Gain depletion due to amplified spontaneous emission in multi-pass laser amplifiers

Calculations of the effects of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) in laser amplifiers designed to amplify sub-picosecond pulses are presented. A one-dimensional code is used with some simple approximations to account for aspect ratio variation in cases of cylindrical symmetry. Gain depletion due to ASE is compared for various multi-pass geometries. Optimisation for short pulse amplification of a telescopic, beam-expanding, 4-pass amplifier is considered.On leave from Electrotechnical Laboratory, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan     

Properties of novel aldose reductase inhibitors, M16209 and M16287, in comparison with known inhibitors, ONO-2235 and sorbinil

Properties and efficacies of novel aldose reductase (AR) inhibitors, M16209 (1-(3-bromobenzo[b]furan-2-ylsulfonyl)hydantoin) and M16287 (1-(3-chlorobenzo[b]furan-2-ylsulfonyl)hydantoin), were examined in vitro and in vivo, compared with known AR inhibitors, ONO-2235 and sorbinil. These four compounds inhibited partially purified aldose reductases from various origins, and the potencies of M16209 and M16287 were on the whole similar to ONO-2235, and were greater than that of sorbinil. The IC50 values of the four AR inhibitors did not substantially depend on the substrate used. Kinetic studies of inhibition of partially purified bovine lens (BLAR) revealed that M16209, M16287 and sorbinil were uncompetitive with glyceraldehyde and noncompetitive with nicotineamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), whereas ONO-2235 was noncompetitive with both glyceraldehyde and NADPH. Aldose reductase became less sensitive to the four inhibitors as enzyme purification progressed, although the susceptibility to inhibition was partially reversed by incubation with dithiothreitol. In addition, the four compounds slightly affected those enzymes of carbohydrate and glutathione metabolism which were tested. M16209 and M16287 prevented sorbitol accumulation in isolated rat tissues as potently as ONO-2235 and sorbinil. M16209 and M16287 were effective in the prevention of galactosemic cataracts and amelioration of diabetic neuropathy with almost the same potency, while ONO-2235 was effective only in neuropathy, and sorbinil was effective in galactosemic cataracts and diabetic neuropathy with a different potency. These results indicate that M16209 and M16287 are potent aldose reductase inhibitors, which could be applicable to treatment for diabetic complications.     

Microdetermination of fluorine in organic compounds by oxygen flask combustion and conductometric titration

For the conductometric titration of fluoride with calcium acetate, solvent system in sample solution and titrant, concentration, and acidity of sample solution were examined to establish the titration conditions. Results of these examinations were transferred to the microdetermination of fluorine in organic compounds using oxygen flask combustion method.Comparative examination between quartz and Pyrex flasks for the combustion of fluorine samples indicated that good results were obtained by the use of the former flask, whereas the use of the latter one gave negative values of 1.0–1.6% due to the formation of boron fluoride during the combustion.