Negative-index bi-anisotropic photonic metamaterial fabricated by direct laser writing and silver shadow evaporation

We present the blueprint for a novel negative-index metamaterial. This structure is fabricated via three-dimensional two-photon direct laser writing and silver shadow evaporation. The comparison of measured linear optical spectra with theory shows good agreement and reveals a negative real part of the refractive index at around 3.85 micrometer wavelength - despite the fact that the metamaterial structure is bi-anisotropic due to the lack of inversion symmetry along its surface normal.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figure

Preparation of γ-di-tertiary Glycols From the Esters of γ-keto Carboxylic Acids. II

Some Y-di-tertiary glycols have been prepared by the Grignard\u27s method from the Et esters of y-keto carboxylic acids

Preparation of γ-di-tertiary Glycols From the Esters of γ-keto Carboxylic Acids. II

Some Y-di-tertiary glycols have been prepared by the Grignard\u27s method from the Et esters of y-keto carboxylic acids

Basic tasks of sentiment analysis

Subjectivity detection is the task of identifying objective and subjective sentences. Objective sentences are those which do not exhibit any sentiment. So, it is desired for a sentiment analysis engine to find and separate the objective sentences for further analysis, e.g., polarity detection. In subjective sentences, opinions can often be expressed on one or multiple topics. Aspect extraction is a subtask of sentiment analysis that consists in identifying opinion targets in opinionated text, i.e., in detecting the specific aspects of a product or service the opinion holder is either praising or complaining about

Developmental Changes in Pedunculopontine Nucleus (PPN) Neurons

The developmental decrease in rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep in man occurs between birth and after puberty. We hypothesize that if this decrease in REM sleep does not occur, lifelong increases in REM sleep drive may ensue. Such disorders are characterized by hypervigilance and sensory-gating deficits, such as are present in postpubertal onset disorders like schizophrenia, panic attacks (a form of anxiety disorder), and depression. The decrease in REM sleep in the rat occurs between 10 and 30 days of age. We studied changes in size and physiological properties of pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) cells involved in the control of arousal, i.e., waking and REM sleep. During the largest decrease in REM sleep (12–21 days), cholinergic PPN neurons doubled in cell area, the hypertrophy peaking at 15–16 days, then decreasing in area by 20–21 days. Noncholinergic PPN cells did not change in area during this period. We confirmed the presence of two populations of PPN neurons based on action potential (AP) duration, with the proportion of short-AP-duration cells increasing and long AP duration decreasing between 12 and 21 days. Most cholinergic and noncholinergic cells had short AP durations. Afterhyperpolarization (AHP) duration became segregated into long and short AHP duration after 15 days. Cells with short AP duration also had short AHP duration. The proportion of PPN cells with Ih current increased gradually, peaking at 15 days, then decreased by 21 days. These changes in morphological and physiological properties are discussed in relation to the developmental decrease in REM sleep

Restoration of Frequency-Dependent Depression of the H-Reflex by Passive Exercise in Spinal Rats

Hyper-reflexia, measured as a decrease of low frequency-dependent depression of the H-reflex, is known to occur in both humans and animals after spinal cord injury (SCI). Previous studies have shown that passive exercise for 3 months could be used to restore low frequency-dependent depression of the H-reflex after SCI. To determine the effects of various periods of time on the ability of passive exercise to restore low frequency-dependent depression of the H-reflex. Spinal Cord Injury Mobilization Program of the Center for Translational Neuroscience, the research arm of the Jackson T Stephens Spine and Neuroscience Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA. Adult rats underwent complete spinal cord transection at the T10 level. The hindlimbs were passively exercised in different groups of rats for 1 h/day, 5 days/week for 15, 30, 45, 60, or 90 days, and low frequency-dependent depression of the H-reflex was tested. Statistically significant low frequency-dependent depression of the H-reflex was evident by 30 days of exercise, although numerical reductions were seen even at 15 days. There was a linear decrease in low frequency-dependent depression of the H-reflex with duration of passive exercise. Passive exercise can restore frequency-dependent depression of spinal reflexes in a time-dependent manner if used following complete spinal transection

Symmetries of Electrostatic Interaction between DNA Molecules

We study a model for pair interaction $U$ of DNA molecules generated by the discrete dipole moments of base-pairs and the charges of phosphate groups, and find noncommutative group of eighth order ${\cal S}$ of symmetries that leave $U$ invariant. We classify the minima using group ${\cal S}$ and employ numerical methods for finding them. The minima may correspond to several cholesteric phases, as well as phases formed by cross-like conformations of molecules at an angle close to $\rm{90}^{o}$, "snowflake phase". The results depend on the effective charge $Q$ of the phosphate group which can be modified by the polycations or the ions of metals. The snowflake phase could exist for $Q$ above the threshold $Q_C$. Below $Q_C$ there could be several cholesteric phases. Close to $Q_C$ the snowflake phase could change into the cholesteric one at constant distance between adjacent molecules.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figure

A randomized phase I study of the safety and immunogenicity of three ascending dose levels of a 3-antigen Staphylococcus aureus vaccine (SA3Ag) in healthy adults

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of healthcare-acquired morbidity and mortalityand increased healthcare resource utilization. A prophylactic vaccine is being developed that may reducethis disease burden.Methods: Volunteers in good general health aged 50–85 (n = 312) and 18–24 (n = 96) years were random-ized to receive a single intramuscular dose of one of three dose levels of a non-adjuvanted, 3-antigen S.aureus vaccine (SA3Ag) or placebo. SA3Ag antigens included capsular polysaccharides 5 and 8 (CP5 andCP8), each conjugated to cross-reactive material 197 (CRM197), and recombinant clumping factor A (ClfA).Safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity were evaluated.Results: At day 29 post-vaccination, robust immune responses were observed in both age cohorts at allthree SA3Ag dose levels. In the primary analysis population, the 50- to 85-year age stratum, geometricmean-fold-rises in competitive Luminex® immunoassay antibody titers from baseline ranged from 29.2to 83.7 (CP5), 14.1 to 31.0 (CP8), and 37.1 to 42.9 (ClfA), all (P < 0.001) exceeding the pre-defined two-fold rise criteria. Similar rises in opsonophagocytic activity assay titers demonstrated functionality ofthe immune response. Most injection-site reactions were mild in severity and there were no substantial differences (SA3Ag vs. placebo) with regard to systemic or adverse events.Conclusions: In this study of healthy adults aged 50–85 and 18–24 years, SA3Ag elicited a rapid and robustimmune response and was well tolerated, with no notable safety concerns.Michael Nissen, Helen Marshall, Peter Richmond, Sepehr Shakib, Qin Jiang, David Cooper, Denise Rill, James Baber, Joseph Eiden, William Gruber, Kathrin U. Jansen, Emilio A. Emini, Annaliesa S. Anderson, Edward T. Zito, Douglas Girgent

Pedunculopontine arousal system physiology—Effects of psychostimulant abuse

This review describes the interactions between the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN), the ventral tegmental area (VTA), and the thalamocortical system. Experiments using modulators of cholinergic receptors in the PPN clarified its role on psychostimulant-induced locomotion. PPN activation was found to be involved in the animal?s voluntary search for psychostimulants. Every PPN neuron is known to generate gamma band oscillations. Voltage-gated calcium channels are key elements in the generation and maintenance of gamma band activity of PPN neurons. Calcium channels are also key elements mediating psychostimulant-induced alterations in the thalamic targets of PPN output. Thus, the PPN is a key substrate for maintaining arousal and REM sleep, but also in modulating psychostimulant self-administrationFil: Urbano Suarez, Francisco Jose. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; ArgentinaFil: Bisagno, Veronica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (i); ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez, Betina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (i); ArgentinaFil: Rivero Echeto, Maria Celeste Solange. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; ArgentinaFil: Muñiz, Javier A.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (i); ArgentinaFil: Luster, Brennon. University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences; Estados UnidosFil: D'onofrio, Stasia. University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences; Estados UnidosFil: Mahaffey, Susan. University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences; Estados UnidosFil: Garcia Rill, E. University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences; Estados Unido