Integrated 1.3-/spl mu/m DFB laser electroabsorption modulator based on identical MQW double-stack active layer with 25-GHz modulation performance

1.31-/spl mu/m electroabsorption modulators monolithically integrated with a DFB laser diode have been realized using an identical InGaAsP-InP multiple quantum-well-layer structure composed of two different QW types. Low laser threshold currents <13 mA and high 3-dBe cutoff frequency up to /spl sim/25 GHz have been measured.     

Regulation of interrenal secretion in the axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum

The regulation of corticosteroid secretion of the adrenal cortex (interrenal tissue) of axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) was studied using in vitro preparations of kidney containing interrenal tissue. Normally, 0.3-0.65 ng/5 min corticosterone and 0.15-0.3 ng/5 min aldosterone were released from the tissue. Regulatory peptides were effective in the following range: ACTH = arginine vasotocin > urotensin II > angiotensin II. They stimulate an elevation of corticosterone (plus 0.2-1 ng/5 min) and of aldosterone (plus 0.05-0.15 ng/5 min). The three primary effector systems leading to second messengers, adenylate cyclase (forming cAMP), phospholipase C (forming InsP3 + DAG), and phospholipase A2 (liberating arachidonic acid) are involved in stimulation of biosynthesis. It can be suggested that the second messengers stimulate the biosynthesis at the level of the steps between pregnenolone and corticosterone ('3 beta-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase etc.), because the release of corticosterone is more stimulated than aldosterone. This is different than the regulation of anuran interrenal tissue. Ca++ ions are involved in corticosterone secretion. Verapamil inhibits immediately the secretion of corticosteroids and elevation of external Ca++ stimulates the release. It is suggested that Ca++ mediates the secretion process itself. Metamorphosis does not change the response of the interrenal gland compared with the neotenic animal.     

Cytosolic Calcium Concentration Changes in Neuronal Cells Under Clinorotation and in Parabolic Flight Missions

All life on earth has been established under conditions of stable gravity of 1g. Nevertheless, in numerous experiments the direct gravity dependence of biological processes has been shown on all levels of organization, from single molecules to humans. To study the effects especially of microgravity on biological systems, a variety of platforms are available, from drop towers to the ISS. Due to the costs of these platforms and their limited availability, as an alternative, numerous simulators have been developed for so called “simulated” microgravity. A classical systems is a clinostat, basically rotating a sample around one axis, and by integration of the gravity vector for 360° arguing that thus the effects of gravity are depleted. Indeed, a variety of studies has shown that taking out the direction of gravity from a biological system often results in consequences similar to the exposure of the system to real microgravity. Nevertheless, the opposite has been shown, too, and as a consequence the relevance of clinostats in microgravity research is still under discussion. To get some more insight into this problem we have constructed a small fluorescence clinostat and have studied the effects of clinorotation on the cytosolic calcium concentration of neuroglioma cells. The results have been compared to experiments with identical cells in real microgravity, utilizing parabolic flight missions. Our results show that in case of a cell suspension used in a small florescence clinostat within a tube diameter of 2mm, the effects of clinorotation are comparable to those under real microgravity, both showing a significant increase in intracellular calcium concentration.     

A New Validation of Relevant Substances for the Evaluation of Beer Aging Depending on the Employed Boiling System

During the last years changes in aging indicators have been observed, supposedly resulting from modern brewing technology. The Research Brewery Weihenstephan (Forschungsbrauerei Weihenstephan) offers excellent opportunities for comparing different modern wort boiling systems under semi‐industrial conditions. Employing three different boiling systems, nine brews were produced. The resulting worts were compared regarding the most common wort parameters. Furthermore the influence of the different boiling systems on aging indicators in the resulting beers was analyzed using a newly developed mass spectrometry‐based method. The decrease in the total amount of aging indicators in industrial beers over the last years is very likely the result of lower thermal intake in modern brewhouse equipment. The total amount of aging indicators is sufficient to describe the differences in modern boiling systems. In summary, 2‐furfural dominates all other indicators in terms of thermal influence. 2‐Furfuryl ethyl ether can be suggested as good indicator of aging as postulated by Eichhorn, whereas β‐damascenone is questionable as an aging indicator. Supplementary experiments were carried out to investigate the role of the aging indicators as stale flavour components. Because of synergistic effects, many stale flavour compounds act as aroma compounds and not only as indicators.     

Significance of urban and agricultural land use for biocide and pesticide dynamics in surface waters

Biocides and pesticides are designed to control the occurrence of unwanted organisms. From their point of application, these substances can be mobilized and transported to surface waters posing a threat to the aquatic environment. Historically, agricultural pesticides have received substantially more attention than biocidal compounds from urban use, despite being used in similar quantities.This study aims at improving our understanding of the influence of mixed urban and agricultural land use on the overall concentration dynamics of biocides and pesticides during rain events throughout the year. A comprehensive field study was conducted in a catchment within the Swiss plateau (25 km²). Four surface water sampling sites represented varying combinations of urban and agricultural sources. Additionally, the urban drainage system was studied by sampling the only wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in the catchment, a combined sewer overflow (CSO), and a storm sewer (SS). High temporal resolution sampling was carried out during rain events from March to November 2007.The results, based on more than 600 samples analyzed for 23 substances, revealed distinct and complex concentration patterns for different compounds and sources. Five types of concentration patterns can be distinguished: a) compounds that showed elevated background concentrations throughout the year (e.g. diazinon >50 ng L⁻¹), indicating a constant household source; b) compounds that showed elevated concentrations driven by rain events throughout the year (e.g. diuron 100-300 ng L⁻¹), indicating a constant urban outdoor source such as facades; c) compounds with seasonal peak concentrations driven by rain events from urban and agricultural areas (e.g. mecoprop 1600 ng L⁻¹ and atrazine 2500 ng L⁻¹ respectively); d) compounds that showed unpredictably sharp peaks (e.g. atrazine 10,000 ng L⁻¹, diazinon 2500 ng L⁻¹), which were most probably due to improper handling or even disposal of products; and finally, e) compounds that were used in high amounts but were not detected in surface waters (e.g. isothiazolinones).It can be safely concluded that in catchments of mixed land use, the contributions of biocide and pesticide inputs into surface waters from urban areas are at least as important as those from agricultural areas.     

Standardized ultrasound examination for evaluation of instability of the acromioclavicular joint

Anteroposterior X-ray views of both acromioclavicular (AC) joints with 10-kg weights held in each hand are the generally accepted procedure for diagnosis of Tossy I-III grades of AC joint separation. An analogous diagnosis can be made by standardized ultrasound examination. Ten individuals with Tossy-I, 11 with Tossy-II and 8 with Tossy-III instability were examined both radiographically and by B-mode ultrasound. The degree of AC joint separation was uniformly determined on the basis of a calculated index (AC Index = AC joint width of uninjured side/AC joint width of injured side). The mean AC Index for Tossy-I instability determined by ultrasound was 1.0; mean indices of 0.49 and 0.5 were determined for Tossy-II injury by ultrasound and X-ray, respectively, and of 0.21 and 0.2, respectively, for Tossy-III instability. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between the mean AC indices of all three groups (P < 0.0001). We conclude that the reliability of ultrasound examination of AC joint instability is equal to that of radiographic measurement. Standard X-rays of the shoulder remain mandatory only to exclude fracture. The indication for operative stabilization of the AC joint can be established on the basis of the grade of AC joint instability measured by the side-effect-free and cost-effective method of ultrasound examination (AC Index < 0.3 equivalent to Tossy-III instability).     

Action potential properties are gravity dependent

The functional properties of neuronal tissue critically depend on cellular composition and intercellular comunication. A basic principle of such communication found in various types of neurons is the generation of action potentials (APs). These APs depend on the presence of voltage gated ion channels and propagate along cellular processes (e.g. axons) towards target neurons or other cells. It has already been shown that the properties of ion channels depend on gravity. To discover whether the properties of APs also depend on gravity, we examined the propagation of APs in earthworms (invertebrates) and isolated nerve fibres (i.e. bundles of axons) from earthworms under conditions of micro- and macro-gravity. In a second set of experiments we could verify our results on rat axons (vertebrates). Our experiments carried out during two parabolic flight campaigns revealed that microgravity slows AP propagation velocity and macrogravity accelerates the transmission of action potentials. The relevance for live-science related questions is considerable, taking into account that altered gravity conditions might affect AP velocity in man during space flight missions.