Widely wavelength-selective Al2O3:Er3+ ring laser

Integrated Al2O3:Er3+ channel waveguide ring lasers were realized on thermally oxidized silicon substrates. High pump power coupling into- and low output power coupling from the ring is achieved in a straightforward design. Wavelength\ud selection in the range 1532 to 1557 nm was demonstrated by\ud varying the length of the output coupler from the ring

Large deviations for Markov jump processes with uniformly diminishing rates

We prove a large-deviation principle (LDP) for the sample paths of jump Markov processes in the small noise limit when, possibly, all the jump rates vanish uniformly, but slowly enough, in a region of the state space. We further discuss the optimality of our assumptions on the decay of the jump rates. As a direct application of this work we relax the assumptions needed for the application of LDPs to, e.g., Chemical Reaction Network dynamics, where vanishing reaction rates arise naturally particularly the context of mass action kinetics

Large deviations for Markov jump processes with uniformly diminishing rates

We prove a large-deviation principle (LDP) for the sample paths of jump Markov processes in the small noise limit when, possibly, all the jump rates vanish uniformly, but slowly enough, in a region of the state space. We further show that our assumptions on the decay of the jump rates are optimal. As a direct application of this work we relax the assumptions needed for the application of LDPs to, e.g., Chemical Reaction Network dynamics, where vanishing reaction rates arise naturally particularly the context of Mass action kinetics

In situ ruminal biohydrogenation of fatty acids from extruded soybeans: effects of dietary adaptation and of mixing with lecithin or wheat straw

Kinetics and intermediates of biohydrogenation of fatty acids were investigated in situ using extruded soybeans, a blend of extruded soybeans and lecithin (99:1), or a blend of extruded soybeans plus wheat straw (66:34). Two dry dairy cows received successively a diet with added palmitic acid and a diet with added extruded soybeans, and assays were completed after a 3-week adaptation to each diet. Adaptation of the cows to dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids suppressed the lag time before the beginning of biohydrogenation. Adaptation of cows, and mixing straw with soybeans, increased the rate of biohydrogenation of C18:2 and C18:3, resulting in less C18:2 and C18:3, and more trans C18:1 and C18:0 in the in situ bags. Lecithin did not affect the kinetics of biohydrogenation or the profile of fatty acids in the in situ bags. Differences in the rate of biohydrogenation, and profile of residual fatty acids in the bags were observed between the two cows. Even with a mixture of soybeans and straw in cows receiving dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids, biohydrogenation was slower and resulted in higher proportions of trans-C18:1 than expected from results of literature in vivo. Resultsshow that the biohydrogenation in situ is slow, highly dependent on experimental conditions, and that the use of several cows, adapted to the test fat source before the assay is initiated, is necessary in order to obtain a reliable estimate of kinetics parameters

Green tea and pomegranate extract administered during critical moments of the production cycle improves blood antiradical activity and alters cecal microbial ecology of broiler chickens

Phytobiotics are usually tested in feed and throughout the production cycle. However, it could be beneficial to evaluate their effects when administered only during critical moments, such as changes in feeding phases. The aim of the trial was to investigate the effect of a commercial plant extract (PE; IQV-10-P01, InQpharm Animal Health, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) on growth performance, blood antiradical activity and cecal microbiome when administered in drinking water to broiler chickens during the post-hatching phase and at each change of diet. In the experiment, 480 1-day-old male broiler chicks were assigned to two groups in a 50-day trial. Broilers received drinking water (C) or drinking water plus PE (T) at a rate of 2 mL/L on days 0 to 4, 10\u201311 and 20\u2013 21. PE did not affect performance and water intake, while total antiradical activity was improved (p < 0.05). A greater abundance of lactic acid bacteria (false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05) was found in the T group and the result was confirmed at a lower taxonomic level with higher Lactobacillaceae abundance (FDR < 0.05). Our findings suggest that PE administration during critical moments of the production cycle of broiler chickens may exert beneficial effects at a systemic level and on gut microbial ecology

Is there a role for ‘modified VAD’ in the treatment of multiple myeloma?

VAD, (Vincristine, Doxorubicin and Dexamethasone) was initially proposed as a salvage therapy for myeloma patients in whom prior alkylating agent therapy failed, although in recent years VAD has been surpassed by novel combination therapies with new biological agents such as thalidomide (and its derivative, lenalidomide) and bortezomib. After the excellent results obtained by the novel agents, VAD can no longer be proposed in preparation to autologous transplantation, although there are still indications that VAD remains useful and clinically relevant in the initial treatment of symptomatic multiple myeloma