Altered serial position learning after frontal lobe lesion

The serial position function is a powerful and highly reliable feature of human learning, with well-described primacy and recency effects. We tested the hypothesis that frontal lobe lesions in patients would disrupt the serial position function since such patients are known to have disturbed temporal ordering, learning in the presence of interference, encoding and organizational approaches to learning. Performance was compared in patients with focal, acquired lesions of frontal and non-frontal cortices, using a standardized paradigm of verbal list learning. Results indicated a similar pattern of performance on first trial learning for the two groups. However, across learning trials, frontal lesion subjects failed to maintain significant primacy and recency effects. Non-frontal lesion subjects consistently showed the expected U-shaped serial position curve across all trials. Subjective organization in learning was particularly deficient in the dorsolateral frontal lesion subjects. We propose that serial position effects are qualitatively different after frontal lobe lesion, being transitory and prone to alteration by the cumulative effects of disturbed temporal-spatial processing across learning trials.     

Accurate analysis of MMI devices with two-dimensional confinement

The accurate analysis of multimode interference (MMI) devices with two-dimensional (2-D) confinement has been demonstrated by using the least squares boundary residual (LSBR) method. Accurate modal propagation constants and spatial field profiles in the MMI section are obtained by using the vector H-field based finite element method. The accurate calculation of the excited modal coefficients is achieved by using the LSBR, which satisfies the continuity of the transverse field components more rigorously than using simple overlap integrals     

Thermal-stress-induced birefringence in bow-tie optical fibers

Birefringence induced by thermal stress in bow-tie optical fibers is studied in detail by the use of the finite-element method. Results of computer modeling show that a higher degree of birefringence can be obtained with the use of a larger cladding and larger stress-applying zones in the fiber.     

Rigorous comparison of parabolically tapered and conventional multimode-interference-based 3-dB power splitters in InGaAsP/InP waveguides

Design issues such as optical transmission, interference mechanisms, the splitting ratio, the polarization dependence, and the fabrication tolerances of a compact parabolically tapered multimode-interference (MMI)-based 3-dB power splitter on an InP-based deeply etched ridge waveguide, by use of the finite-element-based beam-propagation method, are presented. The benefits and drawbacks of the use of the tapered structure, in comparison with an untapered MMI-based 3-dB splitter, have also been investigated.     

The photodegradation of polypropylene. IV. UV stabilizer decomposition

The destruction of various UV stabilizers in polypropylene films during irradiation has been examined both in the presence and absence of air and oxidation products. Although some stabilizers were destroyed in the absence of oxygen, all were more sensitive when irradiated in the presence of air. Several stabilizers were highly effective but were destroyed so rapidly that photoprotection of the polymer must have resulted from stabilizer products. Work with preoxidized polymer and with model hydroperoxides and peroxides indicated that most stabilizers were destroyed by the attack of oxygen-centered radicals, with peroxy radical attack appearing to dominate.     

Frustrated-total-internal-reflection fiber-optic pressure sensor

In this work the design and construction of a simple fiber-optic pressure sensor based on the principle of frustrated-total-internal-reflection in a fiber cut beyond the critical angle are described. The characteristic of the device is obtained and compared with the predictions of a simple theory. Modifications to alter its sensitivity by the use of different wavelengths and fiber cut angle are discussed.     

Microwave holographic technique for reflector antenna profile measurement

A short-range microwave holographic technique for the measurement of reflector antenna surface profile is described. The technique uses a linearly scanned transmit/receive CW probe located on-axis at approximately two focal lengths from the reflector vertex. Rotation of the reflector provides a plane-polar data set which can be reconstructed by a fast algorithm to provide a surface profile error map. No special precautions are required with regard to the reflectivity of the environment. Practical results are provided to illustrate the performance of the system.     

LPG-Based PVA Coated Sensor for Relative Humidity Measurement

A long period grating (LPG) coated with polyvinyl alcohol has been developed and evaluated through exposure to a range of relative humidity (RH) levels (from 33%RH to 97%RH). The conditions for the creation of the sensor probes are described and the response of the device in terms of changes in the resonance loss of several of the spectral loss bands has been monitored. In order to make comparative measurements, a noncoated LPG was exposed to various known refractive index (RI) conditions and the grating response was monitored, analyzed and the results evaluated. This is then related to the change in RH when the sensor is exposed to various RH levels, as the coating RI changes, leading to the change in resonance loss. The PVA coated LPG sensor is showing a relatively fast response time of ~ 80 s to reach 97%RH from 33%RH and inducing ~ 2 dB change in transmission of resonance loss band.     

X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein and active caspase-3 expression patterns in antral follicles in the sheep ovary

X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) interacts with caspases to inhibit their activity, thereby providing a potential mechanism for regulation of granulosa cell apoptosis occurring during follicular atresia. The aim of this study was to determine the presence and localization of XIAP mRNA and protein content in the sheep ovary and compare these expression patterns with active caspase-3 protein in the same antral follicles. Romney ewe estrous cycles (n=25) were synchronized with 2-3 Estrumate injections and ovarian tissue collected during the luteal and follicular phases of the cycle. The presence of XIAP mRNA was confirmed by RT-PCR using laser capture microdissected ovarian cell samples. XIAP mRNA was subsequently localized by in situ hybridization histochemistry and XIAP and active caspase-3 protein visualized by immunohistochemistry. In antral follicles extensive XIAP localization was evident in both granulosa and thecal cells. In contrast, mRNA expression was widespread in granulosa cells and only detected in thecal tissue from a small proportion of antral follicles. Active caspase-3 and XIAP comparative expression analysis showed positive XIAP mRNA expression in all late luteal phase (day 14) follicles, despite varying levels of active caspase-3 protein. A proportion of follicular phase (days 15 and 16) follicles, however, showed an inverse expression relationship at the protein and mRNA levels in both granulosa and thecal tissue, as did XIAP protein in day 14 follicles. These results suggest high XIAP may prevent activation of caspase-3, thereby regulating follicular atresia in antral follicles and could potentially be utilized as a marker of follicular health.