Influence of Food Restriction and Compensatory Growth on Protein Synthesis and Breakdown in Growing Rats

The experiment was carried out with 24 male albino rats (5 weeks old, live weight 79 ± 5.1 g) divided into 2 groups. Gr. 1 (control group) was fed the commercial breeding food Ssniff with 22.4% crude protein ad lib., Gr. 2 (test group) for the first fortnight a mixture of the breeding food/cellulose 60/40 (restriction period) and subsequently for the second fortnight (compensatory period) also the breeding food ad lib. During both of these periods an 8 day N balance trial and a 4 day ¹⁵N tracer trial were included for estimation of growth rate and protein synthesis rate. Protein synthesis was ascertained by the endproduct method (oral application, single dose, mixture of 12 ¹⁵N-labelled amino acids); protein breakdown was calculated as the difference of protein synthesis rate and growth rate. The estimated rates were converted into fractional ones by referring to the body N content of corresponding animals. From the results of this experiment is concluded: The smaller N balance during moderate nutritional restriction can be attributed to a decrease of protein synthesis. The compensatory growth of the animals during the realimentation period is caused by an increase of protein synthesis and the enhanced protein conversion. Protein degradation is nearly unaffected.     

Investigation of four wave mixing effect with different number of input channels at various channel spacing

In this paper the design, implementation and performance analysis of four wave mixing (FWM) in optical communication system for different number of input channels is presented using various values of channel spacing. Here, all the input channels have been spaced evenly at various values like 6.25 GHz, 12.5 GHz, 25 GHz, 40 GHz, 50 GHz with the different number of channels at the input i.e. with 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 input channels. The simulation results reveal that the four wave mixing is minimum when the channel spacing is maximum i.e. 50 GHz with minimum number of channels i.e. 2 input channels. It is observed that on increasing the channel spacing, the interference between the input frequencies decreases and hence the four wave mixing also decreases. Also, on increasing the number of input channels/users, the interference between the input frequencies increases and thus, the four wave mixing also increases.     

in situ FTIR Spectroscopic Characterization of Electroactive Species

A spectroelectrochemical technique based on the Fourier Transform Infrared Reflection Absorption Spectroscopic (FTIR-RAS) method is described, whereby high resolution in situ vibrational spectra of electrogenerated reaction intermediates (including radicals) and species adsorbed on electrode surfaces are obtained. Theoretical and experimental aspects of the method in a single reflection mode are discussed. Details of the cell design and the optimization of the operational parameters for running the FT-IR spectrometer in the RAS mode are also described. Apart from the potential of this technique to identify adsorbed species through their vibrational spectra, it can also be used to determine the orientation of the adsorbed species on the electrode surface by making use of surface selection rules. Using this technique, it has been possible to record the spectra of molecules adsorbed from aqueous and non aqueous media on metal and carbon electrodes. It has been possible to distinguish the vibrational spectra of adsorbed molecules from those in the bulk. Various systems covering a wide range of molecules have been studied and the potential of the technique as a method for the characterization of the electrode-electrolyte interface has been demonstrated.     

Contrast optimization of two-photon processes after a microstructured hollow-core fiber demonstrated for dye molecules

We demonstrate selective excitation of dyes with overlapping absorption spectra in solution with pulses transmitted through a hollow-core fiber. Thereto we show how dispersive effects occurring in the fiber can be compensated and what the limiting pulse energies are. Furthermore, an overview over various phase parameterizations is given and we examine which are best used when optimizing a two-photon fluorescence contrast of two dyes in a sample. This could be relevant for future endoscopic applications as well as state of the art two-photon microscopy.     

Theorems of Denjoy–Wolff type

Using the Kobayashi distance, we first establish a version of the Denjoy–Wolff theorem for a bounded and strictly convex domain in ${{\mathbb{C}}^k}$ . Next, we prove analogous results for semigroups of holomorphic mappings and the resolvents of their generators. Finally, we obtain theorems of Denjoy–Wolff type for families of holomorphic retracts of the open unit ball in a complex, reflexive, and strictly convex Banach space.     

Delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of the fibrocartilage disc of the temporomandibular joint – a feasibility study

Objective

To 1) test the feasibility of delayed Gadolinium-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Cartilage (dGEMRIC) at 3 T in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and 2) to determine the optimal delay for measurements of the TMJ disc after i.v. contrast agent (CA) administration.

Design

MRI of the right and left TMJ of six asymptomatic volunteers was performed at 3 T using a dedicated coil. 2D inversion recovery (2D-IR) sequences were performed at 4 time points covering 120 minutes and 3D gradient-echo (3D GRE) dual flip-angle sequences were performed at 14 time points covering 130 minutes after the administration of 0.2 mmol/kg of Gd-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid ion (Gd-DTPA)^2-, i.e., 0.4 mL of Magnevist™ per kg body weight. Pair-wise tests were used to assess differences between pre-and post-contrast T1 values.

Results

2D-IR sequences showed a statistically significant drop (p < 0.001) in T1 values after i.v. CA administration. The T1 drop of 50% was reached 60 minutes after bolus injection in the TMJ disc. The 3D GRE dual flip-angle sequences confirmed these results and show plateau of T1 after 60 minutes.

Conclusions

T1(Gd) maps calculated from dGEMRIC data allow in vivo assessment of the fibrocartilage disc of the TMJ. The recommended measurement time for dGEMRIC in the TMJ after i.v. CA administration is from 60 to 120 minutes.     

Plasmonic enhancement of optical absorption of UV radiation by Au nanoparticles dispersed on ZnO thin film

Ultraviolet photoconductivity in sol gel-derived ZnO thin film loaded with gold (Au) nanoparticle (NPs) is investigated. Au-NPs loaded ZnO thin film (Au-NPs/ZnO) is found to exhibit high photoconducting gain (K) of about 4.12 × 10³ as compared to the bare ZnO thin film-based photodetector (4.9 × 10¹). The enhanced photoconductive gain of Au-NPs/ZnO detector has been achieved due to simultaneous lowering of dark current which occurs due to Schottky barrier effect originated after dispersing the Au NPs on the surface of ZnO thin film. The enhancement in photocurrent upon UV illumination is due to trapping of UV radiation via plasmonic effect caused by Au-NPs and subsequently coupling of absorbed light with the optical modes of underlying semiconducting ZnO surface.     

A Denjoy–Wolff theorem for compact holomorphic mappings in reflexive Banach spaces

Using the Kobayashi distance, we establish a Denjoy–Wolff theorem for compact holomorphic self-mappings of a bounded and strictly convex domain in a complex reflexive Banach space.