Near IR stationary wave Fourier transform lambda meter in lithium niobate: multiplexing and improving optical sampling using spatially shifted nanogroove antenna.

Several integrated optics solutions currently exist to develop monolithic, robust, and lightweight high-resolution spectrometers for spatial applications. An interesting option is generating a stationary wave inside a single-mode waveguide, and sampling the interference fringes using dielectric discontinuities on the surface of the waveguide. This allows the recording of the signal on a detector on top of the waveguide, and using dedicated Fourier transform methods to recover the spectrum of the source. All the difficulty is then linked to the length of the interferogram that is sampled. This determines the spectral resolution and the spacing between sampling centers, which are ultimately limited by the pixel pitch, and that will determine the spectral range of the spectrum. In addition, the dielectric discontinuities that will extract the flux from the waveguide have a relatively wide angular emission, resulting in crosstalk between pixels, and reducing the effective sampling step. Finally, the optical sensitivity of these systems is limited since the waveguides are single mode. Therefore, improving the efficiency of stationary wave Fourier transform spectrometers will require reducing the angular divergence of the sampled signal, reducing the sampling step, and increasing the optical input collection capacity. To achieve the two latest conditions, one interesting approach is spatial multiplexing. In this paper, we present the proof of concept of a multiplexed integrated optics Fourier transform spectrometer based on lithium niobate waveguides, using focused ion beam nanogrooves as sampling centers. The spatially shifted position of the antennas between consecutive waveguides will allow us to determine an unknown wavelength with tens of picometer resolution. The extraction efficiency and bandwidth of the antennas will be theoretically studied to optimize their periodicity and match a given pixel pitch. Finally, the ability to develop this concept on an electro-optic material will be of great interest to achieve further active phase modulation and increase the spectral bandwidth.

Hearing the voices of midwives through reflective writing journals: Qualitative research on an educational intervention for Respectful Maternity Care in Zimbabwe.

Women attending public and private sector health facilities in Africa have reported abuse and neglect during childbirth, which carries a risk of poor health outcomes. We explored from the midwives' perspective the influence of an educational intervention in changing the attitudes, behaviour and practices of a group of midwives in Zimbabwe, using transformative learning theory as the conceptual framework. The twelve-week educational intervention motivating for Respectful Maternity Care consisted of a two-day workshop and five follow-up sessions every two weeks. Thematic analysis was conducted on eighteen reflective journals written by the midwives with member-checking during follow-up discussions and a further one-day participative workshop a year later. The midwives reported being more women-centred, with involvement of birth companions and use of different labour positions, stronger professional pride and agency, collaborative decision-making and less hierarchical relationships which persisted over the year. Their journal narratives included examples of treating birthing women with more compassion. Some categories aligned with the phases of transformative learning theory (self-examination of prior experience, building of competence and self-confidence into new roles and relationships). Others related to improving communications and effective teamwork, providing role-models of good behaviour, use of scientific knowledge to inform practice and demonstrating competence in management of complex cases. This study shows that innovative educational initiatives have the potential to change the way midwives work together, even in challenging physical environments, leading to a shared vision for the quality of service they want to provide, to improve health outcomes and to develop life-long learning skills.

Metastatic unknown primary tumour presenting in pregnancy: a rarity posing an ethical dilemma.

This brief report raises the ethical dilemma encountered by an obstetrician involved in the care of a pregnant woman with life-threatening disease. This is a particularly difficult issue if the maternal well-being is in conflict with the survival of the unborn child.