role of administration, dedication and hard work of health care professionals and innovation of some academicians has given a new vista of opportunities to tackle this global health pandemic. The recovery rate of coronavirus patients at AMU hospital is recorded as 71.9%, which is much higher than national average recovery rate (56%). Thus, AMU model gives some positive insights to fight the current global pandemic. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.19(0) 2020 p. S 28-S 35

Possibilities of "Crushing" the Transmission Curve of COVID-19 in Latin America - We Still Have Time

Latin America is suppose to have significant advantages over other developing regions, such as Asia and Africa, given the time where the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), causing the Coronavirus Diseases 2019 (COVID-19), arrived, mainly from Europe. This occurred on February 26, 2020. Then, multiple previous measures were taken in order to prevent and mitigate the impact of pandemic in the region. In the current mini-review update we discuss the possibilities of “crushing” the transmission curve of COVID-19 in the region after two months of the arrival of this emerging coronavirus.