Speckle interferometry for spectral analysis of laser sources and multimode optical waveguides

Speckle phenomena in optical waveguides known as modal noise are useful for measuring the spectral width of laser sources down to 1 MHz or the bandwidth of multimode fibers up to 1 THz. This measurement is based on a theory relating the frequency correlation function of a speckle pattern to the light source spectrum and to the power transfer function of general waveguides. We demonstrate the feasibility of the method by investigating laser lines with a width of 300 MHz and 5 GHz, and by studying the transmission characteristics of short fiber pieces with bandwidths up to 37 GHz.     

Associative learning and memory for an antinociceptive response in the spinalized rat.

Prior research suggests that associative and memorial processes can modulate the activation of the endogenous antinociceptive systems. It has been generally assumed that forebrain systems play an essential role in mediating the impact of these processes. The present experiments explored whether the behavioral effects indicative of associative and memorial processes can be obtained in spinalized rats. Experiment 1 demonstrated that a conditioned nonopioid antinociception can be established after rats have experienced a spinal transection at the level of the 2nd thoracic vertebrae. Experiment 2 showed that a postshock distractor can speed the decay of shock-induced antinociception in the spinalized rat. These findings suggest that the circuitry needed to obtain associative and memorylike effects is present within the spinal cord. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Water network cost optimization in a paper mill based on a new library of mathematical models

The increasing costs associated with water supply and the disposal of wastewater has stimulated industries to seek more efficient water management systems. Mathematical modelling and simulation can be a very valuable tool for the study of the multiple alternatives available whilst assessing optimum solutions for water management in industry. This study introduces a new steady state model library able to reproduce industrial water circuits. It has been implemented in a novel software framework for the representation, simulation and optimization of industrial water networks. A water circuit representing a paper mill has been modelled and simulated showing the capability to reproduce real case studies. Alternative scenarios for the water network have also been tested to assess the capability of the models to optimize water circuits minimizing total cost.     

Long short-term cognitive networks

Neural Computing and Applications - In this paper, we present a recurrent neural system named long short-term cognitive networks (LSTCNs) as a generalization of the short-term cognitive network...     

Flow of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–ethanol and of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–methanol in a non-adiabatic microfluidic T-junction at high pressures

In this work, an experimental investigation of the single- and multiphase flows of two sets of fluids, CO₂–ethanol and CO₂–methanol, in a non-adiabatic microfluidic T-junction is presented. The operating conditions ranged from 7 to 18 MPa, and from 294 to 474 K. The feed mass fraction of CO₂ in the mixtures was 0.95 and 0.87, respectively. Under these operating conditions, CO₂ was either in liquid, gas or supercritical state; and the mixtures experienced a miscible single phase or a vapour–liquid equilibrium (VLE), with two separated phases. Taylor, annular and wavy were the two-phase flow regimes obtained in the VLE region. In the single phase region, the observed flows were classified into standard single-phase flows, “pseudo” two-phase flows and local phenomena in the T-junction. Flow regime maps were generated, based on temperature and pressure conditions. Two-phase flow void fractions and several parameters of Taylor flow were analysed. They showed a clear dependency on temperature, but were mostly insensitive to pressure. A continuous accumulation of liquid, either in the CO₂ channel or at the CO₂-side wall after the T-junction, disturbed most of the experiments in VLE conditions by randomly generating liquid plugs. This phenomenon is analysed, and capillary and wetting effects due to local Marangoni stresses are suggested as possible causes.     

Sex-related differences in foot shape of adult Caucasians--a follow-up study focusing on long and short feet

The study's purpose was to substantiate findings on sex-related differences in foot morphology focusing on fringe sizes. Altogether, 287 Caucasian adults with long or short feet were scanned. Data were analysed together with data from 847 subjects from a previous study with comparable inclusion criteria and anthropometric data by: (1)comparing absolute measures within 237-277 mm foot length (FL); (2) comparing averaged measures across sizes in % of foot length for 203-323 mm FL; (3) reclassifying the additional subjects into a previously defined foot type classification. Male feet were wider and higher for the same FL. Averaged across sizes, no relevant differences between sexes were found for widths and heights. Slender or flat-pointed foot types were more common in longer feet, shorter feet tended to be bigger. Definitions for 'long' and 'short' are sex-related with an offset of three shoe sizes (EU). Results of this follow-up study on long and short feet can substantiate previous findings mainly described for the most common sizes. STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE: Improper footwear can cause pain and injury and proper fit is a major criterion for shoe buyers. Knowledge about sex-related differences in foot shape is important for shoe design. This study supplements the field of knowledge for very small and large feet.     

Molecular typing of Borrelia burgdorferi from Lyme disease patients by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis

Ninety-three Borrelia burgdorferi isolates obtained from erythema migrans lesions or blood of Lyme disease patients in Westchester County, N.Y., between 1991 and 1994 were characterized by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis of the 16S-23S rRNA gene spacer. All isolates could be classified into three distinct RFLP types. Among the 82 skin biopsy isolates studied, 21 (25.6%) were type 1, 37 (45.1%) were type 2, and 21 (25.6%) were type 3. Three (3.7%) cultures contained a mixture of two isolates with distinct RFLP types. The 11 isolates cultured from blood showed a similar predominance of RFLP type 2 (6 of 11; 54.5%) relative to types 1 (2 of 11; 18.2%) and 3 (3 of 11; 27.3%). For one patient both skin and blood isolates were cultured, and RFLP analysis revealed that these isolates differed from one another. This study demonstrates that there is genotypic heterogeneity in B. burgdorferi strains infecting Lyme disease patients, and this typing approach may allow differentiation of isolates with various degrees of pathogenic potential.