Magnifying Glass Research Articles

Under the magnifying glass: A combined 3D model applied to cloudy warm Saturn-type exoplanets around M dwarfs

Warm Saturn-type exoplanets orbiting M dwarfs are particularly suitable for an in-depth cloud characterisation through transmission spectroscopy because the contrast of their stellar to planetary radius is favourable. The global temperatures of warm Saturns suggest efficient cloud formation in their atmospheres which in return affects the temperature, velocity, and chemical structure. However, a consistent modelling of the formation processes of cloud particles within the 3D atmosphere remains computationally challenging. We explore the combined atmospheric and micro-physical cloud structure and the kinetic gas-phase chemistry of warm Saturn-like exoplanets in the irradiation field of an M dwarf. The combined modelling approach supports the interpretation of observational data from current (e.g. JWST and CHEOPS) and future missions (PLATO, Ariel, and HWO). A combined 3D cloudy atmosphere model for HATS-6b was constructed by iteratively executing the 3D general circulation model (GCM) expeRT/MITgcm and a detailed kinetic cloud formation model, each in its full complexity. The resulting cloud particle number densities, particle sizes, and material compositions were used to derive the local cloud opacity which was then used in the next GCM iteration. The disequilibrium H/C/O/N gas-phase chemistry was calculated for each iteration to assess the resulting transmission spectrum in post-processing. We present the first model atmosphere that iteratively combines cloud formation and 3D GCM simulation and applied it to the warm Saturn HATS-6b. The cloud opacity feedback causes a temperature inversion at the sub-stellar point and at the evening terminator at gas pressures higher than 10$^ $ bar. Furthermore, clouds cool the atmosphere between $10^ $ bar and 10 bar, and they narrow the equatorial wind jet. The transmission spectrum shows muted gas-phase absorption and a cloud particle silicate feature at $ The combined atmosphere-cloud model retains the full physical complexity of each component and therefore enables a detailed physical interpretation with JWST NIRSpec and MIRI LRS observational accuracy. The model shows that warm Saturn-type exoplanets around M dwarfs are ideal candidates for a search for limb asymmetries in clouds and chemistry, for identifying the cloud particle composition by observing their spectral features, and for identifying in particular the cloud-induced strong thermal inversion that arises on these planets.

Septum of the penis - dissection, anatomical description and functional relevance.

The septum of the penis or the pectiniform septum (from Latina pecten) is a connective structure that separates the two corpora cavernosa of the penis. It is formed through the joining of the circular fibers of the tunica albuginea, which envelops the corpora cavernosa. The septum neither completely separates, nor entirely joins the two corpora cavernosa. We dissected the penile septum in 10 formalized bodies. The dissections were carried out using magnifying lenses, emphasizing the connective structures. We studied the structure of the septum using transverse and sagittal dissection planes. We identified the penile septum as a structure consisting of clusters of tendinous cords incompletely separating the two cavernous structures. The septum completely separates the two corpora cavernosa in its posterior segment. As we progress forward, the septum starts resembling the tendinous cords that attach to the papillary muscles of the heart. These cords are differentiated from the internal layer of the albuginea of each corpus cavernosum. We evaluated the opportunity of considering the anterior and posterior intercavernous ligaments as septal structures. In this type of construction, the septum maintains both the hemodynamic and mechanical coherence of the cavernous structures and allows penile movement more efficiently than a continuous septal structure. The septum enables the lengthening of the penis and simultaneous filling with blood of both its corpora cavernosa through the transseptal vascular anastomosis. This allows for penile deformation during erection to be avoided. Our study also provides a description of the way the corpora cavernosa attach to the bulbus of corpus spongiosum.

Relationship between triradii angles and blood pressure among adolescents of Ebira ethnic group of Kogi State, Nigeria

Dermatoglyphics have been wildly studies to identify and classify individual and population. Several health and disease conditions have been reported to present unique dermatoglyphic patterns. This study was aimed at investigating the relationship between triradii angles on the palm and the blood pressure of selected dialects of Ebira ethnic group. A total of 591 subjects (Ebira-Tao, n=199; Ebira-Etuno, n=196; Ebira-Koto, n=196), both males and females randomly selected participated in this study. The palm prints of participants were collected using the ink and roller method and analyzed for the triradii points and measurements of triradii angles using a hand magnifying lens. The participants’ resting blood pressure; systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured by manual auscultation using a sphygmomanometer. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, and Chi-Square. The three dialects had mean SBP and DBP within the normal range. The triradii angles revealed mean acute angles across the three dialects in the order atd < dat < adt angles. There were differences in means triradii angles across the blood pressure categories (normal, low and high) for the three dialects in males and females as higher atd and dat angles were significantly related to higher blood pressure. This was also corroborated by the test for association. In conclusion, there was a significant relationship between blood pressure and some triradii angles in two out of the three dialects. Hence, triradii angles may be an indicator for individuals with the tendency to develop high blood pressure.

Experiences of social burden amongst survivors of breast cancer in Gaza: A qualitative study

PurposeThis qualitative study explores how social-cultural factors can either amplify or attenuate prospects for social support following a breast cancer diagnosis. The aim of the study is to analyse narratives of individuals diagnosed with breast cancer to examine how the illness influences social support and hence their post-illness experiences. MethodsForty semi-structured interviews, including thirty-eight with breast cancer survivors, are analysed using a grounded theory approach. Data were collected between September 2020 and April 2021. ResultsParticipants' perceptions indicate that three main factors influenced experiences and the level of social support received. The first involves stigmatised cancer-related discourses and practices affecting women's social interactions and roles. The second is specific to (ex)married participants. It reveals how the foundation of marriage prior to the illness is a determining and influencing factor in the experience of women after illness. The third demonstrates how specific social identities enable coping, negotiation, and challenging cancer-related stigma, turning their experiences toward positivity. ConclusionsThe study concludes that breast cancer acts as a figurative magnifying glass, illuminating latent social practices in the community. This highlights the need to nurture existing social bonds or address the fragility of ties within distinct social categories. The research suggests implementing customised support interventions aligned with each group of survivors' unique needs. Furthermore, enhancing awareness within patients' social networks regarding the illness and how to provide support, along with enhancing survivors' financial security through economic empowerment, may contribute to more effective coping with the social consequences of the illness.

A leitura de Hegel de Alexandre Kojève e seu duplo legado

Kojève represents a pivotal point not only for the reception of Hegel in the 20th century, but for continental philosophy as a whole. By reading Hegel unilaterally, with a magnifying glass on the logic of the lord-bondsman relationship, Kojève imploded the traditional philosophy of history and anticipated, from within Hegelianism, treatments of historical temporality that would appear in opposition to Hegel with the emergence of French structuralism. In Kojève’s reading, humanism and the strong notion of a subject who produces the world also collapse of their own weight. The author thus demonstrates how this “double unavailability”– of man and of history – that so well characterizes continental philosophy in the second half of the 20th century finds its precursor in Kojève’s seminars. (Translator’s abstract).

Seeing the light: key inventions that illuminate our world

Abstract In the vast expanse of the electromagnetic spectrum the role of light has been paramount in shaping human civilisation as its applications extend beyond mere illumination. This paper delves into the profound influence of light-based technologies on society, culture and various scientific fields by exploring the understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum and highlighting seminal inventions developed from our understanding of it. Historically the visible spectrum served as humanity’s primary interface with light, giving rise to basic tools like the magnifying glass and the prism. However, the 19th and 20th centuries heralded groundbreaking revelations about the broader spectrum—discovering rays invisible to the naked eye from gamma rays to radio waves. This understanding stimulated technological revolutions, profoundly altering our daily lives and global infrastructures. Prominent inventions such as the radio, televison, X-ray machines, optical fibres and lasers, each harnessing distinct parts of the spectrum, have propelled advancements in communication, medicine, materials and information technology. Additionally light technologies have been pivotal in critical breakthroughs in quantum mechanics, relativity and astrophysics, deepening our understanding of the Universe. Light-based technologies rooted in our evolving comprehension of the electromagnetic spectrum have indelibly impacted our world. From fundamentally altering industries to reshaping daily rituals the influence of light is a testament to humanity’s enduring quest for progress and understanding.

Measurement of inkjet droplet speed using interference fringe by diffracted light

Inkjet printers are key technologies in manufacturing organic light-emitting diodes and quantum dot light-emitting diode panels, but precise measurement and control of inkjet droplets remains challenging. The international standard, IEC 62899-302-1, uses shadow image-based measurement with high magnification microscopes to observe picoliter-sized droplets. However, high magnification lens results in a shallow depth of field or narrow optimal measurement area, causing the blurring image if the droplet does not pass through the optimal measurement area. To solve this, we propose using the interference image-based measurement with interference fringe patterns by inkjet droplets as a tool to measure the flight speed of droplets. The interference fringe patterns can be obtained simply passing the droplet through within the light beam path, providing approximately 1000× wider measurement area compared to the shadow image-based measurement, making it practical to use in the industry. The flight speed of droplets analyzed with the interference image-based measurement at various frequencies and amplitudes of the inkjet driving voltage were compared with the shadow image-based measurement. The interference image-based measurement showed a coefficient of variation of less than 3%, showing higher repeatability than the shadow image-based measurements.

Mathematics Apps Under the Magnifying Glass – An Analysis of the Inventory of Math Apps for Primary Schools Using German-Language Apps as A Case Study

Mathematics Apps Under the Magnifying Glass – An Analysis of the Inventory of Math Apps for Primary Schools Using German-Language Apps as A Case Study

Cryogenic nano-imaging of second-order moiré superlattices.

Second-order superlattices form when moiré superlattices with similar periodicities interfere with each other, leading to larger superlattice periodicities. These crystalline structures are engineered using two-dimensional materials such as graphene and hexagonal boron nitride, and the specific alignment plays a crucial role in facilitating correlation-driven topological phases. Signatures of second-order superlattices have been identified in magnetotransport experiments; however, real-space visualization is still lacking. Here we reveal the second-order superlattice in magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene closely aligned with hexagonal boron nitride through electronic transport measurements and cryogenic nanoscale photovoltage measurements and evidenced by long-range periodic photovoltage modulations. Our results show that even minuscule strain and twist-angle variations as small as 0.01° can lead to drastic changes in the second-order superlattice structure. Our real-space observations, therefore, serve as a 'magnifying glass' for strain and twist angle and can elucidate the mechanisms responsible for the breaking of spatial symmetries in twisted bilayer graphene.

Steering toward sustainability: Can dual circulation development mitigate CO2 emissions? —Evidence from China

To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve high-quality economic development, China has proposed another development pattern called dual circulation development (CIR), along with the goals of “carbon neutrality and carbon peaking”. Based on the data of prefecture-level cities and above from 2006 to 2021, the fixed-effects model, 2SLS model, mediation model, threshold model, and spatial Durbin model are used to discuss the role of CIR in affecting CO2 emissions. Results demonstrate that (1) the overall CO2 emissions exhibit a decreasing trend from 2006 to 2021, and the CIR presents an upward trend. CIR and CO2 emissions show apparent geographical differences. (2) CIR effectively reduces CO2 emissions, and this effect exhibits clear heterogeneity of different regions, resource endowment, and pilot free trade zone. CIR mitigates CO2 emissions by enhancing technological innovation and promoting human capital mobility. Market scale and industrial structure optimization act as a “magnifying glass”, amplifying the impact of CIR on reducing CO2 emissions. (3) The negative spatial spillover effect of CIR on CO2 emissions shows a “V” shape characterized by strengthening and then weakening in the range of 0–700 km. At this point, the 700 km mark represents the decay boundary. Findings suggest that the government should enhance the domestic market environment and improve the quality of foreign trade to fulfill the role of CIR in mitigating CO2 emissions. These empirical evidence and feasible measures are provided for some countries to reduce CO2 emissions while promoting economic development.

Impact of dispensing optical, nonoptical, and electronic devices on the visual function of students attending the schools for the blind

Background: Many students attending schools for the blind have some vision that can be made use of to improve their vision function. Aims: Our study aimed to assess the impact of optical, nonoptical, and electronic devices on vision function of visually impaired students. Setting and Design: This prospective interventional study was conucted in schools for the blind in western Maharashtra, India. Methods: Students attending schools for the blind were evaluated with history-taking, visual acuity tests, ocular examinations, fundoscopy, and low vision workup in 2022–2023. The LV Prasad Functional Vision Questionnaire assessed impact on vision function, before and after 3-month adaptation period. Results: Five hundred and thirty-five students aged 5–25 years with visual acuity <6/60 in the better eye from eight schools were evaluated. Among them, 172 (31.77%) received low vision aids, with 144 (84.70%) using nonoptical devices such as NoIR filters, Caps, Typo scopes, and White canes. Optical devices such as telescopes and magnifiers in 35 and electronic devices like portable video magnifier in 11 students. Forty-six received all three types. There was a significant enhancement (P < 0.001) in tasks related to distance, near vision, mobility, and outdoor lighting conditions for students using nonoptical devices alone or combined with optical aids and video magnifiers. Among the 119 (70%) students using nonoptical devices, 80 (67.22%) exclusively used them, while 42 (32.77%) combined them with other aids, showing even more substantial improvement. Conclusion: Optical, nonoptical and electronic, when used together improved vision function of visually impaired students.

Sleep disorders and Parkinson's disease: is there a right direction?

In the last years, the hypothesis of a close relationship between sleep disorders (SDs) and Parkinson's disease (PD) has significantly strengthened. Whether this association is causal has been also highlighted by recent evidence demonstrating a neurobiological link between SDs and PD. Thus, the question is not whether these two chronic conditions are mutually connected, but rather how and when this relationship is expressed. Supporting this, not all SDs manifest with the same temporal sequence in PD patients. Indeed, SDs can precede or occur concomitantly with the onset of the clinical manifestation of PD. This review discusses the existing literature, putting under a magnifying glass the timing of occurrence of SDs in PD-neurodegeneration. Based on this, here, we propose two possible directions for studying the SDs-PD relationship: the first direction, from SDs to PD, considers SDs as potential biomarker/precursor of future PD-neurodegeneration; the second direction, from PD to SDs, considers SDs as concomitant symptoms in manifest PD, mainly related to primary PD-neuropathology and/or parkinsonian drugs. Furthermore, for each direction, we questioned SDs-PD relationship in terms of risk factors, neuronal circuits/mechanisms, and impact on the clinical phenotype and disease progression. Future research is needed to investigate whether targeting sleep may be the winning strategy to treat PD, in the context of a personalized precision medicine.

Assessing the composition and abundance of beneficial fauna trapped in Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) traps in peach orchards in Tunisia

Experiment on trapping non-target arthropods in conventional delta traps baited with Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824) female attractant was undertaken in multi-variety peaches orchards in the north East of Tunisia during the cultivation season (from May 2022 to September 2022). Hence, 24 Delta traps having white sticky panels were placed in the experimental site and inspected generally at weekly interval. Captured insects were determined to family level visually using a manual magnifying glass when possible, or gently removed and identified in the laboratory under binocular microscope either on family or species levels. Results indicated that traps attracted very low number of non-target arthropods compared to Mediterranean fruit fly adults. Collected species belonged to families: Apidae, Halictidae, Colletidae, Megachilidae, Braconidae, Ichneumonidae, Scelionidae, Pteromalidae, Torymidae, Chalcididae, Eucoilidae, Syrphidae, Pompilidae, Crabronidae, Coccinellidae, Chrysopidae and Formicidae. In total, more than 700 adults of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens, 1836) were attracted and 53 % of captured individuals are parasitic wasp species belonging particularly to Pteromalidae and Scelionidae families. Compared to the highest level of MedFly capture, the effect of delta traps baited with the female attractants on beneficials can be considered as insignificant (Kruskal-Wallis test ANOVA H = 35.6947, P < 0.00001). Hence, trapping grid can be used to monitor the population of MedFly without hazardous effects on beneficial insect fauna.

Most State Medicaid Programs Cover Routine Eye Exams For Adults, But Coverage Of Other Routine Vision Services Varies.

More than twelve million US adults ages forty and older are affected by vision impairment, and projections suggest that this number will double by 2050. Although most vision impairment can be eliminated with corrective lenses, many adults lack access to routine eye care. In this study, we analyzed detailed state-by-state Medicaid policies for 2022 and documented variability in coverage for adult vision services. Most fee-for-service Medicaid programs covered routine eye exams, although many did not cover glasses (twenty states) or low vision aids (thirty-five states), and about two-thirds of states with routine coverage required enrollee cost sharing. Managed care plans generally provided consistent or enhanced coverage relative to fee-for-service programs, although coverage sometimes varied between plans within a state. We estimated that about 6.5million and 14.6million adult enrollees resided in states without comprehensive coverage for routine eye exams and glasses, respectively. These findings reveal important gaps and opportunities for states to increase access to routine vision care.

Discrete magnification lens model: A new hybrid multi-scale modelling method for fluid-particle systems

We present a novel hybrid multi-scale model, referred to as “discrete magnification lens” method, which utilizes a computational fluid dynamics coupled to discrete element method (CFD-DEM) approach within a specific region of interest in a two-fluid model (TFM) simulation. We applied the discrete magnification lens to the crossing jet problem, where the TFM fails due to lack of considering bi-modal velocity distribution in its formulation. It was observed that adopting the discrete magnification lens, can effectively alter the non-physical behavior of the TFM to obey the behavior seen from CFD-DEM simulations. Moreover, the ability of the discrete magnification lens in reproducing particle clusters and improving the TFM predictions in case of unbounded fluidization simulations was further shown. We found that the discrete magnification lens can effectively enhance the TFM predictions in a complex fluid-particle system while requiring less numerical costs compared to the full-scale CFD-DEM simulations.

Systematic Effects in Galaxy-Galaxy Lensing with DESI

The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) survey will measure spectroscopic redshifts for millions of galaxies across roughly 14,000deg2 of the sky. Cross-correlating targets in the DESI survey with complementary imaging surveys allows us to measure and analyze shear distortions caused by gravitational lensing in unprecedented detail. In this work, we analyze a series of mock catalogs with ray-traced gravitational lensing and increasing sophistication to estimate systematic effects on galaxy-galaxy lensing estimators such as the tangential shear γt and the excess surface density ΔΣ. We employ mock catalogs tailored to the specific imaging surveys overlapping with the DESI survey: the Dark Energy Survey (DES), the Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC) survey, and the Kilo-Degree Survey (KiDS). Among others, we find that fiber incompleteness can have significant effects on galaxy-galaxy lensing estimators but can be corrected effectively by up-weighting DESI targets with fibers by the inverse of the fiber assignment probability. Similarly, we show that intrinsic alignment and lens magnification are expected to be statistically significant given the precision forecasted for the DESI year-1 data set. Our study informs several analysis choices for upcoming cross-correlation studies of DESI with DES, HSC, and KiDS.

Interference-enhanced micro-vision-based single-shot imaging of five degrees-of-freedom error motions for ultra-precision rotary axes

The measurement of five degrees-of-freedom (5-DOF) error motions, including radial, axial, and tilt motions, is crucial for ultra-precision rotary axes, which are key components of ultra-precision machine tools and instrumentation. In this study, we propose an interference-enhanced micro-vision technique to concurrently derive the 5-DOF error motions from a single-shot two-dimensional image, which was captured by a standard industrial camera equipped with an interference objective lens. By consolidating the essential features into a single optical path, the interference-enhanced micro-vision technique ingeniously merges machine micro-vision and modified white-light interference to detect in-plane and out-of-plane motions. Numerical simulations demonstrated, the basic principle for deriving the 5-DOF error motions, and the magnification of objective lens had inconsistent effects on the measurement accuracy for the radial and tilt motions, i.e. higher magnification led to higher radial accuracy but lower tilt accuracy. As practical application, the error motion detection capability was demonstrated by simultaneously measuring the 5-DOF synchronous and asynchronous error motions for a typical air bearing spindle at rotation speeds of 8.33, 108.33, and 308.33 rpm. The synchronous errors were nearly identical at various spindle speeds. However, because of system dynamics, increased vibrations were observed to be superimposed on the basic tilt error motions as the spindle speeds increased, which were verified by the vibration marks imprinted on the turned surfaces. For the 5-DOF motion measurements, the least-square fitting using large-volume edge and greyscale data of the captured image enabled super-high resolutions, despite using a camera with a relatively large pixel size and low bit depth. These results demonstrate that the proposed interference-enhanced micro-vision technique is a simple and effective tool for measuring spatial error motions in ultra-precision rotary axes.

Lecturer identity as a nexus between EMI planning and practice: a case study at the University of Lleida (Spain)

ABSTRACT The implementation of EMI programmes in Spain has put a strain on content lecturers who need to navigate a series of tensions related to the language of instruction, which have been shown to shape their professional identity. This study aims to explore how an EMI lecturer balances university language policies, ideology, and beliefs about English language teaching and learning and classroom practice in an EMI Strategic Marketing subject taught at the University of Lleida. The results show that, in the absence of explicit guidelines from the university, the EMI lecturer puts forward language-related methodological principles that are rooted in their personal journey of learning English and not so much in their content specialist identity. EMI is a magnifying glass of the challenges involved in enacting language policies in higher education and of the instrumental role of the content lecturer in this process.

Reading Stanislavsky from a Stage Lighting Designer’s Point of View: Stanislavsky’s Notes on the Dramaturgy of Light

ABSTRACT Stage lighting design is, mostly, referenced and researched in correlation to the scenographic history of theatre, often leaving in shadow the organic impact it has on the human beings involved in the theatre process, both in front and behind the footlights. Light, though, is not just a visual scenographic element; it is living, an orchestrator of the human vision; we still say, “I‘m going to see a play” and not hear a text spoken on stage. The beginning of the twentieth century was a turning point for theatre making, with Stanislavsky being one reference point for future developments. He made valuable remarks about lighting, proving that concentrating attention is an active process that does not happen by accident and that there are tools, like lighting, to facilitate that process. Key to my discussion here will be Stanislavsky’s notion of a light-initiated compartmentalisation and manipulation of stage space, i.e. the identification of specific sections on the stage the limits of which are set by light: circles of attention. Stanislavsky’s circles of attention support the statement that lighting serves as a “magnifying lens” that draws the viewer’s focus to particular areas or actions on stage. This article will elaborate on the potential of Stanislavsky’s circles of attention to the dramaturgy of light, shedding light on various extracts of his writings where the dynamic functions of stage lighting are observed and described in an experiential way.

Can lichens be indicators for air pollution monitoring in Kandy City, Sri Lanka?

The quality of the surrounding environment significantly impacts lichen diversity and composition, but crustose lichens, particularly those in disturbed environments, can persist. Although the effects of habitat disturbances on the morphology, anatomy, chemical composition, and fertility of lichen species have not been extensively researched, understanding their mechanisms is crucial for understanding their persistence in their environment. The study aimed to identify common lichen species in polluted and semi-polluted environments and compare their morphology, anatomy, chemical composition, and fertility. A two-kilometer stretch along the road that passes through the University of Peradeniya was selected as the semi-disturbed site based on previous records, while the area around Kandy Lake was designated as the polluted site. Using conventional keys, lichen species were identified, and using a hand lens, dissecting microscope, and compound microscope, the morphological traits of the thallus, apothecia, soredia, and isidia, as well as the anatomical features of the thallus, apothecia, and ascospores, were compared between the two sites. Thin-layer chromatography was used to separate and elucidate the secondary metabolites of lichen. Thirty-nine species were discovered on the university site, 15 in the area around Kandy Lake, and species gathered from both locations shared commonalities, including Physcia sp., Parmotrema sp., Lecanora sp., Graphis sp., and Lepraria sp. The color difference between all species, as measured by mean dE, is visible to the naked eye and changes from a pale to a dark hue from a semi-disturbed site to a polluted one. In comparison to disturbed sites, the majority of species displayed an increased mean area in semi-polluted sites. Layer thickness increases or decreases depending on how well each layer can withstand disruptions. Depsinose has been recognized as a potential class of metabolites generated by lichens present in both locations. Only lake sites exhibit toxic metal compounds, as opposed to semi-disturbed sites. Every pH value was acidic, and most species at the lake site had more acidic pH than those at the university site. There is no specific trend in apothecial number and ascospore numbers in common lichen species in both sites. The current study showed that changes in certain morphological and anatomical biochemical characteristics can be triggered by the environment, suggesting that the quality of the environment significantly affects the growth and reproductive success of lichens, thereby survival or extinction, and proposed that bioindicator and bioaccumulator species concerning the changes occurred.