Metamaterials: optical activity without chirality

We report that the classical phenomenon of optical activity, which is traditionally associated with chirality (helicity) of organic molecules, proteins, and inorganic structures, can be observed in artificial planar media which exhibit neither 3D nor 2D chirality. We observe the effect in the microwave and optical parts of the spectrum at oblique incidence to regular arrays of nonchiral subwavelength metamolecules in the form of strong circular dichroism and birefringence indistinguishable from those of chiral three-dimensional media

Экспериментальные исследования периодического способа питания забоя скважин дробью

High power diode lasers have become an established source for numerous direct applications like metal hardening and polymer welding due to their high efficiency, small size, low cost and high reliability. These laser sources are also used for efficient pumping of solid state lasers as Nd:YAG lasers. To increase the output power of diode lasers up to several kilowatts, the emitters are scaled laterally by forming a diode laser bar and vertically by forming a diode laser stack. For most applications like hardening and illumination, though, the undefined far field distribution of most commercially available high power diode laser stacks states a major drawback of these devices. As single emitters and bars can fail during their lifetime, the near field distribution does not remain constant. To overcome these problems, the intensity distribution can be homogenized by a waveguide or by microoptic devices. The waveguide segments the far field distribution by several total internal reflections, and these segments are overlaid at the waveguide's exit surface. By the microoptic device, the near field is divided into beamlets which are overlaid by a field lens. Both approaches are presented, and realized systems are described

Sub-cortical and brainstem sites associated with chemo-stimulated increases in ventilation in humans

We investigated the neural basis for spontaneous chemo-stimulated increases in ventilation in awake, healthy humans. Blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) functional MRI was performed in nine healthy subjects using T2weighted echo planar imaging. Brain volumes (52 transverse slices, cortex to high spinal cord) were acquired every 3.9 s. The 30 min paradigm consisted of six, 5-min cycles, each cycle comprising 45 s of hypoxic-isocapnia, 45 s of isooxic-hypercapnia and 45 s of hypoxic-hypercapnia, with 55 s of non-stimulatory hyperoxic-isocapnia (control) separating each stimulus period. Ventilation was significantly (p < 0.001) increased during hypoxic-isocapnia, isooxic-hypercapnia and hypoxic-hypercapnia (17.0, 13.8, 24.9 L/min respectively) vs. control (8.4 L/min) and was associated with significant (p < 0.05, corrected for multiple comparisons) signal increases within a bilateral network that included the basal ganglia, thalamus, red nucleus, cerebellum, parietal cortex, cingulate and superior mid pons. The neuroanatomical structures identified provide evidence for the spontaneous control of breathing to be mediated by higher brain centres, as well as respiratory nuclei in the brainstem

Surface Gap Soliton Ground States for the Nonlinear Schr\"{o}dinger Equation

We consider the nonlinear Schr\"{o}dinger equation $(-\Delta +V(x))u = \Gamma(x) |u|^{p-1}u$, $x\in \R^n$ with $V(x) = V_1(x) \chi_{\{x_1>0\}}(x)+V_2(x) \chi_{\{x_1<0\}}(x)$ and $\Gamma(x) = \Gamma_1(x) \chi_{\{x_1>0\}}(x)+\Gamma_2(x) \chi_{\{x_1<0\}}(x)$ and with $V_1, V_2, \Gamma_1, \Gamma_2$ periodic in each coordinate direction. This problem describes the interface of two periodic media, e.g. photonic crystals. We study the existence of ground state $H^1$ solutions (surface gap soliton ground states) for $0<\min \sigma(-\Delta +V)$. Using a concentration compactness argument, we provide an abstract criterion for the existence based on ground state energies of each periodic problem (with $V\equiv V_1, \Gamma\equiv \Gamma_1$ and $V\equiv V_2, \Gamma\equiv \Gamma_2$) as well as a more practical criterion based on ground states themselves. Examples of interfaces satisfying these criteria are provided. In 1D it is shown that, surprisingly, the criteria can be reduced to conditions on the linear Bloch waves of the operators $-\tfrac{d^2}{dx^2} +V_1(x)$ and $-\tfrac{d^2}{dx^2} +V_2(x)$.Comment: definition of ground and bound states added, assumption (H2) weakened (sign changing nonlinearity is now allowed); 33 pages, 4 figure

Stripper-foil scan studies of the first-turn beam loss mechanism in the LAMPF proton storage ring (PSR)

First-turn beam losses in the LAMPF Proton Storage Ring were measured as a function of the left-right position of the carbon foil used to strip neutral hydrogen atoms to H[sup +] for proton injection into the PSR. Two foil thicknesses, 200 and 300 [mu]g/cm[sup 2], were tested. Results indicated that first-turn loss is caused predominately by magnetic field stripping of a small fraction of the H[sub 0] atoms that pass through the stripper foil without being stripped to protons, and the results were not consistent with a mechanism involving protons originating from atoms in the halo of the neutral beam incident on the stripper foil

Evaluation of an International Trainee Exchange Program Developed by the Global Health Initiative at Henry Ford Health System

Program/Project Purpose: The Global Health Initiative (GHI) at Henry Ford Health System (HFHS) in Detroit, Michigan is committed to improving health outcomes and infrastructure in resource-limited countries through collaborative capacity-building models. In collaboration with our international partners, GHI developed a medical education and research exchange program whereby international trainees (medical and public health students, residents, and faculty) conduct a one-to two-month observation at HFHS including clinical rotations and lectures, laboratory experience, and engagement in structured global health research training. Structure/Method/Design: In the published literature, there are few articles that report on the evaluation of similar international exchange programs, and even fewer that include an evaluation of both mentors and trainees, or that focus on multi-country exchange programs. GHI developed surveys to evaluate the experiences of trainees and supervising mentors. The trainee survey includes questions on demographics, prior education, experience and perceptions of the HFHS observation, research training, housing, culture, and logistics. Quantitative and qualitative questions also ask how this experience will have long-term impact on their career and community (i.e. “I feel better equipped to serve the people in my own community”; “How has this experience shaped your educational and career goals?”; “How will you use this new information when you return to your home country?”). The mentor survey includes questions on observation activities, observer strengths and weaknesses, satisfaction with GHI coordination, and how the mentor\u27s department benefitted from the exchange program. Outcome & Evaluation: To date, GHI has hosted 14 medical and public health students/residents and 5 faculty members from 6 countries (Colombia, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Myanmar and Nepal). Trainees conducted observations in Infectious Diseases, Pathology, Allergy, Nephrology, Dermatology, Neurosurgery, Women\u27s Health, School-Based and Community Health, and Global Health. Evaluation results from trainee and mentor surveys will be presented. Going Forward: GHI will use these evaluation data to improve the clinical and research capacity training program, enhance mentor experiences, and strengthen collaborative relationships between HFHS and international partners. In the long-term, the exchange program will contribute to the development of global health service providers and improved health outcomes in low-resource settings