Practical Broad-Band Tuning of Dye Lasers by Solvent Shifting

We have operated a dye laser over a broad wavelength range (593.8-667.0nm) by shifting the dye emission profile with incremental changes of solvent composition. This was accomplished with the laser operating continuously, and only minor adjustment of the laser optics was required. Solvent tuning was facilitated by the critical dependence of the optimum laser wavelength on concentration of the second solvent. Using the known solvent-sensitive laser dye 9-diethylaminobenzo[a]phenoxaz-5-one (DBP), 87% of the tuning range from pure xylenes to pure methanol was covered by cumulative addition of 24 vol. % methanol to the starting xylenes solution. The optimum dye concentration was found to be independent of solvent composition, so that maximum laser power could be maintained by mixing equimolar dye solutions in the two solvents. These results establish the practicality of solvent-tuning as a method of conducting laser experiments over a broad wavelength range

Fluorescent Protein Biosensor for Use in Parkinson\u27s Research

Purinergic signaling is a type of extracellular communication that occurs between cells, mediated by adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and adenosine. In Parkinson’s Disease, purinergic signaling is disrupted, which contributes to neurodegeneration. In order to monitor this change in cell-to-cell signaling, there is a need for the development of a fluorescent protein (FP) biosensor to study the changes in the concentration of the signaling molecule ATP and its decomposition bioproduct ADP. This summer a genetically encoded ADP sensor that measures changes in ADP concentration was developed. This sensor utilizes Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) which is a sensing technique that is based on the energy transfer from a donor FP to an acceptor FP. Since this transfer is distance dependent, a change in the sensing domain allows for detection of ADP concentration through changes in fluorescence emission. To develop this FRET based sensor, we are utilizing a cyan-yellow FP pair, as well as a non-fluorescent protein that binds to ADP. Using traditional cloning methods, a small library of ADP sensors from five different versions of both the cyan and yellow proteins was created. This library was screened in E. coli cultures using a method developed to optimize an ATP-sensor. The cloning for this sensor has been confirmed and the library is being tested for sensors responsive to changing concentrations of ADP. With confirmation of a responsive sensor, this sensor design will be validated, allowing for further optimization of this biosensor for the study of purinergic signaling and neurodegeneration

Junior Recital:Patrick T. Keelan & Zachariah R. Oostema, Percussion

Kemp Recital Hall Saturday Afternoon November 3, 2007 5:00p.m

Changes in Older and Younger Woods in West-Central Ohio

Author Institution: Dept. of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, OHThis study examines changes in two forest stands in the Quercus-Acer saccharum forest region of west central Ohio: an old-growth stand changing from Quercus-dominated to Acer saccharum-dominated and a stand established following agricultural abandonment about 1950. Both stands are in the Wright State University woods. Permanent plots were sampled in 1980 (younger stand only), 1982 (older stand only), 1993, and 2000. The older stand had more small, fewer intermediate, and more large stems than the younger stand. The plot in the new stand showed a bell-shaped distribution with most stems established shortly after land abandonment. Mortality decreased and growth increased with stem size for both stands. Acer saccharum in all sizes and large Quercus dominated the older stand. The younger stand was dominated by Robinia pseudo-acacia with Acer saccharum also important. In the older plots small stems generally were clustered, intermediate-sized stems randomly distributed, and the largest stems regularly distributed. In the younger plot small stems were aggregated while larger ones were randomly distributed. Quercus regenerated well until the late 1800s, singly or in small groups, but few stems have become established since 1900. Quercus may need fires or grazing to regenerate successfully. Both stands are changing to increased dominance by Acer saccharum and other shade-tolerant species as they lose species (Robinia pseudo-acacia in the younger stand, Quercus in the older stand) more successful under past than present conditions

Offspring conceived through ART have normal thyroid function in adolescence and as young adults

STUDY QUESTION: Are there differences in thyroid function between adolescents and young adults conceived with and without ART? SUMMARY ANSWER: This study demonstrated no evidence of clinically relevant differences in thyroid function between adolescents and young adults conceived with and without ART. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Studies to date have reported an increase in subclinical hypothyroidism in offspring conceived after ART. It has been suggested that the increase in maternal estrogen (E2) after fresh embryo transfers could affect thyroid function of the offspring. Suboptimal thyroid function at a young age can cause irreversible damage to the central nervous system, which makes early detection and correct treatment essential. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: The Growing Up Healthy Study (GUHS) is a prospective cohort study, which aimed to recruit all adolescents born after conception with ART between 1991 and 2001 in the study area. The included participants (n = 303, aged 13-20 years) completed various health assessments. Depending on the age at enrolment, participants completed thyroid assessments at the 14-or 20-year follow-up. The outcomes of these replicated thyroid assessments were compared to those of participants conceived without ART from the Raine Study Generation 2 (Gen2). The Gen2 participants (n = 2868) were born between 1989 and 1992 and have been recognized to be representative of the local population. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Thyroid function assessments were compared between n = 134 GUHS and n = 1359 Gen2 adolescents at age 14 years and between n = 47 GUHS and n = 914 Gen2 young adults at age 20 years. The following mean thyroid hormone concentrations were compared between the cohorts: Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4) and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb). The prevalence of the following thyroid hormone profiles, based on individual thyroid hormone concentrations, was compared: euthyroidism, subclinical and overt hypo-and hyperthyroidism and thyroid autoimmunity. Outcomes were compared between the cohorts, and univariately between fresh embryo transfers (ET) and frozen ET (FET) within the GUHS. The correlation between maternal peak E2 concentrations (pE2) and fT4 was assessed within the GUHS. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: All mean thyroid function outcomes fell within the normal range. At both ages, we report no differences in TSH concentrations. At age 14 years, lower fT3 concentrations (4.80 versus 5.35 pmol/L, P \u3c 0.001) and higher fT4 concentrations (12.76 versus 12.19 pmol/L, P \u3c 0.001) were detected in the GUHS adolescents compared to Gen2 adolescents. At age 20 years, higher fT3 and fT4 concentrations were reported in GUHS adolescents (4.91 versus 4.63 pmol/L, P = 0.012; 13.43 versus 12.45 pmol/L, P \u3c 0.001, respectively) compared to Gen2 participants. No differences in the prevalence of subclinical and overt hypo-and hyperthyroidism or thyroid autoimmunity were demonstrated between the cohorts at age 14 and 20 years. Thyroid function did not differ between ET and FET, and no correlation between pE2 and fT4 was reported. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The observational nature of the study limits the ability to prove causation. Furthermore, the comparison of ET and FET offspring at age 20 years may be lacking power. We were unable to differentiate between different types of ART (e.g. IVF versus ICSI) owing to the low number of ICSI cycles at the time of study. As ART laboratory and clinic data were collected contemporaneously with the time of treatment, no other data pertaining to the ART cycles were sought retrospectively; hence, some factors could not be accounted for. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: This study does not support previous findings of clinically relevant differences in thyroid function when comparing a cohort of adolescents conceived after ART to counterparts conceived without ART. The minor differences detected in fT3 and fT4 were considered not biologically relevant. Although these findings appear reassuring, they warrant reinvestigation in adulthood. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: This project was funded by an NHMRC Grant (Hart et al., ID 1042269). R.J.H. is the Medical Director of Fertility Specialists of Western Australia and a shareholder in Western IVF. He has received educational sponsorship from MSD, Merck-Serono and Ferring Pharmaceuticals. P.B. is the Scientific Director of Concept Fertility Centre, Subiaco, Western Australia. J.L.Y. is the Medical Director and a shareholder of PIVET Medical Centre, Perth, Western Australia. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A

Monte Carlo simulations of hyper-velocity particulate mechanics within silicon micropore optics

The focal planes of X-ray astronomy missions are at risk of particulate impacts from both micrometeoroids and orbital debris due to the open aperture of the narrow-angle incidence optics. Silicon micro-pore optics (sMPOs) have seen significant development due to their wide-angle observing capabilities and are planned for use in future X-ray space missions such as SMILE and THESEUS. Although previous space missions have seen sporadic and disruptive events in detectors which are attributed to particulate impacts, the number of particulates that can traverse the new sMPO and affect detector performance is not currently known, preventing the quantification of damage on focal planes. Work carried out on nested shell X-ray optics suggested that hyper-velocity particulates could scatter from the polished inner-mirrors and be focused on the focal plane of an instrument. By assuming that this basic scattering mechanic is present in sMPO, along with the natural clear path from space to the focal plane, the overall transmission rate of particulates through such an optic can be calculated using the Monte Carlo simulation methodology. By using the simulation presented here, along with known micrometeoroid flux models and so-called damage equations, the risk to focal planes of large-scale space missions due to hyper-velocity particulate impacts can for the first time be quantified. As such, the work presented here has many applications and uses across a wide range of fields

Determination of Pericardial Adipose Tissue Increases the Prognostic Accuracy of Coronary Artery Calcification for Future Cardiovascular Events

Objectives: Pericardial adipose tissue (PAT) is associated with coronary artery plaque accumulation and the incidence of coronary heart disease. We evaluated the possible incremental prognostic value of PAT for future cardiovascular events. Methods: 145 patients (94 males, age 60 10 years) with stable coronary artery disease underwent coronary artery calcification (CAC) scanning in a multislice CT scanner, and the volume of pericardial fat was measured. Mean observation time was 5.4 years. Results: 34 patients experienced a severe cardiac event. They had a significantly higher CAC score (1,708 +/- 2,269 vs. 538 +/- 1,150, p 400, 3.5 (1.9-5.4; p = 0.007) for scores > 800 and 5.9 (3.7-7.8; p = 0.005) for scores > 1,600. When additionally a PAT volume > 200 cm(3) was determined, there was a significant increase in the event rate and relative risk. We calculated a relative risk of 2.9 (1.9-4.2; p = 0.01) for scores > 400, 4.0 (2.1-5.0; p = 0.006) for scores > 800 and 7.1 (4.1-10.2; p = 0.005) for scores > 1,600. Conclusions:The additional determination of PAT increases the predictive power of CAC for future cardiovascular events. PAT might therefore be used as a further parameter for risk stratification. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Base

Impacts of the Cairo Metro

The Cairo Metro the first in Africa and the Middle East is a two-line system, heavily-used. Data from the operator and a direct passenger survey are used to illustrate patterns of use and draw policy implications for other systems. While current revenue exceeds operating costs, cross-subsidies may exist between different passenger groups as a result of highly-discounted student season tickets. A fare increase in 1996 is used to estimate short-run elasticity of demand with respect to price, approximately 0.2, a similar figure to other metro systems. Substantial use is made of motorised feeder modes, notably shared taxis (paratransit minibuses). The high level of use occurs despite a substantial premium over other public transport fares, and lack of integrated ticketing. A likely explanation is that the fares are reasonable compared with incomes, and that the price differential is offset for many users by the time savings vis a vis congested traffic conditions.Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies. Faculty of Economics and Business. The University of Sydne

Speeching: Mobile Crowdsourced Speech Assessment to Support Self-Monitoring and Management for People with Parkinson's

We present Speeching, a mobile application that uses crowdsourcing to support the self-monitoring and management of speech and voice issues for people with Parkinson's (PwP). The application allows participants to audio record short voice tasks, which are then rated and assessed by crowd workers. Speeching then feeds these results back to provide users with examples of how they were perceived by listeners unconnected to them (thus not used to their speech patterns). We conducted our study in two phases. First we assessed the feasibility of utilising the crowd to provide ratings of speech and voice that are comparable to those of experts. We then conducted a trial to evaluate how the provision of feedback, using Speeching, was valued by PwP. Our study highlights how applications like Speeching open up new opportunities for self-monitoring in digital health and wellbeing, and provide a means for those without regular access to clinical assessment services to practice-and get meaningful feedback on-their speech