Near-field characterization of effective optical interfaces

The properties of many heterogeneous media depend on both the surface roughness and the local variations of the optical properties. An effective optical interface is usually invoked to describe the characteristics of such media. Using approaches specific to near-field optics, the two influences can be decoupled and a quantitative assessment of their contributions can be performed. It is also shown that a discrete random-walk model can be used to determine the magnitude of the dielectric constant fluctuations at subwavelength scales which, in turn, describe the morphology of optically inhomogeneous media

Stochastic sensing of relative anisotropic polarizabilities

We describe the concept of stochastic scattering polarimetry. This method allows determination of the anisotropic polarizability of a scattering object using a statistical analysis of the polarimetrically measured intensity distributions in the wave zone (far field). We show that this anisotropic polarizability may be determined even in situations where the state of polarization of the incident field is not known. The efficiency of the recovering procedure is demonstrated by several examples of light scattering in both far- and near-field geometries

Coupled dipole method for modeling optical properties of large-scale random media

We present an extension of the coupled dipole approximation technique to model optical properties of large-scale slabs of homogeneous and inhomogeneous materials. This method is based on a modification of the Green\u27s function to take into account the interaction between dipoles located at arbitrary distances within the slab. This method allows modeling of various aspects of the structural morphology of composite materials, including component size and spatial distribution as well as surface roughness effects. Our procedure provides an adequate description of far-field optical properties such as the specular and diffuse reflection of light

Impact of Gene-Gender Effects of Adrenergic Polymorphisms on Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Activity in Depressed Patients

Objective: There is overwhelming evidence that activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system plays a major role in depression and cardiovascular disease in genetically susceptible individuals. We hypothesized that due to the multiple interactions between the sympathetic and the HPA systems via adrenoceptors, polymorphisms in these genes could have an impact on HPA axis activity in major depression. Methods: Using the dexamethasone/corticotrophin-releasing hormone (DEX/CRH) test, we investigated the association of alpha 2-adrenoceptor (ADRA2A -1291C -> G) and the beta 2-adrenoceptor gene (ADRB2 Arg16Gly) in 189 patients with major depression during the acute state of the disease and after remission. Results: Male ADRA2A -1291G allele homozygotes showed significant pretreatment HPA axis hyperactivity, with increased adrenocorticotropin (ACTH; F = 4.9, d.f. = 2, p = 0.009) and cortisol responses (F = 6.4, d.f. = 2, p = 0.003). In contrast, female ADRB2 Arg/Arg homozygotes had increased pretreatment ACTH (F = 7.17, d.f. = 2, p = 0.001) and cortisol (F = 8.95, d.f. = 2, p = 0.000) levels. Interestingly, in the respective genotypes, the stress hormones remained elevated in the second DEX/CRH test, despite a reduction in depressive symptoms. Conclusions: This study provides evidence that, depending on gender and polymorphisms, there is continuous HPA axis overdrive in a proportion of patients irrespective of the status of depression. Considering the importance of stress hormones for cardiovascular disorders, our data might suggest that these patients are at high risk of comorbidity between depression and cardiovascular disorders. Copyright (c) 2008 S. Karger AG, Base

Influence of Slip on the Plateau-Rayleigh Instability on a Fibre

The Plateau-Rayleigh instability of a liquid column underlies a variety of fascinating phenomena that can be observed in everyday life. In contrast to the case of a free liquid cylinder, describing the evolution of a liquid layer on a solid fibre requires consideration of the solid-liquid interface. In this article, we revisit the Plateau-Rayleigh Instability of a liquid coating a fibre by varying the hydrodynamic boundary condition at the fibre-liquid interface, from no-slip to slip. While the wavelength is not sensitive to the solid-liquid interface, we find that the growth rate of the undulations strongly depends on the hydrodynamic boundary condition. The experiments are in excellent agreement with a new thin film theory incorporating slip, thus providing an original, quantitative and robust tool to measure slip lengths

Multimodal Vulvar and Peripheral Sensitivity Among Women With Vulvodynia: A Case–Control Study

OBJECTIVE: To assess differences in vulvar and peripheral sensitivity between women with and without vulvodynia. METHODS: Women with vulvodynia (n = 41) and age-matched controls (n = 43) seen in the outpatient setting were evaluated via surveys, clinical examination, and multimodal sensory testing (pressure, heat, cold, vibration, and electrical stimulation). The relationships between sensitivity to various sensory modalities and case/control status, as well as by vulvodynia subgroups, were assessed using logistic regression. RESULTS: Women with vulvodynia were more sensitive to pressure and to electrical stimuli than were control women at the vulva (median, 22 vs 230 g and 0.495 vs 0.769 mA, respectively; P 0.025). Those reporting spontaneous pain versus provoked pain had greater pressure sensitivity to the thumb (median, 1850 vs 2690 g; P = 0.020) and greater electrical sensitivity at the introitus (0.450 vs 0.608 mA; P = 0.011), and those with primary versus secondary vulvodynia had substantially greater pressure sensitivity to the thumb (median, 2438 vs 3125 g, P = 0.004). However, having localized versus generalized vulvodynia was not associated with differences in pressure or electrical sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: Sensitivities to pressure and electrical stimuli are greater among vulvodynia cases than among controls and support 2 previously defined subgroups-those reporting spontaneous pain versus those whose pain only occurred when provoked, and those with primary versus secondary vulvodynia

AROUSING FEAR IN DENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION * , †

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/65851/1/j.1752-7325.1965.tb00484.x.pd

Urogenital Symptoms and Pain History as Precursors of Vulvodynia: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract Background: We sought to assess vulvodynia incidence and risk factors among those with and without premorbid urogenital symptoms. Methods: Women's Health Registry members who completed a baseline assessment in 2004 were sent a 2-year and 4-year follow-up survey containing a validated screen for vulvodynia. Subgroup analysis of vulvodynia incidence rates was performed, and risk factors associated with incidence were assessed. Results: Of 1037 original enrollees, 723 (69.7%) completed consecutive surveys (initial and 2-year or initial, 2-year, and 4-year), 660 of whom did not have current or past vulvodynia at baseline. Of these 660, 71 (10.8%) first met criteria for vulvodynia within the 4-year period, for an annual incidence rate of 3.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.5-4.0). Baseline strict controls were less likely to develop criteria for vulvodynia diagnosis (annual incidence rate of 1.4%) compared to those with an intermediate phenotype (presence of dyspareunia or history of short-term vulvar pain), for whom the incidence rate was 5.6% (p<0.001). Risk factors for incident vulvodynia differed between these two groups. Among the strict controls, an increased risk was noted among younger women (incidence rate ratio) [IRR] 3.6). For those with an intermediate phenotype, risk was increased among nonwhite women and those reporting pain with or after intercourse (IRR 2.2, 3.4, and 3.1, respectively). In both control groups, incident vulvodynia risk increased among those reporting urinary burning at enrollment (IRR 4.2 and 2.8 for strict and intermediate phenotype controls, respectively). Conclusions: The annual incidence of vulvodynia is substantial (3.1%) and is greater among women reporting a history of dyspareunia or vulvar pain that did not meet criteria for vulvodynia compared to those without this history, suggesting that generalized urogenital sensitivity may be a common underlying mechanism predating the clinical presentation of vulvodynia.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/98465/1/jwh%2E2012%2E3566.pd

Archeological Of The Proposed FM 1626 Pass-Through Toll Project From Ranch-To-Market 967 To Farm-To-Market 2770 In Hays County, Texas

Hicks & Company archeologists conducted an intensive, 100-percent linear archeological survey of approximately 3.3 miles of proposed expansions to Farm-to-Market (FM) 1626 west of the city of Buda, Hays County, Texas. The survey was conducted between July 2008 and October 2016 for compliance with the Antiquities Code of Texas and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act on behalf of Hays County, the project engineer Klotz Associates, and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The Area of Potential Effects (APE) for the proposed project is composed of 54.3 acres of existing right of way and 8.08 acres of proposed expanded right of way (measuring 62.38 acres of existing plus proposed expanded right of way), and approximately 1.07 acres of temporary construction easements located outside of the existing or proposed right of way. While the proposed expanded right of way corridor has been determined, the project engineer requested that a 200-foot-wide corridor be investigated (extending 100 feet in either direction from the existing centerline) to allow for flexibility in road design, potential utility relocation, and other possible areas of concern, resulting in a total of approximately 81 acres of land surveyed. Investigations were coordinated with the Texas Historical Commission through TxDOT under Texas Antiquities Committee Permit Number 4981. On three occasions between July 28, 2008, and August 10, 2009 Hicks & Company archeologists conducted an intensive linear archeological survey of the proposed FM 1626 improvements project west of the city of Buda, Texas, on behalf of Hays County and TxDOT, returning to the field on January 21, 2016 to survey for proposed temporary construction easements located outside of the existing right of way or proposed new right of way, and again on October 26, 2016 to survey proposed new right of way in previously inaccessible parcels, completing the survey. The survey consisted of pedestrian inspection supplemented by shovel testing (N=102) and mechanical backhoe trench excavations (N=7) in the area north of Onion Creek. One backhoe trench excavated on the north bank of Onion Creek was positive for two pieces of lithic debitage, along with 32 shovel tests throughout the APE that were positive for cultural materials. One previously unrecorded site (Site 41HY449) was documented during the survey. This prehistoric surficial scatter does not meet the significance criteria for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) or as a State Antiquities Landmark (SAL). In addition to this newly recorded site, archeologists visited elements of seven previously recorded sites (Sites 41HY199-202, 41HY209-210, and 41HY219) within the APE. Elements of one of these, Site 41HY200, could not be found within the archeological APE. Of these, only elements of Site 41HY201 are considered to have potential to deem the site eligible for inclusion on the NRHP or for designation as an SAL. The project engineer has altered plans in the vicinity of the site to avoid impacts to those resources. All other sites were found to be heavily disturbed, no longer extant, or within shallow surficial contexts atop bedrock with limited research value. Archeologists also visited the expansion areas adjacent to historic Barton Cemetery. Although the cemetery lies in close proximity to the APE, the County proposes no expansions in the immediate vicinity of the cemetery beyond a proposed retaining wall with riprap slope within the existing right of way outside the cemetery. This retaining wall is to be constructed approximately ten feet within current existing right of way. By design, retaining walls planned for this project will be fixed in place to concrete leveling pads set in place on top of the current grade and supported by earth reinforcement buildup of imported fill material. During survey, an overgrown road or trail that follows the current cemetery fenceline reinforces the assumption that the existing cemetery boundary served as the historic boundary as well, significantly reducing the potential for unmarked burials to be located within the current archeological APE. Construction within the APE is recommended to proceed with no further cultural resources investigation. The current investigations followed a no-collection policy. All projectrelated records, forms, and photographs will be permanently housed at the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory in Austin, Texas