Both of the patients with AFIB also had ICA stenosis on the ipsil

Both of the patients with AFIB also had ICA stenosis on the ipsilateral side (both measuring 60% according to ECST criteria).

Summarizing, no patient with TA had a visible spot sign. The spot sign was detectable in 10 out of 13 patients (73%) with CRAO. With the exception of one patient, CRAOs were not associated with TA. Taken in account only the patients with embolic CRAO (12 out of 13) the spot sign was present in 83% of the cases. No spot sign could be seen in patients with other forms of ischemic optic neuropathy (e.g. AION, retinal artery branch occlusion). Using the exact Fisher test comparing the frequency of the spot sign in TA and non-TA patients we found a p-value KU-57788 molecular weight of 0.01, the sensitivity of detecting embolic CRAO using the “spot sign” was 83% (95% CI: http://www.selleckchem.com/products/ABT-263.html 65–99%). The specificity for embolic occlusions was 100% (95% CI: 65–100%). In this prospective study we demonstrate the diagnostic significance of retrobulbar ultrasonography for the differentiation of embolic and vasculitic causes of ischemic optic neuropathy. The causes for ION can be subdivided into different groups, depending on the affected retinal arteries: CRAO, AION and PION [11]. TA, embolism or hypoperfusion are responsible for retinal ischemia in all subgroups. Reliable techniques to discriminate between the

different forms are funduscopy and fluorescence angiography. Moreover FA can be helpful to show delayed Ureohydrolase filling or vascular leakage in choroidal vessels in AION for example. However, both methods cannot elicitate the underlying etiology because they lack sensitivity or depth penetration beyond the retina and thus cannot elucidate the underlying cause of ION. Temporal arteritis (Horton disease or giant cell arteritis) and embolism from cerebrovascular disease require different acute and long-term therapeutic managements: for an embolic event, anticoagulation or platelet inhibition plus control of vascular risk factors should be initiated; whereas in TA, rapid initiation and long-lasting steroid therapy is essential. Due to the significant side effects

of long-term steroid treatment, it is clear that a correct diagnosis is mandatory. So far, the only valid list of diagnostic criteria for TA has been established by the American College of Rheumatology. According to the ACR, 3 or more of the following criteria must be present for a diagnosis of TA: (1) age of 50 years or older; (2) new onset of localized headache; (3) temporal artery tenderness on palpation or decreased pulsation; (4) ESR of 50 mm/h or higher; (5) abnormal findings of a temporal artery biopsy. The sensitivity for this diagnosis was reported to be 93.5%, with a specificity of 91.2% for the discrimination of giant cell arteritis from other forms of vasculitis [12]. The main disadvantage of these criteria is that they were not developed and validated for diagnosis in the general population [13].

Depending on the change in the endotoxicity and composition (Endo

Depending on the change in the endotoxicity and composition (Endolo vs Endohi), the intestinal microbiota might promote intestinal homeostasis or trigger inflammation. Up to this point, we demonstrated that the differences in the LPS of E coli were essential for the ability of E coli to induce or prevent colitis, as shown by feeding experiments with E coliWT inducing inflammation and E coliMUT preventing disease. To demonstrate conclusively that LPS of E coliWT and E coliMUT mediated the pro- or anti-inflammatory effect, we investigated whether the feeding of purified WT LPS from E coliWT (LPSWT) or mutant LPS (LPSMUT) from

E coliMUT could confirm www.selleckchem.com/products/nu7441.html these results ( Supplementary Figure 2). Therefore, we challenged Endolo and EndohiRag1−/− mice with purified LPSWT or LPSMUT. Treatment of EndoloRag1−/− mice with LPSWT, but not with LPSMUT, resulted in induction of colonic inflammation ( Figure 4A), as indicated by an increased histology score ( Figure 4B). In addition,

LPSWT-fed EndohiRag1−/− mice showed increased colonic inflammation as compared with LPSMUT-treated EndohiRag1−/− mice ( Figure 4A and B). The histology of the inflamed mucosa resembled the pathology of Endohi mice ( Figure 2B and C). Dose−response experiments clearly demonstrated that the protection of Endohi mice from inflammation followed a LPSMUT dose response ( Supplementary Figure 6). The relative abundance of phyla in intestinal microbiota of LPSWT- and LPSMUT-treated Endolo or EndohiRag1−/− mice was determined CX5461 ( Supplementary Figure 7, Supplementary Table 3) by 454 sequencing of the 16S rDNA amplicons. However, it remains unclear whether the changes in the composition of the microbiota due to administration of LPS are a cause or consequence

of the altered host immune response along with the development of colitis, and whether this change is an epiphenomenon or shows a causal effect. Feeding LPSWT to EndoloRag1−/− mice find more resulted in significantly more activated lp DC in terms of CD40 and MHC class II expression as compared with LPSMUT-treated EndoloRag1−/− mice ( Figure 4C). Lamina propria DC of LPSMUT-treated EndohiRag1−/− mice showed significantly lower expressions of CD40 than LPSWT-treated EndohiRag1−/− mice and comparable low amounts of MHC class II ( Figure 4C). Feeding LPSWT to EndoloRag1−/− mice resulted in significantly more lp CD4+ T cells as compared with treatment with LPSMUT ( Figure 4D). Total numbers of lp T cells of LPSWT-treated EndoloRag1−/− mice were significantly higher than in LPSMUT-treated EndoloRag1−/− mice ( Figure 4D). In LPSWT-treated EndohiRag1−/− mice, the number of CD4+ T cells was significantly increased. In line with histologic scoring, the absence of colitis in LPSMUT-treated EndohiRag1−/− mice was associated with a significantly decreased frequency of lp T cells ( Figure 4D). This was consistent with the total numbers of lp T cells ( Figure 4D).

For the present purposes, it will suffice to focus on a few detai

For the present purposes, it will suffice to focus on a few details of the resulting rock lobster management system.d The industry’s participation in management of rock lobster stocks BIBW2992 concentration and fisheries in New Zealand involves cooperation between regional and national levels. New Zealand’s rock lobster resources are divided into 9 management areas. In each area, commercial harvest strategy decisions are made in a CRA Management

Advisory Committee (CRAMAC—CRA being the acronym for rock lobsters), comprising quota share owners, processors, exporters, and fishermen of rock lobsters. The CRAMACs in turn participate in a national association, the New Zealand Rock Lobster Industry Council (the NZ RLIC). In the course of recent decades, the NZ RLIC and individual Panobinostat in vivo CRAMACs have taken on considerable responsibility in management and research activities. The industry’s motivation for participating in the management has been to improve the management of the resources (and hence the value of their resource

shares) and to exert greater influence on the management process run by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). In addition, the cost recovery regime in New Zealand has encouraged the industry to find ways to enhance the cost-effectiveness of management and research processes [24] and [25]. In practice the industry has hired scientific consultants who helped them to develop harvest strategies. Aiming

to rebuild stocks and enhance profitability, stakeholder groups developed decision rules for setting catch limits for two stocks in the 1990s [31] and [49]. The decision rules contributed to the Inositol monophosphatase 1 rebuilding of the stocks [49] and similar approaches are now used for seven CRAMACs. Such harvest strategies are in some cases oriented towards achieving MEY, with stock levels above the statutory requirement that stocks should move to, or be at or above BMSY [48]. In some CRAMACs, the harvest plans implied that the industry refrained from harvesting the full commercial allocation (Total Allowable Commercial Catch—TACC) in order to build stocks to more productive levels [31]. Consultants have supported the development of a sampling protocol connected to an advanced electronic logbook system. This has enabled the collection of data of high quality from the fisheries in some CRAMACs at a relatively low cost. Since 1997, the NZ RLIC has been contracted by MPI to provide assessment related data for rock lobster stocks. This remains a special case in New Zealand, where assessment data have been typically collected and analyzed by contracted research institutions, with the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research being the main provider of these services.

7% of IGRA has discordant results in a duplicated test and most a

7% of IGRA has discordant results in a duplicated test and most are located in a range near the cut-off value.14 Moreover,

there is a high proportion of IGRA reversion in serial follow-up studies,15 and 16 while lower positive IGRA response is associated with reversion.15 Thus, some investigators suggest using a grey zone instead of a cut-off value to avoid over-diagnosing LTBI.14, 17 and 18 However, little is known about the impact of impaired cellular immunity in dialysis on IGRA results.19 and 20 Longitudinal follow-up and JQ1 purchase outcome correlation are critical for redefining IGRA positivity in dialysis patients, especially for grey zone values, to prove clinical efficacy and prioritize resources. This cohort study was conducted to investigate dynamic changes in IGRA results and measure reversion and conversion rates. The clinical significance of IGRA positivity, as well as its cut-off value, was also studied. This prospective cohort study was conducted at National Taiwan University Hospital, a tertiary referral center in northern Taiwan, and its branch hospital in southern Taiwan. The hospital’s institutional review board approved the study, which was registered in ClinicalTrial.gov (NCT01311999). All of the participants provided written informed consent. From March to November

2011, adult patients (age ≥20 years) under long-term (>3 months) dialysis were enrolled. Those with Epigenetic inhibitor human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) infection, liver cirrhosis of Child-Pugh class C, active tuberculosis Forskolin within the last three years, or cancer receiving regular chemotherapy were excluded. Clinical history and chest radiography were obtained to exclude active TB disease. Acid-fast smear and mycobacterial culture from three sputum samples were performed as previously described if TB was suspected.21 Upon enrollment, QuantiFERON-TB

Gold In-Tube assay (QFT-GIT) (Celestis, Australia) was performed according to the manufacturer’s instructions (www.cellestis.com). Results were interpreted as positive, negative, or indeterminate. A three-tube system of QFT-GIT was used, including the negative control tube, positive control tube (Phytohemagglutinin A as the stimulant), and the TB-antigen tube. After overnight culture, the QFT-GIT response (IU/ml) was calculated as the interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) level in the supernatant of the TB-antigen tube minus that of the negative control tube. The maximal level of IFN-γ detected by QFT-GIT enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) was 10 IU/ml and values greater than this was reported as 10 IU/ml. The QFT-GIT test was examined at the initial (QFT-GIT1) and at six (QFT-GIT2) and 12 months (QFT-GIT3) after to determine dynamic changes.

Two hindcast simulations for 1961–2007 and four transient simulat

Two hindcast simulations for 1961–2007 and four transient simulations for 1961–2100 of RCAO driven with either reanalysis data, ECHAM5 or HadCM3_ref with two different horizontal resolutions (25 or 50 km) were performed (Tables 1 and 2). In the scenario simulations the greenhouse gas emission scenario A1B

is assumed (Nakićenović et al. 2000). Unfortunately, the majority of the ensemble simulations described in section 2.1 were performed with RCA3 using Neratinib purchase a horizontal resolution of 50 km only. For the purpose of wind speed modelling this horizontal resolution is not sufficient because the orography and the spatial land-sea distribution are not properly resolved. The impact of the horizontal resolution on the mean wind speed (without modification) is shown in Figure 3. Mean wind speeds over the Baltic Sea simulated with 25 km resolution are up to 60% larger than those simulated with 50 km resolution. However, even with a horizontal

resolution of 25 km wind speed is still underestimated in RCA3 and in many other RCMs (Rockel & Woth 2007). This is true both for mean wind speed and even more so for high wind speed extremes. Most often these high wind speed extremes are associated with wind gusts. Therefore, many RCMs have been equipped with gustiness parameterizations to better represent wind extremes. In RCA3 gustiness is calculated following the wind gust estimate method by Brasseur (2001), assuming that wind gusts develop when air parcels higher up in the VE-821 solubility dmso boundary layer are deflected down to the surface by turbulent eddies (Nordström 2006). Cell press According to Davis & Newstein

(1968) the measured mean wind is the maximum 10-minute mean wind over the last three hours, and the measured wind gust is the maximum two second mean wind over the last 10 minute period. Observations indicate that the relationship between peak gusts and mean wind speeds is linear, suggesting an approximately constant factor of 1.6 at 10 m height (Davis & Newstein 1968). This observed relation between gusts and mean wind speed makes it possible to use output from the gustiness parameterization to adjust the simulated wind speed extremes. Thus, we modified the simulated mean wind speed at 10 m height U10, utilizing simulated wind gusts Ugust, according to U10new=max(Ugust/1.6,U10). There is no adjustment for the wind direction. An example of the improvement is shown for the coastal station Landsort (Figure 4). Landsort is a well suited coastal station because for onshore winds (directions between 45 and 225°) the surrounding terrain causes relatively little disturbance. For further details of the method and results from other stations, the reader is referred to Höglund et al. (2009).

Therefore, elucidating the interaction between rice and SBPH woul

Therefore, elucidating the interaction between rice and SBPH would be helpful to understand the molecular

basis for plant resistance to sap-sucking insects. In this paper, real-time PCR was used to analyze differential expression of genes involved in the SA- and JA/ET-mediated defense pathways at different time points when resistant and susceptible rice plants were infested by SBPH. Defense enzyme activities Epigenetics inhibitor were also assayed after SBPH feeding. An indica rice variety, Kasalath, and a japonica cultivar, Wuyujing 3, were selected for their high resistance and susceptibility to SBPH with the resistance scales of 2.0 and 9.0, respectively [21]. Seeds for these varieties were provided by the Institute of Crop Science at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. JQ1 datasheet The SBPH population used for infestation was originally collected from a rice field in Nanjing, China, and had been maintained on barley in a greenhouse for four generations before being transferred to Wuyujing 3 rice in the greenhouse of the Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China. The SBPH population was confirmed to be non-viruliferous by dot-immunobinding assay and PCR detection [21]. Twenty-five germinated

seeds were sown in a plastic pot of 10 cm-diameter and 9 cm-height with a hole in the base. A total of 24 pots were randomly placed in a 65 cm × 44 cm × 14 cm plastic seed-box. All seeds and seedlings for testing were incubated at 26 ± 1 °C with sunlight and natural ventilation. About 2-cm of water level was maintained in the seed-box. At the 3-leaf stage, the seedlings were infested with second to third instar SBPH nymphs that were starved for 2 h prior to infestation. Rucaparib nmr The rate of infestation was 20 insects per seedling. Rice leaves were collected for RNA extraction at 12, 24, 36, 48 or 72 h post infestation (hpi). Leaves without SBPH infestation were used as a control. Total RNA

was extracted with RNAprep Plant kits (Tiangen Corporation, China), and then treated with RQ1 RNase-Free DNase (Promega, USA) before reverse transcription (RT). First-strand cDNA was synthesized using M-MLV Reverse Transcriptase kits (Promega). Real-time quantitative PCR was performed using an ABI PRISM 7300 cycler (Bio-Rad Corporation, USA) with a SYBR Premix (SYBR Green) PCR kit (Tiangen). The primer pairs listed in Table 1 were used to amplify the corresponding 11 genes of interest. Amplification reactions were carried out in a 20 μL volume mixture containing 10 μL of 2 × SuperReal Premix, 0.2 μmol L− 1 of each primer, 20 ng of DNA template, 2 μL of 50 × ROX Reference Dye and 6.2 μL of RNase-Free ddH2O. Template denaturation was conducted for 15 min at 95 °C, followed by 40 cycles of denaturation at 95 °C for 10 s, annealing at 60 °C for 30 s and extension at 72 °C for 40 s. Each sample was repeated three times. Fluorescence signals were measured at each polymerization step.

The dopamine agonist bromocriptine, which inhibits prolactin rele

The dopamine agonist bromocriptine, which inhibits prolactin release, also inhibited weight gain in Wistar rats [3]. Prolactin is a peptide hormone produced and secreted by lactotrophs in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland; in the female rat; prolactin is under positive regulation by estradiol and negative regulation by dopamine [14], [29], [30] and [39]. Estradiol stimulates the synthesis and

release of prolactin and can act directly or indirectly to modulate the activity of the dopaminergic system on prolactin release from the pituitary (Caligaris et la., 1974). Dopamine from hypothalamic dopaminergic neurons decreases prolactin release by exerting an inhibiting effect on the lactotrophs via the dopamine (D2) receptor. [30] Dopaminergic compounds known

to inhibit estradiol-induced prolactin release [7] such GPCR Compound Library in vitro as the centrally-acting D2 agonist bromocriptine are known to alter tumor incidences in female rats with a profile similar to Ticagrelor [19] and [21]. More specifically, bromocriptine can induce hypoprolactinemia in rats and humans, but increases uterine and decreases mammary tumors only in rats, which is postulated to be due to a direct prolactin impact on rat ovarian steroidogenesis in aged rats (Hargreaves et al., 2011; [33]). A difference between Ticagrelor selleck kinase inhibitor and centrally-acting dopamine agonists is that the QWBA data show that Ticagrelor is peripherally restricted and thus not likely to influence dopaminergic mechanisms in the hypothalamic end of the hypothalamic-hypophyseal axis. However, the QWBA study did demonstrate Ticagrelor levels in the pituitary gland, with the anterior pituitary being outside of the blood brain barrier. Other peripherally-restricted compounds such as the dopamine receptor agonist carmoxirole impacting dopaminergic regulation

of prolactin release would be active at this hypophyseal end of the axis [7]. Therefore, it is reasonable to hypothesize that Ticagrelor exerts its effect at the level of the anterior pituitary gland, outside the blood brain barrier and due to peripheral exposure. Alternatively, because the effect only occurs with the highest systemic exposure to Ticagrelor tested in rats we cannot categorically Rutecarpine rule out the possibility that the effect is in part attributable to a very small fraction of the Ticagrelor exposure that may penetrate the rat blood brain barrier. Another difference between Ticagrelor and the dopamine agonists evaluated to date is that Ticagrelor’s MoA is inhibition of the dopamine transporter (DAT) and lacks intrinsic dopamine agonist activity. To our knowledge, Ticagrelor is the first peripherally-restricted compound with non-target related DAT activity above the IC50 value to undergo a 2-yr carcinogenicity bioassay.

Considering the combined effect of the SNPs in haplotype analysis

Considering the combined effect of the SNPs in haplotype analysis, six common haplotypes were

observed, although frequencies varied CHIR-99021 in vitro significantly between the three studies. The allele frequencies and overall patterns of LD were similar in these studies yet the haplotype frequency differed, even among the two Greek studies. Haplotype diversity can have implications for designing association studies from genetically distinct populations and there is evidence in EARSII of allele frequency differences across Europe [26]. We have no explanation for this difference in haplotype frequency but it may reflect variation in selection criteria. The haploytpe analysis in the 2 younger groups, GENDAI and EARSII, showed no association with intermediate traits. However in GrOW, one haplotype, Hap6, was associated with effects on insulin levels and estimates of insulin resistance and sensitivity. Compared to Hap1, Hap6 that was associated with higher plasma insulin levels and higher estimates of HOMA-IR and HOMA-β-cell in the GrOW study. The HOMA model is used to give an estimate of insulin sensitivity and ß-cell function from fasting plasma insulin and glucose concentrations [20]. The associations observed in GrOW suggest that those

women who carried the Hap6 haplotype showed some insulin resistance, since as they had higher plasma insulin, but their glucose levels do not differ significantly from the other haplotypes. This is further learn more supported by the QUICKI estimate of insulin sensitivity which is significantly lower in those with Hap6. QUICKI estimates have been shown to be lower in those who are overweight and diabetic when compared to non-obese and non-diabetic individulas [22]. It also appears oxyclozanide that Hap6 carriers are yet to develop β–cell failure as their HOMA-β-cell estimate is higher than those with Hap1. Hap6 is relatively uncommon in GrOW (Frequency 2.6%). For this reason we repeated the haplotype analyses using the THESIAS program and utilised a bootstrap approach to

take the uncertainty of inferring haplotypes into account, although studies have suggested that correcting or adjusting for uncertainty has little effect with inferred haplotypes [27]. All associations remained significant when repeated. A recent study of non-diabetic Caucasians reported the association of promoter variant, +183A > G (rs5744292), which is in complete LD with rs1946519 and rs3882891, with increased levels of serum IL-18, increased risk of metabolic syndrome and impaired insulin sensitivity [16]. Insulin sensitivity was significantly higher in subjects carrying the G allele and circulating IL-18 levels significantly lower. The C allele of the −137 G > C polymorphism (rs187238), which is in complete LD with rs549908 and rs360729, in the promoter region has also been associated with lower transcriptional activity [28].

However the experimental biodegradability

However the experimental biodegradability Pirfenidone cannot be applied to the COD methodology as it was determine from de VS of the. Also the relative error is obtained from the Eq. (8) comparing the BMPexp and BMPthBD. For the COD Eq. (2) the theoretical production (BMPth) follows the same behavior for biological sludge and OFMSW as the experimental results, where higher productivity was achieved by the OFMSW with a COD of 542 g/kg than the biological sludge (77.1 g/kg COD). In the co-digestion mixtures the productivity decreases with the COD content and the co-digestion mixture productivities do not surpass the productivity

of the sole substrates, although when BIBF 1120 chemical structure applying the experimental biodegradability (BMPthBD) the behavior changes, increasing the productivity for all the co-digestion mixtures from the sole substrates as occurs in the experimental results. The highest errors are obtained for this method with agreements lower than 90%. Despite the fact that the theoretical results obtained for the elemental composition equation method follows behavior similar to the previous method and the experimental results, the values are lower, but it gets agreements higher than 90%. However the co-digestion mixtures get similar increases from the sole substrates

OFMSW and biological sludge for co-digestion 1, while co-digestions 2, 3 and 4 increase only from the sole biological sludge. In this case the theoretical productivity decreases in those substrates with higher hydrogen and nitrogen presence, which can produce toxic concentration tuclazepam of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide [8]. It is also observed that the productivity increases with the rise of the COD and with the increase of the C/N ratio (Table 3). Some researchers have suggested that the C/N ratio for optimum digestion performance is in the range of 20–30, while many have demonstrated

that digestion can be successfully performed using a wider range of C/N ratios [13] and [37]. The organic fraction composition Eq. (5), obtains prediction results with a relative error % below 10%. The productivity increases with the proportion of lipids, as lipids exhibit a much higher biogas potential (1 m3 per kg of volatile solids) than carbohydrates, proteins or cellulose [36], nevertheless their kinetics are slower with higher fiber percentages (Table 4). Applying the biodegradability of the experimental results, none of the co-digestion mixtures exceed the productivity of the sole OFMSW. Otherwise the experimental results showed a different behavior, meaning that the synergistic effects could play an important role in the biodegradability of the co-digestion of these two substrates.

This method of preparation yields emulsions, the constitutions of

This method of preparation yields emulsions, the constitutions of which resemble those encountered in natural waters. The diameter of the

majority of petroleum droplets was < 3 μm. selleck chemicals The emulsion particle radii formed a size distribution described by a log-normal function ( Stelmaszewski et al. 2009) corresponding to the size distribution characterizing the emulsions present in natural basins ( Staroń 1999, Mikłaszewicz 2006). The fluorescence and scattering spectra of the emulsions were measured using a Fluorat-02 Panorama   spectrofluorimeter. In this device a narrow flux of illuminating radiation runs through the centre of the 1 cm  long quartz-glass cell. The illuminating beam is about 1 mm  in diameter and its half-intensity width does not exceed 5 nm. For comparing

fluorescence with light scattering, the measurements were carried out under the same conditions. The measured radiation coming from the test buy Vorinostat sample – light scattered or emitted by the emulsion – was restricted by a diaphragm with a circular hole 2 mm  in diameter. The measured radiation thus came from the centre of the cell at right angles to the illuminating flux, and its solid angle did not exceed 0.12 sr. The fluorimeter measures two non-dimensional values: F   and T  . F   is proportional to the ratio of the radiation reaching the receiver (fluorescence channel) and the intensity of the illuminating flux: equation(1) Fij=IijfIoiex,where IijfIijf denotes the luminescence intensity of wavelength λjf (λf = ‘j- wavelength’), Ioiex the intensity of the exciting radiation of wavelength λiexλiex (λex = the ‘i-wavelength’). The second value T – the transmission 3 – is the intensity of the light I after having passed through the sample in relation to the intensity of the radiation incident on the cell Io: T=IIo. The transmission

was measured to take into consideration the light attenuation in an emulsion. The fluorescence function w   was determined from these measurements according to the following formula: equation(1) wij=TioTjoTiTjFij−Fijo,where F   denotes the measurement for the emulsion tested, F  o the background measurement (radiation scattered in pure water), T   the transmission of radiation through the emulsion, and T  o transmission through the water. The fluorescence function w   is proportional to the internal energy efficiency of fluorescence. It represents the total spectrum of the luminophore Ureohydrolase and describes real fluorescence at the point where this phenomenon occurs, allowing for various effects like light attenuation or Raman scattering. This function also represents an ordinary fluorescence spectrum (luminescence as a function of λf for any defined wavelength λiexλiex of exciting radiation), but generally, w is a function of two variables: the exciting radiation wavelength λex and the luminescence wavelength λf: w = w(λex, λf). A discrete set of function values creates the matrix [wij]. The matrix diagonal corresponds to a synchronous spectrum.