Nanosecond channel-switching exact optical frequency synthesizer using an optical injection phase-locked loop (OIPLL)

Experimental results are reported on an optical frequency synthesizer for use in dynamic dense wavelength-division-multiplexing networks, based on a tuneable laser in an optical injection phase-locked loop for rapid wavelength locking. The source combines high stability (50 dB), narrow linewidth (10 MHz), and fast wavelength switching (<10 ns)

Incidence of testicular germ-cell malignancies in England and Wales: trends in children compared with adults.

The incidence of testicular cancer has been increasing markedly in most industrialised countries. This rise is known to have affected young adults, but it is less clear whether it has affected other age groups, particularly children. We used data from the National Cancer Registry file at the Office of National Statistics (ONS) and the National Registry of Childhood Tumours to examine trends in testicular germ-cell malignancies overall in England and Wales from 1962 to 1990 and in children from 1962 to 1995. The incidence of testicular cancer at all ages rose by 3.4% (95% CI 3.3-3.6%) per annum from 1962 to 1990. A similar rise in the incidence of germ-cell malignancies occurred during the years for which histological information was available in the ONS files, 1971-1989 (3.4%; 3.1-3.6%), to which both seminomas and non-seminomas contributed equally. The incidence of non-seminomas in adults rose in men under age 55 years and declined in older men, whereas there were increases in the incidence of seminomas in both young and older men. Cohort analysis at young ages showed a marked rise in the risk of germ-cell malignancies up to the cohort born in 1955-1959 but no further rise for those born subsequently. The rise in the incidence of these tumours in young adults was paralleled by a similar trend, although less marked, in children aged under 15 years (1.3% per annum; 0.2-2.5%). The increase in risk for children in this very large data set alongside the rise in young adults is compatible with the hypothesis that childhood and adult testicular germ-cell malignancies may have some common risk factors, presumably pre-natal

Cold water immersion did not accelerate recovery after a futsal match

© 2014, Redprint Editora Ltda. All rights reserved. Introduction: cold-water immersion (CWI) is a popular recovery strategy; however, there is limited evidence of the effectiveness of this method in sport settings. Objective: to investigate the effect of CWI on muscle soreness and anaerobic performance after a Futsal match. Methods: ten players performed two simulated matches followed by two randomized recovery conditions (CWI or passive rest - C), separated for seven days. During the recovery interventions, the players remained seated in a comfortable position (C) or were immersed in a pool with cold water (CWI condition; 15±1ºC) for 12 minutes. Muscle soreness assessment, counter movement jump (CMJ) test, repeated jump ability (RJA) test, and repeated sprint running test (rRST) were conducted prior to the match (Pre), immediately after the recovery intervention (P1) and 24h after the recovery intervention (P2). Results: a significant increase in muscle soreness after the Futsal match was observed for both interventions (C and CWI) during all time points (P1 and P2, p0.05). There was a significant decrease in anaerobic performance (CMJ, RJA and rRST) immediately after the CWI intervention when compared to C (P1, p0.05). Conclusion: the CWI did not improve recovery related to muscle soreness and anaerobic performance of Futsal players

Modelling the radio to X-ray SED of galaxies

We present our model to interpret the SED of galaxies. The model for the UV to sub-mm SED is already well established (Silva et al 1998). We remind here its main features and show some applications. Recently we have extended the model to the radio range (Bressan et al 2001), and we have started to include the X-ray emission from the stellar component.Comment: 4 pages, to be published in "The link between stars and cosmology", 26-30 March, 2001, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, by Kluwer, eds. M. Chavez, A. Bressan, A. Buzzoni, and D. Mayy

Enhancement of vaccinia virus based oncolysis with histone deacetylase inhibitors

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDI) dampen cellular innate immune response by decreasing interferon production and have been shown to increase the growth of vesicular stomatitis virus and HSV. As attenuated tumour-selective oncolytic vaccinia viruses (VV) are already undergoing clinical evaluation, the goal of this study is to determine whether HDI can also enhance the potency of these poxviruses in infection-resistant cancer cell lines. Multiple HDIs were tested and Trichostatin A (TSA) was found to potently enhance the spread and replication of a tumour selective vaccinia virus in several infection-resistant cancer cell lines. TSA significantly decreased the number of lung metastases in a syngeneic B16F10LacZ lung metastasis model yet did not increase the replication of vaccinia in normal tissues. The combination of TSA and VV increased survival of mice harbouring human HCT116 colon tumour xenografts as compared to mice treated with either agent alone. We conclude that TSA can selectively and effectively enhance the replication and spread of oncolytic vaccinia virus in cancer cells. © 2010 MacTavish et al

Geo-environmental mapping using physiographic analysis: constraints on the evaluation of land instability and groundwater pollution hazards in the Metropolitan District of Campinas, Brazil

Geo-environmental terrain assessments and territorial zoning are useful tools for the formulation and implementation of environmental management instruments (including policy-making, planning, and enforcement of statutory regulations). They usually involve a set of procedures and techniques for delimitation, characterisation and classification of terrain units. However, terrain assessments and zoning exercises are often costly and time-consuming, particularly when encompassing large areas, which in many cases prevent local agencies in developing countries from properly benefiting from such assessments. In the present paper, a low-cost technique based on the analysis of texture of satellite imagery was used for delimitation of terrain units. The delimited units were further analysed in two test areas situated in Southeast Brazil to provide estimates of land instability and the vulnerability of groundwater to pollution hazards. The implementation incorporated procedures for inferring the influences and potential implications of tectonic fractures and other discontinuities on ground behaviour and local groundwater flow. Terrain attributes such as degree of fracturing, bedrock lithology and weathered materials were explored as indicators of ground properties. The paper also discusses constraints on- and limitations of- the approaches taken

Adenocarcinoma do pâncreas localmente avançado e metastizado com resposta completa a quimioterapia

Os autores apresentam o caso clínico de doente do sexo feminino, 54 anos, raça branca, que recorreu ao médico assistente por dor abdominal associada a manifestações constitucionais. A ecografia revelou massa pancreática e formações nodulares hepáticas compatíveis com lesões secundárias, resultado posteriormente corroborado por tomografia computorizada, que acrescentou critérios de irressecabilidade, nomeadamente invasão dos vasos mesen- téricos e do duodeno. A biopsia ecoguiada obteve material cujo estudo anatomopatológico revelou tratar-se de adeno- carcinoma do pâncreas. Iniciou quimioterapia, verifican- do-se melhoria clínica progressiva. A reavaliação imagio- lógica, após 7 ciclos de tratamento, não detectou a lesão primitiva nem as lesões secundárias, sugerindo resposta completa. Foi mantido esquema regular de quimioterapia, persistindo a remissão 8 meses após a documentação da resposta completa