Reliability and Reproducibility of Analyzing 3D Transperineal Ultrasound Volumes Obtained in the First Phase of Labor - A Pilot Study.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability and reproducibility of transperineal ultrasound (TPUS) in the initial phase of labor. As TPUS is a common method, it could supplement vaginal palpation and even replace it in certain situations. In addition, we used a 4-dimensional method for the assessment of cervical effacement.

X-ray structures of the LXRalpha LBD in its homodimeric form and implications for heterodimer signaling.

Liver X receptors (LXRs) are nuclear receptors that are central regulators of cholesterol homeostasis, and synthetic LXR agonists have shown promise as promoters of reverse cholesterol transport and anti-inflammatory agents. Here, we present three X-ray structures of three different agonists bound to the ligand binding domain of LXRalpha. These compounds are GW3965, F(3)methylAA, and a benzisoxazole urea, and we show that these diverse chemical scaffolds address common structural themes, leading to high binding affinity for LXR.

Frequency-dependent optical pumping in atomic ?-systems.

We consider the effects of optical pumping on the conversion of laser-frequency modulation into intensity modulation by an atomic absorption line in a vapor of alkali atoms driven in a ?-configuration. It is found that, due to optical pumping in combination with the excited-state hyperfine structure, the absorption line shape is distorted substantially as the Fourier frequency of the FM is changed. The most significant effect of the distortion is a shift of the apparent line center, which depends on how the frequency of the modulation compares with the optical pumping rate.

Coherent population trapping resonances in thermal (85)Rb vapor: D(1) versus D(2) line excitation: errata.

In our recent Letter,(1) Ref. 12 was printed incorrectly. The correct reference is M.

Coherent population trapping resonances in thermal (85)Rb vapor: D(1) versus D(2) line excitation.

We have compared coherent population trapping (CPT) resonances, both experimentally and theoretically, for excitation of the D(1) and D(2) transitions of thermal (85)Rb vapor. Excitation of the D(1) line results in greater resonance contrast than excitation of the D(2) line and in a reduction in the resonance width, in agreement with theoretical expectations. These results translate into a nearly tenfold improvement in performance for the application of CPT resonances to a frequency standard or a sensitive magnetometer when the D(1) line, rather than the D(2) line, is used.