Rapid and precise read-out of terahertz sensor by high-speed asynchronous optical sampling

High-speed asynchronous optical sampling is used for the rapid and precise determination of transmission resonances of terahertz surface sensors based on asymmetric double split ring resonator arrays. The sensor response represented by a characteristic resonant frequency is determined to 0.66113 THz with an accuracy of ±325 MHz within 2 seconds of read-out time.     

Minimum Cost Multivariate Quality Control Tests

An approximate expected cost model for the Hotelling T² control chart is presented. This control chart is a multivariate analog of the X control chart. A method is presented to determine the optimal sample size, interval between samples, and critical region parameter for the T² chart. Numerical results are provided for several bivariate problems for various values of the cost coefficients. The model sensitivity to the cost coefficients, the shift parameter, the sample correlation coefficient, and the sample covariance matrix is discussed.     

Modeling event-based communication in component-based software architectures for performance predictions

Event-based communication is used in different domains including telecommunications, transportation, and business information systems to build scalable distributed systems. Such systems typically have stringent requirements for performance and scalability as they provide business and mission critical services. While the use of event-based communication enables loosely-coupled interactions between components and leads to improved system scalability, it makes it much harder for developers to estimate the system’s behavior and performance under load due to the decoupling of components and control flow. In this paper, we present our approach enabling the modeling and performance prediction of event-based systems at the architecture level. Applying a model-to-model transformation, our approach integrates platform-specific performance influences of the underlying middleware while enabling the use of different existing analytical and simulation-based prediction techniques. In summary, the contributions of this paper are: (1) the development of a meta-model for event-based communication at the architecture level, (2) a platform aware model-to-model transformation, and (3) a detailed evaluation of the applicability of our approach based on two representative real-world case studies. The results demonstrate the effectiveness, practicability and accuracy of the proposed modeling and prediction approach.     

Usefulness of redux properties in acid-resistant bacilli for rapid detection of their growth in culture

The mechanism by which (-) deprenyl enhances cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is not yet understood. (-) Deprenyl (0.2 mg/kg/day) was administered intramuscularly to adult male monkeys (n = 6) for 25 days. Control monkeys (n = 6) received physiological saline by the same route. The activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in different brain regions and the dendritic arborization in CA3 pyramidal neurons of hippocampus were analysed. (-) Deprenyl-treated monkeys showed a significant increase in the AChE activity by 43% (p < 0.001) in the frontal cortex, by 39% (p < 0.025) in the motor cortex, by 66% (p < 0.001) in the hippocampus and by 26% (p < 0.05) in the striatum compared to controls. The branching points and the intersections of both apical and basal dendrites of CA3 hippocampal pyramidal neurons were also significantly increased in (-) deprenyl-treated monkeys. Enhanced AChE activity may increase dendritic arborization in the hippocampus and it may also play a role in improving cognitive functions observed in AD, following (-) deprenyl treatment.     

Adrenal fusion

Postpartum hemorrhage remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality for the obstetric patient. A timely, stepwise approach to management can reduce the negative impact of this complication. Improvements in pharmacotherapy and surgical techniques have also improved outcome. Uterine artery embolization is an especially promising approach to the management of severe or refractory obstetric hemorrhage which is generally underutilized but has several advantages over other more traditional techniques.     

Defective smooth muscle regulation in cGMP kinase I-deficient mice

Regulation of smooth muscle contractility is essential for many important biological processes such as tissue perfusion, cardiovascular haemostasis and gastrointestinal motility. While an increase in calcium initiates smooth muscle contraction, relaxation can be induced by cGMP or cAMP. cGMP-dependent protein kinase I (cGKI) has been suggested as a major mediator of the relaxant effects of both nucleotides. To study the biological role of cGKI and its postulated cross-activation by cAMP, we inactivated the gene coding for cGKI in mice. Loss of cGKI abolishes nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP-dependent relaxation of smooth muscle, resulting in severe vascular and intestinal dysfunctions. However, cGKI-deficient smooth muscle responded normally to cAMP, indicating that cAMP and cGMP signal via independent pathways, with cGKI being the specific mediator of the NO/cGMP effects in murine smooth muscle.     

Application of a modified polytetrafluoroethylene powder in diaphragms for alkali chloride electrolysis

A shape retaining asbestos diaphragm which is well suited for alkali chloride solution electrolysis can be obtained from sintering of a mixture of asbestos and a modified polytetrafluoroethylene powder. The usual different polymers of tetrafluoroethylene are not suitable as additives to asbestos diaphragms, whereas an irradiation process permits the production of a modified polytetrafluoroethylene powder which has proved its worth as a component in the diaphragm composition. With reactants present during the irradiation process, functional groups which reduce the water repellency of the polytetrafluoroethylene are incorporated into the polymer. The parallel process of partial polymer chain degradation simultaneously provides an intense reduction of the melt viscosity of the polytetrafluoroethylene so that a composite structure with asbestos can be formed by sintering.