160 Gbit/s all-optical time-division demultiplexing utilisingmodified multiple-output OTDM demultiplexer (MOXIC)

The first successful demonstration of error-free simultaneous four-channel-output demultiplexing of 160 Gbit/s OTDM signals is reported. The key is a modification to the authors original multiple-output demultiplexer, MOXIC, that significantly increases the stability of its operation owing to improving on/off extinction ratios of demultiplexed signals     

Design of a Hot Tensile Stage for an Ultra-High-Voltage Electron Microscope and Its Application to in Situ Deformation of Sapphire at 1620 and 1720 K

A hot tensile stage, which is capable of operation at temperatures of up to 2300 K, has been constructed for an ultra-high-voltage (3 MV) electron microscope. With this stage, in situ deformation experiments have been conducted on sapphire at 1620 and 1720 K. At 1620 K, almost all the dislocations activated are of the basal slip system. The motion of dislocations is not jerky but rather smooth and continuous. At 1720 K, dislocations frequently undergo motions not confined in the basal plane. Activation of the secondary slip system is also observed at this temperature.     

Evaporation of a volatile-liquid lens floating on the surface of a stagnant immiscible liquid

The paper presents experimental results of evaporation of isolated lenses on n-pentane or R 113 (C₂C?₃F₃) at a horizontal interface between a hot water and the common vapors of the two fluid substances. n-Pentane lenses often became unstable and even split into smaller lenses during evaporation process, while R 113 lenses were always stable. Corresponding to this fact, the evaporation rate of n-pentane lenses was typically 10 times higher than that of R 113 lenses under the same temperature driving force. A variation in the water layer thickness exhibited no appreciable effect on the evaporation rate. These findings indicate that the primary factor for enhancing the heat transfer from the water to lenses is such an interfacial turbulence, with an unidentified mechanism, as to give lenses the unstable behavior rather than a buoyancy-driven convection in the water bulk.     

Increased expression of 3-hydroxyanthranilate 3,4-dioxygenase gene in brain of epilepsy-prone El mice

The El mouse is an established animal model for human epilepsy. We previously reported that the level of quinolinic acid (QUIN), an excitotoxin, was high in the brain of epilepsy-prone El mice and that the increased production of QUIN was secondary to an increased activity of 3-hydroxyanthranilate 3,4-dioxygenase (3-HAO, EC 1.13.11. 6) in the brains of these mice. In this study, we cloned and sequenced the cDNA for 3-HAO and showed that its expression in the brain of El mice was higher than that of control ddY mice. These results suggest that a genetic defect leading to derepression of the 3-HAO gene expression in the brain may be involved in the pathogenesis for the epileptic diseases of El mice.     

A case of Rathke''s cleft cyst with apoplexy

OBJECTIVE: To develop and evaluate a model of integrated primary dental and medical care. DESIGN: 3-year prospective study. SETTING: A general dental practice and a general medical practice occupying the same building in Glasgow. INTERVENTION: Regular staff meetings, joint use of patient records systems and information derived from patient questionnaires. Dentistry was included in established screening programmes such as child health surveillance and care of elderly. Staff were encouraged to participate in joint work practices and joint consultations were carried out. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient registration, avoidance of discrepancies in information, reduction of secondary referrals, joint work practices. RESULTS: The number of registered joint patients attending both medical and dental practices increased by 90%. The joint use of patient record systems avoided discrepancies in patient information which would have affected the quality of patient care. Including dentistry in child health surveillance and care of elderly screening programmes resulted in an increase in 0-5 year olds registering with dentists from 36% to 68% (P < 0.001) and with > 75 year olds from 47% to 71% (P < 0.001). Joint consultations reduced the need for secondary referrals. CONCLUSIONS: This model of health care demonstrated the potential for coordination and integration of functions between the dental team and the primary care team. Integrated primary dental and medical care requires attitudinal change in health care professionals and requires greater emphasis in education and training of health care professionals in the future.     

Evidence that cyclosporin A and dexamethasone inhibit allergic airway eosinophilic inflammation via suppression of interleukin-5 synthesis by T cells

The action of reducing, oxidizing and thiol-alkylating agents on early steps of Junin virus (JV) multiplication in Vero cells was investigated. The presence of reducing agents during virus adsorption as well as incubation of viral particles with these compounds before infection enhanced JV infectivity. On the contrary, the thiol-alkylating agent 5,5' dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) and the oxidizing compound potassium periodate showed an inhibitory effect, suggesting that sulfhydryl groups, and certain sugar moieties of viral glycoproteins play an important role in the first steps of JV infection. Also enzymatic treatment of cell monolayers and addition of concanavalin A to cultures prior to infection suggest that cellular glycoproteins are involved in virus attachment.