The three-dimensional carrier-envelope-phase map of focused few-cycle pulsed Gaussian beams

We derive an analytical expression that describes the complete three-dimensional carrier-envelope phase (CEP) distribution of in the focal volume of ultrashort pulsed Gaussian beams focused by spherical mirrors or lenses. The focal CEP map depends on the so-called factor $g$ specifying the frequency-dependence of the beam width of the source few-cycle pulse, on its chirp and on the small chromatic aberration introduced by a lens without appreciably distorting or broadening the few-cycle pulse. We show how to tailor the CEP map of mirror-focused and lens-focused few-cycle pulses in order to produce negligible transversal and axial CEP variations in specific regions of the focal volume for phase-sensitive interactions of light with matter taking place in a volume or on a surface. We propose a quasi-achromatic doublet lens that can implement in practice these tailored CEP distributions.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figure

Infrared neural stimulation and inhibition using an implantable silicon photonic microdevice

Brain is one of the most temperature sensitive organs. Besides the fundamental role of temperature in cellular metabolism, thermal response of neuronal populations is also significant during the evolution of various neurodegenerative diseases. For such critical environmental factor, thorough mapping of cellular response to variations in temperature is desired in the living brain. So far, limited efforts have been made to create complex devices that are able to modulate temperature, and concurrently record multiple features of the stimulated region. In our work, the in vivo application of a multimodal photonic neural probe is demonstrated. Optical, thermal, and electrophysiological functions are monolithically integrated in a single device. The system facilitates spatial and temporal control of temperature distribution at high precision in the deep brain tissue through an embedded infrared waveguide, while it provides recording of the artefact-free electrical response of individual cells at multiple locations along the probe shaft. Spatial distribution of the optically induced temperature changes is evaluated through in vitro measurements and a validated multi-physical model. The operation of the multimodal microdevice is demonstrated in the rat neocortex and in the hippocampus to increase or suppress firing rate of stimulated neurons in a reversible manner using continuous wave infrared light (λ = 1550 nm). Our approach is envisioned to be a promising candidate as an advanced experimental toolset to reveal thermally evoked responses in the deep neural tissue

Adaptation of the Cerebrocortical Circulation to Carotid Artery Occlusion Involves Blood Flow Redistribution between Cortical Regions and is Independent of eNOS

Cerebral circulation is secured by feed-forward and feed-back control pathways to maintain and eventually reestablish the optimal oxygen and nutrient supply of neurons in case of disturbances of the cardiovascular system. Using the high temporal and spatial resolution of laser-speckle imaging we aimed to analyze the pattern of cerebrocortical blood flow (CoBF) changes after unilateral (left) carotid artery occlusion (CAO) in anesthetized mice in order to evaluate the contribution of macrovascular (Willis circle) vs. pial collateral vessels as well as that of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) to the cerebrovascular adaptation to CAO. In wild-type mice CoBF reduction in the left temporal cortex started immediately after CAO, reaching its maximum (-26%) at 5-10 s. Thereafter, CoBF recovered close to the pre-occlusion level within 30 s indicating the activation of feed-back pathway(s). Interestingly, the frontoparietal cerebrocortical regions also showed CoBF reduction in the left (-17-19%) but not in the right hemisphere, although these brain areas receive their blood supply from the common azygos anterior cerebral artery in mice. In eNOS-deficient animals the acute CoBF reduction after CAO was unaltered, and the recovery was even accelerated as compared to controls. These results indicate that (i) the Willis circle alone is not sufficient to provide an immediate compensation for the loss of one carotid artery, (ii) pial collaterals attenuate the ischemia of the temporal cortex ipsilateral to CAO at the expense of the blood supply of the frontoparietal region, and (iii) eNOS, surprisingly, does not play an important role in this CoBF redistribution

CODEX-B4C Experiment: Cored Degradation Test With Boron Carbide Control Rod KFKI-2003-01/G (2003)

The CODEX-B4C bundle test has been successfully performed on 25th May 2001 in the framework of the COLOSS project of the EU 5th FWP. The high temperature degradation of a VVER-1000 type bundle with B4C control rod was investigated with electrically heated fuel rods. The experiment was carried out according to a scenario selected in favour of methane formation. Degradation of control rod and fuel bundle took place at temperatures ~2000 oC, cooling down of the bundle was performed in steam atmosphere. The gas composition measurement indicated no methane production during the experiment. High release of aerosols was detected in the high temperature oxidation phase. The on-line measured data are collected into a database and are available for code validation and development

CODEX-CT-1 experiment: Quenching of fuel bundle after long term oxidation in hydrogen rich steam KFKI-2008-01/G

The cleaning tank incident at the unit 2 of Paks NPP in 2003 resulted in severe fuel damage of 30 assemblies. The fuel rods heated up due to insufficient cooling and the zirconium components suffered heavy oxidation. Opening of the tank and quenching of the assemblies by cold water led to fragmentation of brittle zirconium components. Due to the poor instrumentation there were many open questions concerning the course of the incident and the behaviour of fuel assemblies. In order to improve the understanding of the phenomena that took place during the Paks-2 incident integral tests have been carried out in the CODEX (Core Degradation Experiment) facility. The tests simulated the whole scenario of the incident using electrically heated fuel rods. The final state of the fuel rods showed many similarities with the conditions observed after the incident at the NPP and for this reason it is very probable that the thermal conditions and chemical reactions were also similar in the tests and in the incident. The post-test examination of CODEX-CT-1 bundle indicated that the high degree of embrittlement was a common result of oxidation and hydrogen uptake by the Zr components

CODEX-CT-2 experiment: Long term treatment in high temperature hydrogen and water quenching of a fuel bundle KFKI-2008-02/G

The simulation of the Paks-2 incident was carried out in the frame of an experimental programme in the CODEX facility with electrically heated fuel rod bundles. The main boundary conditions for the CODEX-CT-2 were similar to the previous CODEX-CT-1 test. The most significant difference between the two tests was the operation of the air let down valve that was open in the first test and closed in the second one. In the second test the hydrogen produced in the Zr-steam reaction could not escape from the test section and it prevented the access of steam to the Zr surfaces and caused much less oxidation than was observed in the first tests. The final quench by water led to temperature excursion in the bundle and in the shroud. The final state of the bundle was very brittle, the fuel rods and the shroud were cracked and fragmented

Effects of vitamin D3 derivative--calcitriol on pharmacological reactivity of aortic rings in a rodent PCOS model.

Abstract BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the hyperandrogenic state in dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the vascular responses to different vasoactive agents, and the modulatory role of vitamin D3. METHODS: APCOS model was induced by DHT application in 20 female Wistar rats. Ten of the DHT treated rats simultaneously received calcitriol treatment. After 10 weeks, myographs were used to test the reactivity of isolated thoracic aortic rings to norepinephrine and acetylcholine. Thereafter, the vascular rings were incubated with the NO-synthase blocker (nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) or the cyclooxygenase inhibitor (indomethacin) for 20 min, and the effects of norepinephrine and acetylcholine were re-evaluated. RESULTS: Norepinephrine-induced vasoconstriction was enhanced after DHT treatment, but this effect was attenuated by calcitriol administration. Vasorelaxation of DHT-treated thoracic aortic rings was impaired, but this could be partly reversed by calcitriol application. Impaired NO-dependent vasorelaxation in DHT-treated animals was mostly reversed by concomitant calcitriol administration, but this effect was diminished by prostanoid-dependent vasoconstriction. CONCLUSIONS: These studies show that the enhanced sensitivity to vasoconstrictors and impaired NO-dependent vasorelaxation in hyperandrogenic PCOS rats could be partially reversed by calcitriol treatment