Nd:YAG Single Crystals Grown by the Floating Zone Method in a Laser Furnace.

We report on single crystal growth of laser material Nd:YAG widely used in the applications by the innovative crucible-free floating zone method implemented in an advanced laser optical furnace. We have optimized the parameters for the production of high-quality single crystals of the size typical for laser rods. To reduce the strain and improve machinability, we have developed an afterheater to thermalize the grown part of a single crystal below the hot zone, which is a technique unavailable in common mirror furnaces. The high quality of the single crystals was verified by Laue diffraction, and the internal strain was documented by neutron diffraction. The absorption spectrum corresponds with the parameters of the commercially used material produced by the Czochralski method. The presented methodology for the single crystal growth by the floating zone method with laser heating is applicable for the preparation of other high-quality single crystals of oxide-based materials, particularly in an oxidizing environment unattainable in commonly used crucible methods.

[Adult advanced life support knowledge among ambulance officer/paramedic students in Hungary]. / Mentotiszthallgatók felnott emelt szintu újraélesztéssel kapcsolatos ismeretei Magyarországon.

INTRODUCTION: Resuscitation knowledge is necessery for emergency care workers. AIM: The aim of the authors was to investigate the advanced life support knowledge of paramedic students in Hungary. METHOD: The research has been executed at University of Pécs - Faculty of Health Sciences, Semmelweis University - Faculty of Health Sciences, and University of Debrecen - Faculty of Health Care. 97 students (n = 97) were involved in the study from third and fourth grades. Data were recorded with a self-fill-in questionnaire. RESULTS: Average scores were 67.79%. There was no significant difference between women and men (p = 0.725). Younger age improved significantly scores (p = 0.003). Full-time students completed the test significantly better than part-time students (p = 0.004). There was no significant difference between the students from different locations (p = 0.254). CONCLUSIONS: It would be appropriate to increase the number of resuscitation courses and to tighten the exams. The authors propose that it would be reasonable to examine the students' practical skills. Orv. Hetil., 2016, 157(37), 1476-1482.

Odorant representations are modulated by intra- but not interglomerular presynaptic inhibition of olfactory sensory neurons.

Input to the central nervous system from olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) is modulated presynaptically. We investigated the functional organization of this inhibition and its role in odor coding by imaging neurotransmitter release from OSNs in slices and in vivo in mice expressing synaptopHluorin, an optical indicator of vesicle exocytosis. Release from OSNs was strongly suppressed by heterosynaptic, intraglomerular inhibition. In contrast, inhibitory connections between glomeruli mediated only weak lateral inhibition of OSN inputs in slices and did not do so in response to odorant stimulation in vivo. Blocking presynaptic inhibition in vivo increased the amplitude of odorant-evoked input to glomeruli but had little effect on spatial patterns of glomerular input. Thus, intraglomerular inhibition limits the strength of olfactory input to the CNS, whereas interglomerular inhibition plays little or no role. This organization allows for control of input sensitivity while maintaining the spatial maps of glomerular activity thought to encode odorant identity.