Optical transmission of blood: effect of erythrocyte aggregation

The influence of red blood cell (RBC) aggregation on transparency of blood in the red-near infrared spectral range is investigated. We argue that for relatively thin blood layers the light diffraction on aggregates becomes the dominant phenomenon. The nature of pulsatile changes of blood transparency is explained by pulsations of RBC aggregate size. For another case of over-systolic vessel occlusion the following time evolution of blood transparency strongly depends on light wavelength. This dependence may serve as a basis for an alternative approach to noninvasive blood tests: occlusion spectroscopy. Theoretical results well correspond to both in vivo and in vitro measurements reproducing pulsatile blood flow and long occlusion as well.     

The effects of need for cognition on Internet use

One of the undisputed roles of the Internet is information spreading. However, to this day there is little understanding of the interaction between the way in which information is provided on the Internet and the behavior of different human personality types. This article focuses on the impact of the need for cognition on the desired level of interactivity of a given Website and on web surfing in general. For this experiment, four commercialized Websites were used: (1) flat with no hyperlinks and no time pressure; (2) flat with time pressure; (3) interactive¹ with no time pressure; and (4) interactive with time pressure. All of the Websites contained identical information presented in different ways. The relations between need for cognition as a personality variable, time pressure as a situational stressor, the interactivity of the Web site, and several demographic variables were examined on Internet users’ behavior while surfing and on their preferences. One hundred and eighty-two experienced Web surfers took part in the experiment and were randomly assigned to one of the Websites. The number of hyperlinks used while surfing were counted by specially designed software. After surfing, the participants completed questionnaires regarding their satisfaction from the site, their willingness to return to the site, how persuasive the site was, and demographic data. It was predicted that people with high need for cognition would be more experienced in the Internet, use more hyperlinks, and stay longer in the site. People with a low need for cognition were predicted to prefer interactive over linear sites. Results support the preferences of people low in need for cognition of an interactive site. Other predictions were supported only partially. Implementations for Website design and further research are discussed.     

Multiple pathways are involved in the extracellular processing of MHC class I-restricted peptides

T cell stimulation by certain class I-restricted antigenic peptides, such as the HIV 1 gp160-derived peptide, P18, requires peptide processing by angiotensin-1 converting enzyme (ACE) in FCS. We observed that longer versions of P18 and the murine cytomegalovirus pp89-derived core peptide, pMCMV, which could stimulate T cell hybridomas in FCS, were not as sensitive to the ACE inhibitor captopril as P18. Using cell-free soluble murine class I MHC molecules and protease inhibitors, we found that there are pathways of differing efficiency that use enzymes other than ACE for the proteolytic processing of peptides in serum. The kinetics of the generation of T cell stimulatory activity among P18 variant peptides in serum differed with peptide length, and with the nature of amino and COOH-terminal extensions. Such processing occurs in human plasma as well as in FCS. The understanding of this processing, its kinetics, and its inhibitors can lead to better design of peptide-based therapies, including vaccines.     

声光调QCO_2激光器的理论计算和实验研究

采用谐振腔内插入声光调制器的方法进行了小型CO2激光器的调Q实验,并根据影响激光器输出的诸多因素,利用调Q脉冲激光器速率方程对该激光器输出的主要技术参数进行了理论计算,据此提出了声光调QCO2激光器优化设计的途径和方法。设计制成的声光调QCO2激光器获得峰值功率超过4000 W,激光脉冲宽度为180 ns,与理论计算基本一致。激光器脉冲重复频率调节范围1 Hz~100 kHz。理论分析和实验结果均证明,调Q晶体中超声场的渡越时间并不会影响输出激光的脉冲宽度,因此无需在腔内插入光学透镜进行光束直径的压缩变换;渡越时间的影响只是体现在延长了激光脉冲的建立时间上;激光器的最佳工作频率在1 kHz左右,这与CO2分子0001能级大约1 ms的辐射寿命相匹配,当频率超过1 kHz时,激光的脉冲宽度随着频率的增加而开始加宽。激光器通过光栅选线的设计方式实现了9.2~10.8μm的全波段波长调谐,测得激光输出谱线超过60条。     

闪光灯泵浦Nd3+:GGG激光特性研究

用闪光灯泵浦掺钕钆镓石榴石(Nd^3 ：GGG)激光晶体，研究了脉冲宽度0．5ms、1ms、1．5ms和2ms的放电泵浦下激光输出，实验获得了1．92J的最大激光能量．     

Cytokine profiles of stimulated blood lymphocytes in asthmatic and healthy adolescents across the school year

T cell cytokines play an important role in mediating airway inflammation in asthma. The predominance of a Th2 cytokine profile, particularly interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5, is associated with the pathogenesis and course of asthma. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that a stressful life event alters the pattern of cytokine release in asthmatic individuals. Thirteen healthy controls and 21 asthmatic adolescents gave blood samples three times over a semester: midsemester, during the week of final examinations, and 2-3 weeks after examinations. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), IL-2, IL-4, and IL-5 were measured from supernatants of cells stimulated with PHA/PMA for 24 h. Cells from asthmatic subjects released significantly more IL-5 during the examination and postexamination periods, whereas cells from healthy controls released significantly more IL-2 during the midsemester and examination periods, thereby indicating a bias for a Th2-like pattern in asthmatics and a Th1-like pattern in healthy controls. IL-4 and IL-5 production showed a marked decrease during and after examinations in healthy controls, whereas this decline was absent in asthmatics. The ratios of IFN-gamma:IL-4 and IFN-gamma:IL-5 also revealed significant changes in the profile of cytokine release across the semester. These results indicate differential cytokine responses in asthmatics that may become pronounced during periods of cellular activation.