A known criticality of optical cavities such as Fabry–Pérot resonant cavities is the presence of non-linear effects in the build-up of the laser fields inside the cavity itself, which can spoil the ...characteristics of the error signal used to control the cavity length, usually obtained with the Pound–Drever–Hall phase modulation–demodulation technique. The non-linear effects are primarily caused by high cavity speeds prior to acquiring longitudinal control of the cavity (or “lock”), and they are due to the frequency fluctuations of the laser and to the residual seismic motion affecting the system; such effects are amplified with the increasing of the Finesse of the cavity. In order to overcome this limitation, the cavity speed is effectively slowed down before engaging the lock using a non-linear technique, known as “Guided Lock”; here an optimized version of the algorithm will be presented, which relies on a better estimation of the cavity speed based only on optical signals. The application of this technique to the high-Finesse Fabry–Pérot arm cavities of the Advanced Virgo gravitational wave detector will be described. The novel algorithm was applied for the lock acquisition of the Advanced Virgo detector during the O2 Observing Run, in August 2017; the improved algorithm, by dynamically measuring the cavity speed, allowed to implement a predictive capability in slowing down the mirrors, thus improving the efficiency of the lock acquisition procedure for the arm cavities.
. Objective: The aim of this study was to establish a preclinical mouse model to study metastases of paediatric rhabdomyosarcoma at the macroscopic and cellular levels, with different imaging ...methods. Experimental Design: The alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma cell line Rh30 was stably transfected with the red fluorescent protein (DsRed2) then was xenotransplanted (intravenous injection n = 8, and footpad injection n = 8) into nude mice (NMRI nu/nu). Macroscopic imaging of metastases was performed using DsRed2‐fluorescence and flat‐panel volumetric computed tomography scan. In a further series of animals (n = 8), in vivo cell trafficking of rhabdomyosarcoma cells using cellular imaging with an Olympus OV100 variable‐magnification small‐animal imaging system was used. Results: Metastases in the pelvis, thoracic wall and skin were visualized by fluorescence imaging. Pelvic metastases were found after tail vein injection and at other metastatic sites after footpad injection. Flat‐panel volumetric computed tomography scan data allowed highly specific analysis of contrast between tumour and surrounding tissue. Correlation between fluorescence and flat‐panel volumetric computed tomography scan imaging data was observed. Single‐cell imaging visualized tumour cells in the vessels and demonstrated the arrest of tumour cells at vessel junctions followed by extravasation of the tumour cells. Conclusion: We established a model for visualization of experimental metastatic invasion and describe relevant tools for imaging childhood rhabdomyosarcoma metastases at the macroscopic and cellular levels. Imaging of cell trafficking visualized the behaviour of tumour cells and development of metastases by accumulation and extravasation of rhabdomyosarcoma cells.
In interferometric gravitational wave detectors like VIRGO and LIGO, the relative distances of the optical elements must be controlled with extreme precision. We develop two schemes which, based on ...phase modulation of the incident laser beam, give error signals for all necessary degrees of freedom. These schemes are compatible with the required sensitivity to gravitational waves.
We here present an investigation of the ringing effect observed on the VIRGO mode-cleaner prototype MC30. The results of a numerical calculation show how a simple empirical formula can determine the ...cavity expansion rate from the oscillatory behavior. We also show how the simulation output can be adjusted to estimate the finesse value of the suspended cavity.
Amorphous rare-earth-transition-metal alloys are considered as materials for magnetooptic information storage. They can be prepared by evaporation or sputtering on glass or polymer substrates. The ...alloys are ferrimagnets and exhibit a uniaxial magnetic anisotropy. The magnetic and magnetooptic properties can be well tailored by the composition as well as the deposition conditions. The information is stored by memory magnetic domains which can be written by a thermomagnetic switching process. The reading process utilizes the magnetooptic Kerr effect. In both cases the temperature profile of the saturation magnetization, the uniaxial anisotropy, and in particular the coercivity are of primary importance. At present, the most prominent candidates for device applications are GdTb-FeCo and Tb-FeCo alloys. Carrier-to-noise values up to 61 dB (30 kHz) have been achieved using magnetooptic disks.< >
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a common and devastating disorder of premature infants. Elevated proinflammatory cytokines, especially tumor necrosis factor
α (TNF-
α), have been implicated in the ...pathogenesis of NEC. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of TNF-
α on the inflammatory response in NEC by immunoneutralizing TNF-
α with a selective antibody.
Neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats were divided in 3 groups: group 1 (n = 20), a NEC-like enterocolitis was induced by formula feeding, asphyxia, and cold exposure; group 2 (n = 9), animals were treated like in group 1 and additionally received TNF-
α antibody intraperitoneally; and group 3 (n = 17), animals were dam-fed (controls). Animals were killed in case of imminent death or after 96 hours. Specimens from small bowel were processed for blinded histologic (H&E) and immunhistologic (myeloperoxidase MPO) analysis.
In group 1, animals developed severe NEC (mean NEC score, 3.28 ± 0.32; mean MPO, 65.85 ± 9.46). In group 2, animals developed mild NEC (mean NEC score, 1.72 ± 0.41; mean MPO, 34.33 ± 9.69;
P < .05). In group 3, no NEC was induced (mean NEC score, 0.0 ± 0; mean MPO, 6 ± 1.32;
P < .05).
Tumor necrosis factor
α antibody may have an attenuating effect on experimental NEC in rats.
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