Substance P-immunoreactive neurons in hamster retinas

Light-microscopic immunocytochemistry was utilized to localize the different populations of substance P-immunoreactive (SP-IR) neurons in the hamster retina. Based on observation of 2505 SP-IR neurons in transverse sections, 34% were amacrine cells whose pear-shaped or round cell bodies (7-8 μm) were situated in the inner half of the inner nuclear layer (INL) or in the inner plexiform layer (IPL), while 66% of SP-IR somata (6-20 μm) were located in the ganglion cell layer (GCL) which were interpreted to be displaced amacrine cells and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). At least three types of SP-IR amacrine cells were identified. The SP-IR processes were distributed in strata 1, 3, and 5 with the densest plexus in stratum 5 of the inner plexiform layer. In the wholemounted retina, the SP-IR cells were found to be distributed throughout the entire retina and their mean number was estimated to be 4224 ± 76. Two experiments were performed to clarify whether any of the SP-IR neurons in the GCL were RGCs. The first experiment demonstrated the presence of SP-IR RGCs by retrogradely labeling the RGCs and subsequently staining the SP-IR cells in the retina using immunocytochemistry. The second experiment identified SP-IR central projections of RGCs to the contralateral dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus. This projection disappeared following removal of the contralateral eye. The number of SP-IR RGCs was estimated following optic nerve section. At 2 months after sectioning the optic nerve, the total number of SP-IR neurons in the GCL reduced from 4224 ± 76 to a mean of 1192 ± 139. Assuming that all SP-IR neurons in the GCL which disappeared after nerve section were RGCs, the number of SP-IR RGCs was estimated to be 3032, representing 3-4% of the total RGCs. In summary, findings of the present study provide evidence for the existence of SP-IR RGCs in the hamster retina.published_or_final_versio

Involvement of Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Learning and Forgetting

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Coupling-fed frequency agile monopole fluid antenna

A coupling-fed reconfigurable monopole fluid antenna is investigated. The proposed geometry separates the ionized fluid from the feed line to prevent leakage. The preliminary results show that the operating frequency of the antenna can be reconfigurable by changing the length of the ionized fluid through an external pump. The peak efficiency is about 75% antenna can

Interface trap generation by FN injection under dynamic oxide field stress

Interface trap generation under dynamic (bipolar and unipolar) and dc oxide field stress has been investigated with the charge pumping technique. It is observed that regardless of stress type, whether dc or dynamic (bipolar or unipolar), and the polarity of stress voltage, interface trap generation starts to occur at the voltage at which Fowler-Nordheim (FN) tunneling through the oxide starts to build up. For positive voltage, interface trap generation is attributed to the recombination of trapped holes with electrons and to the bond breaking by the hydrogen (H and H+) released during stressing. For negative voltage, in addition to these two mechanisms, the bond breaking by energetic electrons may also contribute to interface trap generation. The frequency dependence of interface trap generation is also investigated. Interface trap generation is independent of stressing frequency for unipolar stress but it shows a frequency dependence for bipolar stress. ©1998 IEEE.published_or_final_versio

Effects of the integrative mind-body intervention on depression, sleep disturbances and plasma IL-6

Letter to the Editorpublished_or_final_versio

Tree defence and bark beetles in a drying world: carbon partitioning, functioning and modelling.

Drought has promoted large-scale, insect-induced tree mortality in recent years, with severe consequences for ecosystem function, atmospheric processes, sustainable resources and global biogeochemical cycles. However, the physiological linkages among drought, tree defences, and insect outbreaks are still uncertain, hindering our ability to accurately predict tree mortality under on-going climate change. Here we propose an interdisciplinary research agenda for addressing these crucial knowledge gaps. Our framework includes field manipulations, laboratory experiments, and modelling of insect and vegetation dynamics, and focuses on how drought affects interactions between conifer trees and bark beetles. We build upon existing theory and examine several key assumptions: (1) there is a trade-off in tree carbon investment between primary and secondary metabolites (e.g. growth vs defence); (2) secondary metabolites are one of the main component of tree defence against bark beetles and associated microbes; and (3) implementing conifer-bark beetle interactions in current models improves predictions of forest disturbance in a changing climate. Our framework provides guidance for addressing a major shortcoming in current implementations of large-scale vegetation models, the under-representation of insect-induced tree mortality

家庭醫生與非家庭醫生對於香港家庭醫學專科培訓所持意見的異同

目的: 探討本地醫生對家庭醫學專科培訓的意見，以作將來規劃醫療體制的參考。 設計: 橫斷面研究。 參與者及安排: 香港所有註冊醫生。 主要結果測量: 醫生對以下幾方面的評價：職業培訓的重要性、專業評核、工作性質和成為家庭醫生所需經驗，以及他們對於職業培訓所需年期的意見。 結果: 共2310位醫生完成問卷，佔本地醫生23%。最多醫生同意專業評核應為資格認可的因素，其他依次為職業培訓、臨床經驗及工作性質。七成以上受訪醫生認為培訓期應為四年或以下。非家庭醫生大多選擇專業評核作為資格認可的因素，他們亦傾向較長的培訓期。 結論: 職業培訓被認為是獲得家庭醫學專科資格的重要因素。大多數醫生認為培訓期應為四年或以下，而非香港醫學專科學院現時所訂立的六年期。因此，現時家庭醫學的職業培訓計劃或有檢討的需要。Objective: To study the local medical profession's opinions on the training requirements for the specialty of family medicine. This was to serve as a reference for future planning of the health care system. Design: Cross-sectional study. Participants and Setting: All registered doctors in Hong Kong. Main outcome measures: Doctors' ratings on the importance of vocational training, professional assessment, job nature, and experience to become suitably qualified as a family doctor, and their opinions on the length of necessary vocational training. Results: A total of 2310 doctors (23% of doctors in the local register) responded. Professional assessment was mostly agreed as a qualification, followed by vocational training, clinical experience, and job nature. Over 70% agreed on a training period of 4 years or less. Non-family doctors were more likely to opt for professional assessment as the qualification and also opt for a longer training period. Conclusion: Vocational training was considered important as a qualification for the specialty of family medicine. The length of training was mostly agreed to be 4 years or less, not the 6 years currently required by the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine. The vocational training programme for family medicine might require reexamination.published_or_final_versio

Post-stress interface trap generation induced by oxide-field stress with FN injection

Interface trap generation in nMOS transistors during both stressing and post-stress periods under the conditions of oxide field (dynamic and dc) stress with FN injection is investigated with charge pumping technique. In contrast to the post-stress interface trap generation induced by hot carrier stress which is a logarithmical function of post-stress time, the poststress interface trap generation induced by oxide-field stress with FN injection first increases with post-stress time but then becomes saturated. The mechanisms for the interface trap generation in both stressing and post-stress periods are described. © 1998 IEEE.published_or_final_versio

Calculations of transient eddy current field and dynamic short circuit forces in a large power transformer

Author name used in this publication: S. L. HoAuthor name used in this publication: S. Y. YangAuthor name used in this publication: H. C. WongRefereed conference paper2005-2006 > Academic research: refereed > Refereed conference paperVersion of RecordPublishe

Effect of lycium barbarum (wolfberry) polysaccharides on preserving retinal function after partial optic nerve transection

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