Alignment sensing for optical cavities using radio-frequency jitter modulation.

Alignment sensing is often required in precision interferometry applications such as Advanced LIGO in order to achieve the optimum performance. Currently favored sensing schemes rely on the use of two separate radio-frequency (RF) quadrant photodetectors and Gouy phase telescopes to determine the alignment of a beam relative to an optical cavity axis. In this paper, we demonstrate an alternative sensing scheme that has potential advantages over the current standard schemes. We show that by using electro-optic beam deflectors to impose RF jitter sidebands on a beam, it is possible to extract full alignment signals for two in-line optical cavities from just one single-element photodetector in reflection of each cavity.

Long-term (6 and 12 months) follow-up of two prospective, randomized, controlled phase III trials of photodynamic therapy with BF-200 ALA and methyl aminolaevulinate for the treatment of actinic keratosis.

BACKGROUND: Two phase III trials of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with BF-200 ALA, a recently approved nanoemulsion formulation of 5-aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) demonstrated high clearance rates in mild-to-moderate actinic keratosis (AK). The comparison to a registered methyl aminolaevulinate (MAL) cream demonstrated significantly superior total patient clearance rates. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate long-term efficacy and safety of PDT for AK 6 and 12 months after the last PDT with BF-200 ALA, MAL or placebo. METHODS: The follow-up phase (FUP) was performed with patients of two phase III studies. Both studies compared BF-200 ALA with placebo, one of the studies additionally with MAL. Overall recurrence rates and various subgroups (light source, lesion severity, lesion location, complete responders after first PDT) were assessed 6 and 12 months after the last PDT. RESULTS: Recurrence rates were similar for BF-200 ALA and MAL, with a tendency to lower recurrence rates for BF-200 ALA. The proportion of patients who were fully cleared during PDT and remained completely clear for at least 12 months after PDT were 47% for BF-200 ALA (both studies) and 36% for MAL treatment. The subgroup that was illuminated with narrow wavelength LED lamps reached 69% and 53% for BF-200 ALA (both studies, respectively) and 41% for MAL. No safety concerns were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The FUP data confirmed the high efficacy and safety of PDT with BF-200 ALA. The slightly lower recurrence rates after BF-200 ALA treatment compared with MAL treatment enhanced the better treatment outcome due to the significantly superior efficacy.

Raquitismo carencial: formas de presentación diferentes para una misma entidad fisiopatogénica emergente / Rickets: different forms of presentation for the same emergent physiopathogenic entity

Debido al aumento de la inmigración en las últimas décadas, el raquitismo carencial ha reaparecido en nuestro país en niños y adolescentes. Con el objetivo de alertar sobre la diversidad de presentación de esta entidad, se exponen cuatro casos clínicos de raquitismo y se recuerdan las principales características clínicas, bioquímicas y radiológicas de esta afección, así como su tratamiento y prevención(AU)

Nutritional rickets has re-emerged in our country because of increased immigration in recent decades, concentrating risk factors in children and adolescents. With the aim of warning about the diversity of presentation of this entity are presented four cases of rickets and recall the main clinical, biochemical and radiological as well as its treatment and prevention(AU)

Clinically relevant asymmetry of bispectral index during recovery from anaesthesia for ear-nose-throat surgery in adults and children.

This study investigates the incidence of clinically relevant asymmetry in bispectral index readings from different sides of the skull (using two monitors) during ear-nose-throat surgery in 42 adults and 46 children. A unilateral increase or decrease > 10% from baseline was defined as an 'asymmetry'. Asymmetry followed by movement after stimulation was defined as a 'clinically relevant asymmetry'. Asymmetry occurred in 39 out of 42 adults (93%) and in 20 out of 46 children (44%) during surgery and in 24 out of 42 adults (57%) and in 17 out of 46 children (37%) during recovery. Clinically relevant asymmetry was observed in 5 out of 42 adults (12%) and 6 out of 46 children (13%). The incidence of asymmetry was higher in adults during surgery (p = 0.0002). In conclusion, clinically relevant bispectral index asymmetry has been observed in > 10% of paediatric and adult anaesthesia and may have clinical implications. You can respond to this article at http://www.anaesthesiacorrespondence.com.

Photodynamic therapy with BF-200 ALA for the treatment of actinic keratosis: results of a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III study.

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with 5-aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) provides a therapeutic option for the treatment of actinic keratosis (AK). Different strategies are applied to overcome the chemical instability of ALA in solution and to improve skin penetration. A new stable nanoemulsion-based ALA formulation, BF-200 ALA, is currently in clinical development for PDT of AK. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of PDT of AK with BF-200 ALA. METHODS: The study was performed as a randomized, multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, interindividual, two-armed trial with BF-200 ALA and placebo. A total of 122 patients with four to eight mild to moderate AK lesions on the face and/or the bald scalp were included in eight German study centres. The efficacy of BF-200 ALA after one and two PDT treatments was evaluated. BF-200 ALA was used in combination with two different light sources under illumination conditions defined by European competent authorities. RESULTS: PDT with BF-200 ALA was superior to placebo PDT with respect to patient complete clearance rate (per-protocol group: 64% vs. 11%; P < 0.0001) and lesion complete clearance rate (per-protocol group: 81% vs. 22%) after the last PDT treatment. Statistically significant differences in the patient and lesion complete clearance rates and adverse effect profiles were observed for the two light sources, Aktilite CL128 and PhotoDyn 750, at both time points of assessment. The patient and lesion complete clearance rates after illumination with the Aktilite CL128 were 96% and 99%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: BF-200 ALA is a very effective new formulation for the treatment of AK with PDT. Marked differences between the efficacies and adverse effects were observed for the different light sources used. Thus, PDT efficacy is dependent both on the drug and on the characteristics of the light source and the illumination conditions used.

Influence of seat foam and geometrical properties on BioRID P3 kinematic response to rear impacts.

As the primary interface with the human body during rear impact, the automotive seat holds great promise for mitigation of Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD). Recent research has chronicled the potential influence of both seat geometrical and constitutive properties on occupant dynamics and injury potential. Geometrical elements such as reduced head to head restraint, rearward offset, and increased head restraint height have shown strong correlation with reductions in occupant kinematics. The stiffness and energy absorption of both the seating foam and the seat infrastructure are also influential on occupant motion; however, the trends in injury mitigation are not as clear as for the geometrical properties. It is of interest to determine whether, for a given seat frame and infrastructure, the properties of the seating foam alone can be tailored to mitigate WAD potential. Rear impact testing was conducted using three model year 2000 automotive seats (Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet S-10 pickup, and Pontiac Grand Prix), using the BioRID P3 anthropometric rear impact dummy. Each seat was distinct in construction and geometry. Each seat back was tested with various foams (i.e., standard, viscoelastic, low or high density). Seat geometries and infrastructures were constant so that the influence of the seating foams on occupant dynamics could be isolated. Three tests were conducted on each foam combination for a given seat (total of 102 tests), with a nominal impact severity of Delta V = 11 km/h (nominal duration of 100 msec). The seats were compared across a host of occupant kinematic variables most likely to be associated with WAD causation. No significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between seat back foams for tests within any given seat. However, seat comparisons yielded several significant differences (p < 0.05). The Camaro seat was found to result in several significantly different occupant kinematic variables when compared to the other seats. No significant differences were found between the Grand Prix and S-10 seats. Seat geometrical characteristics obtained from the Head Restraint Measuring Device (HRMD) showed good correlation with several occupant variables. It appears that for these seats and foams the head-to-head restraint horizontal and vertical distances are overwhelmingly more influential on occupant kinematics and WAD potential than the local foam properties within a given seat.

A second set of loxP marker cassettes for Cre-mediated multiple gene knockouts in budding yeast.

Heterologous markers are important tools required for the molecular dissection of gene function in many organisms, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Moreover, the presence of gene families and isoenzymes often makes it necessary to delete more than one gene. We recently introduced a new and efficient gene disruption cassette for repeated use in budding yeast, which combines the heterologous dominant kan(r) resistance marker with a Cre/loxP-mediated marker removal procedure. Here we describe an additional set of four completely heterologous loxP-flanked marker cassettes carrying the genes URA3 and LEU2 from Kluyveromyces lactis, his5(+) from Schizosaccharomyces pombe and the dominant resistance marker ble(r) from the bacterial transposon Tn5, which confers resistance to the antibiotic phleomycin. All five loxP--marker gene--loxP gene disruption cassettes can be generated using the same pair of oligonucleotides and all can be used for gene disruption with high efficiency. For marker rescue we have created three additional Cre expression vectors carrying HIS3, TRP1 or ble(r) as the yeast selection marker. The set of disruption cassettes and Cre expression plasmids described here represents a significant further development of the marker rescue system, which is ideally suited to functional analysis of the yeast genome.

Nearly space-filling fractal networks of carbon nanopores.

Small-angle x-ray scattering, nitrogen adsorption, and scanning tunneling microscopy show that a series of activated carbons host an extended fractal network of channels with dimension D(p) = 2.8-3.0 (pore fractal), channel width 15-20 A (lower end of scaling), network diameter 3000-3400 A (upper end of scaling), and porosity of 0.3-0.6. We interpret the network as a stack of quasiplanar invasion percolation clusters, formed by oxidative removal of walls between closed voids of diameter of approximately 10 A and held in registry by fibrils of the biological precursor, and point out unique applications.

Better searching through science.

The explosive growth of the World Wide Web has produced frustration for researchers seeking quality content and pinpoint results among the noise and spam. Now, a handful of companies and academic researchers are working on a new breed of search engines to undo this second curse of Babel. These next-generation search tools will let scientists drill deeper into the billion-page Web.

Parallel Rosenbrock methods for chemical systems.

Parallel Rosenbrock methods are developed for systems with stiff chemical reactions. Unlike classical Runge-Kutta methods, these linearly implicit schemes avoid the necessity to iterate at each time step. Parallelism across the method allows for the solution of the linear algebraic systems in essentially Backward Euler-like solves on concurrent processors. In addition to possessing excellent stability properties, these methods are computationally efficient while preserving positivity of the solutions. Numerical results confirm these characteristics when applied to problems involving stiff chemistry, and enzyme kinetics.

Modified computed tomography peritoneography: clinical utility in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients.

The purpose of the present paper is to review the indications, results, clinical correlation and implications for management of a modified CT peritoneography (CTP) technique in the evaluation of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. Forty CTP in 33 patients were reviewed by two observers blinded to clinical history or outcome. The CTP technique included 100 mL non-ionic intraperitoneal contrast, 1 h of ambulation and prone positioning during the CT. No precontrast or delayed examinations were performed. A CAPD-related complication was diagnosed in 33 of 40 (82%) CTP. Twenty-nine CTP were performed for evaluation of suspected dialysate leaks. In this group there were 18 leaks, a total of seven umbilical hernias (five as isolated findings) and five normal studies. Nine of 18 (50%) leaks resolved with conservative management and six of nine patients (67%) of the remainder continued CAPD after appropriate surgery. Seven patients were evaluated for scrotal swelling (one bilateral), and there were five communicating hydroceles (all with inguinal fat herniation and all surgically confirmed) and three non-communicating hydroceles (none of which progressed). Umbilical hernias were present in nine of 33 patients (27%). No false positive or false negative studies were identified. The CTP technique described provides accurate diagnostic information in the management of common CAPD-related complications, particularly dialysate leak, genital swelling, abdominal wall hernias and peritoneal adhesions. Computed tomography peritoneography directs appropriate conservative or surgical management.

A study of unplanned readmissions to a coronary care unit.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the cause and frequency of unplanned readmissions to a coronary care unit (CCU) after initial transfer to a general cardiac unit, but before hospital discharge. DESIGN: Analysis of 1776 admissions to a CCU during a 16-month period. SETTING: The CCU of a major teaching hospital in South Australia. PARTICIPANTS: All patients admitted to the CCU during the 16-month period. OUTCOME MEASURES: CCU readmissions before hospital discharge were categorized as either "planned" or "unplanned." The latter were investigated for determination of casualty and variations in patient characteristics (including age, sex, initial diagnosis, pharmacotherapy, and duration of stay in the CCU). RESULTS: Of the 1776 CCU admissions examined, 44 (2.5% of total) were unplanned readmissions before hospital discharge. Most of these (39 of 44) were related to "reactivation" of acute myocardial ischemia. Patients whose initial diagnosis was acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina pectoris were more likely to require a further unplanned CCU admission (p < 0.05); those with unstable angina pectoris had a second stay in CCU significantly longer than their first (p < 0.05). Six patients were readmitted within 6 hours of cessation of a heparin infusion (4 of the 6 without aspirin administration), and 11 patients had not received antiplatelet therapy after their initial CCU stay. Overall, a disproportionate number of men were readmitted to CCU (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In the current study, unplanned readmissions to the CCU: (1) were relatively infrequent, (2) were more protracted than initial stays in CCU, (3) may have been prevented in 15 of the 44 cases with more appropriate pharmacotherapy, and (4) involved a disproportionate number of male patients.