Immunofluorescence analyses of respiratory epithelial cells aid the diagnosis of nephronophthisis.

Background: Nephronophthisis (NPH) comprises a heterogeneous group of inherited renal ciliopathies clinically characterized by progressive kidney failure. So far, definite diagnosis is based on molecular testing only. Here, we studied the feasibility of NPHP1 and NPHP4 immunostaining of nasal epithelial cells to secure and accelerate the diagnosis of NPH.

Design of Polymer Carriers for Optimized Pheromone Release in Sustainable Insect Control Strategies.

Semiochemicals such as pheromones play a major role in communication between insects, influencing their spatial orientation, aggregation, defense, and mating. The rational chemical design of precision pheromone-releasing materials are increased the efficiency of pheromone-based plant protection agents. Decades of research is begun to unravel the complex communication structures regulated by semiochemicals, from the neuronal perception of specific chemical substances to the behavioral responses in hundreds of species, including many devastating pest insects.

Numerical analysis of micro-optics based single photon sources via a combined physical optics and rigorous simulations approach.

The use of 3D printed micro-optical components has enabled the miniaturization of various optical systems, including those based on single photon sources. However, in order to enhance their usability and performance, it is crucial to gain insights into the physical effects influencing these systems via computational approaches. As there is no universal numerical method which can be efficiently applied in all cases, combining different techniques becomes essential to reduce modeling and simulation effort.

Freeform surface for light shaping by iterative design via Fourier domain.

We extend our previous work [Yang et al., Opt. Express29, 3621 (2021)10.

Antiderivative of gradient data by spline model integration.

Numerous optical techniques describe the local slope of the functions at their discrete positions but do not report the actual functions. However, many applications require the description of the functions, which must be retrieved from the gradients by an integration process. This study shows a spline model function-based integration technique that can construct original functions from irregularly measured gradient data over general shape domains with high accuracy and speed.

Wavefront phase representation by Zernike and spline models: a comparison.

A comparative analysis of spline and Zernike models is presented for wavefront phase construction. The techniques are analyzed on the basis of representation accuracy, computational costs, and the number of samples used for representation. The strengths and weaknesses of each model over a set of various wavefront phases with different domain shapes are analyzed.

Light-shaping design by a fourier pair synthesis: the homeomorphic case.

From a physical-optics point of view, the far-field light-shaping problem mainly requires a Fourier pair synthesis. The Iterative Fourier Transform Algorithm (IFTA) is one of the algorithms capable of realizing this synthesis, however, it may lead to stagnation problems when the fields of the Fourier pair exhibit a homeomorphic behavior. To overcome this problem, we use a mapping-type relation for the Fourier pair synthesis.

Numerical analysis of tiny-focal-spot generation by focusing linearly, circularly, and radially polarized beams through a micro/nanoparticle.

Obtaining a tiny focal spot is desired for super resolution. We do a vectorial numerical analysis of the linearly, circularly, and radidally polarized electromagnetic fields being focused through a dielectric micro/nanoparticle of size comparable to the wavelength. We find tiny focal spots (up to ∼0.

Generalized far-field integral.

The propagation of light in homogeneous media is a crucial technology in optical modeling and design as it constitutes a part of the vast majority of optical systems. Any improvements in accuracy and speed are therefore helpful. The far-field integral is one of the most widely used tools to calculate diffraction patterns.

Generalized Debye integral.

The Debye integral is an essential technique in physical optics, commonly used to efficiently tackle the problem of focusing light in lens design. However, this approximate method is only valid for systems that are well designed and with high enough Fresnel numbers. Beyond this assumption, the integral formula fails to provide accurate results.

Genuine-field modeling of partially coherent X-ray imaging systems.

A genuine representation of the cross-spectral density function as a superposition of mutually uncorrelated, spatially localized modes is applied to model the propagation of spatially partially coherent light beams in X-ray optical systems. Numerical illustrations based on mode propagation with VirtualLab software are presented for imaging systems with ideal and non-ideal grazing-incidence mirrors.

Vectorial physical-optics modeling of Fourier microscopy systems in nanooptics.

Fourier microscopy, which makes direct observation of the angular distribution possible, is widely used in the nanooptics community. The theory of such systems is typically based on ideal lenses. However, the real lenses in the typical complex lens systems have an impact on the image quality in the experiment.

Light shaping by freeform surface from a physical-optics point of view.

Modeling techniques for light-shaping systems with freeform surface are presented from a physical-optics point of view. We apply the modeling techniques to different light-shaping systems with freeform surfaces designed by "ray mapping method". The simulation results show that the design is not always valid.

k-domain method for the fast calculation of electromagnetic fields propagating in graded-index media.

A conceptually straightforward method for the fast calculation of electromagnetic fields propagating in graded-index media is presented. More specifically, in this method, we convert Maxwell's curl equations into the spatial-frequency domain to obtain an ordinary differential equation (ODE), and subsequently solve the ODE with the 4-order Runge-Kutta method. Compared to the traditional beam propagation methods, this method deals with vectorial fields accurately, without physical approximations, like the scalar field approximation or the paraxial approximation; numerically, this method takes advantage of the fast Fourier transform and the convolution theorem to achieve an efficient calculation.

Theory and algorithm of the homeomorphic Fourier transform for optical simulations.

The introduction of the fast Fourier transform (FFT) constituted a crucial step towards a faster and more efficient physio-optics modeling and design, since it is a faster version of the Discrete Fourier transform. However, the numerical effort of the operation explodes in the case of field components presenting strong wavefront phases-very typical occurrences in optics- due to the requirement of the FFT that the wrapped phase be well sampled. In this paper, we propose an approximated algorithm to compute the Fourier transform in such a situation.

Physical-optics propagation through curved surfaces.

Curved surfaces are the basic elements of various optical components and systems such as microscopy systems, diffractive optical elements, freeform components, microlens arrays, etc. In order to model the propagation through curved surfaces fully vectorially and fast, the local plane interface approximation (LPIA) [Appl. Opt.

Isolating the Gouy phase shift in a full physical-optics solution to the propagation problem.

The Gouy phase shift has remained an object of fascination since its discovery by the eponymous scientist at the end of the nineteenth century. The reason behind this uninterrupted interest resides, at least in part, in the fact that the Gouy effect is to be found in the borderland between geometrical optics and diffractive behavior. Using purely mathematical arguments in a full electromagnetic solution to the propagation problem, it is possible to derive a formula where all the physical effects that we know must appear are laid bare, including the Gouy phase.

Application of the semi-analytical Fourier transform to electromagnetic modeling.

The Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm makes up the backbone of fast physical optics modeling. Its numerical effort, approximately linear on the sample number of the function to be transformed, already constitutes a huge improvement on the original Discrete Fourier Transform. However, even this orders-of-magnitude improvement in the number of operations required can fall short in optics, where the tendency is to work with field components that present strong wavefront phases: this translates, as per the Nyquist-Shannon sampling theorem, into a huge sample number.

Non-paraxial idealized polarizer model.

An idealized polarizer model that works without the structural and material information is derived in the spatial frequency domain. The non-paraxial property is fully included and the result takes a simple analytical form, which provides a straight-forward explanation for the crosstalk between field components in non-paraxial cases. The polarizer model, in a 2 × 2-matrix form, can be conveniently used in cooperation with other computational optics methods.

Fast propagation of electromagnetic fields through graded-index media.

Graded-index (GRIN) media are widely used for modeling different situations: some components are designed considering GRIN modulation, e.g., multi-mode fibers, optical lenses, or acousto-optical modulators; on the other hand, there are other components where the refractive-index variation is undesired due to, e.

Bleeding during veno-venous ECMO cannot reliably be predicted by rotational thrombelastometry (ROTEM™).

Introduction: Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vvECMO) used for respiratory support is associated with clinical bleeding in at least one third of patients. Mechanisms promoting bleeding, like acquired von Willebrand syndrome, cannot be identified by routine coagulation tests. This study was performed to evaluate rotational Thrombelastography (ROTEM™) for specific results predicting bleeding events during vvECMO.

Algorithm for the propagation of electromagnetic fields through etalons and crystals.

We investigate the propagation of general electromagnetic fields through optical layer structures made of either isotropic or anisotropic media, by using the spectrum-of-plane-waves analysis together with the S-matrix method. We also develop an algorithm based on the fast Fourier transform technique, with a numerically efficient sampling rule. By using this algorithm in combination with other system modeling techniques, we present a few simulation examples, such as field propagation through an isotropic Fabry-Perot etalon, as well as uniaxial crystal slabs with arbitrary orientation and optic axis direction.

Heterogeneous environments shape invader impacts: integrating environmental, structural and functional effects by isoscapes and remote sensing.

Spatial heterogeneity of ecosystems crucially influences plant performance, while in return plant feedbacks on their environment may increase heterogeneous patterns. This is of particular relevance for exotic plant invaders that transform native ecosystems, yet, approaches integrating geospatial information of environmental heterogeneity and plant-plant interaction are lacking. Here, we combined remotely sensed information of site topography and vegetation cover with a functional tracer of the N cycle, δN.

Conditions Promoting Mycorrhizal Parasitism Are of Minor Importance for Competitive Interactions in Two Differentially Mycotrophic Species.

Interactions of plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) may range along a broad continuum from strong mutualism to parasitism, with mycorrhizal benefits received by the plant being determined by climatic and edaphic conditions affecting the balance between carbon costs vs. nutritional benefits. Thus, environmental conditions promoting either parasitism or mutualism can influence the mycorrhizal growth dependency (MGD) of a plant and in consequence may play an important role in plant-plant interactions.