High speed two-dimensional optical beam position detector

Disclosed is the design of a high speed two-dimensional optical beam position detector which outputs the X and Y displacement and total intensity linearly. The experimental detector measures the displacement from DC to 123 MHz and the intensity of an optical spot in a similar way as a conventional quadrant photodiode detector. The design uses four discrete photodiodes and simple dedicated optics for the position decomposition which enables higher spatial accuracy and faster electronic processing than conventional detectors. Measurements of the frequency response and the spatial sensitivity demonstrate high suitability for atomic force microscopy, scanning probe data storage applications, and wideband wavefront sensing. The operation principle allows for position measurements up to 20 GHz and more in bandwidth.     

Safe design of high-performance embedded systems in an MDE framework

In this paper, we use the UML MARTE profile to model high-performance embedded systems (HPES) in the GASPARD2 framework. We address the design correctness issue on the UML model by using the formal validation tools associated with synchronous languages, i.e., the SIGALI model checker, etc. This modeling and validation approach benefits from the advantages of UML as a standard, and from the number of validation tools built around synchronous languages. In our context, model transformations act as a bridge between UML and the chosen validation technologies. They are implemented according to a model-driven engineering approach. The modeling and validation are illustrated using the multimedia functionality of a new-generation cellular phone.     

Surface analysis using a new plasma assisted desorption/ionisation source for mass spectrometry in ambient air

The authors report on a modified micro-plasma assisted desorption/ionisation (PADI) device which creates plasma through the breakdown of ambient air rather than utilising an independent noble gas flow. This new micro-PADI device is used as an ion source for ambient mass spectrometry to analyse species released from the surfaces of polytetrafluoroethylene, and generic ibuprofen and paracetamol tablets through remote activation of the surface by the plasma. The mass spectra from these surfaces compare favourably to those produced by a PADI device constructed using an earlier design and confirm that the new ion source is an effective device which can be used to achieve ambient mass spectrometry with improved spatial resolution.     

Experimental studies and thermodynamic assessment of the Ba-Mo-O system by the CALPHAD method

Thermodynamic measurements on BaMoO₄, BaMoO₃ and BaMo₃O₁₀ are reported, that served as input for the development of a thermodynamic model of the Ba-Mo-O system using the CALPHAD methodology. The valence states of molybdenum in BaMoO₄ and BaMoO₃ were confirmed to be VI and IV, respectively, from X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure Spectroscopy measurements at the Mo K-edge. The heat capacity at low temperatures of these compounds was obtained from thermal-relaxation calorimetry. Phase equilibrium data in the BaMoO₄-MoO₃ section were also measured, and the transition enthalpy associated with the peritectic decomposition of BaMo₃O₁₀ was determined using Differential Scanning Calorimetry. The developed thermodynamic model used the compound energy formalism for intermediate compounds, and an ionic two-sublattice model for the liquid phase. The optimized Gibbs energies were assessed with respect to the known thermodynamic and phase equilibrium data. A good agreement is generally obtained, but a number of ill-defined data were also identified.     

Cost-effectiveness and quality-of-life assessment of GM-CSF as an adjunct to intensive remission induction chemotherapy in elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia

The acute hemodynamic effects of the phosphodiesterase (PDE) III inhibitor saterinone were compared with dobutamine and sodium nitroprusside in 12 patients with idiopathic congestive cardiomyopathy (NYHA III). Hemodynamic measurements were obtained with a Swan-Ganz thermodilution catheter. At the peak of its dose-response curve, saterinone induced an increase in cardiac index (+102%), stroke volume (+97%), and heart rate (+6%), paralleled by a decrease in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (-46%), right atrial pressure (-51%), pulmonary arterial pressure (systolic -32%, diastolic -45%, mean -38%), systemic blood pressure (systolic -3%, diastolic -13%, mean -9%), systemic vascular resistance (-54%), and pulmonary vascular resistance (-58%). Dobutamine had similar effects on cardiac index (+106%) and stroke volume (+87%) but lacked vasodilatory characteristics. In contrast to dobutamine, both nitroprusside and saterinone demonstrated more pronounced vasodilatory effects. Nitroprusside was less effective on cardiac index (+66%) and stroke volume (+56%) than was saterinone. The double product was markedly increased by dobutamine (+28%), did not change with saterinone treatment (+2%), and decreased with nitroprusside (-10%). This indicates that according to double product, only the application of dobutamine caused a relevant increase in myocardial oxygen consumption. Saterinone was demonstrated to be a safe and potent drug on short-term application; it combines the vasodilating properties of sodium nitroprusside with the positive inotropic effects of dobutamine without major changes in myocardial oxygen consumption.     

Compensation for decreased expression of B7 molecules on Leishmania infantum-infected canine macrophages results in restoration of parasite-specific T-cell proliferation and gamma interferon production

Infection of humans and dogs by Leishmania infantum may result in visceral leishmaniasis, which is characterized by impaired T-cell-mediated immune responses to parasite antigens. Dogs are natural hosts of Leishmania parasites and play an important role in the transmission of the parasites to humans. In an effort to characterize the immune response in dogs infected with this intracellular pathogen, we examined how infection with L. infantum affects canine macrophages and the consequences for T-cell activation in vitro. We showed that the proliferation of T-cell lines to cognate antigen decreases to background levels when infected autologous monocyte-derived macrophages are used as antigen-presenting cells (APC). The observed reduction of antigen-specific T-cell proliferation was shown to be dependent on the parasite load and to require cell-to-cell interaction of T cells with the infected APC. In addition, we observed a decreased expression of costimulatory B7 molecules on infected monocyte-derived macrophages. The expression of other surface molecules involved in T-cell activation, such as major histocompatibility complex class I and class II, on these cells did not change upon infection, whereas the expression of intracellular adhesion molecule 1 was marginally increased. Compensation for the decreased expression of B7 molecules by the addition of B7-transfected cells resulted in the restoration of cell proliferation and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) production by a Leishmania-specific T-cell line. These results showed that for the activation of parasite-specific canine T cells producing IFN-gamma, which are most likely involved in protective immunity, sufficient expression of B7 molecules on infected macrophages is required. Provision of costimulatory molecules may be an approach for immunotherapy of leishmaniaisis as well as for vaccine development.     

Costs and effects of microsurgery versus radiosurgery in treating acoustic neuroma

This study analyses costs and effects of treating acoustic neuroma patients by using microsurgery compared to radiosurgery. Radiosurgery is the stereotactic application of radiotherapy and an innovative medical technology. Cost and effect estimates of conventional treatment were based on a retrospective study in the Netherlands. Similar data for a comparable group of patients in Sweden were collected for radiosurgery, as this treatment option is currently not available in the Netherlands. Fifty-three acoustic neuroma patients who had been operated on the University Hospital Rotterdam between November 1990 and February 1995 were included. This group was compared with 92 acoustic neuroma patients treated with radiosurgery (Gamma Knife. Stockholm, Sweden) in the same period. Data on health care use were collected from patient files. To obtain data on production losses and quality of life, a questionnaire was sent by mail in February 1995. This booklet consisted of the Health and Labour-questionnaire (HLQ), the Short Form-36 (SF36) and the EuroQol. The response rate was 92%. Direct costs for microsurgery amounted to Dfl. 20.072,- and for radiosurgery to Dfl. 14.272,-. Indirect costs were respectively Dfl. 16.400,- and Dfl. 1.020,-. General health rating was better for radiosurgery than for microsurgery. On the whole, differences in clinical outcomes between the two patient groups were small. Assuming a reasonable occupancy rate of the expensive radiosurgery equipment, we demonstrated that for the short term treating patients with acoustic neuroma with an extra-meatal tumour diameter of less than 3 centimeters, radiosurgery is more cost-effective than microsurgery.     

Predicting bovine milk protein composition based on Fourier transform infrared spectra

Phenotypic information on individual protein composition of cows is important for many aspects of dairy processing with cheese production as the center of gravity. However, measuring individual protein composition is expensive and time consuming. In this study, we investigated whether protein composition can be predicted based on inexpensive and routinely measured milk Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. Based on 900 calibration and 900 validation samples that had both capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE)-determined protein composition and FTIR spectra available, low to moderate validation R² were reached (from 0.18 for α_S1-casein to 0.56 for β-lactoglobulin). The potential usefulness of this model on the phenotypic level was investigated by means of achieved selection differentials for 25% of the best animals. For α-lactalbumin (R² = 0.20), the selection differential amounted to 0.18 g/100 g and for casein index (R² = 0.50) to 1.24 g/100 g. We concluded that predictions of protein composition were not accurate enough to enable selection of individual animals. However, for specific purposes when, for example, groups of animals that meet a certain threshold are to be selected, the presented model could be useful in practice on the phenotypic level. The potential usefulness of this model on the genetic level was investigated by means of genetic correlations between CZE-determined and FTIR-predicted protein composition traits. The genetic correlations ranged from 0.62 (β-casein) to 0.97 (whey). Thus, predictions of protein composition, when used as input to estimate breeding values, provide an excellent means for genetic improvement of protein composition. In addition, estimated repeatabilities based on 3 repeated observations of predicted protein composition showed that a considerable amount of prediction error can be removed using repeated observations.     

Bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency--clinical course and laboratory findings in eight affected animals

To compare multiple and singleton pregnancies in the treatment of threatened preterm delivery with prolonged intravenous ritodrine, 32 women with multiple pregnancy (26 twins, 6 triplets, 70 fetuses, 30.3 +/- 3.5 weeks) and 51 women with singleton pregnancy (31.3 +/- 2.6 weeks) admitted for threatened preterm delivery without rupture of the membranes were the subjects of a retrospective study of obstetric data, perinatal outcome and maternal adverse effects. Significance was assessed by chi 2 test and Student's t test. Multiple pregnancies were associated with a marked increase in the duration of tocolysis (17.2 +/- 17.3 vs. 7.6 +/- 8.1 days, P < 0.01), incidence of delivery before 37 weeks (87.5 vs. 35.3%, P < 0.01) and incidence of maternal cardiovascular complications (34.4 vs. 4.0%, P < 0.01), including three cases of pulmonary edema. The incidences of delivery before 32 weeks (12.5 vs. 7.8%) and of neonatal death (2.9 vs. 0%) were not significantly different in the two groups. Multiple pregnancies dramatically increased the incidence of maternal adverse effects of prolonged intravenous ritodrine therapy. Neonatal benefit is questionable and was difficult to establish since it was not a randomized study.