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Abstract: The incorporation of silver nanoparticles into a Yb/Tm codoped ZnO–TeO2 glass is shown to lead to a substantial increase in optically stimulated second harmonic generation (SHG). The corresponding second order optical susceptibility is equal to 1.32pm/V at a wavelength of 1064nm. The optimal conditions required the thermoannealing of the sample for 48h and the use of a pump-probe delaying time of 12ns. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

To evaluate risk factors affecting pregnancy, perinatal outcomes and graft condition in women who underwent renal transplantation. Retrospective study of 34 pregnancies in 28 renal recipients followed in a single tertiary center from January 1989 to January 2007. Pregnancy outcome, kidney allograft function, maternal complications and perinatal outcomes were evaluated in these patients. Mean maternal age at time of pregnancy was 27 ± 5.1 years (18–37) and the interval between transplant and pregnancy varied between 1 and 134 months (mean 51.3 ± 34.2). Most pregnant women (25/28) were submitted to triple immunosuppression during the entire pregnancy. The fetal outcome included 27 live births (79.4%), 2 stillbirths (5.9%), 3 spontaneous abortions (8.8%) and 2 therapeutic abortions (5.9%). The most frequent maternal complications were hypertension in 18 pregnancies, 2 of which ended in pre-eclampsia; urinary tract infections in 10 pregnancies; gestational diabetes mellitus in 3, anemia in 3 and 2 acute graft rejections. The major fetal complications observed consisted of four (13. 8%) intrauterine growth restrictions and two (6.9%) stillbirths. Vaginal delivery occurred in 10 women (34.5%); in the other 19 (65.5%), a cesarean section was performed. Of the 27 successful pregnancies, 11 (40.7%) resulted in term deliveries and 16 (59.3%) in preterm deliveries (range 31–39 weeks). The mean birth weight of the offspring was 2,465 g (range 1,300–3,530). There were no major perinatal complications, but two allograft rejections occurred after pregnancy. This series results are in agreement with those in other studies. Even though pregnancy does not seem to adversely affect short-term renal allograft function, risks of obstetric and perinatal complications seem to be increased. Further studies of long term graft function and pediatric follow-up are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose:Overactive bladder is a complex and widely prevalent condition, but little is known about its physiopathology. We have carried out morphological, biochemical and functional assays to investigate the effects of long-term nitric oxide (NO) deficiency on muscarinic receptor and β-adrenoceptor modulation leading to overactivity of rat detrusor muscle.Experimental approach:Male Wistar rats received Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) in drinking water for 7–30 days. Functional responses to muscarinic and β-adrenoceptor agonists were measured in detrusor smooth muscle (DSM) strips in Krebs–Henseleit solution. Measurements of [3H]inositol phosphate, NO synthase (NOS) activity, [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate ([3H]QNB) binding and bladder morphology were also performed.Key results:Long-term L-NAME treatment significantly increased carbachol-induced DSM contractile responses after 15 and 30 days; relaxing responses to the β3-adrenoceptor agonist BRL 37-344 were significantly reduced at 30 days. Constitutive NOS activity in bladder was reduced by 86% after 7 days and maintained up to 30 days of L-NAME treatment. Carbachol increased sixfold the [3H]inositol phosphate in bladder tissue from rats treated with L-NAME. [3H]QNB was bound with an apparent KD twofold higher in bladder membranes after L-NAME treatment compared with that in control. No morphological alterations in DSM were found.Conclusions and implications:Long-term NO deficiency increased rat DSM contractile responses to a muscarinic agonist, accompanied by significantly enhanced KD values for muscarinic receptors and [3H]inositol phosphate accumulation in bladder. This supersensitivity for muscarinic agonists along with reductions of β3-adrenoceptor-mediated relaxations indicated that overactive DSM resulted from chronic NO deficiency.British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 153, 1659–1668; doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.39; published online 25 February 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microcapsules containing B. lactis and L. acidophilus were produced by complex coacervation and spouted bed dehydrated afterwards. The aim of this study was to evaluate the resistance of these microorganisms in face of the dehydration process, shelf life, and in vitro tolerance to acid pH besides microcapsules and particles morphology by optical microscopic and SEM. The processes of complex coacervation, drying, and formation of the casein/pectin complex were adjusted to microencapsulate L. acidophilus and B. lactis, but were not efficient in protecting these organisms at pH values similar to those of the human stomach. The microorganisms maintained greater viability at a storage temperature of 7°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To investigate the presence and distribution of the protein maspin in carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (CXPA). Methods: Maspin expression was studied by means of immunohistochemistry in 16 cases of CXPA, using the labelled polymer method. Results: According to the extent of invasion, the tumours were subdivided into: intracapsular (five cases), minimally invasive (four cases), and invasive (seven cases). Twelve patients had carcinoma with only epithelial differentiation, whereas four had a malignant myoepithelial component. Non-luminal cells in the duct-like structures of the remnant pleomorphic adenoma were strongly positive for maspin, whereas only a few luminal cells were immunopositive. A few positive cells were seen in the frequent hypocellular and hyalinised areas. Maspin was abundantly expressed, mainly in non-luminal cells, in transitional areas of CXPA with only epithelial differentiation. In frankly carcinomatous areas there was a gradual decrease in maspin expression. Almost all cells were maspin positive in CXPA with a myoepithelial component. When present, luminal cells were in general negative for maspin. Conclusions: When only epithelial cells undergo malignant transformation, maspin expression is gradually lost. In cases with a myoepithelial component, maspin expression is high, and this might be related to the tumour suppressor activity attributed to this cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Altemani A, Martins M T, Freitas L, Soares F, Araújo N S&Araújo V C(2005)HistopathologyCarcinomaexpleomorphic adenoma (CXPA): immunoprofile of the cells involved in carcinomatous progression: To characterize the cellular component in pleomorphic adenoma (PA) that undergoes malignant transformation in carcinomaexpleomorphic adenoma (CXPA).: A panel of antibodies against cytoskeletal proteins was applied in 16 cases of CXPA: intracapsular carcinoma (five cases), minimally invasive (four cases) and frankly invasive (seven cases). The CXPAs were classified into two main groups according to their predominant cellular component as detected by the panel of antibodies: (i) carcinomas with only epithelial differentiation (75% of the cases), and (ii) carcinomas with a myoepithelial component (25%). CXPA with only epithelial differentiation showed two types of malignant areas in the part of the tumour that was confined by the PA capsule: (i) intraductal carcinoma areas characterized by ductal structures containing both benign myoepithelial cells positive forα-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), vimentin and cytokeratin (CK)14 and proliferating atypical luminal cells reactive for CK7, CK8 and CK19, and (ii) carcinoma areas composed only of epithelial cells reactive for CK7, CK8 and CK19. In the latter, the cells presented morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics similar to those found in areas of invasive carcinoma outside the PA capsule. CXPAs with a myoepithelial component were composed mainly or exclusively of cells that expressed vimentin andα-SMA. In this group, ductal structures reminiscent of PA filled by malignant cells were not identified.: Most CXPAs consist only of epithelial cells that have an immunoprofile comparable to ductal luminal cells of PA. These malignant luminal cells arise in the duct-like structures as intraductal carcinoma and probably only at this early stage of development should the lesion be considered as a non-invasive carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background : The Aché Natives are an especially interesting group of people, due to their distinctive morphological aspect and the fact that only in the last three decades have they established more permanent contact with outside populations. The objectives of the present study were: (a) to verify their distinctiveness in relation to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variability; (b) to ascertain whether the pattern observed was congruent with other genetic studies performed among them; and (c) to establish historical inferences that would explain the eventual similarities or differences. Subjects and methods : Sample collection was made at two localities in eastern Paraguay. DNA from 64 maternally unrelated subjects were tested in relation to the mtDNA hypervariable segment 1 (HVS-1) by automatic sequencing. Results : Fifty-six individuals presented exactly the same haplogroup B founder haplotype; another differed from it by a single transition polymorphism at site 16362, while six other subjects showed an identical haplogroup A founding haplotype. An A/G heteroplasmy at the 16269 site was seen in one haplogroup B individual, probably due to a somatic mutation. Conclusions : The Aché present distinctive differences and reduced mtDNA HVS-1 variability compared to other South American Natives. Similar differences were observed for other genetic systems. At present it is not clear whether their peculiarities already existed in their founding populations or whether they were secondarily acquired due to a long period of isolation in the humid, subtropical forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Larissa S Freitas,1 Núbia Caroline C Almeida,1 Maria Alice Freitas Queiroz,1 Marcelo M Zaninotto,2 Hellen T Fuzii,3 Alfredo Ribeiro-Silva,4 Antonio CR Vallinoto,1 Marluísa OG Ishak,1 Juarez AS Quaresma,3 Ricardo Ishak1 1Virus Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Para, 2Hospital of Clinic Gaspar Viana, 3Laboratory of Immunopathology, Nucleus of Tropical Medicine, Federal University of Para, Belém, 4Departament of Pathology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil Background: Chronic coronary artery disease has been associated, as a consequence of the local inflammatory reaction with previous or persistent infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae, which led to the investigation of the association of cardiovascular disease and previous infection with C. trachomatis and the role of cytokine profile (in situ) markers in the vascular system tissues. Methods: Sixty-nine biopsies were collected for immunohistochemical analysis for the presence of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IFN-γ, TGF-β, and IL-10, in 16 fragments from atheromatous plaques, 32 aorta fragments, and 21 valve fragments, using a tissue microarray technique for paraffin embedded tissues. Results: Most patients undergoing revascularization surgery were men >50 years, while those undergoing valve replacement were mostly women

Background: Echolocation was a key development in toothed whale evolution, enabling their adaptation and diversification across various environments. Previous bioacoustic and morphological studies suggest that environmental pressures have influenced the evolution of echolocation in toothed whales. This hypothesis demands further investigation, especially regarding the molecular mechanisms involved in the adaptive radiation of toothed whales across multiple habitats. Here we show that the coding sequences of four hearing genes involved in echolocation (CDH23, prestin, TMC1, and CLDN14) have different signatures of molecular evolution among riverine, coastal, and oceanic dolphins, suggesting that the evolutionary constraints of these habitats shaped the underlying genetic diversity of the toothed whale sonar. Results: Our comparative analysis across 37 odontocete species revealed patterns of accelerated evolution within coastal and riverine lineages, supporting the hypothesis that shallow habitats pose specific selective pressures to sonar propagation, which are not found in the deep ocean. All toothed whales with genes evolving under positive selection are shallow coastal species, including three species that have recently diverged from freshwater lineages (Cephalorhynchus commersonii, Sotalia guianensis, and Orcaella heinsohni - CDH23), and three species that operate specialized Narrow Band High Frequency (NBHF) Sonars (Phocoena sinus - prestin, Neophocaena phocaenoides - TMC1 and Cephalorhynchus commersonii - CDH23). For river dolphins and deep-diving toothed whales, we found signatures of positive selection and molecular convergence affecting specific sites on CDH23, TMC1, and prestin. Positively selected sites (PSS) were different in number, identity, and substitution rates (dN/dS) across riverine, coastal, and oceanic toothed whales. Conclusion: Here we shed light on potential molecular mechanisms underlying the diversification of toothed whale echolocation. Our results suggest that toothed whale hearing genes changed under different selective pressures in coastal, riverine, and oceanic environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUÇÃO: A importância da potência para o desempenho varia consideravelmente, dependendo do esporte, da idade, do gênero do nível maturacional e do campo de aplicação. Sabe-se que o treinamento desta variável em crianças e jovens possui características distintas e que necessitam ser avaliadas de forma adequada objetiva e precisa para obtenção de bons resultados. OBJETIVO: O objetivo desse estudo foi analisar o desempenho da potência de membros inferiores em jovens futebolistas de escolas de formação das categorias sub-11 e sub-13, além de classificá-los de acordo com a literatura. MÉTODO: Pesquisa de caráter exploratória descritiva com amostra constituída de 60 futebolistas, do sexo masculino, pertencentes a escolas de formação, categorias sub-11 e sub-13, da cidade do Natal/RN. Todos os futebolistas estavam inscritos em clubes filiados à Federação Norte-Rio-Grandense de Futebol (FNF) e tinham uma rotina de treinamentos de duas a três sessões semanais. Para verificação da potência de membros inferiores foi aplicado o teste de impulsão horizontal. Foi aplicada a estatística descritiva, para o diagnóstico e classificação da força explosiva e o teste t para amostras independentes, para verificar se havia diferença significativa entre as categorias sub-11 e sub-13 referente à potência de membros inferiores. RESULTADOS: O valor médio da potência de membros inferiores dos jovens da categoria sub-11 foi 1,83 ± 0,15 m, enquanto o valor médio da potência da categoria sub-13 foi 1,88 ± 0,10 m. Não houve diferença significativa (p = 0,075) entre as duas categorias em relação aos níveis de potência de membros inferiores. Ambas as categorias apresentaram classificação da potência dentro dos parâmetros para a faixa etária de acordo com a literatura. CONSIDERAÇÕES FINAIS: Os futebolistas do sub-11 e do sub-13 investigados apresentaram resultados satisfatórios da potência de membros inferiores. A categoria sub-13 apresentou desempenho da potência de membros inferiores semelhante à categoria sub-11. Sugerimos novos estudos com amostras mais representativas envolvendo outras escolas de formação para caracterizar a potência de membros inferiores em jovens futebolistas de diferentes categorias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUÇÃO: No futebol, a força explosiva representa a capacidade condicionante que permite ao atleta realizar movimentos rápidos e com mudança de direção. Daí a importância dessa capacidade física para o futebol. Há controvérsia na literatura científica sobre o benefício ou não do uso do alongamento imediatamente antes do treinamento de força explosiva, ou seja, se há otimização ou não da força explosiva em virtude do alongamento prévio. OBJETIVO: O objetivo desse estudo foi verificar se há diferença significativa da força explosiva de membros inferiores em jovens atletas de futebol sem alongamento prévio ou após alongamento estático e dinâmico. MÉTODO: A amostra foi constituída de 27 jovens atletas de futebol (15,29 ± 1,12 anos; 175,58 ± 6,41 cm; 65,06 ± 6,91 kg). Todos os atletas estavam inscritos em clubes filiados à Federação Norte-Rio-Grandense de Futebol (FNF) e tinham uma rotina de treinamentos de três a cinco sessões semanais. Os futebolistas foram submetidos a um teste de salto horizontal, para determinar a força explosiva de membros inferiores, em três momentos distintos (força explosiva sem alongamento prévio; força explosiva após alongamento estático; força explosiva após alongamento dinâmico). Foi aplicada a estatística descritiva, para o diagnóstico da força explosiva e a ANOVA para medidas repetidas, para verificar se havia diferença da força explosiva dos futebolistas nos três momentos descritos. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa na resposta da força explosiva de membros inferiores dos futebolistas sem alongamento prévio (2,26 ± 0,19 m), imediatamente após a aplicação de alongamento estático (2,31 ± 0,20 m) e logo após a aplicação de alongamento dinâmico (2,29 ± 0,20 m), no nosso estudo. Ou seja, parece não haver diferença em realizar ou não alongamento estático e dinâmico previamente ao teste de força explosiva de membros inferiores. CONSIDERAÇÕES FINAIS: Os resultados apresentados no presente estudo demonstraram que a realização prévia do alongamento não interferiu no desempenho da força explosiva de membros inferiores dos jovens futebolistas. Sendo assim, parece não haver diferença em realizar ou não alongamento previamente ao teste de força explosiva em atletas de futebol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of the enzymatic CaCO3 precipitation on the behaviour of four soils (from a poorly graded sand to a fine and organic soil) is studied in this work. The analysis is based on the results of UCS tests, where the results from the non-stabilised specimens are compared with specimens stabilised with a urease concentration of 8 kU/L and an equimolar solution of urea-CaCl2 of 0.5 mol/L. Additionally, pH and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyses are performed to analyse the microstructure and the local chemical composition. The results of the UCS tests show that, in the case of the sandy and silty soils, the process of enzymatic CaCO3 precipitation potentiates the strengthening of the soils while, in the organic soil, a detrimental effect is observed. The SEM tests show the existence of vestiges of calcium in the biostabilised soils studied.

This study evaluated the binding of chlorhexidine and the new surface-active anti-plaque agent delmopinol hydrochloride to Streptococcus mutans and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans cells with various cell surface hydrophobicities. The influence of saliva concentration on the binding of these compounds was also investigated. The radiolabeled compounds were incubated with bacteria and the cells were recovered using a centrifugal filtering technique. Delmopinol had higher binding to the hydrophilic variant strains than to the hydrophobic parent strains; chlorhexidine had higher binding to hydrophobic than to hydrophilic A. actinomycetemcomitans strains and higher binding to hydrophilic than to hydrophobic S. mutans strains. The presence of salivary films decreased the binding of both compounds. Both delmopinol and chlorhexidine had stronger affinity to A. actinomycetemcomitans cells than to S. mutans cells. At equimolar concentrations, delmopinol had a lower binding to all strains tested than chlorhexidine. The high reversibility of the delmopinol binding might be related to a higher diffusion rate and solubility compared with that of chlorhexidine. The amphiphilicity of both molecules is an important feature in their retention to S. mutans and A. actinomycetemcomitans strains of varying hydrophobicities and could play an important role in the substantivity of delmopinol or chlorhexidine in the oral cavity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Il Nuovo Cimento: B is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

By ene-reaction of 4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione with double bonds, polar 4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazolidine-3,5-dione (phenyl urazole) groups are introduced into unpolar matrices. Hydrogen-bond complexes are formed between two amide-like units. The temperature dependence of complex formation in dilute hydrocarbon medium is obtained from remperature-dependent IR spectra in the region of the C=O stretching vibration. Results obtained for a low molecular-weight model system are compared with modified polybutadienes, where the groups are attached statistically along the polymer backbone. The enthalpy and the entropy of complex formation (Δ H =−28.6 kJ/mol; Δ S =−52 J/mol K) obtained for the low molecular-weight model prove a dimeric chelate like complex involving two hydrogen bonds. The lower equilibrium constants observed for the groups attached to the polymer are related to additional topological constraints emerging from the polymer backbone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The temperature dependence of the viscoelastic properties of thermoreversible polybutadiene networks based on hydrogen bond linkages is analyzed from the logarithmic shift factors log a. For binary hydrogen bond complexes thermorheologically simple behavior is observed. The temperature dependence of log a is described by the Williams-Landel-Ferry (WLF) equation. The thermoreversible linkages cause an increase in the apparent activation enthalpy of flow which is related to the number of complexing sites in the polymer. Thermorheologically complex behavior is observed in a system with more complex association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT- Surgical bile flow restoration in extrahepatic biliary atresia (EHBA) does not prevent the development of ongoing hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis. Portal connective matrix was studied on liver biopsies obtained from seven children submitted to portoenterostomy. Electron microscopy and immunohistochemical techniques (using specific antibodies directed against collagen isotypes and associated glycoproteins) were performed. The study of extracellular and cellular components of connective mat ix demonstrated the existence of two distinct areas according to their situation with regard to ductular proliferation: loose connective matrix - mainly composed of finectin, type III collagen, type IV collagen and laminin - associated with microvessels and myofibroblasts proliferation characterized periportal zones adjacent to bile ductules; in areas distant from ductular proliferation, connective matrix appeared dense, composed of type I and type III collagen associated with fibroblasts. The connective matrix pattern observed in periductular areas can be compared to that described in cicatricial and hypertrophic processes where the myofibroblastic cell population is known to play an important role in fibrosis development. Although the connective matrix activation process remains unclear in EHBA, it may be suggested that activation of a connective tissue cellular clone might be responsible for this portal fibromatosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to compare the electromyographic (EMG) activity of jaw- closing muscles of individuals with normal and reduced periodontal bone support. Fourteen adult subjects with more than 24 remaining teeth and low levels of periodontal inflammation, were selected for the study. Subjects of the control group had 90% of the periodontal bone support left, while other subjects presented a reduction of 52% of the original periodontal bone. Chewing experiments were performed using silicone tablets, carrots and white bread. The EMG of masseter and anterior temporal muscles was performed bilaterally, using bipolar surface electrodes, and the EMG amplitude was full wave rectified, integrated and the area extension under the curve was used to access muscle activity. The results of the chewing experiments did not show any statistically significant difference in the EMG activity of the study groups, irrespective of the chewing stuff. The height of periodontal bone support did not seem to influence the electroactivity of jaw-closing muscles, indicating that reduced periodontal support might equally be able to withstand masticatory loads. Hence, individuals with reduced periodontal bone support revealed a similar EMG activity compared to subjects with normal periodontal bone support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The kinetics of the solution crosslink process of polybutadiene is studied using a bistriazolinedione as crosslink agent. Beyond the gel point strong deviations from the pre-gel kinetics are observed due to the hindered translational diffusion in the gel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Il Nuovo Cimento: B is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A 2-year-old mongrel dog weighing 9 kg presented dysuria associated with recurrent cystitis and urine scalding dermatitis in the genital region. (E) After 30 days post-surgery, the surgical site appeared healed and the urine scalding dermatitis around the perineal urethral meatus (6) had been resolved. gl Blood tests and biochemistry exams did not show any significant alterations. The surgical procedures used in the present report were able to correct the abdominal wall defect and resolve the recurrent cystitis, thus improving life quality of the patient. [Extracted from the article]

Photothermal reflectance microscopy can be used to characterize thin films grown on substrates in two different ways: (a) scanning modulation frequency with both the pump and probe beams coincident and (b) varying the pump -- probe beam distance for several modulation frequencies. In the second case, the phase lag behavior, as a function of the beam separation, gives the effective wave number of the thermal wave along the surface. A plot of the wave number versus frequency provides a dispersion relation. Such a relation can be obtained by modeling the thermal problem of the system, and from the experimental data analysis one can determine the thermal parameters of the film and substrate. In the case of films with high thermal diffusivities, it is possible to find analytical expression for the dispersion relation [A. A. Maznev et al., J. Appl. Phys. 78, 5266 (1995)]. However, in the case of films with low thermal diffusivities numerical calculation is needed. In this article we present the results of such a calculation for polymer films which have low diffusivities compared to the substrates (glass and silicon). The films were assumed to be opaque to both the pump and probe beams, i.e., both absorption and reflection occur at the film surface. It was observed that at high modulation frequencies the dispersion relation splits into two branches, one characteristic of the film, which is valid for small distances between the pump and probe, and the other characteristic of the substrate, valid for large distances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]