On the pole expansion of electromagnetic fields.

In several publications, it has been shown how to calculate the near- or far-field properties for a given source or incident field using the resonant states, also known as quasi-normal modes. As previously noted, this pole expansion is not unique, and there exist many equivalent formulations with dispersive expansion coefficients. Here, we approach the pole expansion of the electromagnetic fields using the Mittag-Leffler theorem and obtain another set of formulations with constant weight factors for each pole. We compare the performance and applicability of these formulations using analytical and numerical examples. It turns out that the accuracy of all approaches is rather comparable with a slightly better global convergence of the approach based on a formulation with dispersive expansion coefficients. However, other expansions can be superior locally and are typically faster. Our work will help with selecting appropriate formulations for an efficient description of the electromagnetic response in terms of the resonant states.

Modeling of second-harmonic generation in periodic nanostructures by the Fourier modal method with matched coordinates.

We present an advanced formulation of the Fourier modal method for analyzing the second-harmonic generation in multilayers of periodic arrays of nanostructures. In our method, we solve Maxwell's equations in a curvilinear coordinate system, in which the interfaces are defined by surfaces of constant coordinates. Thus, we can apply the correct Fourier factorization rules as well as adaptive spatial resolution to nanostructures with complex cross sections. We extend here the factorization rules to the second-harmonic susceptibility tensor expressed in the curvilinear coordinates. The combination of adaptive curvilinear coordinates and factorization rules allows for efficient calculation of the second-harmonic intensity, as demonstrated for one- and two-dimensional periodic nanostructures.

Neonatal pancytopenia in a child, born after maternal exposure to natalizumab throughout pregnancy.

Natalizumab is a monoclonal antibody indicated for the treatment of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Its use is prohibited during pregnancy. However, natalizumab exposures throughout the gestation period or during the third trimester, because of intense disease activity, are possible and begin to be reported. There are enough reassuring arguments against a teratogenicity, through pregnancy registries; but deleterious effects in the monitoring of newborn, are not well known. A disorder of hematopoiesis is possible with anemia, thrombocytopenia or pancytopenia, as discussed by the author through an observation. These hematological disorders seem to be asymptomatic; they resolve spontaneously and require a simple biological and clinical monitoring of the newborn.

Indoor noise exposure at home: a field study in the family of urban schoolchildren.

This article aims at evaluating indoor noise levels at home and investigating the factors that may influence their variability. An 8-day noise measurement campaign was conducted in the homes of 44 schoolchildren attending the public primary schools of Besançon (France). The presence of the inhabitants in the dwelling and the noisy events occurring indoors and outdoors was daily collected using a time-location-activity diary (TLAD); 902 time periods were analyzed. The indoor noise level increased significantly with the outdoor noise level, along with the duration of the presence or level of activity of the inhabitants at home. However, this effect may vary according to the period of day and the day of the week. Moreover, a significant part of the day and evening indoor noise level variability was explained when considering the TLAD variables: 46% and 45% in the bedroom, 54% and 39% in the main room, respectively. Our results highlight the complexity of the indoor environment in the dwellings of children living in an urban area. Combining the inhabitant presence and indoor noise source descriptors with outdoor noise levels and other dwelling or inhabitant characteristics could improve large-scale epidemiological studies. However, additional efforts are still needed, particularly during the night period.

The effects of railway noise on sleep medication intake: results from the ALPNAP-study.

In the 1980s/90s, a number of socio-acoustic surveys and laboratory studies on railway noise effects have observed less reported disturbance/interference with sleep at the same exposure level compared with other modes of transportation. This lower grade of disturbance has received the label "railway bonus", was implemented in noise legislation in a number of European countries and was applied in planning and environmental impact assessments. However, majority of the studies investigating physiological outcomes did not find the bespoke difference. In a telephone survey (N=1643) we investigated the relationship between railway noise and sleep medication intake and the impact of railway noise events on motility parameters during night was assessed with contact-free high resolution actimetry devices. Multiple logistic regression analysis with cubic splines was applied to assess the probability of sleep medication use based on railway sound level and nine covariates. The non-linear exposure-response curve showed a statistically significant leveling off around 60 dB (A), Lden. Age, health status and trauma history were the most important covariates. The results were supported also by a similar analysis based on the indicator "night time noise annoyance". No railway bonus could be observed above 55 dB(A), Lden. In the actimetry study, the slope of rise of train noise events proved to be almost as important a predictor for motility reactions as was the maximum sound pressure level - an observation which confirms similar findings from laboratory experiments and field studies on aircraft noise and sleep disturbance. Legislation using a railway bonus will underestimate the noise impact by about 10 dB (A), Lden under the conditions comparable with those in the survey study. The choice of the noise calculation method may influence the threshold for guideline setting.

Age-related changes in cognitive ERPs of attenuation.

This investigation explored developmental changes in passive and effortful components of ERPs associated with a visual attention task in children, adolescents, and adults. The task was a 'go-go' version of a continuous performance task, coupled with a passive attending phase in which the subjects merely watched the stimuli of the task. The three age groups featured a constellation of ERP components that shared the same general morphological appearance and distribution, but differences were seen with respect to latencies and amplitudes. Consistent with other studies, there was an inverse relationship with respect to age and peak latencies of the major passive and effortful components. With respect to peak amplitudes, however, the most impressive changes with age were observed in the passive processing components. For example, the P150 and P250 components presented greater amplitudes in children, whereas the N200 component presented its greatest amplitude in adults. While passive in the sense that their appearances were independent of the 'decision-making' process, these components were found to be upwardly adjustable by effort. The late positive component was found to be a combination of a passive P350 and an effortful P450. The P350 component was judged to be largely passive in character as it was well developed in subjects of all age groups when passively attending to the visual stimuli. There was no marked amplitude difference between the child and adult P450 components, but the components peaked in amplitude later in the children. Finally, the children's ERPs featured a distinct frontal negativity (FN) that was present in the Passive phase, but greatly enhanced during the Effortful phase. This study, as have many others, showed that there are reliable developmental changes in the components of visual ERPs. Therefore, the characteristics of the various components of cognitive ERPs may be effective markers of neurodevelopmental status, especially of those neuronal systems vital to attentional processing and effort regulation.

Enhancement of attention processing by Kantroll in healthy humans: a pilot study.

This is the first report in humans of the effects of daily ingestion of a specific amino acid mixture, Kantroll, on cognitive event-related potentials (ERPs) associated with performance. Cognitive ERPs were generated by two computerized visual attention tasks, the Spatial Orientation Task (SOT) and Contingent Continuous Performance Task (CCPT), in normal young adult volunteers, where each subject acted as his own control for testing before and after 28-30 days of amino acid ingestion. A statistically significant amplitude enhancement of the P300 component of the ERPs was seen after Kantroll for both tasks, as well as improvement with respect to cognitive processing speeds. The enhancement of neurophysiologic function observed in this study on normal controls is consistent with the facilitation of recovery of individuals with RDS (i.e., substance use disorder, ADHD, carbohydrate bingeing) following the ingestion of the amino acid supplement, Kantroll, and warrants additional placebo-controlled, double-blind, studies to confirm and extend these results.

Topographical analyses of attention disorders of childhood.

Cognitive ERPs and EEG spectral differences were compared in three groups of children: nonreferred controls, those with a dominant hyperactivity/impulsivity factor (ADHD-Im), and those with a dominant inattentive factor (ADHD-Ia). The results from the ERP analyses indicated that the P250, P350, and P500 components differed between the groups. The most marked differences were seen with respect to the amplitude of the P500 components. In addition, the topographic foci of the P500 components for the CON and ADHD-Im groups were symmetrical, but the ADHD-Ia group featured P250 and P350 components that were biased away from the right hemisphere. Nevertheless, the P500 was found to be an effective discriminator between the groups. The combined spectral and ERP results suggest that the attention disordered children have difficulty adjusting their level of physiological arousal, and are defective with respect to controlled (or effortful) processing.

Topographical analysis of adolescent affective disorders.

This study evaluated the EEG spectral content and the components of the cognitive ERPs evoked by a visual sustained-selective attention task from adolescents diagnosed as having an affective disorder and those who did not (nonreferred controls, CON) to determine if there were different electrophysiological profiles associated with major subtypes of affective disorders; i.e., Dysthymic Disorder (DysD) and Cyclothymic Disorder (CycD). Distinctive ERP and EEG profiles were found to be associated with the DysD and CycD groups. While both groups of depressives presented diminished P3b amplitudes, the DysD group showed a relatively greater suppression over the right temporal regions, whereas the CycD group exhibited relatively greater suppression over the left temporal region. In addition, there were differences with respect to the earlier components associated with information processing. For instance, the P1 was found deficient in the DysD group as compared to the other groups, whereas the N2 component was deficient in the CycD groups as compared to CON and DysD groups. In contrast to these amplitude differences, no significant latency differences were seen with respect to any component elicited by this paradigm. With respect to the EEG spectra, the CON group showed greater relative power in the Beta range than either the CycD or the DysD group, with the depressives featuring more midline frontal Theta activity. Characteristically, both depressant groups showed a greater anterior distribution of Alpha activity. In addition, the foci of the various spectral bands for the DysD subjects were shifted away from the right hemisphere as was the case for the P3b. Overall, the profiles suggested that those who fit the diagnostic classification of DysD have deficit function in right post-Rolandic zones, along with anomalous frontal function. It was also suggested that there may be a core disturbance of physiological arousal in unipolar depression. The CycD subjects, on the other hand, featured no hemispheric bias with respect to the P3b components or spectral foci, but did not show similar features of being cortically "hypoaroused" so that actively depressed adolescent CycD subjects did share certain physiological features with unipolar subjects.

[Hepatitis A virus immune status of Antilles military personnel: incidence after prophylaxis]. / Statut immunologique des militaires d'origine antillaise vis-à-vis du virus de i'hépatite A: incidence sur la prophylaxie.

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the value of systematic vaccination of recruits from French overseas departments and territories (DOM-TOM) against hepatitis A. Between July 1994 and May 1995 tests to defect anti-HVA antibodies were performed on all new recruits from the French West Indies (Guadeloupe and Martinique). Of the 1685 subjects tested 346 presented type IgG anti-HVA antibodies, i.e. 20.5% overall. Seroprevalence increased from 4% in 18 year-olds to 35% in 25 year-olds and was significantly higher in recruits from Gaudeloupe (26.7%) than from Martinique (15.6%) (p < 0.001). The overall seroprevalence rate was similar to the rate observed in young recruits from mainland France in 1990. These findings indicate that hepatitis A has decreased in the French West Indies in agreement with improvements with sanitary and housing conditions. This study also supports vaccination of recruits from DOM-TOM against hepatitis A after control of their immune status.

Evidence of temporal lobe activation by discriminative spatial orientation.

The results from this spatial orientation, or cue priming, investigation found that targets presented to the contralateral visual fields differentially activated the temporal zones. For instance, stimulation within the right visual field lead to activation of the left temporal zones, as indexed by the relative prominence of the association negativity, N2. The converse was true for left visual field stimulation. For both visual field stimulation, the N2 component also showed an occipital and parietal distribution. The P300 component, which is presumed to be modulated by medial temporal lobe structures, showed the classic centroparietal distribution. Somewhat surprisingly, differences between the primed (e.g., 'facilitated') and 'normal' conditions for the N2 component appeared restricted to the occipital zones. Here, the significant variable was the N2 peak latency. Hence, the priming cue appears to quicken the maximal development of the N2 processing component, preferentially over the occipital cortex, and this may partially explain the faster reaction times in the 'facilitated' conditions for both visual fields.

Energy metabolism in rat hippocampus during and following seizure activity.

The hippocampus exhibits a post-ictal phenomenon in which it is unresponsive to further stimulation. It has been suggested that this loss of excitability is the basis of post-seizure amnesia. The biochemical events associated with this phenomenon are unclear. In the present study, energy metabolites were measured in the stratum oriens, stratum pyramidale and stratum radiatum in rat hippocampus, and correlated with field potential recordings. Wistar rats were anesthetized and the calvarium removed. Following removal of the cortex by aspiration, the hippocampus was covered with oil, and stimulating and recording electrodes were placed. Stimulation consisted of a train of stimuli at 100 Hz (10-20 m Amps). This stimulation was found to be effective in evoking self-sustaining after-discharges and post-ictal depression. Tissues for metabolite analysis were taken from a series of controls, from animals during active self-sustaining seizures, and from animals which were totally unresponsive to further electrical stimulation. Hippocampal tissue for metabolite analysis was obtained by pouring liquid N2 on the exposed tissue, then removing the frozen tissue. Glucose, ATP, and phosphocreatine were measured in hippocampal layers of CA1 using fluorescence techniques and enzymatic cycling. Results showed that during seizure activity, glucose, ATP, and phosphocreatine were all decreased from 40-80% in the three layers of the hippocampus, whereas from 60 seconds after the onset of hippocampal shutdown, energy metabolites had returned toward normal. Thus, at a time when the hippocampus was unresponsive, energy metabolites were at control levels. These data suggest that the shutdown phenomenon occurs in the presence of adequate energy stores.

Transplantation of adrenal medullary tissue to caudate nucleus using stereotactic techniques.

Stereotactic techniques were used to transplant adrenal medullary tissue to the head of the right caudate nucleus in 12 patients with Parkinson's disease. No significant lasting complications were seen. All patients had an initial improvement. 11 of the 12 patients remain improved over their preoperative condition after 6-18 months, 3 with good results and 9 with only modest improvement. At 6 months, the mean Schwab and England score had improved from 59.2 +/- 18.8 preoperatively to 75.8 +/- 15.1 (p less than or equal to 0.01) and the mean Hoehn and Yahr scale had improved from 3.42 +/- 0.90 to 2.92 +/- 0.63 (p less than or equal to 0.01).

Status epilepticus-induced changes in primate cortical energy metabolism.

The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in cortical energy metabolism in experimentally induced seizures in the primate. Cynamologus fascicularis monkeys were anesthetized, and a craniotomy was performed. Small samples from the motor cortex were removed for measurement of energy metabolites just prior to intravenous bicuculline infusion (0.6 mg/kg), 20 min after the onset of seizures, and 2 h after the second sample. Samples were also taken for electron microscopy. Results showed decreased phosphocreatine values 20 min after the onset of seizures, whereas ATP levels were normal. Two hours after the onset of seizures, phosphocreatine had returned to normal, but ATP levels were below normal. Examination of tissue by electron microscopy showed evidence of cell damage 2 h, 20 min after the onset of seizures. These findings are consistent with the concept that sustained seizures may lead to irreversible cell damage and that alterations in energy metabolism may contribute to the cell death.

Characterization of fimbria input to nucleus accumbens.

The hippocampal input to the nucleus accumbens was studied by correlative electrophysiological and anatomical techniques in acutely prepared rabbits. Field and extracellular unitary potentials were recorded in the nucleus accumbens following ipsilateral fimbria stimulation. Analysis of the components of the field response was based on the relevant correlations with extracellular unitary activity. The cellular types that are the recipients of the hippocampal projection were determined by combined intracellular horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and Golgi analyses. The distribution of the hippocampal input was determined by combined field potential and current source density analyses. It was found that the ipsilateral fimbria projection was distributed to the dorsal two-thirds of the nucleus, with the projection being heaviest in the more caudal portions of the nucleus. The negative (N) component of the field response was studied by correlating its behavior with the appropriate extracellular unitary recordings. It was concluded that the N-component represented an envelope of monosynaptically activated action potentials. The positive (P) component of the field response throughout the nucleus accumbens was studied pharmacologically with the iontophoretic administration of bicuculline. The P-components, in both the dorsal and ventral regions of the nucleus, were diminished by bicuculline application, indicating that this potential results from the activation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) mechanisms. The cell populations that are the targets for the hippocampal projections were studied by the technique of intracellular staining with HRP. These results were correlated with the findings of a Golgi analysis. Two distinct cell types were found to respond in a monosynaptic manner to ipsilateral fimbria stimulation. The most common of the two were the small-to medium-sized spiny neurons, and they were distributed throughout the nucleus. These cells have a spherical dendritic arrangement. The second, and most distinctive, of the cell types were the large aspiny neurons. These cells were distributed medially and caudally in the nucleus. Two of the outstanding features of these cells were the expanse of their dendritic domains and the fact that axons originated from relatively remote portions of the dendrites.

Dopamine action in the nucleus accumbens.

The action of dopamine was studied in the nucleus accumbens of acutely prepared rabbits. Dopamine was applied iontophoretically to those cells and cell populations that responded in a monosynaptic excitatory manner to ipsilateral fimbrial stimulation. This strategy was adopted to isolate the effects of dopamine on postsynaptic receptors thus avoiding the bias resulting from activation of presynaptic dopamine receptors on dopaminergic afferents. Dopamine was found to have a suppressive effect on the excitatory (N) component of the field response and on driven extracellular unitary discharges. The specificity of dopamine's effect with receptors was indicated by the facts that fluphenazine effectively antagonized dopamine's effect, whereas bicuculline did not. The effect of dopamine was dependent on the rate of fimbrial stimulation. Dopamine has a marked suppressive effect on the fimbria-induced response at 0.5 Hz of stimulation but not at 6.0 Hz. This frequency specificity could not be linked directly to a cyclic adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) mechanism because the iontophoresis cyclic AMP and dibutyryl cyclic AMP had suppressive effects at both 0.5 and 6.0 Hz rates of stimulation. It is suggested that dopamine acts in the nucleus accumbens to increase the "signal-to-noise" ratio. This might be a form of "contrast enhancement" of an incoming hippocampal message.

Cholinergic modulation of mediodorsal thalamic input into cingulate cortex.

Field potentials in cingulate cortex (area 24) produced by electrical stimulation of the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus were diminished by iontophoretic ejection of the cholinergic agonist, carbachol. The effect was frequency dependent: field potentials produced by 7.0 Hz stimulation were reduced by 34%. Potentials produced by 0.5 Hz stimulation were not significantly changed. This reduction was blocked by muscarinic but not nicotinic antagonists.

Cingulate cortex response to electrical stimulation of the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus.

Electrical stimulation of the lateral, parvocellular part of the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus of the rabbit was found to evoke field potentials and drive single cells in the anterior cingulate cortex. Furthermore, the laminar distribution of the field responses and the population of effected cells were dependent on the frequency of the stimulation. Excitatory current sinks were produced in layers I and III (primary layers of mediodorsal input) only when the stimulus frequency was in the theta range (6 to 8 Hz); the majority of cells were reliably driven only by stimulation within this range. Lower-frequency stimulation, e.g., 0.5 Hz, produced a current sink in layer V. Cells that were driven at low frequencies might be antidromically activated. The study suggests that modulation of mediodorsal outflow in the theta range may be necessary for effective information transfer to the cortex.