Visible light communication using InGaN optical sources with AlInGaP nanomembrane down-converters

We report free space visible light communication using InGaN sources, namely micro-LEDs and a laser diode, down-converted by a redemitting AlInGaP multi-quantum-well nanomembrane. In the case of microLEDs, the AlInGaP nanomembrane is capillary-bonded between the sapphire window of a micro-LED array and a hemispherical sapphire lens to provide an integrated optical source. The sapphire lens improves the extraction efficiency of the color-converted light. For the case of the downconverted laser diode, one side of the nanomembrane is bonded to a sapphire lens and the other side optionally onto a dielectric mirror; this nanomembrane-lens structure is remotely excited by the laser diode. Data transmission up to 870 Mb/s using pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) with fractionally spaced decision feedback equalizer is demonstrated for the micro-LED-integrated nanomembrane. A data rate of 1.2 Gb/s is achieved using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (ODFM) with the laser diode pumped sample

Preparation and characterization of stable aqueous suspensions of up-converting Er3+/Yb3+-doped LiNbO3 nanocrystals

The preparation of LiNbO3:Er3+/Yb3+ nanocrystals and their up-conversion properties have been studied. It is demonstrated that polyethyleneimine- (PEI) assisted dispersion procedures allow obtaining stable aqueous LiNbO3:Er3+/Yb3+ powder suspensions, with average size particles well below the micron range (100–200 nm) and the isoelectric point of the suspension reaching values well above pH 7. After excitation of Yb3+ ions at a wavelength of 980 nm, the suspensions exhibit efficient, and stable, IR-to-visible (green and red) up-conversion properties, easily observed by the naked eye, very similar to those of the starting crystalline bulk material

Assessment of Autonomic Cardiac Control in Women with Cardiac Syndrome X using Time Related Autonomic Balance Indicator

Abstract The various CVD (AH, CHF, IHD) have a different circadian profile of autonomic cardiac control (ACC), compared to the profile in healthy subjects (HS). In this study we analyze the specific abnormalities in ACC circadian changes in women with cardiac syndrome X (CSX). The Introduction CSX is usually diagnosed in the presence of typical exertional chest pain, a positive response to exercise testing, and normal coronary angiograms. According to J. C. Kaski "Patients with CSX represent a diagnostic and therapeutic riddle" G. Rosano, P. Ponikowski, St. Adamopoulos, et al Methods The study comprised of 25 women (55.4±9.4) with CSX and 22 healthy women (47.3±10.9). All patients are with fulfilled criteria for CSX at the period of pre-or postmenopause and with "clear" coronary arteries verified from angiography or multi-slice CT. Stratification by risk factors, comorbidity and pharmacological management have been done using a standardized protocol. The ACC changes were assessed by HRV indices from ECG recordings in resting state (RS) and by parasympathetic (Valsalva manoeuvre; VM), or sympathetic (handgrip test; HT) stimulation. I

Priming of Pisum sativum seeds with stabilized Pluronic P85 nanomicelles: effects on seedling development and photosynthetic function

Natural and synthetic polymers are widely explored for improving seed germination and plant resistance to environmental constraints. Here, for the first time, we explore stabilized nanomicelles composed of the biocompatible triblock co-polymer Pluronic P85 (SPM) as a priming agent for Pisum sativum (var. RAN-1) seeds. We tested a wide concentration range of 0.04-30 g(SPM) L-1. Applying several structural and functional methods we revealed that the utilized nanomicelles can positively affect root length, without any negative effects on leaf anatomy and photosynthetic efficiency at 0.2 g L-1, while strong negative effects were recorded for 10 and 30 g(SPM) L-1 concerning root length, leaf histology, and photoprotection capability. Our data strongly suggest that SPM can safely be utilized for seed priming at specific concentrations and are suitable objects for further loading with plant growth regulators

Definitive Radiotherapy Combined with Targeted Therapy in Locoregional Advanced Cancer of Larynx, Hypopharynx and Oropharynx-preliminary Report of Single Institution Experience, Patients Compliance to the Treatment Protocol and Early Toxicity

Objective: To report the clinical experience of Radiotherapy Departmentat University Hospital St. Marina, Varna, with definitive radiotherapycombined with targeted therapy Cetuximab in patients with locally advanced head and neck carcinoma (LAHNC), the observed toxicity and management protocol.Materials and Methods: The study included 36 patients with LAHNC who received definitive radiotherapy combined with Cetuximab in the period 2015-2018., VMAT and IGRT irradiation techniques were applied in all patients, with a prescription of total dose to 70Gy in the primary tumor and the involved lymph nodes, based on PET-CT. Cetuximab was administered according to the known protocol. Both Radiotheray and Medical Oncology Departments of the University Hospital “St. Marina” – Varna elaborated common protocol for premedication. The side effects were evaluated by the treating physician according to the CTCAE vers. 4.0.Results: During the application of the loading dose, an anaphylactic reaction was observed in 6 out of all 36 patients. The reduction of maintenance doses with 75% was done only in two patients without interruption of radiotherapy schedule and the planned infusions. One patient refuses to continue therapy. One patient died of cardiac comorbidity in the second week. All the others 26 patients completed the full course radiotherapy combined with full dose target therapy, with only moderate toxicity up to grade 3. No haematological toxicity was observed.Conclusion: The reported patients compliance was high 75%, with no higher than grade 3 side effects and a good quality of life. To our knowledge currently, this is the first study in Bulgarian clinical practice regarding the application of Cetuximab in combination with radiation therapy and reporting of early toxicity and patients compliance

Management of High and Very High-Risk Subjects with Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Results from an Observational Study in Bulgaria

Background: Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a genetic disorder causing accelerated atherosclerosis and premature cardiovascular disease (CVD). This retrospective observational study examined the clinical characteristics and management of FH subjects in Bulgaria over a 12-month period

Identification of SNP mutations in MYBYE-1 gene involved in drought stress tolerance in maiz

As one of the most important agricultural crops, maize is a staple diet for a large portion of the continuously growing world's human population. Unfortunately, its production is severely affected by adverse environmental stresses such as drought, salt, low and high temperatures. The mechanisms of drought stress tolerance in maize are quite complex and involves a signaling network of genes that controls its adaptation to the stress. Recently, many transcription factors (TFs) for tolerance to drought stress have been identified in maize. In this study, specifically designed primers were used to identify functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the MYB-like protein E1 (MYBE1) gene of 26 tolerant and sensitive maize inbred lines from the gene banks of Maize Research Institute "Zemun Polje", Serbia and Maize Research Institute, Kneja, Bulgaria by PCR amplification and direct sequencing. Multiple alignments of the sequenced fragments to the drought sensitive US maize inbred B73 and other inbred lines, representing the functional diversity of maize, from the Panzea database (http://www.panzea.org/) was performed. The sequence alignment revealed several SNPs in inbred lines object of this study, one of which unique to the drought tolerant Serbian inbreds T3, T5, T6, T7 and T8. In these lines, the A→G transition, located in the acidic Ser/Thr - rich region of the gene, leads to amino acid change from Tryptophan to Alanine at the corresponding position of the protein. This replacement does not affect the binding site of MYBE-1 transcription factor, but possibly reflects the spatial conformation through changing of its functional activity. This study will contribute the identification of functional markers in genes implicated in the development of drought stress tolerance and their further use for genomic improvement in the national maize selection programs