Soliton Squeezing in a Mach-Zehnder Fiber Interferometer

A new scheme for generating amplitude squeezed light by means of soliton self-phase modulation is experimentally demonstrated. By injecting 180-fs pulses into an equivalent Mach-Zehnder fiber interferometer, a maximum noise reduction of $4.4 \pm 0.3$ dB is obtained ($6.3 \pm 0.6$ dB when corrected for losses). The dependence of noise reduction on the interferometer splitting ratio and fiber length is studied in detail.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Abnormal phenomena in a one-dimensional periodic structure containing left-handed materials

The explicit dispersion equation for a one-dimensional periodic structure with alternative layers of left-handed material (LHM) and right-handed material (RHM) is given and analyzed. Some abnormal phenomena such as spurious modes with complex frequencies, discrete modes and photon tunnelling modes are observed in the band structure. The existence of spurious modes with complex frequencies is a common problem in the calculation of the band structure for such a photonic crystal. Physical explanation and significance are given for the discrete modes (with real values of wave number) and photon tunnelling propagation modes (with imaginary wave numbers in a limited region).Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure

Anticancer Properties of a Novel Class of Tetrafluorinated Thalidomide Analogues

The authors thank Scott McMenemy for carrying out preliminary, early studies looking at effects of Gu compounds upon chicken embryology, as well as Charles D. Crowe, Jeffrey E. Roth, and Adam C. Rolt for critical comments on the article. fli1:EGFP zebrafish were obtained from the Zebrafish International Research Center (27). mpo:GFP zebrafish [also termed Tg(MPO:GFP)114] zebrafish were obtained from Dr. Stephen Renshaw, University of Sheffield (Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK; ref. 29).Peer reviewedPostprin

Aspiration therapy for the treatment of obesity: 4-year results of a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

BackgroundThe AspireAssist is the first Food and Drug Administration-approved endoluminal device indicated for treatment of class II and III obesity.ObjectivesWe earlier reported 1-year results of the PATHWAY study. Here, we report 4-year outcomes.SettingUnited States-based, 10-center, randomized controlled trial involving 171 participants with the treatment arm receiving Aspiration Therapy (AT) plus Lifestyle Therapy and the control arm receiving Lifestyle Therapy (2:1 randomization).MethodsAT participants were permitted to continue in the study for an additional year up to a maximum of 5 years providing they maintained at least 10% total weight loss (TWL) from baseline at each year end. For AT participants who continued the study, 5 medical monitoring visits were provided at weeks 60, 68, 76, 90, and 104 and thereafter once every 13 weeks up to week 260. Exclusion criteria were a history of eating disorder or evidence of eating disorder on a validated questionnaire. Follow-up weight, quality of life, and co-morbidities were compared with the baseline levels. In addition, rates of serious adverse event, persistent fistula, withdrawal, and A-tube replacement were reported. All analyses were performed using a per-protocol analysis.ResultsOf the 82 AT participants who completed 1 year, 58 continued to this phase of the trial. Mean baseline body mass index of these 58 patients was 41.6 ± 4.5 kg/m2. At the end of first year (at the beginning of the follow-up study), these 58 patients had a body mass index of 34.1 ± 5.4 kg/m2 and had achieved an 18.3 ± 8.0% TWL. On a per protocol basis, patients experienced 14.2%, 15.3%, 16.6%, and 18.7% TWL at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years, respectively (P < .01 for all). Forty of 58 patients (69%) achieved at least 10% TWL at 4 years or at time of study withdrawal. Improvements in quality of life scores and select cardiometabolic parameters were also maintained through 4 years. There were 2 serious adverse events reported in the second through fourth years, both of which resolved with removal or replacement of the A tube. Two persistent fistulas required surgical repair, representing approximately 2% of all tube removals. There were no clinically significant metabolic or electrolytes disorders observed, nor any evidence for development of any eating disorders.ConclusionsThe results of this midterm study have shown that AT is a safe, effective, and durable weight loss alternative for people with class II and III obesity and who are willing to commit to using the therapy and adhere to adjustments in eating behavior

Progress report no. 3

Statement of responsibility on title-page reads: editors: M.J. Driscoll, D.D. Lanning, I. Kaplan; contributors: S. T. Brewer, G.J. Brown, P. Delaquil, M.J. Driscoll, G.A. Ducat, I.A. Forbes, M. V. Gregory, S.Y. Ho, M.S. Kalra, C.S. Kang, L.T. Kim, D.D. Lanning, J.L. Lazewatsky, T.C. Leung, E.A. Mason, N.R. Ortiz, N.C. Rasmussen, I.C. Rickard, K.D. Roberson, A.T. Supple, A.M. Thompson, and C.P. TzanosIncludes bibliographical referencesProgress report ; June 30, 1972U.S. Atomic Energy Commission contracts: AT(11-1)306

MiR-133a Mimic Alleviates T1DM-Induced Systolic Dysfunction in Akita: An MRI-Based Study

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a leading cause of heart failure. Developing a novel therapeutic strategy for diabetic cardiomyopathy and characterizing animal models used for diabetes mellitus (DM) are important. Insulin 2 mutant (Ins2+/-) Akita is a spontaneous, genetic, mouse model for T1DM, which is relevant to humans. There are contrasting reports on systolic dysfunction and pathological remodeling (hypertrophy and fibrosis) in Akita heart. Here, we used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) approach, a gold standard reference for evaluating cardiac function, to measure ejection fraction (indicator of systolic dysfunction) in Akita. Moreover, we performed Wheat Germ Agglutinin (WGA) and hematoxylin and Eosin stainings to determine cardiac hypertrophy, and Masson\u27s Trichrome and picrosirius red stainings to determine cardiac fibrosis in Akita. MiR-133a, an anti-hypertrophy and anti-fibrosis miRNA, is downregulated in Akita heart. We determined if miR-133a mimic treatment could mitigate systolic dysfunction and remodeling in Akita heart. Our MRI results revealed decreased ejection fraction in Akita as compared to WT and increased ejection fraction in miR-133a mimic-treated Akita. We also found that miR-133a mimic treatment mitigates T1DM-induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in Akita. We conclude that Akita shows cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis and systolic dysfunction and miR-133a mimic treatment to Akita could ameliorate them

Population Characteristics of Black Bullhead Ameiurus melas in Two Small Oklahoma Close to Home Fishing Ponds

Black Bullheads have both native and introduced populations throughout North America and introduced populations in Europe. Research of Black Bullhead populations has increased in recent years due to their native and introduced ranges having potential detrimental effects on fish communities. Black Bullheads are common throughout Oklahoma and are found in many Close to Home Fishing Ponds (CTHFP), however research in these small impoundments is limited. Therefore, our objective was to estimate abundance and describe population characteristics for two Black Bullhead populations in two Oklahoma CTHFP. We sampled two CTHFP in El Reno, Oklahoma within Canadian County, Southern Hills North (SHN) and Southern Hills South (SHS) with tandem baited hoop nets in June of 2022. To estimate population size, we used the K-pass depletion method. Lapilli otoliths were extracted from fish from each pond, but age and growth statistical analysis were only completed for SHS due to insufficient numbers of fish prohibiting analysis. Black Bullheads from SHS had a fish density estimate of 810 fish/ha, slow growth, ages ranging from 2-7, relatively low mortality (Z = 0.39), and was dominated by stock-sized individuals. The SHN pond had a lower fish density estimate (110 fish/ha) than SHS, fish ages ranging from 1-7, and was dominated by quality-sized individuals. Additional research should focus on understanding angler dynamics, variables that attribute to overabundant populations, and variability of Black Bullhead growth in CTHFP to allow for more effective fisheries management of native and invasive populations