Ultrafast all-optical switching by cross phase modulation induced wavelength conversion in silicon-on-insulator waveguides and ring resonators

We present new results on ultrafast alloptical wavelength conversion in Silicon-on-Insulator waveguides through cross phase modulation. We demonstrate sub-picosecond all-optical switching with 13dB on/off ratio by combining the nonlinear wavelength conversion in the port waveguide with passive filtering using an integrated SOI microring resonator.\u

Pyla Kokkinokremos: preliminary report on the 2014 excavations

The new excavations have also confirmed the surprising ethnic mix of material culture at Pyla: a Minoan amphoroid krater together with Cypriote pithoi and Canaanite jars in Sector 4, a Cypriot spindle bottle together with imported deep bowl and mug rhyton from the central plateau Trench 3.1, or a Canaanite jar, Mycenaean stirrup jar, Cypriot storage jar from the northwest trench , etc. To these may be added the Sardinian, Mycenaean and Hittite vases encountered in previous seasons. In view of the brevity of occupation and localization of the site, many of these objects may be regarded as resulting from intensive trade. The discovery of such mixed assemblages in all parts of the site, however, seems to suggest that all households had already adopted and adapted to a new set of practices. Why and how they did this are questions we would like to see answered during the following campaigns

Energetics and Mechanism of Drug Transport Mediated by the Lactococcal Multidrug Transporter LmrP

The gene encoding the secondary multidrug transporter LmrP of Lactococcus lactis was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. The energetics and mechanism of drug extrusion mediated by LmrP were studied in membrane vesicles of E. coli. LmrP-mediated extrusion of tetraphenyl phosphonium (TPP+) from right-side-out membrane vesicles and uptake of the fluorescent membrane probe 1-[4-(trimethylamino)phenyl]-6-phenylhexa-1,3,5-triene (TMA-DPH) into inside-out membrane vesicles are driven by the membrane potential (Δψ) and the transmembrane proton gradient (ΔpH), pointing to an electrogenic drug/proton antiport mechanism. Ethidium bromide, a substrate for LmrP, inhibited the LmrP-mediated TPP+ extrusion from right-sideout membrane vesicles, showing that LmrP is capable of transporting structurally unrelated drugs. Kinetic analysis of LmrP-mediated TMA-DPH transport revealed a direct relation between the transport rate and the amount of TMA-DPH associated with the cytoplasmic leaflet of the lipid bilayer. This observation indicates that drugs are extruded from the inner leaflet of the cytoplasmic membrane into the external medium. This is the first report that shows that drug extrusion by a secondary multidrug resistance (MDR) transporter occurs by a “hydrophobic vacuum cleaner” mechanism in a similar way as was proposed for the primary lactococcal MDR transporter, LmrA.

Two-photon fluorescence excitation using an integrated optical microcavity: a promising tool for biosensing of natural chromophores

Application of an integrated optics (IO) microcavity (MC) for evanescent excitation of two-photon excited fluorescence (TPF) is demonstrated. The MC provides a high local intensity, which is required for the TPF, because of resonant enhancement of the intracavity power and a strong two-dimensional confinement of the guided mode. Numerical estimations show a large increase, by more than a factor of 104 of the TPF intensity at the MC compared to a conventional straight waveguide. This will lead to a significant improvement of the detection limits of UV-absorbing chromophores (down to 10−8 M) when using the MC as a biosensor. Feasibility of TPF excitation using an IO MC is confirmed experimentally for the first time

A New Strategy to Stabilize Oxytocin in Aqueous Solutions: I. The Effects of Divalent Metal Ions and Citrate Buffer

In the current study, the effect of metal ions in combination with buffers (citrate, acetate, pH 4.5) on the stability of aqueous solutions of oxytocin was investigated. and divalent metal ions (Ca2+, Mg2+, and Zn2+) were tested all as chloride salts. The effect of combinations of buffers and metal ions on the stability of aqueous oxytocin solutions was determined by RP-HPLC and HP-SEC after 4 weeks of storage at either 4°C or 55°C. Addition of sodium or potassium ions to acetate- or citrate-buffered solutions did not increase stability, nor did the addition of divalent metal ions to acetate buffer. However, the stability of aqueous oxytocin in aqueous formulations was improved in the presence of 5 and 10 mM citrate buffer in combination with at least 2 mM CaCl2, MgCl2, or ZnCl2 and depended on the divalent metal ion concentration. Isothermal titration calorimetric measurements were predictive for the stabilization effects observed during the stability study. Formulations in citrate buffer that had an improved stability displayed a strong interaction between oxytocin and Ca2+, Mg2+, or Zn2+, while formulations in acetate buffer did not. In conclusion, our study shows that divalent metal ions in combination with citrate buffer strongly improved the stability of oxytocin in aqueous solutions

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) treatment in the medical setting:a systematic review

Background: Literature points towards the potential benefits of the application of Eye Movement and Desensitization Processing (EMDR)-therapy for patients in the medical setting, with cancer and pain being among the domains it is applied to. The field of applying EMDR-therapy for patients treated in the medical setting has evolved to such an extent that it may be challenging to get a comprehensive overview. Objective: This systematic literature review aims to evaluate the use and effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in patients treated in the medical setting. Methods:We performed a literature search following the PRISMA guidelines. Studies were included if the effectiveness of EMDR-therapy was assessed in adult patients treated in a medical setting. Excluded were patients exclusively suffering from a mental health disorder, without somatic comorbidity. A risk of bias analysis was performed. This review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022325238). Results: Eighty-seven studies, of which 26 (pilot)-RCTs were included and categorized in 14 medical domains. Additionally, three studies focusing on persistent physical complaints were included. Most evidence exists for its application in the fields of oncology, pain, and neurology. The overall appraisal of these studies showed at least moderate to high risks of bias. EMDR demonstrated effectiveness in reducing symptoms in 85 out of 87 studies. Notably, the occurrence of adverse events was rarely mentioned. Conclusions: Overall, outcomes seem to show beneficial effects of EMDR on reducing psychological and physical symptoms in patients treated in a medical setting. Due to the heterogeneity of reported outcomes, effect sizes could not be pooled. Due to the high risk of bias of the included studies, our results should be interpreted with caution and further controlled high-quality research is needed.</p

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Treatment in the Medical Setting:A Systematic Review

BackgroundThis systematic literature review aims to evaluate the use and effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in adult patients treated in the medical setting.MethodsWe performed a systematic literature search of MEDLINE, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, following the PRISMA guidelines. Studies were included if the effectiveness of EMDR was assessed in adult patients treated in a medical setting. Excluded were patients exclusively suffering from a mental health disorder, without somatic comorbidity. A risk of bias analysis was performed. This review was specified in advance and registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022325238).Findings89 studies are included and categorized in 14 medical domains: pain, oncology, neurology, obstetrics, otorhinolaryngology, rheumatology, cardiology, gynecology, dentistry, dermatology, pulmonary medicine, internal medicine, nephrology, and intensive care unit. In addition, three studies focusing on persistent physical complaints were included. Most frequently used outcomes were anxiety, depression, PTSD symptoms, and pain. These outcomes were assessed by study-specific and validated outcome measures. EMDR was found to be adequate in reducing symptoms in nearly all studies included (87/89). Only two studies, within the field of gynecology, reported either no beneficial effects or that the beneficial effects did not remain over time. Notably, the occurrence of adverse events was rarely mentioned.InterpretationEMDR seems to have a beneficial effect on improving psychological and physical symptoms, including anxiety, PTSD, and pain, in adults treated in a medical setting. Most evidence exists for its application in the fields of oncology, pain, and neurology. The average treatment duration was relatively short, which further improves applicability in the medical setting