High contrast thermal deflectometry using long-wave infrared time modulated integrating cavity source.

We introduce a scalable temporally modulated long-wave infrared source design. The design makes use of an array of resistive blackbody heating elements which radiate into a custom aluminum integrating cavity. The output of the box is a rectangular slit, built to match the traditional tungsten ribbon profile for an infrared deflectometry source. Temporal modulation allows for signal isolation and improved resilience to background fluctuations in an infrared deflectometry source. Infrared deflectometry measurements using the new source design and a traditional tungsten ribbon, both with similar radiant flux, were compared for a ground glass surface, an aluminum blank, and an aluminum blank under thermal load (150 °C). Signal-to-noise ratio was ∼4 times higher for the new design and demonstrated improved source temporal stability and geometry. Further, the new design successfully measured the previously untestable hot aluminum flat. The new design improves infrared deflectometry and allows for high contrast thermal deflectometry measurements of optics under thermal load.

Model-free deflectometry for freeform optics measurement using an iterative reconstruction technique.

We present a novel model-free iterative data-processing approach that improves surface reconstruction accuracy for deflectometry tests of unknown surfaces. This new processing method iteratively reconstructs the surface, leading to reduced error in the final reconstructed surface. The method was implemented in a deflectometry system, and a freeform surface was tested and compared to interferometric test results. The reconstructed departure from interferometric results was reduced from 15.80 µm RMS with model-based deflectometry down to 5.20 µm RMS with the iterative technique reported here.

Sympathetic Nerve Entrapment Point Injection as an Antireflux Procedure for Refractory Laryngopharyngeal Reflux: A First Case Report of Innovative Autonomic Regulation.

Surgical treatment is not suitable for laryngopharyngeal reflux that is refractory to proton pump inhibitors. We present a case of proton pump inhibitor-refractory laryngopharyngeal reflux that was successfully treated with sympathetic nerve entrapment point injection. The patient had previously been diagnosed with laryngopharyngeal reflux and treated with proton pump inhibitors for six months without substantial improvement. After sympathetic nerve entrapment point injection treatment, her reflux symptom index improved from 15 points to 1 point, and this response was maintained for six months. Hyperexcitability of T5 and T6 sympathetic preganglionic fibers appears to be the main cause of laryngopharyngeal reflux. Sympathetic nerve entrapment point injection may represent an alternative to anti-reflux procedures.

Taraxerone enhances alcohol oxidation via increases of alcohol dehyderogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activities and gene expressions.

The present study, taraxerone (d-friedoolean-14-en-3-one) was isolated from Sedum sarmentosum with purity 96.383%, and its enhancing effects on alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activities were determined: EC(50) values were 512.42 ± 3.12 and 500.16 ± 3.23 µM for ADH and ALDH, respectively. In order to obtain more information on taraxerone related with the alcohol metabolism, 40% ethanol (5 mL/kg body weight) with 0.5-1mM of taraxerone were administered to mice. The plasma alcohol and acetaldehyde concentrations of taraxerone-treated groups were significantly lowered than those of the control group (p<0.01): approximately 20-67% and 7-57% lowered for plasma alcohol and acetaldehyde, respectively. Compare to the control group, the ADH and ALDH expressions in the liver tissues were abruptly increased in the taraxerone-treated groups after ethanol exposure. In addition, taraxerone prevented catalase, superoxide dismutase, and reduced glutathione concentrations from the decrease induced by ethanol administration with the concentration dependent manner.

Positive-/negative-, erasable-/immobilized-, mono-/multi-color fluorescence image patterning of molecular-scale porous polymer film via a microcontact printing method using various chemical inks.

Fluorescent image patterns of a substituted acetylene polymer film with a large FFV were successfully obtained by a µCP method using several kinds of chemical ink compounds. PO and SCA generated positive-type fluorescent image patterns. On the other hand, an ethanolic solution of DNT generated a negative-type fluorescent image pattern due to a significant quenching effect. An NMP solution of NR gave a two-color image pattern due to an intermolecular energy transfer from PTMSDPA to NR.

Substitution position effect on photoluminescence emission and chain conformation of poly(diphenylacetylene) derivatives.

The significant variation in photoluminescence emission of poly(diphenylacetylene) derivatives according to the substitution position is due to the differences in the intramolecular pi-stack structure and chain conformation.