Editorial Developing a culture of research in the POGS through the POGS Unified Research Agenda and its flagship research projects / Philippine Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

@#It has been recognized that, to help ensure research caters to the needs of society, a research agenda must be set.[1–3] When a health research agenda is set, it will help prioritize the implementation of health researches that will in turn help improve society’s public health system. This way, evidence is provided to help guide policy decisions on health development.[1,4] Such was the context by which the National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA) was created and has evolved in its three editions. In NUHRA 2017–2022, six themes of priority research were identified. These included responsive health systems, research to enhance and extend healthy lives, holistic approaches to health and wellness, health resiliency, global competitiveness and innovation in health, and research in equity and health.

Modelling of an intersubband quantum confined Stark effect in Ge quantum wells for mid-infrared photonics.

In this work we theoretically investigate quantum confined Stark effect of intersubband transitions in asymmetric Ge/SiGe quantum wells for intensity modulation in the mid-infrared. Our calculations show that extinction ratios up to 1 dB and modulation speeds of several tens of GHz could be obtained in 100 µm long waveguides.

Use of Thermoregulatory Models to Evaluate Heat Stress in Industrial Environments.

Heat stress in many industrial workplaces imposes significant risk of injury to individuals. As a means of quantifying these risks, a comparison of four rationally developed thermoregulatory models was conducted. The health-risk prediction (HRP) model, the human thermal regulation model (HuTheReg), the SCENARIO model, and the six-cylinder thermoregulatory model (SCTM) each used the same inputs for an individual, clothing, activity rates, and environment based on previously observed conditions within the Portuguese glass industry. An analysis of model correlations was conducted for predicted temperatures (°C) of brain (TBrain), skin (TSkin), core body (TCore), as well as sweat evaporation rate (ER; Watts). Close agreement was observed between each model (0.81-0.98). Predicted mean ± SD of active phases of exposure for both moderate (TBrain 37.8 ± 0.25, TSkin 36.7 ± 0.49, TCore 37.8 ± 0.45 °C, and ER 207.7 ± 60.4 W) and extreme heat (TBrain 39.1 ± 0.58, TSkin, 38.6 ± 0.71, TCore 38.7 ± 0.65 °C, and ER 468.2 ± 80.2 W) were assessed. This analysis quantifies these heat-risk conditions and provides a platform for comparison of methods to more fully predict heat stress during exposures to hot environments.

The effect of timing of oocyte denudation from oocyte retrieval in the total fertilization failure among in vitro fertilization - Intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles

@#<p>Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of oocyte incubation after retrieval in TFF among IVF-ICSI and identify factors affecting total fertilization failure (TFF).</p><p>Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study, involving 995 IVF cycles using the antagonist protocol that were clustered into three timings of oocyte denudation from retrieval : Group 1: <1 hour, Group 2: ?1 hour to <2hours and Group 3: ?2hours. Other variables considered were etiology of infertility, female age, days of stimulation and total number of oocytes retrieved.</p><p>Results: Overall TFF was 4.5%. TFF among groups were 4.8%, 5.8% and 3.2%, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that oocyte incubation prior to denudation for ? 2 hours tend to decrease TFF incidence. Among factors studied, male factor infertility and a low number of oocytes adversely affect TFF.</p><p>Conclusion: Timing of incubation of oocyte did not significantly affect the occurrence of TFF. Among factors studied, male factor infertility and a low number of oocytes adversely affect TFF.</p>

Fertility specialist practice in the Philippines during the COVID- 19 pandemic

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Objective:</strong> To determine the changes in the clinical practice of infertility specialists in the Philippines, specifically, the proportion of specialists who stopped practice, length of break from clinics, the decrease in caseload, changes in consultation platform, screening frequency, number of clinicians that contracted COVI D 19 and safety protocols employed during the COVID - 19 pandemic.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Methods:</strong> A cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire given to all members of the Philippine Society for Reproductive Medicine (PSRM) last November 2020. Participants were requested to answer the questionnaire through google spread sheet, with informed consent. All data were collated, summarized and reported in terms of frequencies, and measures of central tendency.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Results:</strong> There were 110 active members of the PSRM who participated in the study. There was an overall decrease in the percentage of fertility consultations during the pandemic. There is also a substantial decrease in the caseload from different practices: 45.4% reported more than 50% decrease in !VF-related procedures, 54.5% noted more than 50% decrease in intrauterine insemination procedures, 52.8% reported more than 50% decrease in ovulation induction treatment, and 66.3% reported more than 50% decrease in endoscopic procedures. About 37% of the respondents deferred approximately 5-10 cases for fertility treatment, with 27.3% of the respondents reported deferring embryo transfer to less than 5 couples. More than half of the specialists (51.8%) stopped performing fertility procedures and 68.2% of the respondents completely stopped doing out patient consultations. However, some specialists resumed clinics by May 2020 (30.9%) and June 2020 (30.9%). Upon resumption of clinics, specialists used both face to face consultation and teleconsultation, with the largest proportion of respondents using both platforms. Safety measures employed during face-to-face consultations to prevent disease transmission included hand sanitizers in the clinics, restricted number of people in the waiting room and consultation room, use of personal protective equipment, symptom check prior to face to face consults, installation of air purifiers, and acrylic barriers, and use of health declaration forms. Majority of the specialists are aware of the international and local guidelines regarding infertility care during the pandemic (98.2%) and inform patients regarding the contents of the guidelines (90%).</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Conclusion:</strong> There is a significant decline in the consultations and fertility procedures during the pandemic. Specialists are well informed of the international and local guidelines regarding fertility care during the pandemic.</p>

Acceptability of telemedicine among patients undergoing prenatal and postnatal care in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic / Philippine Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Background@#While COVID‑19 spreads rapidly around the world, innovative means to provide continuing prenatal care are being developed to monitor maternal and fetal health while minimizing disease transmission. Telemedicine is one platform by which patients are provided the necessary prenatal and postpartum care safely as the pandemic rages@*Aims and Objectives@#To evaluate the acceptability of telemedicine in the delivery of prenatal and postnatal care in the setting of the COVID‑19 pandemic@*Materials and Methods@#A cross‑sectional study was conducted in a tertiary hospital in Manila. A structured Likert scale‑based survey consisting of a model measuring telemedicine perception was utilized. This was a predeveloped model by Lin in 2017.[1] Descriptive statistical analysis and Chi‑square tests were done to evaluate the data@*Results@#A total of 193 pregnant and postpartum patients participated in the study. Majority of the respondents were between 25 and 34 years old, living within Metro Manila, and normal obstetric patients who were previously seen at the outpatient department. Most of the participants considered telemedicine to be cost‑effective, reliable, easy to use, and useful@*Conclusion@#We conclude that telemedicine is an acceptable means of providing prenatal and postnatal care among pregnant patients because it allowed the necessary interaction between patient and doctor and these “users” kept on using the system. There was no association between telemedicine perceptions and patient age, place of residence, type of patient encounter, disease, and treatment. In the setting of the COVID‑19 pandemic, telemedicine is an acceptable means of providing prenatal and postnatal care regardless of patient characteristics

Outcomes of surgical sperm retrieval for non-obstructive azoospermia: A single-center experience

INTRODUCTION@#To evaluate the sperm retrieval rate and factors influencing its success among patients who undergo conventional or microsurgical testicular sperm extraction (TESE) for non-obstructive azoospermia.@*METHODS@#Data were from 223 consecutive patients who underwent conventional or microsurgical TESE from August 2011 to January 2021 under two urologists of the center. Data regarding age, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, estradiol, testicular size, histopathology, surgical technique, and sperm retrieval were collected. Patients with obstructive azoospermia, repeated TESE procedure, and those who underwent TESE for oncofertility were excluded. Using simple logistic regression analysis, the relationship of the different factors to successful sperm retrieval was computed as odds ratio.@*RESULTS@#The overall surgical sperm retrieval rate was found to be 65.71%. The odds ratio of successful sperm retrieval were 1.04 (95% CI 1.00-1.09) for age, 0.94 (95% CI 0.91-0.97) for FSH, 0.93 (95% CI 0.87-0.99) for LH, 1.24 (95% CI 0.99-1.55) for testosterone, and 0.93 (95% CI 0.88-0.98) for estradiol. Decreased testicular size was also associated significantly with lower sperm retrieval rate (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.09-0.56). Histopathologic pattern and surgical technique were also significantly associated with successful sperm retrieval.@*CONCLUSION@#The surgical sperm retrieval rate in this institution is comparable to the global surgical sperm retrieval rate. Age, FSH, LH, estradiol, testicular size, histopathologic pattern and surgical technique were found to have significant association to successful surgical sperm retrieval.

Comparison of two mathematical models for predicted human thermal responses to hot and humid environments.

PURPOSE: We compared the accuracy and design of two thermoregulatory models, the US Army's empirically designed Heat Strain Decision Aid (HSDA) and the rationally based Health Risk Prediction (HRP) for predicting human thermal responses during exercise in hot and humid conditions and wearing chemical protective clothing. METHODS: Accuracy of the HSDA and HRP model predictions of core body and skin temperature (Tc, Ts) were compared to each other and relative to measured outcomes from eight male volunteers (age 24 ± 6 years; height 178 ± 5 cm; body mass 76.6 ± 8.4 kg) during intermittent treadmill marching in an environmental chamber (air temperature 29.3 ± 0.1 °C; relative humidity 56 ± 1%; wind speed 0.4 ± 0.1 m∙s-1) wearing three separate chemical protective ensembles. Model accuracies and precisions were evaluated by the bias, mean absolute error (MAE), and root mean square error (RMSE) compared to observed data mean ± SD and the calculated limits of agreement (LoA). RESULTS: Average predictions of Tc were comparable and acceptable for each method, HSDA (Bias 0.02 °C; MAE 0.18 °C; RMSE 0.21 °C) and HRP (Bias 0.10 °C; MAE 0.25 °C; RMSE 0.34 °C). The HRP averaged predictions for Ts were within an acceptable agreement to observed values (Bias 1.01 °C; MAE 1.01 °C; RMSE 1.11 °C). CONCLUSION: Both HSDA and HRP acceptably predict Tc and HRP acceptably predicts Ts when wearing chemical protective clothing during exercise in hot and humid conditions.

Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy for the Treatment of Alveolar Osteitis in a Patient With Acute Lymphoid Leukemia: A Case Report.

Introduction: Acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) is a malignant disease, the prognosis of which depends on the age of the patient and the treatment. The aim of this article was to report the treatment of this rare and interesting case of alveolar osteitis with antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) in a patient with ALL that was resolved efficiently and quickly. Case Presentation: A 33-year-old male diagnosed with ALL attended the public service, complaining of pain in the region of tooth 48, without function. Extraction was performed, and the patient returned for postoperative follow-up, complaining of severe pain in the area of the alveolus. Clinical examination revealed osteitis. The alveolus was treated using aPDT with 0.005% methylene blue photosensitizer, followed by the application of a low-level red laser at a wavelength of 660 nm (321 J/cm2 - site). After 15 days, soft tissue closure was observed and complete filling of the alveolus was observed radiographically with a 7-month follow-up. Conclusion: The authors suggest that aPDT can be an effective treatment of alveolar osteitis in a patient with ALL.

Comparison of cone-beam computed tomography, clinical and surgical analysis for detection of maxillary molar furcation.

The aim of this study was to compare the performance of conebeam computed tomography (CBCT), clinical and surgical probing in assessing maxillary molar furcation involvement (FI). Furcation defects (n= 120) were assessed through CBCT, clinical and intra-surgical evaluation (ISE). Furcation Involvement, vertical and horizontal bone loss were assessed through clinical probing, CBCT and probing during ISE. Three trained radiologists evaluated CBCT images and intra- and interobserver agreement were calculated by Kappa test and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). McNemar and Wilcoxon tests were used to compare clinical probing, ISE and CBCT. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were calculated to detect FI. Clinical findings showed 28 sites with Degree I, 25 sites with Degree II, and 8 sites with Degree III. Good intra- (k=1.00) and interobserver agreement (k=0.773) were observed. Intraobserver and interobserver agreement for horizontal bone loss were moderate, k=0.485 and k=0.549, respectively. Intra-surgical findings showed Degree I at 21 sites, and Degree II and Degree III FI at fifteen sites each. Clinical evaluation showed 75% agreement with ISE and 78% with CBCT. Accuracy for clinical detection of FI was 75%, while for CBCT evaluation ranged from 72.5% to 77.5%, considering the 3 observers. Significant differences were found at distal sites using CBCT (p<0.05). Clinical evaluation and CBCT showed similar results for the presence or absence of FI. Concerning horizontal and vertical bone loss, CBCT was not considered a precise examination method for incipient bone defects.

Este estudo teve como objetivo comparar o desempenho da tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico (TCFC), sondagem clínica e cirúrgica na avaliação do envolvimento da furca de molares superiores (EF). Defeitos de furca (n= 120) foram avaliados por meio de TCFC, avaliação clínica e intra-cirúrgica (IC). O envolvimento da furca, perda óssea vertical e horizontal foram avaliados através de sondagem clínica, TCFC e sondagem durante IC. Três radiologistas treinados avaliaram as imagens de TCFC e a concordância intra e interobservador foi calculada pelo teste Kappa e Coeficiente de Correlação Intraclasse (ICC). Para comparação da sondagem clínica, IC e CBCT foram utilizados os testes de McNemar e Wilcoxon. A precisão, sensibilidade, especificidade, valores preditivos positivos e negativos foram calculados para a detecção de EF. Os achados clínicos mostraram 61 sítios com EF, sendo 28 Grau I, 25 locais de Grau II e 8 locais de Grau III. Observou-se boa concordância intra- (k = 1,00) e interobservador (k = 0,773). A concordância intraobservador e interobservador para perda óssea horizontal foi moderada, k = 0,485 e k = 0,549, respectivamente. Os achados intra-cirúrgicos mostraram EF grau I em 21 sítios e grau II e grau III em quinze sítios cada. A avaliação clínica mostrou 75% de concordância com IC e 78% com CBCT. A acurácia para detecção clínica de EF foi de 75%, enquanto para avaliação de CBCT variou de 72,5% a 77,5%, considerando os 3 observadores. Diferenças significativas foram encontradas em sítios distais em CBCT (p <0,05). A avaliação clínica e a TCFC mostraram resultados semelhantes para a presença ou ausência de EF. Em relação à perda óssea horizontal e vertical, a TCFC não foi considerada um exame preciso para defeitos ósseos incipientes.

Multiple Conjoined Oocytes In A Patient With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization

@#<p>Conjoined oocytes are characterized by a follicle containing two oocytes surrounded by a single zona pellucida or their fusion in a zonal region. Gonadotropin stimulation, coupled with PCOS, predisposes to the occurrence of conjoined oocytes. Although a result of developmental accident, conjoined oocytes have the potential to develop into genetically normal embryos and babies. In this paper, the authors describe the aspiration of multiple conjoined oocytes in a single IVF cycle, leading to normal fertilization after selective intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Development to blastocyst stage allowed trophectoderm biopsy resulting to a euploid embryo that was eventually transferred, and resulted to a live term birth.</p><p>Key words: conjoined oocytes, in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI)</p>

Comparison of cone-beam computed tomography, clinical and surgical analysis for detection of maxillary molar furcation / Comparação da avaliação clínica, cirúrgica e por tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico na detecção de lesões de furca em molares superiores

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to compare the performance of conebeam computed tomography (CBCT), clinical and surgical probing in assessing maxillary molar furcation involvement (FI). Furcation defects (n= 120) were assessed through CBCT, clinical and intra-surgical evaluation (ISE). Furcation Involvement, vertical and horizontal bone loss were assessed through clinical probing, CBCT and probing during ISE. Three trained radiologists evaluated CBCT images and intra- and interobserver agreement were calculated by Kappa test and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). McNemar and Wilcoxon tests were used to compare clinical probing, ISE and CBCT. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were calculated to detect FI. Clinical findings showed 28 sites with Degree I, 25 sites with Degree II, and 8 sites with Degree III. Good intra- (k=1.00) and interobserver agreement (k=0.773) were observed. Intraobserver and interobserver agreement for horizontal bone loss were moderate, k=0.485 and k=0.549, respectively. Intra-surgical findings showed Degree I at 21 sites, and Degree II and Degree III FI at fifteen sites each. Clinical evaluation showed 75% agreement with ISE and 78% with CBCT. Accuracy for clinical detection of FI was 75%, while for CBCT evaluation ranged from 72.5% to 77.5%, considering the 3 observers. Significant differences were found at distal sites using CBCT (p<0.05). Clinical evaluation and CBCT showed similar results for the presence or absence of FI. Concerning horizontal and vertical bone loss, CBCT was not considered a precise examination method for incipient bone defects.

RESUMO Este estudo teve como objetivo comparar o desempenho da tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico (TCFC), sondagem clínica e cirúrgica na avaliação do envolvimento da furca de molares superiores (EF). Defeitos de furca (n= 120) foram avaliados por meio de TCFC, avaliação clínica e intra-cirúrgica (IC). O envolvimento da furca, perda óssea vertical e horizontal foram avaliados através de sondagem clínica, TCFC e sondagem durante IC. Três radiologistas treinados avaliaram as imagens de TCFC e a concordância intra e interobservador foi calculada pelo teste Kappa e Coeficiente de Correlação Intraclasse (ICC). Para comparação da sondagem clínica, IC e CBCT foram utilizados os testes de McNemar e Wilcoxon. A precisão, sensibilidade, especificidade, valores preditivos positivos e negativos foram calculados para a detecção de EF. Os achados clínicos mostraram 61 sítios com EF, sendo 28 Grau I, 25 locais de Grau II e 8 locais de Grau III. Observou-se boa concordância intra- (k = 1,00) e interobservador (k = 0,773). A concordância intraobservador e interobservador para perda óssea horizontal foi moderada, k = 0,485 e k = 0,549, respectivamente. Os achados intra-cirúrgicos mostraram EF grau I em 21 sítios e grau II e grau III em quinze sítios cada. A avaliação clínica mostrou 75% de concordância com IC e 78% com CBCT. A acurácia para detecção clínica de EF foi de 75%, enquanto para avaliação de CBCT variou de 72,5% a 77,5%, considerando os 3 observadores. Diferenças significativas foram encontradas em sítios distais em CBCT (p<0,05). A avaliação clínica e a TCFC mostraram resultados semelhantes para a presença ou ausência de EF. Em relação à perda óssea horizontal e vertical, a TCFC não foi considerada um exame preciso para defeitos ósseos incipientes.

Predictive factors for the successful implantation and live birth after Euploid Blastocyst Transfer: A single center study

Background@#Pre-implantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A) has enabled IVF specialists to screen embryos for abnormalities in chromosome number and structure. Subsequently, healthy embryos are selected for transfer, decreasing the rate of spontaneous miscarriages and improving pregnancy outcomes. In spite of this, almost only half of the PGTdetermined euploid embryos result in a pregnancy. @*Objective@#This study aimed to determine what other factors among euploid embryo transfers will have an association with successful implantation and live birth. @*Methods@#This study retrospectively analyzed 159 IVF-PGS cycles performed in CARMI SLMCGC from January 2017 to December 2019. Of these, a total of 231 euploid embryos (86 single embryo transfers and 73 double embryo transfers) were assessed. The relationship of eight predictive variables (maternal age, maternal BMI, etiology of infertility, history of failed IVF, blastocyst expansion stage, ICM grade, TE grade and endometrial thickness on transfer) with regard to the outcome of successful implantation and live birth among single or double euploid blastocyst transfers were determined via logistic regression analysis. @*Results@#Overall, the implantation rate was significantly lower when using B-grade ICM or C-grade ICM blastocysts as compared to A-grade ICM blastocysts (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.356- 0.815, p = 0.003). With regard to live birth rate, the success of transfer is statistically lower when using a B-grade or C-grade ICM blastocysts as compared to A-grade ICM blastocysts (OR 0.55, CI 0.354-0.863, p = 0.009). Other predictive factors such as maternal age, maternal BMI, etiology of infertility, number of previous IVF, blastocyst expansion stage, trophectoderm grade and endometrial thickness had no apparent effect on the outcome of implantation and live birth. @*Conclusion@#Present study results suggest that only the ICM grade of euploid blastocysts correlates with implantation and live birth in IVF-FET cycles. Therefore, the selection of euploid blastocysts based on the presence of a higher grade ICM is the most predictive factor that determines success among those undergoing IVF with PGT-A.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on fertility centers in the Philippines

Objective@#The aim of the study was to determine the impact of the COVID – 19 pandemic on fertility centers in the Philippines as reflected in the change in caseload for the different types of fertility procedures and modifications in the physical set up of laboratories, staff and patient screening.@*Methods@#A descriptive cross-sectional study using a questionnaire was administered to all Philippine Society for Reproductive Medicine (PSRM) accredited fertility centers on November 2020. The study underwent ethics and technical review approval. The medical director or manager of the centers was requested to answer the questionnaire. All data were collated, summarized and analyzed.@*Results@#All seven PSRM accredited fertility centers participated in the study. There was an overall decrease in fertility procedures performed in all the centers with most of the centers reporting a less than 50% decrease in oocyte pick up, less than 75% decrease in frozen embryo transfer and around 50 – 75% decrease in intrauterine insemination cases. All fertility centers implemented social distancing, triaging of patients by symptoms, use of personal protective equipment for doctors and staff, placing alcohol dispensers at the reception area and limiting the number of people allowed inside the center. Clinical visits were now scheduled and revisions in informed consent were done. @*Conclusion@#The majority of local fertility centers experienced a significant decline in fertility procedures. Modifications to the conduct of their clinic for safety of their staff and patients were compliant with local and international guidelines.

Monthly fluctuations in 25-hydroxy-vitamin D levels in day and rotating night shift hospital workers.

PURPOSE: Epidemiological studies have suggested that indoor hospital employees, either day or night shift workers, are at high risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Interestingly, previous reports have also described a higher prevalence of vitamin D (25OHD) deficiency among these workers. However, few studies have determined the monthly variations in 25OHD levels in indoor hospital employees. METHODS: To address this lack of knowledge, in 2018, during the periodic health surveillance checks at the Service of Occupational Medicine, we measured 25OHD levels in a group of indoor hospital workers (88 rotating night shift workers vs 200 day workers). Each participant received a single annual health surveillance check. RESULTS: The mean levels of 25OHD were consistently below the lower limit of the normal range in both groups throughout the year. Only in the summer, day workers but not rotating night shift workers (mean 25.9 ± 11.3 ng/ml vs 23.1 ± 9.1 ng/ml; p = 0.042) showed levels significantly higher than those in the other seasons. This difference remained statistically significant even after correction for study covariates [ß = -  1.649 (CI - 0.283/- 3.482), p = 0.039]. A cosinor analysis confirmed that the difference in the 25OHD levels between groups was present later in the year. CONCLUSIONS: We found that relatively young healthy hospital workers, especially those with rotating night shifts, in the absence of significant metabolic risk factors, have a high risk of 25OHD deficiency/insufficiency. Because 25OHD deficiency may lead to a progression to more severe conditions such as osteoporosis or bone fractures, our results should be verified in larger cohorts including different ancestries.

Design and simulation of losses in Ge/SiGe terahertz quantum cascade laser waveguides.

The waveguide losses from a range of surface plasmon and double metal waveguides for Ge/Si1-xGex THz quantum cascade laser gain media are investigated at 4.79 THz (62.6 µm wavelength). Double metal waveguides demonstrate lower losses than surface plasmonic guiding with minimum losses for a 10 µm thick active gain region with silver metal of 21 cm-1 at 300 K reducing to 14.5 cm-1 at 10 K. Losses for silicon foundry compatible metals including Al and Cu are also provided for comparison and to provide a guide for gain requirements to enable lasers to be fabricated in commercial silicon foundries. To allow these losses to be calculated for a range of designs, the complex refractive index of a range of nominally undoped Si1-xGex with x = 0.7, 0.8 and 0.9 and doped Ge heterolayers were extracted from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurements between 0.1 and 10 THz and from 300 K down to 10 K. The results demonstrate losses comparable to similar designs of GaAs/AlGaAs quantum cascade laser plasmon waveguides indicating that a gain threshold of 15.1 cm-1 and 23.8 cm-1 are required to produce a 4.79 THz Ge/SiGe THz laser at 10 K and 300 K, respectively, for 2 mm long double metal waveguide quantum cascade lasers with facet coatings.

Globe Temperature and Its Measurement: Requirements and Limitations.

This study addresses the measurement of the globe temperature. For this purpose, two globe thermometers with different diameters (50 and 150 mm) and a variety of thermal environmental conditions were considered. The assessments of the response times and of the influences of the globe diameter and the air velocity on the measured globe temperatures are discussed. The results of the response times clearly put in evidence that the values usually stated in the literature can be questioned and that longer measurement periods must be considered. In fact, response times >30 min were obtained in 68% of the tests performed. Moreover, differences >20ºC were obtained between the 150 and 50 mm sensors, highlighting the influence of the globe diameter. The analysis of the effect of the air velocity on the globe temperature shows mean relative differences >30% between tests in still air and with the higher air velocity considered (1.81 m s-1). On the basis of measurements carried out with the 50 mm globe, correction equations to the standard globe temperature for both natural and forced convection are proposed.

Genetic structure and range expansion of Zeugodacus Cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Africa.

Hypotheses about the worldwide colonization routes of the melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae), are mainly based on sparse historical records. Here we aim at reconstructing the colonization history of the African continent based on an improved description of the population structure of Z. cucurbitae and approximate Bayesian analyses. Individuals of Z. cucurbitae were sampled in 17 localities from East, West and Central Africa and genotyped at 19 microsatellite markers. Bayesian analyses showed intracontinental population structuring with populations from Uganda diverging from those of Tanzania and populations from Burundi and Kenya showing traces of admixture with West African samples. Approximate Bayesian Computation provided support to the hypothesis of a single introduction Z. cucurbitae into East Africa and subsequent expansion to West Africa, each colonization event was followed by a bottleneck that promoted population divergence within Africa. Parameter estimates suggested that these events are roughly compatible with the historical records of Z. cucurbitae presence in sub-Saharan Africa (viz. 1936 in East Africa and 1999 in West Africa) and allow excluding alternative hypotheses on older or multiple introductions of Z. cucurbitae.

An integrated diagnostic setup for the morphological and molecular identification of the Ceratitis FAR complex (C. anonae, C. fasciventris, C. rosa, C. quilicii, Diptera, Tephritidae).

The Ceratitis FAR complex (Diptera, Tephritidae) includes four economically important frugivorous flies (Ceratitis anonae, Ceratitis fasciventris, Ceratitis quilicii, Ceratitis rosa) whose immature stages and adult females cannot be properly resolved through morphological identification. In order to develop a simplified molecular tool for the identification of two of these species (C. rosa, C. quilicii), we selected a subset of six microsatellite markers out of a panel of 16 loci that were previously developed for the molecular differentiation of the taxa within the complex. These six markers were first tested in silico and then used for the actual genotyping of C. quilicii and C. rosa, resulting in the correct identification of all male reference specimens. Here, we propose an integrated morphological and molecular setup for the identification of the four species of the FAR complex. The decision map relies on preliminary DNA barcoding or morphological identification (when possible) to exclude species not belonging to the complex followed by (a) morphological identification of all adult male specimens and female C. anonae, (b) molecular identification via a panel of 16 microsatellite markers for immature stages, damaged vouchers and samples potentially including adult female C. fasciventris/C. quilicii/C. rosa and (c) molecular identification via a reduced panel of six microsatellite markers for samples including only C. quilicii and C. rosa. This simplified diagnostic setup was profitably implemented in the framework of the ERAfrica fruit fly project and will help correctly identify species within the FAR complex for their early detection and monitoring.