Reconfigurable photonic metamaterials drive by Coulomb, Lorentz and optical forces

Metamaterials offer a huge range of enhanced and novel functionalities that natural materials cannot provide. They promise applications in superresolution imaging, optical data storage, optical filters, polarization control, cloaking, fraud prevention and many more. However, their unique optical properties are often narrowband and usually fixed. Here we demonstrate how the mechanical rearrangement of metamaterial structures at the nanoscale provides a powerful platform for controlling metamaterial properties dynamically. Using thermal, electrical, magnetic and optical control signals we demonstrate large-range tuning, high-contrast switching and modulation of metamaterial optical properties at megahertz frequencies and beyond. Beyond the obvious benefit of adding tunability to known metamaterial functionalities, this unlocks many new opportunities in areas such as light modulation and highly nonlinear & bistable optical device

Nano-electromechanical switchable photonic metamaterials

We introduce mechanically reconfigurable electrostatically-driven photonic metamaterials (RPMs) as a generic platform for large-range tuning and switching of photonic metamaterial properties. Here we illustrate this concept with a high-contrast metamaterial electro-optic switch exhibiting relative reflection changes of up to 72% in the optical part of the spectrum

From first-order magneto-elastic to magneto-structural transition in (Mn,Fe)1.95P0.50Si0.50 compounds

We report on structural, magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of MnxFe1.95-xP0.50Si0.50 (x > 1.10) compounds. With increasing the Mn:Fe ratio, a first-order magneto-elastic transition gradually changes into a first-order magneto-structural transition via a second-order magnetic transition. The study also shows that thermal hysteresis can be tuned by varying the Mn:Fe ratio. Small thermal hysteresis (less than 1 K) can be obtained while maintaining a giant magnetocaloric effect. This achievement paves the way for real refrigeration applications using magnetic refrigerants.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, Supplemental Materia

Capture on High Curvature Region: Aggregation of Colloidal Particle Bound to Giant Phospholipid Vesicles

A very recent observation on the membrane mediated attraction and ordered aggregation of colloidal particles bound to giant phospholipid vesicles (I. Koltover, J. O. R\"{a}dler, C. R. Safinya, Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 82}, 1991(1999)) is investigated theoretically within the frame of Helfrich curvature elasticity theory of lipid bilayer fluid membrane. Since the concave or waist regions of the vesicle possess the highest local bending energy density, the aggregation of colloidal beads on these places can reduce the elastic energy in maximum. Our calculation shows that a bead in the concave region lowers its energy $\sim 20 k_B T$. For an axisymmetrical dumbbell vesicle, the local curvature energy density along the waist is equally of maximum, the beads can thus be distributed freely with varying separation distance.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figures. REVte

Nutrition in necrotizing enterocolitis and following intestinal resection

This review aims to discuss the role of nutrition and feeding practices in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), NEC prevention, and its complications, including surgical treatment. A thorough PubMed search was performed with a focus on meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials when available. There are several variables in nutrition and the feeding of preterm infants with the intention of preventing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Starting feeds later rather than earlier, advancing feeds slowly and continuous feeds have not been shown to prevent NEC and breast milk remains the only effective prevention strategy. The lack of medical treatment options for NEC often leads to disease progression requiring surgical resection. Following resection, intestinal adaptation occurs, during which villi lengthen and crypts deepen to increase the functional capacity of remaining bowel. The effect of macronutrients on intestinal adaptation has been extensively studied in animal models. Clinically, the length and portion of intestine that is resected may lead to patients requiring parenteral nutrition, which is also reviewed here. There remain significant gaps in knowledge surrounding many of the nutritional aspects of NEC and more research is needed to determine optimal feeding approaches to prevent NEC, particularly in infants younger than 28 weeks and \u3c1000 grams. Additional research is also needed to identify biomarkers reflecting intestinal recovery following NEC diagnosis individualize when feedings should be safely resumed for each patient

Controlling light with light in a plasmonic nanooptomechanical metamaterial

We demonstrate metamaterial with a cubic optical nonlinearity that is ten orders of magnitude greater than the reference nonlinearity of CS2. The nonlinearity has optomechanical nature and is underpinned by light-induced electromagnetic near-field interactions

85% efficiency for cw frequency doubling from 1.08 to 0.54 μm

Conversion efficiency of 85% has been achieved in cw second-harmonic generation from 1.08 to 0.54 μm with a potassium titanyl phosphate crystal inside an external ring cavity. An absolute comparison between the experimental data and a simple theory is made and shows good agreement

Nonlinear Development of the Secular Bar-mode Instability in Rotating Neutron Stars

We have modelled the nonlinear development of the secular bar-mode instability that is driven by gravitational radiation-reaction (GRR) forces in rotating neutron stars. In the absence of any competing viscous effects, an initially uniformly rotating, axisymmetric $n=1/2$ polytropic star with a ratio of rotational to gravitational potential energy $T/|W| = 0.181$ is driven by GRR forces to a bar-like structure, as predicted by linear theory. The pattern frequency of the bar slows to nearly zero, that is, the bar becomes almost stationary as viewed from an inertial frame of reference as GRR removes energy and angular momentum from the star. In this ``Dedekind-like'' state, rotational energy is stored as motion of the fluid in highly noncircular orbits inside the bar. However, in less than 10 dynamical times after its formation, the bar loses its initially coherent structure as the ordered flow inside the bar is disrupted by what appears to be a purely hydrodynamical, short-wavelength, ``shearing'' type instability. The gravitational waveforms generated by such an event are determined, and an estimate of the detectability of these waves is presented.Comment: 25 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ, refereed version, updated, for quicktime movie, see http://www.phys.lsu.edu/~ou/movie/fmode/new/fmode.b181.om4.2e5.mo

The Level Of Contact Lens Practice In Port Harcourt, Rivers State Of Nigeria.

The level of contact lens practice in Port Harcourt, Rivers State of Nigeria was investigated. The instruments of research were field work/direct observation, oral interviews of eye care practitioners, andthe assessment of clinical records of the contact lens patients from 2003 to 2006. Thirty five eye care practices were studied. The level of contact lens practice was assessed based on the number of clinics offering contact lens services, the number of eye care practitioners involved in contact lens services, the availability of essential instruments required for contact lens care, the percentage of patients prescribed contact lenses, and the annual contact lens patient flow in those clinics. Results showed that eleven(31.43%) of the eye care practices offer contact lens services, and seventeen (36.96%) eye care practitioners were involved in contact lens services. The level of contact lens practice based on the availability of retinoscope, trial case, and diagnostic contact lenses was very high (100.00%), and it was also high based on the availability of slit lamp biomicroscope 72.73%) and keratometer (63.64%). The percentage of patients corrected with contact lenses was very low (7.60%). The annual contact lens patient flowincreased from244 in 2003 to 345 in 2006 (a 41.40%increase) Enthusiasmon the part of the eye care practitioners incontact lens practice, andcreatingthe proper awarenesswouldboost the level of contact lens practice