Er<sup>3+</sup>-doped ZBLAN fiber lasers have been widely investigated for generating high-power high-efficiency 2.8 μm mid-infrared lasers. High-power multimode 980 nm semiconductors are generally used as convenient pump sources in Er<sup>3+</sup>-doped ZBLAN fiber lasers. However, the longer lifetime of the lower laser level (<sup>4</sup>I<sub>13/2</sub>, 9.9 ms) than that of the upper laser level (<sup>4</sup>I<sub>11/2</sub>, 6.9 ms) results in severe self-terminating transition. Although highly Er-doped fibers with improved energy transfer upconversion rates can alleviate this problem to some extent, there are still significant limitations in heat load management. On the other hand, the 1.6–1.7 μm laser is used as another pumpscheme due to the partial spectral overlap between ground state absorption (GSA) and excited state absorption (ESA) for population inversion. This pump scheme demonstrates a slope efficiency of up to 50%. However, due to the weak GSA process, a ten-meter-long active fiber is required. To address this issue, we propose a dual-wavelength (1.5 μm and 1.7 μm) pumping technique to achieve high-efficiency 2.8 μm laser output by using an Er<sup>3+</sup>-doped ZBLAN fiber with meter-level length. A simulation model is established for the dual-wavelength pumping scheme. This scheme combines the strong GSA process in the 1.5 μm band and the strong ESA process in the 1.7 μm band to accelerate the population accumulation on the lower laser level, promote the absorption of the 1.7 μm pump, and thereafter enable the conversion to 2.8 μm laser over much shorter gain fiber. By considering the intensities of ground state absorption and emission of the <sup>4</sup>I<sub>15/2</sub>→<sup>4</sup>I<sub>13/2</sub> transition, the pump at 1470 nm is selected to efficiently populate the Er<sup>3+</sup> to the lower laser level. Then the second pump is optimized to a wavelength of 1680 nm to achieve rapid particle extraction from the lower laser level, thereby realizing population inversion for efficient 2.8 μm laser generation over a meter-long gain fiber. Using the optimized pump wavelengths, the simulation of a 2.8 μm fiber laser based on a 0.5 m-long 0.015 mol/mol erbium-doped fluoride fiber shows that when a 20 W 1680 nm laser is used as the main pump source, only a 1.2 W 1470 nm auxiliary pump is required to achieve a 12.2 W 2.8 μm laser output, with an optical efficiency as high as 58.2%. Furthermore, the fiber laser simulation indicates that when the powers of the two pumps satisfy the relationship of <i>P</i><sub><i>λ</i>2</sub> = 20<i>P</i><sub><i>λ</i>1</sub>-4, the output power of the laser system can reach its maximum value. The dual-wavelength pumping technique proposed in this work enables high-efficiency 2.8 μm mid-infrared laser generation by using meter-long Er<sup>3+</sup>-doped fluoride fiber, which significantly improves the laser system integration and economic benefits.

In recent years, digital technologies have been applied extensively in many branches of industry. As a result of this, the effects of digital transformation have also begun to be seen in agricultural production. One of the areas of use of agricultural technologies is land leveling. Land leveling is one of the first processes to be done in agricultural production. Correct or incorrect land leveling will directly affect other stages of agricultural production. With correct land leveling, many benefits such as saving on irrigation, correct planting norm, increasing product yield, reducing weed problems, and making the product suitable for harvest will be seen. The most modern method used in land leveling is laser leveling machines. However, traditional leveling methods are generally used. For this study, how 13 farmers producing wheat in the Şanlıurfa Region leveled their land and the accuracy of the slopes they obtained were determined. For this purpose, geographic information systems (GIS) and devices used in mapping (distance measuring device, height measurement device, coordinate determination device) and their methods were used. In this study, the elevation and slope values of 13 fields where wheat is produced in Şanlıurfa region were examined. The values pre- and post-leveling were analyzed according to A-B (elevation-1), C-D (elevation-2), E-F (elevation-3) elevations. As a result of the research, a decrease in the elevation levels (A-B elevation) of the enterprises before and after land leveling was detected. In addition, although not statistically significant, a decrease was also observed in E–F (Elevation 3) levels and overall average elevation values. Although the slope did not show a statistically significant decrease after land leveling, it was determined that the slope values at the points A-B, C-D, E-F and the general average slope decreased.

Emission Kinetics of Yb3+ Upper Laser Level in Optical Ceramics of Different Thicknesses Based on Y2O3

Background:Current practices in gluteal augmentation with hyaluronic acid (HA) lack standardization. In this study, we propose a novel technique for volume assessment, marking, and the application of HA gluteal augmentation, focusing on achieving optimal results with minimal injection volume.Methods:Twenty-six women received HA injections guided by markings based on anatomical landmarks and desired aesthetics. A laser level and specific points were used to define an ovoid-shaped base with 3 key areas (areas I, II, and III) for targeted HA distribution. A maximum volume of 100 mL (average 40.4 mL) was used for each patient.Results:Hip circumference increased slightly after treatment. Immediately after HA application, the average increases in hip circumference at and 2 cm above the symphysis pubis level were 1.1 and 2.2 cm, respectively. Danilla D point increased by 1.7 cm immediately and by 2.6 cm at 1 month posttreatment. These changes were statistically significant (hip circumference: χ² = 51.1, P < 0.05; Danilla D point: χ² = 47.60, P < 0.05). We evaluated the reproducibility and teachability of the HA gluteal augmentation technique using a questionnaire (LEARN-Q HAGA) in which most participants reported a high degree of confidence and competence in performing the technique. Additionally, the desired aesthetic outcomes and patient satisfaction were evaluated using the GLUTEUS-Q questionnaire.Conclusions:This standardized marking and application technique addressed the limited HA volume by strategically targeting specific gluteal regions. This approach aims to achieve optimal buttock augmentation with minimal complications.

Dy3+:InF3 fiber shows promise for 4.4 μm mid-infrared lasing, but the much shorter lifetime of its upper laser level compared to the lower level causes inevitable self-termination. While cascade 4.4 μm/3 μm lasing has been proposed as a potential solution, this method faces complex configuration and an extremely high pump threshold (&gt;30 W under continuous-wave operation), rendering it impractical for high-power use, especially given InF3’s soft-glass nature. To address the self-termination challenge and enable the low-threshold, high-efficiency lasing, this study proposes, for the first time to our knowledge, a dual-wavelength cascade-pumping scheme utilizing 2.8 μm and 2.4 μm pumps. Numerical simulations demonstrate that the dual-wavelength cascade-pumped Dy3+:InF3 fiber laser exhibits an optical-to-optical efficiency of up to 18.4% and a maximum slope efficiency of 38.5%. The total pump threshold is as low as 5.4 W, remarkably lower than that required by the cascade lasing approach. This work provides a viable solution and design guidelines for the development of 4 μm-class mid-infrared fiber lasers.

We propose a new power-scaling approach for 3 µm Er-doped solid-state lasers based on 1.6 µm signal injection into a 976 nm-pumped Er-doped oscillator. The injected signal depletes the upper laser level 4I13/2 through amplification, which reduces the laser threshold and enhances the 3 µm slope efficiency. A comprehensive theoretical analysis, including population dynamics and photon densities, is conducted to compare threshold behavior and output powers at 2.8 µm and 1.6 µm with and without signal injection. Our experimental validation using two different Er:Lu2O3 gain crystals doped with 4.5 at.% and 7 at.% confirms the predicted improvements. Injecting 3.89 W at 1.6 µm reduces the laser threshold by 15.2% and 8.6%, respectively. At 30 W absorbed pump power, the 3 µm output increases to 1.83 W and 5.03 W, corresponding to enhancements of 18.1% and 3.9% over the case without 1.6 µm injection. Moreover, the 1.6 µm output increases by 10.0% and 7.2% using the two crystals.

Near-surface doping of lithium tantalate crystals with trivalent praseodymium ions (Pr3+) with concentrations up to 0.5 at.% was performed using high-temperature in-diffusion. In these substrates, planar waveguides were subsequently fabricated by in-diffusion of thin Zn or Zr metal films. Doping with the latter metals not only increases the refractive index, but also enhances the crystal's resistance to photorefractive damage, in the short visible wavelength range. In the final step of fabrication, ridge waveguides with near-rectangular cross sections were fabricated by diamond-blade dicing, allowing for propagation of visible light. Propagation losses of about 0.3 dB/cm and optical damage thresholds up to several hundreds of milliwatt were achieved for blue light at 405 nm wavelength. The Pr3+-doped waveguides were further optically characterized using absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, and the lifetime of potential upper laser levels was measured. Combination of spectroscopic properties of Pr3+-doped lithium tantalate and its high resistance to photorefractive damage due to Zn (Zr) co-doping, makes these LT ridge waveguides what we believe to be a promising novel platform for compact integrated active devices in the visible spectral range.

Introduction. Photographing patients is an affordable and justified method of diagnosis and documentation, which should be actively used when contacting patients with pathology of the musculoskeletal system. At the same time, the basic requirements for the execution of photographs have not yet been agreed upon, with the help of which a comprehensive assessment of the current state and changes can be carried out. The creation of optimal standards for photogrammetry would improve the information content of the results, would allow for exchange between specialists, including in related fields. Aim. To substantiate standardized approaches to performing medical photography of patients with orthopedic pathology to improve qualitative and quantitative assessment of orthopedic status indicators and treatment continuity. Materials and methods. The publication describes the experience of practical application of photogrammetry in assessing the orthopedic status of patients with musculoskeletal pathology and possible ways of standardization for performing medical photography. Results and discussion. As a result of the work, the following conclusions can be drawn: performing 4 photos of the body (rear view, side view with full head and leg capture, Adams test from front and back) in 95–98 % of cases, it allows you to diagnose static disorders of the spine and lower extremities. When assessing the function of a limb (amplitude of movements in joints) or conducting functional tests, it is justified to document the examination area as fully as possible with the capture of conjugate segments. When photographing, it is necessary to ensure uniform, not bright illumination from the center of the photographed area in order to preserve the penumbra and the possibility of assessing the asymmetry of the body surface. When photographing a patient, the camera should be correctly oriented in three planes of space to eliminate distortions associated with its tilt. To do this, it is possible to use software solutions or photograph the patient against the background of reference rectangular objects (followed by the use of photo editors). To improve the perception and analysis of photographs, it is justified to use auxiliary tools and solutions (software applications, laser levels, markings on the patient’s body, diagnostic grids, projection of video images onto the patient’s body, uniform non-bright illumination to contrast asymmetries of the body surface, etc.). Conclusion. It is advisable to photograph the patient so that the analyzed area of the body occupies 80–95 % of the screen area. The diagonal of the mobile device screen for visual evaluation is at least 8 inches (optimally 11–12 inches for tablets or more in the case of stationary monitors). The ability to scale the resulting image is important, as it allows you to detail the observed changes. The integration of photographs of patients with visible pathology of the musculoskeletal system into medical information systems with the ability to analyze images is promising.

Pakistani farmers are reluctant to quickly adopt improved wheat varieties that are inevitable for increasing wheat yield. Majority use the previous year’s farm produce as seeds to save the seed cost but incur opportunity cost in terms potential yield loss. Objective is to estimate the adoption and impact of improved high yielding wheat varieties on rural households’ income food security and poverty levels in Punjab, Pakistan. The determinants of adoption and impact evaluation of IWV (Improved Wheat Varieties) can be assessed using Propensity Score Matching (PSM). The empirical results revealed that there were several constraints to adoption related to human capital, village assets, household assets, infrastructure and institutional support. Most important out of this long list were education, experience, land holding, wheat area sown, land rent, soil quality, land fragmentation, slop, use of laser leveler, agricultural extension services, metal road, availability of credit facility, variety rust resistant, irrigation cost, ZT Drill, seed rate, seed drill, highest education, female farm worker, male farm worker, family members, and location at distributary. Lack of knowledge, education, institutional support, agricultural extension services, as well as household assets drives the adoption of improved wheat varieties.

A high-entropy (Er0.2Lu0.2Y0.2Sc0.2Gd0.2)2O3 mixed sesquioxide crystal fiber was grown by the laser-heated pedestal growth (LHPG) method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed that (Er0.2Lu0.2Y0.2Sc0.2Gd0.2)2O3 exhibits a single-phase cubic structure. Detailed investigations have been conducted on its absorption spectrum, fluorescence spectrum, and fluorescence lifetime. Judd-Ofelt (J-O) analysis was performed to calculate the spontaneous emission probabilities, branching ratio, and the radiative lifetime. The absorption cross-section at 981 nm was calculated to be 3.11 × 10−21 cm2. The emission cross section of 4I11/2→4I13/2 transition at 2720 nm was 0.19 × 10−20 cm2 with the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 45.3 nm. The effects of structural disorder and lattice distortion contribute to the non-uniform broadening of the spectrum. The fluorescence lifetimes of the upper (4I11/2) and lower (4I13/2) laser levels were determined to be 0.16 and 0.42 ms, respectively. All the results demonstrate the high potential of Er3+-doped high-entropy mixed sesquioxide for tunable and ultrafast laser generation in the mid-infrared range.

A field experiment was carried out in the winter season of 2017-18 at the engineering farm of navsari agricultural university in navsari, india, to assess how land leveling and configuration techniques affect sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) productivity, water usage, and economic returns in heavy-textured black soils (58% clay) with poor physical properties and limited rainfall during the crop period (37 mm). The study employed a factorial randomized block design with three replications, examining three land leveling methods: an unleveled control (0.05% slope), conventional land leveling, and laser-guided land leveling. It also evaluated three land configurations: ridge and furrow, double-row bed planting (90 cm), and triple-row bed planting (150 cm). Results indicated that laser-guided land leveling significantly enhanced growth attributes, yield components, and resource-use efficiency compared to the control. This method achieved the highest grain yield (4000 kg ha-1), fodder yield (16,998 kg ha-1), and water use efficiency (WUE) of 17.0 kg ha-1 mm-1. Among the land configurations, double-row bed planting yielded the highest grain (3367 kg ha-1), fodder (16,717 kg ha-1), and WUE (16.1 kg ha-1 mm-1), outperforming both ridge and furrow and triple-row systems. Laser leveling also led to reduced irrigation time and depth, improving irrigation efficiency. Economic analysis indicated the highest net return (` 70,492 ha-1) and benefit-cost ratio (3.4) with laser leveling, while double-row bed planting yielded the highest net return among configurations (` 69,163 ha-1). The findings suggest that integrating laserguided land leveling with double-row bed planting can significantly improve sorghum productivity, irrigation efficiency, and profitability in the heavy black soils of south gujarat.

The purpose of the presented research is a detailed analysis of the spatial distribution of the gravitational field at the fundamental gravimetric point of Russia “Ledovo” and the creation of a mathematical model of this field in order to determine the value of gravity at any point on the pedestal surface and above it with an error of up to 1 µGal. Gravimetric observations were carried out in March–April 2024 at forty points on the pedestal surface and at three height levels above it using a relative gravimeter CG-6 Autograv installed on a specialized stand. Deviations from a given height at different points were monitored using a laser level. The performed measurements made it possible to calculate the vertical gradient of gravity and evaluate its changes within a separate gravimetric point. The obtained values of the acceleration of gravity on the pedestal surface and at different levels of heights above it made it possible to calculate the quadratic dependences of the change in gravity on the height for each studied point on the pedestal surface, mathematically describing the spatial changes in the gravitational field above the pedestal relative to the mark. The vertical deviations of the pedestal surface from the mark of the gravimetric point were determined using a laser level and the error caused by it was estimated.

Introduction. Primary headaches (PH), including tension-type headache (TTH), have a strong negative impact on the quality of life and academic success of children. Posture disorders, particularly upper crossed syndrome (UCS), play an important role in the development and chronicization of TTH.Aim. To study the influence of UCS on the clinical picture of TTH in children and the effectiveness of non-pharmacological methods of correction.Materials and methods. A total of 113 children aged 14–17 years were examined. Frequent or chronic TTH with the presence of UCS was diagnosed in 70 children (main group), 43 children with infrequent TTH or without headache without TTH were included in the control group. Examination included history taking, neurological examination, posture assessment with laser leveler and mechanoalgometry. Treatment included kinesiotaping and training of correct motor stereotype.Results. Patients with UCS showed significantly greater forward head tilt angle, asymmetry of the shoulder girdle, decreased pain threshold of pericranial muscles, increased frequency and intensity of headache compared to controls (p &lt; 0.001). Three months after treatment, there was a statistically significant decrease in head tilt angle, asymmetry of the shoulder girdle, increase in pain threshold and decrease in headache intensity and frequency (p &lt; 0.001) to the level of the control group.Conclusions. UCS is a significant factor in the development and chronicization of TTH in children. Non-medicamentous correction with kinesiotaping and training in correct motor stereotypes are effective in restoring normal posture and reducing clinical manifestations of TTH.

The split-well resonant phonon (SWRP) THz quantum cascade laser (QCL) is a novel design scheme introduced in previous studies, demonstrating significant potential due to its reduced overlap between doped regions and active laser states. This structural advantage was expected to mitigate ionized impurity scattering (IIS) and improve overall device performance, motivating a detailed investigation of the transport mechanisms. Here, we analyze the SWRP design using nonequilibrium Green's function (NEGF) simulations. Our analysis of the SWRP-based THz QCL design reveals key mechanisms limiting its high-temperature performance and provides a pathway for significant improvement. In our study, we found that the injector level and the upper laser level (ULL) exhibit different population distributions, suggesting that injection coupling can be further enhanced to improve the temperature performance. Additionally, backfilling remains a limiting factor, which could be mitigated by increasing the energy separation between the lower laser level (LLL) and the injector level beyond 36 meV. Furthermore, our analysis highlights that interface roughness (IFR) significantly impacts optical gain and spectral broadening. We propose improving the design by reducing Al content in the barriers to reduce the interface roughness scattering, for example, by implementing mixed potential barriers, maintaining the injector at 30% aluminum while reducing other barriers to 15%. Our findings provide valuable insights into the high-temperature performance of SWRP-based THz QCLs and establish clear guidelines for further optimization, potentially pushing the design beyond the current state-of-the-art.

In this paper, we report the use of ammonia as the buffer gas in the acetylene-filled hollow-core fiber gas laser (A-HCFGL) in which the power conversion efficiency of continuous-wave (CW) operation reaches a record of 35.74%, the highest reported so far to the best of our knowledge. The intermolecular collision with ammonia assists the depopulation of lower laser levels of acetylene, which otherwise relies on the non-radiation relaxation by collision with the fiber core only. About 3.9 W CW laser output power is achieved at the 3.1 μm wavelength. A numerical model illustrates the buffer gas enhancement effect and explore the optimization of A-HCFGL for high output power and slope efficiency.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of the Frankfort horizontal (FH), sella-nasion horizontal (SN-h), optic, and orbitooccipital planes by assessing their variabilities relative to a true horizontal line (TrH) in Class 1, 2, and 3 patients. Eighty-one pre-treatment lateral cephalometric radiographs (LCRs) (27 each from Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 based on ANB (°) were taken in the natural head position (NHP). NHP was created using a laser level creating the true vertical line and the TrH perpendicular to the true vertical. The inclinations of the anatomic reference planes were compared with the TrH. The orbitooccipital and FH planes were closest to the TrH, with mean values of -0.55 ± 3.26 and -0.60 ± 3.67, respectively. The mean value for the SN-h was 3.33 ± 4.40, whereas the mean value for the optic plane was 4.46 ± 4.58. The ranges were high for all anatomic planes: -9.03° to 8.22° for the FH plane, -8.79° to 6.49° for the orbitooccipital plane, -9.87° to 13.16° for the SN-h, and -4.21° to 16.43° for the optic plane. No significant differences were found in relation to skeletal patterns (orbitooccipital plane; p=0.05, FH plane: p=0.115, SN-h; p=0.156, optic plane; p=0.063, respectively). Regarding sex, there was a significant difference in the optic plane in only Class 1 females (p=0.024). The FH and orbitooccipital planes are not the same TrH, but they are the closest reference planes. Variations in reference planes affect diagnosis and therapy.

Tm3+-doped YLF crystals with different doping concentrations are grown and investigated for their suitability for continuous-wave laser operation on the 3H4→3F4 transition around 1.5 µm. Our spectroscopic investigations reveal the emission, absorption, and gain cross sections as well as the concentration-dependent lifetime of the relevant energy levels. Self-termination of the laser is circumvented in a cascade laser scheme 3H4→3F4→3H6 for efficient depopulation of the long-living lower laser level 3F4. In this way, simultaneous laser operation at 1509 nm and 1923nm with slope efficiencies of 44% and 35% and pump-power-limited output powers of 590 mW and 670 mW are obtained under 781-nm Ti:sapphire laser pumping, respectively.

The interplay of LDLR, PCSK9, and lncRNA- LASER genes expression in coronary artery disease: Implications for therapeutic interventions.

This article highlights contemporary difficulties including new salt leaching technologies for reducing salinity in cotton fields. Also, the impact of dividing fields into floors with a check mark (check mark) on salt leaching requirements in laser leveled areas. Field studies were carried out in five different research fields from February to March 2024 in compliance with specific methodological requirements. The experiments were carried out on farms in the Urgench area of the Khorezm region, where laser leveling work was finished in early 2024 while considering soil salinity and mechanical properties. The soil samples were collected from the research sites before and after the salt leaching period to establish the success of the process, the level of salinity, and the mechanical composition of the soil. Samples were analyzed in a laboratory to determine the level of soil salinity and the amount of salts (anions and cations - Cl&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;-&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt;, HCO&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;3-&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt;, Sa&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;+2&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt;, and Mg&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;+2&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt;), and the mechanical composition of the soil was assessed using the Kachinsky method based on the water-physical properties. The results showed that high-quality field leveling (±2 cm) with laser levelers improves salt leaching quality, maintains uniform water depth, and prepares the region for seed planting, as demonstrated in a 16-hectare experimental field. However, other factors also affect this, such as the depth of plowing the field, the intensity of water entering the field, the amount of water consumed, and the availability of water during irrigation (day and night).

Improving the efficiency of lasers without complex structures, expensive elements, and precise optimization will lead to cost reductions and increased practicality. Here, it is first shown theoretically that the dependence of the optical-to-optical conversion efficiency on the laser beam waist (minimum laser spot) radii for a Yb:YAG laser with a simple structure decreases extremely with increasing pump intensity and efficiency. Not only is the optimum range for highest efficiency wide, but even if the radii are doubled, the efficiency decreases by only a few percentage points or less at the maximum pump intensity of 450 kW/cm2. Therefore, it is possible to achieve sufficiently high efficiencies without precise optimization by high-intensity pumping. In the experiment, at a pump wavelength of 940 nm, corresponding to pump-level pumping, the maximum efficiency was 75.2% for the incident pump power at the corresponding maximum intensity. On the other hand, at a pump wavelength of 968 nm, corresponding to direct pumping of the upper laser level, the maximum efficiency was 76.0% at about 60% of the maximum. Although the pump focus is slightly off from the optimum, these efficiencies are close to the theoretical maximum at the corresponding pump intensities. Since no complex gain medium is used, there is almost no efficiency reduction due to parasitic oscillations, despite the high pump intensities. These results demonstrate the high practicality of high-intensity pumping for high-efficiency lasers.