Eigenstates of polarization of elliptical single-mode fibers

The degree of polarization of radiation in an elliptical polarization-maintaining fiber and the polarization states of eigenpolarization modes of such fibers have been experimentally investigated in a wide spectral range. It has been shown that the elliptical fibers are uniform, homogeneously twisted fibers with elliptically polarized eigenpolarization modes. The ellipticity of the eigenpolarization mode is independent of fiber length and increases with wavelength, while the azimuth of the eigenpolarization mode is spectrally independent     

Residual phase noise measurements of VHF, UHF, and microwavecomponents

The results of residual phase noise measurements on a number of VHF, UHF, and microwave amplifiers, both silicon (Si) bipolar junction transistor (BJT) and gallium arsenide (GaAs) field effect transistor (FET) based, electronic phase shifters, frequency dividers and multipliers, etc., which are commonly used in a wide variety of frequency source and synthesizer applications are presented. The measurement technique has also been used to evaluate feedback oscillator components, such as the loop and buffer amplifiers, which can play important roles in determining an oscillator's output phase noise spectrum (often in very subtle ways). While some information has previously been published related to component residual phase noise properties, it generally focused on the flicker noise levels of the devices under test, for carrier offset frequencies less than 10 kHz. The work reported herein makes use of an extremely low noise, 500 MHz surface acoustic wave resonator oscillator (SAWRO) test source for residual phase noise measurements, both close-to-and far-from-the-carrier. Using this SAWRO-based test source at 500 MHz, we have been able to achieve a measurement system phase noise floor of -184 dBc/Hz, or better, for carrier offset frequencies greater than 10 kHz, and a system flicker phase noise floor of -150 dBc/Hz, or better, at 1 Hz carrier offset. The paper discusses the results of detailed residual phase noise measurements performed on a number of components using this overall system configuration. Several interesting observations related to the residual phase noise properties of moderate to high power RF amplifiers, i.e., amplifiers with 1 dB gain compression points in the range of +20 to +33 dBm, are highlighted     

Stress analysis of elastomeric materials at large extensions using the finite element method

The finite element method is applied to stress and strain analyses around rigid spherical particles in elastomers at large extensions. The stress and strain distribution computed agree well with the classical theoretical ones at small strain. At large extension, however, the maximum stress concentration factor increases greatly and the maximum strain concentration factor decreases slightly as strain increases. These tendencies are increased more in carbon black-filled elastomers than in unfilled ones, which can be understood reasonably by considering both the geometric and material non-linearity. Reinforcement of elastomers with rigid spherical particles was also analysed through a numerical computation. The computed results agree with the Guth and Mooney equations at low volume fraction of fillers. In carbon black-filled elastomers, on the other hand, where the modulus is much higher than that given by the above equations, the computations give a good agreement with the experiments, considering the 20% increase in effective diameter of the filler.     

Comparative study of the death during sea voyages among Polish seamen and deep-sea and boat fishermen

181 fatal cases of diseases and work-related accidents recorded in the years 1985-1994 among seamen and fishermen were analyzed. The highest mortality rate and fatal accident rate were noted in seamen. They were higher than those pertaining to workers employed on land. The respective rates for Polish fishermen were lower than those reported in other countries. The main causes of death at sea were sea catastrophes, injuries, drowning, poisoning and circulatory system diseases. The most frequent were deaths during the day and not on the watch, being alone in the cabin. Limited access to qualified medical assistance during the voyage and frequent occurrence of sudden deaths reduce substantially the efficacy of help. Therefore, prevention of diseases and accidents is of crucial importance.     

Gene amplification as a prognostic factor in primary and secondary high-grade malignant gliomas

ND10 are recently characterized nuclear domains that are composed of 0.5 microm sized, precisely circumscribed dots in cultured human cell lines. To investigate the distribution and number of ND10 on various types of normal and neoplastic human tissues, we carried out immunostaining and immunoprecipitation analyses with monoclonal antibodies 138 and 1150. The number of ND10 varied from 1 to 10 or more in various tissues as did their size. ND10 were diffusely located in early embryonic and normal tissues, except for the exocrine and endocrine cells of the pancreas and for hepatocytes. In normal squamous mucosa, basal cells had more ND10 than did differentiated superficial squamous cells. The number and size of ND10 were markedly increased in malignant neoplasms but were similar in benign tumors and corresponding normal tissues. Sex hormone-related normal tissues, such as the endometrium or myometrium, and neoplasms strongly stained for ND10. The distribution pattern of ND10 in human tissues indicates that they are conserved nuclear substructures that are closely associated with cellular differentiation, hormonal stimulation, and oncogenesis.     

Increase in leukocyte adhesiveness and aggregation with stress: a model of human congestive heart failure

Stress has a significant influence on the function of the human organism. A simple, rapid, inexpensive, and reliable marker for stress would therefore be of great value. We have recently noted that stress increases the state of leukocyte adhesiveness and aggregation in the peripheral blood. We evaluated 64 patients who had various degrees of congestive heart failure, a condition known to induce a state of physiologic stress, to verify whether a relation exists between the intensity of the stress response and the magnitude of leukocyte adhesiveness. Included in the 64 were 53 patients without congestive heart failure, 23 with compensated failure, 22 with significant congestive heart failure, and 19 with florid pulmonary edema. The percentage of aggregated leukocytes in these four group was 6% +/- 4%, 6% +/- 4%, 10.5% +/- 5%, and 15% +/- 14%. Values for the third and fourth group differed in a statistically significant way. Thus, with further investigation into additional stress-inducing conditions, the state of leukocyte adhesion and aggregation may prove to be a reliable marker for the detection of stress and an inexpensive tool for quantifying its severity.     

Limited expansion of the (CAG)n repeat of the Huntington gene: a premutation (?)

Pantoprazole is a specific inhibitor of the H+/K(+)-ATPase of the gastric parietal cell. The dose-dependency of a range of pantoprazole pharmacokinetic characteristics was studied. Twelve healthy male subjects were given 10, 20, 40 and 80 mg pantoprazole intravenously according to a randomized, single blind, 4-period change-over scheme. The area under the concentration vs time curve (AUC) and the maximum serum concentration (Cmax) showed a linear increase in line with the dose. Apparent volume of distribution (Vd area), clearance (Cl) and terminal half-life (t1/2) were independent of the dose. The dose-independent elimination of pantoprazole was attributed to the lack of interaction of the drug with cytochrome P450. In clinical practice, a good predictable response, as well as a low potential for interaction with other drugs might be expected.     

Efficacy and tolerability of brodimoprim in otitis

We managed four cases of lymphorrhea after extraperitoneal pelvic lymphadenectomy by means of minocycline instillation into the cavity around the drainage tube. Two patients had concomitantly undergone cystectomy and one prostatectomy via the extraperitoneal approach. In all four cases, the lymphorrhea markedly subsided, which dramatically shortened the duration of drainage. No side effects occurred. These findings indicate that minocycline instillation is an efficacious treatment for lymphorrhea.     

Solution of the problem of oscillations of laminated plates in geometrically nonlinear statement

The article deals with the problem of oscillations of laminated plates with large deflection. It analyzes the fields of application of the refined theory of shear for its solution.Translated from Problemy Prochnosti, No. 8, pp. 47–52, August, 1993.     

Drainage of base soils with radial horizontal wells

This article describes the efficiency of using radial horizontal wells in base soils to protect buildings and structures from a rise in the level of groundwater. All-Russian Scientific Research and Design Institute for Drainage of Mineral Deposits, Special Mining Work, Ore Geology, and Mine Surveying, Belgorod. Translated from Osnovaniya, Fundamenty i Mekhanika Gruntov, No. 4, pp. 21–24, July–August, 1994.