Continuous generation of spinmotive force in a patterned ferromagnetic film

We study, both experimentally and theoretically, the generation of a dc spinmotive force. By exciting a ferromagnetic resonance of a comb-shaped ferromagnetic thin film, a continuous spinmotive force is generated. Experimental results are well reproduced by theoretical calculations, offering a quantitative and microscopic understanding of this spinmotive force.

Universality Classes for Domain Wall Motion in the Ferromagnetic Semiconductor (Ga,Mn)As

Magnetic domain wall motion induced by magnetic fields and spin-polarized electrical currents is experimentally well established. A full understanding of the underlying mechanisms, however, remains elusive. For the ferromagnetic semiconductor (Ga,Mn)As, we have measured and compared such motions in the thermally activated subthreshold, or "creep," regime, where the velocity obeys an Arrhenius scaling law. Within this law, the clearly different exponents of the current and field reflect different universality classes, showing that the drive mechanisms are fundamentally different.

Generalization of Faraday's Law to include nonconservative spin forces

The usual Faraday's Law E=-dPhi/dt determines an electromotive force E which accounts only for forces resulting from the charge of electrons. In ferromagnetic materials, in general, there exist nonconservative spin forces which also contribute to E. These might be included in Faraday's Law if the magnetic flux Phi is replaced by [Planck's constant/(-e)]gamma, where gamma is a Berry phase suitably averaged over the electron spin direction. These contributions to E represent the requirements of energy conservation in itinerant ferromagnets with time dependent order parameters.

Raman spectroscopic studies of the cure of dicyclopentadiene (DCPD)

The cure of polydicyclopentadiene conducted by ring-opening metathesis polymerisation in the presence of a Grubbs catalyst was studied using non-invasive Raman spectroscopy. The spectra of the monomer precursor and polymerised product were fully characterised and all stages of polymerisation monitored. Because of the monomer's high reactivity, the cure process is adaptable to reaction injection moulding and reactive rotational moulding. The viscosity of the dicyclopentadiene undergoes a rapid change at the beginning of the polymerisation process and it is critical that the induction time of the viscosity increase is determined and controlled for successful manufacturing. The results from this work show non-invasive Raman spectroscopic monitoring to be an effective method for monitoring the degree of cure, paving the way for possible implementation of the technique as a method of real-time analysis for control and optimisation during reactive processing. Agreement is shown between Raman measurements and ultrasonic time of flight data acquired during the initial induction period of the curing process.

Current-spin coupling for ferromagnetic domain walls in fine wires

The coupling between a current and a domain wall is examined. In the presence of a finite current and in the absence of a potential which breaks the translational symmetry, there is a perfect transfer of angular momentum from the conduction electrons to the wall. As a result, the ground state is in uniform motion and this remains the case even when relaxation is included. This is described by, appropriately modified, Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equations. The results for a simple pinning model are compared with experiment.

Vibrational spectroscopic and ultrasound analysis for in-process characterization of high-density polyethylene/polypropylene blends during melt extrusion

Spectroscopic techniques such as Raman, mid-infrared (MIR), and near-infrared (NIR) have become indispensable analytical tools for rapid chemical quality control and process monitoring. This paper presents the application of in-line Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and ultrasound transit time measurements for in-line monitoring of the composition of a series of high-density polyethylene (HDPE)/polypropylene (PP) blends during single-screw extrusion. Melt composition was determined by employing univariate analysis of the ultrasound transit time data and partial least squares (PLS) multivariate analysis of the data from both spectroscopic techniques. Each analytical technique was determined to be highly sensitive to changes in melt composition, allowing accurate prediction of blend content to within +/- 1% w/w (1sigma) during monitoring under fixed extrusion conditions. FT-NIR was determined to be the most sensitive of the three techniques to changes in melt composition. A four-factor PLS model of the NIR blend spectra allowed determination of melt content with a standard prediction error of +/- 0.30% w/w (1sigma). However, the NIR transmission probes employed for analysis were invasive into the melt stream, whereas the single probes adopted for Raman and ultrasound analysis were noninvasive, making these two techniques more versatile. All three measurement techniques were robust to the high temperatures and pressures experienced during melt extrusion, demonstrating each system's suitability for process monitoring and control.

Infection of Commercial Hybrid Primula Seed by Botrytis cinerea and Latent Disease Spread Through the Plants

ABSTRACT Botrytis cinerea occurred commonly on cultivated Primula xpolyantha seed. The fungus was mostly on the outside of the seed but sometimes was present within the seed. The fungus frequently caused disease at maturity in plants grown from the seed, demonstrated by growing plants in a filtered airflow, isolated from other possible sources of infection. Young, commercially produced P. xpolyantha plants frequently had symptomless B. cinerea infections spread throughout the plants for up to 3 months, with symptoms appearing only at flowering. Single genetic individuals of B. cinerea, as determined by DNA fingerprinting, often were dispersed widely throughout an apparently healthy plant. Plants could, however, contain more than one isolate.

Intermediate spin, Schrödinger cat states, and nanomagnets

Quantum tunneling in nanomagnets finds a natural description in terms of intermediate spin. Periodic magnetic effects correspond to a change of flux by the flux quantum Phi(0). Schrödinger cat states with different superpositions of the applied magnetic field occur. The molecular magnet Fe(8) is discussed and new effects are predicted for Mn(12).

Strain-dependent differences in the pattern of aortic lipid deposition in cholesterol-fed rabbits

Spontaneous lesions develop downstream of branch points in immature human and rabbit aortas, but occur more frequently at the sides and upstream of these sites in mature vessels. Cholesterol-induced lesions in mature rabbits, however, have shown the downstream distribution in one trial and the more upstream distribution in another. We tested the hypothesis that this discrepancy reflected a difference in the degree of impairment of the nitric oxide pathway. Mature rabbits were fed cholesterol-enhanced versions of the two base diets used in the previous trials, and some were given additional vitamin E or l-arginine to protect the NO pathway or L-NAME to inhibit it. Unexpectedly, the rabbits developed a lesion pattern intermediate between the two previously described, and this distribution was unaffected by the base diet or supplements. Consequently, an exploratory study was conducted to investigate possible effects of other differences between the two earlier trials. These were the precise age of the mature rabbits and the feeding protocol employed; both base diets again were used. Two different lesion patterns were observed in this trial, but there was no systematic effect of any of the controlled variables. Instead, there appeared to be an influence of the supplier from which the rabbits had been obtained. A multivariate analysis of all four trials confirmed that the pattern of disease was associated with rabbit strain, and not with base diet, cholesterol level, or precise age.

Characteristics of the pulse waveform during altered nitric oxide synthesis in the rabbit

Nitrovasodilators produce characteristic changes in the shape of the peripheral pulse wave. Similar changes might also be caused by alteration of endogenous NO activity, which would allow such activity to be assessed in vivo. We investigated whether manipulation of the NO pathway influences the pulse waveform, and the mechanisms involved. The pulse wave in the ear of normal rabbits was examined by reflectance photoplethysmography before and during infusion of vasoactive agents. Pulse wave velocity was assessed by using an additional sensor on the rear foot. A diastolic peak was observed in the ear pulse; its timing was consistent with it being a reflection of the systolic peak from the lower body. The height of the dicrotic notch marking the start of this diastolic wave was decreased by acetylcholine or an NO donor, and further decreased by a phosphodiesterase type V inhibitor. The acetylcholine-induced decreases were blocked by inhibiting NO synthesis with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) but were unaffected by the inactive enantiomer D-NAME. These data demonstrate that NO influences the height of the notch in the pulse wave. Heart rate and blood pressure were altered during acetylcholine or L-NAME infusion, but there were no changes in pulse wave amplitude or velocity, or in the timing of the diastolic peak or dicrotic notch. The slope of the pulse wave between the systolic peak and notch changed substantially. These effects are most convincingly explained by changes in wave reflection, not only from the lower body but also from more proximal sites.

Two patterns of lipid deposition in the cholesterol-fed rabbit

A central feature of arterial lipid deposition is its nonuniform and variable distribution. In immature human and rabbit aortas, spontaneous lesions occur most frequently downstream of branch points, but they tend to occur upstream of the same branches at later ages. In cholesterol-fed rabbits, the juvenile pattern has been seen regardless of age. These distributions may be determined by transport properties of the arterial wall, because uptake of plasma macromolecules is elevated downstream of aortic branches in immature rabbits and upstream in mature ones, except during cholesterol feeding, when the juvenile pattern is seen in adult vessels. The effect of cholesterol could reflect its inhibitory influence on the nitric oxide (NO) pathway because the adult transport pattern is NO dependent. Using protocols expected to preserve NO function and the mature pattern of transport during hypercholesterolemia, we made 2 attempts to induce upstream disease in rabbits. In trial I, plasma concentrations of cholesterol were kept within the normal human range for 15 weeks by using dietary levels of 0.05% to 0.2%. Although disease patterns reverse with age in human vessels exposed to these concentrations, lesions in both immature and mature rabbits occurred downstream of intercostal branch ostia. Trial II used older rabbits, a different base diet containing more vitamin E (96 mg/kg rather than 57 mg/kg), and higher levels of cholesterol (1%, administered for 8 weeks). For some animals, extra vitamin E (2000 mg/kg) was added to the diet. The mature pattern of lipid deposition was apparent around intercostal branches in the first group and was accentuated by the additional vitamin E, a change that was associated with a significant increase in the plasma concentration of NO metabolites. Spontaneous lesions, assessed on the base diet, were too rare to have influenced these distributions. This is the first report of upstream disease in the cholesterol-fed rabbit. The results support but do not prove the view that NO and transport are important in atherogenesis.

Patient participation in colon cancer screening programs

BACKGROUND

The objectives of this study were to survey compliance and identify factors that influence continued participation with periodic colon cancer screening guidelines once patients are seen for their first screening.

METHODS

The study group consisted of 95 patients who had initial fecal occult blood tests (FOBT) and flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) in 1991 as part of a gastroenterologist-directed, aggressively managed colon cancer screening registry. Regular notices are sent to patients and their primary care provider for annual FOBT and FS at 3- to 5-year intervals.

RESULTS

Of 70 (74%) reviewed, 2 had died and 3 were having colonoscopic surveillance. Thirty-two of the 65 (49%) contacted eligible study subjects were no longer participating. Reasons stated were as follows: unaware that screening was due (14), too busy (6), unpleasant experience (3), and change to insurance provider that did not cover screening (9 [commercial-3, managed care-1, Medicare-5]).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite aggressive program management, 44% of nonparticipators reported that they were unaware that screening was due. Sixteen percent of those who did not continue to participate had graduated to Medicare, which did not cover screening costs. Factors that influence continued participation need to be considered in the design of public education and marketing promotions.

Contrasting patterns of spontaneous aortic disease in young and old rabbits

The pattern of spontaneous lipid deposition around aortic branch ostia was mapped in New Zealand White rabbits aged 1 month or 2 to 6 years. The young rabbits were studied within 1 day of weaning, and the older rabbits had been maintained on a low-protein, low-fat diet. Plasma concentrations of total cholesterol for the two groups averaged 75 and 18 mg/dL, respectively. Aortas were fixed in situ at a pressure of 90 to 100 cm H2O, stained with oil red O, and photographed en face under an epifluorescence microscope. Areas of staining contrasted in color with the fixative-stimulated autofluorescence of nondiseased tissue and were mapped by placing grids over the photomicrographs. Disease around intercostal ostia was rare, but two distributions were established by combining data from many branches. In weanlings, staining was seen within a triangular area downstream of the branch. In old animals, this area had the lowest frequency of disease; lesions tended to occur downstream of the spared region, along axes lying to either side of it, and at the lateral and upstream margins of the ostium. Disease was less rare at celiac branches. It occurred mainly downstream of the ostium in weanlings, whereas upstream sites were most affected in old animals, although significant disease remained at the juvenile locations. Earlier reports have described similar age-related distributions of disease in human aortas, consistent with a common underlying mechanism. The distributions also correlate with the spatial variations in arterial transport properties established in previous studies, and may be determined by them.

Histology/cytology discrepancies in HIV-infected obstetric patients with normal pap smears

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the frequency of cervical cytologic/histologic discrepancies in a group of obstetric patients diagnosed as HIV infected by routine prenatal screening. Also, to determine if serum CD4 levels or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are associated with the occurrence of preinvasive cervical disease in these women.

METHOD

Thirty-two women who presented for routine prenatal care to Medical Center of Louisiana were diagnosed as HIV infected by ELISA and Western blot testing and had normal Pap smears. These patients then agreed to undergo the following: colposcopy with directed biopsies; chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis screening; and serum CD4 level.

RESULTS

No patients had AIDS-defining diagnoses other than CD4 < 200/mm3. Ten of 32 (31%) had cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) despite normal cytology. Six of 32 (19%) had STDs. One of 10 in the group with CIN had a STD. The mean CD4 level in those patients with CIN was 249/mm2 (range 1-524) vs 501/mm2 (range 210-979) in those without CIN. (P = 0.0118)

CONCLUSIONS

Newly diagnosed HIV-infected pregnant women without clinical evidence of AIDS are noted to have CIN at a rate similar to nonpregnant HIV-infected women. The Pap smear appears to have a significant false-negative rate in this group. STDs, while common, were not directly associated with false-negative Pap smears. CIN is associated with immunosuppression, as measured by low CD4 counts.

Tuberculosis: a health education imperative returns

The ominous resurgence of tuberculosis after many years of containment necessitates a review of the various factors responsible. An intense collaborative effort is needed to avoid potentially catastrophic consequences of the new epidemic. To provide a basis for health education recommendations, the factors contributing to the resurgence of tuberculosis, the nature of the current epidemic, and past health education efforts are reviewed. Further, an expanded Health Belief Model is offered as a foundation to guide educational campaigns.

Synthesis of sterigmatocystin on a chemically defined medium by species of Aspergillus and Chaetomium

Sterigmatocystin (ST) is a secondary metabolite and a principal mycotoxin known to be produced by over 30 species of filamentous fungi. It is also one of the late intermediates in aflatoxin biosynthesis. We have tested the ability of 7 species of Aspergillus, including 4 strains of A. versicolor, one species of Bipolaris, and two species of Chaetomium, to produce ST on a sucrose-salts-phenylalanine defined medium as well as on three complex substrates. Highest ST production in our survey was by a strain of A. versicolor grown on wheat, whereas, the highest ST production on defined medium was by C. cellulolyticum. To our knowledge, this is the first report of ST production by C. cellulolyticum on any substrate. In precursor feeding studies, resting cultures of wild type A. nidulans and A. versicolor were unable to biotransform O-methylsterigmatocystin (OMST), the last known intermediate in aflatoxin biosynthesis. These results suggest that ST is the end product of polyketide metabolism in the strains tested.

The use of sodium valproate in a case of status epilepticus

A child in status epilepticus, who did not respond to intravenous diazepam, was treated with sodium valproate by naso-gastric tube. Subsequent clinical and encephalographic improvement appeared to be related to the sodium valproate, and its value in cases of status epilepticus is discussed.

Sodium valproate in the treatment of intractable childhood epilepsy

Sodium valproate has been used, in combination with a variety of standard anticonvulsant drugs, to treat 24 children with intractable epilepsy. A reduction of fit frequency greater than 90 percent was obtained in six patients, and a reduction of over 50 per cent in another six, with an improvement in alertness and school performance in the majority of cases. Grand mal, myoclonic and petit mal epilepsy gave the best response, while infantile spasms responded least well. No serious side-effects were encountered.

Desquamative fibrosing alveolitis unresponsive to steroid or cytotoxic therapy

A case of desquamative fibrosing alveolitis beginning in early infancy is described. The disease was characterized by tachypnoea, hypoxia relieved by O2, absence of signs in the chest or clubbing, and radiological and physiological evidence of hyperinflation. The diagnosis was made by needle biopsy of the lung. Treatment with steroids and immunosuppression was without effect and the infant died at 9 months. The disease has a high mortality in infancy, only 2 out of 9 reported cases having survived. The difference from the usual course in adults and older children is noted.