Two-photon polymerization lithography for imaging optics

Optical imaging systems have greatly extended human visual capabilities,enabling the observation and understanding of diverse phenomena.Imaging technologies span a broad spectrum of wavelengths from x-ray to radio frequencies and impact research activities and our daily lives.Traditional glass lenses are fabricated through a series of complex processes,while polymers offer versatility and ease of production.However,modern applications often require complex lens assemblies,driving the need for miniaturization and advanced designs with micro-and nanoscale features to surpass the capabilities of traditional fabrication methods.Three-dimensional(3D)printing,or additive manufacturing,presents a solution to these challenges with benefits of rapid prototyping,customized geometries,and efficient production,particularly suited for miniaturized optical imaging devices.Various 3D printing methods have demonstrated advantages over traditional counterparts,yet challenges remain in achieving nanoscale resolutions.Two-photon polymerization lithography(TPL),a nanoscale 3D printing technique,enables the fabrication of intricate structures beyond the optical diffraction limit via the nonlinear process of two-photon absorption within liquid resin.It offers unprecedented abilities,e.g.alignment-free fabrication,micro-and nanoscale capabilities,and rapid prototyping of almost arbitrary complex 3D nanostructures.In this review,we emphasize the importance of the criteria for optical performance evaluation of imaging devices,discuss material properties relevant to TPL,fabrication techniques,and highlight the application of TPL in optical imaging.As the first panoramic review on this topic,it will equip researchers with foundational knowledge and recent advancements of TPL for imaging optics,promoting a deeper understanding of the field.By leveraging on its high-resolution capability,extensive material range,and true 3D processing,alongside advances in materials,fabrication,and design,we envisage disruptive solutions to current challenges and a promising incorporation of TPL in future optical imaging applications.

Enhanced Surveillance for National (Handicapped) Sports Games in Wakayama, Japan 2015

Introduction: We undertook enhanced surveillance of the 2015 Kinokuni Wakayama National Sports Games (70th National Sports Games) and the Kinokuni Wakayama Handicapped Sports Games (15th National Handicapped Sports Games) held in Wakayama prefecture in 2015, for which this paper presented operational details and an evaluation. Methods: Enhanced surveillance conducted involved (Nursery) School Absenteeism Surveillance system ((N)SASSy), Prescription Surveillance, and Ambulance Transfer Surveillance from 30 August through 9 November. We evaluated those surveillances on all days including weekends, integrated the results as a daily report, and published it on the web. Results: We found no cluster or cases requiring more tracing and investigation except for suspected cases of rubella in (N)SASSy. Moreover, no moderate aberration was found for two consecutive days for the same area and symptom. Conclusion: Our experience with this enhanced surveillance presents important lessons for countermeasures by local governments for mass gatherings or politically important events.

Novel eradicative high-dose rate brachytherapy for internal mammary lymph node metastasis from breast cancer

AIM: To develop a method of delivering an eradicative high radiotherapeutic dose safely preserving the surrounding skin in the treatment of internal mammary lymph node metastasis (IMLNM) of breast cancer. METHODS: We report a 38-year-old female patient with a solo IMLNM showing no response to 60 Gy in 2.5 Gy fractions of external beam radiotherapy. To eradicate this tumor, a boost brachytherapy plan was created after percutaneous insertion of an applicator needle into the IMLNM lesion avoiding the pleura and vessels under ultrasound monitoring. According to the dose distribution, the required thickness of a spacer between the skin and the tumor was determined, and hyaluronic gel was injected up to this thickness under ultrasound monitoring. We evaluated skin doses, target doses and clinical outcome. RESULTS: All procedures were performed easily. Sixteen Gy (34.7 Gy equivalent in 2 Gy fractions calculated by the linear quadratic model at α/β = 10: EQD2, α/β = 10, cumulative total was 101.9 Gy EQD10) to 100% of the target volume was irradiated with cumulative maximum skin dose of 70 Gy EQD2, α/β = 3 which was 98.7 Gy EQD2, α/β = 3 without spacer. No procedure related- or late complications and no local recurrence at the treated site were observed for three years until expiration. CONCLUSION: We consider that this procedure will provide an eradicative high-dose irradiation to IMLNM of breast cancer, preserving skin from overdose complications.

Easy detecting signal of cognitive decline in healthy community-dwelling elderly people

The relationship between changes of elderly people’s participation in social activities and their cognitive functions was examined. Healthy, middle and upper-middle aged people (n = 407) responded to the Nagoya University Cognitive Assessment Battery and to a questionnaire inquiring about their participation in social activities. The results suggested that those whose participation in social activities increased in the last 6 months showed better verbal functioning than those whose participation was unchanged or decreased. Moreover, those whose social participation decreased showed inferior memory function compared to those whose social participation was unchanged, or increased. Furthermore, those whose social participation increased had better information processing speed than those whose social participation decreased. These results suggest that changes in social activities might act as an important signal that is indicative of the cognitive decline in elderly people, which would be useful to local health care managers in the elderly people’s community.

Preparation of High Ga Content Cu(In,Ga)Se₂Thin Films by Sequential Evaporation Process Added In₂S₃

High Ga content Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin films incorporated sulfur were prepared by sequential evaporation from CuGaSe2 and CuInSe2 ternary compounds and subsequently Ga2Se3, In2Se3 and In2S3 binary compounds. The In2S3/(Ga2Se3+ In2Se3) ratio was varied from 0 to 0.13, and the properties of the thin films were investigated. XRD studies demonstrated that the prepared thin films had a chalcopyrite Cu(In,Ga)Se2 structure. The S/(Se+S) mole ratio in the thin films was within the range from 0 to 0.04. The band gaps of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin films increased from 1.30 eV to 1.59 eV with increasing the ?In2S3 /(Ga2Se3+ In2Se3) ratio.