Optical splitter/combiner with an adiabatic mixing region

An optical splitter/combiner having an adiabatic mixing region for optically interconnecting a plurality of optical fibers. The change in shape of the adiabatic mixing region is purposely gradual so as to introduce little optical loss. The shape of the adiabatic mixing region is varied so as to minimize the change in the cross-sectional area of the adiabatic mixing region. The optical splitter/combiner is fabricated by the utilizing two subassemblies which when fitted together form the adiabatic mixing region. This formed mixing region is adapted to accepting a linear array of optical fibers in one end and a single optical fiber in the other end. The core area of the optical fibers in one end is not necessarily equivalent to those of the other end but instead are sized to ensure the relatively efficient transfer of optical energy. The adiabatic mixing region is filled with resin, and the numerical apertures of the optical fibers and the resin-filled mixing region are substantially matched. The subassemblies form an optical cladding for the adiabatic mixing region.Published versio

Nocturia as an Unrecognized Symptom of Uncontrolled Hypertension in Black Men Aged 35 to 49 Years.

Background Hypertension is assumed to be asymptomatic. Yet, clinically significant nocturia (≥2 nightly voids) constitutes a putative symptom of uncontrolled hypertension. Black men with hypertension may be prone to nocturia because of blunted nocturnal blood pressure ( BP ) dipping, diuretic drug use for hypertension, and comorbidity that predisposes to nocturia. Here, we test the hypothesis that nocturia is a common and potentially reversible symptom of uncontrolled hypertension in black men. Methods and Results We determined the strength of association between nocturia (≥2 nightly voids) and high BP (≥135/85 mm Hg) by conducting in-person health interviews and measuring BP with an automated monitor in a large community-based sample of black men in their barbershops. Because nocturia is prevalent and steeply age-dependent after age 50 years, we studied men aged 35 to 49 years. Among 1673 black men (mean age, 43±4 years [ SD ]), those with hypertension were 56% more likely than men with normotension to have nocturia after adjustment for diabetes mellitus and sleep apnea (adjusted odds ratio, 1.56; 95% CI , 1.25-1.94 [ P<0.0001]). Nocturia prevalence varied by hypertension status, ranging from 24% in men with normotension to 49% in men whose hypertension was medically treated but uncontrolled. Men with untreated hypertension were 39% more likely than men with normotension to report nocturia ( P=0.02), whereas men whose hypertension was treated and controlled were no more likely than men with normotension to report nocturia ( P=0.69). Conclusions Uncontrolled hypertension was an independent determinant of clinically important nocturia in a large cross-sectional community-based study of non-Hispanic black men aged 35 to 49 years. Clinical Trial Registration URL : http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unqiue identifier: NCT 02321618

Predictors and patterns of participant adherence to a cortisol collection protocol

Cortisol, a stress-related hormone, has been measured in many psychoimmunological studies via collection of saliva; however, patterns of participant adherence to protocol procedures are rarely described in the literature