Low-threshold, dual-passive mode locking of a large mode area Nd:GdVO(4) laser.

The all solid-state combination of a saturable Bragg mirror for amplitude modulation and a cascaded chi((2)):chi((2)) nonlinearity (phase-mismatched second harmonic crystal) as an axial-mode phase locker for continuous-wave mode locking of large mode area lasers is investigated. The dual-passive mode-locking technique generates extremely stable sub-10ps sech(2) pulses at 76MHz from a ~6W, TEM(00)-mode, diode-pumped, thermal-lens-shaped, Brewster Nd:GdVO(4) laser.

[Efficacy and tolerability of carbamazepine as the initial drug used in the treatment of epilepsy]. / Efikasnost i podnosljivost carbamazepina kao primarno uvedenog lijeka u tretmanu epilepsija.

Carbamazepine is the one of the most prescribed antiepileptic drugs in treatment of partial and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Its efficacy in treatment of seizures was discovered incidentally during the trials of neuroleptic drugs. Generally it is well tolerated with relatively rare serious side effects. Therapy is introduced gradually, with mean dose between 10-20 mg/kg, and given this way it has the least side effects. Aim of the study was to assess interaction between efficacy, tolerability and overall efficacy of the first prescribed drug, in this case carbamazepine, in the group of patients with partial seizures and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Patients hospitalized at University Pediatric Hospital in Sarajevo with newly diagnosed epilepsy and started therapy with carbamazepine in period from 07.1999 to 07.2002 were investigated. There were 89 patients that fulfilled the criteria. In 29 patients seizures remitted after the introduction of therapy (32.58%). After the subsequent correction of therapy further 8 patients were seizure free. In total, drug was efficient as a monotherapy in 68 patients (76.40%). Other antiepileptic drugs or polytherapy with carbamazepine were tried in the patients that were not seizure free. Adverse effects were reported in 28 patients (31.46%). The most frequent was benign leucopoenia (16 patients, 17.97%) that did not require changes in therapy. Rash was found in 8 patients (8.98%), out of which in 6 therapy had to be stopped. Compliance with therapeutic regime was slightly better with controlled release formulation (89.98%) then with simplex formulation (77.52%), but generally was good. We think that carbamazepine is still the drug of the first choice in treatment of patients with partial epileptic seizures and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. It showed good overall efficacy with relatively rare serious side effects.

Relationship between body heat content and finger temperature during cold exposure.

The purpose of the present experiment was to examine the relationship between rate of body heat storage (S), change in body heat content (DeltaH(b)), extremity temperatures, and finger dexterity. S, DeltaH(b), finger skin temperature (T(fing)), toe skin temperature, finger dexterity, and rectal temperature were measured during active torso heating while the subjects sat in a chair and were exposed to -25 degrees C air. S and DeltaH(b) were measured using partitional calorimetry, rather than thermometry, which was used in the majority of previous studies. Eight men were exposed to four conditions in which the clothing covering the body or the level of torso heating was modified. After 3 h, T(fing) was 34.9 +/- 0.4, 31.2 +/- 1.2, 18.3 +/- 3.1, and 12.1 +/- 0.5 degrees C for the four conditions, whereas finger dexterity decreased by 0, 0, 26, and 39%, respectively. In contrast to some past studies, extremity comfort can be maintained, despite S that is slightly negative. This study also found a direct linear relationship between DeltaH(b) and T(fing) and toe skin temperature at a negative DeltaH(b). In addition, DeltaH(b) was a better indicator of the relative changes in extremity temperatures and finger dexterity over time than S.

Influence of localized auxiliary heating on hand comfort during cold exposure.

There is a need for a hand-heating system that will keep the hands warm during cold exposure without hampering finger dexterity. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of torso heating on the vasodilative responses and comfort levels of cooled extremities during a 3-h exposure to -15 degreesC air. Subjects were insulated, but their upper extremities were left exposed to the cold ambient air. The effect of heating the torso [torso-heating test (THT)] on hand comfort was compared with a control condition in which no torso heating was applied, but Arctic mitts were worn [control test (CT)]. The results indicate that mean finger temperature, mean finger blood flow, mean toe temperature, mean body skin temperature, body thermal comfort, mean finger thermal comfort, and rate of body heat storage were all significantly (P < 0.05) higher on average (n = 6) during THT. Mean body heat flow was significantly (P < 0.05) lower during THT. There were no significant differences (P >/= 0.05) in rectal temperature between CT and THT. Mean unheated body skin temperature and mean unheated body heat flow (both of which did not include the torso area in the calculation of mean body skin temperature and mean body heat flow) were also calculated. There were no significant differences (P >/= 0.05) in mean unheated body skin temperature and mean unheated body heat flow between CT and THT. It is concluded that the application of heat to the torso can maintain finger and toe comfort for an extended period of time during cold exposure.

Trace metal levels in fossil human bone from the Bezdanjaca necropolis in Croatia.

Elemental analysis of prehistoric human bone for the reconstruction of past environmental conditions, diets and migrations is a relatively new concept and can be a helpful tool in palaeoanthropology. The contents of Pb, Cu, Cd, Zn, Ca, Sr and Ba in fossil and recent human bone were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV). Some variation among the measured elements was established, but strontium was found to be a suitable tracer for such bioanthropological investigations. The applied analytical techniques are suitable for such investigations because of the comparatively small amount of material required and great analytical precision.