Time-dependent changes of inflammatory mediators in the lungs of humans exposed to 0.4 ppm ozone for 2 hr: a comparison of mediators found in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid 1 and 18 hr after exposure

Acute exposure of humans to ozone results in reversible respiratory function decrements and cellular and biochemical changes leading to the production of substances which can mediate inflammation and acute lung injury. While pulmonary function decrements occur almost immediately after ozone exposure, it is not known how quickly the cellular and biochemical changes indicative of inflammation occur in humans. Increased bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid levels of neutrophils (PMNs) and prostaglandins (PGE2) have been reported in humans as early as 3 hr and as late as 18 hr after exposure. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a broad range of inflammatory mediators are elevated in BAl fluid within 1 hr of exposure. We exposed eight healthy volunteers twice: once to 0.4 ppm ozone and once to filtered air. Each exposure lasted for 2 hr during which the subjects underwent intermittent heavy exercise (66 liters/min). BAL was performed 1 hr after the exposure. Ozone induced rapid increases in PMNs, total protein, LDH, alpha-1 antitrypsin, fibronectin, PGE2, thromboxane B2, C3a, tissue factor, and clotting factor VII. In addition, there was a decrease in the recovery of total cells and alveolar macrophages, and decreased ability of alveolar macrophages to phagocytize Candida albicans. A comparison of these changes with changes observed in an earlier study in which subjects underwent BAL 18 hr after an identical exposure regimen indicates that IL-6 and PGE2 levels were higher 1 hr after exposure than 18 hr after exposure, fibronectin and tissue-plasminogen activator levels were higher 18 hr after exposure, and that PMNs, protein, and C3a were present at essentially the same levels at both times. These results indicate that (i) several inflammatory mediators are already elevated 1 hr after exposure; (ii) some mediators achieve their maximal levels in BAL fluid at different times following exposure. These data suggest that the inflammatory response is complex, depending on a cascade of timed events, and that depending on the mediator of interest one must choose an appropriate sampling time.     

Monolithically integrated semiconductor LED-amplifier for applications as transceivers in fiber access systems

We have fabricated a monolithically integrated LED-amplifier chip for application as a high-power broad-band transmitter. Amplified LED output of 10 mW and fiber-coupled power of 4 mW was demonstrated. The device can be used as a spectrally-sliced transmitter for wavelength-division-multiplexed networks or as a broad-band transmitter in subcarrier multiple-access systems to eliminate optical beat interference. The amplifier section in the integrated device can also be used as a photodetector. The performance of the device as a transceiver in a WDM multiple-access system operating at a typically proposed local-access data rate of 10 Mb/s was successfully demonstrated.     

Integrated MQW optical amplifier/noise-filter/photodetectorphotonic circuit

A monolithically integrated photonic circuit with an InGaAs/InGaAsP multiple-quantum-well (MQW) traveling-wave optical amplifier, a Bragg reflection grating-folded noise filter, and an MQW photodetector has been demonstrated. This photonic circuit offers potential as a preamplified lightwave receiver in high-data-rate applications because of its compactness and potentially low cost     

A smart boring tool for process control

A mechatronic metal cutting tool has been developed to improve the accuracy and flexibility of line boring machining in the automotive industry. Laser position sensors and piezoelectric actuator were integrated into the rotating body of the boring tool. To compensate the boring bar droop and effects of cutting forces, a fast tool servo utilizing feedback control of the boring tool insert position was designed and embedded in the rotating tool assembly. In addition to position control, a self-monitoring algorithm that utilizes disturbance estimator has been put together in the controller. Experimental results demonstrated that the developed cutting process controller improves the accuracy of the boring tool as well as reliably detects the process failures, such as tool tip breakage, without additional monitoring equipment.     

A Mobile Platform for Nursing Robots

This paper describes a computer-controlled vehicle which is part of a nursing robot system currently under development at the Technion-Israel Institute for Technology. The platform of this vehicle can also be used for household robots. Design considerations, control algorithms, and the necessary sensory devices are discussed. The vehicle applies a motion control strategy which avoids slippage and minimizes position errors. Experimental results, performed on a prototype vehicle, are described as well.     

Low-threshold, high-temperature pulsed operation of InGaAsP/InP vertical cavity surface emitting lasers

Room-temperature pulsed operation of InGaAsP (1.3 mu m)/InP vertical cavity surface emitting lasers has been achieved with threshold current as low as 50 mA using a constricted-mesa structure with dielectric mirrors. Above-room-temperature operation has also been realized with a maximum operation temperature of 66 degrees C. Pulsed and continuous-wave threshold currents at 77 K are 1.5 and 3.9 mA, respectively.<>