Models of spin-orbit-coupled oligomers.

We address the stability and dynamics of eigenmodes in linearly shaped strings (dimers, trimers, tetramers, and pentamers) built of droplets in a binary Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC). The binary BEC is composed of atoms in two pseudo-spin states with attractive interactions, dressed by properly arranged laser fields, which induce the (pseudo-) spin-orbit (SO) coupling. We demonstrate that the SO-coupling terms help to create eigenmodes of particular types in the strings. Dimer, trimer, and pentamer eigenmodes of the linear system, which correspond to the zero eigenvalue (EV, alias chemical potential) extend into the nonlinear ones, keeping an exact analytical form, while tetramers do not admit such a continuation, because the respective spectrum does not contain a zero EV. Stability areas of these modes shrink with the increasing nonlinearity. Besides these modes, other types of nonlinear states, which are produced by the continuation of their linear counterparts corresponding to some nonzero EVs, are found in a numerical form (including ones for the tetramer system). They are stable in nearly entire existence regions in trimer and pentamer systems, but only in a very small area for the tetramers. Similar results are also obtained, but not displayed in detail, for hexa- and septamers.

Light propagation in binary kagome ribbons with evolving disorder.

By introducing evolving disorder in the binary kagome ribbons, we study the establishment of diffusive spreading of flat band states characterized by diffractionless propagation in regular periodic ribbons. Our numerical analysis relies on controlling strength and rate of change of disorder during light propagation while tailoring binarism of the kagome ribbons in order to isolate the flat band with the gap from the rest of the ribbon's eigenvalue spectrum and study systematically its influence on diffusion. We show that the flat band plays a dominant role in the establishment of the diffusion for a given strength and rate of change of disorder, whereas the rest of the ribbon's eigenvalue spectrum induces only quantitative differences in the light spreading regimes. Due to the universality of studied phenomena, our findings may be of interest in various disordered physical systems with flat spectral bands, ranging from photonics to ultracold matter systems and plasmonics.

Localized modes in nonlinear binary kagome ribbons.

The localized mode propagation in binary nonlinear kagome ribbons is investigated with the premise to ensure controlled light propagation through photonic lattice media. Particularity of the linear system characterized by the dispersionless flat band in the spectrum is the opening of new minigaps due to the "binarism." Together with the presence of nonlinearity, this determines the guiding mode types and properties. Nonlinearity destabilizes the staggered rings found to be nondiffracting in the linear system, but can give rise to dynamically stable ringlike solutions of several types: unstaggered rings, low-power staggered rings, hour-glass-like solutions, and vortex rings with high power. The type of solutions, i.e., the energy and angular momentum circulation through the nonlinear lattice, can be controlled by suitable initial excitation of the ribbon. In addition, by controlling the system "binarism" various localized modes can be generated and guided through the system, owing to the opening of the minigaps in the spectrum. All these findings offer diverse technical possibilities, especially with respect to the high-speed optical communications and high-power lasers.

The influence of contemporary and historic landscape features on the genetic structure of the sand dune endemic, Cirsium pitcheri (Asteraceae).

Narrow endemics are at risk from climate change because of their restricted habitat preferences, lower colonization ability and dispersal distances. Landscape genetics combines new tools and analyses that allow us to test how both past and present landscape features have facilitated or hindered previous range expansion and local migration patterns, and thereby identifying potential limitations to future range shifts. We have compared current and historic habitat corridors in Cirsium pitcheri, an endemic of the linear dune ecosystem of the Great Lakes, to determine the relative contributions of contemporary migration and post-glacial range expansion on genetic structure. We used seven microsatellite loci to characterize the genetic structure for 24 populations of Cirsium pitcheri, spanning the center to periphery of the range. We tested genetic distance against different measures of geographic distance and landscape permeability, based on contemporary and historic landscape features. We found moderate genetic structure (Fst=0.14), and a north-south pattern to the distribution of genetic diversity and inbreeding, with northern populations having the highest diversity and lowest levels of inbreeding. High allelic diversity, small average pairwise distances and mixed genetic clusters identified in Structure suggest that populations in the center of the range represent the point of entry to the Lake Michigan and a refugium of diversity for this species. A strong association between genetic distances and lake-level changes suggests that historic lake fluctuations best explain the broad geographic patterns, and sandy habitat best explains local patterns of movement.

Clinical pattern of ocular toxoplasmosis treated in a referral centre in Serbia.

PURPOSE: To analyze the clinical pattern of ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) in a referral centre in Serbia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical records of consecutive patients admitted for OT to the single referral centre for uveitis in Serbia between 2006 and 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. OT was diagnosed on the basis of typical fundus lesions and positive serology for Toxoplasma. RESULTS: In a total of 457 uveitis patients, OT was the third leading cause, with 59 patients (12.9%). Most OT cases (73%) were monocular. An active primary retinal lesion was observed in 36% and recurrent OT in 64% patients. Localization of lesions was central/paracentral (44%), juxtapapillar (27%), peripheral (19%), and multifocal (10%). Other ocular manifestations of inflammation included vitritis (44%), anterior uveitis (19%), and retinal vasculitis (10%). Complications included choroidal neovascularization in two and exudative retinal detachment with cataract, glaucoma, and cystoid macular oedema in one patient each. The detection of Toxoplasma-specific IgM antibodies in a single patient indicates a low rate of OT concomitant with acute infection. After treatment, the mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) increased significantly. However, 14 (24%) patients ended up legally blind in the affected eye, of which 2 (3%) with bilateral blindness, all with a very poor BCVA (0.047 ± 0.055) at presentation. Visual impairment and treatment outcome were both associated with central localization of lesions (P<0.0001 and P=0.006, respectively). CONCLUSION: OT is a significant cause of posterior uveitis in Serbia. Patients should be aware of the recurring nature of OT and react immediately if symptoms occur.

[The closed head injury syndrome--frequency and character of brain parenchyma lesions]. / Sindrom zatvorene povrede glave--ucestalost i karakter lezija mozdanog parenhima.

The aim of this investigation was to determine the frequency and character of the brain parenchyma lesions using CT scan and MR in patients with closed head injury, and afterwards to establish the connection of those changes with clinical parameters (neurological deficit and the degree of consciousness disorder), evaluating the sensitivity and specificity of neuroradiological procedures. The investigation comprised 40 patients with closed head injury. Grade of neurological deficit (Canadian Neurological Scale) and the degree of consciousness disorder (Glasgow Coma Scale) were determined in all patients by the same neurologist. The results revealed significantly higher specificity and sensitivity of brain examination using MR in patients with closed head injury, particularly in the detection of small ischemic and contusion lesions. Likewise, the correlation of positive findings using MR was more significant concerning the grade of neurological deficit and the degree of consciousness disorder compared to the brain examination using CT scan.

[Primary tumors of the fallopian tubes: retrospective analysis of results in 7 patients]. / Primarni tumori jajovoda: retrospektivna analiza resultata kod sedam bolesnica.

Primary malignant tumours of the Fallopian tube are among the rarest of gynaecological malignancies. Seven patients with primary malignant tumour of the Fallopian tube, treated between 1991 and 1996, were studied. The average age was 60 years, with nulliparity rate of 29 percent and a mean parity of 2.2. The most common symptoms were atypical vaginal bleeding (29 percent), abdominal pain and distention (29 percent), whereas 43 percent of patients had no symptoms. No patient had a correct preoperative diagnosis. Primary surgical treatment was in all patients hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorotomy with or without omentectomy. Staging was done according to the FIGO classification for Fallopian tube carcinomas. In Stage I 29 percent of patients were classified, 43 percent in Stage II and 29 percent in Stage III. Six patients (86 percent) had adenocarcinoma (1 in G1, 2 in G2, 3 in G3) and 1 had MMMT (malignant mixed tumour-heterology type). All patients received additional postoperative therapy including: chemotherapy (58 percent), radiotherapy (14 percent), hormonotherapy (14 percent) or combination of chemotherapy and hormone therapy (14 percent). Our results are comparable to those of other authors. The time is too short to predict a 5-year survival, but this will be reported in our next paper.

[The polycystic ovary syndrome associated with ovarian tumor]. / Udruzenost sindroma policisticnih jajnika i tumora jajnika.

Case report of a girl with PCOD (polycystic ovarian disease) and Sertoli-Leydig ovarian tumour. A sixteen-year old girl was clinically, endocrinologically, echosonographically and laparoscopically examined, and polycystic ovarian disease was diagnosed. After a two-year period she was reexamined: normal adrenal function was confirmed and left ovarian tumour was discovered echosonographically. Therefore, she was operated on and adnexectomy of the left ovarian tumour and biopsy of the right ovary were done. The histopathologic analysis revealed the Sertoli-Leydig tumour of the left ovary and polycystic degeneration of the right ovary. In conclusion, because of the greater frequency of ovarian tumours in women with PCOD, the permanent follow-up of women with PCOD is necessary.

[Correlation of sonographic and patho-anatomic findings in myomatous changes in the uterus]. / Korelacija sonografskog i pato-anatomskog nalaza miomatozno promenjene materice.

In spite of the fact that ultrasound is an accessory diagnostic measure in gynaecology, added to clinical examination, it can help in a more accurate diagnosis and better preparation for surgery. The comparison of data obtained by ultrasonic and macroscopic measurements of uterine leiomyoma in 130 patients did not reveal a statistically significant difference between the two methods. The mean size of all measured leiomyomas was 61.47 mm in longitudinal diameter, 53.00 mm in anteroposterior and 53.95 mm in transversal. Measured by ultrasound the mean dimensions of the same diameters were 62.29 mm, 56.91 mm and 55.11 mm respectively. Differences in the mean values of all measured diameters obtained in some cases can be explained by subjective elements in the use of ultrasound, the examiners experience and postoperative reduction of the removed organ volume, as well as by technical factors which may influence the ultrasonic image. Thus, the accuracy of ultrasonic measurement completes the knowledge about the size of the pelvic mass; it is helpful in preparation for surgery, and decreases the possibility of unexpected situations during the surgery.

[Treatment of ectopic pregnancy using methotrexate]. / Lecenje ektopicne trudnoce primenom metotreksata.

The authors applied the conservative treatment of ectopic pregnancy with methotrexate in a prospective study comprising 22 patients. Out of this number, 14 patients had intact ectopic pregnancy and 8 showed the signs of initial tubal abortion (as proved by the hematocele finding). This group of 8 patients insisted to be given the same therapy, although they were informed of the possible failure in cases of initial tubal abortion. In all these cases methotrexate was administered locally, injected into the gestational sac under ultrasonic monitoring. In addition to the local application, 13 patients systemically received the same drug in pills (2.5 mg). At the same time, all the patients were given the antidote (Citrovorum factor). This method of treatment appeared to be successful in 16 patients (72.7%), four of them also having hematocele. Surgical treatment was applied afterwards in six patients (27.3%).

[Primary ovarian cancer]. / Primarni rak jajnika.

Out of 108 patients treated for primary ovarian cancer from 1984 to 1986, 76% suggested adnexal changes, while malignancy was suspected only in 35% of them. The first symptoms appeared in 51.8% of patients up to three months before the establishment of the diagnosis. In the two thirds of them the disease was in the III or IV stage. Histologically, epithelial tumours were most frequent (86.1%), mostly (51.6%) moderately differentiated. Surgery ranged from hysterectomy with adnexectomy and omentectomy (58.3%) to explorative laparotomy with biopsy. Later intervention included chemotherapy in 62%, chemotherapy and radiotherapy in 15.7%, and radiotherapy alone in 14.8% of patients. Too short a time has elapsed since the treatment started to predict a 5-year survival, but the 2-year survival for all patients amounts to 38.9%.