Continuously tuneable single electrode pair liquid crystal optical vortex generators.

In this work, we demonstrate the use of two-photon polymerization direct laser writing in the production of continuously tuneable optical vortex beam (OV) generators in a liquid crystal (LC) layer sandwiched between glass substrates. Results are presented that show how an OV generator can be inscribed into a 20 μm-thick LC layer and how the order of the OV beam can be tuned with the application of a voltage. Importantly, only a single pair of electrodes is needed to tune the order of the vortex as the required phase profile is generated through the 3D structuring of the polymer network using the laser writing process.

'Once that's worn off, we could discuss whether you need more': provider perspectives on communicating with patients and other providers about prescription opioids.

Background: Prescriber-patient communication plays a crucial role in understanding patients' needs, while reducing risks for developing an opioid use disorder (OUD), yet research on this is sparse. As such, the need to understand healthcare providers' skills, comfort, and confidence when discussing opioids with patients and other providers is an important step in balancing patients' needs from a pain perspective and risks from an OUD perspective.

Method: We interviewed 32 Massachusetts providers (physicians, physician associates, nurse practitioners, and dental practitioners) to assess their communication strategies with patients and other providers.

Topological protection of optical skyrmions through complex media.

Optical Skyrmions have many important properties that make them ideal units for high-density data applications, including the ability to carry digital information through a discrete topological number and the independence of spatially varying polarization to other dimensions. More importantly, the topological nature of the optical Skyrmion heuristically suggests a strong degree of robustness to perturbations, which is crucial for reliably carrying information in noisy environments. However, the study of the topological robustness of optical Skyrmions is still in its infancy.

Diabetes Control and Clinical Outcomes among Children Attending a Regional Paediatric Diabetes Service in Australia.

Australian children with diabetes commonly struggle to achieve optimal glycaemic control, with minimal improvement observed over the past decade. The scarcity of research in the rural and regional Australian context is concerning, given high incidence rates and prominent barriers to healthcare access in these areas. We conducted a retrospective audit of 60 children attending a regional Australian paediatric diabetes service between January 2020 and December 2023.