Most popular materials for lenses, such as glass, have high absorption in the infrared range. Due to material restriction, infrared lenses are usually much more expensive. In this paper, we discussed a ubiquitous polymer material, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), for mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) applications. PMMA is a low cost material and is widely used in daily life. We examined its optical properties in the mid-infrared range and found that poly(methyl methacrylate) is a highly promising material for MWIR lenses. Besides, liquid PMMA can be formed and solidified easily. Utilizing these characteristics, we proposed a novel way to fabricate PMMA lenses for MWIR range (wavelength from 3.6 to 5 μm). The fabrication process is much easier and less expensive compared with traditional machining processes. We have designed a PMMA Fresnel lens, which has f -number of 1.40, diameter of 10 mm and focal length of 14 mm. We also successfully fabricated the PMMA Fresnel lens using the molding process. Both structure and optical analyses show that the PMMA Fresnel lenses could meet the design parameters.

Numerous cases of black-faced spoonbills (Platalea minor) showing signs of limberneck and flaccid paralysis of the legs and wings were suspected to be suffering from botulism by veterinarians in Tainan County, Taiwan from February to March in 2015. Most of the sick birds completely recovered and were successfully released following treatment with antiserum to botulinum toxin type C. However, 10 remaining spoonbills still suffered from curled claws and stood on the tarsometatarsal joints. They were transferred to the Endemic Species Research Institute for further treatment. One of the birds showed elevated levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK) and uric acid, along with swollen kidneys observed in radiographs. The bird eventually died, allowing for further examination. At necropsy, fungal plaques and caseous nodules were also present in the lungs, pleura and adjacent air sacs. Microscopically, Aspergillus spp. were evident in the plaques and caseous nodules. In addition, mural endocarditis in the aortic intima associated with the aspergillosis was also present. Thus, the final diagnosis was suspected botulism with respiratory and systemic aspergillosis.

This is a rare case of a wild squirrel that was diagnosed with angiostrongyliasis characterized by the presence of larvae-induced eosinophilic meningoencephalomyelitis. A wild, intact, male Pallas’s squirrel (Callosciurus erythraeus) of unknown age was presented with a history of progressive paralysis in both forelimbs and hindlimbs. Gradually, the squirrel showed signs of deterioration, found dead and submitted for a complete pathological diagnosis. Necropsy revealed the presence of severe and diffuse congestion in the subarachnoid space of the brain and mild congestion in the spinal cord. Microscopically, severe meningoencephalomyelitis and interstitial pneumonia were consistent with lesions induced by Angiostrongylus cantonensis (A. cantonensis). Although A. cantonensis has been widely studied in rabbits, mice and humans, infection in squirrels has not been documented. This may be the first reported case of angiostrongyliasis in the Pallas’s squirrel.

A young female Reeves’s muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi) was presented with signs of weakness and inability to stand. Radiographic examination revealed a healed bone fracture in the right radius and ulna. The animal failed to respond to therapy and died two days later. At necropsy, serous atrophy was mainly present in the subcutis of the skull and ventral cervical skin. Muscular atrophy was also evident, especially around the right femur. Multiple bone calluses with newly developed bone fractures were distributed on both sides of the ribs. Microscopically, decreased and irregularly thin bony trabeculae and widened trabeculae with excess unmineralized osteoid were observed in both femurs. Multiple sarcocysts were incidentally noted in the right femoral and longissimus dorsi muscles. It was concluded that M. reevesi in the present case appeared to have suffered from osteoporosis and osteomalacia with multiple bone fractures.