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Notes: This work develops two techniques for optically probing the spatial profile of microwave frequency superconducting currents. As an application, we measured the effects of high microwave powers on the spatial distribution of current on coplanar superconducting transmission lines fabricated using YBa2Cu3O7−δ and Tl2Ba2CaCu2O8. For both techniques, a focused light-spot served as the spatial probe whose effect was measured through the change in transmitted microwave power. For resonant geometries, the change was due to the kinetic-inductance bolometric effect; for nonresonant geometries, the change was due to the resistive-transition bolometric effect. Kinetic-inductance photoresponse measurements were acquired by setting the microwave frequency on the shoulder of a resonance and measuring the change in the microwave power transmitted through the device that occurred when the absorption of light shifted the frequency of the resonance. These kinetic-inductance measurements were performed as a function of microwave power on a YBa2Cu3O7−δ coplanar device at 74 K and on a Tl2Ba2CaCu2O8 coplanar device at 80 K. Because the photoresponse in this technique is proportional to the square of the local current density underneath the light spot (as opposed to directly proportional), this technique is sensitive to current redistribution on length scales much smaller than the ∼6 μm spatial resolution of our measurements. Extrinsic (defect and grain boundary associated) and intrinsic photoresponses were measured. Both coplanar samples showed no change in the intrinsic spatial distribution of the current as the microwave power was varied. At all temperatures the Tl2Ba2CaCu2O8 sample exhibited substantial extrinsic spatial variations on a distance scale equal to the film's ∼5 μm grain size; these spatial variations became more dramatic as the temperature T approached the critical temperature Tc. The spatial variations for the finer-grained YBa2Cu3O7 sample were much less pronounced. Behavior consistent with Tc being several degrees lower at the film edges was observed as T approached Tc; the edge-current photoresponse started to narrow, increase faster than linearly with light power, and move away from the film edges toward the center of the strip; lowering the light power lessened these effects. Resistive-bolometric photoresponse measurements performed at temperatures within the resistive transition exhibited the same light power effects near Tc. The kinetic-inductance photoresponse can also be used as a probe of the local quality of unpatterned superconducting films; for this usage an unpatterned film serves as one wall of a resonant cavity and a focused light beam is scanned through the transparent substrate onto the underside of the superconducting film while monitoring the shift in the cavity resonance. © 1998 American Institute of Physics.

Notes: Abstract: The presynaptic nicotinic modulation of dopamine release from striatal nerve terminals is well established, but the subtype(s) of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) underlying this response has not been identified. Recently, α-conotoxin-MII has been reported to inhibit potently and selectively the rat α3/β2 combination of nAChR subunits. Here we have synthesised the peptide, confirmed its specificity, and examined its effect on the (±)-anatoxin-a-evoked release of [3H]dopamine from rat striatal synaptosomes and slices. α-Conotoxin-MII (112 nM) completely blocked acetylcholine-evoked currents of α3β2 nAChRs expressed in Xenopus oocytes (IC50 = 8.0 ± 1.1 nM). Pairwise combinations of other nicotinic subunits were not blocked by 112 nMα-conotoxin-MII. On perfused striatal synaptosomes and slices, α-conotoxin-MII dose-dependently inhibited [3H]dopamine release evoked by 1 µM (±)-anatoxin-a with IC50 values of 24.3 ± 2.9 and 17.3 ± 0.1 nM, respectively. The dose-response curve was shifted to the right with increasing agonist concentrations. However, the maximal inhibition of responses achieved by α-conotoxin-MII (112 nM) was 44.9 ± 5.4% for synaptosomes and 25.0 ± 4.1% for slices, compared with an inhibition by 10 µM mecamylamine of 77.9 ± 3.7 and 88.0 ± 2.1%, respectively. These results suggest the presence of presynaptic α3β2-like nAChRs on striatal dopaminergic terminals, but the incomplete block of (±)-anatoxin-a-evoked [3H]dopamine release by α-conotoxin-MII also supports the participation of nAChRs composed of other subunits. The lower inhibition found in slices is consistent with an additional indirect nicotinic stimulation of dopamine release via an α-conotoxin-MII-insensitive nAChR.

Notes: : One hundred patients with a clinical diagnosis of a primary or secondary superficial pyoderma were entered into a double-blind study. They were allocated treatment with either trimethoprim-polymyxin B sulfate cream or fusidic acid cream according to a fully randomized treatment code. Data suitable for evaluation were obtained from 87 patients, and statistical analysis revealed trimethoprim-polymyxin B sulfate (TP) cream to be significantly better than fusidic acid cream in alleviating several of the individual signs and symptoms associated with pyogenic infection of the skin as well as in reducing the overall severity score at the end of the 2-week study period.

Notes: SYMPOSIUM: ROLE MODELS IN EDUCATION

Notes: The only carotenoid detected in newly fertilized eggs of wild Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, from western Scotland was astaxanthin at a concentration [μg carotenoid g−1 wet wt of eggs, mean ±S.D. (number of parental females)] of 6.2±1.2(7) in 1982, 6.4±1.8(20) in 1983, and 7.6 ± 13(6) in 1984. In eggs of farmed Atlantic salmon the only carotenoid detected was canthaxanthin at concentrations which varied significantly between farms depending on the level of synthetic canthaxanthin in the broodstock diet. Thus on two farms using feed with 50 μgg−1, the levels were 11.8 ± 3.4(7) and 12.3 ± 2.9(6), while on two farms using 75μgg−1 the levels were 18.7 ± 5.0(9) and 21.2 ± 2.7(21). The levels in eggs of one-seawinter fish (grilse) did not differ from those of two-seawinter fish reared on the same farm and diet. During development from newly fertilized egg to fry at the end of yolk-sac absorption, the quantity of carotenoid present per individual decreased, presumably as a result of metabolism. Despite large differences in quantity present, the quantity so metabolized was fairly constant at 2–4 μg carotenoid g−1 original egg weight for eggs from two-seawinter farmed and wild salmon, except that in eggs from farmed grilse it was 7 μg g−1. In fry from wild eggs, 99.14% of the remaining carotenoid was present in the integument (skin and fins) as astaxanthin, astaxanthin monoester and astaxanthin diester. In fry from farmed salmon eggs, 47 ± 8% of the carotenoid present was found in the unused yolk oil droplets and in the liver, and 37 ± 6% was found in the integument as canthaxanthin and an unidentified metabolite of canthaxanthin. These findings explain visible colour differences between fry from wild parents and fry from canthaxanthin-fed farmed parents, particularly in the fins, liver and residual oil droplets. The canthaxanthin metabolite was also found, together with canthaxanthin, in the skin of farmed adults fed canthaxanthin. Preliminary tests showed it to be unchanged by saponification but reduced by sodium borohydride. For eggs from the three farms incubated under the same conditions in the same season, percentage mortality both to the eyed stage and between hatching and first feeding varied significantly between farms, but percentage mortality between the eyed stage and hatching did not do so. Results combined from two seasons for eggs from three farms and one wild source showed that egg mortality between fertilization and the eyed stage was not significantly different between wild and farmed salmon, but mortality between the eyed stage and hatching, and between hatching and first feeding, were both significantly higher in farmed salmon than in wild salmon. Such differences could not be explained simply by the large differences in egg carotenoid content, but were almost certainly due to factors such as broodstock nutrition, broodstock management, and stripping and fertilization procedures.

Notes: This study assessed how ratings of the importance of contraceptive attributes varied with gender, age, relationship status, and contraceptive method usually used. In a classroom setting, 210 male and 217 female university students completed the 55-item Contraceptive Attribute Questionnaire (CAQ). Significant differences on importance ratings were found between women and men, age groups, women using barrier methods and women using the pill, and by relationship status. The underlying dimensions of the CAQ were investigated through factor analysis, and somewhat different factors emerged for men and women. Implications for the provision of family planning services to college students are discussed.

Notes: Abstract— The development of anisotropic material properties due to torsional cyclic plastic straining of tubes with sustained axial loads was examined for a type 316 stainless steel at room temperature and at 500°C. The effect of the cyclic strains and the cumulative ratchetting strains on the axial tensile properties was determined and the results show a significant increase in the tensile strength at both 20°C and 500°C, with more pronounced hardening at the higher temperature. The cyclic shear stress-strain response of the material is shown to be extremely temperature dependent and the hardening ratio is much greater at 500°C, which is consistent with the dynamic strain ageing observed previously for this material. The ratchetting strains are controlled by the cyclic shear strain hardening, by the axial hardening resulting from the cyclic shear and the cumulative axial strains, and by the ratio of the secondary shear stress to the primary axial stress.